Abstract:
A carrier assembly for a storage device includes a body portion for mounting to the storage device, a side extension of the body portion extending laterally beyond the first lateral side of the storage device, and a light conduit provided on the side extension. The light conduit is adapted to transmit light signals from a first end of the light conduit to a second end of the light conduit. The first end of the light conduit positioned to receive the light signals from a light source positioned laterally adjacent to the first lateral side of the storage device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a carrier assembly for a storage device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Carriers are often attached to storage devices to facilitate insertion and removal of the storage device from a data processing system chassis. For example, a typical storage system may include a plurality of drive bays, each drive bay configured to receive a hard disk drive mounted on a disk drive carrier assembly. An exemplary disk drive carrier assembly and its operation are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,225, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. These disk drive carrier assemblies are also sometimes referred to as drive brackets or drive sleds. Storage device assemblies incorporating the drive brackets which can be removed and reinserted while the data processing system is operating are sometimes referred to as hot-swap drives. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a carrier assembly for a storage device having a substantially rectangular shape including a front, a back, a top, a bottom, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side is provided. The carrier assembly comprises a body portion for mounting to the storage device, a side extension of the body portion, said side extension extending laterally beyond the first lateral side of the storage device, and a light conduit provided on the side extension and adapted to transmit light signals from a first end of the light conduit to a second end of the light conduit, said first end of the light conduit position to receive the light signals from a light source positioned laterially adjacent to the first lateral side of the storage device. 
     In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, a data processing system is provided. The data processing system comprises an enclosure, at least one device bay in the enclosure, each device bay having a light source provided therein, and at least one storage device assembly, each storage device assembly being removably mounted in one of the at least one device bays. Each storage device assembly comprises a storage device having a substantially rectangular shape including a front, a back, a top, a bottom, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, and a carrier assembly mounted to the storage device. The carrier assembly comprises a body portion for mounting to the storage device, a side extension of the body portion, said side extension extending laterally beyond the first lateral side of the storage device, and a light conduit provided on the side extension and adapted to transmit light signals from a first end of the light conduit to a second end of the light conduit, said first end of the light conduit positioned to receive the light signals from the light source provided in the device bay the storage device assembly is inserted, the light source being positioned laterally adjacent to the first lateral side of the storage device. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a data processing system is provided. The method comprises mounting a storage device assembly into a storage device bay in a data processing system chassis, said storage device assembly including a body portion mounted to the storage device, a side extension of the body portion, said side extension extending laterally beyond the first lateral side of the storage device, and a light conduit provided on the side extension. The method further comprises performing input/output (I/O) operations on a storage device provided in the storage device assembly, emitting a light signal from a location laterally adjacent to the first lateral side of the storage device to indicate a status of operation for the storage device, receiving the light signal at a first end of the light conduit, and transmitting the light signal from a first end of the light conduit to a second end of the light conduit. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a data processing system is provided. The method comprises mounting a storage device assembly into a storage device bay in a data processing system chassis, said storage device assembly including a body portion mounted to the storage device, a side extension of the body portion, said side extension extending laterally beyond the first lateral side of the storage device, and a light conduit provided on the side extension, performing input/output (I/O) operations on a storage device provided in the storage device assembly, emitting a light signal from a location laterally adjacent to the first lateral side of the storage device to indicate a status of operation for the storage device, receiving the light signal at a first end of the light conduit, and transmitting the light signal from a first end of the light conduit to a second end of the light conduit. 
     Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims attached hereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows an exemplary storage system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows an exemplary storage device assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of an exemplary storage device assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 4-7 show perspective views of an exemplary handle for a carrier assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 8-9 show front and rear perspective views of an exemplary indicator panel for a carrier assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method of operating a data processing system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 11-12 show top views of an exemplary storage device assembly mounted in a device bay in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 shows an enlarged view of light signals passing through an exemplary light conduit in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     While specific embodiments are described and illustrated herein, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 shows an exemplary data processing system  110  having a plurality of storage device assemblies  112  inserted into device bays provided in the data processing system  110 . FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a storage device assembly  112  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of storage device assembly  112 . 
     Each storage device assembly  112  includes a carrier assembly  114  mounted to a storage device  116 . Storage devices  116  can be, for example, magnetic hard disk drives (“disk drives”), optical drives, magneto-optical drives, tape drives, solid state storage, or other non-volatile memory. Storage devices  116  may have a substantially rectangular shape including a front  117   a,  a back (not shown) opposite the front  117   a,  a first lateral side  117   b,  a second lateral side  117   c,  a top  117   d,  and a bottom  117   e.  It will be understood that these substantially rectangular storage devices  116  may not be perfectly rectangular and can contain variations in shape. In particular, the sides  117   a-   117   e  of a storage device  116  may not be perfectly planar and may contain ridges and protrusions to accommodate the components contained within the storage device  116 . In addition, the edges and corners where the sides  117   a-   117   e  of storage device  116  intersect may be rounded or beveled. In an exemplary embodiment, the storage device assembly  112  measures 110 mm×28 mm×172 mm. 
     In the storage device assemblies  112  shown in the figures, the storage devices  116  are disk drives and the data processing system  110  is a storage subsystem including a disk drive array. Although FIG. 1 shows an exemplary data processing system  110  including nine storage device assemblies  112 , it is understood that the number of storage device assemblies  112  in data processing system  110  may vary and is not limiting. Furthermore, although FIG. 1 shows data processing system  110  as a storage subsystem, in other embodiments data processing system  110  may be, for example, a personal computer, a computer workstation, or a computer server having one or more device bays for receiving one or more storage device assemblies  112 . 
     Carrier assembly  114  includes a tray  118  which can attach to storage device  116  via screws  120 . Carrier assembly  114  further includes first and second guides  122   a-   122   b  which attach to the sides of tray  118  adjacent the lateral sides  117   b-   117   c,  respectively, of storage device  116 . Ground springs  128  may be retained between the guides  122  and the sides of tray  118 . Ground springs  128  can be used to provide an electrical connection between tray  118  and a ground line provided on device bay  160  to enable improved electrical grounding for carrier assembly  114 . 
     An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield  124  is mounted to the back side of front grill  126 , adjacent the front  117   a  of storage device  116 . EMI shield  124  may be connected to a ground line on device bay  160  to enable grounding of any undesirable electromagnetic signals emanating from storage device  116 . The handle  130  is rotatably mounted to front grill  126  using hinge pin  132  and includes a light conduit  134 . At the opposite end of handle  130  distal from hinge pin  132  is a latching mechanism  136 . EMI shield  124 , front grill  126 , and latching mechanism  136  together comprise the face portion  138  of carrier assembly  114 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a perspective front view of handle  130  having the light conduit  134  inserted therein. The front of light conduit  134  is covered with an indicator panel  140  having a graphic of three icons  142   a-   142   c,  each icon representing a function or operation of the storage device  116 . In the embodiment shown, icon  142   a  shows a blue box adjacent to a blue arrow, icon  142   b  shows an amber-colored wrench, and icon  142   c  shows a green circle having a lightning bolt inside. When icon  142   a  is illuminated, it indicates to the operator that storage device assembly  112  may be safely removed from data processing system  110 . When icon  142   b  is illuminated, it indicates to the operator that there is a problem with the system. When icon  142   c  is illuminated, it indicates to the operator that storage device assembly  112  is operating properly. In some embodiments, icon  142   c  may flash to indicate I/O transmissions by storage device  116 . A flange  146  is provided at one end of handle  130  for mating with latching mechanism  136 . A cam portion  144  provided at an opposite end of handle  130  forms a side extension from the handle  130 . 
     FIG. 5 shows another perspective front view of handle  130 . In FIG. 5, light conduit  134  has been removed from handle  130 , revealing openings  148  into which portions of light conduit  134  are received. FIG. 6 shows a rear perspective view of handle  130  with light conduit  134  inserted. The first end portions  150  of light conduit  134  can be seen within openings  148 . In some embodiments, the first end portions  150  of light conduit  134  are flush with or slightly withdrawn from the surface of the cam portion  144  to prevent damage to the first end portions  150 . FIG. 7 shows a top view of handle  130 , revealing mounting hole  152 , through which hinge pin  132  is inserted to rotatably mount handle  130  to front grill  126 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 show front and back perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary light conduit  134 . In FIG. 9, it can be seen that light conduit  134  includes three light channels  154   a-   154   c,  each light channel  154   a-   154   c  terminating in one of the three first ends  150   a-   150   c,  respectively. Light conduit  134  is formed of a light-transmitting material such that light signals entering first ends  150   a-   150   c  pass through light channels  154   a-   154   c  to second end  141 . As shown in FIG. 8, the second end  141  is covered by the opaque indicator panel  140 , which contains three translucent icons  142   a-   142   c,  through which the light signals may pass. In some embodiments, icons  142   a-   142   c  may be tinted to different colors or have different shapes. Latches  156  are used to securely mount the light conduit  134  to the handle  130  such that each light channel  154   a-   154   c  passes through one of the openings  148 . A positioning pin  158  is provided to assist with proper mating of light conduit  134  with handle  130 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 8-9, the light conduit  134  is formed of a single translucent piece of molded polycarbonate with a partially opaque indicator panel  140  covering the front portion. Although FIGS. 8 and 9 show a light conduit  134  formed of a single piece of molded polycarbonate having three light channels  154   a-   154   c  protruding from one side, in other embodiments, the light conduit  134  may be formed of separate light channels, each separate light channel being capable of transmitting light signals. The shape, material, and color of the light conduit  134  may vary in different embodiments. 
     FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method of operating a data processing system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step  10 , a storage device assembly  112  is mounted into a device bay  160 . In step  11 , input/output (I/O) operations are performed on the storage device  116  inside the storage device assembly  112 . In step  12 , a light signal indicating a status of operation for the storage device  116  is emitted. This light signal is received at a first end  150  of the light conduit  134  in step  13 , and the light signal is transmitted from the first end  150  to the second end  141  of light conduit  134 . 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the process for mounting a storage device assembly  112  into a device bay  160  (partially shown), in accordance with step  10  in FIG.  10 . FIG. 11 shows the carrier assembly  114  partially inserted into a device bay  160  with handle  130  in the open position. FIG. 12 shows the carrier assembly  114  fully mounted into the device bay  160  with handle  130  in the closed position. With the storage device assembly  112  in the position as shown in FIG. 11, as the handle  130  is rotated from the open position into the closed position, cam portion  144  abuts a lip member  162  of the device bay  160 . As the handle  130  continues to rotate with the cam portion  144  in contact with the lip member  162 , the storage device assembly  112  is urged further into the device bay  160 . Finally, when the handle  130  reaches the fully closed position, as shown in FIG. 12, the flange  146  mates with the latching mechanism  136  to securely maintain the handle  130  in this position. With the handle  130  closed, the lip member  162  abuts the cam portion  144  to inhibit the removal of the storage device assembly  112  from the device bay  160 . 
     The storage device assembly  112  is removed by actuating the latching mechanism  136  to release the handle  130  from the closed position. Then, as the handle  130  is rotated from the closed to the open position, the opposite side of the cam portion  144  contacts a shoulder portion  164  of the device bay  160 . As the handle  130  is rotated further, this contact urges the storage device assembly  112  out of the device bay  160 . 
     FIG. 13 shows a magnified view of the cam portion  144  mating with the device bay  160 . Also shown in FIG. 13 is a light source  200 , which emits light signals  204  in response to I/O operations performed on the storage device  116  in step  11  of FIG.  10 . The light signal  204  emitted in step  12  indicate a status of operation for the storage device  116 . The light signals  204  may indicate, for example, that the storage device  116  is receiving power, that I/O activity is being performed, or that an error has occurred. The light source  200  may, for example, be a light-emitting diode (“LED”) or some other electronically-generated light source. Alternatively, the light source  200  may be the end of a cylindrical light pipe  202  which transmits light signals generated by an originating light source elsewhere on the device bay  160 . The light pipe  202  may be formed in any shape (e.g., cylindrical, rectangular, or hexagonal cross-section) and of any material having some light-transmitting properties (e.g., molded polycarbonate, other polymer, or glass). 
     The light conduit  134  includes a reflecting middle portion which enables the light signals  204  to be directed along a non-linear path from first end  150  to second end  141 . In other words, a first axis A can be formed through the center of the first end  150  in a direction parallel to the first and second lateral sides of the storage device  116 , as shown in FIG.  13 . The light signals  204  are emitted from the light source  200 , are received by the first end  150 , reflected off the walls of the reflecting middle portion of light channels  154 , and emerge from the second end  141  such that the second end  141  is not intersected by the first axis A. In some embodiments, the angle of incidence a at which the light signals  204  strike the surface of the reflecting middle portion is maintained at an angle sufficient to achieve total or near total internal reflection of the light signals  204  passing through the light conduit  134 . When the reflecting middle portion is made of polycarbonate, an angle of incidence α of greater than or equal to 39° may be used. 
     The above-described design for the light conduit  134  enables the storage device assembly  112  to be utilized in conjunction with numerous variations in light source configurations. In particular, light signals transmitted from a light source  200  located laterally adjacent to the storage device  116  can be transmitted through the light conduit  134  and emitted from a location on the carrier assembly  114  directly in front of the storage device  116 . As a result, the cam portion  144  can be used to assist with the insertion of the storage device assembly  112  while not obscuring the light signals emitted from a light source  200  located directly behind the cam portion  144 . In addition, the light source  200  can be located within a shoulder portion  164  of the device bay  160 , while the first end  150  of the light conduit  150  is located within the cam portion  144  (as shown in FIG.  13 ). In this case, the cam portion  144  can be used for both urging the storage device assembly  112  in and out of the device bay  160  as well as for receiving the light signals from the light source  200 . 
     While the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments or figures described. In particular, the operation of the handle  130  and the shape of the light conduit  134  may vary. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting on the invention.