Modular electronic storage unit

• US 7,281,936 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2006
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Stirret, Prakash R., Reents, Jeffery M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli; Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US11/328,234
• Publication Number:
  US 20060148295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 439247-248, 439/378, 439/680, 439/559, 439/341, 439/535, 439/911, 200/50.12, 340/693.9, 361/616, 361/641, 361/679, 361/724
• US Class Current: 439/248
• 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. The electronic storage unit rotational with a base and having an electrical interconnect with flexible seal between the interconnect and housing and surrounding the 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. The electronic storage unit rotational with a base and having an electrical interconnect with asymmetrical guideposts and a flex seal surrounding the interconnect and between 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. The electronic storage unit radially attached to a base and having a flex seal between the interconnect and housing and also having asymmetrical guideposts with the interconnect protruding the housing.

16. The flexible interconnect member of claim 15, 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.

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