Apparatus, system, and method for securing hard drives in a storage chassis

A drive latch apparatus may include a latch coupled to a chassis such that the latch secures a hard drive to the chassis. The apparatus may also include a handle coupled to a proximal end of the latch such that compressing the handle unlocks the latch from the chassis. In addition, the apparatus may include a drive holder coupled to a distal end of the latch such that a distal end of the drive holder bends under the hard drive to unseat the hard drive and the drive holder slides vertically from the chassis in tandem with the latch. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

Large data centers may have rooms that contain multiple specialized racks to hold various types of computing equipment. In addition, each of these racks may hold multiple pieces of computing hardware that provide storage and computing power for organizations or individuals. For example, a data center may contain racks of hard drives and servers that process data and transmit information over a network. Over time, these pieces of hardware may require maintenance and may eventually need to be replaced.

Traditionally, equipment such as hard drives may be installed in a carrier and then transferred to a drawer in a data-center rack. Installing and removing computing equipment may also require specialized tools for mounting or dismounting. For example, when a hard drive failure is detected, a technician may need to use tools to remove the carrier containing the hard drive and then use additional tools to remove the hard drive from the carrier. Technicians may also need to quickly identify the correct hard drives within a rack. This may become a tedious process when multiple hard drives need servicing. Furthermore, some data centers may use automated machines and robots to perform basic services, including installing and removing hard drives. The machines and robots may need to accurately identify hard drives and carry and use the correct tools for swapping them. For these data centers, the complexity of the process may prove to be a challenging hurdle for automation. Therefore, data centers may need improved methods to secure hard drives in racks.

SUMMARY

As will be described in greater detail below, the instant disclosure describes various apparatuses, systems, and methods for securing hard drives in a storage chassis by locking the hard drives in the chassis with an ergonomic latch that enables easy scanning of hard drive labels. In one example, a drive latch apparatus may include a latch coupled to a chassis such that the latch secures a hard drive to the chassis. The drive latch apparatus may also include a handle coupled to a proximal end of the latch such that compressing the handle unlocks the latch from the chassis. Additionally, the drive latch apparatus may include a drive holder coupled to a distal end of the latch such that a distal end of the drive holder bends under the hard drive to unseat the hard drive and the drive holder slides vertically from the chassis in tandem with the latch. In some examples, the latch may contain a window dimensioned to display a label of the hard drive.

In some embodiments, the handle may include a groove dimensioned to fit a ledge of the chassis such that the handle locks the latch. Additionally, the handle may include a sloping surface facing the chassis such that a downward pressure forces the groove to fit around the ledge of the chassis. In these embodiments, the handle may be coupled to a spring such that the spring exerts a force between the handle and the latch and compressing the handle compresses the spring.

In some examples, the distal end of the latch may be coupled to a hinge such that the latch rotates relative to the drive holder. In one example, the drive holder may be coupled to the chassis by one or more protrusions such that the drive holder slides vertically along the chassis.

In one embodiment, the drive holder may include a length of spring steel and a bend in the length of spring steel that exerts an upward force on the drive holder to unseat the hard drive as the latch is unlocked. In some embodiments, the distal end of the drive holder may exert an upward force on the hard drive as the drive holder slides upward from the chassis such that the hard drive slides in tandem with the drive holder.

According to various embodiments, a corresponding hard drive rack system may include a rack dimensioned to hold computer hardware. The hard drive rack system may also include one or more chassis coupled to the rack that contains a plurality of drive slots dimensioned to hold one or more hard drives. Furthermore, the hard drive rack system may include one or more drive latches dimensioned to secure the hard drives in the drive slots. In one embodiment, a chassis may be dimensioned to slide perpendicular to a face of the rack such that the chassis extends away from the rack to expose the plurality of drive slots.

In one example, a drive latch may include a window dimensioned to display a label of a hard drive, a handle dimensioned to unlock the drive latch from the chassis as the handle is compressed, a spring dimensioned to exert a force on the handle to a locked position, and a drive holder that includes a length of spring steel and a bend in the length of spring steel that exerts an upward force on the drive holder as the drive latch is unlocked. In this example, the handle of the drive latch may also include a groove dimensioned to fit a ledge of the chassis such that the handle locks the drive latch and a sloping surface facing the chassis such that a downward pressure forces the groove to fit around the ledge of the chassis. In some embodiments, a distal end of the drive holder may bend under the hard drive to unseat the hard drive as the drive latch is unlocked.

In one embodiment, the drive holder of the above system may be coupled to the chassis by one or more protrusions such that the drive latch slides vertically along the chassis. In this embodiment, the drive latch may slide vertically along the chassis such that the hard drive slides in tandem with the drive latch.

In addition to the various systems and apparatuses described herein, the instant disclosure presents exemplary methods for securing hard drives in a storage chassis. For example, a corresponding method may include coupling a latch to a chassis such that the latch secures a hard drive to the chassis. The method may also include coupling a handle to a proximal end of the latch such that compressing the handle unlocks the latch from the chassis. In addition, the method may include coupling a drive holder to a distal end of the latch such that a distal end of the drive holder bends under the hard drive to unseat the hard drive and the drive holder slides vertically from the chassis in tandem with the latch.

In some examples, coupling the handle to the proximal end of the latch may include coupling a spring to the handle such that the spring exerts a force between the handle and the latch. Additionally, coupling the handle to the proximal end of the latch may include coupling the spring to the handle such that compressing the handle compresses the spring.

In some embodiments, the handle of the above method may include a groove dimensioned to fit a ledge of the chassis such that the handle locks the latch. Additionally, the handle of the above method may also include a sloping surface facing the chassis such that a downward pressure forces the groove to fit around the ledge of the chassis.

In one example, coupling the drive holder to the distal end of the latch may include coupling a hinge to the distal end of the latch such that the latch rotates relative to the drive holder. In one embodiment, the above method may further include coupling the drive holder to the chassis such that the drive holder slides vertically along the chassis and the distal end of the drive holder exerts an upward force on the hard drive as the drive holder slides upward from the chassis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure describes and illustrates various apparatuses, systems, and methods for securing hard drives in a storage chassis. As will be explained in greater detail below, embodiments of the instant disclosure may improve the installation, removal, and/or selection of hard drives via an ergonomic latch. The latch may improve installation and/or removal of hard drives with a simple motion. For example, a spring steel drive holder may automatically unseat a hard drive when the latch is opened. The latch may also include a window for displaying a hard drive label to enable scanning. Additionally, such a system may be implemented in a chassis that is fitted for data-center racks. Thus, the embodiments described herein may provide carrier-less and tool-less swapping of hard drives.

The following will provide, with reference toFIGS. 1-3, detailed descriptions of a drive latch apparatus that secures hard drives. In addition, the discussion associated withFIG. 4will provide detailed descriptions of a handle used to lock and unlock the drive latch apparatus. The discussion associated withFIGS. 5-6will provide examples of a chassis that holds hard drives using drive latches. Additionally, the discussion associated withFIG. 7will provide an example of a hard drive rack system that implements the drive latch apparatuses. Finally, the discussion corresponding toFIG. 8will provide example methods for manufacturing, assembling, configuring, and/or using the drive latch apparatuses presented herein.

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of a drive latch apparatus100dimensioned to secure hard drives in a closed position. In some examples, drive latch apparatus100may include a latch102coupled to a chassis such that latch102secures a hard drive to the chassis. As used herein, the term “hard drive” generally refers to a hardware medium that stores and/or processes data, typically using magnetic storage methods. The term “chassis,” as used herein, generally refers to a base structure or framework that fits into a rack, such as in a drawer-like fashion, to house or support computing equipment. The term “rack,” as used herein, generally refers to a physical framework designed to house electronic and/or computing equipment, such as servers and/or storage media.

In the above examples, drive latch apparatus100may also include a handle104coupled to a proximal end of latch102such that compressing handle104unlocks latch102from the chassis. Drive latch apparatus100may further include a drive holder106coupled to a distal end of latch102such that a distal end108of drive holder106bends under the hard drive to unseat the hard drive and drive holder106slides vertically from the chassis in tandem with latch102.

In one embodiment, latch102may contain a window110dimensioned to display a label of the hard drive. In this embodiment, window110may represent an open portion of latch102or a transparent (e.g., transparent or semi-transparent plastic or glass) portion of latch102that permits viewing the label. Furthermore, window110may permit manual reading and/or automated scanning of the label.

In one example, handle104may include a groove112dimensioned to fit a ledge of the chassis such that handle104locks latch102and, therefore, locks drive latch apparatus100. Additionally, handle104may include a sloping surface114facing downward toward the chassis such that a downward pressure forces groove112to fit around the ledge of the chassis.

In some embodiments, the distal end of latch102may be coupled to a hinge116such that latch102rotates relative to drive holder106. In one example, drive holder106may include a length of spring steel (or a length of any other suitable resilient material) and a bend118in the length of spring steel. As used herein, the term “spring steel” refers to a steel-compound material with a high yield strength that may return to an original shape after bending and/or distorting. The spring steel material may provide a tension to force drive holder106upward. In this example, latch102may prevent the upward tension of drive holder106from unseating the hard drive. The length of spring steel (or other material) may be dimensioned with any suitable height, length, and/or thickness.

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view of drive latch apparatus100in an open position. In one embodiment, the distal end of latch102may be coupled to hinge116such that latch102rotates to the open position relative to drive holder106. In this embodiment, drive holder106may remain in the chassis while latch102rotates around hinge116to open and/or close.

FIG. 3illustrates an additional perspective view of drive latch apparatus100in a closed position. In some examples, drive holder106may be coupled to the chassis by one or more protrusions, such as protrusions302(1) and302(2). In these examples, protrusions302(1) and302(2) may permit drive latch apparatus100to be easily fitted into or removed from the chassis by sliding into vertical slots of the chassis. Protrusions302(1) and302(2) may also permit drive latch apparatus100to slide within the chassis.

FIG. 4illustrates a top view of handle104for unlocking drive latch apparatus100. In one example, handle104may be coupled to a spring402such that spring402exerts a force between handle104and latch102. In this example, spring402may be dimensioned to fit inside a compartment of latch102and exert the force on handle104to bias the latch to a locked position. Additionally, compressing handle104, when actuated, may compress spring402, which may force handle104to an unlocked position. For example, handle104and latch102may be pinched together to compress spring402. Furthermore, handle104may be designed in an ergonomic way for ease of handling by humans or machines.

FIG. 5illustrates a perspective view of a chassis504housing hard drives, such as a hard drive502, secured by drive latches. In this example, chassis504may contain multiple hard drives secured by multiple drive latches. In other examples, chassis504may contain a single hard drive and/or other types of computing hardware. In these examples, drive latch apparatus100may be dimensioned to secure these additional types of computing hardware in a similar manner.

In one embodiment, latch102may be coupled to chassis504such that latch102secures a hard drive, such as hard drive502, to chassis504. Latch102may also contain window110dimensioned to display a label506of the hard drive. In this embodiment, label506may include a barcode suitable for automated scanning through window110. In one example, each hard drive in chassis504may include a different label and be uniquely identified by the label. In another example, label506may identify a type or model of hard drive. Additionally or alternatively, label506may include textual information that may be read by a technician or administrator of the hard drives.

In some examples, handle104may include groove112dimensioned to fit a ledge of chassis504such that handle104locks latch102to chassis504. In these examples, sloping surface114may face chassis504such that a downward pressure forces groove112to fit around the ledge of chassis504. For example, to install hard drive502, a technician may press hard drive502downward into a slot in chassis504and secure hard drive502by pushing handle104downward until sloping surface114slides past the ledge of chassis504so that groove112fits around the ledge.

In some embodiments, drive holder106may be coupled to chassis504by one or more protrusions, such as a protrusion302. In these embodiments, as shown inFIG. 5, protrusion302may fit into chassis504through a tailored hole in chassis504and then slide along a vertical slot of chassis504. Similarly, drive holder106and drive latch apparatus100may be removed from chassis504by removing protrusion302through the tailored hole. In these embodiments, protrusion302may be dimensioned to remain coupled to chassis504unless intentionally removed.

FIG. 6illustrates a side view of hard drive502unseated by unlocked drive latch apparatus100in chassis504. In some examples, handle104may be coupled to a proximal end of latch102and dimensioned to unlock drive latch apparatus100from chassis504as handle104is compressed. In these examples, distal end108of drive holder106may bend under hard drive502to unseat hard drive502as latch102is opened. Furthermore, drive holder106may slide vertically from chassis504in tandem with latch102. For example, drive holder106may slide vertically along a slot via protrusion302ofFIG. 5. As latch102is lifted from chassis504, such as for removal of hard drive502, drive holder106may also lift. In other words, distal end108of drive holder106may bend under hard drive502to unseat hard drive502as drive latch apparatus100is unlocked.

In one embodiment, drive holder106may include bend118that exerts an upward force on drive holder106to unseat hard drive502as latch102is unlocked. Due to bend118straightening as latch102locks, drive holder106continually exerts an upward force as bend118attempts to return to a natural shape. In this embodiment, spring steel drive holder106exerts the upward force to return bend118to its unloaded, natural shape when latch102is unlocked. Drive holder106may be dimensioned to slowly lift upward to reduce damage to hard drive502during the unseating process. Additionally, bend118may prevent drive holder106from sliding down after latch102is unlocked, thus keeping hard drive502in a raised position. In this embodiment, additional computing hardware and components may be installed or removed without completely removing hard drives from chassis504. For example, hard drive502may be installed to pair with a mounting board, and the mounting board may be separately replaced while drive holder106elevates hard drive502within chassis504. Alternatively, chassis504may be removed with the hard drives such that other components of a rack are not disturbed.

In some examples, distal end108of drive holder106may exert an upward force on hard drive502as drive holder106slides upward from chassis504such that hard drive502slides in tandem with drive holder106. In these examples, distal end108of drive holder106may remain under hard drive502as hard drive502is installed in chassis504and may push distal end108of drive holder106down. Additionally, drive latch apparatus100may slide vertically along chassis504such that hard drive502slides in tandem with drive latch apparatus100. For example, pulling latch102upward may result in drive holder106of drive latch apparatus100moving upward and forcing hard drive502upward from chassis504. In this example, elevating hard drive502may enable easier removal or replacement of hard drive502.

FIG. 7illustrates a perspective view of a hard drive rack system700for securing multiple hard drives with drive latches. In one embodiment, hard drive rack system700may include a rack702dimensioned to hold computer hardware. In this embodiment, a chassis504(1) and a chassis504(2) may be coupled to rack702and may contain a plurality of drive slots dimensioned to hold one or more hard drives. Additionally, one or more drive latches, such as drive latch apparatus100in chassis504(1), may be dimensioned to secure the hard drives in drive slots.

In some embodiments, chassis504(1) and/or chassis504(2) may be dimensioned to slide perpendicular to a face of rack702such that chassis504(1) and/or chassis504(2) extend away from rack702to expose the plurality of drive slots. In the example ofFIG. 7, chassis504(1) may extend horizontally from rack702to expose multiple drive latches, including drive latch apparatus100.

FIG. 8shows an example method for manufacturing, assembling, using, adjusting, or otherwise configuring or creating the systems and apparatuses presented herein. The steps shown inFIG. 8may be performed by any individual and/or by any suitable type or form of manual and/or automated apparatus. In particular,FIG. 8illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method800for assembling a drive latch apparatus.

As shown inFIG. 8, at step810, a latch may be coupled to a chassis such that the latch secures a hard drive to the chassis. For example, as shown inFIG. 6, latch102may be coupled to chassis504such that latch102secures hard drive502to chassis504.

At step820, a handle may be coupled to a proximal end of the latch such that compressing the handle unlocks the latch from the chassis. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1, handle104may be coupled to the proximal end of latch102. Compressing handle104may unlock latch102to swing away from chassis504, as shown inFIG. 6. In this example, compressing handle104may push groove112ofFIG. 5away from the ledge of chassis504, and swinging latch102upward may unlock drive latch apparatus100.

In some embodiments, coupling handle104to the proximal end of latch102may include coupling spring402, as shown inFIG. 4, to handle104such that spring402exerts a force between handle104and latch102. In these embodiments, compressing handle104may then compress spring402. In an additional embodiment, handle104may be dimensioned to include groove112, as shown inFIG. 5, that fits a ledge of chassis504such that handle104locks latch102. In this embodiment, handle104may also be dimensioned to include sloping surface114that faces chassis504such that a downward pressure forces groove112to fit around the ledge of chassis504.

At step830, a drive holder may be coupled to a distal end of the latch such that a distal end of the drive holder bends under the hard drive to unseat the hard drive and such that the drive holder slides vertically from the chassis in tandem with the latch. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 6, drive holder106may be coupled to the distal end of latch102such that distal end108of drive holder106bends under hard drive502to unseat hard drive502. In this example, drive holder106may also be dimensioned to vertically slide from chassis504in tandem with latch102.

In one embodiment, coupling drive holder106to the distal end of latch102may include coupling hinge116, as shown inFIG. 2, to the distal end of latch102such that latch102rotates relative to drive holder106. In this embodiment, hinge116may facilitate easy movement of latch102to open and/or close.

In some examples, method800may further include a step in which the drive holder may be coupled to the chassis such that the drive holder slides vertically along the chassis and the distal end of the drive holder exerts an upward force on the hard drive as the drive holder slides upward from the chassis. In the example ofFIG. 6, drive holder106may be coupled to chassis504to vertically slide along chassis504as latch102opens and/or closes. In this example, distal end108of drive holder106may exert the upward force on hard drive502as latch102opens and drive holder106slides upward from chassis504.

As discussed throughout the instant disclosure, the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatuses may provide one or more advantages over traditional methods of securing hard drives in racks. For example, the drive latch apparatuses described herein may utilize ergonomic handles for easy opening and closing of the drive latches. As another example, by securing hard drives in slots in a chassis, the systems described herein may hold the hard drives in place regardless of other computing components. Additionally, the disclosed drive holder of the drive latch apparatus may automatically unseat a hard drive when a latch is opened due to the bend in the spring steel of the drive holder. Furthermore, the drive latch apparatuses described herein may include a window to facilitate scanning or reading of hard drive labels for easy identification. Thus, the mechanisms disclosed herein may enable carrier-less and tool-less hard drive storage.