US 7,397,631 B1 · Stamped stators for disk drives

Abstract

Disk stators or air deflectors are provided for controlling undesirable air flow characteristics in a disk drive. In a four-disk pack arrangement, the stators are arranged in a group of three stacked stators wherein a middle or interior stator is planar, and the upper and lower stators each have complementary shapes with offset mounting brackets thereby providing gaps between the stators. Openings formed in the stators are aligned with one another when assembled enabling a locating pin protruding from the base of the disk drive to be received within the openings. The disk stators can also be incorporated in other disk pack arrangements such as two and three disk packs. The stators are preferably formed in a stamping manufacturing process thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Claims16

Dependent claims

In subcombination, a disk stator for use in a stacked group of disk stators in a disk drive, said stator comprising:

a planar body;
a plurality of mounting brackets formed on an exterior edge of said planar body, said mounting brackets each including a first component extending substantially orthogonal to said planar body and connected to said exterior edge, and a second component connected to said first component and extending substantially parallel to said planar body, said first and second components forming a bend;
and
at least one opening formed in each said brackets.

1 more element

A stator assembly for a disk drive, said stator assembly comprising:

(i) an upper stator including:
a planar body;
a plurality of mounting brackets formed on an exterior edge of said planar body, at least one of said mounting brackets including a first component extending substantially orthogonal to said planar body and connected to said exterior edge, and a second component connected to said first component and extending substantially parallel to said planar body, said first and second components forming a bend;
and
at least one opening formed in each bracket of said plurality of brackets;
(ii) a lower stator comprising:
a planar body;
a plurality of mounting brackets formed on an exterior edge of said planar body, at least one of said mounting brackets including a first component extending substantially orthogonal to said planar body and connected to said exterior edge, and a second component connected to said first component and extending substantially parallel to said planar body, said first and second components forming a bend;
and
at least one opening formed in each bracket of said plurality of brackets;
and
(iii) a middle stator positioned between said upper and lower stators, said middle stator including a planar body, a plurality of mounting brackets formed on an exterior edge of said planar body and said mounting brackets being co-planar with said planar body, and at least one opening formed in each bracket of said plurality of mounting brackets;
said upper, middle, and lower stators being stacked upon one another so that said respective mounting brackets contact one another, said at least one openings formed in said respective brackets align with one another, the positioning of said lower stator is inverted with respect to the positioning of the upper stator, and wherein an upper gap exists between the bodies of the middle and upper stators and a lower gap exists between the bodies of the lower and middle stators.

10 more elements

A stator assembly for a disk drive, said stator assembly comprising:

(i) an upper stator including:
a planar body;
means for connecting said planar body to the disk drive and formed on an exterior edge of said planar body, said means for connecting forming a bend offset from said planar body;
and
at least one opening formed in said means for connecting;
(ii) a lower stator comprising:
a planar body;
means for connecting said planar body to the disk drive and formed on an exterior edge of said planar body, said means for connecting forming a bend offset from said planar body;
and
at least one opening formed in said means for connecting;
(iii) a middle stator positioned between said upper and lower stators, said middle stator including a planar body, means for connecting said planar body to the disk drive and formed on an exterior edge of said planar body, said means for connecting being co-planar with said planar body, and at least one opening formed in said means for connecting;
and
wherein said upper, middle, and lower stators are stacked upon one another so that said respective means for connecting contact one another, and said at least one openings formed in said respective means for connecting align with one another, the positioning of said lower stator being inverted with respect to the positioning of the upper stator, and wherein an upper gap exists between the bodies of the middle and upper stators and a lower gap exists between the bodies of the lower and middle stators.

10 more elements

In combination, a stator assembly and a disk drive base, said combination comprising:

a disk drive base for housing a disk drive, said base including at least one locating pin protruding from an interior of said base;
a stator assembly comprising:
(i) an upper stator including:
a planar body;
a plurality of mounting brackets formed on an exterior edge of said planar body, said mounting brackets each including a first component extending substantially orthogonal to said planar body and connected to said exterior edge, and a second component connected to said first component and extending substantially parallel to said planar body, said first and second components forming a bend;
and
at least one opening formed in each said brackets;
(ii) a lower stator comprising:
a planar body;
a plurality of mounting brackets formed on an exterior edge of said planar body, at least one of said mounting brackets including a first component extending substantially orthogonal to said planar body and connected to said exterior edge, and a second component connected to said first component and extending substantially parallel to said planar body, said first and second components forming a bend;
and
at least one opening formed in each said brackets;
(iii) a middle stator positioned between said upper and lower stators, said middle stator including a planar body, a plurality of mounting brackets formed on an exterior edge of said planar body and said mounting brackets being co-planar with said planar body, and at least one opening formed in each said mounting brackets;
and
wherein said upper, middle, and lower stators are stacked upon one another so that said respective mounting brackets contact one another, and one group of openings formed in said respective brackets align with one another and receive said at least one locating pin of said base, the positioning of said lower stator is inverted with respect to the positioning of the upper stator, and further wherein an upper gap exists between the bodies of the middle and upper stators and a lower gap exists between the bodies of the lower and middle stators.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Stamped stators for disk drives

Life of this patent

Stamped stators for disk drives

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16