Device for multiple disc load and unload
AssigneeFuturewei Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJiafeng Zhu, Xiaogang Zhu, Masood Mortazavi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a storage and transfer apparatus for mass transfer of a plurality of data discs to trays of a plurality stacked disc drives. The storage and transfer apparatus may store a plurality of discs with the disc hold pins retracted and the telescopic sections collapsed over each other. In such a configuration, the stored discs may lie in contact with each other. The storage and transfer apparatus may transfer the plurality of discs to the trays of the plurality of stacked disc drives with the discs holding pins extended and the telescopic sections extended relative to each other.
Claims16
A method of mass transfer of a plurality of data discs from an apparatus to trays of a plurality of stacked devices, the method comprising:
- supporting the data discs on the apparatus with a first spacing relative to each other, the first spacing matching a spacing between the trays of the plurality of stacked devices;
- moving the apparatus supporting the data discs with the first spacing in a first direction toward the trays until the data discs are positioned over the trays;
- moving the apparatus in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction until the data discs are supported on the trays;
- retracting supports for supporting the data discs into the apparatus;
- and
- moving the apparatus with the supports retracted in a third direction, opposite the second direction, to separate the apparatus from the data discs supported on the trays.
A method of mass transfer of a plurality of data discs between an apparatus and trays of a plurality of stacked devices, the method comprising:
- supporting the data discs on pins of a pin support structure of the apparatus with a first spacing relative to each other;
- changing a spacing of the data discs relative to each other from the first spacing to a second spacing;
- moving the pin support structure supporting the data discs with the second spacing toward the trays until the data discs are positioned over the trays;
- transferring the data discs from the support structure to the trays.
A method of mass transfer of a plurality of data discs between an apparatus and trays of a plurality of stacked devices, the method comprising:
- moving a pin support of the apparatus into axial alignment with central openings of the plurality of data discs supported on the trays of the plurality of stacked devices;
- extending the pin support through the central openings of the plurality of data discs supported on the trays of the plurality of stacked devices;
- extending a plurality of pins radially outward from the pin support beneath the data discs supported on the trays of the plurality of stacked devices;
- raising the pin support until the data discs are lifted off of the trays of the plurality of stacked devices by the plurality of pins;
- moving the pin support away from the plurality of trays with the data discs supported on the plurality of pins.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.