Release mechanism with pre-travel

An assembly can include a base with a hinge axis, a hinge end, an opposing end, a latch surface disposed intermediate the hinge end and the opposing end, a latch with a prong and an actuation surface, and a button seat disposed intermediate the latch surface and the opposing end where the button seat includes a button stop; a spring; and a button configured for translation in the button seat where the button includes a retainer and a latch contacting surface extending outwardly away from a back side where, for an un-depressed orientation, the spring biases the retainer against the button stop to maintain a gap between the latch contacting surface and the actuation surface of the latch. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to technology for a media drive assembly configured, for example, for installation in a server unit.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

BACKGROUND

Conventional server units include bays for installation of media drives such as hard disk drives (HDDs). Such media drives are usually carried in an assembly that allows for installation and removal of a media drive. Often, such an assembly includes a handle with a release button that, when depressed, causes release of the handle, which may swing out away from a unit (e.g., consider a server unit in a server rack or tower). Accidental or otherwise unintended release of “touchy” buttons can occur during shipping of a media drive assembly, while a media drive assembly is stored, while a media drive is installed in a unit, etc. As described herein, various arrangements provide for reducing or otherwise minimizing accidental or otherwise unintended release of a handle of a media drive assembly.

SUMMARY

An assembly can include a base with a hinge axis, a hinge end, an opposing end, a latch surface disposed intermediate the hinge end and the opposing end, a latch with a prong and an actuation surface, and a button seat disposed intermediate the latch surface and the opposing end where the button seat includes a button stop; a spring; and a button configured for translation in the button seat where the button includes a retainer and a latch contacting surface extending outwardly away from a back side where, for an un-depressed orientation, the spring biases the retainer against the button stop to maintain a gap between the latch contacting surface and the actuation surface of the latch. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description includes the best mode presently contemplated for practicing the described implementations. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but rather is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the implementations. The scope of the invention should be ascertained with reference to the issued claims.

FIG. 1shows an individual at a control station101where the control station101may operate in conjunction with one or more modules such as one or more of the monitoring and control modules103. In the example ofFIG. 1, the modules103include a power module, a thermal module, a network module, a compute module and a hardware module. The modules103may be configured to monitor and control a group of servers105, which may be arranged in rack towers107. For example, each of the rack towers107may include one or more server unit110. Each server unit110may include one or more processing cores112, memory114, one or more interfaces116and one or more media drives120. As an example, each server unit110may be configured to access information stored in a media drive120, transfer accessed information to memory114, perform computational operations on information in memory114and communicate results from computational operations via an interface116(e.g., a network interface). As another example, each server unit110may be configured to receive information via an interface116, transfer such information to memory114and store such information in a media drive120. As described herein, each server unit110may be configured according to one or more of the foregoing examples or additionally or alternatively according to one or more other manners of operation. Further, as described herein, a server unit includes a server chassis, for example, configured from materials such as metal, plastic, etc., for seating various components.

FIG. 1also shows a computer room air conditioning (CRAC) unit109. The CRAC unit109is typically a device that monitors and maintains temperature, air distribution and humidity in a network room or data center. In the example ofFIG. 1, the CRAC unit109may be controlled, monitored, etc., via the one or more modules103(e.g., via the control station101). Mainframes and racks of servers can get as hot as a seven-foot tower of powered toaster ovens, so climate control is an important part of a data center's infrastructure. There are a variety of ways that a CRAC unit can be situated. As an example, a CRAC unit setup can process cooling air and dispense the cooling air (e.g., through an elevated floor). In such an example, cold air flows through the racks (e.g. from “cold aisles”) where it picks up heat before exiting from the rear of the racks (e.g., to “hot aisles”) and returns to the CRAC unit intake(s). CRAC units in a data center can consume a large fraction of total operational energy. For example, CRAC units may consume 25% or more of the total electricity used by a data center.

FIG. 1shows two examples of server units111and113. The server units111and113have substantially rectangular faces configured with bays that seat one or more media drives. As described herein, a bay may refer to an opening defined by at least two walls, which may be configured to receive one or more media drives (e.g., in media drive trays). Each position in a bay configured to receive more than one media drive may be referred to as a media drive bay. Server units such as the units111and113may be stackable in the towers107of the group105. The example server unit111includes four horizontally oriented bays that seat four media drives121-1,121-2,121-3and121-4. The example server unit113includes a large bay configured with eight vertically oriented media drive bays that seat eight media drives123-1,123-2,123-3,123-4,123-5,123-6,123-7and123-8. The server unit113also includes a flush, vented cover117that covers an additional unused bay, which upon removal of the cover may optionally seat up to eight additional media drives. As described herein, a media drive may be a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive, an optical drive or other type of media drive. A HDD may be a standard 2.5 inch drive, a standard 3.5 inch drive or another drive.

Where media drives generate heat, heat is transfer to a cooling fluid (e.g., air), which causes the fluid to rise from an inlet temperature Tinto an outlet temperature Tout. Referring to the examples ofFIG. 1, the server unit111allows for flow around each media drive121-1,121-2,121-3and121-4as seated in their respective bays. In the server unit113, heat may be transferred from a media drive (see, e.g.,123-1to123-8) to cooling fluid flowing in a gap between adjacent media drives or between a media drive and a wall component of a bay. Heat transfer may be characterized at least in part by the equation: ΔQ/Δt=hplateA(Tplate−Tin). In this equation, the flux of energy (ΔQ/Δt) is equal to the heat transfer coefficient for a plate (hplate), the area of the plate (A) and the temperature difference between the plate and the cooling fluid (Tplate−Tin). For such an equation, a plate may be a surface of a media drive or other component of a server unit. Heat transfer may optionally be characterized by Reynolds number (ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces), Prandtl number (ratio of kinematic viscosity and thermal diffusivity), Nusselt number (ratio of convective to conductive heat transfer across a surface) or Grashof number (ratio of the buoyancy to viscous force acting on a fluid).

As described herein, velocity of cooling fluid can be important for effective cooling and managing energy costs. In particular, axial velocities (e.g., z direction into a bay) of fluid flowing adjacent a media drive seated in a media drive assembly can be important. As described herein, a media drive assembly can act to increase heat transfer coefficient (hplate), compared to a conventional media drive assembly. Heat transfer depends on various factors. Where obstructions to flow exist, flow is impeded, which diminishes momentum and typically velocity (e.g., for constant cross-sectional flow area). Accordingly, as described herein, various media drive assembly components can allow for a more unimpeded flow and enhancement of flux of energy from a media drive to a cooling fluid.

As described herein, various keyed components can ensure that media drive assemblies are installed properly into a bay or bays. For example, for the server unit113, the media drives123-1to123-8are seated in a relatively uniform manner whereby clearances and heat generation and transfer patterns may be fairly well-known or otherwise understood a priori. More specifically, where conventional components allow for more than one orientation of a media drive in a bay, the selected orientation may not correspond to the most favorable orientation for purposes of heat transfer (e.g., for cooling). Indeed, one side of a media drive may get hotter than another side and where multiple orientations are possible, an operator may install two hot sides adjacent each other. Such situations can give rise to local temperature control issues, which may compromise operation (e.g., increase risk of failure, decrease longevity, etc.). Accordingly, as described herein, keyed components, optionally in combination with other components or features, can act to decrease uncertainty as to cooling and promote operational certainty.

FIG. 1shows an example of a method130that includes an alert block132, a retrieval block134, a locate block136and a replace block138. For example, a monitoring module may detect failure of a component in the group105and, per the alert block132, issue an alert. As described herein, an alert may include lighting a diode associated with the failed component. For example, each tower in a server group (or server farm) may include a series of diodes where an alert causes emission of light from a diode where the light is transmitted via a light pipe (or guide) to a face of a server unit (see, e.g., end of light pipe115as associated with the server unit110). Per the method130, a retrieval block134calls for retrieval of a replacement component, which may be a manual or automated (e.g., robotic) process. Per the locate block136, the failed component is located, for example, by an operator that may visually inspect the towers and associated server units to locate the particular, failed component. Again, in the example ofFIG. 1, the light pipe end115facilitates visual location of a failed component. Once located, per the replace block138, an operator may remove the failed component and replace it with the retrieved replacement component.

In general, the method130should be performed in a timely and accurate manner. As described herein, a server unit may include a substantially flush face such that visual inspection of a tower or group of towers readily reveals a status indicator (e.g., diode, end of light pipe, etc.). For example, the server unit111or the server unit113may be configured with a substantially flush face to avoid blocking emission of light from a status indicator and to allow for viewing of a status indicator from wide angles and many lines of sight. For example, the server unit113includes the media drive123-6with a status indicator125that can emit light in wide angle cone, substantially free from interference from other features of the server unit113. As described herein, keyed components (e.g., of a bay, a tray, a bay and tray, etc.) that promote uniformity can also decrease visual complexity and allow for an enhanced visual environment that facilitates locating and replacing troubled components.

Referring to the example server units111and113, visual uniformity is enhanced by providing media drive assemblies with vented handles where the vents have a pattern that matches other vent patterns of the server units111and113. For example, the server units111and113include rectangular air flow passages over various portions of their faces, including the handles of the media drive assemblies121-1,121-2and121-3as well was123-1to123-8. Accordingly, when a status light is illuminated, the reduced visual complexity of the vents actually enhances a user's ability to locate the illuminated status light. Further, where the server units111and113are provided in a dark finish (e.g., black finish), contrast between a face of a server unit and an illuminated status light is enhanced. As mentioned, keyed components can act to ensure that handles face the same direction, which can reduce confusion and expedite replacement of a media drive (e.g., a media drive of a media drive assembly seated in a bay).

FIG. 2shows views of some examples of bays210and260and a bay component270. The bay210is configured to accommodate eight media drives oriented vertically (e.g., eight individual media drive bays) and the bay260is configured to accommodate two media drives oriented horizontally between an end wall and an interior wall, two interior walls or two end walls (e.g., two individual media drive bays). The bay component270is formed from two plates271and273, bent to form a base272, and an end cover275(e.g., formed by a 180 degree bend of the plate273) where each of the plates271and273is configured to abut an edge of a rail attached to a media drive along one or more punch-out portions or protrusions277and279that extend outwardly from respective plates271and273. As described herein, by bending the plate273by 180 degrees, the end thickness is doubled, which provides for additional integrity to a surface274. As described herein, the surface274can be leveraged by an end of a handle to translate a media drive assembly (e.g., to extract a media drive assembly from a bay).

Referring to the bay210, for each media drive slot, a first front facing surface212steps to a shoulder with a recessed, second front facing surface214. The recessed front facing surface214of the shoulder rises to a flat surface which extends inwardly in the bay to a stop surface216, which may be, for example, an edge of an opening218. As described herein, for the bay210, the surface212may be a surface of a bezel component211while the recessed surface214and the stop216may be surfaces of a bay component213that abuts the bezel component211. The bay component213includes protrusions217that separate and define slots where the protrusions217are configured to abut at least one edge of a rail attached to a media drive (e.g., one edge of one rail of a media drive and one edge of another rail of another media drive). As described herein, each of the protrusions217and each of the openings218may optionally be formed by punching a piece of sheet metal. In the example ofFIG. 2, a top side of the bay210includes a series of nubs219that separate and define slots where the series of nubs219are configured to abut at least one edge of a rail attached to a media drive (e.g., one edge of one rail of a media drive and one edge of another rail of another media drive).

Referring to the bay260, a first front facing surface262steps to a shoulder with a recessed, second front facing surface264. The recessed front facing surface264traverses to a curved surface that extends inwardly to a stop266, which may be, for example, an edge of an opening268. As mentioned, the bay260is configured to receive two media drives, stacked and oriented horizontally. The bay260includes sets of protrusions267on one side and sets of protrusions269on another side. For example, a lower set of protrusions provide for alignment of an upper edge of a rail attached to a first media drive seated in a lower slot (e.g., a lower individual media drive bay) as well as alignment of a lower edge of another rail attached to a second media drive seated in an upper slot (e.g., an upper individual media drive bay) while an upper set of protrusions provide for alignment of a lower edge of the rail attached to the second media drive seated in the upper slot.

Various features of the bay component270appear correspondingly in the bay260. For example, the surface274corresponds to the recessed surface264, the stop276corresponds to the stop266, and the opening278corresponds to the opening268. Noting that the bay260includes one set of features for each slot. As shown in the example ofFIG. 2, by folding an end of the plate273180 degrees, the thickness is doubled and the stop276may be formed or strengthened. As described herein, such a fold (or bend) can provide for the surface274and the stop276, with sufficient integrity to lock a media drive assembly in a bay (i.e., via the stop276) and to extract a media drive assembly from a bay (i.e., via the surface274), for example, to translate the media drive assembly a distance that decouples a connector.

FIG. 3shows various views of an example of a tray300with rails320and330configured for attachment to a media drive. In the example ofFIG. 3, the tray300includes a front plate310with a front surface311and a back surface313. As shown, the rails320and330extend outwardly from the back surface311perpendicular to a plane defined by the front plate310. The front plate310includes opposing sides312and314, a top edge316and a bottom edge318. The front plate310includes features315-1and315-2for attachment to a handle unit (e.g., to facilitate installation and removal of a media drive from a bay). The front plate310also includes passages317for flow of air, for example, for cooling a media drive secured in the tray310and seated in a bay.

In the example ofFIG. 3, the rails320and330are different. Specifically, one rail has a different configuration than the other rail; accordingly, the rails are asymmetric (i.e., not merely right hand/left hand mirror images). As shown, the rail320is larger with a greater height than the rail330. Further, the rail320includes at least one light guide325and327(e.g., for transmitting light signals as to status of a media drive, etc.). The rail320has a free end322, a bay side surface321, a media drive side surface323, a lower edge326and an upper edge328. In the example ofFIG. 3, the rail320includes attachment features324-1and324-2as well as openings329-1and329-2.

As shown, the rail330is smaller with a smaller height than the rail320. The rail330has a free end332, a bay side surface331, a media drive side surface333, a lower edge336and an upper edge338. In the example ofFIG. 3, the rail330includes attachment features334-1and334-2as well as openings339-1and339-2.

As described herein, various arrangements of components as assemblies can avoid accidental or otherwise unintended release of a handle from a base while providing relatively straightforward intended release. For example, current Hard Disk Drive (HDD) assemblies often have a release button that is either recessed, located behind handle, or with a protruding rim to avoid activation; all of these solutions are physical obstacles preventing the user from releasing the handle. By prohibiting the user from accessing the release button, current servers run the risk of user error due to not being able to release the HDD tray handle easily, resulting in the user damaging themselves or the unit. As described herein, in various examples, a release button for a HDD handle includes a pre-travel gap that acts to prevent accidental release of a handle. Accidental release of the handle can cause damage to the HDD tray by the user, while in transportation, or in a manufacturing setting. A pre-travel gap can be a quantified amount of movement engineered into a release button assembly mechanism before a latch releases a handle. In such an example, a user is able to push the button and release the handle but only after first overcoming the determined amount of movement (e.g., a pre-travel distance or gap).

FIG. 4shows an example of a handle unit440, which is an assembly of various components. In the example ofFIG. 4, the handle unit440includes a base450, a handle460, a button470and a latch490. As shown, the base450includes a button seat480for seating the button470, which upon depression a certain distance, contacts the latch490for release of a swing end462of the handle460such that the handle460can rotate with respect to the base450about a hinge axis442. InFIG. 4, a dashed line indicates the position of the hinge axis442and another dashed line indicates the position of a latch pivot axis448, either along the axis or at the end of the axis. As described herein, an axis may be defined by a pin, pins or other component(s), for example, the assembly440may include a hinge pin along the hinge axis442and a latch pin along the pivot axis448.

The base450include a front side451, a back side453, a hinge end452and an opposing end454, which may be configured as a flat end. Disposed intermediate the hinge end452and the end454is a latch surface457, which is set at an angle. In the example ofFIG. 4, the base450also includes light guides445and447, which may cooperate with the light guides325and327of the tray300ofFIG. 3.

The button seat480defined by the base450is disposed intermediate the latch surface457and the end454. The button seat480includes an opening481, a pair of retainer openings or sockets483(e.g., of different widths), a retainer surface485(e.g., a button stop), a top latch side482, an opposing side484, an upper side486and a lower side488.

In the example ofFIG. 4, the button470includes a pair of long edges472and474, a pair of short edges476and478, a front side479and a beveled edge477disposed between the long edge472and the front side479. Extending from a back side, the button470includes a stem471, a pair of retainers473(e.g., of different widths), and a latch contacting surface475.

In the example ofFIG. 4, the latch490includes a shaft portion491, an actuation surface495, a prong497and an edge499with a cut-out (e.g., semi-circular in shape) to accommodate the button470as seated in the button seat480with a spring446(e.g., consider a cylindrical coil spring). As indicated inFIG. 4, the latch490can rotate about its shaft portion491, for example, responsive to contact with the handle460or contact with the latch contacting surface475of the button470. In the example ofFIG. 4, sockets441and443are provided for receipt of respective ends of the latch490and for pivoting of the latch490about the pivot axis448. In the example ofFIG. 4, a spring449acts to bias the latch490in a counter-clockwise direction with respect to the base450about the pivot axis448(e.g., optionally defined by a pin or other feature or features).

In the example ofFIG. 4, the handle460is shown as including a front side461and a back side463, disposed between a hinge end462and the swing end464. Further, the handle460includes a surface467(e.g., a latching surface which may be part of a column) that cooperates with the prong497of the latch490to maintain the handle460in a closed orientation with respect to the base450. The handle460also includes an optional locking tab465, which may be configured to cooperate with a stop of a bay (see, e.g., the stops216,266and276ofFIG. 2) to lock an assembly in a bay.

As described herein, an assembly can include a base with a front side, a back side, a hinge axis, a hinge end, an opposing end, a latch surface disposed intermediate the hinge end and the opposing end, a latch that includes a prong and an actuation surface, and a button seat disposed intermediate the latch surface and the opposing end where the button seat includes a button stop; a spring; and a button configured for translation in the button seat where the button includes a front side, a back side, a retainer, and a latch contacting surface extending outwardly away from the back side where, for an un-depressed orientation, the spring biases the retainer against the button stop to maintain a gap between the latch contacting surface and the actuation surface of the latch. As described herein, the gap is, at times, referred to herein as a “pre-travel” gap. Referring toFIG. 4, the button470may be depressed a pre-travel distance without affecting the latch490; thus, maintaining the handle460in a closed or locked orientation with respect to the base450.

As described herein, the handle460is configurable in a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation with respect to the base450where the locked orientation corresponds to a locked angle of rotation of the handle460about the hinge axis442having an end of the locking tab465rotated outwardly away from the hinge end452of the base450, the swing end464of the handle460rotated inwardly toward the base450and the hinge end of the base452extending outwardly beyond the hinge end462of the handle460and where the unlocked orientation corresponds to an unlocked angle of rotation of the handle460about the hinge axis442having an end of the locking tab452rotated inwardly toward the hinge end452of the base450, the swing end464of the handle460rotated outwardly away from the base450and the hinge end462of the handle460extending outwardly beyond the hinge end452of the base450.

FIG. 4shows distances a, b and c, which correspond to dimensions measured from the hinge axis442to the hinge end462of the handle460(“a”), the hinge axis442to an end of the locking tab465(“b”) and from the hinge axis442to the hinge end of the base452(“c”). Accordingly, in the locked orientation, the hinge end452of the base450extends outwardly beyond the hinge end462of the handle460(i.e., c>a). Such an arrangement allows for the hinge end462of the handle460to contact a recessed surface (see, e.g., surfaces214,264or274) of a bay component and allow the handle460to be flush with a surface of a server rack or unit (see, e.g., surfaces212or262).

Also shown in the example ofFIG. 4, the locking tab465is positioned along an upper half of the assembly440and opposite the side with one or more status indicators445and447(see, e.g., light guides325and327ofFIG. 3). Such an arrangement of features allows for the smaller rail330(e.g., without the light guides) to be positioned below the surface274of the bay component270(e.g., aligned per the protrusion277) where the surface274can be curved inwardly towards the bay and available as a contact point for leverage by a biasing surface of the hinge end462of the handle460. As shown in the bay260ofFIG. 2, a bay component may include one such surface per slot, which, upon assembly of a bay, becomes a recessed surface (e.g., in comparison to the surface262).

In the example ofFIG. 4, a spring444biases the handle460about the hinge axis442with respect to the base450. Accordingly, upon release of the swing end464, the spring444causes the swing end464of the handle460to swing outwardly, rotating about the hinge axis442such that the hinge end462rotates inwardly and the locking tab465rotates inwardly to a chamber455at the hinge end452of the base450.

FIG. 5shows various perspective views of an example of an assembly520that includes a media drive530. The assembly520includes the tray300and the handle unit440. In the example ofFIG. 5, the rail330, which has a smaller height (e.g., along a y dimension) compared to the rail320, is attached to a side of the media drive530that corresponds to the hinge end462of the handle460, as well as the locking tab465.

In the example ofFIG. 5, the media drive530is shown as having a back side connector or connectors536configured for connecting the media drive530to a power source, information bus, etc. In the example ofFIG. 5, the connector536has a depth dimension (Δz), which represents a sliding distance, for example, between two components from being in contact with each other to fully connected or from fully connected to being disconnected from each other.

As described herein, a server unit or chassis can include one of more types of bays for receipt of one or more types of media drives where each drive is carried in a tray with a handle unit, sometimes referred to as a caddy. Such media drives may optionally be of a so-called “small form factor” (SFF), for example, consider the SFF 3.5 inch or SFF 2.5 inch standards, which are common for hard disk drives (HDDs).

A perspective front side view of the assembly520shows flush alignment of the base450, the handle460and the button470(e.g., for a closed or locked orientation of handle460with respect to the base450). Two perspective views of the assembly520show an open or unlocked orientation of the handle460with respect to the base450. Also shown is the latch surface457of the base450and the prong497of the latch490.

FIG. 6shows a series of three cross-sectional views of the handle unit440along with a block diagram of an example of a method650. The three cross-sectional views illustrate an un-depressed state602, a depressed pre-travel state604and a depressed more than pre-travel state606of the button470with respect to the base450.

For the un-depressed state602, the button470is shown as having a length ΔZ-B defined between the front side479and an end of the stem471. In the depressed pre-travel state604, the button470is shown as having been translated in the button seat480a pre-travel distance ΔZ-PT that closes the pre-travel gap between the latch contacting surface475of the button470and the actuation surface495of the latch490. In other words, for the depressed pre-travel state604, the latch contacting surface475is brought merely into contact with the actuation surface495. In the depressed more than pre-travel state606, the button470is shown as having been translated in the button seat480more than the pre-travel distance ΔZ-PT and to a release distance ΔZ-R. As indicated, for the state606, the latch490rotates in a clockwise direction about its pivot axis such that the prong492moves away from the surface467to allow for release of the swing end494of the handle460.

In the example ofFIG. 6, the method650includes a provision block652for providing an assembly, a provision block654for providing a pre-travel gap in the assembly and a depression block656for depressing a button without releasing a handle (i.e., to maintain the assembly in a locked orientation of a handle with respect to a base).

As described herein, a method can include providing an assembly having a handle, a base, a button and a latch where the button is configured to actuate the latch to unlock the handle and allow for rotation of the handle with respect to the base about a hinge axis; and providing a gap between a latch contacting surface of the button and an actuation surface of the latch where the gap is configured to allow for depression of the button without unlocking of the handle. In such a method, providing an assembly can include providing the assembly in a locked orientation defined by a prong of the latch contacting a latching surface of the handle. As described herein, providing an assembly can include providing a face of a button aligned with a face of a handle.

As mentioned, conventional server units include bays for installation of media drives such as hard disk drives (HDDs). Such media drives are usually carried in an assembly that allows for installation and removal of a media drive. Often, such an assembly includes a handle with a release button that, when depressed, causes release of the handle, which may swing out away from a unit (e.g., consider a server unit in a rack or tower). As described herein, various arrangements provide for reducing or otherwise minimizing accidental or otherwise unintended release of a handle of a media drive assembly, which may occur, for example, during shipping of a media drive assembly, while a media drive assembly is stored, while a media drive is installed in a unit, etc. As described herein, a method that provides an assembly with a pre-travel gap (see, e.g., the assembly440ofFIG. 4or the media drive assembly520ofFIG. 5) may include shipping, storing, installing, operating, etc. with reduced risk of accidental or otherwise unintended release of a handle of the assembly.

FIG. 7shows a cross-sectional view of an example of an assembly700. In the example ofFIG. 7, the assembly700includes a tray730, a base750, a handle760, a button770seated in a button seat780, and a latch790. In the view ofFIG. 7, the assembly700is also shown as including one or more light guides745and747, which may transmit a light signal (e.g., status signal) to a face of the assembly700.

In the example ofFIG. 7, the assembly700includes a pre-travel gap ΔZ-PT, which is a distance that the button770may be depressed in the button seat780without actuating the latch790. More specifically, the pre-travel gap ΔZ-PT is defined as existing between a latch contacting surface775of the button770and an actuation surface795of the latch790. In the illustrated resting state of the assembly700, a front surface of the base750, a front surface of the handle760and a front surface of the button770may be aligned (e.g., across the x-dimension with respect to a z-coordinate). In the example ofFIG. 7, a maximum travel distance ΔZ-Max is defined between a surface of the button770and a surface of the base750. As described herein, by depressing a button a maximum travel distance, a latch is actuated to unlatch a handle. Further, a pre-travel distance is a fraction of the maximum travel distance. In various examples, a pre-travel distance may be about 50% or less of a maximum travel distance. In general, a greater pre-travel distance (e.g. in absolute terms) reduces the less risk of unintended release of a locked handle.

As described herein, an assembly can include one or more processors configured to execute instructions stored in memory; memory configured to store processor-executable instructions; a media drive configured to store information and to respond to instructions executed by at least one of the one or more processors; and a subassembly configured to carry the media drive. In such an example the subassembly can include a base attached to the media drive where the base has a front side, a back side, a hinge axis, a hinge end, an opposing end, a latch surface disposed intermediate the hinge end and the opposing end, a latch with a prong and an actuation surface, and a button seat disposed intermediate the latch surface and the opposing end where the button seat comprises a button stop; a handle configured for rotation about the hinge axis where the handle has a front side, a back side, a hinge end and a swing end, the swing end configured for receipt of the prong of the latch; and a spring-biased button configured for translation in the button seat where the button has a front side, a back side, a retainer, and a latch contacting surface extending outwardly away from the back side where spring-bias sits the retainer of the button against the button stop to form a pre-travel gap between the latch contacting surface and the actuation surface of the latch. In such an example, the front side of the handle and the front side of the button may align to form a substantially flush-faced assembly (e.g., in a closed or locked orientation). As described herein, a spring-biased button can include a stem and a coil spring disposed about the stem and where a button seat includes a bore (e.g., an opening) configured for receipt of the stem and a surrounding surface configured to seat an end of the coil spring (see, e.g., the surface489ofFIG. 4or the surface789ofFIG. 7).

As described herein, an assembly can include a spring that biases a retainer of a button against a button stop to align a front side of the button and a front side of a base. As described herein, an assembly can include a handle configured for rotation about a hinge axis where the handle includes a front side, a back side, a hinge end and a swing end where the swing end is configured for receipt of a prong of a latch disposed, at least partially, in a base. In such an example, a spring can bias a retainer of a button against a button stop to align a front side of the button and a front side of the handle. In various examples, an assembly includes a swing end of a handle with a bevel disposed at an angle, where a button includes a bevel disposed at an approximately complimentary angle. In such arrangements, a spring may bias a retainer of a button against a button stop to dispose the bevels adjacent to each other.

As described herein, an assembly can include a latch surface of a base that includes a bevel disposed at an angle and where a button includes a bevel disposed at approximately the same angle. As described herein, a swing end of a handle can include a bevel disposed at an angle and a latch surface of a base can include a bevel disposed at an approximately complimentary angle. In such an example, a button can include a bevel disposed at approximately the same angle as the latch surface of the base. In various examples, a bevel of a swing end of a handle may be a frame that defines an opening where a latching surface adjacent the opening allows for seating of a prong of a latch to lock the handle with respect to a base.

As described herein, an assembly can include a button with a stem extending outwardly from the back side of the button where the stem defines a translation axis of the button and where, for a first orientation defined by translation of the button in the button seat an axial distance equal to the gap, a latch contacting surface of the button contacts an actuation surface of the latch. In such an example, a second orientation is defined by translation of the button in the button seat an axial distance greater than the gap where the latch contacting surface of the button contacts the actuation surface of the latch and can, upon further translation, rotate a prong of the latch away from a latch surface of the base.

As described herein, an assembly with a handle and a base can include a pre-travel gap that, for translation of a button in a button seat, avoids contact between a latch contacting surface of the button and an actuation surface of a latch (e.g., to maintain the handle in a locked orientation with respect to the base).

As described herein, an assembly can include a button with two retainers and a button seat of a base with two sockets, each socket configured for receipt of a respective one of the retainers. As described herein, a button can include a stem extending outwardly from a back side of the button and a coil spring aligned with the stem. In such an example, a button seat of a base can include a bore configured for receipt of the stem and a surface surrounding the bore for seating the coil spring.

The term “circuit” or “circuitry” may be used herein (e.g., in the summary, description, and/or claims). As is well known in the art, the term “circuitry” includes all levels of available integration, e.g., from discrete logic circuits to the highest level of circuit integration such as VLSI, and includes programmable logic components programmed to perform the functions of an embodiment as well as general-purpose or special-purpose processors programmed with instructions to perform those functions. Such circuitry may optionally rely on one or more computer-readable media that includes computer-executable instructions. As described herein, a computer-readable medium may be a storage device (e.g., a memory card, a storage disk, etc.) and referred to as a computer-readable storage medium.

While various examples of circuits or circuitry may be shown or discussed,FIG. 8depicts a block diagram of an illustrative computer system800. The system800may be a desktop computer system, such as one of the ThinkCentre® or ThinkPad® series of personal computers sold by Lenovo (US) Inc. of Morrisville, N.C., or a workstation computer, such as the ThinkStation® workstation computer sold by Lenovo (US) Inc. of Morrisville, N.C.; however, as apparent from the description herein, a satellite, a base, a server or other machine may include other features or only some of the features of the system800(e.g., consider the ThinkServer® server sold by Lenovo (US) Inc. of Morrisville, N.C.).

As shown inFIG. 8, the system800includes a so-called chipset810. A chipset refers to a group of integrated circuits, or chips, that are designed to work together. Chipsets are usually marketed as a single product (e.g., consider chipsets marketed under the brands INTEL®, AMD®, etc.).

In the example ofFIG. 8, the chipset810has a particular architecture, which may vary to some extent depending on brand or manufacturer. The architecture of the chipset810includes a core and memory control group820and an I/O controller hub850that exchange information (e.g., data, signals, commands, etc.) via, for example, a direct management interface or direct media interface (DMI)842or a link controller844. In the example ofFIG. 8, the DMI842is a chip-to-chip interface (sometimes referred to as being a link between a “northbridge” and a “southbridge”).

The core and memory control group820include one or more processors822(e.g., single core or multi-core) and a memory controller hub826that exchange information via a front side bus (FSB)824. As described herein, various components of the core and memory control group820may be integrated onto a single processor die, for example, to make a chip that supplants the conventional “northbridge” style architecture.

The memory controller hub826interfaces with memory840. For example, the memory controller hub826may provide support for DDR SDRAM memory (e.g., DDR, DDR2, DDR3, etc.). In general, the memory840is a type of random-access memory (RAM). It is often referred to as “system memory”.

The memory controller hub826further includes a low-voltage differential signaling interface (LVDS)832. The LVDS832may be a so-called LVDS Display Interface (LDI) for support of a display device892(e.g., a CRT, a flat panel, a projector, etc.). A block838includes some examples of technologies that may be supported via the LVDS interface832(e.g., serial digital video, HDMI/DVI, display port). The memory controller hub826also includes one or more PCI-express interfaces (PCI-E)834, for example, for support of discrete graphics836. Discrete graphics using a PCI-E interface has become an alternative approach to an accelerated graphics port (AGP). For example, the memory controller hub826may include a 16-lane (×16) PCI-E port for an external PCI-E-based graphics card. A system may include AGP or PCI-E for support of graphics. As described herein, a display may be a sensor display (e.g., configured for receipt of input using a stylus, a finger, etc.). As described herein, a sensor display may rely on resistive sensing, optical sensing, or other type of sensing.

The I/O hub controller850includes a variety of interfaces. The example ofFIG. 8includes a SATA interface851, one or more PCI-E interfaces852(optionally one or more legacy PCI interfaces), one or more USB interfaces853, a LAN interface854(more generally a network interface), a general purpose I/O interface (GPIO)855, a low-pin count (LPC) interface870, a power management interface861, a clock generator interface862, an audio interface863(e.g., for speakers894), a total cost of operation (TCO) interface864, a system management bus interface (e.g., a multi-master serial computer bus interface)865, and a serial peripheral flash memory/controller interface (SPI Flash)866, which, in the example ofFIG. 8, includes BIOS868and boot code890. With respect to network connections, the I/O hub controller850may include integrated gigabit Ethernet controller lines multiplexed with a PCI-E interface port. Other network features may operate independent of a PCI-E interface.

The interfaces of the I/O hub controller850provide for communication with various devices, networks, etc. For example, the SATA interface851provides for reading, writing or reading and writing information on one or more drives880such as HDDs, SDDs or a combination thereof. The I/O hub controller850may also include an advanced host controller interface (AHCI) to support one or more drives880. The PCI-E interface852allows for wireless connections882to devices, networks, etc. The USB interface853provides for input devices884such as keyboards (KB), one or more optical sensors, mice and various other devices (e.g., microphones, cameras, phones, storage, media players, etc.). On or more other types of sensors may optionally rely on the USB interface853or another interface (e.g., I2C, etc.).

In the example ofFIG. 8, the LPC interface870provides for use of one or more ASICs871, a trusted platform module (TPM)872, a super I/O873, a firmware hub874, BIOS support875as well as various types of memory876such as ROM877, Flash878, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM)879. With respect to the TPM872, this module may be in the form of a chip that can be used to authenticate software and hardware devices. For example, a TPM may be capable of performing platform authentication and may be used to verify that a system seeking access is the expected system.

The system800, upon power on, may be configured to execute boot code890for the BIOS868, as stored within the SPI Flash866, and thereafter processes data under the control of one or more operating systems and application software (e.g., stored in system memory840). An operating system may be stored in any of a variety of locations and accessed, for example, according to instructions of the BIOS868. Again, as described herein, a satellite, a base, a server or other machine may include fewer or more features than shown in the system800ofFIG. 8. Further, the system800ofFIG. 8is shown as optionally including cell phone circuitry895, which may include GSM, CDMA, etc., types of circuitry configured for coordinated operation with one or more of the other features of the system800.

CONCLUSION

Although examples of methods, devices, systems, etc., have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as examples of forms of implementing the claimed methods, devices, systems, etc.