Distribution Strip Asymmetric End Face Cable Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distribution strips for server cabinets face challenges in guiding feed cables due to rigidity and limited flexibility, often requiring higher structural heights or complex rotation mechanisms, which restrict cable routing freedom and necessitate multiple strip configurations for different orientations.

Innovation Solution

A distribution strip design featuring an obliquely formed first end face with a wedge element, creating an inner angle of ≥ 105°, allowing the feed cable to exit at a defined angle, combined with a depression and flexible sealing sleeve for enhanced flexibility and a tool-free fixing mechanism for secure installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the feed cable exits on the end face of the distribution strip, then cable routing freedom is improved, but the structural height of the server cabinet must be increased or the cable flexibility must be very high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing freedomVSAvoidstructural height of server cabinet
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution strip features an asymmetric design where the first end face is formed obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis, creating an inner angle of ≥105° with the upper side face. This asymmetric geometry allows the feed cable to exit at a defined angle, enabling cable routing freedom without requiring increased cabinet height or high cable flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Length of stationary object

If the feed cable exits on the side face to reduce cabinet height, then structural height is reduced, but cable routing flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural height of server cabinetVSAvoidcable routing flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The oblique first end face creates an asymmetric structure that enables the feed cable to exit at a defined angle. This allows the cabinet to maintain a low structural height while the cable can still be routed flexibly at various angles due to the inclined exit geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex rotation mechanism is added to the feed cable exit, then cable routing freedom is improved, but device complexity and error proneness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing freedomVSAvoidrotation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex rotation mechanism from the design. Instead, it uses the simple geometric feature of the oblique first end face to achieve cable routing freedom, thereby reducing device complexity and error proneness while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple distribution strip configurations are provided for different orientations, then cable routing adaptability is improved, but inventory complexity and selection difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing adaptabilityVSAvoidnumber of strip configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution strip achieves multi-functionality through its asymmetric design with the oblique first end face. A single strip configuration can accommodate various cable routing orientations (left, right, front, back) due to the defined exit angle, eliminating the need for multiple specialized configurations and simplifying inventory management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2806717B2Distribution strip
Publication Date: 2023.02.01 VERTIV INTEGRATED SYST GMBH
  • EP2806717B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2806717B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2806717B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a distribution strip for distributing electrical energy for equipment, device and / or server cabinets, wherein the inner chamber is defined by an upper, lower, two lateral side faces and two end faces. A feed cable is provided on one of the end faces. An end face forms, with a side face, an inner angle of greater than 105°.