Integral head positioner for hard disk storage system

Abstract

The head positioner for a Winchester type hard disk drive digital storage system includes a main rotating metal body portion having outwardly extending, integral, head positioning arms. The magnetic heads for reading and writing information on the hard disks are mounted on springly members which are referred to as 'load beams'. In order to reduce vibration, and to increase the accuracy of positioning of the heads on the disks, the outwardly extending arms from the main metallic body of the head positioner unit extend outwardly from the central axis of rotation for a distance which is substantially greater than the additional outward extent of the springy load beams upon which the magnetic heads are supported. Preferably the outward extent of the rigid arms is in the order of twice the length of the springy load beams. In addition, the bearings for supporting the rotating head positioning assembly are preferably mounted directly to the metallic body of the head positioner assembly. The springy load beams which support the magnetic heads may be secured to the ends of the outwardly extending arms by metal plates having tublets which may extend through holes in the springy load beams, and which are swaged into openings at the ends of the integral rigid arms. The plates may also be spot-welded to the inner ends of the springy load beams which support the magnetic heads.