IE83626B1 - Disk drive preparation jig assembly - Google Patents
Disk drive preparation jig assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- IE83626B1 IE83626B1 IE2002/0432A IE20020432A IE83626B1 IE 83626 B1 IE83626 B1 IE 83626B1 IE 2002/0432 A IE2002/0432 A IE 2002/0432A IE 20020432 A IE20020432 A IE 20020432A IE 83626 B1 IE83626 B1 IE 83626B1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- disk drive
- screw
- jig assembly
- bay
- side rail
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 title description 6
- 230000001419 dependent Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 206010018987 Haemorrhage Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000000740 bleeding Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000319 bleeding Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Description
Disk Drive Preparation Jig Assembly
The present invention relates to a jig assembly for
preparing a disk drive for inclusion in a computer.
Typically, during a hard disk drive (HDD) preparation
process, side rails are attached to the edges of the HDD
with 4 screws, two on each side. An example is shown in
Fig. 4, where respective side rails 10 are attached by
screws l2 to the respective side edges 14 of an HDD l6.
Conventionally this is done manually using a hand—held
power screwdriver. This is a time consuming process
which induces shock (head slap).
The object of the invention is to provide a jig assembly
which is capable of reducing the HDD preparation process
time and reducing measurable shock.
Accordingly, he present invention provides a jig assembly
for preparing a disk drive for mounting in a computer,
the jig assembly comprising:
a disk drive receiving bay arranged to receive a
disk drive in a first datum position and to receive a
pair of side rails each in a second datum position, the
side rails to be fixed to respective edges of the disk
drive, each side rail having a captive screw—threaded
fixing device in register with a respective screw-
threaded hole in the edge of the disk drive;
at least one powered screwdriver on each side of the
bay, each screwdriver having a tool bit in register with
a respective screw—threaded fixing device when a
respective side rail is in the second datum position,
each screwdriver mounted for movement towards and away
from the respective side rail such that the tool bit can
engage and turn the screw—threaded fixing device; and
a respective actuator for advancing each screwdriver
towards the respective side rail such that the tool bit
engages the respective screw—threaded fixing device,
rotation of the tool bit causing the screw—threaded
fixing device to be screwed into the screw-threaded hole
in the respective edge of the disk drive whereby the side
rail is screwed tight against the edge of the disk drive,
and for thereafter retracting the screwdriver.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
Fig. l is a front view of a jig assembly according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
with
Fig. 2 is a front View of the jig assembly of Fig.
a loaded disk drive and side rails;
Fig. 3 illustrates the act of loading the disk drive side
rails into the jig assembly of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 illustrates a prepared disk drive being withdrawn
from the jig assembly of Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is an underside view of the jig assembly of
Fig. l; and
Fig. 6 is a diagram of the pneumatic control circuit of
the jig assembly of Fig. 1.
Referring to the drawings, the jig assembly is designed
to automatically screw two side rails 10, Figs. 3 and 4,
to respective opposite side edges 14 of a hard disk drive
(HDD) 16, each side rail 10 being affixed using two
captive screws 12.
The jig assembly comprises a bay 20 recessed into the
front panel 22 of a rack or framework (not shown). The
bay 20 is adapted to receive the HDD 16 “letterbox”
style, the HDD 16 being slid in from the front of the bay
on a steel base plate 23 (Fig. 5). This substantially
reduces “head slap”. Opposite sidewalls 24 of the bay
are stepped and the HDD 16 is received snugly between the
more closely spaced upper parts 24a of the sidewalls, as
At its rear the bay 20 has a pneumatic
The switch S1 is closed when the HDD 16
seen in Fig. 2.
limit switch S1.
is pushed fully home in the bay 20 — this defines the
datum position of the HDD 16 in the bay 20.
The lower parts 24c of the stepped sidewalls 24 are
displaced outwardly relative to the upper parts 24a and
are joined to the latter by horizontal transition parts
24b. A respective side rail support member 28 is
disposed below each transition part 24b in the recess
formed by the outwardly displaced parts 24c of the
sidewalls 24. The support members 28 are elongated in
the front~to—rear direction of the bay 20 and have a
generally C-shaped cross-section. They are substantially
parallel to one another and each has upper and lower
longitudinal grooves 30a, 30b respectively.
Each support member 28 is mounted on a pair of guide rods
32, Fig. 5, for movement towards and away from the
opposite side edges 14 respectively of an HDD 30
accommodated in the bay 20, i.e. in the direction of the
double—headed arrows in Fig. l, and is also coupled to
the piston 34 of a respective single—acting pneumatic
cylinder C2. Each support element 28 receives and
retains a respective side rail 10, the side rail 10 being
slid in from the front of the bay 20 and the upper and
lower edges thereof sliding in the respective grooves
30a, 30b. Initially, when the side rails 10 are slid in,
the support members 28 are retracted against the lower
sidewall parts 24c, as seen in Fig. 1. A further
pneumatic limit switch S3 or S4 at the rear end of each
support member 28 is closed when the respective rail 10
is pushed fully home in the support member 28 - this
defines the datum position of each HDD side rail 10 in
the bay 20.
As stated, each side rail 10
When the HDD 16 and rails 10
has two captured screws 12.
are in their datum
the screws 12 are
positions, in register with
corresponding screw-threaded holes in the
side edges 14 of the HDD 16.
(not shown)
The heads 12a of the screws
are also in register with respective holes 29 (Fig. 1) in
the support members 28, so that the screw heads 12a can
be accessed from the other side of the support member 28
through the holes 29.
On each side of the bay 20 a pair of pneumatic
screwdrivers 40 are clamped in a pair of stocks 42, Fig.
. The screwdrivers are of the type sold by Uryu of
Japan under the model number US—LT20. Each pair of
stocks 42 (and correspondingly the screwdrivers 40
clamped therein) is mounted on a pair of guide rods 44
for movement towards and away from the respective support
members 28, and is also coupled to the piston 46 of a
respective double-acting pneumatic cylinder C1. The tool
bits 48 of the screwdrivers are aligned with the
respective holes 29 (Fig. 1) in the support members 28,
so that the screw heads 12a can be engaged by the tool
bits 48 through the holes 29 when the screwdrivers are
advanced towards the support members 28.
In operation of the jig assembly, the HDD 16 and side
rails 10 are loaded into the bay 20 as previously
described, the HDD 16 being slid on the base plate 23 and
As
the rails 10 being slid in the support members 28.
soon as the last of the three pneumatic switches S1,
and S4 is closed, indicating that the HDD 16 and both
side rails 10 are in their datum positions,
(Fig. 6,
a pneumatic
control circuit to be described) automatically
actuates the pneumatic cylinders C1 to drive the stocks
42,
HDD 16
and hence the screwdrivers 40, inwardly towards the
(at the same time, the control circuit supplies
pneumatic pressure to the screwdrivers 40).
At some point each tool bit 48 will engage a respective
screw head 12a and the screwdrivers react to the pressure
of bearing against the screw heads 12a and begin to turn.
As the tool bits 48 turn, the screws 12 are driven into
the respective screw—threaded holes (not shown) in the
side edges 14 of the HDD 16 so that each rail 10 is drawn
towards the HDD 16. This in turn also draws the support
members 28 within which the rails 10 are retained towards
the HDD 16. The screwdrivers 40 are set to switch off
automatically at a pre—determined torque limit when the
rails 10 are screwed tight against the side edges 14 of
the HDD 16. The control circuit causes the cylinders C1
to retract the screwdrivers 40 automatically after a pre—
determined time period has elapsed. This time period,
which is set by a pneumatic timer T1, is sufficiently
long to enable the screws 12 to be tightened as
aforesaid.
The operator is now free to withdraw the prepared disk
drive, which he does by sliding the HDD 16 with affixed
side rails 10 as a unit out of the bay 20, Fig. 4. In
doing so, a further pneumatic limit switch S2 located
towards the front of the bay 20 is de—actuated having
been actuated on insertion of the rails 10. This
automatically causes the control circuit to drive the
cylinders C2 to retract the now vacant support members 28
(Fig. 1)
back to their original positions whereupon the
HDD preparation cycle is complete.
Fig. 6 is a diagram of the pneumatic control circuit used
to control the jig assembly of Figs. 1 to 5. In Fig. 6,
Cl and C2 are pneumatic cylinders, V1 and V2 are double
pilot 5/2 valves, V3 and V4 are single pilot 5/2 valves,
T1 is a pneumatic timer, and S1 to S4 are mechanically-
operated pneumatic 3/2 limit switches. P stands for
pressure supply, the ground symbol is atmospheric
and the T symbol means a closed
pressure (vented),
inlet/Outlet.
When each of switches S1, S3 and S4 are closed,
indicating that both the rails 10 and the HDD 16 have all
been inserted in the bay 20 to their datum positions, P
will be connected to the A outlet of each switch in
sequence so providing pressure at the outlet A of S4.
This causes valve V2 to vent outlet B and so allows the
cylinders C2 to float. This enables the support members
to be drawn,
of the HDD.
with the rails 10, towards the edges 14
When the prepared drive is withdrawn from the jig
so connecting
S2 will be
assembly, the switches Sl-S4 spring open,
the outlet A of S4 to atmospheric pressure.
the last switch to spring open and causes the pressure
from valve V3 outlet B to switch valve V2 so that
pressure from valve V2 outlet B retracts the cylinders C2
(this will only happen when pressure is removed from the
outlet of S4 so venting the right pilot of V2).
A pneumatic timer Tl operates by bleeding the air
pressure from the A outlet of S4 until the timer switches
over after a set period. This period is the time after
insertion of the disk drive into the jig when the
screwdrivers will be retracted and during this period the
outlet of T1 is vented.
The valve V4 is needed to vent the left pilot of V1 to
allow the timer T1 to actuate the right pilot of V1 and
so cause the cylinders C1 to retract. Thus, before T1
switches, the top pilot for V4 is vented and so the
spring on the other pilot channels the pressure supplied
from S4 to the left pilot of V1 to cause the screwdrivers
40 to extend as soon as pressure is supplied from S4 on
initial insertion.
Variations of the pneumatic circuitry are possible; for
example, a pneumatic reset switch can be included so
that, for example, if an operator inserts a drive without
correctly inserting the rails, cylinders C1, C2 can be
retracted to their home positions.
The advantages of the above embodiment are that, save for
the manual withdrawal of the complete HDD, it is fully
automatic once the components are properly loaded into
No external controls require to be
It will also
the jig assembly.
activated to initiate the assembly cycle.
be seen that only a pneumatic supply is required to
operate the jig assembly — no electrical elements (power
or controls) are required.
The jig assembly described above directly confers a 75%
reduction (from 40 sec to 10 sec) in HDD preparation time
and reduces shock induced by the assembly of the rails to
below measurable levels (from 90G to less than 10G).
This materially reduces the level of HDD failure in the
field.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment described
herein which may be modified or varied without departing
from the scope of the invention.
Claims (6)
1. A jig assembly for preparing a disk drive for mounting in a computer, the jig assembly comprising: a disk drive receiving bay arranged to receive a disk drive in a first datum position and to receive a pair of side rails each in a second datum position, the side rails to be fixed to respective edges of the disk drive, each side rail having a captive screw—threaded fixing device in register with a respective screw- threaded hole in the edge of the disk drive; at least one powered screwdriver on each side of the bay, each screwdriver having a tool bit in register with a respective screw—threaded fixing device when a respective side rail is in the second datum position, each screwdriver mounted for movement towards and away from the respective side rail such that the tool bit can engage and turn the screw—threaded fixing device; and a respective actuator for advancing each screwdriver towards the respective side rail such that the tool bit engages the respective screw—threaded fixing device, rotation of the tool bit causing the screw—threaded fixing device to be screwed into the screw—threaded hole in the respective edge of the disk drive whereby the side rail is screwed tight against the edge of the disk drive, and for thereafter retracting the screwdriver.
2. A jig assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bay has two substantially parallel side rail support members mounted for movement towards and away from opposite side edges respectively of a disk drive accommodated in the bay, each support member being arranged to receive and retain a respective side rail in the second datum position, rotation of the tool bit to cause the screw—threaded fixing device to be screwed into the screw—threaded hole in the respective edge of the disk drive causing the support member to be drawn towards the disk drive until the side rail is tight against the disk drive, the jig assembly further including a respective second actuator for retracting each support member to its initial position after withdrawal of the disk drive and affixed side rails from the bay.
3. A jig assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support members are configured for slidably accommodating the side rails whereby the disk drive and affixed side rails are slidably withdrawn from the bay. 2 or 3, further including a control circuit operable
4. A jig assembly as claimed in claim 1, automatically upon placement of a disk drive in the first datum position and a pair of side rails each in the second datum position to (a) advance the screwdrivers towards the respective side rail support members, (b) rotate each screwdrivers to screw the respective screw- threaded fixing device into the respective screw—threaded hole to screw the side rail tight against the edge of the disk drive, and (c) retract each screwdriver.
5. A jig assembly as claimed in claim 4 when dependent on claim 2 or 3, the control circuit further being operable to automatically retract each support member to its initial position after withdrawal of the disk drive and affixed side rails from the bay.
6. A jig assembly as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the first and second actuators and the screwdrivers are 11 pneumatically operated and the control circuit is a pneumatic control circuit.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IE2002/0432A IE83626B1 (en) | 2002-05-24 | Disk drive preparation jig assembly | |
US10/292,716 US6931706B2 (en) | 2002-05-24 | 2002-11-12 | Disk drive preparation jig assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IE2002/0432A IE83626B1 (en) | 2002-05-24 | Disk drive preparation jig assembly |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IE20020432A1 IE20020432A1 (en) | 2003-11-26 |
IE83626B1 true IE83626B1 (en) | 2004-10-06 |
Family
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