TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to electronic component enclosures and particularly to a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) for an electronic component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is well known in the electronic field that electronic components may be sealed with embedding materials or epoxy to secure the components to the circuit board. The electronic device manufacturers have not substantially addressed the problem of component lift during and after sealing or moisture accumulation on electronic component. This has made it apparent that a technique for protecting localized electronic components on a circuit board from their environment is needed. The technique should be resistant to the external environment.

[0003] The existing methods provide a field replaceable unit for electronic component modules which are bolted to the electronic components using fasteners. In such cases, the entire electronic component needs to be removed to remove the module from the chassis or to replace the fault module with a new one. Further, the existing FRUs raises a challenge of space constraints as the electronic component include many combinations of components. Moreover, the complex combination of components raises a concern over the efficiency of spooling. An inefficient spooling causes low tolerance to the FRU during vibrations.

[0004] In the view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a module shelf to enclose an enhanced number of Field Replaceable Units. There is also a need to provide a module shelf with high tolerance against frequent vibrations. Moreover, there is a need for a module shelf to facilitate efficient utilization of space for arrangement of electrical components in the module.

[0005] The abovementioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a module shelf Which functions as a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) for an electrical component.

[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a module shelf with a less tolerance of movement.

[0008] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a module shelf which ensures high tolerance against a plurality of vibrations during a system functioning.

[0009] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a module shelf which enables replacing of the FRU without removing the electronic component.

[0010] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a module shelf which enables arrangement of an enhanced number of electronic components.

[0011] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a module shelf which enables replacement of the electronic component without shutting down of the electronic component.

[0012] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a module shelf which does not require any fasteners to fix the module to the electronic component.

[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a module shelf adapted to function as a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) to hold any electrical component that requires a casing. The module shelf comprising an enclosure configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack and a module inserted into an opening of the enclosure. The enclosure is provided with a tolerance level to limit the movement of the module and to replace the module without shutting of the electronic component placed inside the module during an operation of the module.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the enclosure is fixed to a base plate of the module using a plurality of fasteners to provide a single replaceable unit.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the module is removably inserted into the enclosure without having to remove the module from the rack for replacement.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention,, the module shelf is adapted to be used for a CWDM module or
any electrical component with a casing.

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention further disclose a method of creating a module shelf. The method of creating a module shelf comprises steps of providing an enclosure for sliding insertion into and out of a rack, arranging an electronic component in a module and inserting the module into an opening of the enclosure. The arrangement of the module and the enclosure forms a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) which is removably placed without having to remove the module from the rack for replacement.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method of creating the module shelf further comprises providing a tolerance level to the enclosure to limit the movement of the module during an operation of the module.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method of creating the module shelf further comprising replacing the module without shutting of the electronic component placed inside the module during the operation of the module.

[0021] 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 the 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 INVENTION

[0022] 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:

[0023] FIG. 1A-1B is an exploded view of the module shelf illustrating the various components, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2A-2C illustrates various perspective view of the enclosure of the module shelf, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Although the specific features of the embodiments herein 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 embodiments herein.

ETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] 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.

[0027] The various embodiments of the present invention discloses a module shelf comprising an enclosure configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack and an module inserted into an opening of the enclosure. The enclosure is provided with a tolerance level to limit the movement of the module and to replace the module without shutting of an electronic component placed inside the module during an operation of the module.

[0028] The module in conjunction with the enclosure forms a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU).

[0029] The enclosure is fixed to a base plate of the module using a plurality of rivets to provide a single replaceable unit.

[0030] The module is removably inserted into the enclosure without having to remove the module from the rack for replacement. The module shelf is adapted to be used for a CWDM module or any electrical component with a casing. [0031] Embodiments herein further disclose a method of creating a module shelf. The method comprises steps of providing an enclosure for sliding insertion into and out of a rack, arranging an electronic component in a module and inserting the module into an opening of the enclosure. The arrangement of the module and the enclosure forms a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) which is removably placed without having to remove the module from the rack for replacement.

[0032] The module can be replaced without shutting of the electronic component placed inside the module during the operation of the module.

[0033] FIG. 1A-1B is an exploded view of the module shelf illustrating the various components, according to an embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 1 A, a front perspective view of the module shelf 100 along with the electronic card is shown. The module shelf 100 comprises an enclosure 101 and a module 102. The enclosure 101 is configured for sliding insertion into and out of the electronic rack 105. The module 102 is inserted into an opening of the enclosure 101. The enclosure 101 is provided with a tolerance level to limit the movement of the module 102. Also the enclosure 101 enables the replacement of the module 102 without shutting of an electronic component 103 placed inside the module 102 during an operation of the module 102.

[0034] The enclosure 101 is attached to the base plate of the electronic rack 105 with the use of a plurality of fasteners 104. The fasteners 104 are inserted in the bolt holes which are provided on the surface of the enclosure 101. [0035] The back perspective view of the module shelf 100 is illustrated in FIG. IB. The enclosure 101 functions as a casement for the module 102 thereby forming a field replaceable unit.

[0036] FIG. 2A-2C illustrates various perspective views of the enclosure of the module shelf, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A illustrates a front perspective view of enclosure 101 while FIG. 2B shows a rear perspective view of the enclosure 101 and FIG. 2C illustrates a front view of the enclosure 101 of the module shelf 100. The enclosure 101 is adapted to be bolted to a base plate of the electronic rack with the use of a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners are inserted in the bolt holes 201 which are provided on the surface of the enclosure 101. The fasteners restrict the disturbances to the CWDM and DWDM module which are caused due to the continuous vibration during system operation. [0037] The module shelf according to the present invention can be used for CWDM/DWDM modules and also for any electrical component that requires a casing.

[0038] 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.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0039] The module shelf of the present invention provides a rigid support to the electronic component which prevent the disturbances created due to continuous vibrations.

[0040] The module shelf of the present invention enables smooth removal and insertion of the electronic components in the electronic rack. Also the module shelf of the present invention avoids the shutting of the electronic component during their removal from the electronic rack.

[0041] The module shelf does not require any fasteners to install the electronic component within the module, which in turn increases the productivity time.

[0042] The module shelf according to the present invention does not cause any space constraint which enables installing more number of electronic components in the module.

[0043] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications and all the modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the embodiments is ascertained by the claims submitted herein.

CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A module shelf comprising:

an enclosure configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack; and

an module inserted into an opening of the enclosure;

wherein the enclosure is provided with a tolerance level to limit the movement of the module and to replace the module without shutting of an electronic component placed inside the module during an operation of the module.

2. The module shelf of claim 1, wherein the module in conjunction with the enclosure forms a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU).

3. The module shelf of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is fixed to a base plate of the module using a plurality of fasteners to provide a single replaceable unit.

4. The module shelf of claim 1, wherein the module is removably inserted into the enclosure without having to remove the module from the rack for replacement.

5. The module shelf of claim 1, is adapted to be used for a CWDM module or any electrical component with a casing.

6. A method of creating a module shelf, the method comprising steps of:

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.