Single lever type actuator latch system of disk drive

An actuator latch system of a disk drive to lock an actuator having a rotatable swing arm installed at a base member, a voice coil motor coil joined to an end portion of the rotatable swing arm, and a magnet disposed to face the voice coil motor coil, comprising:

• a first latch portion and a second latch portion provided at the end portion of the swing arm;
• a latch lever provided at the base member, the latch lever having a first end portion engaged with the first latch portion when the latch lever pivots a first direction, and a second end portion engaged with the second latch portion when the latch lever pivots a second direction;
• a projection formed to project from an edge of the magnet;
• a latch pin provided at an end portion of the swing arm and made of a magnetic material so that a magnetic force operates between the latch pin and the projection;
• and
• a latch stop to limit a directional pivot of the latch lever.

An actuator latch system of a disk drive to lock an actuator having a rotatable swing arm installed at a base member, a voice coil motor coil joined to an end portion of the rotatable swing arm, and a magnet disposed to face the voice coil motor coil, comprising:

• a first latch portion and a second latch portion provided at the end portion of the swing arm;
• a latch lever provided at the base member, the latch lever having a first end portion engaged with the first latch portion when the latch lever pivots a first direction, and a second end portion engaged with the second latch portion when the latch lever pivots a second direction;
• a projection formed to project from an edge of the magnet;
• and
• a latch pin provided at an end portion of the swing arm and made of a magnetic material so that a magnetic force operates between the latch pin and the projection,
• wherein a ratio of a torque produced by the latch pin to a mass moment of inertial of the swing arm is greater than a ratio of a torque produced by the latch lever pin to a mass moment of inertial of the latch lever, such that less force is required for rotation of the latch lever than is required for the rotation of the swing arm.

A method of latching an actuator arm of a disk drive at a predetermined position when a disk stops rotating to prevent the actuator arm from rotating, the actuator arm having a swing arm installed at a base member of the disk drive, a voice coil motor coil joined to an end portion of the swing arm, and a magnet disposed to face the voice coil motor coil, the method comprising:

• magnetically latching a latch pin provided on the swing arm with a portion of the magnet, such that a magnetic force acts between the latch pin and the magnet to maintain the actuator arm at the predetermined position;
• latching a first latch portion and a second latch portion of the swing arm with a first end portion and a second end portion of a latch lever, respectively, such that the engaging is performed according to a rotational pivot direction of the latch lever;
• and
• locating the latch pin at a position nearest to the magnet when the actuator arm is parked at a parking position,
• wherein when a rotational shock is applied to the disk drive that is greater than the magnetic force, the first latch portion and the second latch portion latch with the first end portion and the second end portion, respectively, depending on a rotational direction of the shock.

An actuator latch system of a disk drive that is capable of locking an actuator arm at a predetermined position when a disk stops rotating, the actuator arm having a read/write head attached thereto, a swing arm, a voice coil motor coil joined to one end portion of the rotatable swing arm, and a magnet disposed to face the voice coil motor coil, comprising:

• an inertial latch to prevent the actuator arm from moving from a predetermined location by latching together portions of a swing arm with portions of a latch lever;
• and
• a magnetic latch to provide a magnetic force to prevent the actuator arm from moving from the predetermined location, the magnetic latch comprises:
• a projection formed to project from an edge of the magnet, and
• a magnetic latch pin provided on the swing arm so that the magnetic force acts between the latch pin and the projection,
• wherein when a rotational shock applied to the disk drive is greater than the magnetic force, the inertial latch functions such that portions of the swing arm latch with portions of the latch lever, and
• a ratio of a torque produced by the latch pin to a mass moment of inertial of the swing arm is greater than a ratio of a torque produced by the latch lever pin to a mass moment of inertial of the latch lever, such that less force is required for rotation of the latch lever than is required for the rotation of the swing arm.

An actuator latch system of a disk drive that is capable of locking an actuator arm at a predetermined position when a disk stops rotating, the actuator arm having a read/write head attached thereto, a swing arm, a voice coil motor coil joined to one end portion of the rotatable swing arm, and a magnet disposed to face the voice coil motor coil, comprising:

• an inertial latch to prevent the actuator arm from moving from a predetermined location by latching together portions of a swing arm with portions of a latch lever;
• and
• a magnetic latch to provide a magnetic force to prevent the actuator arm from moving from the predetermined location, the magnetic latch comprising a projection formed to project from an edge of the magnet, and a magnetic latch pin provided on the swing arm so that the magnetic force acts between the latch pin and the projection;
• and
• a latch stop to limit a pivot of the latch lever,
• wherein the inertial latch comprises a first and a second latch portion provided at an end portion of the swing arm and a latch lever having a first end portion engaged with the first latch portion when the latch lever pivots in a first rotational direction, and a second end portion engaged with the second latch portion when the latch lever pivots in a second rotational direction.