Server Sled Sliding Contact Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional server tray configurations with flexible power cables occupy significant space and impede airflow within the chassis, limiting cooling efficiency due to the need for cables that match the tray's travel length.
Innovation Solution
A continuously powered server sled system featuring a power tray with elongate conductors and conductive elements on a side-plane PCB, ensuring constant power supply as the sled moves, eliminating the need for long power cables and enhancing airflow by reducing cable length within the chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible power cable is made long enough to match the tray's travel length, then continuous power supply is maintained, but the cable occupies significant space and impedes airflow within the chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The power cable is replaced with a dynamic sliding contact mechanism consisting of conductive elements on the tray and corresponding conductive contacts on the chassis. This dynamic interface maintains continuous electrical connection during tray movement without requiring a long flexible cable, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable power supply and space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible power cable is extracted and replaced with a rigid conductor system integrated into the tray and chassis structures. The conductive elements are embedded in the tray bottom wall and engage with contacts on the chassis, eliminating the need for a long flexible cable while maintaining continuous power supply.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a long power cable is used to provide power throughout the entire tray travel, then power is continuously supplied, but the cable impedes airflow and limits cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The static long cable is replaced with a dynamic sliding contact system that maintains electrical connection during tray movement. The conductive elements slide along guide surfaces, providing continuous power without the airflow obstruction caused by a long flexible cable, thus improving cooling efficiency while maintaining power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible mechanical cable system is replaced with an electrical contact system using conductive elements and contacts. This substitution eliminates the need for a long flexible cable that obstructs airflow, allowing unimpeded cooling while maintaining continuous power supply through electrical conduction.
3Ease of operation
If the power cable length equals the tray length, then full tray access is enabled, but the cable occupies considerable space when the tray is fully inside the chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The power connection transitions from a static long cable to a dynamic sliding contact mechanism. The conductive elements on the tray engage with contacts on the chassis and maintain connection during the entire range of motion, enabling full tray access without requiring a long cable that would occupy space when the tray is retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The power connection is moved from a linear cable extending along the tray travel path to a planar sliding contact interface. The conductive elements slide along guide surfaces on the chassis, transferring the connection from a three-dimensional cable volume to a two-dimensional contact interface, thus reducing space occupation while maintaining full access.
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
This solution maintains continuous power to server components while minimizing space occupation and improving airflow by allowing the sled to slide freely without the constraints of lengthy power cables, thereby enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing thermal management challenges.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of conductive elements are mounted on the PCB and are positioned for sliding contact with the pair of elongate conductors
Data Source
AI summary
Technology is provided for a server platform with a continuously powered server sled. The server platform includes a cubby chassis including partitions defining a plurality of sled positions. A power tray is located in a corresponding one of the plurality of sled positions and a server sled is positioned on and continuously powered by the power tray. The power tray includes a tray chassis having a tray sidewall and a tray bottom wall. A pair of elongate conductors extend along the tray sidewall. A tray connector is mounted on the tray bottom wall and is in electrical communication with the pair of elongate conductors. The server sled includes a sled chassis having a chassis sidewall and a chassis bottom wall. A side-plane printed circuit board is mounted to the chassis sidewall and includes a pair of conductive elements positioned for sliding contact with the elongate conductors.