HDD Ramp Mechanism Retraction for Shock Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) face reduced substrate rigidity due to thinner disk-shaped recording media, making them susceptible to bending and contact with other components under strong external vibration or shock, which can lead to damage.
Innovation Solution
A storage apparatus with a ramp mechanism that moves the head to a receded position and a ramp retracting mechanism that moves the ramp to a retracted position, both driven by counter electromotive force generated by inertial rotation of the motor, to prevent contact between the recording medium and the ramp mechanism during external vibrations or power supply cutoffs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the thickness of the substrate of the disk-shaped recording medium is reduced to accommodate more disks within the HDD casing, then the storage capacity per unit volume increases, but the rigidity of the substrate deteriorates making the disk susceptible to bending under external vibration or shock
Solution Approach 1:
The head assembly is segmented into two independent movable components: the head itself (on the suspension arm) and the ramp mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling the ramp to be retracted separately from the head to prevent contact with flexible recording media during shock events.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp mechanism is retracted to a safe position before external vibration or shock occurs. The control unit detects impending shock conditions and proactively moves the ramp away from the recording medium surface, preventing contact before the bending issue can manifest. This preliminary action eliminates the harmful interaction between the ramp and flexible disks during shock events.
2Reliability
If a ramp mechanism is provided to move the head to a receded position for protection against vibration and shock, then the reliability of the storage apparatus improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp mechanism is integrated with the head assembly such that both the head and ramp share common support structures and control systems. This merging reduces overall device complexity by eliminating separate independent mechanisms while still providing the protective functionality of independent ramp retraction through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp mechanism utilizes the existing motor that drives the disk-shaped recording medium to provide the driving force for ramp retraction. When power is cut off or during emergency situations, the inertial rotation of the motor generates counter electromotive force that automatically drives the ramp to the retracted position without requiring additional power sources or complex control circuits.
3Ease of operation
If the ramp mechanism is positioned above the surface of the recording medium for normal operation, then the head can be efficiently loaded and unloaded, but the recording medium may contact the ramp mechanism during strong external vibration or shock
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp mechanism transitions between two dynamic states: a positioned state during normal operation where the ramp is above the recording medium surface to facilitate head loading and unloading, and a retracted state during shock events where the ramp moves away to prevent contact. This dynamic repositioning allows the system to optimize for different operational conditions, maintaining ease of operation during normal use while eliminating harmful contacts during vibration or shock 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
Enhances the storage apparatus' resistance to strong external vibrations and shocks by avoiding contact between the recording medium and the ramp mechanism, ensuring high reliability and preventing damage to the head and recording medium.
Implementation Method 1
both driven by counter electromotive force generated by inertial rotation of the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A storage apparatus includes a disk-shaped recording medium having a surface, a motor configured to drive and rotate the recording medium, a head configured to read information from and write information to the recording medium, a ramp mechanism configured to move the head from a position above the surface of the recording medium to a head receded position, and a ramp retracting mechanism configured to move the ramp mechanism from a position above the surface of the recording medium to a ramp retracted position. Each of the head receded position and the ramp retracted position is outside a range of the recording medium in a plan view viewed from above the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the recording medium.