Patent · US Expired

Actuator crash stops providing a two-stage braking impulse

US6125017A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
7References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 1998
Grant dateSep 26, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 30, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B5/54
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An improved crash stop apparatus having an inner crash stop that pressingly engages the actuator assembly of a disc drive when the read/write heads of the actuator assembly approach a desired inner extent of radial travel to prevent further movement of the read/write head beyond the inner extent of travel and furthermore having an outer crash stop that pressingly engages the actuator assembly when the read/write heads approach a desired outer extent of radial travel. The crash stops each have a pin rigidly mounted at a proximal end and having a cantilevered distal portion which is disposed in the path of travel of the actuator. An elastomeric member is disposed between the impacting actuator and the pin. The elastomeric member and cantilevered pin provide a two-stage braking impulse to decelerate the actuator, wherein the first stage compresses the elastomeric member and wherein the second stage deflects the cantilevered pin.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.