Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
t r
1
(a) TITLE OF THE INVENTION
MULTI-COMMODITY CONNECTIVITY SYSTEM
(b) TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES
The present invention relates generally to electrical power and communication
connections and wiring within buildings. More specifically, the present
invention relates
to improved apparatus for satisfying the diverse wiring needs of individual
workstations
in an environment that has a multiplicity of workstations.
(c) BACKGROUND ART
The modern office requires a wide assortment of connectivity or wiring
circuits
for individual employee work areas, called "workstations" herein. AC
electrical power,
telephone voice communication, low speed data communication between computer
terminals and central computers, and high speed local area network (LAN) data
communication represent a few of the most common connectivity needs of
employee
workstation. In addition, many workstations use multiple voice circuits to
support
multiple phone lines, facsimile machines, modems, and the like. Often,
multiple data
lines communicate computer data to printers, plotters, remote input devices,
and the like.
Increasingly, workstations access fibre optic, broadband LAN, and video
communication
links.
Conventionally, the management of all these connectivity needs has been
performed in an extremely make-shift, haphazard, and inefficient manner. As a
result,
workstations connectivity has become extremely
2i251~8
2
expensive, for both original wiring installation and
later-occurring changes. For example, buildings often use
independent systems to distribute power, voice, data, LAN,
and video. This leads to a costly duplication in
materials and labor. In addition, it leads to a costly
lack of organization in overall building connectivity.
In addition, buildings often utilize connectivity
systems which rely heavily upon on-site, hard-wired
connections. Hard-wired connections require each end of a
wire to be prepared. Such preparations typically involve
removing insulation, dressing wire ends, identifying
individual wires, applying terminators, attaching wires,
applying strain reliefs, and the like. The attaching of a
wire may be to another wire, a connection block, terminal,
or the like. Accordingly, such hard-wired connections
must be patiently and painstakingly performed by highly
skilled, and expensive, personnel. Moreover, after wiring
preparations, such highly skilled personnel must test and
occasionally trouble-shoot a.network of such wires. As a .
result, costs associated with the installation of
conventional connectivity systems often reach astronomical
proportions.
The physical environment of the modern office also
changes at an increasing pace. These changes in the
physical environment impose frequent changes in work area
connectivity. However, conventional connectivity systems
are extremely inflexible. Hard-wired connections again
require the services of highly skilled personnel to make
necessary changes. Often times such personnel are not
available when needed, and entire schedules suffer as a
result. When buildings employ separate connectivity
systems for power, voice communication, data
communication, LAN communication, video communication, and
the like, the overall connectivity structure becomes
extremely unorganized. False floors, ceilings, and wiring
3
raceways, often resemble a "rat's nest" of cabling.
Accordingly, minor connectivity changes often turn into
extremely complicated and time consuming procedures due to
th-is disorganization. Often, connectivity system changes
are more efficiently implemented by entirely scrapping a
prior system and installing an entirely new connectivity
system when only moderate changes are imposed in a
physical environment.
The prior art describes a few devices which address
connectivity problems in the modern office. However, most
of such devices address minor portions of the overall
problem, and therefore fail to significantly reduce
connectivity costs or to increase connectivity
flexibility. For example, various manufacturers supply
breakout boxes, connectors, raceways, ducts, and the like
which serve as modular components that a designer may
couple together to implement a connectivity system.
However, such modular components fail to address the
. _ integration of various:.connectivity.. systems , and
=:.the~~~y:v~.~:r.~v;r .
overall end-to-end connectivity problem. The use of such
components provides little help in significantly reducing
installation costs or in improving flexibility.
The above-referenced prior art discloses a system which
makes significant improvements in the conventional
haphazard techniques utilized in providing connectivity.
Still, this system relies upon undesirably numerous hard-
wired connections in conveying electrical power from a
building's power distribution center to individual I
workstations. Likewise, the system disclosed therein
relies upon undesirably long runs of individual cabling
for both electrical power and various types of
communication.) Generally speaking, individual cabling ,
costs more and is more difficult to install and revise
than collective cabling which conveys the same capacity.
Thus, a need exists for a system which supports increased
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
z '
4
use of collective cabling and less use of individual cabling.
(d) DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide
an
improved system for providing integrated connectivity to a multiplicity of
workstations.
An object of another aspect of the present invention is to provide a multi-
commodity connectivity expansion cabinet for transforming individual cabling
into
collective cabling.
An object of yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a multi
commodity connectivity expansion cabinet that achieves ease-of access
advantages which
are normally associated with open-frame equipment racks and aesthetic and
security
advantages which are normally associated with closed-frame equipment racks.
An object of still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
multi-
commodity connectivity expansion cabinet that easily adapts to a wide variety
of modem
building practices.
An object of a still further aspect of the present invention is to provide a
multi-
commodity connectivity expansion cabinet that permits improved isolation of
electrical
power which is conveyed to individual workstations in an environment having
many
workstations.
An object of yet a further aspect of the present invention is to provide
apparatus
which reduce material, installation and revision costs of workstation
connectivity.
The present invention in its various aspects will be described herein using
various
terms and phrases that are related to the subject matter dealt with by aspects
of the
present invention. TABLE I, presented below, provides a glossary of some of
these
terms and phrases. For the purposes of aspects of the present invention, the
normal
usage of these terms and phrases is to be augmented by the definitions listed
hereinbelow
in TABLE I.
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
TABLE I
Connectivity - the coupling of an individual need to a collective source. In
an
office or other workplace, "connectivity" refers to the wires, connectors,
cables,
channels, multiplexers, demultiplexers, and other devices, e.g., trays,
raceways, and the
5 like, which are used to convey a commodity between discrete individual
workstations and
collective sources of the commodity. The concept of connectivity encompasses
the
physical routing and grouping of vast numbers of wires and the multiplexing or
combining of multiple circuits or channels on common wires in addition to the
electrical
connections achieved by wires and connectors.
Collective Connectivity - connectivity which conveys a multiplicity of
circuits of
a single commodity. The number of circuits conveyed is greater than the needs
of a
single workstation. Hence, the commodity needs for more than one workstation
are
collectively conveyed by collective connectivity.
Commodity - any form of an electrical, optical, magnetic, or electromagnetic
conveyance which can be used at a workstation. In modern workplaces, one
commodity
is electrical power and another commodity is information. Both of these
commodities
must be conveyed from a collective source of the commodity, e. g. , a power
distribution
centre, PBX, or local area network. The information commodity takes numerous
forms,
e. g. , voice, low speed data, and high speed data. The diverse commodities
are conveyed
independently. In other words, wires which convey electrical power typically
do not also
convey voice communication. Likewise, wires that convey voice communication
typically do not convey high speed data communication. Moreover, multiple
circuits or
channels of power, voice, and data commodities are often required at a
workstation so
that multiple independent conveyances of these commodities can take place
simultaneously.
Connectorizin~ - attaching a connector to a cable. A connectorized cable is
distinguishable from a hard-wired cable. Connectorization, when possible, is
advantageous because connectorized cables are installed through the relatively
simple task
of running cables and plugging connectors into appropriate mating connectors.
Numerous wires included in a single cable are dealt with as a unit in a
connectorized
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
4
6
cable. Installation and revision of hard-wired cables is a more complex task.
For each
wire in a cable, ends of hard-wired cables must be prepared and attached to
appropriate
termination points using appropriate attachment techniques.
Individual Connectivity - connectivity which conveys no more than a few
circuits
of one or more commodities. The number of circuits conveyed are limited to the
number
which is needed by a single workstation.
By one broad aspect of the present invention, a mufti-commodity connectivity
expansion cabinet is provided comprising an elongated communication raceway,
an
elongated power raceway extending substantially-parallel to, and spaced apart
from, the
communication raceway, a first frame extending between the communication
raceway and
the power raceway to define a communication break-out bay, a second frame
extending
between the communication raceway and the power raceway to define a power
break-out
bay, at least one communication breakout panel residing within the
communication break-
out bay, the communication break-out panel having a multiplicity of individual
communication cable connectors, each having a first number of conductors for
routing
communication connectivity to individual workstation, and at least one
collective
communication cable connector having a second number of conductors the second
number being greater than the first number, for routing collective
communication for a
plurality of the individual workstations to a communication distribution
centre, and at
least one circuit breaker panel residing within the power break-out bay.
By one variant of this first aspect of the present invention, the connectivity
expansion cabinet additionally includes a cable accommodation means to
accommodate
a plurality of individual communication cables and at least one collective
communication
cable, the cable accommodation means allowing the individual communication
cables,
and at least one collective cable to be routed through at least a portion of
the
communication raceway and exiting the communication raceway in front of the
communication panel, and the communication break-out panel has a back side
facing the
first frame and a front side opposing the back side, and the communication
break-out
panel is configured so that the individual cable connectors are positioned to
cause the
individual communication cables to engage the communication break-out panel at
the
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
w
7
front side thereof, and the collective cable connectors are positioned to
cause the
collective communication cable to engage the communication panel from the
front side
thereof .
By another variant of this first aspect of this invention and/or the above
variant
thereof, the communication break-out panel comprises a substantially-planar
printed
circuit board having the individual communication cable connectors and at
least one
collective communication cable connector mounted thereon, and having
conductive traces
extending between each of the individual communication cable connectors and at
least
one collective communication cable connector.
By yet another variant of this first aspect of this invention, and/or the
above
variants thereof, the circuit breaker panel is configured to receive a five-
wire feeder line
and to expand the five-wire feeder into twelve individual power circuits, the
twelve
individual power circuits being isolated from one another.
By still another variant of this first aspect of this invention, and/or the
above
variants thereof, the connectivity expansion cabinet additionally includes a
second circuit
breaker panel residing within the power break-out bay, at least one circuit
breaker panel
being configured to receive a first five-wire feeder line, and the second
circuit breaker
panel being configured to receive a second five-wire feeder. By one variation
thereof,
the connectivity expansion cabinet additionally includes a plurality of
individual power
connectors, each of the individual power connectors having a first set of
connector pins
which is coupled to at least one circuit breaker panel and a second set of
connector pins
which is coupled to the second circuit breaker panel, and a plurality of
individual power
cable whips which are coupled to corresponding ones of the individual power
connectors,
each power cable whips being for routing at least two independent circuits of
electrical
power to an individual workstation. By another variation thereof, the power
cable whips
and the individual power connectors are configured to convey four independent
circuits
of electrical power to an individual workstation. By another variation thereof
and/or of
the above variations, individual power connectors attach to the power raceway
so that the
power connectors face the communication raceway.
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
r ~ , r
g
By yet a still further variant of this first aspect of this invention, and/or
the above
variants thereof, the connectivity expansion cabinet additionally includes a
plurality of
individual power connectors which are attached to the power raceway, and a
plurality of
individual power cable whips which are coupled to corresponding ones of the
individual
power connectors, each power cable whip being for routing electrical power to
an
individual workstation.
By another aspect of this invention, a multi-commodity connectivity expansion
cabinet system is provided comprising an elongated communication raceway
having a
front side and a back side, an elongated power raceway having a front side and
a back
side and extending substantially-parallel to, and spaced apart from, the
communication
raceway, a first frame extending between the communication raceway and the
power
raceway proximate the back sides thereof to define a communication break-out
bay, the
first frame extending toward the front sides for a first distance, a second
frame extending
between the communication raceway and the power raceway to define a power
break-out
bay, the second frame extending a second distance from the back sides, the
second
distance being greater than the first distance, a plurality of individual
communication
cables, each having a predetermined number of wires therein, and at least one
collective
communication cable having at least one wire for each wire of each such
individual
communication cable, the individual communication cable, and at least one
collective
cable being routed through at least a portion of the communication raceway,
and a
communication break-out panel having a front side facing the front sides of
the raceways
and residing within the communication break-out bay, the communication break-
out panel
having a multiplicity of individual communication cable connectors which are
positioned
to cause the individual communication cables to engage the communication break-
out
panel at the front side thereof, and having at least one collective
communication cable
connector which is positioned to cause the collective communication cable to
engage the
communication break-out panel from the front side thereof, and a first circuit
breaker
panel residing within the power break-out bay.
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
r ~ t
8a
By one variant of this second aspect of this invention, the connectivity
expansion
cabinet system additionally includes a second circuit breaker panel residing
within the
power break-out bay, the first circuit breaker panel being configured to
receive a first
five-wire feeder service, and the second circuit breaker panel being
configured to receive
a second five-wire feeder service, a plurality of individual power connectors,
each of the
individual power connectors having a first set of connector pins which is
coupled to the
first circuit breaker panel and a second set of connector pins which is
coupled to the
second circuit breaker panel, and a plurality of individual power cable whips,
which are
coupled to corresponding ones of the individual power connectors, each power
cable
whip being for routing at least two independent circuits of electrical power
to an
individual workstation.
By another variant of this second aspect of this invention, and/or the above
variant
thereof, the individual power connectors attach to the power raceway so that
the power
connectors face the communication raceway.
(e) DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In the accompanying drawings,
FIGURE 1 shows a building interior in which a multiplicity of workstations are
located and which utilizes a multi-commodity expansion cabinet (MCEC) in
accordance
with the teaching of an aspect of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 illustrates connectivity between a single workstation and an MCEC in
accordance with the teaching of another aspect of the present invention;
FIGURE 3 shows an exploded view of a preferred MCEC constructed in
accordance with the teachings of yet another aspect of the present invention;
FIGURE 4 shows a perspective view of an empty MCEC constructed in
accordance with the teachings of another aspect of the present invention;
FIGURE 5 shows a top-down cross sectional view of the MCEC shown in
FIGURE 4;
FIGURE 6 shows a front view of a preferred MCEC with various break-out
panels installed therein;
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
s
8b
FIGURE 7 shows an end of a preferred power whip utilized by the preferred
embodiment of yet a further aspect of the present invention; and
FIGURE 8 shows a perspective view of a preferred MCEC with various break-out
panels installed therein.
(fj AT LEAST ONE MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIGURE 1 shows a building interior 10 in which a multiplicity of workstations
12 are located and in which a few multi-commodity expansion cabinets (MCECs)
14 are
located. Interior 10 may represent a single floor of a multi-story building.
Workstations
12 represent areas or positions at which employees or other individuals
conduct their
activities. Typically, workstations 12 are separated from each other by
partition walls
16, which may be permanent features of building interior 10 or movable modular
structures. Often, workstations 12 share a common permanent or temporary spine
wall
18. Each of
a ~~~~1~~
9
workstations 12 typically includes a work surface 20,
which may be a modular or conventional table, bench, desk,
counter, or the like. As is conventional, work surfaces
20 are spaced between a ceiling (not shown) and a floor 22
of building interior 10. Plenums 24, through which
cabling may be routed, reside above the ceiling (not
shown) or below floor 22 (or both). In addition, plenums
24 may connect stories together in a multistory building.
As is conventional, any of workstations 12 may
include numerous forms of equipment, e.g. one or more
computers, phones, motorized equipment, lights, recording
equipment, radios, ovens, microwave ovens, refrigerators,
coffee makers, clocks, typewriters, calculators, copy
machines, facsimile machines, fans, heaters, and other
types of equipment. This equipment has commodity (see
TABLE I) needs which are met by supplying various
commodities to each workstation 12. In other words,
electrical power is a commodity that is conveyed to each
workstation 12. In addition, information commodities, r-
e.g. phone or voice communication, low speed data
communication, and high speed data communication are
conveyed to each workstation 12. Moreover, each
workstation 12 preferably receives multiple circuits of
each commodity. Thus, multiple electrical power consuming
devices can operate independently from each other through ~ i
the use of independent electrical power circuits.
Likewise, multiple simultaneous voice and data
communication sessions can take place over independent
communication circuits. For example, a phone and
facsimile machine may be simultaneously active at the same
time a computer sends data to a remote printer and
accesses a remote file server.
MCECs 14 aid in the management of the numerous wires
that are needed to provide connectivity for all
commodities conveyed within interior 10. Generally
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
"
speaking, individual connectivity extends between MCECs 14 and workstations 12
while
collective connectivity extends between MCECs 14 and a building signal closet
or
communication distribution centre 26, a power distribution centre 28, and the
like. From
centres 26 and 28, connectivity may be provided vertically.
As discussed above, significant material, installation, and revision cost
advantages
result from maximizing collective connectivity while minimizing individual
connectivity.
It is MCECs 14 which, in an integrated fashion, transform individual
connectivity into
collective connectivity. Moreover, this transformation occurs as near to
workstations 12
as possible.
10 In accordance with an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention,
workstations 12 are grouped together into clusters 30. Preferably, less than
eighteen
workstations 12 are included in any single cluster 30, and more preferably,
twelve
workstations, are included in a single cluster 30. One convenient grouping
associates all
workstations 12 sharing a common spine wall 18 in a single cluster 30. Thus,
individual
connectivity wiring may be routed through spine wall 18 to individual ones of
workstations 12. However, any other convenient grouping of workstations 12 may
be
utilized so long as all workstations 12 included in a cluster 30 reside near
one another
to minimize and ease the installation of individual connectivity between each
workstation
12 and its associated MCEC 14.
Generally speaking, MCECs 14 reside at convenient locations in interior 10
which
are near their associated clusters 30. Hence. MC'.RC''c ~ 4 tvnirallv rPei~lP
n"r ;" tl,o ".,o.,
and are not located in a closet as is conventional for communication
distribution centre
26 and power distribution centre 28. As will be discussed in more
~1~~1~~
11
detail below, MCEC. 14 is dimensioned and otherwise
configured for use in and near areas where considerable
human traffic may be expected.
The collective connectivity that extends between
MCECs 14 and centers 26 and 28 is preferably routed in any
convenient fashion through ceiling or floor plenums 24.
FIGURE 2 illustrates connectivity between a single
workstation 12 and its associated MCEC 14. The
connectivity illustrated in FIGURE 2 is duplicated for all
to workstations 12 within the cluster 30 (see FIGURE 1) which
an MCEC 14 serves. As illustrated in FIGURE 2, individual
cables supply connectivity for individual workstations 12.
In other words, twelve power whips 32 route power circuits
from MCEC 14 to twelve different workstations 12.
Preferably, power whips enclose wiring within a flexible
conduit to meet safety and building code requirements. '
Likewise, twelve communication cable bundles 34 route
voice, data, and LAN communication circuits from MCEC 14
to twelve different workstations 12. Preferably, power w'
whips 32 reside in a tray 36 which is spaced apart within
spine wall 18 from a tray 38 that holds cable bundles 34.
Accordingly, one power whip 32 and one cable bundle 34 is
provided for each workstation 12 within the cluster 30
(see FIGURE 1j.
On the other hand, as an alternative embodiment,
separate voice, data, and LAN cables may provide the
individual communication connectivity between each
workstation 12 and MCEC 14. In that situation, three
separate communication cables are required for each
workstation 12.
Each of workstations 12 includes a unitized ,
destination terminal 39, or its equivalent, as discussed
in the above-listed related patent. Terminal 39
integrates and terminates all connectivity needs for a
12 ~ '
workstation 12. Preferably, cabling which extends down
spine wall 18 is connectorized (see TABLE I) on both ends
of the cabling so that it may be quickly and easily
coupled to terminal 39 and MCEC 14 during installation in
interior 10 (see FIGURE 1). Moreover, such cables used in
providing individual connectivity may be selected from
standard length cables. Such standard length cables may
be constructed and connectorized at an off-site factory,
then transported to and installed in interior 10 (see
FIGURE 1). Non-skilled labor may be utilized in
constructing such standard, connectorized cables, and
economies of scale can be achieved by making vast
quantities of such cables in standard lengths.
FIGURES 3-5 show an empty MCEC 14. In other words,
FIGURES 3-5 show only a cabinet 40 within which individual
connectivity is transformed into collective connectivity,
and FIGURES 3-5 omit all break-out panels, equipment, and
cabling that actually accomplish the transformation.
FIGURE 3 shows an exploded view, FIGURE 4 shows a
perspective view, and FIGURE 5 shows a down-looking cross
sectional view taken at line 5--5 of FIGURE 4.
As discussed above, cabinet 40 is configured for use '
in and near areas where considerable human traffic may be
expected. In addition, cabinet 40 is configured for
integration within modern office space building practices.
Thus, cabinet 40 is configured to minimize any danger to
nearby human traffic, to be secure from unwanted human
meddling, to blend with conventional office fixtures, to
adapt to numerous interior designs, and to be
aesthetically pleasing in appearance.
With reference to FIGURES 3-5, cabinet 40 includes a
framework 42 which consists of a left side member 44, a
right side member 46, a top 48, and a bottom 50. Side
members 44-46 are each elongated, substantially straight,
skeletal frames with a significant amount of open space 52
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
13
therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, members 44-46 are 64 inches long, but
can
be adjusted to any length greater than 52 inches to permit cabinet 40 to adapt
to any
given interior design.
Open space 52 resides in the central region of side members 44-46. Side
members 44-46 have solid portions proximate a front edge 54 and a back edge 56
thereof. Open space 52 is useful in manipulating cabling, particularly for
communication
connectivity, which is routed through raceways, as discussed below. In
addition, such
cabling may exit cabinet 40 through open space 52 when a side of MCEC 14 abuts
spine
wall 18 (see FIGURE 2).
The central regions of side members 44-4 are indented toward the interior of
cabinet 40, as best shown in FIGURE 5. This indentation is dimensioned to
accommodate solid left and right side panels 58 and 60. Side panels 58-60
attach to side
members 44-46, respectively, using any suitable fastening technique to cover
open space
52. Once side panels 58-60 are installed, the sides of cabinet 40 are
substantially-planar.
Preferably, finishes which are applied to the exterior of side panels 58-60
vary to
accommodate aesthetic demands of the decor within which cabinet 40 is used.
Top and bottom 48 and 50 attach to side members 44 and 46 to cause framework
42 to exhibit a generally-rectangular shape. Although FIGURES 3-4 illustrate
top and
bottom 48 and 50 as being substantially-solid members, those skilled in the
art will
recognize that holes may be located therein as necessary to accommodate
collective or
individual connectivity, as suggested by FIGURE 1. bottom 50 may
advantageously
incorporate a floor anchoring and levelling plate 62. In a preferred
embodiment of an
aspect of this invention, each of side members 44-46, top 48, and bottom 50
are
dimensioned to achieve a depth of between 4 1 /2 and 5 1 /2 inches, and more
preferably
5 inches, between front and back edges 54 and 56. Thus, framework 42 and
cabinet 40
exhibit this depth of 5 inches. Preferably, framework 42 is 12 inches wide.
The 5 inch depth of cabinet 40 helps cabinet 40 adapt to modern building
practices. Specifically, spine walls 18 (see FIGURE 1) and other building
walls are
conventionally constructed from an interior framing member and wall boards
(not shown)
on opposing sides of the framing member to have a width of 5 inches. Typical
spine
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
14
walls are 64 inches high. As mentioned above, the height of cabinet 40 can be
extended
from a minimum height of 52 inches to match the height of spine wall 18.
Consequently, cabinet 40 may be installed at an end of a spine wall 18, as
shown in
FIGURES 1-2, and the depth of cabinet 40 causes cabinet 40 to match the width
of the
spine wall 18 and become a part of it. In addition, the small S inch depth
allows MCEC
14 to be installed on walls, columns, bookcases, and the like (see FIGURE 1 )
without
sticking far out into the room. Thus, a minimum burden is imposed on nearby
human
traffic. Furthermore, this small 5 inch depth permits MCEC 14 to be installed
under
raised floors and in lowered ceilings in some applications (not shown).
Side members 44 and 46 provide finished corners for cabinet 40 at front and
back
edges 54 and 56. At back edge 5, side members 44 and 46 each extend a short
distance
toward the other one of side members 44 and 46, then extend back toward front
edge 54,
then toward the other one of side members 44 and 46 again for another short
distance,
as best seen in FIGURE 5. As a result, framework 42 is open from the back, and
an
indentation which is similar to the indentations which are centrally located
on side
members 44-46 exists at the back of framework 42. This indentation is
dimensioned to
accommodate a solid back panel 64, which attaches to left and right side
members
r.t
~125I28 ..
44-46 to cover the opening in the back of framework 42.
Back panel 64 serves the same functions as side panels 58-
60, discussed above. Hence, back panel 64 helps in fully
enclosing cabinet 40 and may be finished to accommodate a
5 particular decor.
A solid door 66 attaches to side members 44-46 to
provide easy access to the front interior of cabinet 40
while otherwise keeping the interior of cabinet 40
enclosed. Appropriate hinges, latches, handles, and locks
10 may be associated with door 66 and side members 44-46 to
' allow door 66 to operate in a conventional manner.
Door 66, back panel 64, side panels 58-60, top 48,
and bottom 50 cooperate to fully enclose the interior of
cabinet 40. Since. cabinet 40 is fully enclosed, danger
15 from electrical power routed therethrough is minimized,
and security to prevent or minimize unwanted meddling may
be provided. While FIGURES 3-5 do not show openings in
back panel 64, side panels 58-60, top 48, or bottom 50,
those skilled in the art will understand that appropriate
access ports may be made where needed to allow wiring to
enter and exit cabinet 40.
With respect to the interior of cabinet 40, elongated
communication and power raceways 68 and 70, respectively,
extend vertically within cabinet 40. 'FIGURES 3-5 depict
communication raceway 68 as abutting and attaching to the
interior of left side member 44 and power raceway 70 as
abutting and attaching to the interior of right side
member 46. However, this order may be reversed best to
meet application demands. In the preferred embodiment,
each of raceways 68-70 is approximately 1.75 inches wide
(from right to left), 4 inches deep (from front to back)
and 52 inches long. As best shown in FIGURE 4, raceways,
68-70 do not need to extend entirely to the top or bottom
of framework 42.
2~2~1~~
_.. ,
16
Communication raceway 68 is an open frame in the
preferred embodiment of the present invention. In other
words, raceway 68 is preferably a skeleton which includes
a significant amount of open space through its sides.
However, the sides of raceway 68 have sufficient solid
material to provide strength and form. The front of
raceway 68 is open and unobstructed throughout its entire
length. Raceway 68 provides a channel through which
communication cables for both individual and collective
connectivity may be vertically routed within cabinet 40.
The open nature of raceway 68 promotes ease in working the
cables through raceway 68 during installation, and
provides numerous options for allowing cabling to enter,
exit, and cross raceway 68.
Power raceway 70 is a substantially enclosed tube.
Raceway 70 is enclosed for safety reasons and to comply
with building codes with respect to the transmission of
electrical power. Thus, raceway 70 includes a channel 72
having generally solid side and back walls. However, an
interior side wall 74 of channel 72 includes an opening 76
located near its bottom side over which a power expansion
plate 78 fits. In the preferred embodiment, up to twelve
connectors (not shown) mount in plate 78 to convey
individual power connectivity out from raceway 70 to power
whips 32 (see FIGURE 2).
The front side of channel 72 of raceway 70 is open
throughout its entire length. This opening allows
electrical power cables to be worked within channel 72. A
solid access cover 80 removably attaches to channel 72 to
cover this opening. A top cap 82 and a bottom cap 84
attach to the top and bottom of channel 72 to cover top
and bottom openings.
Power raceway 70 routes electrical power cables
vertically within cabinet 40. While raceway 70 is
substantially enclosed, this cabling must enter and exit
CA 02125128 1999-O1-25
17
raceway 70. Power expansion panel 78 serves as one exit point for such
cabling.
Additional exit points are provided by knockouts 86 which are located in top
and bottom
caps 82-84 and in interior side 74 of channel 72.
A back frame 88 extends the full distance between raceways 68 and 70 within
cabinet 40 and is positioned at the back side of the interior of cabinet 40.
In a preferred
embodiment of an aspect of this invention, frame 88 extends vertically for a
distance of
40 inches. As best shown in FIGURE 4, the top side of frame 88 may extend
above the
top of raceways 68-70. Frame 88 extends forward from the back of cabinet 40
for 1
inch. At the forward most surface of frame 88, ears 90 extend left and right
toward the
interior of cabinet 40 for a short distance. Ears 90 include appropriately
spaced and
tapped holes 92 which are used in mounting breakout panels, discussed below.
Accordingly, at least 3 inches remains in front of back frame 88 within the
interior of
cabinet 40.
A front frame 94 attaches to the lower section of back frame 88 in a preferred
embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. Front frame 94 is
approximately the
same width (left-to-right) as back frame 88, 3 inches deep (front-to-back),
and 27 inches
long (top-to-bottom) . Front frame 94 includes back ears 96, which are used in
attaching
front frame 94 to back frame 88. Front frame 94 also includes front ears 98,
which are
used in attaching circuit breaker panels, as discussed below. When mounted
within
cabinet 40, the bottom of front frame 94 remains above the top of power
expansion panel
78. Only a very small amount of space remains in front of front frame 94
within the
interior of cabinet 40, but the entire width and depth of the interior of
cabinet 40 is
vacant in the vicinity of power expansion panel 78.
18
Cabinet 40 is specifically configured for efficiently
transforming individual connectivity into collective
connectivity. This transformation requires the use of
breakout panels, circuit breaker panels, and the like, in
combination with the routing of a substantial number of
cables through cabinet 40. In addition, MCEC 14, which
includes cabinet 40, various breakout panels, and cables,
transforms connectivity for all commodities required at
workstations 12 (see FIGURES 1-2).
FIGURE 6 shows a front view of MCEC 14.
Communication cables have been omitted for clarity.
Circuit'breaker panels 100 and 102 attach to front frame
94 (see FIGURES 3-5) of MCEC 14. Panels 100-102
preferably receive 60 amp, 5-wire electrical power feeder
services 104-106, respectively, which include three hot
wires, a neutral wire, and an earth ground wire (not
specifically shown). Services 104-106 provide collective
connectivity because each feeder service supplies the
needs of several workstations 12. Typically, such
services are supplied using 6 ga. wires. Preferably,
service 104 provides clean or conditioned electrical power
while service 106 provides normal power. Normal power is
typically used for supplying non-computer related
equipment, and clean power is typically used for computer-
related equipment.
Services 104-106 are routed into and through power
raceway 70 until they are adjacent to their respective
circuit breaker panel 100-102. They are then routed
through the appropriate knock-out 86 (see FIGURES 3-4)
into the respective panel 100 or 102.
Circuit breaker panels 100-102 are substantially
identical to one another. Each of panels 100-102 expands
the three circuits of electrical power fed by services 104
or 106 into twelve independent circuits. In other words,
four circuit breakers are installed on each of the three
19
feeder circuits. The four circuit breakers isolate the
four independent expanded circuits created thereby from
one another. Each of workstations 12 associated With MCEC
14 may receive its own independent power circuit which is
isolated from the corresponding power circuits of the
other workstations 12 by the circuit breakers.
After expanding power in panels 100-102, wires are
routed back to power raceway 70 and through raceway 70 to
power expansion panel 78. At expansion panel 78, these
wires are re-grouped for individual connectivity, and
terminated at connectors 108, each of which preferably has
eight conductors. Connectors 108 each face the interior
of MCEC 14, toward communication raceway 68. Each of
connectors 108 provides individual connectivity because
the power conveyed thereby supplies the needs of a single
workstation 12.
FIGURE 7 shows an end of power whip 32. As mentioned
above, power whip 32 conveys electrical power wiring
within=,a, flexible. conduit 110. Power ..whip :-32 .is:~ .: rT :, .. _ -.
connectorized to terminate such wiring at a connector 112,
which has eight pins and mates with connector 108 (see
FIGURE 6).
The power Wiring from circuit breaker panels 100-102
(see FIGURE 6) is conveyed through the eight pin
connectors to provide up to 4 separate power circuits. An
example of a pin configuration that supports 4 separate
power circuits is presented in TABLE II, below.
212~~~~
TABLE II
Exemplary Four-Circuit Independent
Power Connectivity
5 Pin No. . Pin Function
1 Equipment Ground
2 Neutral for Normal Power (Circuits 1-3)
3 Neutral for Clean Power (Circuit 4)
4 Isolated Ground
10 5 Hot wire for Circuit 4
6 Hot wire for Circuit 1
7 Hot wire for Circuit 2
8 Hot wire for Circuit 3
15 With reference to FIGURE 6 and TABLE II, the
configuration depicted in TABLE II takes three circuits
from circuit breaker panel 102 and one circuit from
circuit breaker panel 100. Of course, those skilled in
the art may devise other configurations for using eight
20 conductors to convey other numbers of independent circuits
to individual workstations 12.
While conduit 110 (see FIGURE 7) is flexible, it
cannot be bent in as small a radius as cables alone can be
bent. Thus, the space provided by cabinet 40 below
circuit breakers 100-102, along with the orientation of
connectors 108, allows sufficient running room for power
whips 32 so that they can be conveniently routed out of
MCEC 14.
The preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 6 depicts
four communication collection/expansion panels attached to
back frame 88 and/or front frame 94 (see FIGURES 3-5). A
, ' ~ ,4
21
panel 114 provides a multiplexer/demultiplexer for
transforming individual electrical wire-based
communications into collective fiber-optic communications.
Fiber optic communications may be routed from a fiber
optic network into panel 114 through communication raceway
68. Individual electrical communication wires may be '
routed out from panel 114 into communication raceway 68,
and out of raceway 68 and MCEC 14 to individual
workstations 12.
l0 A LAN panel 116 attaches to back frame 88. In
accordance with the particular application, individual LAN
connectivity may be coupled together at panel 116 or
grouped together into a cable bundle for conveyance to
another location. Multiplexer and LAN panels 114 and 116,
respectively, are optional panels which may be omitted
when circumstances warrant.
Voice/data transformation panels 118 and 120 are
substantially identical to each other. Each of panels 118
and 120 transform individual connectivity for the voice
and data communication of six of workstations 12 (see
FIGURES 1-2) into collective connectivity.
Panels 118 and 120 are best appreciated by
simultaneously referring to FIGURES 6 and 8. In the
preferred embodiment, voice communication and low speed
data communication each rely on twisted pairs of wires.
Each workstation receives four of such twisted pairs for
voice communication and four of such twisted pairs for
data communication. Each group of four twisted pairs is
conveyed to its associated workstation by a single cable
122 that includes the four pairs.
Cables 122 enter MCEC 14 from a spine
wall 18 (see FIGURE 2), or other fixture, from
workstations 12. Cables 122 are routed into communication
raceway 68 and vertically up raceway 68 until they are in
~1~~128
22
the vicinity of panels 118-120. Cables 122 then exit
raceway 68 for connection to panels 118-120. Cables 122
are connectorized for mating with connectors 124 located
on panels 118-120. Preferably connectors 124 resemble the
8 pin connectors discussed in the above-listed related
patent.
Panels 118-120 receive all conductors from the
individual connectors 124. A printed circuit board (not
specifically shown) routes these conductors from the
individual connectors to corresponding collective
connectors 126 and 128. Connector 126 conveys all voice
communications received at a panel 118-120, and connector
128 conveys all data communications received at a panel
118-120. Accordingly, for each of panels 118-120,
individual communication connectivity for six of
workstations 12 is transformed into collective
communication connectivity.
In particular, 24, independent voice pairs and 24
independent data pairs are received at six of voice
connectors 124 and at six of data connectors 124,
respectively. Connectors 124 mount on a printed circuit
board and face forward so that sufficient cable running
room exists in front of panels 118-120 for cables to be
routed out of communication raceway 68 into appropriate
ones of connectors 124. The printed circuit board
includes conductive traces which convey the 24 voice pairs
to collective connector 126 and convey the 24 data pairs
to collective connector 128. Connectors 126 and 128 are
preferably 50 pin connectors, each of which can
accommodate 24 pairs of conductors.
A single collective communication cable 130 having 25
twisted pairs of wires and a single collective
communication cable 132 having 25 twisted pairs of wires
are connectorized for mating with connectors 126 and 128,
respectively. The open space in front of panels 118-120
~1~5~~~
23
permits sufficient running room for collective cables 130-
132 to bend and enter communication raceway 68. Cables
130-132 then exit MCEC 14 and are routed to a
communication distribution center 26 (see FIGURE 1).
In summary, the present invention provides an
improved system for achieving integrated connectivity with
a multiplicity of workstations. A multi-commodity
expansion cabinet (MCEC) transforms individual cabling
into collective cabling. The MCEC encloses the devices
l0 and cabling that perform this transformation. Thus,
safety, security, and aesthetic advantages of enclosed
equipment racks are achieved. At the same time, the MCEC
includes separate power and communication raceways on
opposing sides of equipment bays. The raceways permit the
MCEC to enjoy the ease of access advantages typically
achieved by open equipment racks.
A depth dimension of the MCEC is maintained at
five inches. This five inch dimension is particularly
desirable in adapting to spine walls and in preventing the
MCEC from imposing a serious burden on human traffic ways
within a building. The MCEC of the present invention
permits improved isolation of electrical power conveyed to
individual workstations in an environment having many
workstations. Each workstation supported by an MCEC may
have its own circuit breaker. Thus, if a malfunction
causes one workstation's circuit breaker to trip, other
workstations remain on line. Collective connectivity may
be utilized between building services and the MCEC.
Consequently, material, installation, and revision costs
of workstation connectivity are reduced.
i
~12~3~~8
24
The terms front, back, top, bottom, left, and
right are used herein as relative terms to simplify the
detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment. Those
skilled in the art will understand that MCEC 14 may be
utilized in any orientation. In addition, the relative
positions of various panels within MCEC 14 may be switched
around.
