Server transport device

Abstract

A server transport device includes a moving assembly, a lifting assembly and a carrying assembly. The lifting assembly has a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end is disposed on the moving assembly, and the free end is movable with respect to the fixed end. The carrying assembly includes a connection frame, a pivot frame, a block frame and a plurality of first rollers. The connection frame is disposed on the free end of the lifting assembly. The pivot frame is pivotably disposed on the connection frame to have a horizontal state and a vertical state. The block frame is disposed on the pivot frame and extends along a direction away from the connection frame. The block frame and the pivot frame together form an accommodation space configured to accommodate a server. The first rollers are rollably disposed on the block frame. When the pivot frame is at the vertical state, at least part of the first rollers is located below the accommodation space.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a transport device, and more particularly to a server transport device. [Previous Technology]

[0002] With the development of technology, the weight of servers and other equipment required in data centers is increasing, and their number is also increasing.

[0003] These servers need to be protected from impacts to avoid damage. However, when these servers need to be repaired or replaced, they can currently only be moved by manual labor, which not only easily causes physical injury to workers but also makes it easier to damage the servers during handling. In particular, vertically placed servers need to be moved to a horizontal position for easy repair after being removed, and extra labor is required to change the position of the servers from vertical to horizontal. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a server transport device that can easily move the server to avoid damage to the server due to collision.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a server transport device comprising a moving component, a lifting component, and a carrying component. The lifting component has a fixed end and a movable end. The fixed end is disposed on the moving component, and the movable end is movable relative to the fixed end. The carrying component includes a connecting frame, a pivot frame, at least one stop frame, and a plurality of first rollers. The connecting frame is disposed on the movable end of the lifting component. The pivot frame is pivotally disposed on the connecting frame and has a horizontal state and a vertical state. The at least one stop frame is disposed on the pivot frame and extends in a direction away from the connecting frame. The at least one stop frame and the pivot frame together form a receiving space for accommodating a server. The first rollers are rotatably disposed on the at least one stop frame. When the pivot frame is in the vertical state, at least a portion of the first rollers is located below the receiving space.

[0006] According to the server transport device disclosed in the above embodiments, by means of the lifting mechanism design in the lifting assembly and the pivoting mechanism design in the carrying assembly, the accommodating space can be easily aligned with the server, so that the vertically placed server can be easily moved into the accommodating space, thereby saving labor and avoiding damage to the server due to collision. Furthermore, the first roller provided on the stop bracket can serve as a labor-saving design mechanism to further save the force required to move the server into the accommodating space.

[0007] 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

[0008] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a server transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention when it is folded up, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the server transport device of Figure 1 when its lifting component is unfolded, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the server transport device of Figure 1 when its carrying component is unfolded, Figure 4 is another perspective view of the server transport device of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the server transport device of Figure 2 when its protective frame is unfolded.

[0009] The server transport device 10 provided in this embodiment includes a moving component 11, a lifting component 12 and a carrying component 13.

[0010] The moving component 11 is, for example, a trolley. The moving component 11 includes a seat 111, a plurality of wheels 112, and a handle 113. The seat 111 is provided for the lifting component 12. The wheels 112 are rotatably disposed on the side of the seat 111 away from the lifting component 12, so that the seat 111 can move, for example, horizontally relative to a specific location (such as the floor of a data center, not shown separately). The handle 113 is disposed on the seat 111 to facilitate moving the seat 111 by pushing it.

[0011] The lifting assembly 12 includes a scissor mechanism 121, a hydraulic actuator 122, and an operating lever 123. The scissor mechanism 121 has a fixed end 121a and a movable end 121b. The fixed end 121a is disposed on the base 111 of the moving assembly 11. The movable end 121b is movable relative to the fixed end 121a, for example, in a vertical direction. The hydraulic actuator 122 is connected between the scissor mechanism 121 and the base 111 of the moving assembly 11 and is connected to the operating lever 123. The hydraulic actuator 122 extends or retracts the scissor mechanism 121 according to the operating state of the operating lever 123. When the scissor mechanism 121 is retracted, the movable end 121b is close to the fixed end 121a, as shown in FIG1. ​​When the scissor mechanism 121 is extended, the movable end 121b is away from the fixed end 121a, as shown in FIG2. In some embodiments, the hydraulic actuator may be replaced with other types of actuators such as pneumatic actuators or electric actuators.

[0012] The load-bearing assembly 13 includes a connecting frame 131, a pivot frame 132, two stop frames 133, two protective frames 134, a load-bearing plate 135, a plurality of first rollers 136a, a plurality of second rollers 136b, a plurality of first hinges 137a, a plurality of second hinges 137b, and an electric actuator 138.

[0013] The connecting frame 131 is disposed at the movable end 121b of the scissor mechanism 121 of the lifting assembly 12.

[0014] The pivot frame 132 is pivotally mounted on the connecting frame 131 and has a horizontal state and a vertical state. When the pivot frame 132 is in the horizontal state, the pivot frame 132 is as shown in FIG2. When the pivot frame 132 is in the vertical state, the pivot frame 132 is as shown in FIG3 and FIG4. Note that the switching between the horizontal and vertical states of the pivot frame 132 is not limited to the unfolded and retracted states of the scissor mechanism 121, and the server transport device 10 of the present invention is not limited to the states shown in the figures.

[0015] Stops 133 are disposed on opposite sides of the pivot frame 132 and extend in a direction away from the connecting frame 131. The stops 133 and the pivot frame 132 together form an accommodating space AC.

[0016] The protective frame 134 is pivotally mounted on the side of the stop frame 133 away from the pivot frame 132.

[0017] The support plate 135 is located within the accommodating space AC and abuts against the pivot frame 132. The support plate 135 has a support surface 1350 on the side away from the pivot frame 132. In the normal direction of the support surface 1350, the protective frame 134 selectively obscures or exposes the support surface 1350. Specifically, when the protective frame 134 pivots toward the support surface 1350, the protective frame 134 obscures the support surface 1350, as shown in Figures 1 to 4. When the protective frame 134 pivots away from the support surface 1350, the protective frame 134 exposes the support surface 1350, as shown in Figure 5. Note that the support plate 135 is an optional element. In some embodiments, the support plate may be omitted, and the side of the pivot frame away from the connecting frame may be used as the support surface.

[0018] The first roller 136a is rotatably mounted on the stop 133. The axis of rotation of the first roller 136a is parallel to the extending direction of the stop 133. When the pivot 132 is in a vertical state, one of the stop 133 is located below the accommodating space AC, and the other stop 133 is located above the accommodating space AC, while the first roller 136a mounted on the two stop 133 is located above and below the accommodating space AC, respectively.

[0019] The second roller 136b is rotatably mounted on the protective frame 134. The axis of rotation of the second roller 136b is parallel to the extending direction of the protective frame 134.

[0020] A first hinge 137a is provided on the connecting frame 131 and the pivot frame 132 to complete the pivot frame 132 being pivotally mounted relative to the connecting frame 131. Alternatively, it can be said that the pivot frame 132 is pivotally mounted on the connecting frame 131 via the first hinge 137a.

[0021] A second hinge 137b is provided on the stop frame 133 and the protective frame 134 to enable the protective frame 134 to pivot relative to the stop frame 133. Alternatively, the protective frame 134 is pivotally mounted on the stop frame 133 via the second hinge 137b.

[0022] An electric actuator 138 is connected between the connecting frame 131 and the pivot frame 132. The electric actuator 138 selectively pivots the pivot frame 132 to switch the pivot frame 132 between a horizontal and a vertical state. In some embodiments, the electric actuator may also be replaced with other types of actuators such as pneumatic actuators or hydraulic actuators.

[0023] Please refer to Figure 6 together with Figures 1 to 5, wherein Figure 6 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the server transport device in Figure 3 when loading the server.

[0024] In this embodiment, the server transport device 10 can utilize the accommodating space AC to accommodate a server 22. Specifically, when a server 22 vertically placed in a rack 20 needs repair or replacement, the server transport device 10 can be moved to the side of the rack 20, and the scissor mechanism 121 can be unfolded to the same height as the server 22. Then, the pivot frame 132 can be pivoted to a vertical state. After aligning the accommodating space AC with the server 22 to be repaired or replaced, the vertically placed server 22 can be taken out and moved into the accommodating space AC, as shown in Figure 6.

[0025] If the server 22 requires maintenance, the pivot frame 132 can be pivoted to a horizontal position to support the server 22 on the bearing surface 1350, and the protective frame 134 can be pivoted away from the bearing surface 1350 as shown in Figure 5 to expose the server 22 on the bearing surface 1350, thus facilitating the opening of the server 22's casing for maintenance. If the server 22 needs to be replaced, the server transport device 10, along with the server 22, can be pushed back to a location such as a warehouse to replace the new server 22.

[0026] By utilizing the lifting mechanism design in the lifting assembly 12 and the pivoting mechanism design in the supporting assembly 13, the accommodating space AC can be easily aligned with the server 22, allowing the vertically placed server 22 to be easily moved into the accommodating space AC. This saves labor and prevents damage to the server 22 from collisions. Furthermore, the first roller 136a provided on the stop bracket 133 serves as a force-saving design mechanism to further reduce the force required to move the server 22 into the accommodating space AC.

[0027] Furthermore, the design of the protective frame 134 further prevents the server 22 from falling out of the accommodating space AC from the side away from the support plate 135 when the pivot frame 132 is in a vertical position. In addition, the pivotable design of the protective frame 134 allows the server 22 to be repaired and maintained without leaving the accommodating space AC when the pivot frame 132 is in a horizontal position, avoiding multiple handling of the server 22. Moreover, the second roller 136b can also serve as a force-saving design mechanism to further reduce the force required to move the server 22 into the accommodating space AC.

[0028] According to the server transport device of the above embodiment, by means of the lifting mechanism design in the lifting assembly and the pivoting mechanism design in the bearing assembly, the accommodating space can be easily aligned with the server, so as to easily move the vertically placed server into the accommodating space, thereby saving labor and avoiding damage to the server due to collision. In addition, the first roller provided on the stop frame can serve as a labor-saving design mechanism to further save the force required to move the server into the accommodating space.

[0029] Furthermore, the design of the protective frame further prevents the server from falling out of the housing space from the side away from the support plate when the pivot frame is in a vertical position. In addition, the pivotable design of the protective frame allows the server to be repaired and maintained without leaving the housing space when the pivot frame is in a horizontal position, avoiding multiple handling of the server. Moreover, the second roller also serves as a force-saving design mechanism to further reduce the force required to move the server into the housing space.

[0030] 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]

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a server transport device according to one embodiment of the present invention when it is retracted. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the server transport device of Figure 1 when its lifting assembly is extended. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the server transport device of Figure 1 when its carrying assembly is extended. Figure 4 is another perspective view of the server transport device of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the server transport device of Figure 2 when its protective frame is extended. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the server transport device of Figure 3 when a server is loaded.

Claims

1. A server transport device, comprising: a moving component; a lifting component having a fixed end and a movable end, wherein the fixed end is disposed on the moving component and the movable end is movable relative to the fixed end; and a carrying component, comprising: a connecting frame disposed on the movable end of the lifting component; a pivot frame pivotally disposed on the connecting frame and having a horizontal state and a vertical state; at least one stop frame disposed on the pivot frame and extending in a direction away from the connecting frame, wherein the at least one stop frame and the pivot frame together form an accommodating space for accommodating a server; and a plurality of first rollers rotatably disposed on the at least one stop frame, wherein when the pivot frame is in a vertical state, at least a portion of the first rollers is located below the accommodating space, wherein the carrying component further comprises at least one protective frame pivotally disposed on the side of the at least one stop frame away from the pivot frame.

2. The server transport device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrying component further includes a plurality of second rollers rotatably disposed on the at least one protective frame.

3. The server transport device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the carrier assembly further includes a carrier plate located within the receiving space and conforming to the pivot frame, the carrier plate having a carrier surface on a side away from the pivot frame, and the at least one protective frame selectively shielding or exposing the carrier surface in the normal direction of the carrier surface.

4. The server transport device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the carrying component further includes at least one hinge disposed on the at least one stop and the at least one guard, and the at least one guard is pivotally disposed on the at least one stop via the at least one hinge.

5. The server transport device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrying component further includes at least one hinge disposed on the connecting frame and the pivot frame, and the pivot frame is pivotally disposed on the connecting frame via the at least one hinge.

6. The server transport device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier component further includes an electric actuator connected between the connecting frame and the pivot frame, and the electric actuator selectively pivots the pivot frame.

7. The server transport device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of the at least one stop is two; when the pivot is in a vertical position, one of the stops is located below the receiving space and the other of the stops is located above the receiving space.

8. The server transport device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving component includes a seat, a plurality of wheels and a handle, the seat being disposed at the fixed end of the lifting component, the wheels being rotatably disposed on the side of the seat away from the lifting component, and the handle being disposed on the seat.

9. The server transport device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting assembly includes a scissor mechanism, a hydraulic actuator, and an operating lever, the scissor mechanism having a fixed end and a movable end, the hydraulic actuator being connected between the scissor mechanism and the moving assembly and connected to the operating lever, and the hydraulic actuator extending or retracting the scissor mechanism according to the operating state of the operating lever.

10. The server transport device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation axis of the first rollers is parallel to the extension direction of the at least one stop.

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