초록 ▼

A damped tolerance ring assembly has an outer tolerance ring, an inner tolerance ring, and an elastomeric layer bonded therebetween. The tolerance rings are metal, spring-like split rings. Each tolerance ring has corrugations for additional strength. The elastomeric layer contours to the shape of bo

A damped tolerance ring assembly has an outer tolerance ring, an inner tolerance ring, and an elastomeric layer bonded therebetween. The tolerance rings are metal, spring-like split rings. Each tolerance ring has corrugations for additional strength. The elastomeric layer contours to the shape of both the inner and outer rings and their corrugations. The damped tolerance ring assembly is press fit between a cylindrical pivot assembly and a cylindrical hole in the actuator body of a disk drive. The friction at the interfaces of the tolerance rings due to compressive forces hold the pivot securely in the actuator body such that they all rotate together relative to a pivot shaft. The tolerance rings are formed from steel and provide a stiff outer shell for the ring assembly to resist axial rocking of the actuator body relative to the pivot, especially during structural resonance modes. The thin layer of elastomer provides the damping and isolation to absorb vibration energy of the bearing reaction force. The vibration energy is not transferred to the read/write heads of the drive. Thus, track misregistration is reduced and performance is improved.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A damped tolerance ring for an actuator assembly in a disk drive, comprising:an outer tolerance ring having an inner surface, and an outer surface adapted to engage an inner surface of an actuator body; an inner tolerance ring having an outer surface, and an inner surface adapted to engage a slee

1. A damped tolerance ring for an actuator assembly in a disk drive, comprising:an outer tolerance ring having an inner surface, and an outer surface adapted to engage an inner surface of an actuator body; an inner tolerance ring having an outer surface, and an inner surface adapted to engage a sleeve on a pivot assembly; and a compliant material located between the inner surface of the outer tolerance ring and the outer surface of the inner tolerance ring, the compliant material being tubular in shape and contoured to conform to both the inner surface of the outer tolerance ring, and to the outer surface of the inner tolerance ring, wherein the tolerance rings provide a stiff outer shell and the compliant material provides damping for the damped tolerance ring, thereby imparting compressive retaining force and stiffness to resist axial rocking of the actuator body relative to the pivot assembly.