U.S. patent application number 15/334322 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-26 for electronic equipment divider assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Michael S. Good, Curtis E. Larsen, Kevin M. O'Connell.
Application Number | 20180116066 15/334322 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61970254 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180116066 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Good; Michael S. ; et
al. |
April 26, 2018 |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT DIVIDER ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A divider can be installed within an electronic equipment rack
drawer to enhance the structural strength of the drawer. The
divider can include two members, formed from plates of material,
each member having a rectangular center section with a height
spanning a distance between a top plate and an upper base plate of
an electronic equipment rack drawer. The two members can each have
a header and a footer extending outwardly from the center section.
The headers can be attached to the top plate, and the footers can
be attached to the upper base plate of the electronic equipment
rack drawer. The center sections of the two members can be
fastened, in an adjacent, coplanar orientation to each other.
Inventors: |
Good; Michael S.; (Fountain,
MN) ; Larsen; Curtis E.; (Eden Valley, MN) ;
O'Connell; Kevin M.; (Rochester, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61970254 |
Appl. No.: |
15/334322 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/1487 20130101;
H05K 7/1421 20130101; A47B 2088/976 20170101; A47B 88/975
20170101 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/14 20060101
H05K007/14; A47B 88/20 20060101 A47B088/20 |
Claims
1. A divider installed in an electronic equipment rack drawer, the
divider comprising: a first member formed from a first plate of
material, the first member having: a first center section with a
rectangular shape, the first center section having a first height
between a top edge and a bottom edge, the first height spanning a
distance between a top plate of and an upper base plate of an
electronic equipment rack drawer; a first footer projecting
outwardly from the bottom edge of the first center section in a
first direction normal to the first center section, the first
footer attached to the upper base plate; and a first header
projecting, in the first direction, outwardly from the top edge of
the first center section, the first header attached to the top
plate; and a second member formed from a second plate of material
and having a second center section that is rectangular, the second
center section having a second height equal to the first height,
between a second top edge and a second bottom edge, the second
center section attached, in an adjacent, coplanar orientation to
the first center section, the second member further having: a
second footer projecting outwardly from the second bottom edge of
the second center section, in a second direction opposite to the
first direction and normal to the second center section, the second
footer attached to the upper base plate; and a second header,
projecting outwardly, in the second direction, from the second top
edge of the second center section, the second header attached to
the top plate.
2. The divider of claim 1, wherein the first and second footer and
the first and second header each include at least one passage
configured to accept a fastener.
3. The divider of claim 1, wherein the first center section and the
second center section each include at least one passage configured
to accept a fastener.
4. The divider of claim 1, wherein the divider is attached to the
electronic equipment rack drawer by at least one fastener selected
from the group consisting of: a rivet, a screw and an adhesive.
5. The divider of claim 1, wherein the first center section is
attached to the second center section by at least one fastener
selected from the group consisting of: a rivet, a screw and an
adhesive.
6. The divider of claim 1, wherein the first and second plates of
material are each selected from the group consisting of: carbon
steel, powder-coated steel, zinc plated steel, stainless steel and
aluminum.
7. The divider of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second
plates of material has a thickness that is substantially uniform,
each thickness in a range between 0.024 in to 0.120 in.
8. The divider of claim 1, wherein the top edge and the bottom edge
of the first member are each bends in the first plate of
material.
9. The divider of claim 1, wherein the second top edge and the
second bottom edge of the second member are each bends in the
second plate of material.
10. The divider of claim 1, wherein the top plate of the electronic
equipment rack drawer is formed to accommodate a profile of the
first header and the second header.
11. The divider of claim 1, wherein the upper base plate and a
lower base plate of the electronic equipment rack drawer are formed
to accommodate a profile of the first footer and the second
footer.
12. A method of attaching a divider to an electronic equipment rack
drawer, the method comprising: aligning a first footer of a first
divider member and a second footer of a second divider member with
a corresponding at least one opening in an upper base plate of an
electronic equipment rack drawer; inserting, into the at least one
opening, the first footer and the second footer; rotating the first
divider member and the second divider member to bring a center
section of the first divider member into an adjacent, coplanar
orientation with a center section of the second divider member;
attaching the center section of the first divider member to the
center section of the second divider member; attaching the first
footer and the second footer to a bottom surface of an upper base
plate of the electronic equipment rack drawer; and attaching a
first header of the first divider member and a second header of the
second divider member to a bottom surface of a top plate of the
electronic equipment rack drawer.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein aligning the first footer and
the second footer includes aligning the first footer that has a
width greater than a width of the first header and aligning the
second footer that has a width greater than a width of the second
header.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein aligning the first footer
includes aligning a first plurality of tabs projecting outwardly
from bottom edges of the center section of the first divider member
in a first direction normal to the center section of the first
divider member.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein aligning the second footer
includes aligning a second plurality of tabs projecting outwardly
from bottom edges of the center section of the second divider
member in a second direction normal to the center section of the
second divider member.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein attaching the first footer and
the second footer to a bottom surface of an upper base plate of the
electronic equipment rack drawer includes using at least one
fastener.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein attaching the first footer and
the second footer to a bottom surface of an upper base plate of the
electronic equipment rack drawer includes using an attachment
process selected from the group consisting of: spot welding and
swaging.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein attaching the first header and
the second header to the bottom surface of the top plate of the
electronic equipment rack drawer includes using at least one
fastener.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein attaching the first header and
the second header to the bottom surface of the top plate of the
electronic equipment rack drawer includes using an attachment
process is selected from the group consisting of: spot welding and
swaging.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to electronic
equipment enclosure structures. In particular, this disclosure
relates to a divider installed within an electronic equipment rack
drawer.
[0002] Equipment cabinets or racks may be used to contain servers,
computer systems, telecommunications equipment and other
information technology (IT) devices. Equipment cabinets may be
provided in relatively tall and narrow configurations, and may
house vertically stacked equipment in order to conserve floor
space. For example, one standard cabinet configuration may be
approximately 72 inches tall by approximately 22 inches wide.
[0003] Equipment cabinets can include removable drawers suitable
for enclosing electronic devices such as servers, storage units,
and networking hardware. In certain applications, such removable
drawers can be located at the front of an equipment cabinet to
provide easy access to electronic devices contained within them. In
some applications, a number of similar or identical electronic
devices, which may have a standard set of dimensions and connector
placements, can be housed within a single removable drawer.
[0004] Equipment cabinets can also include front and rear doors
which may provide the cabinets with a uniform appearance, protect
devices housed within the cabinets from environmental hazards,
restrict unauthorized access to the devices, and limit
electromagnetic emissions from equipment within the cabinets.
SUMMARY
[0005] Embodiments may be directed towards a divider installed in
an electronic equipment rack drawer. The divider can include a
first member formed from a first plate of material. The first
member can include a first center section with a rectangular shape,
the first center section having a first height between a top edge
and a bottom edge. The first height can span a distance between a
top plate of and an upper base plate of an electronic equipment
rack drawer. The first member can also include a first footer
projecting outwardly from the bottom edge of the first center
section in a first direction normal to the first center section.
The first footer attached to the upper base plate. The first member
can also include a first header projecting, in the first direction,
outwardly from the top edge of the first center section. The first
header attached to the top plate. The divider can also include a
second member formed from a second plate of material and having a
second center section that is rectangular. The second center
section having a second height equal to the first height, between a
second top edge and a second bottom edge. The second center section
can be attached, in an adjacent, coplanar orientation to the first
center section. The second member can further have a second footer,
projecting outwardly from the bottom edge of the second center
section, in a second direction opposite to the first direction and
normal to the second center section. The second footer can be
attached to the upper base plate. The second member can also have a
second header, projecting outwardly, in the second direction, from
the second top edge of the second center section. The second header
attached to the top plate.
[0006] Embodiments may also be directed towards a method of
attaching a divider to an electronic equipment rack drawer. The
method can include aligning a first footer of a first divider
member and a second footer of a second divider member with a
corresponding at least one opening in an upper base plate of an
electronic equipment rack drawer. The method can also include
inserting, into the at least one opening, the first footer and the
second footer. The method can also include rotating the first
divider member and the second divider member to bring a center
section of the first divider member into an adjacent, coplanar
orientation with a center section of the second divider member. The
method can also include attaching the center section of the first
divider member to the center section of the second divider member,
attaching the first footer and the second footer to a bottom
surface of an upper base plate of the electronic equipment rack
drawer and attaching the first header and the second header to a
bottom surface of a top plate of the electronic equipment rack
drawer.
[0007] The above summary is not intended to describe each
illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings included in the present application are
incorporated into, and form part of, the specification. They
illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, along with
the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
The drawings are only illustrative of certain embodiments and do
not limit the disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts an electronic equipment rack drawer having
electronic devices and dividers, according to embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts an end view of a divider installed within an
electronic equipment rack drawer, according to embodiments
consistent with the figures.
[0011] FIG. 3 includes isometric/expanded views of a divider
installed within an electronic equipment rack drawer, according to
embodiments consistent with the figures.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an electronic equipment rack
drawer divider, according to embodiments consistent with the
figures.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting a set of operations for
installing a divider within an electronic equipment rack drawer,
according to embodiments consistent with the figures.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting a method for installation
of divider within an electronic equipment rack drawer, according to
embodiments consistent with the figures.
[0015] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should
be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the
invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0016] In the drawings and the Detailed Description, like numbers
generally refer to like components, parts, steps, and
processes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure can be
appreciated in the context of providing enhanced rigidity of, and
increased usable space for electronic devices within, electronic
equipment rack drawers used in electronic systems. Such systems can
include servers, which may be used to provide data to clients
attached to a server through a network. Such servers may include,
but are not limited to web servers, application servers, mail
servers, and virtual servers. While not necessarily limited
thereto, embodiments discussed in this context can facilitate an
understanding of various aspects of the disclosure. Certain
embodiments may also be directed towards other equipment and
associated applications, such as providing enhanced rigidity of
electronic equipment rack drawers for systems such as computing
systems, which may be used in a wide variety of computational and
data processing applications. Such computing systems may include,
but are not limited to, supercomputers, high-performance computing
(HPC) systems, and other types of special-purpose computers.
Embodiments may also be directed towards providing enhanced
rigidity of electronic equipment rack drawers for electronic system
enclosures to facilitate enclosure structural integrity during
shipment of populated equipment enclosures.
[0018] For ease of discussion, the term "electronic equipment rack"
is used herein, with reference to a stable mechanical structure
and/or framework within which various electronic devices or modules
can be mounted and interconnected. Electronic equipment racks can
be used for containing commercially available electronics such as
computing systems, servers and network hardware. In the context of
such a mechanical structure, the terms "electronic equipment rack,"
"rack," "rack-mount system," and "rack unit enclosure" can be used
interchangeably. An electronic equipment rack drawer, also referred
to as an "electronic equipment enclosure," "electronic enclosure"
or "storage enclosure" can be a mechanical container designed to
house multiple electronic devices and to fit within an electronic
equipment rack.
[0019] For ease of discussion, the term "divider" is used herein,
with reference to a mechanical barrier, border or wall between
adjacent electronic devices within an electronic equipment rack
drawer. In the context of such a separating structure, the terms
"divider," "bay separator" and "module alignment structure" may be
used interchangeably.
[0020] In order for rack-based electronic systems to meet
increasing performance demands, such systems are being designed to
have increased volumes of electronic devices located within fixed
volume constraints of equipment racks and drawers. Space within
electronic equipment rack drawers which had previously been
allocated to structural members such as dividers may therefore be
reallocated to additional electronic/computing and cooling devices
and to cooling air passageways. Reducing the space that is
allocated within in a drawer to structural members such as dividers
can result in compromised mechanical strength and structural
integrity of an electronic equipment rack drawer. Locating fans,
power supplies, hard disk drives and other storage devices at or
near the front of an equipment rack can particularly exacerbate the
problem of limited space for dividers and other structural members
at the front of the system. A high placement density of electronic
devices, e.g., hard disk drives, solid-state drives (SSDs) and
flash memory units can leave very little space between adjacent
devices in which to structurally connect a top plate and a bottom
or base plate of a rack drawer. For example, in some applications,
an available distance in which to locate a divider between adjacent
electronic devices may be equivalent to only one or two thicknesses
of sheet metal.
[0021] Various structures and methods can be used in order to
structurally reinforce and secure the top and base plates of an
electronic equipment rack drawer. However, such structures and
methods can lack the robustness and structural integrity of the
divider described in the present disclosure. For example, certain
dividers can include a simple, single footer for the purpose of
providing reinforcement between a top plate and a base plate of a
drawer. However, such footers can be susceptible to deformation
resulting from a mechanical shock event. Embosses and other
structural reinforcement features can be added to divider to
strengthen bends used to form headers and footers in divider
material plates. However, such structural reinforcement features
can consume space and lack the robustness and structural integrity
of the divider presented in the present disclosure.
[0022] According to embodiments, the present disclosure includes an
overlapping divider structure consisting of two symmetrical members
each having a header and a footer. The headers and footers of a
divider structure are attached to a top plate and to a base plate
of an electronic equipment rack drawer. Such a divider structure
can take advantage of the cumulative structural properties of
multiple adjacent and attached material layers and complementary
headers and footers. The vertical sections of the divider include
footers, formed by bending, that are secured between a lower base
plate and an upper base plate. In this way, the footers can take
advantage of the added strength of the upper and lower base plates,
which can prevent the footer deformation during shipping shock and
vibration events. The footers and the base plates are generally
fabricated from sheet metal, although in some embodiments, other
materials can be used. Center vertical sections of the divider
members are also securely fastened together in multiple locations
to increase rigidity. The use of two divider members in conjunction
with the described method of installation has demonstrated
substantial improvements in chassis structural integrity through
both finite element analysis (FEA) and physical testing.
[0023] Various aspects of the present disclosure may consume less
area than other divider structures and can be useful for providing
increased area for electrical devices within an electronic
equipment rack drawer. A divider structure configured according to
embodiments of the present disclosure may have increased rigidity
due to headers and footers extending outwardly from both sides of
the vertical center sections of the divider members. According to
embodiments, such dividers can be easily attached to an electronic
equipment rack drawer through a manual or automated assembly
process. Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a
divider assembly installed within electronic equipment rack drawer
configured to add rigidity to the electronic equipment drawer
assembly.
[0024] A divider assembly designed according to certain embodiments
may be compatible with existing and proven electronic equipment
enclosures and drawers, and may be a useful and cost-effective way
to add mechanical stability to such enclosures. A divider assembly
constructed according to embodiments can be installed within an
existing rack drawer, and may be useful for aligning electronic
devices to connectors within a drawer, directing cooling airflow
and providing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. Aspects
of the various embodiments may also be useful for providing
cost-effective structural enhancement for use with electronic
equipment rack drawers, by using existing and proven material
fabrication and assembly techniques and technologies.
[0025] Depictions and descriptions of embodiments of the present
disclosure can generally refer to divider members and portions of
an electronic equipment rack drawer as being fabricated from sheet
metal, however fabrication from other types of materials is
possible. Embodiments depicted generally include the use of rivets
as fasteners, however various other types of fasteners such as
screws, broaching nuts, sheet-metal nuts and high-strength
adhesives such as metal-impregnated epoxy may also be used.
[0026] Certain embodiments relate to the attachment of a divider
within an electronic equipment rack drawer. FIG. 1 depicts an
electronic equipment rack drawer 102 having electronic devices 106
and dividers 104, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0027] Electronic equipment racks such as electronic equipment rack
100 can be useful for housing electronic systems such as computers,
servers and networking/telecommunications equipment. Electronic
equipment racks may be constructed according to industry standard
dimensions and specifications, for example, the Electronic
Industries Alliance (EIA) specification EIA-310-D for 19''
equipment racks. Such specifications can include dimensions such as
a standard "rack unit" or "U" height of 1.75'', an electronic
device width of 17.75'' and depth of 36''. According to this
standard, for example, a typical "full" 19'' rack may be 42U or
73.5'' in height. In embodiments, electronic equipment rack drawer
102 can have a height that is equal to a multiple of rack
units.
[0028] Electronic equipment rack drawers, e.g., 102, can be used
within an electronic equipment rack 100 to contain a number of
similar electronic devices 106. Dividers 104 can be useful in
segregating an area enclosed by an electronic equipment rack drawer
102 into individual "compartments" or "bays", where each
compartment is suitable to enclose one or more electronic devices
106. In applications, electronic devices 106 can include but are
not limited to, hard disk drives, SSDs, flash memory units,
processor cards or "blades", power supply units, network
routers/switches and other electronic functional units. Electronic
devices 106 can be removable and/or replaceable units having one or
more standard size(s), and can include electrical connectors
located at standardized positions.
[0029] Dividers 104 can be used to enhance the mechanical stability
of the electronic equipment rack drawer and to provide EMI
shielding to electronic devices 106 within the electronic equipment
rack drawer 102. Dividers 104 can also be used to direct cooling
airflow around, to or through electronic devices 106. Dividers 104
can also provide boundaries for electronic devices 106 and can
facilitate alignment of an electronic device 106 connector with a
mating connector located within a compartment.
[0030] FIG. 2 depicts an end view of a divider 104 installed within
an electronic equipment rack drawer, e.g., 102, FIG. 1, according
to embodiments consistent with the figures. The divider 104
includes divider member 200A, divider member 200B and fasteners
206. Divider 104 can be useful for enhancing the structural
integrity and rigidity of an electronic equipment rack drawer 102,
FIG. 1, while occupying a limited amount of space within the rack
drawer, e.g., 102, FIG. 1. Divider 104 can also be useful for
dividing a drawer into compartments suitable for electronic
devices, e.g., 106, FIG. 1, directing cooling airflow and providing
EMI shielding for electronic devices 106.
[0031] Divider member 200A is formed from a plate of material and
includes a center section 208A formed in a rectangular shape, a
header 204A and a footer 212A. According to embodiments, the center
section 208A can be formed to have a height, between a top edge 222
and a bottom edge 224, spanning and corresponding to a distance
between a top plate 202 and an upper base plate 214 of the
electronic equipment rack drawer 102, FIG. 1. According to
embodiments, the height of the center section 208A can be specified
so that divider member 200A fits snugly between the top plate 202
of and the upper base plate 214 of the electronic equipment rack
drawer 102, FIG. 1.
[0032] Header 204A and footer 212A both project outwardly from the
top edge 222 and bottom edge 224, respectively, of the center
section 208A, in a direction normal or perpendicular to center
section 208A. In some embodiments, the header 204A and footer 212A
can each be an individual section or "tab" of material, and in some
embodiments, the header 204A and footer 212A can include multiple
sections or tabs of material. According to embodiments, the header
204A and footer 212A can be formed through a process of bending, at
the top edge 222 and the bottom edge 224, respectively, the plate
of material from which divider member 200A is formed. In accordance
with the material properties and associated fabrication techniques,
the top edge 222 and bottom edge 224 may have a variety of bend
radii.
[0033] Similarly to divider member 200A, divider member 200B is
formed from a plate of material and includes a center section 208B
formed in a rectangular shape, a header 204B and a footer 212B.
According to embodiments, the center section 208B can be formed to
have a height, between top edge 226 and bottom edge 228, spanning
and corresponding to the distance between a top plate 202 and an
upper base plate 214 of the electronic equipment rack drawer 102,
FIG. 1. According to embodiments, the height of the center section
208B can be specified so that divider member 200B fits snugly,
adjacent to divider member 200A, between the top plate 202 of and
the upper base plate 214 of the electronic equipment rack drawer
102, FIG. 1.
[0034] Header 204B and footer 212B both project outwardly from the
top edge 226 and bottom edge 228, respectively, of the center
section 208B, in a direction normal or perpendicular to center
section 208. Header 204B and footer 212B are configured to project
outwardly from center section 208B in an opposite direction from
header 204A and footer 212A. In some embodiments, the header 204B
and footer 212B can each be an individual section or "tab" of
material, and in some embodiments, the header 204B and footer 212B
can include multiple sections or tabs of material. According to
embodiments, the header 204B and footer 212B can be formed through
a process of bending, at the top edge 226 and the bottom edge 228,
respectively, the plate of material from which divider member 200B
is formed. In accordance with the material properties and
associated fabrication techniques, the top edge 226 and bottom edge
228 may have a variety of bend radii.
[0035] In some embodiments, the top plate 202 of the electronic
equipment rack drawer 102 can be formed or shaped to accommodate a
profile of headers 204A and 204B. For example, a recess can be
formed to fit the combination of headers 204A and 204B by bending
the top plate 202. Similarly, the upper base plate 214 of the
electronic equipment rack drawer 102 can be formed or shaped to
accommodate a profile of footers 212A and 212B. According to
embodiments, the headers 204A and 204B, the center sections 208A
and 208B, the footers 214 and 214B and the electronic equipment
rack drawer 102 can include holes or passages of any suitable shape
or size to accept fasteners.
[0036] Types of fasteners, e.g., 206, used in the assembly and
attachment of a divider within an electronic equipment rack drawer
can include screws, broaching nuts, sheet-metal nuts and
high-strength adhesives such as metal-impregnated epoxy; however
other types of fasteners may be useful in such assembly and
attachment operations. According to embodiments, divider assembly
and attachment operations can also be performed through the use of
attachment processes including, but not limited to, spot welding
and swaging.
[0037] Fasteners 206 may be used to securely attach the center
sections 208A and 208B to each other, and may so be used to attach
headers 204A and 204B to top plate 202, and to attach footers 212A
and 212B to upper base plate 214. In some embodiments fasteners may
also be used to attach lower base plate 216 of the electronic
equipment rack drawer 102 to upper base plate 214. According to
embodiments, center sections 208A and 208B can be attached in an
adjacent, coplanar orientation to each other, as depicted in FIG.
2.
[0038] FIG. 2 can be useful in depicting and providing an
understanding of how footers 212A, 212B of the divider can be
sandwiched/anchored between the upper and lower base plates 214,
116 respectively, of the rack drawer 102, FIG. 1. FIG. 2 can be
useful in depicting the attachment of footers to an upper base
plate 214 of the rack drawer 102. Such attachment of divider member
footers can provide increased footer and divider strength and
stability over other types of divider designs.
[0039] In some embodiments, the plates of material from which
divider member 200A and divider member 200B are formed can be
sheets of materials such as carbon steel, powder-coated steel, zinc
plated steel, stainless steel and aluminum. According to
embodiments, such material sheets can have a thickness that is
substantially uniform, within specified manufacturing tolerances,
for example, within in a range between 0.024 in to 0.120 in. While
depictions and descriptions of embodiments herein refer to dividers
and portions of an electronic equipment rack drawer as being
fabricated from sheet metal, however these depictions and
descriptions are not limiting; other types of materials can be used
in the fabrication of divider members.
[0040] FIG. 3 includes isometric and expanded views 300 and 310 of
a divider 104 installed within an electronic equipment rack drawer
102, according to embodiments consistent with the figures. FIG. 3
can be useful in aiding the visualization of the orientation and
positioning of divider 104 within electronic equipment rack drawer
102, and the positioning of top edges 222 and 226 adjacent to top
plate 202, as well as bottom edges 224 and 228 adjacent to upper
base plate 214. FIG. 3 can also be useful in aiding the
visualization of the symmetry of headers 204A and 204B, and the
symmetry of footers 212A and 212B. Expanded view 310 depicts,
through the use of dashed lines, the positioning of footers 212A
and 212B underneath upper base plate 214. Also depicted in FIG. 3
are fastener holes 220 within the footers and additional small
vertical alignment tabs, which, in certain applications, may be
useful for aligning electronic devices, e.g., 106, FIG. 1, within
the electronic equipment rack drawer 102.
[0041] FIG. 4 is an exploded view 400 of an electronic equipment
rack drawer divider, according to embodiments consistent with the
figures. FIG. 4 can be useful in aiding the visualization of the
features, symmetry and relative orientations of the two divider
members 200A and 200B, apart from an electronic equipment rack
drawer 102. Divider member 200A is depicted having a header 204A
with four tabs, a header 212A with four tabs and fastener
passages/holes 220. The fastener holes 220 are formed in the header
204A, the footer 212A, and in the center section 208A of divider
member 200A. Similarly, symmetrical divider member 200B is depicted
having a header 204B, footer 212B and fastener passages/holes 220.
The fastener holes 220 are formed in the header 204B, the footer
212B, and the center section 208B of divider member 200B.
[0042] The center sections 208A and 208B of divider members 200A
and 200B, respectively, are oriented in a relatively adjacent,
planar orientation, so that the sets of fastener holes 220 formed
in the pair of divider members are aligned to receive fasteners
206. According to embodiments, fasteners 206 are depicted as
rivets, but in some embodiments could be other fastener types
described above. The symmetry of divider members 200A and 200B is
depicted, with the headers 204A and 204B, and footers 212A and 212B
extending outwardly from divider members 200A and 200B,
respectively.
[0043] FIG. 5 depicts operations used for installing a divider
within an electronic equipment rack drawer, according to
embodiments consistent with the figures, particularly FIG. 6. FIG.
5 includes five cross-sectional views 501-505 illustrating the
results of a sequential set of operations for installing a divider
within an electronic equipment rack drawer. Assembly operations
associated with views 501-505 may include, but are not limited to,
aligning and insertion of dividing member footer within an opening,
rotating of divider members, and attaching of divider members to
each other and to the electronic equipment rack drawer.
[0044] The use of the set of operations depicted in FIG. 5 can
result in increased usage efficiency of electronic equipment rack
drawers by providing rack drawer reinforcement through thin, rigid
divider assemblies located between adjacent electronic devices.
According to embodiments, use of such dividers can allow increased
room for electronic devices when compared to existing rack drawer
structures. Operations depicted and described in FIG. 5 generally
correspond to the set of operations included in the method 600, as
depicted in FIG. 6 and described in the associated text. In
embodiments, the operations depicted in FIG. 5 can be performed
manually or through the use of automated assembly equipment, e.g.,
robotic assembly devices, consistent with assembly techniques used
within the electronic packaging industry.
[0045] The progression depicted in views 501-505 begins with two
unattached divider members 200A and 200B and an upper base plate
214, view 501, of electronic equipment rack drawer, i.e., 102, FIG.
1, and ends with divider 104, view 505, securely attached to the
electronic equipment rack drawer, i.e., 102, FIG. 1.
[0046] For simplicity of illustration, completed structures are
generally shown in the views as having sections with relatively
thin cross-sectional profiles, with edges, corresponding to planar
surfaces, at orthogonal and co-planar orientations to each other.
This depiction, however, is not limiting; structures may be of any
suitable shape, size and profile, in accordance with specific
design criteria, material formation and assembly process
limitations and tolerances for a given application. For example,
corners may have a variety of bend radii, surfaces may have a
non-orthogonal relative orientation, and relative dimensional
ratios may vary from those depicted in the figures. Views 501-505
illustrate the process of assembling a single divider within an
electronic equipment rack drawer, i.e., 102, FIG. 1, however, in
embodiments, a plurality of dividers may be simultaneously
assembled within an electronic equipment rack drawer.
[0047] View 501 depicts two unattached divider members 200A and
200B and an upper base plate 214 of electronic equipment rack
drawer, i.e., 102, FIG. 1. View 501 depicts the results of aligning
footers 212A and 212B of divider members 200A and 200B,
respectively, with a corresponding opening in upper base plate 214
of the electronic equipment rack drawer 102, FIG. 1. For clarity of
illustration, headers 204A and 204B of divider members 200A and
200B, respectively, have been depicted in view 501 using dashed
lines, and have been omitted from views 502-505. It may be
understood that headers 204A and 204B remain as part of divider
members 200A and 200B, even though not explicitly included within
views 502-505. Alignment of footers 212A and 212B with the opening
in upper base plate 214 is necessary in order to insert footers
212A and 212B into the opening.
[0048] In some embodiments, footers 212A and 212B can have widths
that are greater than the width of headers 204A and 204B,
respectively. In some embodiments, footers 212A and 212B can be a
single, individual tab, projecting outwardly from the bottom edges
of center sections 208A and 208B, respectively. In some
embodiments, footers 212A and 212B can include multiple tabs, each
tab projecting outwardly from the bottom edges of center sections
208A and 208B, respectively. According to embodiments, upper base
plate 214 can be formed to accommodate a profile of footers 212A
and 212B.
[0049] View 502 depicts the results of inserting, into the opening
in upper base plate 214, the footers 212A and 212B of divider
members 200A and 200B. Prior to performing the rotating operation
depicted in view 503, the center sections 208A and 208B may need to
be brought adjacent to the upper base plate 214 in order to allow
the rotating operation to be performed.
[0050] View 503 depicts the results of rotating the divider members
200A and 200B in order to bring the center section 208A of the
divider member 200A into an adjacent, coplanar orientation with the
center section 208B of divider members 200B. According to
embodiments, as a result of the rotating, footers 212A and 212B
will be brought into an adjacent, coplanar orientation with the
bottom of upper base plate 214. As a result of rotating the divider
members 200A and 200B, corresponding passageways or holes formed in
center sections 208A and 208B are aligned, and similarly,
corresponding passageways or holes formed in footers 212A and 212B
are aligned with holes formed within upper base plate 214.
[0051] View 504 depicts the results of attaching center section
208A of divider member 200A to center section 208B of divider
member 200B, and attaching footers 212A and 212B of divider members
200A, 200B, respectively, to the bottom side of upper base plate
214. The attachment of divider members to each other and footers to
the upper base plate can include the use of fasteners such as a
rivet, a screw or an adhesive, or can employ assembly techniques
such as spot-welding or swaging. The attachment of the center
sections of the divider members to each other, in conjunction with
the attachment of the footers of the divider members to the upper
base plate of the rack drawer creates a rigid divider structure
that can be useful in providing enhanced structural integrity of
both the divider and the electronic equipment rack drawer. View 504
also depicts the alignment of lower base plate 216 with the upper
base plate 214.
[0052] View 504 depicts the results of attaching lower base plate
216 to upper base plate 214. In some embodiments, the operation
depicted in view 505 can be optional. Such an attachment of lower
base plate 216 can be useful in providing enhanced rigidity of the
divider assembly through increased structural support, by limiting
the motion of the footers 212A and 212B. In some embodiments, as
depicted in view 505, lower base plate 216 can be shaped or formed
with a profile or recess to accommodate the footers 212A and
212B.
[0053] In some embodiments, in addition to the operations described
above, headers of the divider members, e.g., 204A and 204B, can be
attached to a bottom surface of a top plate such as 202, FIG. 2 to
further increase the structural integrity and rigidity of the
divider assembly. Such attachment can be accomplished through the
use of fasteners and/or assembly operations or techniques as
described above.
[0054] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting a method 600 for
installation of a divider within an electronic equipment rack
drawer, according to embodiments consistent with the figures. The
implementation of method 600 can result in increased efficiency
usage of electronic equipment rack drawer space by providing rack
drawer reinforcement through thin, rigid divider assemblies located
between adjacent electronic devices. According to embodiments, use
of such dividers can allow increased room for electronic devices as
compared to existing rack drawer structures. Operations depicted
and described in FIG. 6 generally correspond to the set of
operations for installing a divider depicted in FIG. 5 and
described in the associated text.
[0055] The arrangement of blocks within the flow diagram 600 of
FIG. 6 is not to be construed as limiting the order in which the
individual operations may be performed, as certain embodiments may
perform the operations of FIG. 6 in various alternative orders.
Operation(s) depicted with dashed lines in FIG. 6 are optional
operations within the method 600.
[0056] The process 600 moves from start 602 to operation 604.
Operation 604 generally refers to aligning footers of the two
divider members with corresponding opening(s) in an upper base
plate of the electronic equipment rack drawer. Alignment of footers
with the opening in upper base plate is necessary in order to
insert the footers into the opening. In some embodiments, the
footer of each divider member is a single section or tab, and in
some embodiments, the footer includes multiple sections or tabs. In
some embodiments a footer can have a width, projecting outwardly
from a center section of the divider member, that are greater than
the width of header of the same divider member. Once the footers
are aligned, the process moves to operation 606.
[0057] Operation 606 generally refers to inserting, into the
opening in upper base plate, the footers of the divider members.
Prior to performing the rotating operation of operation 608, the
center sections of the divider members may need to be brought
adjacent to an upper base plate of the rack drawer in order to
allow the rotating operation to be performed. Once the footers have
been inserted, the process moves to operation 608.
[0058] Operation 608 generally refers to rotating the divider
members in order to bring the center sections of the divider
members into an adjacent, coplanar orientation with each other.
According to embodiments, as a result of the rotating operation,
footers will be brought into an adjacent, coplanar orientation to
the upper base plate. As a result of rotating the divider members,
corresponding passageways or holes formed in the center sections
are aligned, and similarly, corresponding passageways or holes
formed in footers are aligned with holes formed within upper base
plate. Once the divider members have been rotated, the process
moves to operation 610.
[0059] Operation 610 generally refers to attaching the center
sections of divider members together and attaching the footers of
divider members to the bottom side of an upper base plate of the
electronic equipment rack drawer. The attachment operation(s) can
include the use of fasteners such as a rivet, a screw or an
adhesive, or can employ assembly techniques such as spot-welding or
swaging. The attachment of the center sections of the divider
members to each other in conjunction with the attachment of the
divider member footers to the upper base plate of the rack drawer
can create a rigid divider structure useful in providing enhanced
structural integrity of both the divider and the electronic
equipment rack drawer. Once the divider members are attached
together and attached to upper base plate of the electronic
equipment rack drawer, the process moves to operation 612.
[0060] Operation 612 generally refers to attaching divider member
headers to an electronic equipment rack drawer top plate. The
attachment of the headers of the divider members to a top plate of
the electronic equipment rack in conjunction with the attachment of
the divider member footers to the upper base plate of the rack
drawer can further increase the structural integrity and rigidity
of the divider assembly and rack drawer. The attachment
operation(s) can include the use of fasteners such as a rivet, a
screw or an adhesive, or can employ assembly techniques such as
spot-welding or swaging. Once the divider member headers are
attached to the electronic equipment rack drawer top plate, the
process moves to operation 614.
[0061] Operation 614 generally refers to attaching a lower base
plate to an upper base plate of the electronic equipment rack
drawer. In some embodiments this operation can be optional. Such an
attachment of lower base plate can be useful in providing enhanced
rigidity of the divider assembly by limiting the motion of the
divider member footers. In some embodiments the lower base plate
can be shaped or formed with a profile or recess to accommodate the
divider member footers. The attachment operation(s) can include the
use of fasteners such as a rivet, a screw or an adhesive, or can
employ assembly techniques such as spot-welding or swaging. Once
the lower base plate is attached to the upper base plate of the
electronic equipment rack drawer, the process 600 may end at block
616.
[0062] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present
disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration, but
are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments
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 described embodiments. The terminology used
herein was chosen to explain the principles of the embodiments, the
practical application or technical improvement over technologies
found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in
the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
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