Zero skew of ultrasonic piezoelectric swing suspension

Abstract

A data storage device includes a base, a data storage disk, an actuator arm, a suspension, and a piezoelectric actuator. The data storage disk is attached to the base and has a read / write surface defining an x-y plane. The actuator arm is attached to the base at a first pivot point to rotate parallel to the x-y plane. The suspension is attached to the actuator arm at a second pivot point, the suspension having a first end including a curved edge surface and a second end supporting a read / write head configured to interact with the read / write surface. The piezoelectric actuator is mounted on the actuator arm and includes a biasing finger configured to contact the curved edge surface to cause the suspension to rotate about the second pivot point parallel to the x-y plane. An actuator arm assembly and a method of use are also described.

Description

Summary of the Invention

[0001] In one embodiment, a data storage device includes a base, a data storage disk, an actuator arm, a suspension, and a piezoelectric actuator. The data storage disk is attached to the base and has a read / write surface defining an xy-plane. The actuator arm is attached to the base at a first pivot point to rotate parallel to the xy-plane. The suspension is attached to the actuator arm at a second pivot point, the suspension having a first end including a curved edge surface and a second end supporting a read / write head configured to interact with the read / write surface. The piezoelectric actuator is mounted on the actuator arm and includes a biasing finger configured to contact the curved edge surface to cause the suspension to rotate about the second pivot point parallel to the xy-plane.

[0002] In another embodiment, an actuator arm assembly includes an actuator arm, a suspension, and a piezoelectric actuator. The suspension is attached to the actuator arm at a pivot point, and the suspension includes a curved edge surface. The piezoelectric actuator is disposed on the actuator arm and includes a biasing finger configured to contact the curved edge surface to rotate the suspension about the pivot point.

[0003] In another embodiment, a method includes: rotating an actuator arm about a first pivot point in a horizontal plane, the actuator arm being coupled to a suspension at a second pivot point; and selectively actuating a first electrode and a second electrode of an ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator disposed on the actuator arm such that a bias finger of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator contacts a curved edge surface of the suspension to rotate the suspension about the second pivot point.

[0004] Other features and benefits characterizing embodiments of this disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and reviewing the associated diagrams. Attached Figure Description

[0005] Figure 1 This is a schematic illustration of an exemplary data storage device.

[0006] Figure 2A This is a top plan view of an exemplary load beam suspension for an actuator arm in one configuration.

[0007] Figure 2B This is a top plan view of an exemplary load beam suspension for the actuator arm in the second configuration.

[0008] Figure 3A This is a top plan view of an exemplary data storage device, wherein the actuator arm assembly is positioned such that the end of its read / write head is near the inner diameter of the data storage disk.

[0009] Figure 3BThis is a top plan view of an exemplary data storage device, wherein the actuator arm assembly is positioned such that its head end is near a track between the inner and outer diameters of the data storage disk.

[0010] Figure 3C This is a top plan view of an exemplary data storage device, wherein the actuator arm assembly is positioned such that its head end is near the outer diameter of the data storage disk.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a top perspective view of a portion of an exemplary data storage device.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a top perspective view of an exemplary load beam suspension attached to the end portion of the actuator arm.

[0013] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the components.

[0014] Figure 7 Is it like this? Figure 6 An exploded perspective view of the ball bearing assembly shown.

[0015] Figure 8 It is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view taken by line 8-8.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a top perspective view of an exemplary rotating base plate and piezoelectric actuator.

[0017] Figure 10A This is a top schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of an ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator in a first configuration generating an elliptical movement trajectory of a biased finger against a rotating base plate in a cycle.

[0018] Figure 10B This is a top schematic diagram showing a second configuration in which an elliptical movement trajectory of a bias finger against a rotating base plate is generated in a loop.

[0019] Figure 10C This is a top schematic diagram showing a third configuration in which an elliptical movement trajectory of a bias finger against a rotating base plate is generated in a loop.

[0020] Figure 10D This is a top schematic diagram showing the fourth configuration in which the biased finger abuts against the rotating base plate in a loop.

[0021] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of an exemplary method for using the described apparatus.

[0022] The diagrams may not be drawn to scale. In particular, for clarity, some features may be enlarged relative to other features. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to reducing or eliminating head skew when reading tracks on a data storage disk in a data storage device (DSD). Before providing details regarding different embodiments, the following description is for illustrative purposes only. Figure 1 A description of a suitable operating environment is provided. Embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to any particular operating environment and can be practiced in any number of different types of operating environments.

[0024] It should be noted that the same or similar reference numerals are used for the same or similar elements in different drawings. Unless otherwise stated, all descriptions of elements also apply to all other versions of said elements. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. Unless otherwise stated, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are used to distinguish or identify different elements or steps in a group of elements or steps and do not provide for the order or numerical limitation of elements or steps in embodiments thereof. For example, “first,” “second,” and “third” elements or steps may not appear in the stated order, and embodiments thereof are not necessarily limited to three elements or steps. It should also be understood that, unless otherwise stated, any markings such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “forward,” “reverse,” “clockwise,” “counterclockwise,” “upward,” “downward,” or other similar terms such as “up,” “down,” “back,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “near,” “far,” “middle,” etc., are used for convenience and are not intended to, for example, imply any particular fixed position, orientation, or direction. Rather, such markings are used to reflect, for example, relative position, orientation, or direction. It should also be understood that the singular forms “a” and “the” contain plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0025] It should be understood that when an element is referred to as "connected," "coupled," or "attached" to another element, it may be directly connected, coupled, or attached to the other element, or indirectly connected, coupled, or attached to the other element in the presence of an intervening or intermediate element. In contrast, if an element is referred to as "directly connected," "directly coupled," or "directly attached" to another element, there is no intervening element. The diagrams illustrating direct connections, couplings, or attachments between elements also include embodiments in which elements are indirectly connected, coupled, or attached to each other.

[0026] Figure 1This is a schematic illustration of a data storage device 100, which includes a data storage medium, a magnetic head for reading data from and / or writing data to the data storage medium, and a ramp for supporting the magnetic head. In the data storage device 100, the magnetic head 102 can be positioned above or below the storage medium 104 to read data from and / or write data to the data storage medium. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the data storage medium 104 is a rotatable data storage disk, wherein each disk 104 has an opposing surface that serves as the data storage surface. For read and write operations, the spindle 106 rotates the medium 104 as indicated by arrow 107. An actuator mechanism 110 positions the read / write head 102 relative to the data track 114 on the rotating medium 104 between the inner diameter (ID) 108 and the outer diameter (OD) 109. Both the spindle 106 and the actuator mechanism 110 are connected to and operated via a drive circuit system 112 (shown schematically).

[0027] Each of the magnetic heads 102 is coupled to an actuator mechanism 110 via a suspension assembly, which includes a load beam 120 connected, for example, to an actuator arm 122 of the mechanism 110 via a forged connection. The actuator mechanism 110 is rotatably coupled to a frame or base plate 144 via bearings 124 to rotate about an axis or shaft 126. The actuator mechanism 110 moves the magnetic heads 102 in a cross-track direction as indicated by arrow 130. Each of the magnetic heads 102 includes one or more transducer elements (not shown) coupled to a head circuitry (not shown) via flexible circuitry 134.

[0028] Generally, to prevent the read / write head 102 from falling onto the disk 104 in the data storage device 100 when, for example, the data storage device 100 is powered off, and to prevent the head 102 from colliding with the outer edge of the disk 104 during load and unload operations, a head support ramp assembly 136 is provided adjacent to the OD 109 of the disk 104. In the exemplary data storage device 100, the number of heads 102 is less than the number of surfaces of the disk 104.

[0029] exist Figure 1 In the specific embodiment shown, the data storage device 100 includes four disks 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D, totaling eight data storage surfaces, and has fewer read / write heads 102 than the number of data storage surfaces. As previously noted, each of the read / write heads 102 is coupled to an actuator mechanism 110 via a suspension assembly that includes a load beam 120 connected to an actuator arm 122. The actuator mechanism 110, load beam 120, and actuator arm 122 are collectively referred to as the head assembly (HSA) 138. Figure 1In the data storage device 100, the HSA 138 can be moved to different positions along the axis 126 under the power of the elevator 140, which is in Figure 1 It is illustrated schematically. Figure 1 In the uppermost position shown, head 102 interacts with the data storage surface of disk 104A. In other positions below the uppermost position (not shown), the same head interacts with the data storage surfaces of disks 104B, 104C, and 104D. Figure 5-8 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment, actuator arm 122 carries an upper load beam suspension 120a and a lower load beam suspension 120b. The upper load beam suspension 120a carries an upward-facing read / write head 102, configured to read data from / write data to the disk surface above the head 102. The lower load beam suspension 120b carries a downward-facing read / write head 102, configured to read data from / write data to the disk surface below the head 102. Configurations of the head support structure other than those shown can be used.

[0030] As the HSA 138 moves away from the data storage disk 104, the head support ramp assembly 136 supports the head end 142 of the HSA 138. In some embodiments, the head support ramp assembly 136 includes a first ramp portion 136a adjacent to the OD 109 of the data storage disk 104 and a second ramp portion 136b adjacent to the first ramp portion 136a. To move the HSA 138 from an upper position to a lower position or from a lower position to an upper position, the HSA 138 first rotates about axis 126 or otherwise moves in the xy plane until the head end 142 of the HSA 138 is supported on the movable portion 136b of the head support ramp assembly 136. Then, the HSA 138 and the movable portion 136b move vertically (e.g., in the z direction) in unison. For example, the entire ramp 136 or a portion thereof may also move away from the disk stack in the xy plane, for example, by retraction, flexion, or rotation. Other ramp configurations may also be used, such as those described in the following commonly owned patent applications, which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Application 16 / 863,287, filed April 30, 2020, entitled “Split Ramp for Data Storage Devices”; and U.S. Application 17 / 163,983, filed February 1, 2021, entitled “Ramp Activation Systems for an Elevator Drive”.

[0031] In one embodiment, the base of the elevator 140 may be driven upward and downward by coils and magnets (not shown), with hard stops at both ends that limit the range of upward and downward movement of the HSA 138. Generally, any suitable drive mechanism can be used to move the elevator 140 up and down. An exemplary drive for the Z-direction movement of the elevator 140 includes a ball screw comprising an internal motor, a voice coil motor, an inchworm-type piezoelectric brake track, a linear motor, a shape memory alloy-based actuator, and combinations thereof. Further details regarding the data storage device are described in the following commonly owned patent application, which is incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Application 17 / 233,818, filed April 19, 2021, entitled “Zero Skew Elevator System.” In some embodiments, an elevator is not used because the HSA contains the same number of heads as the disk surface, and a plurality of actuator arms are attached to the E-block of the actuator.

[0032] To use the read / write head 102 to read and write data relative to the disk 104, actuator 110 is activated to rotate actuator arm 122, thereby moving the head end 142 of HSA 136 away from head support ramp assembly 136 and into disk 104. Although the movable ramp portion 136b is not shown in some illustrations, such a ramp portion can be used with any embodiment of the disk storage device. Reference Figure 1 and 3A -4. To move the head end 142 of the HSA 138A onto the disk 104, the arm 122 rotates about the cylindrical bearing 124 and the pivot axis 126. It can be understood that the rotation of the arm 122 about the pivot axis 126 causes the head end 142 of the HSA 138A to move in an arcuate track direction 130, which is not actually on the radius of the disk 104. Therefore, for the rotating actuator arm 122, in most positions of the head 102 on the disk 104, there is some misalignment between the head orientation and the actual track orientation of the track 114. Therefore, as... Figure 2A-4 As shown, a swing suspension is disclosed, wherein the load beam suspension 120 rotates relative to the actuator arm 122 at the second pivot axis 128 to reduce or eliminate any skew angle and align the magnetic head 102 with the selected track 114.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the HSA 138 is capable of positioning the read / write head 102 along arc 130 (around the first pivot axis 126) relative to the disk 104 in a selected cross-disk position, and due to the rotation of the load beam 120 relative to the actuator arm 122 about the second pivot axis 128, the read / write head 102 has a corrected zero-skew orientation relative to any particular track 114. Figure 2A and 2B As shown, in an exemplary embodiment, a load beam suspension 120 having a rotating base plate 150 is connected to an actuator arm 122 at a second pivot axis 128. An ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator 148 is attached to the actuator arm 122 and includes biasing fingers 152 configured to contact a surface 168 of the rotating base plate 150 (see [link to documentation]). Figure 5 The rotating base plate 150 and its attached load beam suspension 120 move against the surface to rotate about the second pivot axis 128. In some figures, the rotating base plate 150 is shown as partially or completely transparent, making the relative movement between the rotating base plate 150 and the actuator arm 122 more clearly visible.

[0034] like Figure 3A-4 As shown, this pivoting of the load beam suspension 120 relative to the end of the actuator arm 122 allows the magnetic head 102 carried by the load beam 120 to be positioned with minimal or no skew relative to any data track having 114. Figures 3A-3C As shown, this pivoting connection is dynamic because when the magnetic head 102... Figure 3A As shown, it moves across the disk surface between positions near the inner diameter 108 of disk 104, moving to, as Figure 3B The intermediate position shown, and the position in which the read / write head 102 is positioned near the outer diameter 109 of the data storage disk 104, as shown. Figure 3C When the position is shown, the relative swing position of the load beam suspension and the actuator arm will change. In an exemplary embodiment, the load beam suspension 120 has a neutral position aligned with the longitudinal range of the actuator arm 122 (e.g., Figure 1 and 3B As shown), and configured to rotate to the right of the neutral position (as shown). Figure 2A and 3A (as shown) and the left side of the neutral position (as shown) Figure 2B and 3C (As shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator 148 is used to control the angle of the load beam 120 relative to the actuator arm 122, thereby aligning the magnetic head 102 with the selected data track 114 with minimal or no skew. Figure 5-7 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pivot bearing 146 connects the upper load beam portion 120a and the lower load beam portion 120b to the actuator arm 122.

[0035] like Figure 6 and 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the upper load beam portion 120a and the lower load beam portion 120b carry read and write heads 102 (not shown) for reading and writing on the top and bottom surfaces of the disk 104. Figure 5 and 6As shown, when the disk drive storage device 100 is in a closed or non-operating state, the lift plate 118 extends from the load beam portions 1201, 120b and rests on the head support ramp assembly 136.

[0036] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of a portion of an actuator arm 122 configured for pivotal connection to a load beam suspension assembly 120 (including an upper load beam portion 120a and an upper rotating base plate 150a, and a lower load beam portion 120b and a lower rotating base plate 150b). In an exemplary embodiment, the relative positions of the upper load beam portion 120a and the upper rotating base plate 150a are fixed. Similarly, the lower load beam portion 120b and the lower rotating base plate 150b are fixed to each other.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the end of the actuator arm 122 includes an aperture 154 configured for inserting a pivot bearing 146, which in this exemplary embodiment is a ball bearing. Each of the upper rotating base plate 150a and the lower rotating base plate 150b includes an aperture 156 for receiving a shaft 158 ​​of the pivot bearing 146. Figure 7 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment, the pivot bearing 146 has an inner ring 160 and an outer ring 162 connected to the shaft 158, and a plurality of bearing balls 164 traveling in a channel 166 formed between the inner ring 160 and the outer ring 162.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the shaft 158 ​​of the inner ring 160 is secured to the upper and lower rotating base plates 150a and 150b respectively at corresponding orifices 156 by an adhesive. Suitable adhesives include those used for pivot sleeves in rotary actuators, such as the adhesive described in commonly owned U.S. Patent 10,192,575 entitled “Split actuator with multiple head stack assemblies bonded to bearing sleeves,” which is incorporated herein by reference. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer ring 162 is secured in an orifice 154 of the actuator arm 122 by an adhesive. The ball 164 is configured to roll in a channel 166, thereby allowing relative rotation of the inner ring 160 and the outer ring 162 of the pivot bearing 146. In an exemplary embodiment, the pivot bearing 146 is a small ball bearing having balls 164 with a diameter of approximately 0.25 mm. Such ball bearings are available from Minebea Mitsumi in Tokyo, Japan.

[0039] like Figure 4-9As shown, in an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator 148 has biased fingers 152 that frictionally engage the arcuate surface 168 of the upper rotating base plate 150a. Through this frictional engagement, and through the movement of the biased fingers 152 against the surface 168, such as... Figure 10A-10D As shown in the cycle, actuation of the piezoelectric actuator 148 can move the upper base plate 150a in the rotational direction about the second pivot axis 128, thereby causing the load beam suspension 120 to swing relative to the actuator arm 122, as... Figure 2A-4 As shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the bias finger 152 is directly engaged with the upper rotating base plate 150a by friction. The rotating base plate 150a is then secured to the shaft 158 ​​of the pivot bearing 146 by adhesive in orifice 156. Similarly, the lower rotating base plate 150b is secured to the lower portion of the shaft 158 ​​by adhesive in its orifice 156. Therefore, movement of the upper rotating base plate 150a causes simultaneous and coordinated movement of the lower rotating base plate 150b, such that both the upper load beam portion 120a and the lower load beam portion 120b, connected to the single actuator arm 122, rotate uniformly about the second pivot axis 128. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the upper load beam portion 120a and the lower load beam portion 120b carries a read / write head 102; therefore, the two read / write heads 102 connected to the single actuator arm 122 also oscillate uniformly about the second pivot axis 128.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator 148 has a standing wave ultrasonic piezoelectric motor, wherein the movement of the upper rotating base plate 150a is caused by elliptical oscillations of the biased finger 152 against a contact point on the arcuate surface 168. In some embodiments, the surface 168 may include features that facilitate this frictional engagement, such as a knurled surface or otherwise textured surface.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, such as Figure 9-10D As shown, the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator 148 has two exciter electrodes 170, 172 disposed on a piezoelectric ceramic plate 176 backed by a ground plane 178. In an exemplary embodiment, the piezoelectric ceramic plate 176 is polarized in the z-direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the bias finger 152 causes the surface 168 of the rotating base plate 150a to contact the preload to achieve positive frictional engagement.

[0042] Figure 10A-10DThis is a schematic illustration of the vibration operation mode of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator 148 in a cycle. In an exemplary embodiment, actuation is based on asymmetric excitation of the piezoelectric ceramic layer 176 in a resonant mode of a two-dimensional stationary extended wave. In an exemplary embodiment, a sinusoidal voltage is applied to one of the electrodes 170, 172, while the other electrode remains unvoltageed. In the illustrated cycle, electrode 170 is excited, while electrode 172 remains unvoltageed. Therefore, the piezoelectric ceramic layer 176 will extend and retract, thus vibrating in a bimodal resonant manner. For ease of understanding, the illustration of the movement of the bias finger 152 is enlarged. Actuation of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator 148 causes the bias finger 152 to move against the surface 168 of the rotating base plate 150a along an elliptical trajectory 174. The direction of movement is reversed by switching the sinusoidal voltage application to the other of the electrodes 170, 172. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive frequency is greater than approximately 60 kHz to avoid suspension lateral movement. The motion trajectory of the contact point of the bias finger 152 can also be controlled by the amplitude and / or frequency of the drive signal. The term "ultrasonic" refers to an oscillation frequency outside the range of human hearing. Therefore, the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator motor 148 operates silently. Additional advantages of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator motor over other types of actuators include low power consumption and therefore low heat generation, which is achieved through its resonant operation, making it more energy-efficient than quasi-static operation.

[0043] In addition to moving the head end 142 of the head assembly 138 to align the head 102 with the desired track 114, a slight movement of the load beam suspension 120 caused by the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator 148 can also be used to precisely position the head 102 relative to the surface of the disk 104, where the motion gradation is finer than that achievable with the arm actuator mechanism 110. This feature allows the exemplary data storage system 100 to read data with increased track per inch (TPI) capability. Additional information relating to the high performance of the disk drive is provided in the following commonly owned patent applications and patents, which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Application 17 / 172,684, filed February 10, 2021, entitled "Adjusting HGA Z-height via HSA Elevator Using Head / Actuator Feedback"; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0257710, entitled "Harddrive actuator arm with reduced skew variation"; U.S. Patent No. 6,987,637, entitled "Magnetic recording system which eliminates skew angle effect"; U.S. Patent No. 9,361,919, entitled "Diskdrive with parallel head actuation"; and "Read-after-write method using multiple actuators movable on the same magnetic medium". U.S. Patent No. 10,249,339, entitled “Methodology using multiple actuators moveable over the same magnetic media”; and U.S. Patent No. 10,818,317, entitled “Multi-actuator data storage system”.

[0044] like Figure 2A and 2BAs shown, the swing direction, speed, and range of motion of the load beam suspension 120 relative to the actuator arm 122 can be controlled by the amplitude, frequency, and phase of the voltage drive signal. In an exemplary embodiment, the load beam suspension 120 can swing left and right by approximately 17 radial degrees to achieve minimal or no skewness of the head end 142 of the head assembly 138 relative to the data tracks 114 at different locations on the data area of ​​the disk 104, such as... Figures 3A-3C As shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the rotating base plate 150 includes a stop 180 on the surface 168 (e.g., configured as a surface protrusion and...). Figure 5 (marked in the middle) to prevent excessive swaying of the rotating base plate 150 (and thus the load beam suspension 120) relative to the actuator arm 122.

[0045] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of operation for a data storage device 100. The method begins at 202 and continues to 204 and 206, which can be performed simultaneously or one before the other. Performing 204 and 206 simultaneously essentially reduces track access time. At 204, actuator arm 122 is rotated about a first pivot axis 126 by actuator mechanism 110 to position the read / write head 102, connected to actuator arm 122, at the data track 114 of the data storage disk 104. At 206, the head circuitry and associated controller actuate ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator 148 to rotate load beam suspension 120 about a second pivot axis 128 to reduce the skewness of the read / write head 102 relative to the selected data track 114. At 208, a read / write operation is performed by the read / write head 102 relative to the selected data track 114. At 210, a query is made to indicate whether the operation of the disk drive storage device 100 is complete. If not, the method returns to 204 and 206 to move the head 102 closer to another selected data track 114 and obtain the correct angle between the load beam suspension 120 and the actuator arm 122. The method continues until the drive operation is complete, whereby the method ends at 212.

[0046] The descriptions of the embodiments herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments. These descriptions are not intended to be construed as a complete description of all elements and features of devices and systems utilizing the structures or methods described herein. Features described with respect to any embodiment also apply to any other embodiment. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and other embodiments may be derived from this disclosure, allowing for structural and logical substitutions and changes without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, these illustrations are merely representative and may not be drawn to scale. Some scales in the illustrations may be enlarged, while others may be reduced. Therefore, this disclosure and the accompanying drawings should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0047] One or more embodiments of this disclosure may be referred to herein individually and / or collectively by the term "invention," for convenience only, and are not intended to limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Furthermore, although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that any subsequent arrangements designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent modifications or variations of the various embodiments. After reading this specification, combinations of the above embodiments, as well as other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All patent documents mentioned in the description are incorporated by reference.

[0048] This summary of the disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C. FR § 1.72(b) and should be understood not to be construed as limiting the scope or meaning of the claims. Furthermore, in the foregoing detailed description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of brevity. This disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments use more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the appended claims, the subject matter of the invention may contain fewer features than all of any disclosed embodiment.

[0049] The subject matter disclosed above should be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments falling within the true spirit and scope of this disclosure. For example, features described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments. Thus, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the scope of this disclosure is determined by the widest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and should not be constrained or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

[0050] Further examples:

[0051] Example 1. A data storage device comprising: a base; a data storage disk attached to the base and having a read / write surface defining an xy plane; an actuator arm attached to the base at a first pivot point for rotation parallel to the xy plane; a suspension attached to the actuator arm at a second pivot point, the suspension having a first end including a curved edge surface and a second end supporting a read / write head configured to interact with the read / write surface; and a piezoelectric actuator disposed on the actuator arm and including a biasing finger configured to contact the curved edge surface to cause the suspension to rotate about the second pivot point parallel to the xy plane.

[0052] Example 2. The data storage device of claim 1, comprising a ball bearing disposed at the second pivot point.

[0053] Example 3. The data storage device of claim 2, wherein the ball bearing comprises: an inner ring fixed to the suspension; and an outer ring fixed to the actuator arm.

[0054] Example 4. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the suspension has a neutral position aligned with the longitudinal range of the actuator arm, and wherein the suspension is configured to rotate to the left and right sides of the neutral position.

[0055] Example 5. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the suspension comprises an upper plate and a lower plate, and wherein the curved edge surface is disposed on the upper plate.

[0056] Example 6. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein: the suspension includes an upper plate and a lower plate; and a ball bearing is disposed at the second pivot point, wherein the ball bearing includes an inner ring fixed to both the upper plate and the lower plate of the suspension.

[0057] Example 7. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric actuator comprises a first selectively excitable electrode and a second selectively excitable electrode.

[0058] Example 8. An actuator arm assembly comprising: an actuator arm; a suspension attached to the actuator arm at a pivot point, the suspension including a curved edge surface; and a piezoelectric actuator disposed on the actuator arm and including a bias finger configured to contact the curved edge surface to rotate the suspension about the pivot point.

[0059] Example 9. The actuator arm assembly of claim 8, comprising a ball bearing disposed at the pivot point.

[0060] Example 10. The actuator arm assembly of claim 9, wherein the ball bearing comprises:

[0061] The inner ring is fixed to the suspension; and the outer ring is fixed to the actuator arm.

[0062] Example 11. The actuator arm assembly of claim 8, wherein the suspension has a neutral position aligned with the longitudinal range of the actuator arm, and wherein the suspension is configured to rotate to the left and right sides of the neutral position.

[0063] Example 12. The actuator arm assembly of claim 8, wherein the suspension comprises an upper plate and a lower plate, and wherein the curved edge surface is disposed on the upper plate.

[0064] Example 13. The actuator arm assembly of claim 8, wherein: the suspension includes an upper plate and a lower plate; and a ball bearing is disposed at the pivot point, wherein the ball bearing includes an inner ring fixed to both the upper plate and the lower plate of the suspension.

[0065] Example 14. The actuator arm assembly of claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric actuator includes a first selectively excitable electrode and a second selectively excitable electrode.

[0066] Example 15. The actuator arm assembly of claim 8, wherein the curved edge surface includes a stop configured to prevent rotation of the suspension about the pivot point.

[0067] Example 16. A method comprising: rotating an actuator arm in a horizontal plane about a first pivot point, the actuator arm being coupled to a suspension at a second pivot point; and selectively actuating a first electrode and a second electrode of an ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator disposed on the actuator arm such that a bias finger of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator contacts a curved edge surface of the suspension to rotate the suspension about the second pivot point.

[0068] Example 17. The method of claim 16, wherein selectively driving the first electrode and the second electrode causes the biased finger to have an elliptical motion trajectory relative to the curved edge surface.

[0069] Example 18. The method of claim 16, wherein rotating the suspension relative to the actuator arm reduces the skewness of the first read / write head carried by the suspension relative to the data track of the data storage disk.

[0070] Example 19. The method of claim 18, wherein: the suspension carries the second read / write head; and the first and second electrodes of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator are selectively driven to move the first and second read / write heads in unison.

[0071] Example 20. The method of claim 16, wherein: the suspension has a neutral position aligned with the longitudinal range of the actuator arm; in a first operation, the first and second electrodes of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator are selectively driven to rotate the suspension to the left of the neutral position; and in a second operation, the first and second electrodes of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator are selectively driven to rotate the suspension to the right of the neutral position.

Claims

1. A data storage device, comprising: Base; A data storage disk, which is attached to the base and has a read / write surface defining an xy plane; An actuator arm is attached to the base at a first pivot point to rotate parallel to the xy plane; A suspension attached to the actuator arm at a second pivot point, the suspension having a first end including a curved edge surface and a second end supporting a magnetic head configured to interact with the read / write surface; as well as A piezoelectric actuator, mounted on the actuator arm and including a biasing finger configured to contact the curved edge surface to cause the suspension to rotate about a second pivot point parallel to the xy plane. The piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric ceramic layer, and the piezoelectric ceramic layer vibrates in a dual-mode resonant manner by extending and retracting.

2. The data storage device according to claim 1, comprising a ball bearing disposed at the second pivot point.

3. The data storage device according to claim 2, wherein the ball bearing comprises: Attached to the inner ring of the suspension; as well as It is fixed to the outer ring of the actuator arm.

4. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the suspension has a neutral position aligned with the longitudinal range of the actuator arm, and wherein the suspension is configured to rotate to the left and right sides of the neutral position.

5. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the suspension comprises an upper plate and a lower plate, and wherein the curved edge surface is disposed on the upper plate.

6. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein: The suspension includes an upper plate and a lower plate; and A ball bearing is positioned at the second pivot point, wherein the ball bearing includes an inner ring fixed to both the upper plate and the lower plate of the suspension.

7. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric actuator comprises a first selectively excitable electrode and a second selectively excitable electrode.

8. An actuator arm assembly comprising: Actuator arm; A suspension system attached to the actuator arm at a pivot point, the suspension system including a curved edge surface; as well as A piezoelectric actuator, mounted on the actuator arm and including bias fingers configured to contact the curved edge surface to rotate the suspension about the pivot point. The piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric ceramic layer, and the piezoelectric ceramic layer vibrates in a dual-mode resonant manner by extending and retracting.

9. The actuator arm assembly of claim 8, comprising a ball bearing disposed at the pivot point.

10. The actuator arm assembly of claim 9, wherein the ball bearing comprises: Attached to the inner ring of the suspension; as well as It is fixed to the outer ring of the actuator arm.

11. The actuator arm assembly of claim 8, wherein the suspension has a neutral position aligned with the longitudinal range of the actuator arm, and wherein the suspension is configured to rotate to the left and right sides of the neutral position.

12. The actuator arm assembly of claim 8, wherein the suspension comprises an upper plate and a lower plate, and wherein the curved edge surface is disposed on the upper plate.

13. The actuator arm assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The suspension includes an upper plate and a lower plate; and A ball bearing is positioned at the pivot point, wherein the ball bearing includes an inner ring that is fixed to both the upper plate and the lower plate of the suspension.

14. The actuator arm assembly of claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric actuator includes a first selectively excitable electrode and a second selectively excitable electrode.

15. The actuator arm assembly of claim 8, wherein the curved edge surface includes a stop configured to prevent rotation of the suspension about the pivot point.

16. A method comprising: The actuator arm is rotated in a horizontal plane about a first pivot point, and the actuator arm is coupled to the suspension at a second pivot point; as well as The first and second electrodes of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator, mounted on the actuator arm, are selectively driven such that the bias fingers of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator contact the curved edge surface of the suspension to rotate the suspension about the second pivot point. The piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric ceramic layer, and the piezoelectric ceramic layer vibrates in a dual-mode resonant manner by extending and retracting.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein selectively driving the first electrode and the second electrode causes the biased finger to have an elliptical motion trajectory relative to the curved edge surface.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein rotating the suspension relative to the actuator arm reduces the skewness of the first read / write head carried by the suspension relative to the data track of the data storage disk.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein: The suspension carries the second read / write head; and The first and second electrodes of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator are selectively driven to cause the first and second read / write heads to move in unison.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein: The suspension has a neutral position aligned with the longitudinal range of the actuator arm; In the first operation, the first and second electrodes of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator are selectively driven to rotate the suspension to the left of the neutral position; and In the second operation, the first and second electrodes of the ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator are selectively driven to rotate the suspension to the right of the neutral position.

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