Modular Storage System with Scalable Sub Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage systems require replacement or upgrade of entire devices when capacity is insufficient, leading to long replacement times, potential damage, and inconvenience, with additional interfaces needed for connecting new storage devices.

Innovation Solution

A modular storage system comprising a main storage device directly connected to a host and sub storage devices, allowing capacity expansion by connecting additional sub devices without replacing the main device, eliminating the need for additional interfaces and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a storage device is replaced or upgraded to increase capacity, then the storage capacity is improved, but the replacement time increases and there is risk of damaging the electronic device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidreplacement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is divided into a main storage device and multiple sub storage devices. The main storage device remains in the electronic device while sub storage devices can be added or removed independently. This segmentation allows capacity expansion without replacing the entire storage device, reducing replacement time and risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If a storage device is replaced or upgraded to increase capacity, then the storage capacity is improved, but the risk of damaging the electronic device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddevice safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is divided into a main storage device and multiple sub storage devices. The main storage device remains in the electronic device while sub storage devices can be added or removed independently. This segmentation allows capacity expansion without replacing the entire storage device, reducing replacement time and risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If additional interfaces are added to connect new storage devices, then the storage capacity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The main storage device serves multiple functions: it acts as a storage device itself and simultaneously functions as a host device that can connect to multiple sub storage devices. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional host interfaces in the electronic device, reducing complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The main storage device acts as an intermediary between the electronic device and sub storage devices. It provides the interface functionality itself, eliminating the need for the electronic device to have additional interfaces for connecting extra storage devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Quantity of substance

If additional interfaces are added to connect new storage devices, then the storage capacity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The main storage device serves multiple functions: it acts as a storage device itself and simultaneously functions as a host device that can connect to multiple sub storage devices. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional host interfaces in the electronic device, reducing complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The main storage device acts as an intermediary between the electronic device and sub storage devices. It provides the interface functionality itself, eliminating the need for the electronic device to have additional interfaces for connecting extra storage devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11669470B2Storage system with capacity scalability and method of operating the same
Publication Date: 2023.06.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US11669470B2 patent drawing
  • US11669470B2 patent drawing
  • US11669470B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a storage system including a first storage device (e.g., a main storage device) and one or more additional storage devices (e.g., sub storage devices). The first storage device includes a host interface for communicating with a host device and is directly connected to the host device. The additional storage devices may be directly connected to the first storage device and may communicate with the host device through the host interface included in the first storage device. The storage system thus has a total combined capacity of both the capacity of the first storage device and the capacity of the one or more additional storage devices. Further, the one or more additional storage devices may be added or removed to increase or decrease the total capacity of the storage system, and the one or more additional storage devices may not necessarily themselves include a host interface.