Optical Pickup Heat Dissipation in Data Storage Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data storage devices face challenges in effectively dissipating heat generated by multiple optical pickups, leading to temperature rises that exceed operational limits, and struggle with precise positioning of these pickups for efficient data writing on optical tapes.

Innovation Solution

A data storage device design that includes a housing with a plate member dividing it into two spaces, where optical pickups are positioned in one space and a heat radiating member in the other, with thermally conductive gaps and a blower fan to dissipate heat, and a positioning mechanism using a mounting shaft and regulating members to achieve precise pickup alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple optical pickups are used to increase writing speed, then productivity is improved, but the quantity of heat generated increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewriting speedVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a first space for optical pickups and a second space for the heat radiating member, separating the heat source from the heat dissipation system. This segmentation allows multiple optical pickups to operate at high productivity while the dedicated second space handles heat removal efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A heat radiating member is introduced as an intermediary between the optical pickups and the external environment. This mediator transfers heat from the optical pickups through thermal conduction and dissipates it to the external air through convection, enabling high-speed writing without excessive heat accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a radiator is arranged outside the housing to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation is improved, but the distance from optical pickup increases reducing heat transfer efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into two spaces with a plate member, allowing the heat radiating member to be positioned close to the optical pickups in the first space while still providing external heat dissipation. The plate member acts as a thermal bridge, maintaining high heat transfer efficiency despite the spatial separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plate member serves as an intermediary thermal conduction path between the optical pickups and the heat radiating member. It transfers heat efficiently from the optical pickups to the radiating member, which then dissipates heat to the external environment, resolving the conflict between proximity and external dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If multiple optical pickups are positioned closer together to reduce device size, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy becomes more difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple optical pickups are merged onto a single plate member, which provides a common reference plane for positioning. This merging approach maintains compact device size while ensuring that all pickups are positioned at precise, predetermined intervals relative to each other and to the tape medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plate member serves multiple functions: it supports the optical pickups, provides a positioning reference, and acts as a heat radiating member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate positioning mechanisms, maintaining accuracy while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration allows for effective heat dissipation and precise positioning of optical pickups, maintaining optimal operating temperatures and improving data storage reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a heat radiating member which transfers the heat that has been generated by the optical pickup to the second space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the heat generated by the optical pickup is dissipated out of the data storage device with the air blown by the blower fan

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a gap is left between the heat radiating member and each of the optical pickups and is filled with a thermally conductive material with flowability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8719851B2Data storage device

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

In one embodiment of a data storage device, the inside of its housing 111 is divided into first and second spaces 1 and 2 by a chassis 110. The data storage device includes at least one optical pickup 104 that writes data on a storage medium and a heat radiating member 109 which is thermally coupled to the optical pickup 104 to transfer the heat generated by the optical pickup 104. The optical pickup 104 and the heat radiating member 109 are arranged in the first and second spaces 1 and 2, respectively.