Helium Storage Container Sealing for Hard Disk Drives
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Helium-filled hard disk drives are more expensive and require additional processing due to the need for hermetic sealing, while air-filled drives lack the benefits of a helium environment due to unsealed configurations.
Innovation Solution
A storage container that can be hermetically sealed with low-density gases like helium, allowing non-sealed hard disk drives to benefit from a helium environment without additional components, using a base housing, inner and outer covers, and a sealing member to mitigate helium leakage, along with thermal management and electrical connectivity features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard disk drives are hermetically sealed to maintain helium environment, then helium leakage is prevented, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is divided into multiple components (base housing member, inner cover, outer cover) that can be assembled together to form a hermetic seal. This segmentation allows standard manufacturing processes to be used for each component while achieving overall hermetic sealing when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the inner cover and outer cover to create the hermetic seal. This sealing member specifically addresses the opening in the inner cover, preventing helium leakage without requiring complex sealing structures in the hard disk drives themselves.
2Reliability
If hard disk drives are hermetically sealed, then helium environment is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary that provides hermetic sealing at the container level rather than requiring each hard disk drive to be individually sealed. This approach significantly reduces manufacturing cost by eliminating the need for expensive hermetic sealing processes on each drive while maintaining helium retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The benefits of helium-filled sealed drives are copied to non-sealed drives by placing them in a helium-filled storage container with hermetic sealing at the container level. This allows standard non-sealed drives to operate in a helium environment without requiring modifications to the drives themselves.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-sealed hard disk drives are used, then manufacturing cost decreases, but helium leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member serves as an intermediary that compensates for the lack of sealing in individual hard disk drives. By providing hermetic sealing at the storage container level, it prevents helium leakage while allowing the use of cheaper non-sealed drives.
4Ease of operation
If electrical connectors are added to maintain connectivity through sealed walls, then electrical connection is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is designed to perform multiple functions: providing electrical connection and maintaining hermetic sealing simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate sealing structures around the connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function and electrical connection function are merged into a single integrated electrical connector component. This combination simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for separate sealing mechanisms while maintaining both electrical connectivity and hermetic sealing.
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
Enables cost-effective helium-filled storage without additional components, enhances storage capacity, and maintains a controlled environment for hard disk drives, reducing power consumption and thermal issues.
Implementation Method 1
A sealing member is positioned between the inner cover and the outer cover adjacent the opening and is configured to mitigate helium leakage through the opening
Implementation Method 2
A sealing member is positioned between the inner cover and the outer cover adjacent the opening and is configured to mitigate helium leakage through the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A storage container includes a base housing member coupled to an inner cover and including an inner cavity. The storage container further includes an outer cover coupled to the base housing member and covering the inner cover. A rack assembly includes a plurality of storage devices and is mounted within the inner cavity.