Free-Standing Cable Tray Support for Flexible Data Center Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable tray support systems for data centers face installation challenges, interference with ventilation systems, and increased costs due to reliance on ceiling-mounted structures or specially-designed server racks, limiting construction flexibility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A free-standing cable tray support structure that is installed on the floor, using vertical and horizontal support members with coupling assemblies and floor mounts, allowing assembly before or after server racks, and avoiding interference with ventilation components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If ceiling-mounted support structures are used, then cable tray support capability is improved, but installation difficulty and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable tray support capabilityVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional ceiling-mounted support approach by using floor-mounted support structures. Instead of anchoring support members to the ceiling and hanging cable trays downward, the invention anchors vertical support members to the floor and extends them upward to support cable trays, thereby eliminating the need for ceiling penetration and complex overhead installation procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces adjustable vertical support members as intermediary elements between the floor and cable trays. These support members act as mediators that can be adjusted in height and position to accommodate various cable tray configurations and ceiling heights, simplifying both installation and future modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If ceiling-mounted support structures are used, then cable tray support capability is improved, but construction sequencing flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable tray support capabilityVSAvoidconstruction sequencing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the support structure from ceiling-mounted to floor-mounted, the patent enables installation independence from ceiling completion status. Floor mounting allows support structures to be installed during early construction phases before ceiling systems are finalized, eliminating sequential construction constraints and enabling parallel installation of multiple building systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The floor-mounted support structure can be installed in advance during early construction phases, allowing cable tray infrastructure to be prepared before server racks, ventilation systems, or ceiling systems are installed. This preliminary action eliminates construction sequencing conflicts and enables more flexible project scheduling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If specially-designed server racks with integrated support brackets are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport structure integrationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cable tray support function from the server rack system by using separate, dedicated floor-mounted support structures. This segmentation allows each component (server racks, cable trays, support members) to be manufactured and installed independently using standard, off-the-shelf products, thereby avoiding the need for expensive custom-integrated server racks while maintaining system functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The floor-mounted vertical support members serve multiple functions: they support cable trays, provide structural anchoring, and can accommodate various heights and configurations. This universal support solution eliminates the need for specially-designed server racks with integrated brackets, allowing standard server racks to be used while achieving the same support capability through the separate support structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4218371B1Free-standing cable tray support structure and method of assembly

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 MODULARMC LLC

Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B~3C

AI summary

A cable tray support structure (1) for supporting cables (7) above an array of server racks (4) in a data center is provided, along with a method of assembly. The cable tray support structure (1) is freestanding, and includes vertical support posts (12) disposed between the server racks (4) in the array linked together by horizontal support members (16). Coupling assemblies (30) couple the top ends of each vertical support posts (12) with opposing ends of two horizontal support members (16) arranged. The horizontal support members (16) are sized to space the plurality of vertical support posts (12) between the server racks (4) of the array when the vertical support posts (12) are coupled thereto. Tray supports (18) mounted on the horizontal support members (16) support cable trays (6a, 6b). The support structure (1) may be assembled either before or after the array of server racks (4) is installed in the data center, as it is mechanically independent from the server racks (4) and is supported only by the floor (2).