Abstract: An actuator latch apparatus for a data storage device includes a latch lever installed on a base plate of the data storage device capable of pivoting and having a first latch portion provided at one end portion of the latch lever, a spring connected to the other end portion of the latch lever and made of a shape memory alloy to allow the latch lever to pivot in a predetermined direction by being deformed according to application of electric power, and a second latch portion provided at an end portion of an actuator moving a read/write head to a predetermined position of a disk.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for improving performance of a hard disk drive at low temperature are provided. The method includes: measuring an internal temperature of the hard disk drive; checking whether a measured internal temperature is not more than a predetermined critical temperature; if the measured internal temperature is not more than the predetermined critical temperature, driving a motor of the hard disk drive for a predetermined time and proceeding to the operation of the measuring of the internal temperature of the hard disk drive; and if the measured internal temperature is greater than the predetermined critical temperature, determining that reading/writing operations with respect to the hard disk drive are available.

Abstract: An actuator latch apparatus for a data storage device includes a latch lever installed on a base plate of the data storage device capable of pivoting and having a first latch portion provided at one end portion of the latch lever, a spring connected to the other end portion of the latch lever and made of a shape memory alloy to allow the latch lever to pivot in a predetermined direction by being deformed according to application of electric power, and a second latch portion provided at an end portion of an actuator moving a read/write head to a predetermined position of a disk.

Abstract: A latch system for a hard disk drive and a method of forming the latch system are disclosed. The latch system includes an actuator on which a read/write head is installed, and a latch locking the actuator. The actuator and the latch each has a mass center and a pivot center, and a direction of the mass center of the latch on the basis of the pivot center of the latch is the same as a direction of the mass center of the actuator on the basis of the pivot center of the actuator.

Abstract: Provided are a hard disk drive (HDD) assembly and a mobile phone employing the HDD assembly. The HDD assembly includes: a HDD including a base member, a cover member, a spindle motor installed on the base member, at least one data storage disk mounted on the spindle motor, and an actuator pivotably installed on the base member and moving a read/write head to a predetermined position on the disk; a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed beside the HDD and operating the HDD; and a mounting bracket mounted on an electronic device while accommodating the HDD and the PCB, and including a first accommodating space adapted to accommodate the HDD and a second accommodating space disposed beside the first accommodating space and adapted to accommodate the PCB.

Abstract: Provided is a hard disk drive (HDD) assembly. The HDD assembly includes: a HDD including a base member, a cover member, a spindle motor, a data storage disk, and an actuator; and a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed beside the HDD and operating the HDD. The HDD assembly can be mounted on an electronic device, for example, a mobile phone. In this case, the HDD assembly is mounted between a main PCB and a back cover of the mobile phone using a first damping pad interposed between the cover member and the main PCB and a second damping pad interposed between the base member and the back cover. The PCB for the HDD is disposed on the main PCB of the mobile phone to be placed beside the HDD.

Abstract: An actuator latch apparatus for a hard disk drive (HDD). The actuator latch apparatus includes a first latch formed on one end portion of a swing arm, a notch formed on the one end portion of the swing arm and spaced a predetermined interval from the first latch in a pivoting direction of the swing arm, and a latch lever pivotably installed on a base member. The latch lever includes a second latch contacting the first latch when the swing arm pivots in a first direction, and a hook engaging with the notch when the swing arm pivots in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Facing surfaces of the first latch and the second latch are inclined such that the first latch and the second latch slide into contact with each other when the swing arm pivots in the first direction.

Abstract: A disk drive having an anti-shock structure is provided. The disk drive includes: a base member; a spindle motor supported by a spindle motor support formed on the base member, the spindle motor rotating a data storage disk; an actuator rotatably coupled to an actuator pivot supported by a pivot support formed on the base member, the actuator moving a read/write head to a position on a recording surface of the disk; and slots formed in the base member around the circumference of each of the spindle motor support and the pivot support, the slots for partially controlling the stiffness of the base member. The slots include a first slot formed on a circumference region of the spindle motor support near the pivot support, and a second slot formed on a circumference region of the pivot support opposite to the spindle motor support. Due to the structure of the disk drive, the spindle motor and the actuator pivot are inclined in the same direction when an external impact is applied.

Abstract: Provided is a structure for mounting an embedded type disk drive in an electronic system having opposite surfaces corresponding to both surfaces of the disk drive. The structure includes a mounting damper coupled to a corner portion of the disk drive to protrude from either surface of the disk drive, and a mounting groove formed in each of the opposite surfaces of the electronic system at a position corresponding to the mounting damper. As the mounting damper is inserted in the mounting groove, the disk drive is mounted in the electronic system.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit (FPC), electrically connecting a spindle motor on a base of a disk drive with a printed circuit board (PCB) outside of the base, and a disk drive including the FPC, are provided. The FPC includes a wiring portion having one end connected to the spindle motor; a bonded portion connected to the other end of the wiring portion and attached to the base; electrode supports, each having a predetermined elasticity and extending from an outside edge of the bonded portion; a wiring disposed along the wiring portion and the bonded portion; and first electrodes disposed on the electrode supports and connected to the wiring. The first electrodes contact second electrodes disposed on the PCB due to the elasticities of the electrode supports. The disk drive allows the spindle motor to be electrically connected to the PCB using only the FPC, i.e., without using a separate connector.

Abstract: A mounting pad for a disk drive is provided. The mounting pad includes a sealing layer, which is formed on one surface of the disk drive so that a gap between a base and a cover of the disk drive can be sealed; an adhesive layer, which is formed on a surface of the electronic system facing the disk drive; and a vibration attenuation layer, which is interposed between the sealing layer and the adhesive layer to attenuate physical shocks and/or vibrations applied to the disk drive from the outside. Accordingly, it is possible to install the disk drive in the electronic system more firmly, attenuate physical shocks and vibrations applied to the disk drive from the outside, and seal a gap between the base and the cover of the disk drive.

Abstract: An actuator latch apparatus for a data storage device includes a latch lever installed on a base plate of the data storage device capable of pivoting and having a first latch portion provided at one end portion of the latch lever, a spring connected to the other end portion of the latch lever and made of a shape memory alloy to allow the latch lever to pivot in a predetermined direction by being deformed according to application of electric power, and a second latch portion provided at an end portion of an actuator moving a read/write head to a predetermined position of a disk.

Abstract: A slim spindle motor and a micro-drive apparatus including the slim spindle motor are provided. In the spindle motor, a hub is rotatably mounted on a base plate by ball bearings. The hub is used to seat a disk thereon. A ring-shaped magnet is engaged to the outer boundary of the hub. A stator is formed by arranging a plurality of yokes in a round shape around the outer boundary of the ring-shaped magnet. The yokes include cores having curved ends to reduce the central axis offset between the yokes and the ring-shaped magnet. Most of the yokes include coils that cover the cores. Since the central axes of the yokes in the stator are made collinear with the central axis of the ring-shaped magnet, the slim spindle motor can operate stably.

Abstract: A slim actuator and a micro-drive apparatus using the same are provided. The slim actuator includes a suspension having a head mounted at one end of the suspension to write/read data to/from a disk and a head gimbal assembly. The head gimbal assembly includes a unit-mounting portion having one end connected to the suspension, a fantail molding portion extending from the other end of the uni-mounting portion, and a voice coil which is mounted on the fantail mounting portion such that current flows in the voice coil. The voice coil rotates the suspension by an electromagnetic force created by interaction between the electric field of the current and an applied magnetic field. Thus, the slim actuator uses a single channel and has excellent resonance characteristics. Mobile micro-drive apparatuses employing the slim actuators can be obtained.

Abstract: In an actuator latch used with a hard disk drive to lock an actuator in a non-pivoting position when a magnetic head installed at the actuator is positioned in a parking zone of a hard disk, the actuator latch includes a hooked portion provided at one side of the actuator and having first and second hook steps disposed to face each other, a locking member having a hook portion which is coupled to the hooked portion as the actuator moves to the parking zone, the hook portion coupled to the hooked portion being interfered with the first hook step when the actuator rotate clockwise and with the second hook step when the actuator rotate counterclockwise, and an elastic member elastically supporting the locking member to be capable of rotating and providing a restoring force to the locking member with respect to both clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the locking member.

Abstract: In an actuator latch used with a hard disk drive to lock an actuator in a non-pivoting position when a magnetic head installed at the actuator is positioned in a parking zone of a hard disk, the actuator latch includes a hooked portion provided at one side of the actuator and having first and second hook steps disposed to face each other, a locking member having a hook portion which is coupled to the hooked portion as the actuator moves to the parking zone, the hook portion coupled to the hooked portion being interfered with the first hook step when the actuator rotate clockwise and with the second hook step when the actuator rotate counterclockwise, and an elastic member elastically supporting the locking member to be capable of rotating and providing a restoring force to the locking member with respect to both clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the locking member.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a tray loading type magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus. The tray loading type magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus includes a deck mechanism for accommodating different size tape cassettes, a cassette housing covered and fixed at the upper surface of the deck mechanism, a cassette tray combined with the cassette housing in such a manner that the cassette tray can be rectilinearly moved back and forth and being capable of selectively accommodating different size tape cassettes, a tray loading device for loading the cassette tray and a cassette holder receiving device for receiving a previously received tape cassette in the cassette tray in a predetermined position of the deck mechanism. Thus, a new formed tray loading type magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for accommodating different sized tape cassettes, capable of simplifying its formation, reducing fabricating cost and using in a home is provided.

Abstract: A balancing apparatus which is capable of compensating for an eccentricity generated even when a rotating member is rotated at a velocity that is lower than a critical velocity thereof. Preferably, the balancing apparatus is disposed, in relation with the rotating member, at a position spaced apart from a rotation center of the rotating member by a predetermined distance. The balancing apparatus includes a plurality of balls for compensating for an eccentricity, a hardening agent for fixing the balls under the condition that the eccentricity is compensated by the balls, and a keeping member for insertion of the balls and the hardening agent.

Abstract: An air dynamic bearing is constructed to prevent the inflow of a foreign substance. The air dynamic bearing includes an inner member having a lubricious surface and fixed to a shaft which rotates, and an outer member having a lubricious surface corresponding to the lubricious surface of the inner member and supporting the inner member to be operative to rotate. First grooves are formed in the lubricious surface of at least one of the inner and the outer members to generate a predetermined air pressure outward when the at least one of the inner and the outer members rotates.

Abstract: A reel table transferring mechanism for selectively loading tape cassettes of a different size includes rotating arms on which the reel tables are supported and a rotator for rotating the rotating arms. Thus, the position of and distance between the reel tables are determined by the rotation angle of the rotating arms.