Tilt limiting inertial actuator latch for a data storage system

A latch assembly for restraining an actuator rotatably mounted to a housing of a data storage system to prevent damage to a data storage disk disposed within the housing, the latch assembly comprising:

• a latch body having a mounting surface mounting the latch body to the housing, the latch body being rotatable about an axis situated beyond an outer periphery of the data storage disk, the latch body comprising:
• a latch wing configured such that a portion of the latch wing extends over a portion of the data storage disk;
• a restraining member for restraining the actuator when the data storage system is subjected to an external rotational shock force;
• and
• bias means, coupled to the latch body, for biasing the restraining member in a non-engaging relationship with the actuator in the absence of the external rotational shock force;
• wherein the latch body includes a contacting surface distanced from the mounting surface, and the housing includes a housing surface, the contacting surface being spaced from the housing surface in the absence of the external rotational shock force and contacting the housing surface when the data storage system is subjected to the external rotational shock force so as to prevent contact between the latch wing portion and the data storage disk portion.

A system for storing data, comprising;

• a housing;
• a data storage disk;
• a spindle motor mounted to the housing for rotating the data storage disk;
• an actuator rotatably mounted to the housing;
• a transducer mounted to the actuator;
• and
• an actuator latch assembly, comprising:
• a latch body having a mounting surface mounting the latch body to the housing, the latch body being rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by a surface of the data storage disk;
• the latch body including:
• a latch wing having a portion extending over a portion of the data storage disk;
• a restraining member for restraining the actuator from rotating when the data storage system is subjected to an external rotational shock force;
• and
• bias means for biasing the restraining member in a non-engaging relationship with the actuator in the absence of the external rotational shock force;
• wherein the latch body includes a contacting surface distanced from the mounting surface, and the housing includes a housing surface, the contacting surface being spaced from the housing surface in the absence of the external rotational shock force and contacting the housing surface when the data storage system is subjected to the external rotational shock force so as to prevent contact between the latch wing portion and the data storage disk portion.

A system for storing data, comprising:

• a housing;
• a data storage disk;
• a spindle motor mounted to the housing for rotating the data storage disk;
• an actuator rotatably mounted to the housing;
• a transducer mounted to the actuator;
• and
• an actuator latch assembly, comprising:
• a latch body having a mounting surface mounting the latch body to the housing, the latch body being rotatable about an axis situated beyond an outer periphery of the data storage disk, the latch body including:
• a latch wing having a portion extending over a portion of the data storage disk;
• and
• a restraining member for restraining the actuator from rotating when the data storage system is subjected to an external rotational shock force;
• and
• bias means for biasing the restraining member in a non-engaging relationship with the actuator in the absence of the external rotational shock force;
• wherein the latch body includes a contacting surface distanced from the mounting surface, and the housing includes a housing surface, the contacting surface being spaced from the housing surface in the absence of the external rotational shock force and contacting the housing surface when the data storage system is subjected to the external rotational shock force so as to prevent contact between the latch wing portion and the data storage disk portion.