Multi-form Factor Power Supply Bay with Alignment Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply systems face challenges in supporting a wide range of power requirements across different computing devices within a family, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for multiple form factors and configurations, which results in suboptimal power density and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system bay with form factor elements that allow different form factor power supplies to be properly aligned and engaged, ensuring compatibility and preventing non-conforming devices from being used, thus enabling a common bay to accommodate various power configurations within a computing device family.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single large form factor power supply bay is used to support high-end computing devices with high power requirements, then high power output capacity is achieved, but power supply density decreases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply bay is divided into multiple sections with different form factor configurations. Each section can accommodate power supplies of different sizes and power outputs, allowing the system to support high power requirements when needed while maintaining the option for lower power configurations. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single large bay design.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply bay configuration is made dynamic and adaptable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically select which form factor configurations to support based on the specific computing device model and power requirements, allowing flexibility across different performance levels within the same device family.
2Productivity
If multiple form factor power supply bays are manufactured to support different power requirements, then power density is optimized for each configuration, but manufacturing costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal power supply bay design is created that can accommodate multiple form factor configurations. This universal bay uses standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms that work across different power supply sizes, eliminating the need to manufacture separate bay designs for different power levels while maintaining optimization benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply bay design incorporates adjustable parameters such as movable mounting positions, variable interface configurations, and adaptable structural elements that can be reconfigured to optimize for different power supply form factors. This allows one bay design to serve multiple purposes across different power requirements.
3Power
If the power supply bay is sized for high-end devices, then high power requirements are met, but low-end devices suffer from suboptimal power density and increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections or configurations of the power supply bay are optimized for specific power levels. Low-end devices can utilize a compact configuration that optimizes power density for their lower power requirements, while high-end devices can access extended configurations for higher power output. Each configuration is locally optimized rather than universally over-engineered.
4Reliability
If form factor elements are added to guide and constrain power supply insertion, then compatibility and proper alignment are ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Form factor elements such as guide rails, alignment pins, and constraint features are designed with asymmetric geometries that naturally guide power supplies into the correct position and orientation. These asymmetric features provide passive alignment and compatibility verification without requiring complex active control systems or multiple configurable components.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system includes a chassis defining a bay. Power supply form factor element(s) are located on the chassis adjacent the bay. The power supply form factor element(s) may be used to guide a first form factor power supply through the bay and into engagement with a connector when the first form factor power supply is moved through a bay entrance, or guide a second form factor power supply through the bay and into engagement with a portion of the connector when the second form factor power supply is moved through a first section of the bay entrance. Furthermore, the power supply form factor element(s) prevent movement of the second form factor power supply through the bay and into engagement with the connector when the second form factor power supply attempts to move through a second section of the bay entrance that is different than the first section.