Rack Rail Mounting With Retractable Hangers for Dense Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for mounting devices in rack systems either make it difficult to replace or access the back side of devices, or they occupy additional space, leading to inefficiencies in storage and access.
Innovation Solution
A frame assembly with retractable hangers on the device that engage with rails on the rack system, allowing for easy insertion, access, and removal of devices without the need for additional space-consuming components like shelves or drawers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices are permanently mounted to the rack system using conventional fasteners, then the devices are securely fixed in place, but it becomes difficult to replace devices, service devices, or access the back side of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a static permanent mounting to a dynamic removable mounting. The device can be inserted, secured, and later removed or accessed by sliding it partially out, allowing the mounting state to change between fixed and accessible configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: the rack frame with rails, and the device with mounting brackets. This segmentation allows the device to be independently inserted and removed from the rack without affecting the rack structure itself.
2Ease of operation
If shelves or L-shaped brackets are used to support devices, then devices can be readily inserted and removed and the back side can be accessed, but these components take up space in the rack system between adjacent devices, increasing vertical overhead and reducing storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting brackets are merged with the device housing itself rather than being separate shelf components. The brackets are attached to the device and engage directly with the rack rails, eliminating the need for separate shelves or L-shaped brackets that would occupy additional vertical space.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting interface transitions from a vertical shelf-based support to a horizontal rail-based support system. The device engages the rack rails horizontally through side-mounted brackets, eliminating the vertical overhead space required by traditional shelves.
3Ease of operation
If drawers are provided to support devices, then devices can be readily inserted and removed, but the drawers also take up space in the rack system between adjacent devices
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer component is extracted and eliminated entirely. Instead of using a drawer that protrudes into the rack space, the device is mounted directly to the rack frame using brackets that engage with the rails, removing the unnecessary drawer structure and the space it occupies.
4Area of stationary object
If devices are stacked adjacent one another to minimize storage space, then space efficiency is improved, but access to the back side of devices becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic positioning of the device between fully inserted (space-efficient) and partially withdrawn (access-efficient) states. The removable mounting enables the user to slide the device partway out to access the back side while maintaining compact stacking when full access is not needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for mounting a device to a rack system. One embodiment of a system comprises a frame assembly. At least two rails mounted on opposite sides of the frame assembly. A plurality of hangers provided on opposite sides of the device retracting to fit the device into the frame assembly between the at least two rails. The plurality of hangers engaging the at least two rails to support the device on the at least two rails in the frame assembly.