Flexible Stacked Chassis for Data Center Sled Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center racks are limited by fixed side wall heights, restricting the efficient accommodation of varying sled sizes and requiring replacement when new equipment with different sizes is added, leading to increased expenses and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A two-box chassis structure with adjustable components, where the upper and lower boxes can be slidably engaged to form a single structure, allowing for flexible sled placement and power distribution while accommodating different sized devices without needing to replace the power supply units or bus bars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-height chassis is used to hold network devices, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate devices of varying sizes or additional devices without replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is divided into multiple shelf levels that can be independently adjusted in height. Each shelf can be positioned at different heights along the side walls to accommodate sleds of varying sizes. The side walls contain multiple registration features at different heights, allowing shelves to be repositioned without replacing the entire chassis structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The chassis transitions from a static fixed-height design to a dynamic adjustable-height design. Shelves can be moved between different registration features on the side walls, allowing the chassis to adapt its configuration based on the specific sled sizes and quantities that need to be accommodated at different times.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the chassis is replaced to accommodate different sized devices, then adaptability is improved, but expense increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is pre-equipped with multiple registration features at different heights on the side walls before deployment. These registration features are positioned in advance to accommodate various sled configurations, eliminating the need for chassis replacement when device sizes change. Administrators can simply reposition shelves to the appropriate registration features.
3Quantity of substance
If additional component sleds are added to a filled rack, then device capacity is improved, but the fixed side wall height prevents accommodation of more sleds
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the vertical height of the side walls to accommodate more sleds, the invention utilizes the horizontal dimension by providing multiple registration features at different heights on the existing side walls. This allows shelves to be repositioned vertically within the existing height constraints, effectively increasing capacity without extending the chassis height.
4Ease of manufacture
If standard height units are used for sleds, then manufacturing is simplified, but flexibility to accommodate non-standard or varying sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis design provides universal compatibility with sleds of various sizes through multiple registration features on the side walls. While sleds may be manufactured in standard height units, the chassis can accommodate non-standard or varying sizes by allowing shelves to be repositioned to different registration features, making the chassis universally adaptable to different sled configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
An adaptable chassis having an upper box chassis structure including a power supply. The upper box structure includes side walls to receive at least one component sled and registration features. A lower box structure includes side walls to receive at least one component sled. The lower box structure includes a registration feature to engage the registration feature of the first chassis structure. The lower box structure includes a power connector to obtain power from the power supply. The lower box structure may be replaced with large capacity structures when additional component sleds need to be added since the power supply resides in the upper box structure.