Cable Seal with Biasing Element for IHS Airflow Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems face challenges in maintaining consistent cooling airflow as cable configurations change, leading to unpredictable airflow paths and reduced efficiency, which can increase acoustics and power consumption or require components to operate at lower performance levels.

Innovation Solution

A system with a blocking element that biases into a cable channel to compress cables, reducing airflow and adapting to different cable configurations by adjusting cooling fan operation based on detected cable configurations, ensuring consistent airflow characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cables are routed through the housing structure to accommodate additional storage devices and components, then the system's functionality and storage capacity are improved, but unpredictable airflow paths are created that reduce cooling efficiency and allow escape of cooling airflow at the ingress of cables

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A cable seal is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable and the housing interior. The seal comprises a cable receptacle that receives the cable and a seal portion that extends from the receptacle to contact the inner surface of the housing, creating a barrier that prevents cooling airflow escape while allowing cable passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable seal provides localized sealing at the cable ingress points where airflow leakage occurs. The seal portion is positioned specifically at the interface between the cable and housing interior, providing targeted airflow management without affecting the overall cable routing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If cooling airflow speed is increased to compensate for reduced effective airflow caused by cable configurations, then sufficient cooling is maintained, but acoustics and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable seal converts the potentially harmful effect of cable routing (airflow escape paths) into a beneficial sealing function. By preventing airflow leakage at cable ingress points, the seal ensures that cooling airflow is directed efficiently through intended paths, maintaining cooling effectiveness without requiring increased fan speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Loss of energy

If ad hoc sealants like foam are inserted around additional cables to preserve cooling airflow, then airflow may be maintained, but the results are unpredictable and cooling across similar housings varies considerably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling airflowVSAvoidcooling consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable seal is designed as a universal component that can accommodate various cable sizes and configurations. The cable receptacle receives different cable types, and the seal portion provides consistent sealing performance across similar housings, eliminating the unpredictability of ad hoc sealant applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable seal provides controlled sealing parameters through its structured design. The seal portion's contact with the housing inner surface creates predictable airflow resistance, ensuring consistent cooling performance across multiple housings with similar configurations, unlike variable ad hoc sealant applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides predictable and efficient cooling airflow paths across varying cable configurations, maintaining accurate cooling profiles and reducing the need for increased fan operation or component performance reductions.

Implementation Method 1

A biasing element disposed in the cable channel biases the blocking element into the cable channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

compress cables routed through the cable channel and reduce airflow between the interior and exterior of the information handling system through the cable channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS10231034B1Information handling system cable seal

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system routes cables from a chassis interior to a chassis exterior through a cable channel defined in the housing and having airflow managed by a blocking element biased to a closed position. As cable configurations change, the blocking element adapts to fit cables through the cable channel in a compact manner that minimizes cooling airflow escape through the cable channel. Automated adjustments to a cooling fan profile based upon a predicted cable configuration and associated airflow help to ensure adequate cooling as airflow characteristics change due to the presence of cables and an expected position of the blocking element.