Hard Disk Latch Assembly for Simpler Drive Locking and Removal

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hard disk drawing devices are complex and inconvenient to operate, making them difficult to use effectively for fixing and removing hard disks from a computer case unit.

Innovation Solution

A hard disk drawing device with a latch housing, fastening plates, movable latches, an urging member, and operating levers that simplify the locking and unlocking mechanism, allowing for easy operation by moving latches between locked and unlocked positions using the levers and urging member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex locking mechanism with multiple components (hook, pin, button, latch plate) is used, then the hard disk drawing device can achieve reliable fixing and removing functions, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing and removing functionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism is divided into two independent latches (first latch and second latch), each responsible for one side of the hard disk drawing unit. This segmentation simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for complex interconnections between components while maintaining reliable fixing and removing functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a button that moves perpendicular to the latch plate to engage a hook, this invention uses operating levers that move parallel to the latches, directly pushing the latches to rotate between locked and unlocked positions. This inversion of the operating direction simplifies the mechanical transmission path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a complex locking mechanism with multiple components is used, then the hard disk drawing device can achieve reliable fixing and removing functions, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing and removing functionVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism is divided into two independent latches (first latch and second latch), each responsible for one side of the hard disk drawing unit. This segmentation simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for complex interconnections between components while maintaining reliable fixing and removing functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a button that moves perpendicular to the latch plate to engage a hook, this invention uses operating levers that move parallel to the latches, directly pushing the latches to rotate between locked and unlocked positions. This inversion of the operating direction simplifies the mechanical transmission path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If a simplified structure with fewer components is used, then the ease of operation improves and manufacturing costs reduce, but the reliability of fixing and removing functions may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidfixing and removing function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism is divided into two independent latches (first latch and second latch), each responsible for one side of the hard disk drawing unit. This segmentation simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for complex interconnections between components while maintaining reliable fixing and removing functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The latches are designed with specific geometric parameters including inclined surfaces and positioning structures that ensure reliable engagement with the case unit. By optimizing these parameters, the simplified latch structure achieves the same reliability as more complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7443668B2Hard disk drawing device

Publication Date: 2008.10.28 UNIVERSAL SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO LTD

AI summary

A hard disk drawing device includes: a latch housing having a front wall that is formed with a pair of guiding holes; a pair of fastening plates extending rearwardly from the latch housing in a longitudinal direction and adapted to hold a hard disk therebetween; a pair of latches mounted movably in the latch housing and movable along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction between locked and unlocked positions; an urging member disposed between and abutting against the latches for urging the latches toward the locked position; and a pair of operating levers protruding frontwardly from the latches in the longitudinal direction through the guiding holes in the front wall of the latch housing for moving the latches toward each other from the locked position to the unlocked position.