US6908330B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storage peripheral having a robust serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) PCB connector
Assignee: Western Digital Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 2002-11-15
•
Granted: 2005-06-21
•
Expires: 2022-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A storage peripheral, such as disk drive, having a robust PCB connector configured in accordance with a SATA standard. The disk drive has a disk, a disk controller system, and a PCB for mounting the disk controller system, and a housing attached to the PCB. A first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a SATA standard is connected to the PCB and is supported by a first blade connector. Both the first blade connector and the first electrical contact arrangement are enclosed by the housing. The housing further defines a cable connector receiving area around the first blade connector for the receipt of a cable connector. A pair of laterally-opposed guide arm receiving cavities are integrally formed with the housing and are disposed outside of the cable connector receiving area. The guide arm receiving cavities are adapted for the receipt of guide arms from a mating cable connector.
Inventors
- 👤 William W. Garrett
- 👤 Marc B. Goldstone
- 👤 Dalwinder Singh
- 👤 Colin W. Morgan
- 👤 Mark A. Baskovich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:59
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/12; G11B33/121; G11B33/122; H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7005; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/516; H01R13/518; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/722; H01R12/724; H01R12/77; H01R12/79
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A disk drive comprising: a disk for rotation within the disk drive; a moveable head for writing and reading data to and from the disk; a disk controller system for controlling operations in the disk drive; a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for mounting the disk controller system; a first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standard connected to the PCB; a first blade connector for supporting the first electrical contact arrangement; a housing attached to the PCB for enclosing the first blade connector and the first electrical contact arrangement, the housing defining a SATA compatible cable connector receiving area around the blade connector for receipt of a mating cable connector, the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area including a pair of opposed SATA compatible guide slots for receipt of SATA compatible guides of the mating cable connector, respectively; and a pair of laterally-opposed differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arm receiving cavities being integrally formed with the housing and being disposed outside the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area, the guide arm receiving cavities adapted for the receipt of differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arms from the mating cable connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A disk drive comprising: a disk for rotation within the disk drive; a moveable head for writing and reading data to and from the disk; a disk controller system for controlling operations in the disk drive; a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for mounting the disk controller system; a first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standard connected to the PCB; a first blade connector for supporting the first electrical contact arrangement; a housing attached to the PCB for enclosing the first blade connector and the first electrical contact arrangement, the housing defining a SATA compatible cable connector receiving area around the blade connector for receipt of a mating cable connector, the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area including a pair of opposed SATA compatible guide slots for receipt of SATA compatible guides of the mating cable connector, respectively; and a pair of laterally-opposed differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arm receiving cavities being integrally formed with the housing and being disposed outside the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area, the guide arm receiving cavities adapted for the receipt of differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arms from the mating cable connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the first electrical contact arrangement is configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the first electrical contact arrangement is configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , further comprising a second blade connector having a second electrical contact arrangement in accordance with the SATA standard, the second blade connector being located inside the cable connector receiving area of the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The disk drive of claim 4 , wherein the first electrical contact arrangement is configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the second electrical contact arrangement is configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a substantially thickened strengthening wall disposed between the cable connector receiving area and the guide arm receiving cavity, respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the guide arm receiving cavities includes a conductive surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The disk drive of claim 7 , wherein the conductive surface comprises a grounding tab.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the housing and the guide arm receiving cavities are made from a conductive plastic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the guide arm receiving cavities are approximately rectangularly shaped.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the guide arm receiving cavities are approximately oval shaped.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the SATA standard is a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) standard.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a legacy Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) power receptacle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a user section receptacle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the housing further includes an elongated slot for receipt of a second guide arm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
217 words
A disk drive comprising: a disk for rotation within the disk drive; a moveable head for writing and reading data to and from the disk; a disk controller system for controlling operations in the disk drive; a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for mounting the disk controller system; a first blade connector attached to the PCB for supporting a first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standard; a second blade connector attached to the PCB for supporting a second electrical contact arrangement in accordance with the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standard; a housing attached to the PCB for enclosing the first and second blade connectors and the supported electrical contact arrangements, the housing defining a SATA compatible cable connector receiving area around the first and second blade connectors for the receipt of a mating cable connector, the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area including a pair of opposed SATA compatible guide slats for receipt of SATA compatible guides of the mating cable connector, respectively; and a pair of laterally-opposed differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arm receiving cavities being integrally formed with the housing and being disposed outside the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area, the guide arm receiving cavities adapted for the receipt of differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arms from the mating cable connector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
217 words
A disk drive comprising: a disk for rotation within the disk drive; a moveable head for writing and reading data to and from the disk; a disk controller system for controlling operations in the disk drive; a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for mounting the disk controller system; a first blade connector attached to the PCB for supporting a first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standard; a second blade connector attached to the PCB for supporting a second electrical contact arrangement in accordance with the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standard; a housing attached to the PCB for enclosing the first and second blade connectors and the supported electrical contact arrangements, the housing defining a SATA compatible cable connector receiving area around the first and second blade connectors for the receipt of a mating cable connector, the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area including a pair of opposed SATA compatible guide slats for receipt of SATA compatible guides of the mating cable connector, respectively; and a pair of laterally-opposed differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arm receiving cavities being integrally formed with the housing and being disposed outside the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area, the guide arm receiving cavities adapted for the receipt of differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arms from the mating cable connector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The disk drive of claim 16 , wherein the first electrical contact arrangement is configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the second electrical contact arrangement is configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The disk drive of claim 16 , wherein the housing further comprises substantially thickened strengthening walls disposed between the cable connector receiving area and the guide arm receiving cavities, respectively.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The disk drive of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the guide arm receiving cavities includes a conductive surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The disk drive of claim 19 , wherein the conductive surface comprises a grounding tab.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The disk drive of claim 16 , wherein the housing and the guide arm receiving cavities are made from a conductive plastic material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The disk drive of claim 16 , wherein the guide arm receiving cavities are approximately rectangularly shaped.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The disk drive of claim 16 , wherein the guide arm receiving cavities are approximately oval shaped.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The disk drive of claim 16 , wherein the SATA standard is a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) standard.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The disk drive of claim 16 , wherein the housing further comprises a legacy Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) power receptacle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The disk drive of claim 16 , wherein the housing further comprises a user section receptacle.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The disk drive of claim 16 , wherein the housing further includes an elongated slot for receipt or a second guide arm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
176 words
A storage peripheral comprising: a semiconductor memory for storing and retrieving data; a storage controller for controlling operations in the storage peripheral; a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for mounting the storage controller; a first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standard connected to the PCB; a first blade connector for supporting the first electrical contact arrangement; a housing attached to the PCB for enclosing the first blade connector and the first electrical contact arrangement, the housing defining a SATA compatible cable connector receiving area around the blade connector for receipt of a mating cable connector, the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area including a pair of opposed SATA compatible guide slots for receipt of SATA compatible guides or the mating cable connector, respectively; and a pair of laterally-opposed differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arm receiving cavities being integrally formed with the housing and being disposed outside the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area, the guide arm receiving cavities adapted for the receipt of differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arms from the mating cable connector.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
176 words
A storage peripheral comprising: a semiconductor memory for storing and retrieving data; a storage controller for controlling operations in the storage peripheral; a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for mounting the storage controller; a first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standard connected to the PCB; a first blade connector for supporting the first electrical contact arrangement; a housing attached to the PCB for enclosing the first blade connector and the first electrical contact arrangement, the housing defining a SATA compatible cable connector receiving area around the blade connector for receipt of a mating cable connector, the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area including a pair of opposed SATA compatible guide slots for receipt of SATA compatible guides or the mating cable connector, respectively; and a pair of laterally-opposed differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arm receiving cavities being integrally formed with the housing and being disposed outside the SATA compatible cable connector receiving area, the guide arm receiving cavities adapted for the receipt of differently-sized polygonally-shaped guide arms from the mating cable connector.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The storage peripheral of claim 28 , wherein the first electrical contact arrangement is configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The storage peripheral of claim 28 , wherein the first electrical contact arrangement is configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
40 words
The storage peripheral of claim 28 , further comprising a second blade connector having a second electrical contact arrangement in accordance with the SATA standard, the second blade connector being located inside the cable connector receiving area of the housing.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The storage peripheral of claim 31 , wherein the first electrical contact arrangement is configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the second electrical contact arrangement is configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The storage peripheral of claim 28 , wherein the housing further comprises substantially thickened strengthening walls disposed between the cable connector receiving area and the guide arm receiving cavities, respectively.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The storage peripheral of claim 28 , wherein at least one of the guide arm receiving cavities includes a conductive surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The storage peripheral of claim 34 , wherein the conductive surface comprises a grounding tab.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The storage peripheral of claim 28 , wherein the housing and the guide arm receiving cavities are made from a conductive plastic material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The storage peripheral of claim 28 , wherein the guide arm receiving cavities are approximately rectangularly shaped.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The storage peripheral of claim 28 , wherein the guide arm receiving cavities are approximately oval shaped.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The storage peripheral of claim 28 , wherein the SATA standard is a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) standard.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The storage peripheral of claim 28 , wherein the semiconductor memory is a flash memory array.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The storage peripheral of claim 28 , wherein the housing further includes an elongated slot for receipt of a second guide arm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-06-20 | 2008-12-20 | 2009-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-06-20 | 2012-12-20 | 2013-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-06-20 | 2016-12-20 | 2017-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |