Disk Drive Base with Embedded High-Damping Motor Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cast aluminum disk drive bases exhibit poor damping characteristics, exacerbating mechanical vibrations and shocks, which is a concern in portable consumer electronics where weight and cost are critical factors.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a motor support made of a higher damping coefficient material, such as cast iron, embedded within the disk drive base, either through press-fitting or cast-in-place methods, with optional use of constrained viscoelastic materials and adhesives to enhance damping and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If cast aluminum is used for the disk drive base, then weight and manufacturing cost are reduced, but damping characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining cast aluminum base with embedded motor supports made of materials having higher damping coefficients (such as cast iron, steel, or alloys). This composite structure allows the base to maintain the lightweight advantage of aluminum while incorporating high-damping materials in critical areas to improve vibration and shock damping characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selectively placing motor supports made of high-damping materials only in specific critical areas where vibration and shock damping is most needed, rather than making the entire base from high-damping material. This allows targeted improvement of damping characteristics while minimizing additional weight and cost.
2Ease of manufacture
If cast aluminum is used for the disk drive base, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but damping characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining inexpensive cast aluminum with strategically placed motor supports of high-damping materials. This approach maintains cost-effectiveness by using cast aluminum for the majority of the base structure while adding high-damping materials only where necessary to improve reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying high-damping motor supports only in critical regions rather than throughout the entire base, thereby minimizing the amount of expensive high-damping material required and keeping manufacturing costs acceptable while still improving overall damping characteristics.
3Reliability
If a motor support made of higher damping coefficient material is embedded in the disk drive base, then damping characteristics are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the motor support structure directly into the cast aluminum base through embedding, press-fitting, or adhesive bonding. This combines multiple functions (structural support, vibration damping, shock absorption) into a single integrated component rather than separate parts, thereby improving damping characteristics while limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 solution effectively dampens mechanical vibrations and shocks, improving the structural integrity and reliability of disk drives within the constraints of weight and cost specifications.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a motor support made of a higher damping coefficient material, such as cast iron, embedded within the disk drive base
Implementation Method 2
optional use of constrained viscoelastic materials and adhesives to enhance damping and sealing
Data Source
AI summary
A disk drive includes a disk drive base comprising a first metal material. The disk drive base may include a first opening and a first attachment feature to which a head actuator assembly pivot may be attached. A motor support may be embedded in the first opening in the disk drive base. The motor support consists of a second metal material having a damping coefficient higher than that of the first metal material. A rotary spindle may be attached to the motor support, and a disk may be attached to the rotary spindle.