Lamp support for magnetic storage device

Abstract

To provide a ramp support body that improves performance of holding a read / write head assembly of a magnetic storage device.SOLUTION: In a magnetic storage device, a ramp support body 317 includes a first ramp 306 having a first ramp receiving end 307 and a first ramp surface 308, and a second ramp 313 having a second ramp receiving end 318 laterally offset from the first ramp receiving end and a second ramp surface 319. A first first ramp portion 309 faces a virtual plane 352 and is angled thereto. A second first ramp portion 311 faces a virtual plane and is angled away therefrom. A third first ramp portion 312 faces the virtual plane and is angled thereto. A first second ramp portion 320 faces the virtual plane and is angled thereto, and a second second ramp portion 323 faces the virtual plane and is angled away therefrom.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to magnetic storage devices, and more particularly to improving the ability of a ramp support of a magnetic storage device to support a read / write head assembly of the magnetic storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] Magnetic storage devices, such as hard disk drives ("HDDs"), are widely used to store digital data or electronic information for enterprise data processing systems, computer workstations, portable computing devices, digital audio players, digital video players, and the like. Generally, HDDs include a read / write head that helps facilitate the storage of data on the magnetic disk. The read / write head can be offloaded from the disk to a ramp support when not reading or writing data to the disk. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present subject matter was developed in response to the state of the art, and specifically in response to shortcomings in ramp supports for magnetic storage devices that have not yet been fully addressed by currently available technology. Accordingly, the present subject matter was developed to provide a ramp support for a magnetic storage device that overcomes at least some of the shortcomings of the prior art discussed above.

[0004] The following is a non-exhaustive list of embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, which may or may not be claimed.

[0005] The following part of this section details Example 1 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 1, a lamp support for a magnetic storage device includes a first lamp. The first lamp includes a first lamp receiving end and a first lamp surface. The first lamp surface includes a first first lamp portion, a second first lamp portion, and a third first lamp portion. The lamp support includes a second lamp. The second lamp includes a second lamp receiving end offset laterally from the first lamp receiving end in a direction along an imaginary plane sandwiched between the first lamp and the second lamp. The second lamp also includes a second lamp surface. The second lamp surface includes a first second lamp portion and a second second lamp portion. In a direction along the imaginary plane, the first first lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled toward it. The second first lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled away from it. The third first lamp portion faces an imaginary plane and is angled toward it. The first second lamp portion faces an imaginary plane and is angled toward it, and the second second lamp portion faces an imaginary plane and is angled away from it. In a direction along the imaginary plane, the first second lamp portion extends further than the first first lamp portion and terminates at a position relative to the plane, including a position where the second second lamp portion also terminates, and the third first lamp portion extends further than the second second lamp portion.

[0006] The following of this section details Example 2 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 2, which includes Example 1 above, the first first lamp portion, the second first lamp portion, and the third first lamp portion are adjacent, and the first second lamp portion and the second second lamp portion are adjacent.

[0007] The following of this section details Example 3 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 3, which includes Example 1 or 2 above, the first first ramp portion has a length greater than the length of the second first ramp portion.

[0008] The following of this section details Example 4 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 4, which includes any one of Examples 1 to 3 above, the first second ramp portion has a length greater than the length of the second second ramp portion.

[0009] The following of this section details Example 5 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 5, which includes any one of Examples 1 to 4 above, the first first ramp portion has a length greater than the first second ramp portion.

[0010] The following of this section details Example 6 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 6, which includes any one of Examples 1-5 above, the first first lamp portion starts from the first lamp receiving end and extends away from the first lamp receiving end, and the first second lamp portion starts from the second lamp receiving end and extends away from the second lamp receiving end.

[0011] The following of this section details Example 7 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 7, which includes any one of Examples 1 to 6 above, the second first ramp portion is substantially parallel to the first second ramp portion, and the second second ramp portion is substantially parallel to the third first ramp portion.

[0012] The following of this section details Example 8 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 8, which includes any one of Examples 1 to 7 above, the lamp support includes a third second lamp portion, a fourth first lamp portion, a first gap between the second first lamp portion and the first second lamp portion, a second gap between the third first lamp portion and the second second lamp portion, and a third gap between the third second lamp portion and the fourth first lamp portion. Each of the first gap, the second gap, and the third gap is substantially constant in a direction along the imaginary plane.

[0013] The following of this section details Example 9 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 9, which includes any one of Examples 1 to 8 above, the angle of the first first lamp portion relative to the imaginary plane is substantially equal to the angle of the first second lamp portion relative to the imaginary plane. The angle of the second first lamp portion relative to the plane is substantially equal to the angle of the first second lamp portion relative to the plane. The angle of the third first lamp portion relative to the plane is substantially equal to the angle of the second second lamp portion relative to the plane.

[0014] The following of this section details Example 10 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 10, which includes any one of Examples 1 to 9 above, the second first ramp portion is offset laterally from the first first ramp portion in a direction along an imaginary plane.

[0015] The following of this section details Example 11 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 11, which includes any one of Examples 1 to 10 above, the first ramp surface is configured to receive a convex portion of a suspension tab of a read / write head assembly of the magnetic storage device, and the second ramp surface is configured to receive a convex portion of a second suspension tab of a second read / write head assembly of the magnetic storage device.

[0016] The following of this section details Example 12 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 12, a magnetic storage device includes a number of disks rotatable about a first axis and a ramp support configured to receive a number of read / write head assemblies rotating radially outward from the disks. The ramp support includes a first ramp. The first ramp includes a first ramp receiving end and a first ramp surface. The first ramp surface includes a first first ramp portion, a second first ramp portion, and a third first ramp portion. The ramp support includes a second ramp. The second ramp includes an end sandwiched between the first ramp and the second ramp and laterally offset from an end of the first ramp in a direction along an imaginary plane extending radially outward from the first axis. The second ramp includes a second ramp surface. The second ramp surface includes a first second ramp portion and a second second ramp portion. In a direction along an imaginary plane, the first first lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled toward it, the second first lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled away from it, the third first lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled toward it, the first second lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled toward it, and the second second lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled away from it.

[0017] The following part of this section details Example 13 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 13, which includes Example 12 above, each read / write head assembly of the multiple read / write head assemblies includes a read / write head assembly of a carriage arm of the multiple carriage arms. Each carriage arm of the multiple carriage arms includes a first read / write head assembly. The first read / write head assembly includes a suspension tab of the first read / write head assembly and a first slider. Each carriage arm of the multiple carriage arms includes a second read / write head assembly. The second read / write head assembly includes a suspension tab of the second read / write head assembly and a second slider. The magnetic storage device is configured to move each slider and the suspension tab in a direction parallel to an imaginary plane. The first ramp and the second ramp are positioned such that a suspension tab of the first read / write head assembly contacts the first first ramp portion at a first time and a suspension tab of the second read / write head assembly contacts the first second ramp portion at a second time that is different from the first time.

[0018] The following of this section details Example 14 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 14, which includes any one of Examples 12-13 above, an end of the second lamp is offset from an end of the first lamp by a distance of 0.1 millimeters ("mm") or more and 0.3 mm or less.

[0019] The following of this section details Example 15 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 15, including any one of Examples 12-14 above, the second lamp surface includes a first second lamp surface. The second lamp further includes a second second lamp surface opposite the first second lamp surface. The second second lamp surface faces a disk of the multiple disks, and the disk is received by a portion of the lamp support.

[0020] The following of this section details Example 16 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 16, including any one of Examples 12-15 above, the first lamp surface is a first first lamp surface. The first lamp further includes a second first lamp surface opposite the first first lamp surface. The second first lamp surface faces a disk of the multiple disks, and the disk is received by a portion of the lamp support.

[0021] The following of this section details Example 17 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 17, including any one of Examples 12 to 16 above, the lamp support further includes a plurality of first lamps and a plurality of second lamps separated into a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets including a corresponding one of the plurality of first lamps and a corresponding one of the plurality of second lamps. At least one set of the plurality of sets includes a second lamp and a first lamp positioned above the second lamp in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis, and at least one other set of the plurality of sets includes a second lamp and a first lamp positioned below the second lamp in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis.

[0022] The following of this section details Example 18 of the presently disclosed subject matter. According to Example 18, which includes any one of Examples 12 to 17 above, the first ramp surface receives a convex portion of a first suspension tab of a first read-write head assembly of the multiple read-write head assemblies, and the second ramp surface receives a convex portion of a second suspension tab of a second read-write head assembly of the multiple read-write head assemblies.

[0023] The following of this section details Example 19 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 19, a method of unloading a read / write head assembly from a disk of a magnetic storage device includes rotating the read / write head assembly toward a ramp support. As the read / write head assembly rotates, the method includes contacting a suspension tab of a first read / write head assembly of the read / write head assembly with a first ramp surface of a first ramp of the ramp support and sliding the suspension tab of the first read / write head assembly along a first first ramp portion of the first ramp surface to move the read / write head of the first read / write head assembly away from the first disk. As the read / write head assembly rotates, the method includes contacting a suspension tab of a second read / write head assembly with a second ramp surface of a second ramp of the ramp support and sliding the suspension tab of the second read / write head assembly along a first second ramp portion of the second ramp surface to move the first read / write head away from the first disk. Contacting the suspension tab of the second read / write head assembly with the second ramp surface follows contacting the suspension tab of the first read / write head assembly with the first ramp surface. The method includes moving the suspension tab of the first read / write head assembly along the second first ramp portion and simultaneously moving the suspension tab of the second read / write head assembly along the first second ramp portion while the read / write head assembly rotates to move the read / write heads toward the first disk. The method includes moving the suspension tab of the first read / write head assembly along the third first ramp portion and simultaneously moving the suspension tab of the second read / write head assembly along the second second ramp portion while the read / write head assembly rotates to move the read / write heads away from the first disk.

[0024] The following of this section details Example 20 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 20, which encompasses Example 19 above, the method includes moving a suspension tab of a first read / write head assembly along a fourth first ramp portion substantially parallel to the first disk and simultaneously moving a suspension tab of a second read / write head assembly along a third second ramp portion substantially parallel to the first disk.

[0025] The following of this section details Example 21 of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to Example 21, which includes any of Examples 19 to 20 above, the first ramp and the second ramp include continuous ramps on a ramp support in a plane substantially parallel to the axes of multiple disks of the magnetic storage device.

[0026] The following of this section details Example 22 of the presently disclosed subject matter. According to Example 22, which includes any of Examples 19 to 21 above, rotating the read / write head assemblies includes rotating each of the read / write head assemblies at a substantially uniform speed.

[0027] The described features, structures, advantages, and / or characteristics of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples and / or embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to fully understand the examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the subject matter of the present disclosure can be practiced without including one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials, and / or methods of a particular example or embodiment. In other cases, additional features and advantages of a particular example and / or embodiment may be recognized that may not be present in all examples or embodiments. Moreover, in some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations have not been shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The features and advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by practicing the subject matter as set forth below.

[0028] In order that the advantages of the present subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the present subject matter briefly described above will be provided by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic storage device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ramp support of a magnetic storage device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] 1 is a perspective view of a suspension tab of a read / write head assembly of a magnetic storage device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A-3E]1A-1C are cross-sectional side elevation views of a ramp support of a magnetic storage device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, each view showing a read / write head assembly in different positions relative to the ramp support when the read / write head assembly is offloaded from a disk of the magnetic storage device. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an embodiment of a lamp support having multiple lamps in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 11 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a lamp support having multiple lamps in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic flow chart of a method for unloading a read / write head assembly from a disk of a magnetic storage device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Throughout this specification, reference to "one example," "an example," or similar terminology means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that example is included in at least one example of the present disclosure. Throughout this specification, occurrences of the phrases "in one example," "in an example," and similar terminology may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same example. Similarly, use of the term "embodiment" means an embodiment having a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more examples of the present disclosure, but an embodiment may relate to one or more examples unless there is an explicit correlation otherwise noted.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a magnetic storage device 100 according to one embodiment is shown as a hard disk drive (HDD). However, in other embodiments, the magnetic storage device 100 can be any of a variety of magnetic storage devices without departing from the essence of the subject matter of this disclosure. The magnetic storage device 100 includes a housing 102 that seals or encloses an interior cavity 114 defined therein. The housing 102 includes a base 130 and a cover 132 (shown in dashed lines so as not to obscure the internal workings of the magnetic storage device 100 within the interior cavity 114 of the housing 102). The cover 132 couples with the base 130 to seal the interior cavity 114 from an environment external to the housing 102. In some implementations, a seal or gasket is positioned between the base 130 and the cover 132 to facilitate sealing between the base 130 and the cover 132.

[0032] The magnetic storage device 100 includes various mechanisms located within an interior cavity 114 of the housing 102. In some embodiments, the magnetic storage device 100 includes within the interior cavity 114 a carriage 103, a disk 115, a spindle motor 121, and a voice coil magnetic (VCM) actuator 125. The carriage 103 includes a plurality of carriage arms 105 and at least one read / write head assembly 110 coupled to a distal tip of each of the plurality of carriage arms 105. In some embodiments, two read / write head assemblies 110 are coupled to a distal tip of each of the plurality of carriage arms 105. Each read / write head assembly 110 is positioned proximate an end 109 of a suspension assembly and includes a suspension arm 135, a slider 142, and at least one read / write head 148. Although not shown, each read / write head assembly 110 may include at least one gimbal. The gimbal movably couples the suspension arm 135, the slider 142, and at least one read / write head 148 to a corresponding one of the carriage arms 105. Although the magnetic storage device 100 is shown with five carriage arms 105 and four disks 115 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and twelve disks 115 in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, in other embodiments the magnetic storage device 100 may have fewer than five carriage arms 105, fewer than four disks 115, more than nine carriage arms 105, more than eight disks 115, six to eight carriage arms 105, or five to seven disks 115. Each side of each carriage arm 105 facing the disks 115 has a read / write head assembly 110. For example, each of the bottom and top carriage arms 105 has one read / write head assembly 110, and each of the intermediate carriage arms 105 between the bottom carriage arm 105 and the top carriage arm 105 has two read / write head assemblies 110.Similarly, although the magnetic storage device 100 is shown having one spindle motor 121 and one VCM actuator 125, in other embodiments, the magnetic storage device 100 may have any number of spindle motors 121 and VCM actuators 125.

[0033] The spindle motor 121 is coupled to the base 130. Generally, the spindle motor 121 includes a stationary portion immovably fixed to the base 130 and a spindle rotatable relative to the stationary portion and the base 130. Thus, the spindle of the spindle motor 121 may be considered to be part of or integral with the spindle motor. Generally, the spindle motor 121 is operable to rotate the spindle relative to the base 130. The disks 115, or platters, are co-rotatably fixed to the spindle of the spindle motor 121 via respective hubs 122 that are co-rotatably fixed to the respective disks 115 and the spindle. As the spindle of the spindle motor 121 rotates, the disks 115 rotate correspondingly. In this manner, the spindle of the spindle motor 121 defines an axis of rotation 124 for each disk 115. The spindle motor 121 may be operatively controlled to rotate the disk 115 in a rotational direction 190 at a controlled speed and by a controlled amount.

[0034] Each of the disks 115 may be any of a variety of types of magnetic recording media. Generally, in one embodiment, each disk 115 includes a substrate and a magnetic material applied directly or indirectly to the substrate. For example, the magnetic material of the disks 115 may be a conventional granular magnetic recording disk or wafer having bits of a magnetic layer with multiple magnetic grains on each bit. In granular magnetic media, all the bits are coplanar and the surface 116 of the disk 115 is substantially smooth and continuous. In one embodiment, each bit has a magnetic dipole moment that may have either an in-plane (longitudinal) or out-of-plane (perpendicular) direction.

[0035] As the disks 115 rotate in a read / write mode, the VCM actuator 125 electromagnetically engages the voice coil of the carriage arm 105 to rotate the carriage arm 105, and the associated read / write head assembly 110, relative to the disks 115 in a plane parallel to the read / write surface 154 of the disk 115. The carriage arm 105 can be rotated to position the read / write heads 148 of the read / write head assembly 110 over designated radial areas of the corresponding read / write surface 154 of the disk 115 for read / write operations. The VCM actuator 125 is fixed to the base 130 in engagement with the voice coil of the carriage arm 105, which is rotatably coupled to the base 130 via a spindle 127 that extends through the carriage 103. Generally, the spindle 127 defines an axis of rotation about which the carriage arm 105 rotates when actuated by the VCM actuator 125.

[0036] The carriage arms 105 are immovably fixed to the base of the carriage 103 and extend away from each other in a spaced apart manner. In some implementations, adjacent ones of the carriage arms 105 are spaced apart from each other at equal distances and extend parallel to each other. Each of the disks 115 is positioned between adjacent carriage arms 105. In an idle mode (e.g., when no read or write operations are being performed), the VCM actuator 125 is actuated to rotate the carriage arms 105 radially outward relative to the disks 115, so that the read / write head assembly 110 is parked or unloaded on a ramp support 117 fixed to the base 130. In the parked position, each carriage arm 105 and the read / write head 148 rests between two ramps (e.g., ramps 106 and 113) of the ramp support 117. The ramp support 117 is described in more detail herein with respect to FIGS. 2-5. Lamp support 117 contains multiple lamps, such as lamps 106 and 113. Lamps 306 and 313 in Figures 3A-E are embodiments of lamps 106 and 113.

[0037] Each read / write head 148 includes at least one read transducer and at least one write transducer. The read transducer is configured to detect a magnetic characteristic (e.g., a magnetic bit pattern) of the disk 115 and convert the magnetic characteristic into an electrical signal. In contrast, the write transducer changes the magnetic characteristic of the disk 115 in response to an electrical signal. For each read / write head assembly 110, electrical signals are transmitted to and from the read / write head 148 via electrical traces or lines formed in or coupled to the slider 142, suspension arm 135, and carriage arm 105. The electrical traces of the slider 142, suspension arm 135, and carriage arm 105 are electrically interconnected to facilitate transmission of electrical signals between the read / write head 148 and the flexible connector 104 of the magnetic storage device 100, which is in communication with a control module of the magnetic storage device 100. The control module is configured to process electrical signals to facilitate communication of the electrical signals between the magnetic storage device 100 and one or more external computing devices. Generally, the control module includes software, firmware, and / or hardware used to control the operation of various components of the magnetic storage device 100. The control module may include a printed circuit board on or within which the hardware is implemented. As described in more detail below, solder welds are used to electrically connect corresponding electrical contact pads (and corresponding electrical traces) of the slider 142 and the suspension arm 135.

[0038] Although not shown, the read / write head assembly 110 also includes a head actuator selectively operable to move the read / write head 148 relative to the carriage arm 105. The head actuator selectively moves the read / write head 148 in any of a variety of manners and in any of a variety of directions. For example, the head actuator may be configured to linearly move the read / write head 148 in any of a variety of directions, such as one or more of a first lateral direction, a second lateral direction, a forward direction, and a reverse direction, along a plane parallel to the read / write surface 154 of the disk 115. As another example, the head actuator may alternatively or additionally be configured to linearly move the read / write head 148 in any of a variety of directions, such as an upward direction and a downward direction, along a plane perpendicular to the read / write surface 154 of the disk 115. Further, in some implementations, the head actuator may alternatively or additionally be configured to rotationally move the read / write head 148 in any of a variety of rotational directions along a plane parallel and / or perpendicular to the read / write surface 154 of the disk 115. The head actuator may be any of a variety of actuators known in the art, such as, for example, so-called electrically controlled micro-actuators and milli-actuators (e.g., piezoelectric actuators).

[0039] To facilitate resilient support of the slider 142 relative to the carriage arm 105, the suspension arm 135 of the read / write head assembly 110 is softer and more flexible than the carriage arm 105. For example, in some implementations, the suspension arm 135 is flexible to flex away from the read / write surface 154 of the disk 115, thereby allowing the slider 142 to move away from the read / write surface 154 of the disk 115, such as when the disk 115 spins relative to the read / write head assembly 110 and an air bearing is formed between the read / write surface 154 and the slider 142. The suspension arm 135 may have a generally thin, sheet-like structure and may taper from the carriage arm 105 to the slider 142. The slider 142 is coupled to a distal end portion of the suspension arm 135 such that the suspension arm 135 is positioned between the slider 142 and the carriage arm 105 or separates the slider 142 from the carriage arm 105. In this manner, the slider 142 is spaced distally from the carriage arm 105 via the suspension arm 135. The suspension arm 135 either directly or indirectly couples to the carriage arm 105. The suspension arm 135 may be fabricated from any of a variety of materials, such as, for example, metal, composite, plastic, etc.

[0040] According to some embodiments, the suspension arm 135 is directly coupled to the carriage arm 105. In such embodiments, the suspension arm 135 is immovably fixed relative to the carriage arm 105. In other words, the suspension arm 135 can flex to allow a portion of the suspension arm 135 to move relative to the carriage arm 105, but the portion of the suspension arm 135 that is directly attached to the carriage arm 105 does not move relative to the carriage arm 105. The suspension arm 135 can be immovably fixed relative to the carriage arm 105 via any of a variety of connection techniques, such as fastening, bonding, adhesive, welding, etc.

[0041] Conversely, in certain embodiments, the suspension arm 135 is indirectly coupled to the carriage arm 105. In such embodiments, the suspension arm 135 may be immovably fixed to the carriage arm 105 or may be movably fixed to the carriage arm 105. According to some implementations, the suspension arm 135 is movably fixed to the carriage arm 105 via a suspension arm actuator (not shown). The suspension arm actuator movably couples a proximal end of the suspension arm 135, and thus the entire suspension arm 135, to a distal end of the carriage arm 105. The suspension arm actuator is configured to selectively move the suspension arm 135 relative to the carriage arm 105. More specifically, as an example, the suspension arm actuator selectively rotates the suspension arm 135, and thus the slider 142, relative to the carriage arm 105 in a rotational direction along a plane parallel to the read / write surface 154 of the disk 115. The suspension arm actuators may be any of a variety of actuators known in the art, such as, for example, so-called electrically controlled micro-actuators and milli-actuators.

[0042] The magnetic storage device 100 includes a ramp support 117. The ramp support 117 includes load / unload ramps (e.g., ramps 106 and 113). As described herein, the ramps 106 and 113 are stacked on the ramp support 117 in an orientation substantially perpendicular to a surface 116 of a disk 115. Ramps 106 and 113 include one or more angled portions (e.g., portions 309, 311, 312, 320, and 323 in FIGS. 3A-E ) that help move read / write head 148 off of and / or onto disk 115. Movement of carriage arm 105 results in read / write head 148 moving via ramps 106 and 113, into and out of ramp support 117, depending on the operating mode of magnetic storage device 100. For example, when magnetic storage device 100 transitions from a read / write mode to an idle mode, read / write head 148 moves away from disk 115 and into ramp support 117.

[0043] As shown in FIG 2B, each carriage arm 105 includes at least one read / write head assembly 110. As shown in FIG 2B, the top carriage arm 105 includes only one read / write head assembly 110, which includes one slider 242 that supports a read / write head, such as the read / write head 148 shown in FIG 3A-E (e.g., the slider 242 in FIG 3A-E). 342 2B, each of the carriage arms 105 between the top and bottom carriage arms includes two read / write head assemblies 1102. For example, in some embodiments, each of the sliders 342 in FIGS. 3A-E belongs to a different read / write assembly of the same carriage arm 105.

[0044] Each read / write head assembly 110 is mounted on a lamp support 2 17. The suspension tabs 250 on each carriage arm 105 are aligned with the lamp support 17. 2The suspension tab 250 fits into and slides along a space between a corresponding one of the first ramps 206 and second ramps 213 of a plurality of sets of seventeen first ramps 206 and second ramps 213. The first ramps 206 and second ramps 213 guide the suspension tab 250 as it moves radially outward relative to the disk 115, such that the read-write head 148 corresponding to the suspension tab 250 is moved to a parking position associated with the magnetic storage device 100 in an idle state.

[0045] The ramp support 217 is configured to receive a plurality of read / write head assemblies 110 that synchronously rotate radially outward from the disks 115 into the ramp support 217. In some embodiments, each carriage arm 105 includes two read / write head assemblies 110, each configured to read and write data to a corresponding one of two adjacent disks. With reference to Figures 3A-3E, an embodiment of a ramp support 317 having a first ramp 306 and a second ramp 313 is shown. The ramp support 317 may be similar to the ramp support 317 of Figures 2A and 2B. 217. Ramp support 317 may be used with a carriage arm assembly having multiple carriage arms 105 each supporting two read / write head assemblies, each having a suspension tab (e.g., suspension tabs 349 and 350) and a slider (e.g., slider 342 in the figure). The suspension tab of a first read / write head assembly of a carriage arm may be referred to herein as a "first suspension tab" (e.g., first suspension tab 349). Similarly, the suspension tab of a second read / write head assembly of a carriage arm may be referred to herein as a "second suspension tab" (e.g., second suspension tab 350). Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3E, first suspension tab 349 is the suspension tab of the read / write head assembly on a first side of a carriage arm (e.g., carriage arm 105) and second suspension tab 350 is the suspension tab of the read / write head assembly on the opposite side of the carriage arm. In some embodiments, the first suspension tab 349 and the second suspension tab 350 are flexible with respect to the carriage arm such that the first suspension tab 349 and the second suspension tab 350 are movable toward each other when they contact and move radially outward along the first ramp 306 and the second ramp 313 toward the idle position, and are movable away from each other when they move radially inward along the first ramp 306 and the second ramp 313 toward the read / write position.

[0046] Each suspension tab 349 and 350 is curved and includes a convex portion 364 and 362, respectively. Additionally, in some embodiments, each suspension tab 349 and 350 includes a concave portion opposite the corresponding suspension tab as the convex portion 364 and 362. Thus, in cross section, each suspension tab 349 and 350 may have a semicircular or arc shape. The convex portions 364 and 362 of the suspension tabs 349 and 350 contact the ramp surfaces 308 and 319, respectively, and help to promote continuous contact between the suspension tabs 349 and 350 and the surfaces 308 and 319 of the ramps 306 and 313 as the suspension tabs 349 and 350 slide along the surfaces 308 and 319 of the ramps 306 and 313. The read / write head assembly 110 of a particular carriage arm 105 is positioned such that the first suspension tab 349 faces and is substantially aligned with the second suspension tab 350.

[0047] In certain embodiments, the ramp support 117, the ramp support 217, and the ramp support 317 each include a set of ramp pairs. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, in some embodiments, the ramp pairs include a first ramp (e.g., the first ramp 306) and a second ramp (e.g., the second ramp 313). The magnetic storage device 100 moves each read / write head assembly 110 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 124 of the disk 115 and / or substantially parallel to an imaginary plane 352 that is perpendicular to the rotation axis 124 and located between the first ramp 306 and the second ramp 313 (see, for example, the imaginary plane 352 in FIGS. 3A-3E). The imaginary plane 352 extends radially outward from the rotation axis 124.

[0048] The amount of ramps in the ramp support 117 is proportional to the amount of disks in the stack of disks 115. Furthermore, the data capacity of the magnetic storage device 100 is proportional to the amount of disks 115. As more disks 115 are added to the magnetic storage device 100 to increase the capacity of the magnetic storage device 100, the ramp support 117 must be designed to have more ramps. The embodiments of the present disclosure allow the ramp support 117 of the present disclosure to have more ramps (e.g., more sets of ramps) in a conventional form factor compared to conventional devices, and also allow the magnetic storage device 100 to hold more disks 115 while remaining in a conventional form factor. In other words, the ramp support 117 of the present disclosure allows the spacing between the disks 115 to be narrowed. This makes it easier to add disks 115 to the magnetic storage device 100, which helps improve storage capacity. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure allow for the addition of more disks 115 to the apparatus while maintaining the suspension tab lift height (h1 and h2 in FIGS. 3A-E) defined as the maximum distance between a first surface of a ramp (e.g., first first ramp surface 308 or first second ramp surface 319 in FIGS. 3A-E) and a second surface of the same ramp opposite the first ramp surface (e.g., second first ramp surface 326 and second second ramp surface 328 in FIGS. 3A-E). In some embodiments, the distance defining the suspension tab lift height is a distance in a direction substantially perpendicular to an imaginary plane 352 (e.g., imaginary plane 352 in FIGS. 3A-E) disposed between the ramps of the ramp support. Embodiments of the present disclosure include ramp supports (e.g., ramp supports 217, 317, 417, and 517) with a sufficient number of ramps (e.g., ramps 431 and 531) to support 12 or more disks 115.

[0049] 3A-3E, the first ramp 306 includes a first lamp receiving end 307. The first lamp receiving end 307 is an end of the first ramp 306 that is positioned closer to the axis of rotation 124 of the disk 115 than any other end or portion of the first ramp 306.

[0050] The second ramp 313 includes a second lamp receiving end 318 that is offset laterally (e.g., radially relative to the axis of rotation 124) from the first lamp receiving end 307 in a direction along an imaginary plane 352 away from the axis of rotation 124. Due to the offset (OS), the first lamp receiving end 307 is closer to the axis of rotation 124 than the second lamp receiving end 318. Furthermore, the suspension tabs 349 and 350 are aligned and co-move together. Thus, the suspension tab 349 contacts the first ramp 306 before the suspension tab 350 contacts the second ramp 313. In some embodiments, due to the offset, the distance between the axis of rotation 124 of the disk 115 and the second lamp receiving end 318 is greater than the distance between the axis of rotation 124 of the disk 115 and the first lamp receiving end 307. In some embodiments, the second lamp receiving end 318 is offset (OS) a distance of 0.1 millimeters ("mm") or more and 0.3 mm or less from the first lamp receiving end 307. For example, the second lamp receiving end 318 can be offset from the first lamp receiving end by a distance of about 0.2 millimeters.

[0051] Offsetting the first lamp receiving end 307 and the second lamp receiving end 318 from each other helps provide more flexibility in the configuration of the first ramp 306 and the second ramp 313. For example, the first ramp 306 and the second ramp 313 can be configured to help reduce the axial distance between the ramp 306 and the ramp 313 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the imaginary plane 352 or in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 124 of the disk.

[0052] As shown in Figures 3A-E, in some embodiments, the first lamp 306 includes a first lamp surface 308. The first lamp surface 308 includes a first first lamp portion 309, a second first lamp portion 311, a third first lamp portion 312, and a fourth first lamp portion 356. In some embodiments, the first first lamp portion 309 starts from the first lamp receiving end 307 of the first lamp 306 and extends radially outward away from the first lamp receiving end 307 of the first lamp 306. In some embodiments, each of the first first lamp portion 309, the second first lamp portion 311, and the third first lamp portion 312 are adjacent. In some embodiments, each of the first first lamp portion 309, the second first lamp portion 311, the third first lamp portion 312, and the fourth first lamp portion 356 are substantially flat.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first first lamp portion 309 has a length greater than the length of the second first lamp portion 311. For example, the ratio of the length of the second first lamp portion 311 to the length of the first first lamp portion 309 is greater than 1 to 2.5 and less than 1 to 3.5. The length of the first first lamp portion 309 is also greater than the length of the third first lamp portion 312. In some embodiments, the length of the second first lamp portion is greater than the length of the third first lamp portion 312. As used herein, the term "length" refers to a distance along a surface, such as the first first lamp surface 308 or the first second lamp surface 319.

[0054] As shown in Figures 3A-E, in some embodiments, the second lamp 313 includes a second lamp surface 319. The second lamp surface 319 includes a first second lamp portion (e.g., 220 in Figure 2B, or 320 in Figures 3A-E), a second second lamp portion (e.g., 223 in Figure 2B, or 323 in Figures 3A-E), and a third second lamp portion 354. In some embodiments, the first second lamp portion 320 starts from the second lamp receiving end 318 of the second lamp 313 and extends away from the second lamp receiving end 318. In some embodiments, each of the first second lamp portion 320, the second second lamp portion 323, and the third second lamp portion 354 are adjacent. In some embodiments, each of the first secondary ramp portion 320, the second secondary ramp portion 323, and the third secondary ramp portion 354 are substantially flat.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first second ramp portion 320 has a length greater than the length of the second second ramp portion 323. In some embodiments, the first second ramp portion 320 has a length of about 0.82 mm. In some embodiments, the ratio of the distance h2 between the end of the first second ramp portion 320 and the second second ramp surface 328 to the length of the second second ramp portion 323 is between 1 and 2.5 in some embodiments and between 1 and 3.5 in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the first second ramp portion 320 extends farther from the axis of rotation 124 in a direction along the imaginary plane 352 than the first first ramp portion 309. In this manner, the first suspension tab 349 transitions from the first first ramp portion 309 to the second first ramp portion 311 before the second suspension tab 350 transitions from the first second ramp portion 320 to the second second ramp portion 323. In some embodiments, the third first ramp portion 312 extends farther from the axis of rotation 124 in a direction along the imaginary plane 352 than the second second ramp portion 323 .

[0056] In some embodiments, the first second lamp portion 320 extends farther than the first first lamp portion 309 in a direction along the imaginary plane 352, but the total length of the first second lamp portion 320 is less than the total length of the first first lamp portion 309.

[0057] In some embodiments, the second first lamp portion 311 is substantially parallel to the first second lamp portion 320. In other words, the angle 368 of the second first lamp portion 311 with respect to the imaginary plane 352 is substantially equal to the angle 374 of the first second lamp portion 320 with respect to the imaginary plane 352. In some embodiments, the angle 368 of the second first lamp portion 311 with respect to the imaginary plane 352 and the angle 374 of the first second lamp portion 320 with respect to the imaginary plane 352 are between 10 and 30 degrees, or about 20 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle 374 is about twice the angle 376 of the second second lamp portion 323 with respect to the imaginary plane 352. In some embodiments, the angle 376 of the second second lamp portion 323 with respect to the imaginary plane 352 is substantially equal to the angle 372 of the third first lamp portion 312 with respect to the imaginary plane 352. The second second ramp portion 323 is substantially parallel to the third first ramp portion 312. For example, the angle 372 of the third first ramp portion 312 and the angle 376 of the second second ramp portion 323 are each between 5 and 15 degrees, or about 10 degrees.

[0058] In some embodiments, the angle 370 of the first first lamp portion 309 with respect to the imaginary plane 352 is substantially equal to the angle 374 of the first second lamp portion 320 and / or the angle 368 of the second first lamp portion 311 with respect to the imaginary plane 352. For example, the angle 370 of the first first lamp portion and the angle 368 of the second first lamp portion 311 are each equal to about 20 degrees.

[0059] In some embodiments, in a direction along the imaginary plane 352, the first first ramp portion 309 faces and is angled toward the imaginary plane 352. The second first ramp portion 311 faces and is angled away from the imaginary plane 352, and the third first ramp portion 312 faces and is angled toward the imaginary plane 352. Each of the first first ramp portion 309, the second first ramp portion 311, the third first ramp portion 312, and the fourth first ramp portion 356 are adjacent such that the suspension tabs 349 move continuously along the first first ramp surface 308. In other words, the surface 319 has a zigzag configuration.

[0060] In some embodiments, the angle 370 of the first first ramp portion 309 with respect to the imaginary plane 352 is more than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees away from the imaginary plane 352. For example, the angle 370 is about 20 degrees. The fourth first ramp portion 356 is not angled with respect to the imaginary plane 352. In other words, the fourth first ramp portion 356 is substantially parallel to the imaginary plane 352.

[0061] In some embodiments, in a direction along the imaginary plane 352, the first second lamp portion 320 faces the imaginary plane 352 and is angled toward it. The first second lamp portion 320 also faces the first lamp 306 and is angled toward it. The second second lamp portion 323 faces the imaginary plane 352 and is angled away from it. The second second lamp portion 323 also faces the first lamp 306 and is angled away from it. For example, the first second lamp portion 320 is angled toward the imaginary plane 352 by about 20 degrees.

[0062] The ramp support 317 includes a third second ramp portion 354 and a fourth first ramp portion 356. In some embodiments, the third second ramp portion 354 is substantially parallel to the fourth first ramp portion 356. Each of the third second ramp portion 354 and the fourth first ramp portion 356 is substantially parallel to the imaginary plane 352 or substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis 124 of the disk 115. When the read / write assembly is offloaded from the ramp support 317, the third second ramp portion 354 and the fourth first ramp portion 356 are the last portions of the ramp support 317 that the read / write head assembly 110 contacts until the read / write head assembly 110 is loaded back onto the disk.

[0063] In some embodiments, a first gap 358 exists between the second first ramp portion 311 and the first second ramp portion 320. The first gap 358 is substantially constant along the length of the second first ramp portion 311 and the first second ramp portion 320. In some embodiments, the first gap 358 is equal to or greater than 0.2 millimeters ("mm") and equal to or less than 0.3 mm. For example, the first gap 358 is equal to approximately 0.22 millimeters ("mm").

[0064] In some embodiments, a second gap 360 exists between the third first ramp portion 312 and the second second ramp portion 323. The second gap 360 is substantially constant along the shorter length of the third first ramp portion 312 and the second second ramp portion 323. In some embodiments, the length of the third first ramp portion 312 is substantially equal to the length of the second second ramp portion 323. In some embodiments, the second gap 360 is approximately equal to the first gap 358. Thus, in some embodiments, the second gap 360 is equal to or greater than 0.2 mm and equal to or less than 0.3 mm. For example, the second gap 360 is equal to about 0.22 mm.

[0065] Because of the offset between the first ramp 306 and the second ramp 313, the first ramp 306 and the second ramp 313 are positioned such that the suspension tab 349 of the first read / write head assembly contacts and begins to slide along the first first ramp portion 309 before the suspension tab 350 of the second read / write head assembly contacts the first second ramp portion 320. As further shown in Figures 3A-E, the suspension tab 349 of the read / write head assembly 110 contacts and slides along the first first ramp portion 309, and then slides along each of the second first ramp portion 311, the third first ramp portion 312, and the fourth first ramp portion 356 in succession.

[0066] Subsequently, as shown in FIGURE 3B, the suspension tab 349 contacts and at least partially slides along the first ramp portion 309 before the suspension tab 350 eventually contacts the first portion 320 of the second ramp 313. In some embodiments, the suspension tab 350 initially contacts the first second ramp portion 320 while the first suspension tab 349 is contacting and sliding along the first ramp portion 309, as shown in FIGURE 3B.

[0067] Slider 342 is capable of moving with suspension tabs 349 and 352 such that as suspension tabs 349 and 350 move along surfaces 308 and 319 of ramps 306 and 313 , slider 342 moves in a direction substantially parallel to imaginary plane 352 .

[0068] As shown in FIGURE 3C, as the head assembly 110 continues to move, the first suspension tab 349 transitions onto the second first ramp portion 311 while the second suspension tab 350 is still in contact with and sliding along the first second ramp portion 320. As shown in FIGURE 3C, in some embodiments, each of the sliders 342 has been moved in a direction perpendicular to the imaginary plane 352 such that each slider 342 is closer to the surfaces of the ramps 306 and 313, such as the second first ramp surface 326 and the second second ramp surface 328.

[0069] 3D , after the suspension tab 350 has slid along the first second ramp portion 320, further movement of the suspension tab 350 is followed by sliding along the second second ramp portion 323. At approximately the same time that the second suspension tab 350 moves from the first second ramp portion 320 to the second second ramp portion 323, the first suspension tab moves from the second first ramp portion 311 to the third first ramp portion 312.

[0070] Finally, the read / write head assembly 110 moves to a parked or idle position, as shown in FIG. 3E. As shown in FIG. 3E, the first suspension tab 349 transitions from the third first ramp portion 312 to the fourth first ramp portion 356. The first suspension tab 349 remains in contact with and slid along the fourth first ramp portion 356 until the read / write head assembly 110 reaches a parking position on the ramp support 317. Similarly, the second suspension tab 350 transitions from the second second ramp portion 323 to the third second ramp portion 354. The second suspension tab 350 remains in contact with and slid along the third second ramp portion 354 until the read / write head assembly 110 reaches a parking position on the ramp support 317. In some embodiments, the parking position includes read / write head assembly 110 resting proximate to an end of first ramp surface 308 opposite first ramp receiving end 307. The parking position includes read / write head assembly 110 resting proximate to an end of first second ramp surface 319 opposite second ramp receiving end 318. Each slider 342 moves with suspension tabs 349, 350 in a direction parallel to imaginary plane 352 along a surface of ramps 306 and 313 opposite to the surfaces of suspension tabs 349 and 350 (e.g., surfaces 326 and 328).

[0071] The second ramp surface 319 is a first surface of the second ramp 313. As shown in FIG. 3A, the second ramp 313 also includes a second second ramp surface 328. The second second ramp surface 328 is on an opposite side of the second ramp 313 from the first second ramp surface 319. The second second ramp surface 328 faces the disk 115 received by a portion of the ramp support 117 (e.g., portion 429 in FIG. 4) and is substantially parallel to the disk 115. Thus, the second second ramp surface 328 faces the disk 115 and / or a portion of the disk 115, and the first second ramp surface 319 faces the suspension tabs 349 and 350 of the read-write head assembly 110 that are offloaded from the disk 115.

[0072] Further, the first ramp surface 308 is the first first ramp surface in some embodiments. The first ramp 306 also includes a second first ramp surface 326. The second first ramp surface 326 is on the opposite side of the first ramp 306 from the first first ramp surface 308. The second first ramp surface 326 faces the disk 115 received by the portion 429 of the ramp support 317 and is substantially parallel to the disk 115. Meanwhile, the first first ramp surface 308 faces the suspension tabs 349 and 350 of the read / write head assembly that are offloaded from the disk 115. When the read / write head assembly 110 moves into the ramp support 317, the slider 342 of the read / write head assembly slides along the second first ramp surface 326. As the slider of the suspension tab 349 moves into the ramp support 317 , the slider 342 remains substantially aligned with the suspension tab 349 in a direction parallel to an imaginary plane 352 .

[0073] Referring to FIG. 4, according to some embodiments, the lamp support 417 includes lamps 431. The lamps 431 include some lamps having a shape similar to the first lamps 306 and some lamps having a shape similar to the second lamps 313 described herein. The lamps 406-1...406-N of FIG. 4 have a shape similar to the lamps 306 of FIGS. 3A-E. The lamps 406-1...406-N may be referred to herein as "long lamps." The lamp support 417 includes a plurality of lamps having a shape substantially similar to the second lamps 313 of FIGS. 3A-E. The lamps 413-1...413-N of FIG. 4 have a shape similar to the lamps 313 of FIGS. 3A-E. The lamps 413-1...413-N may be referred to herein as "short lamps."

[0074] In some embodiments, the long ramps 406-1...406-N and the short ramps 413-1...413-N are separated into a plurality of sets 433. Each set 433 includes at least one long ramp (e.g., 406-2) and at least one short ramp (e.g., 413-2). In some embodiments, in at least one set, a first ramp (e.g., 406-2) of the set 433 is positioned above a second ramp (e.g., 413-2) of the set 433 in an orientation substantially parallel to the rotation axis 124 of the disk 115.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 4, the ramp support 417 includes a top ramp, which is one of a plurality of short ramps 413-1...413-N. The ramp support 417 is similar to the ramp support 217 and the ramp support 317. Directly below the top ramp is a ramp 406-1, which is one of a plurality of long ramps 406-1...406-N. Although not shown in FIG. 4, an end of the top short ramp 413-1 is laterally offset from an end of the top long ramp 406-1 below the top short ramp 413-1, so that as the carriage arm 105 rotates toward the ramp support 417, the suspension tab 450 contacts the bottom long ramp 406-1 before the suspension tab 449 contacts the top short ramp 413-1.

[0076] At least one set 433 of the ramps 431 includes a second long ramp 406-2 having a substantially similar shape to the first long ramp 406-1. The set 433 includes two consecutive short ramps 413-2 and 413-3 having a substantially similar shape to the top short ramp 413-1. The two consecutive short ramps 413-2 and 413-3 include substantially straight portions 437 and 438 facing each other. Each set of ramps 433 is configured to receive a disk (e.g., disk 115) in a portion 429 between two consecutive ramps of similar shape. For example, disk 115 is received in a portion 429 between two consecutive short ramps 413-2 and 413-3. The ramp support 417 is also configured to receive a disk 115 in a portion 429 between two long ramps 406-1...406-N. For example, the ramp support 417 is configured to receive the disk 115 in a portion 429 between the third long ramp 406-3 and the fourth long ramp 406-4.

[0077] In some embodiments, the ramp support 417 includes a sufficient number of ramps to accommodate 12 or more disks in the magnetic storage device 100. For example, the ramp support 417 includes a top short ramp 413-1, a top long ramp 406-1, and six sets 433, each set 433 including two pairs of long ramps 406 and short ramps 413. The suspension tabs 449 and 450 contact the surfaces 408 and 419 of the ramp 431 such that the carriage arm 105 slides between each successive pair of long ramps 406-1...406-N and short ramps 413-1...413-N.

[0078] FIG. 5 illustrates sets 533-1...533-N of lamps 531 in lamp support 517. Lamp support 517 has a shape similar to lamp supports 217 and 317. Sets 533-1...533-N are pairs of lamps 531, each pair including a short lamp 513-1...513-N having a shape similar to second lamp 313 shown in FIGS. 3A-E and a long lamp 506-1...506-N having a shape similar to first lamp 306 shown in FIGS. 3A-E. Although not shown in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, lamp support 517 includes twelve sets 533 of lamps. Thus, lamp support 517 includes twelve portions 529 configured to receive portions of disks 115, so that lamp support 517 can receive up to twelve disks 115. As shown in FIG. 5, portion 529 is between a straight edge 528 of a short ramp (e.g., 513-1) of one set (e.g., 533-1) and a straight edge 526 of a long ramp (e.g., 506-2) of a subsequent set (e.g., 533-2).

[0079] In some embodiments, the lamp support 517 includes thirteen sets 533 such that the lamp support 517 is configured to receive up to thirteen disks 115 .

[0080] 6 is a schematic flowchart of a method 600 of unloading a read / write head assembly 110 from a disk 115 of a magnetic storage device 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 600 begins with and includes (block 602) rotating the read / write head assembly 110 toward a ramp support 117. In some embodiments, rotating the read / write head assembly 110 includes rotating the read / write head assembly 110 at a substantially uniform speed.

[0081] As the read / write head assembly 110 rotates, the method 600 includes (block 604) contacting a suspension tab 349 of a first read / write head assembly of the read / write head assembly 110 with the first ramp surface 308. The method 600 includes (block 606) sliding the suspension tab 349 of the first read / write head assembly along the first ramp portion 309 to move the read / write head 148 of the first read / write head assembly away from the first disk 315.

[0082] The method 600 further includes (block 608) contacting the suspension tab 350 of the second read / write head assembly with the second ramp surface 319. The method 600 further includes (block 610) sliding the suspension tab 350 of the second read / write head assembly along the second ramp surface 319 to move the first read / write head 148 away from the first disk 315a. The contacting of the suspension tab 350 of the second read / write head assembly with the second ramp surface 319 follows the contacting of the suspension tab 349 of the first read / write head assembly with the first ramp surface 308.

[0083] The method 600 further includes (block 612) moving the suspension tab 349 of the first read / write head assembly along the second first ramp portion 311 and simultaneously moving the suspension tab 350 of the second read / write head assembly along the first second ramp portion 320 to move the read / write heads toward the first disk 315a. The method 600 also includes (block 614) moving the suspension tab 349 of the first read / write head assembly 110 along the third first ramp portion 312 and simultaneously moving the suspension tab 350 of the second read / write head assembly along the second second ramp portion 323 to move the read / write heads away from the first disk 315a.

[0084] In some embodiments, the method 600 includes moving the suspension tab 349 of the first read / write head assembly along a fourth first ramp portion 356 substantially parallel to the first disk 115 and simultaneously moving the suspension tab 350 of the second read / write head assembly along a third second ramp portion 354 substantially parallel to the first disk 315. In some embodiments, the ramp portion substantially parallel to the first disk 315 is a ramp portion substantially parallel to an imaginary plane 352 disposed between the first ramp 306 and the second ramp 313, as shown in FIG. 3E. In some embodiments, the ramp portion substantially parallel to the first disk 315 is a ramp portion substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 124 of the disk 115.

[0085] The subject matter of the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are in all respects only illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are embraced within their scope.

[0086] In the above description, certain terms may be used, such as "up", "down", "upper", "lower", "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "over", "under". These terms are used, where applicable, to bring some clarity to the description when dealing with relative relationships. However, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and / or orientations. For example, an "upper" surface in relation to an object may also become a "lower" surface by simply flipping the object. Nevertheless, this is still the same object. Furthermore, the terms "including", "comprising", "having", and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly stated otherwise. A list of enumerated items does not imply that any or all of these items are mutually exclusive and / or mutually inclusive, unless expressly stated otherwise. The terms "a," "an," and "the" also refer to "one or more," unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, the term "plurality" may be defined as "at least two." Additionally, unless otherwise noted, a plurality of a particular feature, as defined herein, does not necessarily refer to an entire set of every particular feature, or a class of particular features.

[0087] Furthermore, in this specification, examples of an element being "coupled" to another element may include direct coupling and indirect coupling. Direct coupling may be defined as an element being coupled to another element and having some contact therewith. Indirect coupling may be defined as coupling between two elements that are not in direct contact with each other but have one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Furthermore, as used herein, fixing an element to another element may include direct fixing and indirect fixing. Also, as used herein, "adjacent" does not necessarily mean contact. For example, an element may be adjacent to another element without contacting the other element.

[0088] As used herein, "at least one of" when used in conjunction with a list of items means that various combinations of one or more of the items in the list can be used, and only one of the items in the list may be required. An item may be a specific object, object, or category. In other words, "at least one of" means that any combination of items or any number of items from the list can be used, but not all items in the list may be required. For example, "at least one of item A, item B, and item C" may mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, "at least one of item A, item B, and item C" may mean, for example, but not limited to, 2 items A, 1 item B, and 10 items C; 4 items B and 7 items C; or other suitable combinations.

[0089] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "first," "second," etc. are used herein merely as labels and are not intended to impose any order, position, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which they refer. Moreover, a reference to, for example, a "second" item does not require or exclude the presence of items lower in rank, for example, the "first," and / or items higher in rank, for example, the "third," etc.

[0090] As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is "configured" to perform a specified function does not merely have the potential to perform the specified function after further modification, but is in fact capable of performing the specified function without any modification. In other words, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is "configured" to perform a specified function is specifically selected, made, implemented, utilized, programmed, and / or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, "configured" refers to the existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is described as "configured" to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as "adapted" and / or "functional" to perform that function.

[0091] The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally described as logical flow chart diagrams. Thus, the depicted order and labeled steps are illustrative of one example of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be devised that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the format and symbols used are provided to describe the logical steps of the method, and do not limit the scope of the method. Although various types of arrows and lines may be used in the flow chart diagrams, it is to be understood that these do not limit the scope of the corresponding method. In fact, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For example, the arrows may indicate waiting or monitoring periods of unspecified duration between recited steps of the illustrated method. Furthermore, the order in which a particular method is performed may or may not strictly follow the order of the corresponding steps shown.

Claims

1. a number of disks rotatable about a first axis; a ramp support configured to receive a number of read / write head assemblies that rotate radially outward from the disks, A first lamp, a first lamp receiving end; a first lamp surface including a first first lamp portion, a second first lamp portion, and a third first lamp portion; A first lamp including: A second lamp, a second lamp receiving end interposed between the first lamp and the second lamp and laterally offset from the first lamp receiving end of the first lamp in a direction along an imaginary plane extending radially outward from the first axis; a second lamp surface, the second lamp surface including a first second lamp portion and a second second lamp portion; a second lamp including a lamp support including: In the direction along the imaginary plane, the first first lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled toward it, the second first lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled away from it, the third first lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled toward it, the first second lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled toward it, and the second second lamp portion faces the imaginary plane and is angled away from it. Magnetic storage device.

2. Each read / write head assembly of the multiple read / write head assemblies includes a carriage arm read / write head assembly of a multiple carriage arm; Each carriage arm of the multiple carriage arms is a first read / write head assembly including a suspension tab of the first read / write head assembly and a first slider; a second read / write head assembly including a suspension tab of the second read / write head assembly and a second slider; Including, the magnetic storage device is configured to move each slider and each suspension tab in a direction parallel to the imaginary plane; the first ramp and the second ramp are positioned such that the suspension tab of the first read / write head assembly contacts a first first ramp portion at a first time and the suspension tab of the second read / write head assembly contacts a first second ramp portion at a second time different from the first time.

2. The magnetic storage device according to claim 1.

3. 2. The magnetic storage device of claim 1, wherein the second lamp-receiving end of the second lamp is offset from the first lamp-receiving end of the first lamp by a distance of greater than or equal to 0.1 millimeters ("mm") and less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

4. the second lamp surface includes a first second lamp surface; the second ramp further includes a second ramp surface opposite the first ramp surface, the second ramp surface facing a disk of the plurality of disks, the disk being received by a portion of the ramp support; 2. The magnetic storage device according to claim 1.

5. the first lamp surface includes a first lamp surface; the first ramp further includes a second first ramp surface opposite the first first ramp surface, the second first ramp surface facing a disk of the plurality of disks, the disk being received by a portion of the ramp support; 2. The magnetic storage device according to claim 1.

6. The lamp support further includes a plurality of first lamps and a plurality of second lamps separated into a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets including a corresponding one of the plurality of first lamps and a corresponding one of the plurality of second lamps; At least one set of the plurality of sets includes a first second lamp and a first first lamp positioned above the first second lamp in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis, and at least one other set of the plurality of sets includes a second second lamp and a second first lamp positioned below the second second lamp in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis.

2. The magnetic storage device according to claim 1.

7. 2. The magnetic storage device of claim 1, wherein the first ramp surface receives a convex portion of a first suspension tab of a first read / write head assembly of the multiple read / write head assemblies, and the second ramp surface receives a convex portion of a second suspension tab of a second read / write head assembly of the multiple read / write head assemblies.

8. The first first lamp portion, the second first lamp portion, and the third first lamp portion are adjacent to each other; the first second lamp portion and the second second lamp portion are adjacent; 2. The magnetic storage device according to claim 1.

9. The magnetic memory device of claim 1, wherein the first ramp portion has a length greater than a length of the second ramp portion.

10. The magnetic memory device of claim 1, wherein the first second ramp portion has a length greater than a length of the second second ramp portion.

11. The magnetic memory device of claim 1, wherein the first ramp portion has a length greater than a length of the first ramp portion.

12. A magnetic memory device as described in claim 1, wherein the first first lamp portion starts at the first lamp receiving end of the first lamp and extends away from the first lamp receiving end, and the first second lamp portion starts at the second lamp receiving end of the second lamp and extends away from the second lamp receiving end.

13. The second first lamp portion is substantially parallel to the first second lamp portion; the second ramp portion is substantially parallel to the third ramp portion; 2. The magnetic storage device according to claim 1.

14. A third second lamp portion, A fourth first lamp portion; a first gap between the second first ramp portion and the first second ramp portion; a second gap between the third first lamp portion and the second second lamp portion; and a third gap between the third second ramp portion and the fourth first ramp portion; Further comprising: each of the first gap, the second gap, and the third gap is substantially constant in a direction along the imaginary plane; 2. The magnetic storage device according to claim 1.

15. An angle of the first first lamp portion with respect to the imaginary plane is substantially equal to an angle of the first second lamp portion with respect to the imaginary plane; an angle of the second first ramp portion relative to the imaginary plane is substantially equal to an angle of the first second ramp portion relative to the imaginary plane; an angle of the third first lamp portion relative to the imaginary plane being substantially equal to an angle of the second second lamp portion relative to the imaginary plane; 2. The magnetic storage device according to claim 1.

16. The magnetic storage device of claim 1, wherein the second first ramp portion is offset laterally from the first first ramp portion in a direction along the imaginary plane.

17. A magnetic storage device as described in claim 1, wherein the first ramp surface is configured to receive a convex portion of a suspension tab of a read / write head assembly of the multiple read / write head assemblies, and the second ramp surface is configured to receive a convex portion of a second suspension tab of a second read / write head assembly of the multiple read / write head assemblies.

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