Abstract:
A connector clamp, for a hard drive having a first connector for mating with an external connector, having a top clamp and a bottom clamp. The top clamp includes a longitudinal section from which two arms extend, each arm including an integrally formed hole, and a bottom face, wherein a first gasket is attached to the bottom face and contacts the external connector when mated with the first connector. The bottom clamp includes an integrally formed first set of holes to receive a first set of screws for insertion into the hard drive, an integrally formed second set of holes to receive a second set of screws for insertion into the holes of the top clamp, and a top face, wherein a second gasket is attached to the top face and contacts the external connector when mated with the first connector.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/079,122, filed Jul. 8, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to storage devices and, in particular, hard drives receiving external cable connectors. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Over the past several years, storage devices utilizing solid state memory components have become popular replacements for rotating hard drives. Solid state memory components are especially advantageous in harsh environmental and industrial applications. Many of these storage devices incorporate Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) connector interfaces. 
         [0004]    SATA is a computer bus primarily designed for transfer of data between a computer and mass storage devices, such as hard disk drives and optical drives. The main advantages over the older parallel ATA interface include faster data transfer, ability to remove or add devices while operating (hot swapping), thinner cables that let air cooling work more efficiently, and more reliable operation with tighter data integrity checks. SATA was designed as a successor to the Advanced Technology Attachment standard (ATA), and may eventually replace the older technology Parallel ATA or PATA. SATA adapters and devices communicate over a high-speed serial cable. 
         [0005]    SAS is another data transfer technology designed to move data between a computer and computer storage devices, such as hard drives and tape drives. It is a point-to-point serial protocol that replaces the parallel SCSI bus technology that first appeared in the mid 1980s in corporate data centers. SAS uses the standard SCSI command set. 
         [0006]    A SATA connector or a SAS connector mate with external connectors of computer cables, such as cables providing power and data from a computer. During engagement, pin contacts of the cable connectors slide over contact pads of the SATA/SAS connector. SATA/SAS connectors are quick to install, inexpensive, and relatively reliable for very low vibration applications. 
         [0007]    However, in high vibration environments, the integrity of conventional engagements between SATA/SAS connectors and external cable connectors may be significantly degraded. For example, significant vibration may cause a cable connector over time to loosen and ultimately disengage from the SATA/SAS connector. In an environment with high vibration, pin contacts of the cable connectors also may rub or scrape against the contact pads of a SATA/SAS connector. This rubbing and scraping degrades physical contact between the SATA/SAS connector and the cable connectors, and undesirably may produce gold dust. Further, because physical contact is compromised, electrical communications between the hard drive and the computer, as well as the delivery of power, may be interrupted or altogether halted. 
         [0008]    Perhaps worse still, use of conventional engagement techniques involving SATA/SAS connectors and cable connectors can break the SATA/SAS connector. In high vibration environments, SATA/SAS connectors are subjected to constant stresses and forces applied in all directions relative to the hard drive to which it is attached. Over time, the stresses and forces may cause the SATA/SAS connector to splinter from the hard drive. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    An apparatus and method to secure cable connectors is described herein. Some embodiments are summarized in this section. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the present invention includes a connector clamp including a top clamp; a bottom clamp configured to rigidly engage the top clamp, the top clamp and the bottom clamp, when engaged, forcibly securing coupling between an external connector and an internal connecter. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the present invention includes a connector clamp for a hard drive having a SATA connector for coupling with external connectors, including a top clamp including longitudinal section from which two arms extend, each arm including an integrally formed hole, and a bottom face to which a first gasket is attached, the first gasket contacting the external connectors when coupled with the SATA connector; and a bottom clamp including an integrally formed first set of holes to receive a first set of screws for insertion into the hard drive, an integrally formed second set of holes to receive a second set of screws for insertion into the holes of the top clamp, and a top face to which a second gasket is attached, the second gasket contacting the external connectors when coupled with the SATA connector. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention includes a method for securing connectors, including attaching a top clamp to a hard drive having a first connector; mating a power connector and a communication connector to the first connector; attaching a bottom clamp to the hard drive; positioning the top clamp and the bottom clamp on opposite sides of the mated power connector, the communication connector, and the first connector; and creating, by the top clamp and the bottom clamp, a securing force on the mated power connector, the communication connector, and the first connector. 
         [0013]    Other features and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preassembled connector clamp prior to engagement with a hard drive and cable connectors in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2A-2D  are various views of a top clamp in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3A-3D  are various views of a bottom clamp in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a partially assembled connector clamp in partial engagement with a hard drive and cable connectors in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an assembled connector clamp in engagement with a hard drive and cable connectors in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of an assembled connector clamp in engagement with a hard drive and cable connectors in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 , showing a connector clamp engaged with the hard drive and cable connectors in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart involving a connector clamp in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding. However, in certain instances, well known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. The invention may have numerous embodiments. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure are not necessarily references to the same embodiment. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preassembled connector clamp  100  in accordance with the present invention. The connector clamp  100  includes a top clamp  200  and a bottom clamp  300 . The top clamp  200  is formed of aluminum. In one embodiment, the top clamp  200  is formed of another material that is light and inexpensive. The top clamp  200  is substantially U-shaped, and includes a longitudinal section  202  terminating with opposite arms  220 ,  222 . The arms  220 ,  222  extend substantially perpendicularly in the same direction from the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal section  202 , creating a space  215 . The top clamp  200  includes a bottom face  210  and an engaging face  240 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2A-2D  are various views of the top clamp  200  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 2A  is a top view,  FIG. 2B  is a front view,  FIG. 2C  is a bottom view, and  FIG. 2D  is a side view of the top clamp  200 . The space  215  adjacent the bottom face  210  of the top clamp  200  is formed by a first platform  213 , a second platform  219 , and a third platform  217  that each, respectively, define a first surface  212 , a second surface  214 , and a third surface  216 . The first surface  212 , the second surface  214 , and the third surface  216  are substantially flat and rectangular. Each of the platforms extends an unequal distance in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the top clamp  200  and away from a top face  211 . An elongate strip  218  is formed along the bottom surface  210  in the absence of the first platform  213 , the second platform  219 , and the third platform  217 . A first gasket  602  of the top clamp  200  is positioned to be in contact with the first surface  212 . A second gasket  604  of the top clamp  200  is positioned to be in contact with the second surface  214 . The first gasket  602  may extend to partially overlie the second gasket  604 . The gaskets  602 ,  604  are dimensioned and located in a position on the bottom face  210  of the top clamp  200  so that when the top clamp  200  is engaged with a hard drive  400 , the gaskets  602 ,  604  are in snug contact with a power connector  500  of a power cable  502  and a communication connector  510  of a communication cable  512  when mated with a SATA connector  420 . 
         [0026]    The gaskets  602 ,  604  are substantially rectangular, and formed of a vibration dampening foam. In one embodiment, the gaskets  602 ,  604  are formed of a resilient, flexible material. The gaskets  602 ,  604  provide clamping friction, as described in more detail below, and are a barrier to undesirable moisture, vapor, and dust. In one embodiment, the gaskets  602 ,  604  may be substituted for a single gasket to be positioned in contact with the first surface  212  and the second surface  214 . 
         [0027]    Holes  230  are integrally formed through the arms  220 ,  222  to receive screws. The holes  230  extend through the arms  220 ,  222  substantially in the same direction of the extension of the arms  220 ,  222 . Holes  226  are integrally formed through the arms  220 ,  222  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal section  202  and substantially perpendicular to the direction of the holes  230 . The holes  226  receive dow pins  217  that each ultimately bore into a terminal end of an engaging face  410  of the hard drive  400  adjacent each side of a space  413 . The dow pins  217  allow the top clamp  200  to securely attach to the hard drive  400 . In one embodiment, the top clamp  200  does not include holes  226  and dow pins  217  are not used with the top clamp  200 . 
         [0028]      FIGS. 3A-3D  are various views of the bottom clamp  300  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 3A  is a top view,  FIG. 3B  is a front view,  FIG. 3C  is a bottom view, and  FIG. 3D  is a side view of the bottom clamp  300 . The bottom clamp  300  is substantially planar, and includes a bottom face  312  and a top face  310 . The bottom face  312  and the top face  310  are substantially flat. A first gasket  652  and a second gasket  654  of the bottom clamp  300  are positioned to be in contact with the top face  310  of the bottom clamp  300 . The first gasket  652  and the second gasket  654  may extend to partially overlie one another. The gaskets  652 ,  654  are substantially rectangular, and formed of a vibration dampening foam. In one embodiment, the gaskets  652 ,  654  are formed of a resilient, flexible material. The gaskets  652 ,  654  are dimensioned and located on the top face  310  in a position so that, when the bottom clamp  300  is attached with the hard drive  400 , the gaskets  652 ,  654  are in snug contact with the power connector  500  and the communication connector  510  when mated with the SATA connector  420 . In one embodiment, the gaskets  652 ,  654  may be substituted for a single gasket to be positioned in contact with the top face  310 . 
         [0029]    Four holes  316  are integrally formed through the bottom clamp  300  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the bottom face  312  to receive screws  320 . When the top clamp  200  and the bottom clamp  300  are engaged with the hard drive  400 , the holes  316   a  are positioned to align with the holes  430  and the holes  316   b  are positioned to align with the holes  230 . The bottom clamp  300  is formed of stainless steel. In one embodiment, the bottom clamp  300  is formed of another material that is rigid and durable. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the connector clamp  100  provides secure attachment of the power connector  500  and the communication connector  510  to the hard drive  400 . The hard drive  400  is a conventional 2.5 inch solid state drive. In one embodiment, the hard drive  400  may be a standard hard disk drive. In another embodiment, the hard drive  400  may be replaced by another storage device or any electronic component that is not a standard hard drive or standard solid state drive. The hard drive  400  includes an engaging face  410  and a bottom face  412 . Upon assembly of the connector clamp  100 , the engaging face  410  of the hard drive  400  and the engaging face  240  of the top clamp  200  are aligned and pressed together. At one end of the hard drive  400 , the engaging face  410  and the bottom face  412  expose the space  413  in which the SATA connector  420  resides. The SATA connector  420  is described in the specification SATA Revision 2.6, Feb. 15, 2007. 
         [0031]    The SATA connector  420  matingly engages with the power connector  500  and the communication connector  510 . In one embodiment, an SAS connector can be used instead of or in addition to a SATA connector. In yet another embodiment, another type of connector besides a SATA connector or SAS connector can be used. In one embodiment, cable connectors other than a power connector and a communication connector can be used. The hard drive  400  has holes  430  to receive the screws  320   a . Screws  440  on the bottom face  412  are part of the conventional assembly of the hard drive  400 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the partially assembled connector clamp  100  in partial engagement with the hard drive  400  and the power connector  500  and the communication connector  510 . The engaging face  240  of the top clamp  200  is aligned and makes contact with the engaging face  410  of the hard drive  400 . The power connector  500  and the communication connector  510  are inserted into the SATA connector  420  in the space  413 . The power connector  500  and the communication connector  510  fit snugly into the space  215  by contacting the first gasket  602  and the second gasket  604 . 
         [0033]    The bottom clamp  300  is positioned to underlie and engage the contacting surface of the bottom face  412  and the space  413 . The bottom clamp  300  is securely attached to the hard drive  400  by the screws  320   a  which are inserted into the holes  316   a  of the bottom clamp  300  and the holes  430  of the hard drive  400 . The top clamp  200  is securely attached to the bottom clamp  300  by the screws  320   b  which are inserted into the holes  316   b  of the bottom clamp  300  and the holes  230  of the top clamp  200 . The dow pins  217  are driven through the holes  226  to substantially perpendicularly extend into respective ends of the engaging face  410  of the hard drive  400 . The dow pins  217  provide optional, additional support in securely affixing the connector clamp  100  to the hard drive  400 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the assembled connector clamp  100  in engagement with the hard drive  400  and the power connector  500  and the communication connector  510  in accordance with the present invention. The screws  320   b  extend through the holes  316   b  of the bottom clamp  300  and the holes  230  of the top clamp  200  to securely attach the top clamp  200  to the bottom clamp  300 . The dow pins  217  are inserted through holes  226  and into ends of the engaging face  410  of the hard drive  400 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the assembled connector clamp  100  in engagement with the hard drive  400  and the power connector  500  and the communication connector  510  in accordance with the present invention. The screws  320  are driven into the holes  430  and the holes  230  in an upward direction from the bottom face  312  of the bottom clamp  300  to the hard drive  400  and the top clamp  200 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 , showing the connector clamp  100  engaged with the hard drive  400  and the power connector  500  and the communication connector  510  in accordance with the present invention. The top clamp  200  and the bottom clamp  300  clamp together the mated SATA connector  420  and the power connector  500  and the communication connector  510 . In particular, the first gasket  602  of the top clamp  200  is securely pressed against an upper surface of the power connector  500 . The first gasket  652  of the bottom clamp  300  is securely pressed against a lower surface of the power connector  500 . The second gasket  604  of the top clamp  200  and the second gasket  654  of the bottom clamp  300  likewise are securely pressed against, respectively, the upper and lower surfaces of the communication connector  510 . The screws  320   b  are adjustable to determine the desired clamping force. 
         [0037]    By using compressive force and friction, the connector clamp  100  increases contact force on the mated SATA connector  420  and the power connector  500  and the communication connector  510 . The present invention thus securely restrains the mated connectors in three dimensions. In accordance with the present invention, the secured mated connectors can be released only upon deliberate mechanical manipulation of the connector clamp  100 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart of an exemplary method  800  involving the connector clamp  100  in accordance with the present invention. The method  800  begins at block  804  and proceeds to block  806 . At block  806 , the top clamp  200  is attached to the hard drive  400 , and the method  800  proceeds to block  808 . At block  808 , the power connector  500  and the communication connector  510  are attached to the SATA connector  420 , and the method  800  proceeds to block  810 . At block  810 , the bottom clamp  300  is attached to the hard drive  400 , and the method  800  proceeds to block  812 . At block  812 , the bottom clamp  300  is attached to the top clamp  200 , and the method  800  proceeds to block  814 . At block  814 , clamping force produced by the bottom clamp and the top clamp  200  is adjusted, and the method proceeds to block  816 . At block  816 , the method  800  ends. 
         [0039]    The connector clamp  100  in accordance with the present invention adds strength and reliability to conventional connector designs by securely attaching a mated pair of connectors to a hard drive housing. The present invention extends the usable lifetime of contacts in a mated pair of connectors in high shock or high vibration environments because the contacts are prevented from continuously scrubbing against one another. The resulting elimination of relative movement between the contacts enhances contact-to-contact stability to provide consistent and constant signal integrity. In addition, the present invention provides a barrier to prevent the undesirable accumulation of moisture, vapor, and dust in the connectors, also enhancing contact-to-contact stability and thus signal integrity. 
         [0040]    The present invention provides a low cost and low profile solution by innovatively rigidly and securely tying a mated pair of connectors to a storage device enclosure. The present invention obviates a need to extend the mated connector length and allows a generally available off-the-shelf connector to be converted for use in extreme conditions of vibration and shock. Further, the present invention involves the addition of a relatively insignificant amount of weight to a hard drive. The connector clamp  100  of the present invention can be simply installed using conventional mounting techniques. 
         [0041]    In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evident that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope as set forth in the following claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense. 
         [0042]    Further, it is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, number, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 
         [0043]    The present invention is adapted to carry out the objects and attain the advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. 
         [0044]    The present invention is capable of considerable modification, alternation, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the present invention. Consequently, the present invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.