Interchangeable Fan Support for Server Chassis Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information handling systems (IHS) face challenges in efficiently matching cooling configurations with user-selected compute components, leading to either excessive resource waste or reduced system availability due to inconsistent cooling infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A modular chassis design with interchangeable lateral supports of varying sizes to accommodate different fan modules based on specific cooling requirements, allowing users to select the appropriate cooling infrastructure for their compute components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixed cooling configuration is used in the chassis, then the manufacturing and assembly process is simplified, but the adaptability to different user-selected compute components with varying cooling requirements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechassis assembly simplicityVSAvoidcooling configuration adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling infrastructure is segmented into modular lateral support members that can be independently selected and installed. Each lateral support member is a discrete component with specific aperture configurations that can be matched to different compute component cooling requirements, allowing the chassis to be assembled with appropriate cooling capabilities without requiring a completely custom design for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral support members are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the chassis, define air flow paths, and accommodate different fan module configurations through varying aperture sizes and patterns. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both structural requirements and variable cooling requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If oversized fan modules are installed to meet maximum cooling requirements, then adequate cooling is provided for all compute components, but energy is wasted when full cooling capacity is not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling adequacyVSAvoidfan module energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral support members are designed with specific aperture sizes and patterns that match the cooling requirements of particular compute components. This allows the cooling capacity to be precisely tailored to the actual heat generation of the installed components rather than providing uniform oversized cooling throughout, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate cooling where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If undersized fan modules are used to reduce energy consumption, then energy resources are conserved, but system availability is reduced due to insufficient cooling capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefan module energy consumptionVSAvoidsystem availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows changing the cooling parameters by selecting different lateral support members with varying aperture configurations. When high-performance compute components are installed that generate more heat, users can change to lateral support members with larger or additional apertures to increase cooling capacity, ensuring system availability is maintained while avoiding the waste of continuously running oversized fans at low loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If the chassis is configured with fixed cooling infrastructure during manufacturing, then production efficiency is maximized, but user ability to customize cooling for specific compute components is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoiduser customization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling infrastructure is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing users to modify the configuration by installing different lateral support members based on their specific compute component requirements. This maintains manufacturing efficiency by using standardized components that can be quickly installed while providing full customization capability to end users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9699941B2Interchangeable fan support member providing lateral, structural support for server chassis

Publication Date: 2017.07.04 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A chassis of an information handling system (IHS) includes a lateral segment that spans across a directional path of air travelling from an air intake side to an air exhaust side and including receiving affordances for insertion of a lateral support for a directional air mover. A user can select one of a first lateral support and a second lateral support that is insertable into the lateral segment and securable to the receiving affordances. The first lateral support has apertures of a first size to receive respective first fan modules and the second lateral support has apertures of a second size to receive respective second fan modules. An inserted one of the first and second lateral supports is selected based on a cooling air requirement corresponding to user selected compute components placed within the chassis to operate within the IHS.