Low Profile Damper Plates for Voice Coil Motor Yokes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increase in the number of magnetic disks in hard disk drives (HDDs) leads to more actuator arms, resulting in higher mass and increased reaction forces during reading/writing, causing vibrations in the top and bottom yokes and the device itself, which complicates the design of slimmer and larger-capacity HDDs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of damper plates on the surfaces of the top and bottom yokes facing the actuator coils reduces vibrations, allowing for a thinner HDD design by increasing the stiffness of these components and absorbing reaction forces, thereby minimizing device vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of magnetic disks is increased to provide larger capacity, then the storage capacity is improved, but the mass of actuators increases and reaction forces cause increased vibrations in the yokes and device
Solution Approach 1:
A damping member is introduced as an intermediary component between the yoke and the actuator coil. This damping member absorbs and dissipates the reaction forces generated by the actuator coil, preventing them from being transmitted to the yoke and causing vibrations. The damping member acts as a mediator that isolates the yoke from the harmful vibrational forces while allowing the actuator system to continue functioning with increased storage capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of actuator arms is increased to accommodate more magnetic disks, then the storage capacity is improved, but the mass of actuators increases leading to increased reaction forces
Solution Approach 1:
The damping member serves as an intermediary that intercepts and absorbs the reaction forces before they can fully transmit to the yoke structure. By placing the damping member in the force transmission path between the actuator coil and the yoke, it reduces the magnitude of reaction forces reaching the yoke, thereby allowing the system to accommodate more actuator arms without proportionally increasing vibrational forces.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional damping structures are used to reduce vibrations, then vibrations are reduced, but the thickness of the HDD increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping member is designed as a thin film or sheet-like structure that can be attached to the surface of the yoke. This thin-film approach provides effective damping functionality while occupying minimal space in the thickness direction. The damping member's flexible, thin construction allows it to absorb vibrational energy without significantly increasing the overall thickness of the HDD, thus maintaining the slim profile requirement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces HDD vibrations and allows for a slimmer design while maintaining performance, as the damper plates enhance the structural stiffness and absorb the reaction forces generated by the actuator coils, leading to a more stable and compact hard disk drive.
Implementation Method 1
a damper plate is provided at least on the surface of the top yoke facing the actuator coil in order to reduce vibration of the HDD
Data Source
AI summary
A hard disk drive including a plurality of magnetic disks and a voice coil motor. The voice coil motor includes a coil and a first damper plate for dampening vibrations generated by the coil. The first damper plate is disposed within the voice coil motor.