Abstract:
An apparatus includes a pushbutton member; a receiving member movable by the pushbutton member; and a latching member affixed to an electronic module and latchable to the receiving member. When the latching member is latched, the electronic module is movable via the receiving member. Alternatively, an apparatus is provided including a pushbutton members and a receiving section having a protruding receiving member, and movable by the pushbutton members. The receiving member may receive a latching member affixed to an electronic module. When the latching member is latched, the electronic module is movable via the receiving member. Alternatively, an apparatus includes an electronic module; and a latching member affixed to the electronic module, the latching member to latch to a receiving member. When the latching member is latched to the receiving member, the electronic module is movable via the receiving member in a direction of movement of the receiving member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    In the electronics industry, which may include, among other things, server, storage and networking products, the space on the front and rear surfaces of a product is highly valuable. The front and rear surfaces of a product are generally the only surfaces of the product with which the customer can interact. Many devices, components, etc., may be placed on the front and rear surfaces of the product, for example, connectors, labels, light-emitting diodes (LED&#39;s), displays, fans, vents, power supplies, removable modules, etc. As such, providing a large space for insertion/ejection mechanisms may take away available space for beneficial devices, components, etc., that may otherwise be placed on the front and rear surfaces. 
         [0002]    Removable electronic modules may be highly valuable from a product feature perspective and may require an EMI seal to prevent electromagnetic noise emission from the product. They often require a large connector to interface and communicate with the system to which they are connected. Both the connector and electromagnetic interference (EMI) seal typically result in high insertion and extraction forces, thus making insertion and removal of these types of devices difficult. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a left side perspective view of an example of an electronic module latched to a pushbutton mechanism in a chassis, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a left side perspective view of an example of an electronic module to engage a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of an example of an a latch to be latched to a receiving member, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a left side view of an example of a latch engaging with a displacement member, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a left side view of an example of a latching member engaged with a receiving member, according at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is a left side perspective view of pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  is a right side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  is a right side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  is a right side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 10  is a right side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 11  is a left side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 12  is a left side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism without extraction button, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 13  is a right side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 14  is a right side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 15  is a right side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 16  is a right side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 17  is a left side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 18  is a right side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 19  is a left side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    A pushbutton mechanism is provided that enables an electronic module to be inserted and extracted from a chassis. The pushbutton mechanism may be attached to a chassis and may interact with a latching member at an electronic module. The pushbutton mechanism may also be attached to the module and may interact with a latching member at the chassis. In order to insert the electronic module into the chassis, the electronic module may be partially inserted into the chassis to such a point where a latching member on the electronic module engages a receiving member attached to the pushbutton mechanism attached to the chassis. Once engaged, the insertion button may be pushed thereby moving the receiving member toward the inside of the chassis. As the latching member of the electronic module is engaged with the receiving member, the electronic module moves toward the inside of the chassis. Upon full depression of the insertion button, electronic components having connectors on the electronic module may engage with connectors located inside, for example, on a backplane of, the chassis. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1-5  describe the operation of the latching member and the pushbutton mechanism as the electronic module is inserted into the chassis  70  to a point where the latching member  16  is engaged with the pushbutton mechanism. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  depicts an electronic module  15  latched to a pushbutton mechanism  72 , the pushbutton mechanism  72  attached to a chassis  70 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronic module  15  is in a state where it is inserted into the chassis  70  via the pushbutton mechanism  72  where connectors  5 ,  6  are engaged with corresponding connectors  3 ,  4  at, for example, a backplane  74  at a rear wall in the chassis  70 . Electronic module  15  may include a printed circuit board (PCB)  78  and a faceplate  76  through which components on the PCB maybe accessed once the electronic module  15  is inserted into the chassis  70 . Attached to the faceplate  76  and the PCB  78  are handles  18 ,  80 . Handles  18 ,  80  may facilitate insertion or extraction of the electronic module  15  into and out of the chassis  70 . 
         [0025]    Handle  18  may be a portion of plate  10 . Plate  10  may be affixed to the PCB  78  via a side portion  84  of faceplate  76  at connection points  82 . These connection points may be screws, rivets, welds, etc., or any other type connection that may firmly affix plate  10  to side portion  84 . Plate  10  may further have movably affixed thereto a latching member  16 . Latching member  16  may be movable in a direction orthogonal to the PCB  78  in that the latching member  16  pivots about a pivot point  9  where the latching member  16  is connected to a side portion of faceplate  17 . 
         [0026]    Pushbutton mechanism  72  may include pushbutton members, for example, an insertion button  24  and an extraction button  23 . Pushbutton mechanism  72  may further include cover  20  to protect the movable components of pushbutton mechanism  72 . Pushbutton mechanism  72  may be connected to chassis  70 , at least in part, at chassis side wall portion  30 . Receiving member  50  may protrude through cover  20  at a hole (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). Receiving member  50  may be movable via insertion button  24  and extraction button  23 . Latching member  16  of the electronic module  15  may engage with receiving member  50  wherein electronic module  15  is movable via insertion button  24 , extraction button  23  and receiving member  50  as will be more fully discussed below. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  depicts a side perspective view of an example of an electronic module in a state of insertion, where the electronic module is about to engage the pushbutton mechanism. As can be more clearly seen in  FIG. 2 , latching member  16  has a hook-like shape, the member having a slanted portion  86  extending to protrusion  19 . 
         [0028]    Pushbutton mechanism  72  includes cover  20  having an oval hole  51  through which receiving member  50  protrudes. 
         [0029]    Displacement member  22  is a rigid member that protrudes orthogonally to cover  20 . Displacement member  22  interacts with protrusion  19  during removal of the module to disengage the latching member  16  from the receiving member  50 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  depicts a side view of an example of an electronic module  15  being inserted into the chassis  70 . In  FIG. 3 , latching member  16  is about to engage receiving member  50  at an angled edge of latching member  16 . As noted above, receiving member  50  may protrude through a hole  51  in cover  20 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an example of an electronic module  15  being inserted into the chassis  70  wherein the angled edge of  16  a latching member  16  at the electronic module  15  is engaging receiving member  50  at pushbutton mechanism  72 . When latching member  16  engages with receiving member  50 , the movement of the electronic module  15  into the chassis  70  enables the latching member  16  to rotate upward about pivot  9 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an example of the electronic module  15  being inserted into the chassis  70  wherein the electronic module  15  has been inserted into the chassis sufficiently so that the latching member  16  has latched about receiving member  50 . In addition, the electronic module has been inserted sufficiently so that the protrusion of the latching member  19  has reached a point past the displacement member  22 . Upon the latching member engaging about the receiving member  50 , the latching member, due to a spring located between member  17  and handle  18  or, for example, gravity, falls in a downward direction, rotating about pivot  9 . Upon falling in a downward direction, the protrusion of the latching member  19  falls past the displacement member, thereby effectively locking the latching member  16  onto the receiving member  50 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of pushbutton mechanism. The components depicted in  FIG. 6  may be configured between cover  20  and chassis side wall portion  30 . Pushbutton mechanism may include insertion button  24  and extraction button  23 . The pushbutton mechanism depicted in  FIG. 6  is in a state where the insertion button  24  is to be pushed to insert an electronic module  15  into the chassis  70 . 
         [0034]    Insertion button  24  includes a rack portion  24   a . Rack portion  24   a  is configured to abut against receiving section  28 . Receiving section  28  includes a rack portion  29  and receiving member  50 . Rack portion  29  of receiving section  28  is configured to engage pinion portion  25  at a pinion  26 . Pinion portion  25  has a pinion  26   a  that is configured to engage rack portion  24   a  of insertion button  24 . As pinion  26  is configured to be smaller than pinion  26   a , and, as the two gears are working in tandem, a mechanical advantage may be achieved resulting in less force, for example, ⅓ less force, required to insert the module into the chassis than if the pushbutton mechanism described herein were not implemented. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism in the same state of the pushbutton mechanism as depicted in  FIG. 6 . As can been seen in  FIG. 7 , pinion  26   a  is further engagable with a rack portion  23   a  of extraction button  23 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism where insertion button  24  has been engaged and is half depressed. As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , upon actuation of insertion button  24 , rack portion  24   a  engages pinion portion  25  at second pinion  26   a  to rotate pinion portion  25 . Rotation of pinion portion  25  results in rotation of pinion  26  ( FIG. 6 ) at pinion portion  25 . Pinion  26  engages rack portion  29  of receiving section  28  ( FIG. 6 ) thereby moving receiving section  28  in a direction inward into the chassis  70 . As the electronic module is attached to receiving member  50  of receiving section  28  via latching member  16 , the electronic module moves with the receiving section  28  into the chassis  70 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism where insertion button  24  has been engaged and is fully depressed. As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , upon full actuation of insertion button  24 , rack portion  24   a  continues to engage pinion portion  25  at second pinion  26   a  to rotate pinion portion  25 . Rotation of pinion portion  25  continues to rotate pinion  26  at pinion portion  25  ( FIG. 6 ). Pinion  26  engages rack portion  29  of receiving section  28  and moves receiving section  28  completely into the chassis  70 . At this point, connectors  5 ,  6  of electronic components mounted to electronic module  15  engage and are pushed into corresponding connectors  3 ,  4  at, for example, a backplane  74  on the back wall of the chassis  70  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of an example of a pushbutton mechanism mounted to a side wall  30  of chassis  70 . Insertion button  24  and extraction button  23  may be configured between button retainers  90  and  91  wherein insertion button  24  and extraction button  23  are movable in a direction identified by arrows  92 ,  93 , respectively. 
         [0039]    Extraction of the electronic module may be achieved upon execution of the extraction button  23 . Extraction button may protrude from the pushbutton extraction mechanism  72  when the insertion button  24  is activated. Upon activation of the extraction button, rack portion  23   a  engages pinion  26   a . Pinion  26   a  rotates in a direction opposition to the direction of rotation during insertion. Rotation of pinion  26   a  results in rotation of pinion  26 . Pinion  26  engages rack portion  29  of receiving section  28  and moves receiving section in a direction opposite to the direction of movement during actuation of the insertion button  24 . Movement of the receiving section  28  results in movement of receiving member  50 . As receiving member  50  moves outward, it pushes on an edge the handle  18 , and no longer contacts the hook portion of member  16 . When button  23  is fully depressed, receiving member  50  is positioned in its forward-most position, and  19  and  22  are in contact ( FIG. 5 ). When the module is removed by pulling on handles  18  and  80  ( FIG. 1 ), the interaction between 19 and 22 cause the latching member  16  to rotate upward rapidly, disengaging it from receiving member  50  and freeing the module for removal. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 11-19  describe an alternative embodiment of a pushbutton mechanism. The pushbutton mechanism described in  FIGS. 11-19  provide for functionality where the insertion and extraction buttons do not extend beyond the front surface of the chassis when they are in a stored position within the pushbutton mechanism. 
         [0041]    The latching member  16 , the chassis  70 , cover  20  and the electronic module  15  as described in  FIGS. 1-10  may be implemented with the pushbutton mechanism described in  FIGS. 11-20 . 
         [0042]    The pushbutton mechanism of  FIG. 11  is in a state where the insertion button is to be pushed to insert an electronic module  15  into the chassis  70 . 
         [0043]    As can be seen in  FIG. 11  pushbutton mechanism may include pushbutton members, for example insertion button  124  and extraction button  123 . Insertion button  124  may have rack portion  124   a . Pushbutton mechanism  172  may further include a cover  20  (not shown in  FIG. 11 ) configured as described in  FIGS. 1-10  to protect the movable components of pushbutton mechanism  172 . Pushbutton mechanism  172  may be connected to chassis  70 , at least in part, at chassis side wall portion  30 . Receiving member  150  may protrude through cover  20  at a hole  51  described in  FIGS. 1-10 . Receiving member  150  may be movable via insertion button  124  and extraction button  123 . Latching member  16  of the electronic module  15  described in  FIGS. 1-10  may engage with receiving member  150  wherein electronic module  15  is movable via insertion button  124 , extraction button  123  and receiving member  150  as will be more fully discussed below. 
         [0044]    Insertion button  124  includes a rack portion  124   a . Rack portion  124   a  is configured to abut against receiving section  128 . Receiving section  128  includes a rack portion  129  and receiving member  150 . Rack portion  129  of receiving section  128  is configured to engage gear portion  125  at a pinion  126 . Gear portion  125  has a pinion  126   a  that is configured to engage rack portion  124   a  of insertion button  124 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 12  is a side perspective view of an example of the pushbutton mechanism without extraction button  123  depicted. Pushbutton mechanism  172  further includes a track follower  160  which pivots about pin  166  and is constrained to move in a range by retainers  161  to follow a track portion  190  in pushbutton  123  ( FIG. 13 ). Track follower  160 , at hook portion  162 , follows track portion  190  in pushbutton  123  as the pushbutton is pressed and released as described below. 
         [0046]      FIG. 13  is a side perspective view of an example of the pushbutton mechanism. Pushbutton mechanism further includes spring  170 . Spring  170  may be implemented as a torsion spring where one arm is affixed at one end to the chassis wall at  180 . The other end of the spring may engage with extraction button  123 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 14  is a side perspective view of an example of the pushbutton mechanism as shown in  FIG. 13  without the chassis wall or the cover  20 . As can be seen in  FIG. 14 , the free end of spring  170  engages with the extraction button  123  at  182 . Spring  170  exerts a force on extraction button  123  in a direction out of the pushbutton mechanism at the front of the chassis  70 . Extraction button  123  is retained in its position via track follower  160  at hook portion  162 , which engages with track portion  190  of extraction button  123 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 15  is a side perspective view of an example of the pushbutton mechanism as shown in  FIG. 14  where the tip  184  of the extraction button  123  has been pushed inward and the extraction button  123  has been pushed into the pushbutton mechanism  172 . As can be seen in  FIG. 15 , the track follower  160  follows a groove in the track which forces the track follower  160  downward in the direction of the arrow. The track follower  160  can only go in this direction, because of a step in the bottom of the groove which only allows the hook portion of the track follower  160  to travel in one direction through the track. When the track follower is in the position shown in  FIG. 15 , it drops over a second step at the bottom of the groove of the track, which prevents the track follower  160  from returning to its previous position. Upon release of the force at the tip  184  of extraction button  123 , spring  170  decompresses thereby exerting a force at  182  ( FIG. 16 ) pushing the extraction button  123  in a direction of the arrow in  FIG. 16  out the front of the pushbutton mechanism  172 . Track follower  160  slides in track portion  190  as extraction button  123  moves in the direction of the arrow and the track follower  160  is released from interaction with track portion  190 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 17  is a side perspective of the pushbutton mechanism. When the pushbutton  123  is released, the tip  184  of extraction pushbutton  123  protrudes slightly from the front surface of the chassis  70  and may be pulled outward of the pushbutton mechanism  172  until the rounded end  187  of a semi-rigid arm [no number] of pushbutton  123  snaps over a recessed cam surface  189  on the gear portion  125 . The extraction button  123  may then be pushed into the pushbutton mechanism in order to extract the electronic module. 
         [0050]      FIG. 18  is a side perspective view of the pushbutton mechanism where extraction button  123  is actuated.  FIG. 19  is a side perspective view of the pushbutton mechanism where extraction button  123  is actuated. During actuation, the rounded end  187  of extraction button  123  pushes against the cam surface  189  of gear portion  125  ( FIG. 17 ), causing rack portion  124   a  to engage pinion portion  126   a  as pinion portion  126   a  rotates in the direction of the arrow thereby moving the receiving section, and thus, the receiving member  150  outward. As the receiving member  150  moves outward from chassis  70 , the electronic connectors  5 ,  6  disengage from the corresponding connectors  3 ,  4  on the backplane  74  of the chassis ( FIG. 11 ) and the electronic module latched to receiving member  150 , moves outward from the chassis. 
         [0051]    Release of the latching member  16  may be effectuated as discussed with regard to  FIG. 10 . 
         [0052]    The insertion button  124  may operate similar to the operation described in  FIGS. 1-10  of insertion button  23 . 
         [0053]    It may be appreciated that the embodiments described herein are provided as examples to explain the pushbutton mechanism for inserting and extracting electronic modules. The pushbutton mechanism may be implemented in alternative configurations. For example the insertion button and the extraction button may be switched where the insertion button is configured on top of the extraction button. 
         [0054]    Alternatively, the ratio of the size of the pinions may be adjusted in order to provide a lesser, or greater, mechanical advantage. 
         [0055]    Insertion button, extraction button, gear portion, and receiving section may be made of plastic, cast metal, machined metal, or sheet metal. Springs and track follower would be made of any rigid spring material such as piano wire, spring steel, hard stainless steel. Chassis parts might be made of formed sheet metal or plastic.