Abstract: An approach to a reduced-head hard disk drive (HDD) involves an elevator platform assembly for moving an actuator assembly, one or more bearing assemblies, and a load/unload ramp along one or more support posts to provide a head slider access to at least two different recording disk media of a disk stack. The HDD may include a piezoelectric actuator locking mechanism integral to one of the bearing assemblies, such that actuation of the actuator either locks or unlocks the locking mechanism relative to a corresponding support post. When unlocked, the elevator platform assembly can be translated along the length of the disk stack via a motor.

Abstract: An approach to a reduced-head hard disk drive (HDD) involves a load/unload (LUL) ramp subsystem that includes a ramp assembly that includes a rotatable latch link configured for mechanical interaction with a head-stack assembly (HSA) and a LUL ramp coupled with the latch link, configured such that in response to a force applied to the latch link by the HSA, the latch link rotates which disengages a magnetic latch and drives the LUL ramp to rotate into an operational state disengaged from any recording disk of a multiple-disk stack. The subsystem may further include a motor configured to drive rotation of a lead screw to which the ramp assembly is attached, to drive vertical translation of the ramp assembly, thereby providing for loading the vertically-translatable HSA onto and off of each of the disks of the disk stack.

Abstract: An approach to a reduced-head hard disk drive (HDD) involves an actuator elevator assembly for moving an actuator assembly along at least one support feature to provide a head slider access to at least two different disk media of a disk stack. The HDD includes a piezoelectric-based locking mechanism, including at least one piezoelectric actuator, movably coupled with the support feature, such that actuation of the actuator either locks or unlocks the locking mechanism relative to the support feature. When unlocked, the actuator assembly can be translated along the length of the disk stack via the actuator elevator assembly.

Abstract: An approach to a reduced-head hard disk drive (HDD) includes a load/unload (LUL) ramp subsystem that includes a translatable ramp assembly that includes a biasing member and a magnet coupled thereto, which is magnetically engaged with a guide post to provide a bias force at an interface of a lead screw and the ramp assembly. The bias force acts upon the interface by reducing a gap between outer threads of the lead screw and inner threads of a mating threaded interface structure of the ramp assembly that would otherwise cause lead screw hysteresis without the bias force.

Abstract: An approach to a reduced-head hard disk drive (HDD) involves a load/unload (LUL) ramp subsystem that includes a ramp assembly that includes a rotatable latch link configured for mechanical interaction with a head-stack assembly (HSA) and a LUL ramp coupled with the latch link, configured such that in response to a force applied to the latch link by the HSA, the latch link rotates which disengages a magnetic latch and drives the LUL ramp to rotate into an operational state disengaged from any recording disk of a multiple-disk stack. The subsystem may further include a motor configured to drive rotation of a lead screw to which the ramp assembly is attached, to drive vertical translation of the ramp assembly, thereby providing for loading the vertically-translatable HSA onto and off of each of the disks of the disk stack.

Abstract: An approach to a reduced-head hard disk drive (HDD) involves an actuator elevator assembly for moving an actuator assembly along at least one support feature to provide a head slider access to at least two different disk media of a disk stack. The HDD includes a piezoelectric-based locking mechanism, including at least one piezoelectric actuator, movably coupled with the support feature, such that actuation of the actuator either locks or unlocks the locking mechanism relative to the support feature. When unlocked, the actuator assembly can be translated along the length of the disk stack via the actuator elevator assembly.

Abstract: An approach to a reduced-head hard disk drive (HDD) involves a load/unload (LUL) ramp subsystem that includes a ramp assembly that includes a rotatable latch link configured for mechanical interaction with a head-stack assembly (HSA) and a LUL ramp coupled with the latch link, configured such that in response to a force applied to the latch link by the HSA, the latch link rotates which disengages a magnetic latch and drives the LUL ramp to rotate into an operational state disengaged from any recording disk of a multiple-disk stack. The subsystem may further include a motor configured to drive rotation of a lead screw to which the ramp assembly is attached, to drive vertical translation of the ramp assembly, thereby providing for loading the vertically-translatable HSA onto and off of each of the disks of the disk stack.

Abstract: An approach to a reduced-head hard disk drive (HDD) involves a load/unload (LUL) ramp subsystem that includes a ramp assembly that includes a rotatable latch link configured for mechanical interaction with a head-stack assembly (HSA) and a LUL ramp coupled with the latch link, configured such that in response to a force applied to the latch link by the HSA, the latch link rotates which disengages a magnetic latch and drives the LUL ramp to rotate into an operational state disengaged from any recording disk of a multiple-disk stack. The subsystem may further include a motor configured to drive rotation of a lead screw to which the ramp assembly is attached, to drive vertical translation of the ramp assembly, thereby providing for loading the vertically-translatable HSA onto and off of each of the disks of the disk stack.