Toolless Rack Mount Bracket for Multiple Hole Standards
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing slide assembly mounting systems require multiple brackets to accommodate different rack hole standards, leading to increased manufacturing and inventory costs and the risk of providing incorrect brackets, as they are specific to particular server enclosures or racks.
Innovation Solution
A toolless rack mount bracket with a movable design that can accommodate multiple rack hole standards, featuring a stationary and movable portion with projections and engagement assemblies, allowing it to securely connect to various hole standards without the need for tools, including popular standards like square, M6 tapped, 0.25 diameter, 0.281 diameter, and No. 10 tapped openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple brackets are used to accommodate different rack hole standards, then compatibility with various rack configurations is improved, but manufacturing and inventory costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with multiple projections (first projection and second projection) that can engage with different rack hole standards (first standard and second standard). The movable portion allows the bracket to switch between different engagement configurations, enabling a single bracket to serve multiple rack mounting standards and replace the need for multiple specialized brackets.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket incorporates a movable portion that can transition between different positions to accommodate different rack hole standards. This dynamic capability allows the bracket to adapt its configuration based on the specific rack standard being used, providing versatility without requiring multiple static bracket designs.
2Reliability
If multiple brackets are kept on hand for different standards, then the correct bracket can be provided for any particular order, but inventory complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a single bracket that can engage with multiple rack hole standards through its multiple projections and movable portion, the system eliminates the need to maintain inventory of multiple different bracket types. The universal bracket ensures correct provision for any rack standard while simplifying inventory management to a single item.
3Ease of operation
If a toolless mounting system is used, then installation ease is improved, but mounting security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into a stationary portion and a movable portion that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the movable portion to be adjusted and positioned without requiring tools, while the stationary portion provides stable mounting. The interplay between these segments enables toolless operation while maintaining secure engagement through the projection-hole interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket for connecting a slide assembly to a rack having any one of multiple hole standards. The bracket includes a first portion defining a first surface that contacts the rack and a second portion that defines a second surface that contacts the rack. The first portion and the second portion cooperate to capture a portion of the rack therebetween. The bracket further includes a first projection sized and shaped to engage a first rack hole standard and a second projection sized and shaped to engage a second rack hole standard. The bracket may also include additional projections configured to engage additional hole standards.