Abstract:
The present invention provides a modular data storage system that can constraint movement of a data storage module within an enclosure during operation, handling, and transportation. The present invention achieves the objective by employing compliant features at strategic locations in the data storage system by utilizing shock/vibration isolators and the frictional forces generated by the compliant elements to introduce damping effects. In addition, this invention provides a locking mechanism that will allow the user to smoothly insert, remove and firmly grip a data storage module.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates in general to a modular data storage system, and more particularly to a process and apparatus for securing a data storage module within an enclosure to reduce mechanical shock and vibrations associated therewith during operation, handling and transportation. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, a common data storage system comprises multiple data storage modules that slidably dock within an enclosure. Normally, the data storage modules provide disk drives which each includes a plurality of internal disks or platters that spin at high speeds within the drive during operation. Although there are numerous data storage modules and enclosures used in the industry today, none satisfy all of the performance requirements that the industry demands. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, a conventional data storage system  8  includes an enclosure  10  having multiple bay slots  12  that extend linearly from the front of the structure to a backplane where a circuit board  14  is mounted. The circuit board provides various multiple pin connectors  16  and circuitry on a silicon composite sheet of about 1.5 mm thick. Each bay slot  12  provides a set of upper and lower guide tracks  18  to aid the user in aligning the data storage module  20  within the desired bay slot  12 . Each guide track  18  provides a width Wt. 
     A typical data storage module  20  consists of a drive tray  32 , a securing mechanism  34 , guide rails  36 , and a data storage device  22 , e.g. a disc drive. The drive tray  32  provides a rigid rectangular structure for receiving, securing, and mounting the disc drive. The securing mechanism  34  attaches to the front end of the drive tray  32  so that the user can lock each data storage module  20  in the desired bay slot  12  of enclosure  10 . As illustrated, guide rails  36  reside on either side of the drive tray  32  and provide the necessary structure to be received by the guide tracks  18  of the enclosure slot  12 . Each guide rail  36  provides a constant width Wr and thickness between distal ends. 
     The above data storage system is very popular in the industry due to its simplicity in design, ease of operation, and relatively low cost to produce. However, the conventional design has problems inherent to its construction during operation. In particular, the system provides a certain amount of designed gap between the guide rails  36  and the supporting guide tracks  18 , and between the locking mechanism  34  and the enclosure  10 . Because these gaps ensure ease of insertion and removal of the modules and manufacturability of the parts, they can not be eliminated. Consequently, a conventional data storage module is essentially free to move across the gaps, even after the conventional latching mechanism is locked. 
     This free boundary condition existing along the gaps, together with the large mass of a typical data storage device, make the module easily excited by shock and vibration regardless of whether they are self-generated by the data storage device or externally imparted upon the system. Consequently, while the rear end of a module is constrained in all three translational axes by the circuit board connector, the front end of the module is not well constrained. Therefore, this arrangement inherently forces the module to rotate about its better constrained end, the connector, in response to vibration, shock excitation, and gyroscopic motion, even when the force is translational. In other words, disc drives in the conventional data storage system are prone to rotational vibrations regardless of whether the input is external to the drive or self-exited by the drive itself during operation, handling and transportation. 
     Rotational vibration is an increasing concern to a data storage systems designer since it can have a significant impact on the performance and data integrity of modern disc drives. In addition, considering that the rotational speed and data track density of the disc drive will continue to rapidly increase in the future and disc drive manufacturers have very limited options to reduce or suppress the rotational vibrations at the drive level, the current problems exhibited by rotational vibrations will only get worse over time if no viable solutions are developed. 
     In attempts to resolve the above problems, some conventional data storage systems utilize elastomeric shock mounts to isolate or attenuate the shock and vibrations externally imparted upon the system. However, for the shock mounts to work properly, they must be allowed to deflect freely and therefore require extra sway and component space within the system. Such a system fails to achieve the maximum data storage density for the given data storage device, and provides an additional cost and process assembly step. In addition, given that the rotational vibrations may be caused by the forces that the drive itself generates, such as disk stack imbalance and the reaction from the actuator seek, the shock mounts fail to isolate or attenuate the rotational vibrations. 
     Other conventional data storage systems attempt to provide data storage module constraints inside the enclosure. These constraints are designed to rely on contacts between rigid members and non-compliant parts of the enclosure, and therefore do not take-up, fill, or effectively remove the gaps between the mating parts that allow for the rotational vibrations. For example, compliant members near the rear end of the enclosure between the data storage module and the enclosure. Consequently, such designs fail to effectively constrain the movement of the data storage modules in more than one direction. 
     Due to the problems inherent to the conventional data storage system, data storage devices in such systems are susceptible to shock and vibrations imparted upon the system during the transportation, end-use handling, and operation, and often sustain permanent physical damages or loss of data. In addition, disc drives in the conventional data storage system are very sensitive to the effect of rotational vibration and may suffer significant degradation of performance during the normal operation of the system. 
     The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for loading and securing a data storage drive within an enclosure. The enclosure comprises a frontal opening having a top side, a bottom side and a compliant backplane. The compliant backplane includes a plurality of electrical connectors mounted thereto and laterally spaced from the frontal opening. A compliant pressure plate attaches on the top side of the enclosure above various lock vias within the enclosure and adjacent to the frontal opening. The enclosure also includes top and bottom guide tracks defining a plurality of bay slots for slidably aligning and coupling the data storage drive with at least one of the plurality of electrical connectors. A drive tray having a left, right, and front side define top and bottom planes for attaching a data storage drive therebetween. First and second guide rails attach to the exterior surfaces of the left and right drive tray sides and are shaped to slidably mount within at least one of the data storage drive bay slots and between the respective top and bottom guide tracks. A lever handle having a securing knob at one end pivotally mounts to a front side of the drive tray. A latch attaches to the other end of the lever handle so that it may move to lock the drive tray within the desired slot enclosure and establish a stabilizing pressure between the securing knob, enclosure, backplane, and pressure plate. 
     In another aspect of the instant invention, a process is provided for securing a data storage module within a reciprocating enclosure. In particular, process comprising: gripping a pivotal lever handle attached to a front end of the data storage module, said handle being positioned in an extended position such that the users fingers rest across and between the lever handle and the front end of the data storage module; aligning guide rails of the data storage module with a set of guide tracks within the enclosure; slidably inserting said guide rails between said set of guide tracks until a knob of the handle contacts a lock via of the enclosure; and rotating the handle until an inner surface of the handle contacts the adjacent front end of the data storage module. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional data storage system; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a data storage system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a cut-away view of the data storage system of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the data storage module of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the data storage module of FIGS. 4; 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a top and bottom isometric view of the locking mechanism as shown in FIGS. 2-5; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the locking mechanism of FIGS. 6; and 
     FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a process for inserting, locking and removing the data storage module of FIGS. 2-5 within an enclosure using the locking mechanism of FIGS. 6A,  6 B and  7 . 
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     In general, the present invention provides a compact, efficient, and effective means of constraining the movement of a data storage module, relative to an its enclosure, in all the translational and rotational degrees of freedom. More specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus and process for reducing any undesirable movement associated to an inherent gap created during conventional manufacturing processes. Consequently, the present invention can substantially reduce the risk of sustaining damages or degradation of the data storage performance due to any shock, vibration, and rotational movements without compromising the ease of operation, data storage density, manufacturing cost, and manufacturability of its parts. 
     Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a data storage system  110  constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Generally, system  110  comprises a enclosure  112  that forms part of an equipment component (not shown), and a plurality of data storage modules  114  that can be slidably inserted within enclosure  112 . An equipment component could include a personal computer, a network server, or simply a system comprising a redundant array of inexpensive drives (“RAID”). A portion of the top and one side surface of enclosure  112  has been cut-away in FIG. 3 to better illustrate its interior structure and components. 
     As indicated in FIG. 2, enclosure  112  comprises a substantially rectilinear housing which includes a top side  116 , a bottom side  118 , a back side  120  and a pair of oppositely opposed lateral walls  122  to form an open-faced configuration. In this embodiment, a single piece of cold rolled steel is formed to form top, bottom, and back sides  116 ,  118  and  120 , and two separate pieces of the same material are used to form walls  122 . Using conventional methods, such as welding, rivets, adhesives and/or a complimentary slot and tab fitting, a rigid structure can be constructed as illustrated. To assist with the process of securing enclosure  112  within a desired equipment component, mounting flanges  126  are formed on the front edge of the top side  116 , bottom side  118  and lateral walls  122 . 
     Inside enclosure  112  is a plurality of bay slots  128   a-   128   h.  Each bay slot extends from the front of enclosure  112  to a main circuit board  130 . Circuit board  130  provides a plurality of multi-pin connectors  132  for electrically connecting the respective data storage module of any given bay slot to circuit board  130 . Each bay slot  128   a-   128   h  can be defined by two sets of guide tracks  134   a-h  and  136   a-h.  Guide tracks  134   a-h  and  136   a-h  are integrally formed on the top and bottom sides  116  and  118  and aid the user in aligning and securing the data storage modules  114  in their respective bay slots  128   a-h.    
     Circuit board  130  may be positioned on either surface of back side  120  and attached by conventional means such as fasteners, adhesive and clamps. In a preferable embodiment, circuit board  130  will have a thickness T B  of between about 2-3 mm, and provide a plurality of multi-pin connectors  132  and their associated circuitry. As will be described in more detail below, thickness T B  of circuit board  130  will allow the necessary compliance or pressure to help firmly secure any data storage modules  114  that may be locked into enclosure  112 . 
     As is apparent from FIG. 3, when data storage modules  114  are inserted within the enclosure  112 , data storage modules  114  are tightly packed with respect to each other such that the system provides for a very high mass storage density. However, as discussed with regard to the prior art, this tightly packed configuration alone will not prevent the free motion that is allotted by the inherent manufacturing gaps. Consequently, the present invention has attached a stabilizing key  150  on the surface of enclosure top side  116 . Stabilizing key  150  provides tabs  152  that reside above lock vias  154  and compliment each bay slot  128   a-h.  Tabs  152  are used to create a force on data storage module  114  when locked into a desired bay slot. This force, together with the resistive force provided by circuit board  130 , helps to allow the data storage module  114  of the present invention to reduce any translational motion that may be created internal or external to the data storage module  114  due to the manufacturing gap as described in the background of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, stabilizing key  150  is made from a spring material such as stainless steel, however, other spring materials may be used, such as a carbon steel. The particulars of how stabilizing key  150  interacts with lock vias  154  and data storage module  114  will be described in detail below. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 4-5, data storage module  114  of FIGS. 2-3 has been removed from module enclosure  112  to illustrate its structure features. In general, data storage module  114  comprises a data storage device  160 , a device tray  170 , and a locking mechanism  190 . Typically, data storage device  160  comprises a conventional disk drive that generally includes a sealed housing  162  containing a head/disk assembly comprising one or more disks or platters, which rotate at constant speeds during operation (not shown). Integrated with the sealed housing  162  is a circuit board  164  that includes a multiple pin connector  166 . As is known in the art, disk drives are high precision instruments that are designed to provide trouble free operation in a mechanically stable environment. However, as discussed above, the high rotational speeds of the platters create gyroscopic forces that can cause excessive rotational vibrations that, if not properly attenuated, can interfere with proper drive operation and can even permanently damage the platters. 
     Drive tray  170  includes two containing walls  172 , a floor  173 , and a front plate  174 . In a preferred embodiment, walls and floor  172 ,  173  are formed by a conventional unitary construction technique. In particular, a technique wherein a single piece of cold rolled steel is folded to form the aforementioned walls and floor before front plate  174  is attached using a conventional method such as screws, rivets, adhesive or solder. As illustrated in FIG. 5, front plate  174  provides multiple cut-outs to expose data storage device  160  to the ambient air outside of the module enclosure. 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will appreciate that although a unitary construction is preferred to form drive tray  170  and enclosure  112 , alternative construction techniques are possible. For example, drive tray  170  and enclosure  114  could be made from a rigid polymeric resin mold. In turn, other drive tray and enclosure structures may be formed. For example, a drive tray that eliminates floor  173  and uses a unitary construction to form vertical walls  172  and front plate  174  from a single piece of material, or an enclosure that is formed as an integrated feature of the equipment component. 
     With the configuration of drive tray  170 , walls  172  are substantially planar and rectilinear in shape and the outer surface of each wall  172  provides an integrated hook  176  and alignment holes  177  for receiving guide rails  180 . Guide rails  180  provide recessed cut-outs  182  to receive hook  176 , and plateaus  184  to fill alignment holes  177 . More specifically, once hook  176  is positioned within recessed cut-out  182 , guide rail  180  is moved in a direction D to lock hook  176  into the recessed portion of cut-out  182 . This movement will also position plateaus  184  within alignment holes  177  and securely attach guide rail  180  to drive tray  170 . Consequently, guide rails  180  can be securely coupled to drive tray  170  without any fastener means, like a screw, rivet, or adhesive. This feature is very effective and useful when the inventive structure must be shipped to a user or from a manufacturer. 
     Guide rails  180  are adapted to be received by bay slots  128   a-h  between respective guide tracks  134   a-h  and  136   a-h  of module enclosure  12  (see FIGS.  2 - 3 ). In particular, once aligned with the desired set of guide tracks, guide rails  180  facilitate insertion of the data storage modules  114  into enclosure  112 . To assist with a smooth, yet securing insertion process, each guide rail  180  provides a stepped upper or lower surface  185   a-d.  This type of surface structure allows each guide rail  180  to provide a thinner front portion  185   a  to be received by guide tracks  134   a-h,  and yet a thicker back portion  185   d  to secure the guide rail between guide tracks  134   a-h  when the data storage module  114  is locked into position. Typically, guide rails  180  are constructed of a relatively soft material such as a polymeric resin. Such a material will dampen shocks and slide smoothly along the guide tracks  134   a-   134   h  during module insertion. 
     Before or after guide rails  180  are attached, locking mechanism  190  is secured to front plate  174 . In particular, fasteners (not shown), such as screws, are passed through an inner side of front plate  174  at holes  186  and threaded into attachment holes  210  (see FIG. 6B) of locking mechanism  190 . In addition, a data transfer element  188 , to indicate when data is being transferred between the data storage drive  160  and circuit board  130  (see FIG. 1) is attached to floor  173  of drive tray  170 , as illustrated in FIG.  5 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6A,  6 B and  7 , a detailed description of locking mechanism  190  will follow. As illustrated in the FIGS., locking mechanism  190  comprises three main components: bezel  200 , lever handle  220 , and latch  240 . Each component is constructed out of a durable polymeric material. 
     Bezel  200  has a substantially convex outer surface  202  and a substantially planar inner surface  204 . The inner surface  204  is adapted to engage the surface of front plate  174  of drive tray  170  (see FIG.  5 ), and the convex outer surface  202  is adapted to complement the inner surface  234  of lever handle  220  and latch  240 . More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, bezel  200  includes a flange  206 , a lip  208 , attachment holes  210 , an alignment cylinder  212 , lever hinges  214  and  216 , and multiple cooling vents  218 . 
     Flange  206  extends from a top side of bezel  200  to cover a portion of data storage drive  160  (see FIG. 4) and to provide a surface for an electromagnetic shield (not shown) to be attached between front plate  174  and bezel  200 , if desired. Lip  208 , as will be discussed in more detail below, enables the user to guide their fingers along bezel  200  so that latch  240  can be easily moved to unlock data storage module  114  from enclosure  112 . Attachment holes  210  align with holes  186  on front plate  174  (see FIG. 5) to receive the necessary screws, and alignment cylinder  212  compliments hole  187  on front plate  174  to help align bezel  200  onto front plate  174 . Lever hinges  214  and  216  are positioned at a pivotal end of outer bezel surface  202 , laterally spaced from lip  208 . Lastly, multiple cooling vents  218  allow air to pass to/from data storage drive  160  and enclosure  112  through front drive tray plate  174 , bezel  200  and lever handle  220  from/to an area outside of the data storage system. In addition, as will be described in more detail below, multiple cooling vents  218  allow for latch  240  to pivot and lock onto a portion of bezel  200  when data storage module  114  is firmly positioned within enclosure  112  (see FIG.  2 ). 
     Lever handle  220  connects to bezel  200  by positioning lever hinges  222  between complementary bezel hinges  214  and  216 . Likewise, latch  240  connects to lever  220  by positioning latch hinges  242  and  244  between complementary lever handle hinges  228  and  230 . Next pin  237  is positioned through the receiving holes of hinges  222 ,  214 ,  216  to create a pivot point about which lever handle  220  can angularly pivot, and pin  219  is positioned through the receiving holes of hinges  228 ,  230 ,  242 ,  244  to create a pivot point about which latch  240  can angularly pivot. 
     The pivotal limits of lever handle  220  can be generally defined by the travel of arm  224  along an arcuate groove  226 , whereas the pivotal limits of latch  240  can be generally defined by a tension spring  246  positioned between hinges  230  and  242 . In particular, lever  220  reaches a fully extended position (see FIGS. 2 or  8 A) when a hole  228  of arm  224  is filled by a cylinder  229  of bezel  200  and the pivotal end of lever handle  220  contacts bezel  200 . In contrast, lever handle  220  is in a locked or compressed position (see FIGS. 3-6B and  8 C) when the inner contour  234  of lever  220  contacts the complimentary outer contour  202  of bezel  200 . Latch  240  is in an extended position when spring  246  is fully extended and latch hook  248  is position perpendicular to lever handle  220  (see FIGS.  2  and  8 A). In contrast, latch  240  is in a fully compressed position when spring  246  compresses to such that a portion of latch  240  retracts within an air inlet  238  of lever handle  220 . 
     The skilled artisan should appreciate that lever handle of the present invention presents advantages not realized in conventional systems. First, the lever handle permits the user to obtain a firm control over data storage module  114 . This is particularly important when the data storage module contains a latest generation disk drive, wherein the platters within the drive may still spin for 20 to 40 seconds after its removal from a bay slot (e.g., hot swap) and therefore is creating gyroscopic forces which could cause the user to lose their grip of the module. Second, the lever handle provides the user with a way to carry data storage module  114  without having to touch disk drive  160  or drive tray  170 . This feature is important since disk device  160  may be hot when first removed from enclosure  112  or may have stored electrostatic charges, either of which could cause the user to drop the data storage module. 
     As suggested earlier, lever handle  220  includes a plurality of air inlets  238  that are used to draw air from the atmosphere for cooling of the data storage devices  160  and enclosure  112 . This is possible since air inlets  238  of lever  220  compliment air inlets  218  of bezel  200  and air inlets  175  of drive tray  170 . The above structure provides the most effective means to allow air to transfer from the atmosphere outside of the module enclosure since all inlets extend across the entire surface of locking mechanism  190 . 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts should appreciate that bezel  200  could be eliminated from the data storage module if the features associated therewith where incorporated with front plate  174  of drive tray  170 . In turn, front plate  174  could be removed and bezel  200  connected directly to drive tray  170  to provide the structural features otherwise provided by front plate  174  of drive tray  170 . 
     Now that the primary structural features of the invention have been described, the insertion, locking and removal of the inventive data storage module  114  with the module enclosure  112  will follow. For this example, reference will be made to FIGS. 8A-8D. These FIGS. illustrate a side view of FIGS. 2 and 3 having the side wall  122  adjacent bay slot  128   h  removed. Consequently, the following example will be described for only bay slot  128   h.  A skilled artisan should appreciated that the same method used to insert, lock and remove a data storage module  114  in bay slot  128   h  can also be used for bay slots  128   a-   128   g  (see FIGS.  2  and  3 ). 
     When a data storage module  114  is ready for insertion into bay slot  128   h  of enclosure  112 , lever handle  220  is fully extended as illustrated in FIG.  8 A. In such a position, the user can firmly grasp data storage module  114  by allowing the inner surface  234  to rest across their fingers  260  and by wrapping their thumb  262  across the opposite outer surface  236  of lever handle  220 . With the users hand in this position, the index finger will typically be slightly wedged between lever handle  220  and bezel  200 , and the palm of the user&#39;s hand will contact the side of lever  220 . In other words, because the lever covers nearly the entire surface of the locking mechanism, a user can firmly grip the data storage module in the palm of their hand to prevent any transitional motion during a hot swap operation. 
     To insert data storage module  114  within enclosure  114 , the user first aligns front portion  185   a  of guide rails  180  between the top and bottom front guide tracks  134   h.  Next, the thinnest portion  185   a  of guide rails  180  is inserted between guide tracks  134   h  and slid forwardly into enclosure  112 . With continued pressure, central portions  185   b  and  185   c  of guide rails  180  pass smoothly along top and bottom front guide tracks  134   h  and eventually engage the top and bottom back guide tracks  136   h.  When data storage module  114  is nearly fully inserted into bay slot  128   h  as illustrated in FIG. 8B, contact is made between the leading edge of lock knob  232  and trailing edge of lock via  154 , the thickest portion  185   d  of guide rails  180  is positioned between top and bottom front guide tracks  134   h  to provide a snug fit between guide tracks  134   h,  and connector  166  of disk drive  170  is aligned with reciprocating multi-pin connector  132  of circuit board  130 . 
     At a final stage of the insertion process, the user will first remove their fingers  260  from the inner surface  234  of lever  220  and position them on the outer surface  236  of lever handle  220 . Next, the user will apply a forward pressure from their fingers  260  to rotate lever  220  in a downward or compressing direction such that the trailing edge of lock knob  232  contacts the leading edge of lock via  154 . This motion continues until hook  248  of latch  240  contacts an inner portion  265  of bezel  200 . As hook  248  contacts inner portion  265 , latch  240  rotates counter-clockwise to retract within the inner surface of lever handle  220 . At the same time, the forces exerted between lock knob  232  and the leading edge of lock via  154  moves data storage module  114  forward of the distance needed to attain initial engagement of connectors  132 ,  166 . 
     This motion continues until a portion  250  of hook  248  clears bezel portion  265  and thereby allows spring  246  of lever and latch  220 ,  240  to rotate hook  248  clockwise such that hook platform  252  wraps around bezel portion  265  as illustrated in FIG.  8 C. With hook  248  in this locked position, data storage module  114  can be contained within module enclosure  112  to reduce any shock or vibration therein. More specifically, when hook  248  is positioned to lock lever handle  220  against bezel  200 , lever knob  232  is firmly wedged against pressure plate tab  152  and against the leading edge of lock via  154  to create a vertical and horizontal pressure, respectively, between data storage module  114 , and circuit board  130 . 
     This pressure created between data storage module  190 , enclosure tabs  152 , and circuit board  130  is directly related to the pliability or thickness of circuit board  130  and pressure plate tab  152 . Consequently, with the help of the mated connectors  166  and  132  and the pressure applied to the stepped guide rail portions  185   d  by guide tracks  134   h,  the inventive system reduces, if not prevents, any motion of data storage module  114  in all directions. In particular, 
     a) Vertical and longitudinal movements of data storage module  114  relative to enclosure  112  are constrained, even with the manufacturing gap as described in the background of the invention. The circuit board or backplane  130  in the longitudinal direction and the pressure plate tabs  152  on enclosure  112  in the vertical direction provide the compliance to the mass of the data storage module  114 . The resulting system  110  works as a vibration/shock isolator. This is possible because the geometry, material, and the location of attachment of pressure plate tabs  152  are designed so that the combined system behaves like a mass-spring system with a hardening spring. A spring is called “hardening” if the incremental force required to produce a given displacement becomes increasingly greater as the spring is deformed. The advantage of using the hardening spring is that it can effectively control the large movement of the module in response to the shock and vibration imparted upon the system. 
     b) The movement of the module in the horizontal direction is damped by the Coulomb friction damping. When the module is fully inserted in enclosure  112  and lever handle  220  is closed, pressure plate tabs  152  on enclosure  112  develops compressive forces against the lock knob  232  of the lever handle  220 . A force, known as Coulomb friction, is generated in opposing directions of the movement of the module and attenuates the vibrations that were resulted from shock and movement imparted upon the system. 
     c) Since the horizontal axis of the module is parallel with those of the disk stack spindle and the rotary actuator of a typical modem disk drive, the rotational constraint of the module about this axis is critical for prevention of rotational vibration of the disk drives in a data storage system. When the module is in the fully inserted position, the strategically located pivotal end of the lever is subjected to the compressive forces generated by pressure plate tabs  152  of enclosure  112  and the movement of data storage module  114  in the vertical direction is compliantly constrained without a gap. This compliance makes the boundary condition of the front end of the module similar to that of the rear end, therefore making the module less responsive to either self-generated or externally applied rotational vibration excitations. 
     d) Rotational movements of data storage module  114  relative to enclosure  112  about its vertical and longitudinal axes are damped through the friction developed between pressure plate tabs  152  on enclosure  112 , lock knob  232  of lever handle  220 , leading edge of lock via  154  and bay slot. Damping rotational vibrations about these axes will reduce the risk of performance degradation due to the gyroscopic effect of the rotational vibrations imparted upon the high rotational speed disk drives. 
     Consequently, these points of pressure allow the data storage module of the present invention to reduce any vibration or motion within the manufacturing gap created by an internal or external force associate to the system in all translational directions. 
     The smooth motion used to insert data storage module  114  is transparent with the process for removing the same. In particular, FIG. 8D illustrates how the user can remove data storage module  114  by first positioning their fingers  160  between bezel lip  208  and lever latch  240 . With a small smooth pressure against latch  240 , spring  246  (see FIG. 7) will compress to allow latch  240  to rotate counter-clockwise and thereby release hook  248  from bezel portion  265 . At this stage of the process, the user will allow the pressure created by circuit board  130  to push data storage module slightly out of module enclosure  114  while they begin to lift lever  220  in an upward or extended rotation. 
     The rotation of lever handle  220  forces the leading edge of lock knob  232  against the leading edge of lock via  154  of enclosure  112  to slide data storage module  114  outwardly from its bay slot  128   h  and disengage connectors  132 ,  166  within enclosure  112 . Once lever  220  has reached an extended position as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the user will position their hand around lever  220  to obtain a firm grip for removal as used for insertion. As described earlier, this firm grip will allow the leverage the user will need to prevent any gyroscopic motion that may occur during a hot swap and/or any translational motion created by the weight of the data storage module  114  once it is removed from module enclosure  112  as illustrated in FIG.  8 A. 
     The above process allows a data storage module  114  to be quickly and easily electrically connected to circuit board  130  of the module enclosure  112 . In turn, the process for doing the same requires a relatively small continuous force to provide a smooth locking and unlocking motion so that no jolting motions or excessive pressure has to be used that might otherwise destroy or damage the disk drive memory or circuit board. Once latched, data storage module  114  is held tightly in place to provide a hard mount within module enclosure  112 . This hard mounting greatly attenuates the rotational vibrations created by the spinning platters and helps to prevent rotational vibration problems between the individual platters. 
     In summary, the present inventive modular data storage system provides a data storage module that can interact with an enclosure to create multiple pressure points within the system such that the negative effects of manufacturing gaps for a conventional system can be reduced, if not eliminated. In addition, the present invention provides a reliable, cost efficient and effective way to reduce translational motion within a conventional data storage system.