Modular Device Connector With Interlocking Port Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing large numbers of test devices for software applications is burdensome due to the time-consuming process of unplugging and replugging devices from testing racks, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A modular device connector system that includes a rack-side support structure and a device-side support structure with interlocking port interfaces, allowing supply cables to connect efficiently to electronic devices without the need for manual unplugging and replugging, enabling quick device changes by sliding the device into position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual unplugging and replugging of devices is used, then device connectivity is maintained, but time consumption and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate parts: a rack-side support structure with port interfaces that remains fixed in the testing rack, and a device-side support structure that attaches to the electronic device. This segmentation allows the device to be swapped without moving the cable connections, as the rack-side connector maintains permanent connection to the supply cables while the device-side connector is simply attached or detached from the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack-side support structure acts as an intermediary between the supply cables and the devices. Instead of directly plugging cables into each device, the intermediary rack-side connector with port interfaces receives the supply cables once and then interfaces with device-side connectors. This mediator eliminates the need to repeatedly connect and disconnect cables when swapping devices.
2Ease of operation
If multiple cables are manually connected to each device, then complete connectivity is achieved, but operation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple port interfaces (power, data, audio/video connections) are merged into a single integrated rack-side support structure. Instead of managing separate cable connections for each interface, all connections are consolidated through one rack-side connector unit with multiple port interfaces, simplifying the operation to a single attachment action.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack-side support structure is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of port interfaces (power, data, audio/video) simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows a single rack-side connector to handle all connection types for any device, eliminating the need for device-specific cable management procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed apparatus may include a rack-side support structure dimensioned to hold a two-sided port interface with a rack-side mating end and an adapter-side mating end. The rack-side mating end may be configured to interface with supply cables, and the adapter-side mating end may be configured to interface with an opposite adapter-side mating end of another port interface. The apparatus may also include a device-side support structure dimensioned to hold a two-sided port interface including an opposing adapter-side mating end and a device-side mating end. The opposing adapter-side mating end may be configured to interface with the adapter-side mating end of the rack-side's port interface, and the device-side mating end may interface with cables that connect to the electronic devices. The rack-side support structure may be configured to interlock with the device-side support structure to connect to the electronic devices. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.