Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Head mounting – For shifting head between tracks
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-26
2001-03-20
Letscher, George J. (Department: 2754)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Head mounting
For shifting head between tracks
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205005
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to rotary actuators for disk drives and in particular to pivot bearings for allowing limited angular rotation of a disk drive arm.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such a disk drive with a rotary actuator is described in my published Patent Specification No. WO95/06312 and in U.S. Ser. No. 528861.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved disk drive of the type forming the basis of U.S. Ser. No. 528861. Embodiments of the present invention may result in reduction in slip during pivoting movement of the rotary actuator. Embodiments may also avoid introducing unwanted torque resisting pivotal movement during pivotal movement of the actuator arm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a disk drive including an actuator arm assembly and an arm mounting device on which said arm assembly is pivotally mounted for movement about a pivot axis,
said arm assembly having at least one rocker member with a first abutment,
said mounting device comprising a pillar member extending along said pivot axis and having a second abutment,
said first and second abutments forming a pair of abutments at least one of which is curved,
said arm assembly being mounted on said mounting device with said first abutment abutting said second abutment along said pivot axis and in rolling engagement with said second abutment,
and said disk drive further comprising a resilient bias device acting between said mounting device and said actuator arm assembly to urge said first abutment into contact with said second abutment, and a flexible restraining member secured both to said mounting device and to said arm assembly to prevent movement of said rocker member in a direction perpendicular to said pivot axis while permitting pivotal movement of said actuator arm assembly about said pivot axis, at least one of said abutments being mounted on a movable mounting to prevent sliding movement between said first and second abutments during flexing of said restraining member.
The invention also provides a disk drive including an actuator arm assembly and a mounting device, said arm assembly being pivotally mounted on the mounting device for movement about a pivot axis and extending in a first direction away from the pivot axis and perpendicular to the pivot axis,
said arm assembly having at least one rocker member with a first abutment facing in a second direction transverse to both said first direction and said pivot axis,
said mounting device comprising a pillar member extending along said pivot axis and having at least one second abutment facing said rocker member abutment,
said first and second abutments forming a pair of abutments one of which is curved,
said arm assembly being mounted on said mounting device with said first abutment abutting said second abutment along a line parallel to said pivot axis and in rolling engagement with said second abutment,
and said disk drive further comprising a resilient bias device acting between said mounting device and said actuator arm assembly to urge said first abutment into contact with said second abutment, and a flexible restraining member secured both to said mounting device and to said arm assembly to prevent movement of said rocker member in a direction perpendicular to said pivot axis while permitting pivotal movement of said actuator arm assembly about said pivot axis, at least one of said abutments being mounted on a movable mounting, rockably located between the arm assembly and the pillar member, to prevent sliding movement between said first and second abutments during flexing of said restraining member.
The invention also provides a disk drive including an actuator arm assembly and a mounting device, said arm assembly being pivotally mounted on the mounting device for movement about a pivot axis and extending in a first direction away from the pivot axis and perpendicular to the pivot axis,
said arm assembly having a read/write transducer mounted thereon and at least one rocker member with a first abutment facing in a second direction transverse to both said first direction and to said pivot axis,
said mounting device comprising a pillar member extending along said pivot axis and having a second abutment facing said first abutment,
said first and second abutments forming a pair of abutments one of which is curved,
said arm assembly being mounted on said mounting device with said first abutment abutting said second abutment along said pivot axis and in rolling engagement with said second abutment,
said disk drive further comprising a resilient bias device acting between said mounting device and said actuator arm assembly to urge said first abutment into contact with said second abutment, and a flexure plate secured along opposite edges to said mounting device and to said arm assembly respectively to prevent movement between said arm assembly and said mounting device other than pivotal movement of said actuator arm assembly about said pivot axis, at least one of said abutments being mounted on a movable mounting to prevent sliding movement between said first and second abutments during flexing of said flexure plate.
Said movable mounting in one of said abutments may comprise a rolling mounting to permit rolling movement.
Said one abutment mounted on a movable mounting may comprise a rocking member extending parallel to the pivot axis of the arm, said member having at least one abutment face for rocking contact with the other abutment and a roller surface opposite said one abutment face and forming part of said movable mounting.
Preferably the flexible restraining member comprises a flexure plate secured along opposite edges to said mounting device and to said actuator arm assembly respectively.
Preferably the first abutment comprises two abutment surfaces spaced apart from each other in a direction along said pivot axis and said flexure plate extends between said abutment surfaces.
The invention also provides a disk drive including an actuator arm assembly and a mounting device on which said arm assembly is pivotally mounted for movement about a pivot axis,
said arm assembly having at least one rocker member with a first abutment,
said mounting device comprising a pillar member extending along said pivot axis and having a second abutment,
said first and second abutments forming a pair of abutments at least one of which is curved,
said arm assembly being mounted on said mounting device with said first abutment abutting said second abutment along said pivot axis and in rolling engagement with said second abutment,
said disk drive further comprising a deformable flexure secured both to said mounting device and to said arm assembly to prevent movement of said rocker member in a direction perpendicular to said pivot axis while deforming to permit pivotal movement of said actuator arm assembly about said pivot axis, and a resilient bias device acting between said mounting device and said actuator arm assembly to apply a bias force to urge said first abutment into contact with said second abutment, said bias device applying said bias force through a point of contact between said first and second abutments when the flexure is not deformed but offsetting the bias force from the point of contact when the flexure is deformed so as to oppose force of the flexure tending to return to the undeformed condition.
The invention also provides a disk drive including an actuator arm assembly and a mounting device, said arm assembly being pivotally mounted on the mounting device for movement about a pivot axis and extending in a first direction away from the pivot axis and perpendicular to the pivot axis,
said arm assembly having at least one rocker member with a first abutment facing in a second direction transverse to both said first direction and said pivot axis,
said mounting device comprising a pillar member extending along said pivot axis and having at least one second abutment facing said rocker member abutment,
said first and second abutments forming a pair of abutments one of which is curved,
said arm assembly being mounted on
Dempster Shawn B.
Heller Edward P.
Letscher George J.
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