Above-Rack Cable Carrier for Ladder-Free Server Rack Pulling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current method of manually advancing cables between server racks in a data center is time-consuming, prone to cable damage, and poses a safety risk to technicians due to repeated ladder usage.
Innovation Solution
A wire-pulley system with a cable carrier is used to laterally advance cables between server racks, minimizing ladder placements and ensuring cables are securely retained within the carrier, reducing damage and safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a technician manually advances cables using a ladder in incremental steps, then the cables can be positioned between server racks, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires repeated ladder repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
A cable carrier system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the technician and the cables. The carrier includes a series of slots that guide and transport multiple cables simultaneously through the server rack aisle, eliminating the need for manual ladder repositioning and incremental cable advancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple cable handling operations into a single unified process. Instead of positioning cables one at a time through repeated ladder use, the cable carrier simultaneously transports multiple cables across the entire distance in one continuous motion, consolidating what would be multiple separate operations.
2Productivity
If a technician repeatedly repositions the ladder to advance cables farther, then the cables reach their destination, but the risk of cable damage increases due to increased contact and disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The cable carrier serves as a protective intermediary that supports cables throughout their entire journey across the server rack aisle. Cables are held securely in individual slots within the carrier, preventing contact with other objects and eliminating the disruption caused by repeated manual handling and ladder repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary preparation by organizing cables into the carrier slots before transport begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures cables are properly positioned and protected from the start, preventing damage that would occur during incremental manual advancement through repeated ladder use.
3Ease of operation
If a technician frequently climbs and descends the ladder to advance cables, then the cables are positioned across the server room, but the risk of injury to the technician increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable carrier system acts as a mobile intermediary that travels along the server rack aisle, eliminating the need for the technician to repeatedly climb and descend ladders. The carrier can be manually or mechanically transported along the entire distance, allowing the technician to work from a safe, stable position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the ladder-based manual advancement mechanism with a cable carrier transport mechanism. This substitution eliminates the safety hazards associated with repeated ladder use while maintaining the ability to advance cables across long distances in the server room.
4Length of stationary object
If multiple iterations of ladder repositioning are used to span large distances, then cables connect distant server racks, but the complexity of the installation process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable carrier serves as a single intermediary device that handles the entire cable transport operation across any distance. Instead of requiring multiple ladder repositioning operations, the carrier travels along the server rack aisle in one continuous motion, simplifying the process regardless of the distance between source and destination server racks.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable carrier system provides a universal solution for cable installation across varying distances. The same carrier mechanism can transport cables anywhere along the server rack aisle, eliminating the need for different approaches or increased complexity when dealing with longer distances between server racks.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances efficiency and safety by allowing cables to be advanced in a single motion, minimizing ladder usage and reducing cable damage, thereby improving installation speed and technician safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first pulley wheel and a second pulley wheel... the wire is looped around the first and second pulley wheels
Implementation Method 2
a wire-pulley system, which may include a wire operably attached to a first pulley wheel and a second pulley wheel
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system for positioning cables within a server room, which includes a wire-pulley system which includes a wire operably coupled to a first pulley wheel and a second pulley wheel. The wire is looped around the first and second pulley wheel such that a point in the wire is laterally movable between the first and second pulley wheels when the first and second pulley wheels are rotated. The system for positioning cables includes a cable carrier which is removably coupled to the point in the wire. The cable carrier includes a central body defining an elongated vertical structure. The cable carrier includes a plurality of posts extending laterally from the central body, where gaps defined between adjacent posts define receiving slots, where each of the plurality of receiving slots are configured to removably receive a segment of an electronics cable.