IP Library Patent Application 12196944
Patent Application
App. No. 12/196,944

DISK APPARATUS

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/196,944
Abstract

In a disk apparatus, an actuator includes a magnetic plate member which generates a magnetic attraction force for turning the actuator in the unloading direction by interaction with a stationary magnet. The plate member is superposed on the stationary magnet in the plane direction while keeping a gap with the stationary magnet in the vertical direction. An area of the plate member superposed on the stationary magnet is increased as the actuator turns in the unloading direction and approaches the outer stopper. When the actuator approaches the outer stopper, the stationary magnet gives, to the plate member, a magnetic attraction force of such an intensity that brings the actuator on the outer stopper against a friction force applied to the actuator.

Claims (20)

1 . A disk apparatus comprising:

a disk on which information is stored;

a stationary magnet;

an actuator which is turnably supported, which is provided at its tip end with a head that accesses the disk, which is provided at its rear end with a coil that generates a driving force by interaction between the stationary magnet and the actuator, and which is turned by the driving force,

a ramp which holds a tip end of the actuator at an unloading position that is away from the disk; and

an outer stopper which abuts against the rear end of the actuator and which determines the maximum turning position of the actuator in an unloading direction, wherein

the actuator includes a magnetic plate member fixed to the rear end of the actuator and to a tip end of the actuator in the unloading direction, the plate member generates a magnetic attraction force which turns the actuator in the unloading direction by interaction between the stationary magnet and the plate member, the plate member is superposed with the stationary magnet in a plane direction while keeping a gap with the stationary magnet in an up-and-down direction, and an area of the plate member superposed on the stationary magnet is increased as the actuator turns in the unloading direction and approaches the outer stopper, and

when the actuator is in a position close to the outer stopper, the stationary magnet gives, to the plate member, a magnetic attraction force having such an intensity as to cause the actuator to abut on the outer stopper against a friction force applied to the actuator.

2 . The disk apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the stationary magnet gives a magnetic attraction force in the unloading direction to the plate member to a position where the actuator further turns 2° or more in the unloading direction than an outer stopper position where the actuator abuts against the outer stopper when the outer stopper does not exist.

3 . The disk apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an inertia latch which receives a driving force by an impact simultaneously when the actuator located in the unloading position receives a driving force in the loading direction by the impact and engages the actuator while the tip end of the actuator is on the ramp, thereby preventing the tip end of the actuator from disengaging from the ramp, wherein

the stationary magnet gives a magnetic attraction force in the unloading direction to the plate member to a position turned in a direction farther away from the outer stopper than a position where the actuator is engaged with the inertia latch.

4 . The disk apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising an inertia latch which receives a driving force by an impact simultaneously when the actuator located in the unloading position receives a driving force in the loading direction by the impact and engages the actuator while the tip end of the actuator is on the ramp, thereby preventing the tip end of the actuator from disengaging from the ramp, wherein

the stationary magnet gives a magnetic attraction force in the unloading direction to the plate member to a position turned in a direction farther away from the outer stopper than a position where the actuator is engaged with the inertia latch.

5 . The disk apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the actuator is in a position where the actuator is engaged with the inertia latch, the stationary magnet gives, to the plate member, a magnetic attraction force having an intensity that pulls the actuator back to an outer stopper position where the actuator abuts against the outer stopper from the former position.

6 . The disk apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein when the actuator is in a position where the actuator is engaged with the inertia latch, the stationary magnet gives, to the plate member, a magnetic attraction force having an intensity that pulls the actuator back to an outer stopper position where the actuator abuts against the outer stopper from the former position.

7 . The disk apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein when the actuator is in a position where the actuator is engaged with the inertia latch, the stationary magnet gives, to the plate member, a magnetic attraction force having an intensity that pulls the actuator back to an outer stopper position where the actuator abuts against the outer stopper from the former position.

8 . The disk apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the actuator is away from the outer stopper and the head mounted on the tip end of the actuator moves toward the loading position where the head is superposed on the disk, the plate member moves to a position which is out of a region where an influence of a magnetic attraction force from the stationary magnet acts before the actuator reaches the loading position.

9 . The disk apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein when the actuator is away from the outer stopper and the head mounted on the tip end of the actuator moves toward the loading position where the head is superposed on the disk, the plate member moves to a position which is out of a region where an influence of a magnetic attraction force from the stationary magnet acts before the actuator reaches the loading position.

10 . The disk apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein when the actuator is away from the outer stopper and the head mounted on the tip end of the actuator moves toward the loading position where the head is superposed on the disk, the plate member moves to a position which is out of a region where an influence of a magnetic attraction force from the stationary magnet acts before the actuator reaches the loading position.

11 . The disk apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein when the actuator is away from the outer stopper and the head mounted on the tip end of the actuator moves toward the loading position where the head is superposed on the disk, the plate member moves to a position which is out of a region where an influence of a magnetic attraction force from the stationary magnet acts before the actuator reaches the loading position.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 24, 2009
From: FUJITSU LIMITED
To: TOSHIBA STORAGE DEVICE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023565/0179 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 22, 2008
From: ARIKAWA, YOSHIHIRO
To: FUJITSU LIMITED
Reel/Frame 021431/0388 →