Method and apparatus for the alignment and locking of removable elements with a connector

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a landing pad having a mating portion configured to mate with a mating feature of a removable element as the removable element approaches the landing pad in a first direction. The apparatus also includes a mount along which the landing pad is movable in a second direction. A lever is positionable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the lever being coupled to the landing pad for translating the landing pad along the mount in the second direction during movement thereof from the disengaged position toward the engaged position. The first direction is different than the second direction.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to aligning and locking removable elements, and more particularly, this invention relates to aligning and locking removable elements with a connector such as a blind-mating connector.

Blind-mating connectors can generally be described as connectors that achieve connection via a sliding or snapping action, where the connectors cannot be readily observed as they are mated. Hence a mechanical system is typically present to ensure that the removable component is guided into the correct position to allow the connectors to mate. Blind-mating connectors often have self-aligning features that allow a small misalignment when mating.

The large majority of scalable computing systems using a multi-processor modular approach based on fixed chassis plus removable enclosures (such as Blade, Flex and iDataPlex products) rely on a chassis-host to guide the enclosures of the modules and align the blind-mating connectors and/or fittings for power, data or cooling.

The sides of the enclosures slide along slots present inside the chassis; clamping or locking mechanisms (e.g., spring loaded or lever-actuated mechanisms) are used on the front of the enclosures to keep it in place.

SUMMARY

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a landing pad having a mating portion configured to mate with a mating feature of a removable element as the removable element approaches the landing pad in a first direction. The apparatus also includes a mount along which the landing pad is movable in a second direction. A lever is positionable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the lever being coupled to the landing pad for translating the landing pad along the mount in the second direction during movement thereof from the disengaged position toward the engaged position. The first direction is different than the second direction.

An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a landing pad having a mating portion configured to mate with a mating feature of a removable element as the removable element approaches the landing pad in a first direction. The apparatus also includes a mount along which the landing pad is movable in a second direction toward a connector configured to couple with a second connector of the removable element. A lever is positionable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the lever being coupled to the landing pad for translating the landing pad along the mount in the second direction during movement thereof from the disengaged position toward the engaged position. The first direction is oriented at an angle from the second direction, the angle being in a range of greater than 0 (>0) degrees to 90 degrees.

A process, performed by various apparatuses described herein, includes receiving a removable element on a landing pad having at least one mating portion configured to mate with a mating feature of the removable element as the removable element approaches the landing pad in a first direction. The landing pad and the removable element mounted thereon are translated along a mount in a second direction toward a connector in response to an external force being applied to a lever which moves the lever from a disengaged position toward an engaged position, the lever being coupled to the landing pad. The first direction is oriented at an angle from the second direction, the angle being in a range of >0 degrees to 90 degrees.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description discloses several preferred embodiments of apparatuses for aligning and locking removable elements with a connector, such as a blind-mating connector, as well as operation and/or component parts of such apparatuses. Prior to the present disclosure, there has been no common solution for aligning removable elements without using four sides to guide them inside a slot, nor for installing removable elements from the top and plugging them in sideways.

In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a landing pad having a mating portion configured to mate with a mating feature of a removable element as the removable element approaches the landing pad in a first direction. The apparatus also includes a mount along which the landing pad is movable in a second direction. A lever is positionable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the lever being coupled to the landing pad for translating the landing pad along the mount in the second direction during movement thereof from the disengaged position toward the engaged position. The first direction is different than the second direction.

In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes a landing pad having a mating portion configured to mate with a mating feature of a removable element as the removable element approaches the landing pad in a first direction. The apparatus also includes a mount along which the landing pad is movable in a second direction toward a connector configured to couple with a second connector of the removable element. A lever is positionable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the lever being coupled to the landing pad for translating the landing pad along the mount in the second direction during movement thereof from the disengaged position toward the engaged position. The first direction is oriented at an angle from the second direction, the angle being any angle in a range of >0 to 90 degrees, preferably in a range of 15 to 90 degrees.

In yet another general embodiment, a process, which can be performed by various apparatuses described herein, includes receiving a removable element on a landing pad having at least one mating portion configured to mate with a mating feature of the removable element as the removable element approaches the landing pad in a first direction. The landing pad and the removable element mounted thereon are translated along a mount in a second direction toward a connector in response to an external force being applied to a lever which moves the lever from a disengaged position toward an engaged position, the lever being coupled to the landing pad. The first direction is oriented at an angle from the second direction, the angle being in a range of >0 to 90 degrees, preferably in a range of 15 to 90 degrees.

FIGS. 1A-1Cdepict an apparatus100for aligning and locking a removable element102in some predefined position, according to one embodiment. The apparatus100may simply position the removable element102in in a specific location, or align and couple the removable element102with something such as a connector104, and lock the removable element102in place e.g., once engaged with the connector104.

The apparatus100includes a landing pad106having a mating portion108, and preferably several mating portions108, each being configured to mate with a corresponding mating feature110of the removable element102as the removable element102approaches the landing pad106in a first direction112. The mating portion108and the mating feature110may have any configuration that would become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure. For example, the mating portion108may be a channel, aperture, or other receiving portion configured to receive a pin-type mating feature110, a loop-type mating feature110, etc. See, e.g.,FIG. 3A-3Cfor an exemplary pin-type mating feature110and channel-type mating portion108. In other approaches, the mating configuration may be reversed, e.g., the mating feature110may be a channel, aperture, or other receiving feature configured to receive a pin-type mating portion108, a loop-type mating portion108, etc.

The apparatus100includes a mount114along which the landing pad106is movable in a second direction116. The second direction116is different than the first direction112, and preferably nonparallel thereto. For example, the first direction112may be oriented at an angle from the second direction116, the angle being in a range of >0 to 90 degrees, preferably in a range of 15 to 90 degrees. In the example shown inFIGS. 1A-1C, the first direction112is about orthogonal to the second direction116.

The apparatus100may be configured to move the removable element102toward a connector104. The connector104, while generally not considered part of the apparatus100in most embodiments, is configured to couple with a second connector118of the removable element102. The connectors104,118may be any known types of connectors. In preferred embodiments, one or both of the connector and the second connector are blind-mating connectors.

In some approaches, the connectors104,118include cooperating electrical connectors of any type, e.g., conventional blind-mating electrical connectors. The electrical connectors may be used, for example, to provide power to the removable element102; connect the removable element102to another circuit, computer, etc.; etc.

In other approaches, the connectors104,118include cooperating fluid fittings of any type, e.g., conventional blind-mating fluid fittings. The fluid fittings may be used, for example, to provide coolant to the removable element102, etc.

In further approaches, the connectors104,118include both cooperating electrical connectors and cooperating fluid fittings. Moreover, each connector104,118may include multiple electrical and/or fluidic coupling components.

The apparatus100includes a lever120positionable between a disengaged position as shown inFIG. 1Aand an engaged position as shown inFIG. 1C. The lever120is detachably or fixedly coupled to the landing pad106, e.g., via a connecting rod, gear, etc., for translating the landing pad106along the mount114in the second direction116during movement of the lever120from the disengaged position toward the engaged position, as exemplified by the transition shown fromFIG. 1A to 1C. The translation of the landing pad106in the second direction116as the lever120is moved toward the engaged position causes the connectors104,118to become coupled Likewise, a movement of the lever120to translate the landing pad106in an opposite direction as the second direction116causes the connectors104,118to become uncoupled.

In preferred embodiments, the apparatus100is configured to lock both the landing pad106and the removable element102in place upon translation of the landing pad106toward the connector104, e.g., upon movement of the lever120from the disengaged position to the engaged position Likewise, a movement of the lever120to translate the landing pad106in an opposite direction as the second direction116unlocks the removable element102, and possibly unlocks the landing pad106thereby allowing its removal from the mount114.

In one approach, the mount114has a locking feature for locking the mating feature110of the removable element102to the mount114when the mating feature110is mated with the mating portion108of the landing pad106and the landing pad106is moved in the second direction116. Any type of locking feature that would become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure may be used. For example, some approaches may use known locking features.FIGS. 2-3C, discussed in more detail below, depict an illustrative mount114having a locking feature.

A secondary lock122for selectively locking the lever120in the engaged position may be present. Any type of secondary lock122that would become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure may be used. Illustrative secondary locks122include latches, hooks, catches, etc.

The apparatus100may be used in any environment that would become apparent to one skilled in the art upon being apprised of the present disclosure. As shown inFIGS. 1A-1C, the apparatus100may be located in a chassis130. The chassis130can be any type of support, structure, enclosure, etc., such as a computer rack, a rack for data storage drives, a vehicle, etc. Moreover, in various approaches, several apparatuses100may be present in chassis130, e.g., in a common bay of the chassis130, in multiple bays of the chassis130, etc.

The mount114may be detachably and/or fixedly coupled to the chassis130using any known coupling mechanism. The connector104may be coupled to the chassis130using any known coupling mechanism. Illustrative coupling mechanisms usable in this and other embodiments include threaded fasteners, rivets, adhesives, snap fittings, etc.

FIG. 2depicts an example of an apparatus100according to one embodiment. As an option, the exemplary apparatus100ofFIG. 2may be implemented in conjunction with features from any other embodiment listed herein, such as those described with reference to the other FIGS. Of course, however, such apparatus100and others presented herein may be used in various applications and/or in permutations which may or may not be specifically described in the illustrative embodiments listed herein. Further, the apparatus100presented herein may be used in any desired environment.

As shown inFIG. 2, the landing pad106includes a channel-like mating portion108that receives pin-like mating features110of the removable element102. The landing pad106is configured to slide along the mount114in the second direction116and in the reverse direction of second direction116as the lever120is actuated. The mount114has locking features132which, as described below with reference toFIGS. 3A-3C, lock the mating features110of the removable element102to the apparatus100once the landing pad106begins motion in the second direction116.

FIGS. 3A-3Cdepict the interaction between the mating portion108of the landing pad106and the mating feature110of the removable element102of the apparatus100depicted inFIG. 2. Particularly,FIG. 3Aillustrates the mounting portion of the landing pad106.FIG. 3Billustrates engagement of the mating feature110of the removable element102with the mounting portion of the landing pad106. When the removable element102is placed on the landing pad106and the lever120is operated, the landing pad106starts translating in the second direction116, and the locking feature132clamps the mating feature110in place, so the removable element102is secured during translation.FIG. 3Cillustrates the locking feature132of the mount114locking the mating feature110of the removable element102to the apparatus100after the landing pad106has been translated in the second direction116. This position also locks the landing pad106to the mount114.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of the underside of the removable element102shown inFIG. 2. As shown, the removable element102includes four mating features110and the connector118.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of the apparatus100ofFIG. 2. As shown, the landing pad106includes four mating portions108for mating with the mating features110shown inFIG. 4. The landing pad106is shown in the engaged position. The connector104and the underlying chassis130is also shown. The removable element102ofFIG. 4may be inverted from the position shown inFIG. 4and placed onto the landing pad106.

In use, a process performed by one or more of the apparatuses as described herein includes receiving a removable element on the landing pad, which again has at least one mating portion configured to mate with a mating feature of the removable element as the removable element approaches the landing pad in the first direction. The landing pad and the removable element mounted thereon are translated along a mount in a second direction, e.g., toward a connector, in response to an external force (such as a user operating the lever) being applied to the lever, which moves the lever from a disengaged position toward an engaged position. The lever is coupled to the landing pad. The first direction is different than the second direction, and is preferably oriented at an angle from the second direction, the angle being in a range of >0 to 90 degrees.

As noted above, the apparatus preferably locks both the landing pad and the removable element in place upon translation of the landing pad toward the connector.

As also noted above, a secondary lock is preferably engaged for selectively locking the lever in the engaged position in response to the lever entering the engaged position.

It will be also appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may be provided in the form of a service deployed on behalf of a customer.