Disk drive assembly with improved securing and releasing mechanism

A typical computer system includes a data storage system (or subsystem) having one or more disk drives. Some data storage systems allow a user to install or remove a disk drive in a relatively quick manner without handling any cables or screws. shows a conventional data storage system which has relatively quick disk drive installation and removal capabilities. The data storage system includes a disk drive assembly and a main assembly . The disk drive assembly includes a housing , a disk drive , a daughter card and a lever . The main assembly includes a support structure that defines (i) an opening through which the disk drive assembly enters and exits the housing , and (ii) a back end . The main assembly further includes a connector which mounts to the back end of the support structure , and a post (e.g., a metallic bar) that fastens to a side or edge of the support structure opening . The invention is directed to latching techniques that respond to ergonomically pleasing user movements, and that are well-suited for maintaining low manufacturing costs. One arrangement of the invention is directed to a disk drive assembly having a housing, a disk drive attached to the housing, and a lever that secures the housing to and releases the housing from a main assembly. The lever includes a frame pivotably that is coupled to the housing at a pivot point that defines a pivot axis. The lever further includes a latch that is coupled to the frame. The latch selectively engages with the housing and disengages from the housing. The latch includes an actuation portion that requires movement in a direction along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis to disengage the latch from the housing. Accordingly, if the pivot axis is horizontally-oriented, a user can move the actuation portion in a vertical direction, e.g., downward, in an ergonomically convenient manner to disengage the latch from the housing.