Flexible Backplane Spring Elements Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In densely packed Hard Disk Drive (HDD) sleds, vibrations from one HDD can be transferred to others, disrupting operations, causing increased wear and potential breakage due to cumulative vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A backplane with a flexible substrate and spring elements bridging connector islands to absorb vibrations, allowing these islands to flex independently of the substrate, thereby isolating and reducing vibration transfer between HDDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple HDDs are densely packed in a sled to increase storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but vibration transfer between HDDs increases causing operational disruption and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
A vibration isolation layer is introduced as an intermediary between the HDDs and the sled structure. This layer absorbs and dampens vibrations before they can be transferred to other HDDs or the rigid sled framework, thereby enabling dense packing without excessive vibration transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration isolation layer is implemented as a flexible material that can deform to absorb vibration energy. This flexible layer allows the HDDs to be closely spaced while preventing rigid vibration transmission through the sled structure, resolving the contradiction between density and vibration isolation
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid structural members are used in the sled to provide stable support, then structural stability is improved, but vibration transfer between HDDs is facilitated causing operational disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The sled structure is segmented into rigid support elements and flexible vibration isolation layers. The rigid members provide structural stability and support, while the flexible vibration isolation layers are positioned between HDDs and the rigid structure to prevent vibration transfer, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible vibration isolation layers are introduced between the HDDs and rigid structural members. These flexible layers decouple the vibration paths, allowing the rigid structure to maintain its stability while preventing vibrations from being transmitted through the structural members to other HDDs
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 backplane effectively reduces vibration interference between HDDs, minimizing wear and breakage, and enhancing the operational stability of densely packed storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
one or more spring elements bridging between the at least one connector island and the substrate, with traces of the plurality of backplane traces extending over the one or more spring elements to the at least one connector island and with the one or more spring elements allowing the at least one connector island to flex with respect to the substrate and absorb vibrations
Implementation Method 2
one or more spring elements bridging between the at least one connector island and the substrate... allowing the at least one connector island to flex with respect to the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A backplane configured to receive electrical components is provided. The backplane in one example includes a substrate comprising an at least partially flexible material, a plurality of backplane traces formed as part of the substrate, at least one connector island formed in the substrate, with the at least one connector island located in an opening in the substrate and configured to receive at least one mating electrical component, and one or more spring elements bridging between the at least one connector island and the substrate, with traces of the plurality of backplane traces extending over the one or more spring elements to the at least one connector island and with the one or more spring elements allowing the at least one connector island to flex with respect to the substrate and absorb vibrations.