An apparatus for securing the internal rotational components of a disk drive utilizes an annular clamp retention device. The clamp retention device has a rigid, metallic, main ring body from which protrudes a plurality of compliant tabs having a generally L-shaped cross-section. The compliant tabs extend radially inward from the body to form an inner circular array of the tabs. In addition, a plurality of rigid planar flanges, which are larger than the compliant tabs, extend radially outward from the body. The compliant tabs are designed to engage the hub and cartridge of the disk drive rotational components at the upper end of the disk stack.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This Continuation Application claims the priority of parent application Ser. No. 10/150,596, filed on May 17, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,943,986 and entitled "Clamp Retention Apparatus for Rotational Disk Drive Components."
The invention relates to a disc clamp for mounting an information storage disc to a rotating hub of a spindle motor assembly, and a disc drive spindle hub assembly comprising said disc clamp. The disc clamp comprises an annular body portion, an inner centering portion defining a central aperture, and an annular outer peripheral clamping portion. The inner centering portion having a series of centering tabs disposed about an inner circumference of the body portion. Each centering tab includes a first tab portion extending substantially perpendicular to the body portion of the clamp, and a second tab end portion extending in an angle from the first tab portion. The centering tabs contacting an inner circumferential surface and being in a snap-fit engagement with the hub The outer peripheral portion contacting the information storage disc when the disc and the clamp are installed on the top portion of the hub.
Steps for clamping storage media to a motor hub to form a data storage device include; securing the disc clamp with a mounting tool, which subsequently expands a central mounting aperture of the disc clamp for assembly of the disc clamp to the motor hub. Upon eschewing the mounting tool from the disc clamp, the motor hub constrains the disc clamp to develop a clamp force that is imparted on the storage media by an annular rib of the disc clamp to clamp the disc to the motor hub. The disc clamp is generally disc shaped and includes a central mounting aperture and a peripheral portion that includes the annular rib extending in a radial direction from the central mounting aperture. The annular rib pressingly engages the storage media to clamp storage media to the motor hub.
