Abstract: A magnetic parking device for a disk drive includes a magnet and a member for containing the magnetic field produced by the magnet. The magnetic field containing member has an air gap which is substantially parallel to the magnet flux lines of the magnetic field so that there is no fringing of the magnetic field outside of the gap. The device magnetically captures a magnetically permeable capture member provided on the actuator of a disk drive without contacting the capture member and only when the actuator enters the gap in the magnetic field containing member.

Abstract: An under-the-hub spin motor for a disk drive includes a shaft having a first portion mounted to a support member an a second portion shaft having first and second bearings provided at the first and second ends thereof. A hub is supported by the first and second bearings and a disk having an inner diameter is mounted on the hub. A stator is provided on the support member so that the stator is outside of the Z-axis region between the bearings and a rotor is provided on the hub so that the rotor is concentric with the stator and so that a gap is defined between the stator and the rotor. The gap has a radius larger than the inner diameter of the disk.

Abstract: An actuator for positioning a head with respect to a disk rotatably supported by a base plate in a disk drive assembly, including an actuator arm mounted on the base plate for supporting the head, and an electromagnetic assembly including the base plate for positioning the head with respect to the disk. The electromagnetic assembly includes a first magnet for providing a first magnetic field, the actuator arm includes a coil for passing an electric current in the magnetic field, and the base plate functions as a portion of a return for the magnetic field. A top plate mounted on the base plate supports a second magnet, which provides a second magnetic field, and the coil has portions in the first and second magnetic fields. A center pole extending through the coil, supports for holding the center pole between the top and base plates, and the top and base plates function as returns for the first and second magnetic fields.

Abstract: A disk drive assembly which is resistant to physical shocks and thermally caused distortion, including an end plate, a casing attached to the end plate, and a base plate enclosed in the casing and mounted to the end plate. The base plate supports a rotatably disk and an actuator assembly for reading information from and recording information on the disk. The end plate and the casing form a seal to provide a controlled environment within the casing and the base plate is attached to the end plate in the controlled environment.

Abstract: A two and one half inch form factor disk drive has a base and cover formed of molded plastic and engaged with each other by snap-fit connectors. The cover is molded from a plastic which is more flexible than that used for the base so that the cover complies to the base when the cover and base are engaged. Mounting brackets attached to the cover support a printed circuit board on the opposite side of the base from the cover. The two and one half inch form factor is established by providing the disk drive with a length equal to the width of a 31/2 inch disk drive and a width equal to half of the length of a 31/2 inch disk drive. The disk drive includes a disk having a diameter of approximately 2.6 inches (65 mm) and weighs approximately 5 ounces. A closed-loop, embedded servo tracking system provides a large storage capacity relative to the area of storage media available.

Abstract: A disk drive assembly which is resistant to physical shocks and thermally caused distortion, including an end plate, a casing attached to the end plate, and a base plate enclosed in the casing and mounted to the end plate. The end plate supports a rotatable disk and an actuator assembly for reading information from and recording information on the disk. The end plate and the casing form a seal to provide a controlled environment within the casing and the base plate is attached to the end plate in the controlled environment.

Abstract: A low height disk drive having an overall height of one inch (1") or less for a drive having a 31/2 inch format. The drive includes a sloped base plate having support surfaces lying in a first plane. A rotatable disk lying in a plane substantially parallel to a first plane and an actuator assembly for positioning a head with respect to the disk are provided on the top of the base plate. A cover is attached to the top of the base plate to maintain the disk and the actuator assembly in a controlled environment. A printed circuit assembly for controlling the disk drive is attached to the bottom of the base plate, and a header passes electrical signals from the printed circuit board to the controlled environment between the base plate and the cover. Within the controlled environment a reverse flex circuit interconnects the header with the actuator assembly and the heads.