Tolerance ring with high hoop strength to resist deformation

A disc drive, comprising:

• a basedeck;
• a spindle motor supported on the basedeck;
• a disc supported on the spindle motor for rotation about a disc axis;
• a moveable actuator assembly which pivotally supports a head adjacent the disc, the actuator assembly having a central aperture with an inner surface;
• a stationary shaft supported on the basedeck having an outer surface and which defines an actuator axis nominally parallel to the disc axis;
• and
• a tolerance ring compressingly disposed between the inner and outer surfaces to mount the actuator assembly for rotation about the shaft, comprising:
• a substantially cylindrical base portion extending an axial length along the actuator axis and a radial length about the actuator axis;
• a plurality of spaced apart contact portions which project a first radial distance from the base portion, wherein the plurality of contact portions cooperatively act with the base portion to mechanically engage the inner and outer surfaces;
• and
• a separate brace portion which circumferentially extends about the actuator axis and which projects from the base portion a second radial distance less than the first radial distance to increase the hoop strength of the tolerance ring, wherein the brace portion is a circumferentially extending ridge having an apex formed by an intersections of two steeped portions.