Hard Disk Drive Head Parking via Vibration Alert Broadcasting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hard disk drives in communication devices are vulnerable to damage from vibrations or shocks, and existing vibration-resistant and shock-resistant mounting systems are not effective against all types and magnitudes of such events.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first communication device detects vibrations or shocks and broadcasts an alert message identifying its location, allowing a second communication device with a hard disk drive to temporarily park its read-write head without independently detecting the event, thereby preventing damage from vibrations or shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibration-resistant and shock-resistant mounting systems and enclosures are used, then device reliability is improved, but they cannot prevent all types and magnitudes of vibration or shock damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of vibration or shock events using accelerometers in the first communication device, and takes preliminary protective action by broadcasting alert messages to the second communication device before the shock reaches it. This allows the read-write head to be parked in advance, preventing damage before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system (alert messages broadcast between devices and received via network infrastructure) that mediates between the vibration source and the hard disk drive. This intermediary system enables indirect detection and response, allowing devices to warn each other of upcoming shock events without direct physical protection.
2Loss of time
If the second communication device independently detects vibration or shock, then protection response time is reduced, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first communication device performs self-service by detecting vibration or shock events and broadcasting alert messages to warn the second communication device. This distributes the detection burden to devices that may already have sensing capabilities, allowing the second device to benefit from protection without bearing the full cost of independent detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The alert message system serves multiple functions: it provides early warning of shock events, enables protective parking of read-write heads, and can potentially serve other protective functions. The same communication infrastructure supports both the warning function and normal data communication, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes a first communication device detecting vibration or shock, and, in response to detecting vibration or shock, the first communication device broadcasting an alert message that identifies a physical location of the first communication device at the time that the vibration or shock was sensed. The method further includes a second communication device receiving the alert message, wherein the second communication device includes a hard disk drive that can be damaged by vibration or shock. In response to receiving the alert message, the second communication device temporarily parks a read-write head of the hard disk drive to prevent damage from the vibration or shock, wherein the second communication device parks the read-write head without the second communication device independently detecting the vibration or shock. In one option, a server can receive and send alert messages from and to any number of communication devices.