Tho Gia Pham

US Patent:

20010012175, Aug 9, 2001

Filed:

Oct 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/168528

Inventors:

KELLY WILLIAMS - BRENTWOOD CA, US
THO PHAM - MILPITAS CA, US
TU NGUYEN - SAN JOSE CA, US

International Classification:

G11B017/02

US Classification:

360/097010

Abstract:

An external bumper that is attached to the housing of a hard disk drive. The disk drive may include a disk that is attached to a spin motor. The spin motor may be mounted to a base plate. An actuator arm assembly may also be mounted to the base plate and coupled to the disk. The disk is enclosed by a cover that is attached to the base plate. Elastomeric bumpers are attached to the corners of the cover and the base plate. The bumpers absorb shock loads that are applied to the hard disk drive. By way of example, if the disk drive is dropped on an external surface the bumpers will make contact with the surface and absorb the impact load applied to the drive.

US Patent:

56215886, Apr 15, 1997

Filed:

Jun 7, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/659893

Inventors:

Kelly Williams - Brentwood CA
Tho Pham - Milpitas CA

Assignee:

Samsung Electronics, Inc. - Richfield Park NJ

International Classification:

G11B 1702
F16F 1522

US Classification:

360 9807

Abstract:

A balanced spin motor assembly of a hard disk drive. The spin motor includes a spindle that is mounted to a base plate of the disk drive by a plurality of mounting screws that are attached to mounting holes of the spindle and base plate. At least one recording disk is attached to a hub assembly that rotates relative to the spindle. The hub assembly contains magnets that are coupled to a coil located within the motor. Energizing the coil with a current creates a torque that rotates the hub and spins the disks. The hub assembly has a plurality of equally spaced threaded apertures located at a top portion and a bottom portion of the hub. The spin motor can be balanced by attaching weight screws to the threaded apertures of the hub. Weight screws can be attached to the bottom portion of the hub through the mounting holes of the base plate and the spindle. Accessing the hub through the mounting holes allows the spin motor to be dynamically balanced while attached to the base plate of the drive.

US Patent:

57151199, Feb 3, 1998

Filed:

Jun 7, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/660125

Inventors:

Kelly Williams - Brentwood CA
Tho Pham - Milpitas CA

Assignee:

Samsung Electronics, Inc. - Richfield Park NJ

International Classification:

G11B 554

US Classification:

360105

Abstract:

A crash stop is used for an actuator arm of a hard disk drive. The crash stop includes a base portion that is pivotally connected to a post that separates the magnets of a voice coil motor. Extending from the base portion is a tab portion that can be rotated between a first position and a second position. When in the second position the tab limits the movement of the actuator arm so that the sliders of the disk drive cannot move off of the disks. The actuator arm, voice coil motor and crash stop can be installed by initially placing the crash stop in the first position and orienting the actuator arm in an off disk position. The actuator arm and voice coil motor are then mounted to a base plate of the disk drive. The actuator arm is rotated to load the magnetic heads onto the disks of the disk drive. The crash stop is then rotated to the second position and a cover is subsequently attached to the base plate to enclose the assembly.

US Patent:

58123466, Sep 22, 1998

Filed:

Jun 7, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/661399

Inventors:

Kelly Williams - Brentwood CA
Tho Pham - Milpitas CA

Assignee:

Samsung Electronics, Inc. - Richfield Park NJ

International Classification:

G11B 554

US Classification:

360105

Abstract:

A latch for an actuator arm of a hard disk drive. The latch includes a damping sleeve that is molded onto a steel plate. The sleeve has a pair of collars located at opposite ends of a neck portion. The neck portion is inserted into a plastic fantail portion of an actuator arm. The steel plate becomes attached to a magnetized member of the drive when the actuator arm is rotated to an unloaded position. The attachment of the plate, latches the position of the actuator arm and prevents the disk drive heads from moving onto the data sectors of the disk. The latch is located on the longitudinal center axis of the actuator arm so that the latch does not create a twisting vibrational mode on the arm. The steel plate is located away from the voice coil magnets of the disk drive so that the latch does not create a biasing force on the arm. The latch can be assembled to the actuator arm by merely pressing the damping sleeve into an aperture of a tab that extends from the fantail of the arm.