Patent Application
20200344923
In a typical modular chassis, there are multiple bays that can be left unpopulated under a specific product option. Such unfilled bays are problematic because they create large openings where the system cooling air can bypass and EMI (electromagnetic interference) noise can escape. This problem is typically remedied by adding a metallic blank cover to close the opening. But, covers can be misplaced or unavailable, or fall off. Fasteners to secure covers to prevent them from falling off can vibrate loose and cause problems in equipment. Gaps between covers and a chassis can allow airflow and/or EMI noise to escape. It is in this environment that present embodiments arise, to improve modular chassis.
In some embodiments, an enclosure with electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding door is provided. The enclosure includes an EMI shielding enclosure having an aperture dimensioned to receive an insertable and removable module. The enclosure includes an EMI shielding door attached by a hinge to the EMI shielding enclosure, to close and seal to the aperture with an EMI gasket when the module is removed, and open to receive the module through the aperture when the module is inserted.
Other aspects and advantages of the embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.
The described embodiments and the advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made to the described embodiments by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments.
A modular chassis described herein in various embodiments is an EMI (electromagnetic interference) shielding enclosure with one or more EMI shielding bay doors. Each bay of the chassis can receive an insertable and removable module. The chassis and doors use an EMI gasket to seal each door to the chassis. Some embodiments have self-closing doors. The sealed doors prevent EMI noise from escaping and also prevent airflow from escaping to enhance system cooling. With the doors attached by hinges to the chassis, the various embodiments improve upon the typical insert or cover plate that can be misplaced or fall off. With the EMI gasket sealing the door to the chassis, the various embodiments improve upon other chassis with inserts or cover plates and a gap between the chassis and the insert or cover plate, which can allow EMI noise and air flow to escape.
One embodiment has a spring loaded bay door built into a chassis wall or divider. This eliminates the need for a separate, removable blank cover for each field replaceable unit (FRU) bay. One feature described in more detail below is the manner in which the door edges press against fabric-over-foam EMI gaskets on all four sides of the opening as the door closes the opening. It should be appreciated that this feature prevents the EMI noise and air from escaping.
On the right in
On the left in
Airflow 120 through apertures 122 of chassis 102 can be brought about through convection, or force driven with one or more fans (not shown) and could be in any of the arrowhead directions or in other directions within chassis 102 for cooling components as readily envisioned and arranged. Airflow 120 is blocked by EMI gasket 112, 116 sealing closed bay door 106 to chassis 102 and EMI gasket 112, 114, 116 sealing module 104 to chassis 102. It should be readily understood that both airflow 120 and EMI are blocked in configurations with two modules 104 inserted, or both bays left unoccupied, and in various combinations of modules and unoccupied bays in further embodiments of modular chassis with more bays.
Detailed illustrative embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing embodiments. Embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein. It should be appreciated that descriptions of direction and orientation are for convenience of interpretation, and the apparatus is not limited as to orientation with respect to gravity. In other words, the apparatus could be mounted upside down, right side up, diagonally, vertically, horizontally, etc., and the descriptions of direction and orientation are relative to portions of the apparatus itself, and not absolute.
It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various steps or calculations, these steps or calculations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one step or calculation from another. For example, a first calculation could be termed a second calculation, and, similarly, a second step could be termed a first step, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” and the “/” symbol includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Therefore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
Although the method operations were described in a specific order, it should be understood that other operations may be performed in between described operations, described operations may be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times or the described operations may be distributed in a system which allows the occurrence of the processing operations at various intervals associated with the processing.
The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the embodiments and various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.
