Cage assembly for front service access and method of use
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsKenneth Carl Larsen, Benjamin Michael Kreuz, Francis Anthony Kuchar JR., Donald Lee Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims32
A cage assembly for use in a computer system, comprising:
- a frame having a front face;
- a plate, the plate having a first portion and a second portion;
- a linking element for coupling the first portion to the second portion of the plate;
- and
- a cage for receiving a plurality of components, the cage mounted on the first portion of the plate, wherein the first portion of the plate is capable of moving out of the front face of the frame and rotating, such that the cage is accessible.
A method for accessing a component mounted in a device cage, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a frame having a front face;
- b) providing a plate, the plate having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the plate can move into and out of the front face of the frame;
- c) coupling the first portion to the second portion via a linking element;
- d) mounting the device cage on the first portion of the plate, wherein a front side of the cage faces the front face of the frame;
- e) moving the first portion of the plate out of the first face of the frame such that the device cage is outside of the frame;
- and
- f) accessing the component mounted in the device cage by rotating the first portion of the plate downward via the linking element.
A method for replacing a backplane card mounted in a back side of a drive cage, the drive cage containing a plurality of hard disk drive (HDD) devices mounted in a front side of the drive cage, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a frame having a front face;
- b) providing at least one guide rail mounted on the frame;
- c) connecting a plate to the at least one guide rail such that the plate is capable of sliding into and out of the front face of the frame via the at least one guide rail, the plate having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being connected to the second portion via a linking element;
- d) mounting the device cage on the first portion of the plate, wherein the front side of the device cage faces the front face of the frame;
- e) sliding the front portion of the plate out of the front face of the frame such that the device cage is outside of the frame;
- f) locking the plate in position with a cage removal spring mounted on the second portion of the plate;
- g) rotating the front portion of the plate downward via the linking element such that the back side of the device cage is accessible;
- and
- h) replacing the backplane card.
A two level direct access and storage device (DASD) drive cage assembly, comprising:
- a frame having a front face;
- a plate, the plate having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the plate can be moved into and out of the front face of the frame;
- a linking element for coupling the first portion second portion;
- an upper DASD drive cage, the upper drive cage mounted to the frame;
- and
- a lower DASD drive cage, the lower drive cage mounted on the first portion of the plate, wherein the first portion of the plate is capable of moving out of the front face of the frame and rotating downward, such that the lower device cage is accessible.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.