Disk Drive Housing Laser Welding for Variable Rib Widths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic disk drives face challenges in maintaining stable welding quality around the circumference of the housing to achieve high airtightness, particularly due to variations in rib width during laser welding.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual laser irradiation condition method, where the first condition is used for wider rib regions and a second condition with reduced laser output and scanning speed is applied for narrower rib regions, ensuring consistent welding quality and airtightness by adapting to different rib widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser welding is carried out along the entire outer circumference of the top cover to form an enclosed housing, then the airtightness of the housing is improved, but the welding quality becomes unstable due to variations in rib width
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different laser welding conditions to different regions of the housing based on local rib width characteristics. The welding process is divided into a first laser welding step for regions with larger rib widths and a second laser welding step for regions with smaller rib widths, allowing each local area to receive optimized welding parameters that match its specific geometric characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes laser welding parameters (such as laser power, scanning speed, or focal position) between different welding regions to compensate for variations in rib width. By adjusting these parameters, the welding process adapts to local geometric variations, maintaining stable weld quality across the entire circumference despite differences in rib dimensions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the rib width is increased in certain regions to improve welding stability, then the welding quality is improved, but the device complexity increases due to varying rib widths
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is segmented into multiple regions with different rib width characteristics. Rather than using a uniform rib width throughout, the housing is divided into a first region with a first rib width and a second region with a second rib width, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific welding requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design incorporates dynamic variation in rib width to adapt to welding process requirements. The rib width is not fixed but varies across different regions, creating a dynamic structure that responds to the different welding conditions needed in various areas of the housing circumference.
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 approach ensures high welding quality and improved airtightness by stabilizing the welding process across the entire circumference, even with varying rib widths, and allows for increased rib width in certain regions, enhancing the overall performance of the disk drive.
Implementation Method 1
the circumferential portion of an outer cover 16 is joined to a base 12 by laser welding
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a disk-shaped recording medium, a head which processes data on the recording medium, and a housing accommodating the recording medium and the head. The housing includes a base with a side wall, and a cover having a welded portion welded to the side wall by laser welding. The welded portion includes a first welded portion welded to a first region of the side wall and having weld beads with a first shape, and a second welded portion welded to a second region of the side wall and having welded beads with a second shape different from the first shape.