Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hard disk drive base adapted to prevent release of a strain due to the difference in thermal expansion between the vice coil motor and the base and thereby prevent a degradation in the positioning accuracy of the magnetic head. In one embodiment, a hard disk drive base is provided which includes a plurality of contact surfaces to which a lower yoke of a voice coil motor is fixed and thin portions each formed around a respective one of the plurality of contact surfaces and having a thickness smaller than that of other portions of the base.

Abstract: Embodiments suppress a fluttering phenomenon of a wiring structure portion for signal transmission between a head and an FPC. In one embodiment, an actuator has a support portion which accommodates a wiring structure portion. The wiring structure portion is provided at a rear end portion thereof with a wide tab, the tab having pads for connection with the FPC. The support portion has a convex wall portion formed so as to overlap a front end portion of the tab. An air current occurs at an end portion of a magnetic disk in the vertical direction. When the head accesses a track present on the inner periphery side of the magnetic disk, the tab approaches the disk end portion. Since the convex wall portion protects the tab against the air current, it is possible to suppress fluttering of the wiring structure portion and improve the head positioning accuracy.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention improve the head characteristic and avoid collisions between a head element section and a recording disk. A hard disk drive according to an embodiment of the present invention performs TFC (Thermal Fly height Control) to adjust the clearance between the head element section and recording disk by means of thermal expansion. A head slider includes a TFC heater. The hard disk drive detects its acceleration and controls the TFC heater in accordance with the detected acceleration, thereby reducing the probability of collision between the head element section and recording disk. Further, the hard disk drive detects residual vibration prevailing after impact application. The heater turns back ON when the residual vibration becomes lower than a reference level.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a disk drive capable of reducing vibrations of a disk generated by an airflow produced as the disk rotates. In one embodiment, a disk drive comprises: a rotary magnetic disk, a base for housing the magnetic disk, a top cover for closing the disk in the base to form an enclosure, a circulating filter arranged externally of the magnetic disk to trap dust within the enclosure, and an airflow guide for guiding an airflow which flows out of the circulating filter more to the center side than to the outer edge portion of the magnetic disk. Further, a shut out portion is provided in the vicinity of the outer edge portion of the magnetic disk to shut out an airflow which flows out in the vicinity of the outer edge portion.

Abstract: Turbulence of an airflow returning to a magnetic disk along the base sidewall of a HDD is reduced to thereby reduce flutter of an actuator or a magnetic disk caused by the airflow, thus improving read/write performance. An HDD according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a base, a top cover fixed to the base, a motor for rotating a magnetic disk, an actuator for moving a head which gets access to the magnetic disk, a ramp slope portion on which an extreme end is ridden up, a ramp support portion for supporting the ramp slope portion, and a stage for holding the ramp support portion. A flow passage is formed which runs toward the magnetic disk through an area near the ramp support portion on the side of the top cover. An inclined portion running toward the bottom of the base is formed on the end of the flow passage on the side of the magnetic disk.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention suppress the occurrence of turbulence in a disk drive. In one embodiment, an HDD includes a spindle motor for rotating a magnetic disk, and a base for housing the spindle motor therein. The base includes a first bottom surface opposed to the magnetic disk, and a second bottom surface that is opposed to the magnetic disk and that is larger in distance to the magnetic disk than the first surface. A step is formed between the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface, where rotation of the magnetic disk produces an airflow running from the first surface toward the second surface. The step is provided with upright fins extending from the first surface toward the second surface which are stood upright.

Abstract: An actuator arm with suppressed arm fluttering is provided. On a main surface of each actuator arm in an actuator arm unit there are formed a rigid area which extends centrally in the longitudinal direction and flow uniformizing areas which are each formed in a substantially flat shape extending longitudinally in adjacency to the rigid area and which are thinner than the rigid area. A balance aperture is not formed in the portion where the flow uniformizing areas and the rigid area are formed, to diminish arm fluttering. Instead of a balance aperture, the flow uniformizing areas also exhibit the effect of reducing the weight of the actuator arm.

Abstract: A rebounding phenomenon of an actuator assembly is to be prevented and device assembling work and maintenance work are to be carried out separately from stopper removing work. In one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a stopper 50 for restricting a turning range of an actuator assembly 8 having a coil support 22 in a magnetic disk device. In the stopper 50, rubber 51 is cantilevered by a support rod 261 so as to undergo a moment of force and fulfill a shock absorbing function in order to restrict an excessive movement of the actuator assembly 8 to an inner or an outer side when the rubber 51 is abutted against a first arm 22a or a second arm 22b of a bifurcated shape of the coil support 22, the support rod 261 is disposed outside a turning track of turning ends of the first and second arms 22a, 22b of the coil support 22, and a permanent magnet 52 is embedded in the rubber 51 to attract the first and second arms 22a, 22b.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention improve the head characteristic and avoid collisions between a head element section and a recording disk. A hard disk drive according to an embodiment of the present invention performs TFC (Thermal Fly height Control) to adjust the clearance between the head element section and recording disk by means of thermal expansion. A head slider includes a TFC heater. The hard disk drive detects its acceleration and controls the TFC heater in accordance with the detected acceleration, thereby reducing the probability of collision between the head element section and recording disk. Further, the hard disk drive detects residual vibration prevailing after impact application. The heater turns back ON when the residual vibration becomes lower than a reference level.

Abstract: One feature of the invention is to support a wiring structure on a side surface of an actuator arm used in a magnetic disk device so as not to allow fluttering to occur. In one embodiment, a wire support member 102a used in a magnetic disk device includes a protruding wall 108a provided with an opposing surface facing a wiring structure 90a and protruding in a width direction, and a protruding wall 110a provided with an opposing surface facing the wiring structure 90a and protruding in a width direction. The wire support member 102a is provided with a fixing area for accommodating the wiring structure between the opposing surface of the protruding wall 108a and the opposing surface of the protruding wall 110a. The wire support member 102a is further provided with an open area adjoining the fixing area at a longitudinal end portion of the protruding wall and includes protruding walls 328, 330, 332 each having an opposing surface facing the wiring structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hard disk drive base adapted to prevent release of a strain due to the difference in thermal expansion between the voice coil motor and the base and thereby prevent a degradation in the positioning accuracy of the magnetic head. In one embodiment, a hard disk drive base is provided which comprises: a plurality of contact surfaces to which a lower yoke of a voice coil motor is fixed; and thin portions each formed around a respective one of said plurality of contact surfaces and having a thickness smaller than that of other portions of the base.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a bearing mechanism for a head used in a magnetic disk drive capable of preventing scattering of dust and dirt at a high level and a magnetic disk drive having the same. In one embodiment, a base is provided with a bearing hole. An inner shaft is joined to the bearing hole. The inner shaft is inserted internally in an outer sleeve mounted with a head stack assembly. The outer sleeve is swingably connected to the inner shaft by way of upper and lower bearing mechanisms. A receiving surface is formed around the bearing hole on the base. The receiving surface is higher by a predetermined height than a basic plane of the base. An extended portion is formed on an end portion on a lower side (the end facing the base) of the outer sleeve. A labyrinth seal structure is provided between an end face of the extended portion and the receiving surface.

Abstract: Turbulence of an airflow returning to a magnetic disk along the base sidewall of a HDD is reduced to thereby reduce flutter of an actuator or a magnetic disk caused by the airflow, thus improving read/write performance. An HDD according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a base, a top cover fixed to the base, a motor for rotating a magnetic disk, an actuator for moving a head which gets access to the magnetic disk, a ramp slope portion on which an extreme end is ridden up, a ramp support portion for supporting the ramp slope portion, and a stage for holding the ramp support portion. A flow passage is formed which runs toward the magnetic disk through an area near the ramp support portion on the side of the top cover. An inclined portion running toward the bottom of the base is formed on the end of the flow passage on the side of the magnetic disk.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a disk drive capable of reducing vibrations of a disk generated by an airflow produced as the disk rotates. In one embodiment, a disk drive comprises: a rotary magnetic disk, a base for housing the magnetic disk, a top cover for closing the disk in the base to form an enclosure, a circulating filter arranged externally of the magnetic disk to trap dust within the enclosure, and an airflow guide for guiding an airflow which flows out of the circulating filter more to the center side than to the outer edge portion of the magnetic disk. Further, a shut out portion is provided in the vicinity of the outer edge portion of the magnetic disk to shut out an airflow which flows out in the vicinity of the outer edge portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention suppress the occurrence of turbulence in a disk drive. In one embodiment, an HDD includes a spindle motor for rotating a magnetic disk, and a base for housing the spindle motor therein. The base includes a first bottom surface opposed to the magnetic disk, and a second bottom surface that is opposed to the magnetic disk and that is larger in distance to the magnetic disk than the first surface. A step is formed between the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface, where rotation of the magnetic disk produces an airflow running from the first surface toward the second surface. The step is provided with upright fins extending from the first surface toward the second surface which are stood upright.

Abstract: A disk drive unit such as a hard disk drive is provided in which the efficiency of manufacturing processes, cost reductions, and space savings are achieved. The hard disk drive has a stopper that is arranged between a set of coil holding arms of an actuator. The stopper regulates inward and outward turning of the actuator. A magnet is embedded in the stopper and holds a magnetic head of the actuator on a ramp.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to suppressing a fluttering phenomenon of a wiring structure portion which is for signal transmission between a head and an FPC. In one embodiment, an actuator has a support portion which accommodates a wiring structure portion for signal transmission between a head and an FPC. The wiring structure portion is provided at a rear end portion thereof with a wide tab, the tab having pads for connection with the FPC. The support portion has a convex wall portion which is formed so as to overlap a front end portion of the tab. An air current occurs at an end portion of a magnetic disk in the vertical direction. When the head accesses a track present on the inner periphery side of the magnetic disk, the tab approaches the disk end portion. Since the convex wall portion protects the tab against the air current, it is possible to prevent oscillation of the tab.

Abstract: An actuator arm with suppressed arm fluttering is provided. On a main surface of each actuator arm in an actuator arm unit there are formed a rigid area which extends centrally in the longitudinal direction and flow uniformizing areas which are each formed in a substantially flat shape extending longitudinally in adjacency to the rigid area and which are thinner than the rigid area. A balance aperture is not formed in the portion where the flow uniformizing areas and the rigid area are formed, to diminish arm fluttering. Instead of a balance aperture, the flow uniformizing areas also exhibit the effect of reducing the weight of the actuator arm.

Abstract: A rebounding phenomenon of an actuator assembly is to be prevented and device assembling work and maintenance work are to be carried out separately from stopper removing work. In one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a stopper 50 for restricting a turning range of an actuator assembly 8 having a coil support 22 in a magnetic disk device. In the stopper 50, rubber 51 is cantilevered by a support rod 261 so as to undergo a moment of force and fulfill a shock absorbing function in order to restrict an excessive movement of the actuator assembly 8 to an inner or an outer side when the rubber 51 is abutted against a first arm 22a or a second arm 22b of a bifurcated shape of the coil support 22, the support rod 261 is disposed outside a turning track of turning ends of the first and second arms 22a, 22b of the coil support 22, and a permanent magnet 52 is embedded in the rubber 51 to attract the first and second arms 22a, 22b.

Abstract: One feature of the invention is to support a wiring structure on a side surface of an actuator arm used in a magnetic disk device so as not to allow fluttering to occur. In one embodiment, a wire support member 102a used in a magnetic disk device includes a protruding wall 108a provided with an opposing surface facing a wiring structure 90a and protruding in a width direction, and a protruding wall 110a provided with an opposing surface facing the wiring structure 90a and protruding in a width direction. The wire support member 102a is provided with a fixing area for accommodating the wiring structure between the opposing surface of the protruding wall 108a and the opposing surface of the protruding wall 110a. The wire support member 102a is further provided with an open area adjoining the fixing area at a longitudinal end portion of the protruding wall and includes protruding walls 328, 330, 332 each having an opposing surface facing the wiring structure.