Rack Backplane Power Delivery for Data Center Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large data centers face challenges with cabling complexity, variability in electrical power requirements, and non-standard component form factors, leading to installation errors and inefficient maintenance processes.

Innovation Solution

A rack system with a backplane and power panel, controlled by a main controller that detects component insertion, acquires power parameters, and provides power accordingly, using complementary power connectors and a power line communication modem to manage power distribution and consumption monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If various cables are connected to each component on the front of the rack, then power and data can be delivered to components, but cabling complexity increases and installation errors may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent installationVSAvoidcabling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cabling function from the front of the rack and relocates it to the backplane. Power cables and data cables are connected to components through backplane connectors rather than front-panel connections, removing the complex cabling management burden from the front of the rack and simplifying component installation and maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If standard racks are used for non-standard components, then rack compatibility is maintained, but proper adaptation is required adding complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent compatibilityVSAvoidadaptation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backplane provides a universal interface that can accommodate different component types and form factors. Through configurable power parameters and standardized backplane connectors, the system achieves multi-functionality and broad component compatibility without requiring complex physical adaptations for each component type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts to different components by changing power parameters (voltage, current, power delivery profiles) rather than requiring physical hardware modifications. The main controller configures power delivery based on detected component requirements, enabling standard racks to support non-standard components through parameter adjustment rather than structural adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual power delivery is used for each component, then power requirements can be met, but power management becomes inefficient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower requirement accommodationVSAvoidpower provisioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service power provisioning where the main controller automatically detects component insertion, identifies power requirements through backplane data connectors, and configures power delivery without manual intervention. This eliminates the need for operators to manually configure power settings for each component, significantly reducing provisioning time while maintaining adaptability to different power requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The backplane data connectors provide feedback about component presence and requirements to the main controller. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust power delivery parameters based on actual component needs, achieving both adaptability and efficiency through closed-loop control rather than manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If components are installed quickly without careful alignment, then installation speed increases, but improper alignment leads to equipment failure or bad connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The backplane connectors are pre-positioned and mechanically guided to ensure proper alignment before electrical contact is made. This preliminary mechanical guidance ensures that even when components are installed quickly without careful manual alignment, the connectors automatically engage in the correct position, maintaining both installation speed and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11617281B2Rack adapted for receiving a component, system including the rack and the component and method of delivering power to a component mounted in a rack

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 OVH

AI summary

A rack adapted for receiving a component, a system including the rack and the component and a method of delivering power to the component mounted in the rack are disclosed. The rack comprises a backplane, a power panel, and a main controller. Each stage of the backplane includes a backplane power connector and a backplane data connector that are respectively connectable to a component power connector and to a component data connector when the component is inserted in the backplane stage. The main controller detects an insertion of the component in a given backplane stage by receiving a signal emitted by the backplane data connector of that backplane stage, acquires a set of power parameters of the component, and causes the power panel to provide power to the backplane power connector of that backplane stage according to the set of power parameters of the component.