Hard disk drive drawers are used to allow easy access to repair and replace hard disk drives in computers. The hard disk drive drawer has a fixed outer casing which surrounds an inner casing that allows for the storage and removal of a plurality of hard disk drives.
Traditionally, input/output (“I/O”) cables were connected to the hard disk drives in such a way that the disk drives could not be accessed without powering down the system and disconnecting the cables, thereby resulting in costly computer downtime. This is also problematic in that it does not allow for easy management of highly dense signal paths as it is not always easy to track which I/O cables were associated with a particular hard disk drive.
A cable management module that allows for easy access to a hard disk drive as well as precise management of highly dense signal paths in a small area would be an important improvement in the art.
a) is a perspective view of the cable management module showing the first and second module unlocked in the stowed position with the locking release mechanism in the up position.
b) is a perspective view of the cable management module showing the locking release mechanism in an intermediate position and the locking member engaging the catch member.
c) is a perspective view of the cable management module showing the locking release mechanism in the down position and the locking member fully engaged with the catch member.
a) is a front view of a cable management module showing the locking release mechanism in the up position.
b) is a front view of the cable management module showing the locking release mechanism in the down position.
a) is a side view of a cable management module showing the locking release mechanism in the up position and the locking member distal to the catch member with a hard-drive-disk drawer locking member engaged with the catch member.
b) is a side view of a cable management module showing the locking release mechanism in the down position and the locking member engage with the catch member with a hard-drive-disk drawer locking member released from the catch member.
The apparatus involves a cable management module 10 that allows for the precise management of highly dense signal paths in a small area and the completion of service events in a minimal amount of time. As shown in
In an embodiment, each arm of the pairs of connecting arms 18 has a first end 28 and a second end 30. The first end 28 of one arm is connected to the first module 12 while the first end 28 of a second arm is connected to the second module 16. Each arm of the remaining pairs of connecting arms 18 has a first end 28 and a second end 30 connected to a respective first and second end 30 of a connecting arm 18 associated with another of the plurality pair of connecting arms 18, thereby establishing an accordion-style connection between the first and second module 12, 16.
As shown in
In an embodiment, an input/output cable 40 is interlaced amongst the plurality of pairs of connecting arms 18, as shown in
As shown in
When in operation, as shown in
During normal operation of the computer system, the handle or locking release mechanism 24 of the cable management module 10 is in the up position, as shown in
In traveling with the disk drive, the first module 12 causes the plurality of pairs of connecting arms 18 to expand from one another in an accordion style, as shown in
In an embodiment, as shown in
Also disclosed is a method for accessing a hard disk drive stored in a drawer without disconnecting input/output cables associated with a hard-disk-drive drawer. As shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
In an embodiment, the first module 12 is locked to the second module 16 while simultaneously being unlocked from the hard-disk-drive drawer 14. Likewise, the first module 12 is unlocked from the second module 16 what simultaneously being locked to the hard-disk-drive drawer 14.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the claimed apparatus, device, system or method (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the claimed apparatus, device, system or method and does not impose a scope limitation unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the claimed apparatus, device, system or method.
Preferred embodiments of the claimed apparatus, device, system or method are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for practicing the claimed apparatus, device, system or method. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the claimed apparatus, device, system or method.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US2008/056391 | 3/10/2008 | WO | 00 | 9/9/2010 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2009/114002 | 9/17/2009 | WO | A |
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Entry |
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EP 08743751.3 Extended Search Report, HP reference 82240604, Aug. 1, 2014, 6 pps. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20110007472 A1 | Jan 2011 | US |