Abstract: Examples of slide-in ramps for hard-disk drives are disclosed. In one example according to aspects of the present disclosure, a slide-in ramp includes: a ramp body, a head load/unload section connected to the ramp body, and a slot defined in the ramp body. The slot includes a first portion and a second portion. A first upper surface of the ramp body surrounds the first portion of the slot at a top side of the ramp body, and a second upper surface of the ramp body surrounds the second portion of the slot at the top side of the ramp body. The second upper surface is non-coplanar with the first upper surface according to various examples.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for directing windage involves a body defining an aperture. A fastener is operably disposed in the aperture and is selectively engageable with a fixed support member between a first mode permitting rotation of the body around the fastener longitudinal axis, and a second mode affixing the body in place to the support member at a desired rotational orientation. A shroud depends from the body and is sized at a distal end for an operable mating relationship adjacent an arcuate edge of a disc that is rotatable around a disc axis. The shroud distal end is operably disposed a first distance from the fastener longitudinal axis in a direction of a plane including the fastener longitudinal axis and the disc axis. A leading edge of the shroud, with respect to a direction of windage established by disc rotation, is disposed a second distance from the fastener longitudinal axis that is the same or less than the first distance from the fastener longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A clamp including an inverted spring portion and a plurality of tabs about a circumference of an inner portion of the clamp. The inverted spring portion of the clamp is insertable into a groove of a clamping interface between a flange and an outer portion thereof to align the plurality of tabs proximate to the flange. As described, the clamp provides a low profile interface for clamping discs to a spindle assembly which snap fits into the groove to provide a screwless clamp interface. Other features and benefits that characterize embodiments of the present invention will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description and review of the associated drawings.

Abstract: An enclosure system includes a motor assembly that has a motor magnet and at least one motor coil. The enclosure system also includes a base coupled to the motor assembly. The base includes a first portion that includes a non-magnetic material and a second portion that includes a magnetic material. The first portion of the base is in closer proximity to the motor magnet than the second portion of the base.

Abstract: A base assembly for use in an airtight enclosure. The base assembly includes a metal stamped section and an overmold section formed adjacent to the metal stamped section. The overmold section includes at least one stress relief feature for eliminating distortion stresses exerted on the metal stamped section by the overmold section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a data storage system. The data storage system includes a metal injected molded base. The metal injection molded base includes a metal injection molded platform and at least one metal injection molded three-dimensional feature. The at least one metal injection molded three-dimensional feature is formed integrally and simultaneously with the metal injection molded platform. The at least one three-dimensional feature configured to mount data storage system components to the platform.

Abstract: A data storage device is made by molding a portion of a motor into a first enclosure member, and then coupling the first enclosure member to a second enclosure member to define an interior environment for other data storage device components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a shock sensor to the printed circuit board (PCB) of a disc drive are provided. In particular, the present invention allows the shock sensor to be mounted at any location on the printed circuit board rather than being limited to placement adjacent a mounting screw. The present invention includes a clamping mechanism for rigidly clamping the PCB to the head disc assembly (HDA) so that any shock is properly transmitted from the HDA to the PCB and then to the shock sensor. In one exemplary embodiment, the PCB is clamped between a shield and the HDA. The shock sensor is then position near the point at which the PCB is clamped so that the point of clamping provides transmission of any shock in the Z-axis to the shock sensor. Shocks in the X-Y axis direction are transmitted via the normal mounting screws.

Abstract: The present invention provides a data storage system. The data storage system includes a metal injected molded base. The metal injection molded base includes a metal injection molded platform and at least one metal injection molded three-dimensional feature. The at least one metal injection molded three-dimensional feature is formed integrally and simultaneously with the metal injection molded platform. The at least one three-dimensional feature configured to mount data storage system components to the platform.

Abstract: A base deck is provided and includes a base plate having a plurality of parallel surfaces and a plurality of gasket retention grooves formed. A first gasket retention groove is formed in one of the plurality of parallel surfaces that is proximate a top cover. A second gasket retention groove is formed in one of the plurality of parallel surfaces and at least partially surrounds a motor mounting aperture. A third gasket retention groove is formed in one of the plurality of parallel surfaces and at least partially surrounds a connector mounting aperture. A first cured-in-place elastomer is formed on the base plate and is confined by the first gasket retention groove. A second cured-in-place elastomer is formed on the base plate and is confined by the second gasket retention groove. A third cured-in-place elastomer is formed on the base plate and is confined by the third gasket retention groove.

Abstract: The invention includes techniques for mounting a printed circuit board (PCB) on a housing for an electronic device. The housing includes a top cover that combines with a base to form an internal space within the housing. The PCB has at least one tab that extends from it and fits within a recess formed by the base to secure the PCB on a side of the base opposite to the internal space. The electronic device may additionally include a shield such that the PCB fits between the shield and the base and the shield assists in securing the PCB to the base. The housing may also include a locking mechanism to constrain the PCB tab to the base. Embodiments of the invention allow for a PCB to be mounted to an electronic device housing without the use of screws.

Abstract: An enclosure system includes a motor assembly that has a motor magnet and at least one motor coil. The enclosure system also includes a base coupled to the motor assembly. The base includes a first portion that includes a non-magnetic material and a second portion that includes a magnetic material. The first portion of the base is in closer proximity to the motor magnet than the second portion of the base.

Abstract: A base deck for a data storage device is preferably formed from a stamped, or fine blanked metallic platform portion, which supports an over-mold portion. The over-mold portion is a combination of elastomeric components and rigid structural components. In addition to providing structurally rigid side walls for the base deck, the over-mold portion also provides additional structurally rigid components, and features difficult to obtain from the platform portion formation process, such as a ramp load/unload feature and alignment guides. Elastomeric components provided by the over-mold process include gaskets for the top cover, motor, and actuator of the data storage device as well as impact dissipation members. The impact dissipation members aid in dissipating impact forces encountered by the data storage device during manufacturing of the data storage device as well as during the operational life of the data storage device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and an overmolded mounting base. A plate is provided with mounting surfaces having a range of alignments including a nominal alignment. The plate is overmolded to form an overmolded plate. The overmolding changes the alignment of the mounting surfaces. The overmolded plate is maintained at a creep temperature for a time interval sufficient for creep to restore the alignment toward the nominal alignment.

Abstract: The invention includes techniques for mounting a printed circuit board (PCB) on a housing for an electronic device. The housing includes a top cover that combines with a base to form an internal space within the housing. The PCB has at least one tab that extends from it and fits within a recess formed by the base to secure the PCB on a side of the base opposite to the internal space. The electronic device may additionally include a shield such that the PCB fits between the shield and the base and the shield assists in securing the PCB to the base. The housing may also include a locking mechanism to constrain the PCB tab to the base. Embodiments of the invention allow for a PCB to be mounted to an electronic device housing without the use of screws.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and an overmolded mounting base. A plate is provided with mounting surfaces having a range of alignments including a nominal alignment. The plate is overmolded to form an overmolded plate. The overmolding changes the alignment of the mounting surfaces. The overmolded plate is maintained at a creep temperature for a time interval sufficient for creep to restore the alignment toward the nominal alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a shock sensor to the printed circuit board (PCB) of a disc drive are provided. In particular, the present invention allows the shock sensor to be mounted at any location on the printed circuit board rather than being limited to placement adjacent a mounting screw. The present invention includes a clamping mechanism for rigidly clamping the PCB to the head disc assembly (HDA) so that any shock is properly transmitted from the HDA to the PCB and then to the shock sensor. In one exemplary embodiment, the PCB is clamped between a shield and the HDA. The shock sensor is then position near the point at which the PCB is clamped so that the point of clamping provides transmission of any shock in the Z-axis to the shock sensor. Shocks in the X-Y axis direction are transmitted via the normal mounting screws.

Abstract: A base assembly for use in an airtight enclosure. The base assembly includes a metal stamped section and an overmold section formed adjacent to the metal stamped section. The overmold section includes at least one stress relief feature for eliminating distortion stresses exerted on the metal stamped section by the overmold section.

Abstract: Longitudinal edges of an actuator arm are provided with stiffening elements in order to raise natural resonant frequencies of the arm so as to prevent resonance from occurring. The stiffening element is shaped and positioned so as to be able to individually “tune” the natural resonant frequency of a given bending mode without significantly affecting the natural frequencies in other bending modes.

Abstract: An apparatus restricting motion of an actuator assembly to preclude damage to a read/write head or a disc of a disc drive, the apparatus includes a pole piece with a crash stop mounting aperture and an overmolded crash stop communicating with the crash stop mounting aperture. The overmolded crash stop includes a retention channel formed by a top retention portion, a bottom retention portion and a main body portion during a process of molding the overmolded crash stop to the pole piece. The main body portion conforms to the crash stop mounting aperture, thereby precluding motion of the overmolded crash stop relative to the pole piece in a lateral direction, while the top retention portion and the bottom retention portion constrain motion of the overmolded crash stop relative to the pole piece in the vertical direction.