JP3892007B2 - Disk drive control method and control apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a disk drive control method and control apparatus for reducing the power consumption of the disk drive, and more particularly to a disk drive control method and control apparatus suitable for a battery-driven disk drive.

  Disk drives such as magnetic disk drives are widely used as storage devices for computers. This disk drive is mounted on a battery-powered computer such as a notebook personal computer due to recent miniaturization. In such a battery-driven device, it is required to reduce the power consumption of the disk drive.

  The magnetic disk device operates at a single spindle rotation speed when performing recording and reproduction operations. The motor constant is determined so that the spindle motor also operates stably under all operating environments guaranteed by the magnetic disk device.

  Opportunities for mounting such magnetic disk devices in battery-powered devices such as notebook computers have increased. Since the battery has a limited power supply capacity, it is required to reduce the power consumption of the magnetic disk device.

For this reason, a method of stopping the spindle motor when the magnetic disk device is not accessed from the host computer for a certain period of time has been proposed (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-143961

  However, the prior art has the following problems.

  (1) Since the recent 0 / S of personal computers frequently accesses magnetic disk drives, the spindle motor does not easily stop in normal use, and it is difficult to extend the battery drive time substantially. There was a problem that there was.

  (2) When the spindle motor is stopped, if there is access to the magnetic disk, there is a problem that the operational feeling is impaired because it is necessary to wait for several seconds for recording and playback until the spindle motor rotates stably. .

  (3) Recent magnetic disk devices have been developed that use fluid dynamic pressure bearings for spindle motor bearings. Fluid dynamic pressure bearings improve rotational accuracy and reduce noise. However, as the temperature of the fluid bearing decreases, the viscosity of the fluid of the bearing increases and torque loss of the bearing portion tends to increase. This torque loss directly increases the power consumption of the magnetic disk device, and there is a problem that the power consumption is greatly increased at a lower temperature than at normal temperature. In particular, notebook computers and the like are sometimes used in a low temperature environment of 5 degrees C or less, and an increase in power consumption has been a problem.

  (4) Furthermore, when the spindle motor records and reproduces only at a single rotational speed, the spindle motor is designed to stably maintain the rotational speed under high load conditions. For this reason, it is necessary to set a high limit rotational speed of the spindle motor (the maximum rotational speed when the spindle motor is rotated without performing speed control under a predetermined load and driving voltage), and power consumption is large. There was a problem that a spindle motor was required.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a disk drive control method and a control apparatus for reducing the power consumption of a spindle motor of a disk drive.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a disk drive control method and control apparatus for reducing power consumption while continuing the operation.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a disk drive control method and control apparatus for preventing power consumption from increasing even when the spindle motor load increases.

  To achieve this object, the disk drive of the present invention includes a disk storage medium, a spindle motor that rotates the disk storage medium, and a head that reads information from the disk storage medium. The control method includes a first step of detecting a load of the spindle motor having a fluid bearing as a bearing mechanism at a temperature of a temperature sensor, and when the load is not higher than a predetermined value according to a detection result. The spindle motor is rotated at a relatively high speed, and the spindle motor is rotated at a relatively low speed when the load is higher than a predetermined value in a first mode in which the information on the disk storage medium is read by the head. And a second step of selecting one of the second modes in which the information of the disk storage medium is read by the head. The second step includes a step of detecting presence / absence of rotation unevenness of the spindle motor after selecting the first mode, and a step of switching to the second mode when the rotation unevenness is detected. Also have.

  In the present invention, the spindle motor is rotated at a relatively high speed, the first mode for reading the information on the disk storage medium by the head, and the spindle motor is rotated at a relatively low speed so that the information on the disk storage medium is read by the head. A second mode of reading. Then, the first mode and the second mode are selected according to the load of the spindle motor.

  For this reason, when the load on the spindle motor is high, recording and reproduction are performed at a low speed, so that an increase in power consumption can be suppressed. For this reason, in particular, the battery driving time of the battery driving device can be extended. Furthermore, since a spindle motor having a high torque constant and a low limit rotational speed can be used, power consumption can be further reduced.

  The first step includes a step of detecting the temperature of the spindle motor. Depending on the temperature of the spindle motor, it is possible to detect a change in load due to a change in viscosity of the fluid dynamic pressure bearing of the spindle motor, and to change to a mode for reducing power consumption.

  Further, in the present invention, the second step further includes a step of detecting a change in the rotational speed of the spindle motor. By changing the number of revolutions of the spindle motor, it is possible to detect a change in load due to a change in viscosity of the fluid dynamic pressure bearing of the spindle motor and change to a mode for reducing power consumption.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a magnetic disk device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the magnetic disk device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic disk 6 is rotated by a spindle motor 5. The spindle motor 5 has a fluid bearing as a bearing. Since the fluid viscosity of the fluid bearing changes depending on the temperature, the load on the spindle motor changes. The magnetic head 4 is provided on the actuator 3. The magnetic head 4 reads data from the magnetic disk 6 and writes data. The actuator 3 is composed of a voice coil motor. The actuator 3 positions the magnetic head 4 on a desired track of the magnetic disk 6.

  The actuator 3 and the spindle motor 5 are provided on the drive base 2. The cover 1 covers the drive base 2 and isolates the inside of the drive from the outside. The printed board 7 is provided outside the drive and is mounted with a drive control circuit. The temperature sensor 8 is provided in the base 2 and detects the temperature of the drive. The temperature sensor 8 can detect the temperature of the spindle motor 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printed board 7 includes a microprocessor 10 (hereinafter referred to as MPU) for control. The recording / reproducing circuit 11 is a circuit for writing to and reading from the magnetic disk 6 by the magnetic head 4. The recording / reproducing circuit 11 performs recording / reproducing at a frequency according to the recording / reproducing clock from the MPU 10. The recording / reproducing circuit 11 sends servo signals to the MPU 10, read data to the HDC 14, and receives write data from the HDC 14.

  The motor controller 12 drives the actuator 3 and the spindle motor 5 according to instructions from the MPU 10. When instructed to rotate at a low speed, the motor controller 12 drives the spindle motor 5 at a low speed (for example, 3600 rpm). When instructed to rotate at high speed, the motor controller 12 drives the spindle motor 5 at high speed (for example, 4200 rpm).

  A read only memory (ROM) 13 stores a program executed by the MPU 10 and the HDC 14. A hard disk controller (HDC) 14 transmits / receives data to / from a host (host) such as a personal computer. The HDC 14 exchanges data with the recording / reproducing circuit 11 in accordance with the recording / reproducing clock. The data buffer 15 temporarily stores data to or from the host.

  The reference clock oscillator 16 generates a reference clock. The first frequency dividing circuit 17 divides the reference clock by 1 / N1 to create a low-speed recording / reproducing clock. The second frequency divider 18 divides the reference clock by 1 / N2 to create a high-speed recording / reproducing clock. The high-speed recording / reproducing clock has a higher frequency than the low-speed recording / reproducing clock.

  The switch 19 outputs the reference clock of the reference clock oscillator 16 to the second frequency divider 18 in response to the high-speed instruction from the MPU 10. Further, the switch 19 outputs the reference clock of the reference clock oscillator 16 to the first frequency divider 18 in response to the low speed instruction of the MPU 10. The MPU 10 outputs a recording / reproducing clock to the recording / reproducing circuit 11.

  FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram at the time of the low speed rotation, FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram at the time of the high speed rotation, and FIG. 6 is a temperature change characteristic diagram of the power consumption.

  (S1) The MPU 10 detects the temperature of the temperature sensor 8 when detecting the power-on.

  (S2) The MPU 10 determines whether the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a specified temperature (for example, 15 ° C.). This specified temperature is set to a temperature at which the bearing loss of the motor 5 increases. When the detected temperature does not exceed the specified temperature, the process proceeds to step S6.

  (S3) If the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the specified temperature, the MPU 10 instructs the motor controller 12 in the high speed rotation mode. The motor controller 12 rotates the spindle motor 5 at high speed in response to the high speed instruction. For example, 4200 rpm. At the same time, the MPU 10 switches the switch 19 to the second frequency divider 18. As a result, a high-speed recording / reproducing clock for high frequency is supplied to the recording / reproducing circuit 11 via the MPU 10. Further, the MPU 10 instructs the recording / reproducing circuit 11 to rotate at high speed. When reading, the recording / reproducing circuit 11 creates a data window signal from the recording / reproducing clock signal as shown in FIG. Then, the read output of the magnetic head 4 is binarized by the data window signal, and a reproduction signal is obtained. Similarly, at the time of writing, write data is supplied to the magnetic head in accordance with the recording / reproducing clock signal.

  (S4) The MPU 10 detects the rotation unevenness of the spindle motor 5. Therefore, the MPU 10 receives the index signal of the magnetic disk 6 reproduced by the magnetic head 4 from the recording / reproducing circuit 11. The index signal indicates an interval of one round of the magnetic disk 6.

  (S5) The MPU 10 measures the interval between the index signals, and calculates the difference from the reference interval for high speed. If the difference is within the specified value, it is determined that there is no rotation unevenness. Then, the process returns to step S1. If the difference exceeds the specified value, it is determined that there is uneven rotation, and the process proceeds to step S6.

  (S6) When the detected temperature does not exceed the specified temperature or when it is determined that rotation unevenness has occurred, the MPU 10 instructs the motor controller 12 in the low speed rotation mode. The motor controller 12 rotates the spindle motor 5 at a low speed in response to a low speed instruction. For example, 3600 rpm. At the same time, the MPU 10 switches the switch 19 to the first frequency divider circuit 17. As a result, a low-speed recording / reproducing clock with a low frequency is supplied to the recording / reproducing circuit 11 via the MPU 10.

  Further, the MPU 10 instructs the recording / reproducing circuit 11 to rotate at a low speed. At the time of reading, the recording / reproducing circuit 11 creates a data window signal from a low-frequency recording / reproducing clock signal as shown in FIG. Then, the read output of the magnetic head 4 is binarized by the data window signal, and a reproduction signal is obtained. Similarly, at the time of writing, write data is supplied to the magnetic head in accordance with the recording / reproducing clock signal. Then, the process returns to step S1.

  Thus, when the ambient temperature is low, it is determined that the torque loss of the fluid bearing increases and the load on the spindle motor 5 is large. When the load is large, the power consumption increases when the spindle motor rotates at high speed. For this reason, it switches to the low speed rotation mode with low power consumption. For this reason, the life of the battery power source of the personal computer can be greatly extended while continuing the operation.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the power consumption differs greatly between the high-speed rotation mode and the low-speed rotation mode according to the operating temperature. That is, the power consumption increases as the temperature decreases. Here, when the temperature is 5 ° C., the power consumption in the high speed rotation mode is almost twice the power consumption in the low speed rotation mode. As in this embodiment, when the operating temperature is low, the power consumption can be significantly reduced by switching from the high-speed rotation mode to the low-speed rotation mode.

  Further, when the temperature rises due to self-heating or the like and the load becomes light, the high-speed rotation mode is restored, so that a high recording / reproducing speed can be restored. Further, since the recording / reproducing clock of the recording / reproducing circuit is changed according to the high-speed rotation mode and the low-speed rotation mode, it is possible to prevent the recording density from changing even if the rotation speed is changed.

  Similarly, when the bearing loss increases, the spindle motor cannot rotate stably at high speed. This is detected by the rotation unevenness, and the operation is continued in the low speed rotation mode. For this reason, in addition to reducing power consumption, there is an advantage that the recording / reproducing operation can be continued even when the load of the spindle motor is high.

  FIG. 7 is a relationship diagram between a torque constant and power consumption for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a torque constant and a limit rotational speed for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. It is a relationship diagram.

  If a method of selecting high-speed rotation and low-speed rotation according to the load described above, a spindle motor with low power consumption can be used. An important design constant of a motor is a torque constant indicating how much output torque can be obtained with respect to the magnitude of current. FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the torque constant and the power consumption when a constant output is generated. As shown in FIG. 7, the larger the torque constant (K), the lower the power consumption. Therefore, it is desirable to design the torque constant as high as possible from the viewpoint of reducing power consumption. Methods for increasing the torque constant include improving the magnetic force of the magnetic circuit and increasing the number of electromagnetic coils.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the torque constant and the limit rotational speed under a constant load condition. As shown in FIG. 8, when the torque constant is increased, the limit rotational speed is decreased. Therefore, when the limit rotational speed is determined, the torque constant is also determined accordingly.

  Increasing the torque constant and increasing the efficiency is achieved by lowering the desired limit rotational speed. However, in the conventional disk drive, it is necessary to rotate at the rated rotational speed including the case where the motor load increases due to a low temperature state or the like. For this reason, regardless of the load, it is necessary to set the desired limit rotational speed higher with a margin. Therefore, reduction of power consumption has been hindered.

  By applying the present invention, when the motor load in a low temperature state or the like increases, the motor switches to a lower rotational speed than the rated rotational speed. A desired limit rotational speed may be set so as to rotate at a high rotational speed. For this reason, since the limit rotational speed can be set lower, a spindle motor having a high torque constant and low power consumption can be employed. Thereby, power consumption can be further reduced.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

  (S10) The MPU 10 detects the temperature of the temperature sensor 8 when detecting power-on.

  (S11) The MPU 10 determines whether the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a specified temperature (for example, 15 ° C.). When the detected temperature does not exceed the specified temperature, the process proceeds to step S15.

  (S12) If the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the specified temperature, the MPU 10 instructs the motor controller 12 in the high speed rotation mode. The motor controller 12 rotates the spindle motor 5 at high speed in response to the high speed instruction. At the same time, the MPU 10 switches the switch 19 to the second frequency divider 18. As a result, a high-speed recording / reproducing clock for high frequency is supplied to the recording / reproducing circuit 11 via the MPU 10. Further, the MPU 10 instructs the recording / reproducing circuit 11 to rotate at high speed. When reading, the recording / reproducing circuit 11 creates a data window signal from the high-speed recording / reproducing clock signal as shown in FIG. Then, the read output of the magnetic head 4 is binarized by the data window signal, and a reproduction signal is obtained. Similarly, at the time of writing, write data is supplied to the magnetic head in accordance with the recording / reproducing clock signal.

  (S13) The MPU 10 detects the rotation unevenness of the spindle motor 5. Therefore, the MPU 10 receives the index signal of the magnetic disk 6 reproduced by the magnetic head 4 from the recording / reproducing circuit 11. The index signal indicates an interval of one round of the magnetic disk 6.

  (S14) The MPU 10 measures the interval between the index signals, and calculates the difference from the reference interval for high speed. If the difference is within the specified value, it is determined that there is no rotation unevenness. Then, the process returns to step S10. If the difference exceeds the specified value, it is determined that there is uneven rotation, and the process proceeds to step S15.

  (S15) The MPU 10 instructs the motor controller 12 in the low speed rotation mode when the detected temperature does not exceed the specified temperature or when it is determined that the rotation unevenness has occurred. The motor controller 12 rotates the spindle motor 5 at a low speed in response to a low speed instruction. For example, 3600 rpm. At the same time, the MPU 10 switches the switch 19 to the first frequency divider circuit 17. As a result, a low-speed recording / reproducing clock with a low frequency is supplied to the recording / reproducing circuit 11 via the MPU 10. Further, the MPU 10 instructs the recording / reproducing circuit 11 to rotate at a low speed. At the time of reading, the recording / reproducing circuit 11 creates a data window signal from a low-frequency recording / reproducing clock signal as shown in FIG. Then, the read output of the magnetic head 4 is binarized by the data window signal, and a reproduction signal is obtained. Similarly, at the time of writing, write data is supplied to the magnetic head in accordance with the recording / reproducing clock signal.

  (S16) The MPU 10 waits for a predetermined time after switching to the low-speed rotation mode. Then, the process returns to step S10.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, after switching to the low-speed rotation mode, a predetermined time is waited. This is to hold the mode for a certain period of time in order to avoid the frequent switching because the switching is frequently performed in the vicinity of the specified temperature unless waiting for a certain period of time.

  As a method for avoiding frequent switching, there is the following method. The detected temperature at the time of switching to the low speed rotation mode is stored. Then, it detects that the detected temperature has risen by 5 ° C. or more from the stored temperature, and returns to the high speed rotation mode. Even in this way, frequent switching can be prevented.

    FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram of still another embodiment of the present invention.

  (S20) When the MPU 10 detects power-on, the MPU 10 detects a power supply voltage input from the personal computer.

  (S21) The MPU 10 determines whether the detected voltage is equal to or higher than a specified voltage. When the detected voltage does not exceed the specified voltage, the process proceeds to step S23.

  (S22) If the detected voltage is equal to or higher than the specified voltage, the MPU 10 instructs the motor controller 12 in the high speed rotation mode. The motor controller 12 rotates the spindle motor 5 at high speed in response to the high speed instruction. At the same time, the MPU 10 switches the switch 19 to the second frequency divider 18. As a result, a high-speed recording / reproducing clock for high frequency is supplied to the recording / reproducing circuit 11 via the MPU 10. Further, the MPU 10 instructs the recording / reproducing circuit 11 to rotate at high speed. When reading, the recording / reproducing circuit 11 creates a data window signal from the high-speed recording / reproducing clock signal as shown in FIG. Then, the read output of the magnetic head 4 is binarized by the data window signal, and a reproduction signal is obtained. Similarly, at the time of writing, write data is supplied to the magnetic head in accordance with the recording / reproducing clock signal. Then, the process returns to step S20.

  (S23) When the detected voltage does not exceed the specified voltage, the MPU 10 instructs the motor controller 12 in the low speed rotation mode. The motor controller 12 rotates the spindle motor 5 at a low speed in response to a low speed instruction. For example, 3600 rpm. At the same time, the MPU 10 switches the switch 19 to the first frequency divider circuit 17. As a result, a low-speed recording / reproducing clock with a low frequency is supplied to the recording / reproducing circuit 11 via the MPU 10. Further, the MPU 10 instructs the recording / reproducing circuit 11 to rotate at a low speed. At the time of reading, the recording / reproducing circuit 11 creates a data window signal from a low-frequency recording / reproducing clock signal as shown in FIG. Then, the read output of the magnetic head 4 is binarized by the data window signal, and a reproduction signal is obtained. Similarly, at the time of writing, write data is supplied to the magnetic head in accordance with the recording / reproducing clock signal. Then, the process returns to step S20.

  In this embodiment, when the battery is driven by a notebook personal computer or the like, the power supply voltage input to the magnetic disk device is monitored. In the case of battery driving, the power supply voltage indicates the remaining capacity (load capacity) of the battery. Accordingly, when the power supply voltage decreases and becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined voltage, it is determined that the remaining capacity of the battery has decreased, and the mode is switched to the low speed rotation mode. Even in this case, the power consumption can be reduced and the battery driving time can be extended.

  There are other methods for detecting the load capacity of the power supply. The personal computer detects the remaining capacity of the battery (the load capacity of the power supply). When the remaining capacity of the battery falls below a predetermined level, the personal computer transmits a battery alarm signal to the MPU 10 of the magnetic disk device. When receiving the battery alarm signal, the MPU 10 switches to the low speed rotation mode. Even in this case, the battery driving time can be extended.

  In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present invention can be modified as follows.

  (1) In the above-described embodiment, the disk drive has been described as a magnetic disk drive, but it can also be applied to other disk drives such as an optical disk drive.

  (2) The case of detecting the motor load and the case of detecting the load capacity of the power source may be combined.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by embodiment, a various deformation | transformation is possible within the range of the main point of this invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the spindle motor is rotated at a relatively high speed, the first mode for reading information on the disk storage medium by the head, and the spindle motor is rotated at a relatively low speed. A second mode in which information on the disk storage medium is read by the head is selected according to the load of the spindle motor. When the load on the spindle motor is high due to the ambient temperature or the like, recording and reproduction are performed at a low speed, so that an increase in power consumption can be suppressed. Further, since a spindle motor having a high torque constant and a low limit rotational speed can be used, power consumption can be further reduced.

It is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the structure of FIG. It is a processing flow figure of one embodiment of the invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of low speed rotation of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of the high speed rotation of FIG. It is a temperature change characteristic view of power consumption for explanation of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a relationship diagram between a torque constant and power consumption for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a relationship diagram between a torque constant and a limit rotational speed for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. It is a processing flow figure of other forms of the present invention. It is a processing flow figure of another form of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

3 Actuator 4 Magnetic head 5 Spindle motor 6 Magnetic disk 8 Temperature sensor 10 MPU
11 Recording / Reproducing Circuit 12 Motor Controller 16 Reference Clock Oscillator 17, 18 Dividing Circuit

Claims (2)

In a disk drive control method comprising: a disk storage medium; a spindle motor that rotates the disk storage medium; and a head that reads information from the disk storage medium.
A first step of detecting a load of the spindle motor having a fluid bearing as a bearing mechanism based on a temperature of a temperature sensor;
According to the detection result, when the load is not higher than a predetermined value, the spindle motor is rotated at a relatively high speed, and the head reads the information on the disk storage medium, and the load And a second step of selecting one of a second mode in which information from the disk storage medium is read by the head by rotating the spindle motor at a relatively low speed. And
The second step is a step of detecting the presence or absence of rotation unevenness of the spindle motor after selecting the first mode;
And a step of switching to the second mode when the rotation unevenness is detected. In a disk drive controller having a disk storage medium, a spindle motor that rotates the disk storage medium, and a head that reads information of the disk storage medium,
Detecting means for detecting a load of the spindle motor having a fluid bearing as a bearing mechanism by a temperature of a temperature sensor;
According to a detection result of the detection means, when the load is not higher than a predetermined value, the spindle motor is rotated at a relatively high speed and the head reads the information on the disk storage medium. A control circuit that selects one of a second mode in which the spindle motor is rotated at a relatively low speed and the information is read from the disk storage medium by the head when the load is higher than a predetermined value; Have
The control circuit, after selecting the first mode, detects the presence or absence of rotation unevenness of the spindle motor, and switches to the second mode when the rotation unevenness is detected. Control device.

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