Elastomeric Isolators with Through Holes for HDD Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hard disk drives face inaccuracies in data reading and writing due to external vibrations and shocks, particularly at higher frequencies, which existing actuator arm control operations struggle to mitigate effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating isolators made of elastomeric materials like EPDM rubber between the hard disk drive housing and its external enclosure to absorb and reduce the transmission of higher frequency vibrations and shock forces, utilizing through holes to enhance stiffness during shocks and absorb vibrational energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If actuator arm control operations are used to mitigate vibrations, then lower frequency vibrations can be ameliorated, but higher frequency vibrations remain difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces isolators as intermediary components between the hard disk drive and its enclosure. These isolators specifically target and dampen high-frequency vibrations that actuator control cannot effectively mitigate, thereby protecting data operations without interfering with the actuator's low-frequency vibration compensation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The isolators are pre-installed between the hard disk drive and enclosure to provide beforehand cushioning against high-frequency vibrations. This preventive measure ensures that before vibrations reach the sensitive actuator and disk assembly, they are already dampened, preventing potential data reading and writing inaccuracies
2Object-affected harmful factors
If isolators are added between hard disk drive and enclosure, then vibration transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolators modify the physical parameters of the connection between the hard disk drive and enclosure by introducing materials with specific damping properties. This changes the vibration transmission characteristics without requiring complex structural modifications to the enclosure itself
Solution Approach 2:
The isolators are simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced if needed. Their simplicity contrasts with complex active vibration control systems, providing an cost-effective solution that doesn't significantly increase device complexity
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
Significantly reduces vibration transmission in the 300 to 500 Hz range by up to 80% and absorbs shock forces, thereby enhancing the stability and accuracy of data storage operations.
Implementation Method 1
isolators interposed between a housing of the hard disk drive and an external enclosure. The isolators are both formed of a material and are shaped to reduce the transmission of higher frequency vibrations
Implementation Method 2
the isolators are formed so as to absorb at least a portion of the force due to shock that would be transmitted from the external environment to the device via the enclosure
Implementation Method 3
utilizing through holes to enhance stiffness during shocks and absorb vibrational energy
Implementation Method 4
The holes are sized, however, so that when a shock is transmitted through the isolator, the inner walls of the holes contact each other and enhance the stiffness of the isolator. The holes then absorb a portion of the force due to the shock
Data Source
AI summary
A hard disk drive assembly having a hard disk drive positioned within an external housing. Isolators formed of a resilient material, such as an elastomeric material, are interposed between the hard disk drive and an external housing. The isolators also preferably having a plurality of openings that extend there through that lower the stiffness of the isolators during small deflections such as those caused by vibrations, but large deflections, such as those caused by shocks cause the openings or holes to close there by generating greater stiffness is response to external shocks.