Optical Drive Top Cover Support via Spindle Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical disk drives face issues with top cover deformation and sagging due to insufficient structural strength, which can lead to contact with the disk and affect normal operation, especially in thinner designs where loading pressure becomes a concern.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a supporting element between the spindle motor's shaft and the top cover to prop it up, which can be fixed to the shaft, top cover, or part of the shaft, and may include contact terminals and separating elements to reduce noise and friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the optical disk drive is designed to be thinner, then the portability and compactness are improved, but the top cover becomes more prone to deformation and sagging under loading pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical support dimension by positioning the supporting element at the center of the top cover, extending downward to contact the spindle motor shaft. This adds a new spatial dimension for structural reinforcement without increasing the overall footprint or thickness of the drive, effectively solving the contradiction between thin design and structural strength.
2Length of moving object
If the top cover is made thinner for compact design, then the device size is reduced, but the top cover is more easily affected by loading pressure and may contact the disk
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element is pre-installed in a position that anticipates potential deformation of the top cover under loading pressure. When the top cover sags, the supporting element makes contact with the spindle motor shaft to provide upward support, preventing the top cover from contacting the rotating disk and thus preemptively protecting against operational failures.
3Strength
If a supporting element is added to prevent top cover deformation, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element is integrated with the existing spindle motor shaft structure, combining the function of motor support with the additional function of top cover support. This merging approach adds the necessary structural reinforcement without introducing completely separate components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while still achieving the goal of preventing top cover deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical disk drive including a housing, a top cover, a spindle motor and a supporting element is provided. The housing has an accommodating space. The top cover covers the accommodating space. The spindle motor is disposed within the accommodating space and has a shaft. The supporting element is disposed between an end of the shaft and the top cover. When the top cover is deformed, the shaft props up the top cover through the supporting element.