Adaptable Chassis for Variable Sled Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center racks are inflexible and require multiple chassis designs to accommodate different-sized network components, leading to increased expense and complexity due to fixed slot heights and limited power connection adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An adaptable chassis design featuring adjustable side walls with registration features at various heights, interchangeable shelves, and a bus bar structure that can be positioned to accommodate sleds of different heights and widths, allowing for flexible installation and power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-height shelves are used in the chassis, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to accommodate different sized sleds is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf height is made adjustable rather than fixed. The side walls include multiple registration features at different heights, allowing shelves to be positioned at various levels. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the chassis to accommodate sleds of different heights while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The side walls are segmented with multiple registration features (holes) at different heights. Each registration feature can independently support a shelf at a specific height level. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of shelf positions without requiring a completely different chassis design for each sled size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple chassis designs are used for different network components, then the accommodation of various sled sizes is achieved, but the device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal chassis design is created that can accommodate multiple types of sleds with different sizes. The universal chassis includes adjustable shelves and reconfigurable bus bars that can be configured to fit various sled dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized chassis designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The chassis parameters (shelf heights, bus bar positions) are made changeable rather than fixed. By allowing these parameters to be adjusted, the same chassis can be adapted to different sled configurations, reducing the need for multiple chassis variants.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed position bus bars are used, then the power connection structure is simplified, but the ability to accommodate different quantities of sleds is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bus bar structure is made adjustable rather than fixed. The bus bars can be repositioned to different locations on the side walls, allowing the power connection points to be configured according to the specific sled installation requirements. This enables flexible accommodation of different quantities and arrangements of sleds.
4Ease of operation
If standard height units are used for sled components, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the flexibility for different configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are divided into multiple registration features spaced at standard height unit intervals. This segmentation allows shelves to be positioned at precise standard heights (1U, 2U, etc.) while still providing flexibility to choose different combinations of shelf positions to accommodate various sled configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
An adaptable rack chassis for accommodating electronic component sleds of differing widths and heights is disclosed. One example chassis includes side walls and a back wall with registration features at different heights. Shelves may be attached to the registration features at different heights. The front end of the side walls may be attached to shelves at different heights. Another example chassis may have an adaptable horizontal bus bar structure that is located to the back of two side walls. Another example chassis may have vertical bus bar structure that may be adjusted over the width between side walls.