Top cover shroud for a disc drive
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorsRichard Kendle Thompson, Aaron Steve MacPherson, Robert A. Alt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shroud feature and method for incorporating an airflow shroud feature in a disc drive assembly. The airflow shroud feature is connected to the cover of the disc drive rather than the base plate. When the disc drive cover incorporating the shroud feature is placed on the disc drive, the shroud feature surrounds at least a portion of the circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the disc to reduce turbulence when the disc is operated. The shroud is rigidly connected to the top cover by engagement of the shroud with a physical feature of the top cover. The shroud operably directs air-flow along the peripheral edge of the disc during drive operation when the cover is installed on the base plate.
Claims17
A disc drive comprising:
- a base plate;
- an information storage disc supported for rotation by a drive motor on the base plate;
- and
- a top cover having a shroud rigidly connected to the top cover by engagement of a base portion of the shroud with a feature of the top cover, wherein the base portion extends along and across a portion of an underside surface of the top cover and wherein a portion of the shroud extends downward perpendicular from the base portion alongside a peripheral edge of the discs, the base portion extending away from the portion extending downward perpendicular from the base portion, wherein the portion extending downward operably directs air-flow along the peripheral edge of the disc during drive operation when the cover is installed on the base plate.
A cover for a disc drive having a base plate, a disc rotatably supported by a spindle motor mounted to the base plate, and an actuator assembly on the base plate adjacent the disc for moving a transducer over the disc, the cover comprising:
- a generally planar body shaped to cover the disc and the actuator assembly when mounted on the base plate;
- and
- a disc shroud connected to an underside surface of the generally planar body by engaging a feature on the generally planar body, wherein the disc shroud has a base portion extending along and across a portion of the underside surface and a shroud portion extending perpendicular to the base portion from the underside of the generally planar body, the base portion extending away from the shroud portion, wherein the shroud portion extends downward and around a portion of the disc when the cover is installed onto the base plate.
A disc drive having a base plate and an information storage disc supported for rotation by a drive motor on the base plate, the disc having a peripheral edge, the drive comprising:
- a top cover;
- and
- means extending from the top cover for directing rotation-induced air flow along the peripheral edge of the disc, wherein the means comprises a shroud fastened against an underside surface of the top cover, the shroud having a laterally extending flat support portion lying against the underside surface and a shroud portion extending perpendicularly from the support portion toward the base plate adjacent the peripheral edge of the disc, the flat support portion extending away from the shroud portion extending downward perpendicular from the flat support portion.
A disc drive having a base plate and an information storage disc supported for rotation by a drive motor on the base plate, the disc having a peripheral edge, the drive comprising:
- a top cover;
- and
- means extending from the top cover for directing rotation-induced air flow along the peripheral edge of the disc comprising a shroud fastened against an underside surface of the top cover, the shroud having a support portion lying against the underside surface and a shroud portion extending toward the base plate adjacent the disc, and wherein the shroud has an “L” shaped cross section and the shroud portion is curved and positioned parallel to the peripheral edge of the disc in the disc drive when the top cover is installed on the base plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.