Electrically-Conducting Plate for Uninterruptible Server Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional server apparatuses require power cutoff during repair, disrupting operations due to the inability to maintain an electrically-conducting state during assembly/disassembly processes, as the server unit's dimensions are smaller than the rack, limiting the sliding mechanism's structural length.
Innovation Solution
An electrically-conducting plate with an arc-shaped elastic piece set is slidably assembled with a discharging track, allowing continuous energy transmission to electronic components while the server unit is moved relative to the rack, utilizing an uninterruptible sliding mechanism that reduces stress concentration and friction, ensuring stable voltage supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible cable is used to connect the server unit and power supply during sliding, then the server unit can be moved into or out of the rack, but the cable cannot be completely avoided from bending and unfolding which may cause electrical disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrically-conducting plate as an intermediary component between the flexible cable and the server unit. This plate maintains continuous electrical contact with the cable during sliding operations, serving as a mediator that ensures stable power transmission while the cable undergoes bending and unfolding movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic sliding mechanism where the electrically-conducting plate is designed to move with the server unit while maintaining contact with the flexible cable. The plate's position and orientation are dynamically adjusted during sliding to ensure uninterrupted electrical connection, transforming the static connection problem into a dynamic solution.
2Volume of moving object
If the server unit dimensions are made smaller than the rack dimensions, then the rack has sufficient inner space to accommodate the cable, but the structural lengths are constrained making it difficult to design an effective sliding mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sliding mechanism into distinct functional components: the electrically-conducting plate, the buckling portions for cable management, and the elastic piece set for maintaining contact pressure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, simplifying the overall design despite space constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a flexible cable combined with a thin electrically-conducting plate to create a compact sliding mechanism that fits within the constrained dimensions. The flexibility of the cable and the thinness of the plate allow the mechanism to operate effectively in limited space without requiring complex structural arrangements.
3Ease of repair
If conventional repair procedures are used with power cutoff, then the server unit can be safely repaired, but the server apparatus cannot be operated during the repair period causing operational disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous power supply during server unit repair by maintaining the electrical connection between the flexible cable and the server unit throughout the sliding and repair processes. This allows the server apparatus to remain operational even while the server unit is being replaced or repaired, eliminating downtime and maintaining productivity.
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
The solution maintains a stable electrically-conducting state during assembly and disassembly, reducing kinetic friction and abrasion, enabling continuous operation and minimizing the thickness and cost of plated coatings, thus providing a more resilient and efficient energy supply.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic unit is an arc structure. An end of the arc structure is connected to the base, and the other end of the arc structure abuts against the discharging track, so as to transmit energy output from the discharging track to the base.
Data Source
AI summary
A server apparatus has a server unit disposed inside a casing via an uninterruptible sliding mechanism. The uninterruptible sliding mechanism includes a discharging track disposed on the casing and an electrically-conducting plate disposed on the server unit. The electrically-conducting plate is slidably assembled with the discharging track. The electrically-conducting plate includes abase, a buckling portion and an elastic piece set. The base is electrically connected to the server unit. The buckling portion is disposed on the base to engage with the discharging track. The elastic piece set is disposed on middle of the base and has at least one elastic unit. The elastic unit is an arc structure. An end of the arc structure is fixed to the base, and the other end of the arc structure abuts against the discharging track to continuously transmit energy output from the discharging track to the server unit via the base.