Sliding Tray Cable Management via Height-Restricted Pivot Linkages
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing server designs face challenges in increasing storage capacity without obstructing maintenance, as adding more hard disks leads to inconvenient repairs due to proximity issues, and the use of sliding trays often results in cable entanglement or obstruction.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device features a chassis with sliding tray modules and cable-protecting members that allow for selective sliding and cable management, preventing twisting and obstruction by using pivotally connected units that restrict sliding at different heights, ensuring cables remain organized and untangled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple rows of hard disks are added to increase storage capacity, then storage capacity increases, but maintenance convenience deteriorates due to obstruction between hard disk rows
Solution Approach 1:
The hard disk storage system is segmented into multiple independent sliding tray modules (first sliding tray module with first storage modules, second sliding tray module with second storage modules). Each module can be independently slid out for maintenance, allowing repair access without obstructing other hard disks. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling both high storage capacity and easy maintenance through modular independence.
2Area of stationary object
If sliding trays are used to accommodate hard disks, then space consumption is reduced, but cable management deteriorates due to twisting and entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The cable-protecting members introduce a vertical dimension (height restriction) to cable management. By constraining cables to slide at specific heights (first height for first cable, second height for second cable) through pivotally connected units, the system prevents horizontal entanglement while maintaining compact space usage. This dimensional approach resolves the contradiction between space efficiency and cable management.
Solution Approach 2:
Cable-protecting members act as intermediary structures between the sliding trays and cables. These members include pivotally connected units that guide and protect cables during tray movement, preventing twisting and entanglement. The intermediary structure enables compact sliding tray design while maintaining excellent cable management.
3Reliability
If cables are allowed to slide with sliding trays, then electrical connection is maintained, but cable durability deteriorates due to wear and twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The cable-protecting members encompass flexible protective structures that surround and guide cables during tray movement. These protective members include pivotally connected units that allow controlled movement while protecting cables from excessive bending, twisting, and wear. This maintains reliable electrical connection while extending cable durability through protected movement.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a chassis, first and second sliding tray modules, first and second cables, and first and second cable-protecting members. The chassis includes a main sliding rail and has a bottom surface. The first and second sliding tray modules respectively contain a plurality of first and second storage modules. The first and second cables are respectively electrically connected to the first and second storage modules. The first cable-protecting member includes a plurality of first connecting units pivotally connected one by one. The first connecting units retain the first cable to move at a first height relative to the bottom surface. The second cable-protecting member includes a plurality of second connecting units pivotally connected one by one. The second connecting units retain the second cable to move at a second height relative to the bottom surface. The first height is different from the second height.