Abstract:
A testing apparatus for testing a depth of a server chassis includes a testing frame configured for being received and secured in the server chassis, a testing unit, a signal processing member and an indicating member. The test unit includes a testing pole telescopingly retained in a rear wall of the frame, a pair of first and second contacting members spaced apart with a distance in accordance with the desired depth range, and a trigger member secured to the testing pole and moving with the testing pole to contact with the first or second contacting members or neither of them. The signal processing member and the indicating member are mounted on the frame. The testing unit, the signal processing member and the indicating member are correspondingly electrically connected.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to testing apparatuses. Particularly, the present invention relates to a testing apparatus for testing a depth of a server chassis. 
         [0003]    2. Description of related art 
         [0004]    A blade server typically includes a server chassis with a plurality of connectors mounted on a rear end thereof, and a plurality of blades received in the server chassis. Each blade includes at least one connector arranged for electrically connecting with the corresponding connector of the server chassis. The depth of the server chassis influences the connecting status of the corresponding connectors. If the depth is too great, the connection between the connectors is not secure. If the depth is too little, the connectors may easily be destroyed due to excessive impact from pushing the blade into the server chassis. 
         [0005]    However, when manufacturing the server chassis, the depth of the server chassis is typically tested with a real blade inserted in the server chassis to connect the corresponding connectors with each other. Next, an operator determines whether the corresponding connectors are properly connected or not according to the operator&#39;s sense and experience, thereby concluding whether the server chassis is qualified or not. Subsequently, the testing result is uncertain, creating an industry need for a testing apparatus capable of automatically detecting the depth of the server chassis. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An exemplary testing apparatus for testing a depth of a server chassis includes a testing frame configured for being received and secured in the server chassis, a testing unit, a signal processing member and an indicating member. The test unit includes a testing pole telescopingly retained in a rear wall of the frame, a pair of contacting members spaced apart with a distance in accordance with the desired depth range, and a trigger member secured to and moving with the testing pole and possibly making contact with the first or second contacting members. The signal processing member and the indicating member are mounted on the frame. The signal processing member is electrically connected to the test unit for sending a signal based on connection status between trigger member and the contact poles. The indicating member is electrically connected to the signal processing member to indicate the testing result according to the signal. 
         [0007]    Other advantages and novel features of the present angle testing apparatus will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an assembled, isometric view of a testing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, together with a server chassis to be tested; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the testing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a testing unit of the testing apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an assembled view of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the testing apparatus of  FIG. 4  in testing an allowable depth of the server chassis when the depth is larger than a maximum value of the depth range; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the testing apparatus of  FIG. 4  in testing a depth of the server chassis when the depth is less than a minimum value of the allowable depth range; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the testing apparatus of  FIG. 4  in testing a depth of the server chassis when the depth is between the allowable depth range. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a testing apparatus provided for testing a depth of a server chassis  900  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a frame  10 , a testing unit  20 , a signal processing member  50  and an indicating member  60 . The testing unit  20 , the signal processing member  50  and the indicating member  60  are electrically coupled together and respectively attached to the frame  10 . A plurality of receiving spaces is defined in the server chassis  900  for receiving a plurality of blades, correspondingly. A plurality of locking holes  902  is respectively defined in top and bottom walls of the server chassis  900 . A plurality of connectors  904  extends from a backplane attached to a rear of the server chassis  900 . A distance L from each locking hole  902  to the corresponding connector  904  represents a depth of the server chassis  900  to be tested. 
         [0016]    The frame  10  includes a pair of locking portions  12  respectively formed on top and bottom walls thereof corresponding to the locking holes  902  of the server chassis  900 . A through hole  14  and a plurality of locating holes  16  arranged around the through hole  14  are defined in a rear wall of the frame  10 . The indicating member  60  is defined in a front wall of the frame  10  and includes three lights  65 ,  66  and  67  with different colors. 
         [0017]    Referring also to  FIG. 3 , the testing unit  20  includes a testing pole  21 , a first mounting block  22  secured to the rear wall of the frame  10 , a second mounting block  23  secured to the first mounting block  22 , a first contacting member  24  secured to the second mounting block  23 , a second contacting member  25  secured to the second mounting block  23  and spaced from the first contacting member  24 , a round trigger member  26  secured to a rear end of the testing pole  21 , a coil spring  271 , a pair of coil springs  272 , and a pair of pads  28 . The second mounting block  23  is made from dielectric material. A head  212  is formed at a front end of the testing pole  21 . A shoulder is formed between the testing pole  21  and the head  212 . A screw hole  216  is defined in a rear end of the testing pole  21 . A through hole  223  and a plurality of installing holes  225  arranged around the through hole  223  are defined through a front surface of the first mounting block  22  and a rear surface thereof. A screw hole  227  is defined in a top surface of the first mounting block  22 . A through hole  233  and a plurality of screw holes  235  arranged around the through hole  233  are defined through a front surface of the second mounting block  23  and a rear surface thereof. The first contacting member  24  defines a through hole  242  and a pair of installing holes  244  respectively arranged at opposite sides of the through hole  242 . The second contacting member  25  includes a contacting portion  256  and a pair of locating portions  258  respectively perpendicularly extending from opposite ends of the contacting portion  256 . A through hole  252  having a radius less than that of the trigger member  26  is defined in the contacting portion  256 . A pair of installing holes  254  is respectively defined in the locating portions  258 . An installing hole  262  is centrally defined in the trigger member  26 . 
         [0018]    Referring also to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in assembly of the testing unit  20 , the first contacting member  24  is secured to the second mounting block  23  with a pair of screws  52  passing through the installing holes  244  of the first contacting member  24  and screwing in the corresponding screw holes  235  of the second mounting block  23 . The spring  271  is placed around the testing pole  21 . Then, the testing pole  21  successively passes through the through hole  223  of the first mounting block  22 , the through hole  233  of the second mounting block  23  and the through hole  242  of the first contacting member  24 . The opposite ends of the spring  271  engage with the shoulder  214  of the testing pole  21  and the first mounting block  22 , respectively. The trigger member  26  is secured to the rear end of the testing pole  21  with a screw  56  passing through the installing hole  262  and screwing in the screw hole  216  of the testing pole  21 . The second contacting member  25  is perpendicularly arranged to the first contacting member  24  with the through hole  252  aligned with the through hole  242 . A pair of screws  54  respectively passes through the pads  28  and the springs  272 . Then, the screws  54  successively pass through the installing holes  254  of the second contacting member  25  and screw in the corresponding screw holes  235  of the second mounting block  23 . Thus, the second contacting member  25  is secured to the second mounting block  23 . The first contacting member  24  and the second contacting member  25  are kept apart from each other with a distance W (See  FIG. 5 ) corresponding to a tolerance of the distance L. The trigger member  26  is defined between the first and second contacting member  24 ,  25 . A lead  32  is coupled to the screw  52 . A lead  34  is coupled to the screw  54 . A screw  58  screws in the screw hole  227  of the first mounting block  22 , and a lead  30  is coupled to the screw  58 . 
         [0019]    Referring also to  FIG. 2 , to mount the testing unit  20  to the frame  10 , the first mounting block  22  abuts against the inside surface of the rear wall of the frame  10  with the head  212  of the testing pole  21  passing through the through hole  14 . A plurality of screws  300  correspondingly passes through the locating hole  16  of the frame  10  and the installing hole  225  of the first mounting block  22 , then the screws  300  screw in the corresponding screw holes  235 , thus, the testing unit  20  is secured to the rear wall of the frame  10 . 
         [0020]    In use, the frame  10  is inserted in the corresponding receiving space of the server chassis  900 , and the locking portions  12  of the frame  10  are respectively locked in the locking holes  902  of the server chassis  900 . The testing apparatus is powered on to apply a high voltage level to the lead  32 ,  34 , and a low voltage level to the lead  30 . 
         [0021]    Referring also to  FIG. 5 , when the distance L of the server chassis  900  is larger than or equal to a maximum value of the depth range, the head  212  of the testing pole  21  doesn&#39;t abut against the corresponding connector  904 . The testing pole  21  is urged by the spring  271  to make the trigger member  26  come in contact with the first contacting member  24 . Thus, the lead  32  and the first contacting member  24  are electrically connected to the contacting pole  21 , the first mounting block  22  and the lead  30  through the trigger member  26 . The lead  32  is at a low voltage level and the lead  34  remains at a high voltage level. The signal processing member  50  collects the voltage level of the lead  32 ,  34  and drives the light  65  of indicating member  60  to light up, which indicates the distance L of the server chassis  900  is larger than or equal to a maximum value of the depth range. In other words, the server chassis  900  is not qualified. 
         [0022]    Referring also to  FIG. 6 , when the distance L of the server chassis  900  is less than or equal to a minimum value of the depth range, the head  212  of the testing pole  21  abuts against the corresponding connector  904  and the testing pole  21  is urged to make the trigger member  26  come in contact with the second contacting member  25 . Thus, the lead  34  and the second contacting member  25  are electrically connected to the contacting pole  21 , the first mounting block  22  and the lead  30  through the trigger member  26 . The lead  34  is at a low voltage level and the lead  32  remains at a high voltage level. The signal processing member  50  collects the voltage level of the lead  32 ,  34  and drives the light  66  of indicating member  60  to light up to indicate the distance L of the server chassis  900  is less than or equal to a minimum value of the depth range. In other words, the server chassis  900  is not qualified. When the distance L is too short, the spring  272  can be compressed to cushion against the second contacting member  25  from being destroyed by excessive striking. 
         [0023]    Referring also to  FIG. 7 , when the distance L of the server chassis  900  is between the maximum value and the minimum value of the depth range, the head  212  of the testing pole  21  abuts against the corresponding connector  904  and the testing pole  21  is urged to make the trigger member  26  come in contact with neither the first contacting member  24  nor the second contacting member  25 . The leads  32  and  34  both remain at a high voltage level. The signal processing member  50  collects the voltage level of the lead  32 ,  34  and drives the light  67  of indicating member  60  to light up to indicate the distance L of the server chassis  900  is between the depth range. In other words, the server chassis  900  is qualified. 
         [0024]    The testing apparatus can be used not only for testing the depth of the server chassis  900 , but also for checking other objects that have distance or length to be tested. The indicating member  60  can indicate not only with lights  65 ,  66  and  67 , but also with other indicating devices such as buzzers or displays. 
         [0025]    It is believed that the present embodiment and their advantage will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the example hereinbefore described merely being exemplary embodiment of the invention.