Server Back Plate Integrating Fan and Hard Disk Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing server designs face challenges in efficiently expanding components such as hard disks and fans within a limited space while maintaining effective heat dissipation and storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A server design that uses a back plate electrically connected to both the motherboard and fan modules, forming shared accommodating spaces with the base, allowing for increased numbers of hard disks and fans without the need for additional components, and utilizing a cable assembly for efficient assembly and cable management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the amount of hard disks and fans is increased to improve performance, then storage capacity and heat dissipation capability are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support functions for hard disks and fans into a single integrated back plate structure. The back plate simultaneously provides mounting surfaces, cable management pathways, and structural support for multiple components, reducing the need for separate support structures and simplifying the overall device architecture while enabling increased component density
Solution Approach 2:
The back plate serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support element, a mounting surface for hard disks and fans, a cable management system, and an electrical connection interface. This multi-functional design allows the same component to support increased numbers of hard disks and fans without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Quantity of substance
If the amount of hard disks and fans is increased to improve performance, then storage capacity and heat dissipation capability are improved, but the available space within the server is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by implementing a upright back plate structure that extends perpendicular to the base. This three-dimensional configuration allows hard disks and fans to be arranged in multiple rows and columns on different planes of the back plate, effectively increasing component capacity without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint and optimizing space utilization within the server chassis
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are added to support more hard disks and fans, then component expansion is enabled, but the assembly complexity and cable management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and consolidates all support functions into the back plate structure, removing the need for separate support brackets, mounting plates, and cable management components. By integrating these functions into a single structure, the system enables component expansion while reducing assembly complexity and eliminating the need for additional separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The back plate acts as an intermediary structure that provides integrated cable routing pathways and mounting interfaces. This intermediary design simplifies cable management by providing dedicated channels and attachment points, reducing the complexity of cable routing and connection when expanding the number of hard disks and fans
Data Source
AI summary
A server includes a motherboard, a base, a back plate, a hard disk and a fan module. The base is fixed on the motherboard. The back plate is placed upright on the base. The back plate and the base jointly form a fan accommodating space and a hard disk accommodating space. The back plate has a first side face and a second side face. The first side face faces the fan accommodating space. The second side face faces the hard disk accommodating space. The back plate is electrically connected to the motherboard. The hard disk is located in the hard disk accommodating space and electrically connected to the back plate. The fan module is located in the fan accommodating space and electrically connected to the back plate. The fan module is electrically connected to the motherboard via the back plate.