Curved Computer Equipment Side for High Port Density
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer equipment in data centers has limited interconnection capacity due to standardized sizes and port configurations, restricting the number of connection ports and thus the number of electronic devices that can be interconnected within the same footprint.
Innovation Solution
The design of computer equipment with a first side extending between the third and fourth sides in a generally curved or apex direction, increasing the connection face area and allowing for a greater number of connection ports of various types, such as RJ45, InfiniBand, USB, and optical ports, while maintaining standard dimensions like 1U, 2U, etc., thereby enhancing interconnection capacity without increasing equipment size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standardized dimensions and port configurations are used, then ease of manufacture and compatibility are improved, but interconnection capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the first side of the equipment outline beyond the standard parallel distance between third and fourth sides, creating a non-standardized dimension in the length direction while maintaining standardized height and depth. This dimensional extension provides additional space for mounting connection ports, thereby increasing interconnection capacity without compromising manufacturing ease or compatibility with standard rack mounting dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of connection ports is increased, then interconnection capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment is designed with a standardized core structure (second, third, and fourth sides maintaining standard dimensions) that can be manufactured using conventional processes. The first side is segmented into a standard mounting portion and an extended portion, where the extension is added as a separate modular element. This segmentation allows the majority of the device to remain simple and standardized while only the necessary extension is customized to accommodate additional ports.
3Adaptability or versatility
If equipment size is increased to accommodate more ports, then interconnection capacity is improved, but space utilization in data centers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies non-standardized dimensions locally only to the first side of the equipment outline, specifically extending its length beyond the standard parallel distance between third and fourth sides. The other dimensions (height defined by standardized distance between third and fourth sides, and depth) remain standardized. This localized modification allows additional connection ports to be accommodated on the extended first side while maintaining overall compactness and standard compatibility for rack mounting, thus increasing interconnection capacity without proportionally increasing the equipment's physical footprint.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a piece of computer equipment which is to be removably inserted into a computer cabinet (1) and connected to electronic devices, having a four-sided contour with a first side (11), a second side (12) opposite the first side (11), a third side (13) and a fourth side (14) opposite the third side (13), said third (13) and fourth (14) sides being separated from one another by a predetermined distance. The computer equipment also comprises a plurality of connection ports (30a-f), each port having predetermined dimensions, being arranged on at least one of the first (11) and second (12) sides and being configured to interconnect the equipment (10) with the devices. The first (11) and second (12) sides have a first length and a second length respectively and at least one of said first and second lengths is greater than the above-mentioned predetermined distance.