BACKGROUND

(0001] Computer systems can include computer system components, including storage drives. Storage drives can take on different forms, including magnetic disk drives, solid state or flash memory storage drives, and optical disks which may be read by an optical disk drive in the computer system. Optical disk drives are externally accessible in the computer system for the insertion and removal of the optical disk from the drive. The optical disk drive may include an ejectable tray to receive the optical disk. Further, the optical disk drive may have a bezel with an opening door disposed in front of the ejectable tray. The bezel and the opening door may be for cosmetic purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(0002] Fig. 1 A is a top view of an example automatic door assembly.

(0003] Fig. IB is a top view of an example automatic door assembly.

(0004] Fig. 1C is a top view of an example automatic door assembly.

(0005] Fig 2 is a top view of an example automatic door assembly.

(0006] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a computer system having an example automatic door assembly.

(0007] 1 Fig 3B is a perspective view of a computer system having an example automatic door assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(0008] Computer systems can include storage drives and storage drive readers. Some computer systems may include an optical disk drive (ODD) to read and write to an optical disk. The ODD may be externally accessible from the computer system through an ejectable tray to receive the optical disk. The ejectable tray may also be fully retractable such that the tray can be fully retracted back into the optical disk drive, with or without an optical disk. The ejectable tray may eject from an outside surface of the computer system. The computer system may further include an external bezel, case, or fascia surrounding and covering the optical disk drive. The bezel, case, or fascia may include a door directly covering the ejectable tray of the ODD. The bezel and the opening door may be included in the computer system for cosmetic or aesthetic purposes.

[0009] A spring or other bias member may hold the door in a closed position while the tray is fully retracted into the ODD. Further, the tray may force the door in an open position when the tray is ejected. The spring may continuously pull the door towards the closed position, even if the tray is ejected and forcing the door open. When the tray retracts into the ODD, the spring may pull the door back to the closed position. The door may be, therefore, automatically opening upon the tray being ejected, and automatically closing upon the tray being retracted back into the drive.

(0010] The tray may be ejectable by a continuous motive element, such as an electric motor. Further, the tray may also be retracted back into the ODD by a continuous motive element, such as the same electric motor. The electric motor may retract the tray by running in a reverse direction or by a mechanical switch that reverses the pull direction of the motor.

(0011] Computer systems may also include a slim ODD to read and write to an optical disk. Similar to an ODD, the slim ODD may also include an ejectable and fully retractable tray. The slim ODD may have smaller dimensions than an ODD and, thus, be used in a computer system with smaller dimensions. The slim ODD may be used in a computer system that would not otherwise include an ODD because of the ODD's relatively larger size compared to the slim ODD. As a result of the slim ODD's smaller dimensions as compared to an ODD, the slim ODD may not be able to use a continuous motive element to eject and retract the ejectable tray. The slim ODD may, instead, use a constant spring force that acts on the tray in an ejecting, or opening, direction. The constant spring force may partially eject the tray upon the tray being unlatched, such that a user can pull on the partially ejected portion of the tray in order to pull the tray to a completely open position. When the tray is in a completely open position, an optical disk can be loaded onto or removed from the tray by the user. In order to retract the tray into the slim ODD, the user may need to push on the tray until the tray is completely retracted into the slim ODD and the tray latches in a closed position.

[0012] In some situations, computer systems including a slim ODD may not be able to use a spring-loaded bezel door, as described above. The spring-powered partial ejection of the slim ODD tray may be insufficient to overcome the spring force holding the bezel door in the closed position. Further, if the partial ejection of the slim ODD tray were enough to overcome the spring force of the bezel door, the partial ejection may not push the bezel door open far enough for a user to access and pull on the partially ejected portion of the slim ODD in order to fully eject the tray. This may result in the user needing to manually open the bezel door and then manually pull on the slim ODD tray until it is fully ejected.

10013] Implementations of the present disclosure provide an automatic door assembly that can open automatically. The automatic door assembly does not require a continuous motive element to open the door. The automatic door assembly can open fully upon receiving a partial ejection force, such as the spring force used to partially eject the tray in a slim ODD. Upon receiving a partial ejection force, the automatic door assembly can open fully to the extent that a user can access and pull on the partially ejected portion of the tray of the slim ODD until it is fully ejected.

[0014] Referring now to Fig. 1 A, a top view of an example automatic door assembly 100 is illustrated. The automatic door assembly 100 may include a bezel door 104 to be hinged to a bezel 102, a bias member 106, and a pivot pin 108 to hinge the bezel door 104 to the bezel 102. In some implementations, the automatic door assembly 100, or any of its constituent

components, may be part of a front bezel assembly.

[0015] The bezel 102 may be a cover for a computer system. In some implementations, the bezel 102 might be a front bezel to cover the front of a computer system. In some implementations, the bezel 102 may include at least one opening for access to a computer component disposed behind the bezel. In further implementations, the bezel may include an opening for access to a storage drive operably engaged with the computer system. The bezel 102 may include openings for other computer components, such as power or reset buttons, expansion ports such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, a headphone or speaker output jack or a microphone input jack. The bezel 102 may further include notification lights or indicators viewable on the exterior of the bezel 102. In some implementations, the bezel 102 might be cosmetic, while in further implementations, the bezel 102 may be a structural part of the case or frame of the computer system.

[0016] The bezel door 104 may be a component for covering at least a portion of an opening in the bezel 102 in order to protect or conceal computer components disposed within the opening. The bezel door 104 may be hinged to the bezel 102 such that the bezel door 104 pivots relative to the bezel 102. The bezel door 104 may pivot relative to the bezel 102 by rotating about the pivot pin 108. In some implementations, the bezel door 104 may be part of a front bezel assembly to cover the front of a computer system. Further, the bezel door 104 may pivot relative to the bezel 102 from a closed position, covering the opening, to an open position, where enough of the opening is uncovered such that a user can access the computer components within the opening.

[0017] The pivot pin 108 may be a fastener capable of rotatably engaging the bezel door

104 with the bezel 102. The pivot pin 108 may be a fastener such as a screw, roll pin, spring pin, rivet, or another fastener suitable for allowing one component to rotate relative to another. In some implementations, the pivot pin 108 may attach the bezel door 104 to the bezel 102 in a single location. Further, the pivot pin 108 may attach the bezel door 104 to the bezel 102 in multiple locations. In yet further implementations, the bezel door 104 may be rotatably attached to the bezel 102 by more than one pivot pin 108 located along the same axis of rotation. The pivot pin 108 or multiple pivot pins may be integrated into the bezel door 104 or the bezel 102.

[0018] The bias member 106 may be a resilient component that can return to its original shape after being deformed. In some implementations, the bias member 106 may provide a reactive force proportional to the degree of deformation of the bias member 106. The reactive force may be proportionate to the deformation of the bias member 106 in a linear, a progressive, or a degressive manner. In some implementations, the reactive force may be a constant reaction to the deformation of the bias member 106. The bias member 106 may comprise a coil or coils to achieve its elastic properties. In some implementations, the bias member 106 may comprise a metallic material, such as spring steel. In further, implementations, the bias member 106 may comprise a polymer material, such as a plastic. The bias member 106 may be a torsion spring that reacts to an angular deformation with an angular reactive force. In some implementations, the bias member 106 may be a compression spring that reacts to a linear compressive

deformation with a linear reactive force. In further implementations, the bias member 106 may be a tension or extension spring that reacts to a stretching, or tensile, deformation with a linear reactive force in the opposite direction of the deformation.

[0019] The bias member 106 may be operably engaged with the bezel door 104 and the bezel 102 such that the bias member 106 continuously exerts a force on the bezel door 104. The bias member 106 may continuously exert a force, illustrated as vector 1 10, on the bezel door 104 by being fixed to the bezel at an anchor point 114, and further fixed to the bezel door 104 such that the bias member 106 is deformed from its original shape. The bias member 106 may provide vector 1 10 as a reactive force that, at all times, is proportional to the degree of its deformation. In some implementations, the vector 110 may apply a torque to the bezel door 104 about pivot pin 108, or about the axis of rotation about which the bezel door 104 rotates relative to the bezel 102, in order to force the bezel door 104 to stay in the closed position. The bias member 106 may, further, have an alternating bias direction. The bias direction of the bias member 106 may alternate between a first bias direction, forcing the bezel door 104 to the closed position, and a second bias direction, forcing the bezel door 104 to an open position. In some implementations, when acting in the second bias direction, the bias member 106 may continuously exert a force on the bezel door 104 to force the bezel door 104 to stay in the open position, as is described above with reference to the closed position. In other words, the bias member 106 may switchably force the bezel door 104 open or closed, relative to the bezel 102.

[0020] Referring now to Figs. 1B-C, top views of an example automatic door assembly

100 are illustrated wherein the bezel door is switching from the closed position to the open position. In some implementations, the bias member 106 may force the bezel door 104 to the closed position unless an opening force 116 moves the bezel door 104 in an opening direction 1 18 against the force, or vector 110, of the bias member 106. The opening force 1 16 may be applied to an inside surface of the bezel door 104, causing the bezel door 104 to move in the opening direction 118. The operable engagement of the bias member 106 with the bezel door 104 may cause the bias member 106 to pivot with the bezel door 104. The bias member 106 may still exert a force on the bezel door 104 in the closing direction until the bias member 106 pivots beyond an inflection point of the bias member 106. The bias direction of the bias member 106 may then switch from the first bias direction to the second bias direction, in response to the opening force. Therefore, in order to effect the switch from the first bias direction to the second bias direction, the opening force 1 16 may have a sufficient magnitude to pivot the bias member 106 beyond the inflection point. In some implementations, the opening force 1 16 may be greater than the sufficient magnitude. In further implementations, the opening force 116 may be derived from the movement of a component behind the bezel door 104, the movement transferring enough momentum to the bezel door 104 such that the bias member 106 pivots beyond the inflection point. In yet further implementations, the component may be a computer component disposed within an opening of the bezel 102, wherein the bezel door 104 covers the computer component when in the closed position.

(0021] As mentioned above, the inflection point of the bias member 106 may be the point at which the bias member 106 switches from the first bias direction to the second bias direction, as well as from the second bias direction, back to the first bias direction. Referring still to Figs. 1 A-C, the inflection point may be a point along the inflection line 112. The inflection line 112 may be a line defined by the axis of the pivot pin 108, or the axis of rotation about which the bezel door 104 rotates relative to the bezel 102, and the bias member anchor point 1 14. In some implementations, the anchor point 114 may be the point at which the bias member 106 engages with or is pivotably fixed to the bezel 102. The inflection point may be located at the point along the inflection line 1 12 where the point of engagement between the bias member 106 and the bezel door 104 crosses the inflection line 1 12, as illustrated in Fig. IB. At the inflection point, the bias member 106 may have a point of maximum deformation, in some implementations. For a torsion spring, this maximum deformation may be a maximum angular compression. At such a point of maximum deformation, the reactive force of the bias member 106 may have a maximum magnitude such that the bias member 106 exerts a maximum bias amount on the bezel door 104. Further, at the inflection point, the vector 110 may be substantially aligned with the inflection line 1 12. In such a situation, the vector 1 10 may be substantially aligned with the inflection line 1 12 when the vector 1 10 does not exert a torque on the bezel door 104 about the pivot pin 108, or the axis of rotation about which the bezel door 104 rotates relative to the bezel 102, in both of the closing and opening directions.

[0022] When the opening force 1 16 moves the bias member 106 beyond the inflection point, the vector 1 10, now on the other side of the inflection line 1 12, as illustrated in Fig. 1C, may exert a torque on the bezel door 104 about the pivot pin 108, or the axis of rotation about which die bezel door 104 rotates relative to the bezel 102, in the opening direction 118 until the bezel door is in the open position. When the bezel door 104 is in the open position, as illustrated in Fig. 1C, vector 1 10 of the bias member 106 may continuously force the bezel door 104 to the open position unless a closing force 120 moves the bezel door 104 in a closing direction 122 against the force, or vector 1 10, of the bias member 106. In some implementations, the closing force may be a physical input from a user. The closing force 120 may be applied to an outside surface of the bezel door 104, causing the bezel door 104 to move in the closing direction 122. The operable engagement of the bias member 106 with the bezel door 104 may cause the bias member 106 to pivot with the bezel door 104, the vector 110 of the bias member 106 still exerting a force on the bezel door 104 in the opening direction until the bias member 106 pivots beyond the inflection point on the inflection line 112. The bias direction of the bias member 106 may then switch from the second bias direction to the first bias direction, in response to the closing force.

[0023] Referring now to Fig. 2, an example automatic door assembly 200 is illustrated.

Automatic door assembly 200 may be similar to automatic door assembly 100. Further, the similarly named elements of automatic door assembly 200 may be similar in function to the elements of automatic door assembly 100, as they are described above. Automatic door assembly 200 may include a bias member 206 fastened to the bezel 202 at anchor point 214. Bias member 206, further, may be operably engaged with the bezel door 204. Bias member 206 may be an extension spring, wherein the bias member 206 is deformed by being stretched in between the anchor point 214 and the point of engagement between the bias member 206 and the bezel door 204. In some implementations, the bias member 206 may provide tension 210 as a reactive force to the stretching deformation. Bias member 206 may have a first bias direction, wherein tension 210 continuously pulls the bezel door 204 in a closing direction, such that the bias member 206 forces, or holds, the bezel door 204 in a closed position. Further, the bias member 206 may have a second bias direction, wherein tension 210 continuously pulls the bezel door 204 in an opening direction 218 such that the bias member 206 forces, or holds, the bezel door 204 in an open position, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0024] Similar to bias member 106, bias member 206 may be operably engaged with the bezel door 204 in such a way that the bias member 206 pivots with the bezel door 204 upon the bezel door 204 rotating relative to the bezel 202. Bias member 206 may switch from the first bias direction to the second bias direction upon an opening force 216 moving the bezel door 204 in the opening direction 218 so as to pivot the bias member 206 beyond an inflection point located along inflection line 212. Bias member 206 may have a maximum stretching deformation, or stretched length, at the inflection point. Further, at the inflection point, the reactive tension 210 of the bias member 206 may have a maximum magnitude due to the bias member 206 having a maximum stretched length.

[0025] In some implementations, a computer component disposed within an opening of the bezel 202 may provide the opening force 216, wherein the bezel door 204 covers the computer component when in the closed position. The computer component, in some implementations, may be a storage drive operably engaged with a computer system, wherein the bezel 202 may cover the front of the computer system. In further implementations, the storage drive may be an optical disk drive (ODD). The ODD may have an ejec table or opening tray on which to load the optical disk for reading and writing. The ejectable tray may be slidably disposed within the ODD. In some implementations, the ODD may be motorized, e.g., the ejectable tray may be ejectable and retractable by a continuous motive element, such as an electric motor. The electric motor may provide a continuous force to the ejectable tray to completely eject the tray from a completely closed and locked position, to a completely open position. In the completely open position, the tray may be ejected from the ODD far enough to be able to receive an optical disk. In the process of completely ejecting the tray, the electric motor may cause the tray to contact an inside surface of the bezel door 204 which may cause the bezel door 204 to move in the opening direction 218 until the bias member 206 pivots beyond the inflection point. Therefore, the ejectable tray may provide the opening force to the bezel door 204.

[0026] Referring still to Fig. 2, in some implementations, the ODD may be a non- motorized slim ODD 224. The non-motorized slim ODD 224 may have an ejectable tray 226 that may be ejected by an ejection force. In some implementations, the ejection force may be a spring force that is not continuous, as opposed to the continuous electric motor described above. The spring force may only partially eject the tray 226, or, in other words, may eject the tray 226 a partial ejection distance 228. The partial ejection distance of the tray 226 may not be far enough for the tray 226 to be able to receive an optical disk. Instead, after the tray is partially ejected, a user may pull on the ejected portion of the tray 226 to pull the tray 226 to the completely open position such that an optical disk can be inserted or removed from the tray 226. The partial ejection may cause the ejectable tray 226 to contact the inside surface of the bezel door 204 which, in turn, may cause the bezel door 204 to move in the opening direction 218. The partial ejection distance 228 may be far enough such that the ejectable tray 226 transfers enough momentum to the bezel door 204 to pivot the the bias member 206 beyond the inflection point, as described above. Therefore, the partial ejection of the ejectable tray 226 may provide the opening force to the bezel door 204 which may cause the bezel door 204 to move from the closed position to the open position and to be held in the open position by the second bias direction of the bias member 206. In some implementations, the ejectable tray 226 is partially ejected upon the actuation of an eject button 230. The eject button 230 may be disposed on the front of the tray 226, and, further, may be actuated by a physical input from a user, or a user physically pushing the button 230. In further implementations, the eject button 230 may be disposed elsewhere on the slim ODD 224, the bezel 202, or the computer system.

[0027] Further, the slim ODD ejectable tray 226 may be returned to the completely closed position by a user providing a closing force to the tray 226. The user may provide the closing force until the tray is completely retracted within the slim ODD and it is latched in such a position. When the tray 226 is completely retracted within the slim ODD, the user may then provide a closing force to the bezel door 204 such that the bezel door moves in the closing direction, substantially opposite to the opening direction 218. The user may move the bezel door 204 in the closing direction until the bezel door 204 pivots the bias member 206 beyond the inflection point. When the bias member 206 pivots beyond the inflection point, the bias member 206 may switch from the second bias direction to the first bias direction, as described above. In some implementations, the user may partially retract the tray 226 into the slim ODD 224. The user may, then, provide a closing force to the bezel door 204 in order to rotate the bezel door 204 in the closing direction such that an inside surface of the bezel door 204 contacts the partially retracted tray 226. As the bezel door 204 continues rotating in the closing direction, the bezel door 204 may provide the necessary closing force to completely retract the tray 226 until it is in the completely closed position. In some implementations, the ejectable tray 226 may be partially retracted by the user until the tray 226 is at the partial ejection distance 228. If at the partial ejection distance 228, the bezel door 204 may then push the tray 226 to the completely closed position. In some implementations, the tray 226 and the bezel door 204 may both arrive in their respective closed positions concurrently.

(0028] Referring now to Figs. 3A-B, perspective views of a computer system 300 having an example automatic door assembly are illustrated. The example automatic door assembly may be similar to automatic door assembly 100 or 200. Further, the similarly named elements of the example automatic door assembly may be similar in function to the elements of automatic door assembly 100 or 200, as they are described above. The computer system 300 may include an ODD 324 having an ejectable tray 326. The ODD 324 may be partially or wholly disposed within the computer system 300, or within a housing or chassis of the computer system 300. The computer system 300 may have a front bezel 302 surrounding and disposed in front of the ODD 324. The front bezel 302 may, in some implementations, cover or conceal the ODD 324. The automatic door assembly may be disposed in the front bezel 302, and a bezel door 304 of the automatic door assembly may cover at least the ODD ejectable tray 326. The bezel door 304 may cover additional computer components disposed in the computer system 300, in some implementations.

(0029] The ODD 324 may be a non-motorized slim ODD 324 in some implementations.

Further, a spring force within the ODD 324 may partially eject the ejectable tray 326 of the slim ODD 324 in an opening direction 316. Actuation of an eject button 330 may cause the partial ejection of the ejectable tray 326. In some implementations, a user may actuate the eject button 330. In further implementations, the eject button 330 may be disposed on the front of the ejectable tray 326, as illustrated in Fig. 3B. If disposed in such a location, the eject button 330 may be covered or concealed by the bezel door 304, when the bezel door 304 is in a closed position. In some implementations, the user may actuate the eject button 330 if it is disposed behind the bezel door 304 and the bezel door 304 is in the closed position by the user applying a physical input 332 to a front surface of the bezel door 304, as illustrated in Fig. 3 A. The physical input 332 may elastically deform, or bend, the bezel door 304 in an inward direction, therefore causing the bezel door 304 to contact and actuate the eject button 330. When the physical input 332 is removed from the bezel door 304, the bezel door 304 may return to its original shape. After the bezel door 304 actuates the eject button 330, the ejectable tray 326 may partially eject. Similar to automatic door assembly 100 or 200, upon the partial ejection of the ejectable tray 326, the bezel door 304 may move in an opening direction 318 to an open position. When in the open position, the user may pull the ejectable tray 326 from its partial ejection position to a completely open position, such that an optical disk can be inserted into or removed from the tray 326.