Fastening device for fastening an electronic component

Abstract

In a fastening device for fastening an electronic component (13), which has at least one fastening tab (14) with at least one hole (15), to a sheet-metal bracket (12), which has a row of holes (10), of a rack, comprising a plate (1) with supporting means (5) for supporting the component (13) and with a fastening portion (2) extending substantially at a right angle from the plate (1) for fastening the fastening device to the sheet-metal bracket (12), the fastening portion (2) has at least one internal thread for screwing in a fastening bolt (6) in a direction extending substantially parallel to the plate (1).

Description

[0001] Mounting device for attaching an electronic component

[0002] The invention relates to a fastening device for fastening an electronic component, which has at least one fastening tab with at least one hole, to a sheet metal angle of a frame having a row of holes.

[0003] The invention further relates to a rack for storing electronic components, comprising at least two vertically extending sheet metal angles arranged at a distance from each other and having a row of holes, the first legs of which facing each other define an opening and to which at least one electronic component is attached, wherein a fastening device according to the invention is attached to each of the first legs.

[0004] In the context of the present invention and according to technical usage, the term "rack" refers to a rack for electronic components with a standardized width of, for example, 19 inches, in which the individual components that can be mounted in the rack have a width corresponding to the standardized width of, for example, 19 inches. In terms of height, such a rack is usually divided into standardized rack units (U), which in turn determines the minimum height of a component to be mounted. Accordingly, the electronic components to be mounted in the rack usually have a standardized height of one rack unit or a multiple thereof. One rack unit (U) of a standard 19-inch rack has a height of 1.75 inches.

[0005] The electronic components to be mounted using the mounting device have laterally projecting, plate-shaped mounting tabs by means of which they are attached to the rows of holes on the front of sheet metal brackets. The laterally projecting areas of the plate-shaped mounting tabs of the electronic components are provided with holes that, aligned with the row of holes in the sheet metal brackets, serve to accommodate fasteners, in particular screw bolts. The sheet metal brackets can be approximately 2 mm thick and, in the case of standardized 19-inch racks, are each 15.88 mm wide, forming an opening approximately 19 inches wide between them. The design of such racks is specified in the following standards: EIA 310-D, IEC 60297, and DIN 41494 SC48D.In each rack unit (1.75"), three holes are stacked vertically at intervals of 15.88 mm (0.625"); the distance to the first hole of the next rack unit is slightly smaller at 12.70 mm (0.5"). This results in a visibly rhythmic repetition of the hole spacing.

[0006] Mounting electronic components in racks is complex and often difficult, as the electronic components have a certain weight and bulkiness.

[0007] Electronic components are usually mounted on the front of the frame, i.e., where the vertically running sheet metal angles with the row of holes are located.

[0008] The holes in the row of holes can be round holes in so-called "round-hole racks" or square holes in so-called "square-hole racks", and are threaded in so-called "threaded-hole racks".

[0009] Since conventional frames do not have a support surface

[0010] The installation of the electronic components must offer the

[0011] The installer must manually position the electronic component so that the holes on the laterally protruding areas of the plate-shaped mounting tabs align with the holes in the brackets, hold the component in this position, and then attach the connecting screws to secure it to the frame. The installer must either hold the electronic component in the correct position themselves, leaving only one free hand for fastening, or the installation must be carried out by two people: one holding the component in the correct mounting position while the other performs the installation.

[0012] Due to the aforementioned shortcomings, the assembly of electronic components in racks is time-consuming and involves a high personnel effort.

[0013] An improvement was achieved through a mounting device according to WO 2024 / 141836 Al. The mounting device comprises a plate with an angled mounting section, which is attached to the frame by means of permanently fixed mounting bolts that pass through the mounting tab of the electronic component and the row of holes in the frame. The mounting devices can be pre-attached to or hooked onto the respective sheet metal bracket, and the electronic component can then be supported by the mounting devices, for which purpose it is provided with support elements. This ensures that the component is already supported for the subsequent installation of screws or similar fasteners.

[0014] The fastening device described in WO 2024 / 141836 Al is primarily suitable for racks with unthreaded holes, i.e., for "round-hole racks" and "square-hole racks," as the threaded bolts can be inserted through the holes. This is not possible for use with "threaded-hole racks," which instead requires the use of separate screws. This makes handling more difficult, increases the time required, and necessitates carrying additional screws.

[0015] The present invention therefore aims to further develop a fastening device in such a way that a uniform design enables its use for both racks with unthreaded holes and racks with threaded holes.

[0016] To solve this problem, the invention provides a fastening device for attaching an electronic component, which has at least one fastening tab with at least one hole, to a sheet metal angle of a frame having a row of holes, comprising a plate with support means for supporting the component and a fastening section extending at a substantially right angle from the plate for attaching the fastening device to the sheet metal angle, wherein the fastening device is characterized in that the fastening section has at least one internal thread for screwing in a fastening bolt in a direction extending substantially parallel to the plate.

[0017] Because the threaded bolt is not permanently and inseparably connected to the fastening section, but rather the fastening section has an internal thread for the detachable reception of the fastening bolt, it is possible to switch between a version for racks with unthreaded holes and a version for racks with threaded holes. In the version for racks with unthreaded holes, the at least one fastening bolt is screwed into the internal thread before assembly, thus achieving a version with a pre-assembled fastening bolt as described in WO 2024 / 141836 A1. In the version for racks with threaded holes, the at least one threaded bolt is initially separated from the fastening section.The fastening device is held against the sheet metal angle of the frame from behind with its fastening section and fastened from the front with the help of the fastening bolt, by screwing the fastening bolt into the threaded hole of the sheet metal angle and the corresponding internal thread of the fastening section.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the internal thread is formed in a sleeve connected to the fastening section, preferably by press-fitting, wherein the sleeve protrudes from the fastening section on the side facing the plate.

[0019] The fastening section is preferably formed integrally with the plate and is created in particular by bending an end section of the plate along a bending line.

[0020] Since the row of holes in the frame runs vertically, it is preferably provided that the mounting section of the fastening device runs at a right angle to the plate. This ensures that the mounting section lies flush against the row of holes in the frame.

[0021] The fastening device according to the invention is preferably further developed in that the fastening section has two internal threads, each suitable for screwing in a fastening bolt in a direction extending substantially parallel to the plate. The provision of two bolts enables a more stable fixation of the electronic component to the frame compared to an embodiment with only one bolt, since the two bolts of the fastening section engage in two holes – instead of just one – of the row of holes in the frame.The electronic component is held in place without screws simply by hooking onto the mounting bolts: The weight of the electronic component exerts a tilting moment on the mounting bolts, which, with a suitable design, leads to the mounting bolts wedging into the holes of the frame's row of holes, thus securing the electronic component against falling even without additional connecting elements on the frame.

[0022] Preferably, the at least one fastening bolt has a first bolt section, which is screwed into the internal thread and has an external thread, and a second bolt section, also with an external thread, which, when the first bolt section is screwed into the internal thread of the fastening section, projects from the fastening section on the side facing away from the plate. The second bolt section is designed to pass through a hole in the mounting tab of the electronic component and has an external thread to allow the screwing on of a nut, which presses the mounting tab against the sheet metal angle of the frame.

[0023] The external thread of the first bolt section is preferably adapted to the smallest expected diameter or internal thread of a threaded hole in the sheet metal bracket of a threaded-hole rack to allow universal applicability for a wide variety of rack designs and dimensions, and therefore has a relatively small diameter. Preferably, the smaller thread begins only after a length corresponding to the maximum thickness of the sheet metal bracket to prevent the screw threads from jamming with the internal thread of the rack in the event of slightly off-center mounting. The second bolt section, on the other hand, is dimensioned to ensure sufficient stability of the fastening system and preferably has a larger diameter than the first bolt section.The step created at the transition from the first bolt section to the second bolt section due to the difference in diameter can serve as a stop surface when screwing the fastening bolt into the sheet metal angle (in the case of "Threaded-hole Racks") or the fastening section (in the case of "Round-hole Racks" and "Square-hole Racks").

[0024] Alternatively, the fastening bolt can have a thickening between the first and second bolt sections that extends beyond the diameter of the second bolt section and is preferably profiled, e.g., as a hexagon. This increases the aforementioned contact surface, and in the case of a profiled design, a tool can be used to screw the fastening bolt in or out. This thickening is either small enough in diameter to fit within a square hole or large enough to protrude beyond the square hole, but in any case, it is no larger than what is necessary to extend into the next height unit.

[0025] To provide a flat contact surface for the mounting section on the back of the sheet metal angle, it is preferably provided that a front plate is attached to the side of the mounting section facing away from the plate, in particular by welding, clipping, gluing or folding, which has at least one through-hole aligned with the respective internal thread. The front plate is designed to cover any warping of the mounting section that occurs when pressing the internal thread.

[0026] To ensure secure support of the electronic component on the mounting devices, the plate incorporates support elements designed to allow the electronic component to be supported against gravity. This is achieved, for example, through a positive locking element that can be engaged with the component in a positive-locking manner.

[0027] Advantageously, the fastening device according to the invention is further developed in that the plate has a long and a short side, in particular rectangular, wherein the fastening section is bent over on the short side and a retaining section forming the positive locking element is bent over on the long side, on which the component can be supported, wherein preferably the retaining section is bent over from the plane of the plate in a direction opposite to that of the fastening section. According to this preferred embodiment, the side areas of the electronic component rest positively on the respective retaining section with their underside, thereby enabling stable support of the component within the frame and significantly facilitating the assembly of the component.

[0028] A further advantage of this design is that electronic components which do not have a separate mounting device for the front and, if applicable, rear sheet metal brackets of the frame, such as a server with only laterally attached server rails, can be mounted in a space-saving manner. According to an alternative embodiment, it is preferably provided that the positive locking element is formed by a hook-shaped bent end section of the plate. The hook-shaped bent end section can, for example, be inserted into a corresponding slot of the electronic component and there provide a positive locking against gravity.

[0029] The invention further relates to a rack for storing electronic components, comprising at least two vertically extending sheet metal brackets arranged at a distance from one another and having a row of holes, the first legs of which facing each other define an opening and to which at least one electronic component is attached, wherein the electronic component has a width substantially corresponding to the opening and at least two mounting tabs projecting outwards at their edges on a front side, preferably flush with the front side, which are arranged abutting the first legs and have holes aligned with the holes of the row of holes, and wherein a mounting device as described above is attached to each of the first legs.of which at least one fastening bolt is screwed into the respective internal thread of the fastening section and passes through the holes of the fastening tab and the row of holes, wherein the component is supported against gravity in a form-fit manner on the fastening devices.

[0030] The first leg of each sheet metal angle bracket of the frame is the leg to which the mounting tabs of the electronic components are attached, and these tabs typically lie in a common front plane. The component's mounting tabs rest on the front side, i.e., the side facing away from the interior of the frame, of the row of holes and can thus be held by the mounting bolts connected to the mounting device, which pass through the holes, thereby fixing the component to the frame. Preferably, the mounting section of the mounting device is arranged on the inside of the sheet metal angle bracket on the first leg.

[0031] In the case of fixing to a "threaded-hole rack", it is preferably provided that the holes of the row of holes are each designed as threaded holes and the fastening bolts are screwed into the respective internal thread of the fastening device in such a way that the thickening of the respective fastening bolt presses against the first leg of the sheet metal angle, and wherein a screw nut screwed onto the second bolt section presses the fastening tab against the first leg of the sheet metal angle.

[0032] In the case of round-hole racks and square-hole racks, it is preferably provided that the holes of the row of holes are each designed as unthreaded holes, in particular as square holes, with the thickening of the fastening bolt being arranged in the respective square hole and a nut screwed onto the second bolt section pressing the fastening tab against the first leg of the sheet metal angle. The arrangement of the thickening in the respective square hole serves to center the fastening device relative to the hole of the row of holes of the sheet metal angle in order to achieve precise positioning of the fastening device.

[0033] The frame preferably has four sheet metal angles defining a cuboid storage space, and the fastening devices do not form a continuous connection between two adjacent sheet metal angles.

[0034] Two of the four sheet metal angles that define the cuboid storage space form the front and two of the back of the rack.

[0035] According to this preferred embodiment, the fastening device attached to the front or rear of the row of holes projects into the interior of the cuboid storage space, i.e., extends towards a second leg of the sheet metal angle of the frame. The fastening device according to the invention enables a stable mounting of an electronic component in a frame without requiring a connection between two adjacent sheet metal angles, as is the case in the prior art.

[0036] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the drawing. In this drawing, Fig. 1 shows a fastening device according to the invention in a perspective view, Fig. 2 shows the fastening device according to Fig. 2 in a top view, Fig. 3 shows a fastening screw for use with a fastening device according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows the attachment of the fastening device in combination with an electronic component to a frame with unthreaded square holes, and Fig. 5 shows the attachment of the fastening device in combination with an electronic component to a frame with threaded holes.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mounting device comprises a plate 1 and a mounting section 2 bent from the plate 1 along a bending line. The mounting section 2 runs at a right angle to the plate 1. The mounting section 2 is provided with two threaded sleeves 3, which extend away from the mounting section 2 on the side facing the plate 1. A front plate 4 is attached to the mounting section 2 on the side facing away from the plate 1. The plate 1 further comprises a positive locking element 5 acting in the direction of the bending line, in the form of a hook-shaped bent end region of the plate 1, which can be inserted into a corresponding slot in the electronic component (not shown in Figures 1 and 2) to support the component against gravity.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a fastening bolt 6 that can be screwed into the internal thread of the sleeve 3. For this purpose, the fastening bolt has a first bolt section 7 with an external thread, such as an 8 / 32-inch thread, which can be screwed into the aforementioned internal thread. Furthermore, the fastening bolt 6 has a second bolt section 8 with an external thread having a larger thread diameter than the first bolt section 7, such as an M6 thread. A hexagonal thickening 9 is provided between the first bolt section 7 and the second bolt section 8, which serves to engage a tool.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows the fastening device 1 according to the invention in combination with a square row of holes 10 on a first leg 11 of a sheet metal angle bracket 12 of a frame and an electronic component 13 to be attached to the frame. The electronic component 13 is equipped on both sides with fastening tabs 14, each with two holes 15, which, in the assembled state, are aligned with the square holes 16 of the row of holes 10. Before assembly, the fastening bolts 6 are screwed tightly into the internal thread of the sleeves 3 with their first bolt section 7. The fastening device is then placed against the first leg 11 of the sheet metal angle bracket 12 from behind, so that the fastening bolts 6 with their second bolt sections 8 pass through the square holes 16 and the hexagonal thickenings 9 are arranged within the square holes.Then the electronic component 13 with the mounting tabs 14 is inserted so that the second bolt sections 8 penetrate the holes 15 and the positive locking element 5 is inserted into a corresponding slot of the component 13, whereupon the mounting tab 14 is tightened by screwing on nuts 17.

[0040] Fig. 5 shows the assembly of the mounting device and the electronic component 13 on a rack with threaded holes 16 (“threaded-hole rack”). For this purpose, the mounting device is first placed from behind against the first leg 11 of the sheet metal angle bracket 12, and the mounting bolt 6 is screwed from the front into the threaded hole 16 and further into the internal thread of the sleeve 3 until the hexagonal thickening abuts the first leg 11 and the threaded connection is tightened. Then, the component 13 is positioned from the front with the mounting tab 14 so that the second bolt sections 8 pass through the holes 15, whereupon the nuts 17 are screwed on and tightened.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Fastening device for fastening an electronic component (13), which has at least one fastening tab (14) with at least one hole (15), to a sheet metal angle (12) of a frame having a row of holes (10), comprising a plate (1) with support means (5) for supporting the component (13) and a fastening section (2) extending at a substantially right angle from the plate (1) for fastening the fastening device to the sheet metal angle (12), characterized in that the fastening section (2) has at least one internal thread for screwing in a fastening bolt (6) in a direction extending substantially parallel to the plate (1).

2. Fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal thread is formed in a sleeve (3) which is preferably connected to the fastening section (2) by pressing.

3. Fastening device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastening section (2) has two internal threads, each suitable for screwing in a fastening bolt (6) in a direction extending substantially parallel to the plate (1).

4. Fastening device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that further comprising at least one fastening bolt (6) which can be screwed into the respective internal thread.

5. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one Fastening bolt (6) has a first bolt section (7) which can be screwed into the internal thread and has an external thread, and a second bolt section (8) which has an external thread and which, in the state of the first bolt section (7) being screwed into the internal thread of the fastening section (2), protrudes from the fastening section (2) on the side facing away from the plate (1).

6. Fastening device according to claim 5, characterized in that the second bolt section (8) has a larger diameter than the first bolt section (7) .

7. Fastening device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the fastening bolt (6) has a thickening (9) between the first bolt section (7) and the second bolt section (8) extending beyond the diameter of the second bolt section (8), which is preferably profiled, e.g. as a hexagon.

8. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the fastening section (2) has a through hole arranged between the internal threads.

9. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a front plate (4) is attached, in particular welded, to the side of the fastening section (2) facing away from the plate (1), which has at least one through hole aligned with the respective internal thread.

10. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the support means have a positive locking element (5) which engages with the component 16 (13) can be brought into a form-fitting engagement to support the component (13) against gravity.

11. Fastening device according to claim 10, characterized in that the plate (1) is formed with a long and a short side, in particular rectangular, wherein the fastening section (2) is arranged on the short side and a retaining section forming the positive locking element (5) is bent over on the long side, on which the component (13) can be supported, wherein preferably the retaining section is bent over starting from the plane of the plate in a direction opposite to the fastening section (2).

12. Fastening device according to claim 11, characterized in that the positive locking element (5) is formed by a hook-shaped bent end region of the plate (1).

13. Rack for storing electronic components (13), comprising at least two vertically extending sheet metal brackets (12) spaced apart from one another and having a row of holes (10), the first legs (11) of which facing each other define an opening and to which at least one electronic component (13) is attached, wherein the electronic component (13) has a width substantially corresponding to the opening and at least two mounting tabs (14) projecting outwards at their edges on a front side, preferably flush with the front side, which are arranged abutting the first legs (11) and have holes (15) aligned with holes (16) of the row of holes (10), and wherein a mounting device according to one of claims 1 to 12 is attached to each of the first legs (11), from which the at least one mounting bolt (6) extends into the respective internal thread of the 17 The fastening section (2) is screwed in and passes through the holes (15,16) of the fastening tab (14) and the row of holes (10), wherein the component (13) is supported against gravity in a form-fitting manner on the fastening devices.

14. Frame according to claim 13, characterized in that the fastening section (2) is arranged on the inside of the sheet metal angle (12) on the first leg (11).

15. Frame according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the holes (16) of the row of holes (10) are each designed as threaded holes and the fastening bolts (6) are screwed into the respective internal thread of the fastening device in such a way that the thickening (9) of the respective fastening bolt (6) presses against the first leg (11) of the sheet metal angle (12), and wherein a screw nut (17) screwed onto the second bolt section (8) presses the fastening tab (14) against the first leg (11) of the sheet metal angle (12).

16. Frame according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the holes (16) of the row of holes (10) are each designed as a threadless hole, in particular as a square hole, wherein the thickening (9) of the fastening bolt (6) is arranged in the respective square hole (16) and a screw nut (17) screwed onto the second bolt section (8) presses the fastening tab (14) against the first leg (11) of the sheet metal angle (12).

17. Frame according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the component (13) rests on the holding section. 18 18. Frame according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the hook-shaped bent end region (5) engages in a slot-shaped recess of the component (13).

19. Frame according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the frame has four sheet metal angles (12) defining a cuboid storage space and the fastening devices do not form a continuous connection between two adjacent sheet metal angles (12).

Images