CN212061071U - Integrated latch device - Google Patents

Abstract

An integrated latching device for securing and releasing computer equipment in a housing includes a support bracket, a rotatable shaft, a sliding plate with latching extensions, and a handle with a rotatable end. The rotating end of the handle is fixed on the rotating shaft of the supporting bracket. The rotating end of the handle has a pushing extension. A torsion spring is disposed on the rotating shaft, and biases the support bracket against the handle. When the torsion spring is in a balanced state, the handle is in an opening position; when the torsion spring is in a fully compressed state, the handle is in a closed position. The push extension engages and moves the slide plate laterally as the handle is rotated between the open and closed positions.

Description

Integrated latch device

[ technical field ] A method for producing a semiconductor device

The utility model relates to a novel fix rack-mounted equipment in casing. More particularly, the present invention relates to an integrated latching mechanism for securing and releasing rack-mounted equipment within a housing.

[ background of the invention ]

Rack-mounted computing devices (e.g., rack-mounted servers) are employed in a number of high-network-demand applications, such as network-based systems and data centers. The rack-mounted device includes a plurality of swappable out hardware elements. For example: when upgrading the hardware components (storage or memory devices) of the server, the multiple components may be removed and replaced with higher capacity or higher speed components. Various cards of the server may be replaceable.

Like a rack-mounted computing device found in server systems, it can support the swapping of components. In order to easily exchange components in a rack, a computing system with rack-mounted equipment is required to be suitable for installation and removal, especially in a data center requiring hardware upgrade. The process of removing and reinstalling rack-mounted equipment is time consuming for the technician. Therefore, the utility model discloses aim at reducing the time of demolising and installing the rack-type equipment.

[ Utility model ] content

According to one embodiment, an integrated latching device for securing and releasing a computer device in a housing, the device having a support bracket comprising a first lateral structure and a pivot axis. The device also has a slide plate with a latch extension and a handle with a second transverse configuration on the pivot shaft. The rotating end of the handle is fixed on the rotating shaft of the supporting bracket. The rotating end of the handle is provided with more than one pushing extension part. A torsion spring is disposed on the pivot shaft, the torsion spring biasing the first lateral structure of the support bracket against the second lateral structure of the handle. When the torsion spring is in a balanced state, the handle is in an opening position; when the torsion spring is in a fully compressed state, the handle is in a closed position. One or more push extensions on the handle engage and laterally move the slide plate, and upon rotation of the handle from the open to the closed position, the latch extension is moved away from the support bracket to engage the housing.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. The foregoing merely provides some novel aspects of the present invention and features set forth herein. The above disclosed features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and claims, as well as the following detailed description of the representative embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and describe the modes for carrying out the invention.

[ description of the drawings ]

The invention will be better understood from the following description of embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates a latch according to some embodiments of the present invention, which is a perspective view of an integrated latching mechanism for latching a rack-mounted device in a housing.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an integrated latching mechanism according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the handle integrated latching mechanism of fig. 2 in a closed, fixed position.

Fig. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the handle integrated latching mechanism of fig. 2 in an open release position.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the handle of the integrated latching mechanism of fig. 2 from another perspective, in an open position.

Fig. 4B illustrates another perspective view of the handle of the integrated latching mechanism of fig. 2 in a closed position.

Fig. 5A is a side view of the integrated latching mechanism of fig. 2, shown with the handle in a closed position, with the support bracket of the integrated latching mechanism shown in hidden lines.

FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of the handle of the integrated latching mechanism of FIG. 5A rotated from a closed position to an open position.

Fig. 5C depicts a side view of the integrated latching mechanism handle of fig. 5A having been fully rotated to an open position.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the integrated latching mechanism in an unlocked state for removing the rack-mounted device from the housing.

Fig. 7 is a close-up of the front view of fig. 6, showing one of the latching mechanisms in an open position in fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a close-up of the front view of fig. 6, showing the alternative latching mechanism of fig. 6 in an open position.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the integrated latching mechanism in a closed position with the rack-type device secured in the chassis.

Fig. 10 is a close-up of the front view of fig. 9 showing one of the latching mechanisms of fig. 9.

[ notation ] to show

100 integrated latch mechanism

120: handle

165 bolt extension

180 computer device

185 ventilating upper cover

190 casing

200 integrated latch mechanism

210: handle

210' handle

210a handle

210b handle

210c handle

211, slender edge

212 second lateral Structure

213 elongated edge

214 hole (C)

215 hole (a)

217 pushing extension part

218 rotating end

219 push extension

220 supporting bracket

221 rear wall

222 first lateral Structure

224 first wing structure

226 second wing structure

227 torsion spring

230 rotating shaft

234 first end

236 second end

240 spring shaft

251 compression spring

251a compression spring

251b compression spring

251c compression spring

252 compression spring

260 sliding plate

260a sliding plate

260b sliding plate

260c sliding plate

265 bolt extension part

265a toggle extension

265b latching extensions

265c extension of latch

267: slotted hole

269: slotted hole

270 mounting rack

600a integrated latch mechanism

600b Integrated latch mechanism

610a handle

610 a' handle

610b handle

610 b' handle

612 lateral support

617a push extension

617b push extension

619a push extension

619b push extension

620 support bracket

620a support bracket

620b support bracket

627a torsion spring

627b torsion spring

630a rotating shaft

630b rotating axis

665a toggle extension

665 a' bolting extension

665b bolt buckle extension

680 computer equipment

685 front cover

690 casing

[ detailed description ] embodiments

Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like or equivalent elements throughout. The drawings are not to scale and are merely illustrative of the present invention. It should be understood that the numerous specific details, relationships, and methods set forth herein provide a full understanding of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will readily recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of various embodiments. The various embodiments are not limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Moreover, not all illustrated implementations of acts or events according to the present disclosure may be required.

Elements and limitations of the present invention, such as those portions of the abstract, novel aspects and embodiments herein, and other claims which are not specifically set forth, whether individually, collectively, implicitly or by inference, are not intended to be incorporated herein by reference. For purposes of the detailed description of the invention, the singular encompasses the plural and vice versa unless specifically stated otherwise. The term "including" means "including but not limited to". Moreover, some approximating words, such as "about", "approximately", "about", etc., may be used herein to represent "near.," "within 3-5%," "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances", or any logical combination thereof.

About the utility model discloses, the vocabulary: "computing device," "computing system," or "computer system" refer to any electronic or battery-powered device that includes hardware, software, and/or firmware elements configured to perform the functions of operations on the apparatus. "runtime environment" refers to any system operating system or operational environment that allows software to run on a computer system.

In replacing components of a rack-mounted computing device, it is desirable to improve efficiency and simplify the installation process. Efficiency can be improved by an integrated latch and handle mechanism that is fixed to the computer device, and the technician can fix or remove the rack-mounted device with only one motion.

Referring to fig. 1, an integrated latching mechanism 100 is depicted that secures a computer device 180, such as a rack-mounted device, to a chassis 190. The integrated latching mechanism 100 is secured to the computer device 180, for example, directly mounted to the vented upper cover 185 of the computer device 180. The handle 120 of the integrated latching mechanism 100 is shown in a closed position, and the computer device 180 is secured in the housing 190 by the latching extension 165 of the integrated latching mechanism, and the latching extension 165 is also directly engaged with the housing 190.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded perspective view of an integrated latching mechanism 200 for securing and releasing computer equipment in a chassis is depicted. In some embodiments, a support bracket 220 includes a first lateral structure 222 and a rotation shaft 230 secured to the support bracket 220. In some embodiments, a slide plate 260 is disposed between the support bracket 220 and the mounting bracket 270. The sliding plate 260 has a latching extension 265. the latching extension 265 can be engaged with or disengaged from the housing 190 when the integrated latching mechanism 200 is operated. The slide plate 260 has one or more slots, such as slots 267 and 269.

The handle 210 includes a rotating end 218 and a second transverse structure 212, wherein the second transverse structure 212 is disposed on the rotating end 218. The rotating end 218 of the handle 210 is connected (secure) to the support bracket 220 via a hole 215 in the handle 210 and a similar hole on the other side (not shown in the figure) with the rotating shaft 230 as the axis. The rotating end 218 also contains one or more pushing extensions 217 and 219. Further, a torsion spring 227 is disposed at the periphery of the rotation shaft 230. In the assembled state, the torsion spring 227 can bias the first lateral structure 222 of the support bracket 220 against the second lateral structure 212 (bias) of the handle 210 to rotate or actuate the handle 210 toward the open position. Pushing on the extensions 217 and 219 causes the slots 267 and 269 to move the slide plate 260 laterally. In some embodiments, the torsion spring may be a double torsion spring.

In some embodiments, the support bracket 220 has one or more wing structures. For example, in some aspects, the first lateral structure 222 of the support bracket 220 extends between the first wing structure 224 and the second wing structure 226. The first wing structure 224 and the second wing structure 226 are both perpendicular to the first lateral structure 222. In some embodiments, the rotating shaft 230 has a first end 234 and a second end 236 secured to the first wing structure 224 and the second wing structure 226, respectively.

In some embodiments, the handle 210 has two elongate sides 211 and 213, and the second lateral structure 212 extends between the two elongate sides 211 and 213. The elongate sides 211 and 213 include an aperture 214 for receiving a spring-loaded leaf 240 on the support bracket 220. The spring shaft 240 contains a plunger function (plunger) that can manually actuate the shaft.

In some embodiments, integrated latching mechanism 200 has one or more compression springs, such as 251 and 252, to bias slide plate 260 and latching extension 265 laterally away from support bracket 220.

Referring to fig. 3A-3B and 4A-4B, several views of the integrated latching mechanism 200 are shown depicting the handle in a closed position (integrated latching mechanism 200 is secured to the chassis) and the handle in an open position (integrated latching mechanism 200 is not secured to the chassis). Fig. 3A and 4B depict the handle in a closed (fixed) position with the handle 210 in the integrated latching mechanism 200 parallel to the sliding plate 260. In addition, when the handle is rotated from the open to the closed position, the latch extension 265 translates parallel to the handle 210 and away from the support bracket 220 and engages the chassis. The latch extensions 265 are generally perpendicular to the slide plate 260, although sometimes at different angles, such as parallel to the slide plate 260 or at an angle between perpendicular and parallel. Fig. 3B and 4A depict the handle in an open (unsecured) position, the handle 210' in a position at or near the vertical slide plate, (e.g., 60 to 120 degrees; 70 to 110 degrees; 80 to 100 degrees), and the latch extension 265 translated toward the support bracket 220 and disengaged from the chassis.

In some embodiments, when the handle 210' is in the open position, the torsion spring 227 extends to a rest state (see fig. 3B). While in the closed position, the torsion spring 227 is in a fully compressed state (see fig. 3A).

Handle 210 contains one or more push extensions 217 and 219. During rotation of the handle 210 from the open to the closed position or from the closed to the open position, the push extensions 217 and 219 can engage the slots 267 and 269 and move the slide plate 260 laterally or allow the slide plate 260 to move. For example, as the handle 210 is rotated from an open to a closed position, pushing the extension facilitates or moves the latch extension 265 away from the support bracket 220 to engage the chassis.

In some embodiments, the spring shaft 240 is fixed (secure) to the support bracket 220, and when the handle 210 is in the closed position, the spring shaft 240 engages the aperture 214 of the handle 210 to lock the handle 210 in the closed position. The spring shaft 240 may be pulled out of the support bracket 220 or in a direction away from the support bracket, for example using a plunger mechanism at the end of the shaft, thereby disengaging the spring shaft from the aperture 214 and from the handle 210. This action unlocks (unlocks) the handle 210 and rotates it to the open position.

In the example of fig. 3B, the integrated latching mechanism of fig. 2 is depicted in an open, unsecured position. When the handle 210' is in the open position, the torsion spring 227 extends to a rest position. When the handle 210 is in the closed position, the torsion spring 227 is in a fully compressed state. The handle has one or more push extensions 217 and 219 that engage the slots 267 and 269 and move the slide plate 260 laterally as the handle is rotated from the open to the closed position. When the handle is rotated to the closed position, the latch extension 265 is moved or caused to move (e.g., by a spring) away from the support bracket 220 into engagement with the chassis.

In the example of fig. 4A, depicted is another angled view of the integrated latching mechanism 200 of fig. 2, depicting the handle in an open (unsecured) position, and omitting the mounting bracket 270 (see fig. 3B). In fig. 4B, another angled view of the integrated latching mechanism 200 of fig. 2 is shown, depicting the handle in the closed (secured) position, and omitting the mounting bracket 270.

Referring to fig. 5A, which depicts a side view of the handle 210 in the closed position in the integrated latching mechanism 200 of fig. 2, the support bracket 220 is shown in hidden line drawing in this figure. In the closed position, the handle 210a is parallel to the support bracket 220 and the mounting bracket 270. In addition, the handle 210a is passed through and locked to the hole on the elongated side 211 by the spring shaft 240. By pulling up or pulling out the plunger of the spring shaft, the shaft portion is separated from the bore, thereby allowing the handle 210a to rotate about the shaft 230 (see fig. 2). When the integrated latching mechanism 200 is in the closed position, the latching extension 265a is located at the furthest end from the support bracket 220, where the latching mechanism engages the chassis. When the compression spring 251a is in the extended position, pushing extension 217 also engages mounting bracket 270, the spring biasing the latch extension 265a via slide plate 260a in a direction away from the support bracket 220. One end of the compression spring 251a is connected to the rear wall 221 of the support bracket 220, and the other end is connected to the sliding plate 260 a.

Referring to fig. 5B, a side view of the handle 210B position of the integrated latching mechanism 200 is shown between rotation from the closed (handle 210a) to the open (handle 210c) position. When the handle 210b reaches the neutral position, the latch extension 265b is displaced to the right or closer to the center of the support bracket 220 with the slide plate 260b by pushing the extension 217. At the same time, the compression spring 251b biases the sliding plate 260b in the opposite direction, which is offset from the force applied to the sliding plate 260b via the handle 210 b.

Referring to fig. 5C, a side view of the handle of the integrated latching mechanism 200 rotated to a fully open position is shown. The handle 210c is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the slide plate 260c, which is displaced to the far right, closer to the support bracket center. In addition, latch extension 265c is now closer to the support bracket because latch extension 265c is completely out of the chassis. In addition, the compression spring 251c is further compressed between the sliding plate 260c and the rear wall 221 of the support bracket 220 (in fig. 5A).

Referring to FIG. 6, integrated latching mechanisms 600a and 600b are secured to computer device 680, depicted in an open position, i.e., not secured to chassis 690, allowing computer device 680 to be displaced. When the computer device 680 is in an intermediate stage of sliding into or out of the housing 690, a portion of the computer device 680 fits into the housing 690. The integrated latching mechanisms 600a and 600b allow a technician to easily push or pull a computer device 680 partially assembled in a housing 690 and quickly secure and release the integrated latching mechanisms. When the handles 610a and 610b are in the open position, the handles are also depicted as being perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the front cover 685 and the support brackets 620a and 620b of the computer device 680.

Referring to fig. 7, depicted is a close-up front view of the handle 610a of the integrated latching mechanism 600a of fig. 6 in an open position. The handle 610a is fixed to the support bracket 620a by a rotation shaft 630 a. The torsion spring 627a is fitted on the rotation shaft 630 a. The latch extension 665a does not engage the housing 690, but rather allows the computer device to move.

Referring to fig. 8, another close-up perspective view of the integrated latching mechanism of fig. 6, depicting the handle 610b of the integrated latching mechanism 600b in an open position. Similar to the integrated latching mechanism 600a, the handle 610b is fixed to the support bracket 620b by a rotation shaft 630 b. The torsion spring 627b is fitted around the rotation shaft 630 b. The latch extension 665b does not engage the housing 690, but rather allows the computer device to move. The handle 610b pushes the extensions 617b and 619b in the desired exemplary position when in the open state.

Referring to fig. 9, the integrated latching mechanisms 600a and 600b of fig. 6-8 are depicted in the closed states 600a 'and 600 b' corresponding to the handles in the closed states 610a 'and 610 b'. The computer device 680 fits completely within the chassis 690, wherein the computer device 680 has effectively slid completely into the chassis 690. The integrated toggle mechanisms 600a and 600b allow a technician to easily push the computer device 680 into the chassis 690 and quickly secure the integrated toggle mechanisms 600a and 600b to the chassis 690. When the handles 610a 'and 610 b' are in the closed position, the handles are also depicted as being parallel or approximately parallel to the front cover 685 and the support brackets 620a and 620b of the computer device 680.

Referring to fig. 10, a close-up front view of the integrated latching mechanism 600a of fig. 9 is shown, with the handle 610 a' depicted in a closed position. The handle 610a 'is fixed to the support bracket 620a by a rotating shaft that is hidden behind the handle's lateral support 612. When the handle 610 a' is in the closed position, the push extensions 617a and 619a are in the desired exemplary position. When the handle 610a ' is in the closed position, the push extensions 617a and 619a engage a slide plate that fits beneath the support bracket 620 to move the latch extension 665a ' away from the support bracket in a direction that is generally parallel to the handle 610a ' and the front cover of the computer device 680. In fig. 10, the latch extension 665 a' is shown in a state of engaging the chassis.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Many modifications may be made to the embodiments of the invention in light of the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described herein with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications are possible and will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while features of the invention have been disclosed herein with respect to only a few embodiments, such features can be combined with one or more features of other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that terms such as "includes," including, "" has, "" having, "or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, they are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term" comprising.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Claims (10)

1. An integrated latching apparatus for securing and releasing a computer device in a chassis, the integrated latching apparatus comprising:

a support bracket including a first lateral structure;

a rotating shaft fixed to the support bracket;

a sliding plate including a latch extension;

a handle including a second lateral structure at a rotating end of the handle, the rotating end of the handle being connected to the support bracket about the rotating shaft, the rotating end of the handle including at least one pushing extension; and

a torsion spring disposed on the pivot shaft, the torsion spring biasing the first transverse structure of the support bracket relative to the second transverse structure of the handle such that the handle is in an open position when the torsion spring is in a state of equilibrium and the handle is in a closed position when the torsion spring is in a fully compressed state,

wherein when the handle is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the push extension on the handle engages and moves the slide plate laterally, thereby moving the latch extension away from the support bracket and engaging the latch extension with the housing.

2. The integrated latching device of claim 1 wherein when said handle is rotated from said closed position to said open position, said push extension engages said slide plate and moves said slide plate laterally toward said support bracket, disengaging said latching extension from said housing.

3. The integrated latching device of claim 1, wherein said handle is configured to load and unload said computer device into and out of said housing when said handle is in said open position.

4. The integrated toggle device of claim 1, wherein the first transverse structure extends between a first wing structure and a second wing structure mounted on the support bracket.

5. The integrated toggle device of claim 1, wherein the handle has two elongate sides, the second transverse structure extending between the two elongate sides.

6. The integrated toggle device of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more compression springs for biasing the slide plate and the latch extension laterally away from the support bracket.

7. The integrated toggle device of claim 1, further comprising:

a spring shaft secured to the support bracket, the spring shaft engaging an aperture in the handle when the handle is in the closed position to lock the handle in the closed position.

8. The integrated toggle device of claim 7, wherein when the spring in the spring shaft is compressed, the spring shaft disengages the aperture in the handle, allowing the handle to rotate to the open position.

9. The integrated latching device of claim 1 wherein said handle is parallel to said sliding plate when in said closed position.

10. The integrated latching device of claim 1 wherein said handle is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to said sliding plate when in said open position.

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