NVMe SSD Carrier and Ejection Design for Compact RAID Hot-Plugging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The transition from traditional hard drives to SSDs in storage systems, particularly in RAID systems, has created a need for secure, space-saving, and user-friendly solutions for data storage, especially in compact devices, while ensuring efficient integration and monitoring of SSD modules like NVMe SSDs.
Innovation Solution
A building unit with a carrier device designed as a light guide for SSD modules, featuring LEDs for status indication, guide rails for secure insertion, and a control device for power management, along with a receiving device for easy ejection and a method for two-factor authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SSD modules are used to replace hard drives in RAID systems, then data storage speed and reliability are improved, but the complexity of integration and monitoring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a receiving device as an intermediary component between the SSD modules and the RAID system. This receiving device provides standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces, simplifying the integration process. The carrier device acts as another intermediary, holding multiple SSD modules and enabling their standardized insertion and removal, thereby reducing integration complexity while maintaining reliability improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the storage system into modular components: SSD modules, carrier devices, and receiving devices. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and tested, reducing overall integration complexity. The carrier device divides the handling of multiple SSDs into a single unified interface, making the system easier to manage despite the increased reliability requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple expansion cards are integrated into a compact building unit, then space utilization is improved, but the ease of operation for insertion and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where SSD modules are inserted into carrier devices, which are then inserted into receiving devices within the building unit. This nesting approach allows multiple expansion cards to be compactly arranged while maintaining individual accessibility. The carrier device serves as an intermediate container that simplifies the insertion and removal process despite the compact arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier device acts as an intermediary that simplifies the interaction between the user and multiple SSD modules. Instead of handling each SSD individually, the user interacts with the carrier device as a single unit, making insertion and removal easier despite the compact multi-card configuration.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If carrier devices are designed as light guides with LEDs for status indication, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural carrier device function with the optical signaling function by integrating LEDs and light guide elements directly into the carrier device. This combination allows status monitoring to be achieved without adding separate monitoring hardware, thereby improving detection capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes in LED indicators to convey different operational statuses of the SSD modules. This visual signaling method provides intuitive monitoring capability with minimal complexity, as different colors can represent various states (e.g., green for healthy, red for failed) without requiring complex display mechanisms.
4Manufacturing precision
If guide rails with different cross-sectional profiles are used, then insertion precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric cross-sectional profiles in the guide rails to ensure precise and orientation-correct insertion of SSD modules. The asymmetric design provides mechanical guidance that prevents incorrect insertion while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes using standard machining techniques.
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 secure, efficient, and compact storage of SSD modules with real-time status monitoring and easy insertion/removal, while ensuring data integrity and system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The carrier device is made of a transparent, in particular colorless, plastic... light emitted by the LED enters the carrier device via its flat surface and is reflected at the beveled surface into the carrier device... along a longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
LEDs, for example, can therefore be easily connected at the rear... light emitted by the LED enters the carrier device
Implementation Method 3
for coupling the light from the LED into the carrier, the carrier is provided with a chamfered surface on a region of one side facing away from the LED... light emitted by the LED enters the carrier device via its flat surface and is reflected at the beveled surface
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2F
AI summary
The invention relates to a component for receiving a plurality of expansion cards, wherein a respective carrier device is provided for holding each of the expansion cards. The invention further relates to a receiving device for at least one component, wherein the receiving device has at least one receiving opening for the at least one component, and wherein the receiving device has at least one ejection device for the at least one component, the ejection device comprising a linear motor to which a plunger is attached, which ejects the component by moving the plunger from a first stroke position of the linear motor, which corresponds to contact of the plunger with the component, to a second stroke position of the linear motor, which corresponds to an ejection position of the component.Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer device with such a component and such a receiving device. The invention further relates to a method for two-factor authentication of a read/write access to a RAID system. Finally, the invention relates to a method for implementing the capability of hot-plugging an NVMe SSD module, the method comprising the following steps: (a) detecting an inserted NVMe SSD module by a voltage applied to a ground pin thereof; (b) switching on the supply voltage and applying it to the supply voltage pin of the NVMe SSD module after a first predetermined time period following step (a); and (c) driving the PERST pin of the NVMe SSD module with a reset signal after a second predetermined time period following step (b).