In accordance with an embodiment, a hard disk drive includes voice coil motors (VCMs) coupled to respective control units configured to drive retract an operation of the VCMs in the hard disk drive. The retract operation of the VCMs includes a sequence of retract steps. The control units are allotted respective time slots for communication over a communication line with the respective time slots synchronized via the common clock line, and are configured to drive sequences of retract steps of the VCMs in the hard disk drive in a timed relationship.

A data storage device includes a primary storage media, a drive storage controller electrically coupled to media recording electronics and a controller-override mechanism. The controller-override mechanism is selectively controllable by a user to override control actions of the drive storage controller to prevent the drive storage controller from altering the primary storage media at a time when the storage device is otherwise configured for nominal data storage operations.

A data storage device includes a primary storage media, a drive storage controller electrically coupled to media recording electronics and a controller-override mechanism. The controller-override mechanism is selectively controllable by a user to override control actions of the drive storage controller to prevent the drive storage controller from altering the primary storage media at a time when the storage device is otherwise configured for nominal data storage operations.

A storage apparatus includes a disk-shaped recording medium having a surface, a motor configured to drive and rotate the recording medium, a head configured to read information from and write information to the recording medium, a ramp mechanism configured to move the head from a position above the surface of the recording medium to a head receded position, and a ramp retracting mechanism configured to move the ramp mechanism from a position above the surface of the recording medium to a ramp retracted position. Each of the head receded position and the ramp retracted position is outside a range of the recording medium in a plan view viewed from above the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the recording medium.

A data storage device includes a ramp configured to support at least one head in the data storage device, and a movement mechanism coupled to the ramp and configured to move the ramp from a first position to a second position by at least one of expansion or contraction of at least a portion of the movement mechanism. The data storage device further includes a ramp motion control module operably coupled to the movement mechanism. The ramp motion control module is configured to provide the movement mechanism with a first control signal that causes the movement mechanism to move the ramp from the first position to the second position. The data storage device additionally includes a latch configured to hold the ramp.

A data storage device includes a ramp configured to support at least one head in the data storage device, and a movement mechanism coupled to the ramp and configured to move the ramp from a first position to a second position by at least one of expansion or contraction of at least a portion of the movement mechanism. The data storage device further includes a ramp motion control module operably coupled to the movement mechanism. The ramp motion control module is configured to provide the movement mechanism with a first control signal that causes the movement mechanism to move the ramp from the first position to the second position. The data storage device additionally includes a latch configured to hold the ramp.

A disk device includes magnetic disks, ramps, suspensions, and magnetic disks. The magnetic disks are arranged above a housing bottom and configured to be rotated around a first rotation axis. The ramps are arranged above the housing bottom. The suspensions are configured to be rotated around a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis, The magnetic heads are mounted on the suspensions, respectively. Each of the suspensions is configured to be rotated around the second rotation axis from a first position above or below one of the magnetic disks to a second position on one of the ramps. The plurality of ramps includes a first ramp and a second ramp that is above the first ramp. An inner end of the second ramp is closer to the first rotation axis than is an inner end of the first ramp.

A disk device includes magnetic disks, ramps, suspensions, and magnetic disks. The magnetic disks are arranged above a housing bottom and configured to be rotated around a first rotation axis. The ramps are arranged above the housing bottom. The suspensions are configured to be rotated around a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis, The magnetic heads are mounted on the suspensions, respectively. Each of the suspensions is configured to be rotated around the second rotation axis from a first position above or below one of the magnetic disks to a second position on one of the ramps. The plurality of ramps includes a first ramp and a second ramp that is above the first ramp. An inner end of the second ramp is closer to the first rotation axis than is an inner end of the first ramp.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk, a magnetic head, an actuator, a controller, and a ramp. The magnetic head is configured to record data on and reproduce data from the magnetic disk. The actuator is configured to move the magnetic head relative to the magnetic disk. The controller is configured to control the actuator. The ramp is configured to hold the magnetic head. The controller is configured to, in a retract operation for causing the actuator to retract the magnetic head to the ramp, alternate detection of a back electromotive force of the actuator and application of a voltage corresponding to the back electromotive force to the actuator, and skip the detection of the back electromotive force a predetermined number of times in response to an event that the magnetic head moves at a speed outside a predetermined range.

In one aspect, a data storage device includes a disc, an arm, a head, a linear driver, and an elevator. The disc has a read/write surface defining an x-y plane. The arm has a head end that is movable relative to the disc. The head is configured to interact with the read/write surface. The linear driver is configured to move the arm along a substantially straight line in the x-y plane. The elevator is configured to move the arm in a z direction. In another aspect, rather than a linear driver, the data storage device includes a rotary actuator and a pivot actuator. The arm includes a first portion and a load beam. The rotary actuator is configured to move the first portion about a first pivot axis; the pivot actuator is configured to move the load beam about a second pivot axis relative to the first portion.