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

An assembly for mounting a disk in a disk drive and including the disk mounting assembly. The disk mounting assembly includes a hub having a plurality of spoke recesses situated in the upper surface of the hub. The hub includes a protruding ledge for supporting a disk. A disk clamping ring adapted to fit about the hub is utilized. The disk mounting assembly also includes a spring washer having a circumferential edge surface adapted to contact the ring, the spring washer including a plurality of spokes extending inwardly from the circumferential edge surface of the washer to the center of the washer. A retainer is used to hold the center of the spring washer to the hub to squeeze a disk between the protruding ledge of the hub and the ring. The spokes of the spring washer are situated within respective spoke recesses of the hub to provide a low profile disk drive with more vertical room available for stator windings.