Abstract: A hard disk drive assembly is electrically connected to a printed circuit board assembly motherboard using a connector on the hard disk drive assembly connected with a mating connector mounted on the motherboard. The hard disk drive assembly is secured to standoffs that allow sufficient space between the hard disk drive assembly and the motherboard for an integrated circuit package to be positioned between the hard disk drive assembly and the motherboard.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a rigid disk drive including a rotary actuator having a lift tab extending asymmetrically from the end of the load beam which supports a slider with read/write element is disclosed. The free end of the lift tab cooperates with a cam surface on a cam assembly to provide dynamic loading and unloading of the slider while imparting a roll to the slider as it is loaded to and unloaded from the disk. In another embodiment, the lift tab extends from the end of the load beam along an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the load beam, but the axis of the lift tab is offset from the longitudinal axis of the load beam. In a further embodiment, a disk drive including a rotary actuator having a load beam which includes a lift tab extending from the free end, with the lift tab cooperating with a cam assembly which is located adjacent to the edge of recording media, but not extending over a surface of the media is provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rigid disk drive of the dynamic head loading type which includes a rotary actuator, and a load beam having a lift tab which cooperates with a cam surface of a cam assembly to load and unload a read/write recording element with respect to a surface of a disk. The method includes positioning the left tab so that it extends along an axis which is displaced with respect to a center line of the load beam. The method also includes providing the cam surface with a detent. The method of manufacturing further includes providing a portion of said lift tab with a cylindrical shape.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a rigid disk drive including a rotary actuator having a lift tab extending asymmetrically from the end of the load beam which supports a slider with read/write element is disclosed. The free end of the lift tab cooperates with a cam surface on a cam assembly to provide dynamic loading and unloading of the slider while imparting a roll to the slider as it is loaded to and unloaded from the disk. In another embodiment, the lift tab extends from the end of the load beam along an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the load beam, but the axis of the lift tab is offset from the longitudinal axis of the load beam. In a further embodiment, a disk drive including a rotary actuator having a load beam which includes a lift tab extending from the free end, with the lift tab cooperating with a cam assembly which is located adjacent to the edge of recording media, but not extending over a surface of the media is provided.

Abstract: A disk drive apparatus includes actuator arms, each with a load beam mounted thereon, and a head mounted to a side of the load beam, with a lift rod mounted to that side of the load beam. An electrical conductor is connected to the head and extends along that side of the load beam. Each actuator arm defines a bore, and an annular member is included, having a first portion which is dimensioned to be an interference fit with a bore of the actuator arm, and a second portion adapted to cooperate with a portion of the actuator arm to hold a portion of the load beam therebetween with the first portion of the annular member positioned in the bore of the actuator arm. The disk drive apparatus includes a base and first and second covers on either side thereof, and a disk drive motor mounted to the base and extending from adjacent the first cover to adjacent the second cover. A voice coil actuator assembly extends from adjacent the first cover to adjacent the second cover.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rigid disk drive information storage device which includes a rigid disk having an outside diameter in the range of about 33-34 mm., with a housing having a footprint that includes a width of about 35 mm. and utilizing a rotary actuator for positioning read/write recording elements across the surface of the disk. The disk storage devices further includes a footprint with length of about 50.8 mm., and includes in one embodiment dynamic head loading apparatus for loading the read/write recording elements into operative relationship with the disk. In another embodiment the rigid disk drive utilizes contact start stop loading and unloading of the read/write recording elements. An inertial latch is also provided for preventing rotation of the actuator when the drive is subjected to a rotational force.

Abstract: A connector assembly including a connector mounted to a printed wiring board and attached to a head disk assembly for strain relief is provided. The connector includes a plurality of through hole pins or surface mounted pins soldered to the printed wiring board. In one embodiment the connector also includes a connector hole that is formed in and extends through the connector. In one embodiment the connector assembly also includes a plurality of screws which pass through the printed wiring board, the connector, and threaded holes of the head disk assembly.

Abstract: A removable disk drive is combined with a protective device for use in a computer. The protective device is constructed as a jacket made of resilient material, the jacket enclosing at least a portion of the surface of the disk drive. In one embodiment, the disk drive includes a substantially rigid disk in a housing having a footprint that includes a first dimension of about 35 mm. In another embodiment, the removable disk drive includes a housing and a substantially rigid disk having a diameter in the range of from about 33 mm to about 34 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rigid disk drive information storage device which includes a rigid disk having a diameter in the range of about 45-50 mm., with a housing having a footprint that includes a width of about 51 mm. and utilizing a rotary actuator for positioning read/write recording elements across the surface of the disk. The disk storage devices further includes a footprint with a length of about 70 mm., includes dynamic loading apparatus for loading the read/write recording elements into operative relationship with the disk and further includes an inertial latch for preventing rotation of the actuator when the drive is subjected to a rotational force.

Abstract: A disk drive information storage device having a pair of disks for storing information, the storage device including a clamp for mounting disks on a hub, the clamp including an annular element having a first set of fingers extending from the annular element in the first direction parallel to the central axis of the annular element, the first set of fingers providing a radial force on the inside edge of one of the disks, and the clamp including a second set of fingers extending from the annular element in a second direction parallel to the central axis of the annular element and opposite to the first direction, the fingers of the second set being for imposing a radially force on an inside edge of a second disk. In another embodiment, a disk drive information storage device with a pair of disks includes a spindle motor having a rotor which includes a disk-shaped portion having an outer diameter, and an upper surface for supporting one of the pair of disks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rigid disk drive information storage device which includes a rigid disk having an outside diameter in the range of about 33-34 mm., with a housing having a footprint that includes a width of about 35 mm. and utilizing a rotary actuator for positioning read/write recording elements across the surface of the disk. The disk storage devices further includes a footprint with length of about 50.8 mm., and includes in one embodiment dynamic head loading apparatus for loading the read/write recording elements into operative relationship with the disk. In another embodiment the rigid disk drive utilizes contact start stop loading and unloading of the read/write recording elements. An inertial latch is also provided for preventing rotation of the actuator when the drive is subjected to a rotational force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disk drive apparatus for use in computer systems and especially in computer systems where size and weight are of paramount concern, such as lap top computer systems. The preferred embodiment of the disk drive apparatus includes a 21/2" magnetic disk that preferably provides 20 to 40 megabytes of storage within a foot print area of approximately 2.8 inches by approximately 4.0 inches. Further, the disk drive apparatus possesses a height dimension of 0.630 inches or less. This height dimension is achieved, in part, by providing a low profile spin motor to rotate the magnetic disk. The low profile spin motor uses high energy magnets that are preferably made of a material that includes a rare earth, such as neodymium or samarium. The disk drive apparatus also employs a rotary actuator having a voice coil assembly of reduced height that is achieved by using the housing as a flux return path for magnet fields produced by the voice coil assembly.

Abstract: A disk drive package including a pair of side rails and a connector is disclosed. The disk drive may advantageously be connected to a personal computer, in a location normally reserved for a memory card. The disk drive may be constructed to conform to specifications issued by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA).

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk drive information storage device having a housing and a disk means for recording and reproducing information. The disk drive information storage device utilizes an actuator comprising a body portion supported by the housing for rotation about an axis, and a load beam connected to the body portion for rotation of a first end of the load beam in a plane substantially parallel to a surface of the disk means. The load beam includes an elongated lift tab having a free end which extends beyond the first end of the load beam, with the lift tab extending along an axis which is skewed from the centerline of the load beam. A slider body including a transducer for recording and reproducing information from the disk is supported by the load beam at a position intermediate the first end of the load beam and the axis of rotation of the body portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk drive information storage device having a housing and a disk means for recording and reproducing information. The disk drive information storage device utilizes a rotary actuator which includes a load beam and structure for dynamically loading a transducer into operative relationship with a surface of the disk means. The transducer is supported adjacent to one end of the load beam. The load beam includes at its outermost end a lift tab which extends from the load beam along an axis which is skewed from the centerline of the load beam, with the lift tab including a curvilinear portion. A cam assembly is provided on the housing adjacent to the edge of the disk means, the cam assembly including a cam surface positioned in operative relationship with the lift tab. In one embodiment, the housing has a first external dimension of about 51 mm. In another embodiment, the disk means has a diameter in the range of from about 45 mm to about 50 mm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disk drive apparatus for use in computer systems where size and weight are of paramount concern. The disk drive apparatus includes a 2.5 inch disk that provides between 20-40 megabytes of storage within a footprint area of approximately 2.8 inches by approximately 4.0 inches. Further, the disk drive has a height of 0.630 inch or less. The height dimension is achieved, in part, by providing a low profile spin motor to rotate the disk. The low profile spin motor uses high energy magnets made of rare earth materials. The disk drive also employs a rotary actuator having a voice coil assembly of reduced height by using the housing as a flux return path for the magnetic fields produced by the voice coil motor. Also provided is a three-tiered housing that contains the disk which, when connected to a printed circuit board, produces the low profile disk drive apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk drive information storage device which includes a disk for recording and reproducing information, with the disk drive information storage device having a housing with a baseplate which includes a peripheral portion having a lip which extends circumferentially around the peripheral portion and the cover also includes a peripheral portion with a free edge at the periphery of the cover such that when the baseplate is engaged with the cover the overlap of the free edge of the baseplate and the free edge of the lip provides shielding to the internal components of the disk drive from electromagnetic interference, which my be present in the environment in which the disk drive is utilized. The disk utilized in the disk drive has a diameter in the range of from about 45 mm to about 50 mm. The housing of the disk drive has a first external dimension of about 51 mm and a second external dimension of about 70 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a information storage device including a disk drive and a shock absorbent jacket for enclosing the drive. The jacket in one embodiment is comprised of a resilient material, the jacket being designed to protect the drive for shock forces imposed from any direction. In one embodiment the disk drive has a housing with a first external dimension of about 51 mm. In another embodiment, the disk drive includes a recording disk having a diameter in the range of from about 45 mm to about 50 mm. The jacket at least partially encloses each external surface of the disk drive. The jacket and the disk drive are retained within an electronic instrument.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk drive information storage device which, in one embodiment, includes a disk having a diameter in the range of about 45 to 50 min., with a housing and a spin motor. In another embodiment, the disk drive information storage device includes a disk, a housing having a first external dimension of about 51 mm., and a spin motor. The spin motor includes a rotor and a stator, with either the rotor or the stator having a plurality of winding structures associated therewith, and the other having a plurality of magnetic poles. Each winding structure is made up of two winding portions, with only one winding portion being used to drive the rotor relative to the stator upon drive currents being applied to the winding structure, but with both winding portions being used to generate back electromotive force when drive current is cut off from the winding structure. This generated electromotive force is used to actuate an actuator drive motor to unload the read/write heads from the disk surface.

Abstract: An architecture for a low profile disk drive device wherein a lower surface of an information bearing disk abutting an upper surface of a spindle motor is not accessed by a read/write head for data storage or retrieval. The disk is used as a magnetic shield to protect reading and writing from an upper surface of the disk, The architecture facilitates lower profile construction because the spindle motor can be made with a larger diameter and thinner height. Memory capacity is not sacrificed because a greater portion of the remaining disk surfaces is utilized.