Abstract: Apparatus for latching an actuator, such as used in a data storage device. A moveable electrical coil is disposed adjacent a magnetically permeable structure. The coil is latched by magnetic flux passing across a gap extending into the structure which establishes a retention force upon the coil. The coil is subsequently unlatched by application of current to the coil which reduces the magnetic flux across the gap and hence, the magnitude of the retention force upon the coil. The current also concurrently induces movement of the coil away from the gap. The structure preferably comprises a unitary, c-shaped structure comprising a base member, a support member and a pole member, with the coil configured to surround and travel along a lateral extent of the pole member. A permanent magnet is nested on the base member. A plate is preferably coupled to the coil for abutment across the gap.

Abstract: A voice coil motor pole assembly for supporting a latch is disclosed. The pole assembly includes a pin serving as an axle for the latch. The pole assembly also includes a protrusion that extends over a portion of the latch when the latch is mounted on the pin to thereby prevent the latch from being dislodged from the pin.

Abstract: Apparatus for latching an actuator, such as used in a data storage device. A moveable electrical coil is disposed adjacent a magnetically permeable structure. The coil is latched by magnetic flux passing across a gap extending into the structure which establishes a retention force upon the coil. The coil is subsequently unlatched by application of current to the coil which reduces the magnetic flux across the gap and hence, the magnitude of the retention force upon the coil. The current also concurrently induces movement of the coil away from the gap. The structure preferably comprises a unitary, c-shaped structure comprising a base member, a support member and a pole member, with the coil configured to surround and travel along a lateral extent of the pole member. A permanent magnet is nested on the base member. A plate is preferably coupled to the coil for abutment across the gap.

Abstract: A method and combination for mitigating turbulent air flow across an actuator and a disc stack assembly of a data storage device. The combination includes a combination air plate and diverter with a retention member supporting an air plate/diverter member protruding through a diverter mounting aperture of a base deck. The base deck provides a diverter mounting surface confining the diverter mounting aperture and an attachment receptacle communicating with an attachment means to secure the retention member adjacent the diverter mounting surface. The method includes disposing the retention member adjacent the diverter mounting surface, press fitting an alignment pin supported by the retention member into an alignment receptacle of the base deck, securing the combination air plate and diverter to the base deck with an attachment means, and sealing an internal environment of the base deck from intrusion by an environment external to the base deck.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for use in a data storage device comprises an actuator arm and a voice coil motor coil. The actuator arm has a fantail portion and an arm portion offset from the fantail portion. The voice coil motor coil is supported by the fantail portion and is lying partially beneath the arm portion.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a self-aligning rotatable member arranged between opposing first and second plate members, and a method of installation thereof. The plate members have respective first and second interior sidewalls to define respective first and second apertures therein. The rotatable member includes a central body portion and opposing, axially aligned first and second protrusions sized to rotate within the respective first and second apertures when the central body portion is placed in a gap between the plate members. During installation, the first protrusion of the rotatable member is inserted into the first aperture, and the rotatable member will tend to incur some amount of tilt. As the second plate member is lowered onto the rotatable member, the second interior sidewall contactingly engages a tapered outer surface of the second protrusion, thereby guiding the second protrusion into the second aperture and aligning the rotatable member with the apertures.

Abstract: In a disc drive, a voice coil motor is configured to drive an actuator with mainly torque, thereby reducing unwanted vibration of the actuator. The voice coil motor includes a moving coil vertically disposed with respect to a horizontal radial magnetic field provided by a stationary unipolar magnet such that the active portions of the coil are of different radial separation from the actuator pivot. A yoke facilitates closure of the magnetic flux paths.

Abstract: A dual plane single-stage actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes a step portion between the coil and head support portions, which increases its stiffness while permitting the coil support portion and head support portion of the actuator to lie in different planes. This allows the actuator to be installed in low-profile drives.

Abstract: A printed circuit cable (PCC) connector attachment assembly is provided for a disc drive. The PCC connector attachment assembly includes alignment pins and a compressive member. The alignment pins help to align a PCC connector for assembly and help to prevent lateral movement of the PCC connector with respect to the base deck after assembly. In one embodiment, the alignment pins are located on the PCC connector and align with pinholes provided in a base deck of the disc drive. The compressive member has a height selected such that the compressive member pressingly engages the PCC connector when a cover is attached to the base deck with cover screws. Grounding pads are located between the PCC connector and the base deck, so that the grounding pads provide a grounding path from the PCC connector to the base deck.

Abstract: An improved actuator assembly with an out-of-plane voice coil and method of making thereof. The actuator assembly has two substantially planar arms for supporting both read/write devices and the out-of-plane voice coil. The arms are severally formed by stamping processes, and assembled with a pivot mechanism therebetween. The voice coil is affixed to both arms.

Abstract: A voice coil motor pole assembly for supporting a latch is disclosed. The pole assembly includes a pin serving as an axle for the latch. The pole assembly also includes a protrusion that extends over a portion of the latch when the latch is mounted on the pin to thereby prevent the latch from being dislodged from the pin.

Abstract: An actuator having a relatively low mass for supporting flexible head suspension assemblies to read data from or write data to discs. The actuator includes an actuator body adapted to rotationally coupled to a base chassis of the disc drive and a yoke assembly including yoke arms extending from the actuator body. The actuator includes at least one rigid actuator arm rigidly supporting the flexible head suspension assemblies. The rigid actuator arm includes multiple arm plates supported in spaced relation to provide a thickness of the actuator arm for lateral stiffness.

Abstract: A latch apparatus for use in a disc drive includes a pivot portion adapted to be rotatably mounted in the disc drive, such that the pivot portion is rotatable between latched and unlatched positions. A latch arm attached to the pivot portion is adapted to restrict movement of an actuator arm when the pivot portion is in the latched position and is adapted to avoid restricting movement of the actuator arm when the pivot portion is in the unlatched position. The latch apparatus also includes a biasing mechanism attached to the pivot portion. The biasing mechanism is adapted to continually bias the pivot portion toward the unlatched position when the pivot portion is mounted in the disc drive. A wind arm attached to the pivot portion is positioned so that a wind produced by spinning the data storage disc pushes against the wind arm and thereby biases the pivot portion toward the unlatched position when the pivot portion is mounted in the disc drive.

Abstract: A voice coil motor suitable for use in devices where space is a significant constraint. The voice coil motor includes one coil portion intersectable with a magnetic field to produce resultant forces and an opposing coil portion shielded from the magnetic field such that the opposing coil portion does not intersect with the magnetic field.

Abstract: A crash stop assembly limits pivotal movement of an actuator assembly mounted on a base plate of a disc drive. The disc drive includes a signal channel extending from the actuator assembly to a disc drive circuit board, and the crash stop assembly includes a connector bracket secured to the base plate and supporting the signal channel. The crash stop assembly further includes a crash stop secured to the connector bracket and extending therefrom, and the crash stop includes a contact surface that contacts the actuator assembly to limit pivotal movement of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator latch for keeping an actuator in a park position when the drive is subject to non-operating shock. Magnetic forces hold the latch in both its latched and unlatched positions. VCM-controlled actuator movement causes the latch to move both into and out of these positions. Airflow generated by spinning discs effect movement of the latch out of the latching position when the drive is powered up.

Abstract: A printed circuit cable (PCC) connector attachment assembly is provided for a disc drive. The PCC connector attachment assembly includes alignment pins and a compressive member. The alignment pins help to align a PCC connector for assembly and help to prevent lateral movement of the PCC connector with respect to the base deck after assembly. In one embodiment, the alignment pins are located on the PCC connector and align with pinholes provided in a base deck of the disc drive. The compressive member has a height selected such that the compressive member pressingly engages the PCC connector when a cover is attached to the base deck with cover screws. Grounding pads are located between the PCC connector and the base deck, so that the grounding pads provide a grounding path from the PCC connector to the base deck.

Abstract: A crash stop assembly limits pivotal movement of an actuator assembly mounted on a base plate of a disc drive. The disc drive includes a signal channel extending from the actuator assembly to a disc drive circuit board, and the crash stop assembly includes a connector bracket secured to the base plate and supporting the signal channel. The crash stop assembly further includes a crash stop secured to the connector bracket and extending therefrom, and the crash stop includes a contact surface that contacts the actuator assembly to limit pivotal movement of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A dual plane single-stage actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes a step portion between the coil and head support portions, which increases its stiffness while permitting the coil support portion and head support portion of the actuator to lie in different planes. This allows the actuator to be installed in low-profile drives.

Abstract: An actuator having a relatively low mass for supporting flexible head suspension assemblies to read data from or write data to discs. The actuator includes an actuator body adapted to rotationally coupled to a base chassis of the disc drive and a yoke assembly including yoke arms extending from the actuator body. The actuator includes at least one rigid actuator arm rigidly supporting the flexible head suspension assemblies. The rigid actuator arm includes multiple arm plates supported in spaced relation to provide a thickness of the actuator arm for lateral stiffness.