Drive carrier

• US 9,036,341 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2006
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NetApp, Inc.
• Original Assignee: NetApp, Inc.
• Inventors: Szelong, Michael, Son, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US11/506,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20070206351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,197 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/685, 361/679.33, 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 361724-727
• US Class Current: 361/679.33
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/18 Packaging or power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives

Abstract

A chassis assembly and method for including a component carrier in an electronic device. The assembly may include a carrier for housing a component for integration into the system. The carrier includes a frame constructed to at least partially contain the electronic portions of the component. A handle is pivotally coupled to the frame. The handle may rotate between an engaging orientation and a securing orientation. A pinion portion is included on the handle. The pinion portion may engage with a corresponding rack formed in the chassis to control movement of the carrier with respect to the chassis. A securing mechanism is disposed on an end of the handle opposite the pinion portion. The securing mechanism may be implemented to secure the handle in a securing orientation wherein the end of the handle, generally opposite the pinion portion, is disposed adjacent the frame. A securing mechanism such as a latch may be included to prevent rotation of the handle with respect to the frame.

Claims

1. A carrier configured for coupling with a chassis for housing a data handling system, comprising:

a frame constructed for at least partially housing a component for implementation into the data handling system, the frame including opposing first and second sides, the opposing first and second sides defining opposing first and second planes;

a handle pivotally coupled to the frame having a rotational axis that is substantially parallel to the opposing first and second planes, the handle having a first end and a second end, the first end including a pinion portion having a plurality of teeth, the pinion portion being positioned adjacent the first side of the frame and opposite the second side of the frame; and

a deformable latch included on the second end of the handle, the deformable latch being unitarily formed with the handle, the deformable latch being configured for securing the handle to the frame at the second end,

wherein the pinion portion is configured to extend beyond the first side of the frame to engage with the chassis for housing the data handling system, the pinion portion being configured to control movement of the frame with respect to the chassis, at least a portion of the chassis configured with at least one of a size or a shape correlating to a selected communication connector of the data handling system, the chassis configured to prevent engagement with the pinion portion when the component includes a communication connector that is not configured for connection with the data handling system.

2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the pinion portion is configured to rotate between a first engaging orientation and a second secured orientation.

3. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the handle is biased towards a first engaging orientation.

4. The carrier of claim 1, wherein at least two teeth included in the plurality of teeth are configured to sequentially engage with the chassis when rotating between an engaging orientation and a secured orientation.

5. The carrier of claim 1, wherein rotation of the handle is proportional to the movement of the frame with respect to the chassis.

6. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the pinion is configured and arranged to prevent insertion of the carrier into the chassis unless the handle is rotated towards a secured orientation.

7. A chassis assembly for a data handling system, comprising:

a chassis for housing the data handling system, the chassis including a rack portion; and

a component carrier including;

a frame constructed for at least partially housing a component for implementation into the data handling system, the frame including opposing first and second sides, the opposing first and second sides defining opposing first and second planes;

a handle pivotally coupled to the frame having a rotational axis that is substantially parallel to the opposing first and second planes, the handle having a first end and a second end, the first end including a pinion portion having a plurality of teeth, the pinion portion being positioned adjacent the first side of the frame and opposite the second side of the frame; and

a deformable latch included on the second end of the handle, the deformable latch being unitarily formed with the handle, the deformable latch being configured for securing the handle to the frame at the second end,

wherein the pinion portion extends beyond the first side of the frame to engage with the rack portion of the chassis to control at least one of seating of the component carrier in the chassis or removal of the component carrier from the chassis, the rack portion configured with at least one of a size or a shape correlating to a selected communication connector of the data handling system, the rack portion configured to prevent engagement with the pinion portion when the component includes a communication connector that is not configured for connection with the data handling system.

8. The chassis assembly of claim 7, wherein the pinion portion is configured to rotate between an engaging orientation wherein a first tooth of the plurality of teeth engages with the rack portion to prevent insertion of the component carrier and a secured orientation wherein the securing mechanism is engageable with the frame.

9. The chassis assembly of claim 7, wherein the handle is biased towards an engaging orientation.

10. The chassis assembly of claim 7, wherein at least two teeth included in the plurality of teeth are configured to sequentially engage with the chassis when rotating between a first orientation and a second orientation in which the carrier is secured in the chassis.

11. The chassis assembly of claim 7, wherein rotation of the handle is proportional to the movement of the component carrier with respect to the chassis.

12. The chassis assembly of claim 7, wherein the frame is configured to prevent user grasping of the component carrier adjacent a securing orientation.

13. The chassis assembly of claim 7, wherein the rack portion defines a plurality of apertures configured to individually receive an individual tooth of the plurality of teeth included on the pinion portion.

14. The chassis assembly of claim 7, wherein at least two teeth included in the plurality of teeth are configured to sequentially engage with the rack portion of the chassis when rotating between an engaging orientation and a secured orientation.

15. The chassis assembly of claim 7, wherein pinion is configured and arranged to prevent insertion of the carrier into the chassis unless the handle is rotated towards a secured orientation.

16. A computer chassis assembly, comprising:

a chassis for housing the computer, the chassis including a rail for receiving a component, the rail defining a plurality of apertures extending from adjacent an exterior of the chassis towards an interior of the chassis; and

a component carrier, for containing the component, the component carrier including;

a frame constructed for at least partially housing the component for implementation into the computer, the frame including opposing first and second sides, the opposing first and second sides defining opposing first and second planes;

a handle pivotally coupled to the frame having a rotational axis that is substantially parallel to the opposing first and second planes, the handle having a first end and a second end, the first end including a pinion portion having a plurality of teeth, the handle being rotateable to permit the second end to rotate towards and away from the frame, the pinion portion being positioned adjacent the first side of the frame and opposite the second side of the frame; and

a deformable latch included on the second end of the handle, the latch being configured for securing the handle to the frame,

wherein the pinion portion includes at least one tooth included in the plurality of teeth for preventing insertion of the component carrier, unless the handle is rotated, the pinion portion being configured to extend beyond the first side of the frame to engage with the plurality of apertures, the handle being rotateable to selectively engage the pinion with the plurality of apertures to draw the component carrier into the chassis when the second end of the handle is rotated towards the frame, the plurality of apertures configured with at least one of a size or a shape correlating to a selected communication connector of the data handling system, the chassis configured to prevent engagement with the pinion portion when the component includes a communication connector that is not configured for connection with the data handling system.

17. The computer chassis assembly of claim 16, wherein the deformable latch is unitarily formed with the handle.

18. The computer chassis assembly of claim 16, wherein rotation of the handle is proportional to the movement of the component carrier with respect to the chassis.