Spool Mounting Assembly for Cable Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable management systems are inefficient due to high costs and durability issues with nut and bolt fasteners, and they fail to securely organize and access numerous wires in relay racks, leading to difficulties in cable management and positioning.
Innovation Solution
A removable spool assembly with a shaft and prongs that can be easily attached and secured to a non-circular spool opening in a mounting member on a rack, allowing for rotational locking and flexible positioning, reducing the need for costly fasteners and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nut and bolt type fasteners are used to secure channels and covers, then the cable management system can be assembled, but costs increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional nut and bolt mechanical fastening system with a snap-fit plastic mounting mechanism. The mounting member includes resilient arms that deflect during insertion and snap into engagement features on the channel, providing secure attachment without requiring threaded fasteners. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple fasteners while maintaining reliable securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting member is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing. The resilient arms automatically deflect to accommodate the channel during insertion and then snap into the engaged position, providing automatic securing without requiring additional fastening operations. The design allows for tool-free assembly and disassembly.
2Reliability
If nut and bolt type fasteners are used to secure channels and covers, then the cable management system can be assembled, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive metal nut and bolt fasteners with an integrated plastic snap-fit mounting mechanism. The mounting member is molded as a single piece or integrated component with the channel, eliminating the need for separate fasteners. This substitution significantly reduces material costs and assembly complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting features are merged into the channel structure itself. The mounting member includes integrated resilient arms and engagement features that are molded as part of the channel assembly, eliminating the need for separate fastening components. This integration reduces part count and manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If channels are mounted with multiple fasteners, then secure attachment is achieved, but the complexity of securing and using channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex multi-fastener system with a simple snap-fit mechanism. The mounting member includes resilient arms that provide automatic alignment and engagement, eliminating the need for multiple fasteners and complex assembly procedures. The design achieves secure attachment through elastic deformation and geometric interlocking.
4Ease of operation
If traditional channel construction is used, then cable management functionality is provided, but the channels break during shipping and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes high-impact resistant plastic materials for the channel construction. The material formulation includes reinforcement agents and impact modifiers that provide both the necessary flexibility for cable management operations and the strength to withstand shipping and storage conditions without breaking.
Data Source
AI summary
A spool assembly and a cable management assembly are provided for supporting cables in a rack or housing. A mounting member is provided having a spool opening for receiving a spool. The spool opening has a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension where the longitudinal dimension is greater than the transverse dimension. A detent extends from a longitudinal side edge of the spool opening toward a second longitudinal side edge of the spool opening to define a first open portion and a second open portion. In one embodiment, the first open portion and second open portion can be substantially same size and have a substantially circular configuration. In another embodiment, the first open portion can have a dimension greater than a dimension of the second open portion.