Rotatable Ramp Structure for Easier Magnetic Disk Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disk devices, such as hard disk drives, require the removal of the ramp and head stack assembly from the housing for magnetic disk replacement, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A disk device design that allows the magnetic disk to be removed without disassembling the ramp and head stack assembly by incorporating a rotatable ramp with support portions and abutment features that restrict its rotation, enabling the magnetic disk to be accessed without removing the ramp and HSA from the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ramp and head stack assembly are removed from the housing for magnetic disk replacement, then the magnetic disk can be accessed, but the operation becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp is designed to be rotatable between a first position (covering the magnetic disk) and a second position (separated from the magnetic disk). This dynamic positioning allows the ramp to be moved out of the way during magnetic disk replacement without requiring complete disassembly of the ramp and HSA from the housing, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp is divided into functional segments with a first support portion and a second support portion at different rotational positions. This segmentation allows different parts of the ramp to serve different purposes during the replacement process, enabling the ramp to be partially repositioned to facilitate magnetic disk access without removing the entire assembly
2Reliability
If the ramp is positioned to cover the magnetic disk, then the HSA can be held at the unload position, but the magnetic disk becomes inaccessible for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp's rotatable design allows it to dynamically switch between covering the magnetic disk (providing stable HSA positioning at unload position) and being separated from the magnetic disk (allowing magnetic disk access). The housing includes abutment portions that restrict the ramp's rotation to specific positions, ensuring reliable HSA positioning when the ramp is in the first position while enabling magnetic disk replacement when rotated to the second position
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp is pre-positioned at the first position to cover the magnetic disk and provide stable HSA positioning during normal operation. When magnetic disk replacement is needed, the ramp is rotated to the second position in advance of the actual replacement operation, preparing the system for easy magnetic disk access without requiring complete disassembly
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a magnetic disk, a ramp, a head stack assembly (HSA), and a housing. The ramp is rotatable between a first position covering a portion of the magnetic disk and a second position separated from the magnetic disk. The HSA is rotatable to a load position, an unload position, and a retracted position at which the HSA is separated from the magnetic disk. The ramp includes a first support portion that supports the lift tab when moving between the load position and the unload position at the first position, and a second support portion that supports the lift tab when moving between the unload position and the retracted position at the second position. The housing includes a first abutment portion that abuts the ramp at the first position to restrict rotation of the ramp.