Patent ID: 12232292

While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific implementations have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in further detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a smart pole assembly that provides increased performance and more efficient use of the space, at the same time, ensuring an improved airflow design.

Various embodiments are described with reference to the attached figures, where like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and are provided merely to illustrate aspects and features of the present disclosure. Numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of certain aspects and features of the present disclosure, although one having ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that these aspects and features can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, with other relationships, or with other methods. In some instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail for illustrative purposes. The various embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are necessarily required to implement certain aspects and features of the present disclosure.

For purposes of the present detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed, and where appropriate, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. The word “including” means “including without limitation.” Moreover, words of approximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, can be used herein to mean “at,” “near,” “nearly at,” “within 3-5% of,” “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances of,” or any logical combination thereof. Similarly, terms “vertical” or “horizontal” are intended to additionally include “within 3-5% of” a vertical or horizontal orientation, respectively. Additionally, words of direction, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “above,” and “below” are intended to relate to the equivalent direction as depicted in a reference illustration; as understood contextually from the object(s) or element(s) being referenced, such as from a commonly used position for the object(s) or element(s); or as otherwise described herein.

The external structure of a smart pole assembly200according to various embodiments of the present invention is shown inFIGS.3A and3B. The smart pole assembly200has a base frame201and a pole202coupled to the base frame201, as shown inFIG.3A. The base frame201may be configured as a single compartment or double compartments, including a first compartment210and a second compartment220for enclosing various equipment, as exemplified inFIG.3B. As shown inFIG.3B, the first compartment210and second compartment220have openings270and280, respectively, providing access to the interior spaces, and openable covers211and221for covering the openings270and280, respectively. InFIG.3B, a hollow interior space250accessible via the opening270of the first compartment210is shown without a cabinet230, which is shown inFIGS.4A-8B.

Referring toFIGS.4A and4B, shown is the hollow interior space250of the compartment210shown in FIB.3B at which a cabinet230is placed. Computing equipment212is installed within the cabinet230. The orientation of computing equipment212installed within the cabinet230, according to various embodiments of the present invention, is different from the orientation of computing equipment112installed within the prior art cabinet130shown inFIG.2. As a result of the different orientation of the computing equipment212within the cabinet230, the airflow direction is also changed. The airflow inlet213and airflow outlet214of the computing equipment212installed vertically within the cabinet230, as exemplified inFIGS.4A and4B, provide much more space near the airflow inlet and outlet compared to the limited space provided by the prior art cabinet130shown inFIG.2. The vertically oriented airflow inlet213and airflow outlet214of the computing equipment212allows receiving airflow from a lower space formed within the cabinet230. The airflow passes through the airflow inlet213and moves upward through the space inside the computing equipment212, cooling the computing equipment. Eventually, the airflow exiting through the airflow outlet214facing upward continues moving upward through an upper space formed within the cabinet230. Thus, the airflow is in the same upward direction within the space formed within the cabinet230without requiring turning the direction of the airflow. As a result, the space260formed between an inner surface of the first compartment210and the cabinet230does not need to be used for the airflow. Instead, the space260formed between the inner surface of the first compartment210and the cabinet230can be used for routing of cables240(shown inFIGS.8A and8B). Thus, spaces within the cabinet230can be used more efficiently, optimizing cooling and providing a sufficient space for cable routing.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a smart pole assembly200for a telecommunication network includes a compartment210having a hollow interior space250, as exemplified inFIGS.3B,4A, and4B. For example, as shown inFIG.3B, the compartment210has an openable cover211for covering an opening270to the hollow interior space250, similar to the structure of the prior art smart pole assembly100shown inFIGS.1A,1B, and1C. The smart pole assembly200further includes a cabinet230enclosed within the compartment210such that a space260is formed between an inner surface of the compartment210and the cabinet230, as shown inFIGS.4A and4B. The cabinet230is accessible via the opening270of the compartment210. The smart pole assembly200further includes a case231movably coupled to the cabinet230, as shown inFIG.5. The case231is configured for receiving computing equipment212for operation with the telecommunication network. As shown inFIGS.6A and6B, the case231is movable between a first position (FIG.6A) and a second position (FIG.6B) in response to receiving an external force from a user. In some examples, the first position is a service position in which the case231is at least in part external to the cabinet230. The computing equipment212is received when the case231is in the first or service position, as exemplified inFIGS.5and6A. In some examples, the second position is a working position in which the case231is within the cabinet230in a rotated orientation relative to the first position, as exemplified inFIG.6B.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a method for installing computing equipment212in a cabinet230includes opening the cover211of the compartment210to access the cabinet and pulling out a case231from the cabinet. For example, the case231that is in a second position, as exemplified inFIG.6B, is moved to a first position, as exemplified inFIGS.5and6A. For example, the case231is slidable between the first position and the second position, as exemplified inFIGS.6A and6B. Once the case231is pulled out from the cabinet230and in the first position, computing equipment212is inserted or pushed into an open slot of the case231, as exemplified inFIG.5. In some examples, there is pre-existing computing equipment in the case231, and the computing equipment is pulled out of the pulled out case to generate the open slot. In some example, new or replacement computing equipment is inserted into the open slot instead of the pre-existing equipment. In some examples, the pulled out pre-existing computing is serviced, and then reinserted into the open slot.

When the computing equipment212is inserted into the open slot and the case231is still in the first position, a front side of the inserted computing equipment212faces forward, as shown inFIG.6A. Further, at least a portion of the case231including the front side protrudes from a front side of the cabinet230when the case is still in the first position, as shown inFIG.6A. The protruding configuration of the case231will allow easier access to a user servicing the computing equipment212. Thus, the computing equipment212can be serviced while the case231enclosing the computing equipment212is in the first position. For example, a cable or cables240may be coupled to the computing equipment212enclosed within the case231in the first position.

In some embodiments, both the front side and the rear side of the case231are open. In some embodiments, both the top and bottom sides of the case231are open. In some embodiments, the front, rear, top, and bottom sides of the case231are open.

Once the computing equipment212is placed in the case231in the first position, as shown inFIG.6A, the case231can be moved or rotated. In some embodiments, the case231is moved in response to receiving an external force from a user. In some embodiments, the case231is moved by a sliding mechanism. The case231is moved inward in the cabinet230to be positioned in the second position, as shown inFIG.6B. In some embodiments, the case231is rotated when moving in response to the external force. For example, the case231is rotated 90 degrees such that the front side of the computing equipment212in the case faces downward toward ground. At this time, the case231is in the second position.

In general, an airflow inlet is located at the front side of the computing equipment212. Therefore, the airflow inlet of the installed computing equipment212faces forward when the case231is in the first position, as exemplified inFIG.6A. Further, an airflow outlet is located at a rear side of the computing equipment212. Thus, the airflow will be in a lateral or horizontal direction if the case231with the installed computing equipment212stays in the first position similar to the prior art cabinet130discussed referring toFIG.2.

However, by changing the orientation of the computing equipment212by rotating the case231, the lateral or horizontal airflow direction can be changed to an upward or vertical direction. Once the case231is in the second position, as shown inFIG.6B, the airflow inlet of the computing equipment212faces downward or toward ground. Also the airflow outlet faces upward when the case231is in the second position, as shown inFIG.6B. Thus, the direction of the airflow is upward from the airflow inlet toward the airflow outlet when the case231is in the second position. SeeFIGS.4A and4Bshowing the airflow direction.

As discussed above referring toFIGS.2,4A, and4B, the upward or vertical airflow direction has advantages over the lateral or horizontal airflow direction. That is, more space is created at or near the airflow inlet and outlet. Further, the upward or vertical airflow direction is in line with the free convection direction, and thus, it is more efficient for cooling the computing equipment212than the lateral or horizontal airflow direction. Thus, the orientation of the computing equipment212provided by the case231in the second position provides optimization and adjustment on cooling solutions. Furthermore, in contrast to the conventional airflow design shown inFIG.2in which the same space is used for both airflow and cable routing, the airflow design achieved by the cabinet230according to the above discussed embodiments provides separate spaces for airflow and cable routing. Thus, spaces in the smart pole assembly200can be used more efficiently.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the cabinet230includes a pair of panels232, as shown inFIG.7. The panels232face each other and they are symmetrical. The movable case231is positioned between the panels232. The case231is configured to receive the computing equipment212. Referring toFIG.7, in some embodiments, each of the panels232includes a sliding track234such that the case231is slidably movable via the sliding tracks234. The case231includes rollers233slidably coupled to the sliding tracks234. In some embodiments, each panel232includes two sliding tracks234-1,234-2, as exemplified inFIG.7. For example, a first sliding track234-1is straight and a second sliding track234-2is at least partially curved or angled with respect to the first sliding track234-1. The second sliding track234-2may also have a straight portion that is aligned with the first sliding track234-1.

Referring toFIG.7, in some embodiments, the rollers233of the case231include a first roller233-1slidably coupled to the first sliding track234-1and a second roller233-2slidably coupled to the second sliding track234-2. For example, the first and second rollers233-1,233-2protrude from each side of the case231. The case231is in the second position when the rollers233of the case that is in the first position are slid to end points of the sliding tracks234.

Referring toFIGS.6A and7, the front side of the case231facing forward protrudes from the front side of the cabinet230when the rollers233of the case231that is in the first position are positioned at starting points of the sliding tracks234. Referring toFIGS.6B and7, the front side of the case231faces downward toward ground when the rollers233are positioned at the end points of the sliding tracks234and when the case231is in the second position by being rotated from the first position. As exemplified inFIG.6B, when the case231is in the second position, the side of the case that is perpendicular to the front side of the case, now facing downward, does not protrude from the front side of the cabinet230. In some embodiments, the side of the case231that is perpendicular to the front side of the case and the front side of the cabinet230are aligned when the case231is in the second position.

Referring toFIGS.6A,6B, and7, the case231is rotated when the rollers233are slid along the sliding tracks234from the starting points to the end points. The case231is in the vertical orientation when the rollers233are at the starting points and when the case231is in the first position. The case231is in the horizontal orientation when the rollers233are at the end points and when the case231is in the second position. In some embodiments, the length of the front side of the case231and the length of the side of the case that is perpendicular to the front side of the case are different. In some embodiments, the length of the front side of the case231is greater than the length of the side of the case that is perpendicular to the front side, as exemplified inFIGS.6A and6B.

Referring toFIGS.8A and8B, in some embodiments, at least one cable240is coupled to the computing equipment212. In some embodiments, the cable240is coupled to the computing equipment212while the case231is in the first or service position. As shown inFIGS.8A and8B, a cable holder235is coupled to the case231and the cable holder235is configured to hold the cable240to route the cable240. In some examples, the cable holder235includes a clamp or clip. The cable holder235prevents the cable240from moving freely within the smart pole assembly200.

Once the cable240is coupled to the computing equipment212and held by the cable holder235while the case231is in the first position, as shown inFIG.8A, the case231is rotated to be placed in the second or working position. In some embodiments, the cable240is routed through a space formed between an inner surface of the panel232and the side of the case231. In some embodiments, the cable240may also be routed through a space formed outside the cabinet230or through a space formed between the cabinet230and the inner surface of the compartment210of the smart pole assembly200.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed examples can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described examples. Rather, the scope of the disclosure should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

One or more elements or aspects or steps, or any portion(s) thereof, from one or more of any of claims below can be combined with one or more elements or aspects or steps, or any portion(s) thereof, from one or more of any of the other claims or combinations thereof, to form one or more additional implementations and/or claims of the present disclosure.

Although the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur or be known to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof, are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Furthermore, terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.