Load/unload ramp for an actuator assembly in a data storage device

1. An actuator assembly comprising:

an actuator arm rotatable about a pivot point and configured to access data on a storage medium, the actuator arm having a base end coupled to a lift tab and a distal end coupled to a transducing head;

a crash stop located adjacent the base end of the actuator arm, the crash stop comprising a first side end having a first inner-facing surface that prevents the transducing head from traveling beyond an outer diameter of a storage medium, a second side end having a second inner facing surface and a top end having a bottom facing surface that couples the first side end to the second side end, the first inner facing surface of the first side end and the second inner facing surface of the second side end being substantially perpendicular to the bottom facing surface of the top end; and

a ramp having an inclined surface and an opposing top surface that is parallel with the bottom facing surface of the top end of the crash stop, the ramp being directly coupled to and protruding from the second inner facing surface of the second side end of the crash stop to a point between the first side end and the second side end of the crash stop, wherein upon rotation of the actuator arm about the pivot point to the inner diameter of the storage medium the lift tab slides along the inclined surface to tilt the actuator arm about a hinge for guiding the transducing head away from the storage medium.

2. The actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the ramp faces and is spaced apart from the bottom facing surface of the top end of the crash stop.

3. The actuator assembly of claim 2 , wherein the ramp is integrally formed with the second inner facing surface of the second side end of the crash stop.

4. The actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator arm further comprises a voice coil motor located at the base end of the actuator arm including an outer leg closer to the base end than an inner leg.

5. The actuator assembly of claim 4 , wherein the lift tab is coupled to the outer leg of the voice coil motor.

6. The actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge further provides a preload force to the transducing head and allows the distal end of the actuator arm to move towards a top cover of a data storage system.

7. A data storage system comprising:

an actuator arm rotatable about a pivot point and configured to access data on the storage medium, the actuator arm having a base end coupled to a lift tab and a distal end coupled to a transducing head;

a crash stop located adjacent the base end of the actuator arm, the crash stop comprising a first side end that prevents the transducing head from traveling beyond an outer diameter of a storage medium, a second side end and a top end that couples the first side end to the second side end, the first side end and second side end being substantially perpendicular to the top end; and

a ramp located adjacent the base end and directly coupled to an inner facing surface of the second side end of the crash stop and protruding from the inner facing surface to a point between the first side end and the second side end of the crash stop, the ramp having a fixed inclined surface that is configured to engage with the lift tab to guide the distal end of the actuator arm towards a top cover of the data storage system.

8. The data storage system of claim 7 , wherein the ramp is integrally formed with the inner facing surface of the second side end of the crash stop.

9. The data storage system of claim 7 , wherein the lift tab is coupled to a voice coil motor located at the base end of the actuator arm for rotating the actuator arm about the pivot point.

10. The data storage system of claim 7 , wherein the actuator arm further comprises a hinge that allows the distal end of the actuator arm to move towards the top cover of the data storage system.

11. The data storage system of claim 10 , wherein the hinge extends between side edges of the actuator arm.

12. The data storage system of claim 11 , wherein the hinge is located between the base end and the distal end.

13. The data storage system of claim 12 , wherein the hinge is located at the pivot point.

14. The data storage system of claim 11 , wherein the hinge provides a preload force to the transducing head.

15. The data storage system of claim 7 , further comprising a deflection limiter coupled to a top surface of a spindle motor which is configured to rotate the storage medium, the deflection limiter configured to protect the transducing head from deflection of the top cover of the data storage system while the actuator arm is in a parked position.

16. An actuator assembly comprising:

an actuator arm rotatable about a pivot point and having a base end and a distal end, the base end coupled to a lift tab and the distal end coupled to a transducing head;

a crash stop located adjacent the base end of the actuator arm, the crash stop comprising a first side end having a first inner facing surface that prevents the transducing head from traveling beyond an outer diameter of a storage medium, a second side end having a second inner facing surface and a top end having a bottom facing surface that couples the first side end to the second side end, the first inner facing of the first end and the second inner facing surface of the second side end being substantially perpendicular to the bottom facing surface of the top end; and

a ramp located adjacent the base end and directly coupled to an inner facing surface of the second side end of the crash stop and protruding from the inner facing surface to a point between the first side end and the second side end of the crash stop, the ramp having an inclined surface and an opposing top surface spaced apart from and facing the bottom facing surface of the top end of the crash stop, wherein the inclined surface is configured to engage with the lift tab to guide the transducing head into an unloaded position and disengage with the lift tab to guide the actuator arm into a loaded position.