Storage device carrier ejection spring

• US 8,840,095 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2012
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dot Hill Systems Corporation (Seagate Technology Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Dot Hill Systems Corporation (Seagate Technology Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Rust, Brenden Michael, Keffeler, David Michael, Heyd, Andrew Rudolph
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHWARTZ, CHRISTOPHER P
• Application Number:
  US13/347,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20130176677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 267158-182, 360/92.1
• US Class Current: 267/165
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/027 Planar, e.g. in sheet form; leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/124 of the single recording/reproducing device, e.g. disk drive, onto a chassis
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/128 of the plurality of recording/reproducing devices, e.g. disk drives, onto a chassis

Abstract

A spring for ejecting a storage device module from a chassis is provided. The spring includes a first end, where the first end is held captive when the spring is installed in the chassis. The spring includes a second end, opposite the first end, and a body between the first and second ends. The body is formed with serpentine bends proceeding linearly between the first and second ends and in a common plane with the first end. The second end is oriented orthogonal to the common plane. The spring is in expansion when the storage device module is inserted into the chassis. The storage device module pushes against the second end when the storage device module is fully inserted into the chassis. The spring exerts force outward from the chassis when expanded.

Claims

1. A spring for ejecting a storage device module from a chassis, comprising:

a first end, wherein the first end is held captive when the spring is installed in the chassis;

a second end, opposite the first end; and

a body, between the first and second ends, the body formed with serpentine bends proceeding linearly between the first and second ends and in a common plane with the first end, the second end oriented orthogonal to the common plane,

wherein the spring is in expansion when the storage device module is fully inserted into the chassis, wherein the second end of the spring pushes against the storage device module when the storage device module is fully inserted into the chassis, wherein the spring exerts force outward from the chassis when expanded.

2. The spring as recited in claim 1, wherein the spring exerts a force between 4 and 6 pounds against the storage device module when the storage device module is fully inserted in the chassis.

3. The spring as recited in claim 1, wherein when the storage device module is fully inserted into the chassis:

the second end is in contact with a rear surface of the storage device module and oriented lengthwise in parallel with a side surface of the storage device module, and

the body of the spring is in expansion and provides outward force from the chassis against a surface of the storage device module.

4. The spring as recited in claim 1, wherein the first end of the spring is fastened to a first chassis support member by one of a screw, a rivet, a bolt, a weld, and a tab of the first chassis support member in conjunction with a second chassis support member.

5. The spring as recited in claim 4, wherein the first end is formed in a loop, wherein the loop is fastened to the first chassis support member by one of a screw, a rivet, a bolt, and a tab of the first chassis support member in conjunction with the second chassis support member.

6. The spring as recited in claim 5, wherein the spring is captured between the first chassis support member and the second chassis support member, wherein the second end of the spring passes through a linear slot in the first chassis support member;

wherein the linear slot is oriented parallel to a side surface of the storage device module.

7. The spring as recited in claim 5, wherein a chassis support member assembly comprising the spring and the first chassis support member mechanically coupled to the second chassis support member is installed in the chassis, wherein the chassis support member assembly provides locating means and latching means for at least one storage device module.

8. The spring as recited in claim 7, wherein storage device modules are slidingly engaged between rail surfaces on a sidewall of the chassis and the chassis support member assembly or between a pair of chassis support member assemblies.

9. A method for ejecting a storage device module from a chassis, comprising:

placing the storage device module into the chassis, wherein when the storage device module is fully inserted in the chassis, a spring is expanded between the storage device module and the chassis, the spring comprising;

a first end, wherein the first end is held captive when the spring is installed in the chassis;

a second end, opposite the first end; and

a body, between the first and second ends, the body formed with serpentine bends proceeding linearly between the first and second ends and in a common plane with the first end, the second end oriented orthogonal to the common plane;

activating an actuator of the storage device module, wherein after activating the actuator, the spring pushes the storage device module a second predetermined distance out from the chassis; and

removing the storage device module from the chassis, after the spring pushes the storage device module the second predetermined distance.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the spring exerts a force between 4 and 6 pounds against the storage device module when the storage device module is fully inserted in the chassis.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein after fully inserted the storage device module into the chassis, the spring is captured at the first end and oriented lengthwise in parallel with the storage device module, and the body of the spring is in expansion and provides outward force against the storage device module.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the second predetermined distance is at least 5 mm, and preferably 9.5 mm.

13. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the first end of the spring is fastened to a first chassis support member by one of a screw, a rivet, a bolt, a weld, and a tab of the first chassis support member in conjunction with a second chassis support member.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the first end is formed in a loop, wherein the loop is fastened to the first chassis support member by one of a screw, a rivet, a bolt, and a tab of the first chassis support member in conjunction with the second chassis support member.

15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the spring is captured between the first chassis support member and the second chassis support member, wherein the second end of the spring passes through a linear slot in the first chassis support member;

wherein the linear slot is oriented parallel to a side surface of the storage device module.

16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein a chassis support member assembly comprising the spring and the first chassis support member mechanically coupled to the second chassis support member is installed in the chassis, wherein the chassis support member assembly provides locating means and latching means for at least one storage device module.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein storage device modules are slidingly engaged between locating means on a sidewall of the chassis and a chassis support member assembly or between a pair of chassis support member assemblies.

18. An ejection spring for ejecting a storage device module from a chassis, comprising:

a first end, formed in a loop and providing a bearing surface, wherein a screw captures the first end to a chassis surface;

a second end, opposite the first end, wherein the second end exerts force against the storage device module when the storage device module is fully inserted into the chassis; and

a body, between the first and second ends, the body formed with serpentine bends proceeding linearly between the first and second ends and in a common plane with the first end, the second end oriented orthogonal to the common plane,

wherein the spring is expanded and exerts force outward from the chassis when the storage device module is fully inserted into the chassis.

19. An ejection spring for ejecting a storage device module from a chassis, comprising:

a first end, formed in a loop and providing a bearing surface, wherein a screw captures the first end to a storage device module surface;

a second end, opposite the first end, wherein the second end exerts force against the chassis when the storage device module is fully inserted into the chassis; and

a body, between the first and second ends, the body formed with regular serpentine bends proceeding linearly between the first and second ends and in a common plane with the first end, the second end oriented orthogonal to the common plane.