Universal Shock Mounts for Disk Drives Using Retention Clips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional disk drives are vulnerable to external shocks and vibrations due to their sensitive components, and existing shock and vibration isolation methods, such as custom-molded elastomeric mounts, are often specific to single or limited disk drive models, making them impractical for broader applications.

Innovation Solution

A data storage assembly design featuring a plastic enclosure with retention clips and captivating pockets that securely attach shock mounts, providing effective shock and vibration isolation using a modular and cost-effective approach, suitable for various disk drive models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If custom-molded elastomeric mounts are used to provide shock and vibration isolation, then the shock and vibration protection is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to model-specific designs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock and vibration protectionVSAvoidmount design variety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal shock mounts with standardized geometries that can be used across multiple disk drive models. Instead of custom-molded mounts specific to each model, the invention uses a common mount design that fits various drive configurations, thereby reducing design complexity while maintaining shock and vibration protection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The shock mount system is segmented into modular components including the elastomeric mount, retention clip, and capturing pocket. This segmentation allows the mounts to be independently selected and assembled, enabling a standardized mount design to serve multiple disk drive models without requiring custom integration for each model.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If custom-molded elastomeric mounts are used for each disk drive model, then the shock isolation effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock isolation effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses universal shock mounts that can be manufactured in standard quantities and applied to multiple disk drive models. This eliminates the need for separate custom-molding processes for each model, significantly improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining adequate shock isolation effectiveness through standardized design parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The shock mounts are designed with pre-configured geometries and attachment mechanisms (retention clips and capturing pockets) that enable straightforward assembly. This preliminary design of standardized interfaces allows for efficient manufacturing and rapid deployment across different disk drive models without requiring model-specific tooling or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If model-specific elastomeric mount designs are used, then the shock protection is optimized for each model, but the adaptability to different disk drive models decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock protection optimizationVSAvoidmodel compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal shock mounts designed to work across multiple disk drive models. The standardized mount geometry and attachment system provide adequate shock protection for various models without requiring model-specific designs, thereby achieving both protection effectiveness and broad adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention allows for parameter adjustments within the standardized mount design, such as varying the elastomeric material properties or dimensional tolerances, to optimize performance across different disk drive models while maintaining the same fundamental mount structure. This enables adaptability without requiring complete redesign for each model.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively reduces shock and vibration impact on disk drives, enhancing their robustness in mobile applications while reducing manufacturing costs and time through a semi-automated assembly process, and is adaptable for different disk drive models.

Implementation Method 1

elastomeric mounts having various geometric shapes are used to support the disk drive and to provide the necessary shock and vibration isolation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9360900B1Captivating shock mounts for data storage devices using retention clips

Publication Date: 2016.06.07 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A data storage assembly including an enclosure including a first set of one or more pockets for receiving a first set of one or more shock mounts configured to be coupled to a data storage device, a cover configured to enclose the enclosure, and a set of one or more retention clips separate from the cover and configured to latch with the first set of one or more pockets to retain the first set of one or more shock mounts.