Open rack and modular tray

Abstract

An open rack includes a rack body, at least one modular tray and at least one server. The at least one modular tray includes a carrier and at least one quick-release bracket. The carrier is movably mounted on the rack body, and includes a bottom plate and two side plates. The two side plates are connected to two opposite sides of the bottom plate. The bottom plate and the two side plates together surround and form a first accommodating space. The at least one quick-release bracket is detachably located between the two side plates. The bottom plate, at least one of the two side plates and the at least one quick-release bracket together surround and form a second accommodating space. The size of the first accommodating space is greater than the size of the second accommodating space. The at least one server is configured to be disposed in the first accommodating space or the second accommodating space.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an open cabinet and a modular tray, particularly an open cabinet and a modular tray equipped with a quick-release bracket. [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 rack-mounted servers as an example, servers are generally mounted in a rack using angle iron brackets. However, the area supported by angle iron brackets is small, resulting in insufficient strength to support the server. Furthermore, when assemblers want to install servers of different sizes, they need to replace the angle iron brackets with different sizes, causing assembly inconvenience. Moreover, the aforementioned assembly structure makes it difficult to connect shorter servers to the busbars inside the rack. Therefore, improving the structural strength and convenience of mounting servers in a rack is one of the problems that developers should solve. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The present invention provides an open cabinet and modular disks, thereby improving the structural strength and convenience of mounting servers in the cabinet.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention discloses an open cabinet suitable for housing at least one server, comprising a cabinet and at least one modular tray. The at least one modular tray includes a support member and at least one quick-release bracket. The support member is movably mounted to the cabinet and includes a base plate and two side plates. The two side plates are connected to opposite sides of the base plate. The base plate and the two side plates together surround a first accommodating space. At least one quick-release bracket is detachably located between the two side plates. The base plate, one of the two side plates, and the at least one quick-release bracket together surround a second accommodating space. The size of the first accommodating space is larger than the size of the second accommodating space. The first or second accommodating space is used to house at least one server.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a modular carrier disk for mounting at least one server in an open rack, and includes a carrier and at least one quick-release bracket. The carrier is movably mounted in the open rack and includes a base plate and two side plates. The two side plates are connected to opposite sides of the base plate. The base plate and the two side plates together surround a first receiving space. At least one quick-release bracket is detachably located between the two side plates. The base plate, one of the two side plates, and the at least one quick-release bracket together surround a second receiving space. The size of the first receiving space is larger than the size of the second receiving space. The first receiving space or the second receiving space is used to mount at least one server.

[0007] According to the open rack and modular tray of the above embodiment, since the quick-release bracket is detachably located between the two side plates of the carrier, the assembly personnel can install the quick-release bracket on the carrier for mounting a server of a first size, or remove the quick-release bracket from the carrier for mounting a server of a second size. In other words, the modular tray is compatible with servers of different sizes without requiring the replacement of trays of different sizes to accommodate the servers. This improves the convenience of mounting servers in the rack.

[0008] In addition, compared to using angle iron brackets to support the server, in this embodiment, since the bearing area of ​​the support member is larger than that of the angle iron bracket, the server can be more stably mounted on the modular carrier, thereby improving the structural strength of the assembled server.

[0009] 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

[0010] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the open rack according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the open rack of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the modular disks and servers of the open rack of Figure 1. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the modular disks of the open rack of Figure 1.

[0011] The open cabinet 10 of this embodiment is suitable for carrying at least one server 13 and includes a cabinet 11 and a modular tray 12. The modular tray 12 includes a support member 121, two quick-release brackets 122, and two fasteners 123. The support member 121 is movably mounted on the cabinet 11 and includes a base plate 1211 and two side plates 1212. The two side plates 1212 are connected to opposite sides of the base plate 1211. The two quick-release brackets 122 are detachably located between the two side plates 1212 and are fixed to the base plate 1211 by means of the two fasteners 123. The fasteners 123 are, for example, floating screws.

[0012] Further, the base plate 1211 and the two side plates 1212 each include a plurality of first positioning structures P1, and each quick-release bracket 122 includes a plurality of second positioning structures P2. The first positioning structure P1 is, for example, a positioning protrusion, and the second positioning structure P2 is, for example, a positioning hole. Each second positioning structure P2 includes a wide section P21 and a narrow section P22. The wide section P21 and the narrow section P22 are connected. The width of the wide section P21 is greater than the width of the narrow section P22. These first positioning structures P1 are slidably disposed on these second positioning structures P2 and located on these wide sections P21 or these narrow sections P22. These first positioning structures P1 separate the quick-release bracket 122 from the carrier member 121 by being located on these wide sections P21, and position the quick-release bracket 122 on the carrier member 121 by being located on these narrow sections P22.

[0013] The base plate 1211 and the two side plates 1212 together form a first accommodating space S1, and the base plate 1211, the two side plates 1212, and the two quick-release brackets 122 together form a second accommodating space S2. The size of the first accommodating space S1 is larger than the size of the second accommodating space S2, and either the first accommodating space S1 or the second accommodating space S2 is used to house at least one server 13. In this embodiment, the server 13 is, for example, 19 inches in size, and the carrier 121 is equipped with two quick-release brackets 122 for the server 13 to be housed in the second accommodating space S2. Furthermore, the height of the server 13 is, for example, 2U.

[0014] In this embodiment, the modular tray 12 may further include multiple engaging components 124. Each engaging component 124 includes multiple first engaging portions 1241 and a stop portion 1242. These first engaging portions 1241 and the stop portions 1242 are respectively disposed on the two side plates 1212. The first engaging portions 1241 are, for example, engaging protrusions. The cabinet 11 includes multiple second engaging portions 111. The second engaging portions 111 are, for example, engaging holes. These first engaging portions 1241 are respectively used to engage with these second engaging portions 111, and the stop portions 1242 are used to abut against the cabinet 11, so that the modular tray 12 is positioned on the cabinet 11. These engaging components 124 are, for example, stainless steel springs, and are fixed to the two side plates 1212 by means of riveting, for example.

[0015] In this embodiment, the modular carrier 12 may further include a power supply box 125. The power supply box 125 is disposed on the base plate 1211. The cabinet 11 includes a bus 112. The server 13 is electrically connected to the bus 112 through the power supply box 125. For example, the server 13 is electrically plugged into the power supply box 125, and the power supply box 125 is electrically connected to the bus 112 through a cable (not shown).

[0016] In this embodiment, since the quick-release bracket 122 is detachably located between the two side plates 1212 of the carrier 121, the assembler can install the quick-release bracket 122 onto the carrier 121 for mounting a server of a first size, or remove the quick-release bracket 122 from the carrier 121 for mounting a server of a second size. In other words, the modular carrier 12 is compatible with servers of different sizes without requiring the replacement of different sized carriers to accommodate the servers. This improves the convenience of mounting the server in the cabinet 11.

[0017] Furthermore, since the modular carrier 12 is installed on the cabinet 11 through the snap-fit ​​assembly 124, without the need for additional installation tools, the convenience of installing the server on the cabinet 11 is further enhanced.

[0018] In addition, compared with using angle iron brackets to support the server, in this embodiment, since the bearing area of ​​the support member 121 is larger than that of the angle iron bracket, the server 13 can be more stably mounted on the modular carrier 12, thereby improving the structural strength of the assembled server 13.

[0019] Furthermore, since the support area of ​​the support member 121 is large, the support member 121 contains enough space to install the power supply box 125, so that the server 13 can be electrically connected to the bus 112. In this way, the convenience of installing the server 13 in the cabinet 11 can be further improved.

[0020] In this embodiment, the modular carrier disk 12 and the server 13 are each a single unit, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the number of modular carrier disks and servers may also be multiple units.

[0021] In this embodiment, there are two quick-release brackets 122, and the base plate 1211, the two side plates 1212, and the two quick-release brackets 122 together surround the second accommodating space S2, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the number of quick-release brackets may be only one, and the second accommodating space may be surrounded by at least one of the base plate and the two side plates and at least one quick-release bracket.

[0022] In this embodiment, the base plate 1211 and the two side plates 1212 each include a first positioning structure P1, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the base plate or the two side plates may also include the first positioning structure.

[0023] In this embodiment, there are multiple first positioning structures P1 and multiple second positioning structures P2, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, there may be only one first positioning structure and one second positioning structure.

[0024] In this embodiment, the number of engaging components 124 is multiple, but not limited to this. In other embodiments, the number of engaging components may be only a single one.

[0025] In this embodiment, each locking assembly 124 has multiple first locking portions 1241, each locking assembly 124 has a single stop portion 1242, and the cabinet has multiple second locking portions 111, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, each locking assembly may have only a single first locking portion, each locking assembly may have multiple stop portions, and the cabinet may have only a single second locking portion.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first positioning structure P1 is a positioning protrusion, and the second positioning structure P2 is a positioning hole, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the first positioning structure and the second positioning structure can also be interchanged. That is, the first positioning structure can also be a positioning hole, and the second positioning structure can also be a positioning protrusion.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first engaging portion 1241 is an engaging protrusion, and the second engaging portion 111 is an engaging hole, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion may also be interchanged. That is, the first engaging portion may also be an engaging hole, and the second engaging portion may also be an engaging protrusion.

[0028] In this embodiment, the modular carrier 12 includes a power supply box 125, and the server 13 is electrically connected to the bus 112 through the power supply box 125, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the modular carrier may not include a power supply box, and the server may be electrically connected to the bus, for example, through a cable or other means.

[0029] Please refer to Figures 5 through 9 together. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the quick-release bracket of the open rack in Figure 1 assembled with the support component. Figure 6 is another perspective view of the quick-release bracket of the open rack in Figure 1 assembled with the support component. Figure 7 is another perspective view of the quick-release bracket of the open rack in Figure 1 assembled with the support component. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the modular tray of the open rack in Figure 1 assembled with the rack. Figure 9 is another cross-sectional view of the modular tray of the open rack in Figure 1 assembled with the rack.

[0030] When the assembler intends to install the modular carrier tray 12 onto the cabinet 11, firstly, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the quick-release bracket 122 is installed on the support member 121 along direction A, such that the first positioning structures P1 are respectively positioned on the wide sections P21. Next, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the quick-release bracket 122 is moved along direction B, such that the first positioning structures P1 move along direction B from the wide sections P21 to the narrow sections P22. In this way, the quick-release bracket 122 is positioned on the support member 121. Then, the quick-release bracket 122 is fixed to the base plate 1211 by fasteners 123, thus completing the assembly of the quick-release bracket 122 and the support member 121.

[0031] Next, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the carrier 121 is installed on the cabinet 11 along direction C, such that the first engaging parts 1241 engage with the second engaging parts 111 respectively, and the stop part 1242 abuts against the cabinet 11, thereby positioning the modular carrier 12 on the cabinet 11. In this way, the assembly of the modular carrier 12 and the cabinet 11 is completed. Since the stop part 1242 abuts against the cabinet 11, the modular carrier 12 is prevented from falling off the cabinet 11 in the opposite direction of direction C.

[0032] Conversely, when the assembler wants to remove the modular carrier tray 12 from the cabinet 11, by pressing these engaging components 124, the first engaging portions 1241 are separated from the second engaging portions 111 and the stop portions 1242 are separated from the cabinet 11, thus removing the carrier 121 from the cabinet 11 in the opposite direction of direction C. Furthermore, when the assembler wants to remove the quick-release bracket 122 from the carrier 121, the quick-release bracket 122 can be moved in the opposite direction of direction B, causing the first positioning structures P1 to move in the opposite direction of direction B from the narrow sections P22 to the wide sections P21, thus removing the quick-release bracket 122 from the carrier 121 in the opposite direction of direction A.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the modular carrier disk according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The modular carrier disk 12A of this embodiment is similar to the modular carrier disk 12 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below, and the similarities will not be repeated.

[0034] In this embodiment, the height of the server (not shown) is, for example, 4U, which is higher than the height of the support member 121. Therefore, the modular carrier 12A may also include a reinforcing bracket 126A, and the height of the quick-release bracket 122A is adjusted to match the height of the server. The reinforcing bracket 126A is detachably mounted on the two quick-release brackets 122A and covers the server. In this way, the support for the server is strengthened, so that the server is more securely mounted on the modular carrier 12A.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the modular carrier disk according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The modular carrier disk 12B of this embodiment is similar to the modular carrier disk 12 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below, and the similarities will not be repeated.

[0036] In this embodiment, the height of the server (not shown) is, for example, 12U, which is higher than the height of the support member 121. Therefore, the modular carrier 12B may also include a reinforcing bracket 126B. The reinforcing bracket 126B is detachably mounted on two quick-release brackets 122B and covers the server. In this way, the support for the server is strengthened, so that the server is more securely mounted on the modular carrier 12B.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the modular carrier disk and server according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The modular carrier disk 12C and server 13C of this embodiment are similar to the modular carrier disk 12 and server 13 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below, and the similarities will not be repeated.

[0038] In this embodiment, the size of the server 13C is, for example, 21 inches, that is, the size of the server 13C in this embodiment is larger than the size of the server 13 in the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no need to install a quick-release bracket on the carrier 121, so that the server 13C can be directly set in the first accommodating space S1.

[0039] According to the open rack and modular tray of the above embodiment, since the quick-release bracket is detachably located between the two side plates of the carrier, the assembly personnel can install the quick-release bracket on the carrier for mounting a server of a first size, or remove the quick-release bracket from the carrier for mounting a server of a second size. In other words, the modular tray is compatible with servers of different sizes without requiring the replacement of trays of different sizes to accommodate the servers. This improves the convenience of mounting servers in the rack.

[0040] Furthermore, since the modular carrier is installed in the cabinet through a snap-fit ​​assembly, without the need for additional installation tools, the convenience of installing the server in the cabinet is further enhanced.

[0041] In addition, compared with using angle iron brackets to support the server, in this embodiment, since the bearing area of ​​the support member is larger than that of the angle iron bracket, the server can be more stably mounted on the modular carrier, thereby improving the structural strength of the assembled server.

[0042] Furthermore, because the carrier has a large bearing area, it contains enough space to install an additional power supply box, so that the server can be electrically connected to the busbar. This further improves the convenience of installing the server in the cabinet.

[0043] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the open cabinet and modular disk disclosed herein can be set 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.

[0044] 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]

[0045] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the open rack according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the open rack of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the modular carrier and server of the open rack of Figure 1. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the modular carrier of the open rack of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the quick-release bracket of the open rack of Figure 1 assembled on the support member. Figure 6 is another perspective view of the quick-release bracket of the open rack of Figure 1 assembled on the support member. Figure 7 is another perspective view of the quick-release bracket of the open rack of Figure 1 assembled on the support member. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the modular carrier of the open rack of Figure 1 assembled on the rack body. Figure 9 is another cross-sectional view of the modular carrier of the open rack of Figure 1 assembled on the rack body. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the modular carrier according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the modular carrier according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the modular carrier and server according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. An open rack suitable for housing at least one server, the open rack comprising: a cabinet; and at least one modular carrier, comprising: a carrier movably mounted on the cabinet and including a base plate and two side plates connected to opposite sides of the base plate, the base plate and the two side plates together forming a first accommodating space; and at least one quick-release bracket detachably located between the two side plates, the base plate, at least one of the two side plates and the at least one quick-release bracket together forming a second accommodating space, the size of the first accommodating space being larger than the size of the second accommodating space, the first accommodating space or the second accommodating space being used for housing the at least one server.

2. The open cabinet as described in claim 1, wherein the base plate or the two side plates include at least one first positioning structure, and the at least one quick-release bracket includes at least one second positioning structure, the at least one second 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 slidably disposed on the at least one second positioning structure and located on the wide section or the narrow section, the at least one first positioning structure being located on the wide section to separate the at least one quick-release bracket from the carrier, and being located on the narrow section to position the at least one quick-release bracket on the carrier.

3. The open rack as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one modular disk further includes a power supply box disposed on the base plate, and the rack includes a bus for electrically connecting the at least one server to the bus.

4. The open cabinet as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one modular tray further includes at least one engaging component, the at least one engaging component includes at least one first engaging portion disposed on one of the two side panels, the cabinet body includes at least one second engaging portion, the at least one first engaging portion being engaged with the at least one second engaging portion to position the at least one modular tray in the cabinet body.

5. The open cabinet as described in claim 4, wherein the at least one engaging component further includes at least one stop, the at least one stop being disposed on one of the two side panels and used to abut against the cabinet body.

6. The open rack as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one modular tray further includes a fastener, and the at least one quick-release bracket is secured to the base plate by the fastener.

7. The open rack as described in claim 1, wherein the modular tray further includes a reinforcing bracket that is detachably mounted to the at least one quick-release bracket and is used to cover the at least one server.

8. A modular carrier for mounting in an open rack and for housing at least one server, the modular carrier comprising: a carrier for movably mounting in the open rack, and including a base plate and two side plates connected to opposite sides of the base plate, the base plate and the two side plates together forming a first accommodating space; and at least one quick-release bracket detachably located between the two side plates, the base plate, at least one of the two side plates and the at least one quick-release bracket together forming a second accommodating space, the size of the first accommodating space being larger than the size of the second accommodating space, the first accommodating space or the second accommodating space being used for housing the at least one server.

9. The modular carrier as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base plate or the two side plates include at least one first positioning structure, and the at least one quick-release bracket includes at least one second positioning structure, the at least one second 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 slidably disposed on the at least one second positioning structure and located on the wide section or the narrow section, the at least one first positioning structure being located on the wide section to separate the at least one quick-release bracket from the carrier, and being located on the narrow section to position the at least one quick-release bracket on the carrier.

10. The modular carrier as described in claim 8 further includes a power supply box disposed on the base plate and used for electrically connecting the at least one server to the busbar of the open rack.

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