IP Library Granted Patent US 7,072,141
Granted Patent B2
US 7,072,141 · App. 10/680,235 · Granted Jul 4, 2006

Magnetic disc unit with range of gap between disc and shroud

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,072,141
App. No.
10/680,235
Granted
Jul 4, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A magnetic disc unit having a rotating disc type magnetic disc, a head for recording and reproducing data to and from the magnetic disc, and a shroud surrounding an end surface of an outer periphery of the magnetic disc, except a part where a carriage arm is inserted, wherein a gap between the outer peripheral end surface of the magnetic disc and the shroud is set in a range which is greater than 0.1 mm but not greater than 0.6 mm.

Claims (21)

1. A magnetic disc unit comprising a rotating disc type magnetic disc, a head for recording and reproducing data to and from said magnetic disc, and a shroud surrounding an end surface of an outer periphery of said magnetic disc, except a part where the carriage arm is inserted, wherein a gap between the outer peripheral end surface of said magnetic disc and the shroud is set in a range which is greater than 0.1 mm but not greater than 0.6 mm.

2. A magnetic disc unit as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said magnetic disc is any one of a plurality of magnetic discs stacked on a shaft of a spindle motor, and said shroud is integrally incorporated with a base of said magnetic disc unit, having a machined surface opposing said peripheral end surface of the magnetic discs.

3. A magnetic disc unit as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a minimum disc-shroud gap in said range is 0.2 mm.

4. A magnetic disc unit as set forth in claim 2 , wherein a minimum disc-shroud gap in said range is 0.2 mm.

5. A magnetic disc unit as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said shroud is a non-perforated shroud.

6. A magnetic disc unit as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said shroud is a non-perforated shroud.

7. A magnetic disc unit comprising a rotating disc type magnetic disc, a head for recording and reproducing data to and from the magnetic disc, and a shroud surrounding the magnetic disc so as to define a gap between the shroud and an outer peripheral end surface of the magnetic disc which is greater than 0.1 mm but not greater than 0.6 mm, wherein air on one surface side of the magnetic disc is isolated from air on an other surface side of the magnetic disc so as to reduce a pressure differential between both of the one and the other surface sides of the magnetic disc.

8. A magnetic disc unit having a base, comprising, on the base, a magnetic disc, a spindle motor for rotating the magnetic disc, and a carriage for moving a head, for recording and reproducing data to and from the magnetic disc, between outer and inner peripheries of the magnetic disc, wherein the carriage and a wall formed around the base so as to surround the carriage are provided with respect to one peripheral portion of the magnetic disc and the spindle motor, and a shroud is provided with respect to an other peripheral portion of the magnetic disc and the spindle motor and surrounds the magnetic disc so as to define a gap between the shroud and an outer peripheral end surface of the magnetic disc which is greater than 0.1 mm but not greater than 0.6 mm.

9. A magnetic disc unit comprising:

at least one rotating magnetic disc;

a head for recording and reproducing data to and from the magnetic disc;

a head support mechanism for supporting said head;

a carriage including a guide arm linked to said magnetic head support mechanism; and

a shroud surrounding an end surface of an outer radial periphery of said magnetic disc other than at a part where said guide arm is inserted;

wherein a gap between said end surface of the outer periphery of said magnetic disc and said shroud is set in a range not less than 0.1 mm but not greater than 0.6 mm; and

wherein a side wall delimits the entire periphery of the disc unit, the side wall forms at least a part of a surrounding wall of the carriag and a part of the shroud, and an inner wall of the shroud is arranged along the periphery of the disc and an outer wall of the shroud serves as a part of the side wall.

10. A magnetic disc unit as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the part where the guide arm is inserted in formed therein with a shroud part which is projected inwardly so as to decrease an opening angle of the part, and which surrounds the outer periphery of the disc, and a gap between the end surface of the outer periphery of the magnetic disc and the shroud part is set in a range which is not less than 0.1 mm but not greater than 0.6 mm.

11. A magnetic disc unit as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the shroud has a machined shroud surface opposing the outer peripheral end surface of the magnetic disc.

12. A magnetic disc unit as set forth in claim 11 , wherein a plurality of magnetic discs are stacked on a single spindle motor shaft.

13. A magnetic disc unit as set forth in claim 9 , wherein a plurality of magnetic discs are stacked on a single motor shaft, each magnetic disc having an outer diameter of 3.5 inches, and being rotated at a rated speed of not less than 7,600 rpm.

14. A magnetic disc unit as set forth in claim 9 , wherein a plurality of magnetic discs are stacked on a single spindle motor, each magnetic disc having an outer diameter of 2.5 inches and being rotated at a speed of not less than 12,000 rpm, and a gap between the outer peripheral end surface of each of the magnetic discs, and the shroud is not less than 0.1 mm and not greater than 0.4 mm.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2016
From: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 040820/0802 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2006
From: HITACHI, LTD.
To: HITACHI GLOBAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN, LTD.
Reel/Frame 017336/0194 →