Disk drive having mounting inserts with cantilevered beams
View Patent ↗A novel disk drive includes a disk drive base that includes a plurality of mounting recessions. Each of a plurality of mounting inserts at least partially protrudes into a respective one of the plurality of mounting recessions, and contacts the disk drive base. Each of the plurality of mounting inserts includes a body portion that is adapted to be attached to a host computer system. Each of the plurality of mounting inserts also includes at least one cantilevered beam having a root end that is attached to the body portion and having a distal end that is in contact with the disk drive base in a respective one of the plurality of mounting recessions. The root end is not in contact with the disk drive base when the mounting insert is in an undeformed state.
1. A disk drive for use with a host computer system, the disk drive comprising:
a disk drive base that includes a plurality of mounting recessions;
a spindle defining an axis of rotation and being rotably attached to the disk drive base; and
a plurality of mounting inserts, each at least partially protruding into a respective one of the plurality of mounting recessions and contacting the disk drive base;
wherein each of the plurality of mounting inserts includes
a body portion that is adapted to be attached to the host computer system, and
at least one cantilevered beam having a root end that is attached to the body portion and having a distal end that is in contact with the disk drive base in a respective one of the plurality of mounting recessions, and
wherein the root end is not in contact with the disk drive base when the mounting insert is in an undeformed state.
2. The disk drive of claim 1 wherein the body portion includes a hole for receiving a threaded fastener.
3. The disk drive of claim 1 wherein the root end is separated from the disk drive base by a limited travel clearance when the at least one cantilevered beam is in the undeformed state.
4. The disk drive of claim 3 wherein the limited travel clearance, measured in a direction parallel to the spindle axis of rotation, is in the range 0.25 mm to 1.25 mm.
5. The disk drive of claim 1 wherein the disk drive is a 65 mm form factor disk drive and wherein a total spring rate for travel of the plurality of mounting recessions of the disk drive base relative to the body portions of the plurality of mounting inserts, in a direction parallel to the spindle axis of rotation, is in the range 200 KN/m to 600 KN/m.
6. The disk drive of claim 1 wherein the disk drive is a 95 mm form factor disk drive and wherein a total spring rate for travel of the plurality of mounting recessions of the disk drive base relative to the body portions of the plurality of mounting inserts, in a direction parallel to the spindle axis of rotation, is in the range 2000 KN/m to 6000 KN/m.
7. The disk drive of claim 6 wherein the total spring rate is substantially constant until the travel meets a travel limit.
8. The disk drive of claim 6 wherein the total spring rate increases as the travel increases.
9. The disk drive of claim 1 wherein the body portion and the at least one cantilevered beam comprise a material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate plastic, polyoxymethylene plastic, and polyetherimide plastic.
10. The disk drive of claim 1 wherein the body portion and the at least one cantilevered beam comprise a material selected from the group consisting of alloys of steel, alloys of aluminum, alloys of copper, and alloys of beryllium.
11. The disk drive of claim 1 wherein the body portion includes a limiting surface that is separated from the disk drive base by a limited travel clearance when the at least one cantilevered beam is in the undeformed state, the limiting surface contacting the disk drive base when the at least one cantilevered beam is in a deformed state.
12. The disk drive of claim 1 wherein the distal end is thicker than the root end.
13. The disk drive of claim 1 wherein the distal end is rounded and has a diameter that is greater than a thickness of the at least one cantilevered beam at a location that is closer to the root end.
14. The disk drive of claim 1 wherein the at least one cantilever beam overlies a surface of the respective one of the plurality of mounting recessions that is not normal to the spindle axis of rotation.
15. The disk drive of claim 1 further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) attached to the disk drive base; and wherein the PCB includes a host connector and a head-disk assembly (HDA) connector, the host connector being attachable to the host computer system, the PCB being attached to the disk drive base by a plurality of fasteners, none of the plurality of fasteners being disposed nearer to the host connector than to the HDA connector, and wherein the PCB defines a major circuit board surface that faces the disk drive base but is separated from the disk drive base by a gap in the range 0.25 to 1.25 mm.
16. The disk drive of claim 15 wherein the PCB includes at least one compliant finger that protrudes from the host connector and engages with the disk drive base.