Abstract:
A structure for installing an information processor into an electronic equipment includes a biasing unit provided in the information processor; and a projection portion provided in a housing of the electronic equipment. In the structure, the protruding portion biases the biasing unit and the biasing unit applies a predetermined pushing force to the housing via the protruding portion when the information processor is installed in the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1) Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a structure of installing an information processor such as a hard disk drive (HDD) in an electronic equipment such as a disk array device.  
         [0003]     2) Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     So-called residual vibrations arise before a head (data reader) of an actuator of a hard disk drive (hereinafter, “HDD”) is positioned at a center of a target track. The residual vibrations are generated when the actuator of the HDD moves, or a medium of the HDD rotates. The residual vibrations are also generated, due to external vibrations, when an installed rocker shakes or another HDD installed in the same electronic equipment vibrates.  
         [0005]     The head sometimes comes off the target track due to such vibrations, which is called the off-track phenomenon, and the performance of the device thereby deteriorates. Accordingly, in order to reduce such residual vibrations, the vibration of the HDD must be suppressed. A known technique for suppressing vibrations of the HDD is shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 .  
         [0006]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a conventional installation structure of an information processor, and  FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of a portion C shown in  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , an HDD  10  is installed between an upper chassis  120  and a lower chassis  130  of the electronic equipment. An interval between the upper chassis  120  and the lower chassis  130  is set to be slightly larger than a height of the HDD  10 .  
         [0007]     A U-shaped supporting member  15  is provided at the HDD  10  so as to surround a ceiling surface, a front surface, and a bottom surface thereof. Plate springs  140  and  150  are provided at a front portion and a rear portion of the ceiling surface of the supporting member  15 , respectively.  
         [0008]     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , when the HDD  10  is inserted between the chassis  120  and  130  and after insertion is completed, the plate springs  140  and  150  abut the upper chassis  120  so as to reduce the residual vibrations by biasing forces of the plate springs  140  and  150 . Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-202767 discloses such a technique of installing the HDD in the electronic equipment by using a plate spring.  
         [0009]     The plate springs  140  and  150  may be made stiff in order to reduce the residual vibrations. However, if the plate springs  140  and  150  are merely made stiff, frictional force between the plate springs  140  and  150  and the upper chassis  120 , and frictional force between the HDD  10  and the lower chassis  130  increase. Therefore, it becomes difficult to insert the HDD  10  between the chassis  120  and  130 , and the usability deteriorates.  
         [0010]     Another problem occurs in a disk array device. A disk array device is an electronic equipment in which a plurality of HDDs are installed. The disk array device is often equipped with a residual-vibration countermeasure mechanism and a security mechanism (locking mechanism) such that the HDDs cannot be easily taken-out and data security is maintained.  
         [0011]     However, the residual-vibration countermeasure mechanism and the security mechanism (locking mechanism) are not integral, and these mechanisms are provided separately. Therefore, the number of parts is large and the device structure is complex.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is an object of the present invention to at least solve the problems in the conventional technology.  
         [0013]     A structure for installing an information processor into an electronic equipment includes a biasing unit provided in the information processor; and a projection portion provided in a housing of the electronic equipment. In the structure, the protruding portion biases the biasing unit and the biasing unit applies a predetermined pushing force to the housing via the protruding portion when the information processor is installed in the housing.  
         [0014]     The other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are specifically set forth in or will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an installation structure of an information processor-according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the installation structure shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is an assembled perspective view of the installation structure shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion A shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a plate spring having a hook receiving hole;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the installation structure shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the installation structure shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an installation structure of an information processor according to a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a portion B shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a conventional installation structure of an information processor; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of a portion C shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an installation structure of an information processor according to a first embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the installation structure of the information processor,  FIG. 3  is an assembled perspective view of the installation structure of the information processor, and  FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion A shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a plate spring having a hook receiving hole,  FIG. 6  is a front view of the installation structure of the information processor, and  FIG. 7  is a rear view of the installation structure of the information processor. The same reference signs designate same or similar parts as those already explained and redundant explanation is omitted.  
         [0029]     The first embodiment relates to a structure for installing an HDD (information processor)  10  in an electronic equipment such as a disk array device (not shown). In the first embodiment, a structure of installing one HDD  10  in the electronic equipment is explained. As shown in  FIGS. 1, 6 , and  7 , the HDD  10  is installed between an upper chassis (housing)  20  and a lower chassis (housing)  30  of the electronic equipment. A minimum interval between the upper chassis  20  and the lower chassis  30  is set to be slightly larger than a height of the HDD  10 .  
         [0030]     As shown in FIGS.  1  to  3 , a U-shaped supporting member  15  is provided at the HDD  10  so as to surround a ceiling surface, a front surface, and a bottom surface thereof. A recess portion  17  for providing a plate spring (biasing unit)  40 , and a recess portion  18  for providing a plate spring (biasing unit)  50 , are provided at a front portion and a rear portion of the ceiling surface of the supporting member  15 , respectively.  
         [0031]     A dowel  17   a  for positioning the plate spring  40 , and a screw hole  17   b  for fixing the plate spring  40  by a screw  42 , are provided in the recess portion  17 . Similarly, a dowel  18   a  for positioning the plate spring  50 , and a screw hole  18   b  for fixing the plate spring  50  by a screw  52 , are provided in the recess portion  18 .  
         [0032]     The plate spring  40  is provided in order to obtain a biasing force that is greater than that of the above-described conventional plate spring  140  (see  FIG. 10 ). A hook (protruding portion)  70  of a key  60  fixed to the upper chassis  20 , which is shown in FIGS.  1  to  6 , is used to press the plate spring  40  so that the biasing force is obtained. The strength (stiffness) of the plate springs  40  and  50  may be the same level or less than that of the conventional plate springs  140  and  150 , because the hook  70  increases the biasing force of the plate spring  40  and reduces residual vibrations after installation of the HDD  10 , for reasons that will be described later.  
         [0033]     Since the plate springs  40  and  50  are provided at the front portion and the rear portion along a depth direction of the HDD  10 , amplification of vibrations at the front and rear end portions of the HDD  10 , where it is easy for vibrations to amplify, can be effectively suppressed.  
         [0034]     As shown in FIGS.  2  to  5 , the plate spring  40  has a dowel hole  40   a , with which the dowel  17   a  of the recess portion  17  is engaged, a screw insert-through hole  40   b , through which the screw  42  is inserted, and a hook receiving hole (engaging hole)  40   c , with which one portion of a tongue piece portion  70   a  of the hook  70  is engaged. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the plate spring  50  has a dowel hole  50   a , with which the dowel  18   a  of the recess portion  18  is engaged, and a screw insert-through hole  50   b , through which the screw  52  is inserted.  
         [0035]     As shown in FIGS.  1  to  4 , the key  60  is fixed to a mounting hole  22  of the upper chassis  20  by a nut  64 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the hook  70  of the key  60  rotates when a key (not shown) is inserted into a keyhole  62  and turned in one direction. A distal end of the tongue piece portion  70   a  thereby engages with the hook receiving hole  40   c  of the plate spring  40 , abuts a peripheral edge portion of an opening of the hook receiving hole  40   c , and pushes the plate spring  40 .  
         [0036]     That is, the residual vibrations of the HDD  10  decreases since the plate spring  40  is pushed by the tongue piece portion  70   a  of the hook  70  such that the biasing force thereof increases. Further, by locking the key  60  when the tongue piece portion  70   a  is engaged with the hook receiving hole  40   c , the HDD  10  cannot be pulled-out from the chassis  20  and  30  unless locking of the key  60  is released. The basic structure of the key  60  can be realized by a known technique.  
         [0037]     According to the installation structure of the information processor of the first embodiment, when the HDD  10  is positioned at a predetermined installation position, the plate spring  40  is pushed by the hook  70  such that the biasing force of the plate spring  40  increases and residual vibrations decreases. Therefore, the strength (stiffness) of the plate springs  40  and  50  may be the same level as or less than that of the conventional plate springs  140  and  150 . Accordingly, when the HDD  10  is inserted and installed between the chassis  20  and  30 , frictional force between the plate spring  50  and the upper chassis  20  does not increase. Therefore, usability during installation is not adversely affected.  
         [0038]     When the plate spring  40  is pushed by the tongue piece portion  70   a  of the hook  70 , the biasing force of the plate spring  40  increases and residual vibrations of the HDD  10  decreases. Further, the key  60  is locked when the tongue piece portion  70   a  is engaged with the hook receiving hole  40   c . Therefore, the residual-vibration reducing mechanism and the security mechanism can be integrated so as to have a simple structure.  
         [0039]     Since the key  60  and the plate spring  40 , which are formed as the locking mechanism, are disposed at a front surface side of the electronic equipment, operations of locking and unlocking are easy and usability is good.  
         [0040]     In the first embodiment, the HDD  10  is used as an example of the information processor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information processor may be another device.  
         [0041]     Although one HDD  10  is installed in the electronic equipment in the above explanation, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more HDDs  10  can be installed by a structure similar to that described above.  
         [0042]     Although the two plate springs  40  and  50  are provided along the depth direction of the HDD  10 , the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more plate springs may be provided according to the residual vibrations to be reduced.  
         [0043]     Although the plate springs  40  and  50  are used as a biasing unit, the present invention is not limited to this. The biasing unit may be structured by using a coil spring, rubber or the like, as far as the biasing unit reduces the residual vibrations by a predetermined biasing force.  
         [0044]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an installation structure of an information processor according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a portion B shown in  FIG. 8 . In the first embodiment, the residual-vibration reducing mechanism and the security mechanism are integrated, but in the second embodiment, only the residual-vibration reducing mechanism is provided.  
         [0045]     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the upper chassis  20  of the electronic equipment has, at positions facing the plate springs  40  and  50 , protruding portions  24  that respectively bias the plate springs  40  and  50 . The HDD  10  is installed in the electronic equipment in a state in which the plate springs  40  and  50  are biased by the protruding portions  24 .  
         [0046]     In the installation structure according to the conventional technique (see  FIG. 10 ), the plate springs  140  and  150  always abut the upper chassis  20  while inserting he HDD  10  between the chassis  20  and  30 . Therefore, a predetermined frictional force is always generated by the biasing forces of the plate springs  140  and  150 .  
         [0047]     In contrast, in the installation structure according to the second embodiment, in inserting the HDD  10  between the chassis  20  and  30 , biasing forces are generated at the plate springs  40  and  50  only when the plate springs  40  and  50  abut the protruding portions  24 . Therefore, frictional force due to the biasing units is not always received at the time of inserting the HDD  10 . Accordingly, even if the strength of the plate springs  40  and  50  is set to be greater than that of the conventional plate springs  140  and  150  and the residual-vibration countermeasure is enhanced, the HDD  10  can be smoothly inserted between the chassis  20  and  30 .  
         [0048]     According to the installation structure of an information processor of the second embodiment, residual vibrations decrease without adversely affecting usability when installing the HDD  10  into the electronic equipment.  
         [0049]     According to the present invention, frictional force due to the biasing unit is not always received when inserting the information processor into the electronic equipment. Therefore, the information processor can be smoothly inserted into the electronic equipment, and usability improves. After installation of the information processor, residual vibrations decrease since the protruding portion pushes the biasing portion.  
         [0050]     According to the present invention, the number of protruding portions and biasing units that are provided is adjustable according to the amount of vibration to be reduced. Amplification of vibrations at front and rear end portions of the information processor, where it is easy for vibrations to amplify, is effectively suppressed.  
         [0051]     According to the present invention, after the information processor is positioned at a predetermined installation position, the biasing unit is pushed by the protruding portion, and increases biasing force, and residual vibrations decreases. Accordingly, when the information processor is inserted and installed into a housing of the electronic equipment, frictional force between the biasing unit and the housing does not increase, and usability during installation improves.  
         [0052]     According to the present invention, the biasing unit is pushed by the protruding portion, and increases biasing force, and residual vibrations decreases. Further, the protruding portion is locked when the protruding portion is engaged with the biasing unit. Therefore, the information processor cannot be pulled-out from the housing of the electronic equipment unless the locking is released, and security is ensured.  
         [0053]     According to the present invention, the residual-vibration reducing mechanism and the security mechanism can be integrated to be a simple structure.  
         [0054]     Although the invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.