TWI895148B - A hard drive rack assembly utilizing a pivoting latch to secure a hard drive backplane - Google Patents

Abstract

A hard drive rack assembly utilizing a pivoting latch to secure a hard drive backplane comprises a hard drive rack, a hard drive backplane, and a pivoting latch. The hard drive rack is equipped with at least one positioning structure. The hard drive backplane, when assembled onto the hard drive rack, forms together with the hard drive rack an enclosure space for accommodating at least one hard drive. The pivoting latch includes a pivot section and a latching section. The pivot section is pivotally connected to the hard drive rack. The latching section extends from the pivot section and is operable to move along an operation path between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the latching section is in the locked position, it latches onto the hard drive backplane, thereby working together with the positioning structure to secure and position the hard drive backplane; when the latching section is in the unlocked position, it disengages from the hard drive backplane, allowing the hard drive backplane to be removed from the hard drive. rack.

Description

Use the pivoting clip to fix the hard drive bracket assembly to the hard drive backplane

The present invention relates to a hard drive rack assembly, and more particularly to a hard drive rack assembly that utilizes a pivoting clip to secure a hard drive backplane.

In modern data center environments, numerous hard drives are housed in drive racks. These drives connect to the drive backplane for power and data transmission via electrical connectors. However, with the rapid advancement of technology, a wide variety of hard drive interfaces have emerged. Replacing a hard drive often requires simultaneously replacing the corresponding hard drive backplane.

In previous technologies, hard drive backplanes were typically securely attached to the hard drive rack using screws and other fasteners. While this method ensures a stable connection, it also introduces significant inconvenience during maintenance. Specifically, removing the screws before disassembling the hard drive backplane requires significant time, leading to widespread inefficiency in maintenance.

In view of the fact that prior art hard drive backplanes cannot be quickly removed and installed, resulting in generally inefficient maintenance, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a hard drive rack assembly that utilizes a pivoting latch to secure the hard drive backplane. The pivoting latch pivotally connects to the hard drive rack, allowing the latching portion of the pivoting latch to be manipulated to move between a locked position, where it latches onto the hard drive backplane, and an unlocked position, where it releases from the hard drive backplane. This allows for quick removal and installation of the hard drive backplane, thereby resolving the aforementioned problem.

Accordingly, the present invention addresses the challenges of prior art by providing a hard drive rack assembly that utilizes a pivoting latch to secure a hard drive backplane. The assembly comprises a hard drive rack, a hard drive backplane, and a pivoting latch. The hard drive rack is provided with at least one retaining structure. When assembled within the hard drive rack, the hard drive backplane and the hard drive rack together define a hard drive storage space for accommodating at least one hard drive.

The pivoting latch includes a pivoting portion and a latching portion. The pivoting portion is pivotally connected to the hard drive bracket. The latching portion extends from the pivoting portion and is operable to move along an operating path between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the latching portion is in the locked position, it latches onto the hard drive backplane, thereby working together with the retaining structure to retain the hard drive backplane in place. When in the unlocked position, the latching portion releases from the hard drive backplane, allowing the hard drive backplane to be removed from the hard drive bracket.

Based on the above essential technical means, the following additional technical means can be derived. Preferably, the hard drive rack includes a first plate, a second plate, and two side plates. The second plate is disposed opposite the first plate. The two side plates are disposed between the first and second plates, opposing each other, and together with the first and second plates and the hard drive backplate, form a hard drive storage space.

As mentioned above, preferably, the retaining structure includes at least one retaining wall. The retaining wall extends from the second plate and is used to cooperate with the latch to retain the hard drive backplate in place. As mentioned above, preferably, the hard drive backplate has at least one retaining hole, and the retaining structure includes at least one retaining hook corresponding to the retaining hole. The retaining hook extends from at least one of the two side plates in a bent manner and is used to, after passing through the retaining hole, cooperate with the latch to retain the hard drive backplate in place.

As mentioned above, preferably, the hard drive backplate is provided with at least one retaining slot, and the retaining structure includes at least one retaining hook corresponding to the retaining slot. The retaining hook is bent and extends from at least one of the two side panels, and is used to retain and secure the hard drive backplate together with the latch portion when engaged with the retaining slot.

Based on the above essential technical means, the following additional technical means can be derived. Preferably, the hard drive bracket is provided with two stopper posts, one adjacent to the locked position and the other adjacent to the unlocked position. When the latch moves to the locked position or the unlocked position, the two stopper posts prevent further movement.

Based on the above essential technical means, the following additional technical means can be derived. Preferably, the hard drive backplane is provided with at least one electrical connector facing the hard drive storage space, and the at least one electrical connector is used to electrically connect to the hard drive after the hard drive is inserted.

Based on the above necessary technical means, the following additional technical means can be derived. Preferably, a heat dissipation hole is provided on the back panel of the hard drive to dissipate heat.

In summary, the present invention provides a hard drive rack assembly that utilizes a pivoting latch to secure a hard drive backplane. The hinged portion of the pivoting latch is pivotally connected to the hard drive rack, allowing the latching portion of the pivoting latch to be manipulated to move between a locked position, where it latches onto the hard drive backplane, and an unlocked position, where it releases from the hard drive backplane. This allows for quick installation and removal of the hard drive backplane, thereby resolving the aforementioned problem.

The specific embodiments used in this work will be further illustrated through the following examples and diagrams.

100: Hard Drive Rack Assembly

200a, 200b: Hard drive

1: Hard Drive Rack

11: First Plate

111a, 111b: Limiting columns

12: Second Plate

121a, 121b: Limiting wall

13a, 13b: Side panels

131a, 131b: Limit hooks

2: Hard drive backplane

21a, 21b: Electrical connectors

3: Pivot buckle

31: Joint

32: Buckle

321: Snap-on boss

33: Abutment

AH: Limit hole

AG: Limit slot

HDH: Heat Dissipation Hole

AS: Hard disk space

LP: Lock position

ULP: Unlock Position

OP: Operation Path

The first figure is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the hard disk rack assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; the second figure is a three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of the hard disk rack assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; the third figure is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the hard disk back plate of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; the fourth figure is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the hard disk rack assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the hard disk back plate assembled in front of the hard disk rack; the fifth figure is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the buckle portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the unlocked position; the sixth figure is Figure 7 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the latch portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention moving along the operating path; Figure 8 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the latch portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a locked position; Figure 9 is a partial side view of the latch portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention latched to a hard drive backplane; and Figure 10 is a partial side view of the latch portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention released from the hard drive backplane.

Because the hard drive rack assembly provided by this invention, which utilizes pivoting clips to secure a hard drive backplane, can be widely used in various servers and can accommodate a corresponding number of hard drives based on actual needs, we will not describe each of them in detail here. Instead, we will cite a preferred embodiment for detailed explanation. This embodiment serves only to conveniently and clearly illustrate the purpose and effectiveness of this embodiment of the invention.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a hard drive rack assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a hard drive rack assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a hard drive backplane according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 through 3, a hard drive rack assembly (hereinafter referred to as "hard drive rack assembly") 100 that utilizes a pivoting latch to secure a hard drive backplane includes a hard drive rack 1, a hard drive backplane 2, and a pivoting latch 3. The hard drive rack 1 includes a first plate 11, a second plate 12, and two side panels 13a and 13b. The second plate 12 is disposed opposite the first plate 11. The side panels 13a and 13b are disposed opposite each other between the first and second plates 11 and 12.

To limit the position of the hard drive backplane 2, the hard drive rack 1 is provided with at least one limiting structure. In this embodiment, the hard drive rack 1 is provided with multiple limiting structures, while other embodiments may only have one limiting structure.

Specifically, the aforementioned retaining structure includes two retaining walls 121a and 121b and two retaining hooks 131a and 131b. In this embodiment, the retaining walls 121a and 121b extend from the second plate 12, while the retaining hooks 131a and 131b extend from the side panels 13a and 13b, respectively, thereby working together with the pivoting buckle 3 to retain the hard drive back panel 2.

To limit the movement of the pivoting latch 3, the hard drive bracket 1 is provided with two stopper posts 111a and 111b. In this embodiment, the two stopper posts 111a and 111b are protruding from the first plate 11.

When assembled in the hard drive rack 1, the hard drive backplane 2 and the hard drive rack 1 (first plate 11, second plate 12, and side panels 13a and 13b) together form a hard drive accommodating space AS for accommodating at least one hard drive. In this embodiment, the hard drive accommodating space AS is used to accommodate two hard drives 200a and 200b. In other embodiments, one or more hard drives may be accommodated.

As mentioned above, the hard drive backplane 2 is provided with at least one electrical connector facing the hard drive accommodation space AS. In this embodiment, the hard drive backplane 2 is provided with two electrical connectors 21a and 21b, which are used to electrically connect to hard drives 200a and 200b after they are inserted, respectively. The structure and operating principle of the electrical connectors are prior art and will not be further described in this embodiment.

To facilitate the aforementioned positioning structure, the hard drive backplate 2 in this embodiment is provided with a positioning hole AH (a bottle-shaped opening in this embodiment) and a positioning groove AG, corresponding to the positioning hooks 131a and 131b. The positioning hole AH allows the positioning hook 131b to pass through, while the positioning groove AG engages with the positioning hook 131a, thereby securing the hard drive backplate 2 in position together with the pivoting buckle 3.

In order to remove the heat generated by the hard drives 200a and 200b during operation through air convection, in this embodiment, the hard drive backplate 2 is provided with a heat dissipation hole HDH for heat dissipation.

The pivoting latch 3 includes a pivoting portion 31 and a latching portion 32. The pivoting portion 31 is pivotally connected to the hard drive tray 1. In this embodiment, the pivoting portion 31 is pivotally connected to the first plate 11. The latching portion 32 extends from the pivoting portion 31 and, in this embodiment, is a flexible arm. Furthermore, the latching portion 32 is operable to move along an operating path OP (shown in FIG. 8 ) between a locked position LP (shown in FIG. 8 ) and an unlocked position ULP (shown in FIG. 5 ).

In this embodiment, the limiting post 111a and the limiting post 111b are respectively positioned adjacent to the locked position LP and the unlocked position ULP. In other words, when the latch portion 32 moves to the locked position LP or the unlocked position ULP, it is restrained by the limiting post 111a or the limiting post 111b, preventing further movement.

When the latch 32 is in the locked position (LP), it latches onto the hard drive backplane 2, thereby securing the hard drive backplane 2 in place together with the retaining structure (restricting walls 121a and 121b and retaining hooks 131a and 131b). When the latch 32 is in the unlocked position (ULP), it releases the latch from the hard drive backplane 2, allowing the hard drive backplane 2 to be removed from the hard drive rack 1.

In this embodiment, the latch portion 32 is provided with two latching bosses (only one latching boss 321 is shown). When the latch portion 32 is in the locking position LP, the latching boss 321 is used to latch onto the hard drive backplate 2.

In this embodiment, the pivoting latch 3 has a U-shaped hole formed into an abutment portion 33. Located between the pivoting portion 31 and the latch portion 32, the abutment portion 33 abuts against the top of the hard drive backplate 2 when the latch portion 32 is in the locked position LP. As the latch portion 32 deforms, the abutment portion 33 remains in place and continues to abut against the top of the hard drive backplate 2.

Please refer to Figures 4 to 10. Figure 4 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing the hard drive backplane assembled in front of the hard drive rack in the hard drive rack assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing the buckle portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the unlocked position; Figure 6 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing the buckle portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention moving along the operating path; Figure 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing A side view of the latch portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention moving along an operating path; FIG8 is a schematic perspective view of the latch portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a locked position; FIG9 is a partial side view of the latch portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention latched to a hard drive backplate; and FIG10 is a partial side view of the latch boss of a preferred embodiment of the present invention detached from the hard drive backplate.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, to assemble the hard drive backplane 2 to the hard drive rack 1, first pivot the hinge 31 onto the first plate 11, keeping the latch 32 in the unlocked position ULP. Then, align the bottom of the hard drive backplane 2, the retaining groove AG, and the retaining hole AH with the retaining walls 121a and 121b, and the retaining hooks 131a and 131b, respectively, before assembling it to the hard drive rack 1.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, after the hard drive backplane 2 is assembled in the hard drive rack 1, the top of the hard drive backplane 2 is not yet locked. At this point, the latch portion 32 needs to be moved along an operating path OP from the unlocking position ULP to the locking position LP. Before the latch portion 32 reaches the locking position LP, the latching protrusion 321 sequentially abuts against the first plate 11 and the top of the hard drive backplane 2, causing the latch portion 32 to slightly deform.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the latch portion 32 reaches the locking position LP, the latching protrusion 321 disengages from the top of the hard drive backplate 2. The latch portion 32 then returns to its original position, locking the latching protrusion 321 onto the hard drive backplate 2. Together with the retaining walls 121a and 121b and the retaining hooks 131a and 131b, the retaining protrusion 321 secures the hard drive backplate 2 in place.

As shown in Figure 10, when replacing the hard drive and the hard drive backplane 2 simultaneously, the latch portion 32 is first moved to disengage the latching protrusion 321 from the hard drive backplane 2, thereby allowing the latch portion 32 to move to the unlocked position ULP, thereby allowing the hard drive backplane 2 to be removed from the hard drive rack 1 and subsequently replaced.

In summary, the hard drive tray assembly 100 provided by the present invention pivots the pivoting portion 31 of the pivoting latch 3 to the hard drive tray 1, allowing the latching portion 32 of the pivoting latch 3 to be moved between a locked position LP, where it is locked to the hard drive backplane 2, and an unlocked position ULP, where it is released from the hard drive backplane 2. This allows for quick installation and removal of the hard drive backplane 2, thereby resolving the aforementioned problem.

The above detailed description of the preferred embodiments is intended to more clearly illustrate the features and spirit of the present invention. It is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the preferred embodiments disclosed above. On the contrary, the intention is to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the scope of the patent application for this invention.

100: Hard Drive Rack Assembly

1: Hard Drive Rack

11: First Plate

111a, 111b: Limiting columns

12: Second Plate

121a, 121b: Limiting wall

13a, 13b: Side panels

131a, 131b: Limit hooks

2: Hard drive backplane

3: Pivot buckle

31: Joint

32: Buckle

321: Snap-on boss

33: Abutment

AH: Limit hole

AG: Limit slot

HDH: Heat Dissipation Hole

AS: Hard disk space

Claims (8)

A hard drive rack assembly that utilizes a pivoting buckle to fix a hard drive backplane comprises: a hard drive rack having at least one limiting structure; a hard drive backplane that, when assembled to the hard drive rack, forms a hard drive accommodating space with the hard drive rack for accommodating at least one hard drive; and a pivoting buckle comprising: a pivoting portion pivotally connected to the hard drive rack; and a buckling portion extending from the pivoting portion. , for being operated to move along an operating path between a locked position and an unlocked position; wherein, when the latch portion is in the locked position, the latch portion is latched on the hard drive backplate, thereby limiting and fixing the hard drive backplate together with the at least one limiting structure; when the latch portion is in the unlocked position, the latch portion is released from the hard drive backplate, thereby allowing the hard drive backplate to be removed from the hard drive rack. A hard drive rack assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the hard drive rack comprises: a first plate; a second plate arranged relative to the first plate; and two side plates arranged relative to each other between the first plate and the second plate, for forming the hard drive storage space together with the first plate, the second plate and the hard drive back plate. As described in claim 2, the hard disk rack assembly, wherein the at least one limiting structure includes at least one limiting wall, and the at least one limiting wall extends from the second plate body and is used to limit and fix the hard disk back plate together with the locking portion. As described in claim 2, the hard drive rack assembly, wherein the hard drive back plate is provided with at least one limiting hole, the at least one limiting structure includes at least one limiting hook corresponding to the at least one limiting hole, and the at least one limiting hook is bent and extended from at least one of the two side plates, and is used to limit and fix the hard drive back plate together with the buckle portion after passing through the at least one limiting hole. As described in claim 2, the hard drive rack assembly, wherein the hard drive back plate is provided with at least one limiting slot, the at least one limiting structure includes at least one limiting hook corresponding to the at least one limiting slot, and the at least one limiting hook is bent and extended from at least one of the two side plates, and is used to limit and fix the hard drive back plate together with the buckle portion after being engaged in the limiting slot. As described in claim 1, the hard drive rack assembly is provided with two limit posts, which are respectively adjacent to the locking position and the unlocking position, so that when the buckle portion moves to the locking position or the unlocking position, it is limited by the two limit posts and prohibited from further movement. The hard drive rack assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the hard drive backplane is provided with at least one electrical connector facing the hard drive accommodating space, and the at least one electrical connector is used to electrically connect to the at least one hard drive after the at least one hard drive is inserted. The hard drive rack assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the hard drive backplate is provided with a heat dissipation hole for heat dissipation.