Hard Disk Drive Vibration Isolation Frame Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operational vibrations in hard disk drives, caused by surrounding equipment, lead to increased positioning errors and degraded input/output performance, and existing solutions that attempt to address these issues often result in cost increases and incompatibility by altering the hard disk drive's dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A vibration isolation frame with flexible connections is integrated into the hard disk drive system, using isolation mounts between the base plate and the isolation frame, which maintains the standard form factor dimensions, thereby isolating the drive from operational vibrations without altering its outer dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If operational vibration isolation is improved by adding an outer casing that changes dimensions, then vibration isolation performance is improved, but the hard disk drive becomes incompatible with standard form factors and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration isolation performanceVSAvoidform factor compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration isolation frame is nested within the existing hard disk drive assembly, fitting inside the space between the base plate and the top cover. This nested structure allows the isolation frame to be integrated without increasing the overall external dimensions, maintaining form factor compatibility while providing vibration isolation functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The isolation frame utilizes a flexible connection structure that includes a flexible circuit board and flexible mounting mechanisms. These flexible elements allow the isolation frame to adapt to the standard form factor constraints while maintaining electrical and mechanical connections, resolving the contradiction between vibration isolation and form factor compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If operational vibration isolation is improved by adding an outer casing that changes dimensions, then vibration isolation performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration isolation performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration isolation frame is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the hard disk drive assembly. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing processes optimized for the isolation frame while keeping the overall manufacturing complexity manageable and costs controlled

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible connection structures use thin, flexible materials that can be manufactured using cost-effective processes such as flexible PCB fabrication techniques. These thin film solutions provide the necessary flexibility and isolation properties without requiring expensive materials or complex manufacturing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If head positioning control precision is maintained, then data read/write accuracy is improved, but the system becomes more sensitive to operational vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead positioning accuracyVSAvoidsensitivity to vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation frame acts as an intermediary structure between the base plate and the hard disk drive components. This intermediary element absorbs and isolates vibration forces, protecting the sensitive head positioning system from operational vibrations while maintaining the precision required for accurate data read/write operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution effectively reduces position error signals and improves performance by isolating the hard disk drive from operational vibrations, maintaining compatibility with standard form factors and avoiding cost increases.

Implementation Method 1

one or more isolation mounts disposed between the base plate and the isolation frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10019043B2Hard disk drive with a vibration isolation frame

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a hard disk drive system with improved isolation from operational vibration. More particularly, embodiments disclosed herein provide a hard disk drive system with a vibration isolation frame and flexible connection without deviation from standard form factor. The standard form factor is the form factor of the hard disk drive with the base plate, but without the isolation frame. The hard disk drive with the isolation frame has the same form factor as the hard disk drive without the isolation frame, but with the base plate. Examples of form factors that may be utilized include the form factors for 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch hard disk drives. It is to be understood that 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch form factors are simply examples. Other size form factors are contemplated as well.