EP0880775A1 - Molded actuator crash stops - Google Patents

Molded actuator crash stops

Info

Publication number
EP0880775A1
EP0880775A1 EP96934134A EP96934134A EP0880775A1 EP 0880775 A1 EP0880775 A1 EP 0880775A1 EP 96934134 A EP96934134 A EP 96934134A EP 96934134 A EP96934134 A EP 96934134A EP 0880775 A1 EP0880775 A1 EP 0880775A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
disk drive
retainer plate
magnetic disk
leaves
heads
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96934134A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0880775A4 (en
Inventor
Ralph L. Sonderegger
Mark S. Thayne
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Iomega Corp
Original Assignee
Iomega Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Iomega Corp filed Critical Iomega Corp
Publication of EP0880775A4 publication Critical patent/EP0880775A4/xx
Publication of EP0880775A1 publication Critical patent/EP0880775A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
    • G11B5/48—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed
    • G11B5/54—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed with provision for moving the head into or out of its operative position or across tracks
    • G11B5/55—Track change, selection or acquisition by displacement of the head
    • G11B5/5521—Track change, selection or acquisition by displacement of the head across disk tracks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B25/00—Apparatus characterised by the shape of record carrier employed but not specific to the method of recording or reproducing, e.g. dictating apparatus; Combinations of such apparatus
    • G11B25/04—Apparatus characterised by the shape of record carrier employed but not specific to the method of recording or reproducing, e.g. dictating apparatus; Combinations of such apparatus using flat record carriers, e.g. disc, card
    • G11B25/043—Apparatus characterised by the shape of record carrier employed but not specific to the method of recording or reproducing, e.g. dictating apparatus; Combinations of such apparatus using flat record carriers, e.g. disc, card using rotating discs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
    • G11B5/40—Protective measures on heads, e.g. against excessive temperature 

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a linear actuator for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a recording medium and, more particularly, to crash stops which are molded in the retainer plate of such an actuator.
  • Linear actuators have been used to carry magnetic heads into engagement with recording disks. Linear actuators have been used for magnetic disk drives, CD players and optical recording drives. These actuators typically use a voice coil motor to move the carriage of the actuator.
  • U.S. Patent Nos. 4,939,611 Connolly and 5,134,608 Strickler et al. describe the use of crash stops in disk drives having either rotary or linear actuators.
  • Typical disk drive crash stops are made of foam which provides the necessary damping. These foam parts are typically stuck onto the drive in the right place.
  • two leaves are molded into the retainer plate of a magnetic disk drive. These leaves are resilient to provide the appropriate shock resistance for stopping the carriage of the disk drive. When the carriage impacts the stops, impact energy is absorbed by the leaves and dissipated by the various friction components such as bearings, head wiper and heads.
  • the carriage rides on a central guide which is held in place by a post on the retainer plate.
  • the crash stops are formed by leaves molded into this post.
  • crash stops As part of the molding process of the retainer plate, additional steps in the manufacturing process are avoided. Also, part costs and yield costs due to misassembly are avoided.
  • the spring rate of the molded crash stops is more constant, as opposed to an exponentially increasing rate produced by, for example, foam crash stops.
  • Figure 1 shows the disk drive of the present invention with the cover removed;
  • Figure 2 shows the actuator of the present invention;
  • Figure 3 is an exploded view of the actuator; and Figure 4 is a close-up view of the actuator;
  • Figure 5 is a close-up view of the crash stops of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the drive. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
  • Fig. 1 shows a disk drive for reading and writing data on a recording disk in a cartridge.
  • the cartridge is inserted into the drive at 11.
  • a motor which is mounted on the platform 12 at 13 rotates the flexible disk in the cartridge.
  • the disk is engaged by read/write heads 14 and 15 which are carried by the actuator of the present invention.
  • Opposed heads 14 and 15 engage both sides of the disk.
  • the heads 14 and 15 are mounted on standard Winchester hard disk drive suspensions which have been modified to include the lifting rods 16 and 17 (Fig. 2).
  • the voice coil motor for driving the carriage 18 into and out of engagement of the heads with the recording medium includes an outer return path 20 (Fig. 1), and inner return path members 21 and 21a (Fig. 3).
  • a voice coil 22 (Figs 2 and 3) is mounted on the carriage assembly. The coil is bonded to the carriage assembly. When the coil 22 is energized, it interacts with the magnets to move the carriage 18 linearly so that the heads 14 and 15 engage concentric tracks on disk.
  • the carriage includes two lightweight arms 24 and 26 (Fig. 4). The carriage travels on a central guide track 28 which is a cylindrical member, a small wire guide in the preferred embodiment.
  • the carriage has cylindrical bushings 30 and 32 through which the cylindrical guide track 28 passes.
  • the guide track 28 aligns the heads 14 and 15 with the disk and the motor.
  • Bushings 30 and 32 are sapphire jewel bearings in the preferred embodiment.
  • An outrigger guide 31 travels along outrigger track 33 to stabilize the carriage as it travels the central guide track 28.
  • a flex circuit 34 (Fig. 6) provides an electrical connection between the heads 14 and 15 and the circuitry for the disk drive.
  • a solenoid 36 actuates platform latch 38 so the carriage cannot be moved when there is no cartridge in the disk drive. Platform latch 38 latches the carriage.
  • Load ramps 40 and 42 load the heads onto the disk when the carriage is actuated for engagement of the heads with the disk.
  • a retainer plate 44 holds in place the return members 20, 21 and 21a, the flex circuit 34, the solenoid 36 (which fits in the indentation 36a in the retainer plate), the platform latch 38 and the load ramps 40 and 42.
  • a post 45 extends from the retainer plate to hold down the end of the cylindrical guide track 28.
  • the leaves 46 and 48 are molded into the retainer plate 44 (Figs. 5 and 6).
  • the leaves 46 and 48 are set in recesses 50 and 52 in the retainer plate 44.
  • the recesses 50 and 52 give added length to the leaves 46 and 48, whereas the available space would otherwise limit the length. This gives the leaves 46 and 48 the desired resiliency for shock abso ⁇ tion in the space which is available.

Abstract

A magnetic disk drive (11) has a linear actuator with crash stops molded in the retainer plate (44) of the drive. The retainer plate (44) holds various components in the drive (11). The crash stops include two leaves (46 and 48) which have sufficient resiliency to absorb the impact energy of the carriage (18).

Description

MOLDED ACTUATOR CRASH STOPS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to a linear actuator for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a recording medium and, more particularly, to crash stops which are molded in the retainer plate of such an actuator.
Linear actuators have been used to carry magnetic heads into engagement with recording disks. Linear actuators have been used for magnetic disk drives, CD players and optical recording drives. These actuators typically use a voice coil motor to move the carriage of the actuator. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,939,611 Connolly and 5,134,608 Strickler et al. describe the use of crash stops in disk drives having either rotary or linear actuators.
Typical disk drive crash stops are made of foam which provides the necessary damping. These foam parts are typically stuck onto the drive in the right place.
This requires additional steps in the assembly process as well as part costs and yield costs due to mistakes in assembly.
It is an object of the invention to simplify disk drive assembly and to provide more reliable crash stops.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
In accordance with the present invention, two leaves are molded into the retainer plate of a magnetic disk drive. These leaves are resilient to provide the appropriate shock resistance for stopping the carriage of the disk drive. When the carriage impacts the stops, impact energy is absorbed by the leaves and dissipated by the various friction components such as bearings, head wiper and heads.
The carriage rides on a central guide which is held in place by a post on the retainer plate. The crash stops are formed by leaves molded into this post.
By producing the crash stops as part of the molding process of the retainer plate, additional steps in the manufacturing process are avoided. Also, part costs and yield costs due to misassembly are avoided.
Further, in accordance with the invention, the spring rate of the molded crash stops is more constant, as opposed to an exponentially increasing rate produced by, for example, foam crash stops.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following, more detailed description and appended claims.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 shows the disk drive of the present invention with the cover removed; Figure 2 shows the actuator of the present invention;
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the actuator; and Figure 4 is a close-up view of the actuator;
Figure 5 is a close-up view of the crash stops of the invention; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the drive. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
Fig. 1 shows a disk drive for reading and writing data on a recording disk in a cartridge. The cartridge is inserted into the drive at 11. A motor which is mounted on the platform 12 at 13 rotates the flexible disk in the cartridge. The disk is engaged by read/write heads 14 and 15 which are carried by the actuator of the present invention. Opposed heads 14 and 15 engage both sides of the disk. The heads 14 and 15 are mounted on standard Winchester hard disk drive suspensions which have been modified to include the lifting rods 16 and 17 (Fig. 2).
The voice coil motor for driving the carriage 18 into and out of engagement of the heads with the recording medium includes an outer return path 20 (Fig. 1), and inner return path members 21 and 21a (Fig. 3). A voice coil 22 (Figs 2 and 3) is mounted on the carriage assembly. The coil is bonded to the carriage assembly. When the coil 22 is energized, it interacts with the magnets to move the carriage 18 linearly so that the heads 14 and 15 engage concentric tracks on disk. The carriage includes two lightweight arms 24 and 26 (Fig. 4). The carriage travels on a central guide track 28 which is a cylindrical member, a small wire guide in the preferred embodiment.
The carriage has cylindrical bushings 30 and 32 through which the cylindrical guide track 28 passes. The guide track 28 aligns the heads 14 and 15 with the disk and the motor. Bushings 30 and 32 are sapphire jewel bearings in the preferred embodiment. An outrigger guide 31 travels along outrigger track 33 to stabilize the carriage as it travels the central guide track 28.
A flex circuit 34 (Fig. 6) provides an electrical connection between the heads 14 and 15 and the circuitry for the disk drive. A solenoid 36 actuates platform latch 38 so the carriage cannot be moved when there is no cartridge in the disk drive. Platform latch 38 latches the carriage. Load ramps 40 and 42 load the heads onto the disk when the carriage is actuated for engagement of the heads with the disk.
A retainer plate 44 holds in place the return members 20, 21 and 21a, the flex circuit 34, the solenoid 36 (which fits in the indentation 36a in the retainer plate), the platform latch 38 and the load ramps 40 and 42. A post 45 extends from the retainer plate to hold down the end of the cylindrical guide track 28. In accordance with the present invention, the leaves 46 and 48 are molded into the retainer plate 44 (Figs. 5 and 6). The leaves 46 and 48 are set in recesses 50 and 52 in the retainer plate 44. The recesses 50 and 52 give added length to the leaves 46 and 48, whereas the available space would otherwise limit the length. This gives the leaves 46 and 48 the desired resiliency for shock absoφtion in the space which is available. As the carriage 18 moves linearly to the end of its travel path, it impacts the leaves 46 and 48. The impact energy is absorbed by the leaves and dissipated by the various components which are held in place by the retainer plate 44.
While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, various modifications may be made. All such modifications within the true spirit and scope of the invention are covered by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A magnetic disk drive comprising: read/ write heads for engagement with a recording medium; a carriage assembly, said heads being mounted on said carriage assembly; a magnetic motor for driving said carriage assembly linearly into and out of engagement of said heads with said medium; a retainer plate holding components of said disk drive; and leaves molded into said retainer plate, said leaves stopping the end of travel of said carriage.
2. The magnetic disk drive recited in claim 1 further comprising: a central guide track, said carriage assembly sliding linearly along said guide track; said retainer plate having a post for holding an end of said central guide track.
3. The magnetic disk drive recited in claim 2 having two leaves, one on either side of said post, said leaves extending from said retainer plate.
4. The magnetic disk drive recited in claim 1 wherein said leaves have a resilience which absorbs the impact energy of said carriage when it impacts said leaves.
5. The magnetic disk drive recited in claim 1 wherein said retainer plate has a recess at the base of each leave, said recess providing additional length to each leave to provide the resilience required for absorbing said impact energy.
6. The disk drive recited in claim 1 wherein said magnetic motor includes the return path members and wherein said retainer plate holds said return path members.
7. The magnetic disk drive recited in claim 1 further comprising: a flex circuit providing electrical connections for said read/write head, said retainer plate holding said flex circuit.
8. The magnetic disk drive recited in claim 1 further comprising: load ramps for said magnetic heads, said load ramps loading said heads onto said recording member, said load ramps being held by said retainer plate.
9. The magnetic disk drive recited in claim 1 further comprising: a platform latch for latching said carriage assembly, said retainer plate holding said platform latch.
10. The magnetic disk drive recited in claim 9 further comprising: a solenoid for actuating said platform latch, said retainer plate holding said solenoid.
EP96934134A 1995-10-25 1996-10-08 Molded actuator crash stops Withdrawn EP0880775A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US54786795A 1995-10-25 1995-10-25
US547867 1995-10-25
PCT/US1996/016152 WO1997015919A1 (en) 1995-10-25 1996-10-08 Molded actuator crash stops

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0880775A4 EP0880775A4 (en) 1998-12-02
EP0880775A1 true EP0880775A1 (en) 1998-12-02

Family

ID=24186479

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96934134A Withdrawn EP0880775A1 (en) 1995-10-25 1996-10-08 Molded actuator crash stops

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0880775A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH11513836A (en)
WO (1) WO1997015919A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7038887B2 (en) * 2002-05-03 2006-05-02 Seagate Technology Llc Overmolded crash stop for a disc drive
US20060089637A1 (en) 2004-10-14 2006-04-27 Werneth Randell L Ablation catheter
US8617152B2 (en) 2004-11-15 2013-12-31 Medtronic Ablation Frontiers Llc Ablation system with feedback
US7468062B2 (en) 2004-11-24 2008-12-23 Ablation Frontiers, Inc. Atrial ablation catheter adapted for treatment of septal wall arrhythmogenic foci and method of use
US7429261B2 (en) 2004-11-24 2008-09-30 Ablation Frontiers, Inc. Atrial ablation catheter and method of use
EP1895927A4 (en) 2005-06-20 2011-03-09 Medtronic Ablation Frontiers Ablation catheter
WO2007008954A2 (en) 2005-07-11 2007-01-18 Ablation Frontiers Low power tissue ablation system
US8657814B2 (en) 2005-08-22 2014-02-25 Medtronic Ablation Frontiers Llc User interface for tissue ablation system
US8641704B2 (en) 2007-05-11 2014-02-04 Medtronic Ablation Frontiers Llc Ablation therapy system and method for treating continuous atrial fibrillation

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0107853A2 (en) * 1982-10-29 1984-05-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Magnetic disk drive apparatus
US4724500A (en) * 1986-08-14 1988-02-09 Tandon Corporation Mechanism for preventing shock damage to head slider assemblies and disks in rigid disk drive
US4800455A (en) * 1985-05-07 1989-01-24 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Magnetic disk drive having a magnetic-head with a head gap supported parallel to the moving direction of a magnetic-head positioning mechanism

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4393425A (en) * 1981-03-30 1983-07-12 Disctron, Inc. Linear head actuator
JPS61198480A (en) * 1985-02-28 1986-09-02 Fujitsu Ltd Head-attraction releasing system
JPH02239480A (en) * 1989-03-13 1990-09-21 Hitachi Electron Eng Co Ltd Head loading mechanism for magnetic disk tester

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0107853A2 (en) * 1982-10-29 1984-05-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Magnetic disk drive apparatus
US4800455A (en) * 1985-05-07 1989-01-24 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Magnetic disk drive having a magnetic-head with a head gap supported parallel to the moving direction of a magnetic-head positioning mechanism
US4724500A (en) * 1986-08-14 1988-02-09 Tandon Corporation Mechanism for preventing shock damage to head slider assemblies and disks in rigid disk drive

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO9715919A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH11513836A (en) 1999-11-24
EP0880775A4 (en) 1998-12-02
WO1997015919A1 (en) 1997-05-01

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