Seagate Technology Incorporated

Ron Fasano

Ming-Goei Sheu

Efim Bronshvatch

A latching mechanism for a disc drive actuator that makes use of a constant force to hold the latch in an unlatched position while the disc drive is in operational mode. The latching mechanism uses the power of the actuator to move the latching mechanism into a latched position under program control or upon the detection of a power loss. While in the latched position, the configuration of the latching mechanism components combined with the frictional contact between heads and discs serves to overcome the constant force and maintain the actuator in its park position, even in the presence of applied mechanical shock, until power is restored to the disc drive. Unlatching of the latching mechanism is accomplished by bringing the spindle motor up to a speed at which the heads begin to fly, eliminating the friction between the heads and discs and allowing the constant force to move the latching mechanism to it unlocked position. The latch mechanism includes features which move the actuator from its park position as the latching mechanism is disengaged. Various mechanisms for providing the constant force to the latch body are disclosed.

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Saratoga, CA, United States of America

Ron Fasano