Latch mechanism for disk drive using magnetic field of actuator magnets
First Claim
1. A parking device for an actuator in a storage device, the storage device including a voice coil motor having a voice coil magnet, providing a magnetic field including a magnetic flux, and a coil coupled to the actuator, comprising:
- a magnetically permeable capture structure receiving the magnetic flux from the voice coil magnet and including means for directing the magnetic flux adjacent to the capture structure; and
a capture member, having a face plate, coupled to the actuator such that the capture member enters the magnetic flux from the voice coil magnet to park the actuator when the actuator is in a park position and the face plate lies in contact with the capture structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A parking device for an actuator in a storage device which includes a voice coil motor having a magnet, providing a magnetic field including a magnetic flux, and a coil coupled to the actuator. The parking device includes a magnetically permeable capture structure forming a path for the magnetic flux and generating a capture region, the capture region being a region of magnetic flux adjacent to the capture structure; and a capture member, having a face plate, coupled to the actuator such that the capture member enters the capture region to park the actuator when the actuator is in a park position. In a further aspect, the parking device includes a magnet structure supporting the magnet, having a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein the capture structure is positioned between the top and bottom plates and forms a magnetic circuit path for the magnetic flux with the magnet, and the top and bottom plates. In yet another aspect, the magnet structure comprises a support post member including an air gap to generate a fringe effect in the magnetic flux to provide the capture region and includes cavities such that the circuit path formed by the structure channels the magnetic flux to the gap.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A parking device for an actuator in a storage device, the storage device including a voice coil motor having a voice coil magnet, providing a magnetic field including a magnetic flux, and a coil coupled to the actuator, comprising:
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a magnetically permeable capture structure receiving the magnetic flux from the voice coil magnet and including means for directing the magnetic flux adjacent to the capture structure; and a capture member, having a face plate, coupled to the actuator such that the capture member enters the magnetic flux from the voice coil magnet to park the actuator when the actuator is in a park position and the face plate lies in contact with the capture structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An actuator assembly for a disk drive, said drive including at least one magnetic disk, comprising:
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an arm assembly having a first end and a second end, said first end holding at least one read/write head, and said assembly rotating about an axis to position said at least one head with respect to the disk; a voice coil magnet for providing a magnetic field, said magnet having a generally arcuate shape first major surface, said magnetic field having direction and magnitude; a coil, provided on said second end of said arm assembly and positioned in the presence of said magnetic field such that a current passing through said coil generates a second magnetic field to position said actuator arm assembly with respect to said disk; and parking means for securing the actuator in a secured position when no current is present in the coil, including; a latch support structure including an air gap and being comprised of a magnetically permeable material positioned adjacent the voice coil magnet, such that the latch support structure channels magnetic flux provided by the voice coil magnet to an area in and around the air gap, the air gap being positioned adjacent to the second end of the arm assembly, and a capture member coupled to the second end of the actuator which enters the magnetic flux around the air gap and contacts the latch support structure on a first side and a second side of the air gap to latch the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A disk drive responsive to a host computer, comprising:
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a base plate; a disk rotatably mounted on said base plate, said disk having a landing zone; transducer means for reading information from and writing information on said disk; an actuator arm pivotally supported on said base plate, said actuator arm having a first end for supporting said transducer means and a second end disposed on the opposite side of said pivotal support from said first end; a magnetically permeable capture member mounted on said actuator arm; a voice coil magnet for providing a magnetic field extending around said second end of said actuator arm, the magnetic field including magnetic flux; a coil, supported by said second end of said actuator arm and lying in a plane substantially parallel to said disk, for passing an electric current in the magnetic field; and a latch body mounted adjacent to the actuator arm, the latch body forming a magnetic circuit with the voice coil magnet and including an air gap defined by first and second portions, and in the magnetic circuit, the latch body magnetically interacting with said capture member when said capture member abuts said first and second portions, and said gap, to park said transducer means. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification