Ultra-thin HDD embedded disk clamp design
View Patent ↗A disk drive having a hub comprising a top surface and a non-circular protrusion extending upward from the top surface, a disk clamp comprising a wall portion and a non-circular opening formed through the clamp, the opening configured to receive the non-circular protrusion extending upward from the top surface of the hub; and at least one disk supported by the hub, wherein the non-circular protrusion extending upward from the top surface of the hub is inserted into the opening formed in the clamp, and wherein an outer annular portion of the clamp engages the disk to provide clamping force.
1. A method of assembling a disk drive, the method comprising:
providing:
(1) a hub comprising a non-circular protrusion extending from a top surface thereof,
(2) a disk clamp comprising a non-circular opening, and a lower surface having an inner region formed proximate to the non-circular opening, an outer region formed radially outward of the inner region, and a raised region formed between the inner region and the outer region, and
(3) at least one disk;
inserting the hub through the disk;
inserting the non-circular protrusion extending from the top surface of the hub into the non-circular opening of the disk clamp; and
fixing the disk clamp to the hub such that inner region contacts the hub, the outer region contacts the disk, and the raised region forms an air gap between the hub and the clamp, wherein the outer region of the disk clamp provides a clamping force to the disk.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing comprises:
inserting a screw through the disk clamp and into the hub, wherein the screw is inserted through the raised region of the disk clamp such that the air gap is formed proximate to the screw.
3. A method of assembling a disk drive, the method comprising:
providing:
(1) a hub comprising a non-circular protrusion extending from a top surface thereof, and a step portion formed on the top surface proximate to the non-circular protrusion,
(2) a disk clamp comprising a non-circular opening, and a lower surface having an inner region formed proximate to the non-circular opening and an outer region formed radially outward of the inner region, and
(3) at least one disk;
inserting the hub through the disk;
inserting the non-circular protrusion extending from the top surface of the hub into the non-circular opening of the disk clamp; and
fixing the disk clamp to the hub such that outer region contacts the disk and the inner region contacts the step portion of the hub to form an air gap between the hub and the disk clamp, wherein the outer region of the disk clamp provides a clamping force to the disk.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the fixing comprises:
inserting a screw through the disk clamp and into the hub, wherein the screw is inserted such that the air gap is formed proximate to the screw.