Cable Manifold Layout for Robotic Rack Connector Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable management systems in datacenters are inefficient for automated server handling, as cables and connectors are not staged consistently, making it difficult for automated systems to accurately handle and manage cables.
Innovation Solution
A cable manifold with fixed positions for cable connectors that allows simultaneous removal and insertion of connectors using a robot, featuring fiducial marks for alignment and securing mechanisms to maintain connector position during handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cables and connectors are arranged for human use with manual handling, then ease of operation for human operators is improved, but automated server handling capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates cable management into two independent components: the cable manifold remains stationary while the server tray moves. This segmentation allows automated robots to handle server trays without manually managing cables, as the manifold's fixed position and organized connector arrangement enable automated connection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable manifold acts as an intermediary device between the automated server handling system and the cable infrastructure. It provides a standardized interface with consistently positioned connectors that robots can reliably locate and connect to, bridging the gap between automated tray handling and cable management.
2Measurement precision
If each cable connector is individually removed from server tray, then precision of connector handling is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cable connectors are merged into a single integrated cable manifold assembly. This allows the robot to handle one manifold component containing multiple connectors simultaneously, rather than individually removing and positioning each connector separately, thereby improving productivity while maintaining precision through the manifold's fixed geometric arrangement.
3Measurement precision
If cable connectors are staged in consistent locations on cable manifold, then automated server handling accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable manifold serves multiple functions: it organizes multiple connectors in consistent positions for automated handling, provides structural support for cable routing, and acts as a mounting interface between the server tray and cable infrastructure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving precise automated handling.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to a cable manifold and a system for rack cabling. A cable manifold includes a base surface, a plurality of sections, and one or more openings. Each of the plurality of sections comprises a respective plurality of sides extending transverse from the base surface, wherein each section shares one or more sides with at least one adjacent section The one or more openings extend through the base surface. One or more sections of the plurality of sections comprises a respective opening of the one or more openings configured to house a cable connector connected to a server tray removably coupled to the cable manifold such that when the cable manifold is removed from the server tray each cable connector housed by the plurality of openings are simultaneously removed from the server tray.