Vertical Mounting Rail With Snap-Fit Cable Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Racks, frames, and cabinets for electronic components face increased complexity, weight, and cost due to separate cable management accessories and hardware, leading to inefficient space utilization and higher manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a vertical mounting rail with integrated support surfaces for cable management structures, such as D-rings and multi-fingered cable guides, which can be snap-fit mounted without additional fasteners, reducing the need for separate brackets and hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate cable management accessories and brackets are used, then cable management functionality is provided, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable management functionalityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines cable management structures directly with the vertical mounting rail by providing support surfaces integrated into the rail body. This merging eliminates the need for separate brackets and hardware, reducing structural complexity while maintaining cable management functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical mounting rail is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for mounting equipment and simultaneously integrates cable management capabilities through built-in support surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate cable management accessories and hardware are used, then cable management is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable management capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating cable management support surfaces into the vertical mounting rail as a single component, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, stocked, and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining full cable management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate brackets are used for cable management, then cable management structures are supported, but space utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable management structure supportVSAvoidspace utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges cable management support functions into the existing vertical mounting rail structure, eliminating the need for separate brackets that would occupy additional space. This integration maximizes space utilization within the equipment enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10237994B2Vertical mounting rail with cable management features

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 CHATSWORTH PRODUCTS INC

AI summary

An electronic equipment enclosure includes a frame structure that includes side cross members between front and rear frames, a vertical mounting rail fastened to the frame structure, and a first cable management structure. The vertical mounting rail includes a fastening portion, for interfacing with the frame structure, and at least one support portion including an aperture therein. The first cable management structure has a boss adapted to be maneuvered into the aperture and seated therein so as to fasten the first cable management structure to the at least one support portion without a separate fastener.