External solid state disk protection device

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of external solid state disk protection device, external solid state disk protection device is connected between host computer and solid state disk, including circuit board, input interface and output interface, energy storage circuit is integrated on circuit board, energy storage circuit is used to supply power supply for a short time when solid state disk power failure;Input interface is located at one end of circuit board, input interface is detachably connected to the first data transmission port of host computer, and the output end of input interface is electrically connected with the input end of energy storage circuit;Output interface is located at the other end of circuit board, output interface is detachably connected to the second data transmission port of solid state disk, and the input end of output interface is electrically connected with the output end of energy storage circuit.The low-cost consumer solid state disk is changed into enterprise level and data center level industrial solid state disk by the device, effectively protects the data security and reliability of solid state disk, convenient to operate, low in cost, and good in effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of solid-state drives (SSDs), and in particular to an external SSD protection device. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional solid-state drives (SSDs) are divided into consumer SSDs, enterprise-grade SSDs, data center SSDs, and industrial-grade SSDs. Consumer solid-state drives (SSDs) are subject to cost control and price management, and typically lack corresponding protection circuits and measures. In the event of an unexpected power outage, power interference, or power surge, data loss in the storage area and loss of the SSD's firmware may occur. (An SSD consists of a controller and storage chips. The controller is controlled and operated by the firmware program, which is stored in a specific area of ​​the corresponding storage chip. If the firmware is lost, the SSD will not function properly and will be unable to store data.)

[0003] Enterprise-grade solid-state drives typically have a short-term power-loss protection circuit. In the event of an illegal power outage, the controller stores any unwritten data into the corresponding storage chip.

[0004] Data center and industrial-grade solid-state drives (SSDs) are equipped with corresponding power protection circuits to counteract power ripple and surges caused by interference sources during operation, large equipment, and motor start-up and shutdown. These interference factors can cause errors in the corresponding storage chips when reading and writing data, leading to the risk of data loss. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an external solid-state drive protection device to solve the problem that solid-state drives do not have power-loss protection.

[0006] The first aspect of this utility model provides an external solid-state drive (SSD) protection device. The external SSD protection device is connected between a host computer and the SSD, and includes a circuit board, an input interface, and an output interface. The circuit board integrates an energy storage circuit for short-term power supply when the SSD loses power. The input interface is located at one end of the circuit board and is detachably connected to a first data transmission port of the host computer. The output terminal of the input interface is electrically connected to the input terminal of the energy storage circuit. The output interface is located at the other end of the circuit board and is detachably connected to a second data transmission port of the SSD. The input terminal of the output interface is electrically connected to the output terminal of the energy storage circuit. The input interface is the same as the second data transmission port, and the output interface is the same as the first data transmission port.

[0007] Optionally, the circuit board also integrates a power step-down circuit, the input terminal of which is connected to the output terminal of the input interface, the output terminal of which is connected to the input terminal of the energy storage circuit, and the output terminal of which is connected to the input terminal of the output interface.

[0008] Optionally, the power supply step-down circuit is used to reduce the 12V power supply voltage input through the input interface to the 5V operating voltage of the solid-state drive before outputting it through the output interface.

[0009] Optionally, the power supply step-down circuit includes a step-down chip U3, an inductor L1, capacitors C4, C5, and C19, and resistors R26, R27, R28, and R29. The output terminal of the input interface is electrically connected to the input terminal of resistor R26 and pin 5 of the step-down chip U3, respectively. The output terminal of resistor R26 is connected to one end of capacitor C5 and pin 8 of the step-down chip U3, and the other end of capacitor C5 is grounded. One end of capacitor C4 is connected to pin 7 of the step-down chip U3, and the other end of capacitor C19 is grounded. The other end of 4 and pin 6 of the step-down chip U3 are respectively connected to one end of the inductor L1, and the other end of the inductor L1 is connected to the input terminal of the output interface; one end of the resistor R28 is connected to pin 2 of the step-down chip U3, the other end of the resistor R28 is connected to one end of the resistor R29, pin 1 of the step-down chip U3 is respectively connected to the other end of the resistor R29, one end of the resistor R27 and one end of the capacitor C19, and the other end of the resistor R27 and the other end of the capacitor C19 are respectively connected to the output terminal of the output interface.

[0010] Optionally, the circuit board also integrates a power supply regulator circuit, the input terminal of which is connected to the output terminal of the input interface, and the output terminal of which is grounded.

[0011] Optionally, the circuit board also integrates a power supply filter circuit. The input terminal of the power supply filter circuit is connected to the output terminal of the step-down circuit, and the output terminal of the power supply filter circuit is grounded. The power supply filter circuit is used to filter power supply ripple.

[0012] Optionally, the circuit board also integrates a normal operation indicator circuit, the input terminal of which is connected to the output terminal of the input interface, and the output terminal of which is grounded.

[0013] Optionally, the circuit board also integrates a discharge status indicator circuit, the input terminal of which is connected to the output terminal of the energy storage circuit, and the output terminal of which is grounded.

[0014] Optionally, a data transmission channel is provided between the input port and the output port for transmitting the output of the host to the solid-state drive.

[0015] The second aspect of this utility model provides a method for protecting a solid-state drive, comprising: Disconnect the first data transmission port of the host from the second data transmission port of the solid-state drive; The aforementioned external solid-state drive protection device is placed between the host and the solid-state drive, with the input interface of the external solid-state drive protection device connected to the first data transmission port and the output interface of the external solid-state drive protection device connected to the second data transmission port.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this plan are: This solution features an external solid-state drive (SSD) protection device located between the host computer and the SSD. As an independent electronic component, it connects in series between the SSD and the host computer via input and output interfaces, making it easy to install and use without requiring modifications to the existing circuitry or settings of the SSD and host computer. The integrated energy storage circuitry on the circuit board provides short-term power to the SSD when it loses power, transforming a low-cost consumer-grade SSD into an enterprise- or data center-grade industrial SSD. This effectively protects the data security and reliability of the SSD, offering convenient operation, low cost, and excellent performance. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of an external solid-state drive protection device; Figure 2 The circuit diagram shows the input and output interfaces. Figure 3 A circuit diagram showing the combined power supply step-down circuit and power supply filter circuit for an external solid-state drive protection device; Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram of a power supply voltage regulator circuit. Figure 5 This is a circuit diagram of an energy storage circuit; Figure 6 The circuit diagram for the normal operation indicator circuit; Figure 7 This is a circuit diagram for a discharge status indicator circuit.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10. Input interface; 20. Output interface; 30. Circuit board; 31. Energy storage circuit; 32. Power supply step-down circuit; 33. Power supply voltage regulator circuit; 34. Power supply filter circuit; 35. Normal operation indicator circuit; 36. Discharge status indicator circuit. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0020] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model; the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; furthermore, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "joined" should be interpreted broadly, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be a connection within two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0021] See Figure 1-7 This embodiment discloses a method for protecting a solid-state drive, including: Disconnect the first data transmission port of the host from the second data transmission port of the solid-state drive; An external solid-state drive (SSD) protection device is placed between the host and the SSD, with the input interface 10 of the external SSD protection device connected to the first data transmission port and the output interface 20 of the external SSD protection device connected to the second data transmission port.

[0022] The external solid-state drive (SSD) protection device in this solution is located externally to both the host computer and the SSD. It is an independent electronic component, connected in series between the SSD and the host computer via input interface 10 and output interface 20. It is easy to install and use, requiring no modification to the existing circuitry or settings of the SSD and host computer. The energy storage circuit 31 integrated in circuit board 30 can provide power to the SSD briefly when it loses power, transforming a low-cost consumer-grade SSD into an enterprise-grade or data center-grade industrial SSD. This effectively protects the data security and reliability of the SSD, offering convenient operation, low cost, and good performance.

[0023] See Figure 1An external solid-state drive (SSD) protection device is connected between the host computer and the SSD. It includes a circuit board 30, an input interface 10, and an output interface 20. The circuit board 30 integrates an energy storage circuit 31, which provides power to the SSD briefly when it loses power. The input interface 10 is located at one end of the circuit board 30 and is detachably connected to the host computer's first data transmission port. The output terminal of the input interface 10 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the energy storage circuit 31. The output interface 20 is located at the other end of the circuit board 30 and is detachably connected to the SSD's second data transmission port. The input terminal of the output interface 20 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the energy storage circuit 31. The input interface 10 is the same as the second data transmission port, and the output interface 20 is the same as the first data transmission port.

[0024] Specifically, input interface 10 is a physical connection channel to the host computer used to transmit data and power from the host to this device; output interface 20 is the communication interface connected to the solid-state drive, providing a power and data exchange channel. See also Figure 2 Input interface 10 is connector U1, specifically model XUTS-2205-0429. Power from the host is output to pins 1, 2, and 3 of connector U1 via diode D6. Output interface 20 is connector U2, specifically model HDGCYLSY-SATA-116. Pins 14, 15, and 16 of connector U2 are connected to the input of diode D1, and the output of diode D1 is connected to the solid-state drive. Pins 17, 18, 20, and 21 of connector U1 are connected to pins 6, 5, 3, and 2 of connector U2, respectively, for data transmission.

[0025] The energy storage circuit 31, together with a solid-state energy storage device of a certain storage capacity and a charging and discharging circuit, provides a short-term power supply to the solid-state drive at the output end in case of unexpected power failure. This allows the controller built into the solid-state drive to have enough time and power to write the data that has not been written to the storage chip in time and complete the normal shutdown state, thus avoiding data loss and firmware loss.

[0026] Specifically, see Figure 5 The energy storage circuit 31 includes a resistor R1, a polarized capacitor C1+, a polarized capacitor C2+, and a polarized capacitor C3+. One end of the resistor R1 is connected to the output terminal of the power supply step-down circuit 32, and the other end of the resistor R1 is connected to the positive terminals of capacitors C1+, C2+, and C3+, respectively. The negative terminals of capacitors C1+, C2+, and C3+ are grounded.

[0027] Furthermore, the circuit board 30 also integrates a power step-down circuit 32. The input terminal of the power step-down circuit 32 is connected to the output terminal of the input interface 10, the output terminal of the power step-down circuit 32 is connected to the input terminal of the energy storage circuit 31, and the output terminal of the energy storage circuit 31 is connected to the input terminal of the output interface 20.

[0028] Optionally, the power supply step-down circuit 32 is used to reduce the 12V power supply voltage input from the input interface 10 to the 5V operating voltage of the solid-state drive before outputting it through the output interface 20. The power supply from the input terminals (which have multiple inputs with different voltage values) to the output terminals (the solid-state drive only needs to use one 5V power supply) uses a method of stepping down the 12V voltage from the input terminals to 5V, thus stably locking the power supply at the output terminals within the standard 5V range. This reduces the heat generated by the boost and buck converter circuitry built into the solid-state drive, and reducing heat helps maintain the lifespan and operational stability of the solid-state drive's storage chips.

[0029] Specifically, see Figure 2 The power supply step-down circuit 32 includes a step-down chip U3, an inductor L1, capacitors C4, C5, and C19, and resistors R26, R27, R28, and R29. The output terminal of the input interface 10 is electrically connected to the input terminal of resistor R26 and pin 5 of the step-down chip U3. The output terminal of resistor R26 is connected to one end of capacitor C5 and pin 8 of the step-down chip U3, and the other end of capacitor C5 is grounded. One end of capacitor C4 is connected to pin 7 of the step-down chip U3, and the other end of capacitor C4 and pin 6 of the step-down chip U3 are connected to one end of inductor L1. The other end of inductor L1 is connected to the input terminal of the output interface 20. One end of resistor R28 is connected to pin 2 of the step-down chip U3, and the other end of resistor R28 is connected to one end of R29. Pin 1 of the step-down chip U3 is connected to the other end of resistor R29, one end of resistor R27, and one end of capacitor C19. The other ends of resistor R27 and capacitor C19 are connected to the output terminal of the output interface 20.

[0030] Furthermore, the circuit board 30 also integrates a power regulator circuit 33. The input terminal of the power regulator circuit 33 is connected to the output terminal of the input interface 10, and the output terminal of the power regulator circuit 33 is grounded.

[0031] Specifically, see Figure 4 The power supply regulator circuit 33 includes capacitor C16 and capacitor C24. One end of capacitor C16 and one end of capacitor C24 are respectively connected to the output terminal of input interface 10, and the other end of capacitor C16 and the other end of capacitor C24 are respectively grounded.

[0032] The power supply step-down circuit 32 and the power supply voltage regulator circuit 33 reduce the voltage of the power supply that is higher than the operating voltage of the solid-state drive (SSD) to the operating voltage of the SSD. By providing sufficient current and stable voltage, the built-in power supply circuit of the SSD itself does not generate voltage boosting or bucking components, thereby reducing heat generation and ensuring the long-term stable operation of the storage chip.

[0033] Furthermore, the circuit board 30 also integrates a power filter circuit 34. The input terminal of the power filter circuit 34 is connected to the output terminal of the step-down circuit, and the output terminal of the power filter circuit 34 is grounded. The power filter circuit 34 is used to filter power ripple.

[0034] Specifically, see Figure 3 The power supply filter circuit 34 includes capacitors C13, C17 and C18. One end of capacitor C13, one end of capacitor C17 and one end of capacitor C18 are respectively grounded, and the other ends of capacitor C13, C17 and C18 are respectively connected to the output terminal of the step-down circuit.

[0035] The power supply filter circuit 34 uses relevant active or passive components to filter out minor ripples from the input power supply, ensuring that the power fluctuations provided to the solid-state drive are extremely small, appearing almost as a straight line in electrical terms. This prevents data loss caused by unstable operating states of the storage chip due to power supply ripple.

[0036] In this embodiment, the circuit board 30 also integrates a normal operation indicator circuit 35. The input terminal of the normal operation indicator circuit 35 is connected to the output terminal of the input interface 10, and the output terminal of the normal operation indicator circuit 35 is grounded. See also Figure 6 The normal operation indicator circuit 35 includes resistors R2 and R5, LED D3 and transistor Q3. One end of resistor R2 and one end of resistor R5 are respectively connected to the output terminal of input interface 10. The other end of resistor R2 is respectively connected to one end of resistor R6 and the base of transistor Q3. The other end of resistor R5 is connected to the input terminal of LED D3. The output terminal of LED D3 is connected to the collector of transistor Q3. The emitter of transistor Q3 and the other end of resistor R6 are respectively grounded.

[0037] In this embodiment, a discharge status indicator circuit 36 ​​is also integrated on the circuit board 30. The input terminal of the discharge status indicator circuit 36 ​​is connected to the output terminal of the energy storage circuit 31, and the output terminal of the discharge status indicator circuit 36 ​​is grounded. See also Figure 7The discharge status indicator circuit 36 ​​includes a resistor R4, a light-emitting diode D2, a diode D7, and a diode D8. One end of the resistor R4 is connected to the output terminal of the energy storage circuit 31, and the other end of the resistor R4 is connected to the input terminal of the light-emitting diode D2. The output terminal of the light-emitting diode D2 is connected to the input terminal of the diode D7, the output terminal of the diode D7 is connected to the input terminal of the diode D8, and the output terminal of the diode D8 is grounded.

[0038] It's worth noting that the host also features an active control circuit. When a power failure is detected, the host actively sends relevant instructions to the SSD controller to promptly write data. This approach is more efficient and reliable than relying solely on the SSD controller's delayed detection of power loss due to data channel interruption.

[0039] The advantages of this solution are: 1) This device is connected in series between the solid-state drive and the host computer, making it easy to install and use. No changes are required to the existing circuitry and settings of the solid-state drive and the host computer.

[0040] 2) The power supply from the input terminal (which has multiple inputs with different voltage values) to the output terminal (the solid-state drive only needs to use one of the 5V power supplies) of this device adopts a method of stepping down the 12V input terminal to 5V, so that the power supply at the output terminal is stably locked within the standard range of 5V. This reduces the heat generated by the boost and buck converter circuit built into the solid-state drive, and reducing heat generation helps maintain the lifespan and operational stability of the solid-state drive's storage chip.

[0041] 3) This device has a built-in energy storage device to provide power protection and delay protection when the solid-state drive’s built-in controller writes the data that has not been written to the storage chip in time during the event of an unexpected power failure.

[0042] 4) The filtering circuit of this device effectively removes power ripple from the input end (affected by the host environment, cooling fans, factory motor start-stop, etc.), ensuring a clean and stable power supply for the solid-state drive and ensuring reliable read and write of the storage chip. (The storage chip relies on a low operating power supply to store 0 and 1 data; power ripple can interfere with the relevant data, causing read / write errors or verification errors).

[0043] The external solid-state drive protection device in this solution can be applied to scenarios where the working environment is relatively harsh, with risks of unexpected power failure and interference sources, such as industrial computers, rail transit control systems, and vehicle-mounted computers.

[0044] The above embodiments only illustrate several implementation methods of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An external solid-state drive protection device, characterized in that, include: A circuit board, wherein an energy storage circuit is integrated on the circuit board, the energy storage circuit being used to supply power for a short time when the solid-state drive loses power; An input interface is located at one end of the circuit board and is detachably connected to the host. The output end of the input interface is connected to the input end of the energy storage circuit. An output interface is located at the other end of the circuit board. The output interface is detachably connected to the solid-state drive. The input terminal of the output interface is electrically connected to the output terminal of the energy storage circuit. The circuit board also integrates a power step-down circuit. The input terminal of the power step-down circuit is connected to the output terminal of the input interface, the output terminal of the power step-down circuit is connected to the input terminal of the energy storage circuit, and the output terminal of the energy storage circuit is connected to the input terminal of the output interface.

2. The external solid-state drive protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply step-down circuit is used to reduce the 12V power supply voltage input through the input interface to the 5V operating voltage of the solid-state drive before outputting it through the output interface.

3. The external solid-state drive protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply step-down circuit includes a step-down chip U3, an inductor L1, capacitors C4, C5, and C19, and resistors R26, R27, R28, and R29. The output terminal of the input interface is electrically connected to the input terminal of resistor R26 and pin 5 of the step-down chip U3. The output terminal of resistor R26 is connected to one end of capacitor C5 and pin 8 of the step-down chip U3, and the other end of capacitor C5 is grounded. One end of capacitor C4 is connected to pin 7 of the step-down chip U3, and the other end of capacitor C4... The other end and pin 6 of the step-down chip U3 are respectively connected to one end of the inductor L1, and the other end of the inductor L1 is connected to the input terminal of the output interface; one end of the resistor R28 is connected to pin 2 of the step-down chip U3, and the other end of the resistor R28 is connected to one end of the resistor R29; pin 1 of the step-down chip U3 is respectively connected to the other end of the resistor R29, one end of the resistor R27, and one end of the capacitor C19; the other end of the resistor R27 and the other end of the capacitor C19 are respectively connected to the output terminal of the output interface.

4. The external solid-state drive protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit board also integrates a power supply regulator circuit. The input terminal of the power supply regulator circuit is connected to the output terminal of the input interface, and the output terminal of the power supply regulator circuit is grounded.

5. The external solid-state drive protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit board also integrates a power filter circuit. The input terminal of the power filter circuit is connected to the output terminal of the power step-down circuit, and the output terminal of the power filter circuit is grounded. The power filter circuit is used to filter power ripple.

6. The external solid-state drive protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit board also integrates a normal operation indicator circuit. The input terminal of the normal operation indicator circuit is connected to the output terminal of the input interface, and the output terminal of the normal operation indicator circuit is grounded.

7. The external solid-state drive protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit board also integrates a discharge status indicator circuit. The input terminal of the discharge status indicator circuit is connected to the output terminal of the energy storage circuit, and the output terminal of the discharge status indicator circuit is grounded.

8. The external solid-state drive protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A data transmission channel is provided between the input port and the output port for transmitting the output of the host to the solid-state drive.

Images