Hinged Client Fiber Trough for Fabric Cable Access in Racks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rack or cabinet systems with externally-connected cables face challenges in accessing fabric cables due to the routing of client fibers in front of them, leading to potential damage and hindered upgrade or expansion, especially in space-constrained environments.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic, rotatable client fiber trough assembly with a hinge mechanism that allows the client fiber bundle to be moved out of the way, providing access to fabric cables by rotating 90 degrees, equipped with a bend limiter to prevent damage and utilizing fiber slack for smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If client fibers are routed to fixed corner posts in front of the rack, then fiber connectivity is maintained, but access to fabric cables is hindered and risk of fiber damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed corner post into a movable trough assembly that can rotate between a closed position (protecting fibers) and an open position (allowing access to fabric cables). The hinge mechanism enables this dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the trough to move out of the way during cable management operations and return to protect fibers during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The trough assembly is segmented into multiple components: the trough body, hinge mechanism, bend limiters, and coupling elements. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function while enabling the overall system to achieve both fiber protection and cable access capabilities through coordinated movement of the segmented parts.
2Area of stationary object
If a narrow rack solution is used to save floor space, then space efficiency improves, but access to fabric cables becomes difficult and fiber snagging risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic trough assembly allows the narrow rack to provide adequate access to fabric cables by rotating the trough out of the way when needed, compensating for the reduced space available in the narrow rack configuration. This dynamic movement enables the compact rack design to maintain operational accessibility despite space constraints.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fabric cables are routed behind client fibers, then cable organization is achieved, but access to fabric cables is blocked by client fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The movable trough assembly maintains the organized routing of fabric cables behind client fibers during normal operation, then dynamically moves out of the way to provide access to fabric cables when needed. The hinge mechanism enables this temporary reconfiguration without disrupting the overall organized cable management structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A rack or cabinet system, including: a cabinet adapted to receive a circuit pack; a trough assembly movably coupled to the cabinet, where the trough assembly is adapted to receive a plurality of client fibers from a faceplate of the circuit pack; and a hinge assembly coupled to the cabinet and adapted to pivot the trough assembly away from/towards a front portion of the cabinet and the circuit pack. The trough assembly and the hinge assembly are collectively adapted to pivot the trough assembly away from the front portion of the cabinet and the circuit pack to move the plurality of client fibers such that a plurality of fabric cables coupled to front-side portions of the circuit pack behind the plurality of client fibers can be accessed by a user.