Air-activated spindle/disk pack locking system
First Claim
1. A disk drive, comprising:
- a base;
a media disk rotatably mounted to the base and having a plurality of read/write tracks;
an actuator pivotally mounted to the base and having a read/write head for interfacing the tracks of the media disk;
a controller mounted to the base for coordinating movements of the media disk and the actuator;
a brake mounted to the base adjacent to the media disk, the brake having an engaged position wherein it contacts the media disk when the media disk is not in operation to reduce excessive movement thereof, and a disengaged position wherein the brake is free of contact with the media disk when the media disk is in operation to allow unimpeded movement thereof; and
wherein the brake is moved between the engaged and disengaged positions without the consumption of additional electrical energy.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
105 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A disk drive, comprising:
-
a base;
a media disk rotatably mounted to the base and having a plurality of read/write tracks;
an actuator pivotally mounted to the base and having a read/write head for interfacing the tracks of the media disk;
a controller mounted to the base for coordinating movements of the media disk and the actuator;
a brake mounted to the base adjacent to the media disk, the brake having an engaged position wherein it contacts the media disk when the media disk is not in operation to reduce excessive movement thereof, and a disengaged position wherein the brake is free of contact with the media disk when the media disk is in operation to allow unimpeded movement thereof; and
whereinthe brake is moved between the engaged and disengaged positions without the consumption of additional electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A disk drive, comprising:
-
a base;
a plurality of media disks rotatably mounted to the base, each having a plurality of read/write tracks;
an actuator pivotally mounted to the base and having a plurality of read/write heads for interfacing the tracks on respective one of the media disks;
a controller mounted to the base for coordinating movements of the media disks and the actuator;
a brake pivotally mounted to the base adjacent to the media disks, the brake having an engaged position wherein it contacts an outer circumferential edge of each of the media disks when the media disks are not in operation to prevent rotation thereof, and a disengaged position wherein the brake is free of contact with the media disks when the media disks are in operation to allow unimpeded movement thereof; and
whereinactuator contacts the brake to move it from the engaged position to the disengaged position at start-up. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A disk drive, comprising:
-
a base;
a plurality of magnetic media disks rotatably mounted to the base, each having a plurality of read/write tracks;
an actuator pivotally mounted to the base and having a plurality of magnetic;
read/write heads for interfacing the tracks on respective one of the media disks;
a brake pivotally mounted to the base adjacent to the media disks, the brake having an engaged position wherein it contacts an outer circumferential edge of each of the media disks when the media disks are not in operation to prevent rotation thereof, and a disengaged position wherein the brake is free of contact with the media disks when the media disks are in operation to allow unimpeded movement thereof;
whereinthe actuator contacts the brake to move it from the engaged position to the disengaged position at start-up, and wherein air flow generated by rotation of the media disks maintains the brake in the disengaged position during operation after start-up;
a first elastomeric bumper on one of the brake and the actuator for cushioning contact between the brake and the actuator; and
a second elastomeric bumper on the brake for enhancing friction and cushioning contact between the brake and the media disks. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification