Patent ID: 6707638
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A slider impedance mechanism for preventing ejection of a disk cartridge during operation of a disk drive, the mechanism comprising:an impedance bend-up; a rotation spring; and an actuator follower bend-up; wherein, when the disk drive is viewed from a top plan view and the front of the disk drive is situated on the bottom of the view; the mechanism rotates about a pivot point such that the rotation spring imparts a clockwise bias to the mechanism; the actuator follower bend-up interacts with and follows an actuator as it rotates read/write heads on and off the disk; and the impedance bend-up interacts with a sliding lever to prevent untimely ejection of the disk cartridge; wherein when the actuator is in a parked position of not reading from or writing to the disk, the mechanism is in its counter-clockwise-most position; and wherein the actuator is in an operating position of reading from or writing to the disk, the mechanism is in its clockwise-most position; wherein when the actuator is in its parked position, the disk cartridge may be elected from the disk drive; and when the actuator is in its operating position, the disk cartridge may not be elected from the disk drive; wherein the sliding lever has a post that extends down into a race situated in the pinion and wherein: when the actuator is in its parked position, the impedance bend-up is clear of the race and the post is free to move through the race to permit the sliding lever to eject the disk cartridge; and when the actuator is in its operating position, the impedance bend-up is blocking the race so that the post is not free to move through the race and the sliding lever is thereby not permitted to eject the disk cartridge from the disk drive.