Modular Cable Management System with Hinged Covers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cable management systems in server cabinets are often time-consuming, disorganized, and difficult to alter, as they require bundling cables with tie straps or routing through flexible conduits, which lacks adaptability and ease of access.

Innovation Solution

A cable management system with removably secured cable support members that can be installed by hand without fasteners, featuring hinge elements interacting with cover hinge elements to create a protected yet accessible cable channel, allowing for easy installation and customization of cable routing both vertically and horizontally within the cabinet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional cable management systems use tie straps or flexible conduits to bundle and route cables, then cable routing is achieved, but the system becomes time-consuming to install, difficult to alter, and lacks adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management system is divided into separate modular components including cable support members with fingers, covers, and mounting elements that can be independently installed and reconfigured. This segmentation enables quick assembly without complex bundling operations and allows easy reconfiguration of cable routes by simply repositioning modular units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable support members feature movable fingers that can flex and adjust to accommodate different cable sizes and routing configurations. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying cable management needs without requiring complete disassembly or complex adjustments, significantly reducing installation and reconfiguration time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If conventional cable management systems use tie straps or flexible conduits, then cable routing is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to alter and lacks ease of access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses separable cover and support member components that can be easily removed and repositioned to access cables. This modular design provides straightforward access to cables and ports without requiring complex manipulation of bundled cables or disassembly of integrated structures, while the individual components remain simple in design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as an intermediary element that provides protected access to the cable channel. It can be opened to access cables when needed and closed to protect the routing path, offering ease of access without exposing the entire cable management structure or requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If cable support members are removably secured without fasteners, then ease of installation is improved, but securing reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidsecuring reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable support members feature self-securing mechanisms where the fingers and mounting elements automatically engage with each other and the cabinet structure upon installation. The design allows the components to secure themselves without external fasteners, maintaining installation simplicity while ensuring reliable positioning through interlocking geometries and friction-based retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3806253B1Cable management systems
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 SCHROFF GROUP
  • EP3806253B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3806253B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3806253B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A cable support member (140) for routing cables within a server cabinet (10), or other type of electrical enclosure, can have a base (142) with a set of engagement members (150) configured to removably engage with a corresponding set of apertures (120) in a rack angle member (110) of the server cabinet (10). A plurality of finger members (170) can extend from the base (142) to aid in routing the cables. A cable management system (200) can include multiple sets of cable support members (140) that define a channel (166) through which cables can be routed. A cover (300) can be hingedly mounted to cable support members (140).