TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to computer systems generally and more specifically to power supplies for computer chassis.

BACKGROUND

Computing systems, such as rack-mounted servers, are used across many fields, with increasingly demanding specifications. As the demands increase for more powerful and faster systems, there are also demands for maintaining or decreasing a system's footprint. In certain chassis, such as 1-unit (1U) or 2-unit (2U) chassis, the use of high-wattage power supplies can require significant thermal management. In some cases, thermal management can be especially complicated when there is a need for routing cables around within the chassis. Additionally, assembly and maintenance of computer systems can become complicated as the complexity of the internal parts increases.

SUMMARY

The term embodiment and like terms are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this disclosure and the claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the present disclosure covered herein are defined by the claims below, supplemented by this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the disclosure and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this disclosure, any or all drawings and each claim.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a baffle device for use in a computer system. The baffle device can comprise a baffle body having a first leg and a second leg connected by a cross-member. The cross-member can extend from a first end of the baffle body to a second end of the baffle body. The baffle device can include an airflow space defined by the first leg, the second leg, and the cross-member. The airflow space can be sized to receive a receiving connector. The receiving connector can receive a corresponding connector of a power supply unit (PSU) when the PSU is moved in an insertion direction to a first insertion depth while the PSU is in a correct orientation. The baffle device can further include a cable passthrough located in the cross-member. The cable passthrough can receive a cable, and can extend between the first end of the baffle body and the second end of the baffle body. The baffle device can further include at least one rib extending from the baffle body. An impact surface of the at least one rib can be positioned to contact the connector of the PSU when the PSU is moved in an insertion direction to a second insertion depth while the PSU in an incorrect orientation. The first insertion depth is greater than the second insertion depth.

In some cases, the cable passthrough is perpendicular to the insertion direction. In some cases, the baffle device further comprises a compressible air seal removably positioned on an upper surface of the baffle body. In some cases, the compressible air seal covers the cable passthrough such that removal of the compressible air seal permits access to the cable passthrough. In some cases, the cross-member includes a baffle surface for directing airflow impacting the baffle surface towards the airflow space, wherein the at least one rib extends from the baffle surface. In some cases, the baffle body is shaped such that a plane defined by the impact surface of the at least one rib is positioned opposite the receiving connector from an exit of the airflow space. In some cases, the baffle body is configured to rest upon a power distribution board containing the receiving connector. In some cases, the at least one rib is positioned such that a distance between the receiving connector and a bottom surface of a board containing the receiving connector is equal to a distance between an upper surface of the baffle body and a point on the impact surface.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a computer system comprising a chassis and a power supply receiving space located within the chassis. The power supply receiving space has a first end opposite a second end, where the first end has an opening for receiving a power supply unit (PSU). The computer system further includes a power distribution board position adjacent the second end of the power supply receiving space. The power distribution board has a receiving connector for receiving a corresponding connector of the PSU when the PSU is inserted into the power supply receiving space to a first insertion depth while the PSU is in a correct orientation. The computer system further includes an airflow channel positioned in the chassis between a first chassis space and a second chassis space. The computer system further includes a baffle device positioned between the power supply receiving space and the airflow channel. The baffle device includes a baffle surface for directing air passing through the power supply receiving space into the airflow channel. The baffle device further includes a cable passthrough located in the cross-member for receiving a cable. The cable passthrough extends between the first end of the baffle device and the second end of the baffle device. The baffle device has at least one rib extending from the baffle surface. The at least one rib is positioned to contact the connector of the PSU when the PSU is inserted into the power supply receiving space to a second insertion depth while the PSU is in an incorrect orientation. The first insertion depth is greater than the second insertion depth.

In some cases, the cable facilitates electrically coupling a first component in the first space to a second component in the second space. In some cases, the cable couples to a data connector of the power distribution board. In some cases, the cable passthrough is perpendicular to an insertion direction of the PSU when the PSU is inserted into the power supply receiving space. In some cases, the computer system further comprises a compressible air seal removably positioned on an upper surface of the baffle device. In some cases, the compressible air seal covers the cable passthrough such that removal of the compressible air seal permits access to the cable passthrough. In some cases, the baffle device is shaped such that the connector of the PSU contacts the at least one rib along a plane when the PSU is inserted in the incorrect orientation, wherein the plane is positioned opposite the receiving connector from the airflow channel. In some cases, the baffle device rests upon the power distribution board. In some cases, the at least one rib includes an impact surface for contacting the connector of the PSU. The at least one rib is positioned such that a distance between the receiving connector and a floor of the power supply receiving space is equal to a distance between a ceiling of the power supply receiving space and a point on the impact surface.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method comprising supplying a computer system. The computer system includes a chassis and a power supply receiving space located within the chassis. The computer system further includes a power distribution board position adjacent an internal end of the power supply receiving space. The power distribution board has a receiving connector. The computer system further includes an airflow channel positioned in the chassis between a first chassis space and a second chassis space. The computer system further includes a baffle device positioned between the power supply receiving space and the airflow channel. The baffle device includes a baffle surface for directing air passing through the power supply receiving space into the airflow channel. The baffle device further includes a cable passthrough located in the cross-member for receiving a cable. The cable passthrough extending between the first end of the baffle device and the second end of the baffle device. The baffle device further has at least one rib extending from the baffle surface. The method further includes inserting a power supply unit (PSU) into the power supply receiving space. The PSU has a connector positioned opposite an external face of the PSU. Insertion of the PSU in a correct orientation results in connection of the connector with the receiving connector when the PSU is inserted to a first insertion depth. Insertion of the PSU in an incorrect orientation results in contact between the connector and the at least one rib of the baffle device when the PSU is inserted to a second insertion depth. The first insertion depth is greater than the second insertion depth.

In some cases, the chassis includes a first space and a second space separated by the airflow channel. The computer system further includes a first component positioned in the first space and a second component positioned in the second space. The method further comprises supplying power to the PSU and operating the PSU. Operating the PSU comprises operating a fan associated with the PSU to pass air through the PSU, towards the baffle surface of the baffle device, and into the airflow channel. Operating the PSU further comprises supplying power to the first component and the second component. The method further comprises transferring data between the first component and the second component via the cable. In some cases, inserting the PSU includes fully inserting the PSU in the incorrect orientation, and the method further comprises identifying that the PSU is inserted in the incorrect orientation by identifying a distance between the chassis and a plane formed by the external face of the PSU.

