Computer enclosure

An exemplary computer enclosure includes a chassis, a pair of fixing members, a plurality of slats, and an actuating member. The chassis includes a pair of first parallel panels, and a second panel perpendicular to the first panels. The first panels and second panel cooperatively define an opening therebetween. The fixing members are attached to the first panels. The slats are pivotably attached to the first panels to adjustably shield the opening. Each of the slats includes a gear shaft fixed to an end thereof. The actuating member includes a rack bar slidably attached to one of the first panels to mesh with the gears shafts. The slats are rotatable clockwise or anticlockwise. Thus, the opening may be adjustably exposed to control an amount of air entering the chassis for dissipation of heat.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to computer enclosures, and more particularly to a computer enclosure with good heat dissipating performance.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

A typical contemporary personal computer enclosure accommodates a number of electronic devices therein. The enclosure may need to be opened on a number of occasions for a variety of reasons, such as for replacing a defective electronic device. Therefore, the enclosure should be able to be readily opened and subsequently reassembled.

A conventional computer enclosure includes a base, side panels, and a top panel. The side panels and the top panel are respectively secured to the base of the enclosure with separate securing elements. A plurality of locking slots is defined in the base. A plurality of locking tabs is formed on the side panels and the top panel, for engagement into the locking slots of the base. Screws are then used to secure the side panels and the top panel to the base.

The side panels are fixedly attached to the base of the enclosure. Heat dissipation therein depends mainly on fans, pipes, or heat sinks installed in a limited inner space thereof.

What is needed is to provide a computer enclosure with good heat dissipating performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary computer enclosure includes a chassis, a pair of fixing members, a plurality of slats, and an actuating member. The chassis includes a pair of first parallel panels, and a second panel perpendicular to the first panels. The first panels and second panel cooperatively define an opening therebetween. The fixing members are attached to the first panels. The slats are pivotably attached to the first panels to changeably shield the opening. Each of the slats includes a gear shaft fixed to an end thereof. The actuating member includes a rack bar slidably attached to one of the first panels to mesh with the gears shafts. The slats are rotatable clockwise and anticlockwise. Thus, the opening is adjustable for controlling an amount of air entering the chassis for heat dissipation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a computer enclosure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a shutter blind structure, convenient for control of heat dissipation. The computer enclosure includes a chassis10, a pair of fixing members30, a plurality of slats40, and an actuating member50. The chassis10includes a pair of parallel first panels20, a second panel12perpendicularly disposed between the first panels20. The first panels20and the second panel12cooperatively define an opening102therebetween. The slats40adjustably cover the opening102.

Each of the first panels20includes a channel22vertically defined in a front portion thereof, a plurality of first notches26slantingly defined therein beside the channel22and communicating with the channel22via a plurality of straight notches perpendicular to the channel22. The first notches26each have rounded end portions. The second panel12includes a pair of slots122defined in a front portion thereof.

Referring also toFIG. 2, the fixing members30are attached to inside surfaces of the first panels20, respectively. Each of the fixing members30includes a pair of parallel sidewalls32, and a base wall34perpendicularly connecting the sidewalls32. A plurality of second notches322is defined in the sidewalls32, corresponding to the first notches26of the first panels20. The second notches322each have rounded end portions. A pair of protruding bars342extends from an inside surface of the base wall34of a left one of the fixing members30.

Each of the slats40includes a central axle42extending longitudinally therefrom, and a gear shaft44and a wheel shaft46attached to opposite ends of the center axle42respectively.

The actuating member50includes a rack bar60slidably attached to the left fixing member30, a handle member70, and a locating lever80.

The rack bar60includes a pair of grooves62defined in a back portion thereof, and a locking block64formed at a bottom end thereof. The grooves62are for slidably engaging with the protruding bars342of the left fixing member30.

Referring also toFIG. 3, the handle member70includes a pair of parallel boards72. A pair of through holes722is defined in the boards72respectively, for holding a handling pole76therein. A locking hole724is defined in one of the boards72, for engaging with the locking block64of the rack bar60. A plurality of pairs of locating holes726is defined in the boards72, with axes in alignment with the boards72.

The locating lever80is attached to an outside surface of the second panel12, movably extending through a pair of bridged tabs90fixed on the second panel12. The locating lever80has a U-shaped configuration, for selectively engaging in the corresponding pair of the locating holes726of the handle member70.

Referring also toFIGS. 4-6, in assembly, the fixing members30are attached to the first panels20by means of conventional fasteners, with the first notches26aligning with the second notches322. The rack bar60is attached to the left fixing member30, with the protruding bars342slidably engaging in the grooves62. The handle member70is slidably attached to the second panel12, with the pair of boards72thereof extending through the slots122of the second panel12and the locking hole724thereof engaging with the locking block64of the rack bar60. The handling pole76extends through the through holes722of the handle member70to allow the boards72to be slidable relative to the second panel12, for manual manipulation. The locating lever80movably extends into the bridging tabs90fixed to the outside surface of the second panel12, in alignment with the locating holes726of the handle member70. The slats40are pivotably attached to the fixing members30, with the gear shafts54meshing with the rack bar60. The gear shafts54are rotatably received between and in parallel with the sidewalls32of the left fixing member30. Two ends of the gear shafts44are received in the first notches26of a left first panel20and the second notches322of the left fixing member30. The wheel shafts46are rotatably received between and in parallel with the sidewalls32of a right fixing member30. Two ends of the wheel shafts46are received in the first notches26of a right first panel20and the second notches322of the right fixing member30.

In use, the locating lever80is drawn to disengage from the handle member70. The rack bar60is moved upward and downward relative to the left fixing member30, by manipulating the handling pole76of the handle member70. The rack bar60meshes with the gear shafts44of the slats40so that the slats40rotate clockwise or anticlockwise. The opening102is gradually closed or opened, adjusting an amount of air admitted into the enclosure for dissipation of heat.

Referring also toFIG. 7, to gain access to the enclosure, all of the slats40are drawn out of the first notches26and second notches322and move into the channels22together. The slats40drop down and overlap on the second panel12so that the opening102of the chassis10is completely exposed, allowing convenient access to the computer enclosure. Before transporting and moving the computer enclosure, a shielding plate104is inserted into the channels22of the first panels20to cover the opening102.