CN103838319A - Hard disk drive tray and hand shank component for same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to hard drive trays and handle assemblies for hard drive trays. The hard drive carrier is adapted to be mounted in a rack and includes a carrier body with a front shell. The handle assembly includes: a handle pivotably mounted to the front housing of the tray body at a first end, at least one hook extending outward at the first end, and a The pin hole; the button, which moves from the initial position to the second position along the first direction under the action of an external force, and is provided with a first motion conversion mechanism; the button biasing mechanism, which is configured to bias the button towards the initial position; the latch , which is provided with a second motion conversion mechanism, the second motion conversion mechanism cooperates with the first motion conversion mechanism to convert the movement of the button along the first direction into the movement of the bolt along the second direction, so that the bolt is in the locked position and the unlocked position position; and a latch spring configured to bias the latch toward the locked position.

Description

Hard Drive Carrier and Handle Assembly for Hard Drive Carrier

technical field

The present invention relates generally to hard drive trays, and more particularly to handle assemblies for hard drive trays.

Background technique

A hard drive is the primary data storage device for a computer. Hard drives are used to store data, and most of the data needed to operate a computer's hardware and software is stored on the hard drive. The larger the hard drive capacity, the more data your computer can store. Thus, a hard disk drive is the most important data storage device for a computer. If the hard drive is damaged, the computer will not work properly.

A hard disk drive mainly includes a magnetic disk, a magnetic head, a motor and a connecting circuit, and these components are all arranged in a casing. When a hard drive accesses data, the location of the data is first read, and then the head moves to the specified location on the disk to access the data. When data is stored on a hard drive, an available storage location is first found, and then the head moves to the specified location on the disk to store the data.

Hard drives are usually installed in hard drive carriers. The hard drive tray includes a tray main body and a handle, which is mounted to the tray main body and facilitates the user to take the hard drive tray out of the rack. Since the hard drive carrier is subjected to large accelerations during hard drive operation, it is desirable to lock the hard drive carrier to the rack to prevent the hard drive carrier from inadvertently slipping out of the rack.

US 6891723B1 discloses a hook device for a hard disk drive tray module, the hook device includes a handle, a spring, a latch, a first hook plate, a second hook plate and an E ring. By using a spring and an E-ring, the latch slides along the handle so that the hard drive carrier module can be locked and unlocked. However, the hook device disclosed in US 6891723 B1 has a complicated structure. In addition, when the user wants to take out the hard disk drive tray module, it is necessary to place the fingers through the notches in the upper and lower panels into the recess between the curved middle section of the handle and the front plate tray of the front cover, and use the thumb Slide the pin along the handle towards the curved middle section and rotate the handle down. This unlocking operation is also complicated.

Therefore, there is a need for a handle assembly for a hard disk drive tray that is simple in structure and easy to operate.

Contents of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a handle assembly for a hard disk drive tray that is simple in structure and easy to operate.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a handle assembly for a hard drive tray adapted to be mounted in a rack and comprising a tray body having a front housing, the handle assembly comprising:

a handle pivotably mounted to the front housing of the tray body at a first end, at least one hook extending outwardly at said first end, and at a second end surface A pin hole is provided;

a button, the button moves from the initial position to the second position along the first direction under the action of an external force, and is provided with a first motion conversion mechanism;

a button biasing mechanism configured to bias the button toward the initial position;

a latch provided with a second motion conversion mechanism cooperating with the first motion conversion mechanism to convert movement of the button in a first direction to movement of the latch in a second direction movement such that the latch moves between a locked position and an unlocked position; and

a latch spring configured to bias the latch toward the locked position,

When the latch is in the locked position, the latch engages the latch hole of the handle, and when the latch is in the unlocked position, the latch moves away from the latch hole of the handle so that the handle can pivot from the closed position to open position,

When the handle is in the closed position, the at least one hook engages with a recess in the frame to prevent the hard drive tray from being removed, and when the handle is in the open position, the at least one hook engages with the frame disengages the notch in to allow the hard drive carrier to be removed.

Preferably, the handle assembly further comprises a handle biasing mechanism configured to bias the handle towards the open position to automatically move the handle to the open position when the latch is in the unlocked position. Location.

Preferably, the handle biasing mechanism is a handle torsion spring, the handle is fixed on the tray body by a pin and a handle torsion spring, and when the handle is moved to the open position, the handle torsion spring biases the The handle enables the at least one hook to engage with the side panel of the tray body, so that the handle remains in an open position, so that the user can grasp the handle to take out the hard disk drive tray.

Preferably, the button biasing mechanism is a bracket comprising a bracket body and at least one shrapnel extending from the bracket body towards the button.

Preferably, the bracket includes four elastic pieces, the button includes a button body and a flange extending outward from one end of the button body, and the four elastic pieces elastically lean against the flange of the button.

Preferably, the button defines a pair of guide grooves on opposite sides of the flange for cooperating with corresponding guide ribs in the front housing of the tray body to guide movement of the button in the first direction.

Preferably, the bracket further includes a stopper for limiting the stroke of the button moving in the first direction.

Preferably, the stop block includes a first portion extending upward from the bracket body and a second flat portion extending laterally from the first portion, when the button moves to the second position, the inner surface of the button engages with the second flat portion , to prevent the button from moving further in the first direction.

Preferably, the latch includes a latch body defining a U-shaped notch, and a spring post extending outward from the notch, the latch spring is sleeved on the spring post, and the first end of the latch spring Against the latch body, the second end of the latch spring abuts against the first portion of the stop block of the bracket.

Preferably, said second direction is perpendicular to said first direction, said pushbutton includes a post with an inclined surface to serve as said first motion conversion mechanism, said latch body defines an opening with a matching inclined surface , to serve as the second motion conversion mechanism.

Preferably, the latch further includes at least one extension, and the bracket includes at least one guide for cooperating with the at least one extension to guide the latch to move in the second direction.

Preferably, the bracket further includes a lug at an end proximate the handle, the lug defining an aperture for receiving the bolt body.

Preferably, both the handle and the latch are made of metal.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hard drive tray adapted to be mounted in a rack and comprising a tray body having a front housing and the handle assembly.

The handle assembly for a hard disk drive tray according to the present invention is simple in structure and easy to operate. When the user wants to take out the hard disk drive tray, he only needs to press the button for a certain stroke, the latch will move to the unlocked position, and the handle will automatically open under the elastic force of the handle spring. Therefore, the user can conveniently take out the hard disk drive tray. When the user moves the handle from the open position to the closed position, due to the action of the latch spring, the latch will reliably engage with the latch hole of the handle to keep the handle in the closed position. In addition, the metal handle and latch ensure the sheer strength of the handle to prevent violence during opening and closing. In addition, the design of the skirt around the handle of the present invention can ensure that areas other than the button will not be able to open the handle to avoid unintentional touches. The sunken design and longitudinal travel of the buttons also prevent unintentional touches.

Other exemplary embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing exemplary embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Description of drawings

At least one embodiment will be described below with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hard drive tray including a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the handle is in an open position.

2A is a schematic illustration of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the handle is in a closed position.

2B is a schematic illustration of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the handle is in an open position.

3 is a perspective view of a button of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a latch of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a bracket of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a perspective view of a handle assembly showing the relative arrangement of buttons and latches in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a handle assembly showing the relative arrangement of the latch and bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a perspective view of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention with the latch removed to more clearly show the relative placement of the button and bracket.

9A is a cross-sectional view of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the handle is in a closed position.

9B is a cross-sectional view of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the handle is in an open position.

Detailed ways

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar parts. Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. As used herein, directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "front," "rear," and "transverse," etc., are used to refer to The orientation of the graph. Since components of the various embodiments disclosed herein may be arranged in many different orientations, these directional terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. It should also be understood that the exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings and the specific language used to describe the same herein are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Variations and other modifications of the features described herein, as well as additional applications of the principles described herein, will occur to those skilled in the relevant art and knowledge of the invention, and are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

1 is a perspective view of a hard drive tray 10 including a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the handle 4 in an open position. The hard drive carrier 10 is suitable for mounting in a rack (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1 , the hard disk drive tray 10 includes a tray main body 8 and a handle assembly. The tray main body 8 includes a front case 81 and side panels 82 .

As used herein, the term "handle" is used to define the front cover of a hard drive tray that is also adapted to be grasped by a user to remove the hard drive tray. Thus, "handle" may be used interchangeably with "front cover". Similarly, "handle assembly" may be used interchangeably with "front cover assembly".

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the handle assembly may include a button 1 , a latch 2 , a button biasing mechanism and a handle 4 . The handle 4 is pivotally mounted at a first end to the front housing 81 of the tray body 8 . The handle 4 is provided with at least one hook portion 41 extending outward at the first end, and a latch hole 42 is provided at the second end surface. The button biasing mechanism is configured to bias said button 1 towards an initial position. Although two hooks 41 are shown in FIG. 1 , it should be understood that the handle 4 may include other numbers of hooks without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the handle assembly may further include a handle biasing mechanism configured to bias the handle 4 toward the open position, so that when the latch 2 is in the unlocked position, it will automatically Move the handle 4 to the open position.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the handle biasing mechanism is a handle torsion spring 6 , and the handle 4 is fixed on the tray main body 8 through a pin 7 and the handle torsion spring 6 . When the handle 4 is moved to the open position, the handle torsion spring 6 biases the handle 4 so that the at least one hook 41 engages with the side panel 82 of the tray body 8, so that the handle 4 remains in the open position, It is convenient for the user to grasp the handle 4 to take out the hard disk drive tray 10 . Although the handle biasing mechanism is shown in FIG. 1 as a handle torsion spring 6, it should be understood that the handle assembly may include other forms of handle biasing mechanisms without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a schematic diagram of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the handle 4 is in a closed position. Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of the handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the handle 4 is in an open position. When an external force is applied to the button 1 so that the button 1 moves downward (along the first direction A) from the initial position to the second position by a certain stroke, the latch 2 moves away from the latch hole 42 of the handle 4, and the handle 4 moves to the position shown in FIG. 2B open position shown.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the button 1 of the handle assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 , the button 1 may include a button body 11 , a flange 12 extending outward from one end of the button body 11 , and a first motion converting mechanism. The four elastic pieces 32 of the bracket 3 elastically lean against the flange 12 of the button 1 .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said button 1 may define a pair of guide grooves 13 on opposite sides of the flange 12 for engaging with corresponding guide ribs (not shown) in the front housing 81 of the tray body 8 . ) to guide button 1 to move in the first direction A.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the latch 2 of the handle assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention. The latch 2 comprises a latch body 20 defining a U-shaped notch, a second motion conversion mechanism, at least one extension 22 and a spring post 23 extending outward from the notch. The second motion conversion mechanism cooperates with the first motion conversion mechanism to convert the movement of the button 1 along the first direction A into the movement of the latch 2 along the second direction C, so that the latch 2 is locked position and the unlocked position (see Figure 6). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second direction C is a horizontal direction (defined relative to the button body 11 of the button 1 ), and the first direction A is a longitudinal direction and is perpendicular to the second direction C. However, it should be understood that the first direction A and the second direction C may adopt other directions without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, both the handle 4 and the latch 2 are made of metal to ensure the strength of the handle 4 .

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first movement conversion mechanism of the button 1 comprises a post 14 with an inclined surface. The second motion conversion mechanism of the bolt 2 is an opening 21 with matching inclined surfaces defined by the body 20 of the bolt. It should be understood, however, that the first motion converting mechanism and the second motion converting mechanism may employ other motion converting mechanisms capable of cooperating with each other, such as a worm gear-worm assembly, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket 3 of the handle assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5 , the bracket 3 may include a bracket body 31 and at least one elastic sheet 32 extending from the bracket body 31 toward the button 1 . As shown in FIG. 5 , the bracket 3 may include four elastic pieces 32 , but it should be understood that the bracket 3 may include other numbers of elastic pieces 32 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bracket 3 further includes a stop block 33 for limiting the travel of the button 1 moving along the first direction A. As shown in FIG. The stop block 33 includes a first portion 34 extending upward from the bracket body 31 and a second flat portion 35 extending laterally from the first portion 34 . When the button 1 is moved to the second position, the inner surface of the button 1 engages with the second flat portion 35 to prevent further movement of the button 1 in the first direction A.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bracket 3 may also include a lug 38 at the end close to the handle 4 , the lug 38 defining a hole for receiving the bolt body 20 . The bracket 3 also comprises at least one guide 37 defining together with the bracket body 31 at least one channel for cooperating with the at least one extension 22 to guide the movement of the bolt 2 in the second direction C. In addition, the bracket 3 may also include a plurality of holes 36 for receiving screws (not shown). The tray body 8 may include a plurality of legs (not shown) extending from the front housing 81 defining internally threaded holes for threadingly engaging with screws to secure the stand 3 to the front housing 81 .

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the relative arrangement of the button 1 and the latch 2. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the handle assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing the relative arrangement of the latch 2 and the bracket 3. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the latch 2 is removed to more clearly show the relative arrangement of the button 1 and the bracket 3 .

As shown in FIG. 7 , the latch spring 5 is sleeved on the spring column 23 and is configured to bias the latch 2 toward the locked position. The first end of the latch spring 5 abuts against the latch body 20 , and the second end of the latch spring 5 abuts against the first portion 34 of the stop block 33 of the bracket.

Figure 9A is a cross-sectional view of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the handle 4 is in a closed position. Figure 9B is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the handle 4 is in an open position.

The installation of the handle assembly according to the invention will now be described. First, the button 1 is inserted into the opening of the front case 81 of the tray body 8 from behind so that the button body 11 protrudes slightly from the front case 81 or is substantially flush with the outer surface of the front case 81, and the flange 12 is The inner side is engaged with the front case 81 . Then, the latch spring 5 is sleeved on the spring column 23 of the latch 2 , and the latch body 21 of the latch 2 is inserted into the hole of the lug 38 of the bracket 3 . Then, the bracket 3 with the pin 2 and the pin spring 5 is placed into the front housing 81 so that the legs of the front housing 81 are aligned with the holes 36 of the bracket 3 and are in contact with the bracket 3, and by screwing the It is fixed to the front housing 81 by inserting into the internally threaded hole of the leg of the front housing 81. The handle 4 is fixed on the tray main body 8 through a pin 7 and a handle torsion spring 6 .

When the user wants to take out the hard disk drive tray 10, a pressure is applied on the button 1 so that the button 1 moves from the initial position to the second position, and the latch 2 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, so that the handle 4 is in the position of the handle biasing mechanism. Under action, it pivots from a closed position to an open position, as indicated by arrow B in Figure 2B.

When the latch 2 is in the locked position, the latch 2 engages with the latch hole 42 of the handle 4, and when the latch 2 is in the unlocked position, the latch 2 moves away from the latch hole 42 of the handle 4, so that the The handle 4 is pivotable from a closed position to an open position.

When the handle 4 is in the closed position, the at least one hook 41 engages with a recess in the frame to prevent the hard disk drive tray 10 from being taken out, and when the handle 4 is in the open position, the at least one hook Portions 41 disengage from recesses in the rack to allow hard drive tray 10 to be removed.

The handle assembly for the hard disk drive tray 10 according to the present invention is simple in structure and easy to operate. When the user wants to take out the hard disk drive tray 10, he only needs to press the button 1 for a certain stroke, the latch 2 will move to the unlocked position, and the handle 3 will automatically open under the elastic force of the handle spring 6. Therefore, the user can conveniently take out the hard disk drive tray 10 . When the user moves the handle 4 from the open position to the closed position, due to the action of the latch spring 5, the latch 2 will reliably engage with the latch hole 42 of the handle 4 to keep the handle 4 in the closed position. Furthermore, the metal handle 4 and the latch 2 ensure the absolute strength of the handle 4 against violence during opening and closing. In addition, the design of the skirt around the handle 4 of the present invention can ensure that other areas except the button 1 will not be able to open the handle 4 to avoid unintentional touches. The sunken design and longitudinal travel of button 1 also prevent unintentional touches.

The disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereto. Other modifications and changes will occur to others after reading and understanding the specification. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims (14)

1. for a Handleset for hard disk drive pallet (10), described hard disk drive pallet (10) is applicable to be arranged in frame and comprises the have front shell tray main body (8) of (81), and described Handleset comprises:

Handle (4), described handle (4) is pivotally mounted to the front shell (81) of described tray main body (8) at first end, be provided with outward extending at least one hook portion (41) at described first end, and be provided with pin hole (42) at the second end surfaces;

Button (1), described button (1) moves towards the second place from initial position along first direction (A) under the effect of external force, and is provided with the first movement conversion mechanism;

Button bias mechanism, described button bias mechanism is configured to described button (1) towards described initial position bias voltage;

Latch (2), described latch (2) is provided with the second movement conversion mechanism, described the second movement conversion mechanism cooperates that with described the first movement conversion mechanism described button (1) is converted to the motion of described latch (2) along second direction (C) along the motion of first direction (A), and described latch (2) is moved between locked; And

Latch spring (5), described latch spring (5) is configured to described latch (2) towards latched position bias voltage,

When described latch (2) is during in latched position, described latch (2) engages with the pin hole (42) of handle (4), in the time that described latch (2) is in the unlocked position, described latch (2) is removed the pin hole (42) that leaves handle (4), thereby described handle (4) can be pivoted to open position from off-position

In the time that described handle (4) is in the closed position, described at least one hook portion (41) engages with the recess in frame, to prevent that hard disk drive pallet (10) from being taken out, in the time that described handle (4) is in an open position, described at least one hook portion (41) departs from the recess in frame, to allow hard disk drive pallet (10) to be taken out.

2. Handleset according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, described Handleset also comprises handle bias mechanism, described handle bias mechanism is configured to described handle (4) towards open position bias voltage, automatically described handle (4) is moved to open position in the time that described latch (2) is in the unlocked position.

3. Handleset according to claim 2, it is characterized in that, described handle bias mechanism is handle torsion spring (6), described handle (4) is fixed on described tray main body (8) by pin (7) and handle torsion spring (6), in the time that described handle (4) moves to open position, described in described handle torsion spring (6) bias voltage, handle (4) makes described at least one hook portion (41) engage with the side panel (82) of tray main body (8), thereby make handle (4) remain on open position, being beneficial to user's grasping member (4) takes out hard disk drive pallet (10).

4. Handleset according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, described button bias mechanism is support (3), at least one shell fragment (32) that described support (3) comprises rack body (31) and extends towards button (1) from described rack body (31).

5. Handleset according to claim 4, it is characterized in that, described support (3) comprises four shell fragments (32), described button (1) comprises button body (11) and the outward extending flange in one end (12) from button body (11), and described four shell fragments (32) flexibly lean against on the flange (12) of described button (1).

6. Handleset according to claim 5, it is characterized in that, described button (1) limits a pair of guide recess (13) on the opposite side of flange (12), for cooperate with the respective guide rib of the front shell (81) of tray main body (8), with call-on button (1) in first direction (A) movement.

7. Handleset according to claim 6, is characterized in that, described support (3) also comprises stop block (33), for limiting described button (1) along the mobile stroke of first direction (A).

8. Handleset according to claim 7, it is characterized in that, described stop block (33) comprises from the upwardly extending Part I of rack body (31) (34) with from second flat (35) of Part I (34) horizontal expansion, in the time that described button (1) moves to the second place, the inside surface of button (1) engages with the second flat (35), to stop button (1) further mobile along first direction (A).

9. Handleset according to claim 8, it is characterized in that, described latch (2) comprises and limits the latch main body (20) of U-shaped recess and from the outward extending spring stack of described recess (23), described latch spring (5) is enclosed within on described spring stack (23), the first end of described latch spring (5) is against latch main body (20), and the second end of described latch spring (5) is against the Part I (34) of the stop block (33) of support (3).

10. Handleset according to claim 9, it is characterized in that, described second direction (C) is perpendicular to described first direction (A), described button (1) comprises the pillar (14) with inclined surface, to be used as described the first movement conversion mechanism, described latch main body (20) limits the opening (21) with coupling inclined surface, to be used as described the second movement conversion mechanism.

11. Handlesets according to claim 10, it is characterized in that, described latch (2) also comprises at least one extension (22), described support (3) comprises at least one guiding piece (37), mobile in second direction (C) with guide (2) for cooperating with described at least one extension (22).

12. Handlesets according to claim 11, is characterized in that, described support (3) also comprises the lug (38) being positioned near the end of handle (4), and described lug (38) limits the hole that receives latch main body (20).

13. Handlesets according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described handle (4) and latch (2) are all made of metal.

14. 1 kinds of hard disk drive pallets (10), described hard disk drive pallet (10) is applicable to be arranged in frame and comprises the tray main body (8) of (81) that has front shell and according to the Handleset described in any one in claim 1 to 13.

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