Quick release couplings for releasably coupling components of a computer to the computer are disclosed. The quick release coupling mechanisms are generally configured to allow tool-less placement of the components relative to the computer. That is, the quick release coupling mechanisms are configure
Quick release couplings for releasably coupling components of a computer to the computer are disclosed. The quick release coupling mechanisms are generally configured to allow tool-less placement of the components relative to the computer. That is, the quick release coupling mechanisms are configured to perform their couplings without using conventional fasteners such as screws, bolts, etc. By eliminating the use of fasteners, the components may be inserted and removed from the computer without using tools (e.g., tool-less). Furthermore, the quick release couplings are easy to maneuver thereby enabling quick and straightforward assembly and disassembly of the components to and from the computer (e.g., quick release). For example, the components may be inserted and removed by a simple pushing or pulling motion, and/or by a simple flick of a latch or handle.
대표청구항▼
1. A computer, comprising: a housing having an interior portion and an access opening;a quick release access door configured to cover the access opening when the access door is in a closed position and to be tool-lessly placed in and removed from the access opening; anda quick release removable fan
1. A computer, comprising: a housing having an interior portion and an access opening;a quick release access door configured to cover the access opening when the access door is in a closed position and to be tool-lessly placed in and removed from the access opening; anda quick release removable fan module that slides in and out of the interior portion of the housing through the access opening, the fan module making tool-less electrical and mechanical connections with the computer when the fan module is slid into the housing, the fan module making tool-less electrical and mechanical disconnections with the computer when the fan module is slid out of the housing, wherein at least one of the electrical connections is made by a gimbaling electrical connector configured to float relative to a structure to which it is mounted, wherein the gimbaling electrical connector is a friction coupling comprising a first blind mate connector configured to mate with a corresponding second blind mate connector within the interior portion of the housing, the gimbaling electrical connector being on a side of the fan module opposite a side of the fan module closest to the access opening when the gimbaling electrical connector is electrically connected, wherein the fan module is held in place by the access door contacting and frictionally coupling the fan module when the access door is in the closed position such that when the access door is removed the fan module is no longer frictionally coupled to and held in place by the access door, thereby allowing tool-less and quick placement and removal of the fan module to/from the computer. 2. The computer as recited in claim 1 wherein the fan module is secured within the computer without using fasteners. 3. The computer as recited in claim 1 wherein the fan module comprises: a fan carrier and one or more fans mounted to the fan carrier, the fan carrier and one or more fans being installed and removed from the computer as a unit. 4. The computer as recited in claim 3 wherein the fan carrier comprises: a mounting member for receiving the one or more fans, the mounting member having an opening for each fan;an upper member positioned above the mounting member; a lower member positioned below the mounting member;a partition disposed between the openings in the mounting member; and a handle for inserting and extracting the fan carrier from the computer. 5. The computer as recited in claim 1 wherein the housing has a cavity for receiving the fan module, the cavity including a first connector therein, and wherein the fan module includes a second connector that engages the first connector when the fan module is inserted into the cavity and that disengages the first connector when removed from the cavity. 6. The computer as recited in claim 1 wherein the housing has a cavity for receiving the fan module, the cavity including a first mounting portion, and wherein the fan module includes a second mounting portion that engages the first mounting portion when the fan module is inserted into the cavity and that disengages the first mounting portion when removed from the cavity. 7. The computer as recited in claim 6 wherein the first mounting portion is a slot, and wherein the second mounting portion is a T-flange. 8. A device for cooling a computer that includes a housing having an interior portion, comprising: a quick release removable fan module that slides in and out of the interior portion of the housing, the fan module making tool-less electrical and mechanical connections with the computer when the fan module is slid into the housing, the fan module making tool-less electrical and mechanical disconnections with the computer when the fan module is slid out of the housing, wherein at least one of the electrical connections is made by a gimbaling electrical connector configured to float relative to a structure to which it is mounted, wherein the fan module includes a T-flange configured to slide along a length of a slot within a shelf within the housing as the fan module is slid into the housing, and wherein a bottom portion of the T-flange includes a central member dimensioned for sliding receipt within the slot and a top member dimensioned to slide along a top surface of rests on and is supported by the shelf such that the fan module is suspended from the shelf when the fan module is inside the housing, wherein the slot has an open end at which the T-flange is inserted into the slot, wherein the fan module is held in place by a quick release access door contacting and frictionally coupling the fan module when the access door is in the closed position such that when the access door is removed the fan module is no longer frictionally coupled to and held in place by the access door, the quick release access door being configured to be tool-lessly placed in and removed from the access opening thereby allowing tool-less and quick placement and removal of the fan module to/from the computer. 9. The device as recited in claim 8 wherein the fan module is secured within the computer without using fasteners. 10. The device as recited in claim 8 wherein the fan module comprises: a fan carrier and one or more fans mounted to the fan carrier, the fan carrier and one or more fans being installed and removed from the computer as a unit. 11. The device as recited in claim 10 wherein the fan carrier comprises: a mounting member for receiving the one or more fans, the mounting member having an opening for each fan;an upper member positioned above the mounting member; a lower member positioned below the mounting member;a partition disposed between the openings in the mounting member; anda handle for inserting and extracting the fan carrier from the computer. 12. The device as recited in claim 8 wherein the housing has a cavity for receiving the fan module, the cavity including a first connector therein, and wherein the fan module includes a second connector that engages the first connector when the fan module is inserted into the cavity and that disengages the first connector when removed from the cavity. 13. The computer as recited in claim 1, wherein the gimbaling connector allows multiple degrees of freedom. 14. The computer as recited in claim 1, wherein the gimbaling connector allows a single degree of freedom. 15. The computer as recited in claim 1, wherein the gimbaling connector is one of the following: a pivot joint, a translating joint, a flexure joint, a rotational joint, and a ball and socket joint. 16. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the gimbaling connector allows multiple degrees of freedom. 17. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the gimbaling connector allows a single degree of freedom. 18. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the gimbaling connector is one of the following: a pivot joint, a translating joint, a flexure joint, a rotational joint, and a ball and socket joint. 19. A device for cooling a computer that includes a housing with a channel in its interior portion, the channel having a first electrical connector and configured to receive a fan module, wherein the first electrical connector is positioned inside the channel the device comprising: a quick release removable fan module configured to slide in and out of the channel in the interior portion, the fan module having a T-flange configured to slide along a slot within a shelf, wherein the slot has an open end at which the T-flange is inserted into the slot, wherein the T-flange includes a central member dimensioned for sliding within the slot and a top member having and a bottom portion that slides along a top surface of the T flange rests on and is supported by the shelf such that a top member and shelf interface sets a z-axis position of the fan module and a central member and slot interface sets x-axis and y-axis positions of the fan module when the fan module is inside the housing, the fan module making electrical and mechanical connections with the computer when the fan module is slid into the channel, the fan module making tool-less electrical and mechanical disconnections with the computer when the fan module is slid out of the channel, wherein at least one of the electrical connections is made by a second electrical connector on the fan module mating with the first electrical connector inside the channel when the fan module is fully inserted within the channel, wherein the fan module is held in place by a quick release access door contacting and frictionally coupling the fan module when the access door is in the closed position such that when the access door is removed the fan module is no longer frictionally coupled to and held in place by the access door, the quick release access door being configured to be tool-lessly placed in and removed from the access opening thereby allowing tool-less and quick placement and removal of the fan module to/from the computer. 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the fan module further includes a member on the top side of the fan module, the member being dimensioned for slidable receipt by a slot within a top plate of the channel such that the member rests on the shelf when the fan module is fully inserted within the channel. 21. The device of claim 19, wherein the fan module further includes a member configured to mate with a corresponding mating member on a bottom plate of the channel. 22. The device of claim 19, wherein the first connector is adjacent a motherboard inside the housing. 23. The device of claim 8, wherein the divider and walls of the fan module and housing form walls of the first and second channels for directing air to the first and second heat sinks.
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