Assembly mechanism adapted to a server system and server system therewith

An assembly mechanism and a server system therewith are disclosed. The server system includes a casing, a first module and a second module. The first module is installed inside the casing. The second module is selectively installed inside the casing. The assembly mechanism includes a frame mechanism, a tray, a first fixing member and a handle member. The frame mechanism is disposed around the first module. The tray is combined with the second module and supports the second module above the first module cooperatively with the frame mechanism. The first fixing member is fixed on the frame mechanism. The handle member is pivoted to the tray. The handle member activates the tray to approach the first module as being rotated in a first direction. The handle member activates the tray to separate from the first module as being rotated in a second direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an assembly mechanism and a server system therewith, and more particularly, to an assembly mechanism adapted to a server system and a server system therewith.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In order to meet market demands, the server is evolved to have the specification thereof toward higher computing capability and large memory. In general, the capability of expansion of the server is a selective configuration. If the internal configuration of the server system has been filled with electronic components, the server expansion module is able to be disposed above and coupled to the original server module, so as to jointly run the large-scale system. When the server system is in response to the miniaturization system, the server expansion module is able to be removed for saving system resources.

However, due to the size and the weight of the server expansion module itself, it is not easy for operators to install and remove the server expansion module, which causes the server expansion module to easily collide with the internal parts of the server during the assembly process. As a result, it neither facilitates the assembly of the server expansion module, nor prevents the parts from damage due to collision during the assembly process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an assembly mechanism adapted to a server system and with capability of preventing internal components of the server system from damage during assembly process and a server system therewith for solving above drawbacks.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention discloses an assembly mechanism adapted to a server system. The server system includes a casing, a first module and a second module. The first module and the second module are installed inside the casing. The assembly mechanism includes a frame mechanism, a tray, a first fixing member and a handle member. The frame mechanism is disposed inside the casing and in a periphery of the first module. The tray is combined with the second module and supports the second module above the first module cooperatively with the frame mechanism. The tray is detachably installed on the frame mechanism and includes a main tray body and a first pivot holding member. The first pivot holding member is disposed on the main tray body. The first fixing member is fixed on the frame mechanism. The handle member is pivoted to the tray. The handle member has a first cam portion and a second cam portion and includes a first linkage portion, a second linkage portion, a handle portion and a first pivotal member. An end of the first linkage portion and an end of the second linkage portion are respectively connected to opposite ends of the handle portion. The first linkage portion is pivoted to the first pivot holding member by the first pivotal member. The first cam portion and the second cam portion are disposed on another end of the first linkage portion. A distance between the first cam portion and the first pivotal member is smaller than a distance between the handle portion and the first pivotal member, and a distance between the second cam portion and the first pivotal member is smaller than a distance between the handle portion and the first pivotal member. The other end of the first linkage portion and another end of the second linkage portion are respectively pivoted to the tray, so that the first linkage portion, the handle portion and the second linkage portion are connected to one another and cooperatively form a U-shaped structure. The first cam portion abuts against and slides on the first fixing member when the handle member is rotated relative to the tray along a first rotating direction, so as to activate the tray to approach the first module and couple the second module with the first module. The second cam portion abuts against and slides on the first fixing member when the handle member is rotated relative to the tray along a second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction, so as to activate the tray to separate from the first module and decouple the second module from the first module.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the tray further includes a second pivot holding member. The second pivot holding member is disposed on the main tray body. The handle member further includes a second pivotal member. The second linkage portion and the first linkage portion are symmetric relative to a geometric center of the handle portion, and the second linkage portion is pivoted to the second pivot holding member by the second pivotal member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the handle member has a third cam portion and a fourth cam portion. The third cam portion and the fourth cam portion are disposed on the other end of the second linkage portion, and the assembly mechanism further includes a second fixing member fixed on the frame mechanism. The third cam portion abuts against and slides on the second fixing member when the handle member is rotated relative to the tray along the first rotating direction, so as to activate the tray to approach the first module. The fourth cam portion abuts against and slides on the second fixing member when the handle member is rotated relative to the tray along the second rotating direction, so as to activate the tray to separate from the first module, wherein the second pivotal member is coaxial with the first pivotal member, and the second fixing member is coaxial with the first fixing member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a first containing space, a second containing space and a third containing space are formed between the tray and the second module. The first containing space, the second containing space and the third containing space communicate with one another. The first containing space, the second containing space and the third containing space accommodate the first linkage portion, the second linkage portion and the handle portion when the handle member is rotated to an accommodating position along the first rotating direction.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the assembly mechanism further includes a push-push latch mechanism disposed on the handle portion. The push-push latch mechanism is for latching the handle portion in the third containing space or releasing the handle portion from the third containing space.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a server system is disclosed and includes a casing, a first module, a second module and an assembly mechanism. The first module and the second module are installed inside the casing. The assembly mechanism includes a frame mechanism, a tray, a first fixing member and a handle member. The frame mechanism is disposed inside the casing and in a periphery of the first module. The tray is combined with the second module and supports the second module above the first module cooperatively with the frame mechanism. The tray is detachably installed on the frame mechanism and includes a main tray body and a first pivot holding member. The first pivot holding member is disposed on the main tray body. The first fixing member is fixed on the frame mechanism. The handle member is pivoted to the tray. The handle member has a first cam portion and a second cam portion and includes a first linkage portion, a second linkage portion, a handle portion and a first pivotal member. An end of the first linkage portion and an end of the second linkage portion are respectively connected to opposite ends of the handle portion. The first linkage portion is pivoted to the first pivot holding member by the first pivotal member. The first cam portion and the second cam portion are disposed on another end of the first linkage portion. A distance between the first cam portion and the first pivotal member is smaller than a distance between the handle portion and the first pivotal member, and a distance between the second cam portion and the first pivotal member is smaller than a distance between the handle portion and the first pivotal member. The other end of the first linkage portion and another end of the second linkage portion are respectively pivoted to the tray, so that the first linkage portion, the handle portion and the second linkage portion are connected to one another and cooperatively form a U-shaped structure. The first cam portion abuts against and slides on the first fixing member when the handle member is rotated relative to the tray along a first rotating direction, so as to activate the tray to approach the first module and couple the second module with the first module. The second cam portion abuts against and slides on the first fixing member when the handle member is rotated relative to the tray along a second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction, so as to activate the tray to separate from the first module and decouple the second module from the first module.

In summary, the handle member of the present invention has two linkage portion with respectively connection to opposite sides of the tray and the handle portion with connection to the two linkage portions, and each of the two linkage portions of the handle member of the present invention has the cam portions in cooperation with the fixing members. When the handle member is rotated along the first rotating direction, the cam portions of the handle member cooperates with the fixing members, so as to force the two opposite sides of the tray for stably approaching the tray with the second module to the first module. When the handle member is rotated along the second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction, the cam portions of the handle member cooperates with the fixing members, so as to force the two opposite sides of the tray for stably separating the tray with the second module from the first module. In such a manner, the assembly mechanism of the present invention is able to provide the two opposite sides of the tray with pressing force or lifting force when the tray with the second module approaches to or separate from the first module. As a result, it causes that the tray with the second module stably approach the first module or separate from the first module, so as to prevent internal components of the server system from damage during the assembly process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer toFIG. 1.FIG. 1is an exploded diagram of a server system1000according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the server system1000includes a casing1, a first module2, a second module3and an assembly mechanism4. The first module2is installed inside the casing1. The assembly mechanism4is for ensuring the second module3to detachably disposed above the casing1. Accordingly, the second module3is able to be selectively installed inside the casing1for meeting different system demands. It should be noticed that, in this embodiment, the casing1can include an assembly plate and an outer housing. During assembly process, the first module2, the second module3and the assembly mechanism4can be assembled with the assembly plate in advance, and then the first module2, the second module3, the assembly mechanism4together with the assembly plate are assembled with the outer housing.

Please refer toFIG. 1toFIG. 3.FIG. 2is an exploded diagram of the first module2, the second module3and the assembly mechanism4according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is an exploded diagram of the first module2, the second module3and the assembly mechanism4in another view according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 3, the assembly mechanism4includes a frame mechanism40, a tray41, a first fixing member42, a handle member43and a second fixing member44. The frame mechanism40is disposed inside the casing1and in a peripheral of the first module2. In this embodiment, the frame mechanism40includes a first frame401, a second frame402, a third frame403and a fourth frame404. The first frame401is opposite to the second frame402. The third frame403connects an end of the first frame401with an end of the second frame402. The fourth frame404connects another end of the first frame401with another end of the second frame402, i.e., the frame mechanism40are a substantially rectangular frame connected by the first frame401, the second frame402, the third frame403and the fourth frame404. The tray41is combined with the second module3. The first fixing member42is fixed on the first frame401of the frame mechanism40, and the second fixing member44is fixed on the second frame402of the frame mechanism40, i.e., the first fixing member42and the second fixing member44are respectively located on two opposite side of the frame mechanism40. The handle member43is pivoted to the tray41, so that the handle member43is able to rotate relative to the tray41along a first rotating direction R1or the handle member43is able to rotate relative to the tray41along a second rotating direction R2opposite to the first rotating direction R1.

Furthermore, the tray41includes a main tray body410, a first pivot holding member411and a second pivot holding member412. The first pivot holding member411and the second pivot holding member412are disposed on the main tray body410. The handle member43includes a first cam portion430, a second cam portion431, a third cam portion437and a fourth cam portion438. The handle member43includes a first linkage portion432, a handle portion433, a first pivotal member434, a second linkage portion435, a second pivotal member436. An end of the first linkage portion432is connected to the handle portion433. The first cam portion430and the second cam portion431are disposed at another end of the first linkage portion432, and the first linkage portion432is pivoted to the first pivot holding member411by the first pivotal member. An end of the second linkage portion43is connected to the handle portion433. The third cam portion437and the fourth cam portion438are disposed on another end of the second linkage portion43. The second linkage portion43is pivoted to the second pivot holding member412by the second pivotal member436. In other words, the end of the first linkage portion432and the end of the second linkage portion43are respectively connected to the opposite ends of the handle portion433, and the other end of the first linkage portion432and the other end of the second linkage portion43are respectively connected to the first pivot holding member411and the second pivot holding member412of the tray41.

In such a manner, when a user utilizes the handle portion433to rotate the handle member43, the handle portion433is able to simultaneously activate the first linkage portion432to rotate relative to the first pivot holding member411by the first pivotal member434and the second linkage portion43to rotate relative to the second pivot holding member412by the second pivotal member436. In this embodiment, the handle member43is a substantially U-shaped structure which is formed by connection among the first linkage portion432, the handle portion433and the second linkage portion43. It should be noticed that a first containing space45, a second containing space46and a third containing space47are formed between the tray41and the second module3. The first containing space45, the second containing space46and the third containing space47communicate with one another. Accordingly, when the handle member43is rotated to an accommodating position shown inFIG. 1, the first containing space45, the second containing space46and the third containing space47accommodate the first linkage portion432, the second linkage portion43and the handle portion433, respectively.

In addition, the assembly mechanism4further includes a push-push latch mechanism48. The push-push latch mechanism48is disposed on the handle portion433of the handle member43. When the handle member43is rotated to the accommodating position along the first rotating direction R1, the push-push latch mechanism48is able to latch the handle portion433in the third containing space47, so as to fix the handle member43in the accommodating position. When the handle member43is fixed in the accommodating position, the push-push latch mechanism48can be further pressed, so as to release the handle portion433from the third containing space47and the handle member43is able to separate from the accommodating position along the second rotating direction R2. In other words, the push-push latch mechanism48is used for selectively latching the handle portion433in the third containing space47or releasing the handle portion433from the third containing space47.

Please referFIG. 1toFIG. 11.FIG. 4is a sectional diagram of the assembly mechanism4inFIG. 1and taken along a section line A-A.FIG. 5is a sectional diagram of the assembly mechanism4shown inFIG. 1and taken along a section line B-B.FIG. 6is a diagram of the assembly mechanism4in an intermediate state according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 7is a sectional diagram of the assembly mechanism4inFIG. 6and taken along a section line C-C.FIG. 8is a sectional diagram of the assembly mechanism4inFIG. 6and taken along a section line D-D.FIG. 9is a diagram of the assembly mechanism4in a releasing state according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 10is a sectional diagram of the assembly mechanism4inFIG. 9and taken along a section line E-E.FIG. 11is a sectional diagram of the assembly mechanism4inFIG. 9and taken along a section line F-F. As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 11, when the assembly mechanism4is in a coupling state as shown inFIG. 1, the second module3is supported above the first module2by the tray41of the assembly mechanism4cooperatively with the frame mechanism40. The first cam portion430and the third cam portion437of the handle member43respectively abut against the first fixing member42and the second fixing member44, as shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 5. A first connector20of the first module2is coupled to a second connector30of the second module3, so that the first module2and the second module3of the server system1000are able to jointly run the large-scale system. When the tray41together with the second module3are desired to be detached from the frame mechanism40, the handle portion433of the handle member43is utilized for rotating the handle member43relative to the tray41along the second rotating direction R2. Meanwhile, the first cam portion430and the third cam portion437are able to slide on the first fixing member42and the second fixing member44, respectively, so that the first cam portion430and the third cam portion437gradually separate from the first fixing member42and the second fixing member44.

When the handle member43is rotated to a position shown inFIG. 6along the second rotating direction R2, the second cam portion431and the fourth cam portion438of the handle member43abut against the first fixing member42and the second fixing member44, as shown inFIG. 7andFIG. 8. When the handle member43is rotated from the position shown inFIG. 6to a position shown inFIG. 9along the second rotating direction R2, the second cam portion431and the fourth cam portion438slides on the first fixing member42and the second fixing member44, so that the handle member43is able to activate the tray41to separate the first module2along a first direction X1(i.e., an upward direction) by cooperation of the second cam portion431and the first fixing member42as well as cooperation of the fourth cam portion438and the second fixing member44. Furthermore, when the handle member43is rotated to a position shown inFIG. 10, the second connector30of the second module3is decoupled from the first connector20of the first module2, so that the tray41together with the second module3are detached from the frame mechanism40, which is in response to the miniaturization system and saves system resource.

On the other hand, when the second module3is desired to be coupled to the first module2, the second module3together with the tray41can be disposed in the position shown inFIG. 10. Meanwhile, the second cam portion431and the fourth cam portion438respectively abut against the first fixing member42and the second fixing member44, as shown inFIG. 10andFIG. 11. Afterwards, handle member43is rotated relative to the tray41along the first rotating direction R1. Meanwhile, the second cam portion431and the fourth cam portion438slide relative to the first fixing member42and the second fixing member44and gradually separate from the first fixing member42and the second fixing member44.

When the handle member43is rotated from the position shown inFIG. 9to the position shown inFIG. 6along the first rotating direction R1, the first cam portion430and the third cam portion437of the handle member43abut against the first fixing member42and the second fixing member44, as shown inFIG. 7andFIG. 8. When the handle member43is rotated from the position inFIG. 6toward the position inFIG. 6along the first rotating direction R1, the first cam portion430and the third cam portion437slides on the first fixing member42and the second fixing member44, so that the handle member43is able to activate the tray41to approach the first module2along a second direction X2(i.e., a downward direction) by cooperation of the first cam portion430and the first fixing member42and cooperation of the third cam portion437and the second fixing member44. Furthermore, when the handle member43is rotated to the position shown inFIG. 1, the second connector30of the second module3is able to be coupled to the first connector20of the first module2.

It should be noticed that the second linkage portion43and the first linkage portion432of the handle member43of the present invention are symmetric to a geometric center of the handle portion433, the second pivotal member436is coaxial with the first pivotal member434, and the second fixing member44is coaxial with the first fixing member42. Accordingly, it ensures that the first cam portion430of the first linkage portion432and the third cam portion437of the second linkage portion43simultaneously contact with the first fixing member42or with the second fixing member44as well as ensures that the second cam portion431of the first linkage portion432and the fourth cam portion438of the second linkage portion43simultaneously contact with the first fixing member42or with the second fixing member44. In addition, a distance between the first cam portion430and the first pivotal member434is smaller than a distance between the handle portion433and the first pivotal member434, and a distance between the second cam portion431and the first pivotal member434is smaller than a distance between the handle portion433and the first pivotal member434. As known in relation between force and force arm, the aforesaid structures allow the purpose of force saving to be achieved.

Compared to the prior art, the handle member of the present invention has two linkage portion with respectively connection to opposite sides of the tray and the handle portion with connection to the two linkage portions, and each of the two linkage portions of the handle member of the present invention has the cam portions in cooperation with the fixing members. When the handle member is rotated along the first rotating direction, the cam portions of the handle member cooperates with the fixing members, so as to force the two opposite sides of the tray for stably approaching the tray with the second module to the first module. When the handle member is rotated along the second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction, the cam portions of the handle member cooperates with the fixing members, so as to force the two opposite sides of the tray for stably separating the tray with the second module from the first module. In such a manner, the assembly mechanism of the present invention is able to provide the two opposite sides of the tray with pressing force or lifting force when the tray with the second module approaches to or separate from the first module. As a result, it causes that the tray with the second module stably approach the first module or separate from the first module, so as to prevent internal components of the server system from damage during the assembly process.