Parallel Spindle Drivers for Disk Drive Spin Up Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disk drive technologies face challenges in optimizing spin up and spin down times, which affect performance and efficiency, due to limitations in commutation control of spindle motors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a parallel spindle driver configuration, where two spindle drivers are connected to a multi-phase spindle motor, allowing simultaneous or sequential commutation of windings based on detected back electromotive force (BEMF) signals, enhances spin up and spin down times while reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a single spindle driver is used for commutation control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the spin up and spin down times are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The single spindle driver is segmented into two parallel spindle drivers, allowing the commutation control function to be distributed. This segmentation enables faster spin up and spin down times by providing redundant commutation paths while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Two spindle drivers are merged in parallel configuration to work together on the same multi-phase spindle motor. This merging provides complementary commutation capabilities that reduce spin up and spin down times while the shared control architecture prevents excessive complexity increase
2Power
If parallel spindle driver configuration is implemented, then the current capability is increased, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel spindle driver configuration dynamically adjusts power distribution based on operational requirements. During spin up and spin down operations, both drivers are activated to provide high current capability, while during normal operation, power is optimized to reduce consumption, achieving dynamic balance between current capability and power efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different commutation modes (simultaneous or sequential) based on the operational state. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high current capability when needed while optimizing power consumption during steady-state 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
This approach results in faster spin up and spin down times, improved power efficiency, and higher current capabilities during these operations, compared to traditional single spindle driver configurations.
Implementation Method 1
detect a back electromotive force (BEMF) signal corresponding to one or more of a velocity and a position of the spindle motor
Data Source
AI summary
A disk drive may include a disk, a head actuated over the disk, a spindle motor comprising a plurality of windings and operable to rotate the disk and coupled to a first and a second spindle driver, the first and the second spindle driver coupled in parallel to the plurality of windings. The disk drive further includes one or more processing devices that are configured to detect a BEMF signal corresponding to a velocity and/or a position of the spindle motor, control, based on detecting the BEMF signal, commutation of the plurality of windings of the spindle motor using the first and the second spindle driver, and wherein the plurality of windings are commutated at or near the same time or in a sequential manner during one or more of a spin up and a spin down routine of the spindle motor.