Reduced torque unloading ramp system for a hard disk drive

U.S. Patent Number: 5341260

Abstract: A disk drive including a plurality of read/write heads mounted on flexures which move the heads into cooperative arrangements with the data tracks is disclosed. In order to keep the heads from landing on the disk when power is removed from the disk drive, a number of head support ramps, one cooperating with each flexure, are provided adjacent the outside diameter of the disk or disks. The location of the head ramps is staggered, around the circumference of the disk, so that the head support flexures contact the ramps in successive time intervals. Less power is needed to overcome the friction of each flexure against the ramp and move the flexure up the ramp to park the head safely above the surface of the disk.

Inventors: Jabbari; Irai (San Jose, CA)

Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc. (Scotts Valley, CA)

Application Number: 07/985,987

Issued: 1994-08-23

Expired: 2006-08-23

Classes: 360/254.8

Field of search: 360/104-106,109

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