Telecommunications Patching Module with Divider Panel Cable Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density fiber distribution frames and racks face challenges in cable and cord management due to space constraints, leading to issues like excessive bending, tangling, and reduced accessibility, which hampers efficient deployment and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A module and cassette system for telecommunications racks that includes a divider panel, cover panel, and rear wall with gap spaces to manage copper and fiber optic cables, allowing patch cords to be stored and extended efficiently, forming slack loops and using guides and spools to prevent tangling and optimize space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high-density fiber distribution frames are used to increase the number of ports per unit volume, then connection density is improved, but cable management problems worsen due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution frame is divided into multiple modular trays, each capable of independent cable management. Each tray segment handles a specific group of connections, allowing technicians to manage cables in smaller, organized sections rather than dealing with all cables in a single crowded space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical stacking of multiple trays in the rack space, transitioning from horizontal cable management to vertical organization. This three-dimensional arrangement increases port density while maintaining cable management efficiency by distributing cables across multiple vertical levels.
2Productivity
If 0U cabinets are used to reserve all rack units for active computing equipment, then deployment speed is improved, but cable management becomes more critical due to reduced volume
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system is nested within the cabinet structure itself, with integrated trays and routing channels built into the cabinet walls and shelves. This eliminates the need for separate external cable management equipment, maximizing the use of available volume while maintaining ease of cable organization.
3Quantity of substance
If increased density is implemented in distribution frames, then connection capacity is improved, but accessibility to components worsens due to reduced space
Solution Approach 1:
Connections are segmented across multiple trays and levels, with each tray providing independent access to its associated components. This allows technicians to work on specific connections without needing to access the entire dense cable bundle, maintaining ease of operation despite high overall connection capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A module adapted for use with a datacommunications equipment mounting structure includes: a generally upright divider panel; a cover panel disposed generally parallel to the divider panel, the cover panel and divider panel being spaced apart from each other to form a gap; and a plurality of telecommunications cables, each of the telecommunications cables comprising a plurality of telecommunications patch cords, the cables comprising bundled patch cords at a first end and unbundled patch cords at a second opposite end, the cables being positioned in the gap between the divider panel and cover panel. The bundled patch cords at the cable first end include first interconnection terminals, and the unbundled patch cords at the second end include second interconnection terminals. The first terminals are located at first edges of the divider and cover panels. The unbundled patch cords are separately moveable between a stored position, in which the second terminals are located at second edges of the divider and cover panels, and an extended position, in which the second terminals are positioned away from the second edges of the divider and cover panels.