Patent ID: 7085105

Claim:
An actuator latch apparatus for a data storage device comprising: a latch lever installed on a base plate of the data storage device capable of pivoting and having a first latch portion provided at one end portion of the latch lever; a spring connected to the other end portion of the latch lever and made of a shape memory alloy to allow the latch lever to pivot in a predetermined direction by being deformed according to application of electric power; and a second latch portion provided at an end portion of an actuator moving a read/write head to a predetermined position of a disk, wherein, when the rotation of the disk is stopped and the actuator is parked at a parking position, the spring urges the latch lever to pivot into a first position and the first latch portion is engaged with the second latch portion, thus locking the actuator to not rotate, and when the rotation of the disk is initiated, the spring urges the latch lever to pivot into a second position so that the first latch portion releases engagement with the second latch portion, thus allowing the actuator to rotate, and upon release of the engagement, the spring urges the latch lever to pivot into said first position and the second latch portion remains released from said the first latch portion until the rotation of the disk is stopped without application of electric power.