Server Cooling Pipe Support Structure for Hose Entanglement Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In server racks with multiple servers, connecting and managing numerous supply and discharge hoses for cooling units is challenging due to entanglement, damage risk, and difficulty in visual inspection during insertion and removal, necessitating careful handling to avoid hose entanglement and coupler damage.
Innovation Solution
A pipe protection device with support parts and connecting mechanisms for supply and discharge pipes, featuring recesses and couplers that stabilize and organize hoses and couplers within a server housing, preventing interference and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple supply pipes and discharge pipes are connected to cooling units in a multi-stage server rack, then cooling coverage is improved, but pipe entanglement and damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe management system is segmented into individual pipe support structures, each with dedicated recesses for specific pipes. This segmentation allows each pipe to be independently managed and positioned, preventing entanglement while maintaining multiple cooling connections across server rack stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe support structure uses nested recesses where smaller pipes can be positioned within or alongside larger pipe pathways. This nesting arrangement organizes multiple pipes of different diameters in a compact, ordered fashion, reducing entanglement risk while preserving comprehensive cooling coverage.
2Ease of operation
If pipes are pulled out for server insertion/removal, then server mobility is improved, but visual inspection difficulty and coupler damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe support structure is pre-configured with recesses and positioning features that guide pipes into correct positions before server insertion or removal operations begin. This preliminary arrangement ensures pipes are properly aligned and visible, reducing inspection difficulty and preventing coupler damage during mobility operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe support structure acts as an intermediary between the movable server and the fixed piping system. It provides a stable, organized interface that maintains pipe visibility and proper positioning during server insertion and removal, mediating the conflict between server mobility and pipe management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pipes are loosely arranged for ease of connection, then connection flexibility is improved, but pipe interference with other members increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe support structure implements local quality by providing specific recesses and positioning features at different locations along the pipe path. This allows pipes to be flexibly connected at various points while maintaining proper spacing and orientation, preventing interference with other rack members through localized structural guidance.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
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AI summary
A pipe protection device which is provided at a supply-side coupler provided at an end portion of a supply pipe which supplies a heat exchange medium to a heat exchange unit, and a discharge-side coupler provided at an end portion of a discharge pipe from which the heat exchange medium, which is supplied from the supply pipe to the heat exchange unit, is discharged, includes a supply-side support part having a recess along a contour of part of the supply pipe, a discharge-side support part having a recess along a contour of part of the discharge pipe, and a connecting part which supports the supply-side support part and the discharge-side support part at a predetermined interval and connects the supply-side support part and the discharge-side support part to a housing constituting a server.