Patent Application
20220159861
This disclosure generally relates to information handling systems, and more particularly relates to a magnetic dual axis hinge system.
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software resources that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
A latch to secure an access panel at an enclosure may include a shuttle component including a latch pin. The latch pin is configured to engage with a corresponding receptacle at the enclosure. A spring retracts the latch pin to within the access panel when the access panel is not positioned for installation at the enclosure, and permits the latch pin to protrude from the access panel to mate with the receptacle in response to magnetic attraction by a magnet positioned within the receptacle when the access panel is positioned for installation at the enclosure. The magnetic attraction of the magnet to the latch pin overcomes the force of the spring to retract the latch pin.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect to the drawings presented herein, in which:
The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.
The following description in combination with the Figures is provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachings, and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings. However, other teachings can certainly be used in this application. The teachings can also be used in other applications, and with several different types of architectures, such as distributed computing architectures, client/server architectures, or middleware server architectures and associated resources.
Springs 312 at latch mechanisms provided at the lower left and lower right corners of access panel 130 should provide enough pre-loading force to overcome the weight of each shuttle 310. For example, if spring 312 is not strong enough, the lower left and right corner shuttles 310 will not remain retracted allowing the latch pin 311 to remain protruding from the access panel 130. In an embodiment, magnets 302 utilized in the top left and top right corner receptacles 301 can provide greater magnetic attractive force compared the bottom left and bottom right corner receptacles 301 if the same size of spring 312 is used on both the upper and lower shuttles 310. This is due to the top magnets 302 needing to overcome the additional weight of the top left and right corner shuttles 310 to deploy the upper latch pins 311. Alternatively, differently sized springs 312 can be used for the upper left and upper right latches relative to those used at latches in the lower left and lower right corners. In particular, springs 312 included at the upper latches can provide only enough pre-load force to avoid potential rattling of the upper shuttles 310, and the lower left and lower right springs 312 can provide enough force to overcome the weight of shuttles 310 at the bottom left and bottom right corner. In this case, the size/number of magnets 302 used in the top left and right corner receptacles 301 may be the same as the size/number of magnets 302 used in the bottom left and right corner receptacles 301.
Method 800 completes at block 803 where a latch mechanism is provided at a corner of the access panel corresponding to the corner of the enclosure having the receptacle. The latch mechanism includes a shuttle component having a latch pin and a spring. In an embodiment, latch pin 311 is cylindrical shaped having a diameter slightly less than a diameter of receptacle 301. The spring is configured to retract the latch pin to within the access panel when the access panel is not positioned for installation at the enclosure, and configured to permit the latch pin to protrude from the access panel to mate with the receptacle in response to magnetic attraction by the magnet when the access panel is positioned for installation at the enclosure. The magnetic attraction of the magnet on the latch pin overcomes a force of the spring attempting to retract the latch pin. In a typical implementation, access panel 130 includes a latch mechanism in each of the four corners of the panel so that the latch pin at each mechanism is aligned with a corresponding receptacle.
While the disclosed latch/hinge mechanism has been described in the context of an information handling system server rack and associated access panel, one of skill will appreciate that the mechanism may be utilized in other applications. For example, the disclosed latch/hinge mechanism can be used to attach a display and/or cover to a laptop computer. For another example, the latch/hinge mechanism may be utilized to secure a door to a cabinet, appliance, and the like, so as to allow the door to open from the right side, the left, or to be removed entirely.
For purpose of this disclosure information handling system 100 can include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, information handling system 100 can be a personal computer, a laptop computer, a smart phone, a tablet device or other consumer electronic device, a network server, a network storage device, a switch, a router, or another network communication device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. Further, information handling system 100 can include processing resources for executing machine-executable code, a programmable logic array (PLA), an embedded device such as a System-on-a-Chip (SoC), or other control logic hardware. Information handling system 100 can also include one or more computer-readable medium for storing machine-executable code, such as software or data.
Information handling system 100 can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the information handling system to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions. The information handling system 100 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected to other computer systems or peripheral devices, such as by a network.
In a networked deployment, the information handling system 100 may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The information handling system 100 can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system 100 can be implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single information handling system 100 is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.
Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.
