U.S. patent application number 09/761773 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for data storage system.
Invention is credited to Ishikawa, Takamasa, Takahashi, Hirokazu, Tateyama, Kenichi, Yamanashi, Akira.
Application Number | 20010046118 09/761773 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18663853 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010046118 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamanashi, Akira ; et
al. |
November 29, 2001 |
Data storage system
Abstract
An information storage apparatus having internal structure and
arrangement of fans in consideration of cooling effect, thereby the
capacity of the entire apparatus can be smaller than that of
conventional apparatus, and an optimum air channel can be formed so
as to prevent damage to reliability of performance, life and the
like of components at high temperatures. For a module with
reliability of life or the like to be ensured or a module including
a part influenced by performance such as information processing
speed, provided is an arrangement where outside air is directly
forwarded to the module. Further, a module which does not produce
much amount of heat and does not require cooling is provided in a
comparatively front stage of the channel, a module including
heat-producing components and a cooling fan is provided in a
comparatively rear stage of the channel.
Inventors: |
Yamanashi, Akira; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Takahashi, Hirokazu; (Chigasaki, JP) ;
Ishikawa, Takamasa; (Minamiashigara, JP) ; Tateyama,
Kenichi; (Odawara, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BEALL LAW OFFICES
104 East Hume Avenue
Alexandria
VA
22301
US
|
Family ID: |
18663853 |
Appl. No.: |
09/761773 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.33 ;
361/679.49; G9B/33.038 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/20 20130101; H05K
7/20581 20130101; G11B 33/142 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/687 ;
361/685; 361/683 |
International
Class: |
G06F 001/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 25, 2000 |
JP |
2000-159550 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An information storage apparatus having a hard disk drive for
storing information, a control unit incorporating a controller that
controls access to said hard disk drive and a fan used for cooling
at least said control unit, wherein a module having said control
unit has a structure that can be inserted/withdrawn into/from
outside said storage apparatus or a structure having an interface
for connection with the outside.
2. The information storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said fan is a sirocco fan.
3. The information storage apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
a plurality of said sirocco fans are provided.
4. The information storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
a direction of insertion/withdrawal of said module or interface
between said module and the outside and a direction of exhaust hole
of said fan are provided in the same surface of said apparatus.
5. An information storage apparatus having a hard disk drive for
storing information, a control unit incorporating a controller that
controls access to said hard disk drive and a fan used for cooling
at least said control unit, wherein said apparatus has a structure
where a first cooling air channel formed by cooling means of said
hard disk drive and a second cooling air channel formed by means
for cooling of said control unit are separately provided, and
wherein a module having said control unit has a structure that can
be inserted/withdrawn into/from the outside said storage apparatus
or a structure having an interface for connection with the
outside.
6. The information storage apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
in said first cooling air channel, a relay module, including a
power supply, that performs information transmission/reception with
an external device, is provided in a rear stage, and said hard disk
drive is provided in a front stage, along the cooling air
channel.
7. The information storage apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
in said second cooling air channel, a power supply unit that
supplies power to the controller that controls access to said hard
disk drive, is provided in a rear stage, and a second medium
different from said hard disk drive and a battery module that
protects information upon power supply stoppage from said power
supply unit, are provided in a front stage, along the cooling air
channel.
8. The information storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
said second medium is a floppy disk drive.
9. The information storage apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said means for cooling of said controller is a sirocco fan.
10. The information storage apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
a plurality of said sirocco fans are provided.
11. An information storage apparatus having a hard disk drive for
storing information, a power supply unit that supplies power to a
controller that controls access to said hard disk drive, a power
receiving unit that is supplied with alternating current power from
outside, and an AC/DC conversion unit that converts the alternating
current power supplied to said power receiving unit into direct
current power supplied to said power supply unit, wherein said
apparatus has a structure where said power receiving unit and said
AC/DC conversion unit are integrated with each other.
12. The information storage apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein said power receiving unit and said AC/DC conversion unit
are integrated into one substrate where said power receiving unit
is provided on one surface and said AC/DC conversion unit is
provided on the other surface, and the surfaces respectively have a
connector for electrical connection.
13. An information storage apparatus having a hard disk drive for
storing information, a control unit incorporating a controller that
controls access to said hard disk drive and a fan used for cooling
at least said control unit, wherein upon occurrence of abnormality
in said fan, a display light emitting device is turned on in a
peripheral portion of said fan, an optical transmission member is
provided between said display light emitting device and a display
window outside said apparatus, and turned-on status of said display
light emitting device is displayed on said display window.
14. The information storage apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein said optical transmission member is an optical fiber.
15. The information storage apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein said optical fiber is provided with a metal tool as fixing
means.
16. An information storage apparatus having a medium for storing
information, a control unit incorporating a controller that
controls access to said medium and a fan used for cooling at least
said control unit, wherein said medium is a plurality of hard disk
drives, and wherein the number of controllers supporting said a
plurality of hard disk drives is smaller than the number of said
hard disk drives.
17. The information storage apparatus according to claim 16,
wherein the number of said controllers is one.
18. The information storage apparatus according to claim 16,
wherein said controller is a fiber channel controller.
19. The information storage apparatus according to claim 16,
wherein an interface for connection on the side of said hard disk
drive and a host interface are fiber channel interfaces.
20. An information storage apparatus having a medium for storing
information, a control unit incorporating a controller that
controls access to said medium and a fan used for cooling at least
said control unit, wherein said control unit has a structure that
can be inserted/withdrawn into/from outside said storage apparatus,
and wherein connectors for electrical connection between apparatus
side and control unit side connected upon insertion/withdrawal, an
eccentric cam supporting the insertion/withdrawal and a projection
member formed in said eccentric cam are provided, further wherein
said apparatus has a structure in which upon completion of
engagement between the connectors, a rotational axes are
approximately aligned in a position of said engagement between the
connectors and a position of said projection member.
21. The information storage apparatus according to claim 20,
wherein said apparatus side has a projection shaft such that said
control unit side is guided and engaged, and said control unit side
has a rotatable axis and a curving ditch typed project different
from said rotational axis, and further, said ditch has an extension
for engagement with said projection shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the construction,
arrangement and structure of information storage apparatus and
information storage control apparatus, among apparatuses
constructing an information storage system, and more particularly,
to cooling means for cooling internal components, transmission
means for transmitting display information to a status display
unit, and attachment/detachment mechanism for detachably installed
modules.
[0002] In information storage apparatuses or information storage
control apparatuses, it is necessary to cool down the respective
modules inside the apparatus to ensure reliability. Especially, in
a micro processing unit (MPU) incorporated into a control module,
the computation speed is reduced at high temperatures. Further, in
a hard disk drive (HDD) in an HDD module using a magnetic disk as
an information recording medium, the life is shortened at high
temperatures. Accordingly, these components must be cooled so as to
maintain their performance.
[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H9-114553
discloses an electronic equipment apparatus, mounted inside a
cabinet, having a structure to take air into an OSC package having
heat-producing components such as an IC chip and an LSI package,
and a DC/DC converter which is also a heat-producing component, by
a cooling fan provided on an apparatus side surface. In the
apparatus, an I/O package is provided in a downstream position. In
this structure, finally, the air is exhausted by a fan on a rear
surface. Further, in the commercially available cabinet, air is
generally taken in from a front surface and is exhausted to a rear
surface or an upper surface.
[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H7-50492
discloses a unit attachment/detachment mechanism where if the
engaging force between opposite connectors is comparatively large,
a pin provided in a frame of an electronic device as a fixed
portion slides in a curve form ditch in eccentric cam means, then
in a position passed the rotational axis of the eccentric cam
means, spring means, incorporated for engagement of connectors,
engages the connectors. On the other hand, generally, the
engagement of connectors is maintained such that the pin comes to
the position over the rotational axis.
[0005] In the structure disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication No. H9-114553, as a particular cooling structure is
arranged as the apparatus structure, the cooling means performs its
function, however, the capacity of the apparatus is large due to
the arrangement.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,427 discloses a structure where air is
taken in from a front surface of an apparatus and exhausted from
its rear surface, however, insertion/withdrawal of devices is not
made from the rear surface.
[0007] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H2-58900
discloses a structure employing a sirocco fan as a cooling fan.
However, there is no consideration of insertion/withdrawal of
devices.
[0008] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H6-301450 and
other publicly-known examples disclose a structure for cooling
heat-producing components. However, there is no consideration of
insertion/withdrawal of devices.
[0009] Further, the inventors consider that in the point of cooling
effect and various wiring structures including arrangement of
components, the apparatus structure is susceptible to further
improvement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in
consideration of the above problems, and has its object to realize
an arrangement of fans in consideration of cooling effect by
arranging cooling means for effectively cooling necessary
components without use of special cooling fan.
[0011] Further, another object of the present invention is to
reduce the capacity of the entire apparatus to be smaller than
those by conventional art.
[0012] Further, another object of the present invention is to
ensure an optimum air channel without degradation of reliability of
components with fear of loss of performance or life at high
temperatures e.g. integrated circuits including a CPU.
[0013] Further, another object of the present invention is to
simplify the arrangement and structure of means for transmitting
statuses (performance, failure and the like) of various modules
installed in the apparatus.
[0014] Further, another object of the present invention is to
provide attachment/detachment mechanism with a low-price and simple
structure for a comparatively light-mass unit.
[0015] Further, another object of the present invention is to
provide a safe and simple structure which allows a user to conduct
electrical connection between the connectors single-handedly in a
stable manner.
[0016] To attain one or some combinations of the above objects, it
is preferable to realize one or some combinations of the following
constructions, arrangements or structures.
[0017] In case of module with reliability of life or the like to be
ensured or in case of module including a part influenced by
performance such as information processing speed, provided is an
arrangement to directly introduce external air, i.e., an
arrangement where an air channel is formed to direct an air flow
toward heat-producing integrated circuits such as an MPU. Further
provided is an arrangement where an air channel in a module
including a cooling fan and an air channel only by a cooling fan
are separately formed, and a module which does not produce much
amount of heat and does not require cooling is provided in a
comparatively front stage of the channel, while a module including
heat-producing components and a cooling fan is provided in a
comparatively rear stage of the channel. Further provided is an
arrangement providing a single power supply board having electric
connectors on both surfaces, where a power receiving module
supplied with power via an AC cable from an external distribution
panelboard or the like is integrated with a switching power source
which converts AC to DC, so as to supply the DC output to a relay
board. Further provided is a structure where optical transmission
member is inserted between a display light emitting device on a
substrate of information display part and the surface of the
display part. Further provided is a distinctive
attachment/detachment structure for insertion/withdrawal of unit to
be inserted/withdrawn where peripheral members around an
attachment/detachment cam which functions upon insertion/withdrawal
are combined. Further provided is a construction where a fiber
channel is used as an apparatus internal interface. Further
provided is an arrangement having cooling means for exhausting
cooling air by a sirocco fan or the like provided on an apparatus
side surface.
[0018] By employing these arrangements, at least any of the
following advantages can be attained, otherwise, some combinations
of the following advantages can be attained. Upon arrangement of
particular construction, there may be a difference in details,
therefore, any of the following advantages might not be attained
even in use of the concept of the present invention.
[0019] If a module with fear of degradation of reliability of life
or the like at high temperatures is provided in a front stage of
air channel where introduced outside air directly flows, otherwise,
if the air flow is introduced to devices on the substrate with fear
of degradation of performance at high temperatures, the cooling
effect can be improved, the reliability of life or the like can be
ensured, and degradation of performance can be prevented.
[0020] In use of arrangement where an air channel in modules
including a cooling fan and an air channel only by a cooling fan
are separately formed, a module which does not produce much amount
of heat and does not require cooling is provided in a comparatively
front stage of the channel, while a module including heat-producing
components and a cooling fan is provided in a comparatively rear
stage of the channel, the information storage apparatus can be
downsized in front-and-rear directions, thereby the entire capacity
can be reduced.
[0021] If plural modules including components requiring cooling are
provided in an air channel where introduced outside air directly
flows, the cooling effect can be set to a high level.
[0022] In use of structure where an optical transmission member is
inserted between a display light emitting device on a substrate of
information display part and the surface of the display part, a
relay cable can be omitted, and a low-price and simple structure
can be realized.
[0023] In introduction of novel structure in an engagement portion
between an insertion/withdrawal portion of module unit to be
inserted/withdrawn and a fixed portion into which the unit is to be
inserted, a comparatively low-price structure can be realized at a
low cost, and further, electrical connection can be mechanically
made single-handedly in a stable manner.
[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters
designate the same name or similar parts throughout the figures
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of
the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective diagram showing a
disk array apparatus;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective diagram viewed from a
front right direction of the disk array apparatus;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective diagram viewed from the
front right direction of the disk array apparatus where a cover is
removed;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective diagram viewed from a rear
left direction of the disk array apparatus where the cover is
removed;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram cut along a
line A-A in FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram cut along a
line B-B in FIG. 2;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram cut along a
line C-C in FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram cut along a
line D-D in FIG. 2;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a schematic exploded perspective diagram showing a
fan module;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective diagram showing
a fan bracket;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded perspective diagram showing
optical fiber fixing means;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a schematic partially-cutaway diagram showing a
metal tool as the optical fiber fixing means;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a schematic partially-cutaway diagram showing the
metal tool as the optical fiber fixing means;
[0039] FIG. 14 is a schematic front diagram showing a relay module
mounting portion;
[0040] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram cut along a
line E-E in FIG. 14;
[0041] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram cut along a
line F-F in FIG. 14;
[0042] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective diagram showing the relay
module;
[0043] FIG. 18 is a schematic plan diagram showing an
attachment/detachment cam; and
[0044] FIGS. 19A to 19C are schematic explanatory views showing the
operation of the attachment/detachment cam.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0045] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described in detail in accordance with FIGS. 1 to 19.
[0046] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a disk array apparatus as an example of
the information storage apparatus or information storage control
apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded
perspective diagram showing the structure of the apparatus. FIG. 2
is a schematic perspective diagram viewed from a front right
direction of the apparatus.
[0047] A rear upper plate 1-1 forming a rear surface upper wall, a
lower plate 7, provided in a position opposite to the rear upper
plate 1-1, forming a lower wall, a side plate 2-1 forming a right
wall, a side plate 2-2 forming a left wall, are provided on a main
body rear surface. A front surface of the apparatus has a front
door provided with a cover 20 and the like having a bezel 78
including an operating cover 16, an air intake cover 17 having an
air inlet, a louver 18 and an EMI gasket(1) 8-1. The air intake
cover 17 and the louver 18 may be integrated with the cover 20 or
may be separately provided from the cover 20. Bending places 83-1
and 83-2 are provided outwardly on front side of the side plate 2-1
forming the right wall and the side plate 2-2 forming the left
wall, and a tie 85 is provided inwardly on the lower plate 7
forming the lower wall.
[0048] A front surface container has an upper plate 80, a lower
plate 82 provided in a position opposite to the upper plate 80,
side walls 81-1 and 81-2 on both sides, a tie 86, plural holes 29-1
to 29-4 having electrical wiring patterns (See FIGS. 5 and 6), a
wiring board 34 having plural connectors for electrical connection
(not shown) on both surfaces, front upper plates 1-1 and 1-2
forming a front surface upper wall, a small window 79, and the
like. Further, the front surface container has a chamber(4) 15, a
chamber(5) 37 and a chamber(6) 38, partitioned by a partition
board(3) 22 and a partition board(4) 40.
[0049] A rear surface container has a chamber(1) 58, a chamber(3)
59 and a chamber(2) 64 partitioned by a partition board(1) 57 and a
partition board(2) 75 having holes 29-5.
[0050] As an assembling procedure regarding the respective
components as shown in FIG. 1, the wiring board 34 is engaged with
the tie 86 of the front surface container by using a screw, then
the front surface container is inserted into the main body part.
Further, the front upper plate 1-1 is engaged with the ties 84-1
(not shown) and 84-2 (not shown) by using screws, then units or
components in modules are inserted into the respective chambers,
and finally, the bezel 78 is set by mechanical means, thus the
apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 is completed.
[0051] Note that at this time, regarding the wiring board 34 with
plural connectors for electrical connection on both surfaces, when
the units in modules are inserted in the respective chambers,
connectors of the respective units must be engaged with the
connectors on the wiring board 34 with high precision. For this
purpose, the board must be carefully installed into the front
surface container with high precision by using positioning means or
the like.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective diagram viewed from a
front right direction of the disk array apparatus of the present
invention where the front door of the disk array apparatus as an
example of the information storage apparatus or the information
storage control apparatus is removed.
[0053] In the main body part, the space on the front surface side
is divided into upper and lower spaces by the partition board(3)
22, and plural HDD modules 9 are arrayed in the upper chamber(4)
15. The lower space is divided by the partition board(4) 40. A
battery module 14 for protection of information upon instant
power-supply stoppage is placed in the chamber(5) 37, and an
operating module 10 and an FDD (Floppy Disk Drive) module 11 for
obtaining microprogram update/fault information and the like are
placed in the chamber(6) 38.
[0054] The main body part and the front door can be opened/closed
by engagement between a receiver guide 12 and a guide hole 13 and
use of special key means (not shown) provided in another place. The
special key is employed for the purpose of security of HDD 33 (See
FIG. 5) comprising a magnetic disk as a recording medium forming
the HDD module 9. The operating cover 16 provided on the front door
having a openable/closable structure enables operation of the FDD
and the operating module 10.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective diagram viewed from a rear
left direction of the disk array apparatus as an example of the
information storage apparatus or the information storage control
apparatus of the present invention where the cover is removed. The
front door has a punching plate 19 with plural air intake holes
21-3 for introduction of air to the HDD modules 9 (not shown) and
plural air intake holes 21-5 for introduction of air to the battery
module 14 (not shown) on its rear surface. In order to reduce noise
by attenuating/cutting electromagnetic waves emitted from the
various modules contained in the main body part, the EMI gasket(1)
8-1 (not shown), the EMI gasket(3) 8-3 and the EMI gasket(2) 8-2
are attached to the door such that the EMI gasket(1) 8-1 is in
contact with a frame surrounded by the bending places 83-1 and 83-2
and the lower plate 7 forming the lower wall (not shown), the EMI
gasket(3) 8-3 is in contact with the partition board(3) 22 (See
FIG. 3), and the EMI gasket(2) 8-2 is in contact with the partition
board(4) 40 (See FIG. 3).
[0056] Although various types of EMI (Electro Magnetic
Interference) gaskets are known, a gasket having a conductive
function on its outer surface of the packing and having an electric
resistance value equal to or less than 1 .OMEGA./cm is desirable.
Further, to prevent ill effect by interference between
electromagnetic waves emitted from the inside the apparatus, the
EMI gasket may be inserted into a gap. Further, a currently
commercially available EMI gasket may be used as packing, also for
the purpose of noise reduction.
[0057] The rear surface side space in the main body part is divided
into upper space and lower space by the partition board(1) 57. The
chamber(1) 58 as the upper space contains a power supply 3
including a fan 5, and a relay module 4 for information
transmission/reception with another external storage apparatus such
as a disk array apparatus, on the exhaust side for individual or
redundancy.
[0058] The lower space is divided into the partition board(4) 40
(See FIG. 3). The chamber (3) 59 as one chamber contains a control
module 6 and the like for individual or redundancy including an
interface part 28. The chamber(2) 64 as the other space contains a
fan module 36 and the like for cooling the control module 6.
[0059] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram cut along a line A-A in
FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram cut along a line C-C in
FIG. 2. In the main body part, the arrayed HDD modules 9 including
a connector 24-1 as a constituent member of the HDD 33 are placed
on the front side, and are connected to a connector 24-2 on the
wiring board 34. On the rear side of the wiring board, provided are
a power supply board 31 including a shape corresponding to an AC/DC
conversion circuit (not shown) and a connector 24-5, the fan 5
downstream of air channel, a power supply chassis 32 with holes
26-3 and 26-4 covering these components, a handle 65 for
attachment/detachment, and the like, and the power supply 3 with
which the connector 24-5 on the wiring board 34 is connected.
[0060] The relay module 4 is provided in space between the side
plates 2-1 and 2-2 forming the right and left walls, and adjacent
to the power supply 3. The relay module 4 has holes 26-1, a printed
board 25 with the connector 24, a relay module chassis 27 with
holes 26-2 covering the printed board, attachment/detachment
mechanism (not shown) and the like. A connector 24-3 on the wiring
board 34 is connected to the connector 24-4. The louver 18 on the
front door has air holes 21-2, the cover 20 has holes 21-1, and the
punching plate 19 has air holes 21-3.
[0061] The disk array apparatus has a dimensions within a range
determined by EIA STANDARD or ANSI STANDARD RS-310, and can be
placed in a 19-inch (type 19) rack case. More specifically, in the
disk array apparatus, an array of 10 HDD modules 9 each including a
3.5 type HDD having a size of 41.1 mm (w).times.101.6 mm (h) (3.5
inches), within a dimension defined by the side plates 2-1 and 2-2
forming the right and left walls.
[0062] Outside air is introduced from the holes 21-2 of the front
door, and plural types of air channels, e.g., an air channel
exhausted along arrows 23-1, 30-2 30-8 and 30-5, an air channel
exhausted along the arrows 23-1, 30-2, 30-8 and an arrow 30-6, an
air channel exhausted along the arrow 23-1, arrows 30-1 and 30-4
and the arrow 30-5, and an air channel exhausted along the arrow
23-1, arrows 30-3 and an arrow 30-7 and the arrow 30-6, are
formed.
[0063] Since the HDD 33 included in the HDD module 9 is provided in
an air channel exhausted by the fan 5 included in the power supply
3, the introduced outside air is directly forwarded to the HDD 33,
thereby the HDD 33 is protected from high temperatures. Further,
the relay module 4 including various electric devices is provided
in the air channel along the arrows 30-4 and 30-7, thereby the
module is cooled.
[0064] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram cut along a line B-B in
FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional diagram cut along a line D-D in
FIG. 2. In the main body front part, the battery module 14
including a connector 24-6 (See FIG. 7) is accommodated in the
chamber(5) 37 surrounded by the lower plate 7 forming the lower
wall, the side plate 2-2 forming the left wall, the partition
plate(3) 22, the partition board(4) 40 and the wiring board 34. A
connector 24-7 (See FIG. 7) is placed, then the wiring board 34
having the holes 29-4 corresponding to the chamber(5) 37 is
provided, and the connector 24-6 is connected with the connector
24-7.
[0065] On the other hand, the FDD module 11 having and FDD 35, an
FDD relay board 69 with male sub edge connector on one end, an FDD
relay cable 70 with a relay connector and an FDD chassis 71 is
accommodated in the chamber(6) 38 surrounded by the lower plate 7
forming the lower wall, the side plate 2-1 forming the right wall,
the partition board(3) 22, the partition board(4) 40 and the wiring
board 34. A connector 24-10 on the wiring board 34 is connected
with the male sub edge connector of the FDD relay board 69.
Further, the operating module 10 including a relay cable 39 with a
connector is also accommodated in the chamber(6) 38, and the module
can be visually checked by opening/closing the operating cover 16.
The relay cable 39 is connected with a connector 24-11 on the
wiring board 34.
[0066] In a portion in the rear of the wiring board 34, provided is
the chamber(2) 64 surrounded by the lower plate 7 forming the lower
wall, the side plate 2-2 forming the left wall, the partition
board(1) 57, the partition board(2) 75 and the wiring board 34. The
control module 6, having an MPU 41, a cache memory 42, a control
board 43 with a connector 24-12 (See FIG. 7) and a connector 24-13
(See FIG. 7), and a controller chassis 44 (See FIG. 7) supporting
the control board 43 and covering the rear surface side, is
connected with the connectors 24-12 and 24-13 on the wiring board
34. The MPU 41 on the control board 43 is provided in a position
surrounded by the cache memory 42, the partition board(2) 75 and
the controller chassis 44 (See FIG. 7). An air channel is formed in
the same direction as the lengthwise direction of the apparatus.
The cache memory 42 is placed in the air channel.
[0067] On the other hand, the fan module 36 is accommodated in the
chamber(3) 59 surrounded by the lower plate 7 forming the lower
wall, the side plate 2-1 forming the right wall, the partition
board(1) 57, the partition board(2) 75 with the holes 29-5 and the
wiring board 34.
[0068] Next, means for reducing the space of the control module
will be described.
[0069] The dimensions of the disk array apparatus are defined
within a range where the apparatus can be placed in a 19 type rack
frame. To place 10 HDDs 33 having a thickness of about 41.1 mm
within the range, it is preferable that 10 HDD modules 9 each
including HDD attachment/detachment member are arrayed in the
widthwise direction of the apparatus. Further, regarding the size
of the power supply 3 (See FIG. 7), minimum dimensions are
determined in consideration of mounting components sufficient to
supply necessary electric energy for operations of the respective
parts. Further, the size of the fan module 36 is determined in
consideration of fan to sufficiently supply air necessary for
cooling the respective parts. Accordingly, if the modules
constructing the disk array apparatus have the same construction,
the sizes of the power supply 3 and the fan module 36 must be the
same.
[0070] The size of the control module 6 depends on components
included in the module. As the HDD used in the disk array
apparatus, an SCSI interface has been used. One SCSI interface
allows connection with up to 8 SCSI devices (16 devices in WIDE
SCSI). Further, regarding a RAID constructing technique, to support
striping i.e. dividing data and writing divided data into plural
HDDs, it has been necessary to provide SCSI controllers
corresponding to the number of HDDs for the striping. Recently, as
a main-stream interface for HDDs for high-speed transfer, fiber
channel type interfaces have been introduced.
[0071] The fiber channel type interface allows connection between
one fiber channel controller and 127 fiber channel devices.
Further, as transfer can be performed at a higher speed than the
transfer speed in case of SCSI, one controller enables striping
using plural HDDs. Accordingly, in a case where striping is to be
performed by using 5 HDDs, one fiber channel controller can realize
the striping in place of 5 SCSI controllers. Further, in
consideration of capacity of the combination of the control module
6 and a host interface, the SCSI interface and the fiber channel
interface are compared with each other. The SCSI as an interface
requires a connection area larger than that of the fiber channel
interface. In other words, the fiber channel interface can be
installed in a smaller area.
[0072] When the module has a construction in correspondence with 2
host interfaces, SCSI and fiber channel interfaces, if interface
modules having the same size are prepared and connected to the
control module, the construction can be realized only by simple
interface selection. However, in a case where the fiber channel
interface requiring a small installation area is incorporated as a
standard interface in the control module, the capacity of the
control module and the interface module can be small. Accordingly,
if the fiber channel interface is prepared as a standard interface
on the HDD connection side and the host interface side, the
capacity of the control module itself and the capacity of the
control module and the host interface can be reduced.
[0073] In this arrangement, the outside air is introduced from the
holes 21-4 of the front door, and is exhausted along arrows 23-2,
30-9, 30-10 and 30-11. The cache memory 42 on the control board 43
may be slanted for causing natural curve of the air channel.
[0074] FIG. 9 is a schematic exploded perspective diagram showing
the fan module 36. A fan relay board 45, connected to a connector
24-8 connected with a connector 24-9 on the wiring board 34 and a
connector attached to a cable 46, and including another connector,
is connected via the cable 46 having the connector with stepwisely
formed sirocco fans 47. The fan relay board 45 is attached to a fan
bracket 48 having holes 55, with screws 56-4. On the other hand,
the sirocco fans 47 are attached to the fan bracket 48-1 with
screws 56-1. The fan module 36 is formed by fastening the assembly
of fan bracket 48-1, with screws 56-2 and 56-3, in a box formed
with an upper plate 50, a lower plate 51 provided in a position
opposite to the upper plate 50, a side plate 52, a bottom plate 53
with holes 54, a front plate 60 with holes 49 and a side plate 61
provided in a position opposite to the side plate 52. When the
sirocco fan is provided with power and wings of the stator rotate,
air flows through the hole 55, an inhalation opening 62, an exhaust
opening 63 and the holes 49 and is exhausted.
[0075] The sirocco fan 47 installed in the fan module 36 has an
electric circuit to monitor the number of revolutions of the
stator. When it is determined based on reduction of the number of
revolutions that a fault occurred in the stator, an electric signal
is outputted, and an LED 66 (See FIG. 8) mounted on the wiring
board 34 (See FIG. 8) is turned on. The bottom plate 53 and the
front plate 60 of the fan module 36 have holes 68-1 and 68-2
approximately in a straight line, holding an optical fiber 67. When
the LED 66 is turned on, light is transmitted to the front plate 60
side, thereby abnormality of the sirocco fan can be checked by
visual observation. The movement of optical fiber is prevented by
attachment or metal fixing means. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 to
13, it may be arranged such that a nail 73-3 is formed on one side
and nails 73-1 and 73-2 are formed on the opposite side, then the
optical 67 is partially held and bent by the fixed metal 72 and the
nails 73-1 to 73-3, and is fixed to the lower plate 51 with a screw
74.
[0076] In the conventional cooling structure to perform inhalation
from a front surface and exhaust to a rear surface, a fan like the
fan 5 used in the present invention is attached to the rear
surface. The fan of this type has exhaust performance lower than
that of sirocco fan. On the other hand, the sirocco fan has
improved exhaust performance, however it emits large noise. For
example, in a structure having a sirocco fan on the surface of
apparatus rear surface as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication No. H2-58900, the noise is leaked to the outside. In
the present invention, the sirocco fan is not provided on the
apparatus surface but is placed inside the apparatus. It is
preferable that air channel is bent and the fan is provided by the
side of the air channel.
[0077] In FIG. 9, the fan bracket 48-1 has a step form in a
direction orthogonal to a widthwise direction of the upper plate 50
and the lower plate 51 due to dimensional limitation. However, if
there is more space in the widthwise direction of the upper plate
50 and the lower plate 51, it may be arranged such that
diagonally-arrayed sirocco fans 47 are attached to a fan bracket
48-2 having a flat form instead of step form, as shown in FIG.
10.
[0078] Next, an attachment/detachment structure for the relay
module 4 will be described below.
[0079] FIG. 14 is a schematic front diagram showing a relay module
mounting portion (See FIG. 5) of the present invention. FIG. 15 is
a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the relay module mounting
portion cut along a line E-E in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a schematic
cross-sectional diagram of the relay module mounting portion cut
along a line F-F in FIG. 14.
[0080] In the relay module mounting portion, a U form plate 94 is
fixed to the side plate 2-2, the relay module 4 is inserted in a
position adjacent to the U form plate, and the wiring board 34 with
the connector 24-3 is provided in a position corresponding to a
connector 30-1. A projection shaft 88 is fixed to the U form plate
94, and the U form plate is a little smaller than the width of a
curve form ditch 89.
[0081] When the insertion of attachment/detachment cam 76 of the
relay module 4 has been completed, electrical connection is
completed between the connector 24-3 on the wiring board 34 and the
connector 30-1. a slope 97 is provided for facilitating a user's
holding a handle 77. If the entire electronic device has a
sufficient size, the slope can be omitted.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 15, support of the inserted relay module 4
will be described. When the insertion of the relay module 4 has
been completed, the wiring board 34 still has a slightly deformed
portion as internal stress, and a force acts on a direction to
discharge the relay module 4 via the connector 24-3, thereby the
projection shaft 88 is not ejected from a curving ditch typed
project 92 (See FIG. 18). Further, as a turning shaft 87, the
projection shaft 88 and an arrow 104 representing a reaction force
of the wiring board 34 are approximately positioned on a straight
line, the inserted module 4 is maintained in this status.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 16, the printed board 25 is floated from
the relay module chassis 27 via a spacer 98 such that the relay
module chassis 27 and the printed board 25 are not in direct
contact with each other. In this status, the printed board 25 is
fixed to the relay module chassis 27 by a screw 99.
[0084] FIG. 17 is a perspective diagram schematically showing the
relay module of the present invention. The relay module chassis 27
has holes 26-2, and the printed board 25 side with the connector
30-1 has holes 26-1 in positions corresponding to the holes 26-2.
On the other hand, on a stand 93, the turning shaft 87 is inserted
into a hole 100 (See FIG. 18) so as to prevent the
attachment/detachment cam 76 from dropping, and the rotation
(arrows 95 and 96) of the handle 77 is restrained between walls 102
and 103.
[0085] FIG. 18 is a plan diagram schematically showing the
attachment/detachment cam 76. The attachment/detachment cam 76 has
the hole 100 with difference in level into which the turning shaft
87 is inserted, the handle 77 with the slope 97, and the curve form
ditch 89 including a guide 90 with extension, a curve line 101 with
a predetermined curvature and a linear portion 91 with fixed limits
and the curving ditch typed project 92. The attachment/detachment
cam 76 has flat upper and lower surfaces.
[0086] FIGS. 19A to 19C are explanatory views showing the operation
of the attachment/detachment cam when the relay module is
attached/detached. The relay module 4 is inserted in accordance
with FIGS. 19(A), 19(B) and 19(C). The projection shaft 88 is moved
to the guide 90, then the handle 77 is turned in the direction of
the arrow 96, then the projection shaft 88 reaches the curving
ditch typed project 92 and positioned there. Thus the insertion is
completed.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 16, the engagement force for engaging the
connector 24-3 with the connector 30-1 acts to deform the wiring
board 34. Since there is a probability that this force destroys the
wiring board 34, the engagement between connectors is performed
such that the relay module 4 is inserted to a certain position, so
as to keep a balance between the engagement force between the
connectors 24-3 and 30-1 and the reaction force of the wiring board
34 to the deformation. In a case where the portion 91 as the limit
of insertion has a curvature, if the handle 77 is further turned in
the arrow 96 direction after the engagement between the connectors,
the projection shaft 88 falls in the curving ditch typed project
92, and the deformation of the wiring board 34 is released to a
mechanically allowable range of reaction force.
[0088] When the relay module 4 is removed, the removal is performed
in accordance with FIGS. 19(C), 19(B) and 19(A).
[0089] When the handle 77 is turned in a direction represented by
the arrow 95, the projection shaft 88 moves from the curving ditch
typed project 92, passes through the curve form ditch 89, and goes
out of the guide 90. Thus the relay module 4 is removed.
[0090] As described above, regarding an electronic device having a
unit in module including a connector for electrical connection to
be inserted/withdrawn and a substrate with connector for electrical
connection in a position corresponding to a fixed portion in which
the unit is inserted, a projection shaft is provided on the fixed
portion side to guide the unit to the fixed portion and establish
engagement therebetween, while a rotatable axis and a curving ditch
typed project having a guide with extension are provided on the
unit side for engagement with the projection shaft. The curve of
the ditch is formed such that the projection shaft can move in the
unit insertion direction, and that the distance between the
projection shaft and the unit is approximately fixed within a
predetermined range. When the handle attached to
insertion/withdrawal means having a projection is turned in the
unit insertion direction and the connectors are engaged with each
other, the rotational axis is aligned with the position of
engagement between the connectors and the position of the
projection. In this arrangement, since the insertion/withdrawn
means has a comparatively simple and low-cost structure, electrical
connection can be mechanically made single-handedly in a stable
manner, by using this structure.
[0091] The present invention is not limited to the above
embodiments and various changes and modifications can be made
within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, to
appraise the public of the scope of the present invention, the
following claims are made.
* * * * *