Low-profile disk mounting assembly, and low-profile disk drives constructed therefrom

DETAILED DESCRIPTION One advantage of the disk drive of the present invention is a low profile.
Another advantage of the disk drive of the present invention is an overall low vertical or axial profile which also permits a vertically taller stator winding.
Providing for a taller stator winding in this manner permits an increase in the torque of the disk drive motor torque without increasing the vertical dimension of the disk drive.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a disk mounting assembly is provided which includes a hub having an upper surface with a plurality of spoke recesses situated therein.
A protruding ledge extends around the hub.
The assembly also includes a disk having a central opening which is situated on the protruding ledge and about the hub.
The assembly further includes a ring which is situated about the hub and atop the disk.
The disk mounting assembly includes a spring washer having a circumferential edge surface situated atop the ring, the spring washer including a center and a plurality of spokes extending inwardly from the circumferential edge surface toward the center of the washer.
The plurality of spokes of the spring washer are situated within the plurality of spoke recesses of the hub, respectively.
The disk mounting assembly further includes a retainer for holding the center of the spring washer to the hub to squeeze the disk between the protruding ledge of the hub and the ring.
In this particular embodiment, the spring washer and retainer are advantageously situated below the upper surface of the hub.
This feature desirably permits the fabrication of a disk drive which provides more vertical room for stator windings.