Head stack-level load/unload mechanism for rigid disk drives

A disk drive system, the system comprising:

• at least one magnetic disk, each disk having at least one substantially flat magnetizable surface;
• at least one read/write head in proximity to each substantially flat magnetizable surface for reading data from and writing data to the magnetizable surface;
• at least one head stack assembly, each head stack assembly coupled to at least one read/write head for suspending the coupled at least one read/write head in proximity to a magnetizable surface;
• at least one head stack platform, each head stack platform coupled to at least one head stack assembly;
• and
• at least one axial positioning device, each axial positioning device coupled to at least one head stack platform for variably positioning the head stack platform and the coupled head stack assembly in a direction substantially normal to the at least one substantially flat magnetizable surface such that each read/write head coupled to the head stack assembly can be suspended at a flying height in relation to the magnetizable surface and at a second height greater than the flying height.

A disk drive head parking apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

• a head stack assembly platform;
• a head stack assembly coupled to the head stack platform for suspending at least one read/write head in proximity to at least one substantially flat magnetizable surface;
• and
• an axial positioning device coupled to the head stack platform for variably positioning the head stack platform and the coupled head stack assembly in a direction substantially normal to the at least one substantially flat magnetizable surface such that each read/write head coupled to the head stack assembly can be suspended at a flying height in relation to the magnetizable surface and at a second height greater than the flying height.

A disk drive head parking apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of parallel magnetic disks, each magnetic disk having a substantially flat magnetizable upper surface and a substantially flat magnetizable lower surface;
• a first head stack assembly including a bearing cartridge and a plurality of actuator arms coupled to the bearing cartridge, each actuator arm including a read/write head held in proximity to an upper surface of a corresponding magnetic disk by the first head stack assembly;
• and
• a first axial positioning device coupled to the first head stack assembly for moving the first head stack assembly in a direction substantially normal to the upper surfaces of the magnetic disks such that each read/write head of the first head stack assembly can be suspended at a flying height in relation to the upper surface of its corresponding magnetic disk and at a second height greater than the flying height.