Adaptable SSD Carrier Light Pipe Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The varying physical dimensions, card edge placements, and LED indicator placements across different Enterprise and Data Center Standard Form Factors (EDSFFs) for Solid-State Drives (SSDs) complicate the development of adaptable carriers that can accommodate multiple SSD form factors within computing systems, leading to a need for multiple carriers to be provided for each compute system.
Innovation Solution
The design of adaptable SSD carriers that include a front structure with a light pipe assembly to direct indicator LEDs from SSDs to the carrier's front face, allowing a single carrier to accommodate SSDs of varying specifications, thereby reducing the number of carriers required for a given compute system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple carriers are provided for different SSD form factors, then each SSD form factor can be accommodated, but the device complexity and quantity of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal carrier design that can accommodate multiple SSD form factors (E1.S, E3.S, E8.S) through a single standardized interface. The carrier includes adjustable mounting mechanisms and adaptable LED indicator placements that can be configured for different form factors, eliminating the need for multiple specialized carriers while maintaining full compatibility across SSD variants
2Adaptability or versatility
If SSDs with different LED indicator placements are supported, then adaptability improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring LED indicators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light pipes as intermediary optical elements that transmit LED indicator light from various SSD placements to standardized viewing positions on the carrier. The light pipes act as mediators that capture light from different LED locations and redirect it to uniform indicator positions, allowing consistent LED detection regardless of the original SSD LED placement variations
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
This solution enables a single adaptable SSD carrier to support multiple SSD form factors, reducing the complexity and cost associated with managing different SSD specifications within computing systems by providing a unified interface for indicator lights, regardless of the SSD's dimensions or LED placement.
Implementation Method 1
a front structure with a light pipe assembly to direct indicator LEDs from SSDs to the carrier's front face
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state drive (SSD) carrier comprises a front structure, a first side structure extending perpendicularly from a first end of the front structure, and a second side structure extending perpendicularly from a second end of the front structure. The front structure and the first and second side structures defining an internal volume sufficient to contain an SSD conforming to any one of a plurality of different SSD form factors. At least one light pipe extends through in the front structure, and is configured to direct light from an indicator LED on a front face of the SSD to a location on a front face of the front structure.