Patent EP0259127A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0259127A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carriage latch for a disc drive
Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
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Filing: 1987-08-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-08-28
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to a dynamic lock for a disc drive carriage incorporates a plunger (34) that captures an extension on the carriage (12). The plunger is guided by a solenoid (36) and frame (30). The plunger is spring loaded (38) such that it normally is biased into the carriage to restrain the carriage in the home locking position. The solenoid (36) can withdraw the plunger and allow release of the carriage. A counterweight (40) rotates about a pivot (50) provided on the frame adjacent the plunger. A finger (42) that protrudes from the counterweight rides in a recess on the plunger. In the event of a sudden shock to the disc drive, the shock force is transmitted from the plunger (34) through the finger (42) to the counterweight (40). The counterweight is designed to be of equal mass to the plunger (34), whereby the shock force is neutralized, preventing the plunger from moving back toward the solenoid and releasing the carriage (12).
Inventors
- 👤 John Poling Wiens
- 👤 Clifford T. Jue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:44
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B19/00; G11B19/20; G11B19/22; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/54; G11B21/00; G11B21/02; G11B21/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In an actuator having a frame and a transducer carriage for positioning a transducer with respect to a recording media, the dynamic lock mechanism for holding said carriage in a fixed position relative to said frame comprising a plunger guided by a solenoid and a frame for movement between a first position engaging an extension on said carriage and a second position withdrawn from said carriage, spring means surrounding said plunger for normally biasing said plunger into said first position, said solenoid being responsive to a signal to withdraw said plunger from said first position to said second position, and shock absorbing means comprising a counterweight pivotally linked to said plunger for absorbing a shock applied to said frame and preventing movement of said plunger away from said first position in the absence of actuation of said solenoid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In an actuator having a frame and a transducer carriage for positioning a transducer with respect to a recording media, the dynamic lock mechanism for holding said carriage in a fixed position relative to said frame comprising a plunger guided by a solenoid and a frame for movement between a first position engaging an extension on said carriage and a second position withdrawn from said carriage, spring means surrounding said plunger for normally biasing said plunger into said first position, said solenoid being responsive to a signal to withdraw said plunger from said first position to said second position, and shock absorbing means comprising a counterweight pivotally linked to said plunger for absorbing a shock applied to said frame and preventing movement of said plunger away from said first position in the absence of actuation of said solenoid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dynamic lock as in Claim 1 wherein said spring means provides a relatively weak force compared to the force created by a shock load acting on said plunger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A dynamic lock as in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the mass moment of said counterweight is substantially equal to the mass moment of said plunger about a pivot fixed to said frame, whereby shock loads applied to said plunger are offset by said counterweight halting movement of said plunger away from said first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
A dynamic lock as in any of Claims 1 to 3 including means for mounting the counterweight to the frame guiding said plunger, and means for linking said counterweight to an end of said plunger near to said carriage, said counterweight allowing free movement of said plunger in response to actuation of said solenoid, and offsetting shocks to said plunger to prevent movement thereof in the absence of actuation of said solenoid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A dynamic lock as in Claim 4 wherein said plunger has a recess in a side thereof facing said counterweight, said counterweight linking means including a finger mounted for rotation on an edge of said frame and extending into said recess of said plunger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A dynamic lock as in Claim 5 wherein the mass moment of said counterweight is substantially equal to the mass moment of said plunger about said pivot, whereby shock loads applied to said plunger are offset by said counterweight without movement of said plunger away from said first position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a storage device having a rotatable storage media with a plurality of data tracks, an actuator having a transducer carriage driven by a motor along a linear path for positioning a transducer to co-act with a desired data track, a locking mechanism positioned at right angles to said linear path between said motor and said rotatable storage media comprising a plunger guided by a solenoid and a frame for movement between a first position engaging an extension on said carriage and a second position withdrawn from said carriage, spring means surrounding said plunger for normally biasing said plunger into said first position, said solenoid being responsive to a signal to withdraw said plunger from said first position to said second position, and shock absorbing means comprising a counterweight mechanically linked to said plunger for absorbing a shock applied to said frame and pointing movement of said plunger away from said first position in the absence of actuation of said solenoid, the mass moment of said counterweight being substantially equal to the mass moment of said plunger about a pivot, whereby shock loads fixed to said frame applied to said plunger are offset by said counterweight without movement of said plunger away from said first position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a storage device having a rotatable storage media with a plurality of data tracks, an actuator having a transducer carriage driven by a motor along a linear path for positioning a transducer to co-act with a desired data track, a locking mechanism positioned at right angles to said linear path between said motor and said rotatable storage media comprising a plunger guided by a solenoid and a frame for movement between a first position engaging an extension on said carriage and a second position withdrawn from said carriage, spring means surrounding said plunger for normally biasing said plunger into said first position, said solenoid being responsive to a signal to withdraw said plunger from said first position to said second position, and shock absorbing means comprising a counterweight mechanically linked to said plunger for absorbing a shock applied to said frame and pointing movement of said plunger away from said first position in the absence of actuation of said solenoid, the mass moment of said counterweight being substantially equal to the mass moment of said plunger about a pivot, whereby shock loads fixed to said frame applied to said plunger are offset by said counterweight without movement of said plunger away from said first position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dynamic lock as in Claim 7 wherein said spring means provides a relatively weak force compared to the force created by a shock load acting on said plunger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A dynamic lock as in Claim 8 including means for mounting the counterweight on the edge of the frame guiding said plunger, and means for linking said counterweight to an end of said plunger near to said carriage, said counterweight allowing free movement of said plunger in response to actuation of said solenoid, and offsetting shocks to said plunger to prevent movement thereof in the absence of actuation of said solenoid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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