HDD Impact Buffer with Dual-Hardness Foam Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional impact buffering devices for notebook computers face challenges in achieving high impact resistance while minimizing size, weight, and production costs, as they often require a trade-off between impact buffering performance and hazardous gas generation, with foam-based solutions struggling to optimize spring constant and viscous damping coefficients effectively.

Innovation Solution

The use of impact buffering members with different hardness levels, where a first impact buffering member with higher hardness and a second with lower hardness are strategically positioned on the HDD unit to absorb and moderate the impact, preventing head detachment by controlling the rotation direction and generating a moderate restoring force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a foam member is used as an impact buffer, then the size and weight can be reduced, but the impact buffering performance (spring constant and viscous damping coefficients) cannot be optimized effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of impact bufferVSAvoidimpact buffering performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The impact buffer is divided into multiple foam members with different hardness levels (first foam member with higher hardness, second foam member with lower hardness). This segmentation allows each foam member to contribute differently to impact absorption, optimizing both weight and buffering performance simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the impact buffer are assigned different hardness characteristics. The first foam member (higher hardness) and second foam member (lower hardness) are positioned at specific locations to provide localized buffering characteristics appropriate for different impact scenarios, thereby optimizing overall performance without increasing weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the foam volume is enlarged to improve impact buffering performance, then the buffering effect is enhanced, but the weight of the impact buffer increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact buffering performanceVSAvoidweight of impact buffer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single large-volume foam member, the buffer is segmented into multiple smaller foam members with different hardness levels. This approach achieves optimized buffering performance through strategic material distribution rather than simply increasing total volume, thereby controlling weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The impact buffer uses a composite structure of foam members with different hardness characteristics. This composite approach allows the system to achieve superior impact buffering performance without proportionally increasing weight, as each material component is optimized for its specific function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If a conventional impact buffering device with coil spring and viscosity resistor is used, then the impact resistance is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple foam members with different hardness levels are combined into a single integrated impact buffer structure. This merging approach achieves the functionality of complex mechanical systems (springs and dampers) through a unified foam-based structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity and production cost while maintaining impact resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The foam members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support, absorb impact energy, and control rebound characteristics. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components (such as springs and viscosity resistors), simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining comprehensive impact protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration enhances the impact buffering performance, reduces the risk of head detachment, and allows for a simpler, cost-effective design that can be easily integrated into notebook computers, while maintaining a compact and lightweight structure.

Implementation Method 1

When the impact buffer is compressed and deformed by an impact applied to the HDD unit, the impact buffer supports and expands/contracts the HDD unit rotates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7684183B2Impact buffer, impact buffering device, and information processor having impact buffering device

Publication Date: 2010.03.23 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

An impact buffer having a high buffering effect includes two or more impact buffering members with different hardness, contacted with at least one surface of a side surface part of an HDD unit positioned orthogonally to the rotation surface of a magnetic disk of the HDD unit, supports the HDD unit, buffers an impact applied to the HDD unit by expansion and contraction, further moderates the rotation of the HDD unit in the direction causing a head arm to move onto the disk at rest, prevents the head detachment, and can overcome the weaknesses of the head arm and an inertial latch structure.