Disc drive clamp having centering features
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorsBrenda K. Drake, Frederick P. Renken
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A disc clamp having centering features, and a method for centering a disc clamp on a spindle hub within a disc drive utilizes a disc clamp having a series of alignment tabs extending into an inner edge for centering the disc clamp on a motor spindle hub. Each alignment tab has an engagement face that defines a curved or chamfered surface, where the curved surface reduces disc clamp/motor spindle hub interaction when the disc clamp is installed on the spindle hub.
Claims16
A disc drive spindle motor assembly comprising:
- a cylindrical motor spindle hub having an upwardly extending rim, the cylindrical motor spindle hub mounted to a spindle shaft;
- an information storage disc mounted on the cylindrical motor spindle hub;
- and
- an annular disc clamp securing the information storage disc to the cylindrical motor spindle hub, the clamp having an annular web portion with a series of inwardly extending tabs fitted around the rim to center the disc clamp on the cylindrical motor spindle hub, the tabs projecting from an inner edge of the web portion toward the rim, wherein each tab has a rounded top edge such that radial separation between each tab and an upwardly extending surface of the rim increases as the web portion of the disc clamp is being secured to a radially extending surface of the cylindrical motor spindle hub.
A disc clamp for securing an information storage disc to a motor spindle hub in a disc drive, the disc clamp comprising:
- a web portion having an inner edge with a series of equidistantly spaced inwardly extending tabs, each tab having a chamfered top edge;
- and
- a peripheral ring portion for contacting a top surface of an information storage disc
- wherein the radial separation between the chamfered top edge of each tab and an unwardly extending surface of the motor spindle hub increases as the web portion is being secured to the motor spindle hub.
A disc drive spindle motor assembly comprising:
- an information storage disc mounted on a cylindrical hub;
- and
- means for providing a uniform and centered clamping force to a top surface of the information storage disc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.