Computer with improved hard drive assembly and method for assembling same

• US 6,122,165 A
• Filed: 11/10/1998
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Computer Corporation (Dell Technologies Inc.), Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Computer Corporation (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Shelton, Brad, Schmitt, Ty
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, YEAN HSI
• Application Number:
  US09/189,603
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 361/685, 361/679-686
• US Class Current: 361/679.31
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/184 Mounting of motherboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/022 Cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/124 of the single recording/reproducing device, e.g. disk drive, onto a chassis

Abstract

A computer and a hard drive assembly for use therein according to which a drive unit is disposed on a carrier and engages a flexible wall of the carrier. The wall is adapted to flex to accommodate the drive unit when a dimension of the drive unit varies from a standard. An electomagnetic shield is connected to the carrier and the drive unit and is also adapted to accommodate dimensional variations in the drive unit.

Claims

1. A computer comprising at least one memory;

at least one storage; and

at least one hard drive assembly comprising a carrier comprising at least one wall having at least one tab;

a drive unit disposed on the carrier;

an electromagnetic interference shield extending between the wall and a corresponding surface of the drive unit, the shield adapted to flex to accommodate the drive unit and comprising at least one tab that extends over a corresponding tab of the side wall; and

fastening means extending through corresponding aligned openings in the tabs and in the drive unit to secure the drive unit to the carrier.

2. The computer of claim 1 wherein the wall is a side wall and wherein the carrier comprises another side wall in a spaced relation with the first-mentioned side wall so that the drive unit extends between the walls in engagement therewith.

3. The computer of claim 2 wherein the other side wall is also flexible to assist in accommodating the drive unit when a dimension of the drive unit varies from a standard.

4. The computer of claim 3 wherein the side wall has at least one notch formed therein to render it flexible.

5. The computer of claim 4 wherein the side wall has at least two notches formed therein and includes at least one tab formed between the notches, and further comprising fastening means extending through aligned openings in each tab and in the drive unit to fasten the drive unit to the carrier.

6. The computer of claim 5 wherein, if the dimension of the drive unit is less than the standard, the fastening means associated with each tab flexes the tab towards the drive unit.

7. The computer of claim 5 wherein, if the dimension of the drive unit is greater than the standard, the drive unit flexes the side wall outwardly.

8. The computer of claim 1 wherein the carrier can accommodate drive units of varying heights.

9. A hard drive assembly for a computer, the assembly comprising a carrier comprising at least one wall having at least one tab;

a drive unit disposed on the carrier;

an electromagnetic interference shield extending between the wall and a corresponding surface of the drive unit, the shield adapted to flex to accommodate the drive unit and comprising at least one tab that extends over a corresponding tab of the wall; and

fastening means extending through corresponding aligned openings in the tabs and in the drive unit to secure the drive unit to the carrier.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the wall is a side wall and wherein the carrier comprises another side wall in a spaced relation with the first-mentioned side wall so that the drive unit extends between the walls in engagement therewith.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the other side wall is also flexible to assist in accommodating the drive unit when a dimension of the drive unit varies from a standard.

12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the side wall has at least one notch formed therein to render it flexible.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the side wall has at least two notches formed therein and includes at least one tab formed between the notches, and further comprising fastening means extending through aligned openings in each tab and in the drive unit to secure the drive unit to the carrier.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein, if the dimension of the drive unit is less than the standard, the fastening means associated with each tab flexes the tab towards the drive unit.

15. The assembly of claim 13 wherein, if the dimension of the drive unit is greater than the standard, the drive unit flexes the side wall outwardly.

16. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the carrier can accommodate drive units of varying heights.

17. A method for assembling a hard drive assembly for a computer, the method comprising the steps of providing a carrier with at least one wall, locating a EMI shield against one of the walls, bending a portion of the shield inwardly, placing the drive unit of the assembly adjacent the shield so that the bent portion of the shield engages a corresponding portion of the drive unit to pre-load the bent portion, forming aligned openings in the one wall, the shield and the drive unit, and inserting a fastening means through the aligned openings to fasten the carrier to the drive unit.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein, if the dimension of the drive unit is less than the standard, the fastening means associated with each tab flexes the tab towards the drive unit.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein, if the dimension of the drive unit is greater than the standard, the drive unit flexes the side wall outwardly.

20. A computer comprising at least one memory;

at least one storage;

at least one hard drive assembly comprising a carrier comprising at least one wall having at least one tab, a drive unit disposed on the carrier and extending between the walls;

a shield comprising at least one plate extending between at least one of the walls and a corresponding surface of the drive unit, and at least one tab that extends over a corresponding tab of the wall; and

fastening means extending through aligned openings in the tabs and in the drive unit to secure the drive unit to the carrier, the height of the plate being less than that of the drive unit so as to accommodate drive units of varying heights.

21. The computer of claim 20 wherein the carrier has two spaced side walls and a housing having a wall extending perpendicular to the side walls, and wherein the shield is L-shaped and comprises two plates which extend adjacent one side wall of the carrier and the wall of the housing, respectively, the two plates engaging two corresponding walls of the drive unit.

22. A hard drive assembly comprising a carrier comprising at least one wall having at least one tab formed between the notches;

a drive unit disposed on the carrier and extending between the walls; and

a shield comprising at least one plate extending between at least one of the walls and a corresponding surface of the drive unit and adapted to flex to accommodate the drive unit, the plate including at least one tab that extends over a corresponding tab of the side wall, and fastening means extending through aligned openings in the tabs and in the drive unit to secure the drive unit to the carrier, the height of the plate being less than that of the drive unit so as to accommodate drive units of varying heights.

23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the carrier has two spaced side walls and a housing having a wall extending perpendicular to the side walls, and wherein the shield is L-shaped and comprises two plates which extend adjacent one side wall of the carrier and the wall of the housing, respectively, the two plates engaging two corresponding walls of the drive unit.