Portable disk storage apparatus using flexible cable for shock absorption

A fixed disk storage unit is mounted in a protective outer case, and is supported at one end by a flexible cable which connects a connector of the protective outer case with the fixed disk storage unit in the protective outer case, and supported at the other end by using elastic shock absorbers against the elasticity of the flexible cable. A head/disk enclosure including a rotatable disk and a head actuator of the fixed disk storage unit therein, and an electronic card on which electronic circuits are mounted, are placed abreast on substantially the same plane in the protective outer case, and the head/disk enclosure is supported by the shock absorbers. This construction provides a shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus which is small-sized and whose manufacturing process is simple.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a small disk storage apparatus, and more 
particularly, to a shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus which 
can be removed from a data processing system and carried around. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The disk storage apparatus plays an important role as external storage 
apparatus for storing data and programs in a data processing system such 
as a personal computer. Disk storage apparatus are divided into two types: 
One type is a floppy disk storage apparatus or an optical or 
magneto-optical storage apparatus in which the mediums are exchangeable. 
The other type is a fixed magnetic hard disk storage apparatus in which 
the medium is unexchangeable. The fixed magnetic hard disk storage 
apparatus has a fast rotatable disk medium and a fast movable head 
actuator in an enclosure of which environment is controlled. Therefore, it 
has a large amount of storage and is provided with fast access and the 
high performance of reading and writing operations by using an 
electromechanical servomechanism of high precision. Therefore, in this 
respect, it is superior to a disk storage apparatus in which the medium is 
exchangeable. However, such a fixed magnetic hard disk storage apparatus 
could not be freely exchanged and carried around until recently, because 
it is relatively large-sized and has a mechanical structure of high 
precision which is very vulnerable to shock. 
Currently, however, the so-called 2.5-inch type of fixed magnetic hard disk 
storage, which is about 10 cm.times.7 cm.times.1.3 cm in size, about a 
hundred and several tens grams in weight, and has a storage capacity of 
more than 40M bytes, is on the market, A 1.8-inch type of fixed magnetic 
hard disk storage unit has also appeared which is smaller and lighter than 
the 2.5-inch type and the storage capacity and access time of which are 
much the same as the 2.5-inch type. Under such circumstances, the fixed 
magnetic disk storage apparatus has now become exchangeable and portable. 
On the other hand, as the performance and functions of hardware and 
software of a personal computer, which is a body of a data processing 
system, improve, for example, the appearance of a portable notebook-type 
personal computer, the necessity of storing a large amount of data and 
programs at high speed and the demand for a fixed magnetic disk storage 
apparatus which is small-sized, light, exchangeable, and portable increase 
by degrees. 
Prior art references, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Applications 
(PUPAs) No. 3-137882, No. 1-319194, and No. 62-137761 disclose 
conventional types of exchangeable and portable fixed magnetic hard disk 
storage apparatus. Japanese PUPA No. 3-137882 discloses an exchangeable 
and portable fixed magnetic hard disk storage apparatus, in which a 
head/disk enclosure is elastically supported on a frame body by using a 
vibration-proof rubber damper and an electronic card attached to the 
head/disk enclosure is connected, through a flexible cable, to a 
connector. It also discloses a construction in which the head/disk 
enclosure and the electronic card are detached and arranged so as to be 
overlaid with each other in the frame body and only the head/disk 
enclosure is elastically supported on the frame body by using the 
vibration-proof rubber damper. Japanese PUPAs No. 1-319194 and No. 
62-137761 disclose a construction in which a disk drive body is 
elastically attached to a case and electrically connected to the outside 
through a flexible cable. 
Since a disk storage apparatus includes a mechanical construction of a 
rotatable disk and a head actuator moving on the disk, such a mechanical 
construction may be damaged by shock. Therefore, for a portable disk 
storage apparatus, measures must be taken to absorb shock. Though measures 
to absorb shock are taken in the portable disk storage apparatus disclosed 
in the above Japanese PUPAs of prior art, there are still some problems to 
be solved in respect to absorbing shock as well as to making the portable 
disk storage apparatus small and thin and making its manufacturing and 
assembling process simple, which are other important factors for the 
portable disk storage apparatus. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a construction 
of a shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus which not only has 
measures to absorb shock, but also has the advantages of smallness and 
thinness in size and simplicity in its manufacturing and assembling 
processes. 
In a shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus according to the 
present invention, a fixed disk storage unit is encased in an outer case 
and a connector for electrically connecting to the fixed disk storage unit 
inside of the outer case is provided at one end of the outer case. A 
flexible cable is provided between the connector and the fixed disk 
storage unit. One end of the fixed disk storage unit is supported by the 
flexible cable and the other end of the fixed disk storage unit is 
supported by shock absorbers with elasticity against the elasticity of the 
flexible cable. 
According to such a construction of the present invention, the flexible 
cable is constructed so as to function as a shock absorber and supports 
the fixed disk storage unit at one end of the fixed disk storage unit. 
Therefore, the flexible cable serves not only as a supporting member of 
the fixed disk storage unit, but also as a shock absorber to absorb shock 
given to the fixed disk storage unit, including shock transmitted from the 
connector during connection. Also, according to such a construction of the 
present invention, since only attaching the fixed disk Storage unit to the 
flexible cable is needed to complete the assembling process of the outer 
case and the fixed disk storage unit, it is possible to make the disk 
storage apparatus small and its manufacturing and assembling processes 
simple. 
Moreover, in a shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus according to 
the present invention, in arranging the fixed magnetic disk storage unit 
in the outer case, a head/disk enclosure including a rotatable magnetic 
disk medium and mechanical parts of a head actuator which moves over the 
magnetic disk medium for reading and writing therein, and an electronic 
card on which electronic circuits for controlling the inside of the 
head/disk enclosure are mounted, are placed abreast on substantially the 
same plane in the outer case, and the head/disk enclosure is supported by 
the shock absorbers. 
According to such a construction of the present invention, since the 
head/disk enclosure and the electronic card are placed abreast on 
substantially the same plane in the outer case, it is possible not only to 
take measures to absorb shock but also to make the overall thickness of 
the shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus small.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In the following, an embodiment of the present invention is described by 
reference to drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing exchangeable, 
shockproof, and portable disk storage apparatus 1 according to an 
embodiment of the present invention, and its adapter 8, and a part of host 
data processing system 10 of an embodiment according to the present 
invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal 
construction of shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus 1 of the 
embodiment. 
In FIG. 2, indicated by 2 is a well-known 2.5-inch type of fixed magnetic 
hard disk storage unit including head/disk enclosure 3 and electronic card 
4. Head/disk enclosure 3 includes an unillustrated rotatable magnetic disk 
medium and an unillustrated head actuator which moves over the magnetic 
disk medium for reading and writing. Head/disk enclosure 3 provides a 
particular environment to protect these mechanical parts enclosed therein 
from outer dust or dirt. 
Attached to the bottom of head/disk enclosure 3 so as to be overlaid using 
unillustrated screws and the like is electronic card 4 on which electronic 
circuits for controlling unillustrated parts inside of the enclosure and 
for controlling reading and writing are mounted. Provided to one end of 
electronic card 4 are card connector pins 5, which serve as an interface 
for supplying power from the outside and for sending and receiving 
signals. Fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 is a 2.5-inch type of 
fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit, which is 10 cm.times.7 cm.times.1.3 
cm in size and about a hundred and several tens grams in weight, and has a 
storage capacity of 40M to 80M bytes and an average access time of 19 ms. 
An example of such a 2.5-inch type of fixed magnetic hard disk storage 
unit is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-260500 (Sep. 12th 
1991) assigned to this applicant. 
Indicated by 6 is a protective plastic outer case for encasing fixed 
magnetic hard disk storage unit 2, which is comprised of cover 6a and 
bottom section 6b. Cover 6a and bottom section 6b are connected by 
unillustrated screws. The plastic section forming outer case 6 itself also 
has elasticity and plays a part in absorbing shock toward fixed hard 
magnetic disk storage unit 2 inside outer case 6. Provided at one end of 
bottom section 6b of outer case 6 is connector 7, which is connected to 
connector 9 of adapter 8 shown in FIG. 1. Through adapter 8, fixed 
magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 in outer case 6 is connected to host 
data processing unit 10 such as a personal computer. Connector 7 of outer 
case 6 is connected not only to signal lines, but also to a power line 
from adapter 8, to send or receive signals to or from adapter 8 and supply 
power to fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 in outer case 6. 
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the signal lines and the power line which 
extend from connector 7 into outer case 6 are assembled into belt-shaped 
flexible cable 11. One end of flexible cable 11 is connected to connector 
7. Flexible cable 11 is selected to have predetermined elasticity for the 
purpose described later. The other end of flexible cable 11 is connected 
to card connector pins 5 of electronic card 4 of fixed magnetic hard disk 
storage unit 2 to supply signals and power to electronic card 4 from 
adapter 8. Flexible cable 11 is placed in an inverted U-shape between 
connector 7 of outer case 6 and card connector pins 5 of fixed magnetic 
hard disk storage unit 2 so as to elastically support both ends of fixed 
magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 separated from the inner surface of 
outer case 6 in conjunction with shock absorbers 12 described later. 
Moreover, flexible cable 11 prevents mechanical shock during connection or 
detachment of connector 7 to or from connector 9 the adapter 8, from being 
transmitted directly to fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2. 
Provided to the inside wall opposite the other end of bottom section 6b of 
outer case 6 to connector 7 are two roughly-cylindrical shock absorbers 12 
made of elastic materials. FIG. 4 shows the details of shock absorbers 12, 
in which a concavity is formed in top 12a which is to contact fixed 
magnetic hard disk storage unit 2, a cavity is formed in bottom 12b fixed 
to the outer case, and air hole 12c is formed to communicate the cavity to 
the outside. Shock absorbers 12 are attached, in pairs, to the inside wall 
opposite to connector 7 of bottom section 6b of outer case 6 by adhesive 
tape. Shock absorbers 12 separate both ends of fixed magnetic hard disk 
storage unit 2 from outer case 6 in conjunction with flexible cable 11, 
and elastically support them to absorb shock, thereby preventing 
mechanical structure in head/disk enclosure 3 from damage. Since the 
elasticity of shock absorbers 12 in conjunction with that of flexible 
cable 11 separates both ends of fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 
from outer case 6 and elastically supports them to absorb shock, each 
elasticity is selected to be inversely counterbalanced through fixed 
magnetic hard disk storage unit 2. 
That is, the elasticity of flexible cable 11, when it is placed in outer 
case 6 in an inverted U-shape as shown in FIG. 3, is selected so as not to 
be broken owing to the elasticity of shock absorber 12 and the weight of 
fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 or not to break shock absorbers 12 
in conjunction with the weight of fixed hard magnetic disk storage unit 2. 
In addition to shock absorbers 12, shock absorbers 13 are provided to the 
bottom surface of bottom section 6b of outer case 6, the inner surface of 
the both sides to which connector 7 is not fixed, and the inner surface of 
cover 6a. Therefore, fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 is 
elastically supported and separated from the four inner surfaces of outer 
case 6 in outer case 6. Shock absorbers 13 may be of the same structure as 
shock absorbers 12. Fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 is thus 
supported, by the top sections of shock absorbers 12 and 13 and flexible 
cable 11, in a state in which it floats and is separated from the inner 
surfaces of outer case 6 in outer case 6. 
In the assembly process of shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus 1 
of the embodiment, the steps for integrally assembling outer case 6 and 
fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 are as follows: first, card 
connector pins 5 of electronic card 4 of fixed magnetic hard disk storage 
unit 2 are connected to the other end of flexible cable 11 which extends 
into bottom section 6b of outer case 6; secondly, fixed magnetic hard disk 
storage unit 2 itself is placed on shock absorbers 12 and 13 implanted 
into the inside walls of bottom section 6b of outer case 6; and finally, 
cover 6a and bottom section 6b of outer case 6 are connected by 
unillustrated screws. Thus, the assembly process becomes remarkably 
simple. Further, since fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 is 
positioned on shock absorbers 12 and 13 during the assembly process, it is 
possible to minimize vibration and shock transmitted to fixed magnetic 
hard disk storage unit 2 during the assembly process. Still further, since 
fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 elastically contacts shock 
absorbers 12 and 13 and flexible cable 11 and is supported, without being 
fixed in six directions in outer case 6, it is easy to remove fixed 
magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 from outer case 6 and exchange it. 
In shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus 1 of the embodiment, 
shock from the outside is first absorbed through the elasticity of outer 
case 6 and then absorbed by shock absorbers 12 and 13 and flexible cable 
11, and thereby shockproof performance increases both during non-operation 
and during operation. Such shockproof construction is essential to a 
portable fixed magnetic hard disk storage apparatus. 
Moreover, small window 6c provided in outer case 6 may be provided with a 
light-emitting diode (LED), which indicates the running condition of fixed 
magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 to a user so as to prevent connector 7 
from being carelessly removed. A section of outer case 6 may be provided 
with protrusion 6d as a hold used to connect and detach both connectors 7 
and 9 from each other. 
In shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus 1 of the embodiment, 
since flexible cable 11 and shock absorbers 12 facing it elastically 
support both ends of fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 and absorb 
shock, it is possible to make the entire outer case 6 thin. That is, the 
overall size of outer case 6 is about 12.4 cm.times.8.6 cm.times. 2.5 cm, 
which means that it is only about 2.4 cm in length, about 1.6 cm in width, 
and about 1.2 cm in height larger than 2.5-inch type fixed magnetic hard 
disk storage unit 2. Therefore, the present invention has also the 
advantage of the miniaturization of shockproof and portable disk storage 
apparatus 1. Besides, the total weight of shockproof and portable disk 
storage apparatus 1 is only two hundred and several tens grams. 
FIG. 5 is another figure showing the present invention. In the present 
invention, head/disk enclosure 3 and electronic card 4 on which 
controlling electronic circuits are mounted, which compose fixed magnetic 
hard disk storage unit 2, are placed abreast on substantially the same 
plane in outer case 6. Fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 shown in 
FIG. 5 may be, for example, a 1.8- or 1.3-inch type fixed magnetic hard 
disk storage unit, and head/disk enclosure 3 encasing a magnetic disk 
medium and a head actuator may be a smaller one than in a 2.5-inch type. 
Therefore, even if electronic card 4 is placed abreast, it is possible to 
make the size of outer case 6 of shockproof and portable disk storage 
apparatus 1 substantially the same in length and width as the 2.5-inch 
type. On the other hand, the size of connector 7 attached to one end of 
outer case 6 should remain unchanged to maintain connectability with 
adapter 8 even if the size of the fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 
inside the outer case is changed. Therefore, even if the size of outer 
case 6 is changed as shown in FIG. 6, connector 7 of outer case 6 should 
be the same size. 
As shown in FIG. 5, if electronic card 4 and head/disk enclosure 3 are 
placed abreast in outer case 6, it is possible to make the thickness of 
outer case 6 small. Electronic card 4 is connected directly with connector 
7 and attached direct to outer case 6. Even in this way, electronic card 4 
is strong enough for shock because only electronic parts are mounted on 
it. On the other hand, head/disk enclosure 3 is attached in outer case 6 
in such a way as to be separated from outer case 6 through shock absorbers 
13. Head/disk enclosure 3 and electronic card 4 are connected through 
flexible cable 14 so that shock may not be transmitted from electronic 
card 4 to head/disk enclosure 3 during connection. Therefore, head/disk 
enclosure 3 is supported by shock absorbers 13 and flexible cable 14 in a 
state such that it floats and is separated from outer case 6. If head/disk 
enclosure 3 is detached from electronic card 4 in this way, the property 
of absorbing shock is remarkably improved because shock absorbers 13 have 
only to support the weight of head/disk enclosure 3. 
Referring to FIG. 1, indicated by 8 is an adapter to which above-mentioned 
shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus 1 according to the present 
invention is connected through connector 9. The other end 8a of adapter 8 
is connected to host data processing unit 10 such as a personal computer. 
Adapter 8 can perform the following functions in addition to serving as a 
relay device for supplying power to and sending or receiving signals to or 
from above-mentioned shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus 1. 
Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, formed in both ends of connector 7 of outer 
case 6 of shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus 1 are sections 7a 
which engage with latches 16 of latch mechanism 15 of adapter 8. When 
adapter 8 and shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus 1 are 
connected, latches 16 of adapter 8 are engaged with sections 7a at both 
ends of connector 7. To detach them, release button 17 of adapter 8 must 
be pushed to open latches 16 and release the engagement with sections 7a 
at both ends of connector 7. This prevents connector 7 from being 
carelessly detached from connector 9 of adapter 8 during operation of 
shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus 1 and prevents destruction 
of data stored on a disk medium of fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 
2. Further, provided to release button 17 of adapter 8 is switch 18 
through which a power line from adapter 8 to connector 7 is disconnected 
by pushing release button 17 of adapter 8. Therefore, when release button 
17 is pushed, fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 in outer case 6 
which is connected to connector 7 detects that power is off and 
immediately begins a power-off sequence. 
Therefore, as soon as release button 17 is carelessly pushed during 
operation of fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2, it is turned off and 
begins a power-off sequence so as to preserve a record of its state, so 
that it is possible to maintain the integrity of data stored on the disk 
medium. Further, power switch 19 may be provided to connector 9 on the 
side of adapter 8 which engages with connector 7 to put a power line from 
adapter 8 to fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 in a disconnect state 
unless both connectors 7 and 9 engage with each other. As shown in FIG. 9, 
in adapter 8, power switch 19 of connector 9 and power switch 18 for 
release button 17 may be connected in series so that power line 20 cannot 
be connected to fixed magnetic hard disk storage unit 2 until both 
switches are closed, and so that power may be supplied from power line 20 
only when both connectors 7 and 9 engage with each other and release 
button 17 has not been pushed. Thereby the integrity of data in disk 
storage apparatus 1 may be preserved. 
Referring now to FIG. 1, adapter 8 may include a memory in which a basic 
input/output system (BIOS) is stored for disk storage apparatus 1, so as 
to be able to make use of disk storage apparatus 1 immediately if only 
adapter 8 is connected directly to host personal computer 10. This allows 
personal computer 10 to make use of disk storage apparatus 1 connected to 
adapter 8 without using the basic input/output system of persona computer 
10, and therefore has the advantage that a user can make use of disk 
storage apparatus 1 at once without rewriting every CONFIG.SYS of the 
operating system of host personal computer 10. 
Further, adapter 8 may include a memory in which a diagnostic program is 
stored, and include light-emitting diode (LED) 8b, a buzzer or the like so 
as to inform a user of a state of the disk storage apparatus 1 connected 
to adapter 8. Such a measure is taken for the reason that adapter 8 itself 
needs to, for example, diagnose a failure in disk storage apparatus 1 
unless the basic input/output system of host 10 is used. 
Still further, adapter 8 may have a function for automatically detecting 
the specification of an interface to disk storage apparatus 1 connected to 
adapter 8 and that of an interface to the host, that is, personal computer 
10, to which adapter 8 is connected and a function for converting 
different interface designs, so that disk storage apparatus 1 with an 
interface design may be connected to the host, that is, personal computer 
10, with a different interface design. For example, if disk storage 
apparatus 1 has a SCSI interface and host personal computer 10 has an AT 
interface, adapter 8 may have a function for converting different 
interface designs so that disk storage apparatus 1 with the SCSI interface 
may be connected to personal computer 10 with the AT interface. 
Further, adapter 8 may include a power function which allows disk storage 
apparatus 1 to be connected thereto without affecting power supplied to a 
host, that is, a personal computer. In this case, unillustrated power 
terminals and power switch 8c are provided to adapter 8. 
According to the construction of the present invention, a flexible cable 
supports one end of a fixed disk storage unit. Therefore, the flexible 
cable serves not only as a supporting member for the fixed disk storage 
unit, but also as a shock absorber to absorb shock, including shock 
transmitted from a connector during connection. Therefore, it is possible 
to make a shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus small and its 
manufacturing and assembling processes simple. 
Further, in the shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus according to 
the present invention, a head/disk enclosure including mechanical parts 
therein, and an electronic card on which electronic circuits for 
controlling the inside of the head/disk enclosure are mounted, are placed 
abreast on substantially the same plane in an outer case, and the 
head/disk enclosure is supported by the shock absorbers in the outer case. 
Therefore, it is possible not only to take measures to absorb shock for 
the shockproof and portable disk storage apparatus, but also to make its 
overall thickness small.