Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-28
2002-04-30
Gandhi, Jayprakash N. (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S740000, C361S798000, C361S801000, C439S160000, C200S051060
Reexamination Certificate
active
06381146
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to methods and apparatus for aiding in the installation and removal of modules which are removably supported on a chassis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Often, prior art electrical equipment, such as large computers and disk arrays, is comprised of various electronic and electrical components which are supported on a common structural support such as a chassis, or frame, or the like. These modular components, or modules, can be one of any number of different devices such as a disk drive, a controller, a power supply, or a cooling fan, etc. Generally, the modules are coupled to a signal and/or power distribution network which is supported on the chassis or support. This signal and power distribution network allows signals and/or power to be passed between each of the modules and other components which make up the electrical equipment.
Additionally, each of the modules is generally configured to be easily removable from, and installable into, the chassis or support. This configuration allows the removal or replacement of any of the modules in the event such removal or replacement becomes necessary or desired. To facilitate the removal from, and installation into, the chassis, a coupling is utilized to connect each of the modules to the signal and power distribution network. These couplings are often comprised of two mating portions. One of the portions is usually mounted on the chassis and the second portion is mounted on the module. When the module is placed on the chassis, the two portions of the coupling matingly engage each other to connect the module to the distribution network. Likewise, when the module is removed from the chassis, the two portions of the coupling disengage each other so as to disconnect the module from the distribution network. Often, the two portions of the coupling have a slight interference-fit to both ensure adequate contact between the coupling portions and to minimize movement of the coupling portions relative to each other when connected. As a result, a considerable amount of force is often required to overcome the interference-fit when both connecting and disconnecting the two coupling portions.
To aid in overcoming the force required to connect the coupling portions, prior art modules are equipped with latches. These latches are often essentially in the form of a simple lever which is mounted on the front of the module and configured to pivot about an axis which is fixed on the module. The latch comprises a short engagement portion on one side of the axis and a long handle portion on the opposite side of the axis. As the module is placed onto the chassis, the engagement portion of the latch engages the chassis. A manual force can then be applied to the handle portion of the latch. The configuration of the latch provides a mechanical advantage which multiplies the manual force which is applied to the handle portion. This force-multiplication provided by the latch allows for the interference-fit of the coupling to be easily overcome when installing or removing a module from the chassis.
FIGS. 1 through 3
help to illustrate the configuration and operation of a typical prior art latch for use with a module and chassis as described above.
FIG. 1
is an exploded perspective view of a prior art unit
10
. The unit
10
includes a chassis
12
which is configured to removably support one or more modules
14
. Although four modules are shown, it is understood that the chassis
12
can be configured to support any number of modules
14
. Each of the modules
14
has a latch
16
which is configured to engage the chassis
12
as the respective module is installed into the chassis.
FIG. 2
is a top view of the unit
10
depicted in
FIG. 1
, which shows one of the modules
14
partially inserted into the chassis
12
, and the other module fully inserted into the chassis. As is seen, a first coupling portion
20
is mounted on each of the modules
14
. Additionally, each first coupling portion
20
has a corresponding second coupling portion
21
which is mounted on the chassis
12
. Each of the first and second coupling portions
20
,
21
are positioned so that, when the respective module
14
is fully installed into the chassis
12
, the coupling portions are connected to one another. As is also seen, each of the latches
16
is movably mounted on each respective module
14
. As shown, each latch
16
is configured to pivot, relative to the respective module
14
, about a pivot point
17
. Each of the latches can pivot along an arc indicated by the arrows
18
.
FIG. 3
is another top view of the unit
10
which is depicted in FIG.
1
. As shown in
FIG. 3
, one of the modules
14
has been fully installed into the chassis
12
. If the latch
16
of the fully installed module
14
is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow
26
, then the module will be pulled slightly out of its fully installed position so that the coupling portions
20
,
21
are nearly completely disconnected from one another. This is illustrated by the position of the other module
12
which is shown in FIG.
3
. If the latch
16
of this other module
14
is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow
24
, then the latch will engage the chassis
12
and the module
14
will be pushed fully into the chassis, whereupon the first and second coupling portions
20
,
21
will fully connect. It is noted that the installation of the module
14
into, and removal of the module from, the chassis
12
is assisted in each case by the lever-action of the respective latch
16
. That is, because of the off-set location of the pivot point
17
relative to the respective latch
16
, the latch provides a mechanical advantage which aids in overcoming the force required to connect and disconnect the connector portions
20
,
21
when installing and removing the module
14
.
However, one problem associated with the prior art latch design is that it can cause a disruption of the operation of the modules
14
. More specifically, if the latch
16
is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow
26
shown in
FIG. 3
while the module is operating, then the movement of the first and second coupling portions
20
,
21
relative to one another can cause electrical noise and arcing. This electrical noise can disrupt the operation of the module
14
. In the case in which the module comprises a controller or disk drive, for example, the disruption can include the loss of data, which is highly undesirable.
Preferably, the module
14
proceeds through a shut-down sequence prior to any movement thereof relative to the chassis
12
. The shut-down sequence prepares the module
14
for disconnection from the distribution network, which prevents adverse effects associated with the disconnection of the coupling portions
20
,
21
as described above. The shut-down sequence can be initiated by manual activation of a switch (not shown) located on the respective module
14
or on the chassis
12
. However, disruption of the operation of the modules
14
can still occur if the respective latch
16
is inadvertently pulled without first activating the switch to initiate the shut-down sequence.
In some prior art equipment, various forms of mechanical interlocks (not shown) have been employed in an attempt to prevent inadvertent movement of the module
14
relative to the chassis
12
, which in turn, would theoretically prevent the disruption of the operation of the module. However, in most cases, the interlocks still allow slight movement of the module
14
relative to the chassis
12
when the respective latch
16
is inadvertently pulled. This slight movement of the module
14
caused by the latch
16
is, in most cases, enough to cause disruption of the operation of the module. Additionally, the mechanical interlocks ad a considerable amount of complexity and bulk to the unit
10
. What is needed, then, is a latch apparatus for use with a unit of electrical equipment in which the inadvertent movement of the module prior to initiation of the shut-down sequence is prev
Gandhi Jayprakash N.
Hewlett--Packard Company
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