Rotating Electromagnet Disk Clamp for Low-Stress Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage solutions, such as magnetic tape, are slow for accessing archived data, while magnetic disks in HDDs offer low cost per terabyte but require efficient retention mechanisms that minimize mechanical stress and enable easy disk exchange.
Innovation Solution
A spindle motor assembly with an electromagnet retainer and ferromagnetic material provides adjustable magnetic force for disk retention, using liquid metal slip rings for power transmission to the rotating electromagnet, eliminating the need for permanent magnets and reducing mechanical stress during disk exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If magnetic tape is used for archival data storage, then storage capacity and cost per terabyte are improved, but data access speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical reel-to-reel tape access mechanism with a magnetic field-based retention system. The electromagnet retainer uses electromagnetic fields to hold disks stationary on the spindle, enabling rapid random access to archived data without the mechanical constraints of tape transport, thus improving data access speed while maintaining high storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the retention mechanism from mechanical (tape reels) to electromagnetic (electromagnet retainer). By adjusting the electrical current to the electromagnet, the system can dynamically control the retention force, allowing for rapid disk exchange and fast data access while maintaining the cost-effective magnetic storage medium
2Force
If permanent magnets are used for disk retention, then retention force is improved, but mechanical stress during disk exchange increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static permanent magnet retention system to a dynamic electromagnet system. The electromagnet retainer can be energized or de-energized by controlling electrical current, allowing the retention force to be dynamically adjusted. This enables gentle disk insertion and removal by simply turning off the electromagnet, significantly reducing mechanical stress during disk exchange while maintaining strong retention force during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical permanent magnet retention system with an electromagnetic system. This substitution allows for controlled, adjustable retention force that can be easily deactivated for disk exchange, reducing the mechanical stress and force required to insert or remove disks compared to overcoming permanent magnetic attraction
3Ease of operation
If electromagnetic force is used for disk retention, then ease of disk exchange is improved, but friction-related issues may arise in high-RPM environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical retention mechanisms with an electromagnetic field-based system. The electromagnet retainer holds the disk through magnetic attraction without physical contact, eliminating friction between retention components and the disk. This non-contact retention method enables easy disk exchange by simply de-energizing the electromagnet while avoiding friction-related issues even at high rotational speeds
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 system achieves low-cost, efficient disk retention with reduced mechanical stress and faster data access, enabling easy disk exchange and minimizing friction-related issues in high-RPM environments.
Implementation Method 1
The disk medium is retained on the spindle motor assembly by an adjustable magnetic force between the ferromagnetic material of the disk media assembly and the electromagnet retainer of the spindle motor assembly
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnet retainer coupled with the spindle motor such that the electromagnet retainer rotates with the spindle motor hub
Implementation Method 3
using liquid metal slip rings for power transmission to the rotating electromagnet
Data Source
AI summary
A disk retention system includes a spindle motor assembly with a spindle motor and an electromagnet retainer coupled and rotatable therewith, and a disk media assembly including a disk medium and a ferromagnetic material coupled therewith, whereby the disk is retained on the spindle motor by an adjustable attractive magnetic force between the ferromagnetic material of the disk assembly and the electromagnet retainer of the motor assembly. The motor assembly may further include a pair of stationary electrically-conductive liquid or liquid metal slip rings and a pair of rotatable electrical contacts each electrically coupled with a respective slip ring and with the electromagnet retainer, where the slip rings may utilize a Gallium-Indium-Tin alloy.