Composite Cable Assembly for Server Cabinet Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In server cabinets, the lack of space and high costs associated with traditional cable management systems, such as cable arms, lead to messy and entangled cables, which can interfere with components and affect signal transmission and power delivery, while fastening methods like straps or adhesive tapes have short lifespans and poor fastening effects.

Innovation Solution

A composite cable assembly comprising overlapping flat cables with shielding layers and a cable unit, where the cables and unit are bent and connected with extension sections and fastening units, providing flexibility and rigidity, allowing for efficient movement without shifting or deformation, and reducing component costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cable arm with pivot member and chain is used for cable management, then cable organization is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable managementVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of cable management from the complex cable arm mechanism and implements it through a simplified flat cable structure with fastening units, eliminating the need for pivot members and chains while maintaining cable organization capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex cable arm mechanisms with a simpler, more cost-effective flat cable assembly that achieves the same cable management function without requiring maintenance of mechanical moving parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If a cable arm is installed in the server cabinet, then cable management capability is improved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable managementVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a cost-effective flat cable assembly with simple fastening units instead of expensive cable arm mechanisms, significantly reducing installation costs while maintaining cable management functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If fastening strap or adhesive tape is used to secure cables, then installation cost is reduced, but fastening reliability and cable stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation costVSAvoidfastening effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure combining flat cables made of flexible metal foil with fastening units, creating a hybrid material system that provides both the flexibility needed for cable movement and the structural integrity required for reliable fastening, overcoming the limitations of single-material solutions like adhesive tapes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Adaptability or versatility

If cables are frequently moved back and forth, then cable flexibility is improved, but cable deformation and shifting increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable flexibilityVSAvoidcable structure stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs flat cables made of flexible metal foil that inherently provide both flexibility for movement and structural stability, preventing deformation and shifting even during frequent cable repositioning operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention designs the flat cable assembly to dynamically adapt to cable movement requirements while maintaining structural integrity through its flexible metal foil construction, allowing the cable to bend and move without permanent deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

5Ease of operation

If cable management space is increased, then cable organization is improved, but server cabinet space utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable organizationVSAvoidcable management space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the cable management function directly into the cable structure itself through the flat cable assembly with integrated fastening units, eliminating the need for separate cable arm mechanisms and associated space, thereby organizing cables effectively within the limited server cabinet volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10462928B2Composite cable assembly and server having the same

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 SUPER MICRO COMPUTER INC(US)

AI summary

A composite cable assembly includes flat cables, a cable unit and fastening units. Each flat cable includes conductor assemblies and a shielding layer covering the conductor assemblies. The cable unit includes transmission lines. The transmission lines are arranged horizontally and in contact with the shielding layer of the flat cable closest to the transmission lines. The cable unit contacts the flat cable closest to the cable unit, the cable unit and each flat cable are together bent to form bent portions and extension sections connected to the bent portions. Each two fastening units are arranged spaced apart at two sides of a corresponding bent portion. Each extension section has the same length when the cable unit and each flat cable are moved in a movement direction to extend or collapse.