U.S. patent application number 10/374837 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-26 for computer system drive cage and method.
Invention is credited to Conrady, Clint E., Mayer, David W., Roesner, Arlen L., Searby, Tom J..
Application Number | 20040164656 10/374837 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32868954 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040164656 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roesner, Arlen L. ; et
al. |
August 26, 2004 |
Computer system drive cage and method
Abstract
A computer system comprises a chassis having a frontal mounting
surface. The system also comprises a bezel-less drive cage coupled
to the chassis and adapted to receive at least one
frontally-exposed drive. The drive cage extends forward beyond the
frontal mounting surface of the chassis.
Inventors: |
Roesner, Arlen L.; (Fort
Collins, CO) ; Conrady, Clint E.; (Fort Collins,
CO) ; Searby, Tom J.; (Greeley, CO) ; Mayer,
David W.; (Fort Collins, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
Intellectual Property Administration
P.O. Box 272400
Fort Collins
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
32868954 |
Appl. No.: |
10/374837 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/223.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/187 20130101;
G06F 1/184 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/223.2 |
International
Class: |
A47B 097/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A computer system, comprising: a chassis having a frontal
mounting surface; and a bezel-less drive cage coupled to the
chassis and adapted to receive at least one frontally-exposed
drive, the drive cage extending forward beyond the frontal mounting
surface of the chassis.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein a forward portion of the drive
cage is disposed in alignment with an adjacently disposed bezel
coupled to the chassis.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive cage comprises at least
one extension member adapted to cooperate with a cover of the
chassis.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive cage comprises an
extension member extending forward from the chassis into alignment
with an adjacently disposed bezel.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive cage comprises a
plurality of integrally formed rails adapted to support the
drive.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive cage comprises an
extension member having a portion coupled to the chassis and
another portion extending forward of the chassis.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive cage comprises a
plurality of oppositely disposed extension members extending
forward of the chassis and into alignment with a forward facing
surface of an adjacently disposed bezel.
8. A bezel-less drive cage for a computer chassis, comprising: a
plurality of spaced apart walls adapted to receive at least one
drive, the walls further adapted to be coupled to the chassis; and
at least one extension member extending forward of a frontal
mounting surface of the chassis.
9. The drive cage of claim 8, wherein the at least one extension
member comprises a plurality of oppositely disposed extension
members extending forward of the fontal mounting surface of the
chassis a distance corresponding with a forward facing surface of a
bezel coupled to the chassis.
10. The drive cage of claim 8, wherein the extension member extends
forward of the frontal mounting surface a distance corresponding to
a forward facing surface of a bezel coupled to the chassis.
11. The drive cage of claim 8, wherein the walls comprise
integrally formed rails adapted to support the at least one
drive
12. The drive cage of claim 8, wherein the at least one extension
member is adapted to cooperate with a cover of the chassis.
13. The drive cage of claim 8, wherein the at least one extension
member is adapted to provide a non-stepped surface transition to an
adjacent cover of the chassis.
14. The drive cage of claim 8, wherein the at least one extension
member is adapted to provide a non-stepped surface transition to an
adjacent surface of a bezel coupled to the frontal mounting surface
of the chassis.
15. A rackmount computer drive system, comprising: a chassis
support means having a frontal mounting surface; and a bezel-less
support means coupled to the chassis support means and adapted to
receive at least one frontally-exposed drive, the bezel-less
support means extending forward beyond the frontal mounting surface
of the chassis support means.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein a forward portion of the
bezel-less support means is disposed in alignment with an
adjacently disposed bezel coupled to the chassis support means.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the bezel-less support means
comprises means adapted to cooperate with a cover of the chassis
support means.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the bezel-less support means
comprises means extending forward from the chassis support means
into alignment with an adjacently disposed bezel.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the bezel-less support means
comprises a plurality of oppositely disposed extension means
extending forward of the chassis support means and into alignment
with a forward facing surface of an adjacently disposed bezel.
20. A computer drive system, comprising: a 2U rackmount chassis
having a frontal mounting surface; and a bezel-less drive cage
coupled to the chassis and adapted to receive at least three
frontally-exposed, vertically stacked drives, the drive cage
extending forward beyond the frontal mounting surface of the
chassis.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the drive cage comprises at
least one extension member adapted to cooperate with a cover of the
chassis.
22. The system of claim 20, wherein a forward portion of the drive
cage is disposed in alignment with an adjacently disposed bezel
coupled to the chassis.
23. The system of claim 20, wherein the drive cage comprises a
plurality of oppositely disposed extension members extending
forward of the chassis and into alignment with a forward facing
surface of an adjacently disposed bezel.
24. The system of claim 20, wherein the drive cage comprises at
least one extension member adapted to provide a non-stepped surface
transition to a cover of the chassis.
25. The system of claim 20, wherein the drive cage comprises at
least one extension member adapted to provide a non-stepped surface
transition to a surface of an adjacently disposed bezel.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
computer systems and, more particularly, to a computer system drive
cage and method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Rackmount computer systems are generally designed having a
height corresponding to even multiples of an industry-standard rack
mounting height dimension. For example, rackmount systems are
generally referred to as 2U, 3U, 4U, etc., systems where the "U"
designation refers to one dimensional increment of 1.75" in height
along the vertical members of an Electronics Industry Alliance
(EIA) industry-standard computer racking structure. Thus, a 2U
rackmount system is generally designed to be approximately 3.5" in
height, less a small amount of clearance between
vertically-adjacent rackmounted systems located in such a rack.
Other types of computer or server systems are also generally
configured having an industry specified drive and/or height
dimension.
[0003] As the level of sophistication and operational requirements
for electronic equipment increases, an increase in the quantity of
components that may be installed into a particular computer system
is desired. Thus, a greater quantity of drives than the quantity
generally associated with a particular industry standard mounting
designation or height may be incorporated into the system. For
example, three vertically stacked horizontally oriented drives may
be installed or incorporated into a 2U rackmount system. Presently,
because of the density of the components in such a computer system,
the forward or frontal surfaces of the system are cosmetically
enhanced with bezels which may be removed to hot-swap the drives
within the computer system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a computer system comprises a chassis having a frontal mounting
surface. The system also comprises a bezel-less drive cage coupled
to the chassis and adapted to receive at least one
frontally-exposed drive. The drive cage extends forward beyond the
frontal mounting surface of the chassis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a computer
drive system in accordance with the present invention;
[0007] FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a
drive cage installed in the computer drive system of FIG. 1;
and
[0008] FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating a profile view of
the computer drive system of FIGS. 1-3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The preferred embodiments of the present invention and the
advantages thereof are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-5 of
the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding
parts of the various drawings.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a computer
drive system 10 in accordance with the present invention. In FIG.
1, computer system 10 is illustrated as a 2U rackmount type of
computer system 10; however, it should be understood that the
present invention may be incorporated into floor-standing server
systems or other types of computer systems. In the illustrated
embodiment, drive system 10 comprises a chassis 12 for housing
various types of electronic components such as, but not limited to,
printed circuit boards, fan or cooling assemblies, and/or, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, disk drives 14. Thus, in FIG. 1, chassis 12
is illustrated as a 2U rackmount type of chassis 12; however, as
described above, chassis 12 may be configured corresponding to a
particular type of desired computer system.
[0011] As illustrated in FIG. 1, system 10 comprises three
vertically stacked horizontally oriented drives 14 to maximize the
quantity of drives vertically mounted within chassis 12. As used
herein, the terms "vertical" or "vertically" shall refer to the
direction indicated generally at 13 in FIG. 1 relative to chassis
12, and the terms "horizontal" or "horizontally" shall refer to the
direction indicated generally at 15 in FIG. 1 relative to chassis
12. However, it should be understood that a greater or fewer
quantity of drives 14 may also be used with system 10.
[0012] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, drive system 10
also comprises bezels 16 and 18 for cosmetically enhancing a
forward-facing or frontal portion 20 of system 10. Bezels 16 and 18
are generally secured to chassis 12 by conventional mechanical
means such as, but not limited to, clips or fasteners. Bezels 16
and 18 may also provide functional attributes corresponding to
drive system 10 such as, but not limited to, providing an interface
for access to various functions components or indicators within
system 10 (i.e., light emitting diodes and/or on/off switches)
and/or providing a means for manipulating drive system 10 such as a
handle or other device. As used herein, the terms
"forwardly-facing" or "frontal portion" of drive system 10 refers
to the portion of drive system 10 generally accessible by a user to
operate drive system 10 or otherwise perform an activity relating
to the general use of drive system 10. For example, frontal portion
20 may comprise the portion or area of drive system 10 generally
accessible by the user for loading and/or unloading, generally
referred to as hot-swapping, drives 14.
[0013] As illustrated in FIG. 1, bezels 16 and 18 are coupled to a
forwardly facing mounting surface 30 of chassis 12. Additionally,
drives 14 are disposed within chassis 12 extending forwardly to
coincide with forwardly facing surfaces of bezels 16 and 18. In the
illustrated embodiment, drives 14 are disposed within a bezel-less
drive cage 32 to support hot-swapping of drives 14 without
requiring removal of a bezel disposed in front of drives 14. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, drive cage 32 cooperates with adjacent
bezels 16 and 18 to provide uniform surface transitions between
drive cage 32 and adjacent bezels 16 and 18 as well as between
drive cage 32 and adjacent surfaces of chassis 12. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, drive cage 32 provides a non-stepped or
smooth surface transition to adjacent surfaces of bezels 16 and 18
and adjacent surfaces of chassis 12.
[0014] FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of
internal portions of drive system 10 in accordance with the present
invention. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, drive cage 32 comprises a
plurality of drive cage walls 34 that may be coupled to portions of
chassis 12 to secure drive cage 32 within chassis 12. For example,
drive cage 32 may be secured to upper and/or lower portions of
chassis 12 as well as sidewalls or other structure within chassis
12. Drive cage walls 34 are spaced apart to accommodate the
insertion of a desired quantity of drives 14 in the horizontal
direction. In FIGS. 1-3, drive cage walls 34 are spaced apart
horizontally to accommodate insertion of a single drive 14;
however, it should be understood that the horizontal spacing of
walls 34 may be otherwise configured to accommodate a greater
quantity of drives 14 in the horizontal direction. Drive cage 32
may also be adapted to utilize structure of chassis 12 as a wall
34. As illustrated in FIG. 2, drive cage 32 also comprises a
plurality of integrally formed inwardly extending rails 36 to
support drives 14 within drive cage 32. In the illustrated
embodiment, rails 36 have a generally elongated geometric
configuration to provide support to drives 14 over a greater
longitudinal length relative to drives 14. However, it should be
understood that other types of support means, integrally formed or
non-integrally-formed, may be used to support drives 14 within
drive cage 32. In the illustrated embodiment, drive cage 32 is
configured having a vertical height corresponding to the industry
standard 2U height dimension; however, it should be understood that
the vertical dimension of drive cage 32 may be otherwise configured
to accommodate a desired computer system. Additionally, in the
illustrated embodiment, the horizontal dimension of drive cage 32
is configured to accommodate a single column of vertically stacked
drives 14; however, it should be understood that the horizontal
dimension of drive cage 32 may be otherwise configured to
accommodate a desired quantity of horizontally adjacent drives
14.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 3, drive cage 32 also comprises a
plurality of oppositely disposed forwardly-extending extension
members 40 and 42 to provide a uniform and non-stepped transition
between adjacent bezels 16 and 18, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and
adjacent surfaces of chassis 12. For example, as illustrated in
FIG. 3, chassis 12 comprises forwardly facing mounting surface 30
for receiving bezels 16 and 18. As illustrated in FIG. 3, drive
cage 32 and, specifically, extension members 40 and 42 protrude or
extend forwardly beyond mounting surface 30 to a length
corresponding to a size of adjacent bezels 16 and/or 18. Thus,
extension members 40 and 42 provide a uniform laterally-extending
surface area relative to adjacent bezels 16 and 18 to provide
non-stepped or smooth surface transitions between members 40 and 42
and bezels 16 and 18 while providing hot-swapability of drives 14
disposed within drive cage 32. Additionally, as will be described
below, extension members 40 and 42 also provide longitudinally
uniform support surfaces relative to adjacent surfaces of chassis
12 to provide non-stepped or smooth transitions to adjacent
surfaces of chassis 12.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a profile view of an
embodiment of drive cage 32 of FIGS. 1-3, and FIG. 5 is a diagram
illustrating a profile view of drives 14 disposed within drive cage
32 of FIGS. 1-3. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, chassis 12
comprises an upper cover 50 and a lower cover 52. Extension members
40 and 42 are configured to provide a generally smooth or
non-stepped transition between extension members 40 and 42 and
covers 50 and 52, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment,
extension members 40 and 42 are each configured from formed sheet
metal; however, extension members 40 and 42 may be otherwise formed
and may be formed from other materials. In this embodiment,
extension members 40 and 42 are configured having formed or bent
surfaces along the forwardly-facing or frontal portion of drive
system 10, indicated generally at 60 and 62, respectively, to
provide a smooth, non-sharp leading edge for drive cage 32. For
example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, extension
members 40 and 42 are configured from formed sheet metal having at
least a two-layer thickness to provide rigidity and to provide a
non-sharp leading edge. As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3,
extension member 40 comprises a plurality of oppositely disposed
tabs 44 each formed at an end of member 40 and extending downwardly
for providing an attachment interface to walls 34 of drive cage 32.
Extension member 42 comprises a rearwardly extending tab 46
extending upwardly over a leading portion 48 of cover 52 to provide
an attachment interface for member 42 and to provide a uniform and
non-stepped or smooth transition between member 42 and cover
52.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 5, in operation, drives 14 are inserted in
a generally longitudinal direction into drive cage 32 and are
supported by rails 36, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. Drives 14 may
be disposed in a drive carrier 70 or may be otherwise loaded into
drive cage 32. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the forwardly-facing
portions of drives 14 are disposed proximate to the
forwardly-facing or leading edges of extension members 40 and 42
such that extension members 40 and 42 provide upper and lower
support for drive carriers 70 and provide a generally uniform,
non-stepped or smooth surface transition to adjacent covers 50 and
52 of chassis 12. Additionally, members 40 and 42 may be configured
having a longitudinal length extending forwardly from drive cage 32
to accommodate a variety of sizes of bezels 16 and 18 as well as a
variety of drive 14 sizes or drive 14 mounting positions within
drive cage 32. For example, the longitudinal mounting positions of
drives 14 within drive cage 32 may be modified to accommodate a
desired forward extension of drives 14 beyond forward mounting
surface 30 of chassis 12. Thus, as the longitudinal mounting
positions of drives 14 changes, members 40 and 42 may be configured
having corresponding longitudinal characteristics to provide
support surfaces for drive carriers 70 and/or smooth transition
surfaces to adjacent surfaces of bezels and/or surfaces of chassis
12. Further, the present invention also provides for additional
area within chassis 12. For example, as bezel-less drive cage 32
moves forward relative to mounting surface 30, additional area
within chassis 12 may be utilized for other purposes.
* * * * *