Method of mounting magnetic disk device, cabinet for magnetic disk device, and magnetic disk device

• US 6,967,813 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2001
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Japan Limited (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Japan Limited (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Hanada, Kazuyoshi, Nakamura, Shigeo
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Tianjie
• Application Number:
  US10/433,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20040037001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,450 Days
• Field of Search: 360/97.01, 360/97.02, 361/685, 720/609
• US Class Current: 360/97.01
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/08 Insulation or absorption of undesired vibrations or sounds
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/124 of the single recording/reproducing device, e.g. disk drive, onto a chassis
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/1406 Reducing the influence of the temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/144 by detection, control, regulation of the temperature

Abstract

The invention relates to the construction of an in-vehicle magnetic disk drive and a case for holding the in-vehicle magnetic disk drive. The in-vehicle magnetic disk drive must meet a condition peculiar thereto requiring normal operations under severe temperature conditions. An environment of an excessively low temperature disturbs a normal information recording operation, while an environment of an excessively high temperature makes the retention of recorded information impossible. The case is provided with a cold insulator, a heat insulator, a heat insulating material and a temperature sensor and is set in a specific position. The operation of the magnetic disk drive at temperatures outside a predetermined temperature range is inhibited.

Claims

1. A magnetic disk drive holding method of mounting a magnetic disk drive contained in a case and including rotating magnetic disks, magnetic heads for writing or reading information to or from the magnetic disks, and a carriage for moving the magnetic heads on the magnetic disks on a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

holding the magnetic disk drive such that the moving directions of the carriage of the magnetic disk drive coincide with a vertical direction relative to the vehicle;

holding the magnetic disks such that the surfaces of the magnetic disks are parallel to a lateral direction relative to the vehicle,

forming an opening in the case; and

disposing the case near an air vent of an air conditioner included in the vehicle.

2. The magnetic disk drive holding method according to claim 1, wherein the case is provided with a cold insulator for keeping the magnetic disk drive cool or a heat insulator for keeping the magnetic disk drive warm.

3. The magnetic disk drive holding method according to claim 1, wherein a heater is provided between the disk drive and the case.

4. The magnetic disk drive holding method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the case,

providing a cable for connecting the temperature sensor electrically to an electronic device which performs a predetermined process on the basis of an electric signal provided by the temperature sensor,

sending a notice from said electronic device to said magnetic disk drive if a temperature measured by the temperature sensor is above the upper limit or below the lower limit of a temperature range determined by the normal operation of the magnetic disk drive and,

inhibiting connection to a power supply or issuing a warning on the basis of the notice.

5. The magnetic disk drive holding method according to claim 2, wherein the cold insulator or the heat insulator serves also as a shock absorber.