Optical Interconnects for Disk Drive Gas Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the storage capacity of disk devices increases, the number of interconnections between components within the disk device grows, leading to larger connectors and potential gas leakage, increased design costs, and decreased positioning accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of optical communication using conversion devices and optical waveguides to transmit signals between components, reducing the need for physical electrical connections and minimizing the size of communication pathways within the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of storage media increases, then storage capacity increases, but the number of interconnections increases leading to larger connectors and potential gas leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidnumber of interconnections

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical interconnections with optical waveguides to transmit signals between the controller and magnetic heads. This substitution eliminates the need for complex electrical connectors and reduces the number of physical interconnection pathways, thereby preventing gas leakage while maintaining data transmission capabilities as storage capacity increases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces optical conversion devices as intermediaries that convert electrical signals to optical signals and vice versa. These conversion devices enable communication between components through optical waveguides, reducing the need for direct electrical connections and minimizing connector complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the number of interconnections increases, then data transmission capacity increases, but the size of communication openings increases leading to gas leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidsize of communication openings

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical signal transmission through physical connectors with optical signal transmission through waveguides. This substitution enables high data transmission capacity while requiring minimal opening space, as optical waveguides can be integrated into the device structure with smaller footprints compared to electrical connectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of interconnections increases, then component connectivity improves, but positioning accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent connectivityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces optical conversion devices as intermediaries between electrical signal sources and optical waveguide destinations. These conversion devices provide flexible signal conversion points that can be positioned with higher precision, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy even as the number of interconnected components increases

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

This approach enhances data transmission capacity, reduces the number of interconnections, decreases the size of communication openings, and prevents gas leakage, while maintaining stable power supply and data transmission.

Implementation Method 1

The first conversion device emits light corresponding to an electric signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

The optical waveguide includes a first end joined to the first conversion device and a second end joined to the second conversion device, and transmits light emitted from the first conversion device to the second conversion device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical waveguide transmission: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 3

The second conversion device generates an electric signal corresponding to incident light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12260885B2Disk device having components that communicate with each other via conversion devices

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

A disk device according to one embodiment includes a first conversion device, a second conversion device, an optical waveguide, a first component, and a second component. The first conversion device emits light corresponding to an electric signal. The second conversion device generates an electric signal corresponding to incident light. The optical waveguide includes a first end joined to the first conversion device and a second end joined to the second conversion device, and transmits light emitted from the first conversion device to the second conversion device. The first component is electrically connected to the first conversion device. The second component is electrically connected to the second conversion device, and communicates with the first component through the first conversion device, the optical waveguide, and the second conversion device.