SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING MODULES IN A RACK MOUNTED CHASSIS
A mounted electronics system comprises a frame; a chassis coupled to the frame, the chassis having an interior width; at least one sub-module having a width sufficient to fit inside the interior width of the chassis; and a mounting assembly configured to secure the at least one sub-module to the chassis wherein the mounting assembly is coupled to the chassis such that the width of the sub-module is not limited by the location of the mounting assembly.
Latest ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. Patents:
- TDD TIMING RECOVERY IN A DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM
- Telecommunications cabinet modularization
- FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR AND FIBER OPTIC CABLE ASSEMBLY WITH FIBER OPTIC CABLE ANCHORED TO BOOT OF FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR
- Distributed antenna system using time division duplexing scheme
- Connector with slideable retention feature and patch cord having the same
This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/388,088, filed on Mar. 23, 2006 and entitled “SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING MODULES IN A RACK MOUNTED CHASSIS” (the '088 Application). The '088 Application is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDVarious electronic modules are often mounted in a rack or cabinet. Some standard racks and cabinets include the 19-inch rack, the 23-inch rack and the 600 mm cabinet. In certain situations, smaller printed circuit boards and sub-modules need to be mounted in a rack or cabinet. Often it is not practical or even possible to mount multiple sub-modules individually to the rack or cabinet. In these circumstances, it is common to use a chassis instead. The sub-modules are mounted to the chassis and the chassis is mounted to the rack or cabinet.
However, the sub-modules often cannot simply be placed in the chassis but need to be mounted or secured. Securing the sub-modules to the chassis prevents the sub-modules from falling out of the chassis and provides pressure to help maintain connections in the back of the chassis. Hence, using a chassis adds a limitation to the amount of space available for sub-modules. This space limitation is caused by the need for space to mount the chassis to the rack or cabinet and the additional space needed to mount the sub-modules to the chassis. This space limitation can become a problem when designing modular equipment to fit in a rack or cabinet.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a system to mount sub-modules in a chassis without the space limitations of a typical chassis.
SUMMARYThe above-mentioned problems and other problems are resolved by the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
In one embodiment, a mounted electronics system is provided. The mounted electronics system comprises a frame; a chassis coupled to the frame, the chassis having an interior width; at least one sub-module having a width sufficient to fit inside the interior width of the chassis; and a mounting assembly configured to secure the at least one sub-module to the chassis wherein the mounting assembly is coupled to the chassis such that the width of the sub-module is not limited by the location of the mounting assembly.
DRAWINGSThe present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the description of the preferred embodiments and the following figures in which:
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific illustrative embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the exemplary method illustrated may include additional or fewer steps or may be performed in the context of a larger processing scheme. Furthermore, the method presented in the drawing figures or the specification is not to be construed as limiting the order in which the individual steps may be performed. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Bracket 110 is coupled to chassis 104 and secures chassis 104 to frame 102. Mounting assembly 106 is also coupled to chassis 104 and secures sub-module 108 to chassis 104. Mounting assembly 106 is adapted to secure sub-module 108 to chassis 104 such that substantially all of the interior width of chassis 104 is available for use by sub-module 108. This enables a significant advantage over prior mounting systems which require a portion of the interior width of chassis 104 for mounting sub-module to the chassis. The benefits enabled by embodiments of mounting assembly 106 include increased interior space in chassis 104 for sub-module 108, increased space for the front panel of sub-module 108, and the possibility of covering part of frame 102 with the front panel of sub-module 108 which improves the aesthetic appearance of system 100. Increased space for the front panel of sub-module 108 is particularly important in embodiments using European cabinets, such as a 600 mm cabinet, which place all connectors on the front panel rather than allowing connectors in the back as in a North American 19-inch or 23-inch rack.
In operation, a flange 114 of mounting assembly 106 rotates about joint 116 toward the interior of chassis 104. In this position, bracket 110 is accessible in order to secure chassis 104 to frame 102 using bracket 110. Once chassis 104 is secured to frame 102, flange 114 of mounting assembly 106 rotates about joint 116 outward away from the interior of chassis 104 until substantially parallel with and overlapping bracket 110 with a small gap between bracket 110 and mounting assembly 106. In this position, sub-module 108 is attached to flange 114 of mounting assembly 106. This enables the benefit of not utilizing interior space in chassis 104 for mounting sub-module 108.
For this example embodiment, mounting assembly 206 also includes stopper 218 which is adapted to prevent flange 214 from rotating away from the interior of chassis 204 beyond a set point. In particular, stopper 218 maintains flange 214 substantially parallel with and overlapping bracket 210 even when force is applied to flange 214 while securing a sub-module to flange 214. In the embodiment shown in
In operation, flange 214 rotates about joint 216 towards the interior of chassis 204. This enables access to frame 202 and bracket 210. Screw 212 is then used to secure bracket 210 to frame 202. By securing bracket 210 to frame 202, chassis 204 is secured to frame 202 since bracket 210 is coupled to chassis 204. Once chassis 204 is secured to frame 202 via bracket 210, flange 214 rotates away from the interior of chassis 204 about joint 216 until flange 214 comes into contact with stopper 218. Stopper 218 provides support to flange 214 while sub-modules are secured to flange 214. By securing sub-modules to flange 214, the sub-modules are secured to chassis 204 since flange 214 is coupled to chassis 204 via joint 216.
Although the example embodiment in
Although the example embodiment in
Similarly, although two joints 416 are shown in the example embodiment in
In operation, flange 414 of mounting assembly 406 is rotated about joint 416 toward the interior of chassis 404 in order to enable access to bracket 410 and frame 402. Bracket 410 and screws 412 secure chassis 404 to frame 402. Once chassis 404 is secured to frame 402, flange 414 rotates about joint 416 away from the interior of chassis 404 until it reaches stopper 418. Stopper 418 prevents flange 416 from rotating further and provides support maintaining flange 416 substantially parallel with and overlapping bracket 410 when sub-modules are secured to flange 416. Although two stoppers 418 are shown in
In operation, screws 512 are inserted through access holes 524 in order to secure chassis 504 to frame 502 via bracket 510. Sub-module 508 is then inserted into chassis 504 and secured to chassis 504 using screw 522 and screw hole 520. Although only one screw 522 is shown in
At 608, the flange is rotated away from the chassis interior. In this example embodiment, the flange is rotated until it is substantially parallel with and overlapping the bracket. However, in other embodiments, the flange is rotated to other positions away from the chassis interior. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the flange is rotated until it is substantially parallel with the chassis side to which the flange is attached. In any event, the flange is rotated such that it does not impede a sub-module (e.g. sub-module 108) from utilizing substantially the entire interior width of the chassis. Once the flange is rotated away from the interior of the chassis, the sub-module is inserted into the chassis at 610, occupying substantially the entire interior width of the chassis.
Once the sub-module is inserted into the chassis, the sub-module is attached to the flange at 612. In this example embodiment, a face of the sub-module is attached to the flange with at least one screw while the flange is substantially parallel with and overlapping the bracket. Although a screw is used in this embodiment to attach the sub-module to the flange, it is to be understood that other attaching means are used in other embodiments. In addition, in an alternative embodiment, the flange is substantially parallel with a side of the sub-module and chassis when the sub-module is attached to the flange. In yet another embodiment, the flange is again rotated toward the interior of the chassis until it overlaps and is substantially parallel with a face of the sub-module prior to attaching the sub-module to the flange. Attaching the sub-module to the flange secures the sub-module to the chassis. By providing rotation for the flange, embodiments of the present invention enable access to the bracket for mounting the chassis to a frame and enable use of sub-modules which occupy substantially the entire interior width of the chassis. The extra interior chassis space provided by embodiments of the present invention is an advantage for designers who are responsible for designing front panel access to the sub-module and for designing the components to fit within the confined special limitations of the chassis.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A mounted electronics system comprising:
- a frame;
- a chassis coupled to the frame, the chassis having an interior width;
- at least one sub-module having a width sufficient to fit inside the interior width of the chassis; and
- a mounting assembly configured to secure the at least one sub-module to the chassis wherein the mounting assembly is coupled to the chassis such that the width of the sub-module is not limited by the location of the mounting assembly.
2. The mounted electronics system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises one of a 19-inch rack, a 23-inch rack, and a 600 millimeter cabinet.
3. The mounted electronics system of claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises:
- a flange configured to be coupled to the at least one sub-module; and
- at least one non-flexible joint coupling the flange to the chassis.
4. The mounted electronics system of claim 3, wherein the flange is substantially parallel with and overlapping a portion of the frame.
5. The mounted electronics system of claim 4, wherein the flange is further configured with access holes such that screws securing the chassis to the frame are accessible through the access holes.
6. A mounting assembly comprising:
- a flange configured to be coupled to at least one sub-module; and
- at least one joint coupled to the flange and configured to be coupled to a chassis such that the flange and the at least one joint are not located between the at least one sub-module and the chassis.
7. The mounting assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one joint further comprises a non-flexible joint.
8. The mounting assembly of claim 7, wherein the flange is configured to be substantially parallel with and overlapping a portion of a frame when the chassis mounting assembly is coupled to a chassis coupled to the frame.
9. The mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein the flange is further configured with access holes such that screws securing the chassis to the frame are accessible through the access holes.
10. A mounted electronics system comprising:
- a frame;
- a chassis coupled to the frame;
- at least one sub-module configured to fit inside the chassis; and
- a mounting assembly configured to secure the at least one sub-module to the chassis wherein the mounting assembly is coupled to the chassis such that the mounting assembly is not located between the at least one sub-module and the chassis.
11. The mounted electronics system of claim 10, wherein the frame comprises one of a 19-inch rack, a 23-inch rack, and a 600 millimeter cabinet.
12. The mounted electronics system of claim 10, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises:
- a flange configured to be coupled to the at least one sub-module; and
- at least one non-flexible joint coupling the flange to the chassis.
13. The mounted electronics system of claim 12, wherein the flange is substantially parallel with and overlapping a portion of the frame.
14. The mounted electronics system of claim 13, wherein the flange is further configured with access holes such that screws securing the chassis to the frame are accessible through the access holes.
15. A system comprising:
- a chassis having opposing sides, the opposing sides defining a space for receiving at least one sub-module when the opposing sides are mounted to abut a frame;
- a mounting assembly, coupled to an exterior surface of the opposing sides of the chassis, the mounting assembly configured to secure the at least one sub-module to the chassis; and
- wherein the chassis is adapted to receive the at least one sub-module to fill the space between and abut the opposing sidewalls of the chassis.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises:
- a flange configured to be coupled to the at least one sub-module; and
- at least one non-flexible joint coupling the flange to the chassis.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the flange is substantially parallel with and overlapping a portion of the frame.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the flange is further configured with access holes such that screws securing the chassis to the frame are accessible through the access holes.
19. A system comprising:
- a chassis having opposing sides, the opposing sides defining a space for receiving at least one sub-module when the opposing sides are mounted to abut a frame;
- a mounting assembly, coupled to an exterior surface of the opposing sides of the chassis, the mounting assembly configured to secure the at least one sub-module to the chassis; and
- wherein the entire space defined by the opposing sidewalls is available for receiving sub-modules.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises:
- a flange configured to be coupled to the at least one sub-module; and
- at least one joint coupling the flange to the chassis.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the flange is substantially parallel with and overlapping a portion of the frame.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the flange is further configured with access holes such that screws securing the chassis to the frame are accessible through the access holes.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 22, 2007
Publication Date: Feb 14, 2008
Applicant: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. (Eden Prairie, MN)
Inventor: Michael Wayman (Waconia, MN)
Application Number: 11/876,269
International Classification: H05K 5/00 (20060101);