WO1991007745A1

WO1991007745A1 - Memory systems package

Info

Publication number: WO1991007745A1
Application number: PCT/US1990/006677
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald G. Vitullo
Original assignee: Most Research Corporation
Priority date: 1989-11-13
Filing date: 1990-11-09
Publication date: 1991-05-30
Also published as: AU6872091A

Abstract

A disk drive package comprising an assembly of mechanical drive components (10) and electronic control components (20) each of the components occupying a discrete physical section of the package, the electronic components (20) being located in a contiguous position with respect to the mechanical components (10), the mechanical components (10) being located to one side of the package and the electronic components (20) positioned with respect to the mechanical components (10) so as to not overlap any position of the mechanical components (10) and so as to occupy a concurrent volume of space in the package.

Description

ME O Y SYSTEMS PACKAGE

The present invention relates to memory system and particularly to large scale memory systems packaged to fit in standard sized memory packages.

The advent of personal computers has created a torrent of devices operating as standardized mechanism each accommodating replaceable components for accomplishing a variety of functions. In the memory area, a half height 5 1/4 inch disk drive mechanism has become a standard form factor which most manufacturers now attempt to emulate. To upgrade existing personal computers for large memory capacity, particularly with replaceable media, it is thus incumbent upon manufacturers intent on capitalizing on existing units to fit new memory concepts into such standard from factors .

The most recent innovation in memory systems however require larger volumes. Thus, replaceable magneto- optical technology, although employing 3 1/2 inch media, requires a large volume for mechanical movement of its bias magnets as well as large volume for its control electronics, thus making its employment in a 5 1/4 inch form factor beyond the scope of the state of the art.

The relatively large volume that is required of mechanical drive components in conventional drive also results in fabrication of electronic control components in multiple sections, a concept which further mitigates against use of a 5 1/4 inch half height form factor.

It is accordingly the principal of the present invention to provide a novel and unique arrangement which will permit the assembly of mechanical and electronic components of a magneto-optical disk drive in a standardized 5 1/4 inch form factor half height package.

It is a further object to provide such a package as herefore described in a manner permitting the electronic components and mechanical components to each be integral and non-overlapping of one another.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The forgoing objects are ordered in accordance with the invention by providing a disk drive package comprising an assembly of mechanical drive components and electronic control components each of said components occupying a discrete physical section of said package, said electronic components being located in a contiguous position with respect to said mechanical components, said mechanical components being located to one side of said package and said electronic components positioned with respect to said mechanical components so as to not overlap any position of said mechanical components and so as to occupy a concurrent volume of space in said package. In addition, in the package the mechanical drive components occupy the upper left front corner of the package when viewed from the front, and the electronic control components are placed along one side and behind said mechanical components. Furthermore, the mechanical drive component is a magneto- optical disk drive including a bias magnet, and the drive is located sufficiently below the top of the package to provide room for the bias magnet to swing in and out of position. Also, the package is a standard 5 1/4 inch half height form and the mechanical drive component accomodates a 3 1/2 inch replaceable magneto-optical disk.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The forgoing brief description of the present invention will be set forth in further detail in conjunction with the appended figures, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a generalized perspective view of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the package of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the package of the present invention .

Fig. 4 is a side view of the package of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view with the top electronic board removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figs, the mechanical drive mechanism 10 is designed to accommodate a magneto-optic replaceable media 12. As such, the media drive requires a movable bias magnet 14 which is positioned over the mechanical drive mechanism and moves into and out of position. For fitting the mechanical drive mechanism 10 into standardized half height 5 1/4 inch form factor package, it has been determined that the drive access slot

16 should be located precisely 29.1 + 0.5 mm from the bottom edge 18 of the front panel. Dimensions shown on the drawing are those of a 5 1/4 inch standardized form factor of a half height drive assembly to accommodate both mechanical drive components 10 and electronic control components 20 in the common package. It has been found that, to fit the 5 1/4 inch form factor, the mechanical components must be located along the upper left quadrant position, when viewed from the front, and the electronic control components then positioned along the right, below, and behind the mechanical drive components. The electronic control components 20 can be positioned on a plurality of circuit boards 22 , having a generally L shaped configuration and wrapped around the off center positioned mechanical drive components. A further circuit board 24 having an aperture 26 therein for accommodating the bias magnet 14 can be used over the entire top surface to enclose the package. There are several specific advantages of this configuration. The position of the mechanical drive components is additionally secured by anchoring same not only to the front panel 28 of the package but also to the side frame member 30 along the left side 32 of the package.

This dual structural support provides additional stability to the drive components, thus assisting to assure accuracy at the relatively higher speed which this type of drive mechanism requires. Vibration, noise and attendant heat generation are thus also reduced. The side positioning also assists in increasing ventilation of the drive components.

The supporting control electronics occupies a concurrent volume of space within the package, thus obviating the need to run electronic components or wiring over or across the volume of space otherwise occupied by the mechanical disk drive components, and as is conventionally realized in a centrally positioned mechanical drive configuration. The resulting arrangement thus allows for concurrent control electronics and for a structurally sound mechanically secure drive position.

Other modifications, variations, additions, subtractions and substitutions are also possible within the spirit of the invention. Thus, while specific dimensions are illustrated, it will be apparent that rearrangement of components within the scope of the invention may cause variation of the dimensions and are intended as exemplary only. The invention should then be considered limited only by the following claim, wherein:

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A disk drive package comprising an assembly of mechanical drive components and electronic control components each of said components occupying a discrete physical section of said package, said electronic components being located in a contiguous position with respect to said mechanical components, said mechanical components being located to one side of said package and said electronic components positioned with respect to said mechanical components so as to not overlap any position of said mechanical components and so as to occupy a concurrent volume of space in said package.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein said mechanical drive components occupy the upper left front corner of said package when viewed from the front, and said electronic control components are placed along one side and behind said mechanical components.

3. The package of claim 1 wherein said mechanical drive components is a magneto-optical disk drive including a bias magnet, and said drive is located sufficiently below the top of said package to provide room for said bias magnet to swing in and out of position.

4. The package of claim 1 wherein said package is a standard 5 1/4 inch half height form and said mechanical drive component accomodates a 3 1/2 inch replaceable magneto-optical disk.

5. A disk drive package comprising an assembly of mechanical drive components and electronic control components each of said components occupying a discrete physical section of said package, said electronic components being located in a contiguous position with respect to said mechanical components, said mechanical components being located to one side of said package and said electronic components positioned with respect to said mechanical components so as to not overlap any position of said mechanical components and so as to occupy a concurrent volume of space in said package, wherein said mechanical drive components occupy the upper left front corner of said package when viewed from the front, and said electronic control components are placed along one side and behind said mechanical components, wherein said mechanical drive components is a magneto-optical disk drive including a bias magnet, and said drive is located sufficiently below the top of said package to provide room for said bias magnet to swing in and out of position, wherein said package is a standard 5 1/4 inch half height form and said mechanical drive component accomodates a 3 1/2 inch replaceable magneto-optical disk.