JP2001266465A - Disk storage and power source control method to be applied to the device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a disk storage which can prevent the serious hindrance, such as the destruction of a fixed voltage circuit and the malfunction of write operation, when an abnormal power-supply voltage is supplied. SOLUTION: A disk drive 1 having the fixed voltage circuit 10 which outputs a monitor signal VM for monitoring the power-supply voltage value VI supplied from a host system 2 is disclosed. A CPU 11 converts the monitor value VM by an analog-to-digital converter 110 to a digital value and inputs the value to monitor the fluctuation of the power-supply voltage VI. The CPU 11 lessens the electric power load of the bixed voltage circuit 10 by stopping the operation of a motor driver 12 and an R/W channel 13 when the voltage value VI exceeds a permissible range. The CPU 11 executes the control to prohibit the write operation when the voltage value VI fluctuates within the permissible range.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is applied to a disk storage device such as a hard disk drive, and particularly relates to a control function for occurrence of an abnormality in a power supply voltage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in particular, a small hard disk drive (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a drive) is generally supplied with power from a host system such as a personal computer. On the drive side, a constant voltage circuit for converting the supplied power supply voltage to a rated voltage of an internal circuit (meaning various circuit groups such as a CPU) is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the constant voltage circuit includes a transistor 21 to which a power supply voltage (VI) is applied, an operational amplifier 20 for controlling the transistor 21 by a reference voltage (VR), a resistor 22, And a capacitor 23. The operational amplifier 20 controls the current of the transistor 21 based on the reference voltage (VR). The transistor 21 and the capacitor 23 output a predetermined constant voltage (VD).

[0004] By the way, the use range of recent small drives has been expanded, for example, they are used as storage devices not only for computers but also for various digital devices. From such a background, there is a possibility that a plurality of types of power supply voltages having different voltage specifications are supplied to the drive from a host system (various digital devices including a personal computer). For this reason, the constant voltage circuit provided inside the drive is provided with a predetermined constant voltage value (V) even when power of a different rated voltage value (usually including a range of about ± 5%) is supplied.
It is designed so that it can be converted to D).

[0005]

If there is a possibility that a plurality of kinds of power supply voltages having different voltage specifications are supplied, the possibility that a voltage exceeding an allowable range or a power supply whose voltage level fluctuates is also increased. . The constant voltage circuit includes a transistor to which a power supply voltage is applied and outputs a constant voltage. When power is supplied from the host system at a voltage exceeding an allowable range, the transistor may be destroyed. If the voltage level fluctuates even within the allowable range, the operation of the constant voltage circuit becomes unstable, and unstable voltage may be supplied to each drive circuit, causing malfunction. There is also. In particular, if a write operation for recording data on the disk malfunctions, the data recorded on the disk may be destroyed. In any case, it is a fatal failure for a disk drive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a disk storage device capable of preventing a serious trouble such as destruction of a constant voltage circuit or malfunction of a write operation when an abnormal power supply voltage is supplied. It is in.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a disk storage device provided with a constant voltage circuit having a function of outputting a monitoring signal for monitoring a power supply voltage value supplied from outside such as a host system. The constant voltage circuit is capable of inputting a plurality of types of power supplies having different voltage specifications, generating a constant voltage necessary for the operation of the circuit group according to the supply of the power supply, and according to a voltage value of the power supply voltage. Means for outputting the monitoring signal. Further, the present apparatus monitors the power supply voltage by a monitoring signal from the constant voltage circuit, and when the power supply voltage value fluctuates within an allowable range of the rated voltage value, a predetermined first control for the circuit group. And when the voltage value exceeds the allowable range, a control means for executing predetermined second control on the circuit group is provided.

More specifically, the constant voltage circuit has a relatively high level rated voltage value (for example, 5 V ± 5%) and a relatively low level rated voltage value (for example, 3.3 V ± 5%). Power can be supplied, and a constant voltage (for example, 3.3 V) power is generated according to the rating of the internal circuit (IC circuit group) of the drive. When detecting an abnormal voltage (for example, 6 V or more) outside the allowable range exceeding the high-level rated voltage value from the monitoring signal, the control unit stops the operation of the circuit group excluding the predetermined circuit, for example. Execute control. With the second control, the operation of the circuit group is stopped, so that the power consumption of the constant voltage circuit can be reduced and the load can be reduced. Therefore, the destruction of the transistor used in the constant voltage circuit can be prevented. Here, the predetermined circuit is, for example, a disk controller (HDC) constituting an interface with the host system.

If the control means detects an abnormal voltage which is within an allowable range from the monitoring signal but fluctuates between a high-level rated voltage value and a low-level rated voltage value, for example, a light The first control is executed so as to prohibit the operation. According to the first control, when a malfunction occurs due to a voltage fluctuation, a write operation that may destroy recorded data on the disk is prohibited, so that a fatal trouble as a disk drive is prevented. it can. Here, in the case of a read operation, a read error may occur, but a catastrophic failure such as destruction of data is unlikely to occur.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Structure of Disk Drive) The disk drive of the embodiment is assumed to be a hard disk drive (HDD) using a hard disk as a disk recording medium. The drive 1 has various circuit groups (IC circuit groups) mounted on a circuit board, as shown in FIG. 1, in addition to a head / disk assembly (not shown). The circuit group includes a constant voltage circuit 10, a CPU 11, a motor driver 12, a read / write (R / W) channel 13, a disk controller (HDC) 14, and a buffer memory (comprising a DRAM) 15. Have been.

The drive 1 transmits and receives commands and data to and from a host system 2 such as a personal computer via the HDC 14. The drive 1 is supplied with an operation power supply (voltage VI) from the host system 2. The constant voltage circuit 10 converts a power supply voltage (VI) supplied from the host system 2 into a rated voltage (VD), which is a predetermined constant voltage required for the operation of the circuit group, and supplies the voltage to each circuit. As shown in FIG. 2, the constant voltage circuit 10 of the embodiment includes a power supply voltage (VI) other than a circuit including a transistor 21, an operational amplifier 20, and a capacitor 23 for generating a rated voltage (VD) similar to a conventional one. Has a monitoring circuit 24 for monitoring voltage value fluctuations. The monitoring circuit 24 includes a voltage dividing circuit including resistors 240 and 241 connected in series, and a capacitor 242, and is supplied with a rated voltage (VD).
A monitoring signal (VM) indicating a monitoring voltage value that is less than and equal to a conversion value corresponding to the variation of the voltage value (VD)
Output to

The CPU 11 is a microprocessor (or microcontroller) constituting a main control device of the drive 1 and has an A / D converter 110. C
The PU 11 has a function of converting a monitoring signal (VM) output from the constant voltage circuit 10 into a digital value by the A / D converter 110 and inputting the digital value, and monitoring a change in the power supply voltage (VI). The CPU 11 executes the following control (A, B, C) based on the monitoring result of the power supply voltage (VI).

Although not shown, the motor driver 12 is a control circuit for driving and controlling a spindle motor for rotating a disk and a voice coil motor for driving a head actuator. The R / W channel 13 is a circuit that performs signal processing of data to be recorded / reproduced on / from the disk. The HDC 14 constitutes an interface with the host system 2 as described above,
Controls command and data transfer. The HDC 14 has a register 140 for turning off error information indicating a power supply abnormality related to the embodiment. Host system 2
Can access the register 140 to recognize the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Buffer memory 15
Is a memory also called a sector buffer used for data transfer control of the HDC 14, and temporarily stores write data from the host system 2 and read data read from the disk.

(Power Supply Control Operation) Hereinafter, the power supply control operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 together with FIG.

When the main power supply of the host system 2 is turned on, the power supply voltage (VI) is supplied to the drive 1 from the host system 2 (step S1). Constant voltage circuit 1
0 indicates that the voltage value (VI) is a predetermined rated voltage value (VD)
To each circuit (circuit groups 11 to 1 including the CPU 11).
5). Here, in the present embodiment, the rated voltage value (VD) is assumed to be, for example, a low-level voltage value (VL) of 3.3 V ± 5% (see FIG. 4). Constant voltage circuit 10
Is, for example, 5 V ± as a supplied power supply voltage (VI).
From the high level voltage value (VH) of 5% to the low level voltage value (V
It is assumed that the input voltage levels up to L) are within an allowable range.

The CPU 11 converts the monitor signal (VM) output from the constant voltage circuit 10 into a digital voltage value by the A / D converter 110 and inputs the digital signal, and detects the fluctuation of the power supply voltage (VI) supplied to the drive 1. Monitor (Step S
2). As shown in FIG. 4, when a power supply voltage VI having a predetermined rated voltage value (VH or VL) is turned on, the CPU 11 outputs a normal voltage VD (here, the voltage value VL) from the constant voltage circuit 10. Is output, and normal control (control A) is executed (YE in step S4).
S, YES of S6, S9). That is, the circuit groups 11 to 15 of the drive 1 operate normally, and the read / write operation to the disk is executed in response to the command from the host system 2. In this embodiment, the rated voltage value of each of the circuit groups 11 to 15 is a low-level voltage value (V) of 3.3 V ± 5%.
L), the constant voltage circuit 10 supplies the high-level voltage value (V) with the supplied power supply voltage (VI being 5 V ± 5%).
If H), it is converted to the low-level voltage value (VL).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when a power supply voltage (VI) indicating an abnormal voltage value (Vmax) of 6 V or more out of an allowable range is applied to the constant voltage circuit 10 from the host system 2, The CPU 11 determines that a power supply abnormality has occurred, and executes predetermined control (C) (step S7).
YES, S10). In other words, the CPU 11
The operation of the circuit is stopped, and the control C for notifying the host system 2 of the occurrence of the power supply abnormality via the HDC 14 is executed. The HDC 14 sets error information indicating that a power failure has occurred in the register 140. Here, the predetermined IC circuit includes the motor driver 12 and the R
/ W channel 13 means CPU 11, HDC 14,
And the buffer memory 15 is not included.

By the processing of the control C of the CPU 11, the constant voltage circuit 10 can reduce the current flowing through the transistor 21 to which the power supply voltage (VI) having the abnormal voltage value (Vmax) is applied. That is, since the load on the constant voltage circuit 10 can be reduced, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the transistor 21 is destroyed by power out of an allowable range accompanying the abnormal voltage value (Vmax). It is to be noted that stopping the operations of the HDC 14 and the buffer memory 15 can increase the protection effect on the constant voltage circuit 10. However, since the HDC 14 needs to receive commands and data from the host system 2, it cannot be stopped carelessly. Since the buffer memory 15 stores read / write data,
In particular, it cannot be stopped until write data from the host system 2 is recorded on the disk.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a power supply voltage VI which is within an allowable range (a level lower than Vmax) but deviates from a predetermined rated voltage value (VH or VL) is applied due to voltage fluctuation. (YES in step S3, YES in S5, NO in S7). In such a case, the CPU 11 executes, for example, limited control (referred to as B) for inhibiting only the write operation (step S).
8). Also in the process of the control B, the CPU 11
The power supply abnormality is notified to the host system 2 via the DC 14. That is, the HDC 14 sets error information indicating that a power supply abnormality has occurred in the register 140.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, after the power is turned on to the drive 1, a steady state (here, the voltage value V
Even during the period up to L), the CPU 11
The control B including the inhibition of the write operation is executed. However, since the rated voltage value (VD) of each circuit cannot be obtained,
In practice, not only a write operation but also a read operation cannot be performed.

That is, even if the power supply voltage does not fall outside the allowable range that may destroy the constant voltage circuit 10, if it fluctuates out of the rated voltage value (VH or VL), each of the circuits 11 to 15 is more likely to fluctuate in an unstable manner. For this reason, a malfunctioning circuit may occur in each circuit group. Therefore, in the drive 1, a catastrophic situation can be prevented beforehand by prohibiting a write operation that causes a serious malfunction. The malfunction of the write operation causes a situation where data is recorded at a position different from the designated position on the disc, and the recorded data is destroyed. On the other hand, the malfunction of the read operation is
Although a read error may occur, it does not cause a situation that destroys the recorded data on the disk.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the power supply voltage (Vmax) exceeding the allowable range is supplied from the host system 2.
Is supplied, the CPU 11 stops the operation of the predetermined IC circuit, and can reduce the power load on the constant voltage circuit 10. Therefore, in particular, since the current flowing through the transistor 21 of the constant voltage circuit 10 can be reduced, the breakdown of the transistor 21 due to the application of the abnormal voltage can be prevented.

If there is a voltage fluctuation within the allowable range but out of the rated voltage value, a write operation that may destroy recorded data on the disk due to a malfunction due to the voltage fluctuation is prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a fatal trouble from occurring as a disk drive that destroys the recorded data on the disk.

In this embodiment, the high-level voltage value (V
H) and the low level voltage value (VL) are assumed, but a voltage specification including other level voltage values may of course be used.
An A / D converter for converting a monitoring signal (VM) output from the monitoring circuit 24 into a digital value is provided by the CPU 1
1 is assumed, but the circuit 110 is not limited to this, and may be included in, for example, the constant voltage circuit 10. Further, although the HDD is assumed as the disk drive of the embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to a disk recording / reproducing device such as a magneto-optical disk drive.

[0026]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in a disk recording / reproducing apparatus capable of supplying a plurality of types of power supply voltages having different voltage specifications, when an abnormal power supply voltage is supplied, a constant voltage is applied. It is possible to prevent a serious trouble such as a destruction of a circuit or a malfunction of a write operation beforehand. Therefore,
Even in an environment where the power supply voltage is somewhat unstable, a catastrophic failure can be prevented from occurring, so that a highly reliable disk recording / reproducing apparatus can be provided. Specifically, when power having an abnormal voltage outside the allowable range is supplied, the operation of the circuit group excluding the predetermined circuit is stopped, and the power load on the constant voltage circuit can be reduced. Therefore, the destruction of the transistor used in the constant voltage circuit can be prevented. If abnormal power is supplied within the allowable range but fluctuating outside the rated voltage value, for example, the write operation is prohibited, and if a malfunction occurs due to the voltage fluctuation, the data recorded on the disk Since a write operation that may destroy the disk drive is prohibited, a fatal trouble as a disk drive can be prevented from occurring.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a disk drive according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a configuration of a constant voltage circuit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional constant voltage circuit.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view for explaining a control method related to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the procedure of a control method related to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Disk drive 2 ... Host system (personal computer) 10 ... Constant voltage circuit 11 ... CPU 12 ... Motor driver 13 ... Read / write (R / W) channel 14 ... Disk controller (HDC) 15 ... Buffer memory (DRAM) 20 ... Op amp 21 ... Transistor 23 ... Capacitor 24 ... Monitoring circuit 110 ... A / D converter 140 ... Register 240,241 ... Resistance 242 ... Capacitor

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A circuit group for recording and reproducing data on and from a disk, and a plurality of types of power supplies having different voltage specifications can be input, and the circuits are required for the operation of the circuit group according to the supply of the power supply. A constant voltage circuit having means for generating a constant voltage, and means for outputting a monitoring signal corresponding to the voltage value of the power supply; and monitoring the power supply voltage with the monitoring signal, wherein the power supply voltage is allowed to have a rated voltage value. When it fluctuates within the range, a predetermined first control is performed on the circuit group, and when the voltage value exceeds an allowable range, a predetermined second control is performed on the circuit group. A disk storage device comprising: a control unit that executes control. 2. The disk storage device according to claim 1, wherein said control means has an A / D converter for converting said monitor signal output from said constant voltage circuit into a digital value. 3. The control means indicates a voltage value within an allowable range where the voltage value of the power supply voltage is an intermediate level between a relatively high-level rated voltage value and a relatively low-level rated voltage value. Executing the first control in a case, and executing the second control if the voltage value of the power supply voltage indicates a voltage value outside a permissible range exceeding a relatively high level rated voltage value. The disk storage device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the first control allows a predetermined operation including a read operation of reading data from the disk as the first control, and prohibits at least a write operation of recording data on the disk. Controlling the circuit group, stopping the operation of the circuits other than the predetermined circuit in the circuit group as the second control, and controlling the circuit group so as to reduce the power consumption of the constant voltage circuit. 4. The disk storage device according to claim 1, wherein: 5. A group of various circuits for recording and reproducing data on and from a disk and a plurality of types of power supplies having different voltage specifications can be input, and are required for the operation of the circuit groups according to the supply of the power. A constant voltage circuit having means for generating a constant voltage and a means for outputting a monitor signal according to the voltage value of the power supply voltage, the power supply control method being applied to a disk storage device, Determining the voltage value of the power supply voltage, based on the determination result of the determination step, when the voltage value of the power supply voltage is within an allowable range at an intermediate level other than a plurality of types of rated voltage level ranges. Executing a first control for controlling the circuit group so as to prohibit at least a write operation for recording data on the disk; and If the voltage value of the power supply voltage is out of an allowable range exceeding a plurality of rated voltage level ranges, a second control for stopping operations of circuits other than a predetermined circuit in the circuit group is executed. And a step of performing normal control on the circuit group when the voltage value of the power supply voltage is within a plurality of types of rated voltage level ranges based on a result of the determination in the determining step. Characteristic power supply control method.