Abstract: An information storage device that includes: a housing; a disc-shaped recording medium to record data thereon, rotating along a disc surface to generate a wind inside the housing; a head capable of recording and/or reproducing data on and/or from the recording medium; an arm holding the head on its tip end and held by a rotary shaft, the arm rotating about the rotary shaft to move the head along the disc surface; a coil including multiple turns in a plane where the arm rotates, and receiving current supply, the coil fixed to the opposite end of the arm; a magnet generating magnetic field to act on the coil; and an airflow adjusting plate placed adjacent and upstream to the coil along the wind generated by rotation of the recording medium, extending in the plane where the coil includes turns and adjusting flow of the wind to travel along the coil.

Abstract: To provide a disk drive system provided with an inertial latching mechanism which has high reliability and can be arranged in a thin-model disk drive system. There is provided an inertial arm (7) engaging an actuator (22) when a head arm (25) is in or near a parking position and releasing engagement 3with the actuator (22) when the head arm (25) is in or near a position close to a disk (1) and energizing means for holding a position of the inertial arm (7) in a position where the engagement with the actuator (22) is released. Even if a rotational shock is externally applied when the actuator (22) remains in the parking position, moment of rotation is applied on each of the actuator (22) and inertial arm (7) in the same direction, the actuator (22) and inertial arm (7) mutually restrain their operations at an engaging part, and the oscillation of the actuator (22) to a data area can be avoided.

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 device for reading information stored on an information disc (2), and perhaps for writing information to the disc (2) as well. The device includes at least one position switch (1) for recognizing the position of the information disc (2), each position switch (1) comprising at least two detection elements for detecting two reference points disposed along the circumference of a circle whose center corresponds to the center of the information disc (2) when it is in a reference position.

Abstract: In a latch release apparatus and method, a latch mechanism holds an actuator with a high shock resistance. Two or more magnetic members are arranged in a latch component so as to concentrate a magnetic force for easy rotation of the latch component. The effect of the magnetic force in a direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the magnetic members becomes smaller, reducing the friction force at the rotational center of the latch.

Abstract: The structure is made such that an aerodynamic latch is provided in an outer portion of a magnetic disc, a front end portion exposed to a wind in the aerodynamic latch is formed to be shorter than an outer peripheral surface of the magnetic disc, and the wind receiving portion of the aerodynamic latch moves an air stream outlet from an end surface of the magnetic disc and a shroud in a direction of forming a flow passage for passing through a portion apart from the magnetic disc. Accordingly, a stable aerodynamic latch drive can be achieved and an air stream within the disc is not disturbed, so that it is possible to reduce a flutter and a consumed electric power.

Abstract: In a latch mechanism that holds an actuator with a high shock resistance two or more magnetic members are arranged in a latch component, which generates a weaker attraction force but a more easy rotation of the latch component. The structure concentrates a magnetic force in order to rotate the latch component effectively. The effect of the magnetic force in a direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the magnetic members becomes smaller and a friction force at the rotation center of the latch is reduced.

Abstract: An actuator latching mechanism for a disk drive device is provided. The latching mechanism includes a rotatable body portion, a rigid air vane portion and a latching arm. When a data storage disk of the disk drive is not being rotated, the latching mechanism maintains a transducer actuator assembly of the disk drive in a locked position by engaging the transducer actuator assembly in the latching arm. When the data storage disk is rotated, airflow is generated proximate to the surface of the disk, in the same direction in which the disk is rotated. The latching mechanism is disposed in a space between the edge of the data storage disk and a side wall of the housing so that the peripheral effects of the airflow exerts a force on the air vane portion, rotating the latching mechanism towards the side wall to release the actuator assembly from the latching arm. Once disk rotation stops, the air vane portion returns to its original position and the latching arm engages the actuator assembly in the locked position.

Abstract: A latch apparatus for use in a disc drive includes a pivot portion adapted to be rotatably mounted in the disc drive, such that the pivot portion is rotatable between latched and unlatched positions. A latch arm attached to the pivot portion is adapted to restrict movement of an actuator arm when the pivot portion is in the latched position and is adapted to avoid restricting movement of the actuator arm when the pivot portion is in the unlatched position. The latch apparatus also includes a biasing mechanism attached to the pivot portion. The biasing mechanism is adapted to continually bias the pivot portion toward the unlatched position when the pivot portion is mounted in the disc drive. A wind arm attached to the pivot portion is positioned so that a wind produced by spinning the data storage disc pushes against the wind arm and thereby biases the pivot portion toward the unlatched position when the pivot portion is mounted in the disc drive.

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: Disclosed is an actuator latch for keeping an actuator in a park position when the drive is subject to non-operating shock. Magnetic forces hold the latch in both its latched and unlatched positions. VCM-controlled actuator movement causes the latch to move both into and out of these positions. Airflow generated by spinning discs effect movement of the latch out of the latching position when the drive is powered up.

Abstract: An improved latch system for use in a disc drive is provided including an improved means for eliminating tolerances in the parked position of the actuator arm in the landing zone on the disc. According to this system, the latch system includes latch arm having a rotary engaging portion which engages a portion of the transducer support arm or actuator arm in the disc drive to prevent movement of the transducer when the shock appears; this latch arm is directly coupled to an air vane which extends parallel to the edge of the disc in a region nearly adjacent to the actuator arm and at a distance at a center of the disc which is just greater than the radius of the disc so that the vane extends partially along an arc or a line near to the edge of the disc. The latch arm and vane are arranged so that in the presence of disc rotation, wind generated by the disc presses against the vane, and the vane moves away from the disc.

Abstract: A disk drive has a brake mechanism located adjacent to its disk pack and actuator. The brake is pivotally mounted and movable into contact with the disks and actuator. Each end of brake has a bumper for cushioning the impact between the components and enhancing friction. A spring is used to bias the brake into contact with the disks. The brake is active or locked against the disks by the spring in the absence of air flow circulation from the rotation of the disks. The brake prevents disk from rotating and excessive movement or vibration. The brake deactivates or opens as a result of the air flow generated by the rotation of the disks. The air flow is sufficient to overcome the force generated by the spring.

Abstract: A latch mechanism that holds an actuator with a high shock resistance is provided, whilst endeavoring to achieve a small, high-capacity apparatus, high-density recording, a constitution with high component density, low costs, and low consumption of electrical power.

Abstract: A latch mechanism that holds an actuator with a high shock resistance is provided, whilst endeavoring to achieve a small, high-capacity apparatus, high-density recording, a constitution with high component density, low costs, and low consumption of electrical power.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of increasing the transfer rate of a magnetic tape drive by employing at least one head gap per rail. A flexible printed circuit provides communication between main control circuitry of the tape drive and the head positioning apparatus. The flex circuit provides flexible control loops that correspond to the translation range of the head positioning apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the flex circuit includes a fine positioner loop and a coarse positioner loop.

Abstract: The structure is made such that an aerodynamic latch is provided in an outer portion of a magnetic disc, a front end portion exposed to a wind in the aerodynamic latch is formed to be shorter than an outer peripheral surface of the magnetic disc, and the wind receiving portion of the aerodynamic latch moves and air stream outlet from an end surface of the magnetic disc and a shroud in a direction of forming a flow passage for passing through a portion apart from the magnetic disc. Accordingly, a stable aerodynamic latch drive can be achieved and an air stream within the disc is not disturbed, so that it is possible to reduce a flutter and a consumed electric power.

Abstract: An apparatus for accelerating and concentrating wind generated by spinning discs in a disc drive includes a stationary air vane member mounted on a disc drive base plate beneath a bottom disc. The air vane member preferably has a rib with an upper edge in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation of the disc adjacent a bottom surface of the disc and curves from the inner diameter of the disc to the outer diameter in the direction of rotation of the disc. The rib terminates adjacent a wind actuated pivoting air filter latch which holds an actuator assembly in a parked position when the drive is de-energized. This arrangement accelerates and concentrates the wind at the latch apparatus to increase wind force on the pivoting air filter latch to move the latch to an unlatched position when the rotating discs reach normal operating speed to permit the actuator to move from the parked position.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the operative force on an air vane latch apparatus in a disc drive includes an air gate having an elongated rib extending parallel to the air vane immediately downstream of the air vane for reducing pressure behind the air vane during disc drive operation to reduce the disc speed at which the latch apparatus moves from a latched position to an unlatched position. The air gate is preferably a rib extending along an underside surface of the head disc assembly cover positioned parallel to the air vane and immediately downstream.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the operative force on an air vane latch apparatus in a disc drive involves providing an additional air vane on the pivoting air filter/latch to provide more torque on the latch during low pressure operating conditions and/or when less than an optimum number of discs are installed in the disc drive. The additional air vane is positioned beneath a top disc in the disc stack to at least catch wind generated adjacent the underside surface of the disc by the rotation of the top disc. The wind so generated pushes against this additional air vane supplementing that generated by the upper air vane thus increasing the torque applied to the pivoting air filter by the wind to ensure that there is sufficient wind pressure accumulation against the air vane and air filter latch to unlatch the actuator during all conditions of normal disc drive operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the operative force on an air vane latch apparatus in a disc drive has a channel formed in the inside surface of the side wall of the head disc assembly cover immediately upstream of the air filter portion of the air vane latch apparatus for redirecting disc generated air flow against an air vane latch air filter and filter support bracket thus increasing the wind force on the air vane latch during disc drive operation to reduce the disc speed at which the latch apparatus moves from a latched position to an unlatched position.