U.S. patent application number 10/662689 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for cable management system and method of installation and operation thereof.
Invention is credited to Hardt, Thomas T., McGrew, Allison R..
Application Number | 20040065787 10/662689 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29400940 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040065787 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hardt, Thomas T. ; et
al. |
April 8, 2004 |
Cable management system and method of installation and operation
thereof
Abstract
A system and method for supporting at least one electrical cable
is provided. The at least one electrical cable may be secured to a
movable electronic device disposed within a chassis. A harness is
provided that is securable to at least one electrical cable. A
flexible support member is provided to support the harness and the
at least one electrical cable. The flexible support member may move
with the electrical device as the electrical device is moved. The
flexible support member may comprise wire. A wire reel may be
provided to extend and retract the wire. The wire of the wire reel
may be unwound as the electrical device is moved from a normal
position to a withdrawn position. The wire of the wire reel may be
wound as the electronic device is moved from the withdrawn position
to the normal position.
Inventors: |
Hardt, Thomas T.; (Missouri
City, TX) ; McGrew, Allison R.; (Houston,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Intellectual Property Administration
P.O. Box 272400
Fort Collins
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
29400940 |
Appl. No.: |
10/662689 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10662689 |
Sep 15, 2003 |
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10209616 |
Jul 30, 2002 |
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6646893 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/68.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/1491
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/068.1 |
International
Class: |
F16L 003/22 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cable management system, comprising: a flexible cable harness
adapted to support at least one electrical cable; a first support
member securable to the cable harness; and a second support member
securable to the cable harness, wherein the harness is suspended
between the first and second support members.
2. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein
the first support member comprises wire.
3. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 2, comprising
a first reel, the first support member being wound thereon.
4. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein
the first reel is adapted to retract the first support member onto
the first reel.
5. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein
the at least one electrical cable is securable to a movable
electronic device disposed within a chassis, the first reel being
movable with the electronic device.
6. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein
the first support member is unwound from the first reel as the
electronic device is moved from a first position to a second
position relative to the chassis and retracted as the electronic
device is moved from the second position to the first position.
7. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 6, comprising
a second reel movable with the electronic device and having the
second support member wound thereon, wherein the second support
member is unwound from the second reel as the electronic device is
moved from a first position to a second position relative to the
chassis and retracted as the electronic device is moved from the
second position to the first position.
8. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein
the first support member is secured to the harness at a first
location along the harness and the second support member is secured
to the harness at a second location along the harness.
9. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein
the harness is adapted to be secured to a movable electronic device
disposed within a chassis.
10. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein
the harness is adapted to be secured to the chassis.
11. A cable management system, comprising: means for securing a
harness to at least one electrical cable secured to a movable
electrical device; means for supporting the harness from a first
flexible member; and means for supporting the harness from a second
flexible member.
12. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 11, wherein
the movable electrical device is movable relative to a storage rack
adapted to house the movable electrical device.
13. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein
the cable management system coils the flexible member as the
movable electrical device is moved toward a first position relative
to the rack.
14. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein
the cable management system uncoils the flexible member as the
movable electrical device is moved toward a second position
relative to the rack.
15. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 1 wherein
the electrical device has a top surface and a bottom surface and
the cable management system is adapted to maintain the portion of
the at least one electrical cable secured to the harness below the
top surface of the electrical device and above the bottom surface
of the electrical device.
16. A method of assembling a cable management system, comprising:
securing a harness to at least one electrical cable secured to a
movable electrical device; coupling a first flexible member to the
harness to enable the first flexible member to support the harness
therefrom; and coupling a second flexible member to the harness to
enable the second flexible member to support the harness
therefrom.
17. The method of assembling, as set forth in claim 16, wherein
coupling a first flexible member to the harness comprises
connecting a first wire from a reel to a first portion of the
harness.
18. The method of assembling, as set forth in claim 17, wherein
coupling a second flexible support member to the harness comprises
connecting a second wire from a reel to a second portion of the
harness.
19. The method of assembling, as set forth in claim 16, comprising
securing the cable harness to the movable electronic device.
20. The method of assembling, as set forth in claim 19, comprising
securing the cable harness to a support housing for the electronic
device.
21. A cable management system for a movable device, comprising: a
flexible harness securable to at least one cable coupleable to the
movable device; and a first support member coupled to the device
and securable to the harness to suspend a first portion of the at
least one cable as the device is moved.
22. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 21, wherein
the first support member comprises a first reel, the first reel
having a first line wound thereon, wherein the first reel is
spring-loaded to maintain a tensile force on the first line.
23. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 21,
comprising a second support member coupled to the device and
securable to the harness to suspend a second portion of the at
least one cable as the device is moved.
24. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 23, wherein
the second support member comprises a second reel, the second reel
having a second line wound thereon, wherein the second reel is
biased to maintain a tensile force on the second line.
25. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 23, wherein
the harness comprises a connector operable to suspend a third
portion of the at least one electrical cable from the device.
26. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 23, wherein
the harness comprises a connector operable to suspend a fourth
portion of the at least one electrical cable from a fixed
member.
27. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 21, wherein
the flexible harness comprises a flexible spine and a plurality of
straps secured to the spine and operable to capture the at least
one cable.
28. The cable management system, as set forth in claim 27, wherein
the plurality of straps comprise a self-securing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to electrical systems and,
more particularly, to a technique for managing cables routed to a
movable electrical device mounted within a chassis.
[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0004] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various
aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of the
present invention described and/or claimed below. This discussion
is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background
information to facilitate a better understanding of the various
aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be
understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and
not as admissions of prior art.
[0005] Electrical cables are commonly used to transmit power and/or
data to and from electrical devices or systems. In fact, some
electrical devices may have many electrical cables connected to
them. In addition, some systems utilize several electrical devices.
These devices may be mounted together in a storage system.
Typically, electronic devices, such as computer servers, are
mounted vertically within a chassis or rack. In addition, the
storage system and the electrical device may be adapted to enable
the electrical devices to be withdrawn, at least partially, from
the rack. One reason for withdrawing an electrical device from a
storage rack may be to gain access to the interior of the
electrical device. Furthermore, the storage system may be adapted
to support the electrical device while it is partially withdrawn
from the rack.
[0006] Control of the electrical cables that may be deployed in an
electrical system is important to prevent damage to the cables and
to prevent the cables from becoming entangled. A cable management
system may be used to support one or more electrical cables secured
to an electrical device. For example, a cable management system may
be used to route an electrical cable connected to a movable
electronic device mounted within a rack, such as in a server
system. In this situation, the cable management system is typically
adapted to enable the electrical cable to move as the electrical
device is moved. For example, cable management systems using
articulated arms may be used to support electrical cables. The
electrical cables are attached to the articulated arm. Typically,
one end of the articulated arm is secured to the rack and one end
is secured to the electrical device. The articulated arm is
extended as the electrical device is moved away from the rack.
[0007] However, there are a number of problems associated with
existing cable management systems. For example, a cable management
system utilizing an articulated arm may have numerous pieces,
adding to the expense of the system. In addition, the process of
assembling the pieces to form the articulated arm and the process
of routing and securing the electrical cable or cables may be
difficult and time-consuming. Consequently, some customers of
rack-mounted server systems do not install or use the articulated
arm cable management systems provided. As a result, electrical
cables connected to the server dangle from the server and may be
damaged or entangled when the server is moved. Furthermore, with
deeper servers, the arms may require the cables to have a sharp
bend radius, which may damage the cables. In addition, the
articulated arm may form an obstruction to air flow into or out of
the server. The articulated arm cable management systems may also
obstruct access to electrical connectors and components disposed on
the rear of the server. In addition, existing cable management
systems are not easily adaptable for use across a variety of
rack-mounted systems. They may require unique tooling, such as the
articulated arms, for each application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and
upon reference to the drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a block-diagram of a computer system in
accordance with the present techniques;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of an electronic device and
cable management system with the electronic device disposed in a
first position within a chassis in accordance with the present
techniques;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the electronic device and
cable management system with the electronic device disposed in a
second position relative to the chassis in accordance with the
present techniques;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a cable harness of
the cable management system in accordance with the present
techniques;
[0013] FIG. 5 provides a rear view of the system to illustrate the
securing of the cable harness to the electrical device;
[0014] FIGS. 6-10 provide top views to illustrate the installation
of the cable management system in accordance with the present
techniques; and
[0015] FIG. 11 illustrates the cable management system supporting
electrical cables secured to the electronic device when the
electronic device is moved to a partially withdrawn position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0016] One or more specific embodiments of the present invention
will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise
description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual
implementation are described in the specification. It should be
appreciated that in the development of any such actual
implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous
implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the
developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related
and business-related constraints, which may vary from one
implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that
such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but
would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication,
and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of
this disclosure.
[0017] Turning now to the drawings and referring initially to FIG.
1, a block diagram of an exemplary processor-based system is
illustrated. The processor-based system is generally designated by
the reference numeral 20. The processor-based system 20 may be any
of a variety of different types, such as a desktop computer, a
server, or a mainframe computer. In addition, the processor-based
device may be a piece of test equipment, such as an oscilloscope,
electronic instrumentation, a process control device, etc. In the
illustrated system, a processor 22 controls many of the functions
of the system. A processor-based system typically includes a power
supply 24. If the system is portable, power supply 24 includes
permanent batteries, replaceable batteries, and/or rechargeable
batteries. Power supply 24 may also include an A/C adapter, so that
the device may be plugged into a wall outlet, for instance. In
fact, power supply 24 may also include a D/C adapter, so that the
system 20 may be plugged into the D/C voltage of a vehicle.
[0018] Various other devices may be coupled to the processor 22,
depending upon the functions of the system 20. For example, a user
interface 26 may be coupled to processor 22. Examples of user
interfaces 26 include buttons, switches, a keyboard, a light pen, a
mouse, and/or a voice recognition system. A display 28 may also be
coupled to processor 22. Examples of displays 28 include: a
television screen, a computer monitor, an LED, or even an audio
display. A communications port 30 may also be coupled to processor
22. The communications port 30 may be coupled to a peripheral
device 32, such as a printer, a computer, or an external modem.
[0019] Typically, processor 22 utilizes programming to control the
function of the system 20. Memory is coupled to processor 22 to
store and facilitate execution of the programming. For example,
processor 22 may be coupled to a volatile memory 34 and a
non-volatile memory 36. Non-volatile memory 36 may include a read
only memory (ROM), such as an EPROM, to be used in conjunction with
volatile memory 34. The size of the ROM is typically selected to be
just large enough to store any necessary operating system,
application programs, and fixed data. Volatile memory 34, on the
other hand, is typically quite large so that it can store
dynamically loaded applications. Additionally, non-volatile memory
36 may include a high capacity memory such as a disk or tape drive
memory. A variety of memory modules, such as DIMMs, DRAMs, SDRAMs,
SRAMs, etc. can be utilized for a given device or application.
[0020] The various components of the processor-based system 20 may
be coupled together by electrical cables. For example, an
electrical cable may be used to couple the peripheral device 32 to
the communications port 30. The present cable management system,
discussed below, is particularly amenable to protecting electrical
cables connected to electrical systems, such as the processor-based
system 20 discussed above.
[0021] Referring generally to FIGS. 2 and 3, an electronic system
38 having a storage rack 40 and a rack-mounted device 42 is
illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the rack-mounted device
42 is movable relative to the rack 40. In FIG. 2, the rack-mounted
device 42 is illustrated in a first position relative to the rack
40, such as a fully seated position. In FIG. 3, the rack-mounted
device is illustrated in a second position relative to the rack 40,
such as a partially withdrawn psoition. The rack-mounted device 42
may be a processor-based device, such as processor-based system 20
described above, or another type of electrical device. In the
illustrated embodiment, the rack-mounted device 42 is a server. The
server 42 is movable along a rail 44 secured to the rack 40. The
electrical cables 46 are secured, at one end, to electrical
connectors 48 disposed on the rear of the server 42. The other end
of the electrical cables may be routed to other devices within the
rack 40, or to devices external to the rack 40.
[0022] The cable management system 50 is used to route and to
support the plurality of electrical cables 46 within the rack 40.
In the illustrated embodiment, several electrical cables 46 are
routed to the server 42. However, the present technique is also
applicable to a single electrical cable 46. In addition, the
present technique also is applicable to manage fluid hoses and
other flexible members adapted to transmit power, data, or
material.
[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the cable management system
50 comprises a cable harness 52, a first wire reel 54, and a second
wire reel 56. The cable harness 52 is flexible and is used to
control the electrical cables, such as securing them into a bundle.
In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the harness 52 is
adapted to be secured to the electrical device 42, the wire reels
54 and 56, and the rack 40 to enable them to support the electrical
cables 46. However, rather than wire reels, the cable management
system 50 may comprise one or more flexible and/or elastic members,
such as a rubber band or a bungee cord. Indeed, the cable
management system 50 may comprise one or more wire reels and one or
more elastic members. In the illustrated embodiment, the first wire
reel 54 and the second wire reel 56 are secured to the server 42.
However, the wire reels, or elastic members, may be secured to a
movable portion of the rail 44, a stationary portion of the rail
44, or to the rack 42. The first and second wire reels may be
secured to the server 42 as received or the first and second wire
reels may be secured to the server 42 as part of the process of
installing the harness 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable
management system 50 also comprises a securing member 58, such as a
ring, clip, velcro strap, etc., secured to the server 42 and a hole
60 extending through a portion of the rail 44.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, one end of the cable harness
52 is secured to the securing member 58 of the server 42 and the
other end of the cable harness 52 is secured to the rail 44. In
this embodiment, the ends of the harness 52 are supported by the
server 42 and the rail 44. In addition, the wire reels 54 and 56
are used to support the portion of the harness 52 and electrical
cables 46 between the server 42 and the rail 44. In this
embodiment, the wire reels 54 and 56 are secured to the harness on
opposite sides of the harness 52 to provide opposing forces to
support the electrical cables therebetween. In addition, the wire
reels are secured to the harness 52 at different points along the
harness 52 to provide more points of support along the length of
the harness 52.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the harness 52 and electrical
cables 46 are coiled or folded when the server 42 is positioned at
its normal position within the rack 40. As illustrated in FIG. 3,
the cable management system 50 is adapted to uncoil the harness 52
and electrical cables 46 as the server 42 is withdrawn from the
storage rack 40. In addition, the cable management system 50 is
adapted to coil the harness 52 and electrical cables 46 as the
server 42 is returned to its normal position within the storage
rack 40, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the cable
management system 50 may be adapted to hold the harness 52 and
electrical cables 46 in another shape, other than coiled, such as a
zig-zag shape or an L-shape.
[0026] Referring generally to FIG. 4, the cable harness 52 has a
spine 62 extending along the length of the harness 52. In the
illustrated embodiment, a first hook 64 is disposed at one end of
the spine 62. The first hook is adapted to secure the cable harness
52 to the securing member 58 disposed on the server 42. The cable
harness 52 has a plurality of straps 66 disposed at various
locations along the length of the spine 62. The straps 66 are
adapted to secure the harness 52 to the electrical cables 46 and
form them into a bundle. In the illustrated embodiment, each strap
66 has a buckle 68, a first portion 70, and a second portion 72.
The first and second portions are adapted to secure to each other
on contact, such as Velcro. Each strap 66 is wrapped around the
plurality of electrical cables 46 and inserted through a buckle 68.
The buckle 68 enables the strap 66 to tighten the bundle of
electrical cables 46. The strap 66 may then be turned back on
itself so that the second portion 72 is directed toward the first
portion 70.
[0027] The harness 52 also is adapted to be secured to the first
wire reel 54 and the second wire reel 56. The cable harness 52 has
a second hook 74 secured to a strap 76. The second hook 74 is used
to secure the cable harness 52 to the first wire reel 54. The cable
harness has a third hook 78 secured to a different strap 80. The
third hook 78 is adapted to secure the cable harness to the second
wire reel 56. Finally, the cable harness 52 has a fourth hook 82
secured to a fourth strap 84. The fourth hook 82 is adapted to
secure the cable harness 52 to the rail 44. In the illustrated
embodiment, the fourth hook 82 is inserted through hole 60 and rail
44. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the hooks has a clasp 86
to maintain the hook secured.
[0028] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the wire reels 54
and 56 has a wire 88 wound onto the reel. In the illustrated
embodiment, a ring 90 is secured to the end of each wire 88. The
second hook 74 is secured to the ring 90 located at the end of the
first wire reel 54 and the third hook 78 is secured to the ring 90
located at the end of the second wire reel 56. In the illustrated
embodiment, each of the wire reels provides a biasing force to
maintain the wire wound onto the reel. The biasing force is used to
provide the force to enable the cable harness 52 to support the
plurality of electrical cables 46 between the server 42 and the
rail 44. Alternatively, the wires 88 may be secured to the harness
52 without being wound on a reel or without being biased. For
example, the wires 88 may be secured to carriages that move along
the rails as the server 42 is moved. In addition, at least one of
the wires 88 may be an elastic member, such as a rubber band or
bungee cord.
[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the cable management system
50 maintains the portion of the electrical cables 46 bundled by
cable harness 52 below the top 91 and above the bottom 92 of the
server 42. This prevents the electrical cables 46 from being
crimped between the server and another device, or entangled with
another device, either above or below the server 42. The portion of
the electrical cables 46 bundled by cable harness 52 is maintained
below the top of the server 42 and above the bottom 92 of the
server 42 when the server 42 is in its normal position, as in FIG.
2, when the server is withdrawn at least partially from the rack
40, as in FIG. 3, and when the server 42 is moved between the two
positions.
[0030] The server 42 has a second group of electrical connectors 94
disposed along a bottom portion of the server 42. The plurality of
electrical connectors 94 may comprise a plurality of ports for
communicating data, such as a serial port, a parallel port, a USB
port, etc. The electrical cables 46 secured by the cable management
system 50 may include electrical cables secured to the second group
of electrical connectors 94. In addition, the portion of the server
42 illustrated has a plurality of ventilation holes 96 for allowing
air to flow into and out of the interior of the server 42. When the
server 42 is positioned in its normal position within the rack 40,
as in FIG. 2, the cable management system 50 provides minimal
obstruction to the flow of air into and out of the ventilation
holes 96 because there is no articulated arm to serve as an
obstruction to air flow. In addition, the harness 52 and wires 88
produce a minimal increase in the overall volume of the electrical
cables 46. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the wire reels are
disposed in the upper left and right of the device 42, out of the
flow path for air into and out of the ventilation holes.
[0031] The process of installing the illustrated cable management
system 50 is a multi-part process. The cable management system 50
utilizes a plurality of identifiers to facilitate the process of
assembling of the cable management system 50. In the illustrated
embodiment, a first identifier marked "1", designated by the
reference numeral 98, is disposed on the rear portion of the server
42 proximate to the securing member 58. A second identifier marked
"1", designated by the reference numeral 100, is disposed on the
harness 52 proximate to the first hook 64. The identifiers marked
"1" facilitate the identification of the first hook 64 as the
correct hook to secure to the securing member 58. In addition, the
identifiers marked "1" indicate the desired sequence of performance
of the connection of the first hook 64 to the securing member 58 in
a desired process of installing the harness 52.
[0032] In addition, each strap 66 has a first identifier marked
"2", designated by the reference numeral 102. The labels marked "2"
facilitate the location of the straps 66 and indicates that
securing the straps 66 to the electrical cables 46 is performed
second in the desired process of installing the harness 52.
[0033] A first identifier marked "3", designated by the reference
numeral 104, is disposed proximate to the first wire reel 54. A
second identifier marked "3", designated by the reference numeral
106, is disposed on the harness 52 proximate to the second hook 74.
The identifiers marked "3" facilitate the identification of the
second hook 74 as the correct hook to secure to the first wire reel
54 and indicates that the connection of the second hook 74 to the
first wire reel 54 is performed third in the desired process of
installing the harness 52.
[0034] A first identifier marked "4", designated by the reference
numeral 108, is disposed proximate to the second wire reel 56. A
second identifier marked "4", designated by the reference numeral
110, is disposed on the harness 52 proximate to the third hook 78.
The identifiers marked "4" facilitate the identification of the
third hook 78 as the correct hook to secure to the second wire reel
56 and indicates that the connection of the third hook 78 to the
second wire reel 56 is performed fourth in the desired process of
installing the harness 52.
[0035] Finally, a first identifier marked "5", designated by the
reference numeral 112, is disposed proximate to the hole 60 through
the rail 44. A second identifier marked "5", designated by the
reference numeral 114, is disposed on the harness 52 proximate to
the fourth hook 82. The identifiers marked "5" facilitate the
identification of the fourth hook 82 as the correct hook to secure
through the hole 60 and indicates that the connection of the fourth
hook 82 through the hole 60 is performed fifth in the desired
process of installing the harness 52.
[0036] Referring generally to FIGS. 5-10, as discussed above, the
process of installing the cable management system 50 is a
multi-part process. Typically, the first act of the process is to
secure the first hook 64 of the harness 52 to the securing member
58 disposed on the server 42, as illustrated in FIG. 5. This
secures the harness 52 to the server 42.
[0037] Then, the next act of the process is to secure each of the
plurality of straps 66 around the electrical cables 46, as
illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The first identifiers marked "2",
designated by the reference numeral 102, located on each of the
straps 66 indicate to an installer that securing the straps 66 to
the electrical cables 46 is performed second in the desired
process, after the harness 52 is secured to the server 42.
[0038] The next act of the process is to secure the second hook 74
to the first wire reel 54, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The first
identifiers marked "3", designated by reference numeral 104 and
106, located proximate to the second hook 74 and the first wire
reel 54 indicate to an installer that securing the second hook 74
to the first wire reel 54 is performed third in the process, after
the plurality of straps 66 are wrapped around and secured to the
electrical cables 46.
[0039] The next act of the process is to secure the third hook 78
to the second wire reel 56, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The first
identifiers marked "4", designated by reference numeral 108 and 110
and located proximate to the third hook 78 and the second wire reel
56, indicate to an installer that securing the third hook 78 to the
second wire reel 56 is performed after the second hook 74 is
secured to the first wire reel 54.
[0040] The next act of the process is to secure the fourth hook 82
through the hole 60 in the rail 44, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The
first identifiers marked "5", designated by reference numerals 112
and 114 and located proximate to the fourth hook 82 and the hole 60
through the rail 44, indicate to an installer that securing the
fourth hook 82 through the hole 60 is performed after the third
hook 78 is secured to the second wire reel 56.
[0041] Referring generally to FIGS. 2, 3 and 11, the illustrated
cable management system 50 supports the electrical cables 46 when
the server 42 is positioned in a first position within the rack 40,
as illustrated in FIG. 2, and when the server is moved to a second
position, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 11. As the server 42 is
moved from the first position to the second position, the end of
the harness 52 secured to the server 42 is displaced relative to
the end of the harness secured to the rail 44 and the harness 52
and electrical cables 46 are uncoiled from a coiled position. The
wire 88 of each of the wire reels is unwound from the reels as the
harness 52 is uncoiled. The biasing force provided by the wire
reels supports the weight of the portion of the electrical cables
46 supported by the cable management system 50 and maintains
tension in the wires as the wires are unwound from the wire reels.
The force provided by the wire reels via the wires is operable to
support the harness 52 and the electrical cables 46 as the wire is
unwound from the reels, so that the portion of the electrical
cables 46 bundled by cable harness 52 is maintained above the
bottom 92 of the server 42.
[0042] The techniques discussed above provide an easier process for
installing a cable management system, as well as routing and
supporting cables. The time consumed in installing the cable
management system is minimal. In addition, unlike an articulated
arm system, the harness, cable, and support wires are flexible to
enable the harness and cable to be moved out of the way to provide
access to all electrical connectors and components disposed on the
rear of an electrical device. In addition, the system may be easily
modified for applications in different racks and for different
electrical devices. For example, the harness may be lengthened or
shortened, as desired. In addition, the straps may be lengthened or
shortened, as desired, to accommodate different numbers of
cables.
[0043] While the invention may be susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been
shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in
detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention
is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed.
Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents
and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the following appended claims.
* * * * *