Cage assembly for front service access and method of use

Details Cage assembly for front service access and method of use Cage assembly for front service access and method of use

2001-04-26

2003-03-18

Martin, David (Department: 2841)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S724000, C312S223100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06535391

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer system components and more particularly to a system and method of use for front service access to a component or subassembly in a computer system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modem computer/server systems typically incorporate a host of components that determine the system's functionality and speed. At one time, a comparable computing system would have occupied an entire room. Now, the computer/server systems are, for the most part, self-contained units that can be mounted in a standard rack. The components are arranged in a, compact package in a mechanical chassis within the computer/server. These components can be direct access and storage devices (DASDs), e.g., hard disk drives, processors, or power supplies. The components are generally connected to each other and to the system via cables, printed circuit boards, or planars. If a component needs repair or replacement, it is usually removable from within the chassis once the computer's cover has been removed. Removal often requires disconnecting the cables from the rear of the component or subassembly before extracting the component.
Component extraction is generally easy if the components are arranged in a single level. In that situation, once the cover is removed from the computer system, the components are accessible through the top of the system. Nevertheless, with the increased number of components being installed in computers, single level storage may not be feasible. In fact, multi-level arrangements are not uncommon. Although more components can be accommodated in this fashion, access to those components buried beneath others can be difficult, if not impossible. Removing the computer's cover no longer exposes all the components.
For instance, if a faulty component or subassembly is mounted in the lower front comer of a multi-level chassis, it may be difficult or impossible to reach the associated cable(s) from the top of the system. Other components mounted above the faulty part might have to be removed in order to gain access. This introduces a new level of potential error because now several components must be disconnected and reconnected, opening the door to mistakes that might harm the system. Although extraction through the front, as opposed to the top, of the chassis might be feasible, it is difficult to completely extract an electrical component or subassembly through the front of a rack-mounted system and then attempt to disconnect the cables.
For example,
FIGS. 1 and 1A
illustrate a typical mechanical chassis
12
for a two level DASD cage assembly in a computer system
10
. As shown, there are two DASD cages
14
a
and
14
b
within the chassis
12
, each accommodating up to six DASD drives
16
. Both cages
14
a
and
14
b
also include a backplane card
18
a
located at the back of the cage
14
a
,
14
b
. With the top cover
10
a
removed in
FIG. 1A
, the upper cage
14
a
is exposed. The backplane card
18
a
at the rear of the upper DASD cage
14
a
can be easily unplugged and removed from the cage
14
a
through the top of the system
10
. The lower DASD cage
14
b
is completely obscured by the upper cage
14
a
, and the lower back plane (not shown) is inaccessible, unless the upper DASD cage
14
a
is removed. Removing the upper DASD cage
14
a
requires removing the DASD drives
16
and disconnecting the cables leading to the backplane card
18
a
. This process is time consuming and tedious, presents a potential situation for erroneously disconnecting or reconnecting a cable, and may damage otherwise functional components.
Therefore, what is needed is a system and method for accessing a component or subassembly from the front of the computer system. The system and method should provide easy access to the component or subassembly so that a user can readily disconnect and reconnect cables. The system and method should also be easily adapted to existing computer systems. The present invention addresses such needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system and method for front service access to a component or subassembly in a computer system is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a frame having a front face is provided, as well as a plate configured to move into and out of the front face of the frame. The plate includes a first portion and a second portion coupled to one another via a linking element. A component cage is mounted on the first portion of the plate. The first portion of the plate is moved out of the front face of the frame and is rotated downward via the linking element. In this position, the cage is readily accessible.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user can readily access the component or subassembly from the front side of the computer system. Connector cables attached to the component can be removed easily without the risk of removing the wrong cable or connecting a cable into the wrong receptor. Accordingly, the present invention simplifies repairs and upgrades to computer systems, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing costs.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2857558 (1958-10-01), Fiske
patent: 5745342 (1998-04-01), Jeffries
patent: 6007358 (1999-12-01), Nagase
patent: 6104621 (2000-08-01), Weadon
patent: 6219249 (2001-04-01), Tuccio

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