WO2017034581A1

WO2017034581A1 - Network cable management arm

Info

Publication number: WO2017034581A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/047220
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mohammed Faisal QURESHI; Kevin Conn
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp
Priority date: 2015-08-27
Filing date: 2015-08-27
Publication date: 2017-03-02

Abstract

An example network cable management device is provided herein. The network cable management device includes a connection member, a cable arm, and a cable tray. The connection member is to move with a chassis along a mounting rail. The cable arm is hingedly connected to the connection member and formed to extend across the chassis. The cable tray is positioned along the cable arm to receive and hold a set of cables.

Description

NETWORK CABLE MANAGEMENT ARM

BACKGROUND

[0001] Cable management systems secure cables for electronic systems including communication and power cables. Cable arms are used to support and contain cables for electronic systems. Cable trays, cable ladders, and cable baskets may be used with the cable arms to support and route the cables. Cable arms also may improve the handling of cables during the maintenance and replacement of electronic devices, such as server, networking, and/or power modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure are described in the following description, read with reference to the figures attached hereto and do not limit the scope of the claims. In the figures, identical and similar structures, elements or parts thereof that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with the same or similar references in the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features illustrated in the figures are chosen primarily for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily to scale. Referring to the attached figures:

[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a network cable management device according to an example;

[0004] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate front and back views of the network cable management device of FIG. 1 according to examples; [0005] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a cable management system according to an example;

[0006] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate schematic views of the cable management assembly of FIG. 5 according to examples;

[0007] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a cable management assembly according to an example; and

[0008] FIGS. 10-1 1 illustrate schematic views of the cable management system of FIG. 9 according to examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is depicted by way of illustration specific examples in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0010] As technology and electronic systems advance, there is demand for more data at a faster pace. Increasing bandwidth of networking equipment is one solution. Stacking networking equipment is one effective and economical way to increase bandwidth and the speed of data. Management of the cables to support the stacked networking equipment will improve usability and

manageability of the cables connecting networking or other electronic equipment.

[0011] In examples, a network cable management device is provided. The network cable management device includes a connection member, a cable arm, and a cable tray. The connection member moves with the chassis along the mounting rail. The cable arm is hingedly connected to the connection member and formed to extend across the chassis. The cable tray is positioned along the cable arm to receive and hold a set of cables. The network cable management device enables the set of cables contained in the device to move with the chassis and securely hold the set of cables, especially in bridged and stacked cable arrangements. The network cable management device is adaptable and connectable to a rail unit adjacent to traditional cable arms, while not interfering with the operation of other cable arms.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a network cable management device 100 according to an example. The network cable management device includes a connection member 120, a cable arm 140, and a cable tray 160. The connection member 120 moves with the chassis along the mounting rail. The cable arm 140 is hingedly connected to the connection member 120 and formed to extend across the chassis. The cable tray 160 is positioned along the cable arm 140 to receive and hold a set of cables.

[0013] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate front and back views of the network cable management device 100 of FIG. 1 according to examples. The connection member 120 of the network cable management device 100 includes a planar member 222 with at least one aperture 224 to receive a fastener, such as a screw. FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the connection member 120 including an "L" shaped planar member 222 with four apertures 224; however, other configurations and arrangements may be used.

[0014] A detent 230 may be positioned adjacent to the connection member 120 and the cable arm 140. The detent 230 to retain the cable arm 140 in a desired state. For example, the detent 230 may allow rotation or movement of the cable arm 140 when a force is applied to the cable arm 140 and retain the cable arm 140 in one of at least two resting states when no force is applied to the cable arm 140. Use of the detent 230 enables the cable arm 140 to have the freedom of movement for assembly, maintenance, or replacement, while the protection of retaining the cable arm 140 in a default or resting state that will protect the cable arm, cables, and equipment from damage. The resting state that the cable arm 140 automatically moves to may be a safe position closest to the last position of the cable arm 140 after the force on the cable arm is released. An example of the operation of the detent 230 is illustrated in FIGS.7-8.

[0015] The cable arm 140 is illustrated as including a planar member 242 that extends from the detent 230. For example, the planar member 242 may be rectangular or "L" shaped. As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the cable arm 140 may include a track 244 to receive the cable tray 160. The track 244 runs along the length of the cable arm 140 to enable the cable arm 140 to receive at least one cable tray 160 at a variety of positions that do not need to be predefined.

Therefore, the cable tray 160 may be connected to the track 244 at any position along the track to allow the cable tray 160 to be adjusted during installation, maintenance, and/or replacement to accommodate cables at a desired position instead of fixed positions.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of the cable arm 140 to align with a right side of a chassis is illustrated. FIG. 2 illustrates three cable trays 160, each positioned with irregular spacing on the track 244. Referring to FIG. 3, a back view of the cable arm 140 is illustrated with one cable tray 160 connected to the track 244. Referring to FIG. 4, a front view of the cable arm 140 to align with a left side of a chassis is illustrated. In FIG. 4, here are three cable trays 160 illustrated. Each of the cable trays 160 are uniformly positioned and equally spaced apart from one another on the track 244.

[0017] The cable tray 160 includes a base member 262 and a top member 264. The base member 262 is slideably attached to the track 244 on the cable arm 140. As illustrated the base member 262 may include a basket, tube, or hook shape that may receive cables. The top member 264 includes a latch mechanism 266 that receives cables in an open position, Po, and retains cables in a closed position, Pc. The latch mechanism 266 may include any latching or locking mechanism that can be closed or engaged and opened or released. A hinge or retaining mechanism may be between or incorporated into the design of the base member 262 or the top member 264 to enable the movement between the open position, Po, and the closed position, Pc.

Alternatively, the cable tray 160 may be formed of zip ties, plastic, hook and loop material, and/or Velcro that are designed to receive and hold the set of cables.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a cable management system 505 according to an example. The cable management system 505 includes a mounting rail 570, a chassis 580, and a network cable management device 100. The mounting rail 570 is connected to a rack. The mounting rail 570 is formed to extend and retract. The chassis 580 receives a plurality of networking modules. The chassis 580 is connected to the mounting rail 570 at a cable management insertion section. The network cable management device 100 is connected to the mounting rail 570 at the cable management insertion section such that the network cable management device 100 and the chassis 580 remain adjacent to one another while moving with the mounting rail 570.

[0019] The network cable management device 100 includes a connection member 120, a cable arm 140, and a cable tray 160. The connection member 120 connects to a mounting rail 570, such that the connection member 120 moves with the chassis 580 along the mounting rail 570. The cable arm 140 hingedly connects to the connection member 120 and extends across the chassis 580. The cable tray 160 is positioned along the cable arm 140 to receive and hold a set of cables.

[0020] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate schematic views of the cable management system 505 of FIG. 5 according to examples. FIG. 6 illustrates the cable management system 505 in an exploded position with the network cable management device 100 detached from the mounting rail 570. The network cable management device 100 connects to the mounting rail 570 on a chassis insertion area 672 along the mounting rail 570. The chassis insertion area 672 contains at least one aperture 674 to receive the fastener that connects the connection member to the mounting rail 570.

[0021 ] Referring to FIG. 7, the network cable management device 100 is illustrated assembled with the cable arm 140 in a closed state, Nc. In the closed state, Nc, the cable arm 140 is parallel to a backside of the chassis 580 and the networking hardware, such as the networking modules 782. In the closed state, Nc, the set of cables remain close to the chassis 580 and networking hardware. In the closed state, Nc, the chassis 580 may be in an operating position with the mounting rails 570 in a retracted position, RR. Referring to FIG. 8, the cable arm 140 is illustrated in an open state, No. In the open state, No, access to the rear of the chassis 580 is provided. In the open state, No, the cable arm 140 is approximately perpendicular to the back side of the chassis 580 and networking hardware, such as the networking modules 782. [0022] As illustrated in FIGS. 7-8, the cable arm 140 may move between an open state, No, and a closed state, Nc. As described with reference to FIGS. 2-4, a detent 230 may be between the connection member 120 and the cable arm 140. The detent 230 acts or forms a biasing member or a hinge member that provides controlled rotation of the cable arm 140. The detent 230 may also maintain the network cable arm in a designated position when attached to a mounting rail 570 to keep cables secure. For example, the cable arm 140 when attached to one of the mounting rails 570 may move approximately 90 degrees between the closed state Nc and the open state No. The detent 230 may control the rotation such that when the cable arm 140 is rotated 45 degrees or more away from the closed state, Nc, the rotation causes the detent 230 to move the cable arm 140 to the open state, No, and retains the cable arm 140 in the open state, No, i.e., approximately 90 degrees from the closed state, Nc. Similarly, when the cable arm 140 is rotated less than 45 degrees from the closed state, Nc, the detent 230 moves the cable arm 140 back to the closed state, Nc, and retain the cable arm in the closed state, Nc, adjacent to the chassis 580.

[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a cable management assembly 910 according to an example. The cable management assembly 910 includes a network cable management device 100 and a chassis cable management device 990.

[0024] The network cable management device 100 is connected to a chassis insertion area to move with a chassis. The network cable management device 100 includes a connection member 120, a cable arm 140, and a cable tray 160 as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 2-4. The connection member 120 connects to a mounting rail adjacent to the chassis, such that the connection member 120 moves with the chassis along the mounting rail. The cable arm 140 is hingedly connected to the connection member 120 and formed to extend across the chassis. The cable tray 160 is positionable along the cable arm 140 to receive and hold a first set of cables. The chassis cable

management device 990 holds a second set of cables and move with the mounting rail. [0025] FIGS. 10-1 1 illustrate schematic views of the cable management assembly 910 of FIG. 9 according to examples. Referring to FIG. 10, the cable management assembly 910 is in an assembled position with the mounting rail 570 in the retracted position, RR, and the chassis 580 in an operational position. The network cable management device 100 and the chassis cable management system 990 are both illustrated in a closed position, i.e., Cc and Nc. The network cable management assembly 910 connects to a mounting rail 570 on one side of the chassis 580 and the chassis cable management device 990 connects to the mounting rail 570 on an opposite side of the chassis 580. For example, the network cable management device 100 is connected to the mounting rail 570 on the left side of the chassis 580, and the chassis cable management device 990 is connected to the mounting rail 570 on the right side of the chassis 580.

[0026] Similarly, the network cable management device 100 may be connected to the mounting rail 570 on the right side of the chassis 580, and the chassis cable management device 990 may be connected to the mounting rail 570 on the left side of the chassis 570. The specific design may vary. For example, the network cable management device 100 as illustrated may be ambidextrous and have the ability to rotate approximately 180 degrees. The positioning of the cable arm 140 may depend on how the network cable management device 100 is attached to the mounting rail 570. The detent 230 or another control mechanism may control the rotation and retain the cable arm 140 in a set of predefined positions that operate in a complementary

arrangement with the chassis cable management device 990.

[0027] FIG. 1 1 illustrates the cable management assembly 910 in an assembled position with the mounting rails 570 in an extended position, RE, and the chassis 580 in a maintenance position. In FIG. 1 1 , both the chassis cable management device 990 and the network cable management device 100 may be in an open position, i.e., Co and No, with clearance or access to the back of the chassis 580. For example, open positions Co and No would enable easy access the back of the chassis 580 and enable maintenance, replacement, and/or installation with cable trays 160, 1 192 holding the first set and second set of cables 784, 1 194 and network cable management device 100 and chassis cable management device 990 out of the way. Moreover, the first and second set of cables 784, 1 194 would remain easily accessible and organized as the chassis 580 moves along the mounting rails 570.

[0028] The present disclosure has been described using non-limiting detailed descriptions of examples thereof and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that features and/or operations described with respect to one example may be used with other examples and that not all examples of the present disclosure have all of the features and/or operations illustrated in a particular figure or described with respect to one of the examples. Variations of examples described will occur to persons of the art. Furthermore, the terms "comprise," "include," "have" and their conjugates, shall mean, when used in the present disclosure and/or claims, "including but not necessarily limited to."

[0029] It is noted that some of the above described examples may include structure, acts or details of structures and acts that may not be essential to the present disclosure and are intended to be examples. Structure and acts described herein are replaceable by equivalents, which perform the same function, even if the structure or acts are different, as known in the art.

Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the elements and limitations as used in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A network cable management device comprising:

a connection member to move with a chassis along a mounting rail;

a cable arm hingedly connected to the connection member and formed to extend across the chassis; and

a cable tray positioned along the cable arm to receive and hold a set of cables.

2. The network cable management device of claim 1 , further comprising a detent to retain the cable arm.

3. The network cable management device of claim 2, wherein the cable arm comprises a planar member extending from the detent.

4. The network cable management device of claim 1 , wherein the connection member comprises a planar member with an aperture to receive a fastener.

5. The network cable management device of claim 1 , wherein the cable arm comprises a track to receive the cable tray.

6. The network cable management device of claim 1 , wherein the cable tray comprises a base member and a top member.

7. The network cable management device of claim 6, wherein the base member is slideably attached to a track on the cable arm.

8. The network cable management device of claim 6, wherein the top member includes a latch mechanism to receive cables in an open position and to retain cables in a closed position.

9. A cable management system comprising:

a mounting rail connected to a rack, the mounting rail formed to extend and retract;

a chassis to receive a plurality of networking modules, the chassis connected to the mounting rail at a cable management insertion section; and

a network cable management assembly connected to the mounting rail at the cable management insertion section such that the network cable management assembly and the chassis remain adjacent to one another while moving with the mounting rail, the network cable management assembly includes:

a connection member to connect to a mounting rail, such that the connection member is to move with the chassis along the mounting rail,

a cable arm hingedly connected to the connection member and formed to extend across the chassis, and

10. The cable management system of claim 9, wherein the network cable management assembly further comprises a detent to form a hinge member and provide controlled rotation of the cable arm.

1 1 . The cable management system of claim 10, wherein the cable arm moves between a first state and a second state, in the first state the cable arm is parallel to a backside of the chassis, and in the second state, the cable arm is perpendicular to the back side of the chassis.

12. A cable management assembly comprising:

a network cable management device connected to a chassis insertion area to move with a chassis, the network cable management assembly including:

a connection member to connect to a mounting rail adjacent to the chassis, such that the connection member is to move with the chassis along the mounting rail,

a cable tray positionable along the cable arm to receive and hold a first set of cables; and

a chassis cable management device to hold a second set of cables and move with the mounting rail.

13. The cable management assembly of claim 12, wherein the network cable management assembly connects to a mounting rail on one side of the chassis and the chassis cable management assembly connects to the mounting rail on an opposite side of the chassis.

14. The cable management assembly of claim 12, wherein the cable arm comprises a planar member with a track formed across the length of the planar member.

15. The cable management assembly of claim 12, further comprising a biasing member to maintain the network cable arm in a designated position when attached to a mounting rail.