CABLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

A cable management system comprises: at lest one cable management unit which has at least one receiving space for receiving at least one drawer unit, wherein for the purpose of providing a cable management system with improved characteristics regarding flexibility, the cable management unit comprises at least one rear cable manager, which is configured to feed at least one cable to a rear side of the receiving space and which is mountable in at least two different orientations with respect to the receiving space.

Claims

1. A cable management system comprising: at least one cable management unit which has at least one receiving space for receiving at least one drawer unit, wherein the cable management unit comprises at least one rear cable manager, which is configured to feed at least one cable to a rear side the receiving space and which is mountable in at least two different orientations with respect to the receiving space.

2. The cable management system according to claim 1, comprising drawer unit and at least one further drawer unit differing from the drawer unit in at least one geometrical parameter and fitting into the receiving space.

3. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein the drawer unit has a base 8 configuration.

4. The cable management system according to claim 3, wherein the drawer unit is configured to support at least three individually exchangeable adapter inlays.

5. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein the further drawer unit has a base 12 configuration.

6. The cable management system according to claim 5, wherein the further drawer unit is configured to support at least two individually exchangeable further adapter inlays.

7. The cable management system according to claim 6, wherein the drawer unit is configured to support at least three individually exchangeable adapter inlays and wherein the adapter inlay and/or the further adapter inlay and a part of the drawer unit and/or of the further drawer unit implement at least partly a protective housing for at least one further unit.

8. The cable management system according to claim 1, comprising at least one sensor unit, which has a plurality of sensors configured for detecting at least one connection state and which is arrangeable likewise on the drawer unit and the further drawer unit.

9. The cable management system according to claim 8, wherein the cable management unit comprises at least one slide contact configured to electrically connect the sensor unit. in at least one storage position of the drawer unit and/or the further drawer unit and in at least one process position of the drawer unit and/or the further drawer unit.

10. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein the drawer unit and/or the further drawer unit comprise/comprises a front top cover unit, which is located in a front area of the cable management unit and is configured to protect at least one cable from above.

11. The cable management system according to claim 10, wherein the front top cover unit comprises a bi-stable living hinge.

12. The cable management system according to claim 10, wherein the front top cover unit comprises at least one labelling surface.

13. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein the cable management unit comprises at least one front cover unit that is configured for covering the receiving space in a forward direction and has at least one telescopic hinge.

14. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein the drawer unit and/or the further drawer unit comprise/comprises at least one cable divider element which, in an assembled state, defines at least two cable guiding channels and is positioned in a front area of the cable management unit.

15. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein the cable management unit comprises a locking unit configured to lock the drawer unit and/or the further drawer unit at least in a storage position and/or in a process position.

16. A cable management device implemented by assembly from a cable management system according to claim 1.

17. A method for assembling a cable management device, in particular a cable management device according to claim 16, wherein a cable management system according claim 1 is used to assemble the cable management device (54).

Description

DRAWINGS

[0031] Further advantages may become apparent from the following description of the drawings. In the drawings exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawings, the description and the claims contain a plurality of features in combination. The person having ordinary skill in the art will purposefully also consider the features separately and will find further expedient combinations.

[0032] If there is more than one specimen of a certain object, only one of these is given a reference numeral in the figures and in the description. The description of this specimen may be correspondingly transferred to the other specimens of the object.

[0033] It is shown in:

[0034] FIG. 1 a schematic view of an exemplary cable management device which is assembled by using a cable management system having a plurality of cable management units, drawer units and further drawer units,

[0035] FIG. 2 a perspective view of one cable management unit having a rear cable manager with one further drawer unit which is arranged in a receiving place of the cable management unit,

[0036] FIG. 3 a perspective top view of the drawer unit,

[0037] FIG. 4 a perspective top view of the further drawer unit,

[0038] FIG. 5 a perspective bottom view of the drawer unit,

[0039] FIG. 6 a perspective bottom view of the further drawer unit, and

[0040] FIG. 7 a diagram of a method for assembling the cable management device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0041] FIG. 1 schematically shows a cable management device 54 which is implemented by assembly from a cable management system 10.

[0042] The cable management device 54 is implemented as a network cabinet 58 with a rack 60. The cable management device 54 is configured for managing cables 62, which can be embodied as optical waveguide cables. However, it is also conceivable to use cables 62 that differ from optical waveguide cables, e.g. electric cables.

[0043] The cable management system 10 comprises at least one cable management unit 12. In the present case, the cable management device 54 comprises a plurality of cable management units 12, in particular three cable management units 12, wherein for the sake of clarity in FIG. 1 only one of the cable management units 12 comprises a reference numeral.

[0044] The cable management units 12 are located adjacent to each other. The cable management units 12 are located one above the other. The cable management units 12 are at least substantially identical to each other. Moreover, the cable management units 12 are releasable from, connectable to and/or replaceable with each other individually.

[0045] The following description will be restricted to one of the cable management units 12, wherein, due to the at least substantially identical construction of the cable management units 12, the following description may also apply to possible other cable management units 12.

[0046] The cable management unit 12 is in the present case embodied as a 19-inch insert. The cable management unit 12 is intended to be used in a carrier unit 64, in the present case in particular in a rack 60. Herein, the cable management unit 12 is installed horizontally.

[0047] The cable management unit 12 has a height of one height unit (U). The cable management unit 12 comprises a fiber connection density of 144 connections per height unit (U).

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one cable management unit 12 having a rear cable manager 20 with one further drawer unit 18. The further drawing unit 18 is arranged in a receiving place 14 of the cable management unit 12.

[0049] The cable management unit 12 comprises a frame unit 66 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2). The frame unit 66 is embodied as a chassis. The frame unit 66 forms an outer housing of the cable management unit 12. The frame unit 66 is in the present case made of metal, in particular metal sheets. Alternatively, a frame unit 66 may be made at least partly of a plastic material.

[0050] The cable management system 10 comprises in the present case a drawer unit 16. The cable management system 10 comprises one further drawer unit 18. The further drawer unit 18 differs from the drawer unit 16 in at least one geometrical parameter (cf. FIGS. 5 and 6). The geometrical parameter is a connection interface 94.

[0051] The cable management unit 12 has six receiving spaces 14. The six receiving spaces 14 are arranged in two columns besides each other. The frame unit 66 defines and/or delimits the receiving spaces 14. The receiving space 14 is configured for receiving one drawer unit 16 or one further drawer unit 18. The receiving spaces 14 have the same dimensions. The drawer unit 16 fits into the receiving space 14. The further drawer unit 18 fits into the receiving space 14.

[0052] In the present case three drawer units 16 are placed one above each other in a stack (cf. FIG. 2). One drawer unit 16 is in the process position 36. One drawer unit 16 at the top of the stack and one drawer unit 16 at the bottom of the stack are in the storage position 34.

[0053] The frame unit 66 is configured for receiving up to six drawer units 16 or up to six further drawing units 18 or up to six drawer units 16 and one further drawer unit 18. The drawer units 16 and/or the further drawer units 18 received in the frame unit 66 are positioned in a storage position 34. The drawer units 16 and/or the further drawer units 18 received in the frame unit 66 are positioned over and/or besides each other.

[0054] The drawer units 16 and/or the further drawer units 18 received in the frame unit 66 are movable from the storage position 34 to at least one process position 36 and vice versa. The drawer units 16 and/or the further drawer units 18 are movable in a linear motion with respect to the frame unit 66. Each of the drawer units 16 and/or the further drawer units 18 is individually movable with respect to any other drawer unit 16 and/or the further drawer units 18. Each of the drawer units 16 and/or the further drawer units 18 is individually movable with respect to the frame unit 66, from a storage position 34 (cf. FIG. 1) to the process position 36 and vice versa.

[0055] The cable management unit 12 comprises a front cover unit 44. The front cover unit 44 is configured for covering the receiving spaces 14 in a forward direction.

[0056] The front cover unit 44 has two telescopic hinges 46. The front cover unit 44 has a cover element 70. The telescopic hinge 46 connects the cover element 70 with the frame unit 66. The telescopic hinge 46 transfers the cover element 70 from a first, closed state of the front cover unit 44 into a second, opened state by a rotatory and a translatory movement and vice versa. In the closed state the cover element 70 covers all six receiving spaces 14.

[0057] A main extension direction of the cover element 70 in an assembled state is oriented parallel to a main extension direction of a sensor unit 28 of the cable management unit 12 and/or of a front top cover unit 38 of the cable management unit 12 (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4). A main extension plane of the cover element 70 rotates during the movement from the closed into the opened state and vice versa about an axis which is oriented parallel to the main extension plane of the cable management unit 12 and/or parallel to the main extension direction of the sensor unit 28 and/or of the front top cover unit 38. The front cover unit 44 covers all the receiving spaces 14 at the same time.

[0058] The cable management unit 12 comprises one rear cable manager 20. The rear cable manager 20 is configured to feed at least one cable to a rear side 22 of the receiving space 14. The rear cable manager 20 is a part of the frame unit 66. The rear cable manager 20 has a modular structure.

[0059] The rear cable manager 20 comprises one rear bracket 72 for a rear cabling procedure. The rear cable manager 20 comprises two side brackets 74 for a side cabling procedure. The rear bracket 72 and/or the side brackets 74 are configured to provide at least one mounting surface for fixing elements to fix at least one object, for example an electrical and/or optical cable, a tube, a cable fanout and/or a cable divider.

[0060] The rear bracket 72 is mountable at two mounting positions over and under a main extension plane of the cable management unit 12. The rear bracket 72 comprises a perforation for fixing elements.

[0061] The following description will be restricted to one of the side brackets 74, wherein, due to the at least substantially identical construction of the side brackets 74, the following description may also apply to other side brackets 74.

[0062] The side bracket 74 comprises a mounting surface 76. The mounting surface 76 is parallel to a main extension plane 78 of the cable management unit 12. The mounting surface 76 comprises a perforation for fixing elements.

[0063] The side bracket 74 is mountable at four mounting positions. The mounting surface 76 is arranged in a first position. The mounting surface 76 extends into a smallest imaginary rectangular cuboid which just still completely encloses the cable management unit.

[0064] The rear cable manager 20 comprises mounting elements 82 for mounting the cable management unit 12 on the rack 60.

[0065] The cable management unit 12 comprises a locking unit 52. The locking unit 52 is configured to lock the drawer unit 16 and the further drawer unit 18 in the storage position 34. The locking unit 52 is configured to lock the drawer unit 16 and the further drawer unit 18 in the process position 36. The locking unit 52 is arranged in the front lateral area of the cable management unit 12.

[0066] The locking unit 52 comprises for each drawer unit 16 and/or further drawer unit 18 a locking catch 86. The locking unit 52 comprises for each drawer unit 16 and/or further drawer unit a lever 88. The lever 88 is connected to the locking catch 86. The lever 88 and the locking catch 86 are configured to lock and unlock the drawer unit 16 and/or the further drawer unit 18 in a storage position 34 and/or in a process position 36.

[0067] The cable management system comprises a sensor unit 28 (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4). The sensor unit 28 has a plurality of sensors. The sensor unit 28 comprises at least 12 sensors.

[0068] The sensor is implemented as a RFID-sensor, in particular as a RFID-antenna. The sensors are configured for detecting at least one connection state.

[0069] FIG. 3 shows a perspective top view of the drawer unit 16. FIG. 4 shows a perspective top view of the further drawer unit 18. The sensor unit 28 is releasably connected with the drawer unit 16. The sensor unit 28 is releasably connected with the further drawer unit 18. The sensor unit 28 is compatible with both the drawer unit 16 and the further drawer unit 18. The sensor unit 28 is arrangeable likewise on the drawer unit 16 and the further drawer unit 18.

[0070] The sensor unit 28 is connected with the drawer unit 16 by means of a force-fit connection and/or by means of a form-fit connection. The sensor unit 28 is connected with the further drawer unit 18 by means of a force-fit connection and/or by means of a form-fit connection.

[0071] A main extension direction of the sensor unit 28 is oriented perpendicularly to a main extension direction of the drawer unit 16 and/or the further drawer unit 18. A main extension plane of the sensor unit 28 is oriented parallel to the main extension plane of the drawer unit 16 and/or the further drawer unit 18.

[0072] The cable management unit 12 comprises two slide contacts 30. The slide contacts 30 are configured to electrically connect the sensor unit 28 in the storage position 34 of the drawer unit 16 and/or the further drawer unit 18 and in the process position 36 of the drawer unit 16 and/or the further drawer unit 18. In particular the slide contacts 30 are arranged on the frame unit 66.

[0073] The sensor unit 28 comprises a corresponding slide contact 32. The corresponding slide contact 32 cooperates with the slide contact 30. The slide contact 30 is electrically connectible with the corresponding slide contact 32. The slide contact 30 establishes a wireless electrical connection with the corresponding slide contact 32. The corresponding slide contact 32 is connected with a control unit which is configured to monitor and/or control a connected state. The corresponding slide contact 32 is arranged in the assembled state on a lateral part of the drawer unit 16 and/or the further drawer unit 18.

[0074] The sensor unit 28 comprises two corresponding slide contacts 32 so that the drawer unit 16 and/or the further drawer unit 18 can be arranged in every receiving space 14. In the storage position 34 and the process position 36 the slide contact 30 and the corresponding slide contact 32 form one wireless electrically connected pair.

[0075] The drawer unit 16 and the further drawer unit 18 comprise each a front top cover unit 38. The front top cover unit 38 is located in a front area of the cable management unit 12. The front top cover unit 38 is configured to protect at least one cable 62 from above.

[0076] The front top cover unit 38 is releasably connected with the drawer unit 16. The front top cover unit 38 is releasably connected with the further drawer unit 18. The front top cover unit 38 is compatible with both the drawer unit 16 and the further drawer unit 18. The front top cover unit 38 is arrangeable likewise on the drawer unit 16 and the further drawer unit 18.

[0077] The front top cover unit 38 is connected with the drawer unit 16 by means of a force-fit connection and/or by means of a form-fit connection. The front top cover unit 38 is connected with the further drawer unit 18 by means of a force-fit connection and/or by means of a form-fit connection.

[0078] The front top cover unit 38 comprises a bi-stable living hinge 40. When viewed from the front side of the drawer unit 16 and/or further drawer unit 18, the bi-stable living hinge 40 is situated on a left or right side of the front top cover unit 38. The bi-stable living hinge 40 provides a first and a second stable position of the front top cover unit 38. The front top cover unit 38 is in the first position. In the first position the front top cover unit 38 has a protective function. The front top cover unit 38 limits a freedom of movement of cables.

[0079] A main extension direction of the front top cover unit 38 in the assembled state is oriented parallel to the main extension direction of the sensor unit 28. A main extension plane of the front top cover unit 38 in the assembled state is oriented parallel to the main extension plane of the sensor unit 28.

[0080] The front top cover unit 38 comprises a labelling surface 42. The labelling surface 42 can be repeatedly labeled. The labelling surface 42 can be labeled manually e.g. by a pen and/or labeled by a color label and/or by an electronic or electronically detectible label.

[0081] The drawer unit 16 and/or the further drawer unit 18 comprise/comprises two cable divider elements 48. The cable divider elements 48 define two cable guiding channels 50. The cable divider elements 48 are positioned in a front area of the cable management unit 12.

[0082] The cable guiding channel 50 is configured to collect and divide the cables into two at least partly separate bundles.

[0083] FIG. 5 shows a perspective bottom view of the drawer unit 16. The drawer unit 16 has a base 8 configuration.

[0084] The drawer unit 16 is configured to support three individually exchangeable adapter inlays 24. The adapter inlays 24 have identical dimensions aside from manufacturing tolerances and/or within the range of standardized tolerances.

[0085] The drawer unit 16 with the base 8 configuration comprises one connection interface 94. The connection interface 94 is configured to support three base 8 adapter inlays 24. The connection interface 94 is configured to connect the drawer unit 16 with the three base 8 adapter inlays 24. The connection surface 94 supports the base 8 adapter inlays 24 in the assembled state by means of a force-fit connection and/or by means of a form-fit connection. One base 8 adapter inlay 24 comprises eight LC simplex connections. Two base 8 adapter inlays 24 comprise four LC duplex connections. It is conceivable that the base 8 adapter inlay 24 comprises at least one SC connection and/or at least one MPO connection. It is conceivable that the base 8 adapter inlay 24 comprises connections for a different kind of patch cables.

[0086] In the assembled state of the cable management unit 12 the base 8 adapter inlays 24 are arranged adjacent to each other. Respective main extension planes of respective base 8 adapter inlays 24 are parallel to each other and/or the main extension planes of the base 8 adapter inlays 24 are arranged in one same plane. Respective main extension planes of respective base 8 adapter inlays 24 are parallel to the main extensions plane of the drawer unit 18. A main extension direction of the base 8 adapter inlay 24 is in the assembled state parallel to a main extension direction of the drawer unit 16.

[0087] FIG. 6 shows a perspective bottom view of the further drawer unit 18. The drawer unit 16 has a base 12 configuration. The further drawer unit 18 differs from the drawer unit 16 in at least one geometrical parameter. The geometrical parameter of the drawer unit 16 is the connection interface 94. The geometrical parameter of the further drawer unit 18 is a further connection interface 96. The connection interface 94 is different from the further connection interface 96.

[0088] The further drawer unit 18 is configured to support two individually exchangeable further adapter inlays 26. The further adapter inlays 26 have identical dimensions aside from manufacturing tolerances and/or within the range of standardized tolerances.

[0089] The further drawer unit 18 with the base 12 configuration comprises one further connection interface 96. The further connection interface 96 is configured to support two base 12 further adapter inlays 26. The further connection interface 96 is configured to connect the further drawer unit 18 with the two base 12 further adapter inlays 26. The further connection surface 96 supports the base 12 adapter inlays 26 in the assembled state by means of a force-fit connection and/or by means of a form-fit connection. One base 12 further adapter inlay 26 comprises twelve LC simplex connections. One base 12 further adapter inlay 26 comprises six LC duplex connections. It is conceivable that the base 12 adapter inlay 26 comprises at least one SC connection and/or at least one MPO connection. It is conceivable that the base 12 further adapter inlay 26 comprises connections for a different kind of patch cables.

[0090] In the assembled state of the cable management unit 12 the base 12 adapter inlays 26 are arranged adjacent to each other. Respective main extension planes of respective base 12 further adapter inlays 26 are parallel to each other and/or are arranged in one same plane. Respective main extension planes of respective base 12 further adapter inlays 26 are parallel to the main extensions plane of the drawer unit 18. A main extension direction of the base 12 further adapter inlay 26 is in the assembled state parallel to a main extension direction of the further drawer unit 18.

[0091] The adapter inlay 24 and/or the further adapter inlay 26 and a part of the drawer unit 16 and/or of the further drawer unit 18 respectively implement at least partly a protective housing 56 for at least one further unit. The further unit may comprise at least one electronic component and/or a part of the at least one electronic component such as cable, in particular a patch cable, fiber connections, switches and/or microelectronic components. The protective housing 56 provides a dust protection. The protective housing 56 provides a protection against mechanical damage.

[0092] The cable management device 54 is assembled by means of a method for assembling the cable management device 54. The cable management system 10 is used to assemble the cable management device 54.

[0093] The method for assembling the cable management device 54 comprises a preparation step 98 (cf. FIG. 7). In the preparation step 98 the cable management unit 12 is assembled using the cable management system 10.

[0094] The method for assembling the cable management device 54 comprises an installation step 100. In the installation step 100 the cable management unit 12 is inserted into the network cabinet 58 and is fastened to the rack 60.

[0095] The method for assembling the cable management device 54 comprises a connection step 102. In the connection step 102 a patching process and a cable management process are performed.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0096] 10 cable management system

[0097] 12 cable management unit

[0098] 14 receiving space

[0099] 16 drawer unit

[0100] 18 further drawer unit

[0101] 20 rear cable manager

[0102] 22 rear side

[0103] 24 adapter inlay

[0104] 26 further adapter inlay

[0105] 28 sensor unit

[0106] 30 slide contact

[0107] 32 corresponding slide contact

[0108] 34 storage position

[0109] 36 process position

[0110] 38 front top cover unit

[0111] 40 bi-stable living hinge

[0112] 42 labelling surface

[0113] 44 front cover unit

[0114] 46 telescopic hinge

[0115] 48 cable divider element

[0116] 50 cable guiding channel

[0117] 52 locking unit

[0118] 54 cable management device

[0119] 56 protective housing

[0120] 58 network cabinet

[0121] 60 rack

[0122] 62 cables

[0123] 64 carrier unit

[0124] 68 frame unit

[0125] 70 cover element

[0126] 72 rear bracket

[0127] 74 side bracket

[0128] 76 mounting surface

[0129] 78 main extension plane

[0130] 80 main extension direction

[0131] 82 mounting element

[0132] 86 locking catch

[0133] 88 lever

[0134] 94 connection interface

[0135] 96 further connection interface

[0136] 98 preparation step

[0137] 100 installation step

[0138] 102 connection step