Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Record transport with head stationary during transducing – Disk record
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-01
2001-06-26
Ometz, David L. (Department: 2652)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Record transport with head stationary during transducing
Disk record
C360S099120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252738
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related to disc drive assemblies; and in preferred embodiments, to a motor for use in disc drives, wherein the hub of the motor includes a tapered edge for improved retention of a clamp ring.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modern computers employ various forms of storage systems for storing programs and data. For example, various forms of disc drive systems have been designed to operate under the control of a computer to record information and/or retrieve recorded information on one or more recording discs. Such disc drives include hard disc drives which employ recording discs that have magnetizable (hard) recording material, optical disc drives which employ recording discs that have optically readable recording material, magneto-optical (MO) disc drives which employ recording discs that have optically readable magnetizable recording material, or the like.
Conventional disc drive systems typically include one or more recording discs supported for relatively high speed rotation on a rotary spindle. For example,
FIG. 1
shows a side view of portions of a conventional disc drive system, including a conventional data storage or recording disc
200
supported on a spindle
210
. A disc drive motor (not shown) is operatively coupled to the spindle
210
for rotation of the spindle and the disc supported thereon. A recording and/or reading head
220
is supported by suitable head support structure (not shown) adjacent the recording surface of the disc. To simplify the disclosure,
FIG. 1
is shown with a single recording disc
200
having a single recording surface and a single head
220
. However, other conventional disc drive systems employ multiple discs, double-sided discs (discs with recording surfaces on both surfaces) and multiple heads.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, the disc
200
has a central hub opening through which the spindle
210
extends. The disc
200
and spindle
210
are shown in a top view in FIG.
2
. The spindle
210
extends through a central opening, which defines an inside diameter, of the disc. The disc is secured at its inner diameter (ID), in a fixed relation with the spindle
210
, and is supported such that the outer diameter (OD) portion of the disc is free from contact with other components. In this regard, the disc is clamped at its ID to the spindle
210
and is free at its OD. When the spindle
210
is rotatably driven, the disc
200
is caused to rotate with the spindle
210
. A top (not shown) which provides a protective cover for the disc is attached through the top of the spindle
210
and provides support for the spindle
210
.
Typically, multiple open-center discs and spacer rings are alternately stacked on a spindle motor hub. The hub, defining the core of the stack, is cylindrical in shape and serves to align the discs and spacer rings around a common axis. The discs are secured to the hub by an annular clamp that fits over the hub. Collectively the discs, spacer rings and spindle motor hub define a disc pack assembly.
The surfaces of the stacked discs are accessed by the read/write heads which are mounted on a complementary stack of actuator arms which form a part of an actuator assembly. Generally, the actuator assembly has an actuator body that pivots about a pivot mechanism disposed in a medial portion thereof. A motor selectively positions a proximal end of the actuator body. This positioning of the proximal end in cooperation with the pivot mechanism causes a distal end of the actuator body, which supports the read/write heads, to move radially across the recording surfaces of the discs, such that the head may be selectively positioned adjacent any recording location on the recording surface as the disc is rotated.
In operation, the head
220
is moved in the radial direction to align or register with a desired track location on the recording surface of the disc. Once aligned or registered with the desired track location, the head
220
is operated to read or write information onto the recording surface at the desired track location. It is important to properly register the head
220
with the track location to effect accurate reading or writing operations on the registered track.
To assure that proper registration of the disc for reading and writing purposes can be achieved, the discs must not dislodge and move in the axial direction or the horizontal plane once they are positioned in the disc stack. Thus, the discs must be protected from nonoperational shock. Typically, the disc stack is susceptible to axial disc movement during handling, shipping and installation. In addition to nonoperational shock, the discs must be prohibited from axial movement during spinning as this could damage the head or cause it to misalign with the track it is currently reading.
Current systems use a clamp ring to secure the discs in place on the hub. The clamp ring is placed over the hub at the top of the disc stack. Various prior art systems have employed hub and clamp ring configurations such as that shown in the exploded view of
FIG. 1
, wherein a clamp ring is clamped onto a cylindrical hub by thermal contraction. However, in current systems, the clamp rings in such prior configurations have exhibited a tendency to slip off of the hub in high shock, thereby increasing the likelihood that the discs will move out of alignment on the hub. As such, a need in the industry exists for a cost effective system, apparatus and process that will increase disc protection from nonoperational shocks and movement.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
Preferred embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a disc drive assembly for stacking discs, wherein the disc drive assembly includes a hub assembly which is configured to secure the discs on the disc stack. Embodiments of the disc drive assembly includes a housing having a base section and a top section, wherein the base section and the top section mate to form an internal environment.
The disc drive assembly further includes a motor having a hub assembly including a hub, wherein the hub is a cylindrical member having a first end and a second end and wherein the first end is tapered and a cylindrical central section for supporting at least one, and preferably, multiple storage data discs.
To read and write to the discs, in preferred embodiments, at least one head is disposed within the internal environment of the housing. The head is positioned adjacent the disc recording surface and is capable of moving in a radial direction across the recording surface of the disc.
Preferred embodiments include a tapered hub. One advantage of this feature is that the taper can minimize the risk that the heat shrink clamp will slip off of the hub, and minimize the risk that the discs will move along the axial length or rolling in the horizontal plane of the hub.
Still other preferred embodiments include indents at the top surface of the hub. An advantage of this feature is that the clamp ring can be more easily removed from the disc pack assembly through the use of a tool.
Another feature of preferred embodiments is the use of a heat shrink clamp to secure the discs in place on the taper. An advantage of this feature is that the contact point at the clamp to hub interface will always occur at the top of the clamp; thus, creating a more predictable loading of the disc pack during the clamp installation process. A further advantage is that the heat shrink clamp is capable of clamping a relatively high load. A still further advantage is that the heat shrink clamp protects the discs from nonoperational shocks, such as, shocks caused by handling, shipping and installing.
The above and other advantages of embodiments of this invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is intended that the above advantages can be achieved separately by different aspects of the invention and that additional advantages of this invention will involve various combinations of the above independent advantages such that synergistic benefits ma
Altman, III Franklin D.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Ometz David L.
Seagate Technologies LLC
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