Abstract: A shock mount is configured sized to receive a disc drive storage system therein and is configured to surround the disc drive storage system. The shock mount has a plurality of sides and is shaped to fit in a housing. A plurality of shock absorbing protrusions extend from the shock mount. The protrusions are of a shock absorbing material and are configured to hold the data storage device at a spaced apart position from the housing and provide shock absorption therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus restricting motion of an actuator assembly to preclude damage to a read/write head or a disc of a disc drive, the apparatus includes a pole piece with a crash stop mounting aperture and an overmolded crash stop communicating with the crash stop mounting aperture. The overmolded crash stop includes a retention channel formed by a top retention portion, a bottom retention portion and a main body portion during a process of molding the overmolded crash stop to the pole piece. The main body portion conforms to the crash stop mounting aperture, thereby precluding motion of the overmolded crash stop relative to the pole piece in a lateral direction, while the top retention portion and the bottom retention portion constrain motion of the overmolded crash stop relative to the pole piece in the vertical direction.

Abstract: In a disc drive, a voice coil motor is configured to drive an actuator with mainly torque, thereby reducing unwanted vibration of the actuator. The voice coil motor includes a moving coil vertically disposed with respect to a horizontal radial magnetic field provided by a stationary unipolar magnet such that the active portions of the coil are of different radial separation from the actuator pivot. A yoke facilitates closure of the magnetic flux paths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low cost voice coil motor for use in a disc drive. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the voice coil motor includes at least one overmold encapsulating an assembly of a magnet and a pole. The overmold thus provides a barrier against outgassing and corrosion.

Abstract: A magnetless rotary actuator for carrying one or more read/write heads across a data bearing medium, the rotary actuator comprising: a stator including a plurality of independently controllable flux generating means for directing flux between the stator and a rotor; the rotor including means for presenting discrete regions of low magnetic reluctance to the controllable flux generating means; torque coupling means for transmitting operative torque from the rotor to the read/write head; and pivot means for supporting the torque coupling means.

Abstract: An apparatus restricting motion of an actuator assembly to preclude damage to a read/write head or a disc of a disc drive, the apparatus includes a pole piece with a crash stop mounting aperture and an overmolded crash stop communicating with the crash stop mounting aperture. The overmolded crash stop includes a retention channel formed by a top retention portion, a bottom retention portion and a main body portion during a process of molding the overmolded crash stop to the pole piece. The main body portion conforms to the crash stop mounting aperture, thereby precluding motion of the overmolded crash stop relative to the pole piece in a lateral direction, while the top retention portion and the bottom retention portion constrain motion of the overmolded crash stop relative to the pole piece in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A crash stop assembly limits pivotal movement of an actuator assembly mounted on a base plate of a disc drive. The disc drive includes a signal channel extending from the actuator assembly to a disc drive circuit board, and the crash stop assembly includes a connector bracket secured to the base plate and supporting the signal channel. The crash stop assembly further includes a crash stop secured to the connector bracket and extending therefrom, and the crash stop includes a contact surface that contacts the actuator assembly to limit pivotal movement of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A voice coil motor assembly in a disc drive includes first and second pole pieces held in spaced relationship to one another such that a gap is defined therebetween. A permanent magnet is located on the first pole piece within the gap and a dummy magnet is located on the second pole piece across the gap from the permanent magnet. The first and second pole pieces, together with the magnet and the dummy magnet, form a magnetic circuit conducting lines of magnetic flux within the voice coil motor and across the gap. The dummy magnet acts to encourage magnetic flux to flow across the gap in a manner such that the roll and pitch torque constants of the voice coil motor are reduced.

Abstract: A disc drive has one or more data storage discs rotatably mounted on a spindle motor fastened to a base plate, an actuator assembly fastened to the base plate adjacent the discs for movement of transducer heads over surfaces of the discs, and a voice coil motor coupled to the actuator for moving the transducer heads. The voice coil motor has a bottom pole plate spaced from a top pole plate forming a gap in which a voice coil connected to the transducer heads is free to rotate. A latch mechanism for retaining the transducer heads on a landing zone includes a cylindrical latch member with a gap formed by a circular groove between the bottom pole plate and the top pole plate and a pair of spaced apart upright standoffs adjacent one end of the pole pieces that spaces the bottom pole plate from the top pole plate. The spaced standoffs define an opening between the standoffs wherein the width of the opening operably affects magnetic flux across the groove in the latch member.

Abstract: A crash stop assembly limits pivotal movement of an actuator assembly mounted on a base plate of a disc drive. The disc drive includes a signal channel extending from the actuator assembly to a disc drive circuit board, and the crash stop assembly includes a connector bracket secured to the base plate and supporting the signal channel. The crash stop assembly further includes a crash stop secured to the connector bracket and extending therefrom, and the crash stop includes a contact surface that contacts the actuator assembly to limit pivotal movement of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A voice coil motor assembly in a disc drive includes first and second pole pieces held in spaced relationship to one another such that a gap is defined therebetween. A permanent magnet is located on the first pole piece within the gap and a dummy magnet is located on the second pole piece across the gap from the permanent magnet. The first and second pole pieces, together with the magnet and the dummy magnet, form a magnetic circuit conducting lines of magnetic flux within the voice coil motor and across the gap. The dummy magnet acts to encourage magnetic flux to flow across the gap in a manner such that the roll and pitch torque constants of the voice coil motor are reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic latch for a disc drive. Upper and lower voice coil magnet pole pieces include extensions which bend toward one another, defining a gap therebetween. The gap creates a magnetic field which attracts and holds a disc drive actuator in a park position when the drive is not in use.

Abstract: In a disc drive, a voice coil motor is configured to drive an actuator with mainly torque, thereby reducing unwanted vibration of the actuator. The voice coil motor includes a moving coil vertically disposed with respect to a horizontal radial magnetic field provided by a stationary unipolar magnet such that the active portions of the coil are of different radial separation from the actuator pivot. A yoke facilitates closure of the magnetic flux paths.

Abstract: A magnetless rotary actuator for carrying one or more read/write heads across a data bearing medium, the rotary actuator comprising: a stator including a plurality of independently controllable flux generating means for directing flux between the stator and a rotor; the rotor including means for presenting discrete regions of low magnetic reluctance to the controllable flux generating means; torque coupling means for transmitting operative torque from the rotor to the read/write head; and pivot means for supporting the torque coupling means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low cost voice coil motor for use in a disc drive. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the voice coil motor includes at least one overmold encapsulating an assembly of a magnet and a pole. The overmold thus provides a barrier against outgassing and corrosion.