Actuator Load/Unload Ramp

Abstract

An actuator assembly is provided having a ramp for unloading a transducing head from a storage medium. The actuator assembly includes an actuator arm rotatable about a pivot point and configured to access data on a storage medium. The actuator arm has a base end coupled to a lift tab and a distal end coupled to a transducing head. The actuator assembly also includes an inclined surface located adjacent the base end. The inclined surface is configured to engage with the lift tab to guide the transducing head away from the storage medium.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a disc drive.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an actuator assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified sectional diagram of the actuator assembly illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of an actuator assembly.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the actuator assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 mounted to a top cover, including a ramp and crash stop.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the actuator assembly, ramp, crash stop and top cover illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a simplified sectional diagram of a disc drive including an actuator assembly in a parked position.

Claims

1. An actuator assembly comprising: an actuator arm rotatable about a pivot point and configured to access data on a storage medium, the actuator arm having a base end coupled to a lift tab and a distal end coupled to a transducing head; andan inclined surface located adjacent the base end, wherein the inclined surface is configured to engage with the lift tab to guide the transducing head away from the storage medium.

2. The actuator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a crash stop located adjacent the base end of the actuator arm, the crash stop comprising a first side end that prevents the transducing head from traveling beyond an outer diameter of a storage medium and a second side end.

3. The actuator assembly of claim 2, wherein the first send end and the second side end are coupled together by a bottom end.

4. The actuator assembly of claim 3, further comprising a ramp including the inclined surface and a top surface, wherein the top surface is spaced apart from the bottom end of the crash stop.

5. The actuator assembly of claim 4, wherein the ramp is integrally formed with second side end of the crash stop.

6. The actuator assembly of claim 4, wherein the ramp is coupled to the second side of the crash stop.

7. The actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator arm further comprises a voice coil motor located at the base end of the actuator arm including an outer leg closer to the base end than an inner leg.

8. The actuator assembly of claim 7, wherein the lift tab is coupled to the outer leg of the voice coil motor.

9. The actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator arm further comprises a hinge that allows the distal end of the actuator arm to move towards a top cover of a data storage system.

10. A data storage system comprising: an actuator arm rotatable about a pivot point and configured to access data on the storage medium, the actuator arm having a base end coupled to a lift tab and a distal end coupled to a transducing head; anda ramp located adjacent the base end and having an inclined surface that is configured to engage with the lift tab to guide the distal end of the actuator arm towards a top cover of the data storage system.

11. The data storage system of claim 10, further comprising a crash stop located adjacent the base end of the actuator arm, the crash stop comprising a first side end that prevents the transducing head from traveling beyond an outer diameter of a storage medium and a second side end.

12. The data storage system of claim 11, wherein the ramp is integrally formed with the second side end of the crash stop.

13. The data storage system of claim 10, wherein the lift tab is coupled to a voice coil motor located at the base end of the actuator arm for rotating the actuator arm about the pivot point.

14. The data storage system of claim 10, wherein the actuator arm further comprises a hinge that allows the distal end of the actuator arm to move towards the top cover of the data storage system.

15. The data storage system of claim 14, wherein the hinge extends between side edges of the actuator arm.

16. The data storage system of claim 15, wherein the hinge is located between the base end and the distal end.

17. The data storage system of claim 16, wherein the hinge is located at the pivot point.

18. The data storage system of claim 15, wherein the hinge provides a preload force to the transducing head.

19. The data storage system of claim 10, further comprising a deflection limiter coupled to a top surface of a spindle motor which is configured to rotate the storage medium, the deflection limiter configured to protect the transducing head from deflection of the top cover of the data storage system while the actuator arm is in a parked position.

20. An actuator assembly comprising: an actuator arm rotatable about a pivot point and having a base end and a distal end, the base end coupled to a lift tab and the distal end coupled to a transducing head; anda ramp located adjacent the base end and having an inclined surface, wherein the inclined surface is configured to engage with the lift tab to guide the transducing head into an unloaded position and disengage with the lift tab to guide the actuator arm into a loaded position.