Cable Bridle Mechanism for Server Swapping Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swapping systems for servers face issues with cable entanglement and reduced durability due to complex connector layouts and high costs, as well as potential damage from repeated plugging and unplugging of hard disk modules.
Innovation Solution
A cable bridle mechanism is introduced, which includes a track, a moving member, and cable bridles that constrain and bend cables between devices, allowing for efficient storage and release by forming multiple stacked sections during relative motion, thereby reducing cable loss and stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a back plate is used to organize data signals from multiple hard disks, then cable entanglement is reduced and signal transmission is simplified, but cost increases and damage risk increases due to complex connector layouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable management function from the back plate and relocates it to the hard disk module itself through the cable bridle structure. The cable bridle is integrated into the hard disk module housing, allowing cables to be organized and routed directly at the source rather than requiring a separate back plate organization system, thereby eliminating the complexity and damage risk associated with back plate connectors
Solution Approach 2:
The cable bridle acts as an intermediary component between the hard disk module and the host system. It provides a dedicated cable routing path that mediates the connection between the hard disk's data ports and the host's back plate, organizing cables without requiring additional connectors on the back plate itself, thus reducing both complexity and potential failure points
2Adaptability or versatility
If repeated plugging and unplugging of hard disk modules is performed, then device swapping is enabled, but cable damage and deviation occur reducing system durability
Solution Approach 1:
The cable bridle is pre-installed on the hard disk module housing before the module is inserted into the host system. It provides a predetermined cable routing path that is already organized and secured, so that when the hard disk module is plugged in, the cables are already properly positioned and constrained, preventing damage from repeated plugging and unplugging operations
Solution Approach 2:
The cable bridle utilizes a flexible bracket structure that can accommodate the movement and positioning of cables during module insertion and removal. The flexible design allows the cable routing to adapt to slight variations in module positioning while maintaining secure cable constraints, preventing cable deviation and damage during repeated swapping operations
3Reliability
If cable bridles are added to constrain and bend cables, then cable entanglement is prevented and cable stress is reduced, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cable bridle is merged with the hard disk module housing structure. The bracket is integrated into the existing housing design, sharing common materials and manufacturing processes, so that adding the cable management function does not require a completely separate structural system. This merging approach provides cable constraint while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A swapping system including a first device, a second device, a cable, and at least one cable bridle is provided. The first device has a receiving space. The second device is movably disposed in the receiving space for moving into or moving out of the first device. The cable located in the receiving space is electrically connected between the first and the second devices. The cable is received or released according to a relative motion of the first and the second devices. The cable bridle is disposed on the cable, the second device is moved into the first device so that the cable is received, and the cable is constrained by the cable bridle to form at least one bending when the cable is received. A cable bridle mechanism and a cable bridle are also provided.