Moving Ambient Temperature Sensor in Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional data storage systems, such as hard disk drives, face challenges in accurately measuring ambient temperature due to the limitations of physically static thermistors, which cannot precisely detect temperatures near rotating data storage components, leading to potential performance degradation and overheating issues.
Innovation Solution
A data storage device employs a variable resistance sensor positioned on an actuating suspension to measure ambient temperature, allowing for precise temperature detection and monitoring, reducing costs and improving accuracy by eliminating the need for static temperature sensors and enabling real-time temperature profiling and prediction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a physically static thermistor is used to measure ambient temperature, then the device structure is simple, but the temperature measurement accuracy near rotating components is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by moving the temperature sensor from a static position to a dynamic one. The sensor is attached to the actuating suspension, which moves it to different locations within the housing during operation. This allows the sensor to measure temperature at multiple critical points, including near rotating data storage components, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring multiple fixed sensors throughout the device.
2Measurement precision
If a moving sensor on actuating suspension is used, then temperature measurement accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by making the actuating suspension serve multiple functions. It not only performs its traditional role of positioning the transducing head but also carries the temperature sensor to enable temperature measurement. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to improve temperature detection accuracy without adding separate dedicated temperature measurement mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If static temperature sensors are used throughout the housing, then comprehensive temperature coverage is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single temperature sensor that becomes dynamically positioned throughout the housing via the actuating suspension. This eliminates the need to manufacture and install multiple static sensors at various locations, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while still achieving comprehensive temperature coverage through the sensor's movement to different positions during operation.
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 variable resistance sensor provides high-resolution ambient temperature measurements with increased accuracy (+/−0.2° C), enabling effective temperature monitoring and prediction, thereby optimizing data storage device performance and preventing overheating, even during data access operations.
Implementation Method 1
The transducing head consists of a variable resistance sensor that is connected to a temperature module positioned within the housing. One or more operational variables are measured by the variable resistance sensor to allow an ambient temperature within the housing to be calculated based on a measured operational variable.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device may be configured with a transducing head separated from a data storage medium by an air bearing. The transducing head and data storage medium are each contained within a housing. The transducing head can consist of a variable resistance sensor that is connected to a temperature module positioned within the housing. One or more operational variables can be measured by the variable resistance sensor to allow an ambient temperature within the housing to be calculated based on a measured operational variable.