Multi-Orientation Device Mount Rack for Ergonomic Cabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information handling system racks face challenges with device orientation, cabling complexity, and space management, leading to ergonomic and efficiency issues during device installation and maintenance, particularly due to horizontal device mounting and extensive cabling that limits access and cooling.
Innovation Solution
A configurable multi-orientation device mount rack system that allows devices to be mounted in both horizontal and vertical orientations, with integrated cable management subsystems to simplify cabling and enhance accessibility and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If devices are mounted horizontally one on top of the other in conventional racks, then the rack can house multiple devices, but it becomes difficult to position devices near the top wall requiring two people to lift the full height, and difficult to access devices near the bottom wall requiring bending down
Solution Approach 1:
The rack shelf is designed to be reconfigurable between horizontal and vertical orientations. The device mounting subsystem can dynamically change the orientation of device housings from horizontal to vertical, allowing devices to be mounted in the most ergonomic orientation depending on their position in the rack and accessibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces vertical orientation as an additional dimension to the traditional horizontal mounting approach. By enabling devices to be mounted vertically on rack shelves, the system provides another spatial arrangement option that improves ergonomics for both upper and lower device positions without requiring additional rack depth or width.
2Ease of operation
If Top Of Rack switch devices are positioned adjacent the top wall for cabling, then network connectivity is provided, but it introduces extensive cabling that can inhibit access to devices, limit cooling, block visual access to indicators, and block physical access to device ports
Solution Approach 1:
The rack system dynamically repositions network switch devices from fixed positions at the top wall to configurable positions on individual rack shelves. This allows switches to be placed adjacent to the devices they serve, reducing cable length and complexity while improving access to device ports and indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rack shelf can be independently configured with its own device mounting subsystem, allowing local placement of network switches next to specific devices. This localized arrangement reduces the need for extensive top-of-rack cabling and improves local access to network ports and device indicators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rack shelves are fixed in horizontal orientation, then device mounting is simplified, but the rack cannot adapt to different device orientations or improve ergonomics for various device positions
Solution Approach 1:
The device mounting subsystem is designed to perform multiple functions: mounting devices in both horizontal and vertical orientations, and supporting both traditional and reconfigurable rack shelf arrangements. This universal mounting capability allows a single rack system to adapt to different device types and ergonomic requirements without requiring separate mounting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting subsystem includes reconfigurable elements that allow rack shelves to be dynamically repositioned between fixed and movable states, and devices to be mounted in different orientations. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to various device configurations while maintaining standardized mounting interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable multi-orientation device mount rack system includes a rack including a first rack shelf. A first device housing is defined by the rack and the first rack shelf. A first device mounting subsystem is included on the rack and that is configurable to mount each of a plurality of devices in the first device housing and to the rack in a first orientation. A second device mounting subsystem is included on the first rack shelf and that is configurable to mount each of a plurality of devices in the first device housing and to the rack in a second orientation that is different than the first orientation. As such, each of a plurality of devices may be positioned in and mounted to the rack in the first device housing in either a “vertical”/side-by-side orientation or a “horizontal”/stacked orientation.