Abstract: An actuator carriage assembly for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a storage medium while eliminating resonance of the actuator carriage assembly is provided. The actuator carriage assembly comprises a carriage having read/write heads, the heads being mounted on the end of the carriage, and a magnetic circuit for driving the carriage and heads into and out of engagement with the storage medium. The magnetic circuit comprises a coil mounted on the carriage, a first magnet located on a first side of the actuator carriage assembly and a second magnet located on a second side of the actuator carriage assembly. The magnets or the sides of the actuator carriage assembly are biased so that the magnetic flux from the first side is stronger than that from the second side. In an actuator carriage assembly for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a storage medium, a method for eliminating resonance in the actuator carriage assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A voice coil actuator return path for a linear actuator of a disk drive, which accurately and precisely positions the center guide track is disclosed. The outer return path is precisely formed from laminas of low carbon steel. The outer return path supports and accurately positions a central guide track, on which a carriage assembly slides. Moreover, the outer return path is oriented in a rectangle that is coupled to a disk drive platform, and includes an aperture through which a portion of the carriage assembly passes.

Abstract: An actuator for carrying a read/write head into engagement with a surface of a recording medium includes a carriage assembly including a load beam upon which the read/write head is mounted, and a pair of barriers disposed on opposite sides of the load beam to constrain lateral movement of the load beam to prevent damage to the read/write head when the disk drive undergoes shock. Extending from the load beam may be a pair of wings that ride upon ramped surfaces that are, disposed within the disk drive, as the actuator moves to engage and disengage a data storage medium. Preferably, the barriers are disposed outboard of the wings, so that the wings will contact the barriers and thereby restrain movement of the actuator when a mechanical shock is applied to the disk drive. By restraining movement of the actuator, the barriers protect the heads from mechanical shock.

Abstract: There is disclosed a disk drive having a linear actuator for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a recording medium. The heads are mounted on a carriage assembly along with a voice coil motor for driving the carriage assembly into and out of engagement of the heads with the medium. The carriage assembly slides linearly on a central guide track. A flexible mounting suspension is provided for the central guide track for linear movement by the carriage assembly so that initial linear movement of the carriage assembly is by flexing the suspension and further, larger linear movement of the carriage assembly is by sliding along the guide track. In one form of the invention the central guide track is suspended at the front end by a flexure and at the rear end by a bearing. In another form of the invention the central guide track is suspended at each end by a flexure.

Abstract: Narrow gaps near the end of travel of a linear actuator coil of a magnetic disk drive is disclosed. The gaps are formed between actuator magnets and inner return path members on opposing sides of an actuator carriage. The narrow gaps are formed by protrusions on the inner return path members that extend into the gaps. The narrow gaps enhance uniformity of force applied to the carriage by diminishing the end effects, which enables the entire length of the air gap to be used for actuator travel.

Abstract: In a magnetic disk drive heads are loaded and unloaded onto the magnetic disk by wings attached in close proximity to the magnetic heads. The wings ride on opposed profiles to separate the heads so that they can travel on either side of the disk and the heads are then brought together properly onto the disk. As the heads are withdrawn from the disk, they are separated by the opposed profiles and then the heads are parked on a cleaning pad.

Abstract: A voice coil actuator return path and a slotted flex circuit member for a linear actuator of a disk drive, which together accurately and precisely position the center guide track, and align the mass and forces of the electrical circuit on the carriage are disclosed. The outer return path is precisely formed from laminations of low carbon steel. The outer return path supports and accurately positions a central guide track, on which a carriage assembly slides. Moreover, the outer return path is oriented in a rectangle that is coupled to a disk drive platform, and includes an aperture through which a portion of the carriage assembly passes.A flex circuit member, which electrically communicates with the read/write heads, includes a slot that enables the central guide track to pass though. The slot enables the flex circuit member to be connected to the carriage assembly near a center axis of the carriage.

Abstract: A linear actuator for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a recording medium includes a carriage and a subcarriage. Flexible springs mount the subcarriage to the carriage. A voice coil motor has a coil mounted on the subcarriage. Initial energization of the coil causes linear movement of the carriage flexing the springs to produce small incremental movement of the heads. Further energization of the coil causes movement of the subcarriage on the bushings to provide coarse adjustment of the actuator.