Actuator lock

Abstract

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.