Abstract: The performance of a leaf spring disc clamp can be enhanced by utilizing a roughly triangular shape for the center aperture. Such a disc clamp exhibits a substantially more uniform distribution of clamping force on the data disc and thereby reduces the deformation of the disc. It has further been determined that a stiffening rib located adjacent to the rim portion which contacts the data disc also leads to more uniform distribution of clamping force. Lastly, vibrations in a leaf spring disc clamp from external shocks or drive operation can be reduced utilizing a dampening ring of visco-elastic material. The dampening ring can be fastened to the surface of the disc clamp or placed within a rib on the disc clamp.

Abstract: A disc drive, includes a base, a disc stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. The actuator assembly also includes a bearing housing, head mounting arms, head suspensions attached to the head mounting arms and a head assembly attached to the head suspension. The disc drive also includes a hub having a cylindrical body. The hub includes a disc mounting flange on one end of the hub. A disc has an opening therein sufficient to allow the hub to fit within the opening of the disc. The disc has two substantially flat data surfaces. The disc also includes a disc clamping portion located near the opening in the disc. A clamp is used to attach the disc to the hub. At least one disc is placed onto the hub and onto the mounting flange of the hub. The clamp is then used to clamp the disc to the hub. The disc clamping portion includes features for accommodating differences in flatness between the disc surfaces, the mounting flange of the hub and the clamp.

Abstract: An improved disc clamping system for the elements of the disc stack in a disc drive to increase resistance to radial shifting of the disc stack elements. The increased resistance to radial shifting is achieved by increasing the coefficient of friction between adjacent disc stack elements, and the increase in the coefficient of friction is accomplished by controllably texturing the contact surfaces of various disc stack elements or combinations of disc stack elements. Surface texturing processes particularly suited to specific disc stack elements are disclosed.