Mounting Ear Brush Curtain for Server Rack Cord Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mounting ears allow airflow and contaminants into server racks when data or power cords need to be routed deeper, reducing the space for additional components and compromising airflow.
Innovation Solution
A mounting ear design featuring a brush with bristles that forms a curtain across a gap, allowing cords to pass while blocking air and contaminants, comprising a front plate attached to a vertical rail and a side plate with a tail and midsection defining the gap, where the brush is made of rubber with cut flaps extending collinearly to cover the gap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If space is reserved on the sides, top or bottom of component to allow cords to pass, then cords can be routed deeper into the rack, but air and contaminants can reach the interior of the rack through the spacing gap
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible brush assembly is introduced as an intermediary element between the mounting ear and the rack interior. The brush acts as a mediator that allows cord passage while blocking airflow and contaminants, resolving the contradiction between cord routing needs and airflow protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush assembly functions as a flexible barrier that can deform to accommodate cords passing through while maintaining its sealing function. The flexible bristles create a dynamic seal that adapts to cord movement while preventing harmful airflow and contaminant ingress.
2Ease of operation
If space is reserved above or below the components, then cords can be routed deeper into the rack, but the number of other components that can be attached to rails is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The brush assembly extends in the vertical dimension from the mounting ear, creating a barrier that does not occupy horizontal rack space. This allows cords to be routed deeper into the rack without reducing the number of components that can be mounted on the rails, as the solution operates in a different spatial dimension.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed barrier is used to block the gap, then airflow and contaminants are blocked, but cords cannot pass through freely
Solution Approach 1:
The brush assembly transitions from a static barrier to a dynamic structure that can deform and move. The flexible bristles allow the barrier to adapt its shape as cords pass through, maintaining the airflow blocking function while enabling free cord movement without requiring a fixed rigid structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents airflow and contaminants from entering the rack while allowing cords to pass through, maintaining airflow integrity and maximizing rack space for additional components.
Implementation Method 1
A brush is mounted on at least the midsection. The brush includes plurality of bristles extending from the brush such that the end of the bristles are substantially collinear with a top of the at least of portion of the tail section, to thereby substantially cover the gap.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting ear is provided. The mounting ear includes a front plate and a side plate connected to the front plate. The side plate includes a tail section proximate to the rear of the side plate, a midsection between the front plate and the tail section, and at least a portion of the tail section has a height larger than the midsection to thereby define a gap above the midsection. A brush is mounted on at least the midsection. The brush includes plurality of bristles extending from the brush such that the end of the bristles are substantially collinear with a top of the at least of portion of the tail section, to thereby substantially cover the gap.