JP2000122815A - Magnetic disk drive - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine the quantity of mounted modules according to the purpose of their use by constituting a module receiving means so that any of modules equipped with various functions can freely be inserted and extracted and the connector of any module can be physical freely attached to and detached from the connector of any back board. SOLUTION: An opening part 21 is formed at the front part of an enclosure 2 as the module receiving means of this magnetic disk drive 1 and a back board 3 is provided at the inner part and provided with the proper number of back board connectors 31 in the same shape. Various modules 5 having individual functions can freely be inserted into and extracted from the opening part 21. A module 5 contains various elements constituting the module 5 in a module enclosure 51 as a chassis means all in the same shape irrelevantly to the function and a module connector 52 which can freely be attached to and detached from the back board connector 31 is arranged on the back.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an external storage device of a computer, and more particularly, to a magnetic disk device having a plurality of magnetic disk drives.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a magnetic disk device for storing data of a computer, a plurality of magnetic disk devices may be connected in order to obtain a larger storage capacity. Further, in order to obtain higher reliability, a board for controlling input / output of the magnetic disk device may be added. Conventionally, in such a case, a module is created for each certain function group, a connection method suitable for the function is adopted, and physical dimensions are matched. And
In order to improve the workability when adding or replacing a module, a backboard having a plurality of connectors suitable for the module is provided, and electrical connection is made possible only by inserting and removing the module.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional magnetic disk drive, each of the above modules is
The connectors for making electrical connections and the physical dimensions are different for each type of module, and there is no compatibility between the types of modules and lacks versatility. That is, the module differs for each function group, and there is no physical compatibility. For example, it is assumed that the magnetic disk drive module includes a magnetic disk drive module, a power supply module for converting AC power to DC power, and a board module for controlling input / output data of the magnetic disk device. Since the electrical characteristics of the input / output portions of these functional modules are different, a connector that matches the characteristics is often used. Also, since the devices in each module are different, the physical dimensions are also different.

On the other hand, regarding a notebook computer, a CPU module, a power supply module,
It includes a frame having a module insertion hole for receiving a peripheral function module such as a floppy or hard disk drive, and the frame has various built-in compression springs and various types of modules that can be inserted into any one of the module insertion holes. It is configured to include a functional module.

However, in order to insert any module into an arbitrary module insertion hole, the notebook bus needs to be provided with parallel power supply lines having different sizes and voltage levels. There is a possibility that it will increase.

In order to solve the problem that the form of the module is different for each functional group and that there is no mutual physical compatibility, the present invention provides a connector for electrically connecting the modules and an outer shape. The object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic disk drive in which a plurality of modules can be mounted in an apparatus housing in which the physical dimensions of the modules are common and the mounting quantity of each module can be configured to meet the purpose of use. And

[0007]

As a technical means for achieving the above object, a magnetic disk drive according to the present invention comprises a backboard provided with an appropriate number of connectors, and a detachable connector for the backboard. A module electrically connected to a circuit formed on the backboard at the time of coupling, a signal bus means for performing control signals and data transfer between the plurality of modules coupled to the backboard, Power bus means for supplying power to the plurality of modules coupled to the backboard, power conversion means for receiving power from the outside and converting the voltage to a voltage of an appropriate size, A module receiver for guiding the connector of the module and the connector of the backboard so that the connector is inserted when the module is inserted to a position; And a module receiving means, wherein the module receiving means is capable of inserting and removing any module having various functions, and a connector of any module is physically detachable from any connector of the backboard. And

The connector of the module and the connector of the backboard are physically detachable, so that any module can be inserted into and removed from any connector on the backboard. Therefore, the module can be mounted at any position of the magnetic disk drive. The electrical connection between the connectors may be assigned to pins unique to the module. Moreover,
Since the module receiving means allows any module to be inserted and removed, it can be mounted on any module receiving means. Therefore, a desired module can be mounted at a desired position, and compatibility can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic disk drive, wherein each of the components constituting the module is accommodated in chassis means having the same shape, and the module receiving means allows the chassis means to be freely inserted and removed. The module receiving means is provided with a guide means for guiding the module, and a locking means is provided for engaging with the chassis means inserted to an appropriate position to prevent the chassis means from being accidentally removed. And

The components constituting the module are housed in the same type of chassis means regardless of the function provided, so that any of the functional modules can be accommodated in any module receiving means together with the chassis means. Can be inserted and removed. In addition, since the guide is guided by the guide means at the time of insertion and removal, smooth and reliable insertion and removal can be performed. Further, at the time of insertion, the locking means is engaged with the chassis means, thereby preventing the chassis means from being accidentally removed. When removing the chassis means,
The locking means may be released and pulled out of the module receiving means.

In the magnetic disk drive according to the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, the module mounted on the magnetic disk drive is a magnetic disk, control means for control, and power supply means. It is characterized by having.

In the magnetic disk drive according to the present invention, each of the plurality of modules converts a power supply voltage supplied from the power conversion means into an operating voltage of an element mounted on each of the modules. It is characterized by having a voltage converting means.

The voltage supplied from the power conversion means is converted into a voltage required by each module by the voltage conversion means, and the module is driven. Since the voltage is converted in each module, the power bus can be single.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the plurality of modules, a RAM is provided.
It is characterized by being mounted.

The information stored in the magnetic disk and the information to be written and read are temporarily stored in the RAM, thereby shortening the access time to the module.

The magnetic disk drive according to the invention of claim 8 is characterized in that any one of the plurality of modules is provided with a power supply having charging means.

Since the power backup is obtained by the charging means, it can be operated for a certain period of time even during a power failure or the like, and the information stored in the magnetic disk is not destroyed.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a magnetic disk drive according to the present invention will be specifically described based on preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a magnetic disk drive 1 according to the present invention.
Is a perspective view showing an outline appearance of the above, and a part is shown by imaginary lines. An opening 21 is formed in the front part of the enclosure 2 which is a module receiving means of the magnetic disk drive 1, and a back board 3 is provided in the back part. A backboard connector 31 having the same shape is provided. On the other hand, various modules 5 having different functions can be inserted and removed from the opening 21. The module 5 has various components constituting the module 5 housed in a module enclosure 51 as chassis means having the same shape irrespective of its function, and the back board connector 31 and the detachable module connector 52 are provided on the back surface thereof. Is arranged. The module connector 52 has the same shape regardless of the module 5 having any function. Therefore, any module 5 can be attached to and detached from any of the backboard connectors 31. The enclosure 2 is provided with a guide groove (not shown) as guide means for guiding the insertion and removal of the module 5. The enclosure 2 is made of a sheet metal having a thickness of about 1 mm and has a structure for stably supporting devices such as the backboard 3 and the module 5.

The backboard connector 31 of the backboard 3 is formed by electrically connecting the modules 5 mounted on the backboard 3 and press-in mounting the module on the board of the backboard 3. This substrate has a thickness of about 2.5 mm and maintains a proper strength by using a glass cloth base epoxy resin. The back board connector 31 is a 150-pin female connector. The housing is made of PBT resin, the contacts are plated with phosphor bronze nickel, and the joints are plated with gold.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of cooling fans 6 are disposed on the back of the enclosure 2.
The module 5 is cooled by flowing cooling air through the module. As the cooling fan 6, a DC axial flow fan is used, and two fans are arranged in parallel. The cooling fan 6 is sucked from the front side of the enclosure 2 and discharged to the rear side.

As shown in FIG. 3, a power conversion means 4 is accommodated on the back of the back board 3 of the enclosure 2 so that the input commercial power is converted into a voltage used by each module 5 and the like. It is. This power conversion means 4 converts DC2 to AC100V-240V input.
A switching power supply that outputs 4V is mounted. DC
The output voltage does not need to be 24 V, but in the present embodiment, the voltage is set to this magnitude in consideration of efficiency and the like. The switching power supply is surrounded by and supported by a 1-mm-thick sheet metal, and has a structure that cannot contact dangerous power. Also, an appropriate number of air holes are provided for cooling the power supply components.

As shown in FIG. 3, a front panel 7 made of ABS resin or the like is attached to the front of the enclosure 2 for cosmetic purposes, and closes a gap formed on the front surface and makes the appearance of the enclosure 2 visible. Has formed.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the module 5 for explaining the structure common to the module 5 having various functions. The module connector 52 is provided on the back of a module enclosure 51 containing interior components. ing.
The module connector 52 is a 150-pin male connector, the housing is formed of PBT resin, the contacts are plated with phosphor bronze nickel, and the fitting portions are plated with gold. In addition, a guide rail 53 as guide means that fits into the guide groove protrudes from the upper surface. A panel 54 made of ABS resin or the like is provided at the front.
Is attached for makeup, and a hook portion 55 on which a fingertip or the like can be hooked in the center of the panel 54.
Are formed by appropriately shaped concave portions. The module enclosure 51 is formed of a sheet metal having a thickness of about 1 mm, and has a structure capable of stably supporting the module connector 52 and other interior parts. A cooling hole is formed, and an LED or the like for displaying a state is exposed as needed.

The vicinity of one end of the panel 54 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a bracket 51a protruding forward from the front of the module enclosure 51 is rotatably supported about a shaft 54a, and a hook 54b is provided at an end farther from the shaft 54a. Is formed. On the other hand, a panel fixing portion 51b is provided so as to protrude forward on the inner side surface of the module enclosure 51, and the panel 54 closes the front portion of the module enclosure 51 by the engagement of the locking portion 54b. is there. At the end of the panel 54 close to the 54a, a module lock portion 54c having an appropriate flexibility depressed inward is formed.
The lock part 22 provided in the enclosure 2 of this embodiment is adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the module lock part 54c. In addition,
The shaft 54b uses a rivet made of nylon or the like to smoothly rotate.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the module 5 in which the magnetic disk drive 11 is accommodated in the module enclosure 51, and is partially shown in perspective. A general-purpose drive on which one or more nominal 3.5-inch magnetic disk media is mounted, on which data is stored and data is written and read from the magnetic disk drive 11, has a storage capacity, a data transfer speed, and an interface. Due to such differences, various products are distributed in the market. The module connector 52 is provided on a conversion board 11a connected to the magnetic disk drive 11 via a cable, and the conversion board 11a
11 and the module connector 52 are electrically connected. That is, the module connector 52 is connected to the conversion board 11
The substrate of the conversion substrate 11a is press-in mounted on a, and a glass cloth base epoxy resin having a thickness of about 1.6 mm is used. In this embodiment, the conversion substrate 11
a includes a voltage conversion means, which converts DC 24 V supplied via the module connector 52 into voltages 12 V and 5 V required for driving the magnetic disk drive 11 and outputs the converted voltages.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the module 5 in which the control board 12 provided with the control means is accommodated in the module enclosure 51, and is partially shown in perspective. The control board 12 receives a command related to data storage from a CPU such as a host system external to the apparatus, and includes a control circuit including a circuit that sends a write / read command to a plurality of magnetic disk drives mounted on the magnetic disk drive. Means are incorporated, and the module connector 52 is press-in mounted. The control board 12 is made of a glass material base epoxy resin and is made of a plate material having a thickness of about 1.6 mm. Further, the control board 12 includes the voltage conversion means.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a module 5 containing a plurality of RAMs 13 for temporarily storing data sent from a CPU such as a host system outside the apparatus in a module enclosure 51. It is shown in perspective. The RAM 13 is mounted on a board 13a. The module connector 52 is press-mounted on the board 13a and includes the voltage conversion means. The DRAM 13 of the present embodiment uses a DRAM in consideration of cost performance.

FIG. 9 shows a power supply means 14 for storing data stored in the RAM 13 in the magnetic disk drive 11 when an AC input is cut off due to a power failure or the like, and a circuit board provided with a circuit for controlling charging and discharging. 14 is a perspective view showing the module 5 accommodating 14a, which is partially shown in perspective. The module connector 52 is press-in mounted on the board 14a. The power supply means 14 is constituted by connecting a plurality of 2 V lead storage batteries in series.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the magnetic disk drive 1 according to the present invention. The back board 3 is provided with a signal bus means 32 and a power bus means 33. The signal bus means 32 is formed of a microstrip line on the back board 3 and is connected to all the back board connectors 31, the power conversion means 4, and the cooling fan 6. In this embodiment, the number of lines used for the signal bus is set to 100 pins assuming a SCSI differential standard line. In addition, the power bus means 33
Are formed in a solid pattern by providing a layer dedicated to power supply on the backboard 3, and are connected to all the backboard connectors 31, the power conversion means 4, and the cooling fan 6. In this embodiment, the number of lines used for the power bus is
The number of pins is set to 50 assuming the power consumption of each module 5.

The operation of the embodiment of the magnetic disk drive according to the present invention configured as described above will be described below.

When the module 5 is to be mounted on the magnetic disk drive 1, the guide rail 53 of the module enclosure 51 is pushed from the opening 21 of the enclosure 2 into the guide groove (not shown). When the module enclosure 51 is guided by the guide groove and is inserted into the interior of the enclosure 2, the module connector 52 is coupled to the backboard connector 31. Almost at the same time, the module lock portion 54c of the module enclosure 54
Is appropriately bent, and the lock portion 22 is accommodated in the concave portion,
The panel fixing portion 51b is engaged with the hooking portion 54b to prevent the module enclosure 54 from being carelessly pulled out or shifted laterally.

Since both the module connector 52 and the backboard connector 31 are formed in a shape that can be coupled, when the module 5 is inserted into the enclosure 2, the module 5 can be inserted through any opening of the enclosure 2.
A module connector 52 can be coupled to the backboard connector 31. For this reason, the degree of freedom when constructing the system of the magnetic disk drive 1 increases, and various systems can be constructed.

When the module connector 52 and the backboard connector 31 are connected, all the modules 5 mounted in the enclosure 2 are electrically connected via the signal bus means 32 and the power bus means 33. FIG. 3 shows the magnetic disk drive 1 on which seven modules 5 are mounted. Of these, four modules 5 on which the magnetic disk drive 11 is mounted, one module 5 on which the control board 12 is mounted, and the RAM 13 Module 5 equipped with
, One module 5 on which the power supply means 14 is mounted,
Assume that it is attached.

When a data storage command is sent from a CPU such as a host system outside the apparatus, the data storage command is sent to the backboard 3 via a cable or the like, and is sent via the signal bus means 32 to the module 5 on which the control board 12 is mounted. Sent to The control means incorporated in the control board 12 divides, distributes, and arranges the data stored in the four modules 5 on which the magnetic disk drives 11 are mounted, and issues instructions such as data writing. This write command is sent to the signal bus
The data is sent to the four modules 5 via the CPU 32, data is written according to the command, and the data is stored. When a data read command is sent from the CPU, a read command is sent to the module 5 incorporating the magnetic disk drive 11 via the signal bus means 32 similarly sent from the control means, and the data read command is sent. Is executed. In writing and reading data, the module 5 equipped with the RAM 13 functions as a buffer when transferring data to and from the magnetic disk drive 11 in accordance with an instruction from the control means, and the instruction of the instruction is transmitted. Increase the execution processing speed. In addition, when data is stored in the magnetic disk drive 11, it is necessary to process the data into an appropriate format, and the data is temporarily stored in the RAM 13 during the data processing.
The module 5 on which the module 13 is mounted has various functions.

A commercial power of AC 100 V is input from the outside of the apparatus, and is converted by the switching power supply of the power conversion means 4 into DC 24 V as secondary power. This DC24V
Is supplied to each module 5 via the power bus means 33 of the backboard 3, and in each module 5, the magnetic disk drive 11, control means, Operating voltage of elements such as RAM 13, for example DC 12
V, DC5V, DC3.3V, etc., and supplied to each element.

The module 5 equipped with the power supply means 14 normally charges the lead storage battery in the module 5 fully, and when the AC input is cut off due to a power failure or the like,
The power required to write the data stored in the RAM 13 to the magnetic disk drive 11 is supplied.

Each module 5 is cooled by a cooling fan 6 provided on the back of the magnetic disk drive 1 by taking in outside air from the front of the module 5 and discharging it from the back. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, by the operation of the cooling fan 6, the outside air is sucked into the module enclosure 51 from the cooling holes formed on the front surface of the module enclosure 51, and each module 5 such as the magnetic disk drive 11 is moved. These elements are cooled while being discharged while contacting the elements and discharged. In addition, since the enclosure 5 is sealed, it acts in the same manner as a duct, so that cooling is performed efficiently. In addition, since two cooling fans 6 are installed, only one fan is normally operated, and if it fails, the other one is operated. Therefore, sufficient cooling efficiency can be obtained by operating only one unit.

Then, the module 5 is connected to the enclosure 2
In order to remove the panel 54, the user hooks a finger or the like on a hook 55 formed on the panel 54 of the module enclosure 51 and pulls out the panel 54. The panel 54 rotates about an axis 54a, and as shown in FIG.
The engagement between the lock portion 54b and the lock portion 54b is released, and the module lock portion 54c is disengaged from the lock portion 22 of the enclosure 2. Therefore, the module enclosure 51 can be pulled out of the enclosure 2 and the module 5 can be removed.

[0040]

As described above, according to the magnetic disk drive of the present invention, the connector of each module can be detachably attached to any connector of the backboard.
The mounting form of the M, power supply and other various modules can be arbitrarily set. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily construct a system adapted to the operation purpose. Therefore, even if the apparatuses have different configurations, it is not necessary to newly develop the apparatus, and the development cost and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In addition, since the chassis means have the same shape and are common to each module, the chassis can be inserted into and removed from the magnetic disk device, and the system can be constructed more easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the external appearance of a magnetic disk drive according to the present invention, part of which is shown by imaginary lines.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the structure of a magnetic disk drive according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a magnetic disk drive according to the present invention, partly shown through;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a module for explaining a structure common to modules having various functions, partially shown in perspective;

5A and 5B are plan views illustrating a structure for engaging the module with the chassis receiving means, wherein FIG. 5A illustrates an engaged state, and FIG. 5B illustrates a disengaged state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a part of the module 5 in which a magnetic disk drive is housed in a module enclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partly transparent, showing a module containing a control board provided with control means in a module enclosure.

FIG. 8 is a partially transparent perspective view showing a module in which a plurality of RAMs for temporarily storing data sent from a CPU such as a host system outside the apparatus are accommodated in a module enclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, partly transparent, showing a module 5 in which a module enclosure containing a power supply unit and a circuit board provided with a circuit for controlling charging and discharging is accommodated.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a side surface of the module, illustrating a flow of cooling air.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic disk unit 2 Enclosure (module receiving means) 21 Opening 22 Lock part 3 Backboard 31 Backboard connector 32 Signal bus means 33 Power bus means 4 Power conversion means 5 Module 51 Module enclosure (chassis means) 51a Bracket 51b Panel fixing Part 52 Module connector 53 Guide rail (guide means) 54 Panel 54a Shaft 54b Hook 54c Module lock 55 Hook 6 Cooling fan 7 Front panel 11 Magnetic disk drive 11a Conversion board 12 Control board 13 RAM 13a Board 14 Power supply means 14a substrate

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A backboard provided with an appropriate number of connectors, a module provided with a connector detachable from the connector of the backboard and electrically connected to a circuit formed on the backboard at the time of connection, Signal bus means for transferring control signals and data between the plurality of modules coupled to the backboard; power bus means for supplying power to the plurality of modules coupled to the backboard; A power conversion means for receiving and converting the voltage to a voltage of an appropriate size; and a module for guiding the connector of the module and the connector of the backboard so as to be coupled with the module being detachably inserted and inserted to an appropriate position. Receiving means, wherein the module receiving means is capable of inserting and removing any module having various functions. A magnetic disk drive comprising a plurality of modules, wherein the connectors of any of the modules are physically detachable from any of the connectors of the backboard. 2. Each of the components constituting the module is housed in chassis means of the same shape, the module receiving means allows the chassis means to be inserted and removed, and guide means for guiding insertion and removal of the chassis means is provided in the module receiving means. 2. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, further comprising locking means for engaging with the chassis means inserted to an appropriate position to prevent the chassis means from being inadvertently removed. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein any of the plurality of modules includes:
3. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic disk for storing, writing, and reading data. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein any of the plurality of modules includes:
3. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling a plurality of magnetic disks. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein any of the plurality of modules includes:
5. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply unit that converts a voltage supplied from the power conversion unit into a voltage required for each module. 6. Each of the plurality of modules includes voltage conversion means for converting a power supply voltage supplied from the power conversion means to an operating voltage of an element mounted on each of the modules. The magnetic disk drive according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 7. One of the plurality of modules includes:
3. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, further comprising a RAM. 8. Any of the plurality of modules may include:
3. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply unit having a charging unit.