Modular electronic storage unit

• US 20060148295A1
• Filed: 01/10/2006
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Reents, Jeffrey M., Stirret, Prakash R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,281,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/247
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/025 Portable cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/1426 by cooling plates, e.g. fins

Abstract

An electronic storage unit, which may contain a hard disk drive, is configured to removably mount to a recessed surface of a console. The electronic storage unit includes a lip and a biased latch arm so that the lip can be inserted into a corresponding feature in the recessed surface and the electronic storage unit can be rotatably mounted to the recessed surface. A cable connector extends from the bottom of the electronic storage unit and is configured to connect to a receptor on the console when the electronic storage unit is installed. A flexible seal is located within the module and surrounding the cable connector to allow for the cable connector to float within the assembly in order to allow for radial insertion into the console. The electronic storage unit can be readily removed from the console.

Claims

1. A modular electronic storage unit configured for rotational attachment to a base unit comprising:

a housing having an external wall;

an electrical interconnect coupled to the external wall in a manner permitting longitudinal and lateral movement of the electrical interconnect with respect to the wall;

the electrical interconnect protruding through the housing and having a lead end and a follow end;

a plurality of spring fingers coupled to the electrical interconnect and in slight compression; and

a flexible seal located between the electrical interconnect and the housing and surrounding the electrical interconnect.

2. The modular electronic storage unit of claim 1, further including angled guide posts positioned on each of the lead and follow ends of the electrical interconnect.

3. The modular electronic storage unit of claim 1 wherein the spring fingers and flexible seal permit the electrical interconnect to move laterally within the housing.

4. The modular electronic storage unit of claim 1, wherein the flexible seal is configured to bias the electrical interconnect toward a central region.

5. The modular electronic storage unit of claim 4 wherein the flexible seal is made of an elastomeric material.

6. The modular electronic storage unit of claim 2, wherein the lead and follow guide posts are asymmetrical.

7. The modular electronic storage unit of claim 1, wherein the spring fingers allow the electrical interconnect to move in a downward direction with respect to the housing wall.

8. The modular electronic storage unit of claim 7, wherein the plurality of spring fingers are compressible to permit free floating of the electrical interconnect and enable the interconnect to tilt in a longitudinal direction.

9. A modular electronic storage unit configured for rotational attachment to a base unit comprising:

a housing having a top and bottom surface;

a midframe located between the top and bottom surface of the housing;

an electrical interconnect having a lead end and a follow end and protruding through the midframe and the housing;

guide posts configured on each of the lead end and follow end, the guideposts being asymmetrical;

a plurality of spring fingers coupled to the electrical interconnect and in slight compression; and

a flexible seal surrounding the electrical interconnect and located between the top portion of the housing and midframe.

10. The flexible interconnect member of claim 9, wherein the asymmetrical guideposts include angled top portions.

11. The flexible interconnect member of claim 9, wherein the flexible seal is configured to bias the electrical interconnect toward a central region.

12. The flexible interconnect member of claim 11, wherein the flexible seal is configured to allow between 1 mm and 2 mm of movement in a lateral direction.

13. The flexible interconnect member of claim 9, wherein the spring fingers permit the electrical interconnect to tilt with respect to the housing.

14. The flexible interconnect member of claim 9, wherein the electrical interconnect further includes a plurality of cables to tether the electrical interconnect to the electronic storage unit.

15. A modular electronic storage unit configured for radial attachment to a base unit comprising:

a housing having external walls;

an electrical interconnect protruding through the housing and having a lead end and a follow end;

guideposts configured on each of the lead end and follow end and being asymmetrical;

a plurality of spring fingers coupled to the electrical interconnect; and

a flexible seal configured between the electrical interconnect and the housing.

20. The flexible interconnect of claim 15, further including means for allowing the electrical interconnect to move within the housing.

16. The flexible interconnect member of claim 16, wherein the electrical interconnect is free floating within the housing.

17. The flexible interconnect member of claim 16, wherein the plurality of spring fingers are in slight compression.

18. The flexible interconnect member of claim 17, wherein the plurality of spring fingers are further compressed to allow the electrical interconnect to tilt within the housing.

19. The flexible interconnect member of claim 18, wherein the flexible seal biases the electrical interconnect toward a central region.