Modular Storage Server Cage with Orthogonal Component Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage servers require significant time and effort to disassemble due to complex internal electronic device configurations, leading to increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
The storage server design features a cage with a midplane, detachable motherboard modules, HDD backplanes, and data HDDs, allowing for easy disassembly along orthogonal directions, with a fan module, power supply module, and HDD frame configurations that simplify the spatial arrangement and facilitate rapid disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If electronic devices are densely arranged in limited space, then space utilization is improved, but disassembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server is divided into modular components including cage, midplane, motherboard module, HDD backplane, and fan module. Each module can be independently removed along specific directions, transforming a complex monolithic structure into manageable segments that simplify maintenance while maximizing space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multi-directional disassembly paths (first direction for motherboard module, second direction for HDD backplane, third direction for data HDDs) to resolve spatial conflicts. By allowing removal along different dimensional vectors, the design achieves dense packing without increasing disassembly complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electronic devices are mounted in the cage, then functionality is improved, but maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Electronic devices are organized into functional modules (motherboard module with system HDD, HDD backplane with data HDDs, fan module, power supply module) that can be independently accessed and maintained. This segmentation allows technicians to service specific components without disassembling the entire server, reducing maintenance time while preserving full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design with pre-defined removal directions and electrical disconnections is prepared in advance, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly identify and remove faulty components without needing to trace complex interconnections during maintenance operations.
3Area of stationary object
If electronic devices are closely positioned, then space efficiency is improved, but disassembly effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves spatial conflicts by assigning different removal directions to different modules: motherboard module along first direction, HDD backplane along second direction (opposite to first), and data HDDs along third direction (intersected with first and second). This multi-dimensional approach allows closely positioned components to be accessed independently without increasing disassembly effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates detachable connections and movable components that can be easily separated along predetermined paths. The dynamic nature of the modular connections allows for quick assembly and disassembly operations despite the static dense arrangement of components within the cage.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage server includes a cage, a midplane fixed on the cage, a fan module on midplane, at least one host, detachably disposed on the cage and electrically connected to the midplane, a plurality of HDD backplanes, detachably disposed on the cage and electrically connected to the midplane, and a plurality of data HDDs, detachably disposed on the cage and electrically connected to the HDD backplanes. The host can be detached from the cage along a first direction. The HDD backplanes can be detached from the cage along a second direction opposite to the first direction. The data HDDs and the host are respectively located at two opposite sides of the fan module, the data HDDs can be detached from the cage along a third direction intersected with the second direction and the first direction.