Head position control mechanism for a magnetic disk apparatus with head locking
US4807072A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 1986 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 25, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B21/12
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a magnetic disk apparatus such as a Winchester drive, a head position control mechanism is provided for locking the transducer head on a noneffective surface region of the magnetic disk, where no data is to be stored, as when the apparatus is powered off. A locking lever pivots in a plane parallel to the disk plane for movement into and out of locking engagement with a rotary member rotatable jointly with the head arm about a common axis. A solenoid holds the locking lever out of locking engagement with the rotary member during the progress of data transfer between disk and head. Upon completion of the data transfer, or when the apparatus is electrically turned off, the solenoid becomes deenergized, permitting the locking lever to be sprung into locking engagement with the rotary member. Then the head arm transports the head to, and allows the same to land on, the noneffective surface region of the disk. The head is locked in that position as long as the locking lever remains in locking engagement with the rotary member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.