Patent Application
20210213992
The present disclosure relates in general to information handling systems, and more particularly to the transportation of information handling systems.
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Various problems are known in the field of transportation and delivery of information handling systems, particularly in the enterprise context of rack-mounted systems including a plurality of standard-sized server information handling systems. Currently, integrated rack solutions are typically delivered to customers on a wooden pallet with foam (e.g., extruded polystyrene foam) to mitigate shock events. The shipping environment is extremely harsh, and integrated rack solutions can see significant forces, causing damage to the rack or the internal equipment. Further, existing solutions tend to involve large quantities of single-use packing and shipping materials that must be discarded after delivery.
This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/681,336 (Attorney Docket No. 102450.00614), filed Nov. 12, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. That application discusses in detail various embodiments of shippable “totes” that may be used as an all-in-one solution to dampen shock events via shock absorbers and/or isolators fully integrated into a server rack.
The present application addresses more specifically issues that may arise while moving such totes (e.g., loading totes into trucks or shipping containers, moving them around within a datacenter, etc.). For example, totes may be relatively tall, which can cause clearance issues with low ceilings, doorways, and the like. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to be able to lower the profile of a tote while passing through a low-clearance area.
On the other hand, constructing a tote that is always at its lowest possible height may present different challenges. For example, passing over a threshold or floor transition may be difficult if a tote has insufficient ground clearance. Accordingly, it may be advantageous to be able to raise the tote while passing over such obstacles, but lower the tote when passing through areas of low overhead clearance.
Additionally, while some embodiments may employ un-powered casters to allow totes to roll, other embodiments may be motorized. For example, one or more motors may be coupled to the wheels/casters of a tote. Such motorization may also aid in moving totes.
The use of techniques according to this disclosure may provide many benefits. It should be noted that for the sake of concreteness, this application describes the use of totes. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate its applicability to other designs as well.
It should also be noted that the discussion of a technique in the Background section of this disclosure does not constitute an admission of prior-art status. No such admissions are made herein, unless clearly and unambiguously identified as such.
In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with transportation of information handling systems may be reduced or eliminated.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus may include an enclosure that includes a plurality of mounting features that are configured to receive information handling systems. A base may be disposed below the enclosure, coupled to the enclosure, and may include a plurality of wheels. The base may be coupled to the enclosure via a height adjustment mechanism configured to lower and raise the enclosure relative to the base.
In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include forming an enclosure that includes a plurality of mounting features that are configured to receive information handling systems; and coupling a base to the enclosure, wherein the base is disposed below the enclosure and includes a plurality of wheels. The base may be coupled to the enclosure via a height adjustment mechanism configured to lower and raise the enclosure relative to the base.
Technical advantages of the present disclosure may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, description and claims included herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory and are not restrictive of the claims set forth in this disclosure.
A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference to
For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “information handling system” may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a consumer electronic device, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (“CPU”) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input/output (“I/O”) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communication between the various hardware components.
For purposes of this disclosure, when two or more elements are referred to as “coupled” to one another, such term indicates that such two or more elements are in electronic communication or mechanical communication, as applicable, whether connected directly or indirectly, with or without intervening elements.
When two or more elements are referred to as “coupleable” to one another, such term indicates that they are capable of being coupled together.
For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “computer-readable medium” (e.g., transitory or non-transitory computer-readable medium) may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; communications media such as wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of the foregoing.
For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “information handling resource” may broadly refer to any component system, device, or apparatus of an information handling system, including without limitation processors, service processors, basic input/output systems, buses, memories, I/O devices and/or interfaces, storage resources, network interfaces, motherboards, and/or any other components and/or elements of an information handling system.
Processor 103 may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, and may include, without limitation, a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In some embodiments, processor 103 may interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data stored in memory 104 and/or another component of information handling system 102.
Memory 104 may be communicatively coupled to processor 103 and may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory 104 may include RAM, EEPROM, a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitable selection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to information handling system 102 is turned off.
As shown in
Network interface 108 may comprise one or more suitable systems, apparatuses, or devices operable to serve as an interface between information handling system 102 and one or more other information handling systems via an in-band network. Network interface 108 may enable information handling system 102 to communicate using any suitable transmission protocol and/or standard. In these and other embodiments, network interface 108 may comprise a network interface card, or “NIC.” In these and other embodiments, network interface 108 may be enabled as a local area network (LAN)-on-motherboard (LOM) card.
As discussed above, various problems are known in the art of transportation and delivery of information handling systems (e.g., information handling system 102). Accordingly, a transportation apparatus referred to herein as a tote may be used as an all-in-one solution that dampens shock events via shock absorbers and/or isolators fully integrated into a server rack, having a ship loadable design. Such a tote may be made of any suitable material (e.g., steel).
Turning now to
In some embodiments, tote 200 may be usable only for transport of information handling systems (e.g., it may not be configured for powering and operating such systems while they are received in the rack).
The rack may be isolated from vibrations during transit via the use of isolators 206. In various embodiments, isolators 206 may be wire rope, elastomeric, or any other suitable type of isolator. In the embodiment shown, isolators 206 are of the wire rope type. In some embodiments, tote 200 may also include lateral shock absorbers for protection from bumps that it may experience during integration and transportation (e.g., running into other racks, walls, truck walls, etc.).
Base portion 208 may also include casters 210 (e.g., four casters 210), which may be installed in an “outrigger” configuration. For example, enclosure portion 202 has a height H, a width W, and a depth D as shown. The width and the depth may define a footprint for enclosure portion 202, and casters 210 may be disposed in positions that are laterally displaced such that they reside outside of the footprint of enclosure portion 202. In the embodiment shown, casters 210 may be shock-absorbing casters. For example, they may have integral shock dampers and/or may be mounted on shock-damping mounts.
The outrigger configuration for casters 210 may provide additional stability, when compared to a configuration in which casters 210 are within the footprint of enclosure portion 202 (e.g., below enclosure portion 202). Further, the displacement of casters 210 along the width direction but not along the depth direction may allow for the total depth of tote 200 may be minimized, allowing for movement through narrow doors, elevators, etc. Further, the need for pallet jacks may be eliminated.
The configuration of casters 210 and isolators 206 shown may further allow tote 200 to have a reduced total height, easing travel in constrained spaces.
In these and other embodiments, casters 210 may comprise wheels that may be motorized. For example, as discussed below with reference to
Enclosure 402 of tote 400 may be coupled to base 404 (which may include casters 408) via one or more height adjustment mechanisms. In the embodiment shown, one height adjustment may be used above each of the four casters 408. In other embodiments, different arrangements may be used, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. In some embodiments, base 404 may be a single, connected component that comprises all of the casters 408. In other embodiments, base 404 may comprise multiple portions that are not directly connected to one another.
Height adjustment mechanisms 406 may include, for example, hydraulic actuators. In these and other embodiments, height adjustment mechanisms 406 may include a telescoping member that may be disposed between a lower surface (e.g., a caster platform) and an upper surface (e.g., a horizontal member coupled to enclosure 402). In these and other embodiments, height adjustment mechanisms 406 may include one or more levers, scissor jacks, etc. In these and other embodiments, height adjustment mechanisms 406 may be actuated manually, motorized, actuated wirelessly, etc.
Other types of height adjustment mechanisms 406 and locations for height adjustment mechanisms 406 will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.
As shown in
In some embodiments, couplers 504 and 506 may be bolted to totes 500 and 502 (e.g., manually). In these and other embodiments, couplers 504 and 506 may be attached to totes 500 and 502 via an electromechanical actuator. For example, such an actuator may receive a wireless signal operable to cause the actuator to secure itself to the respective totes and lock them in place. Another wireless signal may be employed to cause the actuator to release itself from the respective totes. Such wireless signals may be transmitted from, for example, a mobile device of a datacenter employee or shipper tasked with moving the totes. In some embodiments, rather than being bolted together, the couplers may be attached to the totes via the use of drop-in pins.
As shown in
In some embodiments, totes 500 and 502 may be controlled wirelessly via antennas 507. For example, a shipper or a datacenter employee may remotely control the movement of totes 500 and 502 via a wireless device such as a smartphone. In other embodiments, voice control, etc. may be employed. In some embodiments, such remote control may be relatively direct, with the wireless device issuing commands such as forward, reverse, left, right, etc.
In other embodiments, however, totes 500 and 502 may include a degree of intelligence or autonomy. In such embodiments, the wireless device may issue higher-level commands such as telling the totes to travel to a given location, without specifying the details about how they should accomplish that goal. In such a situation, the totes may then autonomously execute path-finding algorithms and the like (e.g., including receiving input from one or more cameras mounted on the totes, on a flying drone, on the walls, or elsewhere). The totes may then travel to the desired destination without further input or micromanagement. Totes 500 and 502 may include on-board power supplies (e.g., batteries) that may be charged (e.g., inductively) while they are not in motion.
In the embodiment of
Although various possible advantages with respect to embodiments of this disclosure have been described, one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will understand that in any particular embodiment, not all of such advantages may be applicable. In any particular embodiment, some, all, or even none of the listed advantages may apply.
This disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Similarly, where appropriate, the appended claims encompass all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Moreover, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, or component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative.
Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. However, in some embodiments, articles depicted in the drawings may be to scale.
Further, reciting in the appended claims that a structure is “configured to” or “operable to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) for that claim element. Accordingly, none of the claims in this application as filed are intended to be interpreted as having means-plus-function elements. Should Applicant wish to invoke § 112(f) during prosecution, Applicant will recite claim elements using the “means for [performing a function]” construct.
All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
