Patent Publication Number: US-6908342-B2

Title: Connector, electronic equipment using the connector and information processing unit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to connectors, electronic equipment, and information processing units, and more particularly to a connector installed on electronic equipment, the electronic equipment incorporating electronic components, for example, a storage medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory, and attachable to and removable from a main apparatus such as a personal computer, and an information processing unit. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   A portable notebook-sized personal computer has been brought into practical use by small sizing and high performance formation of components. 
   Further, there have currently increased the number of people who own a desktop personal computer and the notebook-sized personal computer in an office, and a plurality of personal computers in homes. For that reason, there have occurred needs for intended to manage unitarily data stored in a hard disk in the personal computer, or for intended to carry data having a large capacity. 
   Furthermore, since a digital camera and a digital video camera have been used widely, data amounts of digital data have increased considerably, and there has occurred a problem that a storage capacity of the hard disk is liable to be filled with data immediately. 
   Meanwhile, the storage capacity of a hard disk has been rapidly increased every year, so that there has increased needs for intending to exchange an old hard disk having small storage capacity to a new hard disk having large storage capacity. 
   In order to meet these needs, there has been proposed a removable hard disk to be easily portable and easily exchangeable. 
   However, when the removable hard disk is removed from such as the personal computer, since a user manually performs attaching and removing the hard disk to/from the personal computer, if for some reason the hard disk should be detached from the personal computer during access, which might lead to such a possibility that data in the hard disk have been broken and the entire important data have been disappeared. 
   In addition, there is a request that the removable hard disk is automatically removed from such as the personal computer similar to that of a VTR cassette tape. 
   Consequently, in order to solve these problems and request, there has been proposed a mechanism (auto-loading mechanism) for automatically removing the removable hard disk by only pushing a switch. 
   However, in a removable hard disk apparatus, since there is exposed a connector portion for electrically connecting to a main frame apparatus such as the personal computer, there has been a concern that adhesion of dust and static electricity exert an adverse effect on data in a hard disk. 
   For that reason, although consideration is made on constitution for covering the connector portion by a shutter, in anyway, a method for realizing the auto-loading mechanism with simple constitution has been expected. 
   Further, it has been desired that a shutter be constituted so that it never opens unintentionally. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to realize a shutter for covering a connection portion of a connector with simple constitution. 
   Further, it is another object of the present invention to realize an auto-loading mechanism with simple constitution. 
   An electronic equipment of the present invention includes a container incorporating electronic components, and a connector electrically connected to the electronic components and arranged in a side portion of the container, and the electronic equipment is characterized by comprising:
         a protective portion movable between a first position and a second position in order to protect the connectors; and   lock portions for fixing the protective portion at the first position,   wherein the connector is connected to an exterior connector, whereby the lock portions are released, and the protective portion can be movable between the first position and the second position.       

   Further, an information processing unit of the present invention is the information processing unit constructed of an electronic equipment incorporating electronic components, and a main body to which the electronic equipment is connected, the electronic equipment comprising:
         a first connector arranged on a side portion of a container electrically connected to the electronic components;   a protective portion movable between a first position and a second position, in order to protect the first connector; and   lock portions for fixing the protective portion to the first position,   the main body comprising a second connector connecting the first connector,   wherein the lock portions are released by connecting the first connector to the second connector, and the protective portion becomes movable between the first position and the second position.       

   Furthermore, a connector of the present invention is the connector constructed of a first connector and a second connector which are attachable to and removable from each other,
         the first connector portion comprising:
           a first connection portion electrically connected to the second connector portion;   a protective portion movable between a first position and a second position in order to protect the first connection portion;   guide portions provided on both sides of the first connector; and   lock portions for locking the protective portion to the first position,   
           the second connector comprising:
           a second connection portion for connecting to the first connection portion;   a first member for moving the protective portion from the first position to the second position; and   a second member for releasing the lock portions.   
               

   In addition, an auto-loading apparatus of the present invention comprising:
         an electronic equipment including a container incorporating electronic components, and a first connector electrically connected to the electronic components and arranged in a side portion of the container and attachable to and removable from a main body apparatus;   a second connector for electrically connecting to the first connector;   a connection means, one side thereof being electrically connected to the second connector, the other side thereof being connected to the electronic equipment on a main body side;   a first chassis in which, the electronic equipment is movable between a first position not connecting the first connector to the second connector, and a second position connecting the first connector to the second connector, and guide members are provided for guiding the first connector to the second connector;   a second chassis for guiding the first chassis; and   a moving means for moving the first chassis.       

   Moreover, an auto-loading apparatus of the present invention comprising:
         a first chassis for holding a removable electronic equipment having a first connector;   a second chassis for holding the first chassis, and the first chassis being movable between a first position and a second position;   a second connector provided in the first chassis, and electrically connected to a first connector of the electronic equipment; and   a moving means for moving the first chassis between the first position and the second position.       

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of an electronic equipment and connectors according to the present embodiments, 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a state where a shutter  12  is pushed (opened), in a state of having connected a connector  20  to a connector  30 , 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of an electronic equipment  1 , 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are sectional views of an electronic equipment  1  in a state where a shutter  12  is locked by lock portions  14 , 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are sectional views of an electronic equipment  1  in states where lock portions  14  are released by lock releasing portions  22  or a connector  20 , and where a shutter  12  is opened. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an electronic equipment and connectors according to a second embodiment, 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are plan views viewed, from above, an electronic equipment according to a second embodiment, 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken on line D—D in  FIG. 7B , 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side views viewed, from a right side, an electronic equipment according to a second embodiment, 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  are sectional views taken on line B—B in  FIG. 9A , 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  are sectional views displaying lock release mechanism portions in a second embodiment, 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are sectional views displaying lock release mechanism portions in a second embodiment, 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  are sectional views displaying lock release mechanism portions in a second embodiment, 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  are perspective views of an electronic equipment and connectors according to a third embodiment, 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  are plan views viewed, from above, an electronic equipment according to a third embodiment, 
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  are right side views of an electronic equipment according to a third embodiment, 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  are sectional views taken on line B—B in  FIG. 16A , 
       FIGS. 18A and 18B  are sectional views displaying lock release mechanism portions in a third embodiment, 
       FIGS. 19A and 19B  are sectional views displaying lock release mechanism portions in a third embodiment, 
       FIGS. 20A and 20B  are sectional views displaying lock release mechanism portions in a third embodiment, 
       FIGS. 21A and 21B  are perspective views displaying a unit portion alone of a shutter  59 , 
       FIGS. 22A and 22B  are perspective views displaying a unit portion alone of a shutter  59 , 
       FIG. 23  is a perspective view viewed, obliquely from the above and right, an auto-loading apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, 
       FIG. 24  is a perspective view viewed, obliquely from the below and right, an auto-loading apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, 
       FIG. 25  is a perspective view viewed, from a position similar to that of in  FIG. 23 , an auto-loading apparatus, which is uncovered by removing parts of components residing above and below of the auto-loading apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, 
       FIG. 26  is a perspective view viewed, from a position similar to that of in  FIG. 24 , an auto-loading apparatus, which is uncovered by removing parts of components residing above and below of the auto-loading apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, 
       FIG. 27  is a side view viewed, from a right side, an auto-loading apparatus in states shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 , 
       FIG. 28  is a plan view viewed, from above, an auto-loading apparatus in states shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 , 
       FIG. 29  is a perspective view viewed, obliquely from the above and right, a state where a removable hard disk according to a fourth embodiment is slightly inserted into an auto-loading apparatus, 
       FIG. 30  is a perspective view viewed, obliquely from the above and right, a state where a removable hard disk is inserted into an auto-loading apparatus up to a connector, in a state shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 , 
       FIG. 31  is a perspective view viewed, obliquely from the below and right, an auto-loading apparatus in a state shown in  FIG. 30 , 
       FIG. 32  is a side view viewed, from a right side, an auto-loading apparatus in a state shown in  FIG. 30 , 
       FIGS. 33A and 33B  are sectional views taken on line A—A in  FIG. 32 , 
       FIG. 34  is a perspective view viewed, obliquely from the above and right, in a state where a removable hard disk is set at inside of an auto-loading apparatus, 
       FIG. 35  is a perspective view viewed, obliquely from the below and right, an auto-loading apparatus in a state shown in  FIG. 34 , 
       FIG. 36  is a side view, viewed from a right side, an auto-loading apparatus in a state shown in  FIG. 34 , 
       FIGS. 37A and 37B  are sectional views taken on line C—C in  FIG. 36 , 
       FIG. 38  is a block diagram of an auto-loading apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, 
       FIG. 39  is a flow chart for explaining an operation of an auto-loading apparatus when power is in an on-state, 
       FIG. 40  is a flow chart for explaining an operation of an auto-loading apparatus from a standby state thereof up to a removable hard disk is drawn into the apparatus, 
       FIG. 41  is a flow chart explaining an ejecting operation of a removable hard disk. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
   First Embodiment 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective view of an electronic equipment and connectors according to the present embodiments. 
   In figure,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show the electronic equipment and the connectors viewed, from directions different from each other. 
   In figure, numeral  1  denotes an electronic equipment and it is constituted of a container  10  and a connector  30 , and a storage medium such as a hard disk and a semiconductor memory and electronic components for driving (reading and writing data) the storage medium are incorporated in inside of the container  10 . The connector  30  is freely attached to and removed from the container  10 , and is fixed to the container  10  by screws, vises, and a solder in a state installed on the container  10 . 
   Numeral  20  denotes a connector, the connector  20  is fixed to an information processing unit main body such as a personal computer, and the information processing unit main body transmits and receives data between it and the electronic equipment  1  by connecting the connector  20  to the connector  30 . 
   Recessed-shaped guides  31  are provided on both sides of the connector  30 , and the guides  31  are continuously linked to guides  13  provided on both sides of the container  10 . 
   The guides  31  and  13  are those for being supported by guide receiving portions provided at both ends of an installation portion of the information processing unit main body, and the installation portion is used for installing the electronic equipment  1 . 
   A connection portion  11  of the connector  30  is constituted to be covered by a shutter  12 , and the connection portion  11  and a connection portion  21  are constituted to be connected after the shutter  12  is pushed by the connection of the connector  20  to the connector  30 . 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a state where the shutter  12  is pushed (opened) by the connector  20 , in a state of connecting the connector  30  to the connector  20 . Meanwhile, the connector  20  is not shown. 
     FIG. 3  is a side view of the electronic equipment  1 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  3 , parts of lock portions  14  for locking the shutter  12  are exposed to outsides from aperture portions  15  of the guide portions  31  of the connector  30 . 
   The lock portions  14  are constituted by such a structure that in connecting the connector  30  to the connector  20 , locking is released when the lock portions  14  are pushed by lock-releasing portions  22  of the connector  20 , and the shutter  12  opens. 
   Further detailed explanation will be tried regarding the lock portions  14 . 
     FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  5 A, and  5 B are sectional views of the electronic equipment  1 .  FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a state where the shutter  12  is locked by the lock portions  14 .  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a state where the lock portions  14  are released by the lock-releasing portions  22  of the connector  20 , and the shutter is opened. 
   In a locking state, the shutter  12  is constituted to be in a closed state by springs  16 . 
   When the connector  20  is connected to the connector  30 , the lock portions  14  are pushed to insides by the lock-releasing portions  22 , and locking is released. Then, the shutter  12  is pushed by a projection portion on the periphery of the connection portion  21  of the connector  20 , the connection portion  11  is connected to the connection portion  21 , the electronic equipment  1  is electrically connected to the information processing unit main body, and information can be transmitted and received between an information processing unit and the electronic equipment  1 . 
   Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, when the electronic equipment  1  is installed on the information processing unit main body and the guide portions  13  and  31  are supported by the guide receiving portions of the information processing unit main body, although the lock portions  14  are slightly pushed by the guide receiving portions, the lock portions  14  are constituted such that the lock portions  14  are not pushed until a state where locking is completely detached. 
   When the connector  30  is removed from the connector  20  (when electronic equipment  1  is removed from information processing unit main body), as the connection portion  11  and the connection portion  21  are separated from each other, the shutter  12  having been pushed by the projection portion on the periphery of the connection portion  21  is returned by the force of the springs  16 , whereby, parts of the lock portions  14  are exposed from the aperture portions  15 , parts of the shutter  12  are exposed from the aperture portions  15  by a spring action of the shutter  12  itself, whereby the shutter  12  is brought into a state to be locked. 
   As described above, according to the present embodiment, a protection of a connector portion can be realized with a simple constitution. 
   Further, locking for protecting the connector portion can be realized with a simple constitution. 
   Furthermore, since a protective mechanism having a simple constitution is realized by using two kinds of springs, in addition to that, a lock mechanism is realized by providing aperture portions for the lock mechanism in the guide portions, a structure of the connector becomes simplified. 
   Second Embodiment 
   Next, a second embodiment of a lock mechanism of a shutter portion will be described. 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an electronic equipment and a connector according to the second embodiment. Meanwhile, portions of a connector  20  and a container  10  are similar to that of the first embodiment. 
     FIG. 7A  is a plan view viewed (partially drawn in perspective), from above, the electronic equipment according to the second embodiment,  FIG. 7B  is an enlarged view of an A portion (partially drawn in perspective) in  FIG. 7A , and  FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken on line D—D in FIG.  7 B. 
   A connector  50  fitted with the connector  20  is provided in the container  10 , and a connection portion  11  of the connector  50  is covered by a shutter  53 . The shutter  53  is constituted such that the shutter  53  is pushed in a left direction (in direction concealing connection portion) in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , by springs  16  inserted into shafts  50   d  integrally installed with the connector  50 , and the shutter  53  is not detached from inside of an connector  50  by stoppers  50   c . The shutter  53  is made of resin, spring portions  53   c  are integrally installed with the shutter  53  on both sides thereof, and projection portions  53   b  are provided at tip portions of the spring portions  53   c . In addition, claw portions  53   a  are formed on above and below in a thickness direction of the projection portions  53   b.    
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , aperture portions  50   b  are provided in grooves  31  of both sides of the connector  50  so that the projection portions  53   b  can move laterally as shown in FIG.  8 . Lock portions  50   a  are formed in parts of in above and below directions of the aperture portions  50   b , and are constituted in such a positional relationship that in a free state of the spring portions  53   c , the lock portions  50   a  are interfered with the claw portions  53   a.    
   Next, the lock mechanism of the shutter  53  will be described in more detail. 
     FIG. 9A  is a side view viewed, from right side, the electronic equipment according to the second embodiment, and  FIG. 9B  is an enlarged view of a C portion in FIG.  9 A.  FIG. 10A  is a sectional view taken on line B—B in  FIG. 9A , and  FIG. 10B  is an enlarged view of an E portion in FIG.  10 A. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 9B and 10B , in a state where the connector  20  is not fitted with the connector  50 , since the projection portions  53   b  of the tip portions of the spring portions  53   c  are not pushed, even if the shutter  53  should be pushed in a right direction (in direction exposing connection portion) in  FIG. 10A , the claw portions  53   a  are caught by the lock portions  50   a  of the connector  50 , and the shutter  53  cannot move in a right direction. 
   Next, a case where the lock mechanism is released will be described. 
     FIG. 11A  is a sectional view showing a state where tips of the lock releasing portions  22  of the connector  20  are inserted into the grooves  31  and the projection portions  53   b  are pushed inside of the connector  50 .  FIG. 11B  is an enlarged view of an I portion in FIG.  11 A.  FIG. 12A  displays a state where the connector  20  is further inserted into the connector  50 .  FIG. 12B  is an enlarged view of a G portion in FIG.  12 A.  FIG. 13A  displays a state where the connector  20  is completely inserted into the connector  50 , and  FIG. 13B  is an enlarged view of an H portion in FIG.  13 A. 
   As displayed in  FIGS. 11B ,  12 B, and  13 B, when the connector  20  is inserted into the connector  50 , the lock releasing portions  22  push the projection portion  53   b  to inside of the connector, whereby the spring portions  53   c  are deformed, the projection portions  53   b  are moved to the inside, and the integrally formed claw portions  53   a  are moved also to the inside. As is displayed in  FIG. 12B , since the claw portions  53   a  do not interfere with the lock portions  50   a  in this state, the shutter  53  moves in a right direction due to an insertion of the connector  20  into the connector  50 , and the connector  20  and the connector  50  are completely coupled to each other. 
   A case where the connector  20  is detached from the connector  50  is similar to the above-described. When the connectors are in a state to be inserted to each other, each of the lock releasing portions  22  move the projection portion  53   b  to an inside, since the claw portions  53   a  do not interfere with the lock portions  50   a , the shutter  53  is pushed by the springs  16 , and moves together with the connector  20 , and stops after the projection portion  53   b  are collided with the stoppers  50   c.    
   As described above, there are provided the aperture portions  50   b  for moving the projection portions  53   b  which are pushed by the lock releasing portions  22  in order to release locking of the shutter  53 , and a mechanism for locking the shutter  53  is provided in another location, which lead to a decrease in deformation of the spring portions  53   c , therefore the possibility of a generation of creep caused by the deformation is decreased. In addition, the projection portions  53   b  are not brought into contact with an inner wall of the connector  50 , which leads to a decrease in a sliding load and can prevent abrasion of the inner wall. 
   Third Embodiment 
   In the first and also the second embodiment, an example where a shutter portion and lock portions being integrally formed with each other is described, however, as shown below, consideration can be made to constitute the shutter portion by a member separate from the lock portions. Hereinafter, the details thereof will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     FIGS. 14A and 14B  are perspective views, viewed from directions different from each other, of electronic equipment and connectors according to the third embodiment. 
     FIG. 15A  is a plan view viewed (partially drawn in perspective), from above direction, the electronic equipment according to the third embodiment,  FIG. 15B  is an enlarged view of a J portion in FIG.  15 A. Further,  FIG. 16A  is a right side view of the electronic equipment according to the third embodiment,  FIG. 16B  is an enlarged view of a K portion in  FIG. 16A ,  FIG. 17A  is a sectional view taken on line B—B in  FIG. 16A , and  FIG. 17B  is an enlarged view in a L portion in FIG.  17 A. 
   A container  10  is mounted with a connector  58  connecting to a connector  60 , and a connection portion  11  of the connector  58  is covered by a shutter  59 . The shutter  59  is pushed in a left direction in  FIG. 15A  by springs  16  inserted into shafts  58   d  integrally installed with the connector  58 , and is constituted such that the shutter  59  is not detached from an inner portion of the connector  58  by stoppers  58   c.    
   Next, a lock mechanism of the shutter  59  will be described in detail. 
   FIG.  21 A and  FIG. 22A  are perspective views displaying (partially drawn in perspective) a unit portion alone of the shutter  59 , and are displayed from directions different from each other.  FIG. 21B  is an enlarged view of a Q portion in  FIG. 21A , and  FIG. 22B  is an enlarged view of an R portion in FIG.  22 A. 
   The shutter  59  is provided with holes  59   g , and shafts  61   c  of levers  61  are inserted. The levers  61  are integrally installed with projection portions  61   b  pushed by the lock releasing portions  22  and claw portions  61   a  for locking the shutter, further, slant faces  61   d  are formed on upper portions of the claw portions  61   a . Further, shafts  59   f  are provided in the shutter  59 , and coil springs  62  are inserted into the shafts  59   f . One side of a lever portion of each of the coil springs  62  is brought into pressure contact with a wall  59   e  integrally installed with the shutter  59 , and the other side thereof is brought into pressure contact with the lever  61 . As a result, the levers  61  are pushed such that the levers are rotated to outsides by making the shafts  61   c  as rotation center. 
     FIGS. 18A ,  19 A, and  20 A are sectional views displaying step by step in a state where the connector  60  is inserted into the connector  58  while pushing down the shutter  59 ,  FIG. 18B  is an enlarged view of a M portion in  FIG. 18A ,  FIG. 19B  is an enlarged view of a N portion in  FIG. 19A , and  FIG. 20B  is an enlarged view of a P portion in FIG.  20 A. 
   In a state as shown in  FIG. 17B , since the connector  60  is not inserted, a thrust direction of the shutter  59  is restricted in a state where the springs  16  push up the shutter  59 , and each of the lever  61  is run into the stopper  58   c  of the connector  58 . Although a direction of rotation of each of the levers  61  is pushed to the outside by the coil spring  62 , as shown in FIG.  17 B and  FIG. 16B , the claw portion  61   a  strikes on a side face of inside of the connector  58 , so that a direction of rotation of each of the levers  61  is restricted. Even when the shutter  59  is pushed in this state, the claw portions  61   a  are caught by lock portions  58   a  and cannot slide into more inner portion than that. 
     FIG. 18A  displays a state where although the lock releasing portions  22  of the connector  60  are brought into pressure contact with the projection portions  61   b , and push down the levers  61  to insides of the connector  58 , the shutter  59  is not yet pushed down. 
   Further,  FIG. 19A  displays a state where the connector  60  is inserted into inside of the connector  58 , the claw portions  61   a  are not caught by the lock portions  58   a  and the shutter  59  continues sliding, and  FIG. 20A  displays a state where the connector  60  is completely inserted into the connector  58 . 
   Meanwhile, by any method, when the levers  61  of both sides are pushed to the insides, the shutter  59  is possible to be pushed down. Supposing that in a state where the shutter  59  is lowered in this manner, the levers  61  are made free, and further, the shutter  59  is also made free, the shutter  59  is pushed up upward, the levers  61  move upward while being pushed to wall sides of the connector  58 . Since the levers  61  move upward while being pushed to an inner wall of the connector  58 , the claw portions  61   a  and the lock portions  58   a  are interfered with each other. However, slant faces  61   d  are formed on upper portions of the claw portions  61   a  of the levers  61 , and since slant faces  58   d  are formed also in the lock portions  58   a , when the levers  61  strike the lock portions  58   a , the levers  61  rotate to the insides, climb over the lock portions  58   a , and until the projection portions  61   b  strike the stoppers  58   c  the shutter  59  moves upward. 
   Furthermore, the connector  60  is soldered to a printed wiring board  55 , the connector  60  is provided with stepped holes  60   a  so as to escape from shafts  58   d . In addition, holes are provided also in the printed wiring board  55  at positions corresponding to the stepped holes  60   a , and by using these holes, the connector  60  and the printed wiring board  55  are constituted so that they are powerfully fixed to each other by the screws  56  and nuts  57 . 
   In the present embodiment, the printed wiring board  55  is fixed to the connector  60  by bringing the nuts  57  into contact with the printed wiring board  55  side, however, it is not objectionable to fix the printed wiring board  55  by bringing heads of the screw  56  into contact with the printed wiring board  55  side. Moreover, the nuts  55  may be previously insert molded into the holes  60   a.    
   Alternatively, by using self-tapping screws having outer diameters slightly larger than inner diameters of the holes  60   a , and they are screwed from the printed wiring board  55  side, then it is unnecessary to use the nuts  57 , whereby cost can also be reduced. 
   Fourth Embodiment 
   Next, an auto-loading apparatus in an information processing unit (such as personal computer) using above described electronic equipment (removable hard disk) will be described. 
     FIGS. 23 and 24  are perspective views viewed, obliquely from the above and right, and from the below and right, a removable hard disk  1  and an auto-loading apparatus  5  of the removable hard disk according to the present embodiment. Meanwhile, the auto-loading apparatus  5  is provided on such as the personal computer, and FIG.  23  and  FIG. 24  are views showing a part of the personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) and the auto-loading apparatus  5 . 
   In  FIGS. 23 and 24 , numeral  1  denotes a removable hard disk, and is constituted of a top case  2 , a bottom case  3  and a connector  4 . In addition, such as a cushioning material for absorbing impact, a hard disk, a flexible printed board are incorporated in inside thereof. Meanwhile, these are all well known generally, therefore detailed explanation will be omitted. 
   Numeral  5  denotes an auto-loading apparatus of removable hard disk  1 , and is constituted of such as a frame  6 , a palette  7 , and a pulse motor  8 . Numeral  9  denotes a part of a main PCB such as PC for controlling such as the removable hard disk or auto-loading apparatus, and mounted with such as a CPU  135  which will be described later. Meanwhile, the removable hard disk has a structure as has explained in the first through the third embodiments described above. 
     FIGS. 25 and 26  are perspective views (partially cut model) viewed, from the same direction as in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the apparatus which are opened an upper portion of the frame  6  of the auto-loading apparatus  5  for the removable hard disk  1  displayed in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , further also opened a lower portion of the palette  7 .  FIG. 27  is a side view viewed, from a right side, the state described above, and  FIG. 28  is a plan view (partially cut model) viewed, from the above, the state described above. 
   Grooves  111  linked to those of the connector  4  are provided on left and right sides of the removable hard disk  1 , and lock grooves  111   a  and  1111   b  are provided in a direction at right angle to the grooves  111 . Oval shaped projection portions  112   a ,  112   b , and  112   c  are provided on left and right sides of an inside of the palette  7  for the auto-loading apparatus  5  so as to be fitted with the grooves  111 , and the removable hard disk  1  is inserted into inside of the auto-loading apparatus  5  along the projection portions  112   a ,  112   b , and  112   c.    
   Projection portions  114  are provided on left and right sides of outsides of the palette  7 , and slidably inserted into grooves  115  provided on left and right sides of inside of the frame  6 . Further, a mounting plate  116  is integrally installed with the pallet  7  on a bottom surface thereof, and a bearing  117  is press-fitted into the mounting plate  116 . Meanwhile, a projection portion  117   a  is provided in the bearing  117  in order to receive force in a radial direction. 
   A mounting plate  118  is integrally installed with the frame  6  on a bottom surface of the frame  6 , and a pulse motor  8  is fixed to the mounting plate  118  by screws  219 . 
   The pulse motor  8  is constituted such that a lead screw shaft  8   a  functions as an axis of rotation, when the shaft  8   a  rotates counter clockwise, viewed from a direction of the shaft  8   a , the shaft  8   a  is engaged with the bearing  217  so that the palette  7  moves closer to the pulse motor  8 . 
   In  FIG. 28 , shafts  121  are provided on left and right of upper portion of the palette  7 , claws  120  are rotatably inserted into both shafts  121 , and the claws  120  are energized in a manner to open to outsides by springs  122  inserted into the shafts  121 . 
   In addition, a connector  123  electrically connected to the connector  4  of the removable hard disk  1  is provided on an upper portion of the palette  7 , and the connector  123  is rigidly fixed to the palette  7  by the screws  124  and nuts  125 . The connector  123  is soldered to a PCB  126 , and electrically coupled to each other. Moreover, the connector  123  is mechanically firmly fixed (refer to  FIGS. 33A and 33B ) to the PCB  126  by screws  127  and nuts  128  using stepped holes  123   a  provided in the connector  123 . 
   A connector  129  for flexible cable is soldered on a rear face of the PCB  126 , and one end of a flexible cable  130  is inserted into the connector  129  to be electrically coupled to each other. The other end of the flexible cable  130  is inserted into a connector  131  soldered to a main PCB  9 . Further, a switch  132  which detects complete coupling of the removable hard disk  1  to the connector  123  is soldered to the PCB  126 . Meanwhile the pulse motor  8  is electrically coupled to the PCB  9  by a lead wire and connector not shown. According to a constitution described above, the removable hard disk  1  is possible to transmit and receive data between itself and such as the CPU  135  mounted on the main PCB  9  via the connector  4 , connector  123 , connector  129 , flexible cable  130 , and connector  131 . 
   Next, with regard to the auto-loading apparatus  5  having above-described constitution, actual operation will be described in detail. Meanwhile, following control is carried out by control of the CPU  135 . 
     FIG. 38  is a block diagram of the auto-loading apparatus  5 , and  FIG. 39  is a flow chart displaying an operation of auto-loading apparatus  5  when power  136  is in an ON state. 
   In the present embodiment, the pulse motor  8  is constituted in setting to drive it to rotate clockwise 15.5 rotations in order to move the palette  7  from a state where the palette  7  is moved to a striking portion on a side of the pulse motor  8  to a state where the removable hard disk is not installed (refer to FIGS.  23  and  24 ). Further, the pulse motor  8  is constituted in setting to drive it to rotate clockwise 0.5 rotations, in order to move the palette  7  from a state where it is moved to striking portions on the side of the pulse motor  8  to a state (refer to  FIGS. 34 and 35 ) where the removable hard disk is drawn into the apparatus. Accordingly, even when the palette  7  stays in any position, by driving the pulse motor  8  to rotate counter clockwise 16 rotations, the palette  7  can move to the striking portion. 
   At step  101 , when power is in the ON state by an instruction from a user, at step  102  pulses are sent so that the pulse motor  8  is driven to rotate counter clockwise 16 rotations by an order from the CPU  135 . Even when the palette  7  stays in any position, the palette  7  runs into a striking on a side of the connector  123  by this driving, and the pulse motor  8  stops while losing synchronism. 
   Next, at step  103 , it is determined whether the switch  132  is ON or OFF (it is same as to determine whether removable hard disk  1  is inserted or not). When the switch  132  is ON, the process proceeds to step  105 , after driving the pulse motor  8  to rotate clockwise 0.5 rotations, the process proceeds to step  106 , and it become a state where access is possible from such as the CPU  135  to the removable hard disk  1 . When the switch  132  is OFF, the process proceeds to step  104 , the pulse motor  8  is driven to rotate clockwise 15.5 rotations, and after proceeding to step  107 , initial processing after power is turned on, is finished, and process is brought into stand-by state. 
   In following description, a case where the process proceeds to stand-by state at step  107  will be described. 
     FIG. 29  is a perspective view viewed, obliquely from the above and right, a state where the removable hard disk  1  is slightly inserted into the auto-loading apparatus  5 . The grooves  111  provided on a side face of the removable hard disk  1  are fitted with the projection portions  112   a  and  112   b  provided in the palette  7 . At this time, a positional relationship between the palette  7  and the frame  5  remains in the stand-by state, and a detection portion  132   a  of the switch  132  is also in a free state. 
     FIGS. 40 and 41  are flow charts for explaining an operation of the auto-loading apparatus  5  from a stand-by state at step  107  up to the removable hard disk  1  is drawn into the apparatus. 
   At step  108 , when the switch turns in an ON state, the process proceeds to step  109  and is brought into stand-by state for 0.5 second. Next, the process proceeds to step  110 , and again determines whether the switch  132  is ON or OFF. In the case of OFF, the process is brought into stand-by state at step  107 . In the case of ON, the process proceeds to step  111 , the pulse motor  8  is driven to rotate counter clockwise 15 rotations, next, the process proceeds to step  106 , and it becomes a state possible to access to the removable hard disk  1 . 
   Next, a state described above will be explained in detail with reference to mechanical drawings. 
     FIGS. 30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  33 A and  33 B display states where the removable hard disk is inserted into the auto-loading apparatus  5  by a user, and the connector  4  is completely inserted into the connector  123 . FIG.  30  is a perspective view viewed, obliquely from the above and right, the state,  FIG. 31  is a perspective view viewed, obliquely from the below and right, the state,  FIG. 32  is a side view viewed, from right side, the state,  FIG. 33A  is a sectional view taken on line A—A in  FIG. 32 , and  FIG. 33B  is a detailed view in a B portion in FIG.  33 A. Meanwhile, in  FIG. 33A  components in an inner portion of the removable hard disk  1  is omitted. 
   The connector  4  of the removable hard disk  1  and the connector  123  are completely coupled to each other, at this time, the detection portion  132   a  of the switch  132  is brought into a completely pushed state (ON state). Further, since the pulse motor  8  is not started its rotation in this state, the positional relationship between the frame  6  and the palette  7  remains in a stand-by state (initial state). 
   Here explained is a detail with regard to a detection of the switch  132 . 
   Length (contact length) from starting electrical coupling of the connector  123  to the connector  4  to completely run into each other, is 5 mm ±0.3 mm in this embodiment. The switch  132  is mounted so that it is turned on after starting the electrical connection between the connector  123  and the connector  4 , when they are inserted mutually in an amount of 3 mm. An installation error for each of the connector  123  and the switch  132  is ±0.3 mm. Further, an error of ON timing of a switch is also ±0.3 mm. Accordingly, even in consideration of the worst state, unless the connector  123  is electrically coupled to the connector  4 , the switch  32  is never turned ON. In addition, as long as the connector  123  is inserted into the connector  4  until they run into each other, the switch  132  is constituted in a manner to become an ON state positively. 
   In  FIG. 33A , the claws  120  are pushed to both inside directions of the frame  6  by the springs  122 , and run into the projection portions  134  provided on the palette  7 . Accordingly, in this state, claw tip portions  120   a  are not inserted into the lock grooves  111   a  provided on both sides of the removable hard disk  1 . Therefore in this state, the removable hard disk  1  can easily be detached. 
   Next, when the CPU  135  determines that the switch  132  is turned ON, at 0.5 second after determination, the CPU  135  gives instruction to the pulse motor  8  to drive to rotate counter clockwise 15 rotations viewed from the shaft  8   a  side. Since a pitch of the lead screw shaft  8   a  is 2 mm, when the pulse motor  8  rotates counter clockwise 15 rotations, the palette  7  moves forward to a direction of the pulse motor  8  in an amount of 30 mm and stops. At this time, since the connector  4  and the connector  123  are coupled to each other, the removable hard disk  1  moves forward in an amount of 30 mm to the pulse motor  8  direction together with the palette  7 , and the palette is drawn into inside of the auto-loading apparatus  5 . 
     FIGS. 34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 A, and  37 B all display states where the removable hard disk  1  is drawn in an amount of 30 mm into inside of the auto-loading apparatus  5  together with the palette  7 .  FIG. 34  is a perspective view viewed, obliquely from the above and right, that state,  FIG. 35  is a perspective view viewed, from the below and right, the state,  FIG. 36  is a side view viewed, from right side, the state,  FIG. 37A  is a sectional view taken on line C—C in  FIG. 36 , and  FIG. 37B  is a detailed view in a D portion in FIG.  37 A. Meanwhile, in  FIGS. 37A and 37B , inside components of the removable hard disk  1  are omitted similar to those in  FIGS. 33A and 33B . 
   The projection portions  114  of the palette  7  move 30 mm along the grooves  115  by rotating the pulse motor  8  counter clockwise 15 rotations and stops. In this state, as shown in  FIG. 37B , since the projection portions  120   b  of the claws  120  run onto the projection portions  133  inside of the frame  6 , the claws  120  rotate more inside than that of a stand-by state (initial state), the tip portions  120   a  of the claws  120  are inserted into the lock grooves  111   a . Accordingly, in this state, the removable hard disk  1  cannot be extracted from the palette  7 . Further, the palette  7  is engaged with the lead screw shaft  8   a  by the bearing  117 . Consequently, even when force in a extracting direction is applied to the removable hard disk  1  or the palette  7 , since the pulse motor  8  does not rotate, the palette  7  cannot move along the grooves  115 . As the result, in this state, the removable hard disk  1  is positively fixed, and it becomes possible to access to the removable hard disk  1 . 
   Next explained is an ejecting operation of the removable hard disk  1 . 
     FIG. 41  is a flow chart explaining the ejecting operation of the removable hard disk  1 . 
   At step  113 , when an ejection order is given, the process proceeds to step  114  and determines an ON/OFF state of the switch  132 . In case of OFF the process is brought into a stand-by state at step  107 , in case of ON, the process proceeds to step  115 , and it is determined whether the removable hard disk  1  is in an access state. Meanwhile, the ejection order can be given from the PC side by instruction using a keyboard or a mouse, not shown, by a user, or, by pushing an eject button not shown. 
   A case where it is during an access from the PC side, the process proceeds to step  116  and stops the access, and again, returns at step  115 . If not during access, the process proceeds to step  117 , and the pulse motor  8  is driven to rotate clockwise 15 rotations. Thereby, the palette  7  moves 30 mm in a direction separated from the pulse motor  8 , and the process proceeds to step  107  and is brought into stand-by state. 
   This state is the state displayed in  FIGS. 33A and 33B , therefore, the removable hard disk  1  can be removed from the auto-loading apparatus  5 . 
   Hitherto, as explained in detail, according to the present embodiment, an automatic loading mechanism of the removable hard disk can be realized with simple constitution, therefore, breakage of the hard disk by ejecting during access to the removable hard disk can be prevented, and operability by the user is also improved. 
   Further, the auto-loading apparatus can be realized with very simple configuration, with reliable locking which can be performed during installation of the removable hard disk, moreover, with positive electric connection, and with considerably improved reliability. 
   Furthermore, as the apparatus is constituted by a two layer structure of the frame and the palette, and as a lock mechanism is provided on the palette for locking the hard disk reliably, there is increased the certainty during installation.