Tool-less Hard Disk Drive Bracket With Snap-Fit Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard disk drive brackets are inconvenient and time-consuming to assemble or disassemble, and prone to damage due to unbalanced forces during repeated insertion and removal, often made of rigid plastic that deforms over time.
Innovation Solution
A tool-less assembly hard disk drive bracket design featuring a fixation rack, rotation rack, and connecting components with a snap structure, allowing for tool-free assembly and disassembly, and incorporating buffer protrusions and fool-proofing blocks for secure and balanced support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard disk drive is fixed to bracket by screw, then hard disk drive is securely fixed, but assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screw-based mechanical fastening system with a snap-fit structure. The connecting components include snap ribs that engage with corresponding slots, enabling tool-free assembly and disassembly while maintaining secure fixation. This substitution eliminates the need for screwdrivers and manual tightening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is divided into modular components including fixation rack, rotation rack, and connecting components with snap ribs and slots. This segmentation allows the hard disk drive to be quickly attached and detached by engaging or disengaging these modular elements, significantly reducing assembly time compared to unified screw-based designs.
2Ease of manufacture
If hard disk drive bracket is made of plastic, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but rigidity is poor and bracket is easily aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by combining plastic material for the bracket body with metal or reinforced connecting components. The snap ribs and connecting elements are designed with enhanced structural properties to compensate for plastic's inherent flexibility, achieving both cost-effectiveness and sufficient rigidity for repeated insertions and removals.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket incorporates a rotation rack with rotation arms that can dynamically adjust position. This dynamic structure allows the bracket to adapt to insertion forces without rigid resistance, reducing stress concentration and preventing deformation while maintaining overall structural integrity through controlled movement.
3Productivity
If hard disk drive is inserted and removed many times, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but unbalanced force causes deformation and damage to bracket
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates buffer protrusions and cushioning structures within the bracket design. These elements are positioned to absorb and distribute insertion and removal forces before they can cause damage to critical components. The cushioning structures prevent unbalanced forces from concentrating on single points, thereby preventing deformation during repeated maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation rack with movable rotation arms provides dynamic adaptation to insertion forces. During hard disk drive insertion and removal, the rotation arms can move to accommodate force variations, maintaining balanced load distribution across the bracket structure. This dynamic response prevents stress concentration and deformation that would occur with rigid fixed structures during repeated maintenance cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a tool-less assembly hard disk drive bracket, including: a fixation rack, including a fixation bracket portion and a fixation arm connected with a first side of the fixation bracket portion; a rotation rack, including a rotation arm connected with a second side of the fixation bracket portion, and a rotation bracket portion connected with the rotation arm, the rotation bracket portion is connected with the fixation bracket portion to support a hard disk drive; and at least two connecting components, arranged on an inner side of the fixation arm and the rotation arm, respectively, the connecting components connect and fix the hard disk drive in the structure formed by the fixation rack and the rotation rack. The present disclosure is simple in installation, convenient in assembly and disassembly, and easy to maintain, thereby having high economy and practicability.