Disk drive transport, clamping and testing

Abstract

A disk drive transporter, for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, includes a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive. The frame includes sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive. The frame also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls. The clamping mechanism includes a first engagement element and a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element. The first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot.

1 . A disk drive test slot comprising:
 a housing defining:
 a test compartment for receiving a disk drive for testing, and 
 an open end providing access to the test compartment for insertion and removal of a disk drive for testing; and 
   a first engagement element mounted to the housing, wherein the first engagement element is configured to engage a disk drive inserted in the test compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The disk drive test slot of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement element comprises a clamping spring. 
     
     
         3 . The disk drive test slot of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement element comprises a dampener. 
     
     
         4 . The disk drive test slot of  claim 3 , wherein the dampener is configured to engage a disk drive inserted in the test compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The disk drive test slot of  claim 3 , wherein the dampener comprises a dampening material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics and thermosets. 
     
     
         6 . The disk drive test slot of  claim 1 , further comprising a second engagement element mounted to the housing, wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are arranged to clamp a disk drive therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . The disk drive test slot of  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines one or more mounting holes and wherein the first engagement element includes one more retaining tabs which engage with the one or more mounting holes. 
     
     
         8 . The disk drive test slot of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement element is mounted within the test compartment. 
     
     
         9 . A test slot assembly comprising:
 A. a disk drive transporter configured to receive and support a disk drive; and   B. a test slot comprising:
 i. a housing defining:
 a. a test compartment for receiving and supporting the disk drive transporter, and 
 b. an open end providing access to the test compartment for insertion and removal of the disk drive transporter; and 
 
 ii. a first engagement element mounted to the housing, wherein the first engagement element is arranged to engage a disk drive carried by the disk drive transporter when the disk drive transporter is inserted in the test compartment. 
   
     
     
         10 . The test slot assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the disk drive transporter includes a pass-through aperture, and wherein the first engagement element is arranged to extend through the pass-through aperture to engage a disk drive carried by the disk drive transporter. 
     
     
         11 . The test slot assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the disk drive transporter comprises sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween, and wherein a first one of the sidewalls defines the pass-through aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The test slot assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first engagement element is arranged such that during insertion of the disk drive transporter into the test compartment the first engagement element is compressed by the disk drive transporter. 
     
     
         13 . The test slot assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first engagement element includes a ramp surface, and wherein, during insertion of the disk drive transporter into the test compartment, the disk drive transporter engages the ramp surface of the first engagement element causing the first engagement element to be compressed. 
     
     
         14 . The test slot assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first engagement element comprises a clamping spring. 
     
     
         15 . The test slot assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first engagement element comprises a dampener. 
     
     
         16 . The test slot assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the dampener is configured to engage a disk drive inserted in the test compartment. 
     
     
         17 . The test slot assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the dampener comprises a dampening material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics and thermosets. 
     
     
         18 . The test slot assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a second engagement element mounted to the housing, wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are arranged to clamp a disk drive therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . The test slot assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the disk drive transporter includes pass-through apertures, and wherein the first and second engagement elements are arranged to extend through the pass-through apertures to engage a disk drive carried by the disk drive transporter. 
     
     
         20 . The test slot assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first engagement element is mounted within the test compartment.