Patent Application
20050225894
The present invention relates generally to data storage systems. In particular, the present invention relates to an electrical connector which electrically connects a central processor unit to a data storage system.
Computer equipment has become extremely popular for a wide variety of home, business and commercial uses. Such computer equipment commonly includes a central processor unit having one or more data storage systems. A typical data storage system includes a rigid housing having a basedeck and top cover that encloses a variety of components.
Often, a printed circuit board (PCB) is mounted directly to a data storage housing to operate the data storage system. An electrical connector is typically attached to the PCB prior to assembling the PCB to the data storage housing by coupling contact leads of the electrical connector to contact pads of the PCB with a solder joint. The electrical connector provides an electronic interface between the data storage system and the central processor unit. The electrical connector is coupled to a mating connector of the central processor unit and is typically of a standard configuration. For example, the electrical connector can be a small computer system interface (SCSI) connector.
Vibration or shock events to the data storage system can cause sliding between contacts of the drive electrical connector and contacts of its mating connector. Sliding contacts can cause intermittent changes in electrical resistance, which affect high-speed digital data transmission. The data storage system can also experience motion during disc drive seek mode causing misalignment between the disc drive housing and its electrical connector.
A storage apparatus that electrically connects to a central processor unit includes an enclosure having a surface and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is fixedly coupled to the surface of the enclosure and configured to operate the storage apparatus. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contact pads. An electrical connector having a plurality of conductive pins is configured to electrically couple to the contact pads. An overmold section couples the electrical connector to the surface of the enclosure.
Other features and benefits that characterize embodiments of the present invention will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description and review of the associated drawings.
Each slider 110 is supported by a suspension 112 which is in turn attached to a track accessing arm 114 of an actuator mechanism 116. Actuator mechanism 116 is rotated about a shaft 120 by a voice coil motor 118, which is controlled by servo control circuitry within internal circuit 130. As voice coil motor 118 rotates actuator mechanism 116, slider 110 moves in an arcuate path 122 between a disc inner diameter 124 and a disc outer diameter 126.
During operation, as discs 107 rotate in a rotational direction 132, the discs 107 drag air under the respective sliders 110 and along their air bearing surfaces. As the air passes beneath the air bearing surfaces, air compression along the airflow path causes the air pressure between the discs 107 and the air bearing surfaces to increase, which creates an aerodynamic lifting force that counteracts the load force provided by actuator mechanism 116 and causes the sliders 110 to lift and fly above, but in close proximity to the disc surfaces. While
Disc drive 200 can experience vibration or shock events that cause undesirable sliding between conductive pins 238 and its corresponding male connector. Sliding contacts can cause intermittent changes in electrical resistance which detrimentally affect high-speed digital data transmission. Other miscellaneous motion of disc drive 200, such as motion during seek mode, can cause misalignment between enclosure 201 and electrical connector 236. To avoid sliding contacts, it is desirable to provide better retention of disc drive 200. In addition, it is desirable to improve the alignment tolerance of electrical connector 236 relative to enclosure 201. During assembly of disc drive 200, connector 236 is coupled to PCB 240 and then PCB 240 is mounted to disc drive 200 with screws. This method of assembly causes a certain percentage of connectors to be placed out of alignment relative to disc drive 200. Thus, when disc drive 200 is inserted into a cabinet in a central processing unit, the cabinet deflects connector 236.
In some circumstances, applying a sustained force or load to electrical connector 236 provides better retention of disc drive 200. However, applying a sustained load to electrical connector 236 will not improve its alignment. In addition, electrical connector 236 is coupled to PCB 240 with solder joints which have the tendency to creep under sustained loads. Any cracking or breaking of solder joints will result in disc drive failure. Thus, the present invention provides an electrical connector overmolded to the enclosure of the disc drive such that the electrical connector has high structural rigidity to withstand a sustained load without compromising the electrical connection. The present invention also provides high precision connector alignment.
Electrical connector 336 is coupled to outer surface 334 of enclosure 301 by overmold section 352. Overmold section 352 at least partially surrounds connector housing 341 and is positioned adjacent upper pin enclosing wall 354, adjacent pin supporting wall 346 on inboard side 342 and adjacent lower pin enclosing wall 356. Overmold section 352 can be formed through a process of injection overmolding. For example, enclosure 301 and electrical connector 336 are inserted into a mold. A material, such as a plastic, is injected into the mold. The injected material occupies open spaces between electrical connector 336 and the outer surface 334 of enclosure 301 to form overmold section 352. Generally, overmold section 352 comprises a polymer. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that overmold section 352 can comprise other materials with similar properties.
The compression connection between contacts pad 350 of PCB 340 and connector leads 348 is strong enough to eliminate use of solder joints. Thus, the compression connection provides precise alignment of electrical connector 336 and overmold section 352 provides structural rigidity in order for electrical connector 336 to withstand a sustained load.
Electrical connector 536 is coupled to outer surface 534 of enclosure 501 by overmold section 552 as described in
Although overmold section 552 provides structural rigidity such that electrical connector 536 can withstand a sustained load, overmold section 552 does not provide a high shear strength. Therefore, enclosure 501 includes at least one external feature 560 which protrudes from outer surface 534 into overmold section 552 and terminates at first end 559. External feature 560 includes side surface 561 and improves the shear strength of electrical connector 536. Those skilled in the art will recognize that external feature 560 can have a variety of different geometrical shapes. For example, in
Electrical connector 636 is coupled to outer surface 634 of enclosure 601 by overmold section 652 as described in previous embodiments. PCB 640 is fastened to enclosure 601 with fasteners (not shown in
Although overmold section 652 provides structural rigidity such that electrical connector 536 can withstand a sustained load and external feature 660 provides shear strength, external feature 660 does not provide high vertical strength. Therefore, external feature 660 also includes at least one notch 662 to improve the vertical strength of electrical connector 636. Notch 662 is located on side surface 661. As shown in
It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the particular elements may vary depending on the particular application for the apparatus while maintaining substantially the same functionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In addition, although the preferred embodiment described herein is directed to a storage apparatus for electrically connecting to a central processor unit, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the teachings of the present invention can be applied to other electrical connections, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
