Sliding Tray Hard Disk Unit Tool-Free Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing and removing hard disk drives in servers are complicated and inconvenient due to the need for fastening and releasing multiple screws.
Innovation Solution
A hard disk accommodating unit with a sliding tray system that uses position-limiting parts and push portions to facilitate tool-free installation and removal of hard disk drives, allowing the tray to be pushed into or pulled out of a fixing recess without the need for screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws are used to fasten the hard disk drive to the carrying rack, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the installation and removal procedures become complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screw-based mechanical fastening system with a spring-loaded clamp mechanism. The clamp uses elastic deformation of the spring to provide continuous pressure on the hard disk drive, securing it to the carrying rack without requiring threads or fasteners. This substitution maintains connection reliability while enabling tool-free installation and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded clamp mechanism is designed to automatically engage and secure the hard disk drive when inserted into the carrying rack. The spring's elastic force automatically adjusts to maintain proper clamping pressure, eliminating the need for manual screw tightening or complex fastening procedures. The system serves itself by using the insertion motion to trigger the clamping action.
2Strength
If multiple screws are used to secure the data access device, then the fastening is strong and stable, but the number of operations required for installation and removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple screw fastening operations into a single spring-loaded clamp mechanism. Instead of requiring multiple separate screws to be tightened individually, the unified clamp structure provides distributed fastening force across the hard disk drive housing through the elastic deformation of the spring, achieving strong and stable fastening in one action.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded clamp introduces dynamic elasticity to the fastening system. The spring can dynamically adjust to variations in hard disk drive dimensions and installation forces, maintaining optimal clamping pressure throughout the operational lifecycle. This dynamic characteristic provides both strong initial fastening and continued stability without requiring multiple static fasteners.
3Reliability
If a traditional screw-based fastening system is used, then the structural connection is rigid and secure, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex multi-component screw fastening system and replaces it with a single integrated spring-loaded clamp mechanism. By removing the need for multiple screws, washers, and nuts, the design simplifies the fastening system while maintaining connection stability through the elastic properties of the spring and the geometric design of the clamp structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded clamp mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides secure fastening, absorbs installation misalignments, compensates for dimensional variations, and enables tool-free operation. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining or improving connection reliability.
Data Source
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Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A storage array module and a hard disk accommodating unit thereof are provided. The hard disk accommodating unit includes a fixing recess, a first tray and a second tray. The first tray is reciprocally and slidably disposed in the fixing recess. The second tray is reciprocally and slidably disposed on the first tray. When the second tray slides a distance in a sliding direction, the second tray pushes the first tray into the fixing recess, after the second tray reversely slides the distance in the sliding direction, the second tray pushes the first tray for protruding out of the fixing recess.