Patent ID: 12193185

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

A device mounting mechanism according to a minimum configuration of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.1.

A device mounting mechanism102A for loading a device into an internal space within a plurality of columns1constituting a rack mount includes: a pair of columns1provided parallel to each other; mounters11supported by the pair of columns1so as to be movable in a direction intersecting a plane containing these columns1; and a mount bar13supported substantially horizontally by connecting one end to one mounter11and the other end to the other mounter11so as to be rotatable about shafts12substantially parallel to the columns, and is characterized in that the mount bar13supports an upper surface of the device within a space surrounded by the columns1, and at least one of the one end and the other end is connected to the shaft12so as to be movable in a direction connecting the shafts12.

According to the above configuration, the mount bar13can rotate about the shafts12in the direction of arrow a or arrow b inFIG.1, and the point of connection with the shafts12can be moved in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the mount bar13can pass between the columns1in the direction of the arrow c or the opposite direction d, with the mount bar13being slanted with respect to a line segment connecting the columns1. Further, by rotating the mount bar13about the shafts12, then within the space inside the columns1(the area above the line segment connecting the columns1and1on the paper inFIG.1), the device supported by the mount bar13can be supported in a parallel orientation, by arranging the mount bar13parallel to the line segment connecting the columns1and1.

A device mounting mechanism according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.2toFIG.10. InFIG.2toFIG.10, the same components as inFIG.1are denoted by the same reference numerals to simplify the description.

FIG.2shows the appearance of the rack mount to which the device mounting mechanism is applied.

In the illustrated example, the inside of the four vertically arranged columns1is the device mounting area.

Hollow rod-shaped guide rails110are provided parallel to each other on the top of the columns1to connect the front and rear columns1. Moreover, a plate-shaped base mount111is connected to the base ends of the columns1, respectively. A guide member112protrudes upward at a predetermined position on an upper surface of the base mount111, and guides the insertion direction of a device when operating the device is mounted using the guide rails110. The guide function of the guide member112will be described later together with the operation of one embodiment. A flat plate-shaped base113is vertically provided at a position behind the guide member112(at the back of a rack) and supported by the base mount111.

FIG.3shows the mount bar120. The mount bar120is supported by mounters121supported by the guide rails110, so as to be freely movable in the longitudinal direction (depth direction) of the rack mount.

The mounters121have a plurality of rollers122rotatable about a horizontal axis on each of one side and the other side. As shown inFIG.5, the rollers122rotate along bottom ribs110aof the guide rails110, so that they can move along the guide rails110in the depth direction or opposite direction of the rack mount.

Support members123are arranged below the mounters121and vertically support the shafts124respectively.

The shaft124provided on one support member123of the pair of mounters121provided on each of the guide rails110, rotatably supports one end (left side inFIG.3) of the mount bar120. Moreover, the shaft124provided on the other support member123of the mounter121rotatably supports the other end (right side inFIG.3) of the mount bar120. Furthermore, the point of connection of the other end of the mount bar120with the shaft124is provided with an elongated hole125extending in the longitudinal direction of the mount bar120, and the shaft124is supported so as to be movable along the elongated hole125.

Since the mounters121can move parallel to each other, the mount bar120supported by the above configuration is supported so that one end and the other end can move freely along the guide rails110, and is rotatably supported about each shaft124. Further, the other end of the mount bar120is further configured so that the shaft124can move within the elongated hole125, and is therefore supported so that the rotation center can move along the longitudinal direction of the mount bar120.

The configuration of a device130as a supported object supported by the mount bar120will be described with reference toFIG.4.

The device130has a configuration in which electronic components132are mounted on the top surface (surface) of a substrate131. The upper edge of the substrate131is provided with brackets133and134for attachment to the mount bar120. Moreover, brackets135and136are provided on the lower edge of the substrate131so as to be symmetrical with the brackets133and134. Note that the lower brackets135and136are set at a distance from the edge of the substrate131, so that the relative position with the mount bar120is the same positional relationship as that of the upper brackets133and134when the device130is mounted upside down.

Moreover the lower brackets135and136are not only used for mounting in the case of arranging upside down as described above, but are also used as guided members that regulate parallelism of the base113with the substrate131due to contact with the guide member112on the upper surface of the base mount111. How the lower bracket135or136functions as a guided member will be described in detail in the description of the operation of the embodiment with reference toFIG.6toFIG.10(especiallyFIGS.10A to10C).

A connector137to be connected to the connector114(seeFIG.6andFIG.8) provided on the base113, is provided on the underside (rear surface) of the substrate131.

Since the brackets133to136are detachably attached to the mount bar120, they are constructed of elastically deformable material or provided with threaded holes for bolting, so that the mount bar120can be sandwiched against the upper edge (or the lower edge) of the substrate131.

The operation of the device mounting mechanism of one embodiment having the above configuration will be described together with each step of device mounting.

As shown inFIG.6AandFIG.7A, by shifting the positions of the mounters121on one guide rail110and the other guide rail110(positions in the depth direction in the drawing), the mount bar120supported by these mounters121is arranged obliquely.

During this operation, the shaft124supported by the mounter121on the right side in the drawing can move within the elongated hole125, so that the mount bar120can be obliquely arranged at a predetermined angle.

The device130is oriented obliquely to the extent that it can pass through the space between the front columns1and1, and is passed between the columns1and1. The device130is attached to the mount bar120by hooking the brackets133and134to the mount bar120.

The operation of bringing the device130into the area surrounded by the plurality of columns1and attaching it to the mount bar120is performed while the operator holds the device130by hand. However it can be easily completed by hooking and fixing the brackets133and134to the mount bar120without intruding too much to the back of the area surrounded by the columns1.

With the device130attached to the mount bar120, then while pushing one end (left side) of the mount bar120farther than the other end (right side), as shown inFIG.6BandFIG.7B, the device130is brought closer to the base113. During this operation, one end of the mount bar120(the left end in the drawing) rotates about the shaft124, and the other end of the mount bar120(the right end in the drawing) moves into the elongated hole125while rotating about the shaft124.

After the device130supported by the mount bar120reaches the position shown inFIG.6BandFIG.7B, then while adjusting the inclination of the device130, the device130is moved in the depth direction while being positioned with respect to the base113, until the connector114and the connector137are oriented so that they can be mated (the terminal conductors built in the connectors114and137face each other).

The operation of the device mounting mechanism in the final stage of alignment and attachment of the device130will be described with reference toFIGS.8to10.

In the position indicated byFIG.8AandFIG.9A, the device130is oriented obliquely with respect to the base113(the direction where one end on the left side in the drawing is further away from the base113than the other end on the right side), and the connectors114and137do not face each other. In other words, it is not in a mating orientation.

At such an angle, as shown inFIG.10A, the guide member112on the base mount111comes into contact with the bracket135at the bottom of the device130(the positions in the left-right direction inFIGS.8to10overlap). Therefore, the device130and the mount bar120supporting it, cannot be moved further (in the direction in which the connector114approaches) from the state shown inFIG.8AtoFIG.10A.

When the mount bar120is further rotated centered on the left shaft124to an angle more nearly parallel to the base113, then as shown inFIG.8BtoFIG.10B, the length where the guide member112on the base mount111contacts the bracket135at the bottom of the device130(overlapping positions in the left right direction inFIG.8BtoFIG.10B) becomes smaller than the state shown inFIG.8AtoFIG.10A. However, since the bracket135is still in contact with the guide member112, the device130and the mount bar120that supports it cannot be moved further (in the direction in which the connector114approaches) from the state shown inFIG.8BtoFIG.10B.

When the mount bar120is further rotated centered on the left shaft124to give the angle shown inFIG.8CtoFIG.10C, it becomes parallel to the base113. More specifically, since this gives a condition where the guide member112on the base mount111does not come into contact with the bracket135at the bottom of the device130(the position in the left-right direction inFIG.8CtoFIG.10Cdoes not overlap), the device130and the mount bar120supporting it can be moved from the state shown inFIG.8BtoFIG.10Bto the state shown inFIG.8CtoFIG.10C(in the direction in which the connector114approaches).

That is, the device130is placed in a position substantially parallel to the base113within the rack mount, and while the mounter121is slid along the guide rail110in this state, the mount bar120is moved parallel in the depth direction, and the device130integrally supported by the mount bar120is brought closer to the base113, and the connector137is inserted into the connector114. By connecting the connectors114and137in this way, the mounting of the device130in the rack mount is completed, and the device130is electrically connected to the rack mount side (to other devices mounted on the rack mount).

The positional relationship between the bracket135and the guide member112for guiding when the device130is attached by contact between the guide member112and the bracket135serving as a guided member shown inFIGS.8to10will be described.

Since the guide member112is arranged on the base mount111, its position (distance from one side of the right side of the base mount111) is set to L1as shown inFIG.9C. On the other hand, the position of the bracket135serving as a guided member is set so that the distance from one side of the substrate131constituting the device130becomes L2. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.9A to9C, since the bracket135is arranged below the substrate131together with the bracket136, it does not function as a member for fixing to the mount bar120, while the brackets133and134serve a function for fixing to the mount bar120. In addition, the distance between the brackets133and134and the distance between the brackets135and136are determined in consideration of the stability of attachment to the mount bar120, and so that the bracket136is arranged at a position where it does not interfere with the guide member112(the locus of movement of the bracket136accompanying the movement of the mount bar120does not overlap the guide member112) when the bracket135functions as a guided member.

Also, the positions of the brackets134and135are arranged at the same distance as the brackets135and136in consideration of the case where the device130is installed by reversing it. When the connectors114and137shown inFIG.9BtoFIG.9Care fitted, then by setting the distance L1′ between the right side surface of the column1and the left side surface of the bracket135(equal to the distance L1between the left side of the symmetrically arranged upper bracket134and the right side of the column1), to be equal to or slightly less than the distance L4between the right side surface of the column1and the right side surface of the guide member112, then a procedure is possible where the equipment130as shown inFIGS.8A to8C,FIGS.9A to9C, andFIGS.10A to10C, is passed between the pillars1,1while being inclined, and installed while reducing the inclination after passing. Further, the distance L2between the right side surface of the bracket133and the left side surface of the bracket134(the distance between the left side surface of the bracket135and the right side surface of the bracket136), is set to a position where, during the transitions ofFIGS.10A,10B to10Cabove, the bracket135does not interfere with the guide member112(the locus of movement of the bracket135accompanying the movement of the mount bar120does not overlap the guide member112).

The distances L1and L1′ are specified by the mounting positions of the brackets133to136on the mount bar120(where in the longitudinal direction of the mount bar120the brackets133to136are hooked or sandwiched). However, these attachment position of the brackets to the mount bar120can also be adjusted by sliding in the longitudinal direction of the mount bar120. That is, the distance L1and the like can be changed according to errors in mounting positions of the brackets133to136on the substrate131, and usage conditions.

As preparation work for a series of operations for attaching the device130to the mount bar120, the mounting position of the device130in the longitudinal direction of the mount bar120is determined so that the bracket135is arranged at the position shown inFIG.10C. Then the guide member112is fixed at a position adjacent to the left side surface of the bracket135. As a result attachment to a predetermined position is possible by moving as shown inFIGS.10A to10C.

Further, regarding the brackets133and134and the brackets135and136of the device130, when the device130is turned upside down the lower bracket133or134can be used as a guided member, and the device130can be mounted in a predetermined position in a manner similar to that shown inFIGS.8to10.

As described above, the mount bar120is slanted with respect to the base113, and the device130wider than the opening of the rack mount is attached, and is moved in the depth direction while being rotated so as to become parallel to the base113. By so doing, the device130can be rack-mounted and the connectors114and137can be connected.

On the other hand, as in a Comparative Example 1 shown inFIG.11, when the width W1of the device130A is sufficiently smaller than the frontage D1of the opening, which is the distance between the inner surfaces of the right column1and the left column1, the device130A can be brought into the back of the rack mount without inclination. Therefore, although the device mounting mechanism according to the one embodiment is not necessarily required, since the device130A mounted in the area surrounded by the plurality of columns1constituting the rack mount is small, the space inside the rack mount cannot be effectively utilized.

Also, as in a Comparative Example 2 shown inFIG.12, when the width W2of the device130B is slightly larger than the frontage D1of the opening, which is the distance between the inner surfaces of the right column1and the left column1, that is, when the right side of the device130B is positioned outside the left side of the right column1as indicated by the dashed line in the figure, then for example, the device130B can be brought into the back of the rack mount while being inclined, by the device mounting mechanism provided with the link described in the conventional example. However in order to obtain the strength required for the device mounting mechanism, which is the problem to be solved by the present application, then for example, in a cantilevered support structure such as the device mounting mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is inevitable that the members constituting the device mounting mechanism, or the support members thereof become larger than those in the aspect of the one embodiment.

Thus, in the one embodiment, the device130supported by the mount bar120can pass obliquely between the columns1by turning the mount bar120centered on the shafts124. After that, the device130can be carried in to a predetermined position and attached while facing in a substantially parallel direction in which the connectors114and137can be fitted. Since the mount bar120has a structure in which one end and the other end are supported centered on the shafts124, the device mounting mechanism can be configured with relatively lightweight members.

As a configuration for supporting both ends of the mount bar120so as to be movable in the depth direction, a mechanism that replaces the support of the mounters121by the guide rails110may be adopted.

Also, the length and shape of the mount bar120, the shape of each part constituting the device130, and the like are not limited to the one embodiment described above.

In the device mounting mechanism described in Patent Document 1, the construction is such that the members such as the first link LA and the second link LB that constitute the link mechanism22, are supported in a cantilevered state by the fixing portions30and31and protrude. Therefore, in order to move the device M while maintaining it horizontally, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the members such as the first link LA and the second link LB of the link mechanism22, or the fixing portions30and31, to increase the rigidity of the entire mechanism22, which makes it difficult to reduce the thickness of the device mounting mechanism. As a result, there is a problem in that the device mounting mechanism becomes large, and the effective space available for storage inside the rack mount becomes small.

According to the present disclosure, for example, within an area surrounded by a plurality of columns, the mount bar whose both ends are rotatably supported, can be moved to the back of the area while being rotated, and both ends of the mount bar are supported. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the weight and size of the device mounting mechanism.

In the above, one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this one embodiment, and design changes and the like not departing from the scope of the present disclosure are also included.

Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description, and is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure can be used to mount a device on a server rack on which electronic devices such as servers are mounted.