Guide for a computing device chassis
A computing device includes a chassis having at least one connector configured to receive a component, and a guide coupled to the chassis. The guide includes a guide element and is selectively movable relative to the chassis to arrange the guide element at a first position which allows a first variant of the component to be connected with the at least one connector and prevents a second variant of the component to be connected thereto, and a second position which allows the second variant of the component to be connected with the at least one connector and prevents the first variant of the component to be connected thereto.
1. A computing device comprising:
a chassis having at least one connector configured to receive a component; and
a guide coupled to the chassis,
wherein the guide comprises a guide element and is selectively movable relative to the chassis to arrange the guide element at
a first position which allows a first variant of the component to be connected with the at least one connector and prevents a second variant of the component to be connected thereto; and
a second position which allows the second variant of the component to be connected with the at least one connector and prevents the first variant of the component to be connected thereto.
2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the guide is urged to move to the first or second position in response to one of
the first variant of the component being connected with the at least one connector; and
the second variant of the component being connected with the at least one connector respectively.
3. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the chassis comprises a plurality of connectors and the guide comprises a plurality of guide elements corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of connectors of the chassis, and wherein all the guide elements are simultaneously urged to respective first or second positions to allow connection of each connector with a correct variant of the component and prevent connection of each connector with an incorrect variant of the component in response to the guide being moved relative to the chassis.
4. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the chassis comprises a plurality of connectors and the guide comprises a plurality of guide elements corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of connectors of the chassis, and wherein in response to the first variant of the component being connected with one of the connectors, the guide is urged to move the plurality of guide elements to positions which allow the first variant of the component to connect with the remaining connectors and prevent the second variant of the component to connect with the remaining connectors.
5. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector comprises a slot and the guide element is resiliently biased at a center of the slot.
6. The computing device of claim 1 , further comprising a component connected to the at least one connector, wherein the component comprises an indicator positioned based on the component's variant, and wherein in response to the guide being moved relative to the chassis, the guide element is moved to a position to match the position of the indicator of the component allowed to be connected with the at least one connector.
7. The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the indicator is shaped to fit the guide element.
8. The computing device of claim 7 , wherein the indicator comprises a first slope and the guide element comprises a second slope, and wherein the first and second slopes are caused to slide against each other to move the guide in response to the component being connected with the at least one connector.
9. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the guide further comprises a first and second stopper configured to resist movement of the guide to prevent movement of the guide element beyond the first and second positions respectively.
10. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises a first guide element configured for a first type of the component and a second guide element configured for a second type of the component, the first and second types of the component having different dimensions.
11. The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the first and second guide elements are located on a same side of the guide.
12. The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the first and second guide elements are located on opposite sides of the guide.
13. The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the chassis comprises a first and second connectors corresponding to the first and second guide elements respectively, and wherein in response to the guide being moved relative to the chassis, the first and second guide elements are urged to positions which simultaneously allow both the first and second connectors to be connected with correct variants of the respective types of components and prevent both the first and second connectors from connecting with incorrect variants of the respective types of components.
14. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the guide element is adjustable relative to the guide.
15. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector comprises a slot and wherein the guide is longitudinal and extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the slot to extend the guide element into the slot.
16. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a fan, the first variant of the component comprising a clockwise rotating fan and the second variant of the component comprising a counter-clockwise rotating fan.
17. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is a computer server.
18. An apparatus comprising:
a computing device chassis comprising at least one connector; and
a guide comprising a guide element, the guide being selectively movable relative to the computing device chassis to arrange the guide element at
a first position which allows a first variant of the component to be connected with the at least one connector and prevents a second variant of the component to be connected thereto; and
a second position which allows the second variant of the component to be connected with the at least one connector and prevents the first variant of the component to be connected thereto.
19. A method comprising: engaging a guide with a computing device chassis, the computing device chassis comprising at least one connector for connecting with the component, the guide having a guide element and selectively movable relative to the computing device chassis, the guide element at: a first position which allows a first variant of the component to be connected with the at least one connector and prevents a second variant of the component to be connected thereto; and a second position which allows the second variant of the component to be connected with the at least one connector and prevents the first variant of the component to be connected thereto; moving the guide to arrange the guide element at a position which allows the component to be connected with the connector and prevents a variant of the component to be connected with the connector; and connecting the component with the connector.