Abstract: A device disclosed herein includes an upper shape memory alloy (SMA) wire, a lower SMA wire, a flexure having an opening, and a spring configured within the flexure opening, wherein the lower SMA wire, and the flexure are attached at one end to an anchor and at another end to a pin.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing an output device, which can reduce the impact on an object to which power is supplied even when an output unit continuously fails to supply a voltage. To solve the problem a brake mechanism includes a contact member and a variable unit. The contact member may be brought into contact with a read head that reads information recorded as an information stream stored in a medium that moves relative to the read head. The variable unit changes a contact state between the contact member and the read head when the information representing the displacement between the position on the medium read by the read head and the position in the recorded information stream exceeds a prescribed range.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to systems, for selectively actuating a safety mechanism, using a transformable material, to protect against an unwanted condition. The system in one implementation includes first and second pulley devices configured to accommodate multiple strands of the transformable material. In another implementation, the system includes two connection points for holding the transformable material and an overload-protection sub-system for protecting the transformable material from overload. In still another implementation, the system includes a first biasing element and a manual-release sub-system including a second biasing element.

Abstract: An actuator latch system of a hard disk drive selectively locks in place and releases a rotatable swing arm having a front end portion supporting a magnetic head and a rear end portion on which a voice coil motor (VCM) coil is disposed. The actuator latch system includes a notch in the rear end portion of the swing arm, and a rotatable latch lever having a front end portion including a hook and a magnet. The hook is received in the notch in the rear end portion of the swing arm to arrest rotation of the swing arm in a predetermined direction. The magnet of the latch lever faces a section of the VCM coil such that when the hard disk drive is started, the latch lever is rotated by a force generated due to current flowing through the section of the VCM coil faced by the magnet and the magnetic field generated by the magnet. The rotation of the latch lever prevents the hook from interfering with the rotation of the swing arm in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a magnetic recording medium rotatably supported, a spindle motor for spinning the recording medium, a slider having a head, a supporting arm having the slider at a first end facing the recording medium, a bearing for holding the supporting arm rotatably along a recording surface of the medium and pivotably in a vertical direction with respect to the recording surface, a leaf spring giving thrusting force to a first end of the supporting arm toward the medium, and a driver for rotating the supporting arm along the recording surface. When the driver rotates the supporting arm along the recording surface and parks the head in a given evacuation area on the recording surface, a second end of the supporting arm is depressed.

Abstract: A fixing mechanism includes a case and a flexible fixing lid. The case includes a lower board, a first lateral board, and a second lateral board. A first containing space is formed on the lower board for containing a first electronic device. The first lateral board has a protruding part for insertion into a first fixing hole of the first electronic device. A second containing space is formed by the flexible fixing lid and the case cooperatively for containing the second electronic device on the first electronic device. The flexible fixing lid includes a base board, a first fastening part, and a second fastening part. The first fastening part is connected to an end of the base board for fastening the first lateral board. The second fastening part is connected to an end of the base board opposite to the first fastening part for fastening the second lateral board.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention permit a magnet-based actuator lock mechanism to operate smoothly in a magnetic disk drive that uses a base made of a magnetic material. In one embodiment, the base to be used is made of a magnetic material. The actuator lock mechanism includes a rotatable arm that retains a magnet. A magnetic attraction force, which is oriented toward the base as indicated by an arrow, is generated in the magnet. The base is provided with a cut to reduce the attraction force. The cut is covered with a sealing material to maintain internal airtightness. The actuator lock mechanism may be, for instance, an eddy-current latch, inertia latch, or magnetic latch.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a motor that drives a disc, a slider that accesses the disc, a carriage that moves the slider, a housing that houses the disc, motor, slider, and carriage, and includes a rotating part that has an engagement part with the carriage at one end, and a first magnetic member at another end, and a printed board being provided on and approximately parallel to a bottom surface of the housing. The printed board includes a second magnetic member that extends from the inside of the housing to the printed board, and the printed board further includes a coil that forms an electromagnet with the second magnetic member, and is arranged in accordance with a shape of the bottom surface of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for latching an actuator arm assembly can position a read/write head relative to a data storage disk in a disk drive. A latch arm is configured to be moved between a closed position that inhibits movement of an actuator arm assembly in a landing zone and an open position that does not inhibit movement of the actuator arm assembly in the landing zone. A coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic force on the latch arm responsive to a coil current. A bias device is configured to provide a bias force on the latch arm that is substantially opposed to the electromagnetic force from the coil. The latch operating current/voltages is controlled and modified according to environmental conditions such as temperature.

Abstract: An actuator latch apparatus for locking a swing arm of a disk drive is described. The apparatus includes a notch provided at an end portion of the swing arm; a latch lever rotatably installed on the base member and including a hook formed to interfere with the notch when the actuator is locked; a first latch pin applying a torque to the latch lever due to a magnetic force of the magnet in a first direction; a second latch pin extending from the latch lever; an attraction part protruded from an edge of the yoke, the attraction part being magnetized by the magnet and adsorbing the second latch pin when the actuator is locked; and a solenoid coil winding around the attraction part and offsetting a magnetism of the attraction part due to a supply of power when the actuator is unlocked.

Abstract: An actuator latch apparatus for a disk drive. The latch apparatus includes a metal piece disposed at one end of the swing arm, an attracting part protruded from an edge of the yoke, for attracting the metal piece by a magnetic force of the magnet, a hole formed at a position corresponding to the metal piece of the attracting part, for leaking magnetic flux flowing through the attracting part, a core disposed to move through the hole, and a core transfer device for transferring the core in one direction such that a leading end portion of the core is inserted into the hole when the disk drive operates, and for transferring the core in an opposite direction such that the core is released from the hole when the disk drive is stopped. Accordingly, a locking state of the actuator can be maintained more stably and released more easily.

Abstract: An actuator latch system of a disk drive to lock an actuator having a swing arm installed at a base member, a voice coil motor coil joined to an end portion of the swing arm, and a magnet facing the voice coil motor coil, including a first and a second latch portion provided at the end portion of the swing arm; a latch lever provided at the base member, the latch lever having a first end portion engaged with the first latch portion when the latch lever pivots a first direction, and a second end portion engaged with the second latch portion when the latch lever pivots a second direction; a projection projecting from an edge of the magnet; and a magnetic latch pin provided at an end portion of the swing arm so that a magnetic force operates between the latch pin and the projection.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for restraining and releasing an actuator suspension assembly in a magnetic disk device which is in a retracted position. In a magnetic disk device, according to one embodiment, a magnetic disk 4a is formed of an electrically conductive material and there is disposed a latch member 50 which holds an eddy-current magnet at one end thereof and is provided with a latching portion at an opposite end thereof. An actuator suspension assembly 8 lies in a retracted position and is restrained at a frame engaging portion 23 thereof by means of the latch member. The eddy current magnet is disposed in such a manner that a magnetic pole thereof is opposed to a surface of the magnetic disk at a position close to the disk surface. When the magnetic disk is rotated, an eddy-current is generated and a force is exerted on the eddy-current magnet, so that the latch member turns and releases the actuator suspension assembly.

Abstract: An actuator latch apparatus for a data storage device includes a latch lever installed on a base plate of the data storage device capable of pivoting and having a first latch portion provided at one end portion of the latch lever, a spring connected to the other end portion of the latch lever and made of a shape memory alloy to allow the latch lever to pivot in a predetermined direction by being deformed according to application of electric power, and a second latch portion provided at an end portion of an actuator moving a read/write head to a predetermined position of a disk.

Abstract: An actuator latch of a hard disk drive. The actuator latch includes a locking protrusion installed at the actuator and a latch member rotatably installed on the basis of a predetermined rotation axis. The latch member rotates with the rotation of the actuator when the magnetic head is parked so that a hook intercepts the locking protrusion and prevents it from moving in an opposite direction to a parking direction. Also provided is a latch member driving unit including a lever installed at the latch member to be joined with a yoke of the voice coil motor by a magnetic force when intercepting the moving path of the locking protrusion and a coil to form the same polarity as the yoke with current supplied by a power supply installed at the level. The latch member driving unit rotates the latch member to set free the interception of the movement path of the locking protrusion by the hook.

Abstract: An actuator latch of a hard disk drive to lock an actuator so that the actuator does not rotate when a magnetic head installed at the actuator driven by a voice coil motor is positioned on a parking region. The actuator latch has: a locking protrusion installed at the actuator, a latch member rotatably installed on the basis of a predetermined rotation axis, the latch member rotating with the rotation of the actuator when the magnetic head is parked so that a hook intercepts the locking protrusion and prevents it from moving in an opposite direction to a parking side, and a latch member driving unit rotating the latch member to release the locking protrusion from the hook. The actuator latch of a hard disk drive selectively intercepts the movement of the locking protrusion at the actuator so that the actuator is locked and unlocked. The actuator can stay strongly locked and be softly unlocked without any impact.

Abstract: A data storage system has a disk having a first, second and third zone. The first zone has rough texturing to prevent stiction between a slider at rest and the disk. The second zone has intermediate texturing to prevent stiction when a moving slider is in contact with the disk. The third zone has a smooth texture and is used for data recording. A control unit moves the slider between the zones as appropriate on power up and power down of the system. The system has an actuator latch having a bias device. The bias device allows the slider to be positioned between the first and second zones by selective energizing of the actuator while in the latched position.

Abstract: An actuator latch of a hard disk drive to lock an actuator so that the actuator does not rotate when a magnetic head installed at the actuator driven by a voice coil motor is positioned on a parking region. The actuator latch has: a locking protrusion installed at the actuator, a latch member rotatably installed on the basis of a predetermined rotation axis, the latch member rotating with the rotation of the actuator when the magnetic head is parked so that a hook intercepts the locking protrusion and prevents it from moving in an opposite direction to a parking side, and a latch member driving unit rotating the latch member to release the locking protrusion from the hook. The actuator latch of a hard disk drive selectively intercepts the movement of the locking protrusion at the actuator so that the actuator is locked and unlocked. The actuator can stay strongly locked and be softly unlocked without any impact.

Abstract: A storage drive receives thereinto, retains, and ejects therefrom a removable storage media cartridge having storage media. The storage drive has an actuator including a carriage assembly with a head mounted thereto. The actuator moves the head as mounted to the carriage assembly with respect to the storage media of the retained media cartridge. The storage drive also has a head locking lever for locking the carriage assembly in a retracted position and unlocking same, and a multi-coil solenoid for actuating the head locking lever.

Abstract: A latch for locking a drive arm of a disk drive in a parking position comprising: a latch stop having a baffle moveable between an open position and a closed position; and a piezoelectric motor operable to move the baffle between the open and closed positions. When the drive arm is in the parking position it engages the baffle and is prevented from leaving the parking position when the baffle is in the closed position and is not prevented from leaving the parking position when the baffle is in the open position.

Abstract: A data storage device comprising a carriage configured to hold a recording head and a locking system. The carriage is movable in a protected direction toward a protected position and in an unprotected direction away from the protected position. The locking system includes a locking member which is movable from a fully engaged position in which the carriage is restrained from movement in the unprotected direction, to a disengaged position in which the carriage is free to move in the unprotected direction to read and/or write data to a recording medium. The locking system is configured to move the locking member toward the fully engaged position in response to a force having a component in the unprotected direction. In one exemplary embodiment, the locking system comprises a linkage rotatably connecting the locking member with a movable member that comprises a solenoid.

Abstract: A head carriage lock mechanism for a magnetic disk drive has a lock member, a lifter, a link member and a solenoid. The lock member is shaped in the form of a quadrilateral frame, with arms extending perpendicularly from a front panel and a rear panel so as to connect the two panels. The right arm of the lock member, which approaches the head carriage, has a rack that engages an engaging portion of the head carriage so as to lock the head carriage in place so as to prevent damage to the head carriage during transport. The solenoid that drives the lock mechanism is positioned inside the space enclosed by the frame of the lock member, making more efficient use of the space inside the disk drive and making it possible to make the disk drive more compact.

Abstract: A magnetic parking device for retaining an actuator in a disk drive over a landing zone. A magnetically permeable capture member is provided on the drive actuator and a magnetic parking member for capturing and magnetically retaining the capture member to park the transducer is provided adjacent the drive actuator. The magnetic parking member includes a permanent magnet and a magnetic field containing member having a slot (or air gap) formed therein. The magnetic field containing member and permanent magnet form a magnetic circuit with a magnetic flux with the slot in the magnetic field containing member allowing a portion of the magnetic flux to extend beyond the physical confines of the magnetic field containing member to provide a capture region for the capture member.

Abstract: A latching apparatus of a hard disk drive using a bimetal which includes a locking/releasing device for selectively locking/releasing an actuator for protecting a magnetic disk from being damaged by a magnetic head. A bimetal member operates the locking/releasing by heat expanding and shrinking according to whether an electric power is being applied. A heating device operates bimetal member. Preferably, the heating device is made of tantalum-aluminum(TaAl) alloy or nickel-chrome(NiCr) alloy.

Abstract: A head carriage supports a head. A locking member is movable between an engagement position at which the locking member engages with an engagement portion of the head carriage and a disengagement position at which the locking member disengages with the engagement portion of the head carriage. A driving unit stops driving one end of a first link in each of an ejecting mode in which a recording medium is ejected from the device and a waiting condition in a recording/reproducing mode, in which condition the head is not in contact with the recording medium. One end of a second link is connected with the other end of the first link, and the other end of the second link is connected with the locking member. A force-applying member applies force to the locking member so as to cause the locking member to move to the engagement position.

Abstract: In a head unlatch controlling method and arrangement in a hard disk drive head unlatch controlling method, a head unlatch operation is performed in an open loop mode, using a predetermined current profile. A determination is made as to whether servo information is accurately detected during the head unlatch operation in the open loop mode. If the servo information is accurately detected, the head unlatch operation is shifted from the open loop mode to a closed loop mode on the basis of the servo information. If the servo information is not accurately detected, the head unlatch operation continues in the open loop mode.

Abstract: In the present invention, a disk storage apparatus 1 is previously given acceleration current Ia and acceleration time Ta which is supplied to an actuator 6 for releasing the actuator from a permanent magnet 12, and deceleration current Id and deceleration time Td which is supplied to the actuator 6 for stopping the released actuator 6 at a data zone on a disk. When power-on operation, the actuator is driven according to the previously stored acceleration current, acceleration time, deceleration current, and deceleration time to be released from the permanent magnet lock.