WO2016036266A1

WO2016036266A1 - Tool for head replacement on hard drives

Info

Publication number: WO2016036266A1
Application number: PCT/RS2014/000007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nikola RADOVANOVIĆ; Žarko DAMJANOVIĆ
Original assignee: Hddsurgery D.O.O.
Priority date: 2014-09-02
Filing date: 2014-09-02
Publication date: 2016-03-10

Abstract

Head replacement tool solves the problem associated with head replacement in modern hard disk drives. Head replacement tool enables safe dismounting of damaged read/write heads, integrally with their mechanism and electronics, and its replacing with functional head stack assembly in purpose of data recovery. During entire head replacement process i.e. dismounting damaged heads and mounting functional ones, ferromagnetic read/write heads do not come in any kind of contact with the surfaces of magnetic disks or other read/write heads. The tools itself also don't come in contact with surface of magnetic disks. Current head replacement practice is based on replacement of the entire abovementioned assembly, whereby the read/write heads come into contact with the surface of the magnetic disks or come into mutual contact. Tool snouts lift read/write heads up or separate them, and carry them to the area where they can be safely dismounted. Mounting of functional heads is identical but with the reverse order of operations.

Description

Tool for head replacement on hard drives

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a field of data recovery from modern hard disk drives i.e. process of replacing the read/write heads. Hard disk drives (HDD), to which this invention relates to, have n magnetic disks and 2n or 2n-1 read/write heads per one magnetic disk. While turned off, hard disk drives park their heads either on disk landing zones (non-magnetic area of HDD magnetic disks) or on a ramp (cam-like structure located outside of the area of magnetic disks).

Technical problem

The present invention solves the problem associated with head replacement in HDDs, which park their heads on landing zones or on a ramp. This invention enables safe dismounting of damaged read/write heads, integrally with their mechanism and electronics, and its replacing with functional head stack assembly in purpose of data recovery. During entire head replacement process i.e. dismounting damaged heads and mounting functional ones, ferromagnetic read/write heads do not come in any kind of contact with the surfaces of magnetic disks or other read/write heads. The tools itself also don't come in contact with surface of magnetic disks.

Background of the invention

Data recovery from damaged hard drives, carried out by the means of head replacement, is based on the replacement of the entire head assembly comprising the read/write heads - data readers, the actuator arm - heads support, associated electronic components and contact providing members - connectors. Current head replacement practice is based on replacement of the entire abovementioned assembly, whereby the read/write heads come into contact with the surface of the magnetic disks or come into mutual contact. The contact between the read/write heads and surfaces of magnetic disks causes damage of disks, thus making the data impossible to read on damaged areas. This damage is also threat for functional heads after head replacement as they could be damaged during data reading. Mutual contact between read/write heads causes their damage thus making them unusable. Also, while the read/write heads are outside of disks area or after taking them off the ramp, their mutual contact is prevented with pieces of paper, rubber or similar materials. This procedure leaves much space for mistakes which can lead to damage of read/write heads or other parts of head assembly.

Summary of the Invention

A) Tool for head replacement on hard drives with central parking system

Device of the invention comprises an aluminum shank 1 with projecting snouts 9 utilized for lifting up and holding of the read/write heads 11 from the surface of magnetic disks 14, tool fixing, bearing and rotation mechanism (Fig.5) and securing pin 7. The snout configuration (Fig.2) enables the read/write heads 11 to be uniformly lifted by the front side of the snout 9 during the tool rotation around the central rotation axle 2. The curvature 8 of the snout 9 enables the heads 11 to be lifted up to desired level for the purpose of their safe carrying over the surface of the magnetic disks 14. Otherwise, a contact between the read/write heads 11 and the magnetic disks 14 surfaces would damage the disks 14, as well as the read/write heads A high value of the tool lies in a fact that its use enables dismounting of the read/write heads 11 , integrally with the actuator arm 15 and electronic components, moving them to a position where they can be safely dismantled and replaced, the whole time staying free from any contact with the magnetic disks 14. In addition, the installation of new, properly working heads is also performed in a contact-free manner. Absence of any contact between the sensitive surface of the magnetic disks 4 and hard ferrite surfaces of the read/write heads 11 enables simple and in terms of data recovery - safe operation.

Described contact-free head replacement technique enables the same heads i.e. the integral head assembly to be used number of times without a danger of being damaged.

Due to existence of great number of different HDD models from different manufacturers, it is not possible to use one head replacement tool to perform head replacement on all HDDs with central parking system. Components, principle of operation and shape are identical for all head replacement tools, but for the sake of successful operation certain differences in dimension and some construction details are necessary. All of these construction details will be explained hereinafter. B) Tool for head replacement on hard drives with ramp parking system

Device of the invention comprises an aluminum shank 1 with projecting snouts 4 utilized for separating the read/write heads 1 after taking them off the ramp 15. Tool is mounted on the actuator arm of the head assembly 14 by placing its center axle 2 through corresponding hole 24 of the actuator arm of the head assembly 14. While read/write heads 11 are still on the ramp, rotating the tool around axis of its central axle 2 brings tool snouts 4 between read/write heads 11 parked on the ramp 15. The curvature 8 of the snout 4 enables easily placing of the snout 4 between read/write heads 11 of different hard disk drives, which increases its possibility of use. Position of the read/write heads 1 1 in relation to the head replacement tool is secured by providing a securing pin 3. When taking the read/write heads 11 off the ramp 15, they remain separated by relying on top 5 and bottom 6 surface of each snout 4. Otherwise, mutual contact between the read/write heads 11 would damage them.

A high value of the tool lies in a fact that its use enables dismounting of the read/write heads 11 , integrally with the actuator arm 14 and electronic components, moving them to a position where they can be safely dismantled and replaced, the whole time staying free from any mutual contact. In addition, the installation of new, properly working heads is also performed in a mutual contact-free manner. Absence of any mutual contact between the read/write heads enables simple and in terms of data recovery - safe operation.

Due to existence of great number of different HDD models from different manufacturers, it is not possible to use one head replacement tool to perform head replacement on all HDDs with ramp parking system. Components and principle of operation and are identical for all ramp head replacement tools, but for the sake of successful operation certain differences in shape, dimension and some construction details are necessary. All of these construction details will be explained hereinafter. Brief Description of the Drawings

A)

Figure 1 shows isometric projections and cross sectional and isometric views of the tool produced according to the invention.

Figures 2A and 2B show the snouts 9 which are being placed under the heads 11 and facilitate the head lifting, with characteristic snout curvature that enables the head lifting operation. The head 1 1 is lifted by the rim of the curvature. A bevel determines the speed and the lifting height.

Figure 3 shows the head replacement tool 16, mounted on the actuator arm 15 outside the hard disk drive. The read/write heads 1 are secured to the snouts 10 by the means of a securing pin 7.

Figure 4 shows the tool 16 mounted on the hard disk drive with heads 11 in parked position. The snouts and the disk surface are not in any kind of contact.

Figure 5 shows the cross-section of the fixing, bearing and rotation mechanism that enables radial tool movement in a horizontal plane around the head assembly axle.

Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show three variants of the tool central rotation axle depending on type of the hard drive on which tool is intended to be used.

Figures 7A, 7B and 7C show three variants of the tools snouts configuration depending on type of the hard drive on which tool is intended to be used.

Figure 8 shows the tool variants with and without securing pin hole 46. B)

Figure 9 shows isometric projections and cross sectional and isometric views of the tool produced according to the invention.

Figure 10 shows the heads separating snouts which are being placed between the read/write heads 11 while they are still parked on a ramp. Curvature enables same tool to be used on different hard drive mechanics thus increasing its possibility of use.

Figure 11 shows the head replacement tool 16, mounted on the actuator arm outside the hard disk drive. The read/write heads are mutually separated by the tool snouts and secured to the tool by the means of a securing pin.

Figure 12 shows the tool mounted on the hard disk drive while heads 11 are parked on a ramp 15.

Figure 13 shows the cross-section of the tool with its center axle and securing pin.

Figures 14A and 14B show two variants of the tool locking for the head assembly depending on availability of technical holes on the actuator arm

Figures 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D and 15E show five variants of the tool snouts configuration depending on type of the hard drive (number of magnetic disks) on which tool is intended to be used. Figure 16 show different shapes of ramp head replacement tools.

Figures 17A, 17B and 17C show variant A of head assembly with indivisible magnets, use of head replacement and support tool in head replacement process on these hard disk drives and isometric views of support tool.

Figures 18A, 18B and 18C show variant B of head assembly with indivisible magnets, use of head replacement and support tool in head replacement process on these hard disk drives and isometric views of support tool.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A)

Figures 1 - 8 illustrate a HDD head replacement tool for hard disk drives with head parking directly on the magnetic disk (14) surface.

Figure 1 represents shape i.e. design of the head replacement tool 16. Shape of its shank 1 enables, during tool rotation around its central rotation axle 2 fixed to head stack assembly 15, tool snouts 9 to touch read/write heads 11 in their articulated section 12. This is first condition which must be fulfilled in order to perform successful head lifting.

Figures 2A and 2B represent shape of head replacement tool snouts 9. Snout 9 for head lifting, with its front come in contact with articulated section 12 of read/write head 11 and lifts it on safe height. Front section of the snout enables this lifting with specially designed curvature/radius 8.

Figures 7A, 7B and 7C represent tool configuration which enables lifting the heads 11 while tool 16 itself don't come in contact with magnetic disks 14. Snout carriers 32, 35, 42 and 45 during rotation of the tool around central axle 2, pass through narrow empty space between magnetic disks 14. During rotation, neither part of the tool come in contact with the magnetic disks 14 and tool snouts 9 are positioned on exact predefined level above/below their surface to perform heads 1 1 lifting.

Figure 5 represents cross-section of the mechanism for fixing, bearing and rotation of the head replacement tool 16. This mechanism contains central axle 2 which connects tool 16 and head stack assembly 15, two ball-bearings 20 mutually separated by the salience 21 in the tool body 1 , two annular jumper retainers 5 for height insurance and protective washer 23. Central rotation axle 2 contains hole with two diameters, larger and longer which starts from the top of the axle and smaller and shorter one near the bottom of the axle. Purpose of these two diameters is creating a fixation point 24 i.e. spot for connection of tool 16 and head assembly 15 with fixing bolt 18. Bottom of the centre axle 2 is designed in three variants, depending on which HDD model head replacement should be performed. All three construction variants will be explained hereinafter.

Figure 4 shows the HDD casing 13 and read/write heads 11 on actuator arm 15 mounted on the HDD magnetic data disks 14. Actuator arm 15 with read/write heads 11 is parked in a designated place in the central part of the magnetic disks 14 i.e. near HDD motor, resting in a so called parked position.

Dismantling of the actuator arm 15 and associated electronic components begins with tool 16 mounting.

Tightening the fixing bolt 18 connects centre axle 2 of the tool 16 with the head stack assembly 15 and places the tool 16 in appropriate position in which the snouts 9 for lifting up and holding the heads 11 are placed parallel to the surface of HDD magnetic disks 14. Maximum tightening of the fixing bolt 18 enables the tool snouts 9 to be positioned at a height appropriate for safe entering of the snouts in gaps between the HDD magnetic disks 14. Movement of the tool shank 1 enables a contact-free entering of the snouts 9 in the gaps between the HDD magnetic disks 14. Front section of the snout 8 is positioned under the articulated section of the heads 12 which carry the magnetic read/write heads 11 and electronic components. The curvature 8 of the snout 9 enable read/write head 11 lifting. A securing pin 7 secures the shank 1 and actuator arm 15, therefore preventing their separation.

Shank 1 rotation in the opposite direction compared to the direction of initial rotation shifts the entire assembly 15 outside the surface area of the magnetic disks 14. Loosening up the fixing bolt 18 enables the entire head assembly 15, fixed to the tool 16 by the means of bolt 18 and securing pin 7, to be dismounted.

New head mounting procedure is identical to the one explained, but with a reverse order of operations.

There are a great number of different hard drive models with central parking system, from different manufacturers, present on the market. Due to this great number of different HDD models there is a great diversity between different hard drive mechanics. For successful head replacement on different HDD mechanics it is needed to use head replacement tools which dimensions and certain design details correspond to particular HDD mechanics. All abovementioned head replacement tools characteristics are same for all of the head replacement tools. They differ only in dimensions and details that will be written hereinafter.

1 ) Depending on the type of connection between head assembly 15 and HDD casing 13 on drives with different mechanics, there are three different designs of head replacement tool central rotation axle 2.

Design of central rotation axle 2 of the head replacement tools 16 meant to be used on hard disk drives on which head assembly 15 and HDD casing 13 are connected by using the bolt through the hole of the underside of the casing is shown on figure 6A. Identical is design of the central rotation axle 2 of the head replacement tool 16 meant to be used on the hard disk drives on which heads stack assembly 15 is mounted on the pivot shaft of the HDD casing 13.

Design of central rotation axle 2 of the head replacement tools 16 meant to be used on hard disk drives on which head assembly 15 is connected to HDD casing 13 via threaded cylinder which is integral part of the head stack assembly 15 axle or integral part of the HDD casing 13, while its topside has horizontal cut is shown on Figure 2. Function of salience 29 on the underside of the tool central rotation axle 2 is mounting of the tool 16 by using abovementioned corresponding horizontal cut. Cut 30 on the topside of the tool central rotation axle 2 gives possibility of using of flat screwdriver during dismounting of the tool 6 and heads assembly 5 during the process of head replacement.

Design of central rotation axle 2 of the head replacement tools 16 meant to be used on hard disk drives on which heads assembly 15 is connected to HDD casing 13 via threaded cylinder which is integral part of heads assembly 15 while topside of the axle of heads assembly 15 is flat is shown on figure 6C. Function of notches 31 on the underside of the tool central rotation axle 2 is to increase friction between bottom surface of the central rotation axle 2 and top surface of the axle of the heads assembly 15 during head replacement process. When fixing bolt 18 is tightened, notches 31 from the underside of central rotation axle carve into top surface of the heads assembly 15 axle thus ensuring that firstly will be loosened threaded connection between heads assembly 15 and HDD casing 13 during dismounting of the tool 16 and heads assembly 15. Function of the cut 30 on the topside of the tool central rotation axle 2 is same as in previous variant. 2) Number of head replacement tool snouts or number of snout carriers

Depending on whether the tool 16 is intended to be used for head replacement on hard disk drives with 1 , 2, 3, 4 or more magnetic disks 14 or 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more heads 11 , there are different types of head replacement tool 16 designs in terms of number of tools snouts 9 and number of their carriers 32, 35, 42 and 45.

The highest and the lowest, respectively the first and the last snout 9 always come single per snout carrier 32, 35, 42 and 45, while other snouts 9 come in pairs per snout carrier 32, 35, 42 and 45. Top snout carrier 32 is the thickest and it is integral part with the rest upper part of the tool shank 1. Other snout carriers 35, 42 and 45 are thinner and they are mutually divided with free space, which dimension depends on thickness of the magnetic disks 14 of the hard disk drives on which head replacement tool 16 is meant to be used. Number of snouts 9 corresponds with maximum number of heads 1 ) on hard drive models on which certain head replacement tool 16 is meant to be used. Roots of the snout carriers 32, 35, 42 and 45 are positioned at exact distance not to touch magnetic disks 14 during the tool 16 rotation.

3) Use of securing pin 7 which function is to fix head stack assembly 15 for the head replacement tool 16 is limited on certain percentage of hard disk drive models. On other HDD models there is no adequate opening in the head assembly which could be used for its securing for the tool by securing pin 7. Use of the tool 16 without securing pin 7 is possible but it demands additional precautions.

B)

Figures 9-18 illustrate a HDD head replacement tool 16 for hard disk drives with ramp 15 head parking system as well as support tools used on some specific HDD models.

Figure 9 represents shape i.e. design of the ramp head replacement tool 16. Shape of its shank 1 enables positioning of the tool snouts 4 between read/write heads 1 1 parked on a ramp 15 during tool 16 rotation around axis of its central axle 2. During this rotation and positioning snouts 4 don't come in any kind of contact with ferrites/sliders 1 1.

Figure 10 represents shape of ramp head replacement tool snouts 4. After positioning tool snouts 4 between read/write heads 1 1 and taking the heads off the ramp 15, read/write heads rely on both sides 5 and 6 of the tool snouts 4. Snout 4 is wide enough to separate heads 1 1 and to allow their safe relocation to the ramp 15 of another hard drive. Curvature 8 of ramp head replacement tool snout 4 enables same tool 16 to be used on different hard drive models thus increasing its possibility of use. Root 7 of the tool snout 4 limits rotation of the tool and defines its end position during rotation.

Figures 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D and 15E represent tool 16 configuration which enables separating read/write heads 11 on hard drives with different number of magnetic disks 13 and read/write heads 11.

Figure 13 represents cross-section of the ramp head replacement tool 16. Tool consists of aluminum shank 1 which has two holes, one for central axle 21 and other for securing pin 22. Tool shape 20 gives form to its snouts 4. Handle of the tool 19 is also formed by its shape and it is used for easier manipulation with the tool.

Figure 12 shows the HDD casing 12 and read/write heads 1 1 on actuator arm 14 parked on a ramp 15 outside of HDD magnetic data disks 13 surface. Dismantling of the actuator arm 14 and associated electronic components begins with tool 16 mounting. Rotation of the tool 16 around its central axle 2 brings its snouts 4 between read/write heads 1 1 parked on a ramp 15. Position of the read/write heads 1 1 in relation to the tool 16 is secured with securing pin 17, which goes either through tool 16 and head assembly 15 or through tool (Fig. 14A) and to the side of head assembly (Fig. 14B). The curvature 8 of the snout 4 enables ramp head replacement tool 16 to be used on different hard disk drive models thus increasing its possibility of use.

After securing heads 1 1 are positioned on the tool 16, rotation of the entire head assembly 14 to the right takes read/write heads 1 off the ramp 15. After taking them off the ramp 5, read/write heads 11 rely on both sides 5 and 6 of the ramp head replacement tool snouts 4 which separate them and prevent mutual contact. After this, complete head assembly 14 can be safely dismounted from patient hard drive.

There are a great number of different hard drive models with ramp parking system, from different manufacturers, present on the market. Due to this great number of different HDD models there is a great diversity between different hard drive mechanics. For successful head replacement on different HDD mechanics it is needed to use head replacement tools 16 which dimensions and certain design details corresponding to particular HDD mechanics. All abovementioned head replacement tools characteristics are same for all of the head replacement tools. They differ only in shape, dimensions and following details:

1 ) Depending on the availability of technical holes on the actuator arm, of which one is necessary for mounting of the tool, there are two ways of securing the heads to the tool.

When actuator arm 23 of the hard drive has at least two holes, one hole 24 can be used for tool mounting via tool center axle 2 while other hole 25 can be used to secure the head assembly 14 to the tool 28 by providing securing pin 27.

On the hard drives which actuator arm 14 has only one available hole, this hole 29 is used for tool mounting via its center axle 2 while the head assembly position is secured with securing pin 30 which goes to the side of the head assembly 14.

2) Depending on whether the tool is intended to be used for head replacement on hard disk drives with 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 or more magnetic disks 13 with 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more heads 1 1 , there are different types of head replacement tool 16 designs in terms of number of tools snouts 4.

Number of ramp tool snouts 4 coincides with number of magnetic disks 13 of the hard drive on which tool 16 is intended to be used.

3) Shape of the tool 16 is different from tool to tool depending on position of tool mounting hole 24 in relation to read/write heads 1 1 as well as in relation to securing pin hole 25 (if available) - Fig.16. Also, dimensions of the central axle 2, as well as securing pin 3, differ from tool to tool as their dimensions depends on dimensions of corresponding holes on the actuator arm 14 of hard drive on which tool 16 is intended to be used.

4) Classical method of head replacement implies dismounting upper magnet 38 of the hard drive before heads 1 1 can be dismounted from the hard drive. On certain hard drive models upper magnet 38 can't be dismounted as it is forming a whole with a bottom magnet 39. On these hard drives, for safe and successful head replacement, support tools 42 and 59 must be used together with the head replacement tools 16. Support tools 42 and 59 are used to connect head assembly 14 and magnets 38 and 39 before head replacement and to secure their mutual relative position during the process. There are two variants of support tools depending on type of connection between magnets and the casing of hard drive. Support tool variant A 42 is used on hard drives on which bottom magnet 39, except being connected to upper magnet 38 by magnetic force, is fixed for the HDD casing 12 from below with a bolt. So, after loosening and removing bolts 40 and 41 from the upper magnet 38, which go through the bottom magnet 39 and by which bottom magnet 39 is also connected to the casing 12, bottom magnet 39 remained fixed for the HDD casing 12 with the bolt from the bottom side of the casing. After opening the hard drive casing 12 and mounting head replacement tool 16, heads 1 1 are taken off the ramp 15 by mounting support tool 42 by placing its centering pins 51 in a centering holes 41 of the upper magnet 38. Heads 1 are taken off the ramp 15 by pushing action of support tool pushing pin 50 which moves head assembly 36 to the right. After taking the read/write heads 1 1 off the ramp 15 entire head assembly 14 and both magnets 38 and 39 are fixed to the support tool 42 with a bolts 43 which go through and rely on holes 47 and 48 of the support tool 42 and go through threaded holes 40 and 41 of the head assembly axle and the upper magnet 38. After removing bolts which fix bottom magnet 39 to the casing 12 from below, entire assembly consisting of head assembly 36 and magnets 38 and 39 can be safely dismounted from the hard drive casing 12 while position of the head assembly 14 in relation to the magnets 38 and 39 remained secured.

Support tool variant B 59 is used on hard drives on which bottom magnet 56 is not fixed to HDD casing 12 separately, only by bolts 55 which go through both magnets 53 and 56. So, after loosening and removing bolts from the upper magnet 53, both magnets 53 and 56 are completely free from HDD casing 12. After mounting head replacement tool 61 and taking heads 52 off the ramp 15, support tool 59 should be mounted on the heads 52 and upper magnet 53 by placing its centering bolts 65 through security brake holes 54 of the upper magnet 53. One or both centering bolts 65 can be dismounted from the support tool 59 if one or both security brake holes 54 are not available. Support tool 59 is made of ferromagnetic material so it can form strong magnetic connection with the magnets 53 and 56. Threaded cocoon 63 movement enables support tool 59 usage on great number of different HDD models, since height difference between upper magnet 53 surface and surface of the head assembly axle 57 differs from model to model. Threaded cocoon 63 is moved until its two bottom surfaces 66 and 67 contact head assembly surfaces 58 and 57, respectively. After tightening bolt 60 head assembly 52 is connected to the support tool 59, while magnetic force keeps magnets 53 and 56 connected to it. Tightening same bolt makes notches of the threaded cocoon bottom surface 66 to carve into the highest head assembly surface 58 thus preventing head assembly 52 movement around its axle 57 while its connected to the support tool 59. After this, entire assembly consisting of heads 52 and magnets 53 and 56 can be safely dismounted from the hard drive while position of the head assembly 52 in relation to the magnets 53 and 56 remained secured.

A) Head replacement tool for HDDs with central parking system

Item No. Part name Fig.

1 Tool aluminum shank 1

2 Central rotation axle 1

3 Closing cap 1

4 Ball bearings 1

5 Annular jumper retainers 1

6 Protective washer 1

7 Securing pin 1

8 Lifting curvature of the head lifting and holding snouts 2

9 Head lifting and holding snouts 2

10 Head lifting and holding snout 3

11 Read/write heads - slider 3

12 Articulated section of the head assembly 3

13 Hard disk drive casing 4

14 Magnetic disks / HDD platters / magnetic data carriers 4

15 Actuator arm of head assembly carrying read/write heads 4 and accompanying electronic components

16 Head replacement tool 4

17 Securing pin 4

18 Fixing bolt 4

19 Central rotation axle 5

20 Ball bearings 5

21 Salience for separation of the bearings 5

22 Annular jumper retainers 5

23 Protective washer 5

24 Fixing bolt fixation point 5

25 Top surface with larger diameter hole 6A

26 Bottom surface with smaller diameter hole 6A

27 Fixing bolt fixation point 6A

28 Grooves for annular jumper retainers 6A

29 Salience for exact mounting 6B

30 Cut for the use of flat screwdriver 6B

31 Carving notches on the bottom surface of the axle 6C

32 Top (first) snout carrier 7A

33 Top (first) snout 7A

34 Bottom (last) snout 7A

35 Bottom (last) snout carrier 7A

36 Root of the snout carrier 7A

37 Second snout 7B

38 Third snout 7B

39 Second snout carrier 7B

40 Fourth snout 7B

41 Fifth snout 7B

42 Third snout carrier 7B

43 Sixth snout 7C

44 Seventh snout 7C

45 Fourth snout carrier 7C

46 Securing pin hole 8

47 Hole through which bolt connect support tool with axle of 17C the head assembly

48 Holes through which bolts connect support tool with upper 17C magnet

49 Handle 17C

50 Pushing pin 17C

51 Centering pins 17C

52 Head stack assembly 18A

53 Upper magnet 18A

54 Security brakes which limit head assembly movement 18A

55 Holes through which both magnets are connected to HDD 18A casing with bolts

56 Bottom magnet 18A

57 Axle of head stack assembly 18A

58 The highest surface of head assembly 18A

59 Support tool variant B 18B

60 Bolt which connects support tool and head assembly 18B

61 Head replacement tool 18B

62 Support tool body 18C

63 Threaded cocoon 18C

64 Handle 18C

65 Centering bolts 18C

66 Notched surface which contacts the highest surface of head 18C assembly

67 Surface which contacts axle of the head assembly 18C

Claims

1. A tool for head replacement on hard disk drives with head parking in the zone close to the central section of the magnetic disks, which comprises aluminum shank (1 ), fixed in a position parallel to the hard disk drive magnetic disks (14) by a fixing bolt (18), whereby the head lifting and holding snouts (9) project from the said shank (1 ) and with their front portions, characterized that it has snout lifting curvature (8), providing lifting of the read/write heads (1 1 ) above the surface of the magnetic disks (9) where the read/write heads (1 1 ) are parked, and whereby the tool (16) further comprises a tool fixing, bearing and rotation system and securing pin (7) which provides a connection along the horizontal plane during the head (1 1 ) dismantling and later mounting.

2. Central rotation axle (2) of the tool (16) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is part of the tool (16) used on a hard drives which head assembly (15) and HDD casing (13) are connected by using the bolt through the hole of the underside of the casing (13) or on which heads assembly is mounted on the pivot shaft of the HDD casing (13).

3. Central rotation axle (2) of the tool (16) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is part of the tool (16) used on a hard disk drives on which head assembly (15) is connected to HDD casing (13) via threaded cylinder which is integral part of the head stack assembly (15) axle or integral part of the HDD casing (13), while its topside has horizontal cut.

4. Central rotation axle (2) of the tool (16) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is part of the tool (16) used on a hard disk drives on which heads assembly (15) is connected to HDD casing (13) via threaded cylinder which is integral part of heads assembly (15) while topside of the axle of head assembly (15) is flat.

5. Snouts (9) configuration of the tool (16) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tool (16) is used on a hard drives which have 1 magnetic disk (14) and either 2 or 1 read/write heads (1 1 ).

6. Snouts (9) configuration of the tool (16) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tool (16) is used on a hard drives which have 2 or 3 magnetic disks (14) and either 6 and 5 or 4 and 3 read/write heads (1 1 ).

7. Snouts (9) configuration of the tool (16) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tool (16) is used on a hard drives which have 4 magnetic disks (14) and either 8 or 7 read/write heads (1 1 ).

8. Design of the tool (16) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is used on hard drives which head assembly (15) has or don't has securing pin hole.

9. A tool (16) for head replacement characterized in that is used on a hard disk drives with ramp (15) head parking system which comprises aluminum shank (1 ), mounted on actuator arm (14), whereby the tool rotation around axis of its central axle (2) brings tool snouts (4) between read/write heads (1 1 ) parked on a ramp (15), curvature (8) of the snout (4) enables easily placing of the snout (4) between read/write heads (1 1 ) of different hard disk drives, which increases its possibility of use while root (7) of the snout (4) limits tool (16) rotation and defines its end position during rotation.

10. Principle of locking head assembly (14) to the head replacement tool (16) according to claim 9, characterized in that except tool mounting hole (24), there is at least one other available hole (25) on the actuator arm of the head assembly ( 4).

11. Principle of locking head assembly (14) to the head replacement tool (16) according to claim 9, characterized in that except tool mounting hole (29) there are no other available hole on the actuator arm of the head assembly (14).

12. Snouts (4) configuration of the tool (16) according to claim 9, characterized in that the tool (16) is used on a hard drives which have 1 magnetic disk (13) and either 2 or 1 read/write heads (11 ).

13. Snouts (4) configuration of the tool (16) according to claim 9, characterized in that the tool (16) is used on a hard drives which have 2 magnetic disks (13) and either 4 or 3 read/write heads (11 ).

14. Snouts (4) configuration of the tool (16) according to claim 9, characterized in that the tool (16) is used on a hard drives which have 3 magnetic disks (13) and either 6 or 5 read/write heads (11 ).

15. Snouts (4) configuration of the tool (16) according to claim 9, characterized in that the tool (16) is used on a hard drives which have 4 magnetic disks (13) and either 8 or 7 read/write heads (11 ).

16. Snouts configuration (4) of the tool according to claim 9, characterized in that the tool (16) is used on a hard drives which have 5 magnetic disks (13) and either 10 or 9 read/write heads (11 ).

17. Support tool (42) of the head replacement tool (16) according to claim 9, characterized in that is used on hard drives on which bottom magnet (39), except being connected to upper magnet (38) by magnetic force, is fixed for the HDD casing (13) from below with a bolt.

8. Support tool (59) of the head replacement tool (16) according to claim 9, characterized in that it is used on hard drives on which bottom magnet (56) is not fixed to HDD casing (13) separately, only by bolts which go through both magnets (53 and 56).