Ergonomic carrier for hot-swap computer components

• US 6,556,437 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2000
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP A Texas Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Hardin, George T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chang, Yean Hsi
• Application Number:
  US09/636,113
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 361/687, 361/694, 361/695, 415/213.1, 415/214.1, 415/215.1, 454/184, 416/178
• US Class Current: 361/679.48
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20172 Fan mounting or fan specifications

Abstract

A fan carrier assembly for hot swap computer components such as computer fans is provided. The fan carrier assembly preferably includes a handle operable to engage a pair of latches such that when the handle is employed to remove the carrier and component from the computer system, a single motion both releases the latches from engagement as well as displaces the component from its engaged position.

Claims

1. A fan carrier assembly comprising:

first and second sides with each side having respective first and second faces, first and second edges and a top and bottom edge;

at least one aperture extending through the respective first and second sides;

first and second ends with each end having respective first and second faces, first and second edges and a top and bottom edge;

a cantilever latch disposed proximate the top edge of the respective first and second ends;

the cantilever latch including a tab disposed thereon; and

a handle operably coupled to each tab such that the handle may cause the cantilever latches to be drawn towards one another.

2. The fan carrier assembly of claim 1 further comprising the tab having ramped surface.

3. The fan carrier assembly of claim 1 further comprising a guide rail disposed on the first face of the respective first and second ends.

4. The fan carrier assembly of claim 1 further comprising a grating disposed in the aperture of at least one of the respective sides.

5. The fan carrier assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a bottom plate; and

the bottom plate, respective first and second sides and respective first and second ends cooperating with each other to form a box having an opening.

6. The fan carrier assembly of claim 5 further comprising:

an aperture disposed in the bottom plate; and

the aperture operable to maintain a blind mate plug therein.

7. The fan carrier assembly of claim 5 further comprising a blind mate plug disposed on the bottom plate.

8. The fan carrier assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one mechanical fastener disposed on the second face of the respective first and second sides.

9. The fan carrier assembly of claim 5 further comprising:

the first side, the first end and a first bottom plate integrally coupled with each other to form a first section;

the second side, the second end and a second bottom plate integrally coupled with each other to form a second section; and

the first section and the second section having generally symmetrical configurations.

10. A computer system comprising:

a chassis;

a motherboard disposed within the chassis;

at least one processor operably coupled to the motherboard;

memory operably coupled to the motherboard and operably associated with the processor;

a fan bay operably disposed within the chassis, proximate the motherboard;

a fan carrier assembly with a fan disposed therein operable to form a box and engage the fan bay;

the fan carrier including first and second latches operable to engage respective first and second notches of the fan bay; and

a handle operably coupled to the first and second latches to draw the first and second latches towards one another such that the first and second latches disengage from the first and second slots of the fan bay.

11. The computer system of claim 10 further comprising:

respective guide rails operably disposed on respective ends of the fan carrier assembly; and

the respective guide rails operable to engage respective guide slots of the fan bay.

12. The computer system of claim 10 further comprising first and second cantilever latches.

13. The computer system of claim 10 further comprising:

a plurality of mechanical fasteners operably coupled to at least one interior surface of the fan carrier assembly; and

the mechanical fasteners operable to engage the fan.

14. The computer system of claim 10 further comprising a fan grating operably disposed on at least a first side of the fan carrier assembly.

15. The computer system of claim 10 further comprising a blind mate plug operably coupled to the fan carrier assembly.

16. The computer system of claim 10 further comprising:

at least one LED aperture operably disposed on the fan carrier assembly; and

an LED operably disposed in the LED aperture.

17. A fan carrier assembly comprising:

respective first and second sides;

respective first and second ends;

the sides and ends cooperating with each other to form a box with at least one open end;

the first and second ends including respective latches disposed proximate a top edge thereof;

the latches operable to releasably engage respective fan bay notches such that the fan carrier may be releasably secured therein;

the first and second ends further including respective guide rails operable to engage respective guide slots of the fan bay; and

a handle operably coupled to the latches to disengage the latches from the fan bay notches such that the fan carrier may be removed therefrom.

18. The fan carrier assembly of claim 17 further comprising:

an LED aperture; and

an LED disposed within the LED aperture.

19. The fan carrier assembly of claim 17 wherein the handle further comprises:

respective first and second ends;

a loop operably disposed proximate the first and second ends; and

the handle loops further operable to engage a tab disposed on the respective latches such that the respective latches may be disengaged from the fan bay notches.

20. The fan carrier assembly of claim 17 further comprising a fan operably coupled to the respective first and second sides.