Bearing for an actuator of a disc drive

Details Bearing for an actuator of a disc drive Bearing for an actuator of a disc drive

1998-02-02

2001-02-20

Cao, Allen T. (Department: 2754)

Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval

Head mounting

For shifting head between tracks

C360S250000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06191924

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a disc drive storage system. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved bearing for rotationally supporting an actuator block carrying a plurality of heads for alignment relative to select data tracks of a disc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Disc drives are well known which store digital information in a plurality of circular, concentric data tracks of a disc. Discs are mounted on a spindle motor which causes the discs to spin and the surfaces of the discs to pass under heads carried by an actuator block movably coupled relative to the discs for selective access to data tracks of the discs. Heads carry transducers which read and write information to the disc surface. The actuator block is controlled via electronic circuitry coupled to the actuator drive for positioning the actuator block for aligning heads relative to selected data tracks.
Disc data density is increasing such that it is important to more accurately position heads relative to data tracks for retrieving selected information. The actuator block is rotationally coupled to the disc drive by a bearing which allows the actuator block to rotate about a rotation axis to move the actuator block along an arcuate path. Off-axis movement of the actuator block relative to or transverse to the rotation axis affects accurate head placement.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a bearing with sufficient stability to limit off-axis movement of the actuator block for precision head placement relative to selected data tracks. The present invention addresses these and other problems, and offers other advantages over the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved bearing cartridge for rotationally coupling an actuator block supporting a plurality of heads to a chassis of a disc drive. The bearing cartridge includes first and second concentrically aligned elongated sleeves. The first sleeve is rigidly coupled to the chassis and the second sleeve is rigidly coupled to the actuator block. The first and second sleeves are spaced to define a rotation gap therebetween. The first and second sleeves are rotationally coupled by first and second spaced bearings positioned proximate to opposed ends of either the first or second sleeves and at least one intermediate bearing spaced from the first and second bearings along the longitudinal extent of the first and second sleeves between opposed ends thereof.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4682255 (1987-07-01), Sleger et al.
patent: 5073036 (1991-12-01), Sutton et al.
patent: 5233493 (1993-08-01), Eliason
patent: 5510940 (1996-04-01), Tackling et al.
patent: 5666242 (1997-09-01), Edwards et al.
patent: 5835309 (1998-11-01), Boutaghou
patent: 5978180 (1999-11-01), Lee et al.
FIGS. 3-4 of specification (prior art).

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