Patent Publication Number: US-2022232725-A1

Title: Mechanisms and methods for two-sided rack access

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to housing information handling systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to rail systems for housings (or racks) for information handling systems. 
     B. Background 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use, such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     The increased use of information handling systems has resulted in rooms or even entire floors or buildings that house information handling systems. For example, an entity (e.g., a business, education establishment, government, etc.) may have an information technology (IT) room for a limited number of IT equipment or may use a data center, which is a facility for a vast number of information handling systems. In any case, it is quite common to employ some form or housing unit or units to hold the equipment. The most common form of housing unit, particularly for data centers, is a rack system. A rack system allows for the affixing of information handling systems to the rack in an orderly fashion. 
     The rack systems also typically have two forms of attachment. The first form of attachment is a fixed attachment, which means that, once installed in the rack, the information handling system is not able to move. 
     The second form of rack attachment is a rail mechanism that allows for the sliding of the information handling system relative to the rack frame. Typically, a rail guide is attached to rack and mating rail is attached to the information handling system. Once installed, the information handling system can be slide in and out of the rack for inspection or for other reasons. However, currently such rail systems only support sliding of the information handling system from one side. 
     Accordingly, it is highly desirable to have mechanism and methods that allow for motion of information handling systems in housing from more than just one side of the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       References will be made to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the accompanying disclosure is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to these particular embodiments. Items in the figures may not be to scale. 
         FIG. 1  depicts an example rack system, which includes an information handling system that is housed in the rack. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a top view of a traditional rail assembly system. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the two-sided rack access that is available via embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a top view of a rail mechanism, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an alternate arrangement of rail system, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a flexible stop, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a side view of a traditional rail for a rail system. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a side view of a rail, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a method for using a rail system that includes a stop mechanism, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the disclosure can be practiced without these details. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present disclosure, described below, may be implemented in a variety of ways, such as a process, an apparatus, a system/device, or a method on a tangible computer-readable medium. 
     Components, or modules, shown in diagrams are illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are meant to avoid obscuring the disclosure. It shall also be understood that throughout this discussion that components may be described as separate functional units, which may comprise sub-units, but those skilled in the art will recognize that various components, or portions thereof, may be divided into separate components or may be integrated together, including, for example, being in a single system or component. It should be noted that functions or operations discussed herein may be implemented as components. Components may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. 
     Furthermore, connections between components or systems within the figures are not intended to be limited to direct connections. Rather, data between these components may be modified, re-formatted, or otherwise changed by intermediary components. Also, additional or fewer connections may be used. It shall also be noted that the terms “coupled,” “connected,” “communicatively coupled,” “interfacing,” “interface,” or any of their derivatives shall be understood to include direct connections, indirect connections through one or more intermediary devices, and wireless connections. It shall also be noted that any communication, such as a signal, response, reply, acknowledgment, message, query, etc., may comprise one or more exchanges of information. 
     Reference in the specification to “one or more embodiments,” “preferred embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “embodiments,” or the like means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure and may be in more than one embodiment. Also, the appearances of the above-noted phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or embodiments. 
     The use of certain terms in various places in the specification is for illustration and should not be construed as limiting. The terms “include,” “including,” “comprise,” and “comprising” shall be understood to be open terms, and any examples are provided by way of illustration and shall not be used to limit the scope of this disclosure. 
     A service, function, or resource is not limited to a single service, function, or resource; usage of these terms may refer to a grouping of related services, functions, or resources, which may be distributed or aggregated. The use of memory, database, information base, data store, tables, hardware, cache, and the like may be used herein to refer to system component or components into which information may be entered or otherwise recorded. The terms “data,” “information,” along with similar terms, may be replaced by other terminologies referring to a group of one or more bits, and may be used interchangeably. The terms “packet” or “frame” shall be understood to mean a group of one or more bits. The term “frame” shall not be interpreted as limiting embodiments of the present invention to Layer  2  networks; and, the term “packet” shall not be interpreted as limiting embodiments of the present invention to Layer  3  networks. The terms “packet,” “frame,” “data,” or “data traffic” may be replaced by other terminologies referring to a group of bits, such as “datagram” or “cell.” 
     It shall be noted that: (1) certain steps may optionally be performed; (2) steps may not be limited to the specific order set forth herein; (3) certain steps may be performed in different orders; and (4) certain steps may be done concurrently. 
     Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and shall not be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. Each reference/document mentioned in this patent document is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     It shall also be noted that although embodiments described herein may be within the context of racks, aspects of the present disclosure are not so limited. Accordingly, the aspects of the present disclosure may be applied or adapted for use in other contexts. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an example rack system  100 , which includes an information handling system  110  that is housed in the rack  105 . The information handling system  100  is attached to the rack  105  via a rail assembly  150  that allows the information handling system to slide  125 . Note that the slide motion is not bi-directional in terms of sides of the rack  105 . That is, the sliding motion is only from the port side  115 ; the slide motion is not available on the rear side  120  of the information handling system. 
     This restricted motion is due to the physical mechanics of the rail guide system  150 . As noted previously, the rail assembly system  150  comprises a rail guide and a mating rail  155 . There are hard stops at both ends  175  and  170  as part of the system  150 , which prevent the sliding motion to extend beyond the rack on the rear side. 
     This one-sided access presents problems. For example, information handling system installation and removal from a rack is in a single direction, typically the port side. To further exacerbate the problem, the port side of the information handling system generally faces the back of the rack. Also, information handling system installation and replacement is challenging in a populated rack due to cables, power units, and/or cable management kits, which cause obstruction. Thus, it would be extremely beneficial if an information handling system could also be inserted, removed, or accessed in the other direction. Two-sided access provides greater flexibility for access and avoids cables and other obstructions. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a top view of a traditional rail assembly system  200 . The assembly comprises a rail guide  205  that is affixed to the rack and receives a mating rail  230  that is attached to an information handling system and allows lateral movement relative to the rail guide. Also frequently present in rail systems  200  are a screw mechanism  225 , which is attached to a plate  220  and hinge  215 . This screw mechanism is movable (via the hinge) to be positioned to screw into a mating hole in the rack to affix, if desired, the information handling system so that it does not slide. The location and physical dimensions of the hinge and the hinge and plate stop the slide motion from extending into the rack interior to allow two-sided rack access. Also, the ride system  200  also has a hard stop mechanism  235  that prevents the rail from sliding further in the rail guide. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the two-sided rack access that is available via embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the rack  305  has an information handling system housed in the rack and attached via rail mechanism, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Note that, unlike traditional rail mechanism, the rail mechanism embodiment  350  allows sliding motion on two sides of the rack  305 , the port side  335  and the rear side  330 . 
     A side view of the rail mechanism embodiment  350  is also depicted in  FIG. 3 . The mechanism  350  comprises a rail guide  353  for attaching to the rack and a mating rail  355  that attaches to an information handling system. Unlike typical rail systems, the embodiment comprises a new hinge mechanism  360  that allows for sliding motion from two sides—port side  335  and the rear side  330 —of the rack. Embodiments may also include a flexible stop  375  that allows the rail mechanism to function like a typical one-sided access rail system when the stop is engaged or may function as a two-sided access rail system when the flexible stop is not engaged. Finally, while not depicted in  FIG. 3 , embodiments may also use a smaller plate  365  to allow two-sided motions. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a top view of a rail mechanism, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In the depicted embodiment, the rail assembly system  400  comprises a rail guide  405  for affixing to the rack and that receives a mating rail  430  that designed to be attached to an information handling system and allows lateral movement relative to the rail guide, but the lateral movement is not restricted from one side. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the rail system  400  comprises a screw mechanism  425 , which is attached to a plate  420  and hinge  415 . This screw mechanism is movable (via the hinge  415 ) to be positioned to screw into a mating hole in the rack to affix, if desired, the information handling system so that it does not slide at all. Unlike hinges in prior rail assemblies, this hinge is offset from the rail toward what would be the interior of the rack. Thus, the location and physical dimensions of the hinge allows for the rail to slide into the interior of the rack, thereby not stopping the sliding motion for the opposite side of the rack and allowing two-sided rack access. The depicted example also includes a flexible stop  435 , which is shown in the engaged position. In the engaged position, the rail system embodiment  400  operates like a traditional one-sided access rail system. 
       FIG. 5  depicts an alternate arrangement of rail system, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In the depicted embodiment, screw mechanism  425  has been rotated toward what would be the interior of the rack system and the flexible stop  535  is not engaged. Because the flexible stop is not engaged, the rail  430  is able to move past the flexible stop, and an information handling system attached to the rail system can be accessed from the second side  510 . Also note that because the hinge  415  is not directly in line with the rail and rail guide, it will clear the rail guide  405  as it moves into the second access side direction  510 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts a flexible stop, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one or more embodiments, the flexible stop mechanism  635  uses flexible metal with hooked end or tabs  640 . In one or more embodiments, the flexible stop mechanism  635  is in the rail guide  605 , and the flexible metal provides a spring mechanism or pivot  645  to engage the flexible stop  635 . In one or more embodiments, a person&#39;s fingers or a tool may be used to disengage the flexible stop from interior of rack. A first end view  615  in  FIG. 6  shows the flexible stop mechanism  635  in an engaged position, in which the rail  630  cannot move past the stop. A second end view  620  in  FIG. 6  shows the flexible stop mechanism  635  in a not engaged position, in which the rail  630  is able to move past the stop. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a side view of a traditional rail  700  for a rail system like that shown in  FIG. 2 . The rail includes a screw mechanism  725 , which is attached to a plate  720  and hinge  715 . This screw mechanism is movable (via the hinge) to be positioned to screw into a mating hole in the rack to affix, if desired, to the information handling system so that the attached information handling system does not slide. The location and physical dimensions of the plate causes the rail  700  to stop its slide motion from extending into the rack interior because the plate flange  722  extends below the rail guide (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). In one or more embodiments, a rail may comprise a smaller plate flange so that it does not prohibit two-side access motion.  FIG. 8  depicts an example embodiment of such a rail. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a side view of a rail  800 , according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Note that the plate  820 —which may hold a same screw mechanism  825  as in the traditional rail (see screw  725  in  FIG. 7 ), a modified screw mechanism, or no screw mechanism at all—has a flange that is small enough to clear the rail guides so that the plate portion can travel into the rail guide and support two-sided rack access. In or more embodiments, particularly if no fastening mechanism, like a screw mechanism is present, there need not be any plate or a substantially reduced one. 
     Two-sided access provides a number of benefits. For example, such rail system embodiments support bi-directional installation and removal of devices from a rack. Second, such rail system embodiments make information handling system expansion and replacement possible when one of the directions is obstructed (e.g., by cables, PDUs, cable management kits, posts, walls, etc.). Third, embodiments may include a flexible stop mechanism that is accessible from interior of rack and allows for one-sided access and two-sided access. One skilled in the art shall recognize other benefits. 
     It should be noted that the different features, such as modified hinge positioning, smaller plate flange or no plate, flexible stop, no stop, etc. may be combined into various combinations. 
     It should also be noted that the rails and rail guides may be used in pairs. For example, in one or more embodiments, a user may attach a first rail to a first side of an information handling system and a second rail to a second side of the information handling system, the second side of the information handling system being opposite the first side of the information handling system. Then, the user may insert the information handling system with the attached first and second rails into mating rail guides that are attached to a rack, in which the information handling system is slidably movable relative to the rail guide in a front direction and a back direction so that the information handling system installed in the rack is slidably movable inward and outward from the rack from a front side of the rack and from a back side of the rack. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a method for using a rail system that includes a stop mechanism, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Given a rail system for an information handling system in a housing, a user operates ( 905 ) a mechanism that allows movement or access of the information handling system from a second side of the rack. Once the stop is unengaged, the information handling system may be moved ( 910 ) on the rail system in a first direction or a second direction. It should be noted that if the rail system does not include a stop, the rail system may be free to move in both directions at will. In yet another embodiment, flexible stop may be a rounded stop that is movable upon a threshold level of force. This threshold level allows an installed information handling system to stop and not easily roll out the rear (and/or front) side, but with sufficient force can be made to move out the rear (and/or front) side. 
     In one or more embodiments, aspects of the present patent document may be directed to, may include, or may be implemented on one or more information handling systems (or computing systems). An information handling system/computing system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, calculate, determine, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, route, switch, store, display, communicate, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data. For example, a computing system may be or may include a personal computer (e.g., laptop), tablet computer, mobile device (e.g., personal digital assistant (PDA), smart phone, phablet, tablet, etc.), smart watch, server (e.g., blade server or rack server), a network storage device, camera, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The computing system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, read only memory (ROM), and/or other types of memory. Additional components of the computing system may include one or more drives (e.g., hard disk drives, solid state drive, or both), one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, stylus, touchscreen, and/or video display. The computing system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
     One skilled in the art will recognize no particular rack or information handling system is critical to the practice of the present disclosure. One skilled in the art will also recognize that a number of the elements described above may be physically and/or functionally separated into modules and/or sub-modules or combined together. 
     It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the preceding examples and embodiments are exemplary and not limiting to the scope of the present disclosure. It is intended that all permutations, enhancements, equivalents, combinations, and improvements thereto that are apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings are included within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It shall also be noted that elements of any claims may be arranged differently including having multiple dependencies, configurations, and combinations.