SLOTFILLER, COMPUTER-RACK INSERTABLE COMPONENT, AND COMPUTER RACK

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns a slotfiller (1) for closing a slot (21) in a computer-rack-insertable component (20), wherein the slotfiller (1) comprises at least two finger-grippable cup elements (2), and a hinge (3) connecting the cup elements (2). Therein, the slotfiller (1) is configured to be insertable into the slot (21) by pressing of the cup elements (2) towards each other and is configured to at least partially cover an open surface area of the slot (21) by releasing of the cup elements (2) in the inserted state. The present disclosure also concerns a computer-rack-insertable component (20) and a computer rack (100), each comprising at least one slotfiller (1).

Claims

1. Slotfiller for closing a slot in a computer-rack-insertable component, comprising: at least two finger-grippable cup elements; and a hinge connecting the two cup elements; wherein the slotfiller is configured to be insertable into the slot by pressing of the cup elements towards each other and is configured to at least partially cover an open surface area of the slot by releasing of the cup elements in the inserted state.

2. The slotfiller according to claim 1, wherein each of the cup elements is configured to at least partially accommodate at least one finger of a user.

3. The slotfiller according to claim 2, wherein each of the cup elements each comprises one open end for receiving the finger of the user and one closed end against which the inserted finger of the user abuts.

4. The slotfiller according to claim 3, wherein the slotfiller is oriented along an insertion direction with the closed ends of the cup elements facing towards an opening of the slot.

5. The slotfiller according to claim 3, wherein the hinge connects the open ends of the cup elements or connects the closed ends of the cup elements.

6. The slotfiller according to claim 5, wherein the cup elements are pressed together directly via a direct pressing force from the user's inserted fingers in response to the cup elements are connected by the hinge at the open ends.

7. The slotfiller according to claim 5, wherein the cup elements are pressed together indirectly via indirect pressing force resulting from the user's pressing force along an insertion direction in response to the cup elements are connected by the hinge at the closed ends.

8. The slotfiller according to claim 1, wherein sides of the cup elements which respectively face the at least one other cup element at least partially comprise a semi-circular shape respectively configured to ergonomically receive the finger of the user.

9. The slotfiller according to claim 1, wherein outer surfaces of the cup elements comprise at least one fastening element respectively configured to latch with a recess or cutout of the computer-rack-insertable component.

10. The slotfiller according to claim 9, wherein the at least one fastening element of the cup elements is a latching nose.

11. The slotfiller according to claim 1, wherein the hinge is a flexible single piece element.

12. The slotfiller according to claim 1, wherein the at least two cup elements and the hinge are integrally formed of a single injection moulded or 3D-printed piece.

13. The slotfiller according to claim 1, wherein the slotfiller does not comprise any undercuts.

14. The slotfiller according to claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises a recessed surface configured to receive a label for labelling the slotfiller.

15. The slotfiller according to claim 1, wherein the slotfiller is axial symmetric with respect to an axis extending parallel to an extension direction of the cup elements and extending through a center of the slotfiller.

16. The slotfiller according to claim 1, the dimensions of the slotfiller correspond to the dimensions of a sub-component which the slotfiller is intended to replace.

17. Computer-rack-insertable component, comprising at least one slot for receiving a sub-component and at least one slotfiller according to claim 1 respectively inserted into the at least one slot.

18. The computer-rack-insertable component according to claim 17, wherein the computer-rack-insertable component is a power distribution unit and the sub-component is a power supply unit.

19. Computer rack comprising at least one computer-rack insertable component, at least one of which especially being a power distribution unit, with at least one slot for receiving a sub-component, especially a power supply unit, and at least one slotfiller according to claim 1 respectively inserted into the at least one slot.

20. The computer rack according to claim 19, wherein the at least one computer-rack insertable component fills the computer rack such that, along an insertion direction of the component(s), a front side and a rear side of the computer rack are, with the exception of the slot in a pre-inserted state of the slotfiller, substantially closed off by the at least one component, and wherein the slotfiller closes the slot in the inserted state so as to hinder heated air from circulating between the front side and the rear side of the computer rack.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] Further details, advantages, and features of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the FIGs. Therein:

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a computer rack, a computer-rack-insertable component, and a slotfiller according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cut-out side view of the computer rack, the computer-rack-insertable component, and the slotfiller according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure along the direction “A” of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the slotfiller according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the slotfiller according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a slotfiller according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the slotfiller according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the slotfiller according to the foregoing embodiments in a pressed state;

[0047] FIG. 8 shows a front view of a slotfiller according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0048] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the slotfiller according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a computer rack 100, a computer-rack-insertable component 20, and a slotfiller 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows a schematic cut-out side view of the computer rack 100, the computer-rack-insertable component 20, and the slotfiller 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure along the direction “A” of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, a sidewall of the computer rack 100 has been omitted for ease of explanation.

[0050] First, FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described so as to convey the use and function of the slotfiller 1.

[0051] As can be taken from FIG. 1, the computer rack 100 is essentially a frame or cabinet with a plurality of shelves 104. Computer-rack-insertable components 20 are inserted along an insertion direction 11 into the computer rack shelves 104. Such components 20 comprise for example computing units and/or memory units and/or networking units. In the examples described herein, the shown component 20 is a power distribution unit, which distributes electrical power to other components (not shown) in the computer rack 100. For the purpose of advantageously disposing of excess heat generated by the power distribution unit, said component 20 is provided in the top shelf 104 of the computer rack 100.

[0052] The component 20 comprises a plurality of slots 21, into each of which a sub-component 23, in this case a power supply unit, is inserted along the insertion direction 11. The sub-components 23 are held by a user using the handles 25 during insertion or removal thereof.

[0053] These sub-components 23 comprise one or more fans 24, especially at a front side 101 of the computer rack 100 or of the component 20, which transport air 103 (see: FIG. 2) from the front side 101 to the rear side 102 of the computer rack 100. The hot air 103 is usually expelled from the rear side 102 of the computer rack 100.

[0054] In the case shown in FIG. 1, one sub-component 23 is missing, i.e. has been taken out of the component 20. Thereby, the front side 101 of the computer rack 100 is not closed off entirely by the totality of sub-components 23. The sub-component 23 is, for instance, taken out during maintenance thereof. On the other hand, the user may take the sub-component 23 out of the component 20 when the sub-component 23 is not needed.

[0055] As is apparent from a comparison between FIGS. 1 and 2, the air 103, which is heated by elements such as transistors of the sub-component 23, usually flows from the front side 101 to the rear side 102 of the computer rack 100, thereby cooling the elements. The flow of hot air 103 causes an area of high air pressure to be generated at the rear side 102, and an area of low air pressure to be generated at the front side. Thereby, when a sub-component 23 is missing, the hot air 103 of the remaining sub-components 23 or of the other components 20 (not shown) can re-circulate via the open slot 21, in which no sub-component 23 is inserted. Thus, when a sub-component 23 is removed from the component 20 while said component 20, especially the remaining sub-components 23, is in use, hot air 103 travels from the rear side 102 to the front side 101 of the computer rack 100 and is sucked in by the fans 24 of the remaining sub-components 23, especially of the adjacent sub-components 23. Thereby, an effective cooling of the remaining sub-components 23 is hindered, which can lead to failure of these.

[0056] Thus, in the present disclosure, the slotfiller 1, which will be described in more detail below, is inserted into the empty slot 21 shown in FIG. 1. The slotfiller 1 thereby hinders air flow 103 from re-circulating by closing off the front side 101 of the computer rack 100.

[0057] In the following, the slotfiller 1 will be described in more detail.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the slotfiller 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, whereas FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the slotfiller 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] The slotfiller 1 comprises two cup elements 2, which are each configured to at least partially accommodate at least one finger of a user (see also: FIG. 7).

[0060] The two cup elements 2 each have an open end 5 and a closed end 6, wherein the inserted finger of the user abuts against the closed end 6 when fully inserted, depending of course on a length of the finger.

[0061] Further, the slotfiller 1 comprises a hinge 3 which connects the cup elements 2. Herein, the hinge 3 connects the open ends 5 of the cup elements 2. The hinge 3 can also be described as a plate-shaped member extending across the cup elements 2.

[0062] Further, sides 7 of the cup elements 2, which respectively face each other, comprise a semi-circular shape so as to ergonomically receive the finger of the user.

[0063] In addition, the closed ends 6 of the cup elements 2 are chamfered. In the present case, the closed ends 6 are chamfered towards each other, i.e. towards the other cup element 2. As can be taken from FIGS. 3 and 4, “chamfered towards each other” means that (as opposed to rectangular shapes) the cup elements 2 are rounded off towards each other. In other words, outer surfaces 8 of the cup elements 2 not facing each other are chamfered or rounded off such that a width of each cup element 2 decreases along its longitudinal extension 12.

[0064] Thereby, when inserting the slotfiller 1 into the empty slot 21, the user does not necessarily have to directly press or squeeze the cup elements 2 together. Instead, the chamfered shape of the cup elements 2 causes these to be pressed together when being pressed into the slot 21 by sliding along an inner surface of the slot 21. Thus, the cup elements 2 are pressed together via the insertion force. In particular, this may be referred to as “indirectly pressed together”.

[0065] The slotfiller 1 is formed of a single piece. In other words, the cup elements 2 and the hinge 3 are formed integrally with one another. Portions of the cup elements 2 apart from the portions (the open ends 5) which are not connected by the hinge 3, are not connected directly to one another. As can be taken from FIGS. 3 and 4, the slotfiller 1 does not comprise any undercuts. Thereby, the slotfiller 1 can be easily manufactured using, for example, single pull injection molding.

[0066] In particular, the slotfiller 1 is formed of a thermoplastic having elasticity. Thereby, the user can insert his finger(s) into the cup elements 2 and press the cup elements 2 towards each other (either directly or indirectly), thereby bending the hinge 3. In the case of direct pressing, the user can then insert the slotfiller 1 in this pressed state into the empty slot 21 of the component 20 along the insertion direction 11.

[0067] Once letting go of the inserted slotfiller 1, i.e. reducing the pressing force which presses the cup elements 2 together, the elastic hinge 3 causes the slotfiller 1 to expand into its original state (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) in order to fill the empty slot 21. The slotfiller 1 may be removed from the component 20 by again compressing it via pressing force for pressing the cup elements 2 towards each other, and pulling the slotfiller 1 out of the (then) empty slot 21.

[0068] Further, the outer surfaces 8 of the cup elements 2 each comprise a latching nose 9 as a fastening element, which is a hook-like element, and which latches into a recess 22 provided in the component 20 (see FIG. 1) once the slotfiller 1 has been inserted and de-compressed. The sub-components 23 preferably comprise a latching nose (not shown) which corresponds in shape to the latching nose 9 of the slotfiller 1. In other words, the latching nose 9 of the slotfiller 1 is configured so as to correspond to a latching nose of the sub-component 23 it is intended to replace, thereby allowing the slotfiller 1 to be easily accommodated by the component 20.

[0069] In addition, the hinge 3 comprises a recessed surface 10 which is recessed towards an extension direction 12 of the cup elements 2. The extension direction 12 of the cup elements 2 is, during insertion of the slotfiller 1, co-axial with the insertion direction 11. The recessed surface 10 is configured to receive a label, for example a sticker, for labelling the slotfiller 1.

[0070] As is further apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, the slotfiller 1 is axial symmetric. In other words, the slotfiller 1 is symmetric with respect to a center axis 13 in width 14 and height 15 directions.

[0071] Essentially, the width 14 and the height 15 of the slotfiller 1 correspond to the width and the height of the sub-component 23 which it replaces. In the present example, the slotfiller 1 has a width 73.2 mm and a height of 42.2 mm.

[0072] Further, at an area surrounding the center axis 13, the hinge may comprise a reduced thickness so as to allow easier bending thereof, as is shown in FIG. 3.

[0073] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a slotfiller 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, whereas FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the slotfiller 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] As can be taken from FIGS. 5 and 6, the slotfiller 1 according to the second embodiment comprises an inner surface 16 which is substantially S-shaped. In other words, sides 7 of the cup elements 2 facing each other are S-shaped.

[0075] As be taken especially from FIG. 6, the sides 7 of the cup elements 2 directly facing each other are flat. A hollow portion 17 separates the sides 7 of the cup elements 2 directly facing each other from the sides 7 comprising the S-shaped inner surfaces 16 of the cup elements 2 further on the inside thereof with respect to the other cup element 2.

[0076] Of course, the first and second embodiments with respect to the sides 7 may be combined. In other words, the sides 7 of the cup elements 2 directly facing each other shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may also comprise the S-shape shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, especially without the hollow portion 17.

[0077] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the slotfiller 1 according to the foregoing embodiments in a pressed state. In particular, the plan view is along a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction 11 or the extension direction 12 of the cup elements 2.

[0078] As can be taken from FIG. 7, the slotfiller 1 can be easily compressed by a user. Therein, the user inserts his fingers 4 into the open ends 5 of the cup elements 2 and presses the cup elements 2 together. Thereby, the hinge 3 of the slotfiller 1 is bent and the slotfiller 1 thereby compressed, allowing for insertion into the empty slot 21 of the component 20.

[0079] Once letting go of the slotfiller 1, i.e. removing the fingers 4 of the user, the slotfiller 1 returns elastically back to the original state shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.

[0080] FIG. 8 shows a front view of a slotfiller 1 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, whereas FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the slotfiller 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the hinge 3 connects the closed ends 6 of the cup elements 2.

[0082] Herein, for compressing the slotfiller 1, the user inserts his/her fingers into the open ends 5 of the cup elements 2 and presses the cup elements 2 towards each other. In this case, the user presses the open ends 5 of the cup elements 2 towards each other, thereby bending the hinge 3.

[0083] In addition, the slotfiller 1 comprises slits 18 so as to allow the slotfiller 1 to be elastically compressed and de-compressed, i.e. to allow the hinge 3 to be bent without the cup elements 2 interfering the bending process.

[0084] Then, once pressing the open ends 5 towards each other, the slotfiller 1 is inserted, along the insertion direction 11 or the extension direction 12 of the cup elements 2 into the empty slot 21, as described above.

[0085] To allow for an advantageously ergonomic gripping of the slotfiller 1, the sides 7 of the cup elements 2 directly facing each other are formed in an S-shape.

[0086] In all foregoing described embodiments, the inside surfaces 16 of the cup elements 2 may be corrugated, so as to hinder slipping of the user's fingers 4 from the inside of the cup elements 2.

[0087] Any one of the slotfillers 1 of the foregoing described embodiments one to three (FIGS. 3, 5, and 8) may be used to close off the empty slot 21 of the component 20 of the computer rack 100 of the present disclosure.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 1, the present disclosure also encompasses the computer rack 100 and the computer-rack-insertable component 20, into which at least one of the slotfillers 1 described in the foregoing are inserted.

[0089] The slotfillers 1 according to the foregoing described embodiments may be suitably combined with one another. For instance, the slotfillers 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, especially concerning their shapes of sides 7 or inner surfaces 16, may be connected by a hinge 3 connecting their closed ends 6, instead of their open ends 5. Further advantageously, the slotfiller 1 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8 may comprise the same shape of sides 7 or inner surfaces 16 as those of embodiments one and two shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Further, any one of the aforementioned embodiments may have the hinge 3 at the open ends 5 or at the closed ends 6.

[0090] All foregoing described embodiments of slotfillers 1 can be suitably inserted into the component 20 of the computer rack 100. Further, different embodiments of the slotfillers 1 may be inserted into different empty slots 21, either of the same component 20, or of separate components 20 inserted in the computer rack 100.

[0091] In addition to the foregoing written explanation of the disclosure, it is explicitly referred to FIGS. 1 to 9, which in detail show features of the disclosure.