The present invention relates to digital data memory devices, and in particular, to disk drive devices and systems that enable the portability of digital data memory modules.
A digital memory disk drive system includes one or more memory bearing disks, such as optical disks or magnetic disks, each configured for storing digital data. Such disks are positioned within an enclosure and mounted on a rotational member of a motor. A data head is provided to read and/or write from and optionally to the disk. Means are provided for each data head to be controllably positioned relative to a corresponding disk in order to read from digital data or write digital data to a selected location of the disk. A data pathway enables data read from the disk to be communicated from and optionally to each data head and to an external device or system, such as a personal computer. An interface controller provides means for the external electronic device to operate the disk drive system.
In recent years, it has become increasingly commercially significant to provide high capacity and lower cost hard disk drive devices. The prior art has allowed for placing the disks in a removable cartridge, and locating an interface controller outside of the cartridge, whereby the cost of the disk drive cartridge is reduced. However, the cost of the removable drive is significantly higher than standard fixed hard drives. It is therefore an object of the present invention to split the cost of a fixed hard drive system into a control system part and a head disc assembly part called the cartridge. Such a system will have a low removable drive cost and will be cost effective in applications that use multiple cartridges.
These and other objects are achieved by the method of the present invention that provides a hard disk drive device and system. A first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises (1) at least one digital memory disk located within an enclosure, (2) a motor for rotating the disk(s) about an axis of motion substantially normal to the disk(s), (3) one or more data heads, each data head configured to read data from, and optionally write data to, a corresponding digital memory disk, (4) a signal pathway communicatively coupling the data heads(s) to an electronic device or an electronic system, (5) a means for an external electronic device or system to position the data head(s) relative to the digital memory disk(s) to read from or optionally write to a location of one or more disks, and (6) a control means for the external device or system to operate the present invention. The enclosure may optionally surround the disk(s) and hermetically seal the disk(s) within the enclosure. In one or more certain preferred embodiments of the present invention one or more digital memory disks may be an optical memory disk or a magnetic disk, or a plurality of disks comprising a combination of optical disk(s) and magnetic disk(s). The means for the external device or system to control the positioning of the data head(s) relative to a corresponding disk or disks may optionally include a magnetically responsive element mechanically coupled with the data head(s).
A second preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a (1) at least one digital memory disk located within an enclosure, (2) a motor for rotating the disk(s) about an axis of motion substantially normal to the disk(s), (3) one or more data heads, each data head configured to read data from, and optionally write data to, a corresponding digital memory disk, (4) a magnetically responsive coil element mechanically coupled with the data head(s) (5) a magnetic field generator, (6) a signal pathway communicatively coupling the data heads(s) to an electronic device or an electronic system, and (7) a control means for the external device or system to operate the present invention.
A third preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a cartridge and a docking station, wherein the cartridge may be detachably coupled with the docking station and the docking station is communicatively coupled with an external electronic device or system. The cartridge has one or more digital memory disks, a motor coupled with the disk(s) and for rotating the disk(s), and a corresponding data head for each disk as well as a magnetically responsive element coupled with the data heads. The docking station may comprise an interface controller communicatively coupled with the external device or system, and for enabling the external device or system to control the operation of the cartridge, such as the state of the cartridge motor and the position of the data head(s) relative to each corresponding digital memory disk.
A fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a cartridge and a docking station, wherein the cartridge may be detachably coupled with the docking station. The cartridge has one or more digital memory disks, a motor coupled with the disk(s) and for rotating the disk(s), a corresponding data head for each disk, a magnetically responsive element coupled with the data head(s) and a magnetic field generator. The docking station may comprise an interface controller communicatively coupled with an external device or system, and for enabling the external device or system to control the operation of the cartridge, such as the state of the cartridge motor and the position of the data head(s) relative to each corresponding digital memory disk.
In certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention the docking station further comprises a mechanical feature and the cartridge further comprises a latching element, wherein the mechanical feature and the latching element are configured to enable detachable attachment of the cartridge with the docking station.
In certain still alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention the docking station further comprises guide posts and the cartridge further comprises guide receivers, wherein the guide posts and the guide post receivers are configured to enable positioning of the cartridge relative to the docking station to support detachable attachment of the cartridge with the docking station.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with a general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his or her invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein.
Referring now generally the Figures and particularly to
The plurality of signal pathways include a plurality of signal traces and a signal interface. The plurality of signal traces are each individually coupled to a data head and carry electrical signals from, and optionally to, the data head to, and optionally from, the signal interface. The signal interface is configured to detachably and communicatively couple with a connector of the first docking station 6. The connector of the first docking station 6 provides a first set of signal lines that carry the electrical signals transmitted from the data heads to a disk dive controller of the first docking station 6. A second set of signal lines carry electrical signals to and from the disk drive controller to the external system via a second connector.
Referring now generally the Figures and particularly to
The plurality of signal pathways include disk(s) motor control lines, magnet control lines and the plurality of head signal traces communicatively connected with the disk drive controller of the first docking station via the mating connectors.
The drive control lines of the second cartridge are communicatively connected with the disk drive controller of second docking station via the mating connectors.
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When the disk is in operation, the Blades A and B are opened to decouple from and release the disks. The opening of the Blades A and B is effected by the insertion of the two guide posts of the docking station into the cartridge, whereby the Blades A and B are rotated about the Post and the Lips A1, A2, B1 and B2 are thereby moved away from the disk. During the insertion of the cartridge, the guide posts press on the links through the receiver cavity sealed by a rubber boot. The flexible rubber boot acts as a sock and provides entry of the post into the cartridge without breaking the air seal.
The disk retaining feature includes feature prevents or reduces the magnitude of deformation imposed on the disk during transportation of the cartridge. For example, the disk retainer prevents disks from getting damaged, or reduces damage incurred, if the cartridge were to be dropped on the floor. Without Disk Retainer the disks will more likely and more severely bent like an umbrella top when dropped on the floor.
The disk retainer may be made of a suitable plastic, metal, composite material or other suitable materials known in the art, in singularity or combination.
Many features have been listed with particular configurations, options, and embodiments. Any one or more of the features described may be added to or combined with any of the other embodiments or other standard devices to create alternate combinations and embodiments. The features of one of the functions may also be used with other functions.
Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only one possible embodiment of the invention. Other embodiments and modifications will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and the full scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60603921 | Aug 2004 | US |