Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Automatic control of a recorder mechanism – Controlling the head
Patent
1990-08-30
1993-07-27
Dixon, Joseph L.
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Automatic control of a recorder mechanism
Controlling the head
360105, G11B 554
Patent
active
052315495
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 as a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 371 based on PCT application PCT/US89/00785 filed Feb. 27, 1989 as provided by 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 363 which is based in part on U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/162,799 filed Mar. 1, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,785.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a disk drive apparatus including one or more hard disks for primary use with computer systems.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The increased demand for even more compact and lightweight computer systems has fostered a need for smaller disk drives and accompanying hard disks for storing data and other information used by such computer systems. A micro-Winchester disk drive is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,988 to McGinlay et al., issued Feb. 4, 1986, and entitled "Microhard-Disk Drive System." This patent describes a disk drive system that utilizes a 3.5 inch hard disk capable of storing in excess of 5 megabytes of information. A rotary actuated read/write head is provided for accessing the disk tracks. The use of an arcuate movable read/write head is important in reducing the space that is required for the containment and operation of the arm assembly to which the read/write head is attached. Although not directed to a micro disk drive system, U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,873 to Pejcha, issued Oct. 5, 1976, and entitled "Head Loading and Unloading Assembly for a Magnetic Disk Drive Having a Rotary Actuator" also describes a rotary actuated read/write head. This rotary configuration is characterized by the use of spring members and a channel member for use in loading and unloading the read/write head relative to the disk surface. Another rotary actuated assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,666 to Scholz et al., issued Nov. 13, 1973, and entitled "Interlaced Magnetic Heads." This patent discloses a pair of interconnected suspension arms with each of the suspension arms having a number of recording heads attached near the free end of each arm. The interconnecting cross member has a semi-hemispherical cam-riding button located at about the mid portion thereof. During operation, the cam-riding button rests in a depression and when in the non-operative state, the button is caused to move away from the depression using an inclined cam surface. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,374, to Anderson et al., issued Aug. 13, 1985, and entitled "Whitney-Type Head Loading/Unloading Apparatus," a triangular-shaped suspension arm is utilized having a generally triangular-shaped ramp located on the under side of the suspension arm. This arm assembly is linearly, not rotary, actuated. The ramp member on the suspension arm engages a cam for providing loading/unloading of the read/write head.
In addition to reducing size and weight in connection with laptop computers, it is also important to make available electric power saving features since laptop computers are typically battery-powered and it is desirable to reduce battery drain. In one portable computer system, it is known to reduce power usage by powering down certain of the disk drive electronics upon the occurrence of a single, predetermined event or condition. The aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,988 discloses means for reducing current drawn by a stepper motor when the disk drive has been deselected for two seconds. This reduced power consumption is important, not in saving battery life, but for the purpose of reducing the amount of heat needed to be dissipated and thereby reducing the need for air-extraction fans.
A further important aspect associated with disk drive performance concerns the speed at which track seeks are performed, i.e., the amount of time taken to position the read/write head relative to a target position on the disk. In embedded servo systems, the seek time is a function of the ability of the system to access or sample servo information located at predetermined positions on the disk. Provided that there is sufficient time for the servo information to be processed, it is generally de
REFERENCES:
patent: 4933785 (1990-06-01), Morehouse et al.
Andrews Thomas L.
Blagaila John H.
Chessman H. Ross
Furay David M.
Johnson Terry G.
Conner Peripherals, Inc.
Dixon Joseph L.
Robertson David L.
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