The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 16, 2001
Filed:
May. 18, 1999
John William Elsing, Edina, MN (US);
Michael David Schroeder, Webster, MN (US);
Charles H. Smith, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Seagate Technology, LLC, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
A disc drive system includes a base or deck, a disc stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. The disc stack includes a spindle, a hub attached to the spindle and discs attached to the hub. The spindle is attached to the base or deck using a fastener that passes into a threaded opening in the spindle. The spindle also includes several electrical contact pads. The base or deck has openings positioned near the electrical contact pads as well as an opening through which the fastener passes to mount the spindle to the base or deck. A printed circuit board is connected to the bottom of the base or deck. A connector is used to attach the electrical contact pads on the spindle to the electronics on the printed circuit board. The connector includes several contact elements. The contact elements extending through openings in the deck and contact a corresponding electrical contact pad on the spindle. The connector includes a ring of material that attaches to the printed circuit board to provide a strain relieved connection. The connector also supports the electrical contacts and is made of an insulative material. The electrical contacts have a spring end which is cantilevered off the ring. The spring end extends from the ring providing a preloaded contact through openings in the base or deck and to the electrical contact pads on the printed circuit. The other end is soldered directly to the printed circuit board.