US-12628304-B1 - Computing housing mounting arrangement

US12628304B1US 12628304 B1US12628304 B1US 12628304B1US-12628304-B1

Abstract

A computing device includes a mounting arrangement having bistate spring clips. Each bistate spring clip has a main component, elongated spring member, and protrusion. The main component moves in a first direction under a first biasing spring force when the spring clip operates in a first state and in a second direction opposite the first direction under a second biasing spring force when the spring clip operates in a second state. The spring member couples at a proximal end to the main component, extends to a distal end, and imparts a biasing spring force to the main component depending on which way it is moved. The protrusion couples to the spring member and extends into a track at the mounting outer surface. The track forces the protrusion to move in different directions as it travels along the track, which causes the spring member to correspondingly move in its different directions.

Inventors

João Cadorin Falleiros

Assignees

Tractian Technologies Inc

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20250929

Claims (20)

1 . A computing device, comprising: a plurality of internal computing components; and a modular computing housing assembly containing the plurality of internal computing components therein, the modular computing housing assembly including: an enclosure defining an internal volume containing at least a portion of the plurality of internal computing components therein, and a mounting arrangement located along a mounting outer surface of the enclosure, the mounting arrangement including one or more spring clips configured to move between different positions, wherein each of the one or more spring clips is a bistate spring clip configured to operate in a first state under a first biasing spring force and alternatively in a second state under a second biasing spring force, and wherein pushing the mounting arrangement against a separate external rail results in actuating each spring clip to move from a closed position to an open position to pass the external rail past the spring clip and then to move back to the closed position by way of the first biasing spring force to lock onto and mount the entire computing device onto the separate external rail.
2 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is a data receiver, data collector, energy vibration sensor, input output module, or power supply unit.
3 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more spring clips includes a chamfered front edge configured to be pushed against to slide the spring clip from the closed position to the open position.
4 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the mounting arrangement further includes a recessed region along a panel of the enclosure, the recessed region extending from one side of the computing device to the other side and configured to accommodate the separate external rail extending therethrough.
5 . The computing device of claim 4 , wherein at least two of the spring clips are located opposite each other on opposite sides of the recessed region to facilitate a coordinated spring clip actuation to lock onto and mount the entire computing device onto the separate external rail.
6 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the first biasing spring force biases the bistate spring clip to slide in a first direction and the second biasing spring force biases the bistate spring clip to slide in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
7 . The computing device of claim 6 , wherein operating the bistate spring clip in the first state results in the bistate spring clip being biased to move toward and lock onto the separate external rail while alternatively operating the bistate spring clip in the second state results in the bistate spring clip being biased to move away from the external rail.
8 . The computing device of claim 7 , wherein operating the bistate spring clip in the second state further results in sliding an edge portion of the bistate spring clip beyond an edge of the outer surface of the enclosure, the edge portion of the bistate spring clip having a mounting feature configured to facilitate alternatively mounting the entire computing device onto a separate external component other than the separate external rail.
9 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein each bistate spring clip includes: a main component arranged along a plane that is parallel to the mounting outer surface of the enclosure, a first elongated spring member coupled at a proximal end to the main component and extending away from the main component to a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein the first elongated spring member is configured to impart at least a portion of the first biasing spring force onto the main component when its distal end is moved in a first spring member direction and to impart at least a portion of the second biasing spring force onto the main component when its distal end is moved in a second spring member direction different than the first spring member direction, and a first protrusion coupled to the first elongated spring member at its distal end, the first protrusion extending away from the first elongated spring member distal end into a first track located along the mounting outer surface of the enclosure, wherein the first track is configured to force the first protrusion to move in different protrusion directions as the first protrusion travels along the first track, and wherein moving the first protrusion in the different protrusion directions causes the first elongated spring member distal end to correspondingly move in its spring member directions.
10 . The computing device of claim 9 , wherein the first track includes at least a first region that causes the bistate spring clip to operate in the first state under the first biasing spring force by pushing the first protrusion in a first protrusion direction when the first protrusion is within the first region and a second region that causes the bistate spring clip to operate in the second state under the second biasing spring force in a second protrusion direction different than the first protrusion direction when the first protrusion is within the second region.
11 . The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the first track further includes an install region that facilitates installing the first protrusion to the first and second regions of the first track but prevents the ready removal of the first protrusion from the first and second regions of the first track after installation.
12 . The computing device of claim 9 , wherein each bistate spring clip further includes: lateral ribs protruding from opposite outer edges of the main component that engage with grooves located along the mounting outer surface of the enclosure to facilitate movement of the bistate spring clip.
13 . The computing device of claim 9 , wherein the main component defines a flat frame having outer edges and an open central region having inner edges.
14 . The computing device of claim 13 , wherein the first elongated spring member extends from an inner edge of the flat frame.
15 . The computing device of claim 9 , wherein each bistate spring clip further includes a second elongated spring member coupled at a proximal end to the main component and extending away from the main component to a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein the second elongated spring member is configured to impart at least a portion of the first biasing spring force onto the main component when its distal end is moved in the first direction and to impart at least a portion of the second biasing spring force onto the main component when its distal end is moved in the second direction, and a second protrusion coupled to the second elongated spring member at its distal end, the second protrusion extending away from the first elongated spring member distal end into a second track located along the mounting outer surface of the enclosure, wherein the second track is configured to force the second protrusion to move in different directions as the second protrusion travels along the second track, and wherein moving the second protrusion in the different directions causes the second elongated spring member distal end to also move in those different directions.
16 . A bistate spring clip configured to facilitate mounting the computing device of claim 1 to a separate external rail, the bistate spring clip comprising: a main component arranged along a plane that is parallel to the mounting outer surface of the computing device of claim 1 , wherein the main component is configured to be coupled to the mounting outer surface and to move in a first direction under the first biasing spring force when the bistate spring clip operates in the first state and to move in a second direction opposite the first direction under the second biasing spring force when the bistate spring clip operates in the second state; a first elongated spring member coupled at a proximal end to the main component and extending away from the main component to a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein the first elongated spring member is configured to impart at least a portion of the first biasing spring force onto the main component when its distal end is moved in a first spring member direction and to impart at least a portion of the second biasing spring force onto the main component when its distal end is moved in a second spring member direction different than the first spring member direction; and a first protrusion coupled to the first elongated spring member at its distal end, the first protrusion extending away from the first elongated spring member distal end into a first track located along the mounting outer surface of the computing device of claim 1 , the first track being configured to force the first protrusion to move in different protrusion directions as the first protrusion travels along the first track, wherein moving the first protrusion in the different protrusion directions causes the first elongated spring member distal end to correspondingly move in its spring member directions.
17 . The bistate spring clip of claim 16 , wherein the first track includes at least a first region that causes the bistate spring clip to operate in the first state under the first biasing spring force by pushing the first protrusion in a first protrusion direction when the first protrusion is within the first region and a second region that causes the bistate spring clip to operate in the second state under the second biasing spring force in a second protrusion direction different than the first protrusion direction when the first protrusion is within the second region.
18 . The bistate spring clip of claim 16 , further comprising: lateral ribs protruding from opposite outer edges of the main component that engage with grooves located along the mounting outer surface of the computing device of claim 1 to facilitate movement of the bistate spring clip.
19 . The bistate spring clip of claim 16 , wherein the main component defines a flat frame having outer edges and an open central region having inner edges, and wherein the first elongated spring member extends from an inner edge of the flat frame.
20 . A computing housing assembly, comprising: an enclosure defining an internal volume configured to contain a plurality of internal computing components therein, the enclosure including a mounting outer surface; and a mounting arrangement located along the mounting outer surface, the mounting arrangement including one or more bistate spring clips configured to move between different positions, wherein each of the one or more bistate spring clips is configured to operate in a first state under a first biasing spring force and alternatively in a second state under a second biasing spring force, and wherein pushing the mounting arrangement against a separate external rail results in actuating each bistate spring clip to move from a closed position to an open position to pass the external rail past the bistate spring clip and then to move back to the closed position by way of the first biasing spring force to lock onto the separate external rail.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to commonly owned U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/885,053, filed Sep. 19, 2025, titled “COMPUTING HOUSING MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/885,047, filed Sep. 19, 2025, titled “MODULAR COMPUTING HOUSING ASSEMBLY,” which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties herein. This application is also related to commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 30/007,214, filed on Jun. 6, 2025, titled “DATA RECEIVER,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/967,350, filed on Oct. 9, 2024, titled “ELECTRONIC SENSOR DATA COLLECTOR,” which applications are also hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties herein. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to computing hardware, and more particularly to structural arrangements for computing devices and systems. BACKGROUND Modern computing systems sometimes include interchangeable and independent units or modules to provide flexibility and scalability for many applications and situations, such as for a large or growing industrial environment supported by a computing system. As a particular example, a single data receiver may be configured to support about 100 different sensors or other industrial devices, such that multiple data receivers are required for industrial environments with over 100 different supported devices. Data receivers typically require separate data collector devices and separate processing devices to utilize the received data. In these and other situations, it can be advantageous to link multiple data receivers and other computing devices together to form a larger computing system. This is often accomplished using common buses, standardized connection ports, cable connectors, and the like to link similar computing devices, with organization and placement often happening within a server cabinet, network rack, or other typically useful environment. Mounting computing units within a server cabinet or network rack is often accomplished by way of clips or other features that can be arranged to latch onto a cabinet or rack device, such as a din rail, for example. Unfortunately, server cabinets and modular computing systems in general can suffer several drawbacks, such as power volatility, incompatible equipment, and cooling and airflow issues. Even where these issues are controlled, larger and expanding computing systems can still experience problems involving limited space availability, inadequate mounting arrangements, and excessive or disorganized cable management, among other common problems. Furthermore, different computing device types often have different physical shapes and sizes, which can add to the challenge of constructing and organizing an overall system in a coherent and aesthetically pleasing manner. For example, computing housing assemblies are often difficult or cumbersome to disassemble for reconfiguration purposes, as many use screws, bolts, or other fasteners that require tools and added inconvenience. Still further, computing unit mounting arrangements can often require a significant amount of manual positioning and manipulation, and many can be difficult when removing a computing unit from a din rail or other rack or cabinet location. Although traditional housing and mounting structural arrangements for computing devices and systems have worked in the past, improvements are always helpful. In particular, what is desired are modular computing devices and structures that provide flexibility and scalability for overall computing systems while eliminating or reducing system spacing, cable management, reconfiguration, disassembly, and mounting issues, among other problems. SUMMARY It is an advantage of the present disclosure to provide improved modular computing devices and structures having flexibility and scalability for overall computing systems while eliminating or reducing system spacing, cable management, reconfiguration, disassembly, and mounting issues, among other problems. The disclosed features, apparatuses, systems, and methods relate to modular computing housing assemblies that can include the use of a common form factor for multiple separate substantially similar modular computing housing assemblies. Such a common form factor can require at least some identical features and can allow for at least some variable features between different modular computing housing assemblies, such that the disclosed modular computing housing assemblies can allow identical or similar computing devices to couple and decouple from each other directly without the need for cables, can allow for easier computing housing disassembly and reassembly for reconfiguration purposes, and can allow for one or more devices to readily mount to and be readily removed from standard network rack or server cabinet equipment either alone or collectively. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a computin