Data Center Rack Pedestals for Stacked Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rack systems for data centers face limitations in adaptability and load distribution when stacking server racks, as supporting frames must be pre-dimensioned and conduits require additional support, leading to excessive load on the bottommost racks.
Innovation Solution
A rack system with stackable chassis and supporting pedestals that distribute load over a larger area, allowing flexible rack arrangement and incorporating conduit channels within the pedestals for efficient space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If server racks are stacked atop one another to use vertical space efficiently, then space utilization is improved, but the load on the bottommost rack increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
A supporting frame structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the stacked server racks and the floor. This frame distributes the weight load across multiple racks in the stack rather than concentrating it on the bottommost rack, enabling safer vertical stacking while maintaining floor load limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from horizontal rack arrangement to vertical stacking by utilizing the vertical dimension. Multiple racks are arranged in vertical columns, allowing efficient use of vertical space while the supporting frame ensures load distribution across the vertical stack.
2Force
If a supporting frame is built to support stacked racks, then load distribution is improved, but adaptability to rack configuration changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting frame is designed with adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow it to adapt to different rack configurations. The frame can be modified to accommodate changes in the number, size, and arrangement of racks, providing both load distribution and configurability.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting frame is divided into modular segments that can be independently adjusted or reconfigured. This segmentation allows the frame to adapt to different rack arrangements while maintaining effective load distribution across each segment.
3Ease of operation
If conduits are routed through the data center with server racks, then service functionality is improved, but additional load on the bottommost rack deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Conduits are extracted from the rack structure and routed through dedicated pathways in the supporting frame or through wall cavities. This separation removes the conduit weight from the rack load, allowing racks to be stacked higher without increasing the bottommost rack's burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting frame serves as an intermediary structure that carries both the racks and the conduits. By integrating conduit support into the frame rather than relying on racks for conduit bearing, the solution maintains service functionality while preventing additional conduit load from being transferred to the racks.
Data Source
AI summary
A rack system for a data center includes: a plurality of racks configured to house electronic equipment therein, at least one rack column being formed by at least some of the racks being disposed above one another, each rack having a rack depth measured in a front-to-rear direction; and at least one supporting pedestal disposed below the at least one rack column in order to support the at least one rack column, the at least one supporting pedestal being configured to be positioned on a ground surface of the data center to distribute a load of the at least one rack column on the ground surface, each of the at least one supporting pedestal having a pedestal depth measured in the front-to-rear direction, the pedestal depth being greater than the rack depth, a ratio of the pedestal depth over the rack depth being between 1.2 and 2.5 inclusively.