Uniform Rack Mounting Rails for Mixed EDP Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of standardization in electronic data processing (EDP) equipment dimensions and mounting structures leads to difficulties in installing, accessing, and reconfiguring equipment in racks, resulting in inefficiencies and significant capital expenditures due to the need for specialized mounting hardware.
Innovation Solution
A uniform mounting system that standardizes the mounting of EDP equipment across varying widths, depths, and mounting structures, allowing for adjustable horizontal offsets and easy reconfiguration, compatible with existing NEMA or custom standards, using modular vertical support posts and horizontal rails with integrated latching mechanisms for easy access and tool-free movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standardized mounting structures are implemented across all EDP equipment, then ease of operation and reconfiguration improve, but adaptability to existing non-standard equipment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system employs universal mounting brackets and rail assemblies that can accommodate multiple equipment types and mounting standards through adjustable components and interchangeable adapters, allowing a single standardized system to serve diverse equipment while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
Adapter components serve as intermediaries between standardized mounting interfaces and existing non-standard equipment, enabling compatibility without requiring modification to the core standardized mounting system, thus resolving the conflict between standardization and adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If specialized mounting hardware is purchased for each piece of equipment, then compatibility with specific equipment is ensured, but capital expenditures increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal mounting brackets and rail assemblies that can be reused across multiple equipment installations, eliminating the need to purchase specialized hardware for each piece of equipment while maintaining compatibility through adapter components
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized mounting hardware can be easily removed and reused when equipment is reconfigured or relocated, preventing accumulation of discarded specialized hardware and reducing overall capital expenditure through repeated use of the same mounting components
3Productivity
If equipment is removed from racks for reconfiguration, then layout efficiency can be improved, but adjacent equipment must be removed causing downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system segments equipment into independently removable units using individual mounting brackets and rail sections, allowing single equipment pieces to be removed without affecting adjacent equipment, thus enabling reconfiguration without operational downtime
Data Source
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AI summary
A universal mounting system is provided for use in connection with substantially any type of electronic equipment so was to reduce or substantially avoid the need for rail kids or other mounting assemblies that are its equipment specific for mounting equipment to racks. In one implementation, a uniform mounting system (101) includes a number of rail and slider assemblies (112). Each of the rail and slider assemblies includes a slider that is slightly mounted on a support rail. Each of the slider is includes mounting flange is and brackets for mounting the slider to a piece of equipment. The mounting flanges 116 that's collectively define a segmented vertical rail. A safety stop mechanism can be used to define very a offset figurations of the equipment with respect to a front end of the rack.