Patent Application
20120212905
This invention relates generally to rack-mounted computing equipment, and in particular retention mechanisms for locking and releasing computing devices within a server rack.
Conventional computer servers and server trays require installation or mounting with screws to secure the server or tray to a rack. Each time a server or tray is installed in a rack, it must be screwed in place to the rack, and each time a server or tray is removed, it must be unscrewed from the rack. In some cases, the server is installed by rails that are screwed into the exterior side of the server and the interior of the rack. The installation and removal of the server or tray from the rack can be time-consuming and cumbersome, which is magnified by the large number of servers in a typical data center. The process can also be expensive if a technician is paid for the time spent to install or remove the server or server tray from the rack. Thus, there is a need for an efficient and quick removal and retention mechanism for servers in racks.
To enhance the efficiency of the installation and removal of servers from server racks, embodiments of the invention provide a quick lock and release mechanism for securing and releasing a server or server tray to and from a rack. The server or server tray includes a quick release tab that reversibly extends from the side of the server or tray. The quick release tab aligns with an opening in the server rack so that it can be inserted into the opening. The insertion of the quick release tab into the opening secures the server or server tray to the rack. The quick release tab is easily removed or retracted from the opening to release the server or tray from the rack.
In some embodiments, the server rack comprises a plurality of shelves that extend from the rack. In one embodiment, the shelf is a cut-out from the side panel of the rack that extends into the interior of the rack. The server or server tray is placed on the plurality of shelves to hold the server or tray in the rack.
In another embodiment, the server or server tray comprises an extended portion that protrudes from the back of the server or tray into the rack. The rack includes a receiving portion that is configured to fit with the extended portion and secure the back of the server or tray to the rack.
The figures depict various embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.
Embodiments of the invention include quick release and retention mechanisms for various computing devices that are stored in racks.
In some embodiments, a rack 110 includes a plurality of shelves 120 for holding the server 100 or tray. In one embodiment, the shelves 120 are “punch-outs” or “cut-outs” of the side panel of the rack 110 and extend into the interior of the rack 110. In one embodiment, the shelf 120 is a partial cut-out of the side panel of the rack 110, and the cut-out portion is bent inward to form a rigid extension. In another embodiment, the shelf 120 is perpendicular to the side panel of the rack 110. In some embodiments, the shelf 120 can be various cut-outs or extensions of different sizes or shapes from the side of the rack 110. In other embodiments, the shelves 120 are extensions that are built into the interior of the rack 110. In certain embodiments, the shelves 120 are aligned in a straight row and extend out from the side panels of the rack 110. As shown in
In another embodiment, the server 100 or tray slides on top of the shelves 120 into the rack 110. The weight of the server 100 is held up by the plurality of shelves 120 that extend into the interior of the rack 110. In some embodiments, the shelves 120 act as a type of rail that keeps the server 100 in a level position and retains the server 100 in the rack 110.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the quick release tab 200 comprises a tab that shortens or extends from the side of the server or tray by pressing, pushing, or pulling the tab. In other embodiments, the quick release tab 200 can be spring-loaded and can extend and shorten by release of an interior spring. In another embodiment, the tab 200 can be a resilient notch, peg, plunger, or protruding piece that can be extended and shortened by pulling, pressing, and/or pushing on the tab 200. In some embodiments, the quick release tab 200 has two configurations: an extended position and a retracted position.
In
In another embodiment, an example of a spring-loaded tab 200b is shown. The spring-loaded tab 200b can be extended or shortened from the side of the server 100 or tray (e.g., inserted or removed from the opening 210) based on the movement of an internal spring. The spring loaded tab 200b aligns with the opening 210 in the rack 110. The spring loaded tab 200b is released or extended into the opening 210 to secure the server 100 to the rack 110. In some embodiments, the spring loaded tab is arranged to move against a spring force to remove the spring loaded tab from the opening 210. In some embodiments, a spring-loaded plunger can be used.
In another embodiment, the quick release tab 200 comprises a resilient notch. The notch can be easily extended from the side of the server 100 to insert into the opening 210 in the rack 110 and to secure the server 100. The notch can be drawn back into the server 100 or retracted from the opening 210 to release the server 100 from the rack 110.
Various other types and designs of tabs 200 can be used to achieve the lock and release mechanism described herein. One of skill in the art may alter the tab 200 and opening 210 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.
The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
