External Shock Mounting/vibration Damping Patents (Class 361/679.34)
  • Patent number: 8737056
    Abstract: A vibration dampening structure mounted on a mounting apparatus for a storage module includes a dampening member and a fastener. The dampening member defines a through hole. The fastener includes a head portion and a neck portion extending from the head. The neck portion is received in the through hole. The head portion has a smooth face to decrease friction between the head portion and the data storage module movable relative to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Ping Chen
  • Publication number: 20140139996
    Abstract: A vibration-absorbing module comprises a case structure and an electronic device. The case structure comprises a bottom plate, two lateral walls and a plurality of vibration absorbing elements. The two lateral walls are disposed on and perpendicular to the bottom plate. The vibration absorbing elements are pivotally disposed on the two lateral walls respectively. The distance between opposing pairs of vibration absorbing elements disposed on the two opposite lateral walls is smaller than the distance between the two lateral walls. The electronic device is detachably disposed between the two lateral walls, and the vibration absorbing elements are in contact with two opposite sides of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicants: INVENTEC CORPORATION, INVENTEC (PUDONG) TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chung-Chien Wu, Hung-Jung Hsia
  • Publication number: 20140111933
    Abstract: A removable assembly for quickly inserting and removing a mass storage device from a compartment situated on the case of a portable computing device is described. The removable assembly is made of a mass storage device, a bracket which serves as a carrier for the mass storage device, and a metal plate. The mass storage device can be a solid state drive (SSD) card. The bracket is a single-piece plastic structure that can be deflected for snap insertion into the compartment and snap removal from the compartment. The metal plate conducts heat from the solid state drive (SSD) card to prevent it from overheating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, Bartley K. Andre, Matthew P. Casebolt, Houtan R. Farahani, William F. Leggett, Gavin J. Reid, Mikael M. Silvanto, Derek J. Yap
  • Publication number: 20140092548
    Abstract: A micro damper device comprising a main body, a cover, a sensor component and a control component is provided. The main body has a first surface, a second surface, a convex and a coil. A current is introduced to the coil to form a magnetic field with a first and a second magnetic pole. The cover has a first end, a second end and a first magnetic component. The sensor component is disposed on a side opposite the convex to measure a first vibration direction of the second surface. The control component is electrically connected between the sensor component and the coil and controls the current for adjusting the polarity and the strength of the first magnetic pole for producing a force between the first magnetic pole and a third magnetic pole, which makes the main body move along a second vibration direction opposite the first vibration direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Kun-Ta Lee
  • Patent number: 8654521
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a chassis, a casing fixed in the chassis, a first resilient shielding plate and a second resilient shielding plate both made of electromagnetic radiation shielding material, and a drawer. The casing defines a receiving space. The drawer is slidably received in the receiving space. The first resilient shielding plate fits about a front end of the casing and abuts against the chassis. The second resilient shielding plate is fixed to a front end of the drawer, to abut against an inner surface of the casing bounding the receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: An-Gang Liang
  • Patent number: 8611082
    Abstract: A storage device having a plurality of recording devices in which a decrease in vibrations from the recording devices can be achieved with a small number of parts. A storage device having a plurality of recording devices mounted therein includes a handle for inserting and withdrawing the recording device into and out of the storage device. Two holding members each include a mounting portion where the recording device is mounted and a frame extending from the mounting portion to the handle. Two protrusions are formed to extend inwardly of a region surrounded by the recording device, the handle, and the two frames. A restriction plate is disposed so as to overlap the respective surfaces of the two protrusions; and a viscoelastic body is disposed at the overlapping portion for joining the two protrusions and the restriction plate to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Arisaka, Daisuke Matsuka, Hiroshi Fukuda, Morihiro Waizumi, Kouichirou Kinoshita, Naoki Wada
  • Publication number: 20130322009
    Abstract: A hard disk cage for supporting a hard disk includes a frame, and a vibration-proof assembly attached on the peripheral wall of the frame. The vibration-proof assembly absorbs vibration induced by the hard disk and cuts off vibration transmitted by the frame. An electronic device using the hard disk cage is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHENG-HAN LIN
  • Patent number: 8593803
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for mounting a data storage device, includes a drive bracket and a slider mounted on the data storage device. The drive bracket includes a side piece in which a sliding groove is located. The sliding groove includes a first end and a second end. The second end is adjacent to an edge of the side piece. The first end is located on the side piece. A guiding surface is located at the first end. The guiding surface inclines from an inner surface of the side piece to an outer surface of the side piece. The slider slides in the sliding groove from the second end to the first end. The slider abuts the guiding surface. The guiding surface retains the slider at the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xue-Jiao Guo, Tai-Bao Wu, Shu-Qiu Wang, Li-Fu Xu
  • Patent number: 8582286
    Abstract: A dock couples a removable data storage cartridge, for example an RDX cartridge, to a computing device. The dock includes a chassis having frontal dimensions configured to substantially match the nominal frontal dimensions of a low profile large format disk drive, such that the dock may reside in a bay in the computing device sized to receive a low profile large format disk drive. The dock may include a door that swings about an axis aligned with the height of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tandberg Data Holdings S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Michael H. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 8582287
    Abstract: A drive carrier comprises a base adapted to receive a drive, two opposing sides extending from the base with each side having first and second stand-off receiving apertures that each receives a stand-off from a surface on which the drive carrier is positioned. The carrier comprises a handle coupled to each side via a hinge. The handle has a stand-off receiving notch associated with each side and each stand-off receiving notch receives one of the stand-offs when the drive carrier is locked in place on the surface. Each notch applies insertion and removal forces against the received stand-off during insertion and removal of the carrier. The hinge defines a plane through the hinges and parallel to the base. The handle pivots downward toward the plane and base to lock the drive carrier to the surface. When the drive carrier is in a locked position, the handle rests above the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Minh H. Nguyen, Kelly K. Smith, Kapil Rao Ganta Papa Rao Bala, Alan B. Doerr
  • Patent number: 8570750
    Abstract: An exemplary hard disk drive mount includes a casing and a fixing plate. The casing defines a receiving space configured for receiving hard disk drives therein. The casing defines through holes at one side thereof. The fixing plate includes bulges corresponding to the through holes. The fixing plate is attached to the side of the casing with the bulges respectively traversing through the through holes into the receiving space of the casing. The bulges are elastically deformable such that when a given one of the hard disk drives is received in the receiving space, corresponding ones of the bulges resiliently abut a side of the hard disk drive and exert a compressing force on the hard disk drive whereby the hard disk drive is fixed in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsai-Yin Fang, Chao-Tang Wang
  • Patent number: 8526175
    Abstract: An information processing device includes: a casing including a side surface having an opening part and a bottom surface orthogonal to the side surface; a frame provided at the bottom surface; a disk drive main body capable of being attached to and detached from the frame through the opening part; a disk tray which is operable to hold a disk, is capable of being inserted into and drawn out of the disk drive main body through the opening part, and has a hatch operable to close the opening part when the disk tray is inserted in the disk drive main body; and a coupling part through which the frame and the disk drive main body are coupled to each other in the vicinity of the opening part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei Yukawa, Hiroyuki Ozawa, Hidetoshi Kawabe
  • Patent number: 8520390
    Abstract: An electro-magnetic device assembly constituted of an electro-magnetic device; a chassis arranged to sink heat; at least one thermally conductive material in thermal communication with the electro-magnetic device and with the chassis; and at least one mechanically isolating material in contact with the thermally conductive material and with the chassis, the at least one mechanically isolating material arranged to dampen the transmission of vibrations experienced by the chassis, in the direction of the magnetic field of the electro-magnetic device, to the electro-magnetic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Seiji Okamoto, Timothy J Dasilva, Louis Ray Pledger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8504209
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that controls a device that generates vibrations in a computer system. During operation, a critical vibration frequency is determined for the computer system. Next, a keep-out zone is generated based on the critical vibration frequency, wherein the keep-out zone specifies a range of frequencies to be avoided. Then, the device is controlled based on the keep-out zone to reduce vibrations generated by the device in the keep-out zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Kalyanaraman Vaidyanathan
  • Patent number: 8493727
    Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing small form factor desktop computer is described. The small form factor desktop computer can be formed of a single piece seamless housing that in the described embodiment is machined from a single billet of aluminum. The single piece seamless housing includes an aesthetically pleasing foot support having at least a portion formed of RF transparent material that provides easy user access to selected internal components as well as offers electromagnetic (EM) shielding. This simplicity of design can accrue many advantages to the small form factor desktop computer besides those related to aesthetic look and feel. Fewer components and less time and effort can be required for assembly of the small form factor desktop computer and the absence of seams in the single piece housing can provide good protection against environmental contamination of internal components as well as EM shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, David P. Tarkington, Houtan R. Farahani
  • Patent number: 8493734
    Abstract: A multi-case rack for an industrial computer includes a rack body and a plurality of removable cases. The removable case can be installed with either its axial end positioned ahead, thus compatible to both a front circuit board and a rear circuit board. The removable case has an anti-shock HD mount capable of holding either two 2.5? hard drives or one 3.5? hard drive. The removable case allows heat-dissipating fans to be installed and positioned in a screw-free, hot-swap manner. The removable cases can be readily installed into or from a rack body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: T-Win Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Yung Chien, Sophia Chen
  • Patent number: 8493728
    Abstract: To reduce vibration in the rotation direction acting on the hard disk drive with a part of the hard disk drive as the rotation center. The disk unit comprises a hard disk drive comprising a drive mechanism which rotates and drives a plurality of disk media, an arm rotatably supported on a pivot and placed as movable in the rotation area of the disk media, and an actuator which performs positioning control of the magnetic head fixed to the arm to a target position on the disk media, a frame supporting the hard disk drive, and a dynamic absorber placed in the hard disk drive or in the frame, wherein the dynamic absorber absorbs vibration in the rotation direction acting on the hard disk drive with a part of the hard disk drive as the rotation center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Wada, Toshihiro Arisaka, Daisuke Matsuka
  • Patent number: 8467180
    Abstract: A disk drive transporter, for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, includes a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive. The frame includes sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive. The frame also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls. The clamping mechanism includes a first engagement element and a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element. The first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Merrow, Edward Garcia, Evgeny Polyakov
  • Patent number: 8451598
    Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing small form factor desktop computer is described. The small form factor desktop computer can be formed of a single piece seamless housing that in the described embodiment is machined from a single billet of aluminum. The single piece seamless housing includes an aesthetically pleasing foot support having at least a portion formed of RF transparent material that provides easy user access to selected internal components as well as offers electromagnetic (EM) shielding. This simplicity of design can accrue many advantages to the small form factor desktop computer besides those related to aesthetic look and feel. Fewer components and less time and effort can be required for assembly of the small form factor desktop computer and the absence of seams in the single piece housing can provide good protection against environmental contamination of internal components as well as EM shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chiew-Siang Goh, Joseph B. Moak, Matthew S. Theobald, Houtan R. Farahani, Ricardo A. Mariano, Eric A. Knopf
  • Patent number: 8432681
    Abstract: A vibration-resistant tray for carrying an electronic device includes a bracket, two arms and a plurality of fastening devices. The bracket includes a pair of parallel side plates. Each side plate has two first connecting sheets at opposite ends thereof. The two arms are provided to be attached onto opposite sides of the electronic device. Each of the arms has two second connecting sheets at opposite ends thereof and corresponding to the first connecting sheets. Each of the fastening devices includes a connecting member and a shock-proof washer. The shock-proof washer is mounted around the connecting member. Each of the first connecting sheets is engaged with the respective connecting member. Each of the second connecting sheets is engaged with the respective shock-proof washer. Additionally, each of the side plates of the bracket is spaced apart from the adjacent one of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Giga-Byte Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lu Tung-Ke
  • Patent number: 8432680
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus is provided for a data storage device. The mounting apparatus includes a mounting bracket receiving the data storage device, and a number of vibration absorbing members attached to opposite sides of the data storage device. Two sliding slots are respectively defined in opposite sidewalls of the mounting bracket. Each of the vibration absorbing members includes a fastener engaged with a corresponding side of the data storage device, a supporter slidably received in a corresponding sliding slot of the mounting bracket, and a damping body sandwiched between the fastener and the supporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Tang Peng, Guang-Yi Zhang, Jia-Qi Fu
  • Publication number: 20130100604
    Abstract: An information handling system is disclosed. The information handling system may include a chassis and a storage resource assembly. The storage resource assembly may include a bezel coupled to the chassis by a first connector, the bezel configured to couple to a storage resource by a second connector and a shock isolation cap configured to couple to the storage resource, the shock isolation cap comprising a proximal end proximate to the bezel and a distal end opposite the proximal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Schwager, Michael T. Miller
  • Patent number: 8427821
    Abstract: A mounting component for mounting an electronic part has a base that extends along a first surface of the electronic part, and a pair of left side and right side surface supporting sections that are extended from the base and bent along the right and left side surfaces of the electronic part, respectively. The pair of side surface supporting sections each have the screwing through hole at a position close to the one of the front end surface and the rear end surface. Further, a cushion member is interposed between the base and the electronic part, at a position close to the other of the front end surface and the rear end surface of the electronic part. The electronic part is screwed to the base through the surface supporting sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Ikki Tatsukami
  • Patent number: 8427822
    Abstract: The hard disk drive device includes a casing, a hard disk drive unit, and cushioning members interposed between the hard disk drive unit and the inside wall of the casing and adapted to receive stress and absorb impact stress through strain. The cushioning members include a first layer situated towards the inside wall of the hard disk drive unit, a second layer situated towards the hard disk drive unit, and a third layer situated between the first layer and the second layer. The individual materials of the cushioning members are established such that the third layer has lower hardness than the first layer and the second layer, based on JIS K6253 standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventor: Takuhei Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8416562
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a data storage device includes a bracket, a plurality of shock absorbers positioned between the data storage device and the bracket, a plurality of fasteners, and two elastic members. The bracket includes a bottom plate, and two sidewalls. Each of the plurality of shock absorbers includes a shock absorber pad, and a bushing protruding from an outer side of the shock absorber pad. The shock absorber pad defines a first through hole therein. Each of the plurality of fasteners includes a post and a head portion. The post is passed through the bushing, the first through hole of the shock absorber pad to engage one of a plurality of second mounting holes of the data storage device. Each of the two elastic members is fixed to the inner side of one of the two sidewalls of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiang-Yun Ding
  • Patent number: 8411434
    Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing small form factor desktop computer is described. The small form factor desktop computer can be formed of a single piece seamless housing that in the described embodiment is machined from a single billet of aluminum. The single piece seamless housing includes an aesthetically pleasing foot support having at least a portion formed of RF transparent material that provides easy user access to selected internal components as well as offers electromagnetic (EM) shielding. This simplicity of design can accrue many advantages to the small form factor desktop computer besides those related to aesthetic look and feel. Fewer components and less time and effort can be required for assembly of the small form factor desktop computer and the absence of seams in the single piece housing can provide good protection against environmental contamination of internal components as well as EM shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chiew-Siang Goh, Joseph B. Moak, Matthew S. Theobald, Houtan R. Farahani, Ricardo A. Mariano, Eric A. Knopf
  • Patent number: 8411432
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tiered damping solution to protect a computer system from shock are disclosed. More specifically, in one embodiment at an external level the computer system may be protected from a shock and vibration by the use of dampeners which may be located on the chassis of the computer system to cover possible contact points. The devices are isolated from remaining shock or vibration by utilizing isolating materials at points where the device mounts to, or otherwise contacts, the chassis. Within the device itself another tier of protection may serve to protect components within a device by isolating the components from the points at which the component mounts to, or otherwise contacts, the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Steve Zimlin, Jonathan Bowen
  • Patent number: 8405971
    Abstract: A disk drive transporter, for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, includes a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive. The frame includes sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive. The frame also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls. The clamping mechanism includes a first engagement element and a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element. The first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Merrow, Edward Garcia, Evgeny Polyakov
  • Publication number: 20130058034
    Abstract: To reduce vibration in the rotation direction acting on the hard disk drive with a part of the hard disk drive as the rotation center. The disk unit comprises a hard disk drive comprising a drive mechanism which rotates and drives a plurality of disk media, an arm rotatably supported on a pivot and placed as movable in the rotation area of the disk media, and an actuator which performs positioning control of the magnetic head fixed to the arm to a target position on the disk media, a frame supporting the hard disk drive, and a dynamic absorber placed in the hard disk drive or in the frame, wherein the dynamic absorber absorbs vibration in the rotation direction acting on the hard disk drive with a part of the hard disk drive as the rotation center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Wada, Toshihiro Arisaka, Daisuke Matsuka
  • Patent number: 8379381
    Abstract: A rugged hard drive includes a PC board mounted in an enclosure in a plane that is between, and parallel to two enclosure walls with the PC board being free to flex within the enclosure along an axis of the board when the hard drive is subjected to shock, or vibration, and with the enclosure including gaps, between the board and the inner surfaces of the enclosure, filled with silicone gel to cover electrical components on the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: TeleCommunications Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thanh Tran
  • Publication number: 20130033813
    Abstract: A disk drive mounting apparatus includes a tray and a plurality of fasteners. The tray includes two sidewalls substantially parallel to each other. Each sidewall defines a plurality of mounting holes. Each fastener includes a first positioning portion, a connecting portion, a second positioning portion, and a shaft portion. Each fastener is received in the mounting hole to enable the shaft portion to be secured in a securing hole of a disk drive. The second positioning portion includes a plurality of elastic protrusions configured to resist the disk drive. An edge of the mounting hole is located between the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion of each fastener to absorb vibration of the disk drive substantially perpendicular to the sidewall. The connecting portion of each fastener is located in the mounting hole to absorb vibration of the disk drive substantially parallel to the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WUHAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HONG LING, ZHI-PING WU
  • Patent number: 8369078
    Abstract: A locking apparatus of a CD-ROM drive includes a support and a transmitting wheel. The support includes a shaft and a clasp formed thereon. The support is arranged in a chassis of the locking apparatus. The shaft and the clasp are received in the transmitting wheel. The clasp is configured for clasping the transmitting wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xue-Dong Tang, Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 8358482
    Abstract: One implementation of the present invention may take the form of a system for a hard disc drive counter-vibration device that may absorb rotational vibration or gyration of the hard disc drive module. This mounting device may incorporate at least one soft, plastic sphere and a pair of concave dished surfaces, configured to face each other and maintain the sphere between them. The sphere of the counter-vibration assembly may support the hard disc drive (HDD) while the weight of the HDD may align the dishes with each other and over the sphere. In this manner, the sphere may act as a spring and allow the HDD to vibrate or gyrate without transmitting the mechanical movement to the rest of the HDD assembly or electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Eldon Technology Limited
    Inventors: Stewart P. Marlow, Christopher Lockwood
  • Patent number: 8351197
    Abstract: A holding device for holding a HDD includes two elastic members and two frame members. The HDD includes a first end and a second end. The two elastic members are configured for respectively encasing the first end and the second end. Each frame member includes a base portion, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and at least one pair of clamping portions. The base portion includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first and second sidewalls extend from two opposite ends of the base portion. The first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the first surface cooperatively define a groove for receiving a corresponding one of the two elastic members. The clamping portions in each pair of clamping portion extends out from the first sidewall and the second sidewall and configured for engaging with a corresponding pair of clamping portions of another frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wu-Jen Lo
  • Publication number: 20130003290
    Abstract: A vibration dampening structure mounted on a mounting apparatus for a storage module includes a dampening member and a fastener. The dampening member defines a through hole. The fastener includes a head portion and a neck portion extending from the head. The neck portion is received in the through hole. The head portion has a smooth face to decrease friction between the head portion and the data storage module movable relative to the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: LI-PING CHEN
  • Patent number: 8331084
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing electronic equipment. The apparatus includes an electronic device having a first mating portion. The device is removably secured within a shell, which has an open end allowing access to the first mating portion. The apparatus further includes a dock having a second mating portion and an output connector in electrical communication with the second mating portion. The dock removably receives the shell to facilitate electrical communication between the first and second mating portions. The output connector facilitates electrical communication between the electronic device and a device external to the dock. The apparatus also includes a damping mechanism to reduce vibratory forces on the first and second mating portions and relative movement between the portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wing Yeung Chung, Gerard Michael Cafferty
  • Patent number: 8325474
    Abstract: A computer component mounting assembly includes a base plate, a carrier configured to receive a vibration sensitive computer component, and a vibration isolation system including three isolators connecting the carrier to the base plate. The three isolators are spaced at different angular positions around a central point, and the vibration isolation system is configured such that the vibration isolation system has a rotational natural frequency about the central point of less than 45 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Spaulding, Everildo Guia Aguilar, Michael Lau
  • Patent number: 8320117
    Abstract: A drive mounting assembly applied in a computer chassis includes a main body, a protecting member, and a switch. The main body is configured to mount a drive. The protecting member includes a protecting plate exposed to the computer chassis to protect the drive from contamination. The switch is mounted on the main body and configured to generate signals to inform the drive to drive a tray of the drive out of and into the assembly. While driving the tray to extend from the assembly, the protecting plate is driven from a closed position to an open position to let the tray to extend from the assembly. When the tray is driven to retract into the assembly, the protecting plate is driven to the closed position to shield the drive. A related computer chassis is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Wu, Xin Yang
  • Patent number: 8320115
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a chassis, a plurality of first locking members, and a second locking member. The chassis includes a bottom plate and two opposite side plates. The first locking members are secured to the bottom plate. A locking slot is defined in each locking member for receiving fastening members of a disk drive. The second locking member is secured to the bottom plate. A positioning flange is located on the second locking member and configured for abutting the disk drive, for preventing the fastening members from moving out of the locking slots along a direction perpendicular to the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 8305751
    Abstract: A disk drive test slot includes a housing that defines a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The housing also defines an open end that provides access to the test compartment for insertion and removal of disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The disk drive test slot also includes a mounting plate connected to the housing. One or more isolators are disposed between the housing and the mounting plate. The one or more isolators are operable to inhibit transmission of vibrational energy between the housing and the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian S. Merrow
  • Patent number: 8302928
    Abstract: A cushioning member includes a first plane, an opening opened to the first plane, and an air storage for storing air formed from the opening to an inside of the cushioning member. When a shock load is imposed on the cushioning member, the air in the air storage is compressed, and the first plane is deformed by the pressure of the compressed air to form a gap. A part of the compressed air flows out of the air storage through the gap. This structure provides a high shock-cushioning effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Asakura, Katsutoshi Yuasa, Tetsuya Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 8300399
    Abstract: An electronic module includes a case, a holding frame, a removable disk drive, a transmission cable, a fixing part, and a shock-absorbing structure. An opening is formed on the case. The holding frame is disposed at a position of the case corresponding to the opening. The removable disk drive is disposed on the holding frame and is removable from the opening. The transmission cable is connected to the removable disk drive. The fixing part is disposed on the holding frame. The shock-absorbing structure is movably disposed between the fixing part and the holding frame and envelops the transmission cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Aopen Inc.
    Inventor: Chun Chang
  • Patent number: 8294790
    Abstract: A video recording device adapted to be resistive to thermal and mechanical shocks experienced in a catastrophic event, the device including a plurality of interchangeable components, the device comprising: a housing; a video component releasably mounted in the housing and having a lens for capturing images from an external environment of the device and a digital processor for producing digital data from the captured images; a memory component releasably mounted in the housing and releasably coupled to the video component adapted for storing the digital data received from the video component, the memory component including a non-volatile memory unit and an enclosure adapted for inhibiting the transfer of thermal and mechanical shocks from the external environment to the non-volatile memory unit, the non-volatile memory unit enclosed in the enclosure; and an interface component releasably mounted in the housing and releasably coupled to the video component and the memory component, the interface component adapt
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Visual Defence, Inc
    Inventors: Michael Godfrey, Christopher Knight
  • Patent number: 8289693
    Abstract: A disk drive assembly includes a drive bracket, a disk drive, a transfer connector, and a connecting cable. The drive bracket includes a rear panel and two parallel side panels perpendicular to the rear panel. The disk drive is received in the drive bracket between the two side panels. The disk drive has a connecting port defined therein. The transfer connector is secured to the drive bracket. The transfer connector includes a first connector and a second connector capable of connecting to an electronic device. The connecting cable is connected between the connecting port and the first connector and capable of absorbing a vibration between the disk drive and the transfer connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhan-Yang Li
  • Patent number: 8286932
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a frame to receive a storage device and a cushion fixed to a rear end of the frame. A number of protrusions extend from an outer side of the cushion away from the frame, to protect the storage device and the frame from vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Tang Peng, Xin-Hu Gong, Gao-Liang Xia
  • Publication number: 20120243171
    Abstract: A computer component mounting assembly includes a base plate, a carrier configured to receive a vibration sensitive computer component, and a vibration isolation system including three isolators connecting the carrier to the base plate. The three isolators are spaced at different angular positions around a central point, and the vibration isolation system is configured such that the vibration isolation system has a rotational natural frequency about the central point of less than 45 Hz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Jeff Spaulding, Everildo Guia Aguilar, Michael Lau
  • Publication number: 20120243170
    Abstract: A system for storing data includes a rack, one or more data storage modules coupled to the rack, and one or more data control modules coupled to the rack. The data storage modules may include a chassis, two or more backplanes coupled to the chassis, and one or more mass storage devices (for example, hard disk drives) coupled to the backplanes. The data control modules may access the mass storage devices in the data storage modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Darin Lee Frink, Peter G. Ross
  • Patent number: 8264833
    Abstract: An exemplary of an anti-vibration hard disk drive assembly includes a hard disk drive, a bracket containing the hard disk drive, a rack supporting the hard disk drive and the bracket, and an elastic structure disposed between the bracket and the rack. The rack includes a pair of rails supporting the bracket thereon. The elastic structure is disposed between the bracket and the pair of rails of the rack, whereby a vibration caused operation of the hard disk drive can be absorbed by the elastic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsai-Yin Fang, Chao-Tang Wang, Chih-Wei Ke
  • Patent number: 8254109
    Abstract: A disk drive mounting device for use in an electronic apparatus includes a mounting frame, fasteners, and a cover member. The mounting frame includes a mounting plate, a flange formed at a side of the mounting plate, and a plurality of mounting ears extending outwardly from the mounting plate. Each of the mounting ears defines at least one receiving cutout therein. In use, one end of each of the fasteners is mounted on the disk drive and the other end is received in the receiving cutout of a corresponding mounting ear. The cover member is secured on the flange of the mounting frame and abuts the at least one disk drive to prevent the fasteners from disengaging from the receiving cutouts of the mounting ears. A disk drive assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 8248777
    Abstract: This invention is directed to reducing the effect of shocks on electronic device components. The electronic device component may be surrounded by a boundary element operative to deform in response to impacts. By deforming, the boundary element may be operative to absorb energy received by the shock or impact without passing the energy on to the electronic device component. To maximize the effectiveness of the boundary element over a range of different impacts (e.g., strong, instantaneous impacts and weak impacts over time), a viscoelastic material may be used. The characteristic properties of the viscoelastic material may be selected based on expected impacts to the electronic device component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Prest