Data Center Rack Hook Positioning for Vibration-Stable Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Properly positioning data center racks on a rack-supporting frame to avoid weight imbalances and ensure stability is challenging due to subjective visual observation and vibrations from seismic activity or equipment movement, which can lead to instability and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where attachment members with hook portions and spring portions are used to connect data center racks to a rack-supporting frame, allowing for precise lateral positioning and elastic deformation to absorb vibrations, ensuring stable and balanced rack placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual observation by operators is used to position racks, then the positioning process can be performed with simple equipment, but the positioning precision is low and subjective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces attachment members with hook portions as intermediaries between the rack and the supporting frame. These hook portions engage with the vertical support units to provide precise lateral positioning, eliminating the need for complex measurement equipment while achieving accurate positioning through mechanical engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment members are designed to self-position laterally through the engagement of hook portions with vertical support units. The system uses its own structural components (hook portions and support units) to achieve precise positioning without requiring external measurement or adjustment equipment.
2Area of stationary object
If racks are positioned one above another to save space, then the space utilization is improved, but the stability is reduced due to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates spring portions in the attachment members that can elastically deform to absorb vibrations before they affect the rack stability. This beforehand cushioning mechanism protects the stacked racks from vibrations generated by seismic activity or equipment movement, maintaining stability while allowing vertical stacking for space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment members transition from a rigid state during positioning to a flexible state during vibration absorption. The spring portions allow the attachment members to change their mechanical properties, providing rigidity for precise positioning and flexibility for vibration absorption, thereby maintaining stability in stacked configurations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If attachment members with spring portions are used to absorb vibrations, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positioning function and vibration absorption function into a single integrated attachment member. The attachment member combines rigid portions for positioning with spring portions for vibration absorption, eliminating the need for separate vibration isolation components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment member is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both lateral positioning (through hook portions engaging with support units) and vibration absorption (through spring portions). This universal component reduces device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single element.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient, precise, and stable positioning of data center racks, preventing weight imbalances and tilting, while absorbing vibrations, thus enhancing safety and equipment reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring portion extending between the rack attachment portion and the frame attachment portion, allowing elastic deformation of the attachment member such that the rack attachment portion is movable relative to the frame attachment portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for positioning a data center rack relative to a rack-supporting frame. The method includes connecting at least one front attachment member to the data center rack on a front side thereof such that part of one of the at least one front attachment member and part of one of the at least one front attachment member extend leftward from a left end and rightward from a right end respectively of the data center rack; lifting and inserting the data center rack between a left and a right vertical support units until the at least one front attachment member abuts the left and right vertical support units; and moving the data center rack leftward or rightward until a hook portion of the at least one front attachment member engages the left or right vertical support unit to set a lateral position of the data center rack.