Apparatus, system, and method for reducing chassis depths in connection with power supply units

An apparatus may include (1) a terminal connector configured to be electrically coupled to a power interface of a computing device, (2) an inline terminal block assembly that is independent of the terminal connector, (3) at least one terminal-side power cable configured to be electrically coupled between the terminal connector and the inline terminal block assembly, and (4) at least one distribution-side power cable configured to be electrically coupled between the inline terminal block assembly and a power distribution system.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunications systems (such as routers and/or switches) often call for and/or necessitate Direct Current (DC) power for operation. To facilitate the distribution of such DC power, some conventional telecommunications systems may be designed to accept power supply units via DC terminal blocks. In some examples, the DC terminal blocks may be incorporated into the power supply units, which are often coupled to the back of the telecommunications systems' chassis and/or housings. Unfortunately, such power supply units may be fairly large in size and thus consume a significant amount of space in places (e.g., datacenters) where such space is limited, costly, and/or in high demand.

Accordingly, the size and/or dimensions of such power supply units may present certain spatial challenges and/or constraints for datacenters and/or their administrators. For example, the size and/or dimensions of such power supply units may add significantly to the overall depth requirements of the telecommunications systems. The instant disclosure, therefore, identifies and addresses a need for apparatuses, systems, and methods for reducing chassis depths in connection with power supply units.

SUMMARY

As will be described in greater detail below, the instant disclosure generally relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for reducing chassis depths in connection with power supply units. In one example, an apparatus for accomplishing such a task may include (1) a terminal connector configured to be electrically coupled to a power interface of a computing device, (2) an inline terminal block assembly that is independent of the terminal connector, (3) at least one terminal-side power cable configured to be electrically coupled between the terminal connector and the inline terminal block assembly, and (4) at least one distribution-side power cable configured to be electrically coupled between the inline terminal block assembly and a power distribution system.

Similarly, a system for accomplishing such a task may include (1) a computing device, (2) a terminal connector configured to be electrically coupled to a power interface of the computing device, (3) an inline terminal block assembly that is independent of the terminal connector, (4) at least one terminal-side power cable configured to be electrically coupled between the terminal connector and the inline terminal block assembly, and (5) at least one distribution-side power cable configured to be electrically coupled between the inline terminal block assembly and a power distribution system.

A corresponding method may include (1) electrically coupling a terminal connector to a power interface on a back of a computing device housing, (2) electrically coupling at least one terminal-side power cable between the terminal connector and an inline terminal block assembly that is independent of the terminal connector, (3) electrically coupling at least one distribution-side power cable between the inline terminal block and a power distribution system, and (4) mounting the inline terminal block to a side of the computing device housing such that the terminal connector and the inline terminal block are physically separated from one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure describes various apparatuses, systems, and methods for reducing chassis depths in connection with power supply units. As will be explained in greater detail below, embodiments of the instant disclosure may include and/or involve a terminal connector and an inline terminal block that are physically independent of one another. In some examples, the terminal connector and the inline terminal block may be electrically coupled to one another by a terminal-side power cable. Similarly, the inline terminal block and a power distribution system may be electrically coupled to one another by a distribution-side power cable.

In such examples, the terminal connector may be electrically coupled to a power interface on the back of a computing device's chassis and/or housing. Although the terminal connector is electrically coupled to the power interface on the back of the chassis and/or housing, the inline terminal block may be mounted and/or fixed to a side of the chassis and/or housing. By mounting and/or fixing the inline terminal block to the side of the chassis and/or housing instead of maintaining such a terminal block in the back of the chassis and/or housing, embodiments of the instant disclosure may be able to reduce and/or decrease the overall depth requirement of the computing device, thereby mitigating and/or improving the spatial challenges or constraints faced in the corresponding datacenter and/or by its administrator.

The following will provide, with reference toFIG.1-7, detailed descriptions of an exemplary apparatuses, systems, configurations, and/or implementations for reducing chassis depths in connection with power supply units. In addition, the discussion corresponding toFIG.8will provide a detailed description of an exemplary method for reducing chassis depths in connection with power supply units.

FIG.1illustrates an exemplary apparatus100for reducing chassis depths in connection with power supply units. In some examples, exemplary apparatus100may represent all or a portion of a power supply unit that facilitates the delivery of electric power to a computing device (not necessarily illustrated inFIG.1). As illustrated inFIG.1, exemplary apparatus100may include and/or represent a terminal connector104configured to be electrically coupled to a power interface of the computing device. In addition, apparatus100may also include and/or represent an inline terminal block assembly102that is physically independent of terminal connector104.

As further illustrated inFIG.1, exemplary apparatus100may include and/or represent at least one terminal-side power cable106configured to be electrically coupled between terminal connector104and inline terminal block assembly102. In addition, exemplary apparatus100may include and/or represent at least one distribution-side power cable108configured to be electrically coupled between inline terminal block assembly102and a power distribution system (not necessarily illustrated inFIG.1).

In some examples, terminal connector104may include and/or represent a structure, housing, and/or connection mechanism that facilitates electrically coupling terminal-side power cable106to the computing device. In one example, terminal connector104may include and/or represent one or more terminal lugs (e.g., single-holed lugs) electrically coupled to terminal-side power cable106. Additionally or alternatively, terminal connector104may cover and/or at least partially enclose one or more terminal lugs (e.g., a single-holed lugs) electrically coupled to terminal-side power cable106.

Terminal connector104may be of various shapes and/or dimensions. In some examples, terminal connector104may form a square, a rectangle, a cube, and/or a cuboid. Additional examples of shapes formed by terminal connector104include, without limitation, ovals, circles, cylinders, disks, variations or combinations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable shapes.

Terminal connector104may be sized in a particular way to house and/or cover one or more terminal lugs coupled to terminal-side power cable106. Ideally, terminal connector104may be as small as possible to facilitate reducing the overall depth and/or size of the chassis or housing of the computing device. Terminal connector104may include and/or contain any of a variety of materials. Examples of such materials include, without limitation, plastics, ceramics, polymers, composites, metals, variations or combinations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable materials.

In some examples, inline terminal block assembly102may include and/or represent a structure, housing, and/or connection mechanism that facilitates electrically coupling distribution-side power cable108to terminal-side power cable106. In one example, inline terminal block assembly102may include and/or represent one or more terminal lugs (e.g., two-holed lugs) electrically coupled to distribution-side power cable108and/or terminal-side power cable106. Additionally or alternatively, inline terminal block assembly102may cover and/or at least partially enclose one or more terminal lugs (e.g., two-holed lugs) electrically coupled to distribution-side power cable108and/or terminal-side power cable106.

Inline terminal block assembly102may be of various shapes and/or dimensions. In some examples, inline terminal block assembly102may form a square, a rectangle, a cube, and/or a cuboid. Additional examples of shapes formed by inline terminal block assembly102include, without limitation, ovals, circles, cylinders, disks, variations or combinations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable shapes.

Inline terminal block assembly102may be sized in a particular way to house and/or cover one or more terminal lugs coupled to terminal-side power cable106. Ideally, inline terminal block assembly102may be as small as possible to facilitate reducing the overall width, length, and/or size of the chassis or housing of the computing device. Inline terminal block assembly102may include and/or contain any of a variety of materials. Examples of such materials include, without limitation, plastics, ceramics, polymers, composites, metals, variations or combinations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable materials.

In some examples, apparatus100may serve as an electrical interface and/or conduit between a power distribution system (not necessarily illustrated inFIG.1) and the computing device. Accordingly, apparatus100may carry and/or transfer electric current and/or power (e.g., direct current and/or power) from the power distribution system to the computing device.

FIG.2illustrates an exploded view of exemplary apparatus200for reducing chassis depths in connection with power supply units. As illustrated inFIG.2, exemplary apparatus200may include and/or represent terminal connector104, inline terminal block assembly102, terminal-side power cable106, and distribution-side power cable108. In some examples, terminal connector104may include and/or represent a terminal cover236that at least partially envelops and/or encloses single-holed lugs214and234, respectively. Terminal cover236may exhibit various colors. In one example, terminal cover236may be transparent in color.

In some examples, inline terminal block assembly102may include and/or represent a block base204and a block cover206capable of being physically coupled together. When coupled together in this way, block base204and block cover206may secure, support, and/or at least partially envelope or enclose a bus bar216. Block base204and block cover206may exhibit various colors. In one example, block base204and/or block cover206may be black in color.

In some examples, terminal-side power cable106may include and/or represent a positive cable210and a negative cable212. As illustrated inFIG.2, positive cable210may be terminated with single-holed lug214at the end incorporated into and/or covered by terminal connector104. Additionally or alternatively, positive cable210may be terminated with double-holed lug218at the end incorporated into and/or covered by inline terminal block assembly102.

Similarly, negative cable212may be terminated with single-holed lug234at the end incorporated into and/or covered by terminal connector104. Additionally or alternatively, negative cable212may be terminated with double-holed lug220at the end incorporated into and/or covered by inline terminal block assembly102.

In some examples, distribution-side power cable108may include and/or represent a positive cable228and a negative cable230. As illustrated inFIG.2, positive cable228may be terminated with double-holed lug222at the end incorporated into and/or covered by inline terminal block assembly102. Additionally or alternatively, negative cable230may be terminated with double-holed lug224at the end incorporated into and/or covered by inline terminal block assembly102.

Terminal-side power cable106and distribution-side power cable108may each be of various shapes and/or dimensions. Terminal-side power cable106and distribution-side power cable108may each be sized in a particular way to ensure the capability of transferring and/or carrying a certain amount of electric power (e.g., 2200 watts). In one example, terminal-side power cable106may include and/or represent 6 American Wire Gauge (AWG) wiring and/or cabling of approximately 10 inches in length. Additionally or alternatively, distribution-side power cable108may include and/or represent 4 AWG wiring and/or cabling.

In some examples, bus bar216may electrically couple terminal-side power cable106and distribution-side power cable108to one another. In one example, bus bar216may be set and/or fixed in block base204. In this example, bus bar216may include and/or form one or more sets of studs226configured to support one or more electrical couplings between terminal-side power cable106and distribution-side power side108. For example, studs226may protrude from bus bar216as posts onto which the lugs of terminal-side power cable106and distribution-side power side108are secured and/or placed for establishing electrical coupling(s). In this example, the holes of the lugs may be set and/or placed over or onto studs226of bus bar216. One or more sets of nuts232may be applied, secured, and/or screwed atop the lugs of terminal-side power cable106and distribution-side power side108on studs226.

In a specific embodiment, bus bar216may include a pair of 2.5 millimeter copper plates that each have a pair of M6-sized studs. In this embodiment, nuts232may include and/or represent four M6-sized nuts that mate with the M6-sized studs of bus bar216. Additionally or alternatively, the various terminal lugs may each include and/or represent a 4 AWG and/or 6 AWG single-holed barrel and/or rectangular lug.

The various components of apparatus200inFIG.2may include and/or contain any of a variety of materials (e.g., electrically conductive materials). For example, terminal-side power cable106, distribution-side power cable108, bus bar216, and lugs214,234,218, and220may each include and/or contain copper materials. Additional examples of such materials include, without limitation, copper, aluminum, silver, gold, alloys of one or more of the same, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable materials.

FIGS.3-5illustrate different views of an exemplary system300for reducing chassis depths in connection with power supply units. As illustrated inFIGS.3-5, exemplary system300may include and/or represent terminal connector104, inline terminal block assembly102, terminal-side power cable106, distribution-side power cable108, and a computing device302. In some examples, terminal connector104may be electrically coupled to a power interface of computing device302. In such examples, inline terminal block assembly102may be physically independent of terminal connector104.

In some examples, terminal-side power cable106may be electrically coupled between terminal connector104and inline terminal block assembly102. In such examples, distribution-side power cable108may be electrically coupled between inline terminal block assembly102and a power distribution system.

Computing devices302generally represent any type or form of physical computing device capable of reading computer-executable instructions and/or handling network traffic. Examples of computing devices302include, without limitation, routers (such as provider edge routers, hub routers, spoke routers, autonomous system boundary routers, and/or area border routers), switches, hubs, modems, bridges, repeaters, gateways (such as Broadband Network Gateways (BNGs)), multiplexers, network adapters, network interfaces, client devices, laptops, tablets, desktops, servers, cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), multimedia players, embedded systems, wearable devices, gaming consoles, variations or combinations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable computing devices.

FIG.6illustrates an exemplary stacked arrangement600of inline terminal block assemblies102(1),102(2), and102(3) mounted to a side612of the housing of computing device302. As illustrated inFIG.6, the housing of computing device302may include and/or represent side612and a back614. In addition, the housing of computing device302may include and/or represent another side opposite side612as well as a front opposite back614.

In some examples, computing device302may include and/or incorporate power interfaces604(1),604(2), and604(3) positioned on and/or accessible via back614of the housing of computing device302. As illustrated inFIG.6, terminal connectors104(1),104(2), and104(3) may be mounted, fixed, and/or coupled to power interfaces604(1),604(2), and604(3), respectively, on back614of the housing of computing device302. In this example, inline terminal block assemblies102(1),102(2), and102(3) may be mounted, fixed, and/or coupled to side612of the housing of computing device302.

Terminal connectors104(1)-(3) and/or inline terminal block assemblies102(1)-(3) may be mounted and/or coupled to the housing of computing device302in a variety of ways and/or by a variety of attachment mechanisms. Examples of such attachment mechanisms include, without limitation, fasteners, locks, pins, screws, levers, joints, ties, clamps, clasps, stiches, staples, magnets, adhesives, variations or combinations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable attachment means.

As illustrated inFIG.6, stacked arrangement600may include and/or involve fixing inline terminal block assemblies102(1)-(3) in a column and/or a vertical or stacked series. Put differently, in stacked arrangement600, inline terminal block assemblies102(1)-(3) may be fixed and/or aligned along a vertical plane of side612. Moreover, in stacked arrangement600, each of inline terminal block assemblies102(1)-(3) may be positioned and/or oriented horizontally relative to the housing and/or chassis of computing device302. In other words, in stacked arrangement600, each of inline terminal block assemblies102(1)-(3) may be positioned and/or oriented with its long side horizonal and/or parallel to the housing and/or chassis of computing device302. By implementing stacked arrangement600in this way, the various embodiments disclosed herein may be able to reduce and/or decrease the overall depth requirement of computing device302, thereby mitigating and/or improving the spatial challenges or constraints faced in the corresponding datacenter and/or by its administrator.

FIG.7illustrates an exemplary staircase arrangement700of inline terminal block assemblies102(1),102(2), and102(3) mounted to side612of the housing of computing device302. As illustrated inFIG.7, staircase arrangement700may include and/or involve fixing inline terminal block assemblies102(1)-(3) in a design and/or progression that resembles a staircase. Put differently, in staircase arrangement700, inline terminal block assemblies102(1)-(3) may be fixed and/or aligned along an inclined plane and/or a diagonal of side612. Moreover, in staircase arrangement700, each of inline terminal block assemblies102(1)-(3) may be positioned and/or oriented vertically relative to the housing and/or chassis of computing device302. In other words, in staircase arrangement700, each of inline terminal block assemblies102(1)-(3) may be positioned and/or oriented with its long side vertical, perpendicular, and/or orthogonal to the housing and/or chassis of computing device302. By implementing staircase arrangement700in this way, the various embodiments disclosed herein may be able to reduce and/or decrease the overall depth requirement of computing device302, thereby mitigating and/or improving the spatial challenges or constraints faced in the corresponding datacenter and/or by its administrator.

FIG.8is a flow diagram of an exemplary method800for reducing chassis depths in connection with power supply units. Method800may include the step of electrically coupling a terminal connector to a power interface on a back of a computing device housing (810). Step810may be performed in a variety of ways, including any of those described above in connection withFIGS.1-7. For example, a computing equipment manufacturer, subcontractor, or datacenter administrator may electrically couple a terminal connector to a power interface on a back of a computing device housing. Additionally or alternatively, a robotic and/or automated mechanism may electrically couple a terminal connector to a power interface on a back of a computing device housing.

Method800may also include the step of electrically coupling at least one terminal-side power cable between the terminal connector and an inline terminal block assembly that is physically independent of the terminal connector (820). Step820may be performed in a variety of ways, including any of those described above in connection withFIGS.1-7. For example, the computing equipment manufacturer, subcontractor, or datacenter administrator may electrically couple at least one terminal-side power cable between the terminal connector and an inline terminal block assembly that is physically independent of the terminal connector. Additionally or alternatively, a robotic and/or automated mechanism may electrically couple at least one terminal-side power cable between the terminal connector and an inline terminal block assembly that is physically independent of the terminal connector.

Method800may further include the step of electrically coupling at least one distribution-side power cable between the inline terminal block assembly and a power distribution system (830). Step830may be performed in a variety of ways, including any of those described above in connection withFIGS.1-7. In one example, the computing equipment manufacturer, subcontractor, or datacenter administrator may electrically couple at least one distribution-side power cable between the inline terminal block assembly and a power distribution system. Additionally or alternatively, a robotic and/or automated mechanism may electrically couple at least one distribution-side power cable between the inline terminal block assembly and a power distribution system.

Method800may further include the step of mounting the inline terminal block assembly to a side of the computing device housing such that the terminal connector and the inline terminal block assembly are physically separated from one another (840). Step840may be performed in a variety of ways, including any of those described above in connection withFIGS.1-7. In one example, the computing equipment manufacturer, subcontractor, or datacenter administrator may mount, fix, and/or couple the inline terminal block assembly to a side of the computing device housing such that the terminal connector and the inline terminal block assembly are physically separated from one another. Additionally or alternatively, a robotic and/or automated mechanism may mount, fix, and/or couple the inline terminal block assembly to a side of the computing device housing such that the terminal connector and the inline terminal block assembly are physically separated from one another.