Conductive Slide Rail Server Rack for Hot-Swappable Data Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Server racks require efficient and hot-swappable hard drive solutions, but existing designs often fail to ensure seamless electrical connectivity during insertion and removal of data storage modules, risking data loss due to power disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A server rack design incorporating a slide rail module with conductive rails coated in insulating materials, allowing for secure electrical connections throughout the insertion and removal process, ensuring continuous power supply to the data storage modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If slide rails are used to enable easy insertion and removal of data storage modules, then ease of operation is improved, but electrical connectivity during insertion and removal cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertion and removalVSAvoidelectrical connectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management module is pre-configured with cable guides and retention structures before the data storage module is inserted. This preliminary arrangement ensures that cables are properly positioned and connected before the module begins moving during hot-swapping operations, maintaining electrical connectivity throughout the insertion or removal process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cable management module acts as an intermediary between the data storage module and external cable connections. It includes cable guides, retention structures, and routing mechanisms that mediate the connection process, ensuring cables remain properly connected and organized during the dynamic insertion and removal operations enabled by the slide rails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If hot-swappable hard drive design is implemented, then productivity is improved through continuous operation, but data loss risk increases due to power disruptions during swapping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoiddata safety during swapping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management module incorporates retention structures and guiding mechanisms that cushion and protect the cable connections during the hot-swapping process. These pre-configured structures ensure that cables remain securely connected and properly positioned even when data storage modules are being inserted or removed, preventing power disruptions and data loss while maintaining continuous operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If cable routing is not managed during module insertion and removal, then device complexity is reduced, but electrical connectivity and operational reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable management structureVSAvoidelectrical connectivity during swapping

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management module performs multiple functions within a single integrated structure: it guides cables during insertion/removal, retains cable connections, routes cables along proper paths, and protects electrical connectivity. This multi-functional design manages cable routing reliability without adding excessive device complexity, as one module handles all cable management tasks throughout the hot-swapping process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10111359B2Server rack

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 FULIAN PRESION ELECTRONICS (TIANJIN) CO LTD

AI summary

A server rack configured to provide electrical connections with data storage modules upon contact includes a shell and a slide rail module slidably installed on the shell. The shell includes a power supply module. The slide rail module itself is electrically conductive and provided with a cable at each end. The cables are connected with the power supply module and the data storage module, and the data storage module is electrically connected with the power supply module.