Rotating Server Carrier for Space-Constrained Chassis Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional server computer systems are space-constrained due to the design of carriers housing storage devices, which occupy a majority of the chassis length, preventing the addition of other computer components.

Innovation Solution

A carrier configured to extend orthogonally or obliquely within the chassis, allowing rotation to access computer components from the side, thereby reducing space usage while maintaining hot-swappability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the carrier is arranged parallel to the chassis length to allow front access for hot-swapping storage devices, then ease of operation is improved, but the volume occupied in the chassis increases, reducing adaptability for adding other components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to storage devicesVSAvoidspace occupied in chassis
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier is rotated 90 degrees relative to the chassis length, changing the orientation from parallel to perpendicular. This dimensional change allows the carrier to utilize the width dimension of the chassis rather than consuming length, thereby reducing the volume occupied along the chassis length while maintaining accessibility for hot-swapping operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the carrier extends the full length of the chassis to house storage devices, then the quantity of storage devices that can be housed is improved, but the volume occupied prevents addition of other computer components, reducing adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of storage devicesVSAvoidability to add other components
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By rotating the carrier 90 degrees to extend in the width direction rather than the length direction, the patent enables efficient use of chassis width space. This allows multiple carriers to be arranged side-by-side along the length, increasing the quantity of storage devices while leaving sufficient length space for other computer components, thereby improving adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If cables and connectors extend the length of the chassis to connect storage devices, then the reliability of connections is improved, but the volume occupied by cables and connectors increases, reducing adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidspace occupied by cables
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The perpendicular orientation of the carrier changes the path of cables and connectors from extending along the chassis length to extending across the chassis width. This dimensional change significantly reduces the volume occupied by cables along the length direction, creating more space for other components while maintaining connection reliability through proper cable routing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3672380B1Server computer system with rotating carrier
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 QUANTA COMPUTER INC
  • EP3672380B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3672380B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3672380B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The present disclosure describes a server computer system having a chassis, a carrier, and a pivot member configured to connect the carrier to the chassis. The pivot member further permits the carrier to rotate between a first position with a first carrier end within the chassis, and a second position with the first carrier end extending out of the chassis.