JP2000029572A - Supporting chassis for personal computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To design a mini tower personal computer(PC) based on ATX standard, for example, smaller than a conventional execution style. SOLUTION: This is a supporting chassis 10 for PC. Further, it is provided with a basic supporting structure 12 having a front area 16 having an attachment opening part 32 and an internal area 20 for accepting computer components so as to attach them and an accessory supporting structure 18 attached from the attachment opening part 32 to the front area of the basic supporting structure 12 in order to accept the computer components so as to attach them, and the accessory supporting structure 18 is positioned from the attachment opening part 32 while sliding that structure or detaches it from the attachment opening part and the assembly of PC and access to the computer components attached in the internal area 20 are facilitated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a front detachable sliding mounting cage used in a personal computer chassis and a tower type device. The mounting cage can accommodate peripheral devices such as disk drives, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and the like. Sliding engagement of the cage with the chassis allows for more compact mounting of peripherals, and further facilitates removal of the cage, thereby facilitating access to other components within the chassis. .

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As office and home workspaces become more crowded, personal computer (PC) cases and towers have been designed to be more space efficient. Such a small design makes the computer housing compact, but as chassis size decreases, internal accessibility becomes an issue. Similarly, the assembly or installation of various functional components has become difficult. It is important for a computer housing to have access to main components, such as a motherboard, without disassembling or interfering with many of the sub-components and connecting devices in the system.

[0003]

Prior solutions have attempted to reduce the volume of the chassis while still providing access to internal components. One such solution is a computer designed with the main board mounted on a removable panel. This allows access to the components and connectors of the main board by removing the main board from the PC. Some disadvantages of this design include the difficulty of removing the main board without removing the input / output (I / O) card, the difficulty of installing cables, the difficulty and cost of grounding and preventing electromagnetic interference, and the complexity of the assembly process. And labor and assembly costs.

[0004] Another solution includes a PC chassis with a drive cage or multiple cages that can be removed internally. Such a drive cage requires a mounting bracket and one or more drives can be removed from the PC by removing a set of screws. This solution requires a relatively large size computer because it requires space to slide the brackets and / or cage within the chassis. Also, such systems typically require the user to disconnect a number of cables when removing a drive for a component upgrade.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a solution that achieves a relatively small PC housing but retains accessibility to internal components. The solution must also allow low cost and robust ground contact and / or electromagnetic interference shielding of the main components. In addition, access to the interior of the housing must be quick and easy, with minimal (or no) removal of sister components or interference with connecting cables.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention described herein includes a front access removable drive cage that is slidably removed and mounted within a PC chassis. With this configuration, for example, a mini tower PC based on the ATX standard can be designed to be smaller than a conventionally implemented solution. The ATX standard mainboard has a processor and memory located where the hard drive is located in front of the mainboard to assemble and maintain access, which results in a larger chassis size. Is established. This design allows the main board to be mounted to the chassis with the drive slidably mounted to the front of the board. Although the drive is effectively heavy with access paths to the processor and memory, such disturbances are easily adjusted by releasing the bracket that holds the cage in place, and then pulling the cage out the front of the PC housing Is done. Furthermore, the sliding movement is assisted by a non-metal-metal contact surface.

[0007] The front access removable drive cage makes it easier to assemble a miniaturized computer. Removing the drive mounting structure during the assembly process provides sufficient access for mounting the main board, I / O cards, cables and power supplies.

Further, a front-access removable drive cage can improve user access to the main board for upgrading components such as CPU, memory, cache, and the like. Access to such upgrade component sockets is almost impossible with computers without removable drive cages sized according to the present invention.

In addition, critical components such as the main board can remain fixed to the chassis body without being removed. This ensures proper grounding of the components and reduces electromagnetic interference signals that may interfere with the operation of the PC and surrounding devices. In this connection, expensive ground connections for removable components are not required.

[0010] Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, which describes several embodiments of the invention by way of illustration and example, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments, objects, and features of the invention.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention implements an accessory mount, such as a drive cage, which can be slidably mounted and removed inside the chassis body of a personal computer. Sliding engagement devices provide low friction contact that facilitates installation and removal. The multiple tensioned or biased contact points provide sufficient electromagnetic interference grounding to the base chassis without the need for expensive or dedicated grounding contacts. These features generally allow for the construction of relatively small mini-tower computers that facilitate maintenance.

FIG. 1 shows a structured chassis unit 1.
0 shows a rear perspective view. Basic chassis frame 12
Has an internal space 14 for accommodating various components including the operating PC system. Frame 1
2 has a front area 16 with an opening that slidably receives an accessory mounting structure 18, also known as a drive cage. The front access removable drive cage can typically be formed from 1 mm thick plated cold rolled steel. The drive cage also typically mounts three 5.25-inch full-height computer peripherals, one 5.25-inch hard drive, and one 3.5-inch floppy drive. It is formed so that it can be. 3.5
Other drives, such as inch hard drives,
It can be mounted using an adapter bracket (not shown). Such a device is mounted in the interior 20 of the drive cage 18 and is secured by mounting holes 22 and mounting guides 24.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the component chassis 10 of FIG. The drive cage 18 has a front mounting decorative bezel 30, usually made of plastic. Drive cage 18 is slidably mounted in opening 32 formed in front area 16 of chassis frame 12. This figure also shows mounting holes 22 and guides 24 for mounting peripheral devices in drive cage 18. Bezel 30 may include a flexible snap-fit or articulating tab to conveniently attach bezel 30 to drive cage 18. The bezel 30 becomes the decorative front of the pull-out drive cage 18 after installation. Also,
Bezel 30 and drive cage 18 include mounts 34 (eg, slots, tabs, etc.) for mounting cosmetic filler bezels (not shown) that can be used to hide unused drive slots.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the chassis of FIG. 1 and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a lower rear perspective view of the unit 10. The drive cage 18 is completely removed from the front mounting opening 32 and out of the chassis frame 12. Referring again to FIG. 1, the drive cage 18 has a mounting rail 40 along its upper surface 42, typically made of sheet metal.
Along a top surface 46 of the interior 14 of the frame chassis 12, a corresponding set of guide rails 44 is formed.
In a preferred embodiment, these rails 44 are similarly formed from sheet metal. A U-shaped nylon insert or sleeve 50 is inserted along the length of each rail 44. These nylon inserts
Prevents metal from coming into contact with sliding parts. Alternatively, rails 40 and / or 44 can be formed from a material such as nylon. By contacting the metal with the non-metal, at least the drive cage 18
Mounting rail 40 and chassis 12 guide rail 4
The advantage is that the sliding friction between the sliding surfaces is reduced, metal shavings can be prevented from forming due to the sliding movement of the contact parts, and metal oxidation on and between the sliding surfaces can be reduced.

The rear part 50 of the drive cage rail 40
Each has a plurality of hook receivers or cutouts 52 formed in the rail material. These hook receivers 52
Are a pair of locks extending from the lock bar latch 56.
Interacts with pin or hook 54. A handle 60 is formed at the end of the lock bar latch 56. The latch is, in a preferred embodiment, a sliding piece that is held by two screws and a brass shoulder bushing through an elongated hole in the bar. Latch 56 is biased to the locked position, such as by a small coil spring (not shown).
Latch 56 is released to the unlocked position by pushing the spring and pulling handle 60. After the drive cage 18 is installed in the chassis 12, the latch 56 is held in the locked position by a blade or other such device that holds the latch 56 and the cage 18 in place.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, sheet metal around opening 32 is provided with a plurality of springs or flexible tabs 70.
Is formed. Such a tab has a plurality of inwardly directed projections 72. These protrusions 72 interact or contact the sides of the drive cage 18 when the drive cage 18 is slidably mounted in the chassis 12. Also, the top surface 42 of the drive cage 18 has a similar tab 78 with a protrusion 80 that contacts the top surface 46 of the chassis 12. Also, a downwardly projecting tab 82 on surface 46 contacts upper surface 42 of drive cage 18. Such tab-to-face interaction enhances ease of use and further assures grounding of the drive cage 18 and its internal mounting components to the chassis frame 12.

Therefore, the drive
To remove or partially slide the cage 18, the user unscrews the set screw and pulls the lock bar latch handle 60 to remove the drive cage assembly 18.
Must be pulled out from the opening 32. The drive cage may have detent bumps that stop the forward movement in place to provide the user with sufficient access when removing or installing internal components. Otherwise, friction can hold the drive cage in place. With this configuration,
The mounted drive can be quickly and conveniently pulled forward to access mounting components on the front of the mainboard, typically mounted on side 84 of interior 14. Such a configuration eliminates the need to remove the main board and other mounting internal components. Similarly, I / O cards and cables can be left attached as needed.

Next, when re-installing the drive cage, the user need only push the cage into the chassis 12. Tabs 70 and protrusions 72 can advantageously restore the ground connection, thereby minimizing electromagnetic interference between components. Further, the latch 56 is connected to the drive cage 18.
And automatically engage with the
Thus, when the cage 18 is pushed in, the latch 56 can be moved to the unlock position. in this case,
When the cage 18 is fully depressed and the latch bar 56 is fully engaged, the spring-loaded latch bar 56 provides a clicking sound. Next, the blade set screw and other devices are replaced, and the cage 18 is fixed in the chassis 12.

By using this configuration, the cable is hardly disconnected during the operation, since the drive is the only component that moves in the computer for internal access. Conventional designs, including removable mainboard panels or internally removable drive cage assemblies, are very likely to interfere with cable and card connections. Furthermore, it is often difficult and costly to restore the ground connection for electromagnetic interference.

The embodiments of the present invention will be summarized below.

<1> A support chassis (10) for a personal computer, having a front area (16) having a mounting opening (32) and an internal area (20) for removably receiving computer components. A basic support structure (12) and an accessory support structure (18) mounted in a front area (16) of the basic support structure (12) through a mounting opening (32) for removably receiving computer components. And the accessory support structure (18) is slidably positioned or removed from the mounting opening (32) and mounted to the personal computer and attached to the interior area (20). A support chassis (10) that facilitates access to computer components.

<2> The accessory support structure (18) includes a set of mounting rails (40), and the basic support structure (12).
Has a guide rail (44) and a mounting rail (40) that engages the guide rail (44).
The support chassis according to <1>.

<3> The support chassis according to <2>, wherein the mounting rail (40) slides in the guide rail (44).

<4> The non-metallic sleeve (50) inserted in the guide rail (44), wherein the mounting rail (40) slides on the sleeve (50). Support chassis.

<5> Mounting rail (40) and guide
The support chassis according to <2>, wherein the rails (44) are formed of different materials to reduce friction therebetween.

<6> The support chassis according to <5>, wherein the mounting rail (40) is made of metal, and the guide rail (44) is nonmetal.

<7> The basic support structure (12) includes a first set (70) of electrical ground contact points, and the accessory support structure (1)
8) includes a second set (78) of electrical contact points, and when the accessory support structure (18) is attached to the basic support structure (12), the first set (70) is configured to have the accessory support structure ( 18) The support chassis according to <1>, wherein the second set (78) engages on at least one surface of the basic support structure (12).

<8> The first and second (70, 78) electrical contacts have projections (7, 7) that facilitate reliable contact with the contact surface.
The support chassis according to <7>, having 2).

<9> The support chassis according to <1>, wherein the basic support structure (12) includes a latch (56) that engages with the accessory support structure (18) and holds it in its mounting position.

<10> a latch (56) slidably engaging the accessory support structure (18) and including a latching bar (56) biased to a locked position by an attached spring. 9> The support chassis according to <1>.

<11> The support chassis according to <9>, wherein the latch (56) automatically engages when the accessory support structure (18) is moved to its mounting position.

<12> A support chassis for a personal computer, comprising a front area (16) having a mounting opening (32) and an internal area (20) for removably receiving computer components. 12) and non-metal-to-metal contacts (40,44,5) for removably receiving computer components.
0) to ensure that the accessory support structure (18) mounted in the front area (16) of the base support structure (12) from the mounting opening (32) and the drive cage to be mounted are grounded to the base chassis. Ground contacts (70, 7
8) and a releasable latch (56) for securing the mounting drive cage in the base chassis, wherein the drive cage (18) is slidably positioned in the mounting opening (32) and mounted. A support chassis (10) that is removed from the opening (32) to facilitate assembly of the personal computer and access to computer components mounted in the interior area (20).

[0033]

As described above, the present invention is a support chassis for a personal computer, a basic support structure having a front area having a mounting opening and an internal area for removably receiving computer components. To accept the computer components mountably,
Accessory support structure attached to the front area of the basic support structure from the mounting opening, wherein the accessory support structure is slidably positioned or removed from the mounting opening. And personal
A support chassis that facilitates assembly of the computer and access to computer components mounted in the interior area. Therefore, according to the present invention, for example, a mini-tower personal computer based on the ATX standard can be designed smaller than the conventional type.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a computer mini-tower chassis with a sliding drive cage partially removed.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a computer mini-tower chassis with a sliding drive cage partially removed.

FIG. 3 is a bottom rear perspective view of the computer mini tower chassis with the sliding drive cage removed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Support chassis 12 Basic support structure 16 Front area 18 Accessory support structure 20 Internal area 32 Mounting opening 40 Mounting rail 44 Guide rail 50 Sleeve

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Diane Espalme 1009, Walnut Street, San Carlos, California, USA

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A support chassis (10) for a personal computer, comprising a front area (16) having a mounting opening (32) and an internal area (20) for removably receiving computer components. A support structure (12) and an accessory support structure (1) mounted in a front area (16) of the base support structure (12) through a mounting opening (32) for removably receiving computer components.
8) wherein the accessory support structure (18) is slidably positioned or removed from the mounting opening (32) for assembly of the personal computer and for internal area (20). A support chassis (10) that facilitates access to attached computer components.