TWI901337B - Locking device and chassis assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a casing assembly and a locking device disposed therein. The locking device includes a body, a locking component, and a rotating limiting component. The body has a first surface, a second surface, and a first end surface. The first surface includes a recess. The locking component includes a sliding locking portion located at the recess. The locking component is configured to move relative to the body along the first surface. The rotating limiting component is pivotally connected to the second surface to rotate relative to the body. The rotating limiting component includes a locking limiting portion and a stopping portion. The locking limiting portion is configured to be abutted by the sliding locking portion when the locking component moves to a first position relative to the body, so as to make the rotating limiting component be locked and the stopping portion remain protruding from the first end surface.

Description

Locking devices and chassis components

The present disclosure relates to a locking device and a chassis assembly, and more particularly to a locking device and a chassis assembly for a server.

Some existing server chassis feature two rows of hard drive expansion bays. Slide rails on the inside of the chassis allow modules to slide forward and backward, expanding the space for operation and assembly, while also facilitating maintenance of internal equipment. To prevent the rails from sliding due to vibration or impact during transportation, these models typically incorporate locking mechanisms to prevent them from moving.

However, some prior art servers use screws to secure the chassis. This not only makes positioning and inspection difficult due to limited operating space, but it can also be difficult to remove the screws that prevent the slide rails from sliding when installing the server chassis in the cabinet. This results in repeated installation and removal of the server chassis, causing operational inconvenience.

Therefore, a locking device is needed to solve the above problems.

The present disclosure relates to a locking device, including a body, a locking member, and a rotation limiting member. The body includes a first surface, a second surface, and a first end surface. The first surface and the second surface are respectively located on opposite sides of the body. The first end surface extends between the first surface and the second surface. The first surface includes a receiving groove. The locking member is partially located in the receiving groove, and the locking member includes a sliding locking portion located in the receiving groove. The locking member is configured to move along the first surface relative to the body. The rotation limiting member is pivotally connected to the second surface to rotate relative to the body. The rotation limiting member includes a locking limiting portion and a stop portion. The locking limit portion is configured to be abutted by the sliding locking portion when the locking member moves to the first position relative to the body, so that the rotation limit member is locked by the locking member and the blocking portion is maintained to protrude from the first end surface.

In some embodiments, the body further includes a second end surface. The second end surface extends between the first and second surfaces and connects to the first end surface. The receiving groove has a notch connected to the second end surface. The locking member further includes a connecting portion and a handle. The connecting portion connects to the sliding locking portion and extends to the notch. The handle is located outside the receiving groove and connected to the connecting portion through the notch.

In some embodiments, the handle is located on the second end surface and is configured to move along the second end surface relative to the body.

In some embodiments, the locking member further includes a spring arm portion located in the receiving groove, configured to fix the locking member relative to the body at a first position or a second position by engaging with the inner wall of the receiving groove when the locking member moves relative to the body.

In some embodiments, the elastic arm portion includes a first convex arc structure, and the inner wall of the receiving groove includes a first recessed area. The locking member is fixed to the first position relative to the body by engaging the first convex arc structure with the first recessed area.

In some embodiments, the inner wall of the receiving groove further includes a second recessed area. The locking member is fixed to the second position relative to the body by engaging the first convex arc structure with the second recessed area.

In some embodiments, the elastic arm further includes a second convex arc structure. When the first convex arc structure is engaged with the second concave area, the second convex arc structure is engaged with the first concave area.

In some embodiments, the rotation limiting member further includes a handle configured to receive force to cause the rotation limiting member to rotate.

In some embodiments, the locking device further includes an exterior member connected to the second surface and configured to cover the rotation limiter.

The present disclosure also relates to a chassis assembly comprising a chassis housing, fixed rails, sliding rails, and the aforementioned locking device. The chassis housing includes a bottom plate and sidewalls. The fixed rails are connected to the sidewalls. The sliding rails are slidably coupled to the fixed rails for movement relative to the sidewalls along the fixed rails. The locking device is connected to the sliding rails. The bottom plate includes a stop member configured to secure the chassis assembly when the chassis assembly is in a collapsed state, thereby causing a stop portion of the locking device to abut against the stop member.

In summary, the locking device disclosed herein can be used to secure chassis components using a simple operation method, without requiring additional operating space for securing and without the need for additional securing components, thereby reducing the installation and transportation process of the server chassis.

The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the disclosure. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, the disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters throughout the various examples. This repetition is for simplicity and clarity and does not, in itself, indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

To help readers clearly understand the coordination and orientation of the various components, the first axis A1, the second axis A2, and the third axis A3 are indicated in the diagram as coordinate axes.

Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of a chassis assembly 10 in a collapsed state according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 1, chassis assembly 10 includes a locking device 100, a chassis housing 200, a hard drive expansion area 410, and a hard drive expansion area 420. Chassis housing 200 includes a bottom plate 210 and sidewalls 220, and has a front end 230. In some embodiments, chassis assembly 10 is a server chassis with two rows of hard drive expansion blocks.

In some embodiments, when the chassis assembly 10 is in the folded state, the hard drive expansion area 410 and the hard drive expansion area 420 are adjacently folded into the chassis shell 200, and the hard drive expansion area 410 and the hard drive expansion area 420 are fixed by the locking devices 100 located on both sides of the front end 230 to prevent the chassis assembly 10 from being impacted during operation or the hard drive expansion area 410 and the hard drive expansion area 420 from sliding apart and causing damage due to reasons such as bumps on the road during transportation.

Please refer to FIG. 2 , which is a schematic diagram of a chassis assembly 10 in an expanded state according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 2 , the chassis assembly 10 further includes a fixed rail 310 and a sliding rail 320 . The fixed rail 310 is connected to the sidewall 220 . The sliding rail 320 is slidably attached to the fixed rail 310 , allowing movement along the fixed rail 310 relative to the sidewall 220 . The locking device 100 is connected to the sliding rail 320 .

In some embodiments, the hard drive expansion area 410 is slidably disposed on the fixed rail 310 to move along the fixed rail 310 relative to the sidewall 220. The hard drive expansion area 420 is disposed on the sliding rail 320 near the front end 230 and moves as the sliding rail 320 moves.

Specifically, when the locking device 100 is subjected to tension, it can drive the sliding rails 320 to move along the fixed rails 310 away from the front end 230. Simultaneously, the hard drive expansion area 420 moves along with the sliding rails 320. The hard drive expansion area 410, pulled by the sliding rails 320, moves along the fixed rails 310 toward the front end 230, thereby expanding the chassis assembly 10 to increase the operating space for maintenance.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a partially enlarged view of the chassis assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The enlarged portion is the area encircled by the dashed line M1 in FIG. In FIG. 3 , the chassis housing 200 includes a stopper 211 on the bottom plate 210 at the front end 230 . The stopper 211 is configured to secure the locking device 100 against the stopper 211 when the chassis is in the retracted state.

Please refer to Figures 4 and 5 . Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a locking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 5 is an exploded view of the locking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figures 4 and 5 , the locking device 100 includes a body 110 , a locking member 120 , and a rotation-limiting member 130 .

In some embodiments, the body 110 includes a first surface 111, a second surface 113, and a first end surface 115. The first surface 111 and the second surface 113 are located on opposite sides of the body 110. The first end surface 115 extends between the first surface 111 and the second surface 113. The first surface 111 includes a receiving groove 1110. Specifically, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first end surface 115 is the downward-facing end surface of the body 110.

In some embodiments, the locking member 120 is partially located within the receiving groove 1110. The locking member 120 includes a sliding locking portion 121 located within the receiving groove 1110. The locking member 120 is configured to move relative to the body 110 along the first surface 111. In other words, the sliding locking portion 121 is movable within the receiving groove 1110. In the locking device 100 of the present disclosure, the receiving groove 1110 in the body 110 is utilized to partially locate the locking member 120 for securing the device 100 within the body 110, thereby conserving installation space within the chassis assembly 10.

In some embodiments, the rotation-limiting member 130 is pivotally coupled to the second surface 113 to rotate relative to the body 110. The rotation-limiting member 130 includes a locking portion 131 and a stop portion 133. The locking portion 131 is configured to abut against the sliding locking portion 121 when the locking member 120 moves to the first position relative to the body 110, locking the rotation-limiting member 130 and maintaining the stop portion 133 protruding from the first end surface 115. In other words, the rotation-limiting member 130 is prevented from rotating relative to the body 110.

Specifically, the rotation-limiting member 130 is U-shaped, with the stopper 133 located at one end of the U-shaped opening and the locking stopper 131 located on the rounded side of the U. The rotation-limiting member 130 can be rotated relative to the body 110 to allow the stopper 133 to protrude or not protrude from the first end surface 115. When the chassis assembly 10 is in the collapsed position, if the stopper 133 protrudes from the first end surface 115, it will abut against the stopper 211 of the chassis shell 200, achieving a secure fit.

In some embodiments, the body 110 further includes a second end surface 117. The second end surface 117 extends between the first surface 111 and the second surface 113 and connects to the first end surface 115. The receiving groove 1110 has a notch 1112 connected to the second end surface 117. Specifically, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second end surface 117 is the end surface of the body 110 facing right.

In some embodiments, the locking member 120 further includes a connecting portion 123 and a handle 125. The connecting portion 123 is connected to the sliding locking portion 121 and extends to the notch 1112. The handle 125 is located outside the receiving groove 1110 and connected to the connecting portion 123 via the notch 1112. In some embodiments, the handle 125 is located on the second end surface 117 and is configured to move along the second end surface 117 relative to the body 110. In other words, the handle 125 is used to receive force to move the locking member 120.

In some embodiments, the handle 125 may have obvious text or patterns such as "LOCK" or an arrow to clearly indicate the position of the locking device 100 and the moving direction of the locking member 120, making it easier for the user to operate.

In some embodiments, the locking member 120 further includes a spring arm 127 located in the receiving groove 1110. The spring arm 127 is configured to secure the locking member 120 relative to the body 110 at the first position or the second position by engaging with the inner wall 1114 of the receiving groove 1110 when the locking member 120 moves relative to the body 110.

In some embodiments, the spring arm portion 127 is provided with a first convex arc structure 1271 on a side near the handle 125 and away from the sliding lock portion 121. In some embodiments, the inner wall 1114 of the accommodating groove 1110 is provided with a first recessed area 1116 on a side near the second end surface 117 and near the first end surface 115. The locking member 120 is secured in the first position relative to the body 110 by engaging the first convex arc structure 1271 with the first recessed area 1116.

In some embodiments, a second recessed area 1118 is provided on the inner wall 1114 of the receiving groove 1110 near the second end surface 117 and away from the first end surface 115. The locking member 120 is secured in the second position relative to the body 110 by engaging the first convex arc structure 1271 with the second recessed area 1118.

In some embodiments, the spring arm 127 is provided with a second convex arc structure 1272 on a side near the handle 125 and near the sliding lock portion 121. When the first convex arc structure 1271 engages with the second recessed area 1118, the second convex arc structure 1272 engages with the first recessed area 1116. Thus, the structural interaction between the convex arc structure of the spring arm 127 and the recessed area of the receiving groove 1110 allows the locking member 120 to be securely engaged in the second position within the body 110, preventing it from easily moving due to shaking or vibration.

In some embodiments, the elastic arm portion 127 is a flexible structure. Therefore, when the locking member 120 moves up and down along the first axis A1 in the receiving groove 1110, the first convex arc structure 1271 and the second convex arc structure 1272 can elastically engage with or disengage from the first recessed area 1116 and the second recessed area 1118. Specifically, the elastic arm portion 127 can be made of a flexible plastic material or a thin metal sheet.

In some embodiments, the rotation-limiting member 130 further includes a third surface 137 and a third end surface 139. The third surface 137 is the surface of the rotation-limiting member 130 that is close to and contacts the second surface 113 of the body 110. The third end surface 139 extends to one side of the third surface 137. The third end surface 139 is located on the side of the third surface 137 that is farther from the first end surface 115.

In some embodiments, the locking portion 131 is located on the third end surface 139 and includes a first extension section 1311, a second extension section 1313, and a side surface 1315. Specifically, the first extension section 1311 extends from the third end surface 139 in a direction substantially parallel to the third surface 137, away from the rotation-limiting member 130. The second extension section 1313 extends from one end of the first extension section 1311 in a bent manner. The side surface 1315 is located on a side of the first and second extension sections 1311, 1313, proximal to the second end surface 117. When the locking member 120 is in the first position, the sliding locking portion 121 abuts against the side surface 1315, thereby locking the rotation-limiting member 130.

In some embodiments, the rotation limiter 130 further includes a handle portion 135 configured to receive force to rotate the rotation limiter 130 and to receive tension to move the locking device 100 in conjunction therewith. Specifically, the handle portion 135 extends from the third end surface 139 away from the rotation limiter 130 and forms a grip for receiving force at the end away from the rotation limiter 130.

In some embodiments, the body 110 further includes a pivot hole 1101. The pivot hole 1101 extends through the body 110 and is located near the first end surface 115 of the body 110. In some embodiments, the rotation-limiting member 130 further includes a pivot hole 1301. The pivot hole 1301 extends through the rotation-limiting member 130. The pivot hole 1101 and the pivot hole 1301 are configured to pivot the rotation-limiting member 130 to the body 110 using the pivot 151.

In some embodiments, the locking device 100 further includes an exterior member 140. The exterior member 140 is connected to the second surface 113 and is configured to cover the rotation-limiting member 130 to achieve aesthetics and protect the rotation-limiting member 130 from interference.

In some embodiments, the locking device 100 further includes a reset member 153 disposed within the body 110. The reset member 153 abuts against the third end surface 139 of the rotation-limiting member 130 to maintain the rotation-limiting member 130 in a position where the stop portion 133 protrudes from the first end surface 115, preventing the rotation-limiting member 130 from rotating freely. However, the reset member 153 does not provide a forcible fixation effect. When the rotation-limiting member 130 is subjected to a force to rotate relative to the body 110, if the applied force disappears, the rotation-limiting member 130 can be restored to the position where the stop portion 133 protrudes from the first end surface 115 by the reset member 153.

Please refer to Figures 6A, 6B and 6C, which are schematic diagrams of the locking device 100 in different states according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 6A , the locking device 100 is in the unlocked state. The locking member 120 is in the second position, with the first convex arc structure 1271 engaged with the second recessed area 1118 and the second convex arc structure 1272 engaged with the first recessed area 1116. The sliding locking portion 121 does not abut the locking stop 131. At this time, the reset member 153 abuts the third end surface 139 of the rotation stop 130, maintaining the rotation stop 130 with the stop 133 protruding from the first end surface 115. However, in the unlocked state, the rotation stop 130 is free to rotate relative to the body 110.

In FIG. 6B , the locking device 100 is in a locked state. The user applies force to the handle 125 of the locking member 120, causing the handle 125 to move downward along the first axis A1, thereby moving the locking member 120 to the first position, where the first convex arc structure 1271 engages with the first recessed area 1116 and the second convex arc structure 1272 is located in the notch 1112 and does not engage with any portion of the inner wall 1114. At this time, the sliding locking portion 121 of the locking member 120 abuts against the locking limiting portion 131 of the rotation limiting member 130 to lock the rotation limiting member 130, while keeping the stopping portion 133 protruding from the first end surface 115 to abut against the stopping member 211 on the chassis shell 200 for fixation.

Therefore, the locking device 100 can be switched between an unlocked state and a locked state by simply moving the locking member 120 up and down, thereby securing and releasing the chassis assembly 10. Furthermore, since the locking member 120 is located within the locking device 100, no additional installation space or operating space is required, thereby not compressing the space allocated to the hard drive expansion area 410 and the hard drive expansion area 420 of the chassis assembly 10.

In FIG. 6C , the rotation-stopping member 130 of the locking device 100 can be subjected to force and rotated clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the main body 110, freely switching between the state shown in FIG. 6A and the state shown in FIG. 6C . The user can apply force to the handle 135 of the rotation-stopping member 130 to rotate the rotation-stopping member 130 clockwise relative to the main body 110, so that the stopper 133 no longer protrudes from the first end surface 115, or slightly protrudes from the first end surface 115, thereby releasing the stopper 211 on the chassis shell 200 and stopping the locking. When the user wishes to expand the chassis assembly 10, they can pull open the handle 135 to automatically expand the hard drive expansion area 410 and the hard drive expansion area 420 in the chassis assembly 10.

In some embodiments, the disclosed locking device and chassis assembly can be used in a server. The server can be used for artificial intelligence (AI) computing, edge computing, or as a 5G server, cloud server, or connected vehicle server.

In summary, the locking device disclosed herein can be used to secure chassis components using a simple operation method, without requiring additional operating space for securing and without the need for additional securing components, thereby reducing the installation and transportation process of the server chassis.

Although the present disclosure has been disclosed in the form of embodiments as described above, this is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Anyone skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

10: Chassis Assembly 100: Locking Device 110: Main Body 1101: Pivot Hole 111: First Surface 1110: Receiving Slot 1112: Notch 1114: Inner Wall 1116: First Recessed Area 1118: Second Recessed Area 113: Second Surface 115: First End Surface 117: Second End Surface 120: Locking Member 121: Sliding Locking Portion 123: Connecting Portion 125: Handle 127: Spring Arm 1271: First Convex Arc Structure 1272: Second Convex Arc Structure 130: Rotation Limiting Member 1301: Pivot Hole 131: Locking Limiting Portion 1311: First extension 1313: Second extension 1315: Side 133: Stopper 135: Handle 137: Third surface 139: Third end surface 140: External components 151: Pivot 153: Reset 200: Chassis 210: Bottom plate 211: Stopper 220: Sidewall 230: Front 310: Fixed rail 320: Sliding rail 410: Hard drive expansion area 420: Hard drive expansion area M1: Dashed line A1: First axis A2: Second axis A3: Third axis

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a chassis assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a collapsed state. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a chassis assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in an expanded state. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of a chassis assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a locking device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 is an exploded view of a locking device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C are schematic diagrams of a locking device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in different states.

Domestic Storage Information (Please enter in order by institution, date, and number) None International Storage Information (Please enter in order by country, institution, date, and number) None

100: Locking device

110: Body

111: First Surface

1110: Storage Tank

1112: Gap

1114: Inner wall

1116: First recessed area

1118: Second recessed area

113: Second Surface

115: First end face

117: Second end face

120: Locking piece

123: Connection

125: Handle

127: Arm

1271: First convex arc structure

1272: Second convex arc structure

130: Rotation limiter

131: Locking limiter

133: Stopper

135: Handle

151: Pivot

A1: First Axis

A2: Second Axis

A3: Third Axis

Claims (9)

A locking device comprises: a body comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a first end surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are located on opposite sides of the body, respectively, and the first end surface extends between the first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface comprises a receiving slot; a locking member partially disposed in the receiving slot, the locking member comprising a sliding locking portion and a spring arm portion disposed in the receiving slot, the locking member being configured to move relative to the body along the first surface, the spring arm portion being configured to engage with an inner wall of the receiving slot when the locking member moves relative to the body, thereby securing the locking member in a first position or a second position relative to the body; and A rotation limiter is pivotally connected to the second surface to rotate relative to the main body, wherein the rotation limiter includes a locking limiter portion and a stop portion. The locking limiter portion is configured to be abutted by the sliding locking portion when the locking member moves to the first position relative to the main body, so that the rotation limiter is locked by the locking member and the stop portion is maintained to protrude from the first end surface. A locking device as described in claim 1, wherein the main body further includes a second end face, the second end face extends between the first surface and the second surface and is connected to the first end face, wherein the accommodating groove has a notch connected to the second end face; wherein the locking member further includes a connecting portion and a handle, the connecting portion is connected to the sliding locking portion and extends to the notch, the handle is located outside the accommodating groove and is connected to the connecting portion through the notch. A locking device as described in claim 2, wherein the handle is located on the second end surface and is configured to move along the second end surface relative to the body. A locking device as described in claim 1, wherein the elastic arm portion includes a first convex arc structure, the inner wall of the accommodating groove includes a first recessed area, and the locking member is fixed in the first position relative to the main body by engaging the first convex arc structure with the first recessed area. The locking device as described in claim 4, wherein the inner wall of the accommodating groove further includes a second recessed area, wherein the locking member is fixed in the second position relative to the main body by engaging the first convex arc structure in the second recessed area. The locking device as described in claim 5, wherein the elastic arm portion further includes a second convex arc structure, and when the first convex arc structure is engaged with the second concave area, the second convex arc structure is engaged with the first concave area. The locking device as described in claim 1, wherein the rotation limiter further includes a handle configured to receive force to rotate the rotation limiter. The locking device as described in claim 1 further includes an appearance member connected to the second surface and configured to cover the rotation limit member. A chassis assembly comprises: a chassis shell including a bottom plate and a side wall; a fixed rail connected to the side wall; a sliding rail slidably connected to the fixed rail so as to move along the fixed rail relative to the side wall; and a locking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, connected to the sliding rail; wherein the bottom plate includes a stop member configured to cause the stop portion of the locking device to abut against the stop member for fixing when the chassis assembly is in a retracted state.