Pivoting Workstation Receptacle Housing for Flexible Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workstation utility systems require separate brackets or hooks for horizontal cable management, which complicates installation and reduces flexibility in positioning utility receptacles and cables.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a receptacle enclosure housing and a component housing that can pivot between horizontal and vertical orientations, using aligned through-holes and an elongate member for secure positioning, along with a VGA switching device and a cable retractor system with a pulley assembly and cable stop assembly for efficient cable management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate brackets or hooks are used for horizontal cable management, then cable support is achieved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cable support function with the receptacle enclosure itself. The enclosure is designed with a pivotable component housing that can be positioned in horizontal or vertical orientations, eliminating the need for separate brackets or hooks. The enclosure integrates cable management capabilities directly into its structure, merging multiple functions into a single unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle enclosure is designed to perform multiple functions: it houses utility receptacles, provides cable management, and offers flexible positioning through pivotable component housing. The single device serves as both the structural support and the functional housing, reducing the need for additional specialized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed orientation receptacles are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but positioning flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The component housing is designed to be pivotable, allowing it to transition between horizontal and vertical orientations. This dynamic capability enables the receptacles to be positioned in multiple orientations to suit different workspace configurations, while the pivot mechanism is integrated into the enclosure structure rather than requiring separate mounting hardware.
3Ease of operation
If additional brackets are attached to the work surface, then horizontal positioning is supported, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting function is merged into the receptacle enclosure itself. The enclosure is designed to be mounted directly to the work surface without requiring separate brackets, as the component housing can pivot to achieve the desired horizontal positioning inherently. This integration eliminates additional installation steps and reduces overall installation time.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for providing utility receptacles and VGA cables at a selected location of a workstation. The apparatus has a receptacle enclosure housing and a component housing that is movably attached to the receptacle enclosure housing. The component housing can be pivoted to a horizontal position or vertical position. An elongate member is removably inserted into a first combination of through-holes to maintain the component housing in a horizontal position under the work surface of a work station. In order to orient the component housing in a vertical position, the elongate member is removed from the first combination of through-holes and the component housing is pivoted to a vertical position. The elongate member is then reinserted into a second combination of through-holes in order to maintain the component housing in the vertical position. The apparatus provides a plurality of utility receptacles and has a cable retractor and VGA switching device.