US 9,867,309 B2Granted

Divider walls for information handling system chassis enclosures

AssigneeDell Products L.P.

InventorsIou Ren Su, Ying Hsien Tseng, Chun Yang Tseng, Richard D. Trotta, Brandon J. Brocklesby

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Abstract

Apparatus and methods that employ divider walls that are configured for insertion and proper positioning within a cavity of an information handling system chassis enclosure in a mechanically non-interfering manner prior to securement of the divider wall in a fixed position within the cavity. A divider wall may be provided that is shorter than the height of a corresponding chassis enclosure cavity to allow the divider wall to be freely inserted and fixed in position within the chassis cavity in perpendicular relationship between two opposing cavity interior surfaces without any resulting compressive forces being applied to the respective ends of the divider wall by the opposing interior surfaces of the chassis enclosure cavity.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of installing a divider wall assembly within a cavity of a chassis enclosure that is defined between a first side and a second side of the chassis enclosure, the method comprising:

positioning a divider wall of the divider wall assembly within the cavity of the chassis enclosure in perpendicular orientation to a plane of a first side and a second side of the chassis enclosure with at least one floating extension coupled to a first end of the divider wall in retracted position so as to create an open gap between a first end of the divider wall and a first side of the chassis enclosure and so as to create an open gap between a first end of the retracted floating extension and the first side of the chassis enclosure;
positioning at least one fixed extension extending from the second end of the divider wall into a corresponding opening defined in a second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure with the divider wall assembly positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
then raising the at least one floating extension to an extended position to contact and secure the first end of the divider wall to the first side of the chassis enclosure with the first end of the divider wall secured to the first side of the chassis enclosure by the floating extension;
where the divider wall further comprises at least one flange extending outward from a side of the second end of the divider wall;
where the fixed extension comprises a L-shaped plate that is spaced apart from the flange to form an insertion gap between the flange and the plate;
and where the method further comprises:
inserting the plate of the fixed extension through the opening in the second side of the chassis enclosure at the same time that one side of the divider wall assembly is oriented at an acute angle to the second side of the chassis enclosure and
then rotating the divider wall assembly into perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure to cause the insertion gap to receive the second side of the chassis enclosure between the plate and the flange of the divider wall assembly to prevent the fixed extension from being removed from the opening in the second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure.

5 more elements

A method of installing a divider wall assembly within a cavity of a chassis enclosure that is defined between a first side and a second side of the chassis enclosure, the method comprising:

positioning a divider wall of the divider wall assembly within the cavity of the chassis enclosure in perpendicular orientation to a plane of a first side and a second side of the chassis enclosure with at least one floating extension coupled to a first end of the divider wall in retracted position so as to create an open gap between a first end of the divider wall and a first side of the chassis enclosure and so as to create an open gap between a first end of the retracted floating extension and the first side of the chassis enclosure;
positioning at least one fixed extension extending from the second end of the divider wall into a corresponding opening defined in a second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure with the divider wall assembly positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
then raising the at least one floating extension to an extended position to contact and secure the first end of the divider wall to the first side of the chassis enclosure with the first end of the divider wall secured to the first side of the chassis enclosure by the floating extension;
where the divider wall assembly further comprises two flanges extending outward from opposing sides of the second end of the divider wall;
where the fixed extension comprises a T-shaped plate that is spaced apart from the flange to form two opposing insertion gaps on opposite sides of the divider wall assembly, each of the insertion gaps being formed between one of the flanges and the T-shaped plate;
and where the method further comprises:
inserting the plate of the fixed extension through the opening defined in the second side of the chassis enclosure at the same time the divider wall assembly is oriented in a perpendicular direction to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure, and
then sliding the divider wall assembly longitudinally relative to the second side of the chassis enclosure to cause each of the opposing insertion gaps to receive the second side of the chassis enclosure between one of flanges and the T-shaped plate within a narrowed slot that is defined contiguously with the opening within the second side of the chassis opening at the same time that the divider wall assembly is oriented in a perpendicular position to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure to prevent the fixed extension from being removed from the opening and slot defined in the second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure.

5 more elements

A chassis enclosure for an information handling system, comprising:

first and second sides defining a chassis enclosure cavity for an information handling system therebetween;
a divider wall assembly disposed within the cavity of the chassis enclosure in perpendicular orientation to a plane of a first side and a second side of the chassis enclosure, the divider wall having a first end and a second end, and a height of the divider wall between the first end and second end of the divider wall being less than a height of the chassis enclosure cavity so as to create an open gap between the first end of the divider wall and the first side of the chassis enclosure;
and
at least one floating extension coupled to extend from the first end of the divider wall and configured to freely fall downward due to gravity and remain in a retracted position closer to the first end of the divider wall during insertion of the divider wall assembly into the chassis cavity such that no contact occurs between the first side of the chassis enclosure and either the floating extension or the first end of the divider wall when the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure so that the divider wall assembly is not subjected to compressional forces due to mechanical contact with interior surfaces of the chassis enclosure cavity when the divider wall is inserted and positioned within the cavity of the chassis enclosure;
where the floating extension is raised to its extended position to contact and secure the first end of the divider wall to the first side of the chassis enclosure with the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
and
where the divider wall assembly further comprises:
at least one fixed extension extending from the second end of the divider wall and configured to be received within a corresponding opening defined in the second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure when the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure with the first end of the divider wall secured to the first side of the chassis enclosure by the floating extension, and
at least one flange extending outward from a side of the second end of the divider wall;
where the fixed extension comprises a L-shaped plate that is spaced apart from the flange to form an insertion gap between the flange and the plate;
where the plate of the fixed extension is configured to be freely inserted through the opening in the second side of the chassis enclosure when one side of the divider wall assembly is oriented at an acute angle to the second side of the chassis enclosure;
where the open gap defined between the first end of the divider wall and a first side of the chassis enclosure when the divider wall is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of a first side and a second side of the chassis enclosure is configured to provide clearance to allow the divider wall assembly to be rotated into perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
and where the insertion gap is configured to receive the second side of the chassis enclosure between the plate and the flange of the divider wall assembly when the one side of the divider wall assembly is rotated into a perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure to prevent the fixed extension from being removed from the opening in the second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure.

10 more elements

A chassis enclosure for an information handling system, comprising:

first and second sides defining a chassis enclosure cavity for an information handling system therebetween;
a divider wall assembly disposed within the cavity of the chassis enclosure in perpendicular orientation to a plane of a first side and a second side of the chassis enclosure, the divider wall having a first end and a second end, and a height of the divider wall between the first end and second end of the divider wall being less than a height of the chassis enclosure cavity so as to create an open gap between the first end of the divider wall and the first side of the chassis enclosure;
and
at least one floating extension coupled to extend from the first end of the divider wall and configured to remain in a retracted position closer to the first end of the divider wall during insertion of the divider wall assembly into the chassis cavity such that no contact occurs between the first side of the chassis enclosure and either the floating extension or the first end of the divider wall when the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
where the floating extension is raised to its extended position to contact and secure the first end of the divider wall to the first side of the chassis enclosure with the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
and
where the divider wall assembly further comprises:
at least one fixed extension extending from the second end of the divider wall and configured to be received within a corresponding opening defined in the second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure when the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure with the first end of the divider wall secured to the first side of the chassis enclosure by the floating extension, and
two flanges extending outward from opposing sides of the second end of the divider wall;
where the fixed extension comprises a T-shaped plate that is spaced apart from the flange to form two opposing insertion gaps on opposite sides of the divider wall assembly, each of the insertion gaps being formed between one of the flanges and the T-shaped plate;
where the plate of the fixed extension is configured to be freely inserted through the opening defined in the second side of the chassis enclosure when the divider wall assembly is oriented in a perpendicular direction to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
and where each of the opposing insertion gaps are configured to receive the second side of the chassis enclosure between one of flanges and the T-shaped plate when the divider wall assembly is slid longitudinally to position the fixed extension within a narrowed slot that is defined contiguously with the opening within the second side of the chassis opening when the divider wall assembly is oriented in a perpendicular position to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure to prevent the fixed extension from being removed from the opening and slot defined in the second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure.

9 more elements

A divider wall assembly configured to be received within a cavity of a chassis enclosure in perpendicular orientation to a plane of a first side and a second side of the chassis enclosure that define the chassis enclosure cavity, the divider wall assembly comprising:

a divider wall having a first end and a second end, a height of the divider wall between the first end and second end being less than a height of the chassis enclosure cavity defined between the first side and second side of the chassis enclosure so as to create an open gap between the first end of the divider wall and a first side of the chassis enclosure when the divider wall is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of a first side and a second side of the chassis enclosure;
and
at least one floating extension coupled to extend from the first end of the divider wall and configured to remain in a retracted position closer to the first end of the divider wall during insertion of the divider wall assembly into the chassis cavity such that no contact occurs between the first side of the chassis enclosure and either the floating extension or the first end of the divider wall when the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
where the floating extension is configured to be raised to its extended position to contact and secure the first end of the divider wall to the first side of the chassis enclosure after the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
where the divider wall assembly further comprises:
at least one fixed extension extending from the second end of the divider wall and configured to be received within a corresponding opening defined in a second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure when the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure with the first end of the divider wall secured to the first side of the chassis enclosure by the floating extension, and
at least one flange extending outward from a side of the second end of the divider wall;
where the fixed extension comprises a L-shaped plate that is spaced apart from the flange to form an insertion gap between the flange and the plate;
where the plate of the fixed extension is configured to be freely inserted through the opening in the second side of the chassis enclosure when one side of the divider wall assembly is oriented at an acute angle to the second side of the chassis enclosure;
where the open gap defined between the first end of the divider wall and a first side of the chassis enclosure when the divider wall is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of a first side and a second side of the chassis enclosure is configured to provide clearance to allow the divider wall assembly to be rotated into perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
and where the insertion gap is configured to receive the second side of the chassis enclosure between the plate and the flange of the divider wall assembly when the one side of the divider wall assembly is rotated into a perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure to prevent the fixed extension from being removed from the opening in the second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure.

8 more elements

a divider wall having a first end and a second end, a height of the divider wall between the first end and second end being less than a height of the chassis enclosure cavity defined between the first side and second side of the chassis enclosure so as to create an open gap between the first end of the divider wall and a first side of the chassis enclosure when the divider wall is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of a first side and a second side of the chassis enclosure;
and
at least one floating extension coupled to extend from the first end of the divider wall and configured to remain in a retracted position closer to the first end of the divider wall during insertion of the divider wall assembly into the chassis cavity such that no contact occurs between the first side of the chassis enclosure and either the floating extension or the first end of the divider wall when the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
where the floating extension is configured to be raised to its extended position to contact and secure the first end of the divider wall to the first side of the chassis enclosure after the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
where the divider wall assembly further comprises:
at least one fixed extension extending from the second end of the divider wall and configured to be received within a corresponding opening defined in a second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure when the divider wall assembly is positioned in perpendicular orientation to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure with the first end of the divider wall secured to the first side of the chassis enclosure by the floating extension, and
two flanges extending outward from opposing sides of the second end of the divider wall;
where the fixed extension comprises a T-shaped plate that is spaced apart from the flange to form two opposing insertion gaps on opposite sides of the divider wall assembly, each of the insertion gaps being formed between one of the flanges and the T-shaped plate;
where the plate of the fixed extension is configured to be freely inserted through the opening defined in the second side of the chassis enclosure when the divider wall assembly is oriented in a perpendicular direction to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure;
and where each of the opposing insertion gaps are configured to receive the second side of the chassis enclosure between one of flanges and the T-shaped plate when the divider wall assembly is slid longitudinally to position the fixed extension within a narrowed slot that is defined contiguously with the opening within the second side of the chassis opening when the divider wall assembly is oriented in a perpendicular position to the plane of the first side and the second side of the chassis enclosure to prevent the fixed extension from being removed from the opening and slot defined in the second side of the chassis enclosure to secure the second end of the divider wall to the second side of the chassis enclosure.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/157,092Filed 17 May 2016
Published: US 2017/0339799 A123 Nov 2017
Granted: 9 Jan 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

H05K 7/1489
Cabinets therefor, e.g. chassis or racks or mechanical interfaces between blades and support structures: characterized by the mounting of blades…
A47B 96/04
Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture: partition walls
H05K 7/1487
Servers; Data center rooms, e.g. 19-inch computer racks: blade assemblies, e.g. blade cases or inner arrangements within a blade
H05K
Printed circuits