Module mounting/removing mechanism and disk array

• US 20040012921A1
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Takashi, Korikawa, Masayuki, Hidaka, Hiroshi, Katano, Katsuhisa
• Granted Patent: US 6,952,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/685
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/022 Cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/128 of the plurality of recording/reproducing devices, e.g. disk drives, onto a chassis

Abstract

A disk array apparatus includes an enclosure having an opening at its front face, at least one module configured to be mounted in the enclosure and at least one securing mechanism configured to secure the at least one module to the enclosure. The module includes a frame member and a lever member that is movable between a first position received by the frame member in which it serves as a cover of the opening and a second position in which it serves as a grip part for pulling the module out of the enclosure.

Claims

1. A module array apparatus comprising:

an enclosure having an opening at its front face;

at least one module configured to be mounted in said enclosure, said module having a frame member and a lever member that is movable between a first position received by said frame member in which it serves as a cover of said opening and a second position in which it serves as a grip part for pulling said module out of said enclosure; and

at least one securing mechanism configured to secure said at least one module to said enclosure.

2. The module array apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lever member is provided with an engagement mechanism configured to engage said lever member to said module and a disengagement mechanism for releasing said engagement mechanism.

3. The module array apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a locking mechanism for restricting an operation of said disengagement mechanism.

4. The module array apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said module contains an electronic device.

5. The module array apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said module contains a hard disk drive device.

6. The disk array device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a cooling mechanism; and

cooling holes provided on said lever member such that cooling air from said cooling mechanism passes through the cooling holes.

7. A module configured to be mounted in an enclosure having an opening at its front face, said module comprising a frame member and a lever member that is movable between a first position received by said frame member in which it serves as a cover of said opening and a second position in which it serves as a grip part for pulling said module out of said enclosure.

8. A module mounting/removing mechanism for mounting and removing a plurality of modules in a housing, comprising:

a holder provided on each of said modules;

a lever member provided on said holder so as to be movable between a first position in which it serves as a cover for closing said holder and a second position in which it serves as a grip part for pulling said module out of said housing;

a first engagement part formed on said lever member;

a second engagement part formed on said holder for securing said lever member at said first position by being engaged with the corresponding first engagement part;

a securing part formed on said lever member;

a restriction member provided on said housing, said restriction member being secured to said securing member at the first position of said lever member and, while the module is loaded in the housing, restricting a movement of said module in a removing direction;

an operation button operably provided on said holder such that, when operated, it releases an engagement achieved by said securing mechanism between said first engagement part and said second engagement part; and

a keylock mechanism provided on said housing for prohibiting the releasing of said first and second engagement parts of each of said operation buttons.

9. The module mounting/removing mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein said lever member is provided with cooling holes.

10. The module mounting/removing mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first engagement part has a cantilever shape, and

when said operation button is moved by a pressing operation, said first engagement part is displaced so as to release an engagement between said first engagement part and said second engagement part.

11. The module mounting/removing mechanism as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

an operation restricting member movable between an engagement position where it engages with said operation button and a disengagement position where it is released from said operation button so as to restrict a movement of said operation button when it engages with said operation button at said engagement position; and

a keylock mechanism including a locking mechanism for moving said operation restriction member to said engagement position by a locking operation and moving said operation restriction member to a position outside said engagement position by an unlocking operation.

12. The module array apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said module contains an electronic device.

13. The module array apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said module contains a hard disk drive device.

14. A disk array device configured to contain a plurality of disk devices in a housing such that the disk device can be mounted to and/or removed from said housing, comprising:

a holder to be mounted in said disk device;

a rail provided on said housing to serve as a guiding member for mounting and removing said holder;

a lever member provided on said holder so as to be movable between a first position in which it serves as a cover for closing said holder and a second position in which it serves as a grip part for pulling said module from said housing;

a first engagement part formed on said lever member;

a second engagement part formed on said holder for securing said lever member at said first position by being engaged with corresponding one of said first engagement part;

a securing part formed on said lever member;

a restriction member provided on said housing, said restriction member being secured to said securing member at the first position of said lever member and, while the module is mounted in the housing, restricting a movement of said module in a removing direction;

an operation button operably provided on said holder such that, when operated, it releases an engagement achieved by said securing mechanism between said first engagement part and said second engagement part; and

a lock mechanism provided on said housing for prohibiting the releasing of said first and second engagement parts of each of said operation buttons.

15. The disk array device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

a cooling mechanism; and

cooling holes provided on said lever member such that cooling air from said cooling mechanism passes through the cooling holes.