Rotating Hardware Ports for Cable Bend Radius Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In densely packed modular computing systems, cable bend radius requirements for high-speed connections like 10 Gb Ethernet and Infiniband are difficult to meet due to space constraints, leading to performance degradation as cables are bent excessively.
Innovation Solution
Automatically orienting hardware ports in computing devices to optimize cable connections by determining the location of ports and transmitting instructions to position them based on orientation information, using rotatable face plates and motor-controlled adjustment rods to adjust port angles and maintain cable integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If modular computing devices are densely packed in restricted spaces, then space utilization is improved, but cable bend radius requirements cannot be met leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements rotatable face plates with motor-controlled adjustment rods that enable dynamic repositioning of hardware ports. This allows the system to adapt cable routing paths in real-time, maintaining proper bend radius even in densely packed configurations where static port positions would cause excessive cable bending and performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an additional degree of freedom by allowing ports to rotate and reposition in multiple directions. Instead of fixed two-dimensional port arrangements, the system utilizes three-dimensional spatial adjustment capabilities to optimize cable paths and maintain acceptable bend radii in constrained environments.
2Device complexity
If hardware ports are fixed in position, then device structure is simplified, but cable routing cannot be optimized leading to excessive bending and performance loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed ports to dynamically adjustable ports using motorized adjustment rods and rotatable face plates. This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize cable routing for each specific installation scenario while maintaining relatively simple overall device architecture through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated port positioning capabilities where the computing device itself adjusts its port orientations to optimize cable routing. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual port repositioning during installation while ensuring optimal cable performance without requiring complex external routing infrastructure.
3Area of stationary object
If cables are routed in restricted spaces, then space efficiency is improved, but mechanical stress on cables increases causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing dynamically adjustable port positions, the system can adapt cable routing paths to minimize mechanical stress. The motorized adjustment rods and rotatable face plates enable real-time optimization of cable angles and routing geometry, distributing mechanical stress more evenly even within restricted spatial envelopes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial parameters of port positions and orientations to optimize cable routing. By adjusting port locations in three-dimensional space, the system can maintain larger effective cable bend radii and reduce mechanical stress concentrations, all within the constraints of the physical device footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
Automatically orienting hardware ports in a computing device, including: determining a location of a first hardware port configured to receive a first cable connector of a cable; determining a location of a second hardware port configured to receive a second cable connector of the cable; determining, in dependence upon the location of the first hardware port and the location of the second hardware port, orientation information for at least one of the hardware ports; and transmitting an instruction to position at least one of the hardware ports in accordance with the orientation information.