System and method for hard drive damage prevention by improving the shock resistance of a hard disk micro-actuator

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for hard drive damage prevention by improving the shock resistance of a hard disk micro-actuator. The interior angles of the micro-actuator are rounded and structurally supported by a reinforcing material.

1 . A system to improve shock resistance of an actuator element comprising: 
 an actuator element having a generally ‘U’-shaped structure, the ‘U’-shaped structure being formed by at least a first arm joined at one end to an actuator base and a second arm joined at one end to said actuator base, said first arm and said actuator base forming a first angle and said second arm and said actuator base forming a second angle; wherein 
 said actuator element is adapted to be coupled to a slider element; and  
 the interior of at least one of said first angle and said second angle is filled with a reinforcing material.  
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator element is a micro-actuator.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator element is a piezoelectric micro-actuator and the slider element is a side step slider.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing material is softer than the actuator element.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing material is resin.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing material is epoxy.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing material is gold.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing material is applied by a pin applicator.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing material is applied by a syringe-type dispenser.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing material is applied by a spray printing process.  
     
     
         11 . A method to improve shock resistance of an actuator element comprising: 
 providing an actuator element having a generally ‘U’-shaped structure, the ‘U’-shaped structure being formed by at least a first arm joined at one end to an actuator base and a second arm joined at one end to said actuator base, said first arm and said actuator base forming a first angle and said second arm and said actuator base forming a second angle;    adapting said actuator element to be coupled to a slider element; and    applying a reinforcing material to the interior of at least one of said first angle and said second angle.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator element is a micro-actuator.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the actuator element is a piezoelectric micro-actuator and the slider element is a side step slider.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the reinforcing material is softer than the actuator element.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcing material is resin.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcing material is epoxy.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcing material is gold.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcing material is applied by a pin applicator.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcing material is applied by a syringe-type dispenser.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcing material is applied by a spray printing process.  
     
     
         21 . A system to improve shock resistance of an actuator element comprising: 
 an actuator element having a generally ‘U’-shaped structure, the ‘U’-shaped structure being formed by at least a first arm joined at one end to an actuator base and a second arm joined at one end to said actuator base, said first arm and said actuator base forming a first angle and said second arm and said actuator base forming a second angle; wherein 
 said actuator element is adapted to be coupled to a slider element; and  
 at least one of said first angle and said second angle has a rounded interior corner for structural reinforcement.  
   
     
     
         22 . A method to improve shock resistance of an actuator element comprising: 
 providing an actuator element having a generally ‘U’-shaped structure adapted to be coupled to a slider element, the ‘U’-shaped structure being formed by at least a first arm joined at one end to an actuator base and a second arm joined at one end to said actuator base, said first arm and said actuator base forming a first angle and said second arm and said actuator base forming a second angle, wherein at least one of said first angle and said second angle has a rounded interior corner for structural reinforcement.