TWM671653U - Chassis structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present technology relates to a chassis structure including a bottom panel having a first installation element disposed across the bottom panel and a second installation element disposed across the bottom panel, the first installation element having a different configuration than the second installation element. A first and a second sidewall longitudinally extending in the chassis and located on respective sides of the bottom panel. A back wall extending between the first and the second sidewall at a back of the chassis, the back wall having apertures for allowing fluid flow between inside and outside of the chassis. A hardware component, removably connected to the bottom panel of the chassis, including a bottom wall, a connector disposed on the bottom wall, the connector configured to be received by the first installation element, and a retention mechanism disposed on the bottom wall configured to be received by the second installation element.

Description

Chassis structure

The present technology relates to a housing structure, and more particularly, to a housing structure that facilitates cooling, access, and removal of electronic components.

A server is a central computer that typically services computers in a network environment and provides these network computers with necessary functionality, such as storage, processing, and information exchange. It is known that servers may be implemented similarly to a known personal computer and typically include a central processing unit (CPU), memory (several), and input/output devices, all of which are communicatively coupled together internally via a bus. These internal components of a server or server hardware operate according to inherent specifications and may be affected by external factors such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and the like.

A server rack includes a chassis structure for storing and connecting multiple computer nodes. Each node can be used as an individual computing unit with (several) CPUs, (several) graphics processing units (GPUs), memory, data buses, etc.

Depending on the purpose of the computer node, different types of hardware components are implemented. Therefore, when assembling each computer node in a data center, an end user will need to use specific installation methods to install different hardware components and the specific connectors and power modes associated with those hardware components.

Embodiments of the present technology have been developed based on the developer's understanding of at least one technical problem associated with previous technical solutions. Therefore, the developer has designed a chassis structure for a server rack that allows for quick and easy installation and removal of hardware components based on end-user requirements.

In a first broad aspect of the present technology, a housing structure is provided. The housing structure includes a housing. The housing includes a base plate having a first mounting element disposed across the base plate and a second mounting element disposed across the base plate, the first mounting element having a configuration different from the second mounting element. A first side wall and a second side wall extend longitudinally in the housing and are positioned on respective sides of the base plate. A rear wall extends between the first side wall and the second side wall at a rear portion of the housing, the rear wall having a hole for allowing fluid to flow between the interior of the housing and the exterior of the housing. A hardware assembly is removably connected to the base plate of the housing. The hardware assembly includes: a bottom wall; a connector disposed on the bottom wall, the connector being configured to be received by the first mounting element; and a retaining mechanism disposed on the bottom wall, the retaining mechanism being configured to be received by the second mounting element.

In some embodiments, the first and second mounting elements are disposed across a front portion of the base plate.

In some embodiments, the first mounting element is a plurality of first openings, the second mounting element is a plurality of second openings, and the plurality of first openings are a different shape from the plurality of second openings.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of first openings includes a larger opening that narrows toward a slot and a ramp-like feature that slopes downward between the larger opening and the slot.

In some embodiments, the plurality of first openings are distributed across two rows, the two rows extending across the bottom plate between the first side wall and the second side wall, and the plurality of second openings are distributed across three rows, the three rows extending across the bottom plate between the first side wall and the second side wall.

In some embodiments, the plurality of first openings are evenly spaced across each of the two rows and the plurality of second openings are evenly spaced across each of the three rows.

In some embodiments, the plurality of first openings of the first one of the two rows are longitudinally aligned with the plurality of first openings of the second one of the two rows, and the plurality of second openings of the first one of the three rows are longitudinally aligned with the plurality of second openings of the second one and a third one of the three rows.

In some embodiments, a distance between the plurality of second openings and the rear wall of the housing is less than a distance between the plurality of first openings and the rear wall of the housing.

In some embodiments, a diameter of the larger opening is larger than a diameter of the second opening.

In some embodiments, engagement between the connector and the first mounting element prevents the hardware assembly from advancing toward the rear wall, and engagement between the retention mechanism and the second mounting element prevents the hardware assembly from advancing away from the rear wall.

In some embodiments, the connector includes: a disc-shaped top; a disc-shaped bottom having a diameter similar to a diameter of the top; and a cylindrical post between the disc-shaped top and the disc-shaped bottom, the cylindrical post having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the top and the diameter of the bottom.

In some embodiments, the bottom wall includes a hole, the top portion is disposed in the hole and the post extends away from the bottom wall.

In some embodiments, the hole further includes a plurality of teeth disposed around a periphery of the hole and the plurality of teeth engage an outer edge of the top of the connector.

In some embodiments, the retaining mechanism includes a bolt and an operating lever configured to engage the bolt to retain the second mounting element.

In some embodiments, the connector is a first connector and the hardware assembly further includes a second connector disposed on the bottom wall.

In some embodiments, the bottom wall includes an extension and the retaining mechanism is disposed on the extension.

In some embodiments, the first mounting element includes a plurality of first openings disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. Each of the plurality of first openings includes a larger opening that narrows toward a slot and a ramp-like feature extending between the larger opening and the slot. The second mounting element includes a plurality of second openings disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. Each of the plurality of second openings includes a circular opening. The connector is configured to be received by one of the plurality of first openings, the connector including: a top; a bottom configured to be received by the larger opening; and a post between the top and the bottom, the post being configured to be received by the slot. The retaining mechanism is configured to be received by one of the plurality of second openings, and the retaining mechanism includes a bolt and an operating rod configured to engage the bolt.

In some embodiments, the connector is configured to slidably engage the first mounting element.

In some embodiments, the plate includes a first mounting element disposed across the base plate and a second mounting element disposed across the base plate, the first mounting element having a different configuration than the second mounting element. The first and second mounting elements are used to removably connect a hardware assembly to the housing, the hardware assembly including: a bottom wall; a connector disposed on the bottom wall, the connector configured to be received by the first mounting element; and a retaining mechanism disposed on the bottom wall, the retaining mechanism configured to be received by the second mounting element.

Each implementation of this technology has at least one of the above-mentioned purposes and/or aspects, but not necessarily all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of this technology resulting from attempts to achieve the above-mentioned purposes may not meet this purpose and/or may meet other purposes not explicitly stated herein.

Additional and/or alternative features, aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present technology will be apparent from the following description, drawings and accompanying new patent application scope.

100: Chassis structure

200: Chassis

202: First base plate

204: First side wall

206: Second side wall

210: Back wall

212: Hole

213: Power connector

214: First opening/installation components

215: Motherboard connector

216: Second opening/installation components

218:Front

220: First column

222: Second column

224: First column

226: Second column

228: The third column

230: Larger opening

232: Smaller opening/slot

234: Slope-like features

236: Connector

238: Top

240: column

242: Bottom

244:Maintaining mechanism

246: Bolt

248: Operating lever

300: Computer node

400: Fan

500:Hardware components

502: Bottom wall

504: Hole

506: Extension

508: Teeth

1000: Server rack

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present technology will be better understood with reference to the following description, the accompanying patent application and the accompanying drawings, among which:

FIG1 is a left front perspective view of a server rack housing a housing structure.

FIG. 2 is a left front perspective view of a case structure having a computer node and accommodating a plurality of hardware components; FIG. 3 is a left front perspective view of the case structure of FIG. 2 and an exploded view of the hardware components; FIG. 4 is a close-up of a left front perspective view of a front portion of the case structure of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a left front perspective view of a front portion of the case structure with a hardware component installed; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a close-up view of a connector of the hardware component depicted in FIG. 6; and FIG. 8 is a close-up view of a retaining mechanism of the hardware component depicted in FIG. 5.

The examples and conditional language described in this article are mainly intended to help readers understand the principles of this technology, rather than limiting its scope to these specific examples and conditions. It should be understood that those familiar with this technology can conceive of various configurations that, although not explicitly described or shown in this article, embody the principles of this technology and are included in its spirit and scope.

In addition, to aid understanding, the following description may describe a relatively simplified implementation of the present technology. Those familiar with the technology should understand that various implementations of the present technology may have a greater complexity.

In some cases, content that is considered to be a useful modification example of the present technology may also be described. This is only to help understanding and is not intended to define the scope or describe the boundaries of the present technology. These modifications are not an exhaustive list, and those familiar with this technology may make other modifications while still within the scope of the present technology. In addition, when modification examples are not described, they should not be interpreted as not being able to be modified and/or that the content described is the only way to implement that element of the present technology.

Chassis structure

Referring to FIG. 1 , a server rack 1000 is depicted housing one of a plurality of housing structures (not numbered) within a housing structure 100. Thus, it can be said that the housing structure 100 is configured to be housed within the server rack 1000. Broadly speaking, one or more of the housing structures of the server rack 1000 are configured to process processable requests and/or tasks from an external client. For example, data indicative of a given processable request may be captured by one or more electronic components of the housing structure 100 (and/or by electronic components of other housing structures of the server rack 1000). This data may then be processed and/or stored by one or more of the electronic components of the housing structure 100. How the housing structure 100 is implemented in at least some embodiments of the present technology will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2 .

As depicted in FIG. 2 , the case structure 100 includes a case 200 and a computer node 300. The case structure 100 also includes a fan 400 at its rear.

However, in at least some embodiments, the fan 400 may be omitted from the housing structure 100. For example, it is contemplated that the fan 400 may alternatively be provided on the rear of one of the server racks 1000.

Chassis

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a description will be given of how the housing 200 of the housing structure 100 may be implemented in at least some embodiments of the present technology.

As depicted in FIG. 3 , the housing 200 includes a first bottom plate 202, a first side wall 204, a second side wall 206, and a rear wall 210. The first side wall 204 and the second side wall 206 extend longitudinally in the housing 200 and are positioned on respective sides of the first bottom plate 202. The rear wall 210 extends transversely between the first side wall 204 and the second side wall 206 at the rear of the housing 200 and is connected to the first side wall 204 and the second side wall 206.

The first side wall 204, the second side wall 206, and the rear wall 210 are attached to the bottom plate 202 of the housing 200 using any suitable attachment members such as, for example, bolts and/or screws. Alternatively, the first side wall 204, the second side wall 206, and the rear wall 210 may be integrally formed with the bottom plate 202 to provide the housing 200.

The rear wall 210 is also configured to accommodate, among other things, a power connector 213, a motherboard connector 215, and other connectors (not numbered), as will be discussed in more detail further below. The rear wall 210 has holes 212, generally for allowing fluid communication between the interior of the housing 200 and the exterior of the housing 200 through the rear wall 210.

It should be noted that in the non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 , the fan 400 is removably attached to the rear wall 210 outside the housing 200. As shown, when the fan 400 is removably attached to the rear wall 210, the fan 400 is longitudinally aligned with the respective holes 212 to generate a fluid flow from the interior of the housing 200 through the rear wall 210 toward the exterior of the housing 200.

The first side wall 204, the second side wall 206, the rear wall 210 and the bottom plate 202 define a storage space 260 in the housing 200. The storage space 260 of the housing 200 is configured to accommodate the computer node 300 (see FIG. 2).

The base plate 202 includes mounting elements 214, 216 configured to receive various hardware components 500 associated with the computer node 300. In some embodiments of the present technology, the hardware components 500 include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a non-volatile memory storage medium (NVME), a motherboard, a processing unit, and a random access memory (RAM). It should be understood that the hardware components 500 can be selected and placed in the housing 200 to meet user needs.

The mounting elements 214, 216 are configured to removably connect to a connector 236 and a retaining mechanism 244 of the hardware assembly 500. Thus, a user can customize the hardware assembly 500 installed in the computer node 300 by removably connecting the hardware assembly 500 to the bottom plate 202 of the housing 200.

In some embodiments, the hardware component 500 may include at least one of the following: ‧ Integrated server nodes: These are the main computing units within a rack, consisting of a CPU (central processing unit), memory (RAM), and storage devices used to execute tasks, run applications, and manage data; ‧ Power supplies: Server racks can be equipped with redundant power supplies to ensure uninterrupted operation and can convert incoming AC power into DC power for use by server components; ‧ Cooling solutions : Internal cooling mechanisms (such as fans and heat sinks) maintain the optimal operating temperature of components to prevent overheating and ensure reliable performance; ‧ Motherboard: The main circuit board that houses the CPU, RAM slots, expansion slots, and connectors for various internal and external devices; ‧ CPU: The CPU is the core processing unit responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations, and a single server node can have multiple CPUs or a single CPU core; ‧ RAM: RAM stores data that the CPU is actively using to allow Data access that is faster than reading from the storage drive; Storage devices: Hard disk drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD) provide data storage for operating systems, applications, and user data; Network interface cards (NIC): These interface cards enable communication between servers and networks to allow data to be sent and received over the network; RAID controllers: Redundant array of independent disks (RAID) controllers manage multiple storage drives to improve performance, redundancy, and data integrity; Expansion Cards: These cards can include graphics cards, additional NICs, or hardware dedicated to tasks such as encryption or hardware acceleration; ‧ BMC/Management Controller: A baseboard management controller (BMC) provides remote monitoring and management capabilities and allows administrators to perform tasks such as remote power cycling, monitoring health status, and accessing the server console through a network connection; and ‧ Diagnostic LEDs: These indicators provide visual feedback on the status of various components to help quickly troubleshoot and identify potential problems.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict the mounting elements 214, 216 on the bottom plate 202 of the housing 200 as two types of openings, namely, a plurality of first openings 214 and a plurality of second openings 216, wherein the plurality of first openings 214 are a different shape from the plurality of second openings 216. The first openings 214 and the second openings 216 are disposed transversely across a front portion 218 of the bottom plate 202. The first opening 214 is disposed longitudinally in front of the second opening 216. As depicted in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first opening 214 and the second opening 216 are aligned in the longitudinal direction. It is contemplated that in an alternative embodiment, the first opening 214 may be laterally offset from the second opening 216.

First opening

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first openings 214 will now be described in more detail. Two rows of first openings 214 are disposed across the base plate 202, i.e., a first row 220 and a second row 222. Each row 220, 222 of the first openings 214 extends transversely across the base plate 202. The first openings 214 are evenly spaced across each row 220, 222 between the first sidewall 204 and the second sidewall 206. The first openings 214 of the first row 220 are aligned with the first openings 214 of the second row 222 in the longitudinal direction. Although two rows 220, 222 are described, it is contemplated that the first openings 214 may be disposed across a number of rows.

It is contemplated that in alternative embodiments, the first openings 214 may be unevenly distributed across the rows 220, 222. In further alternative embodiments, the first openings 214 of the rows 220, 222 may be laterally offset. For example, the first row 220 of first openings 214 may be laterally offset from the second row 222 of first openings 214.

The first opening 214 is comprised of a larger opening 230 that narrows and/or tapers to a relatively smaller opening 232. As depicted in FIG. 5 , the larger opening 230 is rounded and the smaller opening 232 is shaped as a slot 232. The slot 232 is positioned lower than the larger opening 230 to prevent accidental disconnection of the hardware assembly 500. Specifically, the first opening 214 includes a ramp-like feature 234 extending between the larger opening 230 and the slot 232 (as seen in FIG. 8 ). The ramp-like feature 234 slopes downwardly between the larger opening 230 and the slot 232. In some embodiments of the present technology, the first opening 214 is configured similarly to an opening on a PEM® KEYHOLE® sheet.

Connectors

Each hardware component 500 includes at least one connector 236 disposed on a bottom wall 502 of the hardware component 500. As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connector 236 is composed of a top 238, a bottom 242, and a column 240 therebetween. The top 238 and the bottom 242 are plate-shaped and circular. The column 240 is cylindrical and extends from the center of the top 238 to the center of the bottom 242. The diameters of the top 238 and the bottom 242 are similar to each other and larger than the diameter of the column 240.

The top 238 of the connector 236 is connected to the bottom wall 502 of the hardware assembly 500. Referring to FIG. 7 , the bottom wall 502 includes at least one hole 504 for receiving the top 238. In some embodiments of the present technology, a perimeter of the hole 504 includes a plurality of teeth 508 that engage an outer edge of the top 238. The post 240 extends away from the bottom wall 502 so that the post 240 and the bottom 242 are positioned below the bottom wall 502. In some embodiments of the present technology, the connector 236 is configured similar to a KEYHOLE® fastener (such as SKC-F ^™ ).

In some embodiments of the present technology, the bottom wall 502 includes two holes 504 (and therefore two connectors 236). However, it should be understood that any number of holes 504 can be disposed in the bottom wall 502 so that any number of connectors 236 can be connected to the hardware assembly 500.

Each connector 236 is sized to be received by one of the first openings 214. Specifically, the bottom 242 is sized to be received by the larger opening 230, and the post 240 is sized to be received by the slot 232. As will be described in more detail below, when the hardware assembly 500 is connected to the case 200, the bottom 242 of the connector 236 is inserted into the larger opening 230 of one of the first openings 214. The hardware assembly 500 is advanced longitudinally toward the rear wall 210, which slides the post 240 into the slot 232. The slot 232 prevents any further advancement toward the rear wall 210. Additionally, the slot 232 has a smaller diameter than the bottom 242 of the connector 236, which prevents the hardware assembly 500 from accidentally becoming detached when pulled upward (away from the base plate 202).

It is contemplated that in alternative embodiments, the first opening 214 and the connector 236 may have different configurations that complement each other to allow each connector 236 to be received by a respective first opening 214.

Second opening

4 and 5, the second openings 216 are spaced across three rows, namely, a first row 224, a second row 226, and a third row 228. Each row 224, 226, 228 of the second openings 216 extends transversely across the bottom plate 202. The second openings 216 are evenly spaced across each row 224, 226, 228 between the first sidewall 204 and the second sidewall 206. The second openings 216 of each of the three rows 224, 226, 228 are longitudinally aligned with each other. The three rows 224, 226, 228 of the second openings 216 longitudinally positioned are offset from the two rows 220, 222 of the first openings 214. Specifically, the three rows 224, 226, 228 of the second openings 216 are disposed longitudinally behind the two rows 220, 222 of the first openings 214, such that the second openings 216 are closer to the rear wall 210 than the first openings 214. Although the three rows 224, 226, 228 of the second openings 216 are described, it is contemplated that the second openings 216 may be disposed across a number of rows.

It is contemplated that in alternative embodiments, the second openings 216 may be unevenly distributed across each of the rows 224, 226, 228. In further alternative embodiments, the second openings 216 of each row 224, 226, 228 may be laterally offset. For example, the first row 224 of second openings 216 may be laterally offset from the second and third rows 226, 228.

The second opening 216 is circular and sized to be smaller than the first opening 214. Specifically, the second opening 216 is smaller than the larger opening 230 of the first opening 214.

Maintaining mechanism

As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 8 , each hardware component 500 includes a retaining mechanism 244. The retaining mechanism 244 is configured to be received by one of the second openings 216. When received by the second opening 216, the retaining mechanism 244 is configured to hold the hardware component 500 in place on the bottom plate 202 of the housing 200.

The retaining mechanism 244 is disposed on the bottom wall 502 of the hardware assembly 500. In some embodiments of the present technology, the bottom wall 502 includes an extension 506 on which the retaining mechanism 244 is disposed. It is contemplated that in alternative embodiments of the present technology, the extension 506 may be omitted.

6 and 8, the retaining mechanism 244 will now be further described. The retaining mechanism 244 can be embodied as a latch including a bolt 246 and an operating lever 248. The bolt 246 is cylindrical and configured to be received by one of the second openings 216. The operating lever 248 is configured to engage the bolt 246 into the second opening 216. When the operating lever 248 engages the bolt 246, the bolt 246 is lowered into the second opening 216 (as seen in FIG. 6). When the bolt 246 is received by the second opening 216, the lateral and longitudinal movement of the hardware assembly 500 is restricted to prevent the hardware assembly 500 from accidentally disengaging from the housing 200. Specifically, the hardware assembly 500 cannot be accidentally moved forward within the housing 200 (i.e., away from the rear wall 210), which would cause the connector 236 to disengage from the first opening 214. When the operating lever 248 disengages from the bolt 246, the bolt 246 lifts from the second opening 216, thereby allowing the hardware assembly 500 to move forward to disconnect the first opening 214 from the connector 236 and ultimately disconnect the hardware assembly 500 from the housing 200.

In some embodiments of the present technology, each hardware component 500 includes a retaining mechanism 244. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, any number of retaining mechanisms 244 may be disposed on the hardware component 500.

It is contemplated that in alternative embodiments, the second opening 216 and the bolt 246 may have different configurations that complement each other so that each bolt 246 can be received by a respective second opening 216.

operate

As previously described, the hardware components 500 of a respective computer node 300 can be selected and installed to meet the user's requirements. The hardware components 500 are configured to be quickly and easily connected to the bottom plate 202 of the housing 200 via the first and second openings 214, 216 and the connector 236 and the retaining mechanism 244, respectively.

When installing the selected hardware assembly 500, the user positions the hardware assembly 500 so that the connector 236 is aligned with one of the first openings 214 and the retaining mechanism 244 is aligned with one of the second openings 216. The hardware assembly 500 is advanced into the housing 200 toward the rear wall 210. Once the connector 236 reaches the first opening 214, the connector 236 is seated into the larger opening 230. Specifically, the bottom 242 of the connector 236 is received in the larger opening 230. As the user continues to push the hardware assembly 500 toward the rear wall 210, the connector 236 slides into the slot 232 of the first opening 214. That is, the post 240 of the connector 236 is received by the slot 232 to stop any further advancement of the hardware assembly 500 toward the rear wall 210. The hardware assembly 500 is now protected from any accidental disengagement in the upward direction.

The user then actuates the retaining mechanism 244 to engage the lever 248 which inserts the bolt 246 into the second opening 216. Thus, the hardware assembly 500 is protected from any accidental disengagement in the lateral and longitudinal directions. Specifically, the hardware assembly 500 cannot slide toward the front of the housing 200, which would disengage the connector 236 from the first opening 214.

To disconnect the hardware assembly 500 from the base plate 202, the user releases the lever 248, which causes the bolt 246 to exit from the second opening 216. The hardware assembly 500 is moved toward the front of the case 200, away from the rear wall 210, and lifted slightly upward, which disengages the post 240 from the slot 232. The hardware assembly 500 is lifted away from the base plate 202 to allow the bottom 242 of the connector 236 to exit from the larger opening 230 of the first opening 214. The hardware assembly 500 is now released from the case 200.

Those familiar with this technology can understand the modifications and improvements of the above-mentioned embodiments of this technology. The above description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. The scope of this technology is therefore intended to be limited only by the scope of the attached new patent application.

100: Chassis structure

1000: Server rack

Claims (19)

A case structure, comprising: A case, comprising: A base plate, having: A first mounting element, disposed across the base plate; A second mounting element, disposed across the base plate; and The first mounting element has a different configuration than the second mounting element; A first side wall and a second side wall, which extend longitudinally in the case and are positioned on respective sides of the base plate; A rear wall, which extends between the first side wall and the second side wall at a rear portion of the case, the rear wall having a hole for allowing fluid to flow between the interior of the case and the exterior of the case; and A hardware assembly, which is removably connected to the base plate of the case, the hardware assembly comprising: A base wall; a connector disposed on the bottom wall, the connector being configured to be received by the first mounting element; and a retaining mechanism disposed on the bottom wall, the retaining mechanism being configured to be received by the second mounting element. A casing structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second mounting elements are arranged across a front portion of the base plate. A housing structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the first mounting element is a plurality of first openings; the second mounting element is a plurality of second openings; and the plurality of first openings are a shape different from the plurality of second openings. A housing structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of first openings comprises: a larger opening that narrows toward a slot; and a ramp-like feature that slopes downward between the larger opening and the slot. A housing structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein: the plurality of first openings are distributed across two rows, the two rows extending across the bottom plate between the first side wall and the second side wall; and the plurality of second openings are distributed across three rows, the three rows extending across the bottom plate between the first side wall and the second side wall. A housing structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the plurality of first openings are evenly spaced across each of the two rows; and the plurality of second openings are evenly spaced across each of the three rows. A housing structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the plurality of first openings of the first one of the two rows are longitudinally aligned with the plurality of first openings of the second one of the two rows; and the plurality of second openings of the first one of the three rows are longitudinally aligned with the plurality of second openings of the second one of the three rows and the third one of the three rows. A casing structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein: A distance between the plurality of second openings and the rear wall of the casing is smaller than a distance between the plurality of first openings and the rear wall of the casing. A housing structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein: A straight diameter of the larger opening is larger than a straight diameter of the second opening. A housing structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the engagement between the connector and the first mounting element prevents the hardware assembly from advancing toward the rear wall; and the engagement between the retaining mechanism and the second mounting element prevents the hardware assembly from advancing away from the rear wall. The housing structure of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises: a disk-shaped top; a disk-shaped bottom having a diameter similar to a diameter of the top; and a cylindrical column between the disk-shaped top and the disk-shaped bottom, the cylindrical column having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the top and the diameter of the bottom. A housing structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein: the bottom wall includes a hole; the top is disposed in the hole; and the column extends away from the bottom wall. A housing structure as claimed in claim 12, wherein: the hole further comprises a plurality of teeth disposed around a periphery of the hole; and the plurality of teeth engage an outer edge of the top of the connector. A housing structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining mechanism comprises: a bolt; and an operating lever configured to engage the bolt to be retained within the second mounting element. A housing structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the connector is a first connector; and the hardware assembly further includes a second connector disposed on the bottom wall. A housing structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the bottom wall includes an extension portion; and the retaining mechanism is disposed on the extension portion. A housing structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the first mounting element includes a plurality of first openings disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, each of the plurality of first openings including: a larger opening that narrows toward a slot; and a ramp-like feature that extends between the larger opening and the slot; and the second mounting element includes a plurality of second openings disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, each of the plurality of second openings including a circular opening; the connector is configured to be received by one of the plurality of first openings, the connector including: a top; a bottom that is configured to be received by the larger opening; and a post between the top and the bottom, the post being configured to be received by the slot; and The retaining mechanism is configured to be received by one of the plurality of second openings, and the retaining mechanism includes: a bolt; and an operating rod configured to engage the bolt. A housing structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to slidably engage the first mounting element. A base plate for a housing structure, the plate comprising: a first mounting element disposed across the base plate; a second mounting element disposed across the base plate; and the first mounting element having a configuration different from that of the second mounting element; the first mounting element extending along the second mounting element; the first and second mounting elements being used to removably connect a hardware assembly to the housing, the hardware assembly comprising: a bottom wall; a connector disposed on the bottom wall, the connector being configured to be received by the first mounting element; and a retaining mechanism disposed on the bottom wall, the retaining mechanism being configured to be received by the second mounting element.