Data storage device adaptor with securement mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12096583-B2
Application number	US-202318160848-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 27, 2023
Priority date	Feb 24, 2020
Publication date	Sep 17, 2024
Grant date	Sep 17, 2024

Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a printed circuit board. The apparatus also includes a first connector coupled to the printed circuit board. The first connector is configured to couple the apparatus to a computing device. The apparatus further includes a second connector coupled to the printed circuit board. The second connector is configured to couple the apparatus to a data storage device. The apparatus further includes a securement mechanism comprising a first portion and a second portion. The securement mechanism is movable about the apparatus between a first position and a second position. The first portion is configured to maintain the securement mechanism at the first position. The second portion is configured to secure the data storage device to the apparatus when the securement mechanism is in the first position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a printed circuit board;
a first connector coupled to the printed circuit board, wherein the first connector is configured to couple the apparatus to a computing device;
a second connector coupled to the printed circuit board, wherein the second connector is configured to couple the apparatus to a data storage device; and
a securement mechanism for securing the data storage device to the apparatus attached to the printed circuit board, wherein the securement mechanism:
comprises a ledge;
is rotatable around a first point; and
can be configured into a first position to secure the data storage device to the apparatus; and

wherein the ledge further comprises an aperture configured to interact with one or more locking features that are configured to deform prior to interacting with the aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the securement mechanism further comprises a protrusion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is configured to further secure the data storage device to the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more locking features comprises one or more of: tabs, protrusions, or bumps.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the securement mechanism further comprises a tab.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the tab is configured to assist in moving the securement mechanism into a position.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first point is offset from an axis of the data storage device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the data storage device conforms to a first standard and the apparatus is configured to allow the data storage device to conform with a second standard.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first standard is a M.2 form factor.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the second standard is a 2.5-inch drive form factor.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first connector is a SATA connector.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second connector is a NVME connector.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are communicatively coupled to each other.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the communicative coupling is configured to allow data and power to transmitted between the first connector and the second connector.

15. An apparatus, comprising:
a printed circuit board;
a connector coupled to the printed circuit board, wherein the connector is configured to couple the apparatus to a data storage device; and
a securement mechanism for securing the data storage device to the apparatus attached to the printed circuit board, wherein the securement mechanism:
comprises a ledge;
is rotatable around a first point; and
is attached to the apparatus via an attachment component disposed at the first point;
wherein the ledge further comprises an aperture configured to interact with one or more locking features that are configured to deform prior to interacting with the aperture.

16. A method, comprising:
configuring an apparatus with a first connector to a printed circuit board to couple the apparatus to a computing device;
coupling a second connector to the printed circuit board, wherein the second connector is configured to couple the apparatus to a data storage device; and
attaching a securement mechanism for securing the data storage device to the apparatus to the printed circuit board, wherein the securement mechanism:
comprises a ledge;
is rotatable around a first point; and
can be configured into a first position configured to secure the data storage device to the apparatus;
and
wherein the ledge further comprises an aperture configured to interact with one or more locking features that are configured to deform prior to interacting with the aperture.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises communicatively coupling the first connector to the second connector.

Assignees

• Western Digital Tech Inc

Inventors

• Lyons Everett
• Linnen Daniel
• Gillespie Randy

Classifications

• H05K7/1461

  Slidable card holders; Card stiffeners; Control or display means therefor · CPC title

• H05K7/1417

  having securing means for mounting boards, plates or wiring boards (H05K7/1461 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G06F1/183

  Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for supporting printed circuit boards · CPC title

• G06F3/0607

  by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device · CPC title

• H05K5/0282

  Adapters for connecting cards having a first standard in receptacles having a second standard · CPC title