JPH07311633A - Data recording and reproducing device and interface cable therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a data recording and reproducing device and an interface cable which enable another device to be connected outside a computer main body in addition to an external storage device which is provided inside without additionally providing an internal space in the computer main body or an interface slot. CONSTITUTION:When an HDD pack 1 is mounted in the computer main body 2, an interface slot 3 and an interface connector 4a are connected. The interface collector 4a and a main body connector 5c are connected by a 1st FPC 6a through an interface connector 4b. When an extension collector 4c and an external HDD pack 10 are connected, on the other hand, an external HDD pack 10 and the interface slot 3 are connected by a 2nd FPC 6b through the extension connector 4c.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data recording / reproducing device such as a pack type hard disk device, which is arranged inside a personal computer and used as an external storage device, and an interface cable therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a laptop type personal computer has a system in which a detachable pack type hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as an HDD pack) is used as an external storage device inside a computer body.

The computer body of this system has a space dedicated to the HDD pack in one corner, and an interface slot for connecting to the HDD pack is provided in this space.

The HDD pack is composed of a disk body (referred to as HDD) and a metal case containing the HDD. The HDD is roughly divided into a drive mechanism such as a disk and a head and a printed circuit board, and a connector (main body connector) is mounted on the printed circuit board.

HD installed inside the computer body
The D pack is connected to the interface slot of the computer main body through a detachable interface connector. The interface connector is coupled to a flexible print cable (FPC), and the FPC is connected to the main body connector. With the FPC having such an interface connector, the HDD pack is electrically connected to the system bus of the computer body and controlled.

[0006]

In the method of using the detachable HDD pack inside the computer body, the FPC having the interface connector is used to drive the HDD.
And the system bus of the computer body are electrically connected. By the way, since the personal computer such as a laptop computer is small and thin, the internal space is limited, and normally only one HDD pack can be stored. Therefore, the interface slot can connect only one HDD pack.

By the way, one HDD stored inside
In addition to the pack, it is desirable that another HDD pack can be connected to the outside of the computer body. Various methods have been proposed to realize such a thing, but none of them can be actually used.

An object of the present invention is to record data so that another device can be connected to the outside of the computer main body in addition to the external storage device provided inside without adding an internal space of the computer main body or an interface slot. It is to provide a playback device and a cable for its interface.

[0009]

A first aspect of the present invention is a data recording / reproducing apparatus such as an HDD pack which is detachably provided inside a computer main body, and which is an interface slot member arranged inside the computer main body. And a cable means for connecting the main body connector member of the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body. The cable means comprises a first cable member for connecting the internal data recording / reproducing apparatus main body and the computer main body, and a second cable member for connecting the external data recording / reproducing apparatus main body and the computer main body. . The first cable member couples the first connector member connected to the interface slot member and the second connector member connected to the main body connector member. The second cable member is a cable branched from the first cable member, and couples the extension connector member that is connected to the outside and the first connector member.

A second aspect of the present invention is an interface cable including the first cable member and the second cable member. The first cable member connects, for example, the computer main body and its built-in HDD pack. Further, the second cable member connects the computer main body and an external HDD pack other than the built-in HDD pack.

[0011]

According to the present invention, when the main body of the data recording / reproducing apparatus such as the HDD pack is mounted inside the main body of the computer, the interface slot member and the first connector member are connected. The first connector member and the main body connector member are connected by the first cable member via the second connector member. On the other hand, when the extension connector member is connected to an external HDD pack or the like, the external HD is connected by the second cable member via the extension connector member.
The D pack or the like and the interface slot member are connected. As a result, the computer main body can use an external HDD pack in addition to the internal HDD pack without adding an internal space or an interface slot member.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a side view showing an essential part of the HDD pack according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the HDD pack according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a view showing a partial configuration of the HDD pack according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of an HDD pack according to a modified example of the same embodiment. (Basic Structure) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an HDD pack 1 is assumed as a data recording / reproducing device. This H
The DD pack 1 is an external storage device that is detachably attached to the internal space 2a of the main body 2 of the personal computer. The internal space 2a of the computer main body 2 is
It is a dedicated space for housing one HDD pack 1 and has an interface slot 3.
The interface slot 3 is connected to an interface connector (first connector means) 4a provided on the HDD pack 1 to electrically connect the system bus of the computer main body 2 and the HDD 5 which is the main body of the HDD pack 1 to each other. Connecting.

The HDD pack 1 is roughly divided into an HDD 5, an interface cable 6 and a case 7 which are the gist of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the HDD 5 includes a drive mechanism having a disk and a head mounted on a base 5a and a printed circuit board 5b. The case 7 is a case made of metal such as aluminum alloy or plastic, and accommodates and covers the HDD 5 and the interface cable 6.

The interface cable 6 is a flexible printed cable (FPC) in which the first cable 6a and the second cable 6b are integrally combined or integrally formed. Hereinafter, the first cable 6a is referred to as the first FPC 6a, and the second cable 6b is referred to as the second FPC 6a.
It is called PC6b.

The first FPC 6a, as shown in FIG.
Interface connector 4a and main body connector 5c
Is a cable portion on which an interface connector (second connector means) 4b to be connected to is mounted. The body connector 5c is an interface connector for the HDD 5, and as shown in FIG. 2, the printed circuit board 5b.
Implemented in.

The second FPC 6b is a cable portion branched from the first FPC 6a at the position of the interface connector 4b. The second FPC 6b is the first FP
The same wiring circuit as that of C6a is configured, and an interface connector (hereinafter referred to as an extension connector) 4c for connecting to another external HDD pack 10 is mounted on the tip portion.

The first FPC 6a, as shown in FIG.
It is arranged in a space other than the HDD 5 in the case 7 in a state of being bent in a U shape, for example. On the other hand, the second FPC 6b is the HDD in the case 7 as shown in FIG.
5, the printed circuit board 5b, for example, is unfolded so that the extension connector 4c is located on the inlet / outlet side of the internal space 2a.

On the printed circuit board 5b of the HDD 5, as shown in FIG.
Various circuits 5d related to the operation of are mounted. Here, FIG. 3A is a front view of the extension connector 4c shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front. Further, FIG. 3B is a plan view of the interface cable 6. (Operation) Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the HDD 5 and the interface cable 6 are housed in the case 7 and then H
The DD pack 1 is constructed. When the HDD pack 1 is used as an external storage device in the computer main body 2, the HDD pack 1 is mounted in the dedicated internal space 2a of the computer main body 2 as shown in FIG.

In the HDD pack 1, the interface connector 4a mounted on the first FPC 6a and the interface slot 3 of the computer main body 2 are combined to be electrically connected to the computer main body 2. That is,
In the HDD 5, the interface connector 4b mounted on the first FPC 6a and the main body connector 5c are combined and connected to the interface slot 3 via the first FPC 6a. As a result, the computer main body 2 has the interface slot 3 and the first FPC 6
The HDD 5 mounted inside is accessed via a.

On the other hand, when another HDD pack 10 is added in addition to the HDD pack 1 mounted inside, the HDD pack 10 is connected to the extension connector 4c mounted on the second FPC 6b.

As a result, the HDD pack 10 is connected to the interface slot 3 of the computer main body 2 via the extension connector 4c, the second FPC 6b, the first FPC 6a and the interface connector 4a. Therefore, the computer main body 2 is
With the HDD pack 1 mounted inside, another HDD pack 10 can be externally expanded and used via the expansion connector 4c.

In this way, according to the present embodiment, the HDD pack 1 installed inside the HDD main body 2 and an external HDD other than the HDD pack 1 mounted inside the HDD main body 2 are not added, without adding the dedicated internal space 2a and the interface slot 3. Pack 10
Can be added. (Modification) Next, in the interface cable 6 as described above, as shown in FIG.
A circuit other than the connector is mounted on each of the first and second FPCs 6b. That is, various circuit components 20 related to the operation of the HDD 5, such as an amplifier circuit and a filter, are mounted on the first FPC 6a using the space between the interface connectors 4a and 4b. This makes it possible to omit a circuit corresponding to the circuit component 20 to be mounted on the printed circuit board 5b of the HDD 5. In other words, the printed circuit board 5b can secure a space corresponding to the circuit component 20 mounted on the first FPC 6a, so that a circuit having another function can be newly mounted.

Further, by mounting a part of the interface circuit on the computer body 2 side in the first FPC 6a, it becomes possible to omit the circuit on the computer body 2 side or implement a new circuit. .

On the other hand, by forming the electromagnetic shield circuit pattern 21 and the ground pattern 22 on the second FPC 6b as shown in FIG. 4, an electromagnetic shield effect for the HDD 5 can be obtained.

That is, the second FPC 6b is arranged so as to cover, for example, the upper surface of the printed circuit board 5b of the HDD 5, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the second F
By forming the electromagnetic shield circuit pattern 21 and the ground pattern 22 on the PC 6b, it is possible to obtain an electromagnetic shield effect particularly for the printed circuit board 5b.

The first FPC 6a and the second FPC 6
In any case of b, a circuit other than the circuits and circuit patterns described above may be mounted. For example, a small battery is provided in an empty space inside the HDD pack 1, and the first F
An application example in which a power supply line is mounted on the PC 6a and the second FPC 6b can be considered. In this application example, the inrush current generated when the HDD 5 is started is controlled by the interface cable 6
There is an effect that it can be prevented from affecting the power supply line on the computer main body 2 side by flowing it to the power supply line.

[0028]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, firstly, in addition to the external storage device to be mounted inside the computer main body, the external space can be separately provided without adding the internal space or the interface slot. External storage device can be added. Therefore, if it is applied to a device such as a small and thin personal computer whose internal space is limited, it is easy to add an external storage device without structural modification of the device. Secondly, by mounting various circuit components related to the operation of the HDD, such as an amplifier circuit and a filter, and a circuit pattern for electromagnetic shield on the cable, the circuit configuration of the HDD and the computer main body can be simplified and new. There is an effect that the addition of circuit parts can be realized. Moreover, the electromagnetic shield effect for the HDD can be enhanced by the electromagnetic shield circuit pattern or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a main part of an HDD pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the HDD pack according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of an HDD pack according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of an HDD pack according to a modified example of the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... HDD pack, 2 ... Computer main body, 3 ... Interface slot, 4a, 4b ... Interface connector, 4c ... Expansion connector, 5 ... HDD, 5c
… Main body connector, 6… Interface cable,
6a ... 1st FPC, 6b ... 2nd FPC, 7 ... Case.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G11B 33/12 304 304 313 S

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A data recording / reproducing apparatus provided inside a computer main body, comprising: a main body connector member provided in the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body for electrically connecting to the computer main body. A first cable connecting the first connector member connected to the interface slot member disposed inside the first connector member, the second connector member connected to the main body connector member, and the first connector member A member, and a second connecting to the first cable member
Cable means having a second cable member for branching at the position of the connector member of the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body, and connecting to the outside of the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body, and the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body coupled to the second cable member. A data recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: an extension connector member for connecting the outside of the device and the first connector member. 2. A data recording / reproducing apparatus provided inside a computer main body, wherein the main body connector member is provided in the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body and electrically connected to the computer main body. A first cable connecting the first connector member connected to the interface slot member disposed inside the first connector member, the second connector member connected to the main body connector member, and the first connector member A member and a cable member for connecting to the first cable member and branching at the position of the second connector member to connect with the outside of the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body. A second cable member on which an electromagnetic shield circuit is pattern-mounted, and the data recording / reproducing device connected to the second cable member. Data recording and reproducing apparatus characterized by comprising a Expansion connector member for connecting the an external device main body first connector member. 3. A data recording / reproducing apparatus provided inside the computer main body, wherein the main body connector member is provided in the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body and electrically connected to the computer main body. A first connector member that is connected to an interface slot member that is disposed inside the first connector member, a second connector member that is connected to the main body connector member, and the first connector member; A first cable member on which a circuit component related to the operation of the reproducing apparatus main body is mounted, and a branch is made at the position of the second connector member connected to the first cable member and externally connected to the outside of the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body. A second cable member for connection, and the second cable member coupled to the outside of the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body and the first cable member. Data recording and reproducing apparatus characterized by comprising a Expansion connector member for connecting the connector member. 4. The first cable member and the second cable member.
Of the flexible printed circuit board, the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body, the first cable member, the second cable member, and the first and second connector members are housed in a case, and 4. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second cable member is arranged in the inner space of the case along the surface of the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body. 5. An interface cable for electrically connecting a computer body and a data recording / reproducing device provided inside the computer body, the cable being connected to an interface slot member arranged inside the computer body. A first connector member, a second connector member connected to the main body connector member provided in the data recording / reproducing apparatus main body, a first connector member connecting the first connector member and the second connector member A first cable member, a second cable member connected to the first cable member, branched at a position of the second connector member, and connected to the outside of the data recording / reproducing apparatus; Additional connector member for connecting the outside of the data recording / reproducing device to the first connector member by being connected to the cable member of Interface cable, characterized by comprising a.