US 6,271,604 B1Granted

Integrated computer module having a data integrity latch

AssigneeWestern Digital Corporation

InventorsCharles W. Frank, Jr., Thomas D. Hanan, Wally Szeremeta, Marc B. Goldstone

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Abstract

The invention is an integrated computer module adapted for removable insertion into a docking bay in a host assembly wherein such module includes an enclosure, a main printed circuit board assembly, a module connector for connection to a host connector, a disk drive, and a locking mechanism for automatically engaging a projecting member in the docking bay to secure the module therein to prevent loss of data due to a surprise removal of the module. The preferred locking mechanism involves a solenoid and a latch plate with a downwardly-opening notch that engages a recess on the projecting member. The preferred locking mechanism is biased closed such that the locking mechanism locks the module in by default and must be energized for removal. The preferred circuitry for operating the locking mechanism has two parallel circuits, a software controlled circuit for programmatically energizing the solenoid and unlocking the module when power is present and it is safe to do so and a manual override circuit for energizing the solenoid and unlocking the module in the absence of power using energy stored in low-leakage capacitors.

Claims8

Dependent claims

An integrated computer module adapted for removable insertion into a docking bay within a host assembly, and upon such insertion for connecting to a host connector for providing the integrated computer module with operating power, the docking bay including a projecting member, the integrated computer module comprising:

an enclosure defined by a front wall, a back wall opposite the front wall, a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, a floor wall and a ceiling wall;
a main printed circuit board assembly (main PCBA) including a microprocessor located in the enclosure;
a module connector electrically connected to the main PCBA and supported at the enclosure's back wall for connection to the host connector upon insertion of the integrated module into the docking bay in the host assembly;
a disk drive including a casting and a controller PCBA mounted on one side of the casting, the controller PCBA including integrated circuits that define a hard disk storage control subsystem;
a conductor assembly electrically connecting the main PCBA to the controller PCBA;
a locking mechanism including a solenoid adapted for automatically engaging the projecting member in the docking bay to secure the integrated computer module in the docking bay by default;
transistor switch for energizing the solenoid in response to a software controlled signal in the presence of power in the host assembly;
and
a manual switch for energizing the solenoid in the absence of power in the host assembly.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.