Multi-module keying system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9237664-B2
Application number	US-201314081837-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 15, 2013
Priority date	Nov 15, 2013
Publication date	Jan 12, 2016
Grant date	Jan 12, 2016

Abstract

Multi-module keying systems and methods include a chassis. A first module slot and a second module slot are located on the chassis. A keying device is movably coupled to the chassis and includes a first keying member that is located adjacent the first module slot and a second keying member that is located adjacent the second module slot. The keying device is configured to move in response to a first keyed module being positioned in the first module slot such that the first keyed module engages the first keying member. The movement of the keying device positions the second keying member adjacent the second module slot to restrict modules that may be positioned in the second module slot to second keyed modules. The systems and methods allow the second module slot to be keyed for second keyed modules based on the first keyed module positioned in the first module slot.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-module keying system, comprising:
a chassis;
a first fan module slot that is located on the chassis;
a second fan module slot that is located on the chassis; and
a keying device that is movably coupled to the chassis and that includes a first keying member that is located adjacent the first fan module slot and a second keying member that is located adjacent the second fan module slot, wherein the keying device moves in response to a first keyed fan module being positioned in the first fan module slot such that the first keyed fan module engages an interior of the first keying member, and wherein the movement of the keying device positions the second keying member adjacent the second fan module slot to restrict fan modules that may be positioned in the second fan module slot to only second keyed fan modules that are the same airflow direction type fan modules as the first keyed fan module.

2. The multi-module keying system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first fan module connector that is located in the first fan module slot and that mates with the first keyed fan module when the first keyed fan module is positioned in the first fan module slot; and
a second fan module connector that is located in the second fan module slot and that mates with a second keyed fan module when the second keyed fan module is positioned in the second fan module slot.

3. The multi-module keying system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a biasing member coupled to the keying device to bias the keying device into a first position, wherein the movement of the keying device in response to the first keyed fan module being positioned in the first fan module slot such that the first keyed fan module engages the first keying member and moves the keying device to a second position that is different from the first position.

4. The multi-module keying system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third fan module slot that is located on the chassis, wherein the keying device includes a third keying member that is located adjacent the third fan module slot, and wherein the movement of the keying device positions the third keying member adjacent the third fan module slot to restrict fan modules that may be positioned in the third module slot to only third keyed fan modules.

5. The multi-module keying system of claim 4 , wherein the first keyed fan module and the third keyed fan modules are different types of fan modules.

6. An information handling system (IHS), comprising:
an IHS chassis that houses a processing system and a memory system coupled to the processing system;
a first IHS fan component slot that is located on the IHS chassis;
a second IHS fan component slot that is located on the IHS chassis; and
a keying device that is movably coupled to the IHS chassis and that includes a first keying member that is located adjacent the first IHS fan component slot and a second keying member that is located adjacent the second IHS fan component slot, wherein the keying device moves in response to a first keyed IHS fan component being positioned in the first IHS fan component slot such that the first keyed IHS fan component engages an interior of the first keying member, and wherein the movement of the keying device positions the second keying member adjacent the second IHS fan component slot to restrict IHS fan components that may be positioned in the second IHS fan component slot to only second keyed IHS fan components that are the same airflow direction type IHS fan components as the first keyed IHS fan component.

7. The IHS of claim 6 , further comprising:
a first IHS fan component connector that is located in the first IHS fan component slot and coupled to the processing system, wherein the first IHS fan component connector mates with the first keyed IHS fan component when the first keyed IHS fan component is positioned in the first IHS fan component slot; and
a second IHS fan component connector that is located in the second IHS fan component slot and coupled to the processing system, wherein the second IHS fan component connector mates with a second keyed IHS fan component when the second keyed IHS fan component is positioned in the second IHS fan component slot.

8. The IHS of claim 6 , further comprising:
a biasing member coupled to the keying device to bias the keying device into a first position, wherein the movement of the keying device in response to the first keyed IHS fan component being positioned in the first IHS fan component slot such that the first keyed IHS fan component engages the first keying member and moves the keying device to a second position that is different from the first position.

9. The IHS of claim 6 , further comprising:
a third IHS fan component slot that is located on the chassis, wherein the keying device includes a third keying member that is located adjacent the third IHS fan component slot, and wherein the movement of the keying device positions the third keying member adjacent the third IHS fan component slot to restrict IHS fan components that may be positioned in the third IHS component slot to only third keyed IHS fan components.

10. The IHS of claim 9 , wherein the first keyed IHS fan component and the third keyed IHS fan components are different types of IHS fan components.

11. A method for coupling IHS components to an IHS chassis, comprising:
providing an IHS chassis including a first IHS fan component slot, a second IHS fan component slot, and a keying device having a first keying member positioned adjacent the first IHS fan component slot and a second keying member positioned adjacent the second IHS fan component slot;
positioning a first keyed IHS fan component in the first IHS fan component slot such that the first keyed IHS fan component engages an interior of the first keying member;
moving the keying device in response to the engagement of the first keyed IHS fan component and the first keying member such that the position of the second keying member relative to the second IHS fan component slot changes; and
restricting IHS fan components that may be positioned in the second IHS fan component slot to only second keyed IHS fan components that are the same airflow direction type IHS fan components as the first keyed IHS fan component based on the position of the second keying member relative to the second IHS fan component slot.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
mating the first keyed IHS fan component with a first IHS fan component connector that is located in the first IHS fan component slot when the first keyed IHS fan component is positioned in the first IHS fan component slot; and
mating a second keyed IHS fan component with a second IHS fan component connector that is located in the second IHS fan component slot when the second keyed IHS fan component is positioned in the second IHS fan component slot.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
biasing the keying device into a first position, wherein the movement of the keying device in response to the first keyed IHS fan component being positioned in the first IHS fan component slot such that the first keyed IHS fan component engages the first keying member moves the keying device to a second position that is different from the first position.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the IHS chassis includes a third IHS fan component slot, and wherein the keying device includes a third keying member that is located adjacent the third IHS fan component slot, and wherein the movement of the keying device positions the third keying member adjacent the third IHS fan component slot to restrict IHS fan co

Assignees

• Dell Products Lp

Inventors

• Teeter Victor B

Classifications

• H05K5/0221

  Locks; Latches · CPC title

• H05K7/1408

  by a unique member which latches several boards, e.g. locking bars · CPC title

• H05K5/0208 Primary

  Interlock mechanisms; Means for avoiding unauthorised use or function, e.g. tamperproof · CPC title

• H05K7/20736

  within cabinets for removing heat from server blades · CPC title

• H05K7/1489 Primary

  characterized by the mounting of blades therein, e.g. brackets, rails, trays (H05K7/1491 takes precedence) · CPC title