Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-07
2001-06-26
Mullen, Thomas (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C070S277000, C361S170000, C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252514
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mechanical and electrical apparatus for connecting and disconnecting components of a computer system. More particularly, the present invention relates to such connecting and disconnecting components while the computer system is operating.
2. Description of Related Art
Computer systems such as file servers and storage servers in computer networks are relied upon by large numbers of users. When a file server or storage server is out of operation, many people are inconvenienced. Thus, technology has been developed which supports maintenance and service of computer systems while they remain operational. One part of maintenance and service includes the replacement of components. So-called hot swap technology allows the replacement of components without turning off the power or resetting the computer system as a whole.
Typical hot swap technology employs resources for signaling the system and components in the system about an intention to remove or replace a component. Also, the technology includes routines that stabilize communications among the components, and manage the distribution of power to components during the exchange.
The exchange of components on computer systems for maintenance and repair requires human operators. Human operators are prone to misuse or abuse the mechanical and electrical resources associated with hot swap technology. For example, an operator may attempt to withdraw a component from a computer chassis without first executing hot swap electrical routines to prepare the component. Also, with components that require significant force for engagement and disengagement, human operators may damage delicate parts of system while applying the force for engagement or disengagement.
Therefore, is desirable to provide a mechanism that reduces the possibility of misuse or abuse by human operators of mechanisms for engaging and disengaging components, and mechanisms for managing the electrical hot swap processes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a mechanism that prevents premature disengagement of components of the computer system, and reduces the mechanical force needed to be applied by operators for the engagement and disengagement of components. Thus, an operator expects to apply a relatively light force to remove or insert a component on the computer system. The light force applied minimizes the chance of mechanical damage to the system. Also, the mechanism is able to block attempted removal of a component if the electrical processes necessary for hot swap have yet to complete. The combination results in a substantially more reliable system, less prone to damage during the hot swap operation.
According one aspect of the invention, a module is provided for computer system. The computer system includes a chassis having one or more slots for accepting the module. Processing resources associated with removing and inserting modules during operation are included in the computer system. The module according to the present invention comprises a cover adapted to fit within the slot in the chassis. A system component, such as a controller circuit board, disk drive array, or other data-processing resource is mounted with the cover. A connector coupled to the component includes a plurality of connection elements adapted to mate with corresponding elements in the computer system on the chassis. Means for preventing mishandling, such as those described in more detail below, are included. Such means include mechanical and electrical components which provide leverage for engaging and disengaging the component, and which communicate with the host system to prepare for electrical disengagement and engagement of the component. Also, such means include a lock or other mechanism for preventing the mechanical disengagement of a component when the system has yet to electrically prepare for the disengagement.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a mechanism for providing leverage for engagement and disengagement of the component in the cover is included. The mechanism includes a slide mounted on the cover. A pivotal connection is provided near a distal end of the slide. The proximal end of the slide is adapted to extend outside the cover, and act as a handle for an operator. The lever system is coupled to and actuated by movement of the slide. The lever system provides for balanced engagement of the component with the connectors in the host system.
In one preferred embodiment, the slide is movable among an inserted position, at least one intermediate position and an extended position. The lever system translates movement of the slide in the direction from the intermediate position to the extended position into force causing disengagement of the connector, and translates movement of the slide in the direction from the extended position to the intermediate position into force for engagement of the connector. A portion of the motion from the inserted position toward the intermediate position provides a dead region, in which no force is translated from the slide through the lever system to tend to disengage the component. This dead region is utilized for sensing motion, to enable electronic lock to prevent further disengagement if the system has not prepared for it.
In another preferred embodiment a lock is included which prevents motion of the slide from being translated to disengagement force. The lock is coupled to the host system, and engages the slide when the host system has not finished preparing for the disengagement. In one preferred system, power is normally not applied to the lock. In this embodiment, the lock includes a mechanical stop which prevents motion until the operator applies an enabling act, such as depressing a spring loaded tongue element. When the enabling act is executed, power is applied to the lock. Unless the system signals that it is ready for disengagement, the lock prevents further disengagement action.
The lever system in a preferred embodiment comprises first and second lever arms coupled to a pivotal connection near the distal end of the slide. The first lever arm extends toward a first lateral edge of the cover. The first lever arm is coupled to a fulcrum near the first lateral edge. The opposite end of the lever arm is coupled to an engagement member adapted to engage with a mechanical stop on the chassis. The second lever arm extends to the second lateral edge of the cover. The second lever arm is coupled to a fulcrum near the second lateral edge. The opposite end of the second lever arm is coupled to a second engagement member. For balanced operation, the first and second lever arms are essentially the same length and apply substantially equal force in response to motion of the slide. The engagement member in this embodiment is connected near the lateral ends of the respective lever arm. The engagement member is biased via a spring to swing outward to engage a mechanical stop on the chassis. During engagement, the spring tends to force the engagement member to extend outside the cover and engage the mechanical stop. The lever arm acts to apply an engagement force against the mechanical stop. During disengagement, the lever arm acts to reverse the engagement force. Also first and second retraction arms are coupled respectively with the first and second lever arms. A retraction arm is coupled to the engagement member and to a pivotal connection on the slide, such as the same pivotal connection to which the lever arm is connected. The retraction arm acts in response to motion of the slide towards the retracted position to pull against the force of the spring and withdraw the engagement member inside the cover to allow removal of the component.
In yet another embodiment, the host system includes a graphical user interface or other interface allowing an operator to signal the system of an intention to remove a component. In response to the operator signal, the host system performs power management and communication management routines to pre
Fry Ian C.
Hibbs Richard N.
Lane Jerome Parker
Nespor Jeffery S.
Nolan Shari J.
Convergent Technologies, Inc.
Haynes Mark A.
Haynes & Beffel LLP
Mullen Thomas
LandOfFree
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