Coaxial Panel Mounting Frame With Interlocking Snap-Fit Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Coaxial switching jacks lack flexibility in configuration to accommodate changing signal generating and processing needs, as they are not easily adaptable to direct different types of signals and do not allow for selective looping or termination of signals without disturbing existing connections.
Innovation Solution
A coaxial panel with a frame and mounting frames that include interlocking and snap-fit structures for aligning and securing coaxial jacks, allowing for easy rearrangement of connections and selective signal routing through intermating structures that prevent perpendicular separation, enabling flexible configuration and alignment of coaxial cable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If coaxial switching jacks are used for connecting coaxial cables, then signal transmission between equipment is enabled, but flexibility in configuration to accommodate changing signal generating and processing needs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: individual coaxial jacks that can be independently mounted on the panel, separate patch cables for signal routing, and distinct mounting frames. This segmentation allows each component to be independently configured, moved, or replaced without affecting the entire system, thereby improving flexibility while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection configuration is made dynamic through the use of patch cables that can be easily inserted and removed from the coaxial jacks. This allows the signal routing to be changed on-demand without permanent reconfiguration of the underlying infrastructure, enabling the system to adapt to changing needs while keeping the mounting structure simple and fixed.
2Ease of operation
If coaxial jacks are mounted on a panel with fixed openings, then alignment of cable connections is achieved, but ease of rearrangement of connections is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into the panel with fixed openings, separate mounting frames, and individual coaxial jacks. This allows the alignment function to be distributed across multiple components rather than requiring a single rigid structure, enabling easier rearrangement while maintaining alignment precision through the coordinated design of the segmented components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting frame acts as an intermediary between the panel with fixed openings and the coaxial jacks. It provides a flexible mounting platform that can be positioned and secured to the panel, allowing the coaxial jacks to be easily rearranged on the mounting frame while the frame itself maintains precise alignment with the panel openings through its intermating structure.
3Reliability
If intermating structures are used to couple mounting frames, then secure connections preventing perpendicular separation are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermating structures between mounting frames employ asymmetric coupling mechanisms where the coupling geometry is designed to be easy to engage in one direction but resistant to separation in the perpendicular direction. This asymmetric design provides reliable secure connections while keeping the structures relatively simple, as the complexity is minimized by using straightforward asymmetric geometries rather than complex symmetric locking mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A coaxial panel comprising a frame with a plurality of openings and a mounting plate for holding a plurality of coaxial jacks that is mounted to the frame is disclosed. Each mounting plate includes an exterior surface that includes an intermating structure for slidably coupling a first mounting plate to a second identical mounting plate in a sliding direction either in a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation. The intermating structure configured such that two coupled mounting plates cannot be pulled apart in a direction generally perpendicular to the sliding direction. The coaxial jacks mounted to the mounting plate and the mounting plate include slidably intermating alignment structures for aligning front coaxial cable connection locations of the coaxial jacks with the plurality of openings in the frame.