U.S. patent application number 14/985840 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-06 for compute chassis having a lid that secures and removes air baffles.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jeffrey R. Hamilton, Mark J. Staley, Jimmy X. Tang, Troy S. Voytko, Jack P. Wong.
Application Number | 20170192469 14/985840 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59152542 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170192469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hamilton; Jeffrey R. ; et
al. |
July 6, 2017 |
COMPUTE CHASSIS HAVING A LID THAT SECURES AND REMOVES AIR
BAFFLES
Abstract
A chassis includes a base, a lid, and air baffles disposed
within the base. The lid slidably engages opposing base side walls
and slides between secured and unsecured positions. In one
embodiment, a mechanical latch attaches to the lid and has a
spring-biased latch arm for selectively locking the lid to the base
and a latch hook for selectively locking the air baffle to the lid,
wherein depressing the mechanical latch releases the lid from the
base and physically separating the lid from the base causes the
latch hook to secure the air baffle for removing the air baffle
along with the lid. In another embodiment, a first magnet is
attached to the lid and a second magnet is attached to the air
baffle, wherein sliding the lid to the unsecured position aligns
the first and second magnets and magnetically couples the air
baffle to the lid.
Inventors: |
Hamilton; Jeffrey R.;
(Pittsboro, NC) ; Staley; Mark J.; (Apex, NC)
; Tang; Jimmy X.; (Raleigh, NC) ; Voytko; Troy
S.; (Apex, NC) ; Wong; Jack P.; (Apex,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. |
Singapore |
|
SG |
|
|
Family ID: |
59152542 |
Appl. No.: |
14/985840 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 2001/0035 20130101;
H05K 5/0013 20130101; H05K 7/20145 20130101; H05K 5/0239 20130101;
H05K 5/0221 20130101; H05K 7/20127 20130101; F16B 1/00 20130101;
G06F 1/20 20130101; G06F 1/181 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/18 20060101
G06F001/18; H05K 5/02 20060101 H05K005/02; H05K 7/20 20060101
H05K007/20; F16B 1/00 20060101 F16B001/00 |
Claims
1. A chassis, comprising: a base having a bottom wall, a first base
side wall and a second base side wall opposite the first base side
wall; a lid having a top wall, a first lid side wall and a second
lid side wall, wherein the lid is supported by the first and second
opposing base side walls with the first lid side wall slidably
engaging an outer surface of the first opposing base side wall and
the second lid side wall slidably engaging an outer surface of the
second base side wall; an air baffle disposed within the base; a
mechanical latch attached to an inside surface of the top wall of
the lid, wherein the mechanical latch is spring biased in a
direction away from the base, wherein the mechanical latch includes
a latch arm for selectively locking the lid to the base and a latch
hook for selectively locking the air baffle to the lid, wherein
depressing the mechanical latch releases the lid from the base and
wherein physically separating the lid from the base causes the
latch hook to secure the air baffle such that the air baffle is
removed from the base along with the lid.
2. The chassis of claim 1, further comprising: a first latch slot
formed in the first base side wall having a vertical slot portion
that extends away from a distal edge of the first base side wall
and a second horizontal slot portion that extends in a first
direction generally parallel to the bottom wall; a second latch
slot formed in the second base side wall having a vertical slot
portion that extends away from a distal edge of the second base
side wall and a second horizontal slot portion that extends in a
first direction generally parallel to the bottom wall; a first
guide member inwardly directed from the first lid side wall; and a
second guide member inwardly directed from the second lid side
wall, wherein the first and second guide members are positioned to
be received in the latch slots of the first and second base side
walls with the first and second lid side walls slidably engaging an
outer surface of the first and second based side walls.
3. The chassis of claim 2, wherein sliding the lid in the first
direction with the first and second lid side walls slidably
engaging an outer surface of the first and second based side walls
causes insertion of the latch arm into the horizontal slot portion
of the latch slot of the first base side wall such that the latch
arm catches on a hook in the second slot portion to lock the lid in
a closed position.
4. The chassis of claim 3, wherein manually depressing the
mechanical latch toward the base both releases the latch arm from
the hook and causes the latch hook to align with the air baffle,
and wherein sliding the lid in a second direction opposite the
first direction with the mechanical latch depressed causes the hook
arm to engage the air baffle.
5. The chassis of claim 4, wherein the latch hook extends in the
second direction and the air baffle includes a mating hook
extending in the first direction.
6. The chassis of claim 2, wherein the latch arm has a slanted
upper surface that allows the latch arm to slide past the hook
without depressing the mechanical latch as the lid is slid in the
first direction.
7. The chassis of claim 1, further comprising: an additional latch
slot in each base side wall and an additional guide member inwardly
directed from each lid side wall, wherein the additional guide
members are positioned to be received in one of the additional
latch slots with the first and second lid side walls slidably
engaging an outer surface of the first and second based side
walls.
8. The chassis of claim 1, wherein positioning the lid for
reattachment to the base repositions the air baffles within the
base.
9. A chassis, comprising: a base having a bottom wall, a first base
side wall and a second base side wall opposite the first base side
wall; a lid supportable by the first and second opposing base side
walls, wherein the lid is selectively secured to the base by
sliding the lid along the first and second base side walls between
a secured position and an unsecured position; an air baffle
disposed within the base; a first magnet attached to the lid; a
second magnet attached to the air baffle, wherein sliding the lid
to the unsecured position aligns the first and second magnets and
magnetically couples the air baffle to the lid so that separating
the lid from the base causes removal of the air baffle from the
base along with the lid, and wherein sliding the lid to the secured
position offsets the first and second magnets so that the air
baffle is not magnetically coupled to the lid.
10. The chassis of claim 9, further comprising: a mechanical latch
for selectively locking the lid to the base in response to sliding
the lid to the secured position, wherein depressing the mechanical
latch releases the lid from the base so that the lid may be slid to
the unsecured position.
11. The chassis of claim 9, further comprising: a first latch slot
formed in the first base side wall having a vertical slot portion
that extends away from a distal edge of the first base side wall
and a second horizontal slot portion that extends in a first
direction generally parallel to the bottom wall; a second latch
slot formed in the second base side wall having a vertical slot
portion that extends away from a distal edge of the second base
side wall and a second horizontal slot portion that extends in a
first direction generally parallel to the bottom wall; a first
guide member inwardly directed from the first lid side wall; and a
second guide member inwardly directed from the second lid side
wall, wherein the first and second guide members are positioned to
be received in the latch slots of the first and second base side
walls with the first and second lid side walls slidably engaging an
outer surface of the first and second based side walls.
12. The chassis of claim 1, wherein a plurality of magnets are
attached to the lid and a plurality of magnets are attached to the
air baffle, wherein sliding the lid to the unsecured position
aligns the plurality of magnets attached to the lid with the
plurality of magnets attached to the air baffle, and wherein
sliding the lid to the secured position offsets the plurality of
magnets attached to the lid from the plurality of magnets attached
to the air baffle so that the air baffle is not magnetically
coupled to the lid.
13. A method comprising: automatically coupling an air baffle to a
lid as the lid is being separated from a base; and automatically
uncoupling the air baffle from the lid as the lid is being secured
to the base.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: sliding the lid
relative to the base between a secured position and an unsecured
position.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: mechanically
latching the lid to the base in the secured position.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein automatically releasably
coupling an air baffle to a lid as the lid is being separated from
a base, includes aligning a magnet attached to the lid with a
magnet attached to the air baffle as the lid is slid from the
secured position to the unsecured position.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising: automatically
repositioning the air baffle within the base as the lid engages the
base.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a computer chassis having a
removable lid or cover.
[0003] Background of the Related Art
[0004] A compute node is commonly disposed in a chassis for
multiple purposes, including facilitating safe handling of the
components, containing electromagnetic interference, and
controlling airflow across the components in order to provide
adequate cooling. A fan or other air mover may be used to drawn
airflow through the chassis, such that cool air is drawn in one end
of the chassis and warmed air is exhausted from the opposite end of
the chassis.
[0005] Since some components within the chassis typically generate
more heat than others and the performance of some components can be
negatively affected by excessively high temperatures, the flow of
cool air to certain components is more critical than the flow of
cool air to other components. Providing a desired amount of airflow
to a given heat-generating component, such as the processor, may be
further affected by the presence or absence of adjacent components
that can cause airflow restrictions or diversions. Still further, a
component that is directly downstream of a hot component may not be
cooled at all by the warmed air passing over that component.
[0006] One technique for managing the airflow within a chassis is
to provide an air baffle or barrier that redirects the air flow,
either around a particular component toward another component.
Where a computer system has been specifically designed for use with
an air baffle, it is important that the air baffle be in position
during operation of the computer system. If the air baffle is
removed, lost or positioned improperly, the performance of the
computer system can be negatively affected.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] One embodiment of the present invention provides a chassis
comprising a base, a lid, and air baffles disposed within the base.
The base has a bottom wall, a first base side wall and a second
base side wall opposite the first base side wall. The lid has a top
wall, a first lid side wall and a second lid side wall, wherein the
lid is supported by the first and second opposing base side walls
with the first lid side wall slidably engaging an outer surface of
the first opposing base side wall and the second lid side wall
slidably engaging an outer surface of the second base side wall.
The chassis further comprises a mechanical latch attached to an
inside surface of the top wall of the lid, wherein the mechanical
latch is spring biased in a direction away from the base, wherein
the mechanical latch includes a latch arm for selectively locking
the lid to the base and a latch hook for selectively locking the
air baffle to the lid, wherein depressing the mechanical latch
releases the lid from the base and wherein physically separating
the lid from the base causes the latch hook to secure the air
baffle such that the air baffle is removed from the base along with
the lid.
[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
chassis, comprising: a base, a lid, and air baffles disposed within
the base. The base has a bottom wall, a first base side wall and a
second base side wall opposite the first base side wall. The lid is
supportable by the first and second opposing base side walls,
wherein the lid is selectively secured to the base by sliding the
lid along the first and second base side walls between a secured
position and an unsecured position. The chassis further comprises a
first magnet attached to the lid and a second magnet attached to
the air baffle, wherein sliding the lid to the unsecured position
aligns the first and second magnets and magnetically couples the
air baffle to the lid so that separating the lid from the base
causes removal of the air baffle from the base along with the lid.
Sliding the lid to the secured position offsets the first and
second magnets so that the air baffle is not magnetically coupled
to the lid.
[0009] Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a
method comprising automatically releasably coupling an air baffle
to a lid as the lid is being separated from a base, and
automatically uncoupling the air baffle from the lid as the lid is
being secured to the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chassis including a base
and a securable lid.
[0011] FIGS. 2A-2C are side views of the chassis as the lid is
secured to the base.
[0012] FIGS. 3A-3D are diagrams of a latch attached to the lid.
[0013] FIGS. 4A-4B are diagrams of an air baffle that may be used
to control airflow within the chassis.
[0014] FIGS. 5A-5D are partial side views of the chassis as the
latch is released from the base and secures the air baffle before
the lid is removed.
[0015] FIGS. 6A-6D are partial side views of the chassis as the
latch is released from the base and a set of magnets secure the air
baffle to the lid before the lid is removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] One embodiment of the present invention provides a chassis
comprising a base, a lid, and air baffles disposed within the base.
The base has a bottom wall, a first base side wall and a second
base side wall opposite the first base side wall. The lid has a top
wall, a first lid side wall and a second lid side wall, wherein the
lid is supported by the first and second opposing base side walls
with the first lid side wall slidably engaging an outer surface of
the first opposing base side wall and the second lid side wall
slidably engaging an outer surface of the second base side wall.
The chassis further comprises a mechanical latch attached to an
inside surface of the top wall of the lid, wherein the mechanical
latch is spring biased in a direction away from the base, wherein
the mechanical latch includes a latch arm for selectively locking
the lid to the base and a latch hook for selectively locking the
air baffle to the lid, wherein depressing the mechanical latch
releases the lid from the base and wherein physically separating
the lid from the base causes the latch hook to secure the air
baffle such that the air baffle is removed from the base along with
the lid.
[0017] The base and the lid form an outer housing of the chassis
with the air baffles inside. The chassis will further include one
or more heat-generating components, such as a motherboard of a
compute node. The air baffles are preferably design to direct
airflow relative to the heat-generating components as air is drawn
from a front end of the chassis to a back end of the chassis by a
fan or other air mover. It is important for the air baffles to be
properly positioned so that the heat-generating components are
properly cooled. Without the air baffles, one or more of the
heat-generating components may overheat or cause the compute node
to operate at low performance in order to avoid overheating.
Embodiments of the present invention may be used to prevent or
reduce loss of the air baffles, yet remove the air baffles from the
chassis when the lid is removed for facilitate maintenance of one
of the components.
[0018] In another embodiment, the chassis further comprises slots
in the base side wall and guiding members extending from the lid
side walls in order to guide sliding engagement of the lid into
position with the base. For example, the chassis may further
comprise a first latch slot formed in the first base side wall
having a vertical slot portion that extends away from a distal edge
of the first base side wall and a second horizontal slot portion
that extends in a first direction generally parallel to the bottom
wall, and a second latch slot formed in the second base side wall
having a vertical slot portion that extends away from a distal edge
of the second base side wall and a second horizontal slot portion
that extends in a first direction generally parallel to the bottom
wall. Still further, the chassis may include a first guide member
inwardly directed from the first lid side wall, and a second guide
member inwardly directed from the second lid side wall, wherein the
first and second guide members are positioned to be received in the
latch slots of the first and second base side walls with the first
and second lid side walls slidably engaging an outer surface of the
first and second based side walls. In one option, sliding the lid
in the first direction with the first and second lid side walls
slidably engaging an outer surface of the first and second based
side walls will cause insertion of the latch arm into the
horizontal slot portion of the latch slot of the first base side
wall such that the latch arm catches on a hook in the second slot
portion to lock the lid in a closed position. In a further option,
manually depressing the mechanical latch toward the base both
releases the latch arm from the hook and causes the latch hook to
align with the air baffle, and wherein sliding the lid in a second
direction opposite the first direction with the mechanical latch
depressed will cause the hook arm to engage the air baffle.
Preferably, the latch hook extends in the second direction and the
air baffle includes a mating hook extending in the first
direction.
[0019] In a preferred implementation, the latch arm has a slanted
upper surface that allows the latch arm to slide past the hook
without depressing the mechanical latch as the lid is slid in the
first direction. This makes it very simple to lock the lid to the
base.
[0020] In another example, the chassis may further comprise an
additional latch slot in each base side wall and an additional
guide member inwardly directed from each lid side wall, wherein the
additional guide members are positioned to be received in one of
the additional latch slots with the first and second lid side walls
slidably engaging an outer surface of the first and second based
side walls. This may make the lid more secure along the length of
the lid or improve alignment of the lid relative to the base.
Proper alignment of the lid to the base is particularly important
since positioning of the lid for reattachment to the base is also
responsible for proper repositioning of the air baffles within the
base.
[0021] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
chassis, comprising: a base, a lid, and air baffles disposed within
the base. The base has a bottom wall, a first base side wall and a
second base side wall opposite the first base side wall. The lid is
supportable by the first and second opposing base side walls,
wherein the lid is selectively secured to the base by sliding the
lid along the first and second base side walls between a secured
position and an unsecured position. The chassis further comprises a
first magnet attached to the lid and a second magnet attached to
the air baffle, wherein sliding the lid to the unsecured position
aligns the first and second magnets and magnetically couples the
air baffle to the lid so that separating the lid from the base
causes removal of the air baffle from the base along with the lid.
Sliding the lid to the secured position offsets of misaligns the
first and second magnets so that the air baffle is not magnetically
coupled to the lid.
[0022] The chassis may further comprise a mechanical latch for
selectively locking the lid to the base in response to sliding the
lid to the secured position, wherein depressing the mechanical
latch releases the lid from the base so that the lid may be slid to
the unsecured position.
[0023] Furthermore, the chassis may further comprise a first latch
slot formed in the first base side wall having a vertical slot
portion that extends away from a distal edge of the first base side
wall and a second horizontal slot portion that extends in a first
direction generally parallel to the bottom wall, and a second latch
slot formed in the second base side wall having a vertical slot
portion that extends away from a distal edge of the second base
side wall and a second horizontal slot portion that extends in a
first direction generally parallel to the bottom wall. The chassis
may further comprise a first guide member inwardly directed from
the first lid side wall, and a second guide member inwardly
directed from the second lid side wall, wherein the first and
second guide members are positioned to be received in the latch
slots of the first and second base side walls with the first and
second lid side walls slidably engaging an outer surface of the
first and second based side walls.
[0024] In various embodiments, a plurality of magnets may be
attached to the lid and a plurality of magnets may be attached to
the air baffle, wherein sliding the lid to the unsecured position
aligns the plurality of magnets attached to the lid with the
plurality of magnets attached to the air baffle. Conversely,
sliding the lid to the secured position offsets the plurality of
magnets attached to the lid from the plurality of magnets attached
to the air baffle so that the air baffle is not magnetically
coupled to the lid.
[0025] Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a
method comprising automatically coupling an air baffle to a lid as
the lid is being separated from a base, and automatically
uncoupling the air baffle from the lid as the lid is being secured
to the base. In one option, the method may further comprise
automatically repositioning the air baffle within the base as the
lid engages the base.
[0026] Furthermore, the method may further comprise sliding the lid
relative to the base between a secured position and an unsecured
position. In another option, the method may further comprise
mechanically latching the lid to the base in the secured position.
More specifically, automatically coupling the air baffle to the lid
as the lid is being separated from a base, may include aligning a
magnet attached to the lid with a magnet attached to the air baffle
as the lid is slid from the secured position to the unsecured
position.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chassis 10 including a
base 20 and a securable lid 40. The base 20 has a bottom wall 21, a
first base side wall 22 and a second base side wall 23 opposite the
first base side wall. Typically, the ends 24, 25 will include a
screen or mesh with openings to allow air to flow through the
chassis. A first latch slot 26 is formed in the first base side
wall 22 having a vertical slot portion 27 that extends away from a
distal edge 28 of the first base side wall 22 and a horizontal slot
portion 29 that extends in a first direction generally parallel to
the bottom wall 21, and a second latch slot 30 formed in the second
base side wall 23 having a vertical slot portion 31 that extends
away from a distal edge 32 of the second base side wall 23 and a
second horizontal slot portion 33 that extends in a first direction
generally parallel to the bottom wall 21. The base 20 is shown
including an additional latch slot 34 in the first base side wall
22 and an additional latch slot 35 is the second base side wall 23.
Furthermore, an upper portion of each base side wall 22, 23 is
inset slightly in order to receive lid sidewalls as discussed
below.
[0028] The lid 40 has a top wall 41, a first lid side wall 42 and a
second lid side wall 43. The lid 40 is show separated from the base
20, but dashed lines illustrate where the lid would be positioned
when fully secured. The lid 40 may be supported by the first and
second opposing base side walls 22, 23 with the first lid side 42
wall slidably engaging an outer surface of the first opposing base
side wall 22 and the second lid side wall 43 slidably engaging an
outer surface of the second base side wall 23. Furthermore, the
first and second lid side walls 42, 43 include passive guiding
members 44 extending from the lid side walls in order to guide
sliding engagement of the lid 40 into a secured position with the
base 20.
[0029] The chassis 10 further comprises a mechanical latch 50
attached to an inside surface (not shown) of the top wall 41 of the
lid 40. The mechanical latch 50 includes a latch arm 52 for
selectively locking the lid 40 to the base 20. Depressing the
button 54 accessible though the top wall 41 of the lid 40, the
mechanical latch 50 unlocks the lid 40 from the base 20. The latch
arm 52 is an active guiding member, since it helps to hold the lid
40 down similar to the passive guide members 44 but also locks the
lid 40 in closed position. Specifically, the latch arm 52 becomes
locked at a distal end of the second horizontal slot portion 29,
thereby retaining the latch arm 52 and all of the passive guiding
members 44 in the horizontal portion of a corresponding latch
slot.
[0030] The base 20 and the lid 40 form an outer housing of the
chassis 10. The chassis will further include one or more
heat-generating components (not shown), such as a motherboard of a
compute node, and air baffles (not shown). The air baffles are
preferably design to direct airflow relative to the heat-generating
components as air is drawn from a front end of the chassis to a
back end of the chassis by a fan or other air mover (not
shown).
[0031] FIGS. 2A-2C are side views of the chassis 10 as the lid 40
is secured to the base 20. In FIG. 2A, the lid 40 is held above the
base 20 with the latch arm 52 aligned with the latch slot 26 and
the guiding member 44 aligned with the latch slot 34. Note that the
lid 40 is somewhat offset to the right end of the base 20, but will
not remain offset when the lid 40 has been fully secured.
[0032] In FIG. 2B, the lid 40 has been lowered to engage the base
20. Specifically, the lid 40 is now supported by the base side
walls (only base side wall 22 is shown) with the lid side walls
(only lid side wall 42 is shown) in sliding engagement with the
base side walls. Furthermore, the latch arm 52 has traversed the
vertical slot portion 27 of the latch slot 26 and the guiding
member 44 has traversed the vertical slot portion 27 of the latch
slot 34.
[0033] In FIG. 2C, the lid 40 has been slid to the left such that
the lid 40 is no longer offset from the base 20. Accordingly, the
latch arm 52 has traversed the horizontal slot portion 29 of the
latch slot 26 and the guiding member 44 has traversed the
horizontal slot portion 29 of the latch slot 34. The sliding of the
lid 40 has caused the latch arm 52 has causes a slanted surface of
the latch arm 52 to contact a hook 36 and flex downward. Once the
latch arm 52 passes the hook 36 (to the left in FIG. 2C), the latch
arm 52 springs upward behind the hook 36. In this manner, the lid
40 is locked in a secured position until the latch arm 52 is
manually depressed.
[0034] FIGS. 3A-3D are diagrams of a mechanical latch 50 attached
to the top wall 41 lid 40. As shown in the top view of FIG. 3A, the
top wall 41 has an opening 45 that allows the button 54 to be
accessible from the top surface of the lid 40. The mechanical latch
50 is attached to the top wall 41 by fasteners 56, although other
means of attachment are suitable. An flexible strap 58 forms a
spring hinge that allows the button 54 and the latch arm 52 to be
depressed, but then biases the button 54 and the latch arm 52 back
toward the top wall 41 of the lid 40 (i.e., biased in a direction
away from the base). Note that the latch arm 52 extends into an
opening 59 in the lid side wall 42.
[0035] In FIG. 3B, the mechanical latch 50 is shown in a relaxed
condition, consistent with FIG. 2A. Accordingly, the button 54
extends into the opening 45 in the lid 40.
[0036] In FIG. 3C, a force (represented by the arrow) may have
depressed the button 54 and flexed the strap 58 to bend. A user may
manually depress the button 54 to unlock the lid from the base.
Note that in this condition, a latch hook 55 is lowered. As shown
later, this enables the latch hook to selectively lock or unlock
the air baffle to the lid. Alternatively, FIG. 3C may represent the
condition of the mechanical latch 50 as the slanted surface 57
slides over the hook (see the hook 36 in FIG. 2C).
[0037] In FIG. 3D, the opening 59 in the lid side wall 42 is shown.
Through the opening 59, the latch arm 52 can be seen. For purposes
of illustration, the latch arm 52 is shown in an upward position
(consistent with FIG. 3B) and a downward position (consistent with
FIG. 3C).
[0038] FIGS. 4A-4B are diagrams of an air baffle 60 that may be
used to control airflow within the chassis 10. FIG. 4A shows that
the air baffle 60 includes a barrier 62 and a hook 64. The barrier
may be any shape or size that is needed to manage airflow patterns
within the chassis. The hook 64, or similar element such as a loop,
should be positioned immediate adjacent the mechanical latch. In
FIG. 4B, the air baffle 60 (shown in dashed lines) has been
inserted into the chassis base 20.
[0039] FIGS. 5A-5D are partial side views of the chassis 10 as the
mechanical latch 50 is released from the base and secures the air
baffle before the lid is removed. Beginning in FIG. 5A, the lid 40
is locked to the base 20 with the latch arm 52 positioned behind
the hook 36. The mechanical latch 50, including the latch arm 52,
button 54, latch hook 57, and strap 58, is shown in an upward
position consistent with FIG. 3B, although it may be in some
position intermediate between an upward position and the depressed
position of FIG. 3C. Note that the hook 64 of the air baffle 60
(shown in dashed line) is not coupled to the latch hook 57 in this
position.
[0040] In FIG. 5B, the button 54 has been manually depressed (see
arrow) causing the strap 58 to flex downward such that the latch
arm 52 no longer engages the hook 36 in the slot 26. With the
mechanical latch 50 depressed in the manner shown, the lid 40 is
free to slid (to the right as shown in FIG. 5B) such that the latch
arm 52 may traverse the horizontal portion of the slot 26.
Furthermore, with the mechanical latch depressed, the latch hook 55
is low enough to align with the hook 64 of the air baffle.
[0041] In FIG. 5C, the lid 40 has been slid (to the right) so that
the latch arm 52 has traversed the horizontal portion of the slot
26 and is now aligned with the vertical portion 27 of the slot 26.
Also, the latch hook 55 has extended under the hook 64 of the air
baffle 60. In this position, there is nothing preventing the lid 40
from being lifted off of the base 20. When lifting the lid 40, the
latch hook 55 will engage the hook 64 of the air baffle 60 and
remove the air baffle 60 along with the lid 40, as is shown in FIG.
5D. It should be appreciated that the reversing the order of FIGS.
5A-5D illustrates how to replace the air baffle 60 within the base
20 and secure the lid 40 to the base 20. Note that while the lid 40
slides relative to the base 20 during latching and unlatching, the
air baffle 60 is picked up in an upward vertical motion and will be
repositioned in a downward vertical motion, such that the air
baffle does not move horizontally among the components within the
chassis.
[0042] FIGS. 6A-6D are partial side views of another embodiment of
the chassis 10 as the mechanical latch 50 is released from the base
20 and a set of magnets secure an air baffle 70 to the lid 40
before the lid is removed. This embodiment is consistent with the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-5D, except that the air baffle 70 includes
magnets 72 rather than a hook (see hook 64 of the air baffle 60 in
FIG. 5B) and the mechanical latch 50 does not have a latch hook
(see latch hook 55 in FIG. 5B). Accordingly, the discussion in
reference to FIGS. 6A-6D will be focused on the magnetic coupling
of the air baffle 70 to the lid 40, rather than the operation of
the mechanical latch 50.
[0043] In FIG. 6A, the lid 40 is latched to the base 20 and the
magnets 72 attached to the air baffle 70 are misaligned (i.e., not
in contact with) magnets 48 attached to the top wall of the lid
40.
[0044] In FIG. 6B, the lid 40 is unlatched from the base 20 by
depressing the mechanical latch 50. However, the magnets 72
attached to the air baffle 70 are still misaligned (i.e., not in
contact with) magnets 48 attached to the top wall of the lid
40.
[0045] In FIG. 6C, the lid 40 has been slid (to the right in FIG.
6C) relative to the base 20 such that the magnets 48 attached to
the top wall of the lid 40 are now aligned and magnetically couple
with the magnets 72 attached to the air baffle 70. In this
position, there is nothing preventing the lid 40 from being lifted
off of the base 20. When lifting the lid 40, the air baffle 60 is
removed along with the lid 40, as is shown in FIG. 6D.
[0046] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups, but do not
preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups
thereof. The terms "preferably," "preferred," "prefer,"
"optionally," "may," and similar terms are used to indicate that an
item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not
required) feature of the invention.
[0047] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or steps plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, but it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to
the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the invention and the practical application, and to
enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated.
* * * * *