Telescoping Support Crossbar for Cable Management Arm Sagging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lightweight cable management arms used in equipment racks and cabinets are prone to sagging due to the weight of cabling, causing interference or failure, as they are designed for smaller height allocations and lighter materials to reduce costs.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping support crossbar is integrated to support the cable management arm, allowing it to slide freely in two orthogonal directions, preventing sagging by distributing the weight of the cabling and enabling the use of lighter materials for the arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If lighter weight materials are used for the CMA to save costs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the CMA sags downward due to cable weight causing interference or failure
Solution Approach 1:
A telescoping support crossbar is introduced as an intermediary component between the CMA and the cabinet structure. The crossbar includes a first support member attached to the CMA and a second support member attached to the cabinet, providing mechanical support that distributes the cable weight away from the lightweight CMA structure, thereby preventing sagging while maintaining cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The support system transitions from a single-dimensional arm structure to a two-dimensional support plane created by the telescoping crossbar. This additional dimensional support distributes loads across multiple axes, enhancing structural stability without increasing the weight of the CMA itself
2Ease of manufacture
If the CMA is made lighter to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the unsupported portion sags and interferes with adjacent equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping support crossbar acts as a mediator that transfers the load-bearing function from the CMA to the cabinet structure. By providing intermediate support points along the CMA's length, the crossbar prevents the unsupported portion from sagging into adjacent equipment while allowing the CMA to remain lightweight
Solution Approach 2:
The support crossbar provides preemptive structural reinforcement before sagging can occur. The telescoping mechanism allows the support to be positioned optimally in advance to counteract the downward force of the cables, preventing interference with adjacent equipment before it happens
3Volume of moving object
If height allocation for chassis in equipment racks is reduced, then rack space efficiency improves, but the CMA requires additional support to prevent sagging
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into telescoping sections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the support crossbar to adapt to different chassis heights and configurations without requiring a completely different support structure, managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping support crossbar provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the support length and position to change as the chassis is extended or retracted. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain proper support across varying height allocations without increasing structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A telescoping support member (42) is provided for supporting a central portion (38) of a cable management arm (24) for use with drawer slides (14, 16). The drawer slides (14, 16) each have a cabinet member (18), an intermediate member (20) and a chassis member (22). The cable management arm (24) is secured on one end to one of the chassis members (22) and on an other end to one of the cabinet members (18). The support member (42) has a first end (50) pivotally secured in fixed relation to one of the intermediate members (20) and a second end (52) pivotally secured in fixed relation to one of the cabinet members (18). Extension of the drawer slides (14, 16) extends the cable management arm (24) and the support member (42), with said support member (42) disposed beneath and in sliding engagement with the central portion (38) of the cable management arm (24).