Abstract:
A fixing apparatus includes a frame having two opposite fixing walls to fix a first storage device. The fixing apparatus further includes a supporting arm pivotally connected to the frame. The supporting arm includes a fixing plate rotatable between a first position where a second storage device is capable of being sandwiched between the fixing plate and the second fixing wall of the frame, and a second position where the first storage device is capable of being sandwiched between the fixing walls of the frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a fixing apparatus for different storage devices. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    An electronic device, such as a server, may be required to house a variety of storage device types, such as a 3.5 inch hard disk drive and a 2.5 inch hard disk drive, at different times, to meet the need of different users. Often, a first bracket fitting the 3.5 inch hard disk drive, after installation, can accommodate a detachable second bracket fitting therein for a 2.5 inch hard disk drive. However, attaching or detaching the second bracket is time consuming and inconvenient. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of a fixing apparatus. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is an assembled isometric view of the fixing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is similar to  FIG. 2 , but showing the fixing apparatus fixing a first storage device. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are cross-section views taken along the line V-V of the fixing apparatus and the first storage device of  FIG. 3 , showing different installation states. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 2 , but shows the fixing apparatus fixing a second storage device. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are cross-section views taken along the line VIII-VIII of the fixing apparatus and the second storage device of  FIG. 6 , showing different installation states. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , and  6 , an embodiment of a fixing apparatus  1  is provided for selectively fixing a first storage device  10  or a second storage device  20 . The fixing apparatus  1  includes a frame  30 , a supporting arm  40 , and an elastic member  50 . In this embodiment, the first storage device  10  is a 3.5 inch hard disk drive, and the second storage device  20  is a 2.5 inch hard disk drive. 
         [0012]    The first storage device  10  includes two opposite sidewalls  11 . Two spaced fixing holes  113  are defined in each sidewall  11 . 
         [0013]    The second storage device  20  includes two opposite sidewalls  21 . Two spaced fixing holes  213  are defined in each sidewall  21 . 
         [0014]    The frame  30  includes an end wall  31 , and opposite first and second fixing walls  32  and  33  correspondingly extending from opposite ends of the end wall  31 . A receiving space  38  is bounded by the end wall  31 , and the first and second fixing walls  32  and  33 , for receiving the first storage device  10 . The first fixing wall  32  defines two first through holes  34  corresponding to the fixing holes  113  of a corresponding sidewall  11  of the first storage device  10 . The second fixing wall  33  defines another two first through holes  34  corresponding to the fixing holes  113  of the other sidewall  11  of the first storage device  10 , and two second through holes  35  corresponding to the fixing holes  213  of a corresponding sidewall  21  of the second storage device  20 . A first pivot portion  36  and a second pivot portion  37  extend from opposite ends of the first fixing wall  32  towards the second fixing wall  33 . The first pivot portion  36  is adjacent to the end wall  31  of the frame  30 , and the second pivot portion  37  is away from the end wall  31 . A pivot hole  361  is defined in the first pivot portion  36 , and a stop plate  363  extends from a top of the first pivot portion  36  towards the second pivot portion  37 . The second pivot portion  37  defines a pivot hole  371 , and a stop plate  373  extends from a top of the second pivot portion  37  towards the first pivot portion  36 . A hook  365  protrudes from the first pivot portion  36 , adjacent to the pivot hole  361  and facing the second pivot portion  37 . 
         [0015]    The supporting arm  40  includes an elongated fixing plate  41 , and opposite first and second connecting portions  42  and  43  correspondingly extending in the same direction from opposite ends of the fixing plate  41 . Two second through holes  413  are defined in the fixing plate  41 , corresponding to fixing holes  213  of the other sidewall  21  of the second storage device  20 . The first connecting portion  42  defines a pivot hole  421 . The second connecting portion  43  defines a pivot hole  431 . A latch  425  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) is disposed on an outer side of the first connecting portion  42 , away from the second connecting portion  43 . 
         [0016]    The elastic member  50  is a torsion spring, and includes a main body  51 , and two elastic feet  53  extending from the main body  51 . 
         [0017]    During installation of the fixing apparatus  1 , a fastener  60  extends through the pivot hole  421  of the first connecting portion  42  of the supporting arm  40 , and the main body  51  of the elastic member  50 , and is received in the pivot hole  361  of the first pivot portion  36  of the first fixing wall  32  of the frame  30 . A fastener  70  extends through the pivot hole  431  of the second connecting portion  43  of the supporting arm  40 , and is received in the pivot hole  371  of the second pivot portion  37  of the first fixing wall  32  of the frame  30 . Thereby, the supporting arm  40  is pivotally connected to the frame  30 . One foot  53  of the elastic member  50  engages the latch  425  of the first connecting portion  42  of the supporting arm  40 , and the other engages the hook  365  of the first pivot portion  36  of the frame  30 . The elastic member  50  is deformed and exerts upward force on the supporting arm  40 , locating the fixing plate  41  of the supporting arm  40  between the first and second fixing walls  32  and  33 , and tops of the first and second connecting portions  42  and  43  of the supporting arm  40  correspondingly abut the stop plates  363  and  373  of the first and second pivot portions  36  and  37  of the frame  30 . The fixing plate  41  of the supporting arm  40  is located at an original position, parallel to the first and second fixing walls  32  and  33 . A distance between the fixing plate  41  and the second fixing wall  33  is equal to the width of the second storage device  20 . 
         [0018]    Referring to the  FIGS. 3 to 5 , during installation of the first storage device  10 , the first storage device  10  is lowered onto the top of the fixing plate  41 , rotating the supporting arm  40  downward from the original position and deforming elastic member  50 , until the fixing plate  41  exits from the receiving space  38  perpendicular to the first and second fixing walls  32  and  33  of the frame  30 . The first storage device  10  is received in the receiving space  38  and supported by the fixing plate  41  of the supporting arm  40 . Opposite ends of the first storage device  10  correspondingly engage the first and second connecting portions  42  and  43  of the supporting arm  40 , and the fixing holes  113  of the sidewalls  11  of the first storage device  10  correspondingly align with the first through holes  34  of the first and second fixing walls  32  and  33  of the frame  30 . A plurality of fasteners (not shown) correspondingly passes through the first through holes  34  of the first and second fixing walls  32  and  33 , and is received in the corresponding fixing holes  113  of the first storage device  10 . Thereby, the first storage device  10  is fixed to the fixing apparatus  1 . 
         [0019]    Referring to the  FIGS. 6 to 8 , during installation of the second storage device  20 , the supporting arm  40  is rotated downward by an angle less than 90° from the original position. The second storage device  20  is impelled upward from a bottom of the fixing apparatus  1 , with one sidewall  21  engaging a lower portion of the second fixing wall  33 , and the other sidewall  21  engaging the fixing plate  41  of the supporting arm  40 . The supporting arm  40  is rotated upward by the action of the elastic restoring force of the elastic member  50 , until the tops of the first and second connecting portions  42  and  43  of the supporting arm  40  correspondingly abut the stop plates  363  and  373  of the first and second pivot portions  36  and  37  of the frame  30 . In this process, the second storage device  20  is slid upward along the second fixing wall  33  and the fixing plate  41 , until the second storage device  20  is entirely sandwiched between the second fixing wall  33  and the fixing plate  41 . The elastic member  50  is also deformed and applies more upward force than downward force applied by the second storage device  20  on the supporting arm  40 , which maintains its original position. The second storage device  20  is impelled along the second fixing wall  33  and the fixing plate  41  towards the end wall  31 , until the fixing holes  213  of the sidewalls  21  of the second storage device  20  correspondingly align with the second through holes  35  and  413  of the second fixing wall  33  and the fixing plate  41 . A plurality of fasteners (not shown) correspondingly passes through the second through holes  35  and  413  of the second fixing wall  33  and the fixing plate  41 , and is received in the corresponding fixing holes  213  of the second storage device  20 . Thereby, the second storage device  20  is fixed to the fixing apparatus  1 . A rear end of the second storage device  20  is adjacent to a rear end of the fixing apparatus, providing convenient connection to a corresponding connector. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, the second storage device  20  is directly impelled into a space between the second fixing wall  33  of the frame  30  and the fixing plate  41  of the supporting arm  40  from the rear end of the fixing apparatus  1 , and is then fixed to the fixing apparatus  1  by a plurality of fasteners. Supporting arm  40  need not be rotated. 
         [0021]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.