Abstract: A flex circuit bracket for use in a data storage device housing and a method of fabrication therefor. The flex circuit bracket supports a flex circuit assembly and establishes a diffusion path between the housing interior and an external environment. A rigid plate has a diffusion path and opposing exterior and interior surfaces. A laminated flex circuit embeds a number of conductive traces and includes a web portion and an extended portion. The web portion is affixed to the exterior surface of the plate to form the diffusion path. An additional plate can be provided so that the web portion is affixed to the exterior surfaces of both plates and folded to establish the diffusion path. A connector is preferably affixed to the web portion, and the bracket is mounted to the housing so that the connector extends through a bulkhead aperture and mates with a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A stacked actuator for controllably positioning a data transducing head adjacent a data recording surface in a disc drive, and a method for fabricating the stacked actuator. The stacked actuator is formed from a plurality of stackable members arranged into a component stack. A counterbalance fastener is installed on a first side of the component stack to secure the stackable members together. A flex circuit assembly is subsequently affixed to a second side of the component stack opposite the first side. The mass and location of the counterbalance fastener are selected to counterbalance the mass of the flex circuit assembly so that the completed actuator is nominally balanced about an actuator rotational axis.

Abstract: A flex circuit bracket for use in a data storage device housing and a method of fabrication therefor. The flex circuit bracket supports a flex circuit assembly and establishes a diffusion path between the housing interior and an external environment. A rigid plate has a diffusion path and opposing exterior and interior surfaces. A laminated flex circuit embeds a number of conductive traces and includes a web portion and an extended portion. The web portion is affixed to the exterior surface of the plate to form the diffusion path. An additional plate can be provided so that the web portion is affixed to the exterior surfaces of both plates and folded to establish the diffusion path. A connector is preferably affixed to the web portion, and the bracket is mounted to the housing so that the connector extends through a bulkhead aperture and mates with a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A stacked actuator for controllably positioning a data transducing head adjacent a data recording surface in a disc drive, and a method for fabricating the stacked actuator. The stacked actuator is formed from a plurality of stackable members arranged into a component stack. A counterbalance fastener is installed on a first side of the component stack to secure the stackable members together. A flex circuit assembly is subsequently affixed to a second side of the component stack opposite the first side. The mass and location of the counterbalance fastener are selected to counterbalance the mass of the flex circuit assembly so that the completed actuator is nominally balanced about an actuator rotational axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for isolating actuator noise for a disc-drive system. An isolation material and a plug are combined in such a way to prevent or lessen acoustic actuator noise from the actuator assembly from entering the base plate of a disc drive system. An isolation material and plug form a dampening element. A dampening element may be formed from the elastomeric material without the plug.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-contact magnetic latch mechanism for holding a disc drive actuator in its park position. The latch includes a magnetically permeable element coupled to the actuator. The magnetically permeable element is positioned so as to be attracted to the magnetic field produced by the actuator voice coil magnets when the actuator is in or near its park position. The size, shape and location of the magnet may be selected so as to vary the latch torque and the range of influence of the latch on the actuator.

Abstract: A method for assembling a mechanical system is disclosed. A magnet is installed into the system. An actuator having a magnetic element is also assembled into the system such that the actuator is movable between two extremes. At one of the extremes, the actuator is latched in place by way of the magnetic element, which forms a magnetic circuit with the magnet.

Abstract: A monostable active latch apparatus is disclosed for use in a hard disk drive which has a housing, a rotating data storage disk and an actuator mounted in the housing. The actuator controllably positions a read/write head over a predetermined portion of the disk and includes a voice coil motor coil carried by a yoke portion of the actuator. The active latch uses a permanent magnet to bias an elongated rotatable latch arm into engagement with the actuator when the actuator is positioned in the landing zone. An electromagnet coil, positioned between the magnet and the magnetic return plates, when energized, counters this bias, permitting the latch arm to rotate, counterclockwise, out of engagement with the actuator.When the coil is deenergized, the permanent magnet provides a clockwise torque on the arm, raising the latch end of the latch arm to a first position out of the path of the actuator.

Abstract: A return plate for the voice coil motor of a disk drive is disclosed, wherein the angular positions of the top and bottom plates of the return plate are aligned by employing slot shaped voids and anchoring features. The bottom plate is anchored by a tight tolerance coupling to an actuator mounting boss in the base plate of the disk drive. The angular position of the bottom plate is controlled by a slot shaped hole that couples with a tight tolerance in a narrow dimension to an alignment boss in the base plate. The top plate is anchored to the base plate, and the angular position of the top plate is controlled by a slot shaped standoff that couples with a tight tolerance in a narrow dimension to the alignment boss.