Modular Storage Sled With Midplane Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mass storage systems face challenges in hot swapping individual active elements, such as fans, control boards, and power supplies, requiring the storage enclosure to be powered down for maintenance or upgrades, which can lead to inefficiencies and risks of component damage.
Innovation Solution
A selectively removable and insertable sled system with a midplane and printed circuit board (PCB) that allows for orthogonal insertion of active elements, maintaining electrical connectivity even when the sled is extended, enabling easy access and replacement of components without powering down the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional mass storage systems are used for hot swapping active elements, then system availability is improved, but component damage risk increases and system stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular sleds that can be independently removed and replaced. Each sled contains specific active elements (fans, control boards, power supplies) that can be serviced independently, allowing hot swapping without affecting the entire system. This segmentation enables maintenance while maintaining system availability.
Solution Approach 2:
A midplane connector serves as an intermediary between the sleds and the system bus. This connector maintains electrical connectivity during sled insertion and removal, providing a stable interface that prevents component damage while enabling hot swapping operations.
2Ease of repair
If individual active elements are replaced in conventional systems, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but system downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sled design allows dynamic insertion and removal of active elements during system operation. The orthogonal insertion direction and sliding mechanism enable maintenance personnel to access and replace components without shutting down the system, eliminating downtime while improving maintenance efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Active elements are pre-organized into complete sled assemblies that can be prepared for replacement outside the system. This preliminary preparation allows rapid exchange during maintenance, minimizing the time the system is affected while maximizing maintenance efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If orthogonal insertion of active elements is implemented, then ease of access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sled design employs asymmetric features including a tongue-shaped protrusion on the sled that complements a corresponding groove in the housing. This asymmetric configuration provides foolproof orthogonal insertion, ensuring proper orientation while simplifying the user interface despite increased internal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sled structure uses nested components where the PCB is mounted within the sled frame, and the entire sled assembly fits within the storage enclosure housing. This nesting approach organizes complexity hierarchically, making individual components accessible while containing the overall structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus as associated method contemplating a housing and a midplane supported by the housing having a midplane connector. A printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB connector is selectively connectable to the midplane connector. A plurality of data storage devices are arranged on the printed circuit board in a staggered pattern, each electrically connected to the PCB connector via a respective electrical trace in the PCB.