US-20260129784-A1 - QUICK-PRESS SNAP-ON LOCKING DEVICE

US20260129784A1US 20260129784 A1US20260129784 A1US 20260129784A1US-20260129784-A1

Abstract

A locking device includes an adjustable base assembly, which includes a rotation assembly and a linear guide rail, and a locking assembly mounted on the adjustable base assembly. The locking device includes one or more spring tabs configured to engage and disengage with one or more slots provided on one or more frame panels, an abutment block, and a sliding rod assembly. The abutment block is configured to push, in response to a force, the one or more spring tabs outward, thereby causing engagement of the one or more spring tabs with the one or more slots. The sliding rod assembly is configured to move with the abutment block and provide a first stable position for a locked state and a second stable position for an unlocked state. The adjustable base assembly is configured to adjust a position and an orientation of the locking assembly relative to the frame panels.

Inventors

ChiaMing Chang

Assignees

Aivres Systems Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251230

Claims (20)

1 . A locking device, comprising: an adjustable base assembly comprising a rotation assembly and a linear guide rail; and a locking assembly mounted on the adjustable base assembly, the locking assembly comprising: one or more spring tabs configured to engage and disengage with one or more slots provided on one or more frame panels; an abutment block, wherein the abutment block is movable in an axial direction relative to the one or more spring tabs and configured to push, in response to a force, the one or more spring tabs outward, thereby causing engagement of the one or more spring tabs with the one or more slots, and wherein the abutment block is connected to a sliding rod assembly; and the sliding rod assembly configured to move with the abutment block and provide a first stable position for a locked state and a second stable position for an unlocked state, wherein the adjustable base assembly is configured to adjust a position and an orientation of the locking assembly relative to the one or more slots.
2 . The locking device of claim 1 , wherein the sliding rod assembly comprises: a lower rod, wherein one end of the lower rod is connected to one end of the abutment block, and the lower rod is rotatable relative to the abutment block; an upper rod, wherein the other end of the lower rod is in contact with one end of the upper rod; and a rod housing fitted over the upper rod, wherein the lower rod, the upper rod, and the rod housing are aligned along the axial direction, and wherein the lower rod and the upper rod are configured to slide along the axial direction relative to the rod housing.
3 . The locking device of claim 2 , wherein the lower rod comprises a wavy surface on one end, the upper rod comprises a reciprocal wavy surface on one end, and the wavy surface of the lower rod is oriented toward the reciprocal wavy surface of the upper rod in the sliding rod assembly and the reciprocal wavy surface of the upper rod is configured to mate and engage the wavy surface of the low rod.
4 . The locking device of claim 2 , wherein the sliding rod assembly further comprises a spring, wherein the spring is positioned between the lower rod and the upper rod.
5 . The locking device of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the lower rod or the upper rod comprises a recessed hole, the recessed hole being configured to receive the spring when compressed.
6 . The locking device of claim 2 , wherein the lower rod comprises a cylindrical column and at least one plate attached to side wall of the cylindrical column, wherein a side wall of the rod housing comprises a curved edge, and wherein in the sliding rod assembly, the at least one plate on the lower rod is in contact with the curved edge of the rod housing.
7 . The locking device of claim 6 , wherein the curved edge of the rod housing is provided a plurality of grooves to provide rotational limits, wherein the plurality of grooves comprise first sections having a first depth and second sections having a second depth, the first and second sections are alternately arranged along the curved edge of the rod housing.
8 . The locking device of claim 7 , wherein the at least one plate on the lower rod comprises three plates spaced apart by 120 degrees, and wherein the curved edge of the rod housing is provided with three first sections and three second sections.
9 . The locking device of claim 1 , wherein one edge along the linear guide rail comprises a series of repetitive structures configured to provide positional limits to the adjustable base assembly along a linear direction.
10 . The locking device of claim 1 , wherein the rotation assembly comprises a plurality of hemispherical structures and one or more spring arm structures configured to provide rotational limits to the adjustable base assembly.
11 . The locking device of claim 1 , wherein the abutment block further comprises at least one handle positioned on at least one side of the abutment block, wherein a bracket mounted outside the sliding rod assembly comprises at least one elongated slot configured to guide movement of the handle on the abutment block.
12 . The locking device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more spring tabs comprise a single spring tab, configured to lock a single modular device within a casing.
13 . The locking device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more spring tabs comprise two or more spring tabs, configured to lock two or more modular device within a casing at the same time.
14 . The locking device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more spring tabs are fixed to a casing of a computer system or a server system through the adjustable base assembly, and wherein one or more modular devices are locked in the casing of the computer system or the server system based on the one or more spring tabs engaging with the one or more slots on the one or more modular devices.
15 . A framework for housing one or more computer systems, comprising: a casing; one or more modular devices provided with one or more slots, wherein the one or more modular devices are removable from the casing; and a locking device configured to lock and unlock the one or more modular devices within the casing, wherein the locking device comprises: an adjustable base assembly comprising a rotation assembly and a linear guide rail; and a locking assembly mounted on the adjustable base assembly, the locking assembly comprising: one or more spring tabs configured to engage and disengage with one or more slots; an abutment block, wherein the abutment block is movable in an axial direction relative to the one or more spring tabs and configured to push, in response to a force, the one or more spring tabs outward, thereby causing engagement of the one or more spring tabs with the one or more slots, and wherein the abutment block is connected to a sliding rod assembly; and the sliding rod assembly configured to move with the abutment block and provide a first stable position for a locked state and a second stable position for an unlocked state, wherein the adjustable base assembly is configured to adjust a position and an orientation of the locking assembly relative to the one or more slots.
16 . The framework of claim 15 , wherein the sliding rod assembly comprises: a lower rod, wherein one end of the lower rod is connected to one end of the abutment block, and the lower rod is rotatable relative to the abutment block; an upper rod, wherein the other end of the lower rod is in contact with one end of the upper rod; and a rod housing fitted over the upper rod, wherein the lower rod, the upper rod, and the rod housing are aligned along the axial direction, and wherein the lower rod and the upper rod are configured to slide along the axial direction relative to the rod housing.
17 . The framework of claim 16 , wherein the lower rod comprises a wavy surface on one end, the upper rod comprises a reciprocal wavy surface on one end, and the wavy surface of the lower rod is oriented toward the reciprocal wavy surface of the upper rod in the sliding rod assembly and the reciprocal wavy surface of the upper rod is configured to mate and engage the wavy surface of the low rod.
18 . The framework of claim 16 , wherein the sliding rod assembly further comprises a spring, wherein the spring is positioned between the lower rod and the upper rod.
19 . The framework of claim 18 , wherein at least one of the lower rod or the upper rod comprises a recessed hole, the recessed hole being configured to receive the spring when compressed.
20 . A method for assembling a computer or server system comprising one or more modular devices that are removable from a casing, comprising: providing the casing of the computer or server system and the one or more modular devices, wherein the one or more modular devices are provided with one or more slots; providing a locking device connected to the casing, wherein the locking device comprises: an adjustable base assembly comprising a rotation assembly and a linear guide rail; and a locking assembly mounted on the adjustable base assembly, the locking assembly comprising: one or more spring tabs configured to engage and disengage with the one or more slots; an abutment block, wherein the abutment block is movable in an axial direction relative to the one or more spring tabs and configured to push, in response to a force, the one or more spring tabs outward, thereby causing engagement of the one or more spring tabs with the one or more slots, and wherein the abutment block is connected to a sliding rod assembly; and the sliding rod assembly configured to move with the abutment block and provide a first stable position for a locked state and a second stable position for an unlocked state, wherein the adjustable base assembly is configured to adjust a position and an orientation of the locking assembly relative to the one or more slots; adjust a position and a rotation of the locking device to align with the one or more slots; and operate the locking device to lock or unlock the one or more modular devices to the casing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This patent application relates to components for electronic systems and, in particular, to a locking mechanism that enhances the mechanical stability of components within electronic systems. BACKGROUND Computer systems are assembled from different electronic components and devices that are communicatively interconnected and housed in a common chassis or enclosure. To interconnect the components for the routing of electronic data signals and electrical power, one or more rigid printed boards (PCBs) can be accommodated in the enclosure defined by the chassis. The PCB may include a planar substrate made of an insulative material such as phenolic resin having electrically conductive traces disposed on the planar surfaces or embedded in the laminated structure of the board. Electronic devices, such as resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits, can be mounted to the planar surface of the printed circuit board and can be communicatively connected by the conductive traces. The arrangement and cooperative operation of the electronic components are responsible for the computational and processing functionality of the computer system. Chassis are typically mounted in racks to provide a stable and organized framework for housing computer systems. Within the chassis, individual components or parts are often arranged into modules, such as power supply units (PSUs), storage devices (e.g., memory and/or hard drives), processing units (e.g., central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs)), cooling devices (e.g., cooling fans, liquid cooling devices), expansion interfaces, and more. In some implementations, these modules are mounted in trays (or other suitable containers), which are housed within the chassis. To prevent the equipment from sliding out of the rack, a mechanism may be provided to secure the equipment to the casing. Conventional designs of these mechanisms can present challenges. For example, the mechanical components may require a large rotational radius to slide a latch into place. Other designs require a user to manually rotate a cam latch, which can be difficult to operate in narrow spaces. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE A locking device is provided, offering several advantages. The locking device incorporates a quick-press, snap-on locking and quick-release mechanism, enabling efficient assembly and disassembly of removable modular devices in electronic systems, such as computer or server systems, while reducing labor costs. The locking device can be operated with a simple press to lock or unlock the modular device(s) from the casing, making maintenance more convenient. Additionally, the compact structural design of the locking device minimizes the required installation space. In an exemplary embodiment, a locking device includes an adjustable base assembly that includes a rotation assembly and a linear guide rail, and a locking assembly mounted on the adjustable base assembly. The locking assembly includes one or more spring tabs configured to engage and disengage with one or more slots provided on one or more frame panels, an abutment block, and a sliding rod assembly. The abutment block is movable in an axial direction relative to the one or more spring tabs and configured to push, in response to a force, the one or more spring tabs outward, thereby causing engagement of the one or more spring tabs with the one or more slots, and wherein the abutment block is connected to the sliding rod assembly. The sliding rod assembly is configured to move with the abutment block and provide a first stable position for a locked state and a second stable position for an unlocked state. The adjustable base assembly is configured to adjust a position and an orientation of the locking assembly relative to the one or more slots. According to an embodiment of the locking device, the sliding rod assembly includes a lower rod, an upper rod, and a rod housing fitted over the upper rod. One end of the lower rod is connected to one end of the abutment block, and the lower rod is rotatable relative to the abutment block. The other end of the lower rod is in contact with one end of the upper rod. The lower rod, the upper rod, and the rod housing are aligned along the axial direction. The lower rod and the upper rod are configured to slide along the axial direction relative to the rod housing. According to an embodiment of the locking device, the lower rod includes a wavy surface on one end, the upper rod includes a reciprocal wavy surface on one end, and the wavy surface of the lower rod is oriented toward the reciprocal wavy surface of the upper rod in the sliding rod assembly and the reciprocal wavy surface of the upper rod is configured to mate and engage the wavy surface of the low rod. According to an embodiment of the locking device, the sliding rod assembly further includes a spring. The spring is positioned between the lower rod and the upper rod. According to an embodiment of the lo