Disk Drive Housing Ribbed Cover Vibration Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thinner magnetic disk drives face challenges in achieving sufficient rigidity due to secondary vibrations, leading to noise issues, as existing solutions like ribs or constrictions on the top cover may not adequately address both primary and secondary vibration problems.
Innovation Solution
The top cover of the disk drive is enhanced with first and second ribs, strategically formed to suppress secondary and primary vibrations by drawing circular or arcuate shapes around specific vibration amplitude regions, thereby reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the top cover is made thinner to reduce drive thickness, then the drive becomes thinner and more compact, but the rigidity of the top cover is insufficient leading to increased vibrations and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming arcuate ribs with a predetermined radius of curvature on the top cover. These curved ribs increase the moment of inertia of the top cover structure, thereby enhancing rigidity without increasing the overall thickness of the drive. The curved geometry distributes stress more effectively compared to straight ribs, providing superior vibration suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by strategically positioning ribs in specific regions of the top cover where vibrations occur. The arcuate ribs are formed with their centers located at predetermined positions to target specific vibration modes. This localized reinforcement approach strengthens only the necessary areas while maintaining overall thinness.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If ribs are added to the top cover to suppress vibrations, then vibration suppression improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate shape of the ribs can be efficiently manufactured using standard stamping or molding processes. The curved geometry is formed in a single step during top cover fabrication, avoiding the need for additional assembly steps or complex tooling. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving superior vibration suppression compared to straight ribs.
3Strength
If conventional ribs are used to strengthen the top cover, then mechanical strength improves, but secondary vibrations are not adequately suppressed leading to persistent noise
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate ribs with predetermined radius of curvature are specifically designed to suppress secondary vibrations. The curved geometry creates a more effective stiffness distribution that dampens higher frequency vibrations better than straight ribs. The arcuate shape resonates at different frequencies, disrupting the propagation of secondary vibration modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs are positioned with their centers at predetermined locations to specifically target regions of high secondary vibration amplitude. This strategic placement ensures that the reinforcement is applied where it is most needed to suppress secondary vibrations, rather than uniformly distributing strength throughout the top cover.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a disk drive includes a housing comprising a base and a top cover combined to the base. The housing contains a motor configured to rotate about a rotational center and a pivot as a rotational center of a head actuator. The top cover includes a first rib. The first rib is configured in a shape comprising a first center in a triangular region. The triangular region has vertexes on a first point corresponding to the rotational center of the motor, a second point corresponding to the pivot, and a third point at a central portion of one side on an opposite side of the second point with respect to an axis extending longitudinally relative to the housing through the first point.