# US 7,609,483 B2 · Data storage device with load/unload tab inclined towards a disk > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,609,483 B2 - Document ID: US7609483B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/522,213 - Filed: 2006-09-15 - Published: 2007-04-05 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2005-09-30 - Assignees: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V. - Inventors: Takaaki Deguchi; Mutsuro Ohta; Hiroshi Matsuda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609483B2 ## CPC - G11B 5/4833: {Structure of the arm assembly, e.g. load beams, flexures, parts of the arm adapted for controlling vertical force on the head (G11B5/484 takes precedence)} - G11B 21/12: Raising and lowering; Back-spacing or forward-spacing along track; Returning to starting position {otherwise than during transducing operation} - G11B 21/22: while the head is out of operative position - G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R) ## Abstract Embodiments of the invention reduce the height of a ramp to provide a thin data storage device that is capable of inhibiting the deterioration of the dynamic characteristics at the time of loading/unloading. In one embodiment, a data storage device includes a head that accesses a recording region of a recording disk; a ramp that is positioned circumferentially apart from an outermost end of the recording disk to unload the head from a surface of the recording disk; and an actuator that includes a load beam for supporting the head and moves the head. The load beam includes a tab that is extended from a leading end section of the load beam, beyond the head support section of the load beam, and toward the recording disk, and slides over a ramp surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A data storage device comprising: a head which accesses a recording region of a recording medium; a ramp which is positioned circumferentially apart from an outermost edge of the recording medium to unload the head from a surface of the recording medium; and an actuator which includes a load beam for supporting the head and moves the head; wherein the load beam includes: a head support section to support the head; and a tab which is extended forward, beyond the head support section, and toward the recording medium and which slides over a surface of the ramp, wherein the head support section includes a flange, which is formed by bending both rims that are extended in a longitudinal direction, wherein the flange is also formed on the tab, and wherein the flange of the head support section and the flange of the tab merge forming a continuous flange. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the tab is extended from a center of the load beam. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein, when the tab is in contact with the ramp, a vertical distance between the recording medium surface and a contact point between the tab and the ramp is nearly equal to or greater than a vertical distance between the recording medium surface and the farthest portion of the head support section from the recording medium surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein, when the tab is in contact with the ramp, a vertical distance between the recording medium surface and the farthest portion of the head support section from the recording medium surface is greater than a vertical distance between the recording medium surface and a contact point between the tab and the ramp. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum vertical distance between the recording medium surface and the ramp surface includes a height of a point of contact between the tab and the circumferential end of the ramp and a lift amount for moving the head away from the recording medium surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the tab and the recording medium surface includes an amount of tab deflection that occurs upon impact. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein, the tab is U-shaped as viewed from the ramp, and a convex surface of the U-shaped tab slides over the ramp surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the head is disposed above a recording disk at a position of contact between the tab and the ramp's circumferential end that is positioned beyond a position for unloading the head and toward the recording medium. ### Claim 9 A data storage device comprising: a head which accesses a recording region of a recording medium; a ramp which is positioned circumferentially apart from an outermost edge of the recording medium to unload the head from a surface of the recording medium; and an actuator which includes a load beam for supporting the head and moves the head; wherein the load beam includes: a head support section to support the head, and a tab which is extended from the head support section's center on the side toward a leading end of the load beam, and which slides over a surface of the ramp, wherein the head support section includes a flange, which is formed by bending both rims that are extended in a longitudinal direction, wherein the flange is also formed on the tab, and wherein the flange of the head support section and the flange of the tab merge forming a continuous flange. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The data storage device according to claim 9, wherein, when the tab is in contact with the ramp, a vertical distance between the recording medium surface and a contact point between the tab and the ramp is nearly equal to or greater than a vertical distance between the recording medium surface and the farthest portion of the head support section from the recording medium surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The data storage device according to claim 9, wherein, when the tab is in contact with the ramp, a vertical distance between the recording medium surface and the farthest portion of the head support section from the recording medium surface is greater than a vertical distance between the recording medium surface and a contact point between the tab and the ramp. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The data storage device according to claim 9, wherein a maximum vertical distance between the recording medium surface and the ramp surface includes a height of a point of contact between the tab and the circumferential end of the ramp and a lift amount for moving the head away from the recording medium surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The data storage device according to claim 9, wherein the distance between the tab and the recording medium surface includes an amount of tab deflection that occurs upon impact. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The data storage device according to claim 9, wherein, the tab is U-shaped as viewed from the ramp, and a convex surface of the U-shaped tab slides over the ramp surface.