High-Density SSD Cassette With Vibration Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in deploying solid-state technology ubiquitously across enterprises is its high cost, which hinders widespread adoption despite offering superior performance and reliability compared to traditional spinning disk storage, necessitating a cost-efficient and robust solution for next-generation data center infrastructures.

Innovation Solution

A high-density solid-state storage unit comprising a base section and a cassette section with a bridge board for electronic connection, energy transfer, and vibration reduction, along with a trusted platform module for data security, enabling secure and efficient access to multiple solid-state storage modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If solid-state technology is deployed to improve performance and reliability, then storage speed and IOPS are significantly improved, but deployment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage speedVSAvoiddeployment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is divided into modular components: a base section and a removable cassette section containing multiple SSD modules arranged vertically. This segmentation allows flexible configuration and reduces overall system cost by enabling selective deployment of solid-state modules based on performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

SSD modules are arranged in a vertical fashion from front to back of the cassette section, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase storage density without expanding the horizontal footprint, thereby improving space efficiency and reducing facility costs.

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

2Quantity of substance

If solid-state storage modules are densely packed to increase capacity, then storage density is improved, but physical damage and vibration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidphysical damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base section includes one or more structures forming a plurality of environmental zones, with at least one zone designated for the cassette section. These structures provide vibration reduction and physical protection for the densely packed SSD modules before damage can occur, enabling high-density configuration without compromising module integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple SSD modules are nested vertically within a single cassette section, which itself is inserted into the base section. This nested arrangement maximizes storage capacity within a compact form factor while the base section's environmental zones provide protective cushioning for all modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Area of stationary object

If multiple solid-state storage modules are integrated into a single unit to improve efficiency, then space utilization is improved, but data security challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The removable cassette section contains multiple SSD modules and can be physically separated from the base section. This segmentation enables secure data storage by allowing the cassette to be removed and stored in a secure location, while the base section remains stationary and protected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cassette section acts as an intermediary between the SSD modules and the external environment. It provides a secure interface with an interface through which the SSD modules are accessible to the base section, controlling and monitoring access to the storage modules while maintaining physical security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3454168B1Systems and methods for packaging high density ssds
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP3454168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3454168B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3454168B1 patent drawingFigure 2E

AI summary

A high-density solid-state storage unit including a base section and a cassette section, wherein the base section comprises one or more structures configured to separate the airflow exiting the cassette section from the airflow exiting the base section, thereby providing dual environmental zones and enabling the cassette section to operate under different environmental conditions from the base section.