EXTERNAL DATA STORAGE DRIVE FOR COMPUTER

Abstract: An external hard drive comprises a linking member (2) which is hinged at each end to a PC (PCMCIA) card (3) and the body portion (1) of the hard drive to enable the card to be inserted within PC (PCMCIA) slots of laptop computers (7) at different heights. Electrical connections are formed by a flexible printed circuit board extending through a bore in the linking member (2).

Description: EXTERNAL DATA STORAGE DRIVE FOR COMPUTER The present invention relates to a portable external data drive for a computer. With the rapidly increasing demand for data storage capacity for computers, a need has arisen for high capacity external hard disc drives (and other external data storage drives such as CD-ROM drives and magneto-optical drives for example) to supplement the limited internal storage capacity of computers (particularly lap-top computers). Computers produced e.g. only a year ago typically do not have a hard disc capacity of greater than a few hundred MB whereas hard drives are currently in demand (and are produced) with a capacity of several GB. It is desirable for the size of an external hard drive to be as small as possible, and high capacity IDE hard drives (e.g. 6 GB or more) are currently available in a 63.5 mm (2V2") size. However the connector as well as the cable required to link the hard drive to the computer add to the bulk of the assembly which is particularly disadvantageous when it is intended to be used with a laptop computer. WO 95/ 18475 discloses a portable external data drive for a computer comprising an electronic card for insertion into a slot of the computer and a connector between the body of the external data drive and the card. The invention provides a portable external data drive as summarised above, characterised in that the connector comprises at least one hinge linking the electronic card and the body of the external data drive. In the arrangement disclosed in WO 92/ 11628 the connector is a ribbon cable. The card is suitably a PC (PCMCIA) card arranged to fit into a standard PC (PCMCIA) slot for example. Preferably the electronic card can be folded back against the body of the external data drive when not in use. This feature serves to protect the card and to make the assembly more compact. Preferably the connector comprises an intermediate linking member which is connected at respective hinges to the electronic card and the body of the external date drive. This feature enables the drive to be connected to computers having PC slots at different heights, as will subsequently be described and illustrated. Other preferred features are defined in the dependent claims. A preferred embodiment is described below by way of example only with reference to Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a sketch perspective view of an external hard drive in accordance with the invention, with the card in the extended configuration; Figure 2 is a sketch perspective view of the hard drive of Figure 1 with the card folded beneath the base; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic longitudinal cross-section through the drive of Figures 1 and 2 showing the folded printed circuit board; Figure 4 is a sketch perspective view showing the hard drive of Figure 1 in a disassembled condition; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the drive of figure 1 connected to a laptop computer; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the hard drive connected to a different laptop computer with a PC slot in a lower position; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the hard drive of Figure 1 connected to a laptop computer in a suspended fashion; Figure 8 is an underneath plan view of the hard drive of Figure 1 showing the card in the extended configuration (the folded configuration being shown in phantom), and Figures 9A to 9C are a circuit diagram showing the PC and parallel port connectors, disc drive and associated circuitry. Referring to Figure 1 , the hard drive comprises a body portion 1 having an intermediate linking member 2 pivoted about axis Al near a short edge of its upper surface which carries a PC (PCMCIA) card 3 which is pivotally supported about axis A2 near the free end of member 2. An IDE 63 mm (2V2") hard drive mechanism (not shown) in body portion 1 is connected via a flexible printed circuit board to a standard connector (not shown) at the free end of card 3. The printed circuit board 5 extends through a rectangular bore formed in linking member 2 as shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, linking member 2 is pivotally mounted between ears 4 of body portion 1 (such that axes Al and Al' are coincident) by e.g. mutually engaging axial projections and recesses (not shown) and a pivot portion 6 at one end of card 3 is similarly mounted between ears of linking member 2 such that axes A2 and A2' are coincident. The length of printed circuit board 5 is exaggerated in Figure 4 for the sake of clarity. The portion extending through member 2 is free of components and simply comprises flexible conductor tracks formed on the flexible substrate of the circuit board. Thus a rigid hinge (in this embodiment having two hinge axes although it could have one hinge axis in other embodiments) links the card to the body of the external drive. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the card 3 and linking member 2 can be folded underneath the base of body portion 1 by swinging in the direction of arrow 18. Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, it can be seen that the linking member 2 allows card 3 to remain horizontal at different heights and hence to be slotted into PC (PMCIA) slots 9 of different heights in a laptop computer 7. The laptop computer is shown in front elevation, i.e. facing the screen 8. Both laptop and hard drive are supported on a surface 11. The hard drive also incorporates a connector 20 for connection to a parallel port. Referring to Figure 7, the hard drive is sufficiently light and compact to be suspended vertically from its card 3 and linking member 2. This configuration saves space if surface 11 is of restricted width. Figure 8 shows a recess 10 formed in the underside of the body 1 of the hard drive. Card 3 can be swivelled about axis A2 and linking member 2 can be swivelled about axis Al to bring card 3 against the floor of the recess with its free end not quite reaching tabs 12 formed at the inner end of the mouth of the recess. Liiiking member 2 can then be swivelled further about axis Al to move card 3 in the direction of arrow 14 to bring its end between the tabs 12 and the floor of recess 10. In this configuration (shown in phantom) the card is resiliently and releasably held in position. The assembly can be unfolded by the reverse procedure. It will be noted that the recess 10 incorporates a cut-out portion 13 at its inner end to allow finger access to the end of the card 3 in the folded position. Additionally the sides of the body 1 have a wavy profile in plan view to allow easy gripping. Referring to Figures 9A to 9C, the hard disc drive unit 16 may be connected to a host computer via either PC (PCMCIA) adapter card 3 or a parallel port and to a hard drive adapter cable using a DB 44 connector 20. The PC (PCMCIA) card is permanently connected to the unit even when it is not being used whereas the parallel port cable is only connected when it is required. The unit is not intended to be simultaneously connected to two computers using both means of connection. Power to the unit may be derived from either the PCMCIA card or via a 1.3 mm power socket 21. When the power socket is being used the power may come from an external battery pack or mains power supply, or from a host computer using a keyboard adapter cable (not shown). The unit will choose the appropriate source of power for itself. As the PCMCIA card 3 is permanently connected to the unit, circuitry has to be incorporated to isolate this card from the drive when it is not being used. This is done by ICs 1 to 7. These are Maxim MAX 392 or equivalent solid state analog switches. When the PCMCIA card 3 is powered up the RESET/ +5V line goes high. The switches detect this via resistor R2, and go into the low impedance ON state. When this power is removed the switch line is pulled low by resistor R3 and the switches return to the high impedance OFF state, thereby isolating the drive from the PCMCIA card. Similar circuitry is not required for the DB 44 parallel port adapter 20, as when this is not in use it is not physically connected. Power is derived from either the PCMCIA card 3 or from 1.3 mm power socket 21 (centre negative). Power from either source is connected via high current, low voltage drop Shottky diodes, D2 and D3. Power for the 1.3 mm socket may be derived from a keyboard adapter cable or an external mains or battery pack power supply. This power supply is specified at 5.3V 1 Amp DC. The Shottky diodes fulfil several functions: • They provide power supply reverse polarity connection. • They prevent the PCMCIA adapter card from being powered by the disc drive unit when it is not in use. • They allow proper operation of the analog switches mentioned above. • They allow a smooth change over of power supply connection from the PCMCIA card to the external power supply, when they are being used together. In this case, as the external power supply is specified at 5.3V the diode from the PCMCIA card, D2, is reversed biased, and so does not conduct, ensuring that all the power required is drawn from the external power supply. If the power is drawn from the PCMCIA card, then the computer powering it must be capable of supplying the current requirement. In some cases this may result in unacceptably short battery life. This depends on both the type of computer being used, and the amount of disc activity. The actual PCMCIA card itself is capable of supplying up to 2 Amps. The analog switches of IC1 to IC7 are not powered directly from the 5V supply, but are fed via a small diode, Dl. This prevents excessive current drain during power supply sequencing. There are two LED indicators, LED 1 (green) and LED 2 (yellow). The green one is illuminated whenever power is applied to the unit. The yellow one indicates disc activity, it is driven by IC8, a 74LSO4, from the /DASP signal. The components are all mounted on a rigid printed circuit board (not shown). I/O connector 20 is mounted at one end of this board. At the other end a flexible printed circuit board 5 is connected via a zero insertion force connector. This flexible board 5 is a little over 100 mm long and is fed through the hinged casing (linking member 2) that leads to the PCMCIA card 3. At the far end of this flexible board I/O connector 15 is mounted. Flexible board 5 has a protective layer (not shown) bonded onto it to prevent damage from chafing. The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown and in particular is also applicable to accessories other than data drives.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A portable external data drive for a computer (7) comprising an electronic card (3) for insertion into a slot (9) of the computer and a connector (2) between the body (1) of the external data drive and the card, characterised in that the connector (2) comprises at least one hinge linking the electronic card (3) and the body (1) of the external data drive. 2. A portable external data drive as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the electronic card (3) can be folded back against the body (1) of the external data drive when not in use. 3. A portable external data drive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the connector comprises an intermediate linking member (2) which is connected at respective hinges (2, 6; 2, 4) to the electronic card (3) and the body (1) of the external date drive respectively. 4. A portable external data drive as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the axis (Al/Al*) of one of said hinges (2, 4) is adjacent an edge region of one face of the body (1) of the data drive and the intermediate linking member (2) can be folded inwardly to enable the electronic card (3) to be folded against an opposite face of the body of the data drive. 5. A portable external data drive as claimed in Claim 4 wherein said opposite face incorporates a recess (10) located and dimensioned to accommodate said electronic card (3) and protect it against damage. 6. A portable external data drive as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 comprising means (12) for releasably retaining the electronic card (3) against said opposite face. 7. A portable external data drive as claimed in Claim 6 as dependent on Claim 5 wherein said retaining means comprises one or more tabs (12) projecting inwardly from one or more sides of said recess (10), the one or more tabs being arranged to contact a surface of the electronic card (3) which is not in contact with the floor of the recess. 8. A portable external data drive as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the electronic card (3) is retained by said retaining means (12) in such a manner that it is only releasable by longitudinal movement in the direction towards its hinge with the intermediate linking member (2). 9. A portable external data drive as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 8 wherein the intermediate linking member (2) is foldable against a minor face of the body (1) of the data drive. 10. A portable external data drive as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein a flexible conductor (5) extends within the connector (2) between the electronic card (3) and the body (1) of the data drive. 11. A portable external data drive as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the connector (2) is generally tubular and encloses said conductor (5). 12. A portable external data drive as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11 wherein the conductor is a flexible printed circuit board (5). 13. A portable external data drive as claimed in any preceding Claim which incorporates an additional port (20) for connection to a conventional computer data cable. 14. A portable external data drive as claimed in any preceding Claim having a power supply (D2, Cl) energised in use from power supplied to the electronic card (3) from the slot (9) of the computer (7). 15. A portable external data drive as claimed in any preceding Claim which is a magnetic hard drive, a magneto-optical drive or an optical drive. 16. A portable external data drive as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein said electronic card (3) is a PCMCIA (PC) card.

Inventors: HARRISON RICHARD, MICHAEL JOHN, WOODWARD CHRISTOPHER, HARRISON, RICHARD, MICHAEL, JOHN, WOODWARD, CHRISTOPHER
Applicants: HARRISON RICHARD, LOGIC I O LIMITED, MICHAEL JOHN, WOODWARD CHRISTOPHER, HARRISON, RICHARD, LOGIC I/O LIMITED, MICHAEL, JOHN, WOODWARD, CHRISTOPHER
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G11B33
IPC codes: G06F1, G11B33