Low down seismic shock rack design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional earthquake-resistant frames for electronic equipment are ineffective in upper stories of buildings during strong seismic activity due to increased horizontal acceleration levels, as they are designed for lower natural vibrational frequencies and lack adequate protection against shaking forces.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber apparatus comprising an upper rack frame, a middle plate, and a lower rack frame with rail assemblies, spring modules, air cushion modules, and dampers to restrict movement along specific axes, and a levering feet device for secure floor attachment, which absorbs seismic energy and dissipates vibrations across all frequency ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional frames are made rigid with massive section structures to withstand severe earthquakes, then the frame can protect electronic equipment from damage, but the frame becomes extremely heavy and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the natural frequency parameter of the rack system from conventional low-frequency rigid designs to a high-frequency design (18-30 Hz) by incorporating spring modules and dampers, allowing the system to resonate at frequencies higher than earthquake excitations without requiring massive structural weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining rigid frame elements with flexible spring modules and damper elements, creating a hybrid system that provides both structural support and seismic isolation without the weight penalty of purely rigid massive structures
2Reliability
If conventional frames are mounted securely upon concrete floor to achieve natural vibrational frequency of 6.5 Hz, then telecommunications equipment can be protected, but the frame becomes ineffective when mounted upon above ground floors where horizontal acceleration levels increase from floor-to-floor upwardly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static rigid frame into a dynamic system with adjustable natural frequency (18-30 Hz) that can adapt to different mounting locations, using spring modules and dampers that allow the system to maintain effectiveness whether mounted on ground floor or upper stories where seismic acceleration varies
3Stability of the object's composition
If rack systems are bolted down to the floor to limit effects of strong earthquakes, then the risk of rack system tipping over is reduced, but computing devices in the racks are not protected from damage caused by shaking in the portions of the rack above the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rack system into multiple independent suspension levels with spring modules at different heights, allowing each segment to independently absorb seismic shocks and reduce the transmission of shaking forces to electronic components while maintaining overall system stability through the bolted floor connection
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 shock absorber apparatus effectively minimizes damage to electronic equipment by absorbing seismic energy and maintaining stability during earthquakes, ensuring operational telecommunications equipment even in upper stories by dissipating vibrations and countering increased acceleration levels.
Implementation Method 1
The middle plate includes a first set of spring modules for the first axis and a second set of spring modules for the second axis
Implementation Method 2
The lower rack frame includes a set of dampers preventing movement of the rack server in a third axis
Implementation Method 3
The middle plate includes a first set of air cushion modules for the first axis and a second set of air cushion modules for the second axis
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber apparatus is provided that includes an upper rack frame, a middle plate, and a lower rack frame. The upper rack frame is configured to secure a bottom frame of a rack server. The upper rack frame includes a first set of rail assemblies. The middle plate includes a second set of rail assemblies and a first set of carriers corresponding with the first set of rail assemblies of the upper rack frame. The first set of rail assemblies is configured to restrict movement of the first plurality of carriers to a first axis. The lower rack frame includes a second set of carriers corresponding with the second set of rail assemblies of the middle plate. The second set of rail assemblies is configured to restrict movement of the second plurality of carriers to a second axis.