Modular Component Bay With Universal Chassis Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The need for multiple hard drive bays with different configurations increases manufacturing complexity, cost, and time due to variations in hard drive requirements across different information handling system platforms, driven by factors like thermal considerations and space constraints.

Innovation Solution

A modular component bay system featuring a first component bay with a chassis coupling member and a second component bay that can couple to either the chassis or the first component bay, allowing for flexible positioning and orientation, enabling the use of a single chassis across various platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different hard drive bays are used to accommodate different platform requirements, then adaptability to different platforms is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different platformsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hard drive bay is designed with a universal coupling mechanism that can accommodate different hard drive configurations (number, orientation, type) across multiple platforms. The bay includes a chassis coupling member with engagement features that can adapt to various hard drive arrangements without requiring different bay designs, thus achieving multi-functionality with a single unified design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different hard drive bays are used to accommodate different platform requirements, then adaptability to different platforms is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different platformsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hard drive bay employs a universal design with standardized coupling members that can serve multiple platform configurations. This eliminates the need to manufacture multiple specialized bay types, thereby reducing manufacturing costs through economies of scale and simplified production processes while maintaining adaptability across different platforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functionality of multiple different hard drive bays into a single unified bay design. By combining the adaptation capabilities that would otherwise require separate bay types into one integrated solution, the manufacturing cost is reduced through consolidation of parts and simplification of the supply chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different hard drive bays are used to accommodate different platform requirements, then adaptability to different platforms is improved, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different platformsVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The universal hard drive bay design allows a single bay type to be manufactured and deployed across all platforms. This eliminates the need to produce multiple specialized bay variants, thereby reducing manufacturing time through standardized production processes and faster assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If a single chassis is used across different platforms with flexible component bay coupling, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the complexity of coupling mechanisms increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is segmented into modular components: a chassis coupling member with engagement features and a bay stacking member with corresponding coupling interfaces. This segmentation allows the complexity to be distributed across standardized, interchangeable parts rather than requiring a monolithic complex mechanism, making the system easier to manufacture and assemble.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism incorporates dynamic engagement features that allow the bay to be coupled to the chassis or to another bay in series. The coupling members are designed with movable engagement elements that can adapt to different configuration requirements, reducing the need for multiple fixed-design bays and simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7660112B2Component bay

Publication Date: 2010.02.09 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A component bay system includes a first component bay having a first bay chassis coupling member and first bay stacking member. The system also includes a second component bay having a second bay chassis coupling member. The first bay chassis coupling member is operable to couple to a chassis by engaging the chassis. The second bay chassis coupling member is operable to couple to either of the chassis, by engaging the chassis, and to the first component bay, by engaging the first bay stacking member. In an embodiment, the first component bay and the second component bay are identical and allow the component bay system to be added to a chassis to support multiple configurations for modular components.