Abstract:
A structure installed at an end of a rack mount kit to fix the rack mount kit to a column of a rack, the structure includes: one pair of claws; a first biasing unit configured to bias the one pair of claws in a direction in which the one pair of claws is opened; and a second biasing unit configured to sense that the one pair of claws is moved in an insertion direction and bias the claws in a direction in which the one pair of claws is closed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-153705 filed on Jul. 24, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The embodiments discussed herein are related to a structure for fixing a rack mount kit for mounting a rack mount server (hereinafter, referred to as a “server”) on a rack (a shelf that accommodates a server). 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]      FIG. 1  is a view for explaining a method of mounting a server on a rack. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , when a server  80 , for example, having a weight of about 10 Kg to 60 Kg is installed on a rack  10  which is installed in, for example, a data center, a rack mount kit  30  is first attached to the inside of the rack  10 . 
         [0004]    When the server  80  is installed on the rack that complies with the standard defined by the Electronic Industry Association (EIA) in the United States, the rack mount kit  30  is first fixed using holes  22  in the mount angles  20  that are disposed at four corners of the rack. The rack mount kit  30  is fixed using a plurality of holes  22  in the mount angles  20  according to the size of the server. For example, when the server having a 1U (unit) size is installed, the rack mount kit  30  is fixed using three holes  22  in the mount angles  20 . Thereafter, the server  80  is mounted on the rack mount kit  30 , and fixed to the rack  10  by, for example, screws. 
         [0005]    In attaching the rack mount kit to a rack, the rack mount kit is fixed by screws. However, there is a rack mount kit which is configured to be fixed in a toolless manner in order to improve workability. The rack mount kit has a fixing structure that is attachable/detachable to/from the rack by fixing a block, which is attachable to the rack, to a leaf spring, and deforming the leaf spring. When the rack mount kit is attached to the rack, the rack mount kit is fixed by deforming the leaf spring using a column of the rack, and when the rack mount kit is removed from the rack, the rack mount kit is removed by deforming the leaf spring by hand, and as a result, a tool such as a screw driver is not needed. 
         [0006]    When the rack mount kit  30  once attached to the rack  10  is removed from the mount angles  20  at the front side of the rack  10 , the rack mount kit  30  may be removed by deforming the leaf spring by hand in front of the rack.  FIG. 2  is a front view illustrating a state where a plurality of servers  80  is mounted on the rack  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , when the plurality of servers  80  is mounted on the rack  10  and the servers  80 , which become the objects, have a thickness of the smallest unit (1U) in a state where the servers  80  and closing plates  90  for cooling are mounted in the vertical direction, a gap (1U gap) is merely about 45 mm. In addition, the mount angles  20  at the front side and rear side of the rack  10  are spaced apart from each other by 700 mm or more. For this reason, it is difficult to remove the rack mount kit  30  from the mount angles  20  disposed at the rear side of the rack  10  by extending the hand from the front side of the rack. 
         [0007]    Therefore, in order to remove the rack mount kit  30  from the mount angles  20  disposed at the rear side of the rack  10 , it is needed to move the rack  10  backward to deform and remove the leaf spring. 
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a state in which a plurality of racks  10  is disposed in a server room when viewed from a ceiling. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the plurality of racks  10  is arranged side by side in the server room. A passage (cold aisle) for air for cooling the server is formed at the front side of the racks  10 . A passage (hot aisle) for hot air discharged from the interior of the server is formed at the rear side of the racks  10 . Since a plurality of wires such as power source wires and interface wires is led out from the rear side of the racks  10  in the hot aisle, it is difficult to perform work. 
         [0009]    In a relatively large server room such as a data center, racks are arranged over 10 m or more although it varies depending on the scale of the server room. Thus, in some cases, it is needed to move 10 m or more to get to the rear side of the racks and also to move 10 m or more to get back. Consequently, work efficiency is not good. 
         [0010]    The following is a reference document. 
         [0011]    [Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-206129 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    According to an aspect of the invention, a structure installed at an end of a rack mount kit to fix the rack mount kit to a column of a rack, the structure includes: one pair of claws; a first biasing unit configured to bias the one pair of claws in a direction in which the one pair of claws is opened; and a second biasing unit configured to sense that the one pair of claws is moved in an insertion direction and bias the claws in a direction in which the one pair of claws is closed. 
         [0013]    The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
         [0014]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a view for explaining a method of mounting a server on a rack; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front view illustrating a state in which a plurality of servers is mounted on the rack; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a state in which a plurality of racks is disposed in a server room; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are views illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a structure for fixing a rack mount kit; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are views illustrating external appearances of a claw and a button of the rack mount kit of the exemplary embodiment, respectively; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are views for describing a structure of a rear fixing unit of the exemplary embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are views for describing a structure of the rear fixing unit of the exemplary embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are views for describing an operation of the claw and the button of the exemplary embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are views for describing the operation transition of the rear fixing unit when the rack mount kit is fixed to a mount angle; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are views for describing the operation transition of the rear fixing unit when the rack mount kit is fixed to the mount angle; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 11A to 11C  are views for describing the operation transition of the rear fixing unit when the rack mount kit is detached from the mount angle; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 12A to 12C  are views for describing a sequence of attaching the rack mount kit to the mount angle; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 13A to 13C  are views for describing a sequence of removing the rack mount kit from the mount angle; and 
           [0028]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  are views illustrating an estimation of working times according to a method in the related art and a method of the present exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    Hereinafter, an embodiment suitable for the disclosed technology will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4A  is a view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a structure for fixing a rack mount kit. 
         [0031]    A rack mount kit  30  of the present exemplary embodiment includes a rear fixing unit  32  configured to be fixed using a hole  22  in a mount angle  20  disposed at the rear side of a rack, a front fixing unit  34  configured to be fixed using a hole  22  in a mount angle  20  disposed at the front side of the rack, and a slide unit  36  configured to interconnect the two fixing units. The slide unit  36  is extendable and a server may be mounted on the slide unit  36 . The slide unit  36  is set to a length that, when the rack mount kit  30  is shortened, allows the rear fixing unit  32  to come into contact with and push the mount angle  20  at the front side of the rack. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an enlarged view of the rear fixing unit  32  configured to attach the rack mount kit  30  of the present embodiment to the mount angle  20  disposed at the rear side of the rack. 
         [0033]    A base  48  is a component configured to fix and accommodate guide pins  44 , spring members  46 , claws  50 , and buttons  60 , and includes, for example, holes and grooves where the claws  50  and the buttons  60  are fixed. 
         [0034]    The guide pins  44  serve to position the rack mount kit  30  when the rack mount kit  30  is fixed to the mount angles  20  of the rack. The guide pins  44  have a cross-sectional shape that is smaller than that of the holes  22  of the mount angles  20  of the rack, and has a length that allows the guide pins  44  to be caught by the holes  22  so as to be positioned before tips of the claws  50  come into contact with the mount angle  20 . In the present embodiment, the guide pins  44  are formed as separate components that protrude from the base  48 . However, the guide pins  44  may be formed integrally with the base  48 . In addition, the cross-sectional shape of each of the guide pins  44  may be a polygonal (e.g., quadrangular) shape, instead of the circular shape. 
         [0035]    In addition, the guide pins  44  are made of a material (e.g., an iron-based material) and secure a cross-sectional area such that the guide pins  44  are not deformed even when a weight of a device is applied thereto. 
         [0036]    The two spring members  46  have a spring force that allows the buttons  60  not to be pressed by a force which is equal to or less than the force to be applied to the buttons  60  when the rack mount kit  30  is removed from the mount angle  20 . The force to be applied to the buttons  60  will be described below. In the present embodiment, a leaf spring is employed, but a coil spring may well be used as a substitute. 
         [0037]    Two claws  50  are engaged in the hole  22  of the mount angle  20 , and serve to fix the rack mount kit  30  to the mount angle  20  of the rack. 
         [0038]    Two buttons  60  always protrude from the base  48  by button springs (e.g., coil springs)  76  in such a manner that the buttons are not moved by a force less than the force to be applied to the buttons  60  when the rack mount kit  30  is removed from the mount angles  20  of the rack. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5A  is a view illustrating an external appearance of a claw  50 . The two claws  50  employ the same components in terms of using components in common. 
         [0040]    A tip  52  of the claw  50  has a hook shape that is insertably hooked by the hole  22  of the mount angle  20  of the rack. In addition, the claw  50  has a hook-shaped projection  58 . 
         [0041]    The claws  50  have a structure in which the claws  50  may be rotated about a claw fixing shafts  70  to be described below and in an axial direction of the claw fixing shafts  70 . When the rack mount kit  30  is attached to the rack, the tips  52  of the claws  50  pass through the hole  22  while being rotated in a direction in which the claws  50  are closed. In this case, the hook-shaped projections  58  of the claws  50  are not hooked to each other. In addition, the claws  50  have a structure in which the claws  50  are rotated in a direction in which the claws  50  are opened after passing through the hole  22 . 
         [0042]    The claws  50  have a structure in which force is always applied in the direction in which the claws  50  are opened by claw springs  74  (e.g., torsion springs). 
         [0043]    The hook-shaped projections  58  of the claws  50  have a structure in which, when the claws  50  are rotated inward by being pressed by the buttons  60 , the hook-shaped projections  58  are hooked to each other to be maintained in the closed state. The claws  50  have a structure in which the claws  50  may also be moved in the axial direction of the claw fixing shafts  70  while being rotated about the claw fixing shafts  70  so that the hook-shaped projections  58  are hooked to each other. 
         [0044]    The claws  50  are maintained in the closed state by claw springs  72  (e.g., coil springs) configured to apply force in the axial direction, and an inner wall of the base  48 . The hook-shaped projections  58  are inclined so that the tips  52  of the two claws  50  do not come into contact with each other when the two claws  50  are rotated in the direction in which the claws  50  are closed. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5B  is a view illustrating an external appearance of a button  60 . Two buttons employ the same components in terms of using the components in common. 
         [0046]    The buttons  60  have a structure in which the buttons  60  always protrude from the base by the button springs  76  (e.g., coil springs) such that the buttons do not move only when it is necessary. The button springs  76  will be described below. The buttons  60  include tip projections  62  configured to be moved inward when pressed, and rotate the claws  50  inward while being moved. 
         [0047]    When the rack mount kit  30  is removed from the mount angles  20  of the rack, the two buttons  60  serve to move the two claws  50  in the direction in which the claws  50  are closed, and allow the hook-shaped projections  58 , which are disposed at the sides where the two claws  50  face each other, to be engaged with each other, thereby maintaining the two claws  50  in the closed state. 
         [0048]    Subsequently, the structure of the rear fixing unit  32  will be described.  FIG. 6A  is a front view of the rear fixing unit  32 .  FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view taken along dashed line A-A′ of  FIG. 6A . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 6A , the two claws  50  are accommodated in the base  48 , and disposed in a direction in which the hook-shaped projections  58  of the two claws  50  face each other. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 6B , the claws  50  are attached to the base  48  through the claw fixing shafts  70  that penetrate the claws  50  and the base  48 . Therefore, the claws  50  may be moved in a direction in which the claws  50  are rotated about the claw fixing shafts  70 . The claw coil springs  72  are attached at one sides of the claw fixing shafts  70  between the claws  50  and the base  48  to serve to bias the claws  50  against an inner wall of the other side of the base  48 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of the rear fixing unit  32 .  FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view taken along dashed line B-B′ of  FIG. 6A . Referring to  FIG. 7A , the tips of the claws  50  and the tips of the buttons  60  protrude from the base  48  between the two guide pins  44 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 7B , the claw springs  74  (e.g., torsion springs) are attached at the center of the claw fixing shafts  70  so that the claws  50  are always biased in the direction in which the claws  50  are opened. In addition, the buttons  60  are always biased in a direction in which the buttons  60  protrude from the base by the button springs  76  (e.g., coil springs). 
         [0053]    Subsequently, the operations of the claws  50  and the buttons  60  will be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0054]    In the drawing, the left view is an enlarged view of ellipse portion D of  FIG. 7B , and the right view is an enlarged view of ellipse portion C of  FIG. 6A . 
         [0055]      FIG. 8A  illustrates a positional relationship between the claws  50  and the buttons  60  in a state in which the rear fixing unit  32  is fixed to the mount angle  20  of the rack. Referring to the left view of  FIG. 8A , since the claws  50  are engaged within the hole  22  of the mount angle  20  of the rack, the claws  50  are in an opened state. The state is identical to the initial state before the rear fixing unit  32  is attached to the mount angle  20 . 
         [0056]    Referring to the right view of  FIG. 8A , in this state, the hook-shaped projections  58 , which are disposed at the sides where the two claws  50  face each other, are spaced apart from each other. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a positional relationship between the claws  50  and the buttons  60  in a state in which the rear fixing unit  32  is removed from the mount angle  20  of the rack. When the buttons  60  are tightly pressed against the mount angle  20  of the rack, the buttons  60  slides in a direction inclined at 45° which is opposite to the direction of the mount angle  20 . As a result, the two claws  50  are rotated about the claw fixing shafts  70  in the direction in which the claws  50  are closed by the tip projections  62  of the buttons  60 . 
         [0058]    Referring to the right view of  FIG. 8B , when the two claws  50  are rotated in the direction in which the claws  50  are closed, the hook-shaped projections  58 , which are disposed at the sides where the two claws  50  face each other, are engaged with each other. Since the two claws  50  are biased in a direction in which the hook-shaped projections  58  are engaged with each other by the claw coil springs  72 , the state in which the hook-shaped projections  58  are engaged with each other is maintained. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  and  FIGS. 10A and 10B  are views for explaining the operational progress of the claws  50  and the buttons  60  of the rear fixing unit  32  when the rack mount kit  30  is fixed to the mount angle  20  of the rack. 
         [0060]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a state in which the rack mount kit  30  is being inserted at the front side of the rack, and the insertion position of the guide pins  44  at the front end of the rear fixing unit  32  is determined with respect to the hole  22  of the mount angle  20  disposed at the rear side of the rack. 
         [0061]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a state in which, when the rack mount kit  30  is further inserted into the mount angle  20 , the tips of the claws  50  are deeply inserted into the hole  22  of the mount angle  20 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 10A , when the rack mount kit  30  is further inserted into the mount angle  20 , the tips of the claws  50  are deeply pressed into the hole  22  of the mount angle  20 , and the claws  50  are rotated about the claw fixing shafts  70  in the direction in which the claws  50  are closed. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 10B , when the rack mount kit  30  is further inserted into the mount angle  20 , the tips of the claws  50  pass through the hole  22  of the mount angle  20 . Since the claws  50  are always biased in the direction in which the claws  50  are opened by the claw springs  74 , the claws  50  are rotated about the claw fixing shafts  70  in the direction in which the claws  50  are opened, and the tips of the claws  50  are deeply engaged within the hole  22 . Accordingly, the rack mount kit  30  is fixed to the mount angle  20 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 11A to 11C  are views for describing the operational progress of the claws  50  and the buttons  60  of the rear fixing unit  32  when the rack mount kit  30  is detached from the mount angle  20  of the rack. 
         [0065]      FIG. 11A  illustrates a state in which the rack mount kit  30  is once further inserted into the mount angle  20  in a state in which the tips of the claws  50  of the rear fixing unit  32  of  FIG. 10B  are deeply engaged within the hole  22  of the mount angle  20 . As described with reference to  FIG. 8B , the buttons  60  are pressed against the wall of the mount angle  20  of the rack and slid in a direction inclined at 45°. As a result, the two claws  50  are rotated about the claw fixing shafts  70  in the direction in which the claws  50  are closed. Further, the hook-shaped projections  58 , which are disposed at the sides where the two claws  50  face each other, are engaged with each other, and the two claws  50  are maintained in the closed state. 
         [0066]      FIG. 11B  illustrates a state in which the rack mount kit  30  is withdrawn in a state in which the two claws  50  of  FIG. 11A  are in the closed state. 
         [0067]      FIG. 11C  illustrates a state in which the rack mount kit  30  is completely withdrawn from the mount angle  20 . The two claws  50  are maintained in the closed state. 
         [0068]    When the rack mount kit  30  is attached to the rack again, the hook-shaped projections  58  of the claws  50  are moved by hand in the direction in which the hook-shaped projections  58  are moved away from each other, and the claws  50  are in the opened state. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 12A to 12C  are views for describing the sequence of attaching the rack mount kit  30  to a mount angle  20 A disposed at the front of the rack  10 , and a mount angle  20 B disposed at the rear of the rack  10 . The rack mount kit  30  is fixed using three holes  22  (for 1U) in each of the mount angles  20 A and  20 B of the rack  10 . 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIG. 12A , the rack mount kit  30  is inserted at the front side of the rack until the rear fixing unit  32  at the front end of the rack mount kit  30  comes into contact with the mount angle  20 B at the rear side of the rack. 
         [0071]    Subsequently, referring to  FIG. 12B , the guide pins  44  of the rear fixing unit  32  are inserted and positioned into the holes  22  in the mount angle  20 B disposed at the rear side of the rack. In addition, as the rack mount kit  30  is inserted, the two claws  50  of the rear fixing unit  32  are engaged in the corresponding hole  22  of the mount angle  20 B, and the rear fixing unit  32  is fixed to the mount angle  20 B disposed at the rear side of the rack. 
         [0072]    Subsequently, referring to  FIG. 12C , the rack mount kit  30  is moved back to the front side of the rack from the slide unit  36 , and the front fixing unit  34  is attached to the mount angle  20 A disposed at the front side of the rack. 
         [0073]      FIGS. 13A to 13C  are views for describing a sequence of removing the rack mount kit  30  from the mount angle  20 A disposed at the front side of the rack and the mount angle  20 B disposed at the rear side of the rack. 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIG. 13A , the front fixing unit  34  disposed at the front side of the rack is first unlocked, and the front fixing unit  34  is removed from the mount angle  20 A disposed at the front side of the rack. 
         [0075]    Subsequently, referring to  FIG. 13B , when the rack mount kit  30  is pressed from the front side of the rack to the rear side of the rack, the two claws  50  of the rear fixing unit  32  are moved in the direction in which the claws  50  are closed and, thus, the engagement of the claws  50  with the hole  22  of the mount angle  20  is released. A detailed operation thereof will be described below with reference to other drawings. 
         [0076]    Subsequently, referring to  FIG. 13C , since the engagement between the two claws  50  of the rear fixing unit  32  and the hole  22  of the mount angle  20  is released, the rack mount kit  30  may be removed when the rack mount kit  30  is withdrawn to the front of the rack in this state. The rear fixing unit  32  of the rack mount kit  30  may be attached to the opposite side of the rack  10 . In this case, the direction in which the rear fixing unit  32  is pressed when the rack mount kit  30  is attached or detached is reversed. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate an estimation of working time when using a method in the related art and working time when using the rack mount kit of the present embodiment, for removing (two) rack mount kits for one server. While it takes about 12 minutes when using the method in the related art, it takes merely two minutes when using the rack mount kit of the present exemplary embodiment. In a case of using the rack mount kit of the present exemplary embodiment, the working time may be shortened by about 10 minutes, thereby greatly improving working efficiency. 
         [0078]    All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a illustrating of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.