2RU Disk Array Enclosure Paddle Card Backplane Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing configurations for 2RU disk array enclosures are inefficient and cumbersome, particularly when housing 2.5 inch disks, as they waste interior volume and involve unwieldy cable connections, and the form factor constraints limit direct cable-free connections to the backplane.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves rotating the disk's signal/power connector using a paddle card to enable direct connection to a backplane positioned parallel to the disk, allowing for a more efficient use of space and reducing cable complexity by using a paddle card with internal circuitry to redirect the connector approximately 90 degrees and attach to the backplane slot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If disks are mounted side-by-side across the front panel opening, then the enclosure can accommodate at least twenty four disks, but over half of the interior volume is wasted and cable connections become unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional front-panel mounting (2D arrangement) to a three-dimensional configuration where disks are mounted vertically in rows along the rear panel, utilizing the depth dimension of the enclosure. This allows disks to be arranged in multiple rows (up to four rows of six disks each) without occupying excessive interior volume, achieving high density while improving space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is divided into multiple independent rows, each capable of holding six disks vertically. This segmentation allows for modular organization of disks and enables the use of individual row adapters that can be independently installed and removed, simplifying cable management and maintenance while maximizing the number of disks that can be accommodated.
2Reliability
If cables are used to connect each disk to the backplane, then connectivity is achieved, but the cable connections become unwieldy and complex to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable connection requirement by implementing a direct mechanical and electrical interface between the disk drive and the backplane through the row adapter. The connector is integrated into the adapter assembly, eliminating the need for separate cables and significantly reducing cable management complexity while maintaining reliable connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The row adapter serves as an intermediary component between the disk drives and the backplane. It provides both mechanical support for the vertically mounted disks and an integrated electrical connector that directly interfaces with the backplane, thereby eliminating the need for separate cable connections and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Quantity of substance
If extendable drawers are used to support disks, then up to thirty disks can be accommodated, but the drawers and connecting cables become tangled when extending the drawers to service the disks
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using extendable drawers that move multiple disks together, the patent segments the disk storage into independent vertical rows. Each row can be accessed and serviced independently without moving other disks, eliminating the tangling problem associated with extendable drawers and cables while maintaining high disk capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by mounting disks vertically along the rear panel rather than horizontally in extendable drawers. This inversion allows for direct rear-panel access to disk connectors through the row adapters, eliminating the need for drawer extension and cable manipulation while improving accessibility and reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment a disk array enclosure includes: a two rack (2RU) enclosure configured with a multiplicity of rows of backplane slots on an inner bottom panel of the 2RU enclosure, a multiplicity of 2.5 inch disks mounted lengthwise in parallel to the inner bottom panel, and a multiplicity of paddle cards, each connected to one of the 2.5 inch disks and slotted into one of the backplane slots.