Equipment module indicator handle and methods for indicating equipment module status
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G08B-005/00
H02H-003/00
H05K-005/00
B25B-023/18
B60Q-001/26
출원번호
US-0016250
(2011-01-28)
등록번호
US-8599035
(2013-12-03)
발명자
/ 주소
Crisp, Richard A.
Williams, David W.
출원인 / 주소
Dell Products L.P.
대리인 / 주소
Egan, Peterman & Enders LLP.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
9
초록▼
Equipment module indicator handle apparatus and methods are provided for displaying indications of the status conditions of equipment module circuitry using a light-conductive handle body that includes at least one handle leg at least partially composed of light conductive material and configured to
Equipment module indicator handle apparatus and methods are provided for displaying indications of the status conditions of equipment module circuitry using a light-conductive handle body that includes at least one handle leg at least partially composed of light conductive material and configured to transmit emitted light from a proximate end of the indicator handle toward a distal end of the indicator handle to visibly display a status condition of the module circuitry to a user on a surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the wall of a chassis of the module.
대표청구항▼
1. An equipment module, comprising: an equipment module chassis containing module circuitry and having at least one wall with an outer surface; at least one first light-emitting element coupled to emit light to display a status condition of the module circuitry;an indicator handle configured for use
1. An equipment module, comprising: an equipment module chassis containing module circuitry and having at least one wall with an outer surface; at least one first light-emitting element coupled to emit light to display a status condition of the module circuitry;an indicator handle configured for use by a user to withdraw and insert the module chassis from an equipment assembly,the indicator handle having a proximate end and a distal end disposed opposite to the proximate end, the indicator handle at least partially comprising light conductive material that is configured to transmit light from the proximate end toward the distal end of the handle; andthe indicator handle further comprising at least one light conductive handle leg having a leg base mechanically coupled at the proximate end of the handle to the outer surface of the chassis wall and extending outward from the chassis wall to the distal end of the handle, the light conductive material of the handle leg being disposed to receive the emitted light from the first light-emitting element and transmit the emitted light toward the distal end of the indicator handle to visibly display a status condition of the module circuitry to a user on a surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the wall of the module chassis;wherein the at least one light conductive handle leg forms a separate segment of the indicator handle terminating at the distal end of the handle; and where the light conductive material of the handle leg is disposed to receive the emitted light from the first light-emitting element and transmit the emitted light toward the terminal distal end of the indicator handle to visibly display a status condition of the module circuitry to a user on the distal surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the wall of the module chassis. 2. An equipment module, comprising an equipment module chassis containing module circuitry and having at least one wall with an outer surface; at least one first light-emitting element coupled to emit light to display a status condition of the module circuitry;an indicator handle configured for use by a user to withdraw and insert the module chassis from an equipment assembly, the indicator handle having a proximate end and a distal end disposed opposite to the proximate end, the indicator handle at least partially comprising light conductive material that is configured to transmit light from the proximate end toward the distal end of the handle; andthe indicator handle further comprising at least one light conductive handle leg having a leg base mechanically coupled at the proximate end of the handle to the outer surface of the chassis wall and extending outward from the chassis wall to the distal end of the handle, the light conductive material of the handle leg being disposed to receive the emitted light from the first light-emitting element and transmit the emitted light toward the distal end of the indicator handle to visibly display a status condition of the module circuitry to a user on a surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the wall of the module chassis; andthe equipment module further comprising a status icon provided on the spaced apart surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the wall of the module chassis upon which the status condition of the module circuitry is displayed to a user. 3. The module of claim 1, the indicator handle comprising multiple light conductive handle legs that each have a respective leg base mechanically coupled at the proximate end of the handle to the outer surface of the chassis wall and extending outward from the chassis wall to the distal end of the handle, the light conductive material of each handle leg being disposed to receive the emitted light from a respective different first light-emitting element than each other of the handle legs and to transmit the emitted light toward the distal end of the indicator handle by a separate light path than each other of the handle legs to visibly display a status condition of the module circuitry to a user on a surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the wall of the module chassis. 4. The module of claim 1, the indicator handle comprising at least two adjacent light conductive handle legs that each have a respective leg base mechanically coupled at the proximate end of the handle to the outer surface of the chassis wall and extending outward from the chassis wall to the distal end of the handle, the light conductive material of each handle leg being disposed to receive the emitted light from a respective different first light-emitting element than the other of the handle legs and to transmit the emitted light toward the distal end of the indicator handle by a separate light path than the other of the handle legs to visibly display a status condition of the module circuitry to a user on a surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the wall of the module chassis. 5. The module of claim 4, further comprising at least one surface indicating second light-emitting element mechanically coupled to the wall of the module chassis and disposed in a position between the two light conductive handle legs, the surface indicating light emitting element being configured to emit light to display a different status condition of the module circuitry than the status conditions displayed by the first light emitting elements. 6. The module of claim 5, further comprising light shields positioned adjacent an interior side of each of the two first light-emitting elements in a position between each first light-emitting element and the surface indicating second light-emitting element. 7. The module of claim 4, each of the two handle legs comprising: light conductive material forming a light path extending from the proximate end toward the distal end of the handle; andnon light conductive material coupled to the light conductive material of each handle leg in a position between each light pipe and the other handle leg. 8. The module of claim 1, the light conductive material of the leg base having a light recess defined therein to physically receive the first light-emitting element therein and a securing aperture defined therein and configured to securably receive a connector stud; the light emitting element extending from the wall of the module chassis and being received in the light recess of the leg base; and the equipment module further comprising a connector stud extending from the wall of the module chassis, the connector stud being securably received within the securing aperture of the indicator handle to mechanically couple the leg base to the chassis module wall. 9. The module of claim 1, the module comprising a rack mounted power supply module and the circuitry comprising hot-swappable power supply circuitry; the at least one chassis wall with an outer surface being the rear wall of the power supply module; the outer dimensions of the module chassis being configured to be mechanically received within a complementary dimensioned power supply receptacle of a rack mounted server; and the displayed status condition comprising at least one of power supply AC health, power supply DC health, power supply mismatch, or a combination thereof. 10. The module of claim 9, wherein the power supply module is configured such that during operation of the power supply module the indicator handle extends outward from the rear wall of the power supply module to dispose a surface of the indicator handle in view of a user beyond the operating position of any cables and other connection equipment operably coupled to connectors on the rear wall of the power supply chassis module to display the status condition to the user on the surface of the indicator handle that is disposed and visible beyond the operating position of any cables and other connection equipment operably coupled to connectors on the rear wall of the power supply chassis module. 11. An information handling system, comprising: an information handling system chassis, the information handling system chassis comprising a power supply receptacle defined therein and configured to receive a power supply module;a power supply module comprising a module chassis configured to be received in the power supply receptacle of the information handling system chassis, the power supply module chassis containing power conversion circuitry and having a rear wall with an outer surface; andthe power supply module further comprising: at least one first light-emitting element coupled to emit light to display a status condition of the power conversion circuitry,an indicator handle configured for use by a user to withdraw and insert the module chassis from the power supply receptacle, the indicator handle having a proximate end and a distal end disposed opposite to the proximate end, the indicator handle at least partially comprising light conductive material that is configured to transmit light from the proximate end toward the distal end of the handle, andthe indicator handle further comprising at least one light conductive handle leg having a leg base mechanically coupled at the proximate end of the handle to the outer surface of the power supply module chassis rear wall and extending outward from the power supply module chassis rear wall to the distal end of the handle, the light conductive material of the handle leg being disposed to receive the emitted light from the first light-emitting element and transmit the emitted light toward the distal end of the indicator handle to visibly display a status condition of the module circuitry to a user on a surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the rear wall of the power supply module chassis;wherein the at least one light conductive handle leg forms a separate segment of the indicator handle terminating at the distal end of the handle; and where the light conductive material of the handle leg is disposed to receive the emitted light from the first light-emitting element and transmit the emitted light toward the terminal distal end of the indicator handle to visibly display a status condition of the module circuitry to a user on the distal surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the wall of the module chassis. 12. An information handling system, comprising: an information handling system chassis, the information handling system chassis comprising a power supply receptacle defined therein and configured to receive a power supply module;a power supply module comprising a module chassis configured to be received in the power supply receptacle of the information handling system chassis, the power supply module chassis containing power conversion circuitry and having a rear wall with an outer surface; andthe power supply module further comprising:at least one first light-emitting element coupled to emit light to display a status condition of the power conversion circuitry,an indicator handle configured for use by a user to withdraw and insert the module chassis from the power supply receptacle, the indicator handle having a proximate end and a distal end disposed opposite to the proximate end, the indicator handle at least partially comprising light conductive material that is configured to transmit light from the proximate end toward the distal end of the handle, andthe indicator handle further comprising at least one light conductive handle leg having a leg base mechanically coupled at the proximate end of the handle to the outer surface of the power supply module chassis rear wall and extending outward from the power supply module chassis rear wall to the distal end of the handle, the light conductive material of the handle leg being disposed to receive the emitted light from the first light-emitting element and transmit the emitted light toward the distal end of the indicator handle to visibly display a status condition of the module circuitry to a user on a surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the rear wall of the power supply module chassis; andthe information handling system further comprising a status icon provided on the spaced apart surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the rear wall of the power supply module chassis upon which the status condition of the module circuitry is displayed to a user. 13. The system of claim 11, the indicator handle comprising at least two light conductive handle legs that each have a respective leg base mechanically coupled at the proximate end of the handle to the outer surface of the power supply module chassis rear wall and extending outward from the power supply module chassis rear wall to the distal end of the handle, the light conductive material of each handle leg being disposed to receive the emitted light from a respective different first light-emitting element than the other of the handle legs and to transmit the emitted light toward the distal end of the indicator handle by a separate light path than the other of the handle legs to visibly display a status condition of the power supply module circuitry to a user on a surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the rear wall of the power supply module chassis. 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising at least one surface indicating second light-emitting element mechanically coupled to the rear wall of the power supply module chassis and disposed in a position between the two light conductive handle legs, the surface indicating light emitting element being configured to emit light to display a different status condition of the power supply module circuitry than the status conditions displayed by the first light emitting elements. 15. The system of claim 11, the displayed status condition comprising at least one of power supply AC health, power supply DC health, power supply mismatch, or a combination thereof. 16. The system of claim 11, the power supply module being received in the power supply receptacle of the information handling system such that the indicator handle extends outward from the rear wall of the power supply module to dispose a surface of the indicator handle in view of a user beyond the operating position of any cables and other connection equipment operably coupled to connectors on the rear wall of the power supply chassis module to display the status condition to the user on the surface of the indicator handle that is disposed and visible beyond the operating position of any cables and other connection equipment operably coupled to connectors on the rear wall of the power supply chassis module. 17. The system of claim 11, the information handling system comprising a rack mounted server. 18. A method of displaying one or more status conditions of an equipment module to a user, the method comprising: providing an equipment module comprising a module chassis containing module circuitry and having at least one wall with an outer surface; providing an indicator handle configured for use by a user to withdraw and insert the module chassis from an equipment assembly, the indicator handle having a proximate end and a distal end disposed opposite to the proximate end, andhaving at least one light conductive handle leg having a leg base mechanically coupled at the proximate end of the handle to the outer surface of the chassis wall and extending outward from the chassis wall to the distal end of the handle; emitting at least one first light adjacent the proximate end of the indicator handle to display a status condition of the module circuitry; transmitting the emitted first light from the proximate end of the indicator handle through the light conductive handle leg toward the distal end of the indicator handle to visibly display a status condition of the module circuitry to a user on a surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the wall of the module chassis;the at least one light conductive handle leg forming a separate segment of the indicator handle terminating at the distal end of the handle; andthe light conductive material of the handle leg receiving the emitted light from the first light-emitting element and transmitting the emitted light toward the terminal distal end of the indicator handle visibly displaying a status condition of the module circuitry to a user on the distal surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the wall of the module chassis. 19. The method of claim 18, the provided indicator handle comprising multiple light conductive handle legs that each have a respective leg base mechanically coupled at the proximate end of the handle to the outer surface of the chassis wall and extending outward from the chassis wall to the distal end of the handle; and the method further comprising: emitting multiple separate first lights adjacent the proximate end of the indicator handle to display multiple separate respective status conditions of the module circuitry; andtransmitting each of the multiple separate emitted first lights from the proximate end of the indicator handle through a respective separate one of the light conductive handle legs toward the distal end of the indicator handle to visibly display each of the status conditions of the module circuitry to a user on a separate respective surface of the indicator handle that is spaced apart from the wall of the module chassis. 20. The module of claim 19, further comprising emitting at least one second light adjacent the outer surface of the module chassis wall between at least two of the light conductive handle legs; the light indicating a different status condition of the module circuitry than the status conditions displayed by the emitted first lights; and transmitting substantially none of the second light through the light conductive handle legs. 21. The method of claim 18, the equipment module comprising a rack mounted power supply module and the module circuitry comprising hot-swappable power supply circuitry, with the at least one chassis wall with an outer surface being the rear wall of the power supply module; and the method further comprising: providing the module chassis in a mechanically received position within a complementary dimensioned power supply receptacle of a rack mounted server; andemitting the at least one first light to display status condition of the power supply module circuitry that comprises at least one of power supply AC health, power supply DC health, power supply mismatch, or a combination thereof. 22. The module of claim 4, where the indicator handle is a single piece of light-conductive material; where the two light conductive handle legs comprise a first light conductive handle leg that is joined to a second light conductive handle leg at the distal end of the handle by a cross member segment that defines a handle aperture between the first and second handle legs; where the cross member is narrowed between the first and second handle legs by two sloped step-down surfaces, each given one of the two sloped step-down surfaces being disposed adjacent one of the corresponding first or second handle legs to define a narrowed portion of the cross member segment between the first and second handle legs; and where the two sloped step-down surfaces are configured to at least partially prevent light from bleeding between the light conductive material of the first light conductive handle leg to the light conductive material of the second conductive handle leg. 23. The module of claim 4, where the two light conductive handle legs respectively comprise two outer side pieces of light-conductive material that are joined to a center piece of non-light conductive material such that the respective light paths of each of the two light conductive handle legs are completely separated. 24. The module of claim 6, where the indicator handle is a single piece of light-conductive material; and where the module further comprises: at least two first light emitting elements;a carrier plate disposed between the equipment module chassis and the indicator handle, the carrier plated having a first aperture defined therein to receive light from a first one of the light-emitting elements, and a second element defined therein to receive light from a second and different one of the light-emitting elements; andwhere the carrier plate further comprises each of the light shields, the light shields being positioned adjacent an interior side of each of the two first light-emitting elements when the equipment module chassis and the indicator handle carrier plate are assembled together with the carrier plate positioned therebetween.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (9)
Moore Donald M. (Rte. 3 ; Box 109 Warrenton VA 22186), Automatic jumper cables.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.