Rotatable Storage Carrier for Multi-Thickness 2.5-Inch Drives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 2.5-inch storage device carriers are limited to accommodating only 7mm thick devices, failing to securely hold storage devices of 9.5mm and 15mm thickness without adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A 2.5-inch storage device carrier with a rotatable holding element featuring three different height bearing surfaces (long arm, short arm, and flat surface) and two location holding points, secured by a screw and spring, allowing secure positioning of devices across various thicknesses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the carrier structure is modified to accommodate different storage device thicknesses, then the adaptability of the carrier is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier adaptabilityVSAvoidcarrier structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding element is designed as a rotatable component that can dynamically adjust its position between multiple predetermined locations. Each location corresponds to a different storage device thickness (7mm, 9.5mm, 15mm). The rotatable mechanism allows the holding element to be positioned at different heights, enabling the same carrier structure to accommodate various device thicknesses without requiring multiple different carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holding element serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for storage devices of different thicknesses, enables precise positioning at predetermined locations, and maintains secure retention through its rotatable design. This single multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require multiple different carrier structures for different device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a rotatable holding element with multiple bearing surfaces is used, then the precision of storage device positioning is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage device positioning precisionVSAvoidcarrier manufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The holding element is pre-configured with multiple bearing surfaces at predetermined locations during manufacturing. These bearing surfaces are positioned at specific heights corresponding to different storage device thicknesses (7mm, 9.5mm, 15mm). By pre-establishing these precise positions in the design phase, the actual assembly and positioning process becomes simpler and more accurate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The holding element incorporates variable geometric parameters - specifically, multiple bearing surfaces at different heights and angles. This allows the same component to provide precise positioning for storage devices of varying thicknesses by selecting the appropriate bearing surface, rather than requiring multiple components with fixed geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3518239B1Adjustable storage device carrier
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 QUANTA COMPUTER INC
  • EP3518239B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3518239B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3518239B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a 2.5-inch storage device carrier suitable for accommodating different thicknesses of 2.5-inch storage devices. A rotatable storage device holding element is provided with multiple bearing surfaces of differing heights to come into contact with storage devices of different thicknesses and securely hold the storage devices within the storage device carrier.