Universal Chassis Mounting for Tool-less and Tooled Storage Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face challenges in accommodating both tool-less and tooled storage drive carriers without requiring additional investment or reconfiguration of the chassis, while also ensuring cost-effectiveness and serviceability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a common information handling system chassis with integrated storage drive carrier retaining features that can securely mount both premium tool-less and cost-effective tooled storage drive carriers, allowing for interchangeable configurations without dedicated drive bays, tools, or reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a common chassis is used to accommodate both tool-less and tooled storage drive carriers, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple mounting configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis mounting mechanism is designed with universal features that can accommodate both tool-less and tooled drive carriers. The retainers and keepers are configured to work with the securing features of both carrier types, allowing a single chassis design to serve multiple functions and support different mounting configurations without requiring separate specialized structures for each carrier type.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: retainers that engage with drive carrier securing features, keepers that provide mounting points, and openings that guide the engagement process. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively supporting both tool-less and tooled carrier configurations, reducing overall system complexity through modular design.
2Volume of stationary object
If dedicated drive bays are eliminated to save space and reduce cost, then volume and area are reduced, but reliability decreases due to potential mounting issues
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting functionality previously distributed across dedicated drive bays is merged into an integrated system of retainers, keepers, and securing features distributed throughout the chassis. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate bay structures while maintaining reliable mounting through the coordinated interaction of multiple distributed mounting points that collectively provide secure attachment for drive carriers.
3Ease of operation
If tool-less mounting is implemented to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation increases, but manufacturing cost increases due to premium pricing of tool-less carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism is designed to be self-service in nature, where the drive carrier's own securing features (latches, clips, or mounting points) directly engage with the chassis retainers and keepers without requiring external tools. This self-service approach enables tool-less installation while accommodating both premium tool-less carriers and cost-effective tooled carriers, allowing customers to choose their preferred carrier type based on budget while maintaining ease of operation for both options.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods that may be employed for mounting data storage drives (e.g., HDDs, SSDs, etc.) within a chassis of an information handling system using storage drive carrier retaining features of a chassis and mating securing features of a storage drive carrier to provide a tool-less storage drive carrier mounting solution for an information handling system chassis that accommodates both cost-effective tooled storage drive carrier and premium tool-less storage drive carrier mounting configurations, e.g., without additional investment or reconfiguration of the chassis for either type of mounting configuration. The disclosed systems and methods may be further so implemented in a manner that without the presence of one or more drive bays within the chassis interior that may restrict access to the chassis interior and which may require a larger chassis and chassis enclosure to contain bay/s.