Abstract: In certain embodiments, a hard disk drive includes at least one disk secured to a motor hub with a disk clamp. The disk clamp is positioned radially off-center with respect to the hub to balance a static drive imbalance. In certain embodiments, a method includes radially offsetting a disk clamp to offset a static drive balance.

Abstract: A disk device with disk contamination control having a spindle for rotating at least one disk. A spindle hub located on the spindle. A disk clamp for clamping the at least one disk on the hub. A magnetic clamp seal magnetically and removably attached to the disk clamp wherein the magnetic clamp seal encapsulates disk contaminants between the clamp and the clamp seal. The magnetic clamp seal magnetically collects metallic contaminants within a sealed housing.

Abstract: An information medium substrate is formed as a flat plate and includes a first convex part formed on one surface of the information medium substrate in a region between a rim part of a center hole and an inner circumferential edge of an information region and a second convex part formed on another surface of the information medium substrate at a position that overlaps a protruding end part of the first convex part in a thickness direction of the information medium substrate.

Abstract: An aligning device for a disk recording medium capable of reducing eccentricity using a simple structure, without an increase in cost, is provided. An aligning member has a tapered portion that contacts with a center hole of a disk, and fits with a guide portion that is fixed to a turntable with a sliding gap therebetween. The sliding gap between the aligning member and the guide portion is formed such that a leading end side sliding gap of the turntable in the sliding direction of the aligning member differs from a trailing end side sliding gap of the disk side in the sliding direction. The leading end side sliding gap is formed smaller than the trailing end side sliding gap. The amount of eccentricity of the disk becomes smaller according to this structure.

Abstract: A disk apparatus compatible with a disk cartridge having a large head window even with a small external size. A disk apparatus includes a cartridge holder, a pair of guide walls, a disk motor, a head, a base, first and second slider guides, first and second open/close sliders respectively having first and second engageable portions. The slider guides are provided in the cartridge holder for supporting the disk cartridge, and the sliders are slidably engaged with the slider guides. The sliders slide to allow the engageable portions to be engaged with the disk cartridge such that a distance between the engageable portions is smaller than a distance between the guide walls while the disk cartridge is inserted, and such that the distance between the engageable portions is larger than the distance between the guide walls when the disk cartridge is mounted, and thus form a window in the disk cartridge so as to allow the head to access the disk and allow the disk to be mounted on the disk motor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a profile motor are provided. A spindle motor can include a base in contact with a bearing housing, a bearing installed in the bearing housing, a rotational shaft rotatably supported by the bearing, a stator disposed around the bearing housing and having a coil, a rotor including a rotor yoke fixed on the rotational shaft and a magnet fixed on the rotor yoke, a turntable provided above the rotor yoke and rotating together with the rotational shaft, and a plurality of balls provided in a space defined by the rotor yoke and the turntable.

Abstract: A disc drive apparatus mounted with an improved clamping mechanism for driving a disc to rotate is composed of a rotor and a stator, which supports the rotor rotatable freely. The rotor includes a rotor yoke, a clamping section for clamping down a disc on the rotor yoke, a boss and a shaft. The rotor yoke is constituted by a regulating surface for regulating a position in an axial direction of the disc clamped down on the rotor yoke by the clamping section and a center hole. The boss is constituted by a base section in disciform having a through hole and an outer peripheral wall section in an annular shape extending outward around the base section with perpendicularly intersecting to the base section. The boss fastens the rotor yoke by engaging the center hole of the rotor yoke with an outer circumferential surface of the outer peripheral wall section at the bottom. The shaft is fixed to the boss by being inserted into the through hole of the boss.

Abstract: A method for centering and securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a chamfer and a countersink on the top of the spindle motor shaft center. During the hard disk drive assembly process, a disk centering tool engages and uses these features to locate and center the disks that are installed on the spindle motor. The features are closely toleranced to provide a very precise centering feature for mounting and aligning the media disks with respect to the hub and the spindle motor. The present design reduces the complexity of the tooling and fixtures required to complete the assembly. As a result, the overall part cost is reduced and the manufacturing yield is improved.

Abstract: A hard disk hub has a disk-mounting face formed at one end as a truncated conical surface of revolution symmetric about the hub axis. A cylindrical inner hub member is coaxial with the hub body outside diameter and the surrounding mounting face. The inner hub member is adapted to receive a planar disk with a central mounting hole with disk inside diameter fitted around it. The mounting face is disposed at a hub conning angle (?/2+/??) relative to the hub axis. Hub conning angle ? is selected so that a disk mounting force F applied to an inner disk portion surrounding the central mounting opening bends a portion of the disk interior to the hub inside diameter to conform contiguous facing relationship with the conical disk-mounting face. This interior bending portion reduces or eliminates the tendency of the outer disk portion to form an excessive conning angle ?.

Abstract: A system for exchanging digital data among a plurality of hand-held computer devices. Digital signals are written by a first hand-held device to a mini-cartridge that mini-cartridge is inter-operable among a class of hand-held devices, each of which is equipped with a mini-disk drive. A common digital data format is employed to further facilitate exchange of data between devices.

Abstract: A system for exchanging digital data among a plurality of hand-held computer devices. Digital signals are written by a first hand-held device to a mini-cartridge that mini-cartridge is inter-operable among a class of hand-held device, each of which is equipped with a mini disk drive. A common digital data format is employed to further facilitate exchange of data between devices.

Abstract: A base of an arm having a driving projection at its tip is rotatably supported on a turn table. The turn table is provided with a first guide part and a second guide part, an outer edge part of the base of the arm and a first guide part are in contact with each other at a contact point, and a projection and a second guide part are in contact with each other at a contact point. While the arm rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the contact points are moved, and it is possible to prevent the center of the driving projection from largely deviating from a reference normal. Thus, even if a hub in which the position of the driving hole is shifted is mounted, the hub is not largely shifted in a rotation direction relative to a turn table.

Abstract: A system for exchanging digital data among a plurality of hand-held computer devices. Digital signals are written by a first hand-held device to a mini-cartridge that mini-cartridge is inter-operable among a class of hand-held device, each of which is equipped with a mini disk drive. A common digital data format is employed to further facilitate exchange of data between devices.

Abstract: An integrated spacer clamp for securing data storage disks to a hub of a disk drive mechanism includes an integral body and spacer flange. The spacer flange separates the body and the disk a predetermined distance apart. The body includes bores that receive members for securing the clamp to the hub, and includes one or more grooves for distributing the securing force of the securing members.

Abstract: A spindle motor includes a rotor case in which a shaft support is located at the center of the rotor and disc mounting guides are located around the shaft support at a predetermined interval, a shaft installed at the shaft support, a disc chuck spring having at least one disc inner hole chucking portion and arranged at the rotor case such that at least one disc inner hole chucking portion slightly protrudes between the disc mounting guides, a magnet inside the rotor case, an armature stator facing the magnet via a gap, and a stator base where the armature stator is located, the stator base supporting the shaft inside the armature stator.

Abstract: A small-sized and thin flexible recording system including a flexible disk drive and a recording disk is provided. The recording disk has a disk-shaped recording medium and a recording medium cartridge rotatably receiving therein the recording medium. The flexible disk drive includes a magnetic head for recording information into the recording medium or reproducing information recorded in the recording medium, a carriage mechanism for moving the magnetic head, a recording medium drive motor for rotating the recording medium, a frame having an insertion opening through which the recording disk is inserted, a recording medium mounting portion formed adjacent the insertion opening in a direction in which the recording disk is inserted for mounting thereon the recording disk, and a recording-disk ejection mechanism for ejecting the recording disk from the frame.

Abstract: A brushless motor having a turntable including a rotor in which a turntable is integrally formed on the outer side of a rotor case and a magnet is arranged on the inner side thereof, a shaft for supporting the rotor, a stator base for supporting the shaft, and a stator formed on a portion of the stator base for driving the rotor, in which the turntable which has a media mounting portion at least partly formed of resin, includes a media installation guide formed of the same resin to support a medium, and at least one media inner diameter chucking spring member integrally formed of resin to have a diameter slightly greater than the media installation guide and the inner diameter of the media.

Abstract: A flexible disk drive has the configuration of a type-2 card for use in a personal computer or other information processing apparatus. The flexible disk drive includes a cabinet for insertion into a card slot in the information processing apparatus, a mechanism for inserting and ejecting a recording medium cartridge containing a recording medium, a head for accessing the recording medium, a head drive actuator for moving the head, a recording medium drive actuator for driving the recording medium, a position device for positioning the recording medium in a predetermined position, and a drive force transfer mechanism for transferring the driving force of the recording medium drive actuator to the recording medium. The components of the flexible disk drive have thin profiles to achieve the form factor of the type-2 card.

Abstract: A disc-shaped recording medium for which information signals are recorded and/or reproduced in a state in which a rotating recording and/or reproducing head is floated a pre-set distance from a signal recording region carrying surface of the disc-shaped recording medium. The disc-shaped recording medium has an area radially outside of the outer perimeter of center opening by at least 0.1 mm clamped by a clamp mechanism. This area is coplanar as each surface of the disc-shaped recording medium carrying the signal recording region. It is possible in this manner to prevent eccentricity of the rotating disc-shaped recording medium and consequent collision of the recording and/or reproducing head against the disc-shaped recording medium.

Abstract: An FDD chucking device includes a magnetic disc on which a center hub of a floppy disk is rested and which rotates in a predetermined direction, and a driving arm equipped with a driving pin on one end thereof and an engaging member on the other end thereof. The magnetic disc is provided with a driving pin through hole, a driving arm receiving hole, and first and second thin-wall portions exposed in the through holes. The driving pin is inserted in the driving pin through hole, and the engaging member is inserted in the driving arm receiving hole to lock them onto the first and second thin-wall-portions to thereby loosely fit the driving arm in the magnetic disc.

Abstract: A shaft having a diameter A is press-fitted into the central hole of the boss. A tapered portion is formed around one end of the shaft, which is inserted to the center hole, such that a dimension in the extending direction of the shaft is R. The boss includes a cylindrical recess formed concentrically with the center hole on one end face thereof facing a side from which the shaft is inserted such that a dimension in the extending direction of the center hole thereof is larger than R, and such that a diameter thereof is A<B≦1.05A. The cylindrical recess includes a first side wall linearly extending from the end face of the boss and a second side wall subsequent to the first side wall, which is tapered inwardly in order to serve as an insertion guide member against which the tapered portion of the shaft is to be abutted when the shaft is inserted into the center hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for a disc type medium capable of performing smooth recording/reproducing operations while maintaining gaps between a cartridge and a disc type medium encased therein with a fixed accuracy. The cartridge is held and pressed between support members disposed on a base on which a disc driving spindle motor is mounted and a holder is moved down due to the biasing force of prestressed springs provided on the holder so that warping deformation of the cartridge is corrected. As a result, fixed gaps can be formed surely between an optical disc and the cartridge during operation, thereby making it possible to keep them out of contact with each other.

Abstract: A disc includes a disc substrate having a major surface operating as a signal recording portion and having a substantially circular center opening in the major surface, and a hub mounted on the disc substrate for closing the center opening in the disc substrate. The hub includes an inner rim portion having a spindle opening at its center and an outer rim portion connected to an outer side of the inner rim portion for extending from the inner rim portion via a step difference towards the side of insertion in the spindle opening. When the hub is set on a disc table, the outer rim portion protruded on the side from which the spindle is inserted into the spindle opening with a step difference approaches a magnet provided on the disc table to increase the force of suction by the magnet so that the magnetic disc is chucked with respect to the disc table solely by the force of the magnet.

Abstract: A spindle motor includes a shaft 6 which is rotatably supported; a rotor casing 7 which is turned together with the shaft 6; and a turn table 9 which is fixedly mounted on one end portion of the shaft 6 and is rotated with a disk 10 mounted thereon. An eccentric member 12 is loosely fitted on the part of the shaft 12 which is located between the rotor casing 7 and the turn table 9. The eccentric member 12 is turned with the rotation of the rotor casing 7. In place of the eccentric member, a ball may be arranged which is rolled around the shaft.

Abstract: A system provides for mounting a removable media disk cartridge in a disk drive without translating the cartridge or spindle motor in a Z-axis relative to each other. The system comprises a spindle in the drive having a substantially planar top surface with an annular groove disposed and an datum ring disposed thereon. The annular groove accepts an inner ring surface of a media disk hub. The disk cartridge has a hub with an inner ring that engages the annular groove in the spindle. Additionally the hub has an outer peripheral edge that has an angled surface. During disengagement of the hub from the spindle, the hub is tilted when the cartridge shell engages the outer peripheral edge. The datum ring acts as a fulcrum while the inner ring is tilted out of the annular groove.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a media module having a support surface. A drive base is movable relative to the support surface. A spindle includes an automatically actuatable clamp device mounted on the drive base. A triggering device is mounted in the spindle and includes a reciprocating member and a rotating cam member, so that movement of the drive base adjacent the support surface moves the reciprocating member to rotate the cam member and actuate the clamp device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk rotating mechanism equipped with an automatic aligning mechanism in which the number of parts is reduced and in which an improvement in assembly operability and a reduction in cost are achieved. The automatic aligning mechanism includes a case body made of a non-magnetic material and formed as a flat cylinder with one end surface closed, two or more balance members provided so as to be freely movable in the inner space (movement space) of the case body, and an attracting magnet adapted to attract the balance members when the rotating mechanism is at rest or rotating at low speed, wherein the case body is supported by the spindle shaft of a spindle motor and wherein the closed end surface (table portion) thereof serves as the table portion of a turntable.

Abstract: A disk chucking mechanism for selectively chucking floppy disks onto a turntable has a strong neodym first magnet provided on an inner periphery of the turntable so as to attract a first hub and a second hub, and a weaker ferrite second magnet positioned low on an outer periphery of the turntable opposite a projection formed on the second hub and attracting only this second hub. By using these two magnets a satisfactory clamping of the floppy disks to the turntable can be achieved even when both lower grade (ordinary) and upper grade (high-density) floppy disks are loaded and driven.

Abstract: A disc driving device for accommodating a disc-type recording medium (for example, a floppy disc) that provides reliable chucking and centering of the disc-type recording medium. The disc-type recording medium that is accommodated in the disc driving apparatus has a hub with a center opening, a chuck hole at a predetermined distance from the center opening, and a recording disc attached to the hub. The disc driving device includes a disc table with a major surface for loading the hub, a spindle shaft for fitting in the center opening, a chuck member for rotation and fitting in the chuck hole, a spindle motor for rotating the disc table, a head for recording and/or reproducing information signals for the recording disc loaded on the disc table, a cartridge holder for moving the recording disc between a loading position and an unloading position, and a system controller for controlling the rotational velocity of the disc table.

Abstract: An improved disk drive includes an improved operating system, an improved eject system, an improved head retract system and an improved motor loading system. In a preferred embodiment of the operating system it includes a motor, an eject crank, a head crank and an actuator. The output of the motor can be selectively controlled by the actuator to power either the eject crank or the head crank. Powering the head crank, causes the disk drive heads to move, and powering the eject crank causes a disk cartridge to be ejected from the disk drive. The motor loading system may have a disk drive motor having a threaded exterior and a member extending from the exterior to interface with the eject system. Additionally, this motor loading system may include an aperture in the chassis of the disk drive that has a threaded ring running around the circumference of the aperture and a spring extending from the threaded ring.

Abstract: A movable platform is mounted on opposing guide rails within a disk drive. A head actuator and spindle motor are mounted on the movable platform. The platform moves on the guide rails from a forward position to a rearward position upon insertion of a disk cartridge into the disk drive. As the platform moves toward the rearward position, the elevation of the platform changes in order to bring the spindle motor into engagement with the hub of the disk cartridge. A latch member having a torsion spring and a notched projection is pivotally mounted on one of the guide rails for latching the platform in its forward position when the disk drive is not in use. The latch member locks and holds the platform in the forward and locked position when a shock load is encountered.

Abstract: There are disclosed recording/reproducing devices for use with computers and particularly for recording or reproducing desired information on or from recording mediums like floppy disks, the devices being miniaturized and reduced in thickness for adapting themselves to the miniaturized computers of nowadays. The reduction in device thickness involves the use of a small-sized rare earth group magnet and neodymium ferrous boron which have good magnetic properties as rotor magnets of disk and carriage driving motors; or alternatively planar superpositions are avoided when placing the disk driving motor and the carriage or a carriage guide shaft and a circuit board. The thinned recording/reproducing devices contribute to diminishment of a space for accommodating the computer to meet a demand for miniaturization thereof. A plurality of miniaturized recording/reproducing devices of the invention can be set in the existing space for placement.

Abstract: There are disclosed recording/reproducing devices for use with computers and particularly for recording or reproducing desired information on or from recording mediums like floppy disks, the devices being miniaturized and reduced in thickness for adapting themselves to the miniaturized computers of nowadays. The reduction in device thickness involves the use of a small-sized rare earth group magnet and neodymium ferrous boron which have good magnetic properties as rotor magnets of disk and carriage driving motors; or alternatively planar superpositions are avoided when placing the disk driving motor and the carriage or a carriage guide shaft and a circuit board. The thinned recording/reproducing devices contribute to diminishment of a space for accommodating the computer to meet a demand for miniaturization thereof. A plurality of miniaturized recording/reproducing devices of the invention can be set in the existing space for placement.