Type of hard disk interface device

[0001] This invention relates to a type of hard disk interface device, particularly a type of hard disk interface device that has multiple protocols, and which can be used with a main computer unit to allow the main computer unit to be connected to different types of hard disk drives, in order to retrieve and store different types of hard disk data.

[0002] The general widely-used hard disk interface devices make use of the Integrated Device Electronics (IDE) standard, and they are used with main computer units to enable the main computer units to be connected to IDE hard disk drives (or CD-ROMs), in order to retrieve and store data from the hard disk drives (or CD-ROMs).

[0003] Nevertheless, Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk drives have currently been developed, and they allow for faster data transfer and easier connection and have smaller connection heads. Consequently, the single-standard hard disk interface devices are limited to use with only one type of hard disk drive, and are unable to meet the requirements of use with different types of hard disk drives (or CD-ROMs).

[0004] With regards to the aforesaid weaknesses in the commonly-used hard disk interface devices, the present inventor has acquired manufacturing experience and technology accumulation in relation to various types of hard disk interface devices, and has carefully investigated many possible solutions to the aforesaid weaknesses, and following unceasing investigations, practical tests and improvements, he finally designed the type of hard disk interface device in the present invention.

[0005] The objective of the present invention is to provide a type of hard disk interface device, which will be compatible for connecting different types of hard disks with various different protocols.

[0006] Based on the aforesaid objective, the hard disk interface device comprises a control circuit, at least one first hard disk connector, at least one second hard disk connector, and at least one removable adaptor, wherein the control circuit comprises a USB interface, such that the control circuit can be connected to a main computer unit by means of the USB interface, and the first hard disk connector is connected to the control circuit, in order to enable a connection to be established with the SATA hard disk drive, while the second hard disk connector is based on the IDE standard, and it is also connected to the control circuit, in order to enable a connection to be established with the IDE hard disk drive, and the hard disk adaptor can be attached to the second hard disk connector to be used for the hard disk drive (or CD-ROM) of different sizes, and when a hard disk interface device is used with a main computer unit, the main computer unit can be connected to different types of hard disk drives, in order to retrieve and store different types of hard disk data, thereby increasing the scope of use for different types of hard disk drives, and reducing the capital costs for interface devices.

[0007] The invention will be more clearly understood after referring to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 refers to the block schematic diagram of the interface device of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 refers to block schematic diagram of the direct current supply of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 3 refers to the three-dimensional diagram of the external appearance of the interface device of the present invention.

[0011] The present invention relates to a type of hard disk interface device. It can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 3 that the hard disk interface device (10) mainly comprises a control circuit (1), at least one first hard disk connector (12), at least one second hard disk connector (13), and at least one removable adaptor (14).

[0012] The control circuit (11) comprises a USB interface (15), such that the control circuit can be connected to a main computer unit (16) by means of the USB interface (15), and the first hard disk connector (12) is connected to the control circuit (11), whose series is SATA, in order to enable a connection to be established with the SATA hard disk drive (17), while the second hard disk connector (13) is based on the IDE standard, and it is also connected to the control circuit (11), in order to enable a connection to be established with the IDE hard disk drive (18), and the removable adaptor (14) can be attached to the second hard disk connector (13) to be used for the hard disk drive (or CD-ROM) of different sizes (19).

[0013] Based on the aforesaid organization of the components, when a hard disk interface device (10) is used with a main computer unit (16), the main computer unit (16) can be connected to different types of hard disk drives, in order to retrieve and store different types of hard disk data, thereby increasing the scope of use for different types of hard disk drives, and reducing the capital costs for interface devices.

[0014] It can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 3 that the USB interface (15) is electrically connected to the main computer unit (16) through a USB cable (21).

[0015] It can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 3 that the SATA hard disk drive (17) is electrically connected to the first hard disk connector (12) through a SATA cable (22).

[0016] It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the second hard disk connector (13) is a 2.5-inch IDE hard disk connector, and can be adapted for a 3.5-inch IDE hard disk or CD-ROM connector by means of a removable adaptor (14), or the second hard disk connector (13) is a 3.5-inch IDE hard disk or CD-ROM connector, and can be adapted for a 2.5-inch IDE hard disk connector by means of a removable adaptor (14).

[0017] It can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the hard disk interface device (10) has a power input (31) (in the present invention, the power input (31) can be a power jack), and a 12V/2 A transformer (32) is connected to the power input (31), and power supply is carried out. The hard disk interface device (10) also has a power output (33) (in the present invention, the power output (33) can be a 4 P power output socket), enabling the externally connected hard disk drive to be connected to the power output (33) by means of a 4 P power cable (34).

[0018] When the supply of power is carried out, a power converter (35) of the hard disk interface device (10) can convert the power (DC 12V/2 A) in the transformer (32) to DC 5V, and then supply the control circuit (11) with the required 3.3V actuating power (36), and at the same time supply DC 5V and DC 12V power (37) to the SATA device or IDE-PATA device through the 4 P power cable (34), thereby achieving the performance of providing external power in order to actuate multiple or new-model high-energy-consumption hard drives.

[0019] Summarizing the aforesaid, the hard disk interface device of the present invention has a novel structure that has not existed before, and has not been published before in any publications, and similar products have not been seen in the market. Undoubtedly, it has novel features. In addition, the unique characteristics and performance of the present invention are unmatched by commonly-used devices, and the present invention is therefore an improvement on the commonly-used devices, and meets the requirements of patentability according to the laws of this country. A claim is made to register the present invention as a patent in accordance to the law.

[0020] The aforesaid description is the preferred embodiment in the present invention, but it does not limit the scope of the embodiments for the present invention, and anybody who is well-versed with the technology can easily make any changes or adjustments to the present invention based on the scope of the present invention, and within the scope laid out in the patent.

Explanation Of Main Components

• [0021] 10: Hard disk interface device
• [0022] 11: Control circuit
• [0023] 12: First hard disk connector
• [0024] 13: Second hard disk connector
• [0025] 14: Removable adaptor
• [0026] 15: Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface
• [0027] 16: Main computer unit
• [0028] 17: Serial Advanced Technology Development (SATA) hard disk drive
• [0029] 18: Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) hard disk drive
• [0030] 19: Hard disk drive (or CD-ROM) of different sizes
• [0031] 21: USB cable
• [0032] 22: Serial Advanced Technology Development (SATA) cable
• [0033] 31: Power input
• [0034] 32: 12V/2 A transformer
• [0035] 33: Power output
• [0036] 34: 4 P power cable
• [0037] 35: Power converter
• [0038] 36: 3.3V actuating power
• [0039] 37: DC 5V and DC 12V power