Patch Panel Cable Guide for Rear Adapter Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional communication patch panels require significant workspace to access rear connections, leading to cable tangling and disorganization, making it difficult to pull individual panels out and differentiate between cables.
Innovation Solution
A cable guide system that transitions between states, allowing the guide member to move between external and internal positions of the housing, and a housing design with open sides to facilitate cable management and accessibility, using poles for cable organization and securing members to manage cable exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the patch panel is pulled completely out of the housing to access rear connections, then accessibility to rear adapters is improved, but cable organization deteriorates and workspace requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into open sides and enclosed portions, allowing selective access to different areas. The cable guide is segmented into a guide member and positioning features that can independently manage cable routing, enabling rear adapter access without requiring complete panel removal while maintaining cable organization through structured pathways.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple patch panels are arranged vertically in a housing, then space utilization is improved, but cable tangling increases and individual panel access becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide acts as an intermediary mechanism between the vertically arranged patch panels and the external environment. It provides dedicated cable routing pathways that prevent tangling between panels while allowing individual panels to be accessed and removed without disturbing adjacent panels, thus maintaining both compact vertical arrangement and individual accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cables are allowed to extend freely from multiple patch panels, then connectivity is improved, but cable disorganization increases and differentiation becomes troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide introduces a spatial dimension to cable management by creating elevated or offset routing pathways. Cables are directed through guide members with positioning features that establish organized three-dimensional pathways, allowing multiple cables to coexist without tangling while maintaining connectivity flexibility. This dimensional approach enables cable differentiation through structured spatial separation.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable guide for guidance of at least one cable through a patch panel system, including a housing having front, back, left, and right sides, and at least one patch panel device including a tray and one or more adapters, the cable guide comprising an advancing member having a first end for coupling to the back side of the housing, a second end for coupling to the tray of the patch panel device, and a guide member disposed between the first and second ends, wherein the advancing member is transitionable between a first and second state, wherein, when the first and second ends are coupled respectively to the back side and the tray, in the first state, the guide member is positioned at least partially external to the housing at one of the left or right sides; and in the second state, the guide member is positioned within the housing.