Patents by Inventor Kouki Uefune

Kouki Uefune has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11495270
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a tape embedded drive having a plurality of feedthrough connectors. The feedthrough connectors are symmetrically placed within the tape embedded drive such that regardless of whether an even or odd number of feedthrough connectors are present, the feedthrough connectors are symmetrical about a centerline of the tape embedded drive. In such a layout, the tape embedded drive is more stable due to symmetrical mass balance. Additionally, the tape embedded drive is more cost effective to produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Miki Namihisa, Kouki Uefune, Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11373677
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a voice coil motor (VCM) yoke for a data storage device. The VCM yoke has a unitary body turned back on itself at opposite ends to form a ā€œCā€ shape. The unitary body is electrically conductive. The body has a substantially flat inner surface upon which the coil is disposed. The unitary body also has a substantially flat top and a substantially flat bottom surface. A coil is disposed within the turns of the unitary body. The VCM yoke can be coupled to an actuator block using one or more fastening mechanisms that extend through openings in the VCM yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Miki Namihisa, Kouki Uefune, Toshio Takahashi, Yuichi Arai
  • Patent number: 11295771
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a head positioning assembly in a tape embedded drive. The tape embedded drive has two reels as well as four guide rollers. The reels and guide rollers are arranged within the tape embedded drive so as to position the head positioning assembly as close to the center of the tape embedded drive as possible. In so doing, the reels, guide rollers, and head assembly are more stable which reduces or even eliminates shock and vibration to the tape embedded drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Akira Sakagami, Kouki Uefune, Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11295769
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a voice coil motor (VCM) yoke assembly mounted to an actuator block for a data storage device. One or more fastening mechanisms couple the VCM assembly to the actuator block. The fastening mechanisms are coupled to the VCM assembly by one or more soft mounts. The one or more soft mounts reduce undesirable movement of the magnetic recording head by spacing the VCM assembly from the actuator block, yet still ensuring the VCM assembly is properly coupled to the actuator block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kouki Uefune, Takako Hayakawa, Toshio Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20220005509
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a tape embedded drive having a plurality of feedthrough connectors. The feedthrough connectors are symmetrically placed within the tape embedded drive such that regardless of whether an even or odd number of feedthrough connectors are present, the feedthrough connectors are symmetrical about a centerline of the tape embedded drive. In such a layout, the tape embedded drive is more stable due to symmetrical mass balance. Additionally, the tape embedded drive is more cost effective to produce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Miki NAMIHISA, Kouki UEFUNE, Toshio TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20210407545
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a voice coil motor (VCM) yoke for a data storage device. The VCM yoke has a unitary body turned back on itself at opposite ends to form a ā€œCā€ shape. The unitary body is electrically conductive. The body has a substantially flat inner surface upon which the coil is disposed. The unitary body also has a substantially flat top and a substantially flat bottom surface. A coil is disposed within the turns of the unitary body. The VCM yoke can be coupled to an actuator block using one or more fastening mechanisms that extend through openings in the VCM yoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Miki NAMIHISA, Kouki UEFUNE, Toshio TAKAHASHI, Yuichi ARAI
  • Publication number: 20210407536
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a voice coil motor (VCM) yoke assembly mounted to an actuator block for a data storage device. One or more fastening mechanisms couple the VCM assembly to the actuator block. The fastening mechanisms are coupled to the VCM assembly by one or more soft mounts. The one or more soft mounts reduce undesirable movement of the magnetic recording head by spacing the VCM assembly from the actuator block, yet still ensuring the VCM assembly is properly coupled to the actuator block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kouki UEFUNE, Takako HAYAKAWA, Toshio TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 11211086
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a lock mechanism for a tape embedded drive. The tape embedded drive comprises an enclosure enclosing a first tape reel, a second tape reel, and a lock mechanism. The first tape reel comprises a first gear, the second tape reel comprises a second gear, and the lock mechanism is disposed between the first and second gears. The lock mechanism comprises a latch lock, one or more latch tips disposed at a first end of the latch lock, a magnet disposed at a second end of the latch lock, and an electromagnet disposed adjacent to the magnet. When the electromagnet is activated, the latch lock moves to an unlocked position. When the electromagnet is de-activated, the latch lock moves to a locked position where the one or more latch tips are in contact with the first and second gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kouki Uefune, Toshio Takahashi, Tomoki Hiramatsu
  • Publication number: 20210398558
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a head positioning assembly in a tape embedded drive. The tape embedded drive has two reels as well as four guide rollers. The reels and guide rollers are arranged within the tape embedded drive so as to position the head positioning assembly as close to the center of the tape embedded drive as possible. In so doing, the reels, guide rollers, and head assembly are more stable which reduces or even eliminates shock and vibration to the tape embedded drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Akira SAKAGAMI, Kouki UEFUNE, Toshio TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 11170823
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a tape embedded drive having a plurality of feedthrough connectors. The feedthrough connectors are symmetrically placed within the tape embedded drive such that regardless of whether an even or odd number of feedthrough connectors are present, the feedthrough connectors are symmetrical about a centerline of the tape embedded drive. In such a layout, the tape embedded drive is more stable due to symmetrical mass balance. Additionally, the tape embedded drive is more cost effective to produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Miki Namihisa, Kouki Uefune, Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11107494
    Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a reel that is rotated for a first interval in order to expose a first frame of a magnetic tape to a head. The head is actuated in a first and second dimensions over the magnetic tape in order to access the first frame of the magnetic tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Sakagami, Toshio Takahashi, Kouki Uefune
  • Patent number: 10998008
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an interface connector in a tape embedded drive. The tape embedded drive has two long edges and two short edges. Within the tape embedded drive, there are numerous guide rollers, at least three feedthrough connectors, and two reels. The interface connector is located along one of the short edges and underneath one of the two reels. By placing the interface connector at that location, the tape embedded drive has sufficient real estate for all of the necessary reels, feedthrough connectors, and guide rollers while also ensuring stability of the tape embedded drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kouki Uefune, Hajime Eguchi, Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10997998
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a tape embedded drive having the spindles upon which the tape reels are disposed, fixedly coupled at both the bottom and the top to ensure stability of the reels. Furthermore, an additional cover over the spindle can be used to secure the top coupling mechanism and the spindle to the tape embedded drive enclosure to provide additional stability. A sealing cover is then placed over the additional cover to tightly seal the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kouki Uefune, Toshio Takahashi, Takako Hayakawa, Yuichi Arai
  • Patent number: 10916269
    Abstract: Disclosed here is a magnet for use in a motor. The magnet comprises a magnet body. The magnet body comprises a plurality of coated magnetic granules. Each coated magnetic granule of the plurality of coated magnetic granules comprises a magnetic granule and a metallic layer coating the magnetic granule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Toshio Takahashi, Kazushi Tsuwako, Masamichi Sakauchi, Takako Hayakawa, Kouki Uefune
  • Publication number: 20200265868
    Abstract: Disclosed here is a magnet comprising a magnet body. The magnet body comprises a plurality of coated magnetic granules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Toshio Takahashi, Kazushi Tsuwako, Masamichi Sakauchi, Takako Hayakawa, Kouki Uefune
  • Patent number: 10699730
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dual actuator magnetic storage device that comprises a housing, magnetic disks in the housing, an interface connector located proximate a first corner of the housing formed by a first short side and a first long side, a first voice coil motor proximate a second corner of the first short side and a second long side, a first carriage arm positioned near the first short side to move the first carriage arm relative to the magnetic disks, a second voice coil motor positioned proximate a second short side along the first long side, a second carriage arm positioned near the second short side and coupled to the second voice coil motor to move the second carriage arm. The interface connector is recessed into a base of the housing along the first short side to be near the first long side to provide electrical communication through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kouki Uefune, Toshifumi Kumano, Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9819129
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus that includes a housing that defines an interior cavity. The housing also includes a feedthrough aperture. The apparatus also includes an electrical connector that is coupled to the housing over the feedthrough aperture. The electrical connector includes a base, a plurality of pins extending through the base, and a skirt positioned about a periphery of the base. The pins extend from a location external to the housing to a location within the interior cavity of the housing. Further, an inner surface of the base is co-planar with an outer end of the feedthrough aperture. The apparatus also includes solder positioned on the housing and against an entire periphery of the skirt to seal the electrical connector to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Noritaka Otake, Hiroshi Matsuda, Katsumasa Nakatsukasa, Kouki Uefune
  • Patent number: 9093094
    Abstract: Approaches to a rotary actuator assembly configured for use in a hard disk drive (HDD) include a voice coil interleaved between the pivot bearing and the actuator arm, providing a longer pivot-to-head dimension which reduces the radius of curvature of the arc in which the head slider travels over the disk for accessing portions of the disk. Reducing the arc radius of curvature reduces the maximum skew angles of the read-write head in association with the disk tracks. The width of the actuator arm can be widened to provide improved operating characteristics even in view of the longer pivot-to-head dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Kouki Uefune, Takenori Atsumi, Hajime Eguchi, Shigenori Takada
  • Publication number: 20150154994
    Abstract: Approaches to a rotary actuator assembly configured for use in a hard disk drive (HDD) include a voice coil interleaved between the pivot bearing and the actuator arm, providing a longer pivot-to-head dimension which reduces the radius of curvature of the arc in which the head slider travels over the disk for accessing portions of the disk. Reducing the arc radius of curvature reduces the maximum skew angles of the read-write head in association with the disk tracks. The width of the actuator arm can be widened to provide improved operating characteristics even in view of the longer pivot-to-head dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Kouki Uefune, Takenori Atsumi, Hajime Eguchi, Shigenori Takada
  • Publication number: 20150098178
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus that includes a housing that defines an interior cavity. The housing also includes a feedthrough aperture. The apparatus also includes an electrical connector that is coupled to the housing over the feedthrough aperture. The electrical connector includes a base, a plurality of pins extending through the base, and a skirt positioned about a periphery of the base. The pins extend from a location external to the housing to a location within the interior cavity of the housing. Further, an inner surface of the base is co-planar with an outer end of the feedthrough aperture. The apparatus also includes solder positioned on the housing and against an entire periphery of the skirt to seal the electrical connector to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Noritaka Otake, Hiroshi Matsuda, Katsumasa Nakatsukasa, Kouki Uefune