Carrier for a storage device and computer system

Abstract

Carrier for a storage device and computer system The invention relates to a carrier (10) for a storage device (1) of different form factors (A, B, C, D). The storage device (1) has a front side (2), a back side (3), and two lateral sides (4), and at least a first form factor (A) and a second form factor (B) with different lengths of the lateral sides (4) exist in the different form factors (A, B, C, D) of the storage device (1). The carrier (10) comprises a tray (11) and an edge plate (12), the tray (11) comprises a bottom plate (13) and at least one lateral plate (14), wherein the tray (11) is arranged to receive the storage device (1), and the tray (11) further comprises at least one first mounting device (16) on the bottom plate (13) and at least one second mounting device (17) on the bottom plate (13). The edge plate (12) comprises at least one mounting hole (20) arranged to be connected with the at least one first mounting device (16) for the first form factor (A) of the storage device (1) and arranged to be connected with the at least one second mounting device (17) for the second form factor (B) of the storage device (1).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Carrier for a storage device and computer system

[0003] The present invention relates to a carrier for a storage device and a computer system comprising such carrier.

[0004] Carriers for storage devices are commonly used as devices, which can hold one or more storage devices, in order to attach such storage devices to a computer system. However, due to many different types of storage devices existing, many different types of such carriers exist. Hence, it is a problem, that for each type of storage device, always a correct type of carrier needs to be at hand. This reduces flexibility when installing or replacing a storage device in a computer system.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to lower or mitigate the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] The above-mentioned object is achieved by the carrier and the computer system according to the attached independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims as well as the attached figures and the description thereof.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a carrier for a storage device of different form factors is described. The storage device has a front side, a back side, and two lateral sides, and at least a first form factor and a second form factor with different lengths of the lateral sides exist in the different form factors of the storage device. The carrier comprises a tray and an edge plate. The tray comprises a bottom plate and at least one lateral plate , wherein the tray is arranged to receive the storage device , and the tray further comprises at least one first mounting device on the bottom plate and at least one second mounting device on the bottom plate . The edge plate comprises at least one mounting hole arranged to be connected with the at least one first mounting device for the first form factor of the storage device and arranged to be connected with the at least one second mounting device for the second form factor of the storage device .

[0008] An advantage of this carrier described herein is , that one carrier, comprising a tray and an edge plate , is presented, which may be used with di f ferent kinds of storage devices , even with di f ferent form factors having di f ferent lenghts . Depending on how the edge plate is connected to the tray, i . e . , whether the first mounting device on the bottom plate or the second mounting device on the bottom plate , is used for the attachment of the edge plate , di f ferent lengths of an inner space , in which the storage device may be located, are created . Therefore , a convenient solution is provided for a carrier, in which di f ferent types of storage devices may securely be installed . For example , a thickness of the first form factor and the second form factor may be the same or may be di f ferent . A width of the first form factor and the second form factor may be the same .

[0009] According to at least one embodiment , the storage device has at least one mounting hole on the lateral sides , wherein a distance between the at least one mounting hole on the lateral side to the back side of the storage device is identical for all form factors , and a distance between the at least one mounting hole on the lateral side to the front side of the storage device depends on the form factor . The tray further comprises at least one mounting hole on the at least one lateral plate of the tray, which is arranged to be connected with the at least one mounting hole on the lateral side of the storage device irrespective of the storage device ' s form factor .

[0010] An advantage herein is that an even safer and more stable attachment of the storage device to the carrier is provided . A safe and stable attachment of a storage device to its carrier may improve performance since vibrations may be reduced .

[0011] According to at least one embodiment , the at least one lateral plate of the tray comprises a profile shape with at least one first area extending further away from an inner space of the tray than a second area, wherein the at least one mounting hole on the at least one lateral plate of the tray is located in the second area .

[0012] An advantage of this embodiment is that the attachment of the storage device to its carrier may further be improved . For example , i f a screw or similar element is used to attach the storage device to its carrier via the mounting holes on the lateral plate of the tray and the lateral side of the storage device , the screw or similar element is located in the second area as well . The first area of the profile shape reaches further away from the inner space of the tray and, hence , is higher than the screw or similar element , which therefore can protect the screw or similar element .

[0013] According to at least one embodiment , the storage device has at least one mounting hole on the front side of the storage device , wherein a position of the at least one mounting hole on the front side with regard to a bottom side and the lateral sides of the storage device is identical for all form factors . The edge plate further comprises at least one stud, extending from the edge plate in a direction towards the front side of the storage device , wherein the stud is arranged to be received by the at least one mounting hole on the front side of the storage device when the storage device is arranged in the carrier .

[0014] An advantage herein is that a further fixation of the storage device in the carrier is provided, further improving the storage device ' s safety . Additionally, by providing studs on the edge plate , which are received by the at least one mounting hole on the front side of the storage device , a quick and uncomplicated, tool free attachment mechanism is provided .

[0015] According to at least one embodiment , the at least one first mounting device on the bottom plate of the carrier and the at least one second mounting device on the bottom plate of the carrier each comprises at least one screw hole and at least one positioning pin . The edge plate further comprises at least two positioning holes , which are arranged to engage with the at least one positioning pin of the first mounting device on the bottom plate in case the at least one mounting hole of the edge plate is connected with the at least one first mounting device of the bottom plate and to engage with the at least one positioning pin of the second mounting device on the bottom plate in case the at least one mounting hole of the edge plate is connected with the at least one second mounting device of the bottom plate . An advantage herein is that an attachment of the edge plate to the tray is further simpli fied . The positioning pins and positioning holes are arranged such that the screw hole of the respective mounting device is aligned with the corresponding at least one mounting hole of the edge plate , depending on which positioning pin is engaged with the positioning holes , thereby ensuring an easy and convenient connecting, for example with a screw, of the mounting hole to the screw hole .

[0016] According to at least one embodiment , the tray has a U-shaped form, and the edge plate has an L-shaped form .

[0017] This advantageous form of tray and edge plate allows an easy and safe installation of the storage device to the carrier .

[0018] According to at least one embodiment , at least a third form factor and a fourth form factor of the di f ferent form factors of the storage device exist , wherein the third form factor has the same length as the lateral sides of the first form factor and the fourth form factor has the same length of the lateral sides of the second form factor . The third form factor and / or the fourth form factor has a di f ferent thickness than the first form factor and / or the second form factor . The tray is open on a side opposing the bottom plate of the tray .

[0019] An advantage herein is that not j ust storage devices with form factors of di f ferent lengths may be installed in the carrier, but also storage devices of form factors of di f ferent thickness . This provides further flexibility in the use of di f ferent storage devices in the same carrier . According to at least one embodiment, the carrier further comprises at least one spring sheet, which is arranged on the at least one lateral plate of the tray in an area, in which the edge plate is arranged.

[0020] An advantage herein is that the spring sheet provides an easy and uncomplicated solution for inserting and attaching the carrier in a computer system. The at least one spring sheet may be formed in such a way that it locks with corresponding mechanism in the computer system, when inserted into it.

[0021] According to at least one advantageous embodiment, the storage device is a solid-state drive, SSD, and the different form factors comprise an E3.S form factor, an E3.S 2T form factor, an E3.L form factor, and an E3.L 2T form factor.

[0022] For example, the first form factor may be the E3.L form factor, the second form factor may be the E3.S form factor, the third form factor may be the E3.L 2T form factor, and the fourth form factor may be the E3.S 2T form factor. A specification of those form factors may be, for example, according to the SFF-TA-1008 specification, Rev 2.1, as published on October 31, 2023.

[0023] According to a second aspect, a computer system is described, which comprises at least one carrier according to any of the first aspect or any of the above-described embodiments of the first aspect.

[0024] Embodiments and advantages of such computer system correspond, in general, to those embodiments and advantages described above with regard to the first aspect. Those embodiments and advantages apply, correspondingly, to the second aspect and will not be described herein again .

[0025] Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the attached figures and the following description thereof . In the figures , features with essentially the same function may be assigned with the same reference signs . However, those features do not need to be identical in all details .

[0026] In the Figures :

[0027] Figure 1 shows four di f ferent form factors of storage devices ,

[0028] Figure 2 shows a carrier according to one embodiment of this application,

[0029] Figure 3 a carrier according to one embodiment of this application in a first configuration in a top and a bottom view,

[0030] Figure 4 the carrier according to Figure 3 in a second configuration in a top and a bottom view,

[0031] Figures 5 and 6 an installation process of a storage device in a carrier according to one embodiment of this application,

[0032] Figure 7 carriers according to one embodiment of this application with four di f ferent storage devices , Figure 8 a back view of a carrier with a storage device according to one embodiment of this application,

[0033] Figure 9 a cutout of the back view of Figure 8,

[0034] Figure 10 a computer system according to one embodiment of this application, and

[0035] Figure 11 a cage of a computer system according to one embodiment of this application.

[0036] Figure 1 shows four different form factors of storage devices 1 according to this application. As an example for the storage device 1, a solid-state drive, SSD, is used in the figures. The carrier as described in this application, however, may also be used for any other storage device having different form factors.

[0037] Figure 1 shows the storage device in four different form factors: a first form factor A, a second form factor B, a third form factor C, and a fourth form factor D. As an example for the form factors A, B, C, D, the form factors according to the E3 family according to the SFF-TA-1008 specification, Rev 2.1, as published on October 31, 2023, are used. The carrier as described in this application, however, may also be used for any other types of form factors of storage devices with different lengths.

[0038] In the example of Figure 1, the first form factor A is the E3.L form factor, the second form factor B is the E3.S form factor, the third form factor C is the E3.L 2T form factor, and the fourth form factor D is the E3.S 2T form factor. Of those form factors A to D, the first form factor A and the second form factor B have di f ferent lengths and an identical width and thickness . The third form factor C has the same length and width as the first form factor A and has a di f ferent thickness than the first form factor A. The fourth form factor D has the same length and width as the second form factor B and has the same thickness as the second form factor .

[0039] For example , the length, width, and thickness of the form factors A to D are the following :

[0040] The storage devices 1 each have a front side 2 , a back side 3 , and two lateral sides 4 . The front sides 2 and back sides extend along the width and the thickness of the form factors A to D and the lateral sides extend along the length and thickness of the form factors A to D .

[0041] On the back sides 3 , connectors 5 to connect the storage devices 1 to a computer system are located . On the lateral sides 4 , mounting holes 6 are arranged on an end of the lateral side 4 facing the back side 3 . In this embodiment , equally located mounting holes are arranged on the lateral sides 4 not shown in this figure . On the front sides 2 , two mounting holes 7 are arranged on each storage device 1 , one mounting hole 7 being arranged on each storage device 1 on each end on the front side 2 facing the lateral sides 4 . The mounting holes 6 on the lateral sides 4 and the mounting holes 7 on the front sides 2 on each storage device are arranged in one plane , irrespective of the form factor of the storage device 1 . Moreover, a distance between the mounting holes 7 on the front sides 2 is the same for all form factors . A distance between the mounting holes 6 on the lateral sides 4 to the front sides 2 depends on the length of the form factor .

[0042] The storage devices 1 further each have a top side 8 and a bottom side 9 , both extending along the length and width of each storage device 1 . A position of the mounting holes 6 , 7 with respect to the bottom side 9 is identical for all form factors A to D . A position of the mounting holes 6 , 7 with respect to the top side 8 depends on the thickness of the form factors A to D .

[0043] Figure 2 shows a carrier 10 according to one embodiment of this application . The carrier 10 may be used for the storage devices 1 shown in figure 1 . However, the carrier 10 may similarly also be used for any other corresponding storage device .

[0044] The carrier 10 comprises a U-shaped tray 11 and an L-shaped edge plate 12 . The tray 11 comprises a bottom plate 13 and two lateral plates 14 . The tray 11 is arranged to receive a storage device in an inner space 15 lying between the bottom plate 13 and the two lateral plates 14 . The tray 11 is open on a side opposite to the bottom plate 13 . Figure 2 shows the carrier in a perspective view onto the bottom plate 13 and one lateral plate 14 . The tray 11 comprises a first mounting device 16 on the bottom plate 13 and a second mounting device 17 on the bottom plate 13 . In this embodiment , the first and second mounting device 16 , 17 comprise identical features , but are arranged on di f ferent positions . The first mounting device 16 is arranged closer to an end of the tray 11 , on which the edge plate is mounted, and the second mounting device 17 is arranged further away from said end of the tray 11 than the first mounting device 16 .

[0045] The first mounting device 16 and the second mounting device 17 each comprise two screw holes 18 and two positioning pins 19 . The screw holes 18 have an opening on the bottom plate 13 facing away from the inner space 15 . Optionally, the screw holes 18 may go through the bottom plate 13 . The positioning pins 19 extend vertically from the bottom plate 13 , facing away from the inner space 15 .

[0046] The edge plate 12 comprises two mounting holes 20 on a part of the edge plate 12 extending parallel to the bottom plate 13 of the tray, the mounting holes 20 being arranged to be connected with the two screw holes 18 of the first mounting device 16 for the first form factor A and the third form factor C of the storage device 1 and arranged to be connected with the two screw holes 18 of the second mounting device 17 for the second form factor B and the fourth form factor D of the storage device 1 .

[0047] The edge plate further has two first positioning holes 21 and two second positioning holes 22 on the part of the edge plate 12 extending parallel to the bottom plate 13 of the tray . The first and second positioning holes 21 , 22 are arranged such that the first positioning holes 21 engage with the positioning pins 19 of the first mounting device 16 , when the mounting holes 20 on the edge plate 12 are connected to the screw holes 18 of the first mounting device 16 , and that the first and second positioning holes 21 , 22 engage with the positioning pins 19 of the first and second mounting device 16 , 17 , respectively, when the mounting holes 20 on the edge plate 12 are connected to the screw holes 18 of the second mounting device 17 . The mounting holes on the edge plate 20 , 21 and the screw holes 18 of the mounting devices 16 , 17 may be connected using screws 23 . This way, di f ferent lengths of the carrier 10 may be achieved, which fit the di f ferent lengths of the form factors of the storage devices 1 . In particular, the mounting devices 16 , 17 and the mounting holes 20 and positioning holes 21 , 22 on the edge plate 12 are arranged such that the length of the carrier, depending on the installation of the edge plate , fits the length of the storage device ' s 1 form factor A to D .

[0048] The edge plate 12 further comprises two studs 24 , of which one is shown in Figure 2 . The stud 24 shown in Figure 2 is arranged on a part of the edge plate 12 extending vertically away from the part parallel to the bottom plate 13 on an end facing one of the lateral plate 14 . The second stud 24 is arranged correspondingly on the other end facing the other lateral plate 14 . The studs 24 extend in parallel to the bottom plate 13 in a direction towards the inner space 15 and are arranged such that they engage with the mounting holes 7 of the front sides 2 of the storage devices 1 , when a storage device 1 is inserted into the carrier 10 .

[0049] Additionally, the edge plate 12 comprises in this embodiment two mounting holes 25 on the lateral plates 14 of the tray 11 , which are arranged to be connected with the mounting holes 6 on the lateral sides 4 of the storage devices 1 irrespective of the storage device ' s 1 form factor A to D . Since the edge plate 12 is connected to the tray 11 corresponding to the length of the form factor A to D of the storage device 1 , the studs 24 and the mounting holes 25 can engage with their corresponding parts of the storage device 1 for every form factor A to D used . The mounting holes 6 on the lateral sides 4 on the storage devices 1 may also be screw holes , and the mounting holes 25 on the lateral plates 13 may also be through holes , such that those may be connected using further screws 26 .

[0050] On the lateral plates 14 of the tray 11 , spring sheets 27 are arranged, which extend over an end of the lateral plates 14 on a side of the tray 11 , on which the edge plate 12 is arranged . The spring sheets 27 have a part that is li fted from the lateral plates 14 and on which each spring sheet 27 comprises an embossment 28 , via which the carrier 10 may be locked in a corresponding arrangement in a computer system . The spring sheets 28 are flexible and, therefore , provide a convenient and easy mounting mechanism in a computer system .

[0051] Figures 3 and 4 show a carrier according to one embodiment of this application in a first and a second configuration, each in a top and a bottom view, the top view showing the carrier 10 with a view onto the inner space 15 and the bottom view showing the carrier 10 with a view onto the bottom plate 13 . No storage devices are installed in those Figures 3 and 4 , such that the bottom plate 13 can be seen in both views . Figures 3 and 4 show, for example , the carrier as it is explained with regard to Figure 2 . Features which have been explained in detail above are not repeated herein and apply correspondingly . In the configuration of Figure 3 , the edge plate 12 is installed on the tray 11 such that the mounting holes 20 of the edge plate 12 are connected via screws 23 to the screw holes 18 of the second mounting device 17 . The first and second positioning holes 20 , 21 of the edge plate 12 are engaged with the positioning pins 19 of the first and second mounting device 16 , 17 , respectively . The configuration shown in Figure 3 shows the carrier 10 as it is used for the storage device 1 with the form factor of the shorter length, for example in the exemplary form factors shown in Figure 1 for the second form factor B and the fourth form factor D .

[0052] In the configuration of Figure 4 , the edge plate 12 is installed on the tray 11 such that the mounting holes 20 of the edge plate 12 are connected via screws 23 to the screw holes 18 of the first mounting device 16 . The first positioning holes 21 of the edge plate 12 are engaged with the positioning pins 19 of the first mounting device 16 . The configuration shown in Figure 4 shows the carrier 10 as it is used for the storage device 1 with the form factor of the greater length, for example in the exemplary form factors shown in Figure 1 for the first form factor A and the third form factor C .

[0053] Figures 5 and 6 show an installation process of a storage device 1 in a carrier 10 according to one embodiment of this application . Figures 5 and 6 show, for example , the carrier 10 as it is explained with regard to Figures 2 to 4 , in particular in a configuration as described in Figure 3 . Features which have been explained in detail above are not repeated herein and apply correspondingly . Figure 5 shows a carrier 10 and a storage device 1 , as an example according to the second form factor B of Figure 1 . Figure 5 shows , with an arrow 29 , an insertion direction for the storage device 1 into the carrier 10 . By inserting the storage device 1 into the carrier 10 into this direction, the studs 24 on the edge plate 12 are engaging with the mounting holes 7 on the front side 2 of the storage device 1 . The storage device 1 is inserted into the carrier 10 with the front side 2 facing the edge plate 12 .

[0054] Figure 6 shows the storage device 1 already inserted into the carrier 10 . The storage device 1 is then, as shown in Figure 6 , fixed on the carrier 10 , in particular on the lateral plates 14 of the carrier 10 , via screws 26 being inserted through the mounting holes 25 on the lateral plates 14 into the mounting holes 6 on the lateral sides 4 of the storage device 1 . Therewith, a reliable and safe installation of the storage device 1 in the carrier 10 is provided .

[0055] Figure 7 shows a carrier 10 according to one embodiment of this application in di f ferent configurations with four di f ferent storage devices 1 . Figure 7 shows , for example , the carrier 10 as it is explained with regard to Figures 2 to 6 with storage devices 1 as described in Figure 1 . Features which have been explained in detail above are not repeated herein and apply correspondingly .

[0056] The two carriers 10 on the left side in Figure 7 are carriers 10 in the configuration as explained with respect to Figure 3 , i . e . , the edge plate 12 is installed on the tray 11 such that the mounting holes 20 of the edge plate 12 are connected via screws 23 to the screw holes 18 of the second mounting device 17 . The first carrier 10 from the left shows this configuration with a storage device 1 of the second form factor B according to Figure 1 being installed in said carrier 10 . The second carrier 10 from the left shows this configuration with a storage device 1 of the fourth form factor D according to Figure 1 being installed in said carrier 10 . The second and fourth form factor B, D have the same length and the same width but di f ferent thicknesses . However, since the carrier 10 is open on a side facing away from the bottom plate 13 , the same carrier configuration may be used for both those form factors B, D of di f ferent thicknesses .

[0057] The two carriers 10 on the right side in Figure 7 are carriers 10 in the configuration as explained with respect to Figure 4 , i . e . , the edge plate 12 is installed on the tray 11 such that the mounting holes 20 of the edge plate 12 are connected via screws 23 to the screw holes 18 of the first mounting device 16 .

[0058] The third carrier 10 from the left shows this configuration with a storage device 1 of the first form factor A according to Figure 1 being installed in said carrier 10 . The fourth carrier 10 from the left shows this configuration with a storage device 1 of the third form factor C according to Figure 1 being installed in said carrier 10 . The first and third form factor A, C have the same length and the same width but di f ferent thicknesses . However, since the carrier 10 is open on a side facing away from the bottom plate 13 , the same carrier configuration may be used for both those form factors A, C of di f ferent thicknesses .

[0059] Figure 8 shows a back view of a carrier 10 with a storage device 1 according to one embodiment of this application . Figure 8 shows , for example , the carrier 10 as it is explained with regard to Figures 2 to 7 with a storage device 1 as described in Figure 1 . Features which have been explained in detail above are not repeated herein and apply correspondingly .

[0060] Figure 8 shows the back view of the carrier 10 from a side facing a back side 3 of the storage device 1 , i . e . , from a side opposite to a side of the carrier 10 on which the edge plate 12 is installed .

[0061] In this Figure 8 , it can be seen that the lateral plates 14 , according to this embodiment , have a profile shape with two first areas 30 extending further away from an inner space 15 of the tray 11 than a second area 31 .

[0062] The mounting holes 25 on the lateral plates 14 of the tray 11 are located in the second area 31 . In particular, the first areas 30 extend further away from the inner space 15 than the screws 26 , with which the mounting holes 25 are connected to the mounting holes 6 of the lateral sides of the storage device 1 . Therefore , the screws 26 are protected between the first areas 30 and the first areas 30 protect other parts of a computer system from being damaged by the screws 26 when the carrier 10 is installed in a computer system . Only the spring sheet 27 with the embossment 28 extends even further away from the inner space 15 than the first areas 30 , for locking the carrier 10 in a computer system .

[0063] Figure 9 shows a cutout of an area X of Figure 8 for a more detailed view of the above . Figure 10 shows a computer system 32 according to one embodiment of this application . The computer system 32 comprises two carriers 10 with storage devices 1 . For example , Figure 10 shows the carriers 10 as explained with regard to Figures 2 to 9 with storage devices 1 as described in Figure 1 . Features which have been explained in detail above are not repeated herein and apply correspondingly .

[0064] The carriers 10 are installed in a cage 33 , which is attached inside the computer system 32 . Instead of such cage 33 , the computer system 32 itsel f , however, may also comprise corresponding features for mounting the carriers 10 directly into the computer system 32 .

[0065] For a better overview, the cage 33 is shown detached from the computer system 32 in Figure 11 . The cage 33 comprises rail features 34 on side walls 35 of the cage 33 . Those rail features 34 each comprise two lugs 36 , protruding away from the side walls 35 towards the carriers 10 . Along those lugs

[0066] 36 , the lateral plates 14 of the trays 11 of the carriers 10 may be inserted into the cage 33 . Thereby, the carriers 10 can be installed on well determined locations in the computer system 32 and an easy installation is provided .

[0067] Furthermore , the cage 33 comprises for each carrier two holes

[0068] 37 , one on each side wall 35 of the cage 33 , which are arranged such that the embossments 28 of the spring sheets 27 locks with the holes 37 when the carrier 10 is correctly inserted into the cage 33 . The spring sheets 27 extend beyond the side walls 35 such that by bending the spring sheets 27 towards each other, the locking mechanism between embossments 28 and holes 37 on the side walls 35 may conveniently be released and the carrier 10 may easily be removed from the cage 33 .

[0069] List of reference signs

[0070] 1 storage device

[0071] 2 front side

[0072] 3 back side

[0073] 4 lateral side

[0074] 5 connector

[0075] 6 mounting hole on lateral side

[0076] 7 mounting hole on front side

[0077] 8 top side

[0078] 9 bottom side

[0079] 10 carrier

[0080] 11 tray

[0081] 12 edge plate

[0082] 13 bottom plate

[0083] 14 lateral plate

[0084] 15 inner space

[0085] 16 first mounting device

[0086] 17 second mounting device

[0087] 18 screw hole

[0088] 19 positioning pin

[0089] 20 mounting hole on edge plate

[0090] 21 first positioning hole

[0091] 22 second positioning hole

[0092] 23 screw

[0093] 24 stud

[0094] 25 mounting hole on lateral plate

[0095] 26 screw

[0096] 27 spring sheet

[0097] 28 embossment

[0098] 29 arrow

[0099] 30 first area

[0100] 31 second area 32 computer system

[0101] 33 cage

[0102] 34 rail feature

[0103] 35 side wall 36 lug

[0104] 37 hole on side wall

[0105] A first form factor

[0106] B second form factor C third form factor

[0107] D fourth form factor

[0108] X cutout area

Claims

Claims1. A carrier (10) for a storage device (1) of different form factors (A, B, C, D) , wherein:- the storage device (1) has a front side (2) , a back side (3) , and two lateral sides (4) , and at least a first form factor (A) and a second form factor (B) with different lengths of the lateral sides (4) exist in the different form factors (A, B, C, D) of the storage device (1) ,- the carrier (10) comprises a tray (11) and an edge plate (12) ,- the tray (11) comprises a bottom plate (13) and at least one lateral plate (14) , wherein the tray (11) is arranged to receive the storage device (1) , and the tray (11) further comprises at least one first mounting device (16) on the bottom plate (13) and at least one second mounting device(17) on the bottom plate (13) ,- the edge plate (12) comprises at least one mounting hole (20) arranged to be connected with the at least one first mounting device (16) for the first form factor (A) of the storage device (1) and arranged to be connected with the at least one second mounting device (17) for the second form factor (B) of the storage device (1) .

2. The carrier (10) according to claim 1, wherein- the storage device (1) has at least one mounting hole (6) on the lateral sides (4) , wherein a distance between the at least one mounting hole (6) on the lateral side (4) to the back side (3) of the storage device (1) is identical for all form factors (A, B, C, D) and a distance between the at least one mounting hole (6) on the lateral side (4) to the front side (2) of the storage device (1) depends on the form factor (A, B, C, D) , and- the tray (11) further comprises at least one mounting hole (25) on the at least one lateral plate (14) of the tray (11) , which is arranged to be connected with the at least one mounting hole (6) on the lateral side (4) of the storage device (1) irrespective of the storage device's (1) form factor (A, B, C, D) .

3. The carrier (10) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one lateral plate (14) of the tray (11) comprises a profile shape with at least one first area (30) extending further away from an inner space (15) of the tray (11) than a second area (31) , wherein the at least one mounting hole (25) on the at least one lateral plate (14) of the tray (11) is located in the second area (31) .

4. The carrier (10) according to claim 1 to 3, wherein- the storage device (1) has at least one mounting hole (7) on the front side (2) of the storage device (1) , wherein a position of the at least one mounting hole (7) on the front side (2) with regard to a bottom side (9) and the lateral sides (4) of the storage device (1) is identical for all form factors (A, B, C, D) , and- the edge plate (12) further comprises at least one stud (24) , extending from the edge plate (12) in a direction towards the front side (2) of the storage device (1) , wherein the stud (24) is arranged to be received by the at least one mounting hole (7) on the front side (2) of the storage device(1) when the storage device (1) is arranged in the carrier (10) .

5. The carrier (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein- the at least one first mounting device (16) on the bottom plate (13) of the carrier (10) and the at least one second mounting device (17) on the bottom plate (13) of the carrier (10) each comprises at least one screw hole (18) and at least one positioning pin (19) , and- the edge plate (12) further comprises at least two positioning holes (21) , which are arranged to engage with the at least one positioning pin (19) of the first mounting device (16) on the bottom plate (13) in case the at least one mounting hole (20) of the edge plate (12) is connected with the at least one first mounting device (16) of the bottom plate (13) and to engage with the at least one positioning pin (19) of the second mounting device (17) on the bottom plate (13) in case the at least one mounting hole (20) of the edge plate (12) is connected with the at least one second mounting device (17) of the bottom plate (13) .

6. The carrier (10) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tray (11) has a U-shaped form, and the edge plate(12) has an L-shaped form.

7. The carrier (10) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein- at least a third form factor (C) and a fourth form factor (D) of the different form factors (A, B, C, D) of the storage device (1) exist, wherein the third form factor (C) has the same length as the lateral sides (4) of the first form factor (A) and the fourth form factor (D) has the same length as the lateral sides (4) of the second form factor (B) , and the third form factor (C) and / or the fourth form factor (D) have a different thickness than the first form factor (A) and / or the second form factor (B) , and- the tray (11) is open on a side opposing the bottom plate (13) of the tray (11) .

8. The carrier (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising at least one spring sheet (27) , which is arranged on the at least one lateral plate (14) of the tray (11) in an area, in which the edge plate (12) is arranged.

9. The carrier (10) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the storage device (1) is a solid-state drive, SSD, and the different form factors (A, B, C, D) comprise an E3.S form factor (B) , an E3.S 2T form factor (D) , an E3.L form factor (A) , and an E3.L 2T form factor (C) .

10. A computer system (32) comprising at least one carrier(10) according to any of claims 1 to 9.

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