# US 11,308,994 B2 · Top cover spring designs > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,308,994 B2 - Document ID: US11308994B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/852,904 - Filed: 2020-04-20 - Published: 2021-10-21 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-20 - Assignees: Seagate Technology LLC - Applicants: Seagate Technology LLC - Inventors: Pow Ming Yap; Tai Zen Tan; Siew Ming Ng; Hui Khim Cho; Swee How Alvin Teo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11308994B2 ## CPC - G11B 33/08: Insulation or absorption of undesired vibrations or sounds - B21D 22/02: Stamping using rigid devices or tools - F16F 1/027: {Planar, e.g. in sheet form; leaf springs} - F16F 1/185: {characterised by shape or design of individual leaves (F16F1/22 takes precedence)} - F16F 1/328: {with undulations, e.g. wavy springs} - F16F 3/02: with springs made of steel or of other material having low internal friction - F16F 15/06: with metal springs (with rubber springs also F16F15/08) - F16F 15/073: using only leaf springs - G11B 33/02: Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon - G11B 33/027: {Covers (G11B33/022 takes precedence; with means for guiding the record carrier G11B17/34)} - G11B 33/121: {the apparatus comprising a single recording/reproducing device} - G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R) - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract A hard disk drive includes a base, a cover coupled to the base to create an enclosure, and a voice coil motor assembly that is positioned within the enclosure. The cover includes a spring positioned adjacent to the voice coil motor assembly to dampen vibration of the voice coil motor assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hard disk drive comprising: a base; a cover coupled to the base to create an enclosure; a voice coil motor assembly (VCMA) positioned within the enclosure, the cover including a spring positioned adjacent to the VCMA to dampen vibration of the VCMA, the cover including openings adjacent to the spring; and a label adhered to the cover and arranged to cover the spring and the openings to seal the enclosure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hard disk drive of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the spring contacts at least a portion of the VCMA. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The hard disk drive of claim 2, wherein the spring contacts a top pole of the VCMA. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The hard disk drive of claim 2, wherein the spring has multiple contact points with the VCMA. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hard disk drive of claim 1, wherein the spring provides a spring force on the VCMA. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The hard disk drive of claim 1, wherein the spring has a wavy profile. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The hard disk drive of claim 1, wherein the spring has a thickness that is less than a thickness of another portion of the cover. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The hard disk drive of claim 1, wherein the spring has a top surface that is positioned at a height that is different than a top surface of the cover. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The hard disk drive of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a plurality of springs positioned adjacent the VCMA to dampen resonance of the VCMA. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The hard disk drive of claim 9, wherein the plurality of springs are arranged in a row. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The hard disk drive of claim 10, wherein the row extends in a direction that is not parallel to an edge of the cover. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The hard disk drive of claim 9, wherein the plurality of springs includes 2-10 individual springs. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The hard disk drive of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of springs has only two contact points with the VCMA. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The hard disk drive of claim 1, wherein the label includes an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer does not extend along an area where the spring is located. ### Claim 15 A cover for a hard disk drive, the cover comprising: a main body of the cover extending along a plane and between a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of springs protruding from the main body and each extending from the main body at both a first end and a second end of the respective springs, each of the plurality of springs having a wavy profile; at least one opening adjacent to each of the plurality of springs; and a plurality of fastener openings along outer portions of the main body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The cover of claim 15, wherein a thickness of the plurality of springs is equal to or less than a thickness of the main body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The cover of claim 15, wherein the plurality of springs are arranged in a row. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The cover of claim 17, wherein the row extends in a direction that is not parallel to an edge of the cover. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The cover of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of springs have two troughs and one crest.