Abstract: A lift system removes a display unit or components thereof from a tiled display wall in a way that minimizes the risk of damaging the removed display unit and other display units in the tiled display wall. A lifting structure is configured to selectively lift one or more display units away from the desired display unit when the lifting structure is raised by a vertical motion actuator. The lifting structure is further configured to be free to rotate slightly about a vertical axis when lifting the display units, so that the lifted display units are not constrained to purely vertical translation when lifted away from the desired display unit.

Abstract: A latch system couples precision frames in a way that does not over-constrain the coupled frames. The position of a female latching device mounted to one precision frame is adjustable so that, prior to coupling, the latching device can be aligned to a fixed pin that is part of a fixed pin assembly mounted to a second precision frame. Once positioned, the female latching device is fixed in position with respect to the pin and mechanically coupled to the pin, so that the first and second precision frames are not distorted when the coupling takes place. Such latch systems can be used to provide a rigid and over-constrained connection between two structures that does not contain interference fits or the resultant deflection associated with interference fits.

Abstract: A latch system couples precision frames in a way that does not over-constrain the coupled frames. The position of a female latching device mounted to one precision frame is adjustable so that, prior to coupling, the latching device can be aligned to a fixed pin that is part of a fixed pin assembly mounted to a second precision frame. Once positioned, the female latching device is fixed in position with respect to the pin and mechanically coupled to the pin, so that the first and second precision frames are not distorted when the coupling takes place. Such latch systems can be used to provide a rigid and over-constrained connection between two structures that does not contain interference fits or the resultant deflection associated with interference fits.

Abstract: A lift system removes a display unit or components thereof from a tiled display wall in a way that minimizes the risk of damaging the removed display unit and other display units in the tiled display wall. A lifting structure is configured to selectively lift one or more display units away from the desired display unit when the lifting structure is raised by a vertical motion actuator. The lifting structure is further configured to be free to rotate slightly about a vertical axis when lifting the display units, so that the lifted display units are not constrained to purely vertical translation when lifted away from the desired display unit.

Abstract: A disc drive, includes a base, a disc stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. The actuator assembly includes an E-block. The E-block for a disc drive includes a metal core and a ceramic coating on the metal core of the E-block. The ceramic coating on the metal core of the E-block is less dense than the metal core. The stiffness of the ceramic coating on the metal core of the E-block is greater than the stiffness of the metal core. In one embodiment, the E-block has a metal core of aluminum. The ceramic coating is may be formed using any method, including an electrochemical process or by depositing the ceramic coating onto the E-block.

Abstract: An E-block of an actuator for use in a data handling system to support a read/write head adjacent a recording surface. The E-block is formed by providing feed stock along a planar orientation, drawing a portion of the feed stock out of plane to form an extension portion, and stamping the feed stock to separate an actuator arm member having a substantially planar actuator arm from which the extension portion extends, the actuator arm configured to support the read/write head. A planar motor support member configured to support a coil of an actuator motor is also stamped from the feed stock. The actuator arm member and the motor support member are stacked and attached using a suitable process such as swaging or welding. The extension portion of the actuator arm member establishes a desired axial separation distance between the motor support member and the actuator arm.

Abstract: A material compound for a latch for a disc drive to secure an actuator of the disc drive when the disc drive is not in use. The latch is made of a base polymer of polyetherimide with additives of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and arimid fiber. The latch made from this material generates substantially fewer particles than latches of the existing art. A method for making the latch is also provided.

Abstract: An end stop assembly for limiting the travel of an actuator in a disc drive, the actuator pivotally supported by an enclosure for movement of a read/write head in data reading and writing relationship to a data disc. The end stop assembly comprises a base plate fixedly positioned within the enclosure, a post extending upward from the base plate and a cantilevered arm extending outward from the post. The arm comprises a proximal end connecting the arm to the post and a distal end for providing contacting engagement with the actuator. Furthermore, the cantilevered arm is displaceable in a rotational direction substantially about the post and deformable in a direction substantially along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A compressive limit stop for limiting travel of an actuator assembly of a data storage device is disclosed. The compressive limit stop separates a first pole piece from a second pole piece of the data storage device, each pole piece adjacent the actuator assembly, the compressive limit stop includes a rigid body with a top flange adjacent the second pole piece and a bottom flange adjacent the first pole piece, an inner portion having a diameter less than the diameter of the top flange disposed between the top and bottom flanges forming a channel between the flanges and a compressive sleeve with an inner wall adjacent each flange while enclosing the channel to form a gap between the inner portion and the inner wall. The compressive sleeve deflects and compresses between the actuator assembly and the inner portion to decelerate movement of the actuator assembly, upon impact of the contact arm with the contact post.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for adjusting an actuator mechanical response characteristic in a data handling system, such as a disc drive. An actuator rotates about a pivot system to move a read/write head adjacent a recording surface, the pivot system comprising a stationary shaft and a bearing asesmbly comprising a stationary inner race coupled to the shaft and a rotatable outer race coupled to the actuator. A fastener is provided to engage the shaft and apply an initial amount of axially directed force on the inner race. A broad spectrum excitation is applied to the actuator and a mechanical response characteristic of the actuator is measured. The fastener is repetitively adjusted to increase the amount of axially directed force until the measured mechanical response characteristic of the actuator reaches a desired level.

Abstract: A disc drive assembly method for assembling a disc drive having a disc and an actuator with a tab portion disposed at a proximal end and a head on the distal end. The method consisting of rotating the actuator about a central post, contactingly engaging an outer stop. The outer stop comprises a base plate, a post extending upward from the base plate and a cantilevered arm extending outward from the post. The cantilevered arm of the outer stop is displaceable in a rotational direction substantially about the post and deformable in a direction substantially along its longitudinal axis. When the actuator engages the outer stop, the arm of the outer stop is displaced by the actuator tab portion, allowing rotation thereby, merging the heads onto the disc. Once the heads are merged, the outer stop returns to its original position to limit the rotation of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: An actuator latch cooperating with a magnetic assembly for latching an actuator assembly of a data storage device is provided. The magnetic assembly includes a magnet secured to one of a pair of pole pieces. The actuator latch includes a latch body adjacent the magnet assembly; a forward arm extending in a first direction from the latch body, a first ferromagnetic member supported by the forward arm disposed between the pair of pole pieces interacting with the magnet to maintain the actuator assembly in an un-latched position during operation of the data storage device; a trailing arm extending in a second direction from the latch body; and a pair of ferromagnetic members supported by the trailing arm disposed between the pair of pole pieces interacting with the magnet to secure the actuator assembly in a latched position during non-operation of the data storage device.

Abstract: A latch for a disc drive, the disc drive having an actuator pivotally supported for moving an array of read/write heads radially across a data storage disc between a parking zone and a data storage zone, the parking zone providing a parking surface for the read/write heads when the disc drive is non-operational, the latch preventing the actuator from pivoting so that the read/write heads remain in the parking zone while the disc drive is non-operational. The disc drive has a voice coil motor for moving the actuator, the voice coil motor including a magnet assembly having a pair of opposed magnet members supported by opposing poles. The latch is interposed between the poles, having a supporting member that supports a latch pawl pivotally between a latched position and an unlatched position.

Abstract: An inertial spring latch with a contact post is disclosed for use in latching an actuator assembly of a data storage device. The actuator assembly includes a contact arm that cooperates with the contact post to restrict movement of the actuator assembly when the data storage device is in a non-operating mode. The inertial spring latch includes a latch body adjacent the actuator assembly, a forward arm extending in a first direction from the latch body and a spring member extending from the forward arm, the spring member supporting the contact post. The contact post inhibits movement of the actuator assembly by decelerating the movement of the actuator assembly upon impact of the contact arm with the contact post. Both the contact post and the spring member deflect to dampen the energy of motion of the actuator assembly, upon impact of the contact arm with the contact post.

Abstract: A material compound for a latch for a disc drive to secure an actuator of the disc drive when the disc drive is not in use. The latch is made of a base polymer of polyetherimide with additives of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and arimid fiber. The latch made from this material generates substantially fewer particles than latches of the existing art. A method for making the latch is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for balancing and limiting deflection of a disc of a disc drive. A disc stack comprises a spindle motor hub rotatable about a central axis, a disc mounted to the spindle motor hub, and a circumferentially extending peripheral disc ring affixed to an outermost peripheral surface of the disc. Imbalance of the disc stack is measured, and portions of the peripheral disc ring are removed in relation to the measured imbalance of the disc stack to nominally balance the disc stack. The disc ring protects the disc drive by cushioning contact between the disc and a rigid actuator arm supporting a head adjacent the disc.

Abstract: An end stop assembly for limiting the travel of an actuator in a disc drive, the actuator pivotally supported by an enclosure for movement of a read/write head in data reading and writing relationship to a data disc. The end stop assembly comprises a base plate fixedly positioned within the enclosure, a post extending upward from the base plate and a cantilevered arm extending outward from the post. The arm comprises a proximal end connecting the arm to the post and a distal end for providing contacting engagement with the actuator. Furthermore, the cantilevered arm is displaceable in a rotational direction substantially about the post and deformable in a direction substantially along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A disc drive assembly method for assembling a disc drive having a disc and an actuator with a tab portion disposed at a proximal end and a head on the distal end. The method consisting of rotating the actuator about a central post, contactingly engaging an outer stop. The outer stop comprises a base plate, a post extending upward from the base plate and a cantilevered arm extending outward from the post. The cantilevered arm of the outer stop is displaceable in a rotational direction substantially about the post and deformable in a direction substantially along its longitudinal axis. When the actuator engages the outer stop, the arm of the outer stop is displaced by the actuator tab portion, allowing rotation thereby, merging the heads onto the disc. Once the heads are merged, the outer stop returns to its original position to limit the rotation of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus in a disc drive for improving resistance of a disc drive disc stack to radially directed mechanical shocks. A disc is disposed about a rotatable spindle motor hub. Opposing first and second disc support members (such as a disc clamp, disc spacers, or a hub flange) circumferentially extend about the outer hub surface and cooperate to apply a clamping force to the disc to secure the disc relative to the spindle motor hub. The disc support members each comprise a circumferentially extending ring of high friction material having a contact surface that axially extends toward the disc. The clamping force applied to the disc is localized at the rings and at nodes extending from the disc support members so that respective gaps are formed between the disc and remaining portions of the disc support members, thereby reducing radial disc slip, increasing disc dampening, and reducing the likelihood of disc coning and warping.

Abstract: An inertial spring latch with a contact post is disclosed for use in latching an actuator assembly of a data storage device. The actuator assembly includes a contact arm that cooperates with the contact post to restrict movement of the actuator assembly when the data storage device is in a non-operating mode. The inertial spring latch comprises a latch body adjacent the actuator assembly, a forward arm extending in a first direction from the latch body and a spring member extending from the forward arm, the spring member supporting the contact post. The contact post inhibits movement of the actuator assembly by decelerating the movement of the actuator assembly upon impact of the contact arm with the contact post. Both the contact post and the spring member deflect to dampen the energy of motion of the actuator assembly upon impact of the contact arm with the contact post.