Abstract:
An ejectable/retractable interface module is disclosed. AN exemplary interface module may include a display trolley assembly, and a display module pivotally connected to the display trolley assembly. A management cable connects the display module to a computer board in the display trolley assembly. The display trolley assembly and display module are configured for during ejection and retraction in a blade enclosure so that the display module folds flat and retracts into the blade enclosure to reduce damage during shipping. The display module pivots to a desired viewing angle during use.

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to co-owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/943,204 filed Jun. 11, 2007 and hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Rack systems are widely available in a variety of different sizes and configurations. In general, rack systems enable high-density computer systems in which processing units, storage units, and other peripheral devices are provided as modules (also referred to as “blade enclosures”) that can be readily added, removed, replaced, or upgraded without having to replace the entire computer system. 
         [0003]    Often, these rack systems are provided with separate interface modules (e.g., display and/or keypad devices), and due to space constraints the interface modules are typically connected to the rack system in front of the blade enclosures so as not to waste any space. As the density of electronic enclosures increases, space for peripheral components such as interface modules (e.g., input devices and displays) has grown smaller and more limited. In order to accommodate an interface module, it has to be positioned in front of the blade slots. With the interface modules in front of the blades slots, however, it is not feasible to have a protective sheet metal structure surrounding the interface module, leaving it vulnerable to damage during shipping/handling. 
         [0004]    In previous designs, interface modules are mounted in front of the power supplies. The display slides from side to side to offer access to the power supplies. The interface device is protected from damage by a sheet metal structure at the top and bottom of the interface device. However, the middle of the interface device (e.g., the display portion) is still susceptible to damage during shipping/handling and installation of the product into the rack environment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary grounding shield assembly and front cover of an ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary interface button part assembly for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a pulled-apart perspective view of an exemplary display and interface assembly for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary management data transfer cable and mounting screw assembly for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a pulled-apart perspective view of an exemplary rear cover assembly for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating assembly of an exemplary lens for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  are perspective views showing the exemplary lens assembled on the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a pulled-apart perspective view of an exemplary display trolley assembly for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  are top and bottom perspective views of an exemplary display trolley assembly for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating coupling of the display trolley assembly and interface device for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  are perspective views showing the display trolley assembled for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an exemplary display carrier tray for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating assembly of the display trolley assembly into the display carrier tray for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  are top and bottom perspective views showing the display trolley and interface device assembled in the display carrier tray of the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an exemplary management module for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing the interface device installed in the management module of the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view illustrating the rear cover snap-locked into locking receptacles in the display trolley of the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view showing the input interface device ejected and rotated into a viewing position for the ejectable/retractable interface device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    An ejectable/retractable interface module or device is disclosed for use in computer systems where an integrated management module may need an interface for displaying information and retrieving input from a user outside of the user&#39;s normal interactions with the servers in the enclosure. The interface device may be used with any type of enclosure where user input is required through less than a full function high-end display, keyboard, and/or mouse. 
         [0024]    In exemplary embodiments, the display rotates out of the way of the blade slots to provide access. To prevent thermal issues with the server blades, the interface device is positioned far enough in front of the blades to allow for proper airflow. To avoid potential damage, the interface device retracts into the blade enclosure during shipping/handling. 
         [0025]    For purposes of illustration, the apparatus is described herein primarily with reference to use in a rack system or blade environment. Rack systems are well understood in the computer arts. Briefly, however, exemplary rack systems may include a plurality of chassis or blade enclosures mounted within a housing. The blade enclosures may be any suitable size and may be manufactured of any suitable material, such as, e.g., a plastic or metal enclosure suitable for mounting in the housing of the rack system. 
         [0026]    Each blade enclosure may house electronic and other electronic devices. For example, the blade enclosures may house a PC board including one or more processing units or processors and other devices and components mounted to, connected to, or positioned near the PC board. For example, rack mount servers may include data storage devices (e.g., hard disk drives, compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD) drives, etc.) and operate in a communications network, and therefore include suitable network connection interface(s). Still other devices and components may also be mounted on or otherwise connected to the PC board, as is readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the computer and electronic arts. 
         [0027]    Before continuing, it is noted that the apparatus is not limited to use with any particular type, number, or configuration of rack system, blade enclosure, computer, or other electronic device. Furthermore, although described herein primarily with reference to use in a blade environment, it is noted that this is merely an illustrative environment and the interface device is not limited to such application. The apparatus can be used with any of a wide variety of systems now known or later developed, as will be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary grounding shield assembly  20  and front cover  22  of an ejectable/retractable interface device  10 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary interface button part assembly  24  for the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 .  FIG. 3  is a pulled-apart perspective view of an exemplary display  26  and interface assembly for the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary management data transfer cable  28  and mounting screw assembly for the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 . 
         [0029]    The interface module  10  includes a plastic front cover  22 , an electro-static discharge (ESD) ground shield  20 , a plastic interface button part assembly  24 , an LCD screen  26  with data cable  32 , an interface PCA  34 , a plastic LCD/PCA coupler  36 , and a management data transfer cable  28 . The ESD ground shield  20  may be assembled in the plastic front cover  22 . There are plastic ribs  37  in the plastic front cover  22  that engage cut outs  38  in the ESD grounding shield  20  that help position the ESD grounding shield  20 . 
         [0030]    The plastic front cover  22  is equipped with two heat stake assembly posts  40  that are used to position and retain the plastic interface button part  24 . The plastic interface button part  24  has two receiving holes  41 , which the heat stake assembly posts  40  slide through during assembly. Once the plastic interface button part  24  is assembled in the plastic front cover  22 , a heat staking process is used for permanently mounting the plastic interface button part  24 . 
         [0031]    The LCD screen  26 , interface PCA  34  and plastic LCD/PCA coupler  36  may be assembled next. The LCD screen  26  is connected to the interface PCA  34  by inserting the LCD data cable  32  into a mating connector  33  on the interface PCA  34 . This assembly is then lowered into the plastic front cover  22 . There are plastic guide features in the plastic front cover  22  that help align the LCD/PCA assembly  34  in the plastic front cover  22 . Once the LCD/PCA assembly  34  is installed, the plastic LCD/PCA coupler  36  is positioned between the LCD screen  26  and the interface PCA  34  to provide additional support and alignment for the interface PCA  34 . 
         [0032]    When the interface PCA  34  is assembled into the plastic front cover  22 , electrical switches on the interface PCA  34  line up with the plastic interface button part  24 . The user can press the plastic interface button part  24  to actuate the electrical switches on the interface PCA. To ground the interface PCA, an L-shaped flange  42  with a screw hole on the top surface bent out of the ESD grounding shield  20 . The screw hole in the L-shape flange  42  is positioned over a plastic screw boss  44  that protrudes from the plastic front cover  22 . A slot  46  in the interface PCA  34  allows an assembly screw  30  to be assembled through the interface PCA  34 , through the screw hole in ESD grounding shield  20  and into the plastic screw boss  44 . The interface PCA  34  has a ground pad that touches the top surface of the L-shape flange  42  of ESD grounding shield  20  that helps ground the interface PCA  34 . The management data transfer cable  28  is plugged into a mating connector  29  located on the interface PCA  34  and routed down through an opening in the plastic front cover  22 . The plastic rear cover can be installed next. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a pulled-apart perspective view of an exemplary rear cover assembly for the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 . The plastic rear cover is equipped with plastic snaps  48  that engage snap cutouts in the plastic front cover  22  to hold the LCD module assembly together. Additionally, there are features in the plastic rear cover that support and retain the LCD screen  26  and interface PCA  34  in the correct position. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating assembly of an exemplary lens  50  for the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 . The LCD lens  50  is installed in the plastic front cover  22  to protect the LCD screen  26 . The plastic front cover  22  has a lens recess that is used for placement of the LCD lens  50 . The LCD lens  50  has two hooks  51  on one side that engage cutouts  52  in the lens recess on the plastic front cover, as can be seen in the detail view A in  FIG. 6 . The LCD lens hooks  51  are inserted into these cut outs  52  and then rotated down into the recess. The LCD lens  50  may be held in place with adhesive.  FIG. 7  are perspective views showing the exemplary lens assembled on the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a pulled-apart perspective view of an exemplary display trolley assembly for the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 . The display trolley assembly may comprise four components: a plastic display trolley  54 , a trolley ESD grounding shield  56 , an ejector spring  58  ( FIG. 9 ), and a dampener  60 . The plastic display trolley  54  has two conical mounting posts  62  that are used to retain the trolley ESD grounding shield  56 . The trolley ESD grounding shield  56  is equipped with two “+” sign shaped cut outs  64  that correspond to the conical mounting post  62  in the plastic display trolley  54 . As the trolley ESD grounding shield  56  is lowered on the conical mounting posts  62 , the cut outs  64  engage the conical mounting posts  62  and form an interference fit between the trolley ESD grounding shield  56  and the conical mounting post  62 . This interference holds the trolley ESD grounding shield  56  firmly to the plastic display trolley  54 . An off-the-shelf dampener  60  is then snapped into a cut out in the plastic display trolley  54 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  are top and bottom perspective views of an exemplary display trolley assembly for the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 . Two ejector springs  58  are assembled to the plastic ejector trolley  54 . The plastic display trolley  54  is outfitted with two spring guide tubes  66  and two ejector spring retention bosses  68  that are molded into the plastic. To assemble the ejector springs  58 , the springs  58  are fed through the spring guide tubes  66  in the plastic display trolley  54  and then rotated into position over the ejector spring retention bosses  66 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating coupling of the display trolley assembly  70  for the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 . The LCD module  72  is now assembled to the display trolley assembly  70 . The plastic front cover  22  of the LCD module has two mounting holes  74  ( FIG. 1 ) that align with two screw bosses  76  ( FIG. 8 ) in the plastic display trolley  54 . When the LCD module  72  is properly aligned to the display trolley assembly  70 , a shoulder screw  74  is assembled through the mounting holes in the LCD module  72  and screwed in the screw bosses  76  in the plastic display trolley  54 . 
         [0038]    With the shoulder screws  74  in place, the LCD module  72  has the ability to rotate (e.g., 90 degrees) with respect to the display trolley assembly  70 . In an exemplary embodiment, features formed in the plastic front cover  22  and plastic rear cover prevent rotations of greater than 90 degrees. 
         [0039]    The shoulder screws  74  not only hold the LCD module  72  to the display trolley assembly  70 , but may also ensure that the ESD grounding shield  20  in the LCD module  72  makes continuous contact with the trolley ESD grounding shield  56 . Continuous contact may be made as follows. When the ESD grounding shield  20  is installed in the plastic front cover  22 , a portion of the ESD grounding shield  20  is positioned over the mounting holes  74  in the plastic front cover  22 . Clearance holes are cut in the ESD grounding shield  20  in the LCD module  72  to allow the shoulder screws  74  to pass through. Similarly, when the trolley ESD grounding shield  56  is assembled to the plastic display trolley  54 , a portion of the trolley ESD grounding shield  56  is positioned over the screw bosses  76  in the plastic display trolley  54 . Again, clearance holes are cut in the trolley ESD grounding shield  56  to allow the shoulder screws  74  to pass through. Dimples  80  ( FIG. 1 ) are formed in the ESD grounding shield  20  in the LCD module  72  around the mounting cutouts so that when the shoulder screws  74  are assembled, these dimples are compressed against the trolley ESD grounding shield  56 . This helps ensure that the ESD grounding shield  20  in the LCD module  70  and the trolley ESD grounding shield  56  are always in contact with each other. 
         [0040]    To connect the assembly to the chassis, thereby preventing any damage due to ESD, two oblong forms  82  ( FIG. 9 ) may be made on the bottom of the trolley ESD grounding shield  56 . These oblong forms  82  are in continuous contact with the bottom of the sheet metal portion of the management module  102 , providing a ground for the display assembly  70 . 
         [0041]    After the LCD module  72  is attached to the display trolley assembly  70 , the management data transfer cable  28  may be routed through cable clearance holes in the plastic display trolley  54 .  FIG. 11  are perspective views showing the display trolley assembled for the ejectable/retractable interface device. To complete assembly of the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 , the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  is assembled to the display carrier tray. 
         [0042]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an exemplary display carrier tray for the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 .  FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating assembly of the display trolley assembly into the display carrier tray for the ejectable/retractable interface device. The display carrier tray is equipped with four guide slots  90 , two on the top of the part and one on each side of the part, that are used to retain and guide the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  during the ejection and retraction process. The plastic display trolley  70  is equipped with six guide protrusions  92 , two on the top of the part and two on each side of the part, which fit into the guide slots  90  in the display carrier tray. Before installing the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72 , the management data transfer cable  28  is fed through the cable slot  94  at the rear of the display carrier tray. 
         [0043]    To install the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72 , two of the guide protrusions  92  on one side of the plastic display trolley  54  are toed into one of the side guide slots  90  in the display carrier tray and then rotated down until the guide protrusions  92  on the opposite side of the plastic display trolley snap into the guide slot  90  on the opposite side of the display carrier tray. The two guide protrusions  92  on the top of the plastic display trolley slide through the guide slots  90  in the top of the display carrier tray during this rotation process. 
         [0044]    The display carrier tray is also equipped with a gear rack  96  that engages the dampener  60  ( FIG. 8 ) in the display trolley assembly  70  during the installation process. The dampener  60  is used to control the speed with which the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  exit the display carrier tray during the ejection process. With the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  assembled into the display carrier tray, the two ejector springs  58  ( FIG. 9 ) are assembled to two ejector spring retention bosses  66  in the display carrier tray in the same manner they were assembled to the plastic display trolley. 
         [0045]      FIG. 14  are top and bottom perspective views showing the display trolley assembled in the display carrier tray of the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 . To complete the assembly, a push/push latch  100  may be snapped into a cut out in the display carrier tray. 
         [0046]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an exemplary management module  102  for the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 .  FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing the display module installed in the management module  102  of the ejectable/retractable interface device. The ejectable/retractable input interface device  10  is housed in the management module  102  for the blade enclosure. The interface device  10  is retained in the enclosure management module  102  by two retaining screws  104  and two metal retaining forms  106  in the management module  102 . 
         [0047]    To install the interface device  10  into the enclosure management module  102 , the interface device  10  may be lowered into the interface device mounting area  108 . As the interface device  10  is lowered, the two retaining forms  106  pass through cuts in the interface device. Once the interface device  10  contacts the floor of the enclosure management module  102 , the interface device  10  may be pushed toward the rear of the enclosure management module  102 . As the interface device  102  slides toward the rear of the enclosure management module  102 , the two retaining forms  106  engage features at the front of the interface device  10  to help hold the front of the interface device  10  to the enclosure management module  102 . To facilitate assembly, ramps  105  (detail area A in  FIG. 12 ) may be provided in the interface device  10  that act as a lead-in for the two retaining forms  106  as they engage the interface device  10 . 
         [0048]    As the interface device  10  slides into place, the management data transfer cable  28  is fed through an opening  110  at the rear of the interface device mounting area  108 . When the interface device  10  reaches its full range of travel, the management data transfer cable  28  may be looped around and plugged into a connector  29  on the management module PCA  103 . 
         [0049]    The enclosure management module  102  has two threaded stand-offs  107  located at the rear of the display mounting area  108  in the enclosure management module  102  that are used to secure the interface device  10  to the enclosure management module  102 . The interface device  10  in turn has two mounting holes  112  ( FIG. 14 ) that correspond to the threaded stand-offs  107  in the enclosure management module  102 . Two screws  104  are installed through these mounting holes  112  to secure the interface device  10  to the enclosure management module  102 . 
         [0050]    Assembly of the ejectable/retractable input interface device  10  is now complete, and may be operated as follows.  FIG. 17  is a perspective view illustrating the rear cover snap-locked into locking receptacles in the display trolley of the ejectable/retractable interface device  10 .  FIG. 18  is a perspective view showing the interface device module  10  ejected and rotated into a viewing position. 
         [0051]    The coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  may be locked into a retracted position when a locking feature  120  ( FIG. 9 ) that is molded into the plastic display trolley  54  engages a push/push latch. In the retracted position, the LCD module  72  is rotated so that it is parallel to the display trolley assembly  70 . Snap features  122  ( FIG. 17 ) in the plastic front cover  22  engage cutouts in the plastic display trolley  54  to lock the LCD module  72  into this position. 
         [0052]    When the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  is in the retracted position, the ejection springs  66  are extended (see  FIG. 14 ). To release the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72 , the user pushes the top of the LCD module  72 . This action causes the locking feature on the plastic display trolley  54  to disengage the lock in the push/push latch. Now that the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  is no longer locked in position, the extended ejection springs  66  compress, pulling the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  out of the display carrier tray. Towards the end of the ejection process, the guide protrusions on the sides of the plastic display trolley contact locking protrusions  124  in the guide slots of the display carrier tray. 
         [0053]    At this point, the user may pull the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  past these locking protrusions  124 . The locking protrusions  124  may be designed so that when sufficient force is applied, the locking protrusions  124  flex out of the way to allow the guide protrusions  92  in the plastic display trolley  54  to pass through. After the guide protrusions  92  in the plastic display trolley  54  clear the locking protrusions  124 , the locking protrusions  124  flex back to their normal position. Once the guide protrusions  92  clear the locking protrusions  124  in the display carrier tray, they reach the end of the guide slots in the display carrier tray. This effectively locks the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  in position. This lock helps ensure that the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  does not slide back into the display carrier tray when a user interacts with the input interface device. 
         [0054]    With the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72  fully ejected, the user may then rotate the LCD module  72  up to about 90 degrees into viewing position. Plastic snaps  17  on the plastic rear cover engage cut outs in the plastic display trolley  54  to lock the LCD module  72  in the 90 degree position. To retract the input interface device  10 , the above-described steps may be reversed. The steps are not repeated here for sake of brevity. 
         [0055]    During the ejection and retraction process, the service loop in the management data transfer cable  28  allows the cable to be pulled out and pushed in with the coupled display trolley assembly  70  and LCD module  72 . To help ensure that management data transfer cable  28  does not flex improperly, a stiffener may be added to the bottom side of the management data transfer cable  28  to increase its strength. In addition, a cable ramp  130  ( FIG. 12 ) may be molded into the display carrier tray just below the cable slot  94  to help guide the management data transfer cable  28  during ejection and retraction. The combination of these features helps prevent the management data transfer cable  28  from binding during the ejection/retraction process. 
         [0056]    It will be readily appreciated that the input interface device  10  can be entirely concealed in the blade enclosure during the shipping process. This reduces or altogether eliminates the possibility of damaging the interface device  10  during shipping. In addition, installation of the blade enclosure in the rack presents another opportunity for the interface device  10  to experience potential damage, but with this design, the interface device  10  can be concealed during the installation of the blade enclosure in the rack. The interface device  10  is also contained within the management module  102  for the blade enclosure. Accordingly, connecting the interface device  10  to the enclosure is easier because the installer does not have to route the data transfer cable  28  from the front of the enclosure all the way to the rear of the enclosure. 
         [0057]    It is noted that the exemplary embodiments discussed above are provided for purposes of illustration. Still other embodiments are also contemplated. It is also noted that, although the systems and methods are described with reference to rack systems, in other exemplary embodiments, the apparatus may be implemented for other electronic devices, such as, a collection of peripheral devices for computers, video and audio equipment, etc. 
         [0058]    The exemplary embodiments shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other embodiments are also contemplated.