Demarcation Device for Cable Tray Space Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As data centers become denser, managing cables becomes increasingly difficult due to the need for multiple connections between devices in different racks, leading to space inefficiency and increased complexity, as patch panels are required to transfer connections between racks, resulting in extra cables and cluttered cable trays.
Innovation Solution
A demarcation device is mounted on top of cable trays, featuring a frame assembly and base that allows for perpendicular installation, enabling efficient termination of external cables and routing of internal cables without obstructing the tray, thereby reducing the need for additional cables and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If patch panels are used to transfer connections between racks, then device connectivity is achieved, but cable complexity and tray clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cable management function from traditional patch panels and relocates it to the cable tray level using demarcation devices. This separates the connectivity function (remaining in racks) from the cable routing function (moved to tray), eliminating the need for intermediate patch panels and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions cable management from a vertical rack-based dimension to a horizontal tray-based dimension. By implementing demarcation devices in the cable tray plane rather than in rack units, the system reorganizes cable paths horizontally before vertical rack connections, reducing cable complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cables are routed through cable trays to connect devices in different racks, then device connectivity is achieved, but space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary cable termination and organization at the demarcation devices before cables enter the racks. By pre-organizing cables horizontally in the tray level, the system reduces the number of cables that need to be managed vertically in racks, improving space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The demarcation devices act as intermediary elements between external cable sources and rack-mounted devices. These intermediaries consolidate and organize cable paths, reducing the total number of individual cable routes needed through the cable trays.
3Ease of operation
If patch panels are installed in racks to manage cable connections, then cable organization is improved, but rack space availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cable organization function from rack-mounted patch panels and relocates it to demarcation devices in the cable trays. This removal frees up rack space while maintaining cable organization capabilities at the tray level.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves cable organization from the vertical rack dimension to the horizontal tray dimension. By organizing cables horizontally at the demarcation level before they enter racks vertically, the system achieves cable organization without consuming rack space.
Data Source
AI summary
A demarcation device is disclosed. The demarcation device mounts on top of a cable tray. When mounted on the to of a cable tray the demarcation device is above a length of the cable tray and the bottom edge of the demarcation device is parallel with a top edge of the cable tray and a cable path in the cable tray remains un-obstructed.