TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention herein generally relates to the field of modular electronics cabinets and particularly relates to locking and unlocking of a field-replaceable unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Modern computer systems are often based on a modular system, in which a given system is built from modules inserted into a rack framework. This provides great flexibility in terms of overall system configuration. For example, a 1 system may have two or more of a given hardware module (processing unit, storage subsystem, etc.) in order to increase the overall capacity of the installation. Furthermore, having multiple copies of a particular module permits redundancy or fault tolerance against failure of one of the modules.

[0003] The ongoing maintenance of such systems typically includes upgrading or replacing various hardware and software components. Hardware maintenance may be performed in order to enhance or modify the capabilities of the system, typically by adding new modules. These new modules may be in addition to or as a replacement for (perhaps upgrades of) existing modules. There is also a need i to remove failed modules; if desired, proper operational units may then be inserted in the place of the failed modules.

[0004] Hardware maintenance of an installed computer system is generally performed by visiting service engineers or technicians. Many systems are specifically designed to include various field-replaceable units (FRUs), which can be replaced on-site if necessary by the visiting engineer. A common service task is therefore to identify a failed FRU in a system, and to replace it with a working FRU.

[0005] In view of the foregoing, there exists a need for an efficient mechanism for locking field-replaceable units in cabinet. There also exists a need to provide a mechanism to remove or replace field-replaceable units easily from the cabinet in case of maintenance. Further, there exists a need to provide a mechanism for field-replaceable units which occupies only less space in the cabinet for locking the field-replaceable units.

[0006] The abovementioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a handle locking mechanism for a unit where the handle and the locking mechanism is integrated in a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU).

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for locking field-replaceable units in the cabinet.

[0009] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism which occupies only less space in the cabinet to lock the FRU.

[0010] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism for FRUs which provides additional space for installation of different components.

[0011] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a push-pull mechanism capable of locking up the handle installed in the FRU.

[0012] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism for FRUS to prevent the FRUs and its components from being damaged by accident.

[0013] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism for FRUs which is less expensive.

[0014] These and other objectives and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a locking mechanism for a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). The locking mechanism comprises a handle pivotally connected to the FRU and atleast one locking element provided on a bottom of the handle. A latch hook of the locking element aligns with a latch groove provided in a cabinet for fixing the FRU into the cabinet and preventing movement of the FRU in the cabinet.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism further comprises a securing means fastened to a threaded hole provided on a front side of the same FRU for locking the handle to the front side of the FRU to prevent the opening of the handle. The securing means herein can be a hook, a captive screw, a magnetic means or the like.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cabinet is configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack, where a rack is a framework for holding a plurality of cabinets.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the FRU is removably inserted into the cabinet.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pivotally connected handle allows to change the position of the handle with respect to a fixed pivot axis.

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a method for locking a field replaceable unit (FRU) with a cabinet. The method comprising steps of providing a cabinet for sliding insertion into and out of a rack, providing a handle pivotally connected to the FRU, inserting the FRU into an opening of the cabinet and providing at least one locking element on the handle for locking the FRU in the cabinet. A latch hook of the lock element aligns with a latch grove of a cabinet for fixing the FRU into the cabinet and preventing movement of the FRU in the cabinet.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, latch hook is aligned with the latch grove of the cabinet by turning and pushing the handle in an upward direction to prevent the movement of the FRU in the handle.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the FRU is removed from the cabinet by turning and pulling the handle such that the latch hook is disengaged from the latch groove of the cabinet.

[0023] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] FIG. lillustrates a top perspective view of the field replaceable units locked in the cabinet, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2illustrates a top perspective view of a field replaceable unit, pulled out from the cabinet, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3illustrates a side perspective view of the field replaceable unit with the handle in a locked position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. illustrates a side perspective view of the field replaceable unit with the handle in an un-locked position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5illustrates a front view of the field replaceable unit showing the handle in a locked position and a captive screw fastened to the field replaceable unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6illustrates a front view of the field replaceable unit showing the handle in an un-locked position and a captive screw unfastened to the field replaceable unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Although the specific features of the present disclosure are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0033] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a locking mechanism for a Field-Replaceable Unit (FRU). The locking mechanism comprises a handle provided with at least one locking element for locking the FRU with an electronic component placed inside in a cabinet. The handle is pivotally connected the FRU near a front side. The at least one locking element is installed at a bottom of the handle with at least one latch hook. The cabinet is configured for sliding insertion
into and out of a rack, and the FRU is inserted into an opening of the cabinet. The latch hook of the lock element installed at the bottom side of the handle aligns with a corresponding latch grove provided in the cabinet. The latch hook of the lock element aligns with the latch grove of the electronic device for fixing the electronic device into the cabinet and for arresting the movement of the electronic device in the cabinet. Here the rack is a framework for holding one or more cabinets.

[0034] The locking mechanism further comprises a securing means provided on the handle for locking the handle with the electronic device. The securing is fastened to a threaded hole provided on the front side of the FRU for preventing the opening of the handle. Here the securing means can be a captive screw, a nut or a magnetic element.

[0035] The cabinet is provided with a tolerance level to limit the movement of the FRU and to replace the FRU without shutting of an electronic component placed inside the electronic device during an operation of the FRU.

[0036] The FRU can be removably inserted into the cabinet without having to remove the electronic device from the cabinet for replacement.

[0037] When the handle is in locked position i.e when the handle is parallel to the rack, the latch hook provided at the bottom of the handle aligns with the latch grove provided in the cabinet to prevent the movement of the FRU in the cabinet.

[0038] The pivotally connected handle allows changing the position of the handle with respect to a fixed pivot axis.

[0039] The embodiments herein further provide a method for locking a handle to a FRU. The method comprising steps of providing a cabinet for sliding insertion into and out of a rack, providing a handle pivotally connected to the FRU, inserting the FRU into an opening of the cabinet, adopting a locking element on the handle for locking the FRU in the cabinet The latch hook of the locking element aligns with the latch grove of the FRU and prevents the movement of the FRU in the cabinet.

[0040] The FRU can be replaced without shutting of an electronic component placed inside the FRU during the operation of the FRU.

[0041] By turning and pulling the handle in a downward direction, the latch hook of the lock element disengages with the latch grove of the cabinet, thereby allowing the FRU to be removed from the cabinet. Similarly, by turning and pushing the handle in an upward direction, the latch hook of the lock element aligns with the latch grove of the cabinet and prevents the movement of the FRU in the cabinet.

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of the field replaceable units locked in a cabinet, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cabinet 101 is configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack and the FRU 102 is inserted into an opening of the cabinet 101. With respect to FIG. 1, a locking mechanism is provided in the FRU 102 for fixing the FRU to the cabinet and preventing the movement of the FRU 102 in the cabinet 101. The locking mechanism includes a handle 103, pivotally connected to the FRU 102. A captive screw 104 is fastened to a threaded hole provided on the front side of the FRU 102 for locking the handle 103 to the front side of the FRU 102.

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a field replaceable unit pulled out from the cabinet, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The lock element installed at a bottom side of the handle 103 includes at least one latch hook 106. The latch hook 106 of the lock element aligns with a corresponding latch grove 105 provided in the cabinet 101. With respect to FIG. 2, the FRU 102 is removed out of the cabinet 101 by unfastening the captive screw 104 fastened to the threaded hole on the FRU 102. When the handle 103 is turned and pulled out, the latch hook 106 of the locking element disengages from the latch grove 105 of the cabinet 101 allowing the FRU 102 to be removed from the cabinet 101.

[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of the field replaceable unit showing the handle in the locked position, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The handle 103 is provided with a locking element and the handle 103 is pivotally connected to the FRU 102 near a front side of the FRU 102 as shown in FIG. 3. The lock element is installed at a bottom side of the handle 103 with at least one latch hook 106. The cabinet 101 is configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack and the FRU 102 is inserted into an opening of the cabinet 101. The latch hook 106 of the lock element installed at the bottom side of the handle 103 aligns with a corresponding latch grove 105 provided in the cabinet 101 for fixing the FRU 102 into the cabinet 101 and for preventing the movement of the FRU 102 in the cabinet 101. The captive screw 104 provided in the handle is fastened to the threaded hole provided on the FRU 102 for preventing the opening of the handle 103 when it is in a locked position.

[0045] FIG. 4illustrates a side perspective views of the field replaceable unit showing the handle in the un-locked position, according to an embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 4, the latch hook 106 of the lock element disengages with the latch grove 105 of the cabinetlOl for removing the FRU 102 from the cabinet 101. The captive screw 104 is unfastened from the threaded hole provided on the FRU 102 for unlocking the handle 103 to pull out the FRU 102.

[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the field replaceable unit showing the handle in the locked position and captive screw fastened to the field replaceable unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 5, the handle 103 is in a locked position. The latch hook 106 of the lock element aligns with the latch grove 105 of the cabinetlOl for fixing and preventing the movement of the FRU 102 in the cabinet 101. The captive screw 104 is fastened to the threaded hole provided on the the FRU 102 for locking the handle 103 with the FRU 102.

[0047] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the field replaceable unit showing the handle in the un-locked position and captive screw unfastened to the field replaceable unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 6, the handle 103 is in an unlocked position. The latch hook 106 of the lock element disengages from the latch grove of the cabinet for unfixing the FRU 102from the cabinet. The captive screw 104 is unfastened from the threaded hole provided on the FRU 102 for unlocking the handle 103 from the FRU 102. The FRU 102 is pulled out of the cabinet with the help of the handle 103 for replacing or repairing the FRU 102 in case of damage or failure.

[0048] The handle lock of a field-replaceable unit (FRU) of the present invention occupies very less space in cabinet to lock the FRU in place. Since FRU is held in place with only a projection (latch hook) provided in the handle at the bottom side, not much area is required in the horizontal direction. This will give more space to place electrical components. The handle lock of the present invention provides an easy push-pull mechanism for a removable filed replaceable unit. The handle lock prevents the field replaceable unit and its components from being damaged by accident. Since less number of components is used in locking FRU in the cabinet, the overall cost is reduced and also reduces the unused space in the cabinet. Further the handle lock replacing the FRU without shutting of the electronic component placed inside the FRU during an operation of the FRU.

[0049] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0050] Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A locking mechanism comprising:

a handle pivotally connected to an FRU; and

atleast one locking element provided on a bottom of the handle;

wherein a latch hook of the locking element aligns with a latch groove provided in a cabinet for fixing the FRU into the cabinet and preventing movement of the FRU in the cabinet.

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the cabinet is configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the FRU is removably inserted into the cabinet.

4. The locking mechanism claim 1, wherein the pivotally connected handle allows to change the position of the handle with respect to a fixed pivot axis.

5. A method for locking afield replaceable unit (FRU); the method comprising steps of:

providing a cabinet for sliding insertion into and out of a rack;

providing a handle pivotally connected to the FRU;

inserting the FRU into an opening of the cabinet; and

providing a locking element on the handle for locking the FRU in the cabinet;

wherein a latch hook of the lock element aligns with a latch grove of a cabinet for fixing the FRU into the cabinet and preventing movement of the FRU in the cabinet.

6. The method of claim 6, wherein the latch hook is aligned with the latch grove of the cabinet by turning and pushing the handle in an upward direction to prevent the movement of the FRU in the handle.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising removing the FRU from the cabinet by turning and pulling the handle such that the latch hook is disengaged from the latch groove of the cabinet.