Disk Drive Transport, Clamping and Testing

• US 20090153994A1
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teradyne Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Teradyne Incorporated
• Inventors: Merrow, Brian S., Polyakov, Evgeny, Garcia, Edward
• Granted Patent: US 8,549,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 360/31
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/225 wherein the disks are transferred from a fixed magazine to a fixed playing unit using a moving carriage
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/128 of the plurality of recording/reproducing devices, e.g. disk drives, onto a chassis

Abstract

A disk drive transporter, for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, includes a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive. The frame includes sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive. The frame also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls. The clamping mechanism includes a first engagement element and a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element. The first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot.

Claims

1. A disk drive transporter for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, the disk drive transporter comprising:

a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive, the frame comprising

sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive; and

a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls and comprising;

a first engagement element; and

a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot.

2. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a disk drive being supported by the frame.

3. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the first engagement element comprises first and second engagement members, and wherein the first actuator is operable to initiate movements of the first and second engagement members.

4. The disk drive transporter of claim 3, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first engagement member into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot, and wherein the first actuator is operable to move the second engagement member into engagement with a disk drive being supported by the frame.

5. The disk drive transporter of claim 3, wherein the second engagement member comprises a dampener.

6. The disk drive transporter of claim 5, wherein the dampener comprises a dampening material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics and thermosets.

7. The disk drive transporter of claim 5, wherein the dampener comprises an isolating or dampening material.

8. The disk drive transporter of claim 3, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first and second engagement members in substantially opposite directions relative to each other.

9. The disk drive transporter of claim 8, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first and second engagement members substantially simultaneously.

10. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the first engagement element comprises a protuberance configured to engage a mating feature in a test slot.

11. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the first engagement element comprises a dampener.

12. The disk drive transporter of claim 11, wherein the dampener comprises a dampening material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics and thermosets.

13. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the first engagement element comprises a spring clamp, the spring clamp comprising:

a base portion; and

first and second spring arms each comprising a proximal end connected to the base portion and a displaceable distal end.

14. The disk drive transporter of claim 13, wherein the actuator is operable to initiate movements of the distal ends of the first and second spring arms.

15. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is pivotable relative to the frame to initiate movements of the first engagement element.

16. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the first actuator comprises an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a first axis, and wherein the first actuator is rotatable about the first axis to initiate movements of the first engagement member.

17. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is linearly displaceable relative to the frame to initiate movements of the first engagement member.

18. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein a first one of the sidewalls defines a first actuator slot, and wherein the first actuator is at least partially disposed within the first actuator slot.

19. The disk drive transporter of claim 18, wherein the first actuator is moveable within the first actuator slot to initiate movements of the first engagement member.

20. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism further comprises a second engagement element, and wherein the first actuator is operable to initiate movements of the second engagement element.

21. The disk drive transporter of claim 20, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the second engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in the test slot.

22. The disk drive transporter of claim 20, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the second engagement element into engagement with a disk drive being supported by the frame.

23. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism further comprises:

a second engagement element; and

a second actuator operable to initiate movements of the second engagement element.

24. The disk drive transporter of claim 23, wherein the second actuator is operable independently of the first actuator to initiate movements of the second engagement element.

25. The disk drive transporter of claim 23, wherein the second actuator is operable to move the second engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot.

26. The disk drive transporter of claim 23, wherein the second actuator is operable to move the second engagement element into engagement with a disk drive being supported by the frame.

27. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the first actuator defines actuating features for initiating movements of the first engagement element.

28. The disk drive transporter of claim 27, wherein the actuating features comprise wedges and recesses.

29. The disk drive transporter of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a base plate connected to the sidewalls, and wherein the sidewalls and the base plate together define a substantially U-shaped opening for capturing a disk drive off of a support.

30. A disk drive test slot comprising:

a housing defining;

a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing, and

an open end providing access to the test compartment for insertion and removal of disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing; and

a first engagement element mounted to the housing, wherein the first engagement element is configured to engage a disk drive carried by a disk drive transporter when a disk drive transporter is inserted in the test compartment.

31. The disk drive test slot of claim 30, wherein the first engagement element comprises a clamping spring.

32. The disk drive test slot of claim 30, wherein the first engagement element comprises a dampener.

33. The disk drive test slot of claim 32, wherein the dampener is configured to engage a disk drive carried by a disk drive transporter when a disk drive transporter is inserted in the test compartment.

34. The disk drive test slot of claim 32, wherein the dampener comprises a dampening material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics and thermosets.

35. A disk drive testing system comprising:

automated machinery;

a disk drive transporter comprising;

a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive, wherein the automated machinery is configured to releasably engage the frame to control movement of the disk drive transporter;

a loading station for storing disk drives to be tested; and

a test slot configured to receive and support a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive, wherein the automated machinery is operable to remove disk drives from the loading station utilizing the disk drive transporter and insert the disk drive transporter, having a disk drive therein, into the test slot.

36. The disk drive testing system of claim 35, wherein the automated machinery comprises a robot, the robot comprising:

a moveable arm; and

a manipulator connected to the moveable arm, wherein the manipulator is configured to releasably engage the frame to control movement of the disk drive transporter.

37. The disk drive testing system of claim 36, wherein the robot is operable to remove disk drives from the loading station utilizing the disk drive transporter and insert the disk drive transporter, having a disk drive therein, into the test slot.

38. The disk drive testing system of claim 35, wherein the frame comprises a face plate defining an indentation configured to be releasably engageable by the automated machinery.

39. The disk drive testing system of claim 35, wherein the frame comprises a clamping mechanism comprising:

a first engagement element; and

a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with the test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in the test slot.

40. The disk drive testing system of claim 39, wherein the automated machinery is configured to control operation of the clamping mechanism.

41. The disk drive testing system of claim 39, wherein the frame comprises sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive for testing of the disk drive, and wherein the clamping mechanism is operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls.

42. A disk drive transporter for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, the disk drive transporter comprising:

a frame comprising;

sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive; and

a base plate connecting the sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls and the base plate together define a substantially U-shaped opening for capturing a disk drive off of a support.

43. A method of testing a disk drive, the method comprising:

actuating automated machinery to engage a disk drive transporter;

capturing a disk drive with the disk drive transporter; and

then

actuating the automated machinery to insert the disk drive transporter and the captured disk drive into a test slot, wherein capturing the disk drive comprises moving the disk drive transporter into engagement with the disk drive using the automated machinery.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein actuating the automated machinery comprises actuating a robotic arm.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the disk drive transporter comprises a clamping mechanism operable to clamp the disk drive transporter to the test slot, and further comprising actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping assembly and thereby clamping the disk drive transporter to the test slot after the disk drive transporter and the captured disk drive are inserted into the test slot.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein capturing the disk drive comprises:

actuating the automated machinery to move the disk drive transporter into a position underlying the disk drive; and

actuating the automated machinery to raise the disk drive transporter into a position engaging the disk drive.

47. A method of testing a disk drive, the method comprising:

actuating automated machinery to insert a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive into a test slot, and

actuating the automated machinery to operate a clamping mechanism and thereby clamping the disk drive transporter to the test slot after the disk drive transporter and the captured disk drive are inserted into the test slot.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein actuating automated machinery comprises actuating a robotic arm.

49. The method of claim 47, further comprising actuating the automated machinery to engage the clamping assembly and thereby clamping the disk drive transporter to the captured disk drive.

50. A test slot assembly comprising:

A.) a test slot comprising;

i.) a housing defining;

a.) a test compartment, and

b.) an open end providing access to the test compartment; and

B.) a disk drive transporter comprising;

i.) a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive, the frame comprising;

a.) sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into the test compartment along with a disk drive; and

ii.) a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls and comprising;

a.) a first engagement element; and

b.) a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with the housing after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in the test compartment.

51. The test slot assembly of claim 50, wherein the first engagement element comprises first and second engagement members, and wherein the first actuator is operable to initiate movements of the first and second engagement members.

52. The test slot assembly of claim 51, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first engagement member into engagement with the test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in the test compartment, and wherein the first actuator is operable to move the second engagement member into engagement with a disk drive being supported by the frame.

53. The test slot assembly of claim 51, wherein the second engagement member comprises a dampener.

54. The test slot assembly of claim 51, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first and second engagement members in substantially opposite directions relative to each other.

55. The test slot assembly of claim 54, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first and second engagement members substantially simultaneously.

56. The test slot assembly of claim 50, wherein the housing comprises upstanding walls configured to receive the sidewalls of the frame therebetween, wherein a first one of the upstanding walls comprises an engagement feature, and wherein the first engagement element comprises a protuberance configured to engage the engagement feature.

57. The test slot assembly of claim 56, wherein the first actuator is operable to move the protuberance into engagement with the engagement feature after the sidewalls are inserted into the test compartment.

58. A test slot assembly comprising:

A.) a disk drive transporter comprising

i.) a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive, the frame comprising;

a.) sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween, wherein a first one of the sidewalls defines a pass-through aperture; and

B.) a housing including;

i.) a test compartment for receiving and supporting the disk drive transporter, and

ii.) an open end providing access to the test compartment for insertion and removal of the disk drive transporter; and

iii.) a first engagement element mounted to the housing, wherein the first engagement element is configured to extend through the pass-through aperture to engage a disk drive carried by the disk drive transporter when the disk drive transporter is inserted in the test compartment.

59. A disk drive testing system comprising:

automated machinery; and

a disk drive transporter comprising;

a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive, and

a clamping mechanism comprising;

a first engagement element, and

a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element, wherein the automated machinery is configured to control operation of the clamping mechanism.

60. The disk drive testing system of claim 59, wherein the automated machinery is configured to releasably engage the frame to control movement of the disk drive transporter

61. The disk drive testing system of claim 59, wherein the automated machinery comprises a robot, the robot comprising:

a moveable arm; and

a manipulator connected to the moveable arm, wherein the manipulator is configured to releasably engage the frame to control movement of the disk drive transporter.

62. The disk drive testing system of claim 61, wherein the manipulator is operable to control operation of the clamping mechanism.

63. The disk drive testing system of claim 59, wherein the frame comprises a face plate defining an indentation configured to be releasably engageable by the automated machinery.

64. A method of transporting disk drives for testing, the method comprising:

actuating automated machinery and thereby moving a disk drive transporter carrying a first disk drive between a first test slot and a loading station; and

actuating the automated machinery to operate a clamping mechanism such that the disk drive transporter is clamped to the first disk drive during movement between the first test slot and the loading station.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein moving the disk drive transporter between the first test slot and the loading station comprises moving the disk drive transporter carrying the first disk drive from the loading station to the first test slot.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein moving the disk drive transporter between the first test slot and the loading station comprises moving the disk drive transporter carrying the first disk drive from the first test slot to the loading station.

67. The method of claim 64, wherein actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism comprises clamping the disk drive transporter to the first disk drive prior to moving the disk drive transporter between the first test slot and the loading station.

68. The method of claim 64, wherein actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism comprises clamping the disk drive transporter to the first disk drive as the disk drive transporter is being moved between the first test slot and the loading station.

69. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism and thereby unclamping the disk drive transporter from the first disk drive, and then

actuating the automated machinery to insert the disk drive transporter and the first disk drive into the first test slot.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism and thereby clamping the disk drive transporter to the first test slot after the disk drive transporter and the first disk drive are inserted into the first test slot.

71. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism and thereby unclamping the disk drive transporter from the first test slot; and

then

actuating the automated machinery to remove the disk drive transporter from the first test slot.

72. The method of claim 71, further comprising:

actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism and thereby unclamping the disk drive transporter from the first disk drive prior to removing the disk drive transporter from the first test slot.

73. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism and thereby unclamping the disk drive transporter from a second test slot; and

then

actuating the automated machinery and thereby removing the disk drive transporter from the second test slot.

74. The method of claim 73, further comprising capturing the first disk drive from the loading station with the disk drive transporter after removing the disk drive transporter from the second test slot, wherein capturing the first disk drive comprises moving the disk drive transporter into engagement with the first disk drive using the automated machinery.

75. The method of claim 73, further comprising actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism and thereby unclamping the disk drive transporter from a second disk drive, and wherein removing the disk drive transporter from the second test slot comprises removing the disk drive transporter carrying the second disk drive from the second test slot.

76. The method of claim 75, further comprising actuating the automated machinery and thereby moving the disk drive transporter carrying the second disk drive between the second test slot and the loading station, and

actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism such that the disk drive transporter is clamped to the second disk drive during movements between the second test slot and the loading station.

77. The method of claim 76, further comprising actuating the automated machinery to insert the disk drive transporter and the second disk drive into a disk drive receptacle at the loading station.

78. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

actuating the automated machinery to insert the disk drive transporter into the first test slot; and

then

actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism and thereby clamping the disk drive transporter to the first test slot after the disk drive transporter is inserted into the first test slot.

79. A method of transporting disk drives for testing, the method comprising:

actuating automated machinery and thereby moving a disk drive transporter carrying a first disk drive between a first test slot and a second test slot; and

actuating the automated machinery to operate a clamping mechanism such that the disk drive transporter is clamped to the first disk drive during movement between the first test slot and the second test slot.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism comprises clamping the disk drive transporter to the first disk drive prior to moving the disk drive transporter between the first test slot and the second test slot.

81. The method of claim 79, wherein actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism comprises clamping the disk drive transporter to the first disk drive as the disk drive transporter is being moved between the first test slot and the second test slot.

82. The method of claim 79, wherein moving the disk drive transporter between the first test slot and the second test slot comprises moving the disk drive transporter carrying the first disk drive from the first test slot towards the second test slot.

83. The method of claim 82, further comprising:

actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism and thereby unclamping the disk drive transporter from the first test slot; and

then

actuating the automated machinery to remove the disk drive transporter from the first test slot.

84. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism and thereby unclamping the disk drive transporter from the first disk drive prior to removing the disk drive transporter from the first test slot.

85. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism and thereby unclamping the disk drive transporter from the first disk drive, and then

actuating the automated machinery to insert the disk drive transporter and the first disk drive into the second test slot.

86. The method of claim 85, further comprising actuating the automated machinery to operate the clamping mechanism and thereby clamping the disk drive transporter to the second test slot after the disk drive transporter and the first disk drive are inserted into the second test slot.