Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a first disk comprising a first disk surface, a second disk comprising a second disk surface, an actuator arm, a head coupled to a distal end of the actuator arm, and a ramp for loading/unloading the head. A first elevator actuator is configured to actuate the actuator arm along an axial dimension relative to the first and second disks, and a second elevator actuator is configured to actuate at least part of the ramp along the axial dimension, wherein a simultaneous movement of the first and second elevator actuators is synchronized.

Abstract: An example hard disk drive (HDD) comprising a magnetic disk and a ramp within the HDD is disclosed. A slit is disposed between a ramp body and a flange.

Abstract: There is provided a disk drive that includes a base, a limiting member, an actuator, and a latch. The actuator includes an actuator catch with a catch path. The latch contacts the limiting member with the latch in an open position. The latch is biased to rotate to a defeat position. An arresting portion is in the catch path with the latch in a closed position. The arresting portion is not in the catch path with the latch in the open position, and not in the catch path with the latch in the defeat position. A crash stop portion contacts the actuator with the latch in the closed position and with the actuator in a stop position. The crash stop portion does not contact the actuator with the latch in the defeat position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an inexpensive latching mechanism having a necessary and sufficient function to hold an actuator of a magnetic disk drive and including a latch formed in a one-piece structure. According to one embodiment, a latching mechanism for a magnetic disk drive includes a latch lever, a hook, for latching an actuator, extending vertically downward from the latch lever, and a bar, to be pressed by an actuator at its home position in a closing direction, extending vertically downward from the latch arm. A steel pin is attached to the latch lever to urge the latch in an opening direction by a magnetic force.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a main body and a first shock absorbing assembly. The main body defines a receiving space to receive a hard disc drive. The first shock absorbing assembly includes a supporting post, a connecting member, a clipping element, and at least one pressing post. The supporting post protrudes from a bottom of the receiving space. The connecting element is moveably connected to the supporting post and includes a first elastic member arranged around the connecting element. The supporting post resists one end of the first elastic member to cause the first elastic member to be compressed. The clipping element is secured to the connecting element. The clipping element clips the hard disc drive under the spring force of the first elastic member. The at least one pressing post is secured to the clipping element and presses the hard disc drive.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a base, an actuator arm pivotably installed on the base, and a latch device to latch the actuator arm at a parking position. The latch device includes a latch stop that protrudes from a side wall of the base and has an inclined surface, and a latch lever pivotably installed on the base and contacts and slides along the inclined surface of the latch stop during the rotation in an unlatching direction.

Abstract: An actuator latch system of a hard disk drive keeps an actuator of the hard disk drive in place in a state in which a read/write head mounted to a swing arm of the actuator is parked. The latch system has first and second protrusions at upper and lower parts of a rear end portion of the swing arm, and a latch lever having first and second hooks at upper and lower parts of a leading end of the lever. The latch lever, like the actuator, is mounted to a base of the hard disk drive so as to be rotatable about a respective axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention securely latch an actuator rotated by an external impact. In an embodiment of the present invention, a latch and an actuator have a structure in which the latch can latch the actuator at two different swing angles. The swing angle of the latch is an angle in rotation centered on a rotational shaft (rotation angle). The latch may be engaged with the actuator at a shallow angle, or the latch may be engaged with the actuator at a deeper angle. Since the latch is able to latch the actuator at different swing angles, the actuator can be securely latched.

Abstract: A soft or passive latch to control a position of a head relative to a data storage media is disclosed. In illustrated embodiments, the latch provides a dwell point or region along the flex circuit assembly. In illustrated embodiments, the dwell point or region corresponds to alignment of the head in a middle region of the media. In illustrated embodiment, the latch is formed of a lower or reduced bending stiffness region, which in illustrated embodiment is formed via a cut-out, contoured, or reduced width portion of a constraint layer damper or other layer(s) along the flex circuit assembly.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a magnetic retractor situated at and integrated with the pivot holder of a head stack assembly. An actuator arm of the head stack assembly supports a read/write head, a bobbin supports a voice coil of a voice coil motor, and the actuator arm and bobbin extend in generally opposite directions from pivot holder. The pivot holder receives a pivot such that the actuator arm can be rotated about an axis of the pivot. The voice coil motor also includes a pair of magnets (permanent magnet). The retractor interacts with the magnets of the voice coil motor to generate a retract force which urges the actuator arm to a position at which the read/write head is parked. By providing the retractor on the pivot holder, the retract force will always be close to that specified according to the design of the drive.

Abstract: An actuator latch system of an HDD retains a swing arm in place when the magnetic head of the HDD is parked and includes a rotatable latch lever having a hook that absorbs shock when engaging the swing arm. A rear end of the swing arm has a corner portion. The hook has first and second portions with a third portion extending there between Inner surfaces of the first through third portions delimit a slot. The inlet of the slot has a width less than the corner portion. The inner surface of the first portion of the hook contacts a first surface of the rear end of the swing arm, and the inner surface of the second portion of the hook contacts a second surface of the rear end of the swing arm, when a shock rotates the swing arm while the magnetic head is parked.

Abstract: An actuator latch system of a hard disk drive selectively locks in place and releases a rotatable swing arm having a front end portion supporting a magnetic head and a rear end portion on which a voice coil motor (VCM) coil is disposed. The actuator latch system includes a notch in the rear end portion of the swing arm, and a rotatable latch lever having a front end portion including a hook and a magnet. The hook is received in the notch in the rear end portion of the swing arm to arrest rotation of the swing arm in a predetermined direction. The magnet of the latch lever faces a section of the VCM coil such that when the hard disk drive is started, the latch lever is rotated by a force generated due to current flowing through the section of the VCM coil faced by the magnet and the magnetic field generated by the magnet. The rotation of the latch lever prevents the hook from interfering with the rotation of the swing arm in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: In the magnetic head slider locking apparatus according to the present invention, a spring portion takes a sandwiching posture in which a center region of a proximal-side engage portion sandwiches a magnetic head slider in a suspension longitudinal direction in cooperation with a distal-side engage portion when an operational force to the spring portion is released after the magnetic head slider has been mounted in a state where the spring portion has been elastically deformed from an initial posture to an elastically deformed posture.

Abstract: A novel actuator latch includes a catch portion interfering with actuator rotation with the latch in a closed position. The latch includes a first stop portion that is in contact with a fixed member with the latch in the closed position. The latch includes a pusher portion that is in contact with the actuator with the latch in the closed position and with the actuator in an extreme rotational position. The pusher portion has a torsional stiffness about the latch pivot location in the range 5 JA/rad·sec2 to 30 JA/rad·sec2, where JA is the rotational inertia of the actuator about the actuator pivot location expressed in units of kg·m2. The first stop portion has a torsional stiffness about the latch pivot location that is at least 5 times that of the pusher portion.

Abstract: A soft or passive latch to control a position of a head relative to a data storage media is disclosed. In illustrated embodiments, the latch provides a dwell point or region along the flex circuit assembly. In illustrated embodiments, the dwell point or region corresponds to alignment of the head in a middle region of the media. In illustrated embodiment, the latch is formed of a lower or reduced bending stiffness region, which in illustrated embodiment is formed via a cut-out, contoured, or reduced width portion of a constraint layer damper or other layer(s) along the flex circuit assembly.

Abstract: This application discloses a Load-UnLoad (LUL) hard disk drive comprising a disk base, a spindle motor mounted on the disk base for rotating at least one disk to create at least one rotating disk surface, and a head stack assembly pivotably coupled to the disk base and configured to engage an actuator latch when the sliders of the head stack assembly are to be parked. The actuator latch includes a latch beam coupled through a latch pivot to the disk base and a boss coupled to the latch beam and configured to limit the stroke of latch motion in the event of a rotary non-operational shock.

Abstract: A base plate and hard disk drive having the base including a head stack assembly installation portion on which a head stack assembly carried by a shipping comb having a middle support portion is rotatably installed; and a step portion formed on a surface of the base plate to restrict rotation of the shipping comb by hooking the middle support portion of the shipping comb when the head stack assembly installed on the head stack assembly installation portion is rotated with the shipping comb coupled to the head stack assembly.

Abstract: A disk drive includes an actuator rotatably coupled to a disk drive base. A fixed member is in fixed spatial relation to the base. A latch is rotatably coupled to the base. The latch includes a catch portion in contact with the actuator with the latch closed and not in contact the actuator with the latch open. The catch portion comprises a first material. The latch includes a crash stop portion comprising a second material having a lesser stiffness than the first material. The crash stop portion includes a stop portion and a pusher portion. The stop portion is in contact with the fixed member with the latch closed and not in contact with the fixed member with the latch open. The pusher portion is in contact with the actuator with the latch closed and with the actuator in an extreme rotational position.

Abstract: A disk drive comprises a disk drive base, an actuator rotatably coupled to the disk drive base, a magnet disposed adjacent the actuator, and a latch. The latch is coupled to the disk drive base. The latch includes a latch body, a retention bore, a seating cavity, and a biasing ball. The retention bore extends into the latch body along a bore longitudinal axis. The retention bore includes a ball entrance defining a ball entrance diameter. The seating cavity extends from within the retention bore into the latch body. The seating cavity has an interior dimension perpendicular to the bore longitudinal axis greater than the ball entrance diameter. The biasing ball is disposed at least partially in the retention bore and at least partially within the seating cavity. The biasing ball comprises a magnetic material and has a ball diameter greater than the ball entrance diameter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention securely latch an actuator rotated by an external impact. In an embodiment of the present invention, a latch and an actuator have a structure in which the latch can latch the actuator at two different swing angles. The swing angle of the latch is an angle in rotation centered on a rotational shaft (rotation angle). The latch may be engaged with the actuator at a shallow angle, or the latch may be engaged with the actuator at a deeper angle. Since the latch is able to latch the actuator at different swing angles, the actuator can be securely latched.

Abstract: An actuator latch system of a hard disk drive keeps an actuator of the hard disk drive in place in a state in which a read/write head mounted to a swing arm of the actuator is parked. The latch system has first and second protrusions at upper and lower parts of a rear end portion of the swing arm, and a latch lever having first and second hooks at upper and lower parts of a leading end of the lever. The latch lever, like the actuator, is mounted to a base of the hard disk drive so as to be rotatable about a respective axis. The first hook engages the first protrusion of the swing arm when the arm is inadvertently rotated in a first direction to arrest such inadvertent rotation, and the second hook engages the second protrusion of the swing arm when the arm rotates for a second time in the first direction due to rebounding that occurs in the latch system after the first protrusion and the first hook collide.

Abstract: A head actuator supports a head slider and designed to swing around a support shaft over first and second swinging ranges adjacent each other. A restraint member is designed to restrain the swinging movement of the head actuator from separating from the first swinging range toward the second swinging range. A restriction member is designed to restrict the swinging movement of the head actuator from separating from the second swinging range toward the first swinging range. The second swinging range is excluded from the actual swinging range of the head actuator when the restraint member operates. The swinging range of the head actuator can thus be reduced or narrowed. Likewise, the first swinging range is excluded from the actual swinging range of the head actuator when the restriction member operates. The swinging range of the head actuator can thus be reduced or narrowed.

Abstract: A disk drive uses the integration of the instantaneous velocities of the heads to estimate the distance the heads travel while latched. The disk drive can then determine if the heads are properly parked based solely on the distance traveled, thus avoiding the use of costly sensors. In the event that the heads cannot be properly parked due to some malfunction, the disk drive may store a special code in a nonvolatile memory. The special code directs the controller not to spin up or attempt to load the heads on any disk, preventing the disk from being damaged by the heads.

Abstract: A hard disk drive (HDD) assembly includes an actuator arm including first and second contact protrusions extending from a rear portion thereof, a latch lever including a rotation axis at which the latch lever rotates and first and second stop portions disposed at predetermined locations on the latch lever to engage with respective ones of the first and second contact protrusions of the actuator arm, the first stop portion acting as a crash stop for the actuator arm, in which the first stop portion contacts the respective first contact protrusion to act as the crash stop with a force in a direction extending directly outward along a radial direction of the rotation axis of the latch lever such that no rotational momentum is created by the contact between the first stop portion and the first contact protrusion; and a method of parking the actuator arm.

Abstract: An actuator latch for a disk drive comprises at least one damping structure disposed at a wall within a recess of a latch body. Such a damping structure absorbs impact force between the latch body and a distal end of the actuator to minimize noise at a transducer on the actuator and to preserve the integrity of the transducer and actuator over time. The recess of the latch body engages with the distal end of the actuator for maintaining the position of the transducer within a parking zone. The damping structure exerts force on the distal end of the actuator with the force being used toward stopping rotation of the actuator.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a box-shaped case, which contains a disk-shaped recording medium, a drive motor which supports and rotates the recording medium, a head which performs information processing for the recording medium, and a head actuator which moves the head with respect to the recording medium. The disk device has a connection cable pulled out from the case onto an outer surface of the case, a control circuit board provided opposite the outer surface of the case, and a relay flexible printed circuit board which electrically connects the connection cable and the control circuit board.

Abstract: The invention prevents the deterioration of the read/write performance of a hard disk drive due to the interference between an inertial latching mechanism and an actuator when a head slider holding a magnetic head is located at a read/write position. A latching arm 22 provided with a projection 23 and included in an inertial latching mechanism 20, and a part 161 of a coil holding arm 16a included in an actuator are formed in shapes such that the latching arm 22 provided with the projection 23 does not interfere with the coil holding arm 16a having the part 161 when a head slider mounted on the actuator is located at a read/write position on a magnetic disk.

Abstract: A latch apparatus is configured to latch an actuator arm assembly that can position a read/write head relative to a data storage disk in a disk drive. The latch apparatus includes a latch arm, a coil, a permanent magnet, and a latch control circuit. The latch arm is configured to be moved between a closed position that inhibits movement of the actuator arm assembly in a landing zone and an open position that does not inhibit movement of the actuator arm assembly in the landing zone. The coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic force on the latch arm responsive to a coil current. The permanent magnet is configured to generate a magnetic force on the latch arm that is substantially opposed to the electromagnetic force from the coil. The latch control circuit is configured to increase according to defined open current profiles over a defined opening time period the coil current to at least an upper defined level to cause the coil to move the latch arm from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving the vibration/mechanical shock-resistance of a hard disk actuator arm. A guide block is located behind the actuator arm's angular range of motion, preventing over-flexure/vibration during operation, and/or the drive's actuator screw head diameter is increased to minimize arm vibration.

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: 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: An actuator latch apparatus of a hard disk drive for locking a pivoting actuator includes a locking protrusion provided at one side of the actuator, a latch lever pivotably installed on the base and elastically biased such that a hook portion provided at one side of the latch lever restricts the locking protrusion, and an air flow pipe provided at the base and generating a driving torque to the latch lever by a pressure differential between the atmosphere and air flowing along a channel formed in the air flow pipe. Thus, since locking and unlocking are performed by selectively restricting the locking protrusion provided at the actuator, unlocking can be smoothly performed without any impacts while a locking state is maintained firmly. Also, since locking and unlocking of the actuator is driven by elastic bias and the rotation of the hard disk, power consumption is reduced.

Abstract: A voice coil motor pole assembly for supporting a latch is disclosed. The pole assembly includes a pin serving as an axle for the latch. The pole assembly also includes a protrusion that extends over a portion of the latch when the latch is mounted on the pin to thereby prevent the latch from being dislodged from the pin.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a hard disk driving device with an enhanced reliability suitable for portable computer HDDs is provided by improving the latch mechanism as a stopper means for preventing unprepared movement of a magnetic head due to external forces such as vibrations or impacts, thereby preventing breakage of the head, caused by contact with a magnetic disk, and also coping with such external forces as very weak impacts or vibrations, where among structural members of the latch mechanism a longer link member having complicated shape is increased in weight to improve the response to the weak impacts and vibrations and make the specific gravity higher by adding 55 to 93% by weight of tungsten thereto as a metallic filler. The resulting decrease in the flowability during the injection molding due to the addition of tungsten as the metallic filler is covered by using 7 to 45% by weight of LCP (liquid crystal polymer) having a good flowability as a base material.

Abstract: Disclosed is disk drive having a molded head disk assembly enclosure including insert molded components and methods for manufacturing the same. In one aspect, the invention may be regarded as a disk drive having a molded enclosure including a base, a cover, and a coupling mechanism to couple the base to the cover. A pivot is insert molded into the base. A first portion of a spindle motor is insert molded into the base. A second portion of a spindle motor is attached to the first portion to form the spindle motor. Further, a disk is mounted to the spindle motor and a head stack assembly having a coil portion is pivotally coupled to the pivot.

Abstract: An actuator latch for a disk drive comprises at least one damping structure disposed at a wall within a recess of a latch body. Such a damping structure absorbs impact force between the latch body and a distal end of the actuator to minimize noise at a transducer on the actuator and to preserve the integrity of the transducer and actuator over time. The recess of the latch body engages with the distal end of the actuator for maintaining the position of the transducer within a parking zone. The damping structure exerts force on the distal end of the actuator with the force being used toward stopping rotation of the actuator.

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 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: A latch for securing an actuator arm of a hard disk drive. The latch has a catch portion that can engage a latch portion of the actuator arm. The latch also has a pusher portion and a crash stop portion that engage the actuator arm during movement into a latched position and prevent the latch from rebounding away from the arm. The pusher and crash stop portions eliminate the need for a separate crash stop in the disk drive. Eliminating the separate crash stop component reduces the complexity and cost for mass producing the disk drive.

Abstract: A contact type or active latch mechanism for a disk drive has at least one contacting surface coated with a soft metal. The soft metal coating helps to prevent particle generation which might otherwise occur because of repeated contact by contacting surfaces of the latch mechanism. The soft metal is applied at a thickness which enables the coating to yield and flow under the contact loads experienced. Thus, the coating compensates for the plastic stress region of the latching mechanism which must plastically deform in response to contact. The soft metal coating also provides lubrication and eliminates the need to apply a separate application of lubrication between contacting surfaces of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive base and a latch attached to the disk drive base. The latch includes a latch impact surface having a latch impact surface perimeter. The latch impact surface perimeter defines a latch impact surface area. The disk drive includes a head stack assembly coupled to the disk drive base. The head stack assembly includes a tang. The head stack assembly is sized and configured to rotate to a parked position with the tang in mechanical communication with the latch. The tang has a tang impact surface. The disk drive includes a damping member disposed upon and disposed between the latch and the tang for damping impact between the tang and the latch and mitigating contact between the tang impact surface and the latch impact surface. The damping member has a damping member surface area less than the latch impact surface area.

Abstract: A voice coil motor pole assembly for supporting a latch is disclosed. The pole assembly includes a pin serving as an axle for the latch. The pole assembly also includes a protrusion that extends over a portion of the latch when the latch is mounted on the pin to thereby prevent the latch from being dislodged from the pin.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving the vibration/mechanical shock-resistance of a hard disk actuator arm. A guide block is located behind the actuator arm's angular range of motion, preventing over-flexure/vibration during operation, and/or the drive's actuator screw head diameter is increased to minimize arm vibration.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a hard disk driving device with an enhanced reliability suitable for portable computer HDDs is provided by improving the latch mechanism as a stopper means for preventing unprepared movement of a magnetic head due to external forces such as vibrations or impacts, thereby preventing breakage of the head, caused by contact with a magnetic disk, and also coping with such external forces as very weak impacts or vibrations, where among structural members of the latch mechanism a longer link member having complicated shape is increased in weight to improve the response to the weak impacts and vibrations and make the specific gravity higher by adding 55 to 93% by weight of tungsten thereto as a metallic filler. The resulting decrease in the flowability during the injection molding due to the addition of tungsten as the metallic filler is covered by using 7 to 45% by weight of LCP (liquid crystal polymer) having a good flowability as a base material.

Abstract: A method for assembling a mechanical system is disclosed. A magnet is installed into the system. An actuator having a magnetic element is also assembled into the system such that the actuator is movable between two extremes. At one of the extremes, the actuator is latched in place by way of the magnetic element, which forms a magnetic circuit with the magnet.

Abstract: A latch for securing an actuator arm of a hard disk drive. The latch has a catch portion that can engage a latch portion of the actuator arm. The latch also has a pusher portion and a crash stop portion that engage the actuator arm during movement into a latched position and prevent the latch from rebounding away from the arm. The pusher and crash stop portions eliminate the need for a separate crash stop in the disk drive. Eliminating the separate crash stop component reduces the complexity and cost for mass producing the disk drive.

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: A latch for retaining a transducer in a landing zone of a disk drive is provided herein. The latch includes a retainer movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The retainer retains a head stack assembly near an outer diameter stop in the engaged position. Alternately, in the disengaged position, the retainer allows the head stack assembly to move away from the outer diameter stop. The latch prevents the head stack assembly from bouncing off of the outer diameter stop during an unloading sequence.

Abstract: An improved locking system for securing the actuator of a disc drive at a park position. The locking system includes a rotatable lock mechanism that is normally biased to a lock position. When the actuator is moved to the park position, a cooperative lock feature on the moving portion of the actuator interacts with a pawl feature on the rotatable lock mechanism to momentarily overcome the biasing force. When the lock feature on the moving portion of the actuator moves beyond the pawl feature, the bias force acts to return the rotatable lock mechanism to its locked position with the pawl feature engaging a cooperative surface on the lock feature to lock the actuator at the park position against a lightly compressed compliant limit stop and to maintain the actuator at the park position in the presence of applied mechanical shocks.

Abstract: An actuator latching device in a hard disk drive is provided. In the actuator latching device according to the principles of the present invention, an elastic rubber stopper is mounted to one area of a hard disk body selected from among a base and a cover, and an aperture is formed in an inelastic actuator of the hard disk drive. The actuator is latched by the latching device while the aperture of the actuator receives the stopper therein when the actuator is parked.