System for disk-to-disk access for reduced-head data storage device
AssigneeWestern Digital Technologies, Inc.
InventorJon M. Garbarino
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An approach to a reduced-head hard disk drive (HDD) involves an elevator platform assembly for moving an actuator assembly, one or more bearing assemblies, and a load/unload ramp along one or more support posts to provide a head slider access to at least two different recording disk media of a disk stack. The HDD may include a piezoelectric actuator locking mechanism integral to one of the bearing assemblies, such that actuation of the actuator either locks or unlocks the locking mechanism relative to a corresponding support post. When unlocked, the elevator platform assembly can be translated along the length of the disk stack via a motor.
Claims20
A hard disk drive (HDD) comprising:
- a plurality of recording disk media rotatably mounted on a spindle;
- a plurality of head sliders each comprising a read-write transducer configured to read from and to write to at least two disk media of the plurality of disk media;
- a rotary actuator assembly configured to move the plurality of head sliders to access portions of the at least two disk media, the actuator assembly comprising an actuator arm, a voice coil, and a coil support structure;
- an elevator platform assembly comprising:
- a platform, on which the actuator assembly is mounted, movably engaged with at least one support post, and
- at least one roller bearing assembly coupled to the platform and mechanically engaged with the at least one support post;
- and
- a motor coupled with the elevator platform assembly and configured to move the elevator platform assembly along the at least one support post to provide the actuator assembly access to each of the plurality of disk media.
A method of accessing multiple magnetic-recording disks in a reduced-head hard disk drive, the method comprising:
- unlocking an elevator assembly from a first position on a plurality of support posts with which the elevator assembly is movably engaged, the elevator assembly comprising:
- a platform on which an actuator assembly and a load/unload ramp assembly are mounted, and
- a plurality of roller bearing assemblies each coupled to the platform and mechanically engaged with a corresponding support post of the plurality of support posts;
- driving a motor coupled with the elevator assembly to move the elevator assembly along the plurality of support posts to a second position, to provide the actuator assembly access to at least one of the multiple magnetic-recording disks corresponding to the second position;
- and
- locking the elevator assembly at the second position on the plurality of support posts.
A reduced-head hard disk drive (HDD), comprising:
- recording means for storing digital information;
- reading/writing means for reading from and writing to the recording means;
- means for loading/unloading the reading/writing means to and from a parked position;
- means for moving the reading/writing means to access portions of the recording means;
- means for translating (i) the means for loading/unloading, (ii) the means for moving, and (iii) the reading/writing means from one recording means to another recording means;
- and
- means for locking the means for translating at the another recording means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.