Device for installing data center component, method for installing data center component and fastening device for enabling blind installation of data center component

Abstract

An apparatus for installing a data center component, a method for installing a data center component, and a fastening apparatus for enabling blind installation of a data center component are disclosed. The device includes a fastening member having a first surface and a second surface opposite each other. A guide hole is attached to the first surface and is configured to mate with a guide of the first component. The fastening member includes a fastener hole extending from a first surface to a second surface. A hook-shaped member of the fastening member extends from the first end away from the first surface and may engage with a portion of the second component to retain the fastening member for fastening the first component to the second component. The fastener hole may receive a fastening component adapted to mate with a fastener such that the fastening member retains the first component to the second component. The fastener is secured to the fastening component by a torque applied to a portion of the fastener proximate the first surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to equipment installation, and more specifically, to a mechanism for installing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In various scenarios, the equipment used by organizations needs to be installed in fixed locations. For example, in a data center, servers and related equipment need to be installed in various locations within the data center. As technology advances and equipment density increases, the footprint of products may correspondingly decrease. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A device for mounting data center components is disclosed. The device includes a fastening member having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. A guide hole is attached to the first surface and configured to engage with a guide of a first component. The fastening member includes a fastener hole extending from the first surface to the second surface. A first end of the fastening member includes a hook-shaped member extending from the first end away from the first surface and configured to engage with a portion of a second component of the data center to retain the fastening member for fastening the first component to the second component. The fastener hole is configured to receive a fastening member adapted to engage with a fastener, such that the fastening member holds the first component to the second component, wherein the fastener is secured to the fastening member by a torque applied to a portion of the fastener proximate to the first surface of the fastening member. Attached Figure Description

[0004] The above and / or other aspects will become apparent and more readily understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0005] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the fastening component according to this disclosure.

[0006] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the first and second components fixed by the fastening members according to this disclosure.

[0007] Figure 3 This is another perspective view of the first and second components secured by the fastening members according to this disclosure.

[0008] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for installing equipment using fastener components according to the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0009] Referring now to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals always refer to similar elements. In this respect, the exemplary embodiments may take different forms and should not be construed as limited to the description set forth herein.

[0010] It will be understood that, when used in this specification, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and / or “comprising” specify the presence of the stated feature, integer, step, operation, element, and / or component, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0011] It will also be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections may not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section.

[0012] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed items. When preceding a list of elements, expressions such as "at least one of..." modify the entire list of elements, rather than individual elements of the list.

[0013] Various terms are used to refer to specific system components. Different companies may use different names to refer to components—this document is not intended to distinguish between components with different names rather than different functions.

[0014] Matters of these exemplary embodiments that are obvious to those skilled in the art to which these exemplary embodiments pertain may not be described in detail herein.

[0015] In scenarios such as data centers, device density has increased, resulting in smaller product footprints. This, in turn, creates problems in installing and maintaining equipment, as conventional mechanisms can complicate access to the device. This disclosure includes a mechanism that allows for the installation and access of components (e.g., busbars) without the need for tools to reach the rear of the component. This allows for improved maintainability while reducing the footprint.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a fastening member according to the present disclosure. The fastening member 100 includes a first surface 105 and a second surface 106 opposite to the first surface. The fastening member 100 includes a hook-shaped member 103 at one end, which can secure another component when used for mounting equipment.

[0017] The fastening member 100 also includes a fastener hole 107 and a guide hole 108 located near the end opposite to the hook member 103. The fastener hole 107 may be able to receive a fastener, such as a bolt, and may include threads to allow the fastener to be secured. The guide hole 108 is arranged to mate with a corresponding guide of another component to be secured by the fastening member 100. In some embodiments, the guide hole 108 and the remainder of the fastening member 100 are made of different materials. The guide hole 108 may be made of a flexible material (e.g., rubber), while the remainder of the fastener assembly may be made of a rigid material (e.g., steel).

[0018] The arrangement of the fastening members 100 allows for the securing of various types of equipment when access is restricted. In some equipment mounting configurations, access to the rear may be restricted or completely inaccessible. However, by utilizing the arrangement of the fastening members 100, including guide holes 108 and fastener holes 107, the equipment can be secured with access only on one side.

[0019] Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a first component and a second component secured by a fastening member according to the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the fastening member 100 is used to secure the first component 211 and the second component 212 to each other, wherein the second component 212 is additionally secured to other components. In this particular example, the hook-shaped member 103 of the fastening member 100 partially secures the second component 212 into place.

[0020] Bolt 216 extends from one side of the second component 212 through the first component 211 and through the fastening member 100. The bolt head 217 of bolt 216 contacts a washer 218 inserted between the bolt head and the surface of the second component 212. Bolt 216 can pass through fastener hole 107 and can be secured by applying torque to fastener hole 107, such that the first component 211, the second component 212, and the washer 218 are substantially held in place.

[0021] As previously described, the arrangement of the fastening member 100 allows for access from only one side when access to the other side is limited or completely inaccessible. The fastening member 100 can be used to secure a device attached to the first component 211 using bolts 216 from the side accessible by the bolt head 217, without requiring any access to the other side. Compared to fastening members that might otherwise require access to both sides, this allows for easier installation, securing, and / or removal of the device in confined spaces.

[0022] Figure 4This is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for mounting an apparatus using a fastener assembly according to the present disclosure. Method 400 includes providing a fastening member having: a first surface extending from a first end to a second end; a second surface opposite to the first surface; a guide hole on the first surface configured to engage with a corresponding guide of a first component of a data center; a fastener hole extending from the first surface to the second surface; and a hook-shaped member extending from the first end away from the first surface, configured to engage with a portion of a second component of the data center (box 405). The method further includes: engaging the hook-shaped member with the portion of the second component to hold the fastening member in place for fastening the first component to the second component (box 410); and inserting the fastening member through the fastener hole (box 415). The method further includes engaging a fastener with the fastening member such that the fastening member holds the first component to the second component (box 420), and applying torque to a portion of the fastener proximate to the first surface of the fastening member to secure the fastener to the fastening member (box 425).

[0023] In various embodiments, the method includes securing the first component to the second component by accessing the fastener hole from the first surface when the fastener hole cannot be accessed from the second surface.

[0024] Some embodiments of the method include securing the fastening member to the first and second components using bolts of the fastening member via fastener holes. Such embodiments may also include, when the fastening member is secured to the first and second components, fixing the surface of the first component into contact with the surface of the second component, and securing a washer between the bolt head and the first surface.

[0025] Implementations of the method may include, when secured by a fastening member, a guide hole extending through a corresponding opening in the first component and a corresponding opening in the second component.

[0026] It is understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein should be considered descriptive only and not for limiting purposes. The description of features or aspects within each exemplary embodiment can be considered applicable to other similar features or aspects in other exemplary embodiments.

[0027] Although exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting data center components, the apparatus comprising: a fastening member having a first surface extending from a first end of the fastening member to a second end of the fastening member and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the fastening member includes: a guide hole configured to mate with a corresponding guide of a first component of a data center; and a fastener hole extending from the first surface to the second surface; and the first end of the fastening member includes a hook-shaped member extending away from the first surface from the first end, the hook-shaped member configured to engage a portion of a second component of the data center to hold the fastening member for fastening the first component to the second component; and wherein the fastener hole is configured to receive a fastening component adapted to mate with a fastener such that the fastening member holds the first component to the second component, wherein the fastener is secured to the fastening component by a torque applied to a portion of the fastener proximate the first surface of the fastening member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the fastener hole is arranged to allow the first component to be fully secured to the second component by accessing the fastener hole from the first surface when the fastener hole would otherwise be inaccessible from the second surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the fastening component includes a bolt for securing the fastening member to the first component and the second component via the fastener hole.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, the bolt is further configured to secure a surface of the first component in contact with a surface of the second component.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a washer arranged between a head of the bolt and the first surface when the fastening member is secured to the first component and the second component.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the first component and the second component each include a corresponding opening for receiving the guide hole such that the guide hole extends through the corresponding opening of the first component and the corresponding opening of the second component when secured by the fastening member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the fastening member includes a first material, and wherein the guide hole includes a second material different from the first material.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein, the first material is a rigid material, and wherein the second material is a flexible material.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the fastener hole is coaxial with the guide hole.

10. A method for mounting data center components, the method comprising: providing a fastening member having: a first surface extending from a first end to a second end; a second surface opposite the first surface; a guide hole on the first surface configured to mate with a corresponding guide of a first component of a data center; a fastener hole extending from the first surface to the second surface; a hook-shaped member extending away from the first surface from the first end, the hook-shaped member configured to engage a portion of a second component of the data center; engaging the hook-shaped member with the portion of the second component to hold the fastening member in place for fastening the first component to the second component; inserting a fastening component through the fastener hole; mating a fastener with the fastening component such that the fastening member retains the first component to the second component; and applying torque to a portion of the fastener proximate the first surface of the fastening member to secure the fastener to the fastening component.

11. The method of claim 10, securing the first component to the second component by accessing the fastener hole from the first surface when the fastener hole would otherwise be inaccessible from the second surface.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising securing the fastening member to the first component and the second component via a fastener hole using a bolt of the fastening component.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising securing a surface of the first component in contact with a surface of the second component.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising securing a washer between a head of the bolt and the first surface when the fastening member is secured to the first component and the second component.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the guide hole extending through a corresponding opening of the first component and a corresponding opening of the second component when secured by the fastening member.

16. A fastening device for enabling blind installation of data center components, the device comprising: a fastening member having a hook-shaped member extending from a first end, wherein the fastening member includes a first surface extending through an interior portion of the hook-shaped member and a second surface opposite the first surface; a fastener hole extending from the first surface to the second surface; and a guide hole configured to mate with a corresponding guide of a first component of a data center; wherein the hook-shaped member is configured to engage a portion of a second component of the data center to retain the fastening member for fastening the first component to the second component; and wherein the fastener hole is configured to receive a fastening component adapted to mate with a fastener such that the fastening member retains the first component to the second component, wherein the fastener is secured to the fastening component by torque applied to a portion of the fastener proximate the first surface of the fastening member.

17. The fastening device of claim 16, wherein, the fastening component includes a bolt for securing the fastening member to the first component and the second component via the fastener hole, wherein the bolt is further configured to secure a surface of the first component in contact with a surface of the second component, and wherein the fastening device further includes a washer disposed between a head of the bolt and the first surface when the fastening member is secured to the first component and the second component.

18. The fastening device of claim 16, wherein, the first component and the second component each include a corresponding opening for receiving the guide hole such that the guide hole extends through the corresponding opening of the first component and the corresponding opening of the second component when secured by the fastening member.

19. The fastening device of claim 16, wherein, The fastening member comprises a first material, and wherein the guide hole comprises a second material different from the first material, and wherein the first material is a rigid material, and wherein the second material is a flexible material.

20. The fastening device of claim 16, wherein, The fastener hole is coaxial with the guide hole.

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