Pivotable Cable Tray for Drawer Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable management systems for telecommunication infrastructures face challenges in ease of access and use, particularly when cables are stacked or mounted at heights above a comfortable working height, making it difficult to reach or access the interior of drawers for installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A cable management panel with a slidable drawer and a pivotally mounted tray that can be locked in both non-pivoted and pivoted positions, allowing for adaptable access to cable management elements, even when the panel is stacked or mounted above a comfortable working height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If drawers are stacked or mounted at heights above comfortable working height to maximize space utilization, then space utilization is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is made dynamically adjustable through a pivot mechanism that allows it to rotate between a first position (flush with drawer front) and a second position (extended outward). This dynamic adjustment enables technicians to access cables at comfortable heights even when the drawer itself is mounted at elevated positions, resolving the contradiction between space utilization and accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a rotational dimension to the traditionally linear drawer assembly. By pivoting the tray about a horizontal axis, the system transforms a single-degree-of-freedom (sliding) mechanism into a two-degree-of-freedom system, enabling access from multiple spatial positions and thereby improving accessibility without compromising vertical space utilization
2Area of stationary object
If drawers are stacked at heights above comfortable working height, then space utilization is improved, but time required for maintenance and installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism allows technicians to quickly adjust the tray position during maintenance operations, reducing the time required to access and manipulate cables. The ability to rotate the tray to an extended position brings cable management elements within easy reach, eliminating time-consuming stretching or repositioning activities
Solution Approach 2:
The tray can be pre-positioned in the extended configuration before maintenance or installation work begins, allowing technicians to immediately access cables without preliminary manual manipulation. This preliminary positioning of the tray reduces overall task time for cable management operations
Data Source
AI summary
A cable management panel including a sliding drawer. The drawer including a bottom tray that pivots to provide access to cable management devices mounted on the tray. The drawer including a connection arrangement that locks the tray in both of a non-pivoted position and a pivoted position.