Open rack and sliding rail assembly

Abstract

An open rack is configured to support at least one server, and includes a rack body and at least one sliding rail assembly. The rack body has at least one assembling portion. The at least one sliding rail assembly includes an assembling bracket and a sliding rail. The assembling bracket is detachably disposed on the at least one assembling portion. The assembling bracket is located between the at least one assembling portion and the sliding rail. The sliding rail includes a track component and a sliding component. The track component is mounted on the assembling bracket by riveting. The sliding component is slidably disposed on the track component, and is configured for the at least one server to be detachably disposed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an open cabinet, and more particularly to an open cabinet equipped with a slide rail assembly. [Previous Technology]

[0002] The world today is in an era of rapid development in information technology. Both businesses and individuals have long used personal computers to handle business. However, with the maturity of communication technology, cross-border e-commerce is gradually replacing traditional regional business models, so ordinary personal computers can no longer meet the needs of businesses in the market. In response, computer manufacturers have developed various types of servers (such as rack-mount servers, blade servers, or vertical servers) to solve the problem of enterprise digitalization.

[0003] Taking a rack-mounted server in the form of an OCP (Open Compute Project) as an example, servers are generally installed in the rack using angle iron brackets or slide rails. Currently, angle iron brackets are fixed inside the rack and cannot move relative to it. However, the inability of angle iron brackets to move relative to the rack reduces assembly flexibility. Furthermore, when operators want to perform operations such as server maintenance, to avoid the server not being supported by the angle iron brackets when pulling it out of the rack, it cannot be fully pulled out, causing operational inconvenience. If slide rails are used to install the server in the rack, the current slide rails are structurally difficult to fit into OCP-type racks. Therefore, how to improve the ease of installation and operation of servers and racks is one of the problems that developers need to solve. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The present invention provides an open cabinet and slide rail assembly to improve the convenience of server and cabinet installation and maintenance.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention discloses an open rack for housing at least one server, comprising a cabinet and at least one slide rail assembly. The cabinet includes at least one assembly section. The at least one slide rail assembly includes an assembly bracket and a slide rail. The assembly bracket is detachably disposed on the at least one assembly section. The assembly bracket is located between the at least one assembly section and the slide rail. The slide rail includes a track member and a sliding member. The track member is disposed on the assembly bracket. The sliding member is slidably disposed on the track member and is used for detachably mounting at least one server.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a slide rail assembly for installation in an open cabinet and for detachable mounting of at least one server, comprising an assembly bracket and a slide rail. The assembly bracket is detachably mounted on at least one assembly section of the open cabinet. The assembly bracket is positioned between the at least one assembly section of the open cabinet and the slide rail. The slide rail comprises a track member and a sliding member. The track member is disposed on the assembly bracket. The sliding member is slidably disposed on the track member and is used for detachable mounting of at least one server.

[0007] According to the open cabinet and slide rail assembly of the above embodiment, since the open cabinet includes a slide rail assembly, when an operator wants to perform operations such as server maintenance, the server can be completely pulled out of the cabinet by sliding the sliding member, and the server can be supported by the slide rail assembly. In this way, the convenience of the operator operating the server can be improved.

[0008] In addition, the slide rail assembly not only allows the server to slide smoothly within the cabinet to reduce friction between the server and the cabinet, but also reduces vibrations generated during the server's movement to prevent damage. Furthermore, the combination of the mounting bracket and the sliding parts allows the server to be more securely mounted within the cabinet.

[0009] In addition, since the mounting bracket of the slide rail assembly is detachably mounted on the cabinet and the server is detachably mounted on the slide, the flexibility of assembly can be increased, thereby improving the ease of installation of the server and the cabinet.

[0010] Furthermore, compared to conventional slide rails, which are structurally unsuitable for installation due to difficulties in aligning with OCP-type cabinets due to assembly orientation issues, this embodiment allows the slide rail assembly to be installed in an OCP-type cabinet by positioning the assembly bracket between the assembly section and the slide rail. This further enhances the ease of server and cabinet installation.

[0011] The above description of the content of the present invention and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the principles of the present invention, and to provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

Implementation Method

[0012] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the open rack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the open rack of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a partially enlarged view of the open rack of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the slide rail assembly of the open rack of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the open rack of Figure 1.

[0013] The open rack 10 of this embodiment is, for example, in the form of an OCP (Optical Packing Plane) and is used to house a server 40. The open rack 10 includes a cabinet 20 and two slide rail assemblies 30. The cabinet 20 includes two assembly sections 21. The size of the space inside the cabinet 20 for mounting the server 40 is, for example, 24 inches. The two slide rail assemblies 30 are detachably mounted on the two assembly sections 21. Since the two slide rail assemblies 30 are symmetrically arranged on the two assembly sections 21, and each slide rail assembly 30 has the same structure, and each assembly section 21 has the same structure, the following description will focus on one slide rail assembly 30 and one assembly section 21.

[0014] Each slide rail assembly 30 includes an assembly bracket 31 and a slide rail 32. The assembly bracket 31 is detachably disposed on the assembly section 21. In detail, the assembly bracket 31 includes a plurality of first snap-fit ​​structures 311. These first snap-fit ​​structures 311 are, for example, snap-fit ​​protrusions. Each assembly section 21 includes a plurality of second snap-fit ​​structures 211. These second snap-fit ​​structures 211 are, for example, snap-fit ​​grooves. The first snap-fit ​​structures 311 are respectively used to snap onto the second snap-fit ​​structures 211 to position the assembly bracket 31 on the cabinet 20.

[0015] The assembly bracket 31 is located between the assembly section 21 and the slide rail 32. The slide rail 32 includes a track member 321 and a sliding member 322. The track member 321 is disposed on the assembly bracket 31. For example, the track member 321 is riveted to the assembly bracket 31 to strengthen the assembly structure between the track member 321 and the assembly bracket 31. The sliding member 322 is slidably disposed on the track member 321.

[0016] The slider 322 is used for detachable mounting of the server 40. Specifically, the slider 322 includes a plurality of first positioning structures 3221. These first positioning structures 3221 are, for example, positioning grooves, and are, for example, gourd-shaped. Specifically, each first positioning structure 3221 includes a wide segment W and a narrow segment N. The wide segment W is connected to the narrow segment N, and the width of the wide segment W is greater than the width of the narrow segment N.

[0017] The server 40 includes a plurality of second positioning structures 41. These second positioning structures 41 are, for example, positioning protrusions. These first positioning structures 3221 are used to slidably mount these second positioning structures 41, such that these second positioning structures 41 are respectively located in these wide sections W or these narrow sections N. These second positioning structures 41 separate the server 40 from the slider 322 by being located in these wide sections W, and position the server 40 on the slider 322 by being located in these narrow sections N. The server 40 is, for example, 19 inches in size. The 19-inch server 40 can be mounted in a cabinet 20 with a mounting space of 24 inches by means of the slide rail assembly 30.

[0018] In this embodiment, each slide rail assembly 30 may further include a plurality of flexible members 33. These flexible members 33 are, for example, spring sheets. These flexible members 33 are disposed on the assembly bracket 31, and each flexible member 33 includes a plurality of first stop structures 331. These first stop structures 331 are, for example, stop protrusions. Each assembly portion 21 may further include a plurality of second stop structures 212. These second stop structures 212 are, for example, stop grooves. These first stop structures 331 are respectively used to stop against these second stop structures 212, so that the assembly bracket 31 is further positioned on the cabinet 20.

[0019] In this embodiment, since the open cabinet 10 includes a slide rail assembly 30, when an operator wants to perform operations such as maintenance on the server 40, the server 40 can be completely pulled out of the cabinet 20 by sliding the slider 322, and the server 40 is supported by the slide rail assembly 30. In this way, the convenience of the operator operating the server 40 can be improved.

[0020] Furthermore, the slide rail assembly 30 not only allows the server 40 to slide smoothly within the cabinet 20 to reduce friction between the server 40 and the cabinet 20, but also reduces vibrations generated by the server 40 during sliding to avoid damage to the server 40. Moreover, the combination of the mounting bracket 31 and the sliding member 322 allows the server 40 to be more securely installed within the cabinet 20.

[0021] In addition, since the assembly bracket 31 of the slide rail assembly 30 is detachably mounted on the cabinet 20 and the server 40 is detachably mounted on the sliding member 322, the flexibility of assembly can be increased, thereby improving the ease of installation of the server 40 and the cabinet 20.

[0022] Furthermore, compared to ordinary slide rails that cannot be installed due to structural limitations, such as the difficulty in aligning with the OCP-type cabinet, this embodiment allows the slide rail assembly 30 to be installed in the OCP-type cabinet 20 by positioning the assembly bracket 31 between the assembly part 21 and the slide rail 32. This further improves the ease of installation between the server 40 and the cabinet 20.

[0023] In this embodiment, there are two assembly units 21 and two slide rail assemblies 30, and only one server 40, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the number of assembly units and slide rail assemblies may be only one or more, and the number of servers may be multiple.

[0024] In this embodiment, there are multiple first snap-fit ​​structures 311 and multiple second snap-fit ​​structures 211, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, there may be only one first snap-fit ​​structure and one second snap-fit ​​structure.

[0025] In this embodiment, the first snap-fit ​​structures 311 are snap-fit ​​protrusions, and the second snap-fit ​​structures 211 are snap-fit ​​grooves, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the first snap-fit ​​structures and the second snap-fit ​​structures can also be interchanged. That is, the first snap-fit ​​structures can also be snap-fit ​​grooves, and the second snap-fit ​​structures can also be snap-fit ​​protrusions.

[0026] In this embodiment, the number of the first positioning structure 3221 and the second positioning structure 41 is multiple, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the number of the first positioning structure and the second positioning structure may each be only one.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first positioning structures 3221 are positioning grooves, and the second positioning structures 41 are positioning protrusions, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the first positioning structures and the second positioning structures can also be interchanged. That is, the first positioning structures can also be positioning protrusions, and the second positioning structures can also be positioning grooves.

[0028] In this embodiment, the number of flexible elements 33 is multiple, but not limited to this. In other embodiments, the number of flexible elements may be only a single one.

[0029] In this embodiment, there are multiple first stop structures 331 and multiple second stop structures 212, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, there may be only one first stop structure and one second stop structure.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first stop structures 331 are stop protrusions, and the second stop structures 212 are stop grooves, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the first stop structures and the second stop structures may be interchanged. That is, the first stop structures may also be stop grooves, and the second stop structures may also be stop protrusions.

[0031] In this embodiment, the track member 321 is riveted to the assembly bracket 31, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the track member may also be fixed to the assembly bracket by other means.

[0032] Please refer to Figures 6 to 12. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the open rack in Figure 1, showing the mounting bracket to be installed in the rack. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the mounting bracket in the open rack in Figure 1, showing the mounting bracket in the rack. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the server to be installed on the slide rail in the open rack in Figure 1. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the server installed on the slide rail in the open rack in Figure 1. Figure 10 is a side view of the second positioning structure in the wide section of the open rack in Figure 1. Figure 11 is a side view of the second positioning structure in the narrow section of the open rack in Figure 1. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the server installed in the rack in the open rack in Figure 1.

[0033] In this embodiment, when the operator wants to install the server 40 inside the cabinet 20, firstly, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the assembly bracket 31 of the slide rail assembly 30 is installed along direction A onto the assembly part 21 of the cabinet 20. During the installation process, the first snap-fit ​​structure 311 of the assembly bracket 31 snaps into the second snap-fit ​​structure 211 of the assembly part 21, and the flexible member 33, through its elasticity, causes the first stop structure 331 to stop against the second stop structure 212 of the assembly part 21. In this way, the assembly bracket 31 can be positioned in the cabinet 20.

[0034] Next, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the server 40 is mounted along direction B onto the slide member 322 of the slide rail assembly 30. Specifically, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, when the server 40 is placed on the slide member 322, the second positioning structure 41 of the server 40 is located at the wide section W of the first positioning structure 3221. Next, the server 40 is moved along direction C from the wide section W to the narrow section N. In this way, the server 40 is positioned on the slide member 322. Next, as shown in Figure 12, the server 40 is moved along direction D through the slide member 322 into the cabinet 20, thus completing the installation of the server 40 and the cabinet 20.

[0035] Conversely, when the operator wants to remove the server 40 from the cabinet 20, firstly, the server 40 is moved out of the cabinet 20 in the opposite direction of direction D via the slider 322, and then the server 40 is moved from the narrow section N to the wide section W in the opposite direction of direction C. In this way, the positioning of the server 40 and the slider 322 can be released, and the server 40 can be separated from the slider 322 in the opposite direction of direction B, so that the server 40 can be removed from the cabinet 20.

[0036] When the operator wants to remove the slide rail assembly 30 from the cabinet 20, it is only necessary to release the latches of the first latch structure 311 and the second latch structure 211, and release the stops of the first stop structure 331 and the second stop structure 212 through the elasticity of the flexible member 33. In this way, the slide rail assembly 30 can be removed from the cabinet 20.

[0037] According to the open cabinet and slide rail assembly of the above embodiment, since the open cabinet includes a slide rail assembly, when an operator wants to perform operations such as server maintenance, the server can be completely pulled out of the cabinet by sliding the sliding member, and the server can be supported by the slide rail assembly. In this way, the convenience of the operator operating the server can be improved.

[0038] In addition, the slide rail assembly not only allows the server to slide smoothly within the cabinet to reduce friction between the server and the cabinet, but also reduces vibrations generated during the sliding process to avoid damage to the server. Furthermore, the combination of the mounting bracket and the sliding parts allows the server to be more securely installed within the cabinet.

[0039] In addition, since the assembly bracket of the slide rail assembly is detachably mounted on the cabinet and the server is detachably mounted on the slide, the flexibility of assembly can be increased, thereby improving the ease of installation of the server and the cabinet.

[0040] Furthermore, compared to conventional slide rails, which are structurally unsuitable for installation due to difficulties in aligning with OCP-type cabinets due to assembly orientation issues, this embodiment allows the slide rail assembly to be installed in an OCP-type cabinet by positioning the assembly bracket between the assembly section and the slide rail. This further enhances the ease of server and cabinet installation.

[0041] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the open cabinet and slide rail assembly disclosed herein can be installed in a server. The server can be used for artificial intelligence (AI) computing, edge computing, or as a 5G server, cloud server, or vehicle networking server.

[0042] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the patent application attached to this specification. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0043] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the open cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the open cabinet of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a partially enlarged view of the open cabinet of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the slide rail assembly of the open cabinet of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the open cabinet of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the open cabinet of Figure 1 where an assembly bracket is to be installed in the cabinet. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the open cabinet of Figure 1 where an assembly bracket is installed in the cabinet. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the open cabinet of Figure 1 where a server is to be installed on the slide rail. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the open cabinet of Figure 1 where a server is installed on the slide rail. Figure 10 is a side view of the open cabinet of Figure 1 where the second positioning structure is located in the wide section. Figure 11 is a side view of the open cabinet of Figure 1 where the second positioning structure is located in the narrow section. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the open cabinet of Figure 1 where a server is installed in the cabinet.

Claims

1. An open rack for housing at least one server, the open rack comprising: a cabinet including at least one assembly portion, the at least one assembly portion including at least one second stop structure; and at least one slide rail assembly including: an assembly bracket detachably disposed on the at least one assembly portion; a slide rail, the assembly bracket being located between the at least one assembly portion and the slide rail, and the slide rail including a track member and a sliding member, the track member being disposed on the assembly bracket, the sliding member being slidably disposed on the track member, and for detachably mounting the at least one server; and at least one flexible member, the at least one flexible member being disposed on the assembly bracket and including at least one first stop structure, the at least one first stop structure being stopped by the at least one second stop structure to position the assembly bracket within the cabinet.

2. The open rack as described in claim 1, wherein the sliding member includes at least one first positioning structure, the at least one first positioning structure including a wide section and a narrow section, the wide section being connected to the narrow section, the width of the wide section being greater than the width of the narrow section, the at least one first positioning structure being used to slidably position at least one second positioning structure of at least one server such that the at least one second positioning structure is located in the wide section or the narrow section, the wide section being used to position the at least one second positioning structure to separate the at least one server from the slide rail, and the narrow section being used to position the at least one second positioning structure to position the at least one server on the slide rail.

3. The open cabinet as described in claim 1, wherein the assembly bracket includes at least one first snap-fit ​​structure, and the at least one assembly part of the cabinet includes at least one second snap-fit ​​structure, the at least one first snap-fit ​​structure being used to snap onto the at least one second snap-fit ​​structure to position the assembly bracket on the cabinet.

4. The open cabinet as described in claim 1, wherein the rail component is riveted to the assembly bracket.

5. A slide rail assembly for mounting in a cabinet of an open cabinet and for detachably mounting at least one server, the slide rail assembly comprising: an assembly bracket for detachably mounting at least one assembly portion of the cabinet, the at least one assembly portion including at least one second stop structure; a slide rail, the assembly bracket being located between the at least one assembly portion of the cabinet and the slide rail, the slide rail including a track member and a sliding member, the track member being disposed on the assembly bracket, the sliding member being slidably disposed on the track member and for detachably mounting the at least one server; and at least one flexible member, the at least one flexible member being disposed on the assembly bracket and including at least one first stop structure, the at least one first stop structure being stopped against at least one second stop structure of the cabinet to position the assembly bracket in the cabinet.

6. The slide rail assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slide rail includes at least one first positioning structure, the at least one first positioning structure including a wide section and a narrow section connected to the narrow section, the width of the wide section being greater than the width of the narrow section, the at least one first positioning structure being used to slidably position at least one second positioning structure of at least one server such that the at least one second positioning structure is located in the wide section or the narrow section, the wide section being used to position the at least one second positioning structure to separate the at least one server from the slide rail, and the narrow section being used to position the at least one second positioning structure to position the at least one server on the slide rail.

7. The slide rail assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the assembly bracket includes at least one first snap-fit ​​structure for snapping onto at least one second snap-fit ​​structure of the cabinet to position the assembly bracket on the cabinet.

8. The slide rail assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the slide rail is riveted to the assembly bracket.

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