Claims
- 1. An actuator for use in a disc drive, the actuator comprising:
a generally planar, longitudinally extending arm formed from sheet material, the arm comprising:
first and second edges extending along the longitudinal extent of the arm; an aperture configured to receive a pivot assembly; and a first stiffening member extending along the first edge, the stiffening member protruding out of the plane of the arm.
- 2. An actuator according to claim 1, further comprising:
a second stiffening member extending along the second edge.
- 3. An actuator according to claim 1, in which the first stiffening member is integrally formed with the arm.
- 4. An actuator according to claim 1, in which the first stiffening member comprises a wing of sheet material, the wing having a proximal end mounted to the first edge and a distal end positioned out of the plane of the arm.
- 5. An actuator according to claim 4, in which the sheet material wing comprises a bent portion.
- 6. An actuator according to claim 4, in which the wing is integrally formed with the arm.
- 7. An actuator according to claim 2, in which at least a portion of the pivot aperture is positioned between the first and second stiffening members.
- 8. An actuator according to claim 2, in which a majority of the pivot aperture is positioned between the first and second stiffening members.
- 9. An actuator according to claim 1, in which the arm and the first stiffening member are formed by a single stamping operation.
- 10. A disc drive comprising:
a base; and an actuator rotatably mounted to the base, the actuator comprising:
a longitudinally extending, generally planar arm comprising:
first and second edges extending along the longitudinal extent of the arm; and a first stiffening member extending along the first edge, the stiffening member protruding out of the plane of the arm and comprising sheet material including a bent portion.
- 11. A disc drive according to claim 10, in which the arm and the first stiffening member are integrally formed.
- 12. A disc drive according to claim 10, further comprising:
a coil, the actuator arm including a coil support portion to which the coil is mounted.
- 13. A disc drive according to claim 10, in which the arm further comprises:
a second stiffening member extending along the second edge.
- 14. A disc drive according to claim 13, further comprising:
a pivot assembly rotatably mounting the actuator to the base, at least a portion of the pivot assembly being located between the first and second stiffening members.
- 15. A disc drive according to claim 10, in which the arm is formed from sheet material.
- 16. A disc drive comprising:
a base; an actuator rotatably mounted to the base, the actuator being formed from sheet material and comprising an actuator arm; and means for stiffening of the actuator arm.
- 17. A disc drive according to claim 16 in which the stiffening means comprises stiffening members attached to the actuator arm.
- 18. A disc drive according to claim 16 in which the actuator arm comprises a pivot aperture, and in which the stiffening means comprises edge rails disposed adjacent the pivot aperture.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/322,419 filed on Sep. 14, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60322419 |
Sep 2001 |
US |