OUTLET MODULE MOUNTING MECHANISM AND POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT INCORPORATING THE SAME

An outlet module mounting mechanism for use with a power distribution unit including: a bracket attachable to an outlet module; a latch movably coupled to the bracket, wherein the latch has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; a link coupled to the proximal end portion of the latch; and a plunger connected to the link and movable between a released position and a latched position. When the plunger is moved to the latched position the plunger moves the link away from a front side of the outlet module such that the distal end portion of the at least one latch moves toward the front side of the outlet module to engage a corresponding wall of the housing thereby securing the outlet module to the housing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally directed to outlet modules, and particularly modules that are mounted in a power distribution unit (PDU). More specifically the disclosure is directed to mounting mechanisms to retain an outlet module in a PDU housing.

BACKGROUND

A conventional PDU is an assembly of electrical outlets (also called receptacles) that receive electrical power from a source and distribute the electrical power to one or more separate electronic appliances. Each such PDU assembly has a power input that receives power from one or more power sources, and power outlets that may be used to provide power to one or more electronic appliances. PDUs are used in many applications and settings such as, for example, in or on electronic equipment racks.

Current PDUs can include an outlet module with a front panel to which the components of the PDU are attached. The components attached to the front panel can include e.g., outlets. The entire module is inserted into a u-shaped housing. In order to retain the module in the housing the module can include plastic latch features positioned along the sides of the module that engage the u-shaped housing. These latch features can make it difficult to remove the module from the housing as they are typically designed for one time assembly. Furthermore, the plastic latch features can be damaged during assembly and/or disassembly of the PDU. Conventional latches also add complexity, and therefore cost, to the tooling used to injection mold the module components.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an outlet module mounting mechanism for use with a power distribution unit (PDU) having an associated PDU housing, including: a bracket attachable to an outlet module; at least one latch movably coupled to the bracket, wherein said at least one latch has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; a link movably coupled to the proximal end portion of said at least one latch; and a plunger connected to the link and movable between a released position and a latched position, wherein when the plunger is moved to the latched position the plunger moves the link away from a front side of the outlet module such that the distal end portion of the at least one latch moves toward the front side of the outlet module to engage a corresponding wall of the PDU housing thereby securing the outlet module to the PDU housing, and when the plunger is moved to the released position the plunger moves the link toward the front side of the outlet module such that the distal end portion of the at least one latch moves away from the front side of the outlet module to disengage the corresponding wall thereby releasing the outlet module from the PDU housing and allowing removal of the outlet module from the PDU.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mechanism, wherein the at least one latch includes a pair of latches each pivotably coupled to the bracket, and wherein the link is positioned between the pair of latches and pivotably coupled to the proximal end portion of each of the latches.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mechanism, wherein the proximal end portion of each latch includes a slot and the link includes a pair of pins each configured to engage the slot of a corresponding latch.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mechanism, wherein the proximal end of each latch includes a clevis.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mechanism, wherein when the plunger is moved to the latched position the plunger moves the link away from a front panel of the outlet module such that the distal end portion of the at least one latch moves toward the front panel, and when the plunger is moved to the released position the plunger moves the link toward the front panel such that the distal end portion of the at least one latch moves away from the front panel.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mechanism, wherein the plunger includes first and second threaded portions, wherein the first threaded portion engages mating threads disposed in the bracket, and wherein the plunger extends through the link and the second threaded portion engages a mating fastener retained in the link.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mechanism, further including a guide pin extending through a portion of the bracket and engaged with the second threaded portion, and a resilient member positioned between the link and the portion of the bracket.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mechanism, wherein the at least one latch pivots about a corresponding pivot pin attached to the bracket.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mechanism, wherein the bracket includes a pair of guide slots and the link includes a pair of guide features slidably mated with the guide slots.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mechanism, wherein the bracket includes one or more posts positioned to support a printed circuit board.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an outlet module for use with a power distribution unit (PDU) having an associated PDU housing, the outlet module including: an outlet module panel; multiple outlets carried by the panel; and at least one outlet module mounting mechanism, including: at least one latch having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and an actuator linked to the at least one latch and movable between a released position and a latched position, wherein when the actuator is moved to the latched position the actuator causes the distal end portion of the at least one latch to move toward the panel to engage a corresponding wall of the PDU housing thereby securing the outlet module to the PDU housing, and when the actuator is moved to the released position the actuator causes the distal end portion of the at least one latch to move away from the panel and disengage the corresponding wall thereby releasing the outlet module from the PDU housing and allowing removal of the outlet module from the PDU.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an outlet module, wherein the at least one outlet module mounting mechanism further includes a bracket attached to the outlet module panel and wherein the at least one latch includes a pair of latches each pivotably coupled to the bracket.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an outlet module, wherein the at least one outlet module mounting mechanism further includes a link connected to the actuator and pivotably coupled to the proximal end portion of each of the latches.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an outlet module, wherein the actuator includes a plunger including first and second threaded portions, wherein the first threaded portion engages mating threads disposed in the bracket, and wherein the plunger extends through the link and the second threaded portion engages a mating fastener retained in the link.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an outlet module, further including a guide pin extending through a portion of the bracket and engaged with the second threaded portion.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an outlet module, wherein the proximal end portion of each latch includes a slot and the link includes a pair of pins each configured to engage the slot of a corresponding latch.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an outlet module, wherein the bracket includes a pair of guide slots and the link includes a pair of guide features slidably mated with the guide slots.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an outlet module, further including a printed circuit board, and wherein the bracket includes one or more posts positioned to support the printed circuit board.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a power distribution unit, including: a housing; and at least one outlet module located at least partially within the housing, the at least one outlet module including: an outlet module panel mated to the housing; multiple outlets carried by the panel; and at least one outlet module mounting mechanism, including: at least one latch having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and an actuator linked to the at least one latch and movable between a released position and a latched position, wherein when the actuator is moved to the latched position the actuator causes the distal end portion of the at least one latch to move toward the panel to engage a corresponding wall of the housing thereby securing the outlet module to the housing, and when the actuator is moved to the released position the actuator causes the distal end portion of the at least one latch to move away from the panel to disengage the corresponding sidewall thereby releasing the outlet module from the housing and allowing removal of the outlet module from the housing.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a power distribution unit, wherein the housing includes longitudinally extending rails against which the at least one latch engages the wall of the housing.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a power distribution unit, wherein each rail includes a groove extending along its length, and wherein the panel includes flanges that engage a corresponding groove.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a power distribution unit, wherein the at least one outlet module mounting mechanism further includes a bracket attached to the outlet module panel and wherein the at least one latch includes a pair of latches each pivotably coupled to the bracket.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a power distribution unit, wherein the at least one outlet module mounting mechanism further includes a link connected to the actuator and pivotably coupled to the proximal end portion of each of the latches.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a power distribution unit, wherein the actuator includes a plunger including first and second threaded portions, wherein the first threaded portion engages mating threads disposed in the bracket, and wherein the plunger extends through the link and the second threaded portion engages a mating fastener retained in the link.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a power distribution unit, further including a guide pin extending through a portion of the bracket and engaged with the second threaded portion, and a resilient member positioned around the guide pin and between the link and the portion of the bracket.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a power distribution unit, wherein the proximal end portion of each latch includes a slot and the link includes a pair of pins each configured to engage the slot of the corresponding latch.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of removably attaching a module to a housing. The method can comprise configuring the module in a first state wherein the module can be inserted at least partially into the housing; and configuring the module in a second state wherein the module is secured to the housing where the module engages the enclosure to resists removal.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein configuring the module in the second state comprises moving an actuator of the module into the module and retaining the actuator therein. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the actuator causes one or more components carried by the module to engage the housing. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, further comprising biasing the module toward the first state. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the module is an outlet module comprising one or more outlets.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of examples according to the disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter. The concepts and specific examples disclosed herein may be readily used as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same or similar purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features which are believed to be characteristic of the concepts disclosed herein, both as to their organization and method of operation, together with associated advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description provides examples, and is not intended to unnecessarily limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosed technology. Rather, the ensuing description will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the disclosed technology. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements. Thus, various embodiments may omit, substitute, and/or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, aspects and elements described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. It should also be appreciated that the following systems, devices, and components may individually or collectively be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures may take precedence over or otherwise modify their application.

FIG.1is an illustration of a representative PDU100of an embodiment that includes various features of the present disclosure. The PDU100includes a PDU housing102configured to receive a power input which may be connected to an external power source. The PDU100according to this embodiment includes housing102that is vertically mountable in an equipment rack, although it will be understood that other form factors may be used, such as a horizontally mountable housing. An outlet module104may be located at least partially within the housing102. In some embodiments, the housing102is a u-shaped housing including a pair of longitudinally extending sidewalls106and a back wall108extending therebetween. Although the embodiments described herein are presented in the context of PDUs, the disclosed technology can be used with any enclosure where components (e.g., panel and housing) need to be secured together.

As show inFIG.2, the outlet module104can include a front panel110having longitudinally extending opposed flanges112. The front panel110carries multiple outlets116,118. In some embodiments, the outlet module104can include various combinations of C13, C19, combination outlets and/or other suitable outlet types. The module can include any suitable number of outlets arranged in any suitable orientation, pattern, and/or array. For example, outlet module104can include five C13 outlets116and two combination outlets118, as shown. In some embodiments, the outlets can be in the form of a molded array120of outlets, such as C13 outlets116. Additional suitable outlets, outlet arrays, and modules are described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,196,212, issued Dec. 7, 2021, and entitled LOCKING COMBINATION OUTLET MODULE AND POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT INCORPORATING THE SAME, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The outlet module104can include multiple mounting mechanisms200configured to removably secure the outlet module104to the PDU housing102.

In some embodiments, the outlet module104can include light pipes122extending from a printed circuit board (PCB)114and into a corresponding opening in the front panel110. The light pipes122can comprise a light conducting plastic material to transfer light from a light emitting diode (not shown) on the PCB to the top of the module adjacent each outlet. This arrangement can be used to indicate the status of the outlets (e.g., on or off).

As shown inFIG.3A, the housing sidewalls106include longitudinally extending rails124with corresponding grooves126extending along their lengths. Each of the front panel flanges112fit into the housing102and engage a corresponding groove126. In some embodiments, the mounting mechanism200includes a bracket202that is attached to the front panel110. The bracket202can be attached to the front panel110with rivets128or other suitable fasteners or spot welds, for example. The mounting mechanism200also includes a pair of latches204each pivotably coupled to the bracket202. A link206can be positioned between the pair of latches204and pivotably coupled to a proximal end portion210of each of the latches204. An actuator, such as plunger208, is connected to the link206and movable between a released position (FIG.3A) and a latched position (FIG.3B).

When the plunger208is moved to the released position (FIG.3A), the plunger208moves the link206toward the front panel110. In some embodiments, a resilient member, such as compression spring214, is positioned between the link206and a portion of bracket202to urge the link206toward the released position. As the link206moves toward the front panel110the distal end portions212of the latches204each move (e.g., pivot) away from the front panel110such that they are disengaged from the corresponding sidewall106whereby the outlet module104can be inserted into or removed from the housing102.

With reference toFIG.3B, when the plunger208is moved to the latched position the plunger208moves the link206away from the front panel110such that the distal end portions212of the latches204each move (e.g., pivot) toward the front panel110and engage a corresponding sidewall106thereby securing the outlet module to the housing102. In some embodiments, the distal portions212of the latches204confront a surface of the rail124opposite the groove126. In some embodiments, the mounting mechanism bracket202includes one or more posts216positioned to support the PCB114. The PCB114can be attached to the posts216with suitable fasteners, such as screws (not shown).

As shown inFIG.4A, the bracket202can include a mounting flange218that is attached to the front panel110. The plunger208extends through the mounting flange218as well as the front panel110. The bracket202can also include PCB mounting flanges220configured to carry the PCB114directly or via posts216, as shown. The bracket202also includes a guide flange222. The compression spring214is positioned between the guide flange222and the link206. In some embodiments, a guide pin228extends through the guide flange222, the spring214, and engages a threaded portion of the plunger208. In some embodiments, the guide flange222includes a grounding boss224. The latches204each pivot about a corresponding pivot pin226attached to the bracket202. In some embodiments, the PCB mounting posts216, the ground boss224, and the pivot pins226can comprise self-clinching fasteners, such as PEM® fasteners. Also shown inFIG.4A, the plunger208extends through the link206and engages a mating fastener, e.g., self-locking nut232that is retained in an opening230formed in the link206. With reference toFIG.4B, the bracket202includes a pair of guide slots234and the link206includes a pair of guide features236slidably mated with the guide slots234.

As shown inFIG.5, the proximal end portion210of each latch204can be in the form of a clevis including a slot242formed in each arm of the clevis. The link206includes a pair of pins240each configured to engage the slots242of a corresponding latch204. In some embodiments, one arm of each clevis can include a notch244intersecting the slot242to facilitate assembly of the link pins240into the slots242of the latches204.

With reference toFIG.6, the plunger208includes first and second threaded portions250and252, respectively. In some embodiments, the first threaded portion250is larger than the second252. For example, in some embodiments, the first threaded portion250can be an M3 thread and the second portion252can be an M2 thread. When the plunger208is in the latched position, as shown, the first threaded portion252is positioned to engage mating threads254disposed in the bracket flange218, thereby retaining the mechanism in the latched position. The plunger208extends through a clearance hole256formed through the link206and the second threaded portion252engages the self-locking nut232retained in opening230. The self-locking nut232is constrained in opening230to prevent plunger208from being removed through the front panel110. The guide pin228includes female threads258that mate with the second threaded portion252. The guide pin228helps align the plunger208and spring214along the same vertical axis. It can be understood from the figure that the self-locking nut232as well as plunger208can rotate freely with respect to the link206. Accordingly, as the plunger208is moved to the latched position and threads250are engaged with mating threads254, the self-locking nut232pushes the link206away from the front panel110causing the latches204to pivot and engage the sidewalls106of the housing102(FIG.3B).

FIG.7illustrates a mounting mechanism300according to some embodiments of the disclosed technology. The mounting mechanism300includes some components having features similar to those described above with respect to mounting mechanism200. However, some components are different as shown in the figure. For example, the link306comprises a bar that is positioned on the plunger308and the self-locking nut332is mated with the plunger308on top of the link306such that when the plunger is pushed down the self-locking nut332pushes the link306away from the front panel110. The latches304include open ended slots342that pivotably engage end portions of the link306.

When the plunger308is moved to the released position, as shown, the spring314moves the link306toward the front panel110. As the link306moves toward the front panel110the distal end portions312of the latches304each move (e.g., pivot) away from the front panel110such that they are disengaged from the corresponding sidewall. Conversely, when the plunger308is moved to the latched position the plunger308and self-locking nut332moves the link306away from the front panel110such that the end portions of the link306push down on the open ended slots342of the latches304causing the distal end portions312of the latches304to move (e.g., pivot) toward the front panel110to engage a corresponding sidewall of the housing.

It should be noted that the systems and devices discussed above are intended merely to be examples. It must be stressed that various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Also, it should be emphasized that technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are exemplary in nature and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention. It will be noted that various advantages described herein are not exhaustive or exclusive, and numerous different advantages and efficiencies may be achieved, as will be recognized by one of skill in the art.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.