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 flux generator for a rotary actuator motor with an integrated magnetic latch is disclosed. A magnetically permeable return plate housing forms a first air gap for receiving a coil coupled to the actuator for positioning read/write heads over a disk platter of the disk drive, and forms a second air gap for receiving a latch tab coupled to the actuator.

Abstract: A limit stop/latching assembly in a disk storage system includes a crash stop for limiting travel of the actuator carriage at a fixed stop position. The assembly has a first abutment surface defining the stop position, a stop pin on the actuator carriage movable in a path by travel of the actuator carriage to abut the first abutment surface, and a latch having a second abutment surface which is movable between a free position out of the path of the stop pin and a latched position with the second abutment surface abuting the stop pin and facing the first abutment surface across the path to latch the stop pin at the stop position. Advantageously, the latch is mounted for movement around a first mounting pin in rotary travel having a center defined by the crash stop pin.