Top Accessible Disk Drive Carrier Shuttle Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information handling systems face challenges in efficiently and conveniently accessing and connecting disk drives, particularly in horizontally mounted configurations, where the accessibility and alignment of disk drives with the backplane are not as straightforward as in vertically mounted configurations.
Innovation Solution
A top accessible disk drive carrier system that includes a frame and shuttle mechanism with a biased arm and alignment key, allowing disk drives to be aligned and connected to the backplane in a horizontal orientation from the top, using a spring-loaded mechanism and locking system for secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If disk drives are mounted horizontally in server trays, then connectivity to the backplane is achieved, but accessibility for insertion and removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a carrier that holds the disk drive, a shuttle that transports the carrier, and a backplane that provides connectivity. This segmentation allows the disk drive to be accessed vertically from the top while maintaining horizontal connectivity to the backplane, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier acts as an intermediary between the disk drive and the shuttle mechanism. The carrier provides a interface that allows vertical insertion and removal of the disk drive from the top, while the shuttle transports the carrier horizontally to connect with the backplane. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by decoupling the access direction from the connectivity direction.
2Ease of operation
If disk drives are accessed from the front of the server tray, then accessibility is improved, but horizontal alignment and connection to the backplane becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of accessing the disk drive from the front in the traditional horizontal manner, the system inverts the access direction to vertical from the top. The carrier is designed with a top interface that allows vertical insertion, while the shuttle mechanism handles the horizontal transport and alignment to the backplane, thus inverting the conventional approach to resolve the alignment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier serves as an intermediary that provides a simplified vertical access interface at the top, while the shuttle mechanism handles the complex horizontal alignment and positioning tasks. This separates the simple access function from the complex alignment function, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing precision.
3Ease of operation
If disk drives are accessed from the top of the server tray, then accessibility and alignment are simplified, but connectivity to the backplane in horizontal orientation becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into the carrier (for vertical access), the shuttle (for horizontal transport), and the backplane (for connectivity). This segmentation allows the disk drive to be accessed vertically from the top while the shuttle handles the horizontal connection to the backplane, resolving the contradiction between simplified access and connection complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier and shuttle together form an intermediary system that bridges the vertical access interface at the top with the horizontal connectivity requirement of the backplane. The carrier provides the vertical interface, while the shuttle provides the horizontal transport and alignment, thus resolving the contradiction between top accessibility and horizontal connectivity.
4Reliability
If a spring-loaded mechanism with locking system is used, then secure attachment and detachment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded mechanism uses the spring force as a counterweight to the gravitational force and insertion force. The spring provides a biasing force that ensures reliable engagement and maintains secure attachment, while the locking system provides mechanical interlocking. This combination achieves reliable attachment while keeping the mechanism relatively simple through the use of elastic energy storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides self-service by automatically engaging and disengaging the locking system through the spring's biasing force. When the carrier is inserted, the spring automatically pushes the locking mechanism into the locked position, and when released, the spring automatically returns the mechanism to the unlocked position, reducing the need for complex manual operation while maintaining secure attachment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and convenient top-accessible connection of disk drives to the backplane, facilitating easy insertion, removal, and status indication, improving the usability and flexibility of information handling systems by allowing horizontal connectivity without the need for complex reorientation.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring can be positioned within the channel and can bias the shuttle away from the connector
Implementation Method 2
The alignment key can be interlocked with the index tabs and the disk drive can be aligned with the connector of the server tray
Implementation Method 3
The disk drive can be connected to a connector of a backplane of the server tray
Data Source
AI summary
A disk drive carrier includes a frame and a shuttle. The frame includes supports configured to be in physical communication with a disk drive, a first index tab to align the disk drive with a connector on a backplane of a server tray, and an arm configured to engage the disk drive with the connector in a horizontal orientation. The shuttle includes a base including a channel, edges extending from the base and forming an enclosure to receive the frame and the disk drive in a vertical orientation, a fastener connected to the server tray through the channel, and an alignment key configured to slide along the first index tab and to align the disk drive with the connector. The disk drive shuttle is configured to horizontally move along the server tray and to enable the disk drive to connect with the connector in the horizontal orientation.