Telecommunications Tray Hinge Interface System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telecommunications equipment designs with stacked and hinged trays require multiple trays to be rotated up and held in an upward position, necessitating a separate 'kickstand' to support the weight of multiple trays, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A telecommunications tray assembly that includes a groove plate, a telecommunications tray, and a connection arrangement allowing the tray to rotate between three positions, with a positioning arrangement providing resistance to maintain the tray in the third position, enabling efficient access and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a separate kickstand is provided on each tray to hold the tray and all above trays in the upward position, then the tray can be held in the upward position, but the device complexity increases and the kickstand must be designed to hold the weight of multiple trays
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is integrated directly into the tray assembly, merging the support function with the connection function. The hinge serves both as the connection point between trays and as the support structure that provides the resistive force, eliminating the need for separate kickstands and reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism performs multiple functions: it connects trays to the tower structure, provides rotational movement capability, and generates the resistive force to hold trays in position. This multi-functional design replaces the kickstand's sole support function, reducing the number of components needed.
2Ease of operation
If multiple trays are rotatably mounted to a tower or base structure via a hinged connection point, then access to trays is enabled, but the kickstand must be designed to hold the weight of multiple trays
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented and distributed across multiple hinges located at different positions on the tray assembly. Each hinge contributes to the overall support capability, allowing the system to handle the weight of multiple trays without requiring a single kickstand to bear the entire load.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism introduces a rotational degree of freedom that allows trays to move between stored and accessible positions. This rotational capability in a third dimension (beyond simple vertical support) enables easy access while the hinge's mechanical properties provide the necessary support force.
3Reliability
If the positioning arrangement provides resistance to rotation between the second and third rotational positions, then the tray is retained in the open position, but the rotational movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning arrangement provides resistance only when needed to maintain the open position, while allowing free rotation during the transition from closed to open position. The resistive force is dynamically applied only in the specific angular range between the second and third positions, not throughout the entire rotational range.
Data Source
AI summary
A telecommunications tray assembly includes a groove plate, a telecommunications tray, and a connection arrangement rotatably connecting the tray to the groove plate. The assembly can include a positioning arrangement enabling the telecommunications tray to be retained in an open position, the positioning arrangement including a positioning member associated with one of the groove plate and the telecommunications tray, wherein the positioning member has an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape. The connection arrangement can include a pair of arms defining apertures receiving a pair of hinge members, wherein the apertures have an elongate cross-sectional shape and the pair of hinge members have a circular cross-sectional shape.