Micropolis Corporation

Haldun Arin

Kenneth J Murray

John E Scura

Rick L Freeman

A novel self-securing sealing gasket for a disk drive assembly housing ensures predictable securement of the sealing gasket to a mounting surface. Elastomeric material is preferably molded to a rigid frame. The elastomeric material defines the sealing member of the gasket, while the frame provides structural rigidity and concomitant ease of handling during assembly and disassembly of the disk drive assembly housing. A plurality of recesses are provided along the periphery of the frame for mechanically coupling with the sealing member. The compliant sealing member includes a first sealing surface having a convex profile. A plurality of vacuum cavities are integrally incorporated along a second sealing surface of the sealing member for providing vacuum coupling between the second sealing surface and the mounting surface of the base of a disk drive assembly housing. Predictable securement of the sealing gasket to the housing base during disassembly of the disk drive assembly housing is provided by the vacuum coupling between the second sealing surface and the base mounting surface in conjunction with a repellant force generated by the convex shape of the first sealing surface which is exerted against the housing cover. Self-alignment of the sealing gasket is afforded by alignment tabs provided on the rigid frame and corresponding receiving notches in the housing base for receiving the alignment tabs.

Self securing compliant gasket for a disk drive assembly housing

A fail-safe, magnetically coupled head positioner latch assembly for a Winchester-type disk drive comprises a rotatably mounted latch member including an outwardly extending latch arm and tang, and a solenoid assembly. The latch arm is adapted for engaging the head positioner in a parked position, and rotating to a non-interactive position with the latch arm being non-interactive with the head positioner. Magnetic coupling force between a permanent magnet structure and the solenoid assembly causes the latch arm to remain in the non-interactive position during normal disk drive operation. Activation of the latch is accomplished by applying current to the solenoid which generates a magnetic field opposite to that of the permanent magnet structure causing the rotatably mounted latch assembly to rotate so that the latch arm engages the head positioner. The tang is adapted for interacting with a permanent magnet structure as the latch arm engages the head positioner, whereby the magnetic coupling force between the tang and the permanent magnet structure imparts a torquing force to the latch arm which restrains the head positioner in the parked position. Actuation of the head positioner upon initiating normal disk drive activity positively disengages the head positioner from the parked position.

Magnetically coupled hard disk drive head positioner latch

A precision magnetic head positioner assembly for a Winchester-type hard disk drive storage system includes a main rotatable integral head positioner body and an integral magnetic coil assembly. The positioner body includes outwardly extending integral head positioning arms and a seating surface comprised of two angled lateral seating surfaces. The integral magnetic coil assembly comprises a coil frame and a mounting surface having two angled lateral mounting faces which engage the positioner angled seating surfaces for mounting with fasteners. Precision self-alignment of the positioner seating and bobbin mounting surfaces is provided by an alignment ledge protruding outwardly from the positioner seating surface which engages the lower edge of the bobbin mounting surface. An interference between the positioner seating surface and bobbin mounting surface angles improves mounting alignment and stability.

Hard disk drive precision head positioner having a self-aligning head

An actuator lock to hold the disk drive positioner in the parked position after shut down includes a latch arm extending from a selected portion of the positioner, a solenoid, a locking lever and a latch. The solenoid has a coil and an armature. The armature is moveable between a normally biased first armature position and a second armature position. The solenoid coil when energized by a current pulse upon shut down of the disk drive moves the armature into the second position. The locking lever is rotatably mounted to the armature and has a first end. The locking lever is movable between a normally biased first lever position and second lever position. The first end engages the latch arm when the positioner has been brought to the parked position by the current pulse and the armature coil has also been energized. When the armature is in the first armature position, the locking lever is non-interactive with the latch arm. After the armature has been brought to its second position the first end of the locking lever engages the latch arm thereby locking the device. The latch is a mechanical hold feature which will maintain the armature in its second position to maintain the positioner in a locked state. To unlock the actuator latch, upon power up of the disk drive, the actuator will begin to move the positioner. A force of the latch arm against the locking lever will move the locking lever into its second lever position which releases the mechanical latch. When the mechanical latch is released, the locking lever and the armature each return to their first normally biased position.

Growing community of inventors

Moorpark, CA, United States of America

Haldun Arin