Electromechanical lock for components

• US 6,774,808 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2000
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Fry, Ian C., Hibbs, Richard N.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/572,149
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/686.4, 340/568.1, 340/542, 361/683, 361/385, 361/752, 702/77, 439/153, 439/152, 439/159, 439/160, 710/302, 710/304
• US Class Current: 340/686.4
• 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: G06F 11/004 Error avoidance G06F11/07 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/325 by lamps or LED's
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

A mechanism that prevents premature disengagement of a component from a computer system is provided. Through a graphical user interface, the user signals to logic associated with the computer system to ready a component for removal from the computer system chassis. A trigger recessed in a handle is depressed to mechanically free the handle to pivot from the engaged position outward. The trigger activates a lock, which is coupled to logic associated with the computer system, which is capable of deactivating the lock. The lock prevents disengagement of the component from the computer system by preventing a handle arm, to which the handle is attached, from pivoting outward. When the lock is deactivated, the handle arm is actually free to pivot. When pivoting, the handle arm engages a hub, which rotates as the handle arm pivots. The hub is coupled to a first lever arm which moves and pivots a first engagement member. This engagement member may include a catch which engages insertion and extraction stops mounted on the chassis of the computer system. In one aspect of the invention, the action of the first lever arm and first engagement member may be substantially balanced by a second lever arm and second engagement member. In another aspect of the invention, an indicator light may be provided on or proximate to the component, to signal the user which component is ready for removal, decreasing the chance that the wrong component will be removed.

Claims

1. A module for a computer system, the system including a chassis having at least one compartment for accepting the module, and processing resoures associated with removing and inserting modules during operation of the system, the module comprising:

a carrier having an inside and an outside, and adapted to fit within the compartment in the chassis;

a component mounted in the carrier;

a connector coupled to the component and the outside of the carrier, including at least one connection element adapted to mate with a corresponding element in the chassis upon engagement of the module; and

means, coupled with the carrier, for engaging and disengaging the component with the system, wherein the means for engaging and disengaging the component comprises;

a handle arm coupled to the carrier to be pivotal between an extended position and an inserted position with respect to the carrier, the handle arm defining a travel guide;

a hub rotatably coupled with the carrier and having a protrusion engaging the travel guide;

a first lever arm coupled to the hub and extending toward a lateral edge of the carrier; and

a first engagement member coupled to the first lever arm, coupled to the carrier by a fulcrum and positioned with respect to the lateral edge of the carrier to engage the chassis when the handle arm is moved to the inserted position.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein movement of the handle arm toward the inserted position rotates the hub and directs the first lever arm to rotate the engagement member to engage the chassis.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein the chassis includes an insertion stop and an extraction stop and the first engagement member includes a catch and which engages the extraction stop as the handle arm is moved toward the inserted position.

4. The module of claim 1, further comprising:

a second lever arm coupled to the hub and extending toward an opposing lateral edge of the carrier; and

a second engagement member coupled to the second lever arm, coupled to the carrier by a fulcrum and positioned with respect to an opposing lateral edge of the carrier to engage the chassis when the handle arm is moved to the inserted position.

5. A module for a computer system, the system including a chassis having at least one compartment for accepting the module, and processing resources associated with removing and inserting modules during operation of the system, the module comprising:

a carrier having an inside and an outside, and adapted to fit within the compartment in the chassis;

a component mounted in the carrier;

a connector coupled to the component and the outside of the carrier, including at least one connection element adapted to mate with a corresponding element in the chassis upon engagement of the module; and

means, coupled with the carrier, for engaging and disengaging the component with the system, wherein the means for engaging and disengaging the component comprises;

first and second engagement members positioned on opposing lateral edges of the carrier, and a structure adapted to apply a substantially balanced force to the first and second engagement members.

6. The module of claim 5, wherein the means for engaging and disengaging the component leverages an insertion force applied to the carrier to mate the connector with the corresponding elements in the chassis.

7. A module for a computer system, the system including a chassis having at least one compartment for accepting the module, and processing resources associated with removing and inserting modules during operation of the system, the module comprising:

a carrier having an inside and an outside, and adapted to fit within the compartment in the chassis;

a component mounted in the carrier;

a connector coupled to the component and the outside of the carrier, including at least one connection element adapted to mate with a corresponding element in the chassis upon engagement of the module;

means, coupled with the carrier, for engaging and disengaging the component with the system; and

,

a lock coupled with the means for engaging and disengaging in communication with the processing resources which prevents the disengagement of the carrier absent an enable signal provided by the processing resources.

8. An assembly for engaging a component to a computer system, the assembly comprising:

a carrier adapted to retain the component and to be inserted within a chassis of the computer system;

a handle arm coupled to the carrier;

a detector coupled to the carrier and the handle arm, the detector detecting movement to actuate a lock; and

a lock coupled to the carrier and to the detector, the lock blocking movement of the carrier toward a distal position when in an engaged state.

9. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

logic associated with a computer system and coupled to the lock to selectively override the detector and de-actuate the lock when the component is ready for removal.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the detector provides a signal to actuate the lock and the logic provides a control signal to selectively de-actuate the lock.

11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the coupling of the detector to the handle arm comprises:

a handle mounted on the handle arm; and

a trigger mounted on the handle, the trigger having a released position in which it is biased and a depressed position, the trigger applying a force to the detector when the trigger is in its released position.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the detector is coupled to the trigger by a detector surface having a biased distal end that extends to meet the trigger, the biased distal end having a raised position in which it is biased and a depressed position, the biased distal end being coupled to actuate the lock when in its raised position.

13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the logic includes resources for receiving a request to remove the component and resources for determining whether the component is ready for removal from the computer system.

14. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the logic is coupled to a graphic user interface for receiving a request to remove the component.

15. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising an indicator light proximate to the carrier and coupled to the logic, wherein the logic includes resources for enabling the indicator light when the component is ready for removal from the computer system.

16. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the lock comprises a cam and a solenoid.

17. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the lock comprises:

a solenoid secured to the carrier and having a rod, the rod being slidable between an extended position in which it is biased and a retracted position; and

a cam secured to the handle arm and movable between a locked position for resisting movement of the handle arm and an extended position, the cam adapted to engage the rod and move into the unlocked position when the rod is in the extended position.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the cam is pivotal in a plane that is substantially parallel to the handle arm, the cam being pivotal between a locked position and a retracted position.

19. An assembly for engaging a component to a computer system, the assembly comprising:

a carrier having a front end and a back end, the carrier adapted to be inserted within a chassis;

a component mounted in the carrier;

a connector coupled with the component, including at least one connector element adapted to mate with a corresponding element associated with the computer system;

a handle arm defining a travel guide and coupled to the carrier to be pivotal between an extended position and an inserted position with respect to the carrier;

a hub rotatably coupled with the carrier and having a protrusion engaging the travel guide;

a first lever arm coupled to the hub and extending toward a lateral edge of the carrier; and

a first engagement member coupled to the first lever arm, coupled to the carrier by a fulcrum and positioned with respect to the lateral edge of the carrier to engage the chassis when the handle arm is moved to the inserted position;

a lock coupled to the handle arm to prevent movement of the handle arm when the lock is engaged; and

a detector coupled to the lock and the handle arm, the detector detecting movement to actuate the lock.

20. The assembly of claim 19, further comprising:

logic associated with the computer system and coupled to the lock to selectively override the detector and de-actuate the lock when the component is ready for removal.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the lock comprises a cam and a solenoid.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the cam is pivotal along a plane that is substantially parallel to the handle arm, the cam being pivotal between a locked position and a retracted position.

23. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the logic includes resources for receiving a request to remove the component and resources for determining when the component is ready for removal from computer system.

24. The assembly of claim 23, further comprising an indicator light proximate to the carrier and coupled to logic, wherein the logic includes resources for enabling the indicator light when the component is ready for removal from the computer system.

25. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the logic is coupled to a graphic user interface for receiving a request to remove the component.

26. The assembly of claim 19, further comprising:

logic associated with the computer system to provide a control signal to the lock to selectively de-actuate a lock when the component is ready for removal.

27. The assembly of claim 19, wherein movement of the handle arm toward the inserted position rotates the hub and directs the first lever arm to rotate the engagement member to engage the chassis.

28. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the chassis includes an insertion stop and an extraction stop and the first engagement member includes a catch which engages the extraction stop as the handle arm is moved toward the inserted position.

29. The assembly of claim 19, further comprising:

a second lever arm coupled to the hub and extending toward an opposing lateral edge of the carrier; and

the second engagement member coupled to the second lever arm, coupled to the carrier by a fulcrum and positioned with respect to an opposing lateral edge of the carrier to engage the chassis when the handle arm is moved to the inserted position.

30. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the coupling of the detector to the handle arm comprises:

a handle mounted on the handle arm; and

a trigger mounted on the handle, the trigger having a released position in which it is biased and a depressed position, the trigger applying a force to the detector when the trigger is in its released position.

31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein the detector is coupled to the trigger by a detector surface having a biased distal end that extends to meet the trigger, the biased distal end having a raised position in which it is biased and a depressed position, the biased distal end being coupled to actuate the lock when in its raised position.

32. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the lock comprises:

a solenoid secured to the carrier and having a rod, a rod being slidable between an extended position in which it is biased and a retracted position; and

a cam secured to the handle arm and pivotable between a locked position for resisting movement of the handle arm and an unlocked position, the cam adapted to engage the rod and pivot to the unlocked position when the rod is in the extended position.

33. An assembly for engaging a component to a computer system having a chassis, the assembly comprising:

a carrier adapted to retain the component and to be inserted within the chassis to couple the component to a connector associated with the computer system;

a lock coupled to the carrier to prevent removal of the carrier from the chassis when the lock is engaged; and

logic associated with the computer system to determine whether the component is ready to be disengaged from computer system, logic being coupled to the lock to selectively engage or disengage a lock when the computer system is operational.

34. The assembly of claim 33, further comprising a handle arm coupled to the carrier and a detector coupled to the lock for detecting a removal force applied to the handle arm.

35. The assembly of claim 34, further comprising:

a handle mounted on the handle arm;

a trigger mounted on the handle, the trigger having a released position in which it is biased and a depressed position, the trigger applying force to the detector when the trigger is in its released position.

36. The assembly of claim 35, wherein the detector is coupled to the trigger by a detector surface having a biased distal end that extends to meet the trigger, the biased distal end having a raised position in which is biased and a depressed position, the biased distal end being coupled to actuate a lock in its raised position.

37. A module for a computer system, the system including a chassis having at least one compartment for accepting the module, and processing resources associated with removing and inserting modules during operation of the system, the module comprising:

a carrier having an inside and outside, and adapted to fit within the compartment in the chassis;

a component mounted in the carrier;

a connector coupled to the component and the outside of the carrier, including at least one connection element adapted to mate with a corresponding element in the chassis upon engagement of the module;

a handle arm coupled to the carrier to be pivotal between an extended position, and an intermediate position, and an inserted position with respect to the carrier;

a translation mechanism to translate movement of the handle arm from the intermediate position to the extended position into force causing disengagement of the module from the chassis;

a detector coupled with the handle arm which detects movement of the handle arm between the inserted position and the intermediate position;

a lock coupled with the carrier and the handle arm, having a locked state preventing movement of the handle arm past an intermediate position and an unlocked state allowing movement to the extended position; and

logic coupled with processing resources and the detector, which causes the lock to enter the locked state upon detection of motion between the inserted position and the intermediate position, and which causes the lock to enter the unlocked state upon receipt of a signal from the processing resources.

38. The module of claim 37, wherein the translation mechanism includes a hub which rotates upon movement of the handle arm between the intermediate position and the inserted position.

39. The module of claim 37, wherein the lock assumes the unlocked state when not powered.

40. The module of claim 37, wherein the handle arm defines a travel guide and the translation mechanism includes a hub having a protrusion engaging the travel guide and a first lever arm extending toward a lateral edge of the carrier, wherein movement of the handle arm toward the inserted position rotates the hub and directs the first lever arm to apply force for engagement with the chassis.

41. The module of claim 40, wherein the translation mechanism includes an engagement member having a catch which engages a stop mounted on the chassis as the handle is moved toward the inserted position.

42. The assembly of claim 37, further comprising a detector coupled to the lock for detecting a removal force applied to the handle arm.

43. The assembly of claim 37, further comprising a trigger arm mounted on the handle arm, the trigger having a first position in which it is biased and a second position, the trigger arm engaging the detector in its first position when the handle arm is rotated toward its extended position.

44. The assembly of claim 43, wherein the detector is coupled to the trigger by a detector surface having a biased distal end that extends to meet the trigger, the biased distal end having a raised position in which it is biased and a depressed position, the biased distal end being coupled to actuate a lock in its raised position.

45. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the lock comprises a cam and a solenoid.

46. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the lock comprises:

a solenoid secured to the carrier and having a rod which is slidable between an extended position in which it is biased and a retracted position; and

a cam secured to the handle arm and movable between the locked position for resisting movement of the handle arm and an extended position, the cam adapted to engage the rod and move into the unlocked position when the rod is in the extended position.

47. The assembly of claim 46, wherein the cam is pivotal along the plane that is substantially parallel to the handle arm, the cam being pivotal between a locked position and a retracted position.

48. The assembly of claim 45, wherein the logic includes resources for receiving a request to remove the component and resources for determining when the component is ready for removal from the computer system.

49. The assembly of claim 48, further comprising an indicator light mounted proximate to the carrier and coupled to the logic, wherein the logic includes resources for enabling the indicator light when the component is ready for removal from the computer system.

50. The assembly of claim 45, wherein the logic is coupled to a graphical user interface for receiving a request to remove the component.