Modular Vertical Cable Manager with Tool-Less Assembly Sockets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vertical cable managers require time-consuming assembly with tools and have high manufacturing costs due to fixed midsections, which reduce cable capacity and are bulky, making shipment costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A modular vertical cable manager design featuring side cable guides with T-shaped projections, a midsection member with a large taper socket, and a splice plate for tool-less assembly, allowing for flexible positioning and increased cable capacity without the need for fixed midsections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fixed midsections are used in vertical cable managers, then structural strength and rigidity are improved, but assembly time increases, manufacturing costs increase, and cable capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cable manager is divided into modular segments (side cable guides, midsection members, splice plates) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The midsection member includes a web and flanges that connect to side cable guides through sockets, creating interchangeable modular units that reduce assembly time while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The midsection member is inserted into sockets of side cable guides, with the web fitting inside the socket structure. This nested configuration allows the midsection to be integrated within the side cable guides, providing strength while enabling tool-less assembly through the tapered socket design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If fixed midsections are used in vertical cable managers, then structural rigidity is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and cable capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The socket is designed with a large taper geometry, where the entrance width is greater than the midsection member width, allowing for easy insertion without tools. This parameter change in the socket dimensions enables cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining structural rigidity through the tapered fit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If fixed midsections are used in vertical cable managers, then structural strength is improved, but shipment efficiency decreases due to bulky size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidshipment volume

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The midsection member and side cable guides are designed as separate, movable components that can be assembled and disassembled without tools. The tapered socket allows the midsection to be inserted and removed easily, transforming the structure from a fixed, bulky design to a dynamic, space-efficient modular system that reduces shipment volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of time

If modular design with tool-less assembly is used, then assembly time decreases and ease of operation improves, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly timeVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS10320163B2Vertical cable manager

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 CHATSWORTH PRODUCTS INC

AI summary

A cable manager includes one or more cable manager units. Each cable manager unit includes a pair of side cable guides, each comprised of a plurality of finger-like projections extending forwardly from a support column. At least one of the pair of support columns has a socket arranged at a side thereof. Each cable manager unit further includes a separate midsection member capable of insertion into the socket for interconnecting the pair of side cable guides.