US 6,487,071 B1 · Methods and apparatus for dampening vibration of a disk drive

Abstract

The invention is directed to techniques for dampening vibration of a disk drive using a dampening member which is co-planar with a mid-plane of the disk drive, and which has at least a portion extending from a carrier toward a main assembly when the carrier is installed within the main assembly in order to dampen vibration of the disk drive when the disk drive is in operation. The use of the dampening member in this location results in vibration dampening which is superior to conventional disk drive mechanisms. In particular, since the dampening member is co-planar with the mid-plane of the disk drive, the dampening member dampens vibration along a critical direction providing substantial vibration isolation. Accordingly, disk drives configured in accordance with the invention are capable of providing high performance even in high rotation speed (i.e., high RPM) and high density configurations.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A disk drive assembly, comprising:

a disk drive that stores and retrieves computerized data;
a carrier, coupled to the disk drive, that supports the disk drive within a main assembly;
and
a dampening member, coupled to the carrier at a location of the carrier which is co-planar with a mid-plane of the disk drive, at least a portion of the dampening member extending from the carrier toward the main assembly when the carrier is installed within the main assembly in order to dampen vibration of the disk drive when the disk drive is in operation.

1 more element

A data storage system, comprising:

a main assembly for holding multiple disk drive assemblies;
and
a disk drive assembly having:
a disk drive that stores and retrieves computerized data;
a carrier, coupled to the disk drive, that supports the disk drive within the main assembly;
and
a dampening member, coupled to the carrier at a location of the carrier which is co-planar with a mid-plane of the disk drive, at least a portion of the dampening member extending from the carrier toward the main assembly when the carrier is installed within the main assembly in order to dampen vibration of the disk drive when the disk drive is in operation.

4 more elements

A method for dampening vibration of a disk drive, comprising the steps of:

coupling a dampening member to the carrier;
coupling the disk drive to the carrier such that the dampening member is coupled to the carrier at a location of the carrier which is co-planar with a mid-plane of the disk drive;
installing the carrier within a main assembly such that at least a portion of the dampening member extends from the carrier toward the main assembly;
and
operating the disk drive such that the disk drive stores and retrieves computerized data, and such that the dampening member dampens vibration of the disk drive when the carrier is installed within the main assembly and when the disk drive is in operation.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for dampening vibration of a disk drive

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for dampening vibration of a disk drive

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20