Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-25
2001-11-13
Gandhi, Jayprakash N. (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S689000, C361S730000, C361S714000, C361S753000, C361S689000, C439S928100, C454S184000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317334
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to a configuration connector for a modular data storage system, and more particularly to a connection extender and program key for regulating proper data storage drive insertion and thermal dissipation within a containing structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a common data storage system comprises multiple data storage modules that slidably dock within an enclosure. The data storage modules provide disk drives which each include a plurality of internal disks or platters that spin at high speeds within the drive during operation. Although there are numerous data storage modules and enclosures used in the industry today, few if any, can effectively accept the insertion of more than one type of data storage module within a singe enclosure and allow for enough circulation to accommodate current high speed disk drives. The disk drive size or the connector type, such as single connector attachment (“SCA”) or Fibre Channel can dictate a data storage module type.
As illustrated in
FIG. 1
, a conventional data storage system
10
provides an enclosure
12
and multiple data storage modules
14
. More specifically, enclosure
12
provides a plurality of bay slots
16
that extend linearly from the front of enclosure
12
to a backplane circuit board
18
. Each bay slot
16
includes top and bottom guide tracks
20
to assist with the insertion of conventional data storage modules
14
. The circuit board
18
provides a number of multiple pin connectors
22
, each equally spaced from the other and aligned with a bay slot
16
and respective guide tracks
20
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 2A and 2B
, when a data storage module
14
is to be inserted, the module is first aligned with the selected bay slot
16
by inserting the guide rails
24
of the module
14
into the guide tracks
20
of the desired bay slot
16
(see FIG.
1
). Next, the data storage module
14
is slid forwardly into the module enclosure
12
. As illustrated in
FIG. 2A
, when the data storage module
14
is nearly fully inserted into the bay slot
16
, contact is made between the latch lever
26
and the lock rail
28
of the module enclosure
12
. Consequently, the final step of insertion involves the user gripping the latch lever
26
and pushing it forwardly to move the data storage module
14
the remainder of the distance needed to attain complete engagement of the multiple pin connectors
22
,
30
. As illustrated in
6
B, with the data storage module
114
completely engaged and in the locked position, there is very little space between the backplane circuit board
18
and the data storage module
14
.
The above data storage system is very popular in the industry due to its simplicity in design, ease of operation, and relatively low cost to produce. However, the conventional design has problems inherent to its construction. In particular, the above conventional data storage system can only accommodate one size and type of data storage module. In addition, with the engagement of each data storage module being so close to the backplane circuit board, there is little room for the system to dissipate heat during operation from the active disk drive.
As is known in the art, the platters of the latest generation disk drives spin at speeds as high as 14K rpm creating thermal temperatures that must be regulated, otherwise, failure of the disk drives is accelerated and the probability of memory degradation or lost increases rapidly.
Considering that the rotational speed and data track density of the disc drive will continue to rapidly increase in the future and disc drive manufacturers have very limited options to cool the drive internally, it would be advantageous to develop a data storage system that could reduce the current problems exhibited by thermal heating within the associated disk drives and their related circuitry. In turn, given the higher speed disk drives are not always necessary or desirable, it would be advantageous for a data storage system to be able to accommodate all size and type of disk drives within a single data storage system.
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a modular data storage system is provided including an enclosure for containing a data storage module and extender. The enclosure including a frontal opening, a compliant backplane, and a plurality of bay slots and ventilation vias. The backplane include a plurality of first electrical connectors and the bay slots extend from the frontal opening to the first electrical connectors to receive the data storage modules. At least one data storage module having a second electrical connector sized and configured to mate with one of the plurality of first electrical connectors of the backplane couples to an extender. The extender couples between the first and second electrical connectors and provides a program knob to define the data storage drive contained by the at least one data storage module;
In another aspect of the instant invention, a process is provided for securing a data storage module within a reciprocating enclosure. In particular, the process includes gripping a data storage module; aligning the data storage module with a bay slot of the enclosure; and slidably inserting the data storage module within the bay slot until an extender either receives a reciprocating electrical connector of the enclosure or contacts a program key.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5187643 (1993-02-01), I-Shou
patent: 5652695 (1997-07-01), Schmitt
Abruzzini Lisa
Norman John
Gandhi Jayprakash N.
Hewlett--Packard Company
Mason David M.
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