Voice Data Patch Panel Bracket for Wire Enclosure Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patch panels in structured wire enclosures often present a convoluted mess of wires due to jacks and insulation displacement punch down terminals being on the same side, making it difficult to access and manage the rear terminations, especially when normal access is restricted.
Innovation Solution
A bracket-based patch panel design with a front surface showing only jacks and labeling, while hiding cabling and terminations, featuring molded openings, mounting members, label holders, and a support bar, allowing easy access to rear IDC punch-down terminations through a rotating mechanism and secure fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If jacks and insulation displacement punch down terminals are placed on the same side of the patch panel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to convoluted wire mess and difficult access to rear terminations
Solution Approach 1:
The patch panel is divided into two distinct sides: front side for jacks and rear side for insulation displacement punch down terminals. This segmentation allows each side to serve its specific function independently, eliminating the wire mess problem while maintaining ease of operation for both connection types.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a single-sided layout to a dual-sided three-dimensional arrangement. By utilizing both front and rear surfaces of the patch panel, the invention provides separate access points for different connection types, improving operational ease without increasing overall structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If jacks are placed on the front of the patch module and insulation displacement punch down terminals on the rear, then the ease of operation improves for front connections, but the device complexity increases due to mounting and access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket and patch module are combined into an integrated assembly. The bracket provides mounting structure and support, while the patch module contains the jacks and terminals, creating a unified device that improves ease of operation without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling mounting to the enclosure, and facilitating access to rear terminations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Shape
If the patch panel is designed to hide cabling and terminations, then the aesthetic appearance improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted access to rear connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patch module is designed to be removable from the bracket, creating a dynamic system that can transition between a closed aesthetic state and an open accessible state. This allows the panel to maintain aesthetic appearance during normal use while enabling easy access to rear connections when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket acts as an intermediary structure that holds the patch module while allowing controlled access. The removable design of the patch module enables the system to mediate between aesthetic requirements (hidden cabling) and operational requirements (access to terminations).
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a patch panel. The patch panel has a bracket having a panel interface having a front surface and a back surface substantially parallel to each other, at least one opening in the panel interface extends from the front surface to the back surface, at least one mounting member on the front surface of the bracket, at least one mounting member on the back surface of the bracket, a first pair of opposing edges and a second pair of opposing edges, the first pair and second pair of opposing edges are formed perpendicular to the panel interface. The patch panel also has a patching module having a number of connection elements, such as jacks, on a front side of the patching module and a number of connectors, such as insulation displacement connectors, on a back side of the patching module, wherein each connector is associated with one of the connection elements on the front side of the patching module.