U.S. patent application number 10/968830 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for hard drive test fixture.
Invention is credited to Sands, Richard, Wanek, Donald J..
Application Number | 20050116702 10/968830 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23099923 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050116702 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wanek, Donald J. ; et
al. |
June 2, 2005 |
Hard drive test fixture
Abstract
The present invention is a hard drive test fixture for
supporting a hard drive during quality control testing. The test
fixture includes a pan having a base. Rails are attached to the
base of the pan for providing structural support to the pan and for
positioning of the hard drive. A connection card is removably
attached to the rails and is adapted for connection to the hard
drive. The test fixture includes an ejection rod for facilitating
removal of the hard drive from the test fixture.
Inventors: |
Wanek, Donald J.;
(Rochester, MN) ; Sands, Richard; (Rochester,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Sean D. Solberg, Esq.
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
Intellectual Property Department
50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1500
Minneapolis
MN
55402-1498
US
|
Family ID: |
23099923 |
Appl. No.: |
10/968830 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10968830 |
Oct 19, 2004 |
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10125653 |
Apr 18, 2002 |
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6806700 |
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60286732 |
Apr 25, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
324/750.03 ;
324/750.14; 324/756.01; 73/865.9; G9B/33.003; G9B/33.027 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/022 20130101;
G11B 33/121 20130101; G11B 33/128 20130101; G11B 33/125 20130101;
H05K 7/1411 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
324/158.1 ;
073/865.9 |
International
Class: |
G01R 001/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A hard drive test fixture comprising: a pan; a test card coupled
to the pan; a bearing surface for guiding a hard drive to the test
card; and an ejection mechanism.
2. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the bearing surface includes a
plurality of rollers coupled to the pan.
3. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the bearing surface includes a
rail connected to the pan.
4. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the bearing surface includes a
roller disposed within a recess in the rail.
5. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the bearing surface includes a
pressure roller coupled to the pan, the pressure roller being
relatively compressible.
6. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the pan includes a plurality of
airflow holes, and wherein a plurality of rails are connected on
the pan to define a plurality of testing surfaces.
7. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the bearing surface includes a
first bearing surface and a second bearing surface, and wherein
each bearing surface guides a different sized hard drive to the
test card.
8. A testing fixture for an environmental chamber comprising: a pan
adapted to be inserted within the environmental chamber; a
plurality of rails connected to the pan; a test card located by a
pair of rails; and an ejection mechanism.
9. The fixture of claim 8, wherein a roller is disposed within a
recess in each rail.
10. The fixture of claim 8, wherein the ejection mechanism includes
a rod having a secured portion that is selectably extendable
through an aperture in the test card.
11. The fixture of claim 8, wherein the test card includes an
interface to a hard drive.
12. The fixture of claim 8, and further comprising an indicator
mechanism to indicate proper insertion of a hard drive.
13. An environmental testing chamber comprising: a frame; a pan
received by the frame; a plurality of rails connected to the pan; a
plurality of rollers disposed within a recess in the rail; a test
card located between a pair of rails; and a hard drive ejection
mechanism coupled to the pan.
14. The environmental chamber of claim 13, and further comprising a
temperature control.
15. The environmental chamber of claim 13, and further comprising
an airflow mechanism.
16. The environmental chamber of claim 15, wherein the airflow
mechanism includes a plurality of blowers.
17. The environmental chamber of claim 15, and further comprising a
humidity control.
18. A hard drive test fixture for accommodating hard drives of
multiple sizes, comprising: a pan; a test card coupled to the pan;
a first bearing surface coupled to the pan; and a second bearing
surfaced coupled to the pan; wherein the first and second bearing
surface each guide a hard drive of a different size to the test
card.
19. The fixture of claim 18, and further comprising an ejection
mechanism capable of ejecting disk drives of varying sizes.
20. The fixture of claim 19, wherein the ejection mechanism
includes a rod extending through the test card and a plate
extending through the card, the plate coupled to the rod.
21. The fixture of claim 18, wherein the first and second bearing
surfaces are defined by an L-shaped portion of a rail.
22. The fixture of claim 21, and further comprising an insert
connected to a bearing surface for accommodating a hard drive of a
specific size.
23. The fixture of claim 20, wherein the first and second bearing
surface each includes a roller partially protruding from a recess
in the rail.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional No.
60/286,732, dated Apr. 25, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an environmental
chamber for testing hard drives. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a fixture for securing and testing a hard
drive while in an environmental chamber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Computer hard drives are generally subjected to a "burn-in"
testing procedure conducted in an environmentally controlled test
chamber. These chambers are designed to isolate the drive from
vibrations, from temperature changes, and from humidity changes so
that the drive manufacturer can obtain accurate performance test
results.
[0004] Computer hard drives are also usually subjected to thermal
testing or environmental conditioning testing during the design and
prototyping phases of the manufacturing process. This testing, also
known as "final verification" testing, is also typically conducted
in large environmental test chambers. During these tests, it is
desirable to have controlled and stabilized air temperature and
airflow rate around the devices under test. The test temperature
and airflow rate are selected by the manufacturer to simulate the
thermal stress range of conditions that the device under test is
realistically expected to experience in its useful life.
Alternatively, the test temperature and airflow may be selected to
include some multiple of the worst expected conditions. These tests
can provide a valuable tool to verify product quality and
reliability and to assure that the hard drives meet industry
standards.
[0005] Typical hard drive test fixtures in the prior art are
precision machined to close tolerance, making them relatively
expensive to fabricate. Furthermore, prior art test fixtures are
typically built to handle only one type of hard drive.
Consequently, there is a need in the art for a low-cost hard drive
test fixture, and for a fixture which is adaptable to accommodate
disk drives of varying sizes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention is a test fixture for
supporting a hard drive during testing. The test fixture can be
used to store hard drives undergoing testing, and can be adapted
for insertion into an environmental testing chamber. The test
fixture includes a pan, a test card coupled to the pan, and a
bearing surface for guiding a hard drive to the test card.
[0007] In one embodiment, rails are attached to the base of the pan
for providing structural support to the pan and to provide a
bearing surface for positioning of the hard drive. A connection
card is located in place between the rails and is adapted for
connection to the hard drive. The test fixture also includes an
ejection rod for facilitating removal of the hard drive from the
test fixture.
[0008] In an alternate embodiment, the test fixture includes a pan,
a test card coupled to the pan, a first bearing surface coupled to
the pan, and a second bearing surfaced coupled to the pan. The
first and second bearing are each adapted to guide a hard drive of
a particular size to the test card. In this configuration, the test
fixture is easily adapted to test hard drives of varying sizes.
[0009] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein
is shown and described only the embodiments of the invention, by
way of illustration, of the best modes contemplated for carrying
out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly,
the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A is a top view of a hard drive test fixture,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 1B is an elevated rear view of a hard drive test
fixture, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a hard drive test fixture,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2B is an elevated side view of a hard drive test
fixture, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an elevated front view of a roller of the hard
drive test fixture of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0015] FIG. 4a shows an elevated rear view of an array of hard
drive test assemblies.
[0016] FIG. 4b is an overhead planar view of a hard drive test
assembly engaged to a shelf of an environmental test chamber.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a hard drive used in
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6a shows a sectional view of a hard drive test assembly
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6b shows a sectional view of a rail according to a
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6c shows a sectional view of a hard drive test assembly
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 6d shows an overhead planar view of an ejection
plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1A, the present invention is a test fixture
10 specially adapted to support a hard drive during testing and to
interface thereto. The subject invention is especially suited for
use within an environmental chamber, but is easily adapted to
cooperate with racks or storage cabinets that are generally known
in the art.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in one embodiment, a pan 12
forms the "backbone" of the fixture 10. Preferably, the pan 12 is
fabricated from nonmagnetic stainless steel. Two bends 15 extend
longitudinally along the pan stiffening the pan 12. Airflow holes
11 are punched in the pan 12 in a pattern generated to maximize the
flow of air through and around the inserted hard disk drive 16
(shown by dashed lines in FIGS. 2A and 2B), while maintaining
adequate stiffness to provide rigidity.
[0024] Connected to the pan 12 is a bearing surface which serves to
guide a hard drive 16 during insertion into the fixture 10, and to
locate the hard drive 16 during testing. FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B
show one embodiment, wherein the bearing surface includes a
plurality of rails in cooperation with a plurality of rollers. It
can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that the bearing
surface can also be comprised of other structural components or
comprised of multiple structural components working in cooperation
to guide and locate a hard drive 16 within the fixture 10.
[0025] Screws 10 are positioned to fix the locations of the rails
18 on the pan 12. In the preferred embodiment, the rails 18 are
positioned by two screws and two dowel pins, with the dowel pins
determining the position on the pan 12. The rails 18 are fabricated
preferably from a dissipative plastic material, for example (RTP
387 TFE 10) carbon fiber filler PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)
lubricated polycarbonate, available from RTP Imagineering of
Winona, Minn.
[0026] Preferably, each rail 18 is identical, thereby reducing
manufacturing costs. In one embodiment, the rails are generally
T-shaped and are positioned so that a testing sight is defined
between two rails. The rails define generally orthogonal first 24
and second 26 surfaces which support and guide a hard disk drive 16
as it is inserted within the fixture 10. Each rail 18 also includes
a slot 20 for locating and supporting a test card 22. The rail 18
also has a plurality of recesses 28 wherein a roller is
disposed.
[0027] The rollers cooperate with the rail 18 to guide and locate a
hard drive 16. In one embodiment, two types of rollers, idler
rollers 30 and pressure rollers 32, are used. FIG. 3 shows an
elevated view of a pressure roller 6. The sleeve 36 for the
pressure rollers 32 is fabricated from a rather low durometer
hardness material, such as a neoprene or urethane, for example. The
pressure rollers 32 protrude slightly from the rail 18. The
pressure rollers 32 protrude approximately 0.060 inch from the
surface of the rail 18, and it is capable of compressing about
0.030 inch. Alternatively, the pressure roller 32 can also be
spring biased.
[0028] The idler roller 30 includes a brass core 34. The sleeve 36
of the idler rollers 30 is pressed on or glued to the core and is
fabricated from a hard plastic such as POMOLUX or stainless steel.
The idler rollers 30 protrude slightly from the rail 18. In one
embodiment, the idler rollers 30 protrude approximately 0.030 inch
from the right (as shown in FIG. 2A) vertical face of the rail
18.
[0029] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the test
card 22 is disposed in between a pair of rails 18 and is adapted to
slip into the slot 20 in a loose fit manner. In one embodiment, the
test card 22 has about 0.015-0.030 inches of play parallel to the
surface of the pan 12. This limits the vertical excursions
permitted for the test card 22. The test card 22 includes an
interface which couples to a hard disk under test, and enables the
test card to communicate with the hard disk. The test card also
communicates with a hard disk testing device (not shown). As can be
readily appreciated by one skilled in the art, the test card is
typically custom fabricated to interface with the specific hard
disk drive 16 undergoing testing. Consequently, a number of
different test cards can be used in conjunction with the subject
invention. The test card is slidably removable from the rails so
that it is easily replaced by a different test card.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, in one embodiment, the fixture
10 includes an ejection mechanism to disconnect a hard disk drive
16 from the interface on the test card 22 and to partially expel
the hard disk drive 16 from the fixture 10. The ejection mechanism
includes an ejector rod 38. The ejector rod 38 extends laterally
across the pan and engages guide holes 43 located on bends 15. The
ejector rod 38 has a back end 40 located adjacent to the test card
22. The back end 40 is shaped to enable a portion thereof to extend
through the test card 22 to contact a hard disk 16 attached
thereto. The test card 22 is provided with a hole in an appropriate
location to allow the back end 40 to travel therethrough. A rubber
bumper 42 is connected to the back end 40 for contacting a disk
drive. The bumper 42 is made of a material such as a soft urethane
that will not mar the drive as it is pulled against it to disengage
the drive from the test card 22.
[0031] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4b, the physical
position of the drive is controlled by the first 24 and second
surface 26 of the rail 18, the bumper 42, the test card 22, the
idler rollers 30 and pressure rollers 32. The rollers 30, 32
contact the hard disk drive 16 sides generally at the ANSI standard
location of the mounting screw holes 23. FIG. 5 shows a perspective
view of a hard drive 36, having mounting screw holes 23. The hard
disk drive 16 is inserted into the feature and is guided to the
test card, enabling the test card 22 to interface with the hard
disk drive 16. After a hard drive is successfully interfaced with
the test card, a testing circuit is completed allowing LED 7 to
light up.
[0032] FIG. 4a shows an array of the hard drive test fixture 10,
according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 4a, the pan 12 accommodates five hard disk drives
longitudinally thereon, and is stacked twelve pans high in a frame,
to create an array of sixty drives. The sixty-drive array so
constructed would occupy a box about 2.times.2.times.2 feet. An
array is constructed incorporating front and rear "angle iron"
frames 44 that define the perimeter of their respective locations.
Side panels 46 are attached to the frames 44 by several screws.
[0033] In one embodiment, each of the pans 12 is extended to
accommodate five hard disk drives 16 and secured to the proper
location on the side panels 46 by screws. The rear panel 48 is
secured to the rear frame 44 by the same screws that hold the side
panel 46. The rear panel 48 is fabricated to carry the appropriate
interconnections to the outside, fans, devices for heating or
cooling, and whatever equipment a test box or an environmental
chamber requires to execute its desired functions. The basic
building blocks for testing sixty drives can easily be stacked
together to build testers of 120, 180, 240, 360, or greater, drive
capacity by simply constructing a mounting framework 44.
[0034] FIGS. 6a and 6b, shows one embodiment of the subject
invention where the subject fixture 50 is configurable to
accommodate disk drives of varying sizes. As shown in FIG. 6, a
third surface 52 of the rail 18 can be utilized as a bearing
surface for guiding smaller hard disk drives. Additionally, inserts
53 can be attached to the rail 18 so that the testing area can be
made to accommodate disk drives of varying sizes.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 6c and 6d, the ejection mechanism can also
accommodate hard disk drives of varying sizes. An ejection plate 54
is coupled to the back end 40 of the ejector rod 38. The ejection
plate 54 travels through the test card 22 along a slot 56 extending
through the testing card 22. Activation of the ejector rod 38 would
also activate the ejection plate, the ejection plate 54 contacting
the disk drive 16 and causing it to disengage with the test card
22.
[0036] While the present invention has been described with
reference to several embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art
will recognize various changes that may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly,
this invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and
described in the specification but only as indicated in the
appended claims. Any numbering or ordering of elements in the
following claims is merely for convenience and is not intended to
suggest that the ordering of the elements of the claims has any
particular significance other than that otherwise expressed by the
language of the claim.
* * * * *