U.S. patent application number 11/394399 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-01 for panel fixing structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Inventec Corporation. Invention is credited to Yung-Chin Hsu.
Application Number | 20070044408 11/394399 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37400398 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070044408 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsu; Yung-Chin |
March 1, 2007 |
Panel fixing structure
Abstract
A panel fixing structure for fixing a panel formed with at least
a first engaging portion to an electronic device provided with at
least a first fixing portion, wherein the panel fixing structure
include a body; at least a second fixing portion that can be
coupled with the corresponding first fixing portion; and at least a
second engaging portion that can be coupled with the corresponding
first engaging portion, such that the panel can be fixed to the
electronic device. Due to the design and arrangement of the present
invention, the panel fixing structure can be easy assembled and
disassembled, with out using tools.
Inventors: |
Hsu; Yung-Chin; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARDS & ANGELL, LLP
P.O. BOX 55874
BOSTON
MA
02205
US
|
Assignee: |
Inventec Corporation
Taipei
TW
|
Family ID: |
37400398 |
Appl. No.: |
11/394399 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/506.05 ;
312/223.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/1487
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/506.05 ;
312/223.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 9/00 20060101
E04B009/00; A47B 81/00 20060101 A47B081/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 25, 2005 |
TW |
094214594 |
Claims
1. A panel fixing structure for fixing a panel formed with at least
a first engaging portion to an electronic device provided with at
least a first fixing portion at least a side thereof, comprising: a
body; at least a second fixing portion formed on the body at a
position corresponding to the first fixing portion, allowing the
first fixing portion to be fixed to the second fixing portion in
order to couple the panel fixing structure to the electronic
device; and at least a second engaging portion formed on the body
at a position corresponding to the first engaging portion, allowing
the first engaging portion to be engaged with the second engaging
portion in order to couple the panel to the panel fixing
structure,
2. The panel fixing structure of claim 1, wherein at least a side
surface of the body is a curved surface.
3. The panel fixing structure of claim 1, wherein the second fixing
portion is a fastening hole.
4. The panel fixing structure of claim 1, wherein the second
engaging portion is a recess.
5. The panel fixing structure of claim 1, wherein an operation
portion is further formed on the body.
6. The panel fixing structure of claim 1, wherein the body is
further formed with at least a receiving portion.
7. The panel fixing structure of claim 1, wherein at least a
structurally enhanced portion is further formed on the body.
8. The panel fixing structure of claim 1, wherein the first
engaging portion is a protrusion.
9. The panel fixing structure of claim 1, wherein a plurality of
slots are further formed on the panel so as to allow the first
engaging portion to resiliently bias relative to the panel.
10. The panel fixing structure of claim 1, wherein a lock portion
is further formed on the panel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to panel fixing structures,
and more particularly, to a panel fixing structure that can be
applied to an electronic device.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Presently, enclosures or panels are usually disposed to
electronic devices such as servers and computers not only in order
to protect internal circuit components or mechanical components of
the electronic devices and prevent dust but also obtain a
decorative effect. In addition, screw holes are formed on an
electronic device such as a server to fix a handle to the
electronic device such that the electronic device could be pulled
out easily for maintenance, test or operation.
[0005] To fix a panel to an electronic device, the following method
is often adopted: first, the panel is locked to the electronic
device by screws, and then a lock component having a lock sheet is
inserted into the panel for strengthening the fixing effect.
[0006] For example, Taiwan Utility Model Patent No. M248203
discloses a quick assembly and disassembly structure of a panel for
an electrical device. The quick assembly and disassembly structure
comprises: a screw bolt fixed to each of screw bolt fixing plates
located at two lateral sides of the electrical device; a pair of
alar plates which are respectively formed at two flanks of the
panel and provided with through holes; a central cylinder that is
positioned by the through hole of each of the alar plates, the
central cylinder being a tube-like body that has an axially
penetrating space, one end of the central cylinder passing through
the through hole of one of the alar plates and being fixed to the
back side of the alar plate, a retainer ring being formed at the
other end of the central cylinder; and a nut knob that can be
movably coupled with the other end of the central cylinder provided
with the retainer ring thereat, the nut knob having an inner screw
hole into which a screw thread portion of the screw bolt could be
screwed, thereby fastening the panel to the electronic device,
wherein the interior of the nut knob has a displacement space, one
side of which is open and at the central point of the other side of
which there formed the screw hole, the diameter and length of the
screw hole corresponding to that of the screw thread of the screw
bolt.
[0007] To assemble or disassemble the above-mentioned structure of
the panel for purpose of replacing components or modules or
maintenance, tools need be used, which is troublesome and
time-consuming that the application of the above structure is
limited.
[0008] Meanwhile, to assemble a plurality of devices as a module,
panels need to be disassembled frequently, that is, screws need to
be disassembled and assembled for disassembling and assembling the
panels, thereby bringing much inconvenience to users.
[0009] Moreover, when several servers are assembled as a module
device and placed in a cabinet, because each of the servers often
needs to be replaced or maintained, the panel is usually designed
at the front of the server so it can be easily reached by users
when placed in the cabinet. If the panel is fixed to the server by
screws, during the assembling or disassembling process, the screws
are liable to drop inside the cabinet and difficult to be found,
thereby slowing down the assembling or disassembling process and
even increasing cost.
[0010] In view of the above defects, other fixing structures
without the use of screws are proposed. For example, Taiwan Utility
Model Patent Publication No. 285315 discloses an improved structure
of a computer panel through which the computer panel is engaged
with the computer casing. The feature of the patent is that the
computer casing is an open casing, mortises are disposed at two
sides of the casing, a fastening sheet slightly bending inward is
disposed between the mortises corresponding to the sidewall of the
computer panel, tenons corresponding to the mortises are disposed
at the side walls of the computer panel, the tenons are engaged
with the mortises and meanwhile the fastening sheet abuts against
the inner wall of one side of the computer panel, thereby forming
mutually pulling forces.
[0011] However, because of the limited elasticity of the tenons, it
is difficult to disassemble the above structure. Moreover, the
tenons are easy to be damaged during the disassembling process,
which results in the failure of the whole computer panel and
accordingly increasing cost.
[0012] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned
above, there exists a need to develop a panel fixing structure
which not only is easy to assemble and disassemble, but also can
strengthen the fixing effect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] According to the above defects, a primary objective of the
present invention is to provide a panel fixing structure, which is
easy to assemble and disassemble.
[0014] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
panel fixing structure, which can fix a panel to a device
firmly.
[0015] To achieve the above and other objectives, the panel fixing
structure of the present invention for fixing a panel formed with
at least a first engaging portion to an electronic device provided
with at least a first fixing portion on at least a side thereof,
comprises: a body; at least a second fixing portion that can be
coupled with a corresponding first fixing portion; and a least a
second engaging portion that can be engaged with a corresponding
first engaging portion. Moreover, one or more panel fixing
structures may be formed or employed to fix the panel to the
electronic device, wherein one or more panel fixing structures may
be formed with modifications.
[0016] Preferably, a side surface of the body of the panel fixing
structure may be a curved surface; the second fixing portion may be
a fastening hole; and the second engaging portion may be a recess.
Furthermore, an operation portion may be further formed on the
panel fixing structure and located at the back side of the
corresponding second engaging portion. The operation portion may be
a recess or a stepped recess. At least a receiving portion may be
further formed on the panel fixing structure and located at a side
thereof that is corresponding to the first engaging portion. The
receiving portion may be a recess, wherein the shape of the
receiving portion may be semi-circular. At least one structurally
enhanced portion is further formed on the panel fixing structure.
The structurally enhanced portion may be a protrusion such as a
protruding rib or the like.
[0017] The first engaging portion may comprise a protruding
structure, which may be a bump, a protruding rib or the like. In a
preferred embodiment, the first engaging portion may have a right
angle, hook portion or the like; however, in another preferred
embodiment, the first engaging portion may be a circular chamfer,
an arc or the like. A plurality of slots are further formed on at
least a side plate of the panel, so as to allow the first engaging
portion to resiliently bias relative to the panel. The slots may be
formed next to both sides of the first engaging portions. Each of
the slots may be a notch. A lock portion may be further formed on
one or more side plates.
[0018] Compared with the prior art, the panel fixing structure of
the present invention may be easily assembled and disassembled by
hand without the use of tools, thereby saving time and cost for
assembling and disassembling.
[0019] Moreover, the panel fixing structure of the present
invention can strengthen the fixing effect by a simple structure,
thereby preventing the defects of the limited elasticity and
fragile structure of the prior art and reducing cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is an exploded diagram of a panel fixing structure
and an electronic device according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 2A to 2B are diagrams showing structure of a panel
fixing structure located at the right side relative to the
direction of view of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIGS. 3A to 3B are diagrams showing structure of a panel
fixing structure located at the left side relative to the direction
of view of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIGS. 4A to 4B are diagrams showing structure of a side
plate located at the right side relative to the direction of view
of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIGS. 5A to 5B are diagrams showing structure of a side
plate located at the left side relative to the direction of view of
FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 6A is a structure diagram of the electronic device to
which the panel fixing structure at the right side has been
assembled;
[0026] FIG. 6B is a structure diagram of the electronic device to
which the panel fixing structure at the left side has been
assembled; and
[0027] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the assembly of the panel with
the electronic device via the panel fixing structure of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Hereunder, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in full detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0029] FIGS. 1 to 7 are diagrams showing specific embodiments with
respect to a panel fixing structure for fixing a panel to an
electronic device according to the present invention. It should be
noted that to make the features of the panel fixing structure much
clearer, only compositions related to the present invention are
shown in the drawings. Additionally, the number, size and shape of
the compositions may not correspond exactly to those of the
compositions in actual implementations, which are simply a series
of design choices. In the present embodiment, a server is used as
an example of the electronic device, but it is not limited
thereto.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, a panel fixing structure 1 or 3 of the
present invention used to fix a panel 9 to an electronic device 8,
includes a body (not shown), at least a second fixing portion 11
and at least a second engaging portion, wherein the panel 9 is
formed with having at least a first engaging portion, and the
electronic device 8 is provided with at least a first fixing
portion such as a screw hole at a side thereof.
[0031] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2B in conjunction
with FIG. 1, a panel fixing structure 1 located at a side of the
electronic device 8 includes a body, at least a second fixing
portions 11, at least a second engaging portions 13, wherein the
second fixing portion 11 may be coupled with the corresponding
first fixing portion 81. Further, the body of the panel fixing
structure 1 may further comprise an operation portion 15. In the
present embodiment, a side surface of the body of the panel fixing
structure 1 may be a curved surface and the second fixing portion
11 may be a fastening hole or the like that is correspondingly
coupled to the first fixing portion 81. The second engaging portion
13 may be a recess, and the operation portion 15 formed on the body
may be a recess or a stepped recess, serving as a handle of the
prior art and allowing users to hold it while having the second
engaging portion 13 to be inserted to and engaged with the panel
9.
[0032] Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a plurality of
structurally enhanced portions 17, for example three structurally
enhanced portions, may be further formed on the body. The
structurally enhanced portions 17 may be protruding ribs or other
similar protruding structures, which strengthen structure of the
panel fixing structure 1 as well as fixing effect between the panel
fixing structure 1 and a side plate 5 of the panel 9.
[0033] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B in
conjunction with FIG. 1, a panel fixing structure 3 may be located
at the other side of the electronic device 8 and formed with a body
(not shown), at least a second fixing portions 31, at least a
second engaging portion 33, wherein the body further comprises an
operation portion 35 and a receiving portion 37. The second fixing
portion 31 may be coupled with the corresponding first fixing
portion 81. In the present embodiment, a side surface of the body 3
may be a curved surface and the second fixing portion 31 may be a
fastening hole or the like that is correspondingly coupled to the
first fixing portion 81. The second engaging portion 33 may be a
recess. The operation portion 35 formed on the body at a position
that is a back side of the first engaging portion 33, may be a
recess and serving as a handle of the prior art. The receiving
portion 37 is formed at a side of the body and corresponding to the
shape of a lock portion 75 and a side plate 7 of the panel 9, as
shown in FIG. 1. The lock portion 75 may be formed with a lock hole
91. The receiving portion 37 may be a semi-circular recess, but is
not limited thereto.
[0034] Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a plurality of
structurally enhanced portions 39, for example two structurally
enhanced portions, may further be formed on the body of the panel
fixing structure 3. The structurally enhanced portions 39 may be
protruding ribs or other similar protrusions, which can strengthen
structure of the panel fixing structure 3 as well as the fixing
effect between the panel fixing structure 3 and the side plate 7 of
the panel 9.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the side plate 5 located at a
side of the panel 9 may comprise at least a first engaging portion
51 capable of engaging with the corresponding second engaging
portion 13; and a plurality of slots 53 allowing the first engaging
portion 51 to resiliently bias relative to the panel 9, while
fixing with the structurally enhanced portions 17. The first
engaging portion 51 may have a protruding structure such as a bump,
a protruding rib or the like, which may have a right angle, a hook
portion or the like. The slots 53 may be formed at an abutting side
or both abutting sides of the second engaging portion 51.
[0036] In one embodiment, an angle .theta.1 of 90.degree. is formed
between the first engaging portion 51 and the non-protruding
portion of the side plate 5. Each of the slots 35 may be a notch,
however, it is not limited thereto. In addition, although the
structurally enhanced portions 17 and the corresponding slots 53
are presented in the present embodiment, they may be omitted in
other embodiments.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the side plate 7 located at
the opposite side of the panel 9 may be formed with a first
engaging portion 71 capable of engaging with the corresponding
second engaging portion 33; a plurality of slots 73 allowing the
first engaging portion 71 to resiliently bias relative to the panel
9, while fixing with the structurally enhanced portions 39; and a
lock portion 75 corresponding to the receiving portion 37 of the
panel fixing structure 3. The first engaging portion 71 may have a
protruding structure such as a bump, a protruding rib or the like,
which may have circular chamfer, arc shape or the like. The slots
73 may be formed at both sides next to the second engaging portion
71.
[0038] In one embodiment, an angle .theta.2 bigger than 90.degree.
is formed between the first engaging portion 71 and the
non-protruding portion of the side plate 7. Each of the slots 73
may be a notch, however, it is not limited thereto. The lock
portion 75 is corresponding to the receiving portion 37 such that
the lock hole 91 may be accommodated while fastening the panel
fixing structure 3 to the side plate 7. Further, although the
structurally enhanced portions 39 and the corresponding slots 73
are presented in the present embodiment, they may be omitted in
other embodiments.
[0039] Before fixing the panel 9 to the electronic device 8, the
panel fixing structure 1 or/and the panel fixing structure 3 may be
fixed to the electronic device 8 first.
[0040] For example, first, the second fixing portion 11 of the
panel fixing structure 1 is correspondingly coupled to the first
fixing portion 81 of the electronic device 8 by using lock
components (not shown) such as screws that are passed through the
first fixing portion 81 from the side opposite to the panel fixing
structure 1 and locked into the second fixing portion 11. As shown
in FIG. 6A, the panel fixing structure 1 located at the right side
is to the electronic device 8. Next, the second fixing portion 31
of the panel fixing structure 3 located at the opposite side is
coupled to the corresponding first fixing portion 81 of the
electronic device 8 in the same way. As shown in FIG. 6B, the panel
fixing structure 3 at the left side is fixed to the electronic
device 8.
[0041] Subsequently, the side plates 5 and 7 at both sides of the
panel 9 are coupled to the electronic device 8, as described
hereinafter.
[0042] For example, first, the first engaging portion 51 of the
side plate 5 is engaged with the second engaging portion 13 from
the right side relative to the direction of view and the
structurally enhanced portions 17 are respectively engaged with the
slots 53. Because there is an angle .theta.1, such as 90.degree.
between the first engaging portion 51 and the non-protruding
portion of the side plate 5, a strong coupling effect is achieved.
Thereafter, the side plate 7 located at the left side is fixed to
the electronic device 8. Compared with the first engaging portion
51 of the side plate 5 at the right side that has a right angle or
hook portion, the first engaging portion 71 of the side plate 7 at
the left side that has a protruding structure of circular chamfer
or arc shape is much easier to be engaged with the second engaging
portion 33, as a result, it is easy to fix the side plate 7 to the
electronic device 8 even if the side plate 5 has been fixed to the
electronic device 8 in advance. Further, the engagement of the
structurally enhanced portions 39, 17 with the corresponding slots
73, 53 can further strengthen the fixing effect between the panel 9
and the electronic device 8.
[0043] FIG. 7 shows an assembly structure of the electronic device
8 to which the panel 9 has been fixed. Therein the panel fixing
structures 1, 3 are respectively coupled to the side plates 5, 7
and the electronic device 8. A lock component 10 of the prior art
may then lock the panel 9 to the electronic component 8 by passing
through the lock hole 91. Since the lock component 10 is a prior
art, detailed description of it is thus omitted.
[0044] When the panel 9 is to be disassembled from the electronic
device 8, the lock component 10 is unlocked or unscrewed first, and
then the side plates 5, 7 are disassembled from the panel fixing
structures 1, 3. The whole process can be done by hands without the
use of tools. At this stage of the present invention, the panel
fixing structures 1, 3 are still coupled with the electronic device
8 and do not need to be disassembled, if not required. Compared
with the first engaging portion 51 of the side plate 5 at the right
side, the first engaging portion 71 of the side plate 7 at the left
side has a protruding structure of circular chamfer or arc shape
such that it is much easier to be disengaged with the second
engaging portion 33. As a result, disassembling processes of the
side plate 7 is preferred to be performed first, before performing
disassembling processes of the side plate 5.
[0045] Those skilled in the art should be understood that the order
of the assembling processes and disassembly processes may be
changed or reversed according to practical requirements. For
example, if the first engaging portion 71 of the side plate 7 at
the left side has a protruding structure of right angle or hook
portion while the side plate 5 at the right side has a protruding
structure of circular chamfer or arc shape, the side plate 5 may be
assembled/disassembled before assembling/disassembling the side
plate 7.
[0046] Furthermore, the structure of the panel fixing structure
1/side plate 5 at the right side may be interchangeable with or the
same as that of the body 3/side plate 7. Furthermore, the curved
surface of the fixing members 1, 3 may be changed.
[0047] Compared with the prior art that needs tools for assembling
and disassembling the fixing structure, a panel fixing structure of
the present invention may be easily assembled and disassembled by
hand without the need of any tools, thereby saving time and
cost.
[0048] Moreover, a panel fixing structure of the present invention
can strengthen the fixing effect by such a simple structure,
thereby preventing the defects of the limited elasticity and
fragile structures of the prior art and reducing cost.
[0049] The invention has been described using exemplary preferred
embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar
arrangements. The scope of the claims, therefore, should be
accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and similar arrangements.
* * * * *