Top cover spring designs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11308994-B2
Application number	US-202016852904-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 20, 2020
Priority date	Apr 20, 2020
Publication date	Apr 19, 2022
Grant date	Apr 19, 2022

Abstract

A hard disk drive includes a base, a cover coupled to the base to create an enclosure, and a voice coil motor assembly that is positioned within the enclosure. The cover includes a spring positioned adjacent to the voice coil motor assembly to dampen vibration of the voice coil motor assembly.

First claim

We claim:

1. A hard disk drive comprising:
a base;
a cover coupled to the base to create an enclosure;
a voice coil motor assembly (VCMA) positioned within the enclosure, the cover including a spring positioned adjacent to the VCMA to dampen vibration of the VCMA, the cover including openings adjacent to the spring; and
a label adhered to the cover and arranged to cover the spring and the openings to seal the enclosure.

2. The hard disk drive of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the spring contacts at least a portion of the VCMA.

3. The hard disk drive of claim 2 , wherein the spring contacts a top pole of the VCMA.

4. The hard disk drive of claim 2 , wherein the spring has multiple contact points with the VCMA.

5. The hard disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the spring provides a spring force on the VCMA.

6. The hard disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the spring has a wavy profile.

7. The hard disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the spring has a thickness that is less than a thickness of another portion of the cover.

8. The hard disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the spring has a top surface that is positioned at a height that is different than a top surface of the cover.

9. The hard disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a plurality of springs positioned adjacent the VCMA to dampen resonance of the VCMA.

10. The hard disk drive of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of springs are arranged in a row.

11. The hard disk drive of claim 10 , wherein the row extends in a direction that is not parallel to an edge of the cover.

12. The hard disk drive of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of springs includes 2-10 individual springs.

13. The hard disk drive of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of springs has only two contact points with the VCMA.

14. The hard disk drive of claim 1 , wherein the label includes an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer does not extend along an area where the spring is located.

15. A cover for a hard disk drive, the cover comprising:
a main body of the cover extending along a plane and between a top surface and a bottom surface;
a plurality of springs protruding from the main body and each extending from the main body at both a first end and a second end of the respective springs, each of the plurality of springs having a wavy profile;
at least one opening adjacent to each of the plurality of springs; and
a plurality of fastener openings along outer portions of the main body.

16. The cover of claim 15 , wherein a thickness of the plurality of springs is equal to or less than a thickness of the main body.

17. The cover of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of springs are arranged in a row.

18. The cover of claim 17 , wherein the row extends in a direction that is not parallel to an edge of the cover.

19. The cover of claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of springs have two troughs and one crest.

Assignees

• Seagate Technology Llc

Inventors

• Yap Pow Ming
• Tan Tai Zen
• Ng Siew Ming
• Cho Hui Khim
• Teo Swee How Alvin

Classifications

• B21D22/02

  Stamping using rigid devices or tools · CPC title

• F16F1/027

  Planar, e.g. in sheet form; leaf springs · CPC title

• G11B33/027

  Covers (G11B33/022 takes precedence; with means for guiding the record carrier G11B17/34) · CPC title

• F16F1/328

  with undulations, e.g. wavy springs · CPC title

• F16F15/073

  using only leaf springs · CPC title