Rack Adapter for 19-Inch Servers in Open Compute Racks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transition to Open Compute Project (OCP) standards for server racks has created compatibility issues with traditional 19-inch gear, leading to increased costs and complexity in adapting between different rack designs, mechanical and thermal challenges, and difficulties in managing wiring, which has hindered the adoption of Open Compute servers.
Innovation Solution
A 19 inch Server Adapter is designed to facilitate the use of traditional 19-inch gear in Open Compute racks by providing a chassis with customizable mounts, channels for cable management, and a bus-bar connector mount, allowing for secure mounting, efficient airflow, and easy maintenance, while maintaining compatibility with different rack standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional 19-inch gear is used in Open Compute racks, then compatibility with existing hardware is maintained, but mechanical and thermal challenges arise due to size mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component that bridges the compatibility gap between traditional 19-inch gear and Open Compute racks. The adapter translates the mechanical interface of 19-inch equipment to fit the 21-inch rack standard, while also providing thermal management solutions through integrated cooling channels and airflow paths, thus resolving both mechanical mismatches and thermal challenges simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adapters are designed to accommodate both 19-inch and 21-inch rack standards, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with universal mounting features that can accommodate both 19-inch and 21-inch rack standards. It includes dual sets of mounting holes with different pitch patterns (19-inch and 21-inch standards), allowing the same adapter structure to be mounted on either rack type. This multi-functional design achieves versatility without requiring multiple separate adapters, thereby limiting the increase in complexity.
3Ease of operation
If cable management channels are added to the adapter, then wiring management is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management channels are merged into the adapter body as integrated features rather than separate components. The channels are formed as recesses or grooves directly in the adapter housing during the same manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate cable trays or management assemblies. This integration improves wiring management while minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity.
4Ease of operation
If bus-bar connector mounts are integrated into the adapter, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bus-bar connector mounts are nested within the adapter structure, with connectors positioned to extend through the adapter body from the equipment side to the rack side. This nested arrangement allows the connectors to be accessible and operable while being compactly integrated into the adapter, improving ease of operation without requiring separate external mounting structures that would increase overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an adapter for rack-mounted computing equipment, the adapter including: a chassis; two mounts coupled to the chassis, each of the two mounts having a respective hole shaped to receive and support rack-mountable computing equipment, wherein centers of the holes are between 460 and 470 mm (millimeters) apart from one another in a side-to-side direction of the chassis; two members extending from front of the chassis, the two members being less than 18 mm tall and being between 530 and 550 mm apart in the side-to-side direction; a channel extending at least half a distance along the chassis in a front-to-back direction, the channel defining a volume configured to hold cables extending from a back side of the chassis to a front side of the chassis; and a bus-bar connector mount configured to position a bus-bar connector extending from a back of the chassis.