FLOATING CABLE CONNECTOR RETENTION MODULE
Method and apparatus for securely positioning a cable connector plug for blind docking an electronic device or module with an electrical connector, for example within a rack for a computer system. A bracket includes a clip that is selectively securable to open and close the bracket. A cable connector plug collar is laterally receivable in the bracket when the bracket is open. The bracket retains the collar in a circumferential tongue and groove relationship when the bracket is closed. When the bracket is properly positioned and secured within a rack bay, the bracket positions the connector plug for blind docking without restricting operative access to the connector plug. A preferred bracket is sufficiently flexible to allow lateral movement of the connector plug when the bracket is closed about the collar.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus and systems that position and secure a cable connector for blind docking with an electronic module.
2. Background of the Related Art
Electronic devices, including data processing devices such as servers, are typically housed in standardized equipment enclosures. These enclosures have side walls that establish or include a rack. The rack is a substantially rectilinear metal frame having a plurality of mounting and alignment openings or holes that permit mounting various devices in the rack.
Rails are commonly mounted to the walls or other support structure in the rack to provide support for the electronic devices or components. The rails are screwed, bolted, or otherwise attached to the rack and the devices are placed on a pair or set of rails secured to opposing walls of the rack. In order to be attached to the rack the length of the rails must be appropriately configured to cooperate with the rack.
Because a computer system may not completely fill a rack and because individual devices or chassis may have various heights, it is desirable to have rails that can be selectively mounted at desired heights within the rack. In this maimer, the vertical spacing between rails can be incrementally adjusted to accommodate specific devices as the computer system is being installed or reconfigured. Typically, the height of a device is an integer multiple of a “unit” height (otherwise known as a “U”), wherein each unit of height measures 1.75 inches. Standardized rack specifications are provided by the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA).
In order to simplify installation of devices into the rack, the devices and the rack may be designed for blind docking. The term “blind docking” indicates that an electronic device or module can be coupled to an electrical connector without needing access to the back of the rack. Accordingly, the act of positioning the device or module into a rack bay is sufficient to cause the device or module to become connected to an electrical connector, such as a power connector. Similarly, the device or module may be disconnected from the electrical connector simply by removed the device or module from the bay.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for securely positioning a cable connector plug for blind docking. The apparatus comprises a bracket including a clip that is selectively securable to close the bracket and selectively releasable to open the bracket. A cable connector plug collar is laterally receivable in the bracket when the bracket is open. The bracket retains the collar in a circumferential tongue and groove relationship when the bracket is closed. When the bracket is properly positioned and secured within a rack bay, the bracket positions the connector plug for blind docking without restricting operative access to the connector plug. A preferred bracket is sufficiently flexible to allow lateral movement of the connector plug when the bracket is closed about the collar. Furthermore, the bracket may include a flexible coupling for securing the bracket to a fixed structure. Accordingly, the connector plug may self-align with a mating connector plug of an electronic module during blind docking.
Another embodiment of the invention provides a system for securing a cable connector plug in position for blind docking. The system comprises a cable connector body including a connector plug and an integral collar, and also a bracket including a clip that is selectively securable to close the bracket and selectively releasable to open the bracket. Preferably, the bracket is secured in a bay for receiving an electronic module, wherein the bracket positions the connector plug in a forwardly-directed orientation for blind docking with a rearwardly-directed connector plug on the electronic module. For example, the bracket may be secured to a longitudinally-extending shelf bracket that registers the electronic module to align the rearwardly-directed connector plug with the forwardly-directed connector plug.
One embodiment of the invention provides a system comprising a rack with opposing vertical side walls: a pair of longitudinally-extending shelf brackets secured to the opposing vertical side walls at a common elevation to form a bay for receiving an electronic module; and a forwardly-directed power connector secured to a distal end of at least one of the shelf brackets for blind docking with a rearwardly-directed power connector on the electronic module. As an electronic module is received into the bay, the shelf bracket registers a leading edge of the electronic module to align the rearwardly-directed power connector with the forwardly-directed power connector. If the rails are spaced apart at a distance that is significantly greater than the width of the electronic module being received on the rails, then electronic module may be centered laterally within the rack providing each of the shelf brackets with a boss adjacent the distal end of the rail, or providing each side of the chassis with a boss adjacent the leading edge. Optionally, the at least one shelf bracket may include a shelf having a stud, wherein the electronic module has a rearwardly-directed, tapered slot for fine axial alignment of the power connectors as the electronic module is being received in the bay prior to blind docking.
Optionally, the rail secures the forwardly-directed power connector in a manner that allows the connector to “float” or provide a limited degree of self-adjustment. For example, the forwardly-directed power connector may be forwardly-biased, such as using a spring. Furthermore, a standoff may be used to allow the forwardly-directed power connector to float within a plane perpendicular to the axis of the forwardly-directed power connector.
A still further embodiment of the invention provides a method of blind docking an electronic module in rack. The method comprises securing a forwardly-directed power connector onto a distal end of a shelf bracket, securing the shelf bracket to a wall of the rack in a longitudinal position for selective supporting one side of an electronic module, and sliding the electronic module along the shelf bracket toward the distal end of the shelf bracket until a rearwardly-directed power connector on a distal end of the electronic module blind docks with the for%vardly-directed power connector.
Optionally, the method may further include engaging the distally sliding electronic module against a boss formed on one or more of the shelf brackets to improve lateral alignment (when there is excessive clearance between the chassis and rail) of the rearwardly-directed power connector with the forwardly-directed power connector. In another option, the method includes engaging a rearwardly-directed, taper slot on the distally sliding electronic module with a stud formed on the shelf bracket to improve lateral alignment of the rearwardly-directed power connector with the forwardly-directed power connector. In yet another option, the method includes forwardly-biasing the forwardly-directed power connector. In a separate option, the method includes allowing the forwardly-directed power connector to float within a plane perpendicular to the axis of the forwardly-directed power connector.
The various embodiments of the invention may be understood in greater detail by reference to a specific embodiment set out in the following drawings. It should be understood that the embodiment shown in the following Figures is described as an example of the invention and that the invention is not limited to this embodiment. It should be particularly recognized that the shelf bracket attachment system and method in the following Figures is preferred, but that the electronic connector and method of blind docking may be used with other bracket or rail designs and with other schemes for attachment of the rail to the rack.
The rack side walls 30 have an EIA flange 32 along a proximal edge and a distal edge. The rigidity of the walls 30 may be increased by certain corrugations 33 and/or attachment to other members (not shown). The vertical positioning and spacing of the side walls 30 are also secured by interconnecting members (not shown), which may extend between the side walls across the top, bottom and other positions to provide a strong and stable rack. The vertical side walls 30 also include holes arranged in longitudinal sets 40 at various elevations. Each set 40 includes a proximal hole 41, a distal hole 43, and an optional intermediate hole 42. The number, position, and size of the holes in each set 40 must accommodate the set of clips provide on the rail 20 (here shown as clips 21-23). Additional holes may be included if desired.
In one embodiment, at least one of the rails 20 further includes an electrical connector 50 secured in a forwardly-directed position at a distal end of the rail. While the Figures show a standard connector for alternating current (AC), the electrical connector could instead provide direct current (DC). As described in relation to other Figures, the distal end of the rail may further include a boss 28 and/or a stud 29 to assist in alignment of an electronic device or module so that a rearwardly-directed connector on the device or module will blind dock with the connector 50.
The two opposing rails 20 are shown in a longitudinal position with each of the clips 21-23 aligned for insertion into holes 41-43 of set 40, which preferably have the same elevation within the rack. Accordingly, moving the rails 20 laterally as shown by arrows 12 positions the rail side wall 24 against the rack side wall 30 as shown by the dashed outline 24′ and causes insertion of the clips into the holes. After the clips are inserted into the holes, the rails 20 are lowered in the direction of arrows 14 so that each rail hangs from the respective side wall 30 by its clips. Furthermore, the clips 21-23 engage the outer surfaces of the rack side walls 30 and the rail side walls 24 engage the inner surfaces of the rack side walls 30, thereby gripping the rack side wall and preventing lateral movement of the rails 20. The resulting position of the rails 20 and clips 21-23 is shown in
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The electrical connector 50 includes a spring plate 52 that is received against the end wall 37, an electrical plug body 54 that engages the spring plate, and a face plate 56 that engages the electrical plug body 54. The spring plate 52 is preferably secured to the end wall 37 by sliding two tracks 51 into engagement about two opposing edges 60 of a passageway through the end wall. The electrical plug body 54 is pushed against the forward face of the spring plate 52 and secured with the face plate 56. The face plate 56 includes a pair of stand-offs 57 with internal threads for coupling with the bolts 38. The stand-offs 57 extend through a pair of holes or slots 58 formed in the electrical plug body 54 and through a pair of holes or slots 59 through the spring plate 52. Threading the bolts 38 into the threaded stand-offs 57 draws the face plate 56 toward the end wall 37 until the stand-offs 57 are held firmly against the end wall 37.
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 tern's “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.
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 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.
Claims
1-5. (canceled)
6. A system for securing a cable connector plug in position for blind docking, comprising:
- a cable connector body including a connector plug and an integral collar; and
- a bracket including a clip that is selectively securable to close the bracket and selectively releasable to open the bracket, wherein the collar is laterally receivable in the bracket when the bracket is open, wherein the bracket retains the collar in a circumferential tongue and groove relationship when the bracket is closed, wherein the bracket does not restrict operative access to the connector plug, wherein the bracket is secured in a bay for receiving an electronic module, and wherein the bracket positions the connector plug in a forwardly-directed orientation for blind docking with a rearwardly-directed connector plug on the electronic module.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the collar includes a circumferential recess forming two opposing shoulders, and wherein the bracket is received in the circumferential recess between the opposing shoulders.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the collar extends about the entire circumference of the cable connector.
9. The system of claim 6, wherein the collar includes a circumferential flange, and wherein the bracket extends along opposing faces of the flange.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the collar extends about the entire circumference of the cable connector.
11. (canceled)
12. The system of claim 6, wherein the bracket is secured to a longitudinally-extending shelf bracket.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the shelf bracket registers the electronic module to align the rearwardly-directed connector plug with the forwardly-directed connector plug.
14. The system of claim 6, wherein the bracket is biased to grip the collar even when the bracket is open.
15. The system of claim 6, wherein the bracket is dimensioned to allow lateral movement of the cable connector body when the bracket is closed about the collar.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the connector plug floats within a plane perpendicular to an axis of the connector plug.
17. The system of claim 6, wherein the bracket flexes to allow lateral movement of the cable connector body when the bracket is closed about the collar.
18. The system of claim 6, wherein the bracket is secured to a fixed structure within the bay by a flexible coupling that allows the connector plug to align with a mating connector plug of an electronic module during blind docking of the electronic module into the bay.
19. The system of claim 6, wherein the bracket flexes to allow the connector plug to align with a mating connector plug of an electronic module during blind docking of the electronic module into the bay.
20. The system of claim 6, wherein the connector plug is coupled to an electrical cord that extends from the connector plug and through the collar.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 19, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 25, 2010
Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY)
Inventors: John M. Weber (Wake Forest, NC), John J. Struble, JR. (Mebane, NC), Karl K. Dittus (Durham, NC), Joseph F. Herman, JR. (Raleigh, NC), John G. Gundiach (Cary, NC)
Application Number: 12/193,826
International Classification: F16L 3/00 (20060101); F16L 3/08 (20060101);