RF ID tag attachment to a disc drive

• US 6,462,661 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2001
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC (Seagate Technology Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC (Seagate Technology Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: King, David R., Pfeiffer, Michael W., Goodrich, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/893,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20020060629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.8, 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.4, 340/825.3, 340/825.54
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag

Abstract

An apparatus and associated method for attaching an RFID tag to a disc drive housing. An RFID tag attaches to a tag housing that includes a post extending outwardly from the tag housing. A post hole in the disc drive housing receives the post. The post is removably retained in the post hole with resilient material. The RFID tag is spaced away from the disc drive housing. Useful for recording completion of production processes in a clean room environment.

Claims

1. A method of attaching an RFID tag to a disc drive, comprising:

providing an RFID tag attached to a housing that includes a post extending outwardly from the housing;

providing a post hole in the disc drive housing; and

removably retaining the post in the post hole with a resilient material interposed therebetween such that the RFID tag is spaced away from the disc drive.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

supporting the resilient material in a groove formed in the post.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

forming the post hole in a generally triangular shape; and

forming the post in a generally round shape.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

forming the post hole in a generally round shape;

forming the post in a generally round shape; and

providing a longitudinal passage through the post.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

forming the post hole in a generally round shape;

forming the post in a generally round shape; and

providing a vent hole passing through the disc drive housing.

6. An RFID tag assembly, comprising:

an RFID tag;

a housing attached to the RFID tag and including a post extending outwardly from the housing, the post shaped to fit in a post hole in a disc drive housing and space the RFID tag away from the disc drive housing; and

a resilient material disposed on the post and adapted to frictionally retain the post in the post hole.

7. The RFID tag assembly of claim 6 wherein the post includes a groove and the resilient material comprises an 0 ring receivingly engaged in the groove.

8. The RFID tag assembly of claim 7 wherein the post is adapted to fit in a round post hole and the housing includes a vent extending through the post.

9. The RFID tag assembly of claim 6 wherein the post has a generally round cylindrical shape and the resilient material comprises a sleeve attached to the post.

10. The RFID tag assembly of claim 9 wherein the sleeve includes outer ribs adapted to engage the post hole.

11. The RFID tag of claim 6 wherein the resilient material comprises a clip.

12. The RFID tag of claim 6 wherein the resilient material is integral with the post, the post further comprising a longitudinal groove.

13. The RFID tag of claim 6 wherein the resilient material comprises a garter spring.

14. A disc drive, comprising:

a disc and a read/write head; and

a disc drive housing including a post hole adapted to receive a post of an RFID tag assembly;

an RFID tag;

a housing attached to the RFID tag and including a post extending outwardly from the housing, the post being disposed in the post hole;

a resilient material disposed on the post and retaining the RFID tag assembly in the post hole.