Rear Cable Manager Orientation Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cable management systems lack flexibility in mounting orientations and efficiency in space and component usage, particularly for optical waveguide cables, limiting adaptability and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A modular cable management system with a cable management unit that includes a rear cable manager capable of mounting in multiple orientations, featuring interchangeable drawer units with different geometrical parameters, allowing for flexible configuration and increased port density, and incorporating sensor units for monitoring and improved maintainability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed orientation rear cable manager is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting orientation flexibilityVSAvoidrear cable manager structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rear cable manager is designed with a rotatable mechanism that allows it to be oriented in multiple directions (e.g., 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees) relative to the receiving space. This dynamic adjustability enables the system to adapt to different cable routing requirements and mounting configurations, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If drawer units with different geometrical parameters are used, then adaptability and space efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer unit configuration flexibilityVSAvoiddrawer unit variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving space is designed with universal mounting features and standardized interfaces that can accommodate multiple types of drawer units with different geometrical parameters. This universal design approach allows a single receiving space structure to serve multiple functions by supporting various drawer configurations, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If modular interchangeable components are used, then cost efficiency and maintainability are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent interchangeabilityVSAvoidinterchangeable component tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The interchangeable components are designed with standardized parameter ranges and tolerance specifications that balance manufacturing feasibility with interchangeability requirements. By defining acceptable parameter variations within controlled limits, the system enables cost-effective modular assembly while maintaining sufficient precision for functional compatibility, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3660564B1Cable management system
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 REICHLE & DE-MASSARI
  • EP3660564B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3660564B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3660564B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention is based on a cable management system (10) comprising: at least one cable management unit (12) which has at least one receiving space (14) for receiving at least one drawer unit (16). For the purpose of providing a cable management system with improved characteristics regarding flexibility, it is proposed that the cable management unit (12) comprises at least one rear cable manager (20), which is configured to feed at least one cable to a rear side (22) of the receiving space (14) and which is mountable in at least two different orientations with respect to the receiving space (14).