Data Center Rack Base With Multi-Directional Fork Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data center racks face challenges in maximizing efficiency due to the need for space to accommodate lifting machines and supporting significant weights, while also requiring cost-effective production.
Innovation Solution
A rack design with a frame featuring vertically extending wall supports and a base with strategically placed openings for fork engagement, allowing forklifts to maneuver in both lateral and depth directions, while maintaining rigidity and using sheet metal components for cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If openings are provided in the base for fork engagement, then the rack can be lifted and moved by forklifts, but the floor space available for racks is reduced due to the need for passages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides openings in the base that extend in both the lateral direction and the depth direction, allowing forklifts to approach and engage the rack from multiple directions. This multi-directional opening arrangement enables rack mobility without requiring large passages in a single direction, thus reducing the impact on floor space availability.
2Strength
If the rack structure is strengthened to support significant weight, then the rack can support heavy equipment, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack structure is divided into multiple components including vertical wall supports, a base with integrated openings, and horizontal reinforcement elements. These segmented components can be manufactured separately using cost-effective processes and then assembled together, allowing the structure to achieve high weight support capacity through strategic placement of reinforcing elements rather than uniform strengthening of the entire rack.
Solution Approach 2:
The base includes localized reinforcement features such as vertical web elements and integrated openings positioned at specific locations to concentrate strength where needed for weight support, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire structure. This localized approach maintains structural integrity for heavy equipment while reducing overall material usage and production cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the base is designed with integrated openings and reinforcement, then the rack achieves both mobility and strength, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the base structure with the opening features and reinforcement elements into an integrated component or pre-assembled unit. The vertical web elements, openings, and reinforcement structures are combined in a way that simplifies manufacturing while providing multi-directional fork engagement capabilities. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity despite the enhanced handling flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A rack for supporting data center equipment has a frame including vertical wall supports are connected to a base and extending upwardly therefrom. The base defines a first and second openings extending in a lateral direction for receiving a fork of a lifting machine along the lateral direction. The base includes: a first upper wall and a second upper wall defining in part the first opening and the second opening; a lower wall disposed between the upper walls along a depth direction of the rack and extending vertically lower than the upper walls; and two side walls extending vertically from the lower wall to a respective one of the upper walls. The two side walls and the lower wall together define a middle cavity. Each of the two side walls defines a third opening and a fourth opening for receiving the fork of the lifting machine along a depth direction.