Abstract: An active damping control for a disk drive includes an i.d. crash stop and an o.d. crash stop which constrain the motion of an actuator arm. Each crash stop includes an inner core manufactured from a material that generates current when mechanically strained. The inner core of each crash stop is connected to a circuit that includes an energy dissipating element that dissipates energy received from either crash stop. Thus, when the actuator arm collides with either crash stop, the rebound of the actuator arm off the crash stop is minimized.

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 comprising 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.

Abstract: An actuator with a discrete molded in bumper stop for a disc drive. The actuator has an actuator body moveably supported within the disc drive. A discrete bumper stop has an attaching portion disposed adjacent the actuator body, and an extended portion projecting from the attaching portion engageable with a reference surface of the disc drive at a selected position of the actuator. An overmold member connects the attaching portion of the bumper stop to the actuator body.

Abstract: A disk drive including a disk rotatably mounted in a housing and having a plurality of tracks, a rotating mechanism for rotating the disk, a head slider having a transducer for reading/writing data on the disk, and an actuator for moving the head slider across the tracks. The actuator includes an actuator arm rotatably mounted in the housing, a suspension having a front end portion for supporting the head slider and a base end portion fixed to the actuator arm, and a pad mounted on a disk opposing surface of the actuator arm. The pad overlaps at least an outermost circumferential portion of the disk in a specific position of the actuator upon stoppage of driving of the disk drive.

Abstract: A stop and a disc drive with a stop are provided that limit rotation of a rotary actuator, which moves laterally between an upper magnet bonded to an upper plate and a lower magnet bonded to a lower plate. The stop includes a spacer core that has an upper portion for contacting the upper plate, a lower portion for contacting the lower plate, and a middle portion having a recessed surface. A stop sleeve is press fit to an upper press-fit surface on the upper portion and a lower press-fit surface on the lower portion. The stop sleeve and the recessed surface together define a deflection space.

Abstract: A resilient linear latch and crash stop device incorporates a magnetic latch and a linear impact absorbing crash stop into a single composite body made up of a magnet member for contacting a strike plate on the actuator arm, an energy absorbing member, and a latch base body assembled together. The energy absorbing member fastens the magnet member to the base body and absorbs impact energy in a generally linear fashion throughout the range of anticipated impact magnitudes. The energy absorbing member is a generally rectangular elastomeric bellows member formed in place and sandwiched between the magnetic mounting plate and the base body. The elastomeric bellows member has a vertically open tubular passage therethrough that preferably has a bell shaped horizontal cross sectional shape.

Abstract: A disc drive is provided with rotatable discs and an actuator assembly having heads adjacent the discs. A flex circuit assembly providing electrical connection between the heads and the disc drive circuitry comprises flex strips routed on the actuator assembly from the heads and a flex affixed on the actuator assembly. A flex support snubber mounted on the side of the actuator assembly has a body portion with a plurality of arms extending therefrom. Each pair of the arms form a groove so that the arms are disposed above and below discs while the discs extend into the grooves. A plurality of slits are interposed between the grooves to support the flex strips therein. An opposite end of the flex support snubber curves to form a U-shaped snubber bend for turning and guiding a dynamic portion of the flex.