Mobile hard disk drive free fall detection and protection
US7369345B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 2, 2005 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/5582
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system provided for protecting a disk drive from impact damages. More specifically, a disk drive is provided that includes an accelerometer interconnected to a printed circuit board that detects free fall of the disk drive. In addition, the velocity of spinning disks of the disk drive is also monitored to assess changes in velocity thereof that may indicate the presence of a tumbling condition. Furthermore, the change in acceleration measured by the accelerometer is monitored to prevent false indications of free fall due to common vibrations. Thus an enhanced system is provided that protects disk drives from the effect of free falls under a wide variety of conditions and allowing for drops from shorter distances to be identified.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.