FR3056373A1 - EQUIPMENT FOR MAINTAINING A COMPONENT INSIDE A COMPUTER HOUSING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to equipment for maintaining at least one component mounted inside a computer case (3) provided with a mounting bracket for PCI brackets (7c), characterized in that it comprises a part support member (13) equipped with a PCI bracket (7c) intended to be fixed on the housing support, this support piece (13) having a beam (14) extending in a substantially perpendicular direction (X) to the extension direction (Z) of the PCI bracket, the beam (14) supporting an expandable bar (20) extending in a direction (Y) substantially perpendicular to the extension directions of the beam and the PCI bracket, having at its opposite ends, bearing stops (20c) on the opposite walls of the housing, the expandable bar (20) being provided with at least one holding system (30a, 30b) for a component.

Description

Holder (s): LDLC.COM.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): CABINET BEAU DE LOMENIE Civil society.

(24) EQUIPMENT FOR HOLDING A COMPONENT INSIDE A COMPUTER HOUSING.

FR 3 056 373 - A1 _ The invention relates to equipment for holding at least one component mounted inside a computer case (3) provided with a mounting bracket for PCI brackets (7c), characterized in that it comprises a support piece (13) equipped with a PCI bracket (7c) intended to be fixed on the support of the housing, this support piece (13) having a beam (14) extending along a direction (X) substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension (Z) of the PCI bracket, the beam (14) supporting an extendable bar (20) extending in a direction (Y) substantially perpendicular to the directions of extension of the PCI beam and bracket, by presenting at its opposite ends, abutments (20c) on the opposite walls of the housing, the extendable bar (20) being provided with at least one holding system (30a , 30b) for a component.

The present invention relates to the technical field of accessories or equipment for central units or computer cases intended to maintain components mounted inside these central units or computer cases.

Conventionally, the central unit of a computer comprises a housing in which various components are mounted, such as a motherboard, sound or graphics cards, a fan, mass memories, etc. Despite the application of strict recommendations for the transport of these central units, the fall of the box frequently leads to breakage for one or more of the components mounted inside this box. This deterioration of the components is explained by the fact that some of the components such as graphics cards or motherboards represent a large mass extending in overhang, by simply being supported by the electrical connector.

In an attempt to provide a solution to this problem, it has been proposed, before sending these central units, to place shims inside the housings to lock the components in position. This last resort solution does not give satisfaction either to the customer who is forced to remove these shims before using his computer to allow its proper functioning and nor to the manufacturer who cannot be assured of the removal of all of the shims and that, without damaging the components.

The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing equipment for holding at least one component mounted inside a computer case, this equipment ensuring effective maintenance of the components while being mounted so simple without the need for operations to open the housing after its installation.

To achieve such an objective, the equipment according to the invention for holding at least one component mounted inside a computer case provided with a mounting bracket for PCI brackets is such that it comprises a part d support equipped with a PCI bracket intended to be fixed on the support of the housing, this support piece having a beam extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the PCI bracket, the beam supporting a extendable bar extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the directions of extension of the beam and the PCI bracket, having at its opposite ends abutments on the opposite walls of the housing, the extendable bar being provided with '' at least one holding system for one component.

The equipment according to the invention also comprises in combination one and / or the other of the following additional characteristics:

- the support piece is mounted on the PCI bracket using an assembly system allowing the adjustment of its position according to the direction of extension of the PCI bracket;

- as a system for adjusting the position of the support piece on the PCI bracket, screws passing through at least one light fitted in the PCI bracket and anchoring in threaded holes fitted in the piece support;

- The extendable bar is mounted on the beam using an assembly device allowing the adjustment of its position according to the direction of extension of the beam;

- The extendable bar comprises a locking system in a fixed position for which the support stops are in contact with the opposite side walls of the housing;

- the extendable bar is provided as a holding system for a component, with a tightening link adjustable in length;

- the extendable bar is provided as a holding system for a component, with a clamp system;

- The extendable bar comprises two profiles mounted to slide one inside the other;

- The profiles include lights for mounting the holding system or systems for a component;

- The clamp holding system for a component comprises two jaws each mounted on an axis crossing the lumens of the profiles, each jaw being extended substantially at right angles by a support sole intended to come into contact on the profile;

- the support piece is in the form of a bracket;

- the support piece is mounted on the PCI bracket using a removable assembly system and the extendable bar is mounted on the beam using a removable assembly device, the holding system for a component being fixed on the extendable bar in a removable manner so that the equipment is in the form of a kit in spare parts.

Another object of the invention relates to a computer case provided with a mounting bracket for PCI brackets, comprising at least one piece of equipment according to the invention, mounted on the mounting bracket using a PCI bracket presented by said equipment.

Various other characteristics will emerge from the description given below with reference to the appended drawings which show, by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments of the object of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the equipment according to the invention in the assembled position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the equipment according to the invention in the disassembled position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view partially showing the interior of a housing illustrating the mounting of PCI brackets.

Figure 4 is a perspective view partially showing the rear part of a housing illustrating the mounting of the equipment according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a plan view showing the interior of a housing provided with the equipment according to the invention.

Figs 6 and 7 are views explaining the mounting of the clamp holding system for a component placed inside the housing.

Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting of the equipment according to the invention inside a housing.

As can be seen from the figures, the object of the invention relates to equipment 1 designed to hold or immobilize at least one component 2a, 2b, ... mounted inside a housing 3 of a computer 4. Conventionally, a computer 4 comprises a central unit in the form of a housing 3 in which various components are mounted, such as a motherboard, sound or graphics cards, a fan, etc.

In the examples illustrated in the drawings and in particular in FIGS. 5 and 8, the equipment 1 according to the invention maintains two components in position, namely a graphics card 2a and a fan unit 2b. Of course, the equipment 1 according to the invention can immobilize components different from those shown only by way of illustration.

The housing 3 which is made of any suitable material, has a generally parallelepiped shape. This housing 3 comprises a bottom 3a from which rise four side walls, namely front 3b and rear 3c walls extending parallel to each other and being connected to each other by walls of sides 3d. A cover (not shown) cooperates with these four side walls to close the housing.

The equipment 1 according to the invention finds use for a computer case 3 provided, as appears more precisely in FIGS. 3 and 4, a mounting support 6 for PCI brackets in the general sense designated by the references 7a, 7b, 7c, the acronym PCI coming from the English Peripheral Component Interconnect. Conventionally, the mounting support 6 is arranged in relation to a side wall, generally the rear wall 3c. This mounting support 6 extends inside the housing by presenting, facing the rear wall 3c, a front wall 6a in which slots 6b are arranged parallel to each other. This front wall 6a is surmounted at right angles, by a support area 6c extending at a distance and parallel to the bottom 3a of the housing.

This mounting support 6 is intended to receive in relation to slots 6b, PCI brackets 7a, 7b, 7c which may be of different types. In general, a PCI bracket 7a, 7b, 7c has a main branch 7 _X terminated at one of its ends by a lug 7 ₂ and extended at right angles to its opposite end, by a support return 7 ₃ provided with a notch 7 ₄ . Each PCI bracket 7a, 7b, 7c has an extension direction shown diagrammatically by an axis Z in the drawings, and corresponding to the direction of extension of the main branch 7 _t .

Each PCI bracket 7a, 7b, 7c is mounted by engaging the pin 7 ₂ in an orifice 8 arranged in the bottom 3a so that the support return 7 ₃ comes into contact with the support surface 6c. Each PCI bracket 7a, 7b, 7c is assembled to the housing using a locking screw 9 passing through the notch 7 ₄ before cooperating with a tapped hole 11 arranged in the support range 6c.

In the example illustrated in the drawings, the PCI bracket 7a supports the graphics card 2a while the mounting bracket 6 receives various PCI brackets 7b for closing the slots 6b.

According to the invention, the mounting support 6 is intended to receive at least one PCI bracket 7c forming part of the equipment 1 according to the invention. This PCI 7c bracket comprises at least one and in the example illustrated, two lights 7 ₅ arranged in the main branch 7 _X in the direction Z and whose function will appear clearly in the following description.

The equipment 1 according to the invention comprises, as can be seen more precisely from FIGS. 1 and 2, a support piece 13 fitted with the PCI bracket 7c intended to be fixed on the mounting support 6 of the housing. This support piece 13 has a beam 14 extending in a direction shown diagrammatically by an axis X in the drawings, and which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension Z of the PCI bracket 7c. In the mounted position, the beam 14 thus extends from the rear wall 3c in the direction of the front wall 3b. For example, the beam 14 extends over half the measurement of the housing taken between the front 3b and rear 3c walls (Fig. 5).

According to the alternative embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the support piece 13 and the PCI bracket 7c are two separate pieces intended to be rigidly linked together using a rigid assembly system 15, 16 of all types. known per se. In the example illustrated, the assembly system comprises screws 15 intended to pass through the slots 7 _S of the PCI bracket 7c (FIGS. 2 and 4), before cooperating with tapped holes 16 arranged in the workpiece. support 13. According to an advantageous characteristic of embodiment, the assembly system 15, 16 has an adjustable character thus making it possible to adjust the position of the support piece 13 relative to the PCI 7c bracket, according to the direction of extension. Z of the PCI 7c bracket, taking into account the oblong slots 7 ₅ in the direction Z.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support piece 13 is in the form of a bracket comprising a post 17 surmounted at right angles by the beam 14 which is connected to the post by cross members 18 of oblique support. The post 18 which is provided with threaded holes 16 is in the form of a plate on which the main branch 7 _t of the PCI bracket 7c comes to bear during assembly between the support piece 13 and the PCI 7c bracket.

In the above description, the PCI bracket 7c and the support piece 13 are two separate pieces intended to be rigidly assembled together. Of course, it can be expected that the PCI bracket 7c and the support piece 13 form a single piece. Whatever the embodiment, the support piece 13 is rigidly fixed to the housing 3 by means of the PCI bracket 7c when the latter is fixed to the mounting support 6.

According to the invention, the beam 14 of the support piece 13 supports a telescopic or extendable bar 20 extending in a direction Y substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension X of the beam and also substantially perpendicular to the direction d Z extension of the PCI 7c bracket. This bar 20 is rigid while having an extensible nature in the direction Y so as to be able to come to bear on the side walls of the housing and more precisely on the walls of sides 3d (FIGS. 5 to 7). The extendable nature of the bar 20 allows the equipment according to the invention to come to bear on the walls of the housing while adapting to the different sizes of the housings.

The extendable bar 20 can be made in any suitable manner such as for example by a jack or by telescopic elements mounted one inside the other. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the extendable bar 20 comprises two profiles 20i, 20 ₂ mounted to slide one inside the other. Each profile 20i, 20 ₂ comprises, in the illustrated embodiment, a core 20a extended at right angles on either side, by wings 20b so that each profile has a U-shaped section. Of course , the profiles may have a section of different shape.

According to the alternative embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the extendable bar 20 and the beam 14 are separate parts intended to be rigidly linked together using a rigid assembly system 21, 23 of all types known per se. In the example illustrated, the assembly system comprises a connecting screw 21 intended to be screwed, after having passed through an opening 22 arranged in the extendable bar 20, in a nut 23 carried by the beam 14. The extendable bar 20 and the support piece 13 can thus be rigidly linked together. Of course, provision can be made for the extendable bar 20 and the support piece 13 to form a single piece.

According to a preferred embodiment, the extendable bar 20 is mounted on the beam 14 using an assembly device 21, 23 allowing the adjustment of its position according to the direction of extension X of the beam. To this end, the beam 14 includes an oblong slot 25 extending in the direction X and in which the nut 23 is mounted to slide freely. The distance between the extendable bar 20 and the PCI 7c bracket can thus be adjusted as desired. In other words, the position of the extendable bar 20 can thus be adjusted by ensuring its sliding in the direction X. The screwing of the screw 21 in the nut 23 makes it possible to obtain a rigid connection between the support piece 13 and the extendable bar 20 in the desired position in depth of the extendable bar 20.

This extendable bar 20 has two opposite ends 20c serving as abutments on the opposite walls of the housing. Preferably, the opposite ends 20c of the extensible bar 20 are equipped with flexible linings 20d ensuring effective contact with the walls of sides 3d without damaging them.

According to an advantageous characteristic of embodiment, the extendable bar 20 comprises a locking system in a fixed position for which the support stops 20c are in contact with the opposite side walls of the housing. This system keeps the extendable bar in a fixed rigid position in which the extendable bar 20 is supported with a slight pressure on the walls of the 3d sides of the housing. The equipment 1 according to the invention thus forms, by assembling the PCI bracket 7c, the support piece 13 and the extendable bar 20, a rigid assembly capable of being rigidly linked to the housing when the bracket PCI 7c is mounted on the mounting support 6 with the extendable bar 20 resting on the 3d side walls of the housing.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in which the extendable bar 20 is produced by two profiles 20i, 20 ₂ mounted sliding, the blocking system of the extendable bar ensures immobilization between the two profiles 20i, 20 ₂ . According to an advantageous characteristic of embodiment, the locking system of the extendable bar is ensured by the screw 21 of the assembly system 21, 23 between the extendable bar 20 and the beam 14. For this purpose, the profiles 20i, 20 ₂ are provided with the openings 22 arranged with an oblong shape so that two openings of the two profiles 20i, 20 ₂ placed in superimposed position coincide to allow the passage of the screw 21 and its screwing in the nut 23 to allow the relative immobilization of the two profiles 20i, 20 ₂ but also the attachment to the support piece 13.

The equipment 1 according to the invention also comprises at least one system 30a, 30b for holding at least one component 2a, 2b ... mounted inside the housing 3. In the embodiment, the extendable bar 20 is provided with a first holding system 30a for a first type of component such as a graphics card 2a but also with a second holding system 30b for a second type of component such as a fan unit 2b for example.

According to an advantageous embodiment characteristic, each holding system 30a, 30b is mounted on the extendable bar 20 using a mounting system making it possible to adjust its position along the extendable bar 20, that is to say in the direction Y. It is thus possible to position the holding system 30a, 30b along the extendable bar so that it is located near the component to be retained. In other words, each holding system 30a, 30b can thus be placed in any location of the housing situated between the walls of the sides 3d of the housing and along the extendable bar whose positioning between the front walls 3b and rear 3c is also adjustable. According to a preferred embodiment characteristic, each holding system 30a, 30b for a component is fixed to the extendable bar 20 using a mounting system which is removable.

The extendable bar 20 is provided as a first holding system 30a for a component, with a clamp system comprising two clamps or jaws 32 each mounted articulated on an axis 33 carried by the extendable bar 20. The two jaws 32 are mounted on the extendable bar to be positioned on either side of the component 2a so that the latter is immobilized laterally but also in relative spacing relative to the bottom 3a of the housing. Each jaw 32 can be provided with a sleeve 34 made of an electrically insulating material and supporting high temperatures above 150 ° C.

In the example illustrated, the two jaws 32 are each mounted on the axis 33 mounted to pass through oblong slots 36 arranged in the wings 20b of the profiles of the extendable bar. Each jaw 32 is extended substantially at right angles by a support sole 37 intended to come into contact on the core 20a of the profiles of the extendable bar. According to an advantageous characteristic of embodiment, each jaw 32 has an asymmetrical shape such as an L-shaped profile.

Advantageously, each axis 33 corresponds to the threaded rod of a bolt 38 cooperating with a nut 39 for locking on the extendable bar, in a fixed position, the jaw carried by said axis. As shown more precisely in FIG. 2, each axis 33 passes through holes 40 arranged in the branches of a yoke 41 extending laterally from the support sole 37. Advantageously, a spacer sleeve 42 is engaged on the axis 33 by being interposed between the wings 20b of the sections 20ι, 2Ο2 so as to guarantee a rigid fixing while maintaining in position these wings 20b.

The positioning of the clamp positioning system is relatively simple since it suffices to slide each axis 33 in the slots 36 to bring the jaw 32 into contact with the component and the support sole 37 in abutment on the web of the profile. . In this stop position, each bolt 38 is operated to lock the jaw in position.

Preferably, the holes 40 arranged in the branches of the yokes 41 of the jaws 32 have an oblong shape offering an additional capacity for adjusting the oblique sliding of the jaws 32 relative to the extendable bar 20. Advantageously, the oblong slots 36 are arranged in the wings 20b of each profile with asymmetrical shapes between them. In other words, the oblong openings 36 arranged in each profile have different dimensions. Such an arrangement increases the possibilities of positioning the axes 33 through the oblong slots of the two profiles engaged one inside the other.

As already indicated, the extendable bar 20 is also provided with a second holding system 30b for a second type of component such as a fan unit 2b for example. The extendable bar 20 is provided as a holding system 30b for a component, with a tightening link 43 adjustable in length. This tightening link 43 made for example of plastic material has over its entire length, a row of holes 44. This tightening link 43 is intended to form a loop or a collar surrounding the component 2b to be maintained. The two ends of this link 43 are passed through the openings 36 of the extendable bar, each being folded back on itself so as to coincide positioning two holes 44 into which a blocking pin 46 is inserted.

According to an advantageous characteristic of embodiment, the equipment 1 according to the invention is in the form of a kit in spare parts (Fig. 2). Thus, the support piece 13 is mounted on the PCI bracket 7c using a removable assembly system 15, 16. Likewise, the extendable bar 20 is mounted on the beam 14 using a removable assembly device 21, 23, 25. Finally, the holding system 30a, 30b for a component is fixed to the extendable bar 20 using a removable mounting system.

The installation of the equipment 1 according to the invention follows directly from the above description.

The PCI bracket 7c of the equipment is conventionally mounted on the mounting support 6 of the housing by the insertion of the lug into the orifice 8 and its blocking by a screw 9 (Fig. 3). The support piece 13 is then fixed to this PCI bracket 7c using the screws 15 passing through the slot 6b of the mounting bracket and the slots 7 ₅ of the PCI bracket 7c so that they can be screwed into the tapped holes 16 of the support piece. During this assembly, the position of the beam 14 in the direction Z is adjusted.

If the support piece 13 is not already equipped with the extendable bar 20 then this extendable bar is mounted on the support part. For this purpose, the two sections 20i, 20 ₂ are engaged one in the other while being positioned along the beam at a chosen depth for which the component or components to be immobilized are accessible for the holding systems. The two sections 20i, 20 ₂ are separated to come to bear on the walls of the sides 3d of the housing and are locked in position by the screw 21.

For the establishment of the first holding system 30a, a first jaw 32 is hinged on an axis 35 engaged to pass through two oblong slots 36 arranged in the wings 20b of one or more profiles of the extendable bar. The axis 33 is slid in the slots 36 to bring the jaw 32 into contact on one of the sides of the component and the support sole 37 in abutment on the web of the profile. The second jaw 32 is similarly mounted to come into contact on the other side of the component. In this support position of the jaws 32 and the support flanges 37, the bolts 38 are tightened so that the component is pinched between the two jaws. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, each jaw 32 exerts pressure on the component towards the bottom 3a of the housing due to the interposition between the upper part of the component and the bar 20 of this rigid jaw 32.

For the establishment of the second holding system 30b, the tightening link 43 is arranged to surround the component 2b to be maintained. The two ends of this link 43 are passed through the openings 36 of the extendable bar, each being folded back on itself so as to coincide positioning two holes 44 into which a blocking pin 46 is inserted.

The equipment 1 according to the invention has the advantage of being able to immobilize different types of components capable of being located at various locations inside the housing. Furthermore, the equipment according to the invention can remain in place when the computer is used.

The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown since various modifications can be made thereto without departing from its scope.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS ί - Equipment for holding at least one component (2a, 2b, 2c) mounted inside a computer case (3) provided with a mounting support (6) for PCI brackets (7a, 7b, 7c), characterized in that it comprises a support piece (13) equipped with a PCI bracket (7c) intended to be fixed on the support of the housing, this support piece (13) having a beam (14 ) extending in a direction (X) substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension (Z) of the PCI bracket, the beam (14) supporting an extendable bar (20) extending in a direction (Y) substantially perpendicular to the directions of extension of the beam and the PCI bracket, by presenting at its opposite ends, abutments (20c) on the opposite walls of the housing, the extendable bar (20) being provided with at least one holding system (30a, 30b) for a component. 2 - Equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that the support piece (13) is mounted on the PCI bracket (7c) using an assembly system (15,16) allowing the adjustment of its position according to the direction of extension of the PCI bracket. 3 - Equipment according to claim 2 characterized in that it comprises as a system for adjusting the position of the support piece on the PCI bracket, screws (15) passing through at least one light (7 ₅ ) fitted in the PCI bracket and anchoring in threaded holes (16) arranged in the support piece. 4 - Equipment according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the extendable bar (20) is mounted on the beam (14) using an assembly device (21, 23, 25) allowing the adjustment of its position in the direction of extension of the beam (14). 5 - Equipment according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the extendable bar (20) comprises a locking system (21, 23) in a fixed position for which the abutments are in contact with the opposite side walls of the housing. 6 - Equipment according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the extendable bar (20) is provided as a holding system (30b) for a component, a clamping link (43) adjustable in length. 7 - Equipment according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the extendable bar (20) is provided as a holding system (30a) for a component, a clamp system. 8 - Equipment according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the extendable bar (20) comprises two sections (20ι, 2Ο2) mounted to slide one inside the other. 9 - Equipment according to claim 8 characterized in that the profiles include lights for mounting the or holding systems for a component (30a, 30b). 10 - Equipment according to claim 9 characterized in that the clamp holding system for a component comprises two jaws (32) each mounted articulated on an axis (33) passing through the slots (36) of the profiles, each jaw (32) being extended substantially at right angles by a support sole (37) intended to come into contact on the profile. 11 - Equipment according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the support piece (13) is in the form of a bracket. 12 - Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support piece (13) is mounted on the PCI bracket (7a) using a removable assembly system (15, 16) and in that that the extendable bar (20) is mounted on the beam (14) using a removable assembly device (21, 23, 25), the holding system (30a, 30b) for a component being fixed on the extendable bar (20) detachably so that the equipment (1) is in the form of a kit in spare parts. 13 - Computer case (3) provided with a mounting support (6) for PCI brackets (7a, 7b, 7c), characterized in that it comprises at least one piece of equipment (1) conforming to one of the previous claims, mounted on the mounting bracket (6) using a PCI bracket (7c) presented by said equipment. ^30S 63, ₃ 2/8 3/8 4/8 5/8