Waterfall Base Patch Panel Rack Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In data centers, mounting patch panels on walls leads to cumbersome and costly cable management due to lengthy cables and space constraints, making access difficult and non-compliant with industry standards like TIA/EIA for cable lengths.
Innovation Solution
A data communications port mounting assembly featuring a pair of mounting brackets with a waterfall base and upwardly extending wire cable management pathway mounting features, allowing secure and adjustable mounting of patch panels within a wire cable management pathway, reducing cable lengths and improving access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If patch panels are mounted on walls, then space for servers is increased, but cable lengths become excessive and access becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional wall-mounted patch panels to overhead suspension mounting within the cable pathway. This dimensional change allows patch panels to be positioned above server racks rather than on distant walls, dramatically reducing cable lengths while maintaining server space. The overhead location utilizes the vertical dimension of the cable pathway, creating a three-dimensional cable management solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cable pathway hangers as intermediary mounting structures that suspend patch panels from the cable pathway. These hangers act as mediators between the cable pathway infrastructure and the patch panels, enabling flexible positioning that optimizes both cable length and access efficiency without requiring wall mounting.
2Area of stationary object
If patch panels are mounted on walls, then more space is available in racks, but cable management becomes cumbersome and costly
Solution Approach 1:
By moving patch panel mounting from walls to the overhead cable pathway dimension, the patent creates a more logical cable routing path. Cables naturally descend from the overhead pathway to server racks, eliminating the need for lengthy horizontal runs across the room and simplifying cable management infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes cable pathways and hanger mounting points during the initial building infrastructure phase, before equipment installation. This preliminary preparation of suspension points and pathway routing enables straightforward patch panel installation and cable management later, avoiding complex retrofits and reducing overall system complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If patch panels are mounted on walls, then server space is maximized, but cable length exceeds industry standards
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead suspension mounting leverages the vertical space within the cable pathway to position patch panels in close proximity to server racks. This vertical positioning dramatically reduces horizontal cable run lengths, keeping them well within TIA/EIA standards while preserving maximum server rack capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for assemblies and methods for mounting a patch panel rack to a wire cable management pathway. A waterfall base is mounted with respect to and in between a pair of mounting brackets. Each of the pair of mounting brackets includes a support surface defining a top portion and a bottom portion, a front side surface and a rear side surface. The top portion associated with the support surface includes at least one upwardly extending wire cable management pathway mounting feature adapted to securely mount the pair of mounting brackets with respect to a wire cable management pathway. The wire management pathway mounting feature can be at least one substantially curved mounting clip feature having a horizontally extending fold over tab defining a gap opening to receive at least one wire associated with a wire cable management pathway. The curved mounting clip feature is fabricated to substantially curve inwardly with respect to the waterfall base thereby substantially defining a U-shape geometry. In an further exemplary embodiment, the top portion associated with the support surface includes a plurality of upwardly extending wire cable management pathway mounting features.