HDD Counter-Vibration Sphere Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hard disc drives (HDDs) with imperfect platter balance cause rotational vibration, leading to noise issues in electronic devices, and existing solutions like soft grommets are vulnerable to damage during device movement.
Innovation Solution
A counter-vibration system using soft plastic spheres and concave dished surfaces to absorb rotational vibration, with bumper features for protection against impact, allowing the HDD to vibrate without transferring mechanical movement to the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If soft grommets are used to absorb vibration, then vibration absorption is improved, but durability during device movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using a foam material with specific density range (0.02 to 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter) and controlled durometer (Shore A 20 to 60), optimizing both vibration absorption and durability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structure combining foam core with fabric wrapping or rubber coating, creating a multi-layered vibration isolation element that provides both softness for vibration absorption and protective durability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the HDD is allowed to vibrate freely to reduce noise transfer, then noise reduction is improved, but protection against impact damage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements protective bumper elements and reinforced housing structures positioned around the HDD assembly beforehand, providing cushioning and impact protection before damage can occur during device movement or drops
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible fabric wrapping or rubber coating layers that conform to the HDD shape, providing both vibration isolation during operation and protective cushioning during impact events
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
Effectively absorbs rotational vibration and gyration, enhancing durability and reducing noise-induced acoustic annoyance in electronic devices while protecting the HDD from damage.
Implementation Method 1
the sphere may act as a spring and allow the hard disc drive to vibrate or gyrate thus minimizing the physical movement transmittance to the rest of the hard disc drive assembly
Implementation Method 2
the weight of the hard disc drive may align the dishes with each other and over the sphere
Data Source
AI summary
One implementation of the present invention may take the form of a system for a hard disc drive counter-vibration device that may absorb rotational vibration or gyration of the hard disc drive module. This mounting device may incorporate at least one soft, plastic sphere and a pair of concave dished surfaces, configured to face each other and maintain the sphere between them. The sphere of the counter-vibration assembly may support the hard disc drive (HDD) while the weight of the HDD may align the dishes with each other and over the sphere. In this manner, the sphere may act as a spring and allow the HDD to vibrate or gyrate without transmitting the mechanical movement to the rest of the HDD assembly or electronic device.