Cabinet-Mounted Shared Fan for Server Heat Dissipation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-server computer systems face inefficiencies in heat dissipation due to the need for multiple fans, which consume significant electrical power and require labor-intensive maintenance, as each fan must be repaired or replaced within the server cabinet.

Innovation Solution

A centralized heat dissipation device with shared fans is mounted outside the server cabinet, using a connection element for power and signal connections, allowing for efficient heat dissipation across multiple servers and enabling easy maintenance by eliminating the need for individual fan replacements within the cabinet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If each server is equipped with an exclusive fan for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but electrical power consumption increases and maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidelectrical power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heat dissipation functions of multiple servers into a single shared fan unit. The server cabinet includes a plurality of server slots, and a shared fan is installed in the cabinet to provide cooling for all servers simultaneously, eliminating the need for individual fans in each server. This consolidation reduces the total number of fans, thereby decreasing electrical power consumption while maintaining adequate heat dissipation effectiveness through the shared cooling resource.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared fan unit serves multiple servers simultaneously, making it a universal heat dissipation solution. The fan is designed to cool multiple server units through its positioning and airflow distribution, allowing one fan to perform the function that would otherwise require multiple separate fans, thus reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If each server is equipped with an exclusive fan for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but maintenance labor increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidmaintenance labor

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heat dissipation functions of multiple servers into a single shared fan unit. The server cabinet includes a plurality of server slots, and a shared fan is installed in the cabinet to provide cooling for all servers simultaneously, eliminating the need for individual fans in each server. This consolidation reduces the total number of fans, thereby decreasing electrical power consumption while maintaining adequate heat dissipation effectiveness through the shared cooling resource.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared fan unit serves multiple servers simultaneously, making it a universal heat dissipation solution. The fan is designed to cool multiple server units through its positioning and airflow distribution, allowing one fan to perform the function that would otherwise require multiple separate fans, thus reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If exclusive fans are installed inside server cases, then heat dissipation is effective, but device complexity increases and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fan unit from inside the individual server cases and relocates it to the server cabinet level. The shared fan is installed in the cabinet structure rather than being embedded within each server case, simplifying the server case design and reducing device complexity. This extraction also facilitates easier maintenance since the fan is accessible from the cabinet rather than being enclosed within each server unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces electrical power consumption and maintenance labor by consolidating heat dissipation, allowing for cost savings and improved operational efficiency while maintaining effective cooling of multiple servers.

Implementation Method 1

each of the fans 34 is aligned with one of the heat dissipation holes 322... each fan 34 simultaneously dissipate heat generated by all the servers 20

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

heat dissipation holes 322... allow each fan 34 to simultaneously dissipate heat generated by all the servers 20

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

heat dissipation device 30 mounted on the server cabinet 10 to dissipate heat generated by each of the servers 20

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9049802B2Apparatus for receiving servers

Publication Date: 2015.06.02 FULIAN PRESION ELECTRONICS (TIANJIN) CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus includes a server cabinet configured to receive a plurality of servers therein, and a single heat dissipation device mounted on the server cabinet and positioned outside of the plurality of servers. The heat dissipation device includes a plurality of fans, and each of the plurality of fans is configured to dissipate heat generated in the overall server cabinet.