Applying a ramped voltage source across an actuator coil to retract a disc drive actuator
US6282049A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B21/22
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
For low velocity retraction of a disc drive actuator during a parking operation, a system comprising a voltage generator circuit generates a plurality of discrete dc voltage levels, a timing circuit provides a series of timing pulses, and a selection circuit responsive to the voltage generator and timing circuit outputs a voltage profile of increasing voltage steps from the voltage levels and the timing pulses. The voltage profile is provided to a driver circuit that drives a voice coil motor which, in turn, positions the actuator with respect to the discs of the disc drive. The application of the voltage profile during the parking operation causes the driver circuit to act as a voltage source for the voice coil motor. External bias forces upon the actuator tending to force the actuator towards the park position generate a back EMF in the coil, opposing the voltage source of the driver circuit and the motion of the actuator towards the park position. The coil is thus velocity limited and the voltage profile is selected to bring the actuator to the park position at a terminal velocity sufficiently decreased as to generate acoustic noise below predetermined, acceptable limits.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.