JP2715154B2 - Magnetic disk drive - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic disk drive used as an external recording device of a computer.

2. Description of the Related Art In a magnetic disk drive, a non-contact magnetic head is generally used to avoid damage to a magnetic disk as a recording medium, and a floating magnetic head is generally used. This magnetic head is attached to, for example, a swingable flexure of an actuator, and is minutely balanced by a balance between a pressing force of a flexure for urging the magnetic head against a magnetic disk surface and a levitation force due to an air flow generated by rotation of the magnetic disk. The flying height has been obtained. In such a magnetic disk drive,
In general, a method called a contact start / stop (CSS) method in which a magnetic disk and a magnetic head are started and stopped while in contact with each other is employed. In this scheme,
The magnetic head is always in a standby state with the magnetic head in contact with the magnetic disk. When the apparatus is started, the magnetic disk rotates, and the airflow accompanying this rotation causes the magnetic head to float above the magnetic disk surface and be driven for access. Recording and reproduction of information are performed, and when the apparatus is stopped, the magnetic head lands at that point and is kept in contact with the magnetic disk. However, in such a method, since landing and flying are performed in the memory section of the magnetic disk, there is a problem that the magnetic head and the magnetic disk are damaged by the impact.
In addition, if the contact state is maintained for a long period of time, there is a problem that the magnetic disk and the magnetic head are attracted to each other and cannot be started. Further, there is another problem that the actuator swings due to transportation or other external force when not in use, and the magnetic head and the magnetic disk are rubbed to damage both.

Therefore, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-38773, the magnetic head is configured to be in a non-contact state from the surface of the magnetic disk when the operation of the apparatus is stopped, thereby preventing the magnetic head and the magnetic disk from sticking when not in use. Things have been suggested.

However, even with this method, damage to both the magnetic head and the magnetic disk due to collision is unavoidable.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-15671 discloses that when the power supply is stopped, the actuator is driven using the back electromotive force of the spindle motor, the magnetic head lands on the non-memory portion of the magnetic disk, and the actuator is locked at that position. The magnetic head is efficiently moved to the landing position by shutting off the power supply and locked at that position, and the actuator swings due to transportation or external impact. It has been proposed to prevent the magnetic head and the magnetic disk from being damaged.

However, in this method, no consideration is given to the collision between the magnetic head and the disk at the time of landing at the time of start-up, and since the contact start / stop method is employed, a problem of suction between the head and the disk occurs.

It is also known that a magnetic head is lifted outside a magnetic disk and put on standby during operation stop. However, in this method, if the standby mechanism does not work well for some reason, the magnetic head falls out of the magnetic disk, resulting in a serious accident. In addition, since important data is often written on the outer peripheral portion of the magnetic disk, there is a concern that if there is a mistake in the standby operation, the important data will be damaged, leading to a fatal accident. Further, since the magnetic head is moved out of the magnetic disk, the moving range of the magnetic head is increased, and the size of the voice coil motor and the like is increased, which makes it difficult to reduce the size of the entire apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic disk device that can prevent damage to a magnetic head and a magnetic disk and can reliably protect information written on the magnetic disk.

A magnetic disk drive according to the present invention comprises: a rotating magnetic disk; a magnetic head supported by a flexure so as to swing with respect to the magnetic disk; and the flexure being accessed and driven on the magnetic disk by an actuator; A magnetic disk device provided with a lifter for supporting a flexure in a state where the magnetic head floats above the magnetic disk on the inner peripheral side of the data area, the lock lever having a first engagement portion which rotates about a rotation axis And a second engaging portion for engaging the first engaging portion with the actuator,
When the flexure is supported by the lifter, a lock mechanism that locks the actuator by contact of the first and second engagement portions is provided.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a main part (at the time of access) of an embodiment of a magnetic disk drive according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the same at the time of stop (retreat). FIG. 3 is a line II in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line I-III, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram viewed from the direction B in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control method of this device.

A flexible flexure 23 swingable with respect to the magnetic disk 13 is attached to a flexure support portion 21a of the actuator 21, and a magnetic head 25 is attached to the tip of the flexure 23. When the magnetic disk 13 is rotated by the spindle motor 11, the balance between the pressing force of the flexure 23 for urging the magnetic head 25 against the surface of the magnetic disk 13 and the floating force generated by the rotation of the magnetic disk 13,
The magnetic head 25 flies while maintaining a predetermined distance from the magnetic disk 13. In response to a control signal from the control device, the voice coil motor 27 is driven, the actuator 21 is rotated about the shaft 29, and the magnetic head 25 is driven for access to record / reproduce information.

The outer side of the outermost peripheral portion 13a and the inner side of the innermost peripheral portion 13b of the data area A of the magnetic disk 19 constitute a non-memory area. The lifter 15 is floated on the non-memory area inside the innermost peripheral portion 13b while being separated from the magnetic disk 13,
Similarly, a support member provided separately from the magnetic disk 13
Fixed to 17 and supported.

When the supply of power to the spindle motor 11 is interrupted due to the termination of recording / reproduction of information by the magnetic head 25 or a power failure, the switching device (see FIG. 5) is activated, and the spindle motor 11 is turned off after the power is interrupted. The back electromotive force is supplied to the voice coil motor 27, and the actuator 21 rotates so that the magnetic head 25 advances toward the center of the magnetic disk 13. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flexure 23 moves from the receiving portion 15a at the tip of the lifter 15 to the tapered portion 1a.
5b, and is supported by the lifter 15 on the magnetic disk 13 while being separated from the magnetic disk 13.

At this time, as shown in FIG.
Thereby, the movement of the actuator 21 is locked. Sixth
The figure is a perspective view showing the relationship between the lock lever 31 and the actuator 21, and FIG. 7 is a plan view.

When the power supply of the magnetic disk drive is turned off, the solenoid 35 is turned off, and the plunger 37 is separated by the spring 39. As a result, the lock lever 31 is
, The curved side edge portion 31b of the lock lever 31 is urged by the spring 39 to come into contact with the engaging portion 21b vertically provided on the flexure support portion 21a of the actuator 21. The actuator 21 rotates against the biasing force toward the lock position so that the vertical engaging portion 21b slides on the curved side edge portion 31b, and finally, the vertical engaging portion 21b moves the lock lever 31. And the actuator 21 is locked by the lock lever 31.

In this way, with the flexure 23 riding on the lifter 15, the actuator 21 is fixed by the lock lever 31, and the magnetic head 25 is fixed away from the magnetic disk 13.

Since the distance between the receiving portion 15a at the tip of the lifter 15 and the magnetic disk 13 is smaller than the flying height of the rising flexure 23 from the magnetic disk 13, the flexure 23 smoothly rides on the tapered portion 15b following the receiving portion 15a. , Beyond which it is supported by lifters 15. Lifter 15 is flexure 23
It is rich in wear resistance due to repeated contact and sliding with
It is desirable to form it from a material having a low coefficient of friction, and it is preferable that it is lightweight and high in strength, and specific examples thereof include a synthetic resin. It is desirable that the support member 17 of the lifter 15 be formed of a lightweight, high-strength material that is rigid and has little bending, and specifically, a metal such as aluminum is preferable. By using such a rigid member, the support member 17 hardly bends, and the lifter 15 can be supported on the magnetic disk 13 with a certain distance. Even if it is bent, the lifter 15 contacts the magnetic disk 13 first, so the lifter 15
Is formed of a soft material such as a synthetic resin, the magnetic disk 13 is not damaged. Moreover, since the lifter 15 is supported outside the data area of the magnetic disk 13, there is no danger of data damage due to contact. Also, lifter 15
Further, since the support member 17 is fixed and there is no movable portion, adjustment at the time of assembly is easy, and there is no displacement or the like due to use.

In the locked state, as shown in FIG. 7, when the actuator 21 tries to rotate due to an external impact or the like, the force F acts in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 33 which is the center of rotation of the lock lever 31. For this reason, the force F does not act as the rotation force of the lock lever 31, and the locked state is not released. Also, the engaging portion 31a of the lock lever 31 and the engaging portion 2 of the actuator 21
1a is in contact with the surface, so that it can be securely locked, and the actuator 21 is prevented from swinging due to external vibration.

When the lock is released, the lock lever 31 rotates in the direction C in FIG. 7 and comes off in the direction away from the actuator 1, so that the lock lever 31 operates smoothly without being affected by contact with the actuator 21, friction or the like.

From the above, in the above lock mechanism, the solenoid 35
With a small force, a secure lock can be realized.

At the time of driving, as shown in FIG. 1, the spindle motor 11 is rotated, the plunger 37 of the solenoid 35 is pulled from the state of FIG. 2, the lock lever 31 is rotated to release the lock, and the voice coil motor 27 is released. To move the magnetic head 25 to the data area. At this time, the flexure 23 gradually descends the tapered portion 15b of the lifter 15, and the support of the flexure 23 by the lifter 15 is smoothly released, so that the magnetic head 25 is prevented from colliding with the magnetic disk 13 at the time of landing. You.

When starting the solenoid 35, a relatively high voltage (for example,
At 12V), the plunger 37 is sucked and pulled to a predetermined position. After the plunger 37 is attracted, the plunger 37 can be adsorbed even at a relatively low voltage (for example, 5 V).
It is desirable to reduce the supply voltage of the solenoid 35, reduce the power consumption, and avoid a temperature rise due to heat generation.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which a flexure 23 supporting a plurality of magnetic heads (not shown) accessed and driven in a data area A of a magnetic disk 13 is provided with a magnetic disk. 13 shows a state in which the lifter 15 is supported on the lifter 15 supported by the support member 17 on the non-data area on the inner peripheral side of 13.

According to the present invention, when the magnetic disk drive is stopped, the flexure by the lifter is supported on the non-data area on the inner peripheral side of the magnetic disk, and the magnetic head is supported while floating above the magnetic disk. When stopped, the magnetic head and magnetic disk no longer crash,
Vibration resistance can be improved. Even if a crash occurs, data is not destroyed because it is outside the data area.

Further, since the CSS method is not used, the problem of attraction between the magnetic head and the disk is eliminated, the start-up becomes possible even with a spindle motor having a small starting torque, and the durability of the magnetic head and the magnetic disk is improved.

Further, since the magnetic head is supported on the inner peripheral side on the magnetic disk, there is no possibility that the magnetic head is accidentally displaced outside the magnetic disk due to an accident during the evacuation operation.

Further, according to the present invention, a mechanism for securely locking the actuator can be realized. In particular, by using a solenoid for the lock mechanism, more secure locking and smooth release can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the magnetic disk drive of the present invention at the time of access, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a stop (at the time of lock). FIG. 3 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view along the line III-III in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control method of the magnetic disk drive. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the lock lever and the actuator, and FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway plan view. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing a magnetic disk drive of the present invention. 11 ... Spindle motor, 13 ... Magnetic disk 15 ... Lifter, 17 ... Support member 21 ... Actuator, 21a ... Flexure support 21b ... Engaging part, 23 ... Flexure 25 ... Magnetic head, 27 … Voice coil motor 31… Lock lever, 31a… Engaging part 31b… Side edge, 33… Rotating shaft 35… Solenoid, 37… Plunger 39… Spring

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] A rotating magnetic disk, a magnetic head supported by a flexure so as to swing with respect to the magnetic disk, and the flexure being accessed and driven on the magnetic disk by an actuator; and an inner periphery of a data area of the magnetic disk. A magnetic disk device provided with a lifter that supports a flexure with the magnetic head floating above the magnetic disk on the side, a lock lever that rotates about a rotation axis and has a first engagement portion, A lock mechanism is provided that is provided with a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion and that locks the actuator by contact of the first and second engagement portions when the lifter supports the flexure. A magnetic disk drive. 2. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the force that the actuator moves with respect to the lock lever in the locked state to release the locked state is directed to the rotation axis of the lock lever. 3. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein the first and second engagement portions come into surface contact with each other. 4. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein when the lock mechanism is unlocked by rotation of the lock lever, the lock lever comes off without contacting the actuator. 5. A lock mechanism for driving a plunger by a solenoid, rotating a lock lever from a lock position to an unlock position, and holding the lock lever in the unlock position, wherein a relatively high voltage is applied to the solenoid when the plunger is activated. The magnetic disk drive according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the solenoid is supplied and the solenoid is continuously energized at a relatively low voltage during holding. 6. A lock mechanism comprising an engagement structure of an engagement portion of a lock lever that rotates about a rotation axis and an engagement portion provided on an actuator; from an unlocked state to a locked state. When all the lock mechanisms are driven, first, the engagement portion of the actuator and the non-engagement portion of the biased lock lever come into contact with each other, and with the rotation of the actuator to the lock position, the actuator engagement portion Against the urging force of the lock lever, it slides against the non-engagement portion of the lock lever and moves toward the lock lever engagement portion, and at the actuator lock position, engages the lock lever engagement portion and the actuator engagement portion. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic disk drive engages with the magnetic disk drive.