Iomega Corporation

Craig L Rupp

Klinton Dilworth Washburn

Ralph Lee Sonderegger

Mark S Thayne

Thomas J Angellotti

Mick Estes

Jeffrey M Garrigues

An improved actuation system for a data storage device. In one exemplary embodiment, a head retraction mechanism is movable in a head retraction direction between a head recording position and a head parked position, and an actuator remains engaged with the mechanism for movement during this movement to lessen the risk of damage. A torsional biasing member provides a biasing force on the head retraction arm. A displaceable transmission mechanism is driven by the actuator and moved in a slot in a base from a first position in which the head retraction mechanism is contacted and a second position in which an ejection mechanism is contacted. A load member is integral with the base contacts a friction member on the displaceable transmission mechanism to provide friction for this displaceable movement. The actuator is mounted between a stop member and a biasing member on the base.

Method and system for head retraction in a data storage device

An improved disk drive includes an improved operating system, an improved eject system, an improved head retract system and an improved motor loading system. In a preferred embodiment of the operating system it includes a motor, an eject crank, a head crank and an actuator. The output of the motor can be selectively controlled by the actuator to power either the eject crank or the head crank. Powering the head crank, causes the disk drive heads to move, and powering the eject crank causes a disk cartridge to be ejected from the disk drive. The motor loading system may have a disk drive motor having a threaded exterior and a member extending from the exterior to interface with the eject system. Additionally, this motor loading system may include an aperture in the chassis of the disk drive that has a threaded ring running around the circumference of the aperture and a spring extending from the threaded ring. The disk drive motor can be inserted into the aperture in the chassis with the member depressing the spring. The disk drive motor can then be rotated to mate the threads of the disk drive motor with the threaded ring. When rotated, the slotted member releases the spring. The spring prevents rotation of the disk drive motor past a predetermined point and thereby prevents the motor from becoming dislodged from the chassis. When inserted into the disk drive, the motor can be moved between a loaded and an unloaded position.

Disk drive having a system for protecting the read/write heads

Head retraction system for retracting the heads of a disk drive

Growing community of inventors

Wellsville, UT, United States of America

Craig L Rupp