Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-12
2001-12-11
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S235000, C361S310000, C361S310000, C361S310000, C361S310000, C361S437000, C361S437000, C361S724000, C361S726000, C361S727000, C361S752000, C361S689000, C361S689000, C361S689000, C016S225000, C016S229000, C016S257000, C016S258000, C016S259000, C016S262000, C016S263000, C016S265000, C016S266000, C016S270000, C016S297000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06330161
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to computers, and more particularly to mounting arrangements for power supply assemblies within computer enclosures.
BACKGROUND
Two competing goals of computer enclosure design are to make efficient use of the volume contained within the enclosure while also maintaining easy service access to the components that are housed inside. Another goal of computer enclosure design is to minimize the amount of electromagnetic energy that escapes from the enclosure. Yet another goal is to facilitate ease of manufacturing the computer during high-volume production.
One of the largest components that must be housed within any computer enclosure is the power supply. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a computer having a power supply assembly that may be rotated into a first position for conserving enclosure volume when the computer is to be operated, and rotated into a second position for facilitating access to other components within the enclosure when the computer is to be serviced.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a computer power supply assembly that may be removed from the computer enclosure and replaced quickly, thereby easing manufacture of the computer and further facilitating service of components housed within it.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a computer power supply assembly that helps to minimize the amount of electromagnetic energy that escapes from the computer enclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention includes a computer enclosure chassis, first and second pivot pins defining an axis of rotation, first and second pivot pin bearing surfaces in engagement with the first and second pivot pins, respectively, and a power supply assembly rotatably coupled to the chassis by the first and second pivot pins and the first and second pivot pin bearing surfaces. The power supply assembly may be pivoted into a first position for operating the computer and pivoted into a second position for servicing components within the computer. The first pivot pin may be disengaged from the first pivot pin bearing surface without removing a fastener, thus enabling the power supply assembly to be removed from the chassis and replaced quickly and easily.
In an embodiment, relative movement between the first pivot pin and the first pivot pin bearing surface is possible along the axis of rotation. When the first pivot pin and the first pivot pin bearing surface are in a first position relative to each other, the first pivot pin engages the first pivot pin bearing surface, thereby retaining the power supply assembly within the chassis. But when the first pivot pin and the first pivot pin bearing surface are in a second position relative to each other, the first pivot pin clears the first pivot pin bearing surface, enabling the power supply assembly to be removed from the chassis.
In another embodiment, the first pivot pin includes a first dog extending radially outward from its axis, and the first pivot pin bearing surface defines a pivot pin hole large enough to clear the diameter of the first pivot pin but not large enough to clear the first dog. A first notch is included in the pivot pin hole, through which the first dog may pass when the first dog and the first notch are aligned. A second dog may also be provided on the first pivot pin, extending radially outward from the axis of the pivot pin and angularly displaced around the pivot pin from the first dog by a displacement angle greater than 0 degrees but less than 180 degrees. In such an embodiment, the pivot pin hole will include a second notch angularly displaced around the pivot pin hole from the first notch by an amount equal to the displacement angle and sized so that the second dog may pass through the second notch when the second dog and the second notch are aligned.
In yet another embodiment, the first pivot pin bearing surface includes a slot oriented substantially orthogonally with the axis of rotation and through which the first pivot pin may be slidably disengaged from the first pivot pin bearing surface. Thus, the power supply assembly may be removed from the chassis by passing the first pivot pin through the slot. The first pivot pin may include a flat surface, and the slot may be sized so that the first pivot pin may pass through the slot only when the flat surface is aligned parallel with the slot.
In another aspect, the invention includes a support member mechanically coupled to the chassis at a hinge and operable to be placed in a folded position when the power supply assembly is in the first position, and in a supporting position when the power supply assembly is in the second position. A retainer mechanically coupled to the power supply assembly is operable to releasably engage the support member when the power supply assembly is in the second position and the support member is in the supporting position. Thus, the power supply assembly may be held in the service position by the support member during servicing, if desired, without removing the power supply assembly from the chassis. The support member may be spring biased away from the folded position and toward the supporting position so that it automatically engages the retainer as the power supply assembly is rotated from the first to the second position.
In yet another aspect, the invention includes a power coupling hole in the chassis through which an external power source may be coupled to components on the inside of the chassis, and a power coupling located on the power supply assembly so that it substantially aligns with the power coupling hole in the chassis after the power supply assembly has been pivoted into the first position. The chassis may be conductive, and a protrusion provided on the power supply assembly for housing a power coupling. In such an embodiment, a conductive gasket circumscribes the protrusion, and a conductive shroud is fixed to the chassis around at least a portion of the power coupling hole, shaped to contact at least a portion of the gasket when the power supply assembly has been pivoted into the first position. Thus, leakage of electromagnetic energy from the computer enclosure around the power coupling hole is substantially reduced.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4570290 (1986-02-01), Anderson
patent: 5032952 (1991-07-01), Cooke et al.
Babb Samuel M
Dean Ronald P
Smith Darren B
Chang Yean-Hsi
Hart Kevin M.
Hewlett--Packard Company
Picard Leo P.
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