Patent Application
20200359520
The field of the invention is computer cable management, or, more specifically, managing cables of rack-mounted computers.
Computer systems are sometimes housed in computer racks, in which multiple computer chassis are connected to vertical structural members of a computer rack. Computers installed in the racks communicate with each other via cables. An organized arrangement of cables makes it easier for a technician to identify a particular cable at a later time (e.g., to replace the cable). Additionally, an organized arrangement of cables in a computer rack can provide better airflow pathways through the computer rack than a haphazard arrangement of cables. Furthermore, cables should be organized to ensure that cable lengths do not extend past a length where signals may degrade.
A cable management assembly for managing cables of rack-mounted computers may include a base member selectively attachable to a structural member of a computer rack; and a sliding member comprising a cable retention area, wherein the sliding member is configured for connection to the base member by one or more mating connection components, wherein the one or more mating connection components allow for a limited degree of movement of the sliding member relative to the base member.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generally represent like parts of exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Although mounting hole sizes and placements are standardized for computer racks, there is no standardized approach for cable management components on the computers themselves. If any cable management components are included on a computer chassis, they may vary from computer to computer, making it difficult to consistently or cleanly organize the cables connecting various computers. By using multiple cable management assemblies 100, a computer rack can implement an organized and consistent arrangement of cables regardless of the rack used.
The cable management assembly 100 may also include a sliding member 106. The sliding member 106 is configured for connection to the base member 102 by one or more mating connection components 108a/b, wherein the one or more mating connection 108a/b components allow for a limited degree of movement of the sliding member 106 relative to the base member 102. The mating connection component 108a may comprise a nut, screw, or other component capable of mating with a connection component 108b. The mating component 108b may comprise a threaded post or other mating component fixed to the base member 102. The mating component 108b may also comprise a screw, bold, nut, or other mating component inserted through a hole in the base of the base member 102.
For example, the mating connection component 108a may comprise a shoulder nut or shoulder screw comprising a head with a circumference greater than a width of a guiding hole 110 and a shoulder circumference less than the width of the guiding hole 110. This allows for the sliding member 106 to slide in axis relative to the base member 102 until the mating connection component 108a/b catches an endpoint of the guiding hole 110, thereby providing for a limited degree of movement of the sliding member 106 relative to the base member 102.
The sliding member 106 also comprises a cable retention area 112. The cable retention area 112 serves to retain computer cables for service or organization. The cable retention area 112 comprises a fraction of the total depth of the sliding member 106, allowing for easier access to retained cables. The cable retention area 112 may comprise one or more mounting points 115 for mounting clamps, bracket, clips, or other mechanisms for cable retention and organization to an interior surface 114 (and/or a reverse side of the exterior surface 118) of the cable retention area 112.
The cable retention area 112 is open on opposing sides to allow for cables to be inserted into one side, passed through the cable retention area, and exited from the opposing side. For example, cables from a computer mounted in a rack position above the cable management assembly 100 may pass through the cable retention area 112 for connection to a computer mounted in a rack position below the cable management assembly 100. By limiting the amount of space used for cable retention to the cable retention area 112, the remaining open space of the cable management assembly 100 provides for increased air flow and cooling for adjacently mounted computers.
A detent 116 may be mounted or otherwise affixed to an exterior surface 118 of the sliding member 106 (e.g., of the cable retention area 112). The detent 116 may lock into a retention hole 120 of the base member 102 to prevent movement of the sliding member 102. The detent 116 may include a spring loaded plunger, a pin, a retention screw, or other detent 116 as can be appreciated.
The base member 102 and sliding member 106 may be composed of metal, plastic, or any substantially rigid material. To reduce any creation of particulate matter or debris by the movement of the sliding member 106, the base member 102 and/or the sliding member 106 may comprise a friction reducing surface 122 to minimize physical contact between the base member 102 and sliding member 106.
The shoulder nut 500 also includes a shoulder component 504. The shoulder component 504 has a circumference less than (e.g., approximately equal to) the width of the guiding hole 110. This allows the sliding member 106 to move in a single axis parallel to the base member 102. The range of motion of the sliding member 106 is dictated by the shoulder component 504 catching or making contact with an end of the guiding hole 110. The shoulder nut 500 further includes a threaded interior 506 allowing the shoulder nut to mate with a mating connection component 108b (e.g., a threaded post, a threaded bolt, a threaded screw).
In view of the explanations set forth above, readers will recognize that the benefits of a cable management assembly for managing cables of rack-mounted computers according to embodiments of the present invention include:
It will be understood from the foregoing description that modifications and changes may be made in various embodiments of the present invention without departing from its true spirit. The descriptions in this specification are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the language of the following claims.
