Radially loaded disc mounting system for a disc drive

摘要

A disc mounting system for mounting the discs of a disc drive in a fixed radial relationship to the hub of a spindle motor. The disc mounting system includes a disc mounting ring associated with each disc in the disc stack. The disc mounting ring includes at least one axially extending finger against which a portion of the inner diameter of the disc is brought to bear in an interference fit. In a first embodiment of the invention, the disc mounting ring includes a single finger and that portion of the inner diameter of the disc radially opposite the finger directly contacts the spindle motor hub. In other embodiments of the invention, the disc mounting ring includes a plurality of fingers spaced circumferentially about the ring and the inner diameter of the disc bears on all fingers and has no direct contact with the spindle motor hub. In all embodiments, it is envisioned that sufficient axial force will be applied to the discs at the time of manufacture to produce some cold-flowing of the disc mounting ring material of the fingers. Mechanisms for controlling the axial location of the discs relative to the spindle motor hub are also disclosed.