Motherboard slide, electronic chassis and method for providing engagement therebetween

Abstract

A motherboard sled, an electronic chassis, and a method of providing engagement therebetween are disclosed. The electronic chassis includes a motherboard sled configured to be engaged in or removed from the electronic chassis. The motherboard sled includes a housing and a mechanical actuator to engage the motherboard sled into or remove the motherboard sled from the electronic chassis. The mechanical actuator includes at least one lever rotatably coupled to a hinge to form a first fulcrum proximate to an upstanding edge of a front surface of the housing. The mechanical actuator also includes a guide arm proximate to the hinge and mechanically coupled to the at least one lever to form a second fulcrum. The guide arm rotates between a fixed position proximate to the front surface and an unfixed position distal from the front surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical actuator, and more particularly, to a mechanical actuator for engaging a motherboard sled and an electronics chassis. BACKGROUND

[0002] A server is a specialized computer system that includes multiple electrical components integrated into a single unit within an electronics chassis. All servers generally have a motherboard that includes processing units (e.g., a Graphic Process Unit (GPU) or a Central Processing Unit (CPU)), memory device slots (e.g., double data rate three (DDR3), double data rate fourth (DDR4), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)), Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) slots, and connectors to other components (e.g., hard drives, power supplies), and peripheral devices (e.g., universal serial bus (USB) ports, Local Area Network (LAN), and other input / output (I / O) ports). Before being assembled into the electronics chassis of a server, the motherboard is placed on a motherboard sled that is stacked below an input / output (I / O) sled with input / output (I / O) cards. The stacked arrangement of the motherboard sled containing the motherboard and the I / O sled containing the I / O cards are connected to a graphic processing unit card in the electronics chassis of an S7W server.

[0003] The four connectors on the motherboard and the four connectors on the I / O card mate with the eight connectors of the graphics processing unit card in the electronic chassis of the S7W server. Each of the connectors on the motherboard and the I / O card includes four hundred sixteen (416) pins. The mating force exerted on each pin is approximately 0.45 Newton. Therefore, the total mating force for all eight connectors to connect the graphics processing unit card is approximately (8 x 416 x 0.45) Newton = 1497.6 Newton = 152.8 Kilogram force. Therefore, a mechanical actuator with sufficient mechanical advantage is required to efficiently engage the motherboard sled carrying the weight of the motherboard, the I / O sled, and the I / O card into the electronic chassis of the server such that the motherboard sled can be easily placed into the electronic chassis and removed from the electronic chassis. SUMMARY

[0004] The use of the terms "embodiment" and similar terms (e.g., "implementation", "configuration", "aspect", "example", and "option") is intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the application encompassed by this application are defined only by the claims that follow this detailed description. This summary is provided to introduce some concepts of some of the examples that are described below in the detailed description section. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive features of the claims nor define the scope of the claims. The subject matter should be understood by reference to the entire specification of this application, including the claims, as appropriately interpreted in light of the teachings provided by the examples described below.

[0005] According to certain features of the application, a motherboard sled includes a housing and a mechanical actuator to engage the motherboard sled into or out of an electronic chassis. The mechanical actuator includes at least one lever rotatably coupled to a hinge to form a first fulcrum proximate to an upstanding edge of a front surface of the housing. The mechanical actuator also includes a guide arm proximate to the hinge and mechanically coupled to the at least one lever to form a second fulcrum. The guide arm rotates between a fixed position proximate to the front surface and an unfixed position distal from the front surface.

[0006] According to certain features of the application, the guide arm is also coupled to the at least one lever by a link member.

[0007] According to certain features of the present application, the guide arm further comprises a handle portion and a blade portion. The handle portion has a first end to which the at least one lever is mechanically coupled. The blade portion is formed at a second end of the handle portion. The first end is proximal to the hinge and the second end is distal to the hinge.

[0008] According to certain features of the present application, the blade portion comprises a ridged outer surface.

[0009] According to certain features of the present application, the mechanical actuator provides a mechanical advantage of about 1 :22.

[0010] According to certain features of the present application, the upstanding edge is a left edge of the front surface of the housing or a right edge of the front surface of the housing.

[0011] According to certain features of the present application, the mechanical actuator further comprises another lever and another guide arm. The other lever is rotatably coupled to another hinge forming a third pivot point proximal to the right edge of the front surface. The other guide arm is proximal to the other hinge and is mechanically coupled to the other lever to form a fourth pivot point. The other guide arm rotates between a respective fixed position and an unfixed position.

[0012] According to certain features of the present application, the other guide arm further comprises a handle portion and a blade portion. The handle portion has a first end to which the other lever is mechanically coupled. The blade portion is formed at a second end of the handle portion. The first end is proximal to the hinge and the second end is distal to the hinge.

[0013] According to certain features of the present application, the blade portion comprises a ridged outer surface.

[0014] According to certain features of the present application, the housing further comprises a latching mechanism configured to secure the guide arm in the fixed position.

[0015] According to some features of the present invention, an electronic chassis includes a motherboard sled configured to be engaged into or out of the electronic chassis. The motherboard sled includes a housing and a mechanical actuator. The mechanical actuator includes a first lever, a first guide arm, a second lever, and a second guide arm. The first lever is rotatably coupled to a first hinge to form a first fulcrum proximate a first end of a front surface of the housing. The first guide arm is proximate the first hinge. The first guide arm is directly coupled to the first lever to form a second fulcrum and indirectly coupled to the first lever through a first link member. The first guide arm rotates between a fixed position proximate the front surface and an unfixed position distal from the front surface. The second lever is rotatably coupled to a second hinge to form a third fulcrum proximate a second end of the front surface, wherein the second end is opposite the first end. The second guide arm is proximate the second hinge. The second guide arm is directly coupled to the second lever to form a fourth fulcrum and indirectly coupled to the second lever through a second link member. The second guide arm rotates between a fixed position proximate the front surface and an unfixed position distal from the front surface, respectively.

[0016] According to some features of the present invention, the first end is a left edge of the front surface of the housing and the second end is a right edge of the front surface of the housing.

[0017] According to some features of the present invention, a method for providing engagement between a motherboard sled and an electronic chassis is disclosed. The method includes rotatably coupling at least one lever of a mechanical actuator in the motherboard sled to a hinge proximate an upstanding edge of a front surface of a housing of the motherboard sled. The method further includes forming a first fulcrum by the coupling between the at least one lever and the hinge, and then mechanically connecting the at least one lever to a guide arm of the mechanical actuator proximate the hinge. The method further includes forming a second fulcrum by the mechanical connection between the at least one lever and the guide arm. The method further includes allowing the guide arm to rotate between an unfixed position distal from the front surface and a fixed position proximate the front surface, and then providing an engagement motion in response to the rotation to slide the motherboard sled into or out of the electronic chassis.

[0018] According to some features of the present invention, wherein the method is performed under the condition that the guide arm is further connected to the at least one lever through a link member.

[0019] According to some features of the present invention, wherein the method is performed under the condition that the guide arm includes a handle portion having a first end and a second end, the at least one lever is mechanically connected to the first end proximate a proximal end of the hinge, and a blade portion is formed under the second end distal from a distal end of the hinge.

[0020] According to some features of the present invention, wherein the method is performed under the condition that the upstanding edge is a left edge of the front surface of the housing or a right edge of the front surface of the housing.

[0021] The foregoing summary is not intended to represent every implementation or every aspect of the present application. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides some examples of some novel features and aspects described herein. Additional features and advantages of the present application will be made apparent by the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes of practicing the present application, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Additional features and advantages of the present application will be made apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] The advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings are merely schematic and are not intended to represent the actual views of the application. The drawings represent non-limiting examples of embodiments described herein.

[0023] Figure 1 Front perspective view of a motherboard sled with a mechanical actuator in a fixed position for certain aspects of the present application.

[0024] Figure 2 Front perspective view of a motherboard sled with a mechanical actuator in a fixed position for certain aspects of the present application. Figure 1 Front perspective view of a motherboard sled with a mechanical actuator in a fixed position for certain aspects of the present application.

[0025] Figure 3 Front perspective view of a motherboard sled with a mechanical actuator in a fixed position for certain aspects of the present application. Figure 1 Front perspective view of a motherboard sled with a mechanical actuator in a fixed position for certain aspects of the present application.

[0026] Figure 4A Top view of a lever of a guide arm coupled to a left hinge of a mechanical actuator in a fixed position for certain aspects of the present application.

[0027] Figure 4B Top view of a lever of a guide arm coupled to a right hinge of a mechanical actuator in a fixed position for certain aspects of the present application.

[0028] Figure 5A Top view of a lever of a guide arm coupled to a left hinge of a mechanical actuator in a fixed position for certain aspects of the present application.

[0029] Figure 5B Top view of a lever of a guide arm coupled to a right hinge of a mechanical actuator in a fixed position for certain aspects of the present application.

[0030] Figure 6A Top perspective view of a latching mechanism for securing a guide arm coupled to a left hinge and a right hinge of a mechanical actuator for certain aspects of the present application.

[0031] Figure 6BBottom perspective view of the latching mechanism for securing the guide arms of the left hinge and right hinge coupled to the mechanical actuator for certain aspects of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 Bottom perspective view of the latching mechanism for securing the guide arms of the left hinge and right hinge coupled to the mechanical actuator for certain aspects of the present invention. Figure 1 Perspective view of the mechanical actuator in an unsecured position prior to the motherboard sled being snapped into the electronics chassis.

[0033] Figure 8 Perspective view of the mechanical actuator in a secured position after the motherboard sled is snapped into the electronics chassis for certain aspects of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 9 Perspective view of the electronics chassis for certain aspects of the present invention in which Figure 1 the motherboard sled of the present invention is used.

[0035] Figure 10 Block diagram of the method for providing the snap between the motherboard sled and the electronics chassis for certain aspects of the present invention.

[0036] The present invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and alternative forms, all of which follow in the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Specifically, representative embodiments of the present invention have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the application is not to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Rather, the application is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the application as defined in the appended claims.

[0037] Explanation of main component symbols

[0038] 100: motherboard sled

[0039] 110: housing

[0040] 112: first wall

[0041] 114: second wall

[0042] 115a: first hinge

[0043] 115b: second hinge

[0044] 116: front surface

[0045] 117: first upstanding edge

[0046] 118: second upstanding edge

[0047] 120: mechanical actuator

[0048] 130: latching mechanism

[0049] 200a: first guide arm

[0050] 200b: second guide arm

[0051] 201a, 201b: first end

[0052] 202a: first handle portion

[0053] 202b: second handle portion

[0054] 203a, 203b: second end

[0055] 204a: first blade portion

[0056] 204b: second blade portion

[0057] 205a, 205b: ridged outer surface

[0058] 206a: first pivot cylinder

[0059] 206b: second pivot cylinder

[0060] 220a: first lever

[0061] 220b: second lever

[0062] 222a, 222b: first aperture

[0063] 224a, 224b: second aperture

[0064] 310a: first link member

[0065] 310b: second link member

[0066] 312a, 312b: first opening

[0067] 314a, 314b: second opening

[0068] 408a: first rearward tab

[0069] 408b: second rearward tab

[0070] 410a: first hole portion

[0071] 410b: second hole portion

[0072] 415a: first hinge point

[0073] 415b: second hinge point

[0074] 440a: first ball joint

[0075] 440b: second ball joint

[0076] 450a: first fulcrum

[0077] 450b: third pivot point

[0078] 460a: second pivot point

[0079] 460b: fourth pivot point

[0080] 490, 490a, 490b: fixed position

[0081] 510, 510a, 510b: unfixed position

[0082] 610a, 610b: latching assembly

[0083] 620a: first channel

[0084] 620b: second channel

[0085] 625a: first knob

[0086] 700: electronics chassis

[0087] 770a: first graphics processing unit card

[0088] 770b: second graphics processing unit card

[0089] 772a, 772b, 774a, 774b, 778a, 778b, 782a, 782b, 784a, 784b, 786a, 786b, 788a, 788b: connectors

[0090] 780: I / O sled / input output sled

[0091] 785: motherboard

[0092] 790: I / O card / input output card

[0093] 1000: block diagram

[0094] 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040, 1050, 1060: steps DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a mechanical actuator for latching a motherboard sled with an electronic chassis of a server. The mechanical actuator includes a lever rotatably coupled to a hinge forming a first fulcrum proximate to an upright edge of a front surface of the motherboard sled, and a guide arm mechanically connected to the lever proximate to the hinge forming a second fulcrum. The double-fulcrum design of the mechanical actuator can have sufficient mechanical advantage to move the weight of an electronic assembly disposed on the motherboard sled and connected with a Graphic Process Unit (GPU) card of the server as the motherboard sled is latched into and removed from the electronic chassis.

[0096] Various embodiments are described in terms of technical features as set forth in the specification and attached drawings. The technical features described herein are capable of being implemented in various embodiments and are not limited to the embodiments set forth in the specification. The various embodiments are described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the drawings as follows. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and the like or equivalent elements are identified, where practicable, with the same reference numbers. The drawings are provided to illustrate various embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that many specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth in the following description and attached drawings to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown or described in detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the various embodiments. The various embodiments are not limited to the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts can occur in different orders and / or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are required to implement a methodology in accordance with the various embodiments.

[0097] The disclosed elements, and limitations thereof, such as in the Abstract, Summary, and Detailed Description, but not specifically set forth in the claims, should not be incorporated by inference into the claims, either alone or in combination with each other. For the purposes of this embodiment, individual elements including multiple and vice versa are not to be construed as limitations on the other unless expressly so stated. The term "comprising" means "including, but not limited to." In addition, words such as "about," "almost," "substantially," "approximately," and other similar words, can be used herein to mean, for example, "within 3 to 5% of," "within 3 to 5% of," "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances," or any other logical combination of the above. Similarly, the term "vertical" or "horizontal" is intended to additionally include "within 3 to 5% of vertical" or "within 3 to 5% of horizontal," respectively. In addition, directional words such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "above," and "below," are intended to be related to the equivalent directions as described in the referenced figures, as understood from the context of the object or element being referenced, such as from the usual position of the object or element, or as otherwise stated herein.

[0098] Referring to the drawings, Figures 1-2 A front perspective view and a front side view of a motherboard sled 100 is shown. The motherboard sled 100 is used to carry a motherboard 785 (shown in Figures 7-8 ) and to snap into an electronic chassis 700 (shown in Figures 7-9 ) of a server. The motherboard sled 100 includes a housing 110 and a mechanical actuator 120. Figures 1-2 A mechanical actuator 120 in a fixed position after the motherboard sled 100 is snapped into the electronic chassis 700 is shown. Figure 3 A front perspective view of the motherboard sled 100 with the mechanical actuator 120 in an unfixed position before the motherboard sled 100 is snapped into the electronic chassis 700 (shown in Figures 7-9 ) or after the motherboard sled 100 is removed from the electronic chassis 700 (shown in

[0099] In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figures 1-3 , the housing 110 of the motherboard sled 100 includes a front surface 116, a first wall 112 on the left side, and a second wall 114 on the right side. The front surface 116 has a first upstanding edge 117 at the left end and a second upstanding edge 118 at the right end. A first hinge 115a is disposed proximate the first upstanding edge 117 at the left end. A second hinge 115b is disposed proximate the second upstanding edge 118 at the right end.

[0100] The mechanical actuator 120 includes at least one lever 220a and at least one guide arm 200a. As Figures 2-3 The non-limiting embodiment shown in Figures 2-3 , the mechanical actuator 120 has a first lever 220a and a first guide arm 200a on the left side, and a second lever 220b and a second guide arm 200b on the right side. The first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b can be made of metal, alloy, or even composite material. The first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b are designed to accommodate the limited design space on the motherboard sled 100, and thereby prevent any venting holes on the front surface 116 from being blocked. In different embodiments, the mechanical actuator 120 can have only a single lever and a single guide arm.

[0101] As Figure 3 and Figures 7-8 shown, the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b are configured to rotate between an unsecured position 510 Figure 7 away from the front surface 116 of the motherboard sled 100, and a secured position 490 Figure 8 close to the front surface 116, to slide the motherboard sled 100 into or out of the electronics chassis 700.

[0102] With reference to Figures 2-3 , the first lever 220a is rotatably coupled to the first hinge 115a on the left side of the front surface 116. The coupling of the first lever 220a to the first hinge 115a forms a first fulcrum 450a (shown in Figure 4A , Figure 5A ) proximate to the first upstanding edge 117 of the front surface 116 of the motherboard sled 100. The first guide arm 200a is directly mechanically connected to the first lever 220a proximate to the first hinge 115a to form a second fulcrum 460a (shown in Figure 4A , Figure 5A ), and is also indirectly mechanically connected to the first lever 220a through a first link member 310a (shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4A , Figure 5A .

[0103] With continued reference to Figures 2-3 , the second lever 220b is rotatably coupled to the second hinge 115b on the right side of the front surface 116. The coupling of the second lever 220b to the second hinge 115b forms a third fulcrum 450b (shown in Figure 4B , Figure 5BThe third pivot point 450b is proximate to the second upstanding edge 118 of the front surface 116 of the motherboard sled 100. The second guide arm 200b is directly mechanically coupled to the second lever 220b proximate to the second hinge 115b to form a fourth pivot point 460b (shown in Figure 4B 、 Figure 5B proximate to the second hinge 115b, and is also indirectly mechanically coupled to the second lever 220b through the second linkage member 310b (shown in Figure 4B 、 Figure 5B .

[0104] Figure 4A 、 Figure 5A A top view of the first guide arm 200a and the first lever 220a coupled to the first hinge 115a at a fixed position 490a and an unfixed position 510a is shown in FIG. 4A. In particular, the first guide arm 200a and the first lever 220a are coupled to the first hinge point 415a of the first hinge 115a along the first upstanding edge 117 of the left side of the front surface 116 (see Figures 1-2 ) of the motherboard sled 100. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4A 、 Figure 5A , the first guide arm 200a is parallel to the front surface 116 at the fixed position 490a ( Figure 4A ), and the first guide arm 200a forms an angle of about 75 degrees with the front surface 116 when the first guide arm 200a is fully extended at the unfixed position 510a ( Figure 5A ). At the unfixed position 510a, the first lever 220a forms an angle of about 60 degrees with the front surface 116.

[0105] The first guide arm 200a includes a first handle portion 202a having a first end 201a proximate to the proximal end of the first hinge 115a, and a second end 203a distal to the distal end of the first hinge 115a. The first guide arm 200a also includes a first pivot cylinder 206a at the first end 201a, and a first blade portion 204a formed at the second end 203a. The first pivot cylinder 206a is mechanically coupled to the first lever 220a proximate to the first hinge point 415a by a first ball joint 440a, thereby forming a second pivot point 460a.

[0106] The first handle portion 202a is configured to mechanically connect to the first lever 220a along the first pivot cylinder 206a proximate to the first hinge 115a at the first end 201a. The first blade portion 204a has a ridged outer surface 205a (shown in Figure 2 ). The first blade portion 204a includes a first back tab 408a. The first back tab 408a includes a first aperture 410a configured to mate with the latch mechanism 130 (shown in Figure 1 and Figures 6A-6B) to secure the first guide arm 200a in the secured position 490a.

[0107] The first lever 220a has a first aperture 222a to couple to the first hinge point 415a to form a first fulcrum 450a. The first lever 220a also includes a second aperture 224a to couple to the first link member 310a. The first link member 310a includes a first opening 312a through which the first link member 310a is fastened to the first handle portion 202a, and a second opening 314a through which the first link member 310a is fastened to the first lever 220a.

[0108] Figure 4B 、 Figure 5B A top view of the second guide arm 200b shown in the secured position 490b and the unsecured position 510b, and the second lever 220b coupled to the second hinge 115b. In particular, the second guide arm 200b and the second lever 220b are coupled to the second hinge point 415b of the second hinge 115b along the second upright edge 118 (see Figures 1-2 ) of the right side of the front surface 116. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4B 、 Figure 5B , the second guide arm 200b is parallel to the front surface 116 in the secured position 490b ( Figure 4B ), and the second guide arm 200b forms an angle of approximately 75 degrees with the front surface 116 when the second guide arm 200b is fully extended in the unsecured position 510b ( Figure 5B ). In the unsecured position 510b, the second lever 220b forms an angle of approximately 60 degrees with the front surface 116.

[0109] The second guide arm 200b includes a second handle portion 202b having a first end 201b proximate to the proximal end of the second hinge 115b, and a second end 203b distal to the distal end of the second hinge 115b. The second guide arm 200b also includes a second pivot cylinder 206b at the first end 201b, and a second blade portion 204b formed at the second end 203b. The second pivot cylinder 206b is mechanically coupled to the second lever 220b proximate to the second hinge point 415b by a second ball joint 440b, thereby forming a fourth fulcrum 460b.

[0110] The second handle portion 202b is configured to mechanically connect to the second lever 220b along the second pivot cylinder 206b proximate to the second hinge 115b at the first end 201b. The second blade portion 204b has a ridged outer surface 205b (shown in Figure 2The second blade portion 204b includes a second rearward tab 408b. The second rearward tab 408b includes a second aperture 410b configured to mate with the latch mechanism 130 (shown in Figure 1 and Figures 6A-6B ) to secure the second guide arm 200b in the secured position 490b.

[0111] The second lever 220b has a first aperture 222b to couple to the second hinge point 415b to form a third pivot point 450b. The second lever 220b also includes a second aperture 224b to couple to the second link member 310b. The second link member 310b includes a first opening 312b through which the second link member 310b is secured to the second handle portion 202b and a second opening 314b through which the second link member 310b is secured to the second lever 220b.

[0112] When the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b are in the secured position 490a / 490b, the first blade portion 204a of the first guide arm 200a and the second blade portion 204b of the second guide arm 200b become proximate to the middle position (shown in Figure 1 ) along the front surface 116 of the mainboard slider 100. The latch mechanism 130 (shown in Figure 1 and Figures 6A-6B ) proximate to the middle position can be used to secure the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b in the secured position.

[0113] Figures 6A-6B Top and bottom perspective views of an exemplary latch mechanism 130 used to secure the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b are shown. The latch mechanism 130 is disposed on the front surface 116 of the housing 110 of the mainboard slider 100. The latch mechanism 130 includes two latch assemblies 610a and 610b on either side of the middle position on the front surface 116 such that the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b can be secured in the secured position 490a / 490b ( Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B), the first guide arm 200a is disposed under the latch assembly 610a and the second guide arm 200b is disposed under the latch assembly 610b. The front surface 116 has a first channel 620a under the latch assembly 610a and a second channel 620b under the latch assembly 610b. When the first guide arm 200a is disposed under the latch assembly 610a, the first blade portion 204a passes through the first channel 620a such that the first aperture 410a on the first rearward tab 408a fits the first knob 625a just inside the front surface 116 of the housing 110. Similarly, when the second guide arm 200b is disposed under the latch assembly 610b, the second blade portion 204b passes through the second channel 620b such that the second aperture 410b on the second rearward tab 408b fits the second knob 625b (not shown) just inside the front surface 116 of the housing 110. Thus, the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b are secured to the housing 110 using the latch mechanism 130.

[0114] Figure 7 The mechanical actuator 120 Figure 1 is shown in a perspective view before being used to snap the motherboard sled 100 Figure 1 into the electronics chassis 700, and Figure 8 is shown in a perspective view after the motherboard sled 100 has been snapped into the electronics chassis 700. In Figure 7 , the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b are in the unsecured position 510. The motherboard sled 100 includes a motherboard 785 and is stacked under an input / output (I / O) sled 780 having an input / output (I / O) card 790. The motherboard 785 has four connectors 786a, 788a, 786b, 788b and the I / O card 790 has four connectors 782a, 784a, 782b, 784b. The electronics chassis 700 includes a first graphics processing unit card 770a having four connectors 772a, 774a, 776a (not shown), 778a and a second graphics processing unit card 770b having four connectors 772b, 774b, 776b (not shown), 778b. The eight connectors 772a, 774a, 776a, 778a, 772b, 774b, 776b, 778b of the graphics processing unit cards 770a, 770b are configured to fit the four connectors 782a, 784a, 782b, 784b of the I / O card 790 and the four connectors 786a, 788a, 786b, 788b of the motherboard 785.

[0115] In Figure 8In this configuration, the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b have been moved to the fixed position 490. In this position, the eight connectors 772a, 774a, 776a, 778a, 772b, 774b, 776b, and 778b of the graphics processing unit cards 770a and 770b, in conjunction with the four connectors 782a, 784a, 782b, and 784b of the I / O card 790 and the four connectors 786a, 788a, 786b, and 788b on the motherboard 785, fully connect the motherboard 785 and the I / O card 790 to the graphics processing unit cards 770a and 770b. After assembly, the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b are placed in the fixed position 490 and engaged using the latching mechanism 130 (shown in...). Figure 1 (in the middle) fixed.

[0116] Continue to refer to Figures 7-8 During operation, the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b rotate from the unfixed position 510 to the fixed position 490 to slide the motherboard slider 100 into the electronic chassis 700, so that the motherboard 785 and the I / O card 790 can be mated in the graphics processing unit cards 770a and 770b in the electronic chassis 700. The dual-pivot design of each of the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b in the mechanical actuator 120 allows (i) the mating force for connecting the graphics processing unit cards 770a and 770b, and (ii) the motherboard slider 100, which bears the weight of the motherboard 785 and the I / O slider 780 with the I / O card 790, to move through the second end 203a of the first guide arm 200a (shown in the figure). Figure 4A , Figure 5A (in the middle), and the second end 203b of the second guide arm 200b (shown in ...). Figure 4B , Figure 5B It can be easily moved by applying a relatively small force to the middle.

[0117] Each of the four connectors on the motherboard 785 and the I / O card 790 includes four hundred sixteen (416) pins. The mating force exerted on each pin is approximately 0.45 Newtons. Thus, the total mating force for all eight connectors 772a, 774a, 776a, 778a, 772b, 774b, 776b, 778b used to connect the graphics processing unit cards 770a, 770b is approximately (8 x 416 x 0.45) Newtons = 1497.6 Newtons = 152.8 Kilogram force. The corresponding unmating force for all eight connectors 772a, 774a, 776a, 778a, 772b, 774b, 776b, 778b used to separate the graphics processing unit cards 770a, 770b is greater than 41.6 Newtons. The total mating force of 152.8 Kilogram force is used on the two fulcrum points 450a, 460a (shown in Figure 4A , Figure 5A Figure 4B , Figure 5B the second end 203a of the first guide arm 200a and the second end 203b of the second guide arm 200b is able to be exerted between only approximately 3 Kilogram force and approximately 4 Kilogram force. This results in a mechanical advantage of approximately 1 :22. Such a mechanical advantage is sufficient to efficiently latch the motherboard sled 100 into the electronic chassis 700 and to extract the motherboard sled 100 from the electronic chassis 700.

[0118] During disassembly, the first guide arm 200a and the second guide arm 200b are first unlatched from the latching mechanism 130 and then rotated from the secured position 490 to the unsecured position 510. The dual fulcrum design efficiently unlatches the motherboard 785 and the I / O card 790 from the graphics processing unit cards 770a, 770b and then slides the motherboard sled 100 out of the electronic chassis 700.

[0119] Figure 9 A perspective view of an exemplary electronic chassis 700 in which the motherboard sled 100 can be used is shown. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figures 7-9 the electronic chassis 700 is of an S7W 6U graphics processing unit server having a height of 264.4 millimeters, a width of 447.8 millimeters, and a length of 885 millimeters. However, the motherboard sled 100 can be configured for use in any server.

[0120] Figure 10 ​A block diagram 1000 showing a method for providing engagement between a motherboard sled and an electronics chassis is shown. The method begins at step 1010, where at least one lever of a mechanical actuator in the motherboard sled is rotatably coupled to a hinge proximate to an upstanding edge of a front surface of a housing of the motherboard sled. In some embodiments, the upstanding edge is a left edge of the front surface of the housing, or a right edge of the front surface of the housing. In step 1020, a first fulcrum is formed by the coupling between the at least one lever and the hinge.

[0121] In step 1030, the at least one lever is mechanically connected to a guide arm of the mechanical actuator proximate to the hinge. In some embodiments, the guide arm is further connected to the at least one lever by a link member. In some embodiments, the guide arm includes a handle portion having a first end and a second end, the at least one lever is mechanically connected to the first end proximate to the hinge, and a blade portion is formed on the second end distal to the hinge.

[0122] In step 1040, a second fulcrum is formed by the mechanical connection between the at least one lever and the guide arm. In step 1050, the guide arm is allowed to rotate between an unsecured position distal to the front surface and a secured position proximate to the front surface. In step 1060, an engagement motion is provided to slide the motherboard sled into or out of the electronics chassis in response to the rotation of the guide arm.

[0123] Advantageously, the dual fulcrum design of the mechanical actuator described herein provides the ability to apply sufficient engagement force to connect an I / O card having a graphics processing unit card within the electronics chassis of a server and motherboard sled comprising the motherboard and I / O sled comprising the I / O card with relatively low force. The dual fulcrum design applies two different levers to create sufficient mechanical advantage to efficiently carry different loads by applying relatively low force at one end of the levers. In addition, the guide arm in the mechanical actuator is designed to enable airflow proximate to the mechanical actuator without blocking any vent portions through which airflow reaches the interior space of the motherboard sled. Thus, the dual fulcrum design optimizes mechanical and thermal usability within the limited design space of the motherboard sled.

[0124] While the application has been shown and described with reference to one or more implementations, those skilled in the art will readily devise their own implementations that, while different from those discussed herein, fall within the scope of the application as claimed. Also, while a particular feature of the application can have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature can be combined with one or more other features of the same or different implementations as can be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

[0125] While various embodiments of the application have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the embodiments described above can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Thus, the breadth and scope of the application should not be limited by any of the above described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the application should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A motherboard sled, comprising: a housing; and a mechanical actuator to engage the motherboard sled into or out of an electronic chassis, the mechanical actuator comprising: at least one lever rotatably coupled to a hinge to form a first fulcrum proximate to an upstanding edge of a front surface of the housing, an outer surface of the at least one lever having a recess; and a guide arm proximate to the hinge and mechanically coupled to the at least one lever to form a second fulcrum, the guide arm rotating between a fixed position proximate to the front surface and an unfixed position distal from the front surface, wherein the second fulcrum is out of the recess when the guide arm is in the fixed position and at least partially within the recess when the guide arm is in the unfixed position.

2. The motherboard sled of claim 1, wherein the guide arm is further coupled to the at least one lever by a link member.

3. The motherboard sled of claim 1, wherein the guide arm further comprises: a handle portion having a first end to which the at least one lever is mechanically coupled, the first end being proximate to a proximal end of the hinge; and a blade portion formed at a second end of the handle portion, the second end being distal from a distal end of the hinge.

4. The motherboard sled of claim 3, wherein the blade portion comprises a ridged outer surface.

5. The motherboard sled of claim 3, wherein the mechanical actuator provides a mechanical advantage of about 1 :

22.

6. The motherboard sled of claim 1, wherein the upstanding edge is a left edge of the front surface of the housing or a right edge of the front surface of the housing.

7. The motherboard sled of claim 5, wherein the mechanical actuator further comprises: another lever rotatably coupled to another hinge to form a third fulcrum proximate to a right edge of the front surface; and another guide arm proximate to the other hinge and mechanically coupled to the other lever to form a fourth fulcrum, the other guide arm rotating between a fixed position and an unfixed position, respectively.

8. The motherboard sled of claim 7, wherein the other guide arm further comprises: a handle portion having a first end to which the other lever is mechanically coupled, the first end being proximate to a proximal end of the hinge; and a blade portion formed at a second end of the handle portion, the second end being distal from a distal end of the hinge.

9. An electronic chassis having a motherboard sled configured to engage into or out of the electronic chassis, the motherboard sled comprising: a housing; and a mechanical actuator comprising: a first lever rotatably coupled to a first hinge to form a first fulcrum proximate to a first end of a front surface of the housing, an outer surface of the first lever having a recess; a first guide arm proximate to the first hinge and directly coupled to the first lever to form a second fulcrum and indirectly coupled to the first lever by a first link member, the first guide arm rotating between a fixed position proximate to the front surface and an unfixed position distal from the front surface. ​ ​ ​ a second lever rotatably coupled to a second hinge to form a third fulcrum proximate a second end of the front surface, the second end opposite the first end; and a second guide arm proximate the second hinge and directly coupled to the second lever to form a fourth fulcrum and indirectly coupled to the second lever through a second linkage member, the second guide arm rotating between a fixed position proximate the front surface and an unfixed position distal from the front surface, wherein the second fulcrum is out of the recess of the first lever when the guide arm is in the fixed position and at least partially within the recess when the guide arm is in the unfixed position.

10. A method for providing engagement between a host board sled and an electronic chassis, the method comprising: rotatably coupling at least one lever of a mechanical actuator in the host board sled to a hinge proximate an upstanding edge of a front surface of a housing of the host board sled; forming a first fulcrum through the coupling between the at least one lever and the hinge, an outer surface of the at least one lever having a recess; mechanically connecting the at least one lever to a guide arm of the mechanical actuator proximate the hinge; forming a second fulcrum through the mechanical connection between the at least one lever and the guide arm; allowing the guide arm to rotate between an unfixed position distal from the front surface and a fixed position proximate the front surface; and providing an engagement motion corresponding to the rotation to slide the host board sled into or out of the electronic chassis, wherein the second fulcrum is out of the recess of the at least one lever when the guide arm is in the fixed position and at least partially within the recess when the guide arm is in the unfixed position.

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