Inter-rack gear track system

A multi-rack assembly with an inter-rack gear track system comprising a first rack, a second rack, and at least one intermediate rack positioned between the first and second racks and releasably interconnectable with each other. A segmented gear track extends from the first rack to the second rack. A compression segment is slidably coupled to the first rack and positioned against a biasing member. A clamping segment is slidably coupled to the second rack, and an intermediate segment is slidably coupled to the intermediate rack. A clamping mechanism moves the clamping segment against the intermediate segment forcing the compression segment against the biasing member and clamping the compression segment, the intermediate segment, and clamping segments together.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application is directed to data storage server configurations and, more specifically, to a disc transport drive mechanism.

BACKGROUND

In data storage server configurations, it is sometimes desirable to assemble multiple racks together for efficient storage of media, such as optical discs. It is also desirable to load and retrieve storage media from a multi-rack assembly with a single disc transport system or disc transport robot. Typically, a disc transport robot travels along a gear track by engaging the gear track teeth with a pinion gear to drive the disc transport robot back and forth along the gear track. The disc transport system can travel between multiple racks along the gear track. Traditionally, gear tracks are either a single long piece of gear track or multiple segments that are fastened together. These traditional gear track arrangements make transport, assembly, and maintenance of the gear track cumbersome. Accordingly, there is a need for a gear track that is easier to assemble and maintain across multiple racks.

The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed embodiments. Further, the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of the embodiments. Moreover, while the disclosed technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the embodiments described. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

An inter-rack gear track system is disclosed for use on a multi-rack assembly, such as an optical disc storage and retrieval system. The inter-rack gear track system includes a first rack, a second rack, and at least one intermediate rack positioned between the first and second racks. A segmented gear track extends from the first rack to the second rack. A compression segment is slidably coupled to a base of the first rack and positioned against a resilient member, such as a compression spring. A clamping segment is slidably coupled to a base of the second rack, and an intermediate segment is slidably coupled to a base of the intermediate rack. A clamping mechanism is mounted to the second rack and is operative to move the clamping segment against the intermediate segment, thereby forcing the compression segment against the resilient member and clamping the compression segment, the intermediate segment, and the clamping segment together. In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism comprises a gear train configured to engage an end portion of the clamping segment.

General Description

Various examples of the devices introduced above will now be described in further detail. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples. One skilled in the relevant art will understand, however, that the techniques discussed herein may be practiced without many of these details. Likewise, one skilled in the relevant art will also understand that the technology can include many other features not described in detail herein. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail below so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description.

FIG. 1illustrates an optical disc storage and retrieval system100that includes a plurality of storage units102(1)-102(5) and a disc drive unit104. The storage units102(1)-102(5) each include trays106that store discs10. The disc drive unit104includes a disc drive114operative to read and write to the discs10. The storage units102(1)-102(5) and the disc drive unit104are connected together as a multi-rack assembly and are serviced by a disc transport robot108. The disc transport robot108travels along an inter-rack gear track120to load and retrieve the discs10from the trays106. A disc loader robot112moves the discs10from a stage110to the disc drive114.

Each storage unit102(1)-102(5) includes a rack supporting the trays106and the inter-rack gear track120. With reference toFIG. 2, the storage unit102(1) includes a first rack130, and the storage unit102(5) includes a second rack132. The storage units102(2)-102(4) each include an intermediate rack134(1)-134(3), respectively axially aligned with the first/proximal and second/distal rack assemblies130and132, respectively. It should be appreciated from the figure that the racks are shown in a disengaged state, whereby the individual racks can be easily transported. In order to more clearly illustrate the inter-rack gear track120, the individual racks130,132, and134(1)-134(3) are schematically represented in the figures to illustrate only the base portion of a component rack. For example, in some embodiments, the racks can be 19-inch EIS compliant racks.

Each rack also includes a gear track segment. For example, the first rack130includes a compression segment122. Intermediate racks134(1)-134(3) include intermediate segments126(1)-126(3), respectively, and the second rack132includes a clamping segment124. The structure and function of each gear track segment is described more fully below.

As shown inFIG. 3A, the compression segment122is slidably coupled to the first rack130and positioned against a resilient member, such as a compression spring142. The compression segment122is slidably mounted to the base131of the first rack130with suitable guide pins and/or fasteners140extending through elongate slots138in the compression segment122. Thus, the compression segment122is axially movable back and forth relative to the base against the compression spring142in the X direction while remaining aligned in the Y direction. Each rack, such as the first rack130, includes one or more alignment pins135on one side of the base and alignment sockets137on the opposing side of the base. The alignment pins135on one base are sized and positioned to securely fit into the sockets137of an adjacent base, so as to securely interconnect the racks and maintain axial alignment of the gear track segments with each other. The base of the first rack130includes a spring seat144to retain the compression spring142in position against the compression segment122. The compression segment122includes a plurality of teeth136configured to mate with a pinion gear (not shown) of the disc transport robot108(seeFIG. 1). As shown inFIG. 3A, the compression segment122is in a released state whereby the multi-rack assembly is ready for assembly as described below.

As shown inFIG. 3B, the compression segment122is configured so it can be retained in a stowed state by a retainer pin148. The retainer pin148is inserted through a mating retainer aperture146in the end of the compression segment122, which axially aligns with a corresponding aperture (not shown) in the base. Thus, the compression segment122is retained out of the way and within the envelope of the first rack130during transportation. Prior to assembly of the racks, the retainer pin148is removed from the mating retainer aperture146to allow the compression segment122to extend as shown inFIG. 3Abefore the first/proximal rack130is attached to an adjoining rack, such as an intermediate rack or the second/distal rack132.

As shown inFIG. 4, the second rack132includes a clamping segment124slidably coupled to the base of the second rack132. In this embodiment, the clamping segment124is coupled to the base of the second rack132with suitable fasteners156that extend through slots154in the clamping segment, similar to the configuration of the first/proximal rack assembly130discussed above. The second rack132also includes a clamping mechanism150operative to move the clamping segment124in direction B. The clamping mechanism150includes an arm158attached to a gear train (e.g., gears160and162). The arm158is movable between a release position and a clamp position. In the release position, the clamping segment can move axially over the fasteners/guide pins for at least a distance corresponding to the length of the slots127. As arm158is moved in direction A toward the clamp position, it rotates gear160that rotates gear162, which is engaged with teeth152, to drive the clamping segment124in direction B as shown. In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism150also includes a latch164configured to retain the arm158in the clamp position.

As shown inFIG. 5, the intermediate rack134(1) includes an intermediate segment126(1) attached to the intermediate rack134(1) with suitable fasteners123extending through slots127similar to the configurations discussed above. The intermediate segment126(1) also includes a plurality of teeth125configured to mate with the pinion gear (not shown) of the disc transport robot108(seeFIG. 1). The intermediate racks134(2) and134(3) and intermediate segments126(2) and126(3) have substantially similar construction as the intermediate rack134(1) and the intermediate segment126(1).

FIG. 6illustrates an assembled multi-rack assembly with the inter-rack gear track120clamped together. Once the compression segment122is released from the transport state by pulling retainer pin148(seeFIG. 3B), the various racks are interconnected with the alignment pins mating with the corresponding alignment sockets of the adjacent rack. The segments extend beyond the edge of the body, overlapping the adjoining edges of the adjacent bodies. The clamping mechanism150can be moved to the clamp position, thereby pushing the clamping segment124against the intermediate segments126(1)-126(3) to compress the compression segment122against compression spring142. When the clamping mechanism is moved the segments translate axially along the guide pins so as to push against the compression segment. Accordingly, each gear track segment is resiliently urged against the others imprecise axial alignment and provide a continuous row of gear teeth along which the pinion of the robot can easily and smoothly travel during operation of the optical disc storage and retrieval system100. Therefore, the inter-rack gear track120is easily configured for use without requiring installation and alignment of the individual gear track segments in the field.

Although the embodiments described herein illustrate the teeth of the gear track segments as facing to the side of their respective racks, in other embodiments, the gear track teeth can face upwards from the base of the respective racks.

Remarks

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, and any special significance is not to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for some terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any term discussed herein, is illustrative only and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.