Fixing frame assembly and server

A fixing frame assembly configured to be assembled to assembling pillar of chassis includes accommodating frame, at least one installation plate and at least one operative component. Accommodating frame has at least one guiding pillar. Installation plate is slidably disposed on a side of accommodating frame. Installation plate includes at least one guiding slot, connection slot and installation slot. Guiding pillar is slidably located in guiding slot. Installation slot is configured to accommodate assembling pillar. Operative component is pivotably disposed on accommodating frame and has connection protrusion. Connection protrusion is slidably located in connection slot. Operative component is able to be pivoted with respect to accommodating frame so that connection protrusion forces installation plate to be slid with respect to accommodating frame, thereby moving the accommodating frame with respect to chassis through the cooperation of accommodating frame and installation plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 201811308772.6 filed in China, on Nov. 5, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to a fixing frame assembly and a server, more particularly to a fixing frame assembly having an installation slot and a server having the same.

Description of the Related Art

Server provides various services, such as cloud drive, gamming platform, big data analysis to the internet. With the improvement of the server performance, the heat generated by the server is largely increased. Generally, there are fan modules disposed within the server for enhancing heat dissipation, and the fan modules are usually stacked above the mainboard because the inner space of the server is very limited. Therefore, before the removal of the mainboard, the fan modules are required to be removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of this disclosure provides a fixing frame assembly, configured to be mounted to an assembling pillar of a chassis. The fixing frame assembly includes an accommodating frame, at least one installation plate, and at least one operative component. The accommodating frame has at least one guiding pillar. The at least one installation plate is slidably disposed on a side of the accommodating frame. The at least one installation plate includes at least one guiding slot, a connection slot and an installation slot. The at least one guiding pillar is slidably located in the at least one guiding slot, and the assembling pillar is configured to be slidably located in the installation slot. The at least one operative component is pivotably disposed on the accommodating frame and has a connection protrusion. The connection protrusion is slidably located in the connection slot. The operative component is allowed to be pivoted with respect to the accommodating frame so as to force the connection protrusion to move the at least one installation plate with respect to the accommodating frame, thereby forcing the accommodating frame to move with respect to the chassis through the cooperation of the accommodating frame and the at least one installation plate.

Another embodiment of this disclosure provides a server including a chassis, a mother board, at least one fan, and a fixing frame assembly. The chassis includes a casing and two guiding components. The two guiding components are disposed in the casing and the two guiding components respectively have a guiding groove and an assembling pillar. The mother board has at least one first connector. The at least one fan has a second connector. The fixing frame assembly includes an accommodating frame, two installation plates, and two operative components. The at least one fan is disposed on the accommodating frame. The accommodating frame has two guiding pillars. Two installation plates are respectively slidably disposed on two opposite sides of the accommodating frame. The two installation plates each include at least one guiding slot, a connection slot and an installation slot. The two guiding pillars are respectively disposed through the two guiding slots and are respectively partially slidably located in the two guiding slots. The two assembling pillars are respectively configured to be located on the two installation slots. The two operative components are respectively pivotably disposed on two opposite sides of the accommodating frame and each have a connection protrusion. The two connection protrusions are respectively slidably located in the two connection slots. The two operative components are able to be pivoted with respect to the accommodating frame so that the two connection protrusions respectively force the two installation plates to be slid with respect to the accommodating frame. Due to a cooperation of the accommodating frame and the two installation plates, when the operative component is pivoted with respect to the accommodating frame, the accommodating frame is moved with respect to the chassis. When the accommodating frame relatively is located close to the chassis, the second connector of the at least one fan is inserted into the first connector of the mother board. When the accommodating frame is relatively away from the chassis, the second connector of the at least one fan is detached from the first connector of the mother board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer toFIG. 1toFIG. 4.FIG. 1is a partial perspective schematic view of a server according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 2is a front schematic view ofFIG. 1.FIG. 3is an exploded schematic view ofFIG. 1.FIG. 4is an exploded schematic view of a fixing frame assembly inFIG. 3.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, this embodiment provides a server10. The server10is, for example, a1U or2U server. The server10includes a chassis100, a motherboard200, a plurality of fans250and a fixing frame assembly300. The chassis100includes a casing110and two guiding components120. The two guiding components120are disposed in the casing110, and the two guiding components120each have a guiding groove121and an assembling pillar122. The motherboard200may have a plurality of first connectors210. The fans250each have a second connector251.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the fixing frame assembly300includes an accommodating frame310, two installation plates320and two operative components330. The fans250are mounted in the accommodating frame310. The accommodating frame310may further include two side plates311that are opposite to each other, and the two side plates311each have a plurality of guiding pillars311a,311band311c.

The two installation plates320are respectively slidably disposed on two opposite sides of the accommodating frame310. The two installation plates320each have a plurality of guiding slots321a,321band321c, a connection slot322and an installation slot323.

Note that only one side of the accommodating frame310and one of the installation plates320may be described in detail hereinafter.

The guiding pillars311a,311band311care respectively disposed through and slidably located on the guiding slots321a,321band321c. The assembling pillar122is configured to be slidably located on the installation slot323. Due to the cooperation of the accommodating frame310and the installation plate320, the accommodating frame310can be moved with respect to the chassis100when the operative component330is pivoted with respect to the accommodating frame310.

Note that the quantity of the guiding slots on one of the installation plates320is not restricted. In other embodiments, each installation plate may only have one guiding slot.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the two operative components330are respectively pivotably disposed on two opposite sides of the accommodating frame310.

The side plate311of the accommodating frame310may further have a first pivot structure311d. The operative component330has a second pivot structure331. The first pivot structure311dand the second pivot structure331are pivot shaft and pivot hole that fit each other. The second pivot structure331is pivotably inserted into the first pivot structure311d, allowing the operative component330to be pivoted with respect to the accommodating frame310. However, how the operative component330is pivoted to the accommodating frame310is not limited by the configuration of the first pivot structure311dand the second pivot structure331.

In addition, the operative component330has a connection protrusion332configured to be slidably inserted into the connection slot322. When the operative component330is pivoted with respect to the accommodating frame310, the connection protrusion332is forced to slide the installation plate320with respect to the accommodating frame310. Due to the cooperation of the accommodating frame310and the installation plate320, the accommodating frame310can be moved with respect to the chassis100when the operative component330is pivoted with respect to the accommodating frame310.

When the accommodating frame310is relatively close to the chassis100(as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10), the second connectors251of the fans250are respectively electrically connected to the first connectors210of the motherboard200. When the accommodating frame310is relatively away from the chassis100(as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8), the second connectors251of the fans250are respectively disconnected from the first connectors210of the motherboard200. The detail mounting operations are described below.

As shown inFIG. 3, in this and other embodiments, the fixing frame assembly300may further include a link340. The link340are connected to the two operative components330so as to be moved with the two operative components330simultaneously. However, the link340is optional; in other embodiments, the fixing frame assembly may not include the link, and the operative components may be pivoted independently.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, in this and other embodiments, the casing110may further include a bottom wall111and two side walls112. The two side walls112are respectively connected to two opposite sides of the bottom wall111. The two guiding components120are disposed on the bottom wall111via, for example, rivets. The two guiding components120are located between the two side walls112. The guiding components120are respectively spaced apart from the side walls112by two cable management spaces S. That is, one of the cable management spaces S is formed between one of the guiding components120and one of the side walls112, and the other cable management space S is formed between the other guiding component120and the other side wall112. The cable management spaces S are configured to accommodate cables (not shown).

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, in this and other embodiments, each guiding groove121may further have a release portion121aand an engagement portion121bthat are connected to each other. In each guiding groove121, a width W1of the release portion121ais larger than a width W2of the engagement portion121b, and the engagement portion121bis located closer to the bottom wall111than the release portion121a. When the accommodating frame310is relatively close to the bottom wall111of the chassis100, the two guiding pillars311care respectively located in the two engagement portions121b, such that the accommodating frame310is fixed to the guiding components120. When the accommodating frame310is relatively away from the bottom wall111of the chassis100, the guiding pillars311care respectively located in the release portions121a, such that the accommodating frame310is allowed to be detached from the guiding components120.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, in this and other embodiments, the server10may further include a plurality of first positioning pillars410and a plurality of second positioning pillars420. The first positioning pillars410and the second positioning pillars420have concave and convex structures that fit to each other. In detail, the first positioning pillars410are, for example, solid and are disposed on the bottom wall111. The second positioning pillars420are, for example, hollow and are disposed on the accommodating frame310. When the fixing frame assembly300is disposed on the chassis100, the first positioning pillars410are respectively detachably inserted into the second positioning pillars420. Note that the quantities of the first positioning pillars410and the second positioning pillars420are not restricted; in other embodiments, the server may only include one first positioning pillar410and one second positioning pillar420. In addition, the configurations of the first positioning pillars410and the second positioning pillars420are not restricted; in another embodiment, the first positioning pillar may be hollow and the second positioning pillars may be solid.

As shown inFIG. 4, in this and other embodiments, the side plate311may further have an opening311e. The connection protrusion332of the operative component330is disposed through and slidably located in the opening311e, thereby guiding the operative component330with respect to the accommodating frame310.

As shown inFIG. 4, in this and other embodiments, the installation plate320may further have a plurality of bumps326. The installation plate320presses against the side plate311of the accommodating frame310via the bumps326, achieving points contact and thus reducing the contact area between the installation plate320and the side plate311. As a result, the installation plate320is able to be moved with respect to the accommodating frame310in a smooth manner.

Please refer toFIG. 3andFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a planar schematic view of an installation plate ofFIG. 4. In this and other embodiments, while the fixing frame assembly300is mounted to the chassis100, engaging the second positioning pillars420with the first positioning pillars410helps to guide the accommodating frame310to move toward the bottom wall111of the chassis100along an installation direction D1. On the contrary, disengaging the second positioning pillars420from the first positioning pillars410helps to guide the accommodating frame310to move away from the bottom wall111of the chassis100along a direction opposite to the installation direction D1. The installation direction D1is substantially parallel to a normal line N of the bottom wall110of the chassis100.

The guiding slots321a,321band321call extend along a first direction D2, and the first direction D2is perpendicular to the installation direction D1. That is, the guiding slots321a,321band321care parallel to one another and are perpendicular to the installation direction D1. The connection slot322extends along a second direction D3, and the second direction D3is parallel to the installation direction D1. The installation slot323extends along a third direction D4, and the third direction D4is at an acute angle θ1to the installation direction D1.

The above extension directions of the guiding slots321a,321band321c, connection slots322and installation slots323are not restricted. As long as the first direction D2and the third direction D4are not parallel to the installation direction D1, these extension directions can be changed. For example, in other embodiments, the installation direction D1may be perpendicular to the bottom wall111; in such a case, the first direction D2and the third direction D4are not perpendicular to the bottom wall111.

Please refer toFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a planar schematic view showing that the fixing frame assembly inFIG. 1is located above a chassis. In this and other embodiments, the installation plate320may further have two guiding parts323a,323bthat form the installation slots323. Due to the cooperation of the accommodating frame310and the installation plate320, when the operative component330is pivoted with respect to the accommodating frame310, the installation plate320is slid with respect to the accommodating frame310, such that the accommodating frame310is forced to be moved toward or away from the bottom wall111of the chassis100.

As shown inFIG. 6, in this and other embodiments, the side plate311has a first positioning structure311fThe installation plate320has two second positioning structures324and325. During the sliding movement of the installation plate320with respect to the side plate311, the second positioning structure324or325may be positioned at the first positioning structure311fIn this embodiment, the first positioning structure311fis connected with two elastic arms that allow the first positioning structure311fto be moved toward or away from the installation plate320, such that when the second positioning structures324and325are not positioned at the first positioning structure311f, an interference between the first positioning structure311fand the installation plate320can be reduced. However, the elastic arms are optional; in other embodiments, the side plate may have no such elastic arms connected to the first positioning structure.

As shown inFIG. 6, in this and other embodiments, the side plate311may further have a stopping protrusion311gconfigured to limit the pivot range of the operative component330. When the operative component330is pivoted with respect to the accommodating frame310to be inclined, the stopping protrusion311gis able to stop the operative component330at a specific angle.

As shown inFIG. 6, in this and other embodiments, the side plate311of the accommodating frame310may further have a first positioning structure311h, and the operative component330may further have a second positioning structure333. The second positioning structure333and the first positioning structure311hare concave and convex structures that fit each other, such that the second positioning structure333is able to be detachably positioned at the first positioning structure311h.

Please refer toFIG. 6toFIG. 11.FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view showing that the fixing frame assembly is located inside the chassis and the installation plate is not assembled to a guiding component.FIG. 8is another cross-sectional view showing that the fixing frame assembly is located inside the chassis and the installation plate is not assembled to the guiding component.FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view showing that the fixing frame assembly is located inside the chassis and the installation plate is assembled to the guiding component.FIG. 10is another cross-sectional view showing that the fixing frame assembly is located inside the chassis and the installation plate is assembled to the guiding component.FIG. 11is a cross-sectional view showing that the fixing frame assembly is located inside the chassis and the installation plate is not assembled to the guiding component.

As shown inFIG. 6, the fixing frame assembly300is located above the chassis100; that is, the fixing frame assembly300is not yet put in the chassis100. Moreover, the operative component330of the fixing frame assembly300is inclined with respect to the accommodating frame310and the second positioning structure324of the installation plate320is positioned at the first positioning structure311fof the side plate311.

Next, as shown inFIG. 7andFIG. 8, the fixing frame assembly300is placed into the chassis100along a direction a. As the guiding pillar311cstarts to engage with the guiding groove121, the installation slot323, the second connectors251and second positioning pillars420are able to be respectively aligned with the assembling pillar122, the first connectors210and the first positioning pillars410also. At this moment, the second connectors251is not completely inserted into the first connectors210, the assembling pillar122is located on an end of the installation slot323that is close to the bottom wall111, each of the first positioning pillars410is partially inserted into the respective second positioning pillar420, and the guiding pillar311cis temporarily located on the intersection of the release portion121aand the engagement portion121b.

Next, as shown inFIG. 9andFIG. 10, the operative component330is pivoted along a direction b, such that the connection protrusion332of the operative component330forces the installation plate320to slide with respect to the accommodating frame310along a direction c. During the movement of the installation plate320, the assembling pillar122is moved along the installation slot323so as to force the accommodating frame310to move toward the bottom wall111of the chassis100along a direction d, thereby forcing the second positioning pillars420and the second connectors251to move along the direction d. As a result, the second positioning pillars420are fully engaged with the first positioning pillars410, and the second connectors251are fully connected to the first connectors210.

In addition, when the operative component330is pivoted to the position shown inFIG. 9, the second positioning structure333of the operative component330is positioned at the first positioning structure311hof the side plate311, such that the accommodating frame310is firmly fixed on the chassis100. At the same time, the second positioning structure325of the installation plate320is also positioned at the first positioning structure311fof the side plate311so as to fix the installation plate320in position relative to the side plate311.

Next, as shown inFIG. 11, the operative component330is pivoted along a direction e, and the connection protrusion332of the operative component330forces the installation plate320to slide with respect to the accommodating frame310along a direction f During this movement, the assembling pillar122is moved along the installation slot323so as to force the accommodating frame310to move away from the bottom wall111of the chassis100along a direction g. The second positioning pillars420and the second connectors251are also moved along the direction g. As a result, the second positioning pillars420are disengaged from the first positioning pillars410, and the second connectors251are disconnected from the first connectors210.

In addition, when the operative component330is pivoted to the position shown inFIG. 11, the operative component330is stopped at a specific angle by the stopping protrusion311g, and the second positioning structure324of the installation plate320is positioned at the first positioning structure311fof the side plate311so as to fix the installation plate320in position with respect to the side plate311. In this way, the fixing frame assembly300can be installed into the chassis100again.

In above embodiments, the extension directions of the guiding slots321a,321band321care perpendicular to that of the connection slot322, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. Please refer toFIG. 12.FIG. 12is a planar schematic view of the installation plate according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

The second embodiment provides an installation plate620. The installation plate620has guiding slots621a,621band621c, a connection slot622and an installation slot623. The extension direction of the guiding slots621a,621band621cis not perpendicular to that of the connection slot622. In detail, the guiding slots621a,621band621cextend along a first direction D6, and the first direction D6is not perpendicular to the extension direction of the connection slot622(i.e., second direction D7) and is not perpendicular to the installation direction D5; that is, the guiding slots621a,621band621care parallel to one another and are not perpendicular to the connection slot622and the installation direction D5. The second direction D7is parallel to the installation direction D5. The installation slot623extends along a third direction D8, and the third direction D8is at an acute angle θ2to the installation direction D5.

Further, the accommodating frame310may not be configured to accommodate fans; in other embodiments, the accommodating frame may be configured to accommodate hard disks or other expansion components.

Additionally, in the disclosure, the quantities of the installation plates320and the operative components330are not restricted; in other embodiments, the fixing frame assembly may only include one installation plate and one operative component.

Furthermore, in above embodiments, the guiding components120are additionally fixed on the casing110, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the guiding components and the casing may be made of a single piece. That is, the guiding component is part of the casing.

According to the fixing frame assembly and the server discussed above, by forcing the installation plate via the connection protrusion of the operative component and the cooperation of the accommodating frame and the installation plate, the fixing frame assembly can be mounted to the chassis or be removed from the chassis only by the operative component.

Furthermore, since the installation plate has the guiding slot, the connection slot and the installation slot, the fixing frame assembly can cooperate with the guiding pillar of the side plate, the connection protrusion of the operative component and the assembling pillar of the guiding component only via the installation plate. In this way, the size of the fixing frame assembly can be further reduced so as to separate the fixing frame assembly from the side plates to form spaces for cable management.

Since the spaces for cable management are formed between the fixing frame assembly and the side plates of the accommodating frame, there is no need to additionally form the openings on the side plates, thereby maintaining the structural strength of the chassis.