Spring disk clamp utilizing wedged retaining ring
View Patent ↗A spring disk clamp is provided for securing one or more data storage disks to a disk drive without the need for screws. The disk clamp incorporates an angled surface defining the central opening of the clamp which is positioned adjacent a sloping surface of the hub. An external axial load applied to the clamp deflects the clamp, and allows a retaining member to be wedged between the clamp and the hub. Stabilizing features such as O-rings and the like are also eliminated as the clamp of the invention provides both radial and axial stabilization to the disk pack in its mounting to the hub.
1. An assembly for securing one or more disks to a hub of a disk drive, said assembly comprising:
a spindle hub having a circumferential groove formed thereon, said groove being defined by at least one sloping surface;
a disk clamp mounted over said spindle hub, said disk clamp including a central opening defined by at least one angled surface which lies adjacent said at least one sloping surface when said disk clamp is mounted over said spindle hub, said disk clamp further including a lower surface, an upper surface, a peripheral flange integral with said disk clamp and extending radially outward and downward from said lower surface, and a circumferential groove formed on said upper surface; and
a retaining member inserted in a gap between said at least one sloping surface and said at least one angled surface.
2. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1 , further including:
a balance ring mounted in said circumferential groove.
3. An assembly, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said retaining member includes a plurality of arc sections selectively spaced from one another in said gap.
4. An assembly for securing one or more disks to a hub of a disk drive, said assembly comprising:
a spindle hub having a circumferential groove formed thereon, said groove being defined by at least one sloping surface;
a disk clamp mounted over said spindle hub, said disk clamp including a central opening defined by at least one angled surface which lies adjacent to said at least one sloping surface when said disk clamp is mounted over said spindle hub, said disk clamp further having an annular body portion including upper and lower surfaces, a peripheral edge, means spaced radially inward from said peripheral edge for allowing said annular body portion to deflect in response to an axial load placed on said annular body portion, and a circumferential groove formed on said upper surface; and
a retaining member inserted in a gap between said at least one sloping surface and said at least one angled surface.
5. An assembly, as claimed in claim 4 , further including:
a balance ring mounted in said circumferential groove.
6. A method of securing one or more data disks to a hub of a disk drive, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a disk clamp having a peripheral flange, and a central opening defined by at least one angled surface;
providing a spindle hub having a circumferential groove formed thereon, said circumferential groove being defined by at least one sloping surface;
mounting the clamp over the hub so that said angled surface of said clamp lies adjacent said sloping surface of said hub;
applying an axial load to said disk clamp;
deflecting said disk clamp in response to said axial load causing said angled surface to displace away from said sloping surface;
inserting a retaining member between said angled surface and said sloping surface; and
releasing the axial load resulting in said angled surface moving back toward said sloping surface thereby wedging said retaining member between said angled surface and said sloping surface.
7. A method, as claimed in claim 6 , wherein:
said angled surface and said sloping surface extend substantially parallel to one another.
8. A method, as claimed in claim 6 , wherein:
said angled surface and said sloping surface extend at an angle to one another between about zero degrees and fifteen degrees.
9. A method, as claimed in claim 6 , wherein:
the retaining member is of a desired cross-sectional area prior to said inserting step to selectively adjust an amount of force supplied by the disk clamp to secure the one or more data disks.
10. An assembly, as claimed in claim 4 , wherein:
said retaining member includes a plurality of arc sections selectively spaced from one another in said gap.
11. A method of securing one or more data disks to a hub of a disk drive without the use of securing screws, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a disk clamp of unitary construction without screw holes, and a central opening defined by at least an angled surface, said disk clamp further including a lower peripheral flange extending radially outward and downward from said disk clamp;
providing a spindle hub having a circumferential groove formed thereon;
mounting the clamp over the hub;
applying an axial load to the disk clamp;
deflecting the disk clamp in response to the axial load;
inserting a retaining member in a gap between the angled surface and the circumferential groove;
releasing the axial load resulting in partial return of the disk clamp from its deflected state thereby wedging the retaining member between the disk clamp and the hub.
12. A method, as claimed in claim 11 , wherein:
said circumferential groove of the spindle hub is defined by at least one sloping surface, wherein said release of the axial load results in said angled surface moving back towards said sloping surface thereby wedging the retaining member between the angled surface and the sloping surface.
13. A method, as claimed in claim 12 , wherein:
said angled surface and said sloping surface extend substantially parallel to one another.
14. A method, as claimed in claim 12 , wherein:
said angled surface and said sloping surface extend at an angle to one another between about 0° and 15°.
15. A method, as claimed in claim 11 , further including the step of:
providing the retaining member of a desired cross-sectional area prior to said inserting step to selectively adjust a magnitude of force sup plied by the disk clamp to secure the one or more data disks.