Modular Datacenter Facility with Connecting Corridors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional datacenter facilities face challenges in cost-effectiveness and scalability, as they require large-scale construction and inflexible expansion, which can lead to unnecessary costs and disruptions in IT operations and security.
Innovation Solution
A modular datacenter facility composed of standardized, pre-engineered building modules with specific functionalities that can be easily integrated and expanded, allowing for step-by-step growth without requiring large initial land areas or unused capacity, using connecting corridors for interconnection between modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional datacenter facilities are built at large scale to achieve cost-effectiveness, then the cost per square foot decreases, but the flexibility for expansion and adaptability to changing needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The datacenter facility is divided into multiple standardized building modules that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. Each module contains complete functional units including mechanical, electrical, and structural components, allowing the facility to be built in discrete, manageable segments that can be added or reconfigured as needs change.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables the facility to dynamically adapt to changing requirements by allowing modules to be added, removed, or reconfigured. The standardized connection interfaces and pre-engineered designs permit flexible expansion without requiring complete redesign of the entire facility.
2Device complexity
If conventional datacenter facilities are built as single large structures, then construction is simplified, but expansion requires complete demolition and rebuilding
Solution Approach 1:
The facility is segmented into standardized building modules with uniform connection interfaces. These modules can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site, allowing for incremental expansion by simply adding more modules rather than demolishing and rebuilding the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The building modules are pre-engineered and pre-assembled with all necessary mechanical, electrical, and structural components before delivery to the site. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid on-site assembly and future expansion without requiring complex construction procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional datacenter facilities use custom-designed building structures, then the facility meets specific functional requirements, but replication and standardization are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A set of standardized building module types is developed, where each module type can serve multiple functional purposes through configurable internal arrangements. The standardized interfaces and designs allow these modules to be replicated and assembled in various configurations to meet different functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized modules allow for functional customization by changing parameters such as module quantity, arrangement configuration, and internal component specifications rather than redesigning the fundamental structure. This enables adaptation to different functional requirements while maintaining manufacturing standardization.
4Device complexity
If conventional datacenter facilities are constructed with fixed layouts, then construction is straightforward, but reconfiguration for changing IT operations needs is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The modular building design creates a dynamic facility where modules can be reconfigured, added, or removed based on changing IT operations needs. The standardized connection systems enable straightforward reconfiguration without requiring complex construction procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The facility is segmented into independently configurable modules with standardized interfaces, allowing reconfiguration at the module level without affecting the entire facility. This segmentation enables flexible adaptation to changing requirements while maintaining construction straightforwardness through standardized assembly procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular datacenter facility is constructed with a set of building modules of different types of functionality to form an entire datacenter facility having a standardized pre-approved architectural design and layout. All instances of a particular type of building module will have approximately a same floor plan and architectural design. An initial set of building modules can be built upon a parcel of land, and then as needs of space and additional capacity of the modular datacenter facility increase, then at a future point in time additional building modules of the different types can be rapidly added to the initial set of building modules. The building modules of the different types use one or more connecting corridors architected into at least a first type of building module and corresponding aligned doorways between both building modules to interconnect two building modules adjacent and abutted to each other.