US20030041439A1 - Device and method for mounting a spindle motor to a base in a miniature optical disk drive - Google Patents

Device and method for mounting a spindle motor to a base in a miniature optical disk drive Download PDF

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Publication number
US20030041439A1
US20030041439A1 US09/946,015 US94601501A US2003041439A1 US 20030041439 A1 US20030041439 A1 US 20030041439A1 US 94601501 A US94601501 A US 94601501A US 2003041439 A1 US2003041439 A1 US 2003041439A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
base
tool
data storage
distance
storage disk
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/946,015
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English (en)
Inventor
Stanley Chamberlain
Andrew Lucas
Brian Rappel
John Wilson
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.)
DataPlay Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US09/946,015 priority Critical patent/US20030041439A1/en
Priority to US09/946,038 priority patent/US20030043727A1/en
Priority to US09/945,944 priority patent/US20030043729A1/en
Priority to US09/945,914 priority patent/US20030043726A1/en
Priority to US09/946,075 priority patent/US6826138B2/en
Assigned to DATAPLAY, INC. reassignment DATAPLAY, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ABRAHAMSON, SCOTT D., FREEMAN, ROBERT D., MANES, JOSEPH P., RAPPEL, BRIAN LEE
Priority to AU2002323578A priority patent/AU2002323578A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2002/028035 priority patent/WO2003021303A2/fr
Priority to KR10-2004-7003290A priority patent/KR20040047805A/ko
Publication of US20030041439A1 publication Critical patent/US20030041439A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
    • G11B7/08—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers
    • G11B7/085—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam into, or out of, its operative position or across tracks, otherwise than during the transducing operation, e.g. for adjustment or preliminary positioning or track change or selection
    • G11B7/0857—Arrangements for mechanically moving the whole head
    • G11B7/08576—Swinging-arm positioners
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B21/00—Head arrangements not specific to the method of recording or reproducing
    • G11B21/02—Driving or moving of heads
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B17/00—Guiding record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor
    • G11B17/02—Details
    • G11B17/04—Feeding or guiding single record carrier to or from transducer unit
    • G11B17/041—Feeding or guiding single record carrier to or from transducer unit specially adapted for discs contained within cartridges
    • G11B17/043—Direct insertion, i.e. without external loading means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B21/00—Head arrangements not specific to the method of recording or reproducing
    • G11B21/02—Driving or moving of heads
    • G11B21/08—Track changing or selecting during transducing operation
    • G11B21/081—Access to indexed tracks or parts of continuous track
    • G11B21/083—Access to indexed tracks or parts of continuous track on discs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B21/00—Head arrangements not specific to the method of recording or reproducing
    • G11B21/16—Supporting the heads; Supporting the sockets for plug-in heads
    • G11B21/22—Supporting the heads; Supporting the sockets for plug-in heads while the head is out of operative position
    • 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
    • G11B5/48—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
    • 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
    • G11B5/5552—Track change, selection or acquisition by displacement of the head across disk tracks using fine positioning means for track acquisition separate from the coarse (e.g. track changing) positioning means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
    • G11B7/08—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers
    • G11B7/09—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following
    • G11B7/0925—Electromechanical actuators for lens positioning
    • G11B7/0933—Details of stationary parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
    • G11B7/08—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers
    • G11B7/09—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following
    • G11B7/0925—Electromechanical actuators for lens positioning
    • G11B7/0935—Details of the moving parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
    • G11B7/12—Heads, e.g. forming of the optical beam spot or modulation of the optical beam
    • G11B7/121—Protecting the head, e.g. against dust or impact with the record carrier
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
    • G11B7/12—Heads, e.g. forming of the optical beam spot or modulation of the optical beam
    • G11B7/22—Apparatus or processes for the manufacture of optical heads, e.g. assembly
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
    • G11B7/08—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers
    • G11B7/09—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following
    • G11B7/0925—Electromechanical actuators for lens positioning
    • G11B7/093—Electromechanical actuators for lens positioning for focusing and tracking
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
    • G11B7/08—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers
    • G11B7/09—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following
    • G11B7/0946—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following specially adapted for operation during external perturbations not related to the carrier or servo beam, e.g. vibration
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/49009—Dynamoelectric machine
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/4902—Electromagnet, transformer or inductor
    • Y10T29/49021—Magnetic recording reproducing transducer [e.g., tape head, core, etc.]
    • Y10T29/49025—Making disc drive
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/49117—Conductor or circuit manufacturing
    • Y10T29/49124—On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.
    • Y10T29/49126—Assembling bases
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
    • Y10T29/5313—Means to assemble electrical device
    • Y10T29/53165—Magnetic memory device

Definitions

  • Disk drives store or retrieve digital data on a plurality of circular, concentric data tracks on the surfaces of a rigid data storage disk.
  • the disk is typically mounted for rotation on the rotation cylinder of a spindle motor.
  • the spindle motor can rotate the disk at speeds of up to 10,000 RPM.
  • the actuator typically includes of an electromagnetic transducer head carried on an actuator assembly.
  • the actuator assembly moves the head from track to track and has assumed many forms historically, with most disk drives of the current generation incorporating an actuator assembly of the type referred to as a rotary voice coil actuator assembly.
  • a typical rotary voice coil actuator assembly includes of a pivot pin fixedly attached to a disk drive base member. The pivot pin is mounted such that its central axis is normal to the plane of rotation of the disk.
  • An actuator assembly frame can be mounted to the pivot pin by an arrangement of precision ball bearing assemblies, and supports a coil which is suspended in the magnetic field of an array of permanent magnets, which are fixedly mounted to the drive base member. When controlled DC current is applied to the coil, a magnetic field is formed surrounding the coil that interacts with the magnetic field of the permanent magnets to rotate the actuator assembly in accordance with the well-known Lorentz relationship.
  • the spindle motor can rotate the disk at speeds of up to 10,000 RPM during data storage and retrieval. Any contact between the disk and another component during data storage and retrieval may result in damage to the disk or drive. Furthermore, contact between the rotating disk and another component may result in debris that may inhibit future operation of the drive.
  • the method employs a tool. More particularly, the method may include mounting the tool to the base.
  • the tool may include first and second substantially parallel surfaces separated by a first distance.
  • the base may include a base surface and a first raised surface, wherein the base surface and the first raised surface are contained in respective, substantially parallel planes that are separated by a second distance.
  • the first surface of the tool may engage the first raised surface of the base when the tool is mounted to the base.
  • the base may also include a base aperture formed through the base surface. This base aperture may be sized to receive a rotation cylinder of the rotation motor. When the rotation cylinder extends through the aperture, the rotation cylinder may engage the second surface of the tool. With the rotation cylinder engaging the second surface of the tool, the rotation motor can be fixedly connected to the base.
  • the base is configured to receive a data cartridge, which may include a data storage disk, contained in a cartridge shell.
  • the cartridge shell may include first and second parallel sidewalls.
  • the data storage disk is positioned between the first and second parallel sidewalls.
  • the first sidewall may include first oppositely facing, parallel inner and outer surfaces, which are separated by a third distance. The first distance that separates the first and second surfaces of the tool is greater than the third distance to ensure that the rotation cylinder is properly aligned to the base.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary data cartridge and an exemplary data storage/retrieval system employing the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the system shown in FIG. 1 with its cover removed to expose several exemplary components
  • FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show perspective and top views, respectively, of the system of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cartridge shown in FIGS. 1 and 3;
  • FIG. 5 a is a top view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 5 b is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 5 a taken along line AA thereof;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 3 b taken along line BB thereof;
  • FIG. 7 a is a perspective view of the system shown in FIG. 2 with several components removed to illustrate several exemplary components
  • FIGS. 7 b - 7 d are top views of the system shown in FIG. 7 a;
  • FIG. 8 a is a perspective view of an actuator assembly shown in FIGS. 7 a - 7 d;
  • FIG. 8 b illustrates operational aspects of the actuator assembly shown in FIG. 8 a
  • FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show top and side views, respectively, of a frame of the actuator assembly shown in FIG. 8 a;
  • FIG. 10 a illustrates a perspective view of the upper focus stop shown in FIGS. 7 a - 7 d;
  • FIG. 10 b illustrates operational aspects of the upper focus stop shown in FIG. 10 a
  • FIG. 11 a is a top view of a parking arm shown in FIGS. 7 a - 7 d;
  • FIG. 11 b is a bottom, perspective view of the parking arm shown in FIGS. 7 a - 7 d;
  • FIG. 11 c is a top, perspective view of the parking arm shown in FIGS. 7 a - 7 d;
  • FIG. 11 d is a cross-sectional view of the parking arm shown in FIG. 11 a taken along line CC thereof;
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective of the system shown in FIG. 7 a with several components removed to illustrate additional exemplary components
  • FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a parking coil and steel plate shown in FIG. 12;
  • FIGS. 14 a - 14 e show isolated cross-sectional views of the parking arm, parking coil and steel plate of FIGS. 11 a - 13 ;
  • FIG. 14 f illustrates operational aspects of creating Lorentz forces within the parking coil of FIGS. 14 a - 14 e;
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of system 100 shown in FIG. 7 c taken along line DD thereof, and;
  • FIG. 16 a is a top view of a tool used to mount the spindle motor to the base;
  • FIG. 16 b is a cross-sectional view of the tool shown in FIG. 16 a taken along line EE thereof;
  • FIG. 16 c illustrates an exploded view of the base, motor and the tool of FIG. 16 a;
  • FIG. 16 d is a top view of the tool and base shown in FIG. 16 b , and;
  • FIG. 16 e is a cross-sectional view of the tool and base shown in FIG. 16 taken along line EE thereof.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary data storage/retrieval system 100 and an exemplary data cartridge 102 .
  • Data storage/retrieval systems are often referred to in the art as disk drives. This description will hereinafter refer to data storage/retrieval system 100 as “system 100 .”
  • System 100 is configured to receive and read/write data to data cartridge 102 .
  • System 100 includes a base 104 to which all other system 100 components are directly or indirectly connected or mounted, a cover 106 , and a door 110 which, together, isolate delicate internal components from external contaminants.
  • Door 110 is rotatable at its base between open and closed positions to allow manual loading or unloading of a data cartridge 102 into or out of system 100 .
  • System 100 may take form in various sizes.
  • the height of system 100 measured in the z direction may be as small as 10 mm
  • the width of system 100 measured in the x direction may be as small as 50 mm
  • the length of system 100 measured in the y direction may be as small as 45 mm. Smaller sizes of system 100 are limited only by the ability to manufacture smaller components thereof.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 with cover 106 removed to expose several exemplary components.
  • exemplary internal components of system 100 include a tray 112 into which data cartridge 102 (not shown in FIG. 2) is received, a door spring 114 for biasing door 110 in the closed position, and a spindle motor 116 (partially shown).
  • FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show perspective and top views of the system 100 of FIG. 2 with data cartridge 102 received in tray 112 .
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of data cartridge 102 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
  • Data cartridge 102 includes a cartridge shell 120 , a top sliding shutter 122 , and a bottom sliding shutter 124 .
  • the top and bottom sliding shutters 122 and 124 are capable of independently sliding between open and closed states. In FIG. 4, shutter 122 is shown closed.
  • FIG. 5 a is a top view of data cartridge 102 shown in FIG. 4 with shutter 122 in the opened state to expose data storage disk 126 .
  • spindle motor 116 FIG. 2
  • FIG. 5 b is a cross-sectional view of the data cartridge 102 shown in FIG. 5 a taken along line AA thereof.
  • data storage disk 126 is capable of free rotation within cartridge shell 120 .
  • Data storage disk 126 in data cartridge 102 may take form in the optical data storage disk described in application Ser. No. 09/854,333 filed May 11, 2001, entitled Optical Data Storage With Enhanced Contrast.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the data system 100 of FIG. 3 b taken along line BB thereof.
  • data cartridge 102 is shown in a fully loaded position with data storage disk 126 engaging cylinder 130 of spindle motor 116 .
  • Disk 126 includes on its surfaces a plurality of circular, concentric data tracks or a single spiral data track which data may be written to or read from via a light beam (not shown in FIG. 6) incident thereon.
  • a light beam not shown in FIG. 6
  • disk 126 will be described as having a plurality of circular, concentric data tracks, it being understood that disk 126 should not be limited thereto.
  • FIG. 7 a is a perspective view of system 100 shown in FIG. 2 with several components, such as tray 112 , removed.
  • FIGS. 7 b - 7 d are top views of system 100 shown in FIG. 7 a .
  • FIGS. 7 a - 7 d illustrate several components of system 100 . More particularly, FIGS. 7 a and 7 b illustrate exemplary embodiments of spindle motor 116 , z-datums 132 a - 132 d , actuator assembly 134 , parking arm 136 , and upper focus stop 140 .
  • data cartridge 102 is not shown in FIGS.
  • spindle motor 116 z-datums 132 a - 132 d , actuator assembly 134 , parking arm 136 , and upper focus stop 140 are normally positioned beneath data storage disk 126 of data cartridge 102 when data cartridge 102 is fully loaded in system 100 .
  • actuator assembly 134 is one embodiment of a device for reading or writing data to data storage disk 126 .
  • Actuator assembly 134 is rotatably mounted to base 104 via bearing assembly 138 and actuator assembly pivot pin 142 .
  • a rotation motor is provided to rotate actuator assembly 134 about actuator assembly pivot pin 142 in the positive or negative ⁇ directions.
  • Actuator assembly 134 includes a frame 144 (FIGS. 9 a and 9 b ) which in turn includes a focus arm 146 rotatably connected to a tracking arm 150 .
  • a focus motor is provided to rotate focus arm 146 about axis 152 in the positive or negative ⁇ directions. It is noted that positive and negative ⁇ directions are perpendicular to sheet on which FIG. 7 b is drawn.
  • Actuator assembly 134 further includes a head assembly or optical pick-up unit (OPU) 154 mounted to focus arm 146 .
  • OPU 154 performs a variety of functions one of which is to illuminate data storage disk 126 with a focused beam of light for reading or writing data.
  • the focus motor functions to rotate focus arm 146 about rotational axis line 152 to bring a lens 156 of OPU 154 into focus with a surface (not shown in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b ) of data storage disk 126 .
  • the figures and detailed description illustrate a system 100 having one actuator assembly 134 .
  • System 100 may include a second actuator assembly, possibly mounted to a second base, such that disk 126 is positioned between two actuator assemblies.
  • shutters 122 and 124 may be simultaneously open when cartridge 102 is loaded so that the two actuator assemblies can simultaneously read or write data.
  • Parking arm 136 is one embodiment of a device for selectively inhibiting movement of actuator assembly 134 .
  • Parking arm 136 is rotatably mounted to base 104 via parking pivot pin 160 .
  • Parking arm 136 is rotatable about pin 160 between parked and unparked positions.
  • FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show parking arm 136 in the parked position. As will be more fully explained below, when parking arm 136 is in the parked position, it “parks” or engages actuator assembly 134 to inhibit further movement thereof.
  • FIG. 7 c shows parking arm 136 in the unparked position. With parking arm 136 in the unparked position, actuator assembly 134 is “unparked” or free to move. Parking arm 136 is capable of parking actuator assembly 134 at any position in its range of rotation about actuator assembly pivot pin 142 .
  • Upper focus stop 140 is one embodiment of a device for limiting movement of actuator assembly 134 in the positive ⁇ direction.
  • Upper focus stop 140 is fixedly mounted to base 104 .
  • focus arm 146 (and thus OPU 154 ) rotates in the positive or negative ⁇ directions about axis line 152 to bring lens 156 into focus with the surface of data storage disk 126 .
  • rotation of focus arm 146 should be limited to prevent contact between lens 156 and data storage disk 126 .
  • upper focus stop 140 operates to prevent contact between lens 156 and data storage disk 126 .
  • Upper focus stop 140 is capable of limiting positive ⁇ rotation of focus arm 146 of actuator assembly 134 at any position in actuator assembly's range of rotation about actuator assembly pivot pin 142 .
  • FIGS. 8 a and 8 b show perspective and front views, respectively, of actuator assembly 134 .
  • Actuator assembly 134 includes OPU 154 , frame 144 , actuator assembly pivot pin 142 , a tracking wire coil 170 , and a focus wire coil 172 .
  • Coils 170 and 172 are components of separate electromagnets.
  • actuator assembly 134 is rotatably mounted on base 104 via actuator assembly pivot pin 142
  • frame 144 includes focus arm 146 rotatably attached to tracking arm 150 .
  • focus arm 146 is rotatably connected to tracking arm 150 via flex plate 174 .
  • Alternative embodiments for rotatably connecting focus arm 146 to tracking arm 150 are contemplated.
  • FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show top and side views, respectively, of frame 144 .
  • focus arm 146 is formed from carbon fiber layers 176 a - 176 e connected together using an adhesive.
  • tracking arm 150 in one embodiment, is formed from carbon fiber layers 180 a - 180 e connected together using an adhesive. When aligned and adhered together, carbon fiber layers 180 a - 180 e form an aperture 182 for receiving actuator assembly pivot pin 142 (not shown in FIGS. 9 a and 9 b ).
  • each of the carbon fiber layers 176 a and 176 b includes an extension 190 a and 190 b , respectively.
  • extension 190 b interacts with upper focus stop 140 to limit rotation of focus arm 146 in the positive ⁇ direction
  • extension 190 a interacts with a surface on base 104 to limit rotation of focus arm 146 in the negative ⁇ direction.
  • parking arm 136 “parks” actuator assembly 134 extension 190 b interacts with the parking arm 136 while extension 190 a interacts with the surface on base 104 .
  • Frame 144 should not be limited to that shown in the figures of this detailed description; alternative assemblies are contemplated.
  • frame 144 may take form in an integrally formed focus arm 146 rotatably connected to an integrally formed tracking arm 150 .
  • extension 190 a or 190 b could be separately formed and attached to focus arm 146 rather than integrally formed with carbon fiber layers 176 a and 176 b , respectively.
  • focus arm 146 is rotatably connected to tracking arm 150 via flex plate 174 .
  • flex plate 174 is formed from a sheet of metal such as stainless steel. This sheet of metal may be crimped to form front and back portions 192 a and 192 b , respectively, rotatably connected together via a crimped portion 194 . Front portion 192 a and back portion 192 b are connected to focus arm 146 and tracking arm 150 , respectively. Flex plate 174 functions like a hinge. Flex plate 174 allows front and back portions 192 a and 192 b , and thus focus arm 146 , to rotate about axis 152 .
  • the narrowest portion of crimped portion 194 defines axis line 152 about which focus arm 146 rotates.
  • front portion 192 a is fixedly attached between carbon fiber layers 176 b and 176 d using an adhesive
  • back portion 192 b is fixedly attached between carbon fiber layers 180 b and 180 d using an adhesive.
  • the mechanical force for rotating focus arm 146 about axis line 152 is provided by the focus motor mentioned above.
  • Application Ser. No.________ filed Sep. 4, 2001, entitled Fringing Field Focus Motor And Mechanism for Optical Disk Drive (Attorney Docket No. M-11128 US) describes one embodiment of a focus motor.
  • the focus motor includes focus coil 172 mounted to actuator assembly 134 and an array of permanent focus magnets 200 a - 200 c attached to base 104 .
  • a variably controlled electrical current is provided to focus coil 172 via flex circuit 202 (FIGS. 7 a and 7 b ).
  • the variably controlled electrical current is provided to flex circuit 202 by system electronics (not shown) mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) which, in turn, is attached to the underside of base 104 .
  • the variably controlled current flowing through focus coil 172 creates a variably controlled magnetic field that interacts with the permanent magnetic field created by the array of permanent focus magnets 200 a - 200 c (FIGS. 7 a and 7 b ).
  • the interaction of these magnetic fields causes focus arm 146 to controllably rotate about axis line 152 in the positive or negative ⁇ direction depending on the polarity and/or magnitude of the current provided to focus coil 172 .
  • the distance D (FIG.
  • OPU 154 includes a lens 156 , a light generation device (not shown) and one or more light detectors (not shown).
  • the light generation device may take form in a light emitting diode that generates a light beam 206 (FIG.
  • the one or more light detectors detect light reflected from data storage disk 126 and generate corresponding electrical signals in response thereto.
  • the magnitude of the electrical signals generated by the one or more detectors is generally proportional to the intensity of light reflected from data storage disk 126 .
  • lens 156 focuses the light beam 206 onto data storage disk 126 .
  • Light reflected by the data storage disk 126 also passes through lens 156 before being detected by the one or more light detectors of OPU 154 .
  • FIG. 8 b shows that lens 156 is separated from disk surface 204 by distance D.
  • D should substantially equal focal length L of lens 156 .
  • lens 156 is in focus with surface 204 and OPU 154 can properly read or write data to data storage disk 126 .
  • Due to dynamic factors such as physical irregularities in surface 204 the physical irregularities are dynamic in the sense that they cause the surface 204 , as seen by lens 156 , to deviate while data storage disk 126 rotates), improper angular alignment between actuator assembly pivot pin 142 and base 104 more fully described below, or unexpected mechanical forces applied to either actuator assembly 134 or data storage disk 126 , D may vary from L and take lens 156 out of focus with surface 204 .
  • the variances can be detected in signals generated by the one or more detectors of OPU 154 .
  • Signals generated by the one or more detectors of OPU 154 are transmitted to system electronics attached to the PCB via flex circuit 202 (FIGS. 7 a and 7 b ) where they are monitored, for example, during data read/write operations.
  • the magnitude of these signals will increase or decrease as D varies with respect to L.
  • the system electronics compare the generated signals with a predetermined signal S.
  • the magnitude of S is calculated as a function of L. If the generated signals compare equally or substantially equal to S, then distance D should equal or substantially equal L, and lens 156 is in focus or substantially in focus with surface 204 . If the magnitude of the generated signals is greater or less than S, then lens 156 is substantially out of focus with surface 204 .
  • the system electronics can adjust the magnitude and/or polarity of current provided to focus coil 172 , which in turn causes the focus arm 146 , and thus lens 156 of OPU 154 , to rotate about axis 152 until the magnitude of the generated signals equals or substantially equals S. With the magnitude of the generated signals equal to S, lens 156 should again be in focus with surface 204 .
  • Actuator assembly 134 is rotatably mounted to base 104 via actuator assembly pivot pin 142 (FIGS. 7 a . 7 b , and 8 b ). Ideally, pivot pin 142 should be mounted to base 104 with an angle therebetween that aligns actuator assembly 134 to disk 126 . Actuator assembly 134 is aligned to disk 126 when a constant distance separates tracking arm 150 and disk 126 as actuator assembly 134 rotates about pin 142 . Actuator assembly 134 is also said to be aligned to disk 126 when a constant distance separates focus arm 146 and disk 126 as actuator assembly 134 rotates about pin 142 .
  • actuator assembly 134 is properly aligned with disk 126 .
  • This latter definition of actuator assembly 134 to disk 126 alignment assumes that the angular position of focus arm 146 relative to tracking arm 150 remains constant while actuator assembly 134 rotates. It is noted that with no current or a constant current provided to focus coil 172 , the angular position of focus arm 146 relative to tracking arm 150 should remain constant during rotational movement of actuator assembly 134 about pivot pin 142 .
  • actuator assembly 134 and disk 126 will be misaligned and, assuming no relative motion between focus arm 146 and tracking arm 150 , the distance D between lens 156 and data storage disk 126 will vary as actuator assembly 134 rotates about pin 142 .
  • System 100 can properly operate notwithstanding misalignment of actuator assembly 134 and disk 126 . More particularly, when distance D varies from L, as noted above, the system electronics can adjust the magnitude and/or polarity of current provided to focus coil 172 , which in turn causes the focus arm 146 to rotate about axis 152 until distance D equals L. In this fashion, a misalignment between actuator assembly 134 and disk 126 can be corrected. However, this correction requires power consumption by focus coil 172 . Power consumption by system 100 is sought to be limited particularly when a battery provides the power.
  • pivot pin 142 Before pivot pin 142 is fixedly mounted to base 104 , the angular position of pivot pin 142 relative to base 104 can be checked. For example, with data cartridge 102 loaded and cylinder 130 engaging data storage disk 126 , current to focus coil 172 can be externally monitored as actuator assembly 134 travels through its full range of motion in the positive and negative ⁇ directions. If an improper angular position exists between pivot pin 142 and base 104 , current to focus coil 172 will vary in essentially a linear manner as actuator assembly 134 travels through its full range of motion. In the latter situation, the angular position between pivot pin 142 and base 104 can be adjusted until the monitored current provided to focus coil is constant as actuator assembly 134 travels through its full range of motion.
  • focus coil 172 should draw no current as actuator assembly 134 travels through its full range of motion. If a non-zero constant current is provided to focus coil 172 as actuator assembly 134 travels through its full range of motion, the distance measured in the z-direction between the actuator and base 104 can be adjusted accordingly. For example, actuator assembly 134 can be moved up or down on pivot pin 142 until no current is provided to focus coil 172 . Alternatively, the angle between pivot pin 142 and base 104 can be further adjusted until no current is provided to focus coil 172 . This latter angular adjustment should occur in a direction which is orthogonal to the angular adjustment direction which resulted in a constant current provided to focus coil 172 as actuator assembly travels through is full range of motion in the ⁇ direction.
  • the angular position between pivot pin 142 and base 104 may also be checked by monitoring the signals generated by OPU 154 as actuator assembly 134 travels through its full range of motion. This method presumes that the focus motor is turned off (i.e., no current or a constant current is provided to focus coil 172 ). For example, with data cartridge 102 loaded and cylinder 130 engaging data storage disk 126 , OPU 154 generates signals in response to receiving light reflected from data storage disk 126 as actuator assembly 134 rotates through its full range of motion. If a proper angular position exists between pivot pin 142 and base 104 , then the magnitude of the signals generated by OPU 154 will be constant as actuator assembly 134 travels through its full range of motion.
  • pivot pin 142 can be fixedly attached to base 104 by adhesive bonding with an ultraviolet (UV) light sensitive adhesive such as EMCAST 612.
  • UV ultraviolet
  • Focus coil 172 functions to rotate focus arm 146 and keep lens 156 in focus with data storage disk 126 .
  • rotation of focus arm 146 and thus lens 156 must be limited to prevent contact between lens 156 and data storage disk 126 . If contact occurs between lens 156 and data storage disk 126 while data storage disk 126 is rotating, damage may result.
  • Upper focus stop 140 functions to prevent contact between lens 156 and data storage disk 126 .
  • FIG. 10 a illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of upper focus stop 140 having oppositely facing top and bottom surfaces.
  • Upper focus stop 140 constitutes a rigid plate fixedly mounted to base 104 via fasteners 210 a and 210 b.
  • FIG. 10 b illustrates a side view of actuator assembly 134 with extensions 190 a and 190 b positioned in gap G between upper focus stop 140 and base 104 .
  • Upper focus stop 140 is positioned to limit the rotation of focus arm 146 in the positive ⁇ direction. More particularly, before lens 156 can contact data storage disk 126 , extension 190 b of focus arm 146 engages the bottom surface of upper focus stop 140 .
  • Lower focus stop 212 is defined as a surface of base 104 that limits the negative rotation of focus arm 146 . Once extension 190 a and lower focus stop 212 engage each other, focus arm 146 can no longer rotate in the negative ⁇ direction.
  • distance A (FIG. 10 b ) separates extension 190 b from upper focus stop 140 and distance B separates extension 190 a from lower focus stop 212 .
  • dynamic factors such as mechanical forces or surface irregularities in data storage disk 126 may cause the surface of data storage disk 126 to fluctuate in the positive or negative ⁇ direction.
  • an unexpected mechanical force applied to data storage disk 126 may cause data storage disk 126 to move from its normal direction shown in FIG. 10 b in the positive or negative ⁇ directions by an error distance Ed.
  • actuator assembly 134 should be mounted to base 104 and/or gap G should take into account Ed.
  • actuator assembly 134 should be mounted and/or gap G should be formed so that:
  • Ed may vary over the distance between the center of data storage disk 126 and the outer edge of data storage disk 126 , with the magnitude of Ed being the greatest at the outer edge of data storage disk 126 .
  • Ed should be selected in accordance with the maximum position of actuator assembly 134 in the negative ⁇ direction. A budget for Ed can be assessed for L.
  • upper focus stop 140 functions to prevent contact between lens 156 and data storage disk 126 .
  • actuator assembly 134 should be mounted to base 104 and/or gap G should be formed so that:
  • the components that form system 100 are subject to manufacturing tolerances.
  • the thickness of actuator assembly 134 from the top of lens 156 to the bottom of carbon fiber layer 176 a may vary within a tolerance from actuator assembly to actuator assembly.
  • These tolerances are static in nature for a given component.
  • the static tolerances in components between and including lens 156 and data storage disk 126 should be taken into account when selecting distances A and B.
  • actuator assembly 134 should be mounted to base 104 and/or gap G should be formed so that:
  • Et represents the tolerances in components of the system between and including the focus lens 156 and data storage disk 126 .
  • lens 156 is positioned close to extensions 190 a and 190 b in the radial direction as measured from axis 152 .
  • a and B are measured with respect to the points of extensions 190 a and 190 b that engage lower focus stop 212 and upper focus stop 140 , respectively.
  • the radial distances, measured with respect to the axis line 152 (FIG. 9 a ) of lens 156 and points on extensions 190 a and 190 b that engage lower focus stop 212 and upper focus stop 140 , respectively, should be as close to each other as possible.
  • actuator assembly 134 is capable of rotation about pivot pin 142 in the positive or negative ⁇ direction as shown, for example, in FIGS. 7 b or 8 b .
  • Actuator assembly 134 includes tracking coil 170 , which is a part of the rotation motor for rotating the actuator assembly about pivot pin 142 .
  • the rotation motor also includes an array of permanent rotation magnets (not shown) mounted indirectly to base 104 above tracking coil 170 .
  • a variably controlled electrical current is provided to tracking coil 170 via flex circuit 202 (FIGS. 7 a and 7 b ).
  • the variably controlled currents provided to focus coil 172 and tracking coil 170 originates with the system electronics.
  • the variably controlled current flowing through tracking coil 170 creates a variably controlled magnetic field that interacts with the permanent magnetic field created by the array of permanent rotation magnets.
  • the interaction of these magnetic fields causes actuator assembly 134 to controllably rotate about actuator assembly pivot pin 142 in the positive or negative ⁇ directions depending on the magnitude and/or polarity of current provided to tracking coil 170 .
  • lens 156 of OPU 154 may be controllably positioned underneath any of the concentric data tracks of data storage disk 126 for the purpose of reading or writing data thereto.
  • FIGS. 7 a - 7 d illustrate one embodiment of a device for adjustably limiting the positive ⁇ movement of actuator assembly 134 . More particularly, FIGS. 7 a - 7 d show an exemplary eccentric cam 220 rotatably mounted onto base 104 . In the embodiment shown, eccentric cam 220 includes a camming surface 222 that, when engaging tracking coil 170 , prevents contact between actuator assembly 134 and cylinder 130 . It is noted that eccentric cam 220 is shown mounted vertically on base 104 . In the alternative, eccentric cam may be mounted horizontally to base 104 .
  • eccentric cam 220 is rotatable on base 104 , the rotational limit of actuator assembly 134 is adjustable.
  • the point on camming surface 222 that engages tracking coil 170 corresponds to the rotational limit of actuator assembly 134 .
  • a different point on camming surface 222 can be selected to engage tracking coil 170 .
  • actuator assembly 134 can rotate further in the positive ⁇ direction so that OPU 154 can read or write data to concentric data tracks which are closer to a center point of data storage disk 126 .
  • FIGS. 7 c and 7 d show eccentric cam 220 in different positions. In FIGS.
  • eccentric cam 220 engages actuator assembly 134 thereby inhibiting further rotation thereof in the positive ⁇ direction. Contrasting FIGS. 7 c and 7 d illustrates the effect of adjusting eccentric cam 220 and thus the rotational limit of actuator assembly 134 .
  • eccentric cam 220 is manually rotatable on base 104 .
  • a motor may be mounted to base 104 for rotating eccentric cam 220 in response to signals generated internally by electronics of system 100 or signals externally received by system 100 .
  • eccentric cam 220 may coincide with the innermost data track of data storage disk 126 .
  • lens 156 may be positioned under the innermost data track of data storage disk 126 .
  • This innermost data track often contains important information about data storage disk 126 .
  • focus arm 146 is free to rotate about axis 152 and bring lens 156 in focus with the innermost data track on data storage disk 126 .
  • FIGS. 7 c and 7 d show eccentric cam 220 placed on base 104 to engage tracking coil 170 .
  • the position of eccentric cam 220 need not be limited to that shown.
  • eccentric cam 220 can be repositioned on base 104 to engage tracking coil arm 184 a .
  • eccentric cam 220 can be repositioned to engage tracking arm 150 near axis line 152 .
  • Eccentric cam 220 could be also be mounted, directly or indirectly, to base 104 to engage focus arm 146 before actuator assembly 134 engages cylinder 130 .
  • focus arm 146 will experience friction with the engaging eccentric cam 220 as the focus motor attempts to rotate focus arm 146 in the positive or negative ⁇ directions to bring lens 156 into focus with the innermost data track of data storage disk 126 .
  • the friction may prevent lens 156 from being moved into focus with data storage disk 126 . If enough current is provided to focus coil 172 , the friction may be overcome.
  • attempts to focus lens 156 with data storage disk 126 while focus arm 146 engages eccentric cam 220 may be erratic or slow, and may require a power drain from, for example, a battery providing power to system 100 . With eccentric cam 220 engaging tracking coil 170 as shown in FIGS.
  • a second eccentric cam similar to eccentric cam 220 may be mounted to base 104 to selectively adjust the rotational limit of actuator assembly 134 in the negative ⁇ direction.
  • actuator 134 is limited in the negative ⁇ direction by a wall of base 104 .
  • a second eccentric cam rotatably mounted to the base 104 near, for example, upper focus stop 140 and having a camming surface configured to engage focus arm 146 , the rotational limit of actuator assembly 134 in the negative ⁇ direction would also be adjustable.
  • actuator assembly 134 may freely move in response to whatever force is applied thereto. Free movement of actuator assembly 134 may result in damage thereto as a result of, for example, shocks experienced by actuator assembly 134 when it repeatedly bounces off of upper focus stop 140 or eccentric cam 220 .
  • Parking arm 136 (FIGS. 7 a - 7 d ) is an exemplary device for preventing free movement, and thus damage, to actuator assembly 134 while it is in the non-operative state.
  • parking arm 136 is mounted to base 104 and is rotatably moveable about parking pivot pin 160 between parked and unparked positions (FIGS. 7 b and 7 c ).
  • a parking motor is provided for moving parking arm 136 between the parked and unparked positions.
  • parking arm 136 includes a steel plate 230 , a counterweight 232 , an arm 234 , a wedge 236 , a permanent parking magnet 240 , a magnet housing 242 , and a parking pivot pin 160 .
  • Magnet 240 can be more clearly seen in FIGS. 11 b and 11 d .
  • Steel plate 230 operates to complete a magnetic circuit created by magnet 240 and a steel plate 246 (FIGS. 12 and 13), as more fully described below.
  • arm 234 , magnet-housing 242 , and wedge 236 may be integrally formed, for example, from an thermoplastic material such as nylon, teflon, delrin, or a teflon filled polycarbonate.
  • An aperture formed through arm 234 fixedly receives parking pivot pin 160 .
  • Counterweight 232 is also fixedly attached to arm 234 and acts to balance rotation of parking arm 136 about pivot pin 160 when parking arm 136 is mounted to base 104 .
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view of system 100 shown in FIG. 7 a with actuator assembly 134 , upper focus stop 140 , and parking arm 136 removed to show other exemplary components of the parking motor. More specifically, FIG. 12 shows a parking wire coil 244 and steel plate 246 . Parking coil 244 is a component of an electromagnet. FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of parking coil 244 and steel plate 246 . Parking coil 244 and steel plate 246 are mounted to the PCB which, in turn, is mounted to the underside of base 104 .
  • Parking coil 244 includes wire leads 250 a and 250 b that are coupled to bond pads (not shown) of the PCB so that system electronics can provide current to parking coil 244 without an intervening flex circuit, like the flex circuit that transmits current to focus and tracking coils 172 and 170 , respectively. Parking coil 244 and steel plate 246 extend through apertures in base 104 to take the position shown in FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 14 f shows a length of wire 248 from parking coil 244 through which electric current i cw flows. Current i cw is selectively provided by system electronics.
  • parking magnet 240 is not shown in FIG. 14 f , parking magnet 240 creates a magnetic field B that envelopes wire length 248 .
  • FIG. 14 f shows only one flux line 250 of the magnetic field B passing through wire length 248 .
  • the exact orientation of the magnetic field B on each length of wire of parking coil 244 is slightly different, as the flux lines of magnetic field B are not all parallel or straight and are not of equal magnitude.
  • F cw acts on wire length 248 in a direction 90 degrees to the direction of i cw and in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the current i cw vector and the magnetic field B vector.
  • the magnitude of F cw is proportional to the magnitude of B, the length of the wire, and the magnitude of i cw . Since parking coil 244 is fixedly connected to the base 104 via a printed circuit board, F cw cannot move parking coil 244 .
  • the total Lorentz force FC acting on parking coil 244 is the sum of the Lorentz forces F cw for each wire leg of parking coil 244 .
  • FIGS. 14 a and FIG. 14 b show isolated cross-sectional views of parking arm 136 , parking coil 244 and steel plate 246 in the unparked state.
  • FIGS. 14 c , 14 d , and 14 e show isolated cross-sectional views of parking arm 136 , parking coil 244 and steel plate 246 in the parked state.
  • parking arm 136 is capable of rotation about parking pivot pin 160 in the positive and negative ⁇ directions between the parked and unparked states.
  • FIG. 14 e shows parking arm 136 in the parked state with no current i cw flowing through parking coil 244 .
  • parking arm 136 secures actuator assembly 134 from movement.
  • counterweight 232 counter-balances parking arm 136 at pivot pin 160 so that parking arm 136 will not rotate out of the parked state if system 100 experiences an external mechanical shock in any direction in the ⁇ plane.
  • parking arm 136 rotates in the positive or negative ⁇ directions (i.e., in the ⁇ plane)
  • parking arm 136 should be able to withstand mechanical shocks in a direction perpendicular to the ⁇ plane.
  • F2 represents the force of attraction between base steel plate 246 and parking magnet 240 .
  • F2 consists of orthogonal F2 ⁇ and F2 ⁇ components.
  • FIG. 14 d illustrates that a Lorentz force F cw , described above with reference to FIG. 14 f , is created when current i cw is first provided to parking coil 244 by system electronics.
  • FIG. 14 f shows only one Lorentz force F cw acting on one wire segment 248 of coil 244 .
  • a collective Lorentz force FC is created.
  • FIG. 14 d shows only F1 ⁇ , the ⁇ component of F1, it being understood that an orthogonal ⁇ component of F1 is also created.
  • F1 ⁇ is equal and opposite to FC ⁇ .
  • FIG. 14 c shows both forces F1 ⁇ and F2 acting on parking arm 136 when current i cw is first provided to parking coil 244 . Additionally, FIG. 14 c shows frictional force Ff acting on parking arm 136 .
  • F1 ⁇ results from current i cw flowing through coil 244 in the presence of magnetic field B.
  • F1 ⁇ is in a direction opposite to F2 ⁇ , one of the orthogonal components of F2.
  • Ff is in the same direction as F2 74 and results from friction between the parking arm 136 and, for example, base 104 .
  • the frictional force Ff can be calculated as a function of F2 ⁇ and the coefficient of friction Mu between, for example, the parking arm 136 and base 104 .
  • F1 74 should exceed F2 74 plus Ff. It is a design goal to unpark parking arm 136 with the lowest current i cw possible to save power. This can be done by increasing the magnetic field B, the number of turns times current, minimizing the gap between parking coil 244 and parking magnet 240 , and/or minimizing the coefficient of friction Mu between the parking arm 136 and base 104 .
  • FIG. 14 b shows parking arm 136 in the unparked state.
  • parking coil 244 is energized with current i cw to maintain parking arm 136 in the unparked state.
  • the magnitude of current i cw to maintain parking arm 136 in the unparked state should be less than the magnitude of i cw needed to unpark parking arm 136 .
  • FIG. 14 b the interaction of i cw flowing through wire 248 and the magnetic field B creates Lorentz force F cw .
  • FIG. 14 b shows only one Lorentz force F cw 248 acting on wire segment 252 of coil 244 through which current i cw flows.
  • FIG. 14 b shows only the ⁇ components of F1 and FC, it being understood that orthogonal ⁇ components of F1 and FC are also created.
  • FIG. 14 a shows F1 ⁇ resulting from the current in the coil 24 (FIG. 14 b ) as well as F2 which is the attractive force of the magnets to the base steel plate 246 .
  • F2 ⁇ the horizontal component of F2, works in the direction opposite that of F1 ⁇ .
  • the magnitude of force vector F2 ⁇ is greater than that shown in FIG. 14 c . The result is a stronger F2 74 to park the parking arm 136 when coil 244 is de-energized.
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of system 100 shown in FIG. 7 b taken along line DD thereof and illustrates operational aspects of parking actuator assembly 134 .
  • F1 is eliminated.
  • Force F2 ⁇ causes parking arm 136 to rotate in the positive ⁇ direction and drive wedge 236 into the gap between extension 190 b and upper focus stop 140 .
  • Force F2 ⁇ is sufficient in magnitude to drive wedge 236 into the gap between extension 190 b and upper focus stop 140 , after (1) wedge 236 first engages upper focus stop 140 , or (2) wedge 236 first engages extension 190 b .
  • F2 ⁇ causes wedge 236 to slide against the bottom surface of upper focus stop 140 or extension 190 b after wedge 236 first engages upper focus stop 140 or extension 190 b .
  • focus arm 146 rotates about axis 152 (FIG. 8 a ) in the negative ⁇ direction until the bottom surface of extension 190 a engages lower focus stop 212 of base 104 (FIG. 10 b ).
  • wedge surface 238 may continue to slide against extension 190 b until wedge 236 engages upper focus stop 140 .
  • actuator assembly 134 may move in response to forces created by the rotation and focus motors. It is noted actuator assembly 134 will be in substantially the same ⁇ position it was before it was parked.
  • a raised portion may be formed on wedge 236 at position 252 shown in FIGS. 11 a and 11 c .
  • this raised portion would have a rounded surface that engages upper focus stop 140 while parking arm 136 parks actuator assembly 134 .
  • the raised portion would operate to reduce friction between the parking arm 136 and upper focus stop 140 .
  • extension 190 b is shown with a right-angled edge that engages wedge surface 238 . In the alternative, this edge may be beveled to reduce the friction between wedge surface 238 and extension 190 b . It is also noted that frame 144 includes carbon fiber layer 176 a having extension 190 a . In the alternative, carbon fiber layer 176 a could be eliminated so that extension 190 b engages surface (lower focus stop) 212 while actuator assembly 134 and parking arm 136 are in the parked state.
  • spindle motor 116 is mounted to a surface of base 104 opposite to that shown in FIG. 7 a .
  • two components can be mounted, coupled, or connected together directly or indirectly via one or more intermediate components.
  • Cylinder 130 of spindle motor 116 extends through an aperture in base 104 and is rotatable therein.
  • cylinder 130 engages and rotates data storage disk 126 .
  • Z-datums 132 a - 132 d define raised surfaces of base 104 .
  • the cartridge shell 120 FIG.
  • spindle motor 116 should be mounted to base 104 so that z-datums 132 a - 132 d are contained in a plane that is parallel to and separated by a length R from a plane that defines the top of cylinder 130 .
  • FIG. 16 a is a top view of a tool 260 for mounting spindle motor 116 to base 104 .
  • FIG. 16 b is a cross-sectional view of tool 260 shown in FIG. 16 a taken through line EE thereof.
  • Tool 260 in one embodiment, is integrally formed from steel or other rigid material that is attracted to a magnet. With continued reference to FIG. 16 b , tool 260 has oppositely facing top and bottom surfaces 262 and 264 , respectively. Bottom surface 264 should be flat or substantially flat.
  • a disk shaped recess 266 is formed in the bottom surface 264 .
  • a recess sidewall 270 and a recess surface 272 define recess 266 .
  • Recess surface 272 should be flat or substantially flat and parallel or substantially parallel to bottom surface 264 . Recess surface 272 should be separated from bottom surface 264 by length R, the same length that separates the plane containing z-datums 132 a - 132 d from the plane that contains the top of cylinder 130 .
  • tool 260 includes an aperture 274 extending between the top and bottom surfaces 262 and 264 . Tool aperture 274 is sized to receive pin 264 extending from z-datum 132 c (FIG. 12).
  • FIG. 16 c shows an exploded perspective view of tool 260 , base 104 , and spindle motor 116 .
  • Base 104 includes an aperture 280 through which cylinder 130 extends when spindle motor 116 is mounted.
  • Tool 260 is securely positioned on base 104 so that bottom surface 264 engages z-datums 132 a - 132 d and datum pin aperture 274 receives datum pin 276 .
  • a clamp (not shown) can be used to secure the position of tool 260 on base 104 .
  • FIG. 16 d is a top view of tool 260 securely positioned on base 104 .
  • An adhesive such as a UV light sensitive adhesive is applied to base to motor bonding surface 268 and/or spindle motor bonding surface 278 .
  • ASEC 550 LVUV-J is one UV light sensitive adhesive that may be used.
  • the amount of applied adhesive should be enough to coat bonding surfaces 268 and/or 278 , but should be limited to prevent squeeze out of adhesive between bonding surfaces 268 and 278 when spindle motor is mounted to base 104 .
  • cylinder 130 is inserted through base aperture 280 until the top of cylinder 130 engages recess surface 266 of tool 260 . In this position, bonding surfaces 268 and 278 engage each other with a thin layer of adhesive therebetween.
  • cylinder 130 may be inserted through base aperture 280 before tool 260 is positioned on z-datums 132 a - 132 d .
  • the adhesive might be applied to bonding surfaces 268 and/or 278 after cylinder 130 is inserted through base aperture 280 . In this latter embodiment, a small gap is created between bonding surfaces 268 and 278 into which the adhesive is wicked. More particularly, adhesive is provided at the end of the gap between adjacent bonding surfaces 268 and 278 . The adhesive is then drawn into the gap by capillary action between the bonding surfaces 268 and 278 until the gap is filled or substantially filled.
  • FIG. 16 e is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 16 d .
  • FIG. 16 e shows cylinder 130 extending through base 104 and engaging recess surface 272 , datum pin 276 received in datum pin aperture 274 , and bottom surface 264 engaging z-datum 132 c .
  • a disk chuck 282 of spindle motor 116 magnetically attracts spindle motor 116 to tool 260 and operates to maintain contact between cylinder 130 and recess surface 272 .
  • the top of cylinder 130 is in proper alignment with z-datums 132 a - 132 d .
  • the plane containing the top of cylinder 130 is substantially parallel to and separated by R from the plane containing z-datums 132 a - 132 d.
  • the adhesive between base 104 and spindle motor 116 is cured to create a fixed bound therebetween.
  • UV light is applied to the UV light sensitive adhesive between base 104 and spindle motor 116 for approximately 10 to 30 seconds to first create a tacked bond between base 104 and spindle motor 116 .
  • a UV cured surface may be formed on the adhesive. This UV cured surface may prevent oxygen from passing therethrough. Without oxygen, the remaining adhesive between bonding surfaces 268 and 278 may experience anaerobic curing to further bond the surfaces.
  • the tacked and/or anaerobic bond is not strong, but strong enough to maintain alignment of the spindle motor through a thermal cure process to create a stronger bond.
  • the process for creating the fixed bond can vary from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the process. After the fixed bond is created, tool 260 is separated from base 104 .

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Optical Recording Or Reproduction (AREA)
  • Moving Of Heads (AREA)
  • Moving Of The Head For Recording And Reproducing By Optical Means (AREA)
US09/946,015 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Device and method for mounting a spindle motor to a base in a miniature optical disk drive Abandoned US20030041439A1 (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/946,015 US20030041439A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Device and method for mounting a spindle motor to a base in a miniature optical disk drive
US09/946,038 US20030043727A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Eccentric CAM for limiting actuator tracking
US09/945,944 US20030043729A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Mechanism for limiting actuator assembley movement in a data storage/retrieval system
US09/945,914 US20030043726A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Focus stop for limiting actuator assembly focus travel
US09/946,075 US6826138B2 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Method for aligning actuator assembly to a base in a miniature optical disk drive
AU2002323578A AU2002323578A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2002-09-03 Optical disk drive actuator assembly
PCT/US2002/028035 WO2003021303A2 (fr) 2001-09-04 2002-09-03 Ensemble actionneur pour entrainement de disque optique
KR10-2004-7003290A KR20040047805A (ko) 2001-09-04 2002-09-03 광디스크 드라이브 액츄에이터 조립체의 이동을 제한하는방법 및 장치

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/946,015 US20030041439A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Device and method for mounting a spindle motor to a base in a miniature optical disk drive
US09/946,038 US20030043727A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Eccentric CAM for limiting actuator tracking
US09/945,944 US20030043729A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Mechanism for limiting actuator assembley movement in a data storage/retrieval system
US09/945,914 US20030043726A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Focus stop for limiting actuator assembly focus travel
US09/946,075 US6826138B2 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Method for aligning actuator assembly to a base in a miniature optical disk drive

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030041439A1 true US20030041439A1 (en) 2003-03-06

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Family Applications (5)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/946,038 Abandoned US20030043727A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Eccentric CAM for limiting actuator tracking
US09/945,914 Abandoned US20030043726A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Focus stop for limiting actuator assembly focus travel
US09/945,944 Abandoned US20030043729A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Mechanism for limiting actuator assembley movement in a data storage/retrieval system
US09/946,075 Expired - Fee Related US6826138B2 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Method for aligning actuator assembly to a base in a miniature optical disk drive
US09/946,015 Abandoned US20030041439A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Device and method for mounting a spindle motor to a base in a miniature optical disk drive

Family Applications Before (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/946,038 Abandoned US20030043727A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Eccentric CAM for limiting actuator tracking
US09/945,914 Abandoned US20030043726A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Focus stop for limiting actuator assembly focus travel
US09/945,944 Abandoned US20030043729A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Mechanism for limiting actuator assembley movement in a data storage/retrieval system
US09/946,075 Expired - Fee Related US6826138B2 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 Method for aligning actuator assembly to a base in a miniature optical disk drive

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (5) US20030043727A1 (fr)
KR (1) KR20040047805A (fr)
AU (1) AU2002323578A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2003021303A2 (fr)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2003021303A2 (fr) 2003-03-13
WO2003021303A3 (fr) 2003-10-16
US20030043727A1 (en) 2003-03-06
US20030043726A1 (en) 2003-03-06
US20030043729A1 (en) 2003-03-06
AU2002323578A1 (en) 2003-03-18
US6826138B2 (en) 2004-11-30
KR20040047805A (ko) 2004-06-05
US20030043717A1 (en) 2003-03-06

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