Patent Application
20190090376
Large data centers may have rooms that contain multiple specialized racks to hold various types of computing equipment. In addition, each of these racks may hold multiple pieces of computing hardware that provide storage and computing power for organizations or individuals. For example, a data center may contain racks of hard drives and servers that process data and transmit information over a network. Occasionally, these data-center racks may be subjected to shocks or accidental forces. For example, racks may fall or be bumped during transportation or due to natural phenomena. These shocks to the system may cause damages to electronics housed by the racks or cause shifts that prevent normal functioning.
Traditionally, data-center racks may be protected by materials that provide a cushioning effect and/or attempt to maintain a fixed position of the hardware in a rack. For example, additional padding around hardware components may absorb part of the force. In another example, mechanisms composed of flexible materials may permit minor movement while preventing components from shifting beyond a set tolerance. However, large shocks may be difficult to sufficiently absorb, and flexible mechanisms may distort over time. In these instances, the hardware in the racks may suffer crucial loss and/or may eventually dislodge from the proper positions. Therefore, data-center racks may need improved methods for resisting shock and securing hardware to avoid permanent shifts.
As will be described in greater detail below, the instant disclosure describes various apparatuses, systems, and methods for resisting shock to a data-center rack by locking a chassis in place with a rack latch that may readjust the position of the chassis in response to a shock. In one example, a rack latch apparatus may include a rigid rack lock latch that includes a distal end coupled to a chassis and a protrusion dimensioned to lock the chassis in a rack. The rack latch apparatus may also include one or more spring standoffs that couple the distal end of the rack lock latch to the chassis such that a tension maintains a locked position of the rack lock latch during a shock event.
In some embodiments, the distal end of the rack lock latch may be coupled to a wall of the chassis such that the rack lock latch exerts a force outward toward the rack. In one embodiment, the protrusion may be dimensioned to fit an indentation in a side of the rack to lock the chassis in a position.
In some examples, a proximal end of the rack lock latch may extend beyond the chassis such that a force applied horizontally to the proximal end of the rack lock latch unlocks the rack lock latch. In these examples, the force applied horizontally to the proximal end of the rack lock latch may compress a spring standoff.
In one embodiment, the spring standoff may include a bar, an anchor coupled to a distal end of the bar, a cap coupled to a proximal end of the bar, a spacer fitted around the bar, and a compression spring dimensioned to maintain the tension separating the cap and the spacer. In this embodiment, the bar may be inserted through a wall of the chassis and the distal end of the rack lock latch such that the wall of the chassis separates the anchor and the rack lock latch. Additionally, the spacer may exert a force on the rack lock latch toward the wall of the chassis.
According to various embodiments, a corresponding data-center rack system may include a rack dimensioned to hold computer hardware. The data-center rack system may also include one or more chassis coupled to the rack and dimensioned to hold a drawer. Furthermore, the data-center rack system may include one or more right rack latches coupled to a right wall of a chassis to maintain a position of the chassis in the rack during a shock event and one or more left rack latches coupled to a left wall of the chassis to maintain the position of the chassis in the rack during the shock event. In one example, the drawer may be dimensioned to slide in the chassis such that the drawer extends away from the rack to expose the computer hardware.
In some examples, a right rack latch may include a rigid right rack lock latch and one or more right spring standoffs that couple the right rack lock latch to the right wall of the chassis. In these examples, the right rack lock latch may include a protrusion dimensioned to fit an indentation in a right side of the rack to lock the chassis in the rack. Additionally, a right spring standoff may couple a distal end of the right rack lock latch to the right wall of the chassis such that a tension of a compression spring maintains a locked position of the right rack lock latch during the shock event.
Similarly, in one embodiment, a left rack latch may include a rigid left rack lock latch and one or more left spring standoffs that couples the left rack lock latch to the left wall of the chassis. In this embodiment, the left rack lock latch may include a protrusion dimensioned to fit an indentation in a left side of the rack to lock the chassis in the rack. Furthermore, a left spring standoff may couple a distal end of the left rack lock latch to the left wall of the chassis such that a tension of a compression spring maintains a locked position of the left rack lock latch during the shock event.
In addition to the various systems and apparatuses described herein, the instant disclosure presents exemplary methods for resisting shock to a data-center rack. For example, a corresponding method may include coupling a distal end of a rigid rack lock latch to a chassis. The method may also include dimensioning a protrusion of the rack lock latch to lock the chassis in a rack. In addition, the method may include dimensioning a spring standoff to couple the distal end of the rack lock latch to the chassis such that a tension maintains a locked position of the rack lock latch during a shock event.
In some examples, coupling the distal end of the rack lock latch to the chassis may include coupling the distal end of the rack lock latch to a wall of the chassis such that the rack lock latch exerts a force outward toward the rack. In one example, dimensioning the protrusion of the rack lock latch may include dimensioning the protrusion to fit an indentation in a side of the rack to lock the chassis in a position. In a further example, the spring standoff of the above method may be dimensioned to include a bar, an anchor coupled to a distal end of the bar, a cap coupled to a proximal end of the bar, a spacer fitted around the bar, and a compression spring dimensioned to maintain the tension separating the cap and the spacer.
Features from any of the above-mentioned embodiments may be used in combination with one another in accordance with the general principles described herein. These and other embodiments, features, and advantages will be more fully understood upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.
The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of the instant disclosure.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and descriptions indicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. While the exemplary embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.
The present disclosure describes and illustrates various apparatuses, systems, and methods for resisting shock to a data-center rack. As will be explained in greater detail below, embodiments of the instant disclosure may improve the ability of data-center racks to house computing equipment by ensuring the equipment is secured in place. The disclosed rack latches may improve the realignment of chassis in data-center racks by exerting a force against the chassis to maintain a position in relation to the racks. For example, a spring standoff may return a rack latch to a locked position after a shock dislodges the chassis. The rack latch may then force the chassis back to its position in the rack. Additionally, the rack latch may be specifically designed to fit a groove or indentation in the rack to lock the chassis. Thus, the embodiments described herein may resist displacement of components in a data-center rack.
The following will provide, with reference to
The term “chassis,” as used herein, generally refers to a base structure or framework that fits into a rack, such as in a drawer-like fashion, to house or support computing equipment. The term “rack,” as used herein, generally refers to a physical framework designed to house electronic and/or computing equipment, such as servers and/or storage media. As used herein, the term “shock event” generally refers to an instance in which a force is unexpectedly applied to an object, such as a data-center rack and/or components within the rack.
In some examples, rack lock latch 100 may include a distal end 102 coupled to the chassis. In these example, rack lock latch 100 may also include a protrusion 104 dimensioned to lock the chassis in the rack. Additionally, rack lock latch 100 may include a proximal end 106 that may be used to unlock rack lock latch 100. In one embodiment, protrusion 104 of
In the above embodiment, spring standoff 200 may also include a spacer 208 fitted around bar 202 to apply a force to rack lock latch 100 of
In the example of
In some examples, the bars of spring standoffs 200(1) and/or 200(2), such as bar 202, may be inserted through wall 402 of the chassis and distal end 102 of rack lock latch 100 such that wall 402 separates anchor 204 and rack lock latch 100. Furthermore, in one example, spacer 208 may exert a force on rack lock latch 100 toward wall 402 of the chassis. The force may push rack lock latch 100 to the locked position as protrusion 104 passes through an aperture in wall 402 of the chassis to lock to the rack.
In some embodiments, right rack latch apparatus 400(2) may include a rigid right rack lock latch 100(2) and one or more right spring standoffs that couples right rack lock latch 100(2) to the right wall of chassis 602. Similarly, left rack latch apparatus 400(1) may include a rigid left rack lock latch 100(1) and one or more left spring standoffs, such as left spring standoff 200, that couples left rack lock latch 100(1) to the left wall of chassis 602.
In one example, right rack lock latch 100(2) may include a protrusion, such as protrusion 104, that fits an indentation in a right side of the rack to lock chassis 602 in the rack. Left rack lock latch 100(1) may include a similar protrusion dimensioned to fit an indentation in a left side of the rack.
In some examples, the right spring standoffs may couple a distal end of right rack lock latch 100(2) to the right wall of chassis 602 such that a tension of a compression spring maintains a locked position of right rack lock latch 100(2) during the shock event. Simultaneously or separately, left spring standoff 200 may couple a distal end of left rack lock latch 100(1) to the left wall of chassis 602 such that a tension of a compression spring maintains a locked position of left rack lock latch 100(1) during the shock event.
In some examples, the rack lock latches of chassis 602(1) and/or 602(2) may include protrusions, such as protrusion 104 of
In one embodiment, during a shock event, chassis 602(1) and/or 602(2) may shift out of alignment from rack 802. In response, a spring standoff, such as spring standoff 200 of
As shown in
At step 920, a protrusion of the rack lock latch may be dimensioned to lock the chassis in the rack. For example, as illustrated in
At step 930, a spring standoff may be dimensioned to couple the distal end of the rack lock latch to the chassis such that a tension maintains a locked position of the rack lock latch during a shock event. For example, as shown in
In the above example, spring standoff 200 may be coupled to rack lock latch 100 and chassis 602 by mooring anchor 204 at wall 402 of chassis 602 and passing bar 202 through chassis 602 and rack lock latch 100. Spacer 208 may then be fitted around bar 202 to exert a force against rack lock latch 100. Compression spring 210 may also be fitted around bar 202 to provide the force, and cap 206 may be coupled to the proximal end of bar 202 to confine compression spring 210 and maintain the tension.
As discussed throughout the instant disclosure, the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatuses may provide one or more advantages over traditional methods of resisting shocks to a data-center rack. For example, the rack latch apparatuses described herein may prevent movement of hardware components in a chassis from small shocks to a rack. As another example, by configuring a spring standoff to exert a tension on a rigid latch against the chassis, the systems described herein may force the chassis back into position in the event of dislodging due to a strong shock. Additionally, the disclosed chassis may contain a drawer dimensioned to hold and/or protect various hardware. Furthermore, the rack latch apparatuses described herein may enable the chassis to be easily removed and/or installed in racks by dimensioning protrusions to lock into the racks. Thus, the mechanisms disclosed herein may improve methods to secure and reposition hardware in data-center racks during shock events.
The process parameters and sequence of the steps described and/or illustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied as desired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or described herein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do not necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed. The various exemplary methods described and/or illustrated herein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustrated herein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.
The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. This exemplary description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure. The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. Reference should be made to the appended claims and their equivalents in determining the scope of the instant disclosure.
Unless otherwise noted, the terms “connected to” and “coupled to” (and their derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as permitting both direct and indirect (i.e., via other elements or components) connection. In addition, the terms “a” or “an,” as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning “at least one of.” Finally, for ease of use, the terms “including” and “having” (and their derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”
