Articulator Gripper for Universal IT Node Interchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center automation systems lack compatibility and configuration for integration into various data center installations, particularly in terms of positional interchange of IT hardware nodes across different types of IT hardware racks.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus and method involve an articulator unit with movable grippers that engage tabs on IT hardware nodes, allowing for precise, efficient, and reliable positional interchange of these nodes across different IT hardware racks, regardless of configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing automation systems are designed as self-contained modular units, then they are easy to implement and operate, but they lack compatibility and configuration for integration into various data center installations and different types of IT hardware racks
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper assembly is designed with a universal interface that can engage with multiple types of IT hardware nodes across different rack configurations. The articulator unit can adapt its positioning and the gripper can accommodate various tab geometries, allowing a single device to serve multiple rack types including vertical racks, horizontal racks, and immersion cooling baths without requiring custom modular units for each configuration.
2Productivity
If manual monitoring and processing of tasks is used in data centers, then system complexity is low, but it is not sufficiently agile and repeatable to be effective for managing larger volumes of servers
Solution Approach 1:
The articulator unit with movable gripper is designed to autonomously engage with IT hardware nodes through tab recognition and automatic positioning. The system performs self-alignment and self-engagement operations without requiring complex external guidance systems or extensive programming, enabling automated handling while keeping the overall system complexity manageable.
3Reliability
If robotic manipulators are customized to latch onto specific server types, then they can securely handle those nodes, but they cannot be integrated into existing data center installations with different rack configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The articulator unit incorporates movable and adjustable components that allow dynamic adaptation to different rack configurations and node positions. The gripper assembly can adjust its engagement angle and position, and the articulator can reposition itself to accommodate various tab locations, maintaining secure handling across different installations without requiring custom-designed manipulators for each rack type.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for the positional interchange of IT hardware nodes at an IT hardware rack. The present apparatus comprises at least one tab attached or attachable to an IT hardware node, each tab provided with a first lock part, an articulator unit having at least one movable gripper to releasably engage the tabs, and the movable gripper provided with a second lock part to releasably lock to the first lock part and allow the gripper to releasably support each of the IT hardware nodes via the tabs for insertion and/or withdrawal at the IT hardware rack.