Disk Drive Tray Lock Mechanism Eliminates Solenoid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disk drive lock releasing units require a separate solenoid, leading to space constraints and increased costs, and are prone to malfunction due to external shocks, causing unintended tray ejection.
Innovation Solution
A disk drive with a lock releasing unit that utilizes a rotatable lock lever, link, and connecting units driven by a pickup transporting unit, which includes a spring for engagement with a locking protrusion, eliminating the need for a solenoid and ensuring the tray remains locked during external shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solenoid is used in the lock releasing unit, then the tray can be released from the locked position, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase, and the space required for installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the solenoid from the lock releasing unit, extracting the problematic component that caused complexity and cost issues. The lock releasing function is achieved through a purely mechanical linkage system involving a lock lever, link unit, and connecting unit, eliminating the need for electromagnetic actuation while maintaining reliable tray release functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage system is designed to be self-actuating through the movement of the pickup base. When the pickup base moves radially, it automatically drives the lock lever through the link unit and connecting unit, causing the tray to release without requiring external power or control systems. The spring provides the necessary force for the linkage to return to its initial position
2Ease of operation
If a solenoid is used in the lock releasing unit, then the tray can be released, but additional manufacturing cost is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive solenoid with inexpensive mechanical components such as a lock lever, link unit, connecting unit, and spring. These simple mechanical parts are much cheaper to manufacture and assemble, reducing the overall cost of the disk drive while maintaining the ease of tray release operation through automatic mechanical actuation
3Ease of operation
If a solenoid is used in the lock releasing unit, then the tray can be released, but the tray may be accidentally ejected due to external shock
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical linkage system is designed with a specific engagement geometry where the lock lever's hook must precisely engage with the locking protrusion. The spring applies preliminary force to maintain this engagement. This preliminary anti-action prevents accidental release because external shocks cannot overcome the engaged mechanical linkage and spring force, unlike solenoids that may malfunction due to shock
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using an active electromagnetic component (solenoid) that requires power and control signals, the patent uses a passive mechanical system where the default state is locked and release occurs only through the specific mechanical motion of the pickup base. This inversion of the control mechanism eliminates shock sensitivity while maintaining ease of operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces manufacturing costs and prevents unintended tray ejection by using a solenoid-free mechanism that maintains the tray locked even under external shocks, enhancing the structural integrity and cost-effectiveness of the disk drive.
Implementation Method 1
a spring which is fixed to the lock lever unit and the connecting unit, and which applies an elastic force in a direction in which the hook is engaged with the locking protrusion
Data Source
AI summary
A disk drive that includes (i) a main chassis, (ii) a tray that is configured to have a disk removably mounted thereon and that is installed to slide into/out of the main chassis, and that includes a pickup transporting unit configured to move a pickup base back and forth in a radial direction of the disk, and (iii) a lock releasing unit that is arranged on the tray, that is driven by the pickup transporting unit, and that releases a lock of the tray from the main chassis.