Flexible Drive Carrier with Pivot Frame and Light Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage drive carriers face challenges in handling and securing drives due to limited space and complex hardware, making it difficult to insert and remove drives from enclosures while ensuring proper electrical contact and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A data storage drive carrier with flexible, inwardly bowed side members and a pivotally attached frame that forms a closed rectangular window to securely hold drives, featuring a spring mechanism for easy handling and a light pipe for optical signal transmission, along with a handle for secure insertion and a snap mechanism for tool-less assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If drives are packed as densely as possible into an array enclosure, then storage density is improved, but personnel cannot firmly grasp individual drives for insertion or removal
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into multiple functional segments: a grip portion for personnel handling, a retention portion for securing the drive, and a positioning portion for alignment. This segmentation allows the carrier to provide both secure drive retention and easy manual handling despite dense packing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier acts as an intermediary between the drive and the enclosure. It provides a larger grip surface for personnel while containing the drive in a compact configuration, effectively mediating between the need for dense packing and the need for manual operability
2Ease of operation
If personnel use limited finger dexterity to insert drives, then ease of operation is maintained, but precise electrical contact and alignment become difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier includes pre-formed positioning features such as alignment ribs, guide pins, and pre-assembled connector assemblies that ensure proper alignment before the final insertion action. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for high-dexterity manual alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier design allows the drive assembly to self-align and self-secure within the enclosure. Features include spring-loaded connectors that automatically engage, guide rails that direct insertion, and retention mechanisms that lock into place without requiring precise manual positioning
3Strength
If traditional carriers use multiple small hardware components, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity and construction expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are merged into a single integrated carrier structure. The grip portion, retention portion, positioning features, and connector assemblies are combined into one monolithic or pre-assembled unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate hardware components and reducing construction complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is designed as a universal assembly that performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, ensures drive retention, enables precise positioning, facilitates electrical contact, and allows for easy installation and removal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components
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
The carrier facilitates easy handling and secure installation of drives, ensuring proper electrical contact and alignment, while reducing complexity and cost through tool-less assembly and improved rotational vibration characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is attached to the front member. When the handle is pivoted towards the front member, the spring compresses and urging the data storage drive towards the back member.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage drive carrier configured for insertion into 2U or 3U slots of an electrical chassis. The carrier has a pair of opposing side members, at least one of the members being a flexible, inwardly bowed member and front and back members. A first side member is fixedly attached to the front member to form a rigid L-shaped portion of the carrier; and a second side member and the back member are pivotally attached to the L-shaped portion. The second one of side members and the back member are pivotally attached to the L-shaped portion at first ends and second ends thereof are attached to together to form a closed frame after receiving therein the drive. A light pipe is disposed within a groove formed in one of the side members, one end of the pipe being disposed adjacent to a light source of a rearward interposer to receive optical signal emitted by the source and an opposite end disposed adjacent a front end of the carrier.