JP2007004945A - Protector of storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a protector of a storage device capable of protecting the storage device when a disaster occurs in a device equipped with the storage device. <P>SOLUTION: A copying machine 1 is constructed in such a manner that a storage device protection box 23 housing an HDD 113 has a lid 23b normally opened by a stopper 12f against the elastic force of a spring 23d, and in case of a disaster, a roller 12c and the stopper 12f are rotated by a rotary-driving force transmitted from a motor or a manual operation, signal and power supply cables 113a and 113b fixed to the roller 12c are removed from the HDD 113, the support of the lid 23b by the stopper 12f is released, the lid 23 is firmly closed by the elastic force of the spring 23d to hermetically close the storage device protection box 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a protection device for a storage device that protects a storage device such as a hard disk drive and a non-volatile memory so that stored data is not lost even when a disaster such as a fire or a flood occurs.

  When a device equipped with a storage device such as a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD [Hard Disk Drive]) that reads / writes / stores data encounters a disaster such as a fire or flood, the storage device is removed from the device. Data stored in the storage device by being carried out or carried out by the entire device body is protected.

In addition, as a patent document on data protection in the event of a disaster, a backup method in an information processing system that can always back up data to a data storage area of another device at a remote location and protect the data from a disaster is disclosed. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For reference, a storage and protection method and apparatus for a data storage device that can protect a data storage medium such as a CD [Compact Disc] on which data is stored from a fire are disclosed and proposed (for example, patents). Reference 2).
JP 7-141308 A JP 2000-128268 A

  Certainly, if a device has a conventional storage device, the storage device and the data stored in the storage device can be protected by taking out the storage device from the device and evacuating it by carrying it together with the main body in the event of a disaster. It is possible.

  Further, with the backup method in the information processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, since data is always backed up to another remote device, it is possible to protect the data even if the main unit encounters a disaster. It is.

  However, when a device equipped with a storage device is a copying machine, a large computer, or the like, it is difficult to take out the storage device, and the device body is large and heavy, and thus it is difficult to protect the storage device in the event of a disaster. Moreover, if such work is performed at the time of a disaster, the user's evacuation is delayed and the user himself / herself may be damaged, which is dangerous.

  In addition, the backup method in the information processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires another device for performing data backup.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a protection device for a storage device that can protect the storage device when the device including the storage device encounters a disaster.

  To achieve the above object, a storage device protection device according to the present invention is a storage device protection device for protecting a storage device electrically connected to one or more connection lines necessary for data transmission / reception. An operation unit that receives input of predetermined information, a winding control unit that outputs a predetermined drive signal when the operation unit receives the predetermined information, and driving based on the predetermined drive signal An automatic driving means for transmitting a predetermined driving force, a transmitting means for transmitting the predetermined driving force transmitted from the automatic driving means or manual operation, and the storage device, and at least one openable / closable lid And a storage device protection box having a closing means for closing and sealing the lid, and supporting the lid in an open state by contacting the lid and releasing the support of the lid driven by the transmission means Support And a winding means for fixing the single or plural connecting wires and being driven by the transmitting means to separate the electrical connection between the single or plural connecting wires and the storage device. It is set as composition. With such a configuration, the storage device can be protected in the event of a disaster.

  The protection device for a storage device having the above-described configuration includes a water sensor that inputs a water detection signal to the winding control unit when water is detected, and the winding control when a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature is detected. At least one of a temperature sensor for inputting a temperature detection signal to the means and an earthquake sensor for inputting an earthquake detection signal to the winding control means when a vibration value larger than a predetermined vibration value is detected. The winding control means is configured to output the predetermined drive signal when any of the water detection signal, the high temperature detection signal, and the earthquake detection signal is input. With such a configuration, the storage device can be automatically protected in the event of a disaster.

  The storage device protection box in the storage device protection device having the above-described configuration is configured by a member having at least one property of water resistance, fire resistance, and impact resistance. With such a configuration, the storage device can be reliably protected from water damage, fire, and earthquake.

  As described above, the protection device for a storage device according to the present invention can protect the storage device from a disaster when a device including the storage device encounters a disaster.

  The present invention will be described by taking a copying machine equipped with a storage device protection apparatus according to the present invention as an example. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of a copying machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the structure of the main part of the copying machine according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, an explanation will be given by taking as an example a case where an HDD serving as a storage device is protected in the event of a disaster by the storage device protection device according to the present invention provided in the copying machine.

  As shown in both figures, the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment is composed of a central processing unit, and stores a control unit 10 for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, various control programs, various data, and the like as a work area. As will be described later, the storage unit 11 and the cover of the storage device protection box 23 in which the HDD 113 is accommodated are supported in the normal state to support the cover in an open state. A connection line winding unit 12 that pulls out a cable that is a connected connection line and separates the electrical connection, and a drive based on a predetermined drive signal received from a winding control unit 102 to be described later, Motor 13 for transmitting to connecting wire winding unit 12, operating means for receiving information input (protection key, numeric keypad, touch panel, etc.) and display means for displaying images (liquid crystal display) And an operation display unit 15 comprising water, a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, and a vibration value greater than a predetermined vibration value. 102, a document conveying unit 16 that automatically conveys a document, a document capturing unit 17 that captures a document conveyed from the document conveying unit 16 and generates image data, and a sheet based on the image data. An image forming unit 19 that outputs an image to the image forming unit 19 (including a printing unit 191 including a printer head and a photosensitive drum), a paper feeding unit 18 that feeds the image forming unit 19, and an image obtained by the image forming unit 19 A fixing unit 20 that fixes the output onto the paper, a paper discharge unit 21 that is a paper discharge destination of the paper on which the fixing of the image output by the fixing unit 20 has been completed, and a power supply unit 22 that supplies power supplied from the outside to each part of the apparatus When, It made have. The motor 13 is provided with a gear (not shown) for transmitting a rotational driving force to a third gear 12i described later.

  The control unit 10 is connected to the HDD 113 with a signal cable as will be described later, and protects the HDD control unit 101 that controls the writing of data to the HDD 113 and the reading of data from the HDD 113, and the operation display unit 15 shown in FIG. When the key 151 is pressed or a detection signal from the detection unit 14 is input, the winding control unit 102 outputs a drive signal for starting the drive of the motor 13.

  The storage unit 11 is a ROM [Read Only Memory] 111 in which various control programs are stored, a RAM [Random Access Memory] 112 mainly used as a work area, and a storage destination of various data. And a storage device HDD 113 which is protected to prevent data loss.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the detection unit 14 is provided on the ground side of the apparatus main body 100 of the copying machine 1, and inputs water detection signal of the detection signal to the winding control unit 102 when water is detected. A water sensor 141 that is provided in the apparatus main body 100, and a temperature sensor 142 that inputs a high-temperature detection signal of the detection signal to the winding control unit 102 when a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature set in advance is detected; An earthquake sensor 143 that is provided in the apparatus body and that inputs an earthquake detection signal of the detection signal to the winding control unit 102 when a vibration value larger than a predetermined vibration value set in advance is detected. .

  The operation display unit 15 includes a protection key 151 that accepts execution of protection of the HDD 113 described later when pressed by the user.

  The paper feeding unit 18 includes a plurality of (three in this embodiment) paper storage units 181 a to 181 c serving as a paper supply source to the image forming unit 19, and the paper storage units 181 a to 181 c to the image forming unit 19. And a sheet conveying unit 182 serving as a common sheet conveying path.

  Next, the connecting wire winding unit 12 and the storage device protection box 23 in the copying machine 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3A is a top view schematically showing the connecting wire winding unit 12 and the storage device protection box 23. FIG. 3B is a side view of the connection wire winding unit 12 and the storage device protection box 23 of FIG. 3A as viewed from the X side.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the connecting wire winding unit 12 has a first rotating shaft 12a whose both ends are rotatably fixed to side plates 24a and 24b fixed to the apparatus main body. A first gear 12b having a central portion fixed to the outer periphery of the first rotary shaft 12a, near one end of the first rotary shaft 12a (near the side plate 24b), and the first gear 12b and the first rotary shaft. Between the other end side (side plate 24a side) of 12a, a roller 12c fixed to cover the outer periphery of the first rotating shaft 12a, a signal cable 113a and a power cable 113b which are connection lines connected to the HDD 113 One end of the cable fixing plate 12d fixed to the roller 12c with two screws 12e between the roller 12c and the other end side (side plate 24a side) of the first rotating shaft 12a from the roller 12c. Is the first rotation axis The stopper 12f is fixed to cover the outer periphery of the shaft 2a and the other end normally contacts the lid 23b of the storage device protection box 23 to support the lid 23b in an open state, and the second gear 12g meshes with the first gear 12b. The second rotating shaft 12h, which is passed through the opening 24c of the side plate 24b and the central portion of the second gear 12g is fixed to the outer periphery of the shaft, and the motor 13 is connected to the other end of the second rotating shaft 12h. Or it has the 3rd gear 12i to which the rotational drive force transmitted from the user's manual operation is applied.

  In the event of a disaster, the rotational driving force transmitted from the motor 13 or manual operation as described later is transmitted to the third gear 12i so that the second rotational shaft 12h rotates in the direction of the solid arrow A. . Further, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the roller 12c and the stopper 12f via the second rotating shaft 12h, the first gear 12b, and the first rotating shaft 12a. The roller 12c and the stopper 12f are rotationally driven in the direction of arrow B. At this time, the roller 12c pulls out the signal cable 113a and the power cable 113b fixed by the cable fixing plate 12d from the HDD 113, and the stopper 12f releases the support of the lid 23b.

  In the present embodiment, the motor 13 provided with a gear (not shown) corresponds to automatic driving means that drives and transmits a predetermined driving force based on a predetermined driving signal from the winding control unit 102. To do. The third gear 12i, the second rotating shaft 12h, the second gear 12g, the first gear 12b, and the first rotating shaft 12a correspond to automatic driving means or transmission means for transmitting a predetermined driving force transmitted from manual operation. . The stopper 12f corresponds to support means that contacts the lid 23b of the storage device protection box 23 to support the lid 23b in an open state, and is driven by the transmission means to release the support of the lid 23b. The roller 12c, to which the signal cable 113a and the power cable 113b are fixed by the cable fixing plate 12d, is driven by the transmission means to take up the electrical connection between the connection lines (corresponding to the cables 113a and 113b) and the HDD 113. Corresponds to means.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the storage device protection box 23 has one end of a hinge 23c fixed to the upper outer surface of the main body 23a of the storage device protection box 23, and in the closed state, the main body 23a. The other end of the hinge 23c is fixed to the outer surface of the main body 23a, and the other end of the spring 23d is fixed to an outer surface different from the outer surface of the main body 23a to which the hinge 23c is fixed. A fixing portion for fixing the other end of the spring 23d, which is provided on the outer surface of the lid 23b which is the same as the outer surface provided with the fixing portion 23e in the closed state of the fixing portion 23e and the lid 23b 23f and a spring 23d having ends fixed to the fixing portions 23e and 23f.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the signal connector 113c and the power connector 113d side of the HDD 133 are arranged in the storage device protection box 23 toward the lid 23b side. Since the spring 23d is attached to the fixing portions 23e and 23f, the elastic force of the spring 23d is always applied in the direction (arrow C direction) in which the lid 23b of the storage device protection box 23 is closed.

  Normally, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the lid 23b of the storage device protection box 23 in which the elastic force of the spring 23d works in its closing direction is closed by the stopper 12f. It is supported and opened against the elastic force in the binding direction. A signal cable 113a and a power cable 113b are connected to the signal connector 113c and the power connector 113d of the HDD 133, respectively.

  Further, at the normal time, the other ends of the signal cable 113a and the power cable 113b are connected to the HDD control unit 101 and the power supply unit 22, respectively. Data writing and reading (that is, data transmission / reception) are performed between the HDD control unit 101 and the HDD 113 via the signal cable 113a. In addition, power is supplied from the power supply unit 22 to the HDD 113 via the power cable 113b. That is, the signal cable 113a and the power cable 113b are connection lines necessary for data transmission / reception, and are electrically connected to the HDD 113.

  The storage device protection box 23 (including the spring 23d) is formed of a member having at least one of water resistance, fire resistance, and impact resistance. When the lid 23b is closed by the elastic force of the spring 23d, the storage device protection box 23 is sealed with a gasket (not shown) or the like in order to prevent heat and water from entering between the lid 23b and the main body 23a. It is set as the composition. Further, the members constituting the main body 23a and the lid 23b of the storage device protection box 23 are, in order from the outermost periphery, melted in the event of a fire to close the gap and have a rigid polymer (not shown), a heat insulating material (for example, a heat insulating material) Server ibacast) (not shown) and a three-layer structure of the polymer (not shown). Since the storage device protection box 23 has such a configuration, when the lid 23b of the storage device protection box 23 is closed, the internal storage (the HDD 113 in the present embodiment) is damaged by water in the event of a flood or fire. It is possible to protect against high heat and earthquake shocks. The members constituting the main body 23a and the lid 23b of the storage device protection box 23 are not limited to these, and the internal contents are protected from water at the time of flood, high heat at the time of fire, and impact at the time of earthquake. What is necessary is just to be comprised from the member which can do.

  Next, the document copying operation in the copying machine 1 configured as described above will be described. In the document copying operation in the copying machine 1, first, a document is transported from the document transport unit 16 to the document capture unit 17, and the document capture unit 16 captures the document (generates image data). The generated image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 11, read again, and sent to the image forming unit 19. Thereafter, the image forming unit 19 performs an image forming process on the paper based on the input image data. The paper on which the image forming process has been completed is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 20 to fix the image on the paper, and then the paper on which the copy of the original image has been completed is discharged to the paper discharge unit 21.

  Further, the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment stores the image data of the document generated by the document capturing unit 17 in the HDD 113 and selects the image data stored in the HDD 113 from the operation display unit 15 later. Can be printed.

  The copying machine 1 having the storage device protection device of the present embodiment configured as described above protects the HDD 113 by sealing the HDD 113 (corresponding to the storage device) with a storage device protection box 23 in the event of a disaster. It has the feature to do.

  Therefore, in the following, details of the control for sealing the HDD 113 in the storage device protection box 23 when the copier 1 equipped with the storage device protection device of this embodiment encounters a disaster will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Give a simple explanation. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the control for sealing the HDD in the copying machine 1 in the storage device protection box.

  In the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the winding control unit 102 determines in step S4-1 that the water detection signal is not input from the water sensor 141 (S4-1 NO), step S4- If the winding control unit 102 determines that the high temperature detection signal has not been input from the temperature sensor 142 (S4-2 NO), the process proceeds to step S4-3.

  Subsequently, in step S4-3, when the winding control unit 102 determines that the earthquake detection signal is not input from the earthquake sensor 143 (S4-3 NO), the process proceeds to step S4-4 and winding is performed. When it is determined by the control unit 102 that a signal by pressing the protection key 151 of the operation display unit 15 is not input (S4-4 NO), the process returns to step S4-1.

  If it is determined in step S4-1 that the water detection signal is input from the water sensor 141 by the winding control unit 102 (YES in S4-1), the winding control unit 102 determines the temperature in step S4-2. When it is determined that the high temperature detection signal is input from the sensor 142 (S4-2 YES), in step S4-3, the winding control unit 102 determines that the earthquake detection signal is input from the earthquake sensor 143 (S4). -3YES), and in step S4-4, if it is determined by the winding control unit 102 that a signal has been input by pressing the protection key 151 of the operation display unit 15 (YES in S4-4), step S4-5 Proceed to

  Subsequently, in step S4-5, a drive signal for rotating the motor 13 is input from the winding control unit 102, and the motor 13 starts to rotate.

  Subsequently, in step S4-6, the rotational driving force of the motor 13 is transmitted to the third gear 12i via a gear (not shown) or the like, and the second rotation fixed to the third gear 12i together with the third gear 12i. The second gear 12h fixed to the shaft 12h and the second rotating shaft 12h rotates in the arrow A direction. Then, the rotational driving force of the second gear 12h is transmitted to the first gear 12b meshed with the second gear 12h. By the rotational driving force transmitted to the first gear 12b, together with the first gear 12b, the first rotating shaft 12a fixed to the first gear 12b, the stopper 12f fixed to the first rotating shaft 12a, and the first rotating shaft 12a The roller 12c in which the signal cable 113a and the power cable 113b are fixed by the cable fixing plate 12d rotates in the direction of arrow B.

  At this time, the signal cable 113a and the power cable 113b fixed to the roller 12c by the cable fixing plate 12d are wound around the roller 12c rotating in the arrow B direction, so that the signal cable 113a and the power cable 113b are connected to the HDD 113. The connectors 113c and 113d are removed from the electrical connection, and the stopper 12f is detached from the lid 23b of the storage device protection box 23, and the lid 23b is closed by the elastic force of the spring 23d in the direction of arrow C. It is tightly sealed and this operation is complete. The speed at which the signal cable 113a and the power cable 113b are wound around the roller 12c is faster than the speed at which the lid 23b is closed by the elastic force of the spring 23d.

  Thereby, the HDD 113 of the storage device sealed in the storage device protection box 23 is protected from disasters such as water damage, fire and earthquake.

  Further, in the copying machine 1 provided with the storage device protection device of the present embodiment, in the event of a power failure, the handle (not shown) meshed with the third gear 12i is used by the user's manual operation so that the third gear 12i is engaged. When rotated in the direction of arrow A, the respective parts move as in step S4-6, and the lid 23b of the storage device protection box 23 is closed and tightly sealed. Therefore, in the event of a power failure, similarly, the HDD 113 sealed in the storage device protection box 23 can be protected from disasters such as floods, fires, and earthquakes.

  Therefore, if the copying machine 1 includes the storage device protection device of the present embodiment, it is possible to protect data stored in the HDD 113 together with the HDD 113 from a disaster automatically or manually.

  In the copying machine 1 including the storage device protection device according to the present embodiment, the HDD 113 has been described as an example of the storage device. However, the storage device can store data by connecting a predetermined cable. Any device may be used. For example, in addition to the HDD 113, any of a CD drive, a DVD drive [Digital Versatile Disk drive], a flash memory, or the like may be used as the storage device.

  The stopper 12f and the roller 12c to which each cable is fixed are fixed to the first rotating shaft 12a of the same rotating shaft, but are fixed to different rotating shafts, and these are fixed by a driving force of a motor or the like in the event of a disaster. The structure which protects the memory | storage device accommodated in the memory | storage device protection box 23 from a disaster may be rotated.

  The configuration of the present invention can be variously modified in addition to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention can be widely applied to all devices including a storage device such as an HDD in addition to a copying machine, and is a useful technique for protecting a storage device in the event of a disaster.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a copier according to the present invention. These are the longitudinal cross-sectional views which show typically the principal part structure of the copying machine which concerns on this invention. These are the figures for demonstrating a connection wire winding part and a memory | storage device protection box. These are the flowcharts for demonstrating an example of the control which seals HDD in the copying machine 1 to a storage device protection box.

Explanation of symbols

1 Copier 10 Control Unit 101 HDD Control Unit 102 Take-up Control Unit 11 Storage Unit 111 ROM
112 RAM
113 HDD
113a signal cable 113b power cable 113c signal connector 113d power connector 12 connecting wire winding part 12a first rotating shaft 12b first gear 12c roller 12d cable fixing plate 12e screw 12f stopper 12g second gear 12i third gear 13 motor 14 detection part 141 Water sensor 142 Temperature sensor 143 Earthquake sensor 15 Operation display unit 151 Protect key 16 Document transport unit 17 Document take-in unit 18 Paper feed unit 181a to 181c Paper storage unit 182 Paper transport unit 19 Image forming unit 20 Fixing unit 21 Paper discharge unit 22 power supply unit 23 storage device protection box 23a main body 23b lid 23c hinge 23d spring 23e, 23f fixing unit

Claims (3)

A storage device protection device for protecting a storage device electrically connected to one or more connection lines necessary for data transmission / reception,
An operation means for receiving input of predetermined information, a winding control means for outputting a predetermined drive signal when the operation means receives the predetermined information, and driving based on the predetermined drive signal An automatic driving means for transmitting a driving force; a transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined driving force transmitted from the automatic driving means or a manual operation; and at least one openable / closable lid containing the storage device; A storage device protection box provided with a closing means for closing and sealing; and a support means for contacting the lid to support the lid in an open state and being driven by the transmission means to release the support of the lid The one or more connection lines are fixed, and the winding means is driven by the transmission means to separate the electrical connection between the one or more connection lines and the storage device. Special Protection device to the storage device. A water sensor that inputs a water detection signal to the winding control means when detecting water, a temperature sensor that inputs a temperature detection signal to the winding control means when a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature is detected, And at least one of earthquake sensors that input an earthquake detection signal to the winding control means when a vibration value larger than a predetermined vibration value is detected,
2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the winding control unit outputs the predetermined driving signal when any of the water detection signal, the high temperature detection signal, and the earthquake detection signal is input. Protection device.   The storage device protection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage device protection box is made of a member having at least one of water resistance, fire resistance, and impact resistance.

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