Low Profile Disk Drive Airflow Channel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disk drive units have a large profile due to the minimum width requirement of the airflow channel between the base plate and the disk, limiting their size reduction and making them unsuitable for small form factor devices like laptops.
Innovation Solution
A low profile disk drive unit design where the base plate sidewall is lower than the disk, and the airflow channel is defined between the disk and the thinner top cover sidewall, allowing for a reduced size without compromising airflow, achieved by using retaining members and strengthening members for assembly accuracy and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base plate sidewall is designed to be higher than the disk to define the airflow channel, then sufficient airflow can be generated for slider floating, but the overall profile of the disk drive unit becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the airflow channel from being defined by the base plate sidewall height to being defined by the top cover sidewall thickness. This dimensional shift allows the base plate to be lowered while maintaining the required airflow channel width between the disk periphery and the top cover sidewall, thus reducing profile height without compromising airflow generation for slider floating
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the base plate sidewall to define the airflow channel width (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using the top cover sidewall to define the airflow channel. This inversion allows the base plate sidewall to be lower than the disk, achieving a low profile design while maintaining sufficient airflow through the channel between the disk and top cover sidewall
2Weight of stationary object
If the top cover is made thinner than the base plate to reduce weight, then the overall weight is reduced, but the distance between the top cover and disk increases causing space waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter from top cover thickness to top cover sidewall thickness. By making the sidewall portion thin while maintaining adequate top portion thickness for structural integrity and weight reduction, the design achieves low weight without excessive space occupancy. The thin sidewall directly defines the airflow channel width, eliminating the need for excessive distance between the top cover and disk
3Length of stationary object
If the base plate sidewall is lowered to reduce the profile, then the overall size is reduced, but the airflow channel width may become insufficient for slider operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the top cover sidewall as an intermediary element that defines the airflow channel width. Instead of relying on the base plate sidewall height, the thin top cover sidewall acts as the mediator that creates the precise airflow channel between the disk periphery and the top cover, ensuring sufficient airflow while allowing the base plate to be lowered for reduced profile
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
The design effectively reduces the overall size of the disk drive unit while maintaining sufficient airflow, resulting in a more compact and portable storage solution.
Implementation Method 1
the disk 27 rotates at a high speed such that an aerodynamic interaction is generated between the surface of the disk 27 and the slider 234, thus making the slider 234 flying above the disk 27 at a predefined flying height
Data Source
AI summary
A low profile disk drive unit includes a disk; a HSA cooperating with the disk; a base plate comprising a bottom portion for supporting the disk and the head stack assembly thereon and a base plate sidewall extending from circumference of the bottom portion; and a top cover comprising a top portion and a top cover sidewall extending from circumference of the top portion and assembled with the base plate; wherein the top cover sidewall is thinner than the base plate sidewall, and the base plate sidewall is lower than the disk with the bottom portion as a reference datum so as to define an airflow channel between a periphery of the disk and the top cover sidewall of the top cover.