Crash stop and magnetic latch for optimum use of disc space

Abstract

A limit stop is provided in a disc storage system having a rotary actuator mounted for travel about an axis adjacent to a rotating disc, and having an arm supporting a transducer over the surface of said disc and a motor element support extending opposite to said arm from said rotary support axis. A limit stop to limit the extent of movement of the motor element support is mounted on the base of the housing. The limit stop comprises a fixed portion mounted to the housing base, and extended portion mounted to define the limit of travel of the motor element support, said extended portion being connected to the fixed portion by a thin connecting portion which flexes under impact by the motor element. The fixed mounting portion, thin connecting portion, and extended portion form essentially a U-shaped element having a defined gap across the base of the 'U', the gap defining the amount of flexibility in the limit stop, the flexibility being adapted to allow for absorption of the energy of the moving actuator arm, while causing the arm to rest against the surface of the limit stop with the transducer resting on the surface of the disc.