Cablemanagementarmassembly.

1、Cable management arm assemblyTECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates in general to the field of electronics and to the storage andmanagement of computer equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure is related toa cable management arm assembly and method of cable management.BACKGROUNDEl

2、ectronic devices such as computer components can be stored in an electronics racksystem, sometimes referred to as a rack system or rack, to conserve floor space. A variety ofdifferent computer components including servers, computers, storage devices such as diskdrives, tape drives, and RAID drives,

3、as well as other electrical devices can be housed inrack systems. Standards such as theElectronics Industry Association (EIA) RS-310 19 rack standard havebeen developed to standardize the height and width of electronics racks to facilitate effectiveuse of the space within rack systems.The vertical s

4、pace within a rack system is generally defined in vertical mounting unitincrements, often referred to as“Us”. Amounting unit or U is typically 1.75 inches. Interior rails of rack systems often have threemounting slots within each U of vertical space for attaching components. Rack systems andcomponen

5、ts are typically sized in mounting unit increments. Forexample,“2U”components are sized to fit within a 2U vertical space.“48U”and“72U”racks are sized to have 48U and 72U, respectively, of usable vertical space.Access to components is often provided by a slideable structure attached to the interior

6、railsof the rack system. These structures allow the associated components to slide forward formaintenance, repair, or installation. Also, the back of many rack system are often accessibleby opening a panel or door on the back of the rack to gain access to the back or rear ofcomponents stored within

7、a rack system.Components stored within a rack system typically have a number of cables protruding fromthe rear of the components. In addition to power cables, components often have multipleinput and output cables connecting one component to other components or systems housedwithin the rack or elsewh

8、ere. As components are installed within a rack system, cabling inthe rear of the rack often becomes unmanageable. Also, to allow components to slideforward while maintaining desired electrical and signal connections, excess lengths of cableare typically provided behind each component. The excess len

9、gths of cable contribute tocable management problems within electronics rack systems. Cables may become twistedand tangled or may snag on other cables or on other components. These cables oftenimpede efforts to install additional components and cabling or remove components andcabling. To alleviate t

10、his problem, cable management arms are often employed.A cable management arm is typically a hinged assembly attached to the back of theassociated component. The cables are often secured to the cable management arm. Whena component slides into the rack system, the cable management assembly folds behi

11、nd theassociated component. When the associated component slides forward, the cablemanagement assembly unfolds and extends as necessary to maintain the desired electricaland signal connections.While cable management arms can alleviate some problems within rack systems, they oftencreate a host of new

12、 problems. Often, these problems begin at installation. Cablemanagement arms are frequently attached to the interior frame of the associated rack by anumber of individual fasteners. Installing and removing these fasteners to the rear of therack system can be difficult, frustrating, and time consumin

13、g, even for an experiencedtechnician. This is especially the case when a number of other components and theirassociated cabling hinder access to the rear of the rack system.Also, cable management assemblies often include three hinged arms. As these arms foldbehind the associated component, they occu

14、py a significant amount of space between theassociated component and the rear of the rack system. This may cause two undesirableconsequences, first the tri-folded cable management assembly may restrict the flow of airthrough the rear of the rack system, preventing various components stored within th

15、e racksystem from cooling properly. Second, the compacted cable management assembly ofteninterferes with access to the components through the back of the rack system. Specifically,when the rear panel is opened, the tri-foldedmanagement assemblies are often pushed rearward, making it difficult to pro

16、perly close therear access panel of the rack system.SUMMARYTherefore a need has arisen for a cable management system that provides for less complexinstallation.A further need has arisen for a cable management system that allows greater air flowthrough the rack system.A further need has arisen for a

17、cable management system that facilitates access to the rearportion of a rack.In accordance with teachings of the present disclosure, a system and method are describedfor managing cables within a rack system. In one aspect, a computer rack system formounting one or more computers is disclosed that in

18、cludes a rack that has a standardinterface and a cable management assembly. The cable management assembly acts tosecure cables connecting various components housed within the rack system. The cablemanagement assembly includes a rack connector, a first dual hinge assembly, a first arm, asecond arm, a

19、nd a component connector. The rack connector may be formed to releaseablyconnect to a standard interface of the associated rack. The first dual hinge assembly ispreferably connected to the rack connector. The first arm connects with the dual hingeassembly and the second arm rotatably connects to the

20、 first arm. A component connector ispreferably rotatably connected to the second arm and is formed to connect to a computercomponent housed within the rack system. More specifically, the rack connector mayinclude a keyed interface for connecting with a standard interface and a threaded hole forrelea

21、seably securing the rack connector to the standard interface with a fastener. Morespecifically, the first arm and the second arm may have portions removed to facilitate air flowthrough the rack system.In another aspect of the present disclosure, a cable management assembly is provided witha first hi

22、nge assembly having a dual hinge connected to a rack connector and a first arm. Asecond arm may be rotatably connected to the first arm and a component connectorrotatably connects to the second arm. More specifically, the hinge assembly includes a dualhinge assembly connecting the first arm and seco

23、nd arm.In yet another aspect, a method for managing cabling within a rack is disclosed. The methodmay include rotatably securing a first arm and second arm with each other and pivotallysecuring the rack connector to the first arm. The rack connector may be releaseablyengaged to a standard rack inter

24、fere within the associated rack system. The method mayfurther include securing a component connector to a component housed within the rack andsecuring component cables within tabs disposed along the first arm and the second arm.The present disclosure provides a number of important technical advantag

25、es. One suchadvantage is providing a rack connector with a keyed interface. The keyed interface allows acable management assembly to be easily secured to a standard interface within anassociated rack system.Having portions removed from first arm and second arm is another important technicaladvantage

26、 of the present disclosure. The removed portions of first arm and second armfacilitate air flow through the rack system. Providing a cable management assembly withonly two arms while allowing substantially the same amount of movement of an attachedcomponent as previous three arm cable management ass

27、emblies, is another importantadvantage. The two arm configurations formed in accordance with teachings of the presentdisclosure generally require less space in the rear of the rack system when the cablemanagement assembly is in its folded position.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA more complete und

28、erstanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof maybe acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, andwherein:FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing an isometric view of one

29、 embodiment of thepresent disclosure;FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram with portions broken away showing one dual hinge andkeyed rack connector;FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram with portions broken away showing a detent assembly;FIG. 2A is an isometric view of another embodiment of the present disclosure

30、;FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram with portions broken away showing a dual hinge assemblyand keyed rack connector;FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram with portions broken away showing a component connector;andFIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a computer system having various components mounted ina rack syst

31、em using cable management assemblies in accordance with teachings of thepresent disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONPreferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference to FIGS. 1through 3, wherein like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts.Referring now to FIG.

32、 1A, a schematic diagram is shown of one embodiment of a cablemanagement assembly according to the present disclosure. Cable management assembly10 preferably includes first arm 12, second arm 14, first hinge assembly 16, second hingeassembly 15, and component connector 30. In the present embodiment,

33、 first hingeassembly 16 is preferably a dual hinge assembly incorporating first hinge 20 and secondhinge 18. Rack connector 22 is preferably rotatably or pivotally connected to second hinge18 of dual assembly16. Dual hinge assembly 16 preferably has a generally Z shaped configuration such that first

34、hinge20 is vertically offset fromsecond hinge 18. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical offset created by the Z-shape isapproximately 1U. First hinge assembly16is described in greater detail in FIG. 1B.For some applications, first hinge assembly16 may be selectivelydisassembled and reassembled suc

35、h that the orientation and configuration of the cablemanagement assembly10 is reversedrelative to an associated rack system (not expressly shown). Reversal of the first hingeassembly 16 preferably includes reassembling first hinge assembly 16 such that rackconnector22 connects to an opposingrail wit

36、hin the back of the rack system and component connector30attaches to an opposite side of the rear of a component. In this manner, the routing ofcabling (not expressly shown) may be alternated on the back of the rack system. Forexample, a first component and cable management assembly could be install

37、ed such thatthe accompanying cabling is routed on the right side of the rear of a rack system. A secondcomponent and cable management could then be installed such that the accompanyingcabling is routed on the leftside of the rack system. In this manner, cabling routed in the rear of the rack system

38、may bemanaged such that the volume of cabling on each side is equalized.First hinge 20 of dual assembly 16 is rotatably connected to first arm 12. For theembodiment shown in FIG. 1A, first arm12 is designedto be used with a component that has a height of 2U or greater.Portions of first arm12 have be

39、en removed to create cut-outs orremoved portions 60. In the present embodiment removed portions60 offirst arm 12 and second arm 14 each form a truss-type configuration.During operation, components stored within the rack system often generate a significantamount of heat. Air flow through the rack sys

40、tem dissipates the heat created by thecomponents. Removed portions 60 allow air to flow through the rack assembly, especiallybetween the rear portion of a component to the rear portion of the rack system. First arm12 is also rotatably connected to second arm14 via hinge assembly 15.In the present em

41、bodiment, second hinge assembly 15 is preferably a dual hinge assemblyconnection. In an alternative embodiment, second hinge assembly 15 may be a single hingeconnection (not expressly shown). In the present embodiment, second hinge assembly15 providesa number of significant technical advantages. The

42、 introduction of second dual hingeassembly 15 provides a greater bending radius for cables that run along first arm 12 andsecond arm 14 when first arm12 and second arm 14 are in a first, folded or collapsed position.This increased bonding radius allows the cable management assembly10to collapse or f

43、old more easily. Second, including dual hinge 15 increases the extended orunfolded length of first arm12 and secondarm 14, allowing the associated component to slide forward further in the rack to service,remove, or install an associated component.Second arm 14 is rotatably connected to second hinge

44、 assembly15. Inthe present embodiment, second arm 14 includes removed portions 60, similar to thosedescribed for first arm 12 above. A component connector 30 is rotatably attached to secondarm14. In the presentembodiment, component connector 30 is hingedly attached to second arm 14 via aspring-loade

45、d hinge assembly32. In an alternativeembodiment, a conventional hinge assembly may connect second arm14to component connector 30. In the present embodiment, spring-loaded hinge assembly 32acts to hold component connector30 and second arm14 in close association as the component is moved forward. As t

46、he component is movedforward, this preferably extends first arm 12 and hinge assemblies 15 and 16 before secondarm 14 extends or unfolds.This allows cable management assembly10 to smoothly unfold or extendwhen the component is pulled forward in the rack system for servicing.A plurality of cable ties

47、40 and tabs 42 may be disposed along aportion of second arm14. In the present embodiment, cable ties40and tabs 42 are preferably disposed to create two rows of cables (not expressly shown)within second arm14. Providing cable ties40 andtabs 42 in two rows allows the associated cables to be routed in

48、two rows. This creates moresimplified access to the cables and in an alternative embodiment, a single row of cable ties40 and tabs 42 ora plurality of rows of cables and cable ties40 and tabs 42 may bedisposed along first arm12 and second arm 14.Detent arm 50 and detent arm housing 52 are also assoc

49、iatedwith second arm 14. In the present embodiment, detent armarm housing 52 are preferably disposed on first armconnector 24. Detent arm 50 and detent arm housingdescribed in FIG. 1C.First arm 12 and second arm 14 may be constructed of materials suitable for a computingequipment environment such as

50、 metal or plastic materials. In the present embodiment, firstarm12 and secondarm 14 are constructed of a stainless steel metal material. Further, first arm 12 and secondarm 14 preferably have a channel configuration with an appropriate depth to allow cabling tobe disposed within the channel interior

51、. In an alternative embodiment, first arm 12 andsecond arm 14 may have a variety of different cross sectional geometries such as an Lshaped geometry, a flat geometry, or a cup shaped geometry.Now referring to FIG. 1B which shows a schematic diagram of a Z- shaped dual hinge and akeyed rack connector

52、. Dual hinge assembly16includes second hinge 18 and first hinge20. First hinge 20 connectswith first arm12 via pin 28 and releaseably secured with a ring.Similarly, second hinge 18 connects with rack connector24 via pin 28releaseably secured by a ring. Rack connector24 includes first keyedportion 25

53、 and second keyed portion26. In the present embodiment,first keyed portion25 extends from a top portion of rack connector24. First keyed portion 25 further extends perpendicular to rack connector 24 in an“L”shaped configuration. Second keyed portion 26 extends from a lower portion of rackconnector24

54、 and furtherextends in a direction perpendicular to rack connector24 in an“L”shaped configuration. Threaded hole27 extends from rack connector24operable to interface with a threaded fastener such as a bolt or screw to secure rackconnector24 to a rack system. In a preferred50 and detent12 distal rack

55、52 are furtherembodiment, the thread connector comprises a thumb screw (not expresslyshown) operable to tool-lessly secure rack connector a rail within a rack system. In apreferred embodiment, a threaded fastener may secure the threaded fastener to a case nutassociated with a rack system rail.FIG. 1

56、C is a schematic diagram of a detent assembly. Second arm14includes a portion of hinge assembly15. Detent arm housing52 ispreferably secured to an upper portion of second arm14. Detent arm50 is preferably an extended rod associated with detent arm housing 52 and detent spring54 such that a portion o

57、f detent arm 50 is contained within detent arm housing 52. Anotherportion of detent arm 50 protrudes from detent arm housing52.Detent arm 50 is preferably moveable between a first position, where detent arm 50protrudes from detent arm housing52 and a secondposition where detent arm50 is inserted int

58、o detent arm housing52.In this second position detent spring54 is compressed by detent arm50.When detent arm 50 is in the first position, extended from housing 52, detent arm 50 extendsoperable to contact a rail or interior portion of the rack as the cable management assembly10 is retracted orplaced

59、 in a first, folded position. The detent arm50, detent housing52, and detent spring54 are preferably operable to retain cablemanagement assembly 10 within the rack system and allow a technician selective access tothe rear of components stored in a rack system.By positioning detent arm50 in the secon

60、d position, cable managementarm 50 may then swing to the rear of the rack system, allowing access to the rear of anassociated component.In operation, rack connector24 is installed within a computer racksystem as shown in FIG. 3. In the present embodiment, rack connector 24 is preferablyoperable to i