Non-contact magnetic latch for disc drive actuator

This invention relates generally to the field of hard disc drive data storage devices, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to latch mechanisms for holding an actuator mechanism of a disc drive at a park position in the absence of power. Disclosed is a non-contact magnetic latch mechanism for holding a disc drive actuator in its park position. The latch includes a magnetically permeable element coupled to the actuator. The magnetically permeable element is positioned so as to be attracted to the magnetic field produced by the actuator voice coil magnets when the actuator is in or near its park position. The size, shape and location of the magnet may be selected so as to vary the latch torque and the range of influence of the latch on the actuator.