Abstract: Improving track following performance and reliability in a hard disk drive involves the use of disk separator plates positioned between adjacent recording disks, where a disk separator plate is made of stamped metal with plastic over-molded mounting portions coupled to the metal, thereby reducing the reliability risks associated with the use of fiber-filled materials.

Abstract: Improving track following performance and reliability in a hard disk drive involves the use of disk separator plates positioned between adjacent recording disks, where a disk separator plate is made of stamped metal with plastic over-molded mounting portions coupled to the metal, thereby reducing the reliability risks associated with the use of fiber-filled materials.

Abstract: A magnetic disc drive assembly comprises a disc drive housing defining a drive chamber. A desiccant housing in the drive chamber is joined to the bottom wall of the disc drive housing. The desiccant housing has end walls and side walls extending along a width and a length, respectively, of the desiccant housing, the length being oriented substantially parallel to the length of the drive chamber to form a structural beam for the disc drive housing. The desiccant housing has a top opening between the desiccant chamber and the drive chamber and a bottom opening through the bottom wall of the drive housing through which the desiccant is placed into the desiccant chamber. A separate bottom cover closes the bottom opening so that the desiccant may be place into the disc drive as the last assembly step.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a sealed head/disc assembly that has airtight electrical connections. The head/disc assembly has a first flexible circuit having one end that has electrical contacts which provide power to a spindle motor and another end which is terminated at a first connecter that is mounted to the base of a casing. A second flexible circuit routes electrical signals to a pivotally mounted actuator. The actuator carries read/write transducer heads and an actuator coil. One end of the second flexible circuit is coupled to the actuator and another end of the second flexible circuit is coupled to a second connector that is mounted to the base of the casing. A circuit board is mounted exterior to and along the base of the HDA casing. The circuit board includes third and fourth connectors which couple directly to the first and second connectors, respectively, when the board is mounted to the HDA.

Abstract: A rotary actuator for a disk drive includes a pivotally mounted carriage and a stacked arrangment of magnetic transducer support arms extended away from the carriage, each arm supporting a magnetic transducing head at its free end for arcuate travel as the carriage pivots. A circuit board, for connecting the transducing heads to read, write and control circuitry, is mounted along one side of the head arm assembly, secured to the carriage. A section of the circuit board extends away from the carriage in cantilever fashion toward the transducing heads. A preloaded retaining spring is secured to the carriage on the opposite side of the circuit board from the carriage, and includes a plurality of load arms that bear against the cantilevered portion of the circuit board, continually biasing the board, and an electrically insulative spacer mounted to the board, against the transducer support arms.