Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is related to commonly owned and application Ser. No. 11/692,555 entitled “MOUNTING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS,” by Yoshihiro Fujie, et al., filed on Mar. 28, 2007, and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field 
   Embodiments of the invention relate to tool-less electronic component retention. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Some server and storage products achieve tool-less design for mounting electronic components in the system enclosure. Examples of electronic components include Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), power supply, battery, and electrical components with interface connectors. Some such designs require hefty and complicated latch mechanism or cam-in/-out mechanisms on the mounting parts. In many cases, the latch mechanism works between the HDD and a tray, which makes the precise HDD placement difficult due to multiple parts&#39; cumulative dimensions. 
   Small form factor of HDD design is important for multiple and dense HDD mounting in the limited space in the system enclosure. A small latch or handle may degrade finger-accessibility and operability for HDD installation and removal. Anti-shock protection is also important for handling multiple HDDs in systems without damaging the HDDs during the installation and removal processes. 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate prior art HDDs. In  FIG. 1A , there is a guide groove  100  on the cradle and a retention latch  150 . The guide groove  100  is used to guide the HDD into the cradle. The retention latch  150  requires a user to use one hand to push in the retention latch  150  and the other hand to pull out the HDD from the HDD cradle. In  FIG. 1B , the HDD has four (4) guide pins (e.g.,  174 ,  176 ) that are inserted into slots in the HDD cradle. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a prior art process  200  for removing a HDD from a cradle. The process  200  requires a user to use both hands. For example, in step 1, the HDD is in the cradle. In step 2, the user uses a right hand to push in the retention latch. In step 3, the user uses a left hand to grab hold of the HDD, while still pushing in the retention latch with the right hand. In step 4, the user uses the left hand to pull out the HDD from the cradle, while still pushing in the retention latch with the right hand. In step 5, the user pulls the HDD out of the cradle. 
   Thus, there is a need in the art for improved tool-less electronic component retention. 
   SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
   Provided is an apparatus comprising a latch mechanism, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a touch point, push points, pull back handles, and a latch tongue adapted to move up and down, wherein the latch tongue is adapted to being inserted into a retention hole. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate prior art HDDs. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a prior art process for removing a HDD from a cradle. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a top view of a HDD with a latch mechanism in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a bottom view of a HDD with a latch mechanism in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate use of a latch mechanism on a HDD and a retention hole in a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates and HDD and damping rubber bushings in accordance with certain embodiments.  FIG. 5B  illustrates a close-up of the rubber bushings in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of a HDD with a latch mechanism having a specialized handle in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of a HDD with a latch mechanism having a specialized handle in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C illustrate push points on a latch mechanism in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C, and  9 D illustrate various views of a HDD in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIGS. 10A ,  10 B, and  10 C illustrated views of a latch mechanism in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate views of a metal support in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate exploded views of a latch mechanism coupled to a metal support in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an HDD being installed into a tray in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an HDD after being installed into a tray in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       FIGS. 15A ,  15 B, and  15 C illustrate views of a HDD and latch mechanism in accordance with certain embodiments. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and which illustrate several embodiments of the invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and operational changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
   Embodiments provide a latch mechanism coupled to an electronic component (e.g., HDD) and a retention hole on a PCB. Embodiments include an “up and down” latch mechanism on an electronic component (e.g., HDD) and a retention hole (i.e., elongated slot) made on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). 
     FIG. 3A  illustrates a top view of a HDD  300  with a latch mechanism  310  in accordance with certain embodiments.  FIG. 3B  illustrates a bottom view of a HDD  300  with a latch mechanism  310  in accordance with certain embodiments. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate use of a latch mechanism on a HDD and a retention hole in a PCB in accordance with certain embodiments.  FIG. 4A  illustrates a HDD  400  with a latch mechanism  410 . Also in  FIG. 4A , the PCB  420  includes a retention hole  430 . It is to be noted that the retention hole  430  is on the opposite end of the PCB  420  from the connector  440  coupled to the PCB  420 . Placement of the retention hole  430  in this manner enables precise placement and secure installation within a multi-drive tray and ensures secure electrical connection (between the connector coupled to the HDD  400  and the connector  440  coupled to the PCB  420 . The connector coupled to the HDD  400  and the connector  440  coupled to the PCB  420  are capable of being connected together (i.e., may be said to mate). In  FIG. 4B , the HDD  400  is secured in the tray with the latch mechanism  410 . 
     FIG. 5A  illustrates and HDD and damping rubber bushings in accordance with certain embodiments.  FIG. 5B  illustrates a close-up of the rubber bushings in accordance with certain embodiments. In  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the HDD  500  includes two damping rubber bushings  510 ,  520  that absorb vibrations as the drive in the HDD  500  rotates to store and retrieve data. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a HDD with a latch mechanism having a specialized handle in accordance with certain embodiments. In  FIG. 6 , the HDD  600  includes latching mechanism  610 . It can be seen that the latching mechanism  610  includes a specialized handle with a touch point  612  (e.g., one that would fit a user&#39;s thumb or finger).  FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of a HDD with a latch mechanism having a specialized handle in accordance with certain embodiments. From the front view, it can be seen that the latch mechanism  610  coupled to the HDD  600  includes a touch point  612  and a latch tongue  700  (i.e., the portion of the latch mechanism  610  that is inserted into a retention hole). The latch tongue  700  is able to act as a spring damper to absorb both shocks and vibrations. When the latch tongue  700  is in a lowered position, the latch tongue can be seen exiting the retention hole, which enables a user to easily recognize whether the latch mechanism is properly secured. 
     FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C illustrate push points  810 ,  820  on a latch mechanism  800  in accordance with certain embodiments.  FIG. 8A  illustrates a side view of push points  810 ,  820  on latch mechanism  800 . The push points  810 ,  820  enable a user to more easily push the HDD into the tray. In certain embodiments, the push points  810 ,  820  are curved indentations with grooves.  FIG. 8B  illustrates a top view of push points  810 ,  820  on latch mechanism  800 .  FIG. 8C  illustrates a bottom view of push points  810 ,  820  on latch mechanism  800 . 
     FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C, and  9 D illustrate various views of a HDD  900  in accordance with certain embodiments.  FIG. 9A  illustrates a view of the latch mechanism  910  on the HDD  900  looking towards the latch mechanism  910  from the opposite end of the HDD  900 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates a top view of the latch mechanism  910  and damping rubber bushings  920 ,  930 .  FIG. 9C  illustrates a side view of the latch mechanism  910 .  FIG. 9D  illustrates a front view of the latch mechanism. 
     FIGS. 10A ,  10 B, and  10 C illustrated views of a latch mechanism  1010  in accordance with certain embodiments.  FIG. 10A  illustrates a top view of the HDD  1000  with latch mechanism  1010  being in a raised and unlocked position.  FIG. 10B  illustrates a front view of the HDD  1000  with the latch mechanism  1010  in a lowered and locked position. In  FIG. 10B , the latch tongue  1020  of the latch mechanism  1010  is in a lowered and locked position.  FIG. 10C  illustrates a front view of the HDD  1000  with the latch tongue  1020  of the latch mechanism  1010  is in a raised and unlocked position. 
     FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate views of a metal support  1100  in accordance with certain embodiments. A latch mechanism  1110  is coupled to the metal support  1100 , which holds an HDD (not shown).  FIG. 11A  illustrates a bottom view of the metal support  1100  with the latch mechanism  1110 .  FIG. 11B  illustrates a top view of the metal support  1100 . The electronic component is coupled to the metal support using four screws to retain the electronic component (e.g., drive assemble) to the metal support. 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate exploded views of a latch mechanism coupled to a metal support  1200  in accordance with certain embodiments. In  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the latch mechanism includes a latch head  1220 , a latch front  1230 , and springs  1240 ,  1242  Screws  1250 ,  1252 ,  1254  are used to couple the metal support  1200  to the latch head  1220  and latch front  1230 . Damping rubber bushings  1260 ,  1262  are also coupled to the metal support  1200 . 
     FIG. 13  illustrates an HDD  1300  being installed into a tray in accordance with certain embodiments.  FIG. 14  illustrates the HDD  1300  after being installed into the tray in accordance with certain embodiments. 
     FIGS. 15A ,  15 B, and  15 C illustrate views of a HDD  1500  and latch mechanism  1510  in accordance with certain embodiments.  FIG. 15A  illustrates a top view of the HDD  1500  and the latch mechanism  1510 , while  FIG. 15B  illustrates a bottom view of the HDD  1500  and the latch mechanism  1510 .  FIG. 15C  illustrates a sectional view of the HDD  1500  and the latch mechanism  1510 . The touch point  1520  (i.e., finger hold), push points  1530 ,  1532 , and pull back handles  1540 ,  1542  enable a single hand operation for HDD installation by the domed shape (i.e., the curved top center portion forming the touch point of the latch mechanism is a domed shape) and removal by the pull back handles. In particular, a user may use the touch point  1520  and push points  1530 ,  1532  for installation. The user may then use the pull back handles  1540 ,  1542  for removal of the HDD  1500  from the tray. In certain embodiments, the pull back handles are curved indentations of the head of the latch mechanism. The design of the latch mechanism is easy to use, intuitive (i.e., user friendly), and tool-less (e.g., does not require a screw driver or other tools). 
   As an example, a user may hold the touch point of the latch mechanism to insert an HDD into a tray. The user may also use the push points to push the HDD into the tray to complete the insertion so that the latch tongue is inserted into the retention hole and the latch mechanism is in a locked position. The user may later use the pull back handles to raise the latch tongue so that the latch mechanism is in an unlocked position and remove the HDD from the tray. 
   Thus, embodiments provide a tool-less and small form factor design for electronic component (e.g., HDD) mounting/retention. In certain embodiments, such a design is applicable to server and storage systems with multiple and dense HDD mounting. 
   When mounting small form factor HDDs in a tray, embodiments enable single hand operation for HDD installation and removal, with unique handle usability features; anti-shock rubber feet and spring damper on the HDD for damage protection; and HDD retention with a latch mechanism on the HDD and a retention hold on the PCB. The HDD includes a connector that connects to a connector on a PCB, and the latch mechanism is on the opposite side of the connector on the PCB. 
   The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the embodiments be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the embodiments. Since many embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments, the embodiments reside in the claims hereinafter appended or any subsequently-filed claims, and their equivalents.

Technology Category: g