61results about "Arm with actuators" patented technology

According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a magnetic disk, a magnetic head, a flexure, a piezoelectric element, a first bonding material, a second bonding material, and a protrusion. The flexure includes a first outer surface, a first pad, and a second pad. The first pad and the second pad are on the first outer surface. The piezoelectric element includes a second outer surface, a first electrode, and a second outer surface. The first electrode and the second electrode are on the second outer surface. The first bonding material, which is conductive, bonds the first pad and the first electrode. The second bonding material, which is conductive, bonds the second pad and the second electrode. The protrusion is provided on the flexure, is located at least partially between the first bonding material and the second bonding material, and protrudes from the first outer surface.

A flexure includes a body portion including a first metal base, a terminal portion electrically connected to an actuator, and a connection portion connecting the body portion with the terminal portion and not including the first metal base. The wiring portion includes a base insulating layer, a conductor layer provided on the base insulating layer, and a cover insulating layer covering the conductor layer. The cover insulating layer includes a first cover portion provided on the connection portion, and the base insulating layer includes a first base portion provided on the connection portion and having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the first cover portion.

According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a magnetic disk, a magnetic head, a flexure, a piezoelectric element, a first bonding material, a second bonding material, and a protrusion. The flexure includes a first outer surface, a first pad, and a second pad. The first pad and the second pad are on the first outer surface. The piezoelectric element includes a second outer surface, a first electrode, and a second outer surface. The first electrode and the second electrode are on the second outer surface. The first bonding material, which is conductive, bonds the first pad and the first electrode. The second bonding material, which is conductive, bonds the second pad and the second electrode. The protrusion is provided on the flexure, is located at least partially between the first bonding material and the second bonding material, and protrudes from the first outer surface.

A suspension assembly includes a load beam terminating in a hinge, a gimbal assembly mounted to the load beam, and a base plate connected to the hinge and including an opening. A PZT actuator is disposed in the opening and includes first and second opposing ends. The PZT actuator includes active and inactive regions both extending between the first and second opposing ends, PZT material disposed in both the active and inactive regions, and first and second electrodes configured to cause active expansion and contraction of the PZT material in the active region in response to voltage differentials applied to the first and second electrodes, and configured to not cause active expansion and contraction of the PZT material in the inactive region in response to voltage differentials applied to the first and second electrodes of the PZT actuator.

According to one embodiment, a disk device includes two magnetic disks opposing each other at intervals of 1.2 to 1.5 mm, and at least two suspension assemblies movable respectively between the two magnetic disks. Each of the suspension assemblies includes a base plate, a load beam extending from the base plate, a tab extending from a distal end of the load beam, a wiring member on the load beam and the base plate, including a gimbal portion, and a magnetic head on the gimbal portion, abutting on a dimple of the load beam via the gimbal portion. The ratio of a distance from a bendable location of the load beam to a center of the dimple with respect to a distance from the center of the dimple to a tip of the tab is 2.8 to 3.8.

A hard disk drive suspension includes first piezoelectric elements provided at a first position, and second piezoelectric elements provided at a second position. A conductor is connected to the first piezoelectric elements. Conductors are connected to the second piezoelectric elements, respectively. A measurement device includes a vibration signal generation unit which supplies vibration signals to the second piezoelectric elements, a vibration measurement unit which detects vibration generated at the suspension, and a ground connection unit. The conductor electrically connected to the first piezoelectric elements is connected to a ground via a resistor of a ground connection unit.

According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a magnetic disk, a magnetic head, a flexure, a piezoelectric element, a first bonding material, a second bonding material, and a protrusion. The flexure includes a first outer surface, a first pad, and a second pad. The first pad and the second pad are on the first outer surface. The piezoelectric element includes a second outer surface, a first electrode, and a second outer surface. The first electrode and the second electrode are on the second outer surface. The first bonding material, which is conductive, bonds the first pad and the first electrode. The second bonding material, which is conductive, bonds the second pad and the second electrode. The protrusion is provided on the flexure, is located at least partially between the first bonding material and the second bonding material, and protrudes from the first outer surface.

A gimbal head assembly (HGA), such as that used in a hard disk drive (HDD), comprises a load beam formed with proximal openings and a bend coupled to the load beam. The bend includes a tongue section to which a fine actuator is coupled, and the tongue section includes corner sections proximal to the fine actuator. Each opening of the load beam is shaped and positioned to overlap the corner section of the bend, preventing contact between the load beam and the corner section in response to shock events. This creates a gimbal clearance of the bend relative to the load beam, protecting the integrity of the piezoelectric fine actuator elements from, for example, non-operational shock events.

A data storage device includes a stack of data storage disks, a head stack assembly, and a piezoelectric motor. The head stack assembly includes an arm, a load beam, a head and a tail. The arm is configured for pivotal motion about a longitudinal axis of an actuator shaft. The load beam is attached to the arm. The head is attached to the load beam and is configured to interact with a surface of one of the disks, the surface defining an x-y plane. The tail is disposed on an opposite side of the actuator shaft from the arm and has a first engagement surface that is parallel to the x-y plane. The piezoelectric motor includes a piezoelectric element and a contact tip. The piezoelectric element comprises a first mounting surface. The contact tip is disposed at the first mounting surface and frictionally contacts the engagement surface.

A head gimbal assembly (HGA), such as for a hard disk drive (HDD), includes: a load beam formed to have a proximal opening therethrough; and a flexure coupled with the load beam, where the flexure includes a tongue portion to which a fine actuator is coupled, and the tongue portion includes a corner portion proximal to the fine actuator. Each opening of the load beam is shaped and positioned to cover the corner portion of the flexure to avoid contact between the load beam and the corner portion in response to an impact event. A flexure gimbal clearance relative to the load beam is thereby achieved to protect the integrity of the piezoelectric elements of the fine actuator from, for example, non-operational impact events.

A suspension assembly comprises a load beam including a proximal end terminating in a hinge, a gimbal assembly mounted to the load beam, a base plate, and PZT actuators. The base plate comprising a distal portion connected to the hinge, a proximal portion, and a neck portion disposed between the distal portion and the proximal portion, wherein the neck portion comprising side edges facing away from each other, wherein the side edges, the distal portion and the proximal portion define openings, wherein each of the side edges includes a protrusion at a center of the neck portion facing one of the openings. Each of the PZT actuators is disposed in one of the openings and mounted to the proximal portion and the distal portion.

The embodiment provides a head suspension assembly and a disk device with improved connection reliability. According to the embodiment, the head suspension assembly includes a support plate, a wiring member (40) arranged on the support plate, a head mounted on the wiring member, and a retractable piezoelectric element (50) mounted on the wiring member. The wiring member includes a metal plate (44a) fixed to the support plate and a stacked member having a first insulating layer (44b), a conductive layer (44c) stacked on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer (44d) stacked on the conductive layer, and at least a pair of connecting pads (70a, 70b) formed by the conductive layer. The connecting pad is overlapped and arranged on a recessed portion (74a) formed on the first insulating layer to form a recessed portion along the recessed portion, and the covering insulating layer has an opening (72a) opposite to the connecting pad. The piezoelectric element is connected to the connecting pad by a conductive adhesive (Ad) filled in the opening and the recessed portion of the connecting pad.

A head gimbal assembly includes a gimbal having a base portion and a tongue that are joined together by a neck portion, a circuit mounted on the gimbal, a slider mounted on the tongue and electrically connected to the circuit, a first PZT actuator having a proximal end mounted on a first bonding site of the circuit and a distal end mounted on a second bonding site of the circuit, and a second PZT actuator having a proximal end mounted on a third bonding site of the circuit and a distal end mounted on a fourth bonding site of the circuit. The first and third bonding sites do not overlap with and are not directly supported by the base portion. The second and fourth bonding sites overlap with and are directly supported by the tongue.

A suspension assembly includes a load beam terminating in a hinge, a gimbal assembly mounted to the load beam, and a base plate connected to the hinge and including an opening. A PZT actuator is disposed in the opening and includes opposing first and second ends. The PZT actuator includes an active region and an inactive region each extending between opposite first and second ends, a PZT material disposed in both the active region and the inactive region, and first and second electrodes, and an active region configured to cause active expansion and contraction of the PZT material in the active region in response to a voltage difference applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, and configured to not cause active expansion and contraction of the PZT material in the inactive region in response to a voltage difference applied to the first electrode and the second electrode of the PZT actuator.

According to one embodiment, there is generally provided a disk device capable of suppressing variation of a gap between a recording medium and a head and improving reliability. According to one embodiment, a disk device includes: a disk-shaped recording medium; a magnetic head having a write head, a read head, and a heater for adjusting a gap with the recording medium; a suspension assembly supporting the magnetic head; the micro actuator comprises a piezoelectric element arranged on the suspension assembly; and a controller that sets the driving voltage of the piezoelectric element on the basis of the difference between the landing output when the piezoelectric element is driven and the landing output when the piezoelectric element is not driven.

A PZT microactuator, such as that used in a hard disk drive, has a constraining layer bonded to the side of the actuator opposite to the side on which the PZT is mounted. The constraining layer comprises a hard and resilient material, such as stainless steel. The constraining layer may cover most or all of the top of the PZT, making electrical connections to the PZT in areas not covered by the constraining layer. The constraining layer reduces the bending of the PZT when mounted, thereby increasing the effective stroke length, or reverses the sign of the bending, thereby further increasing the effective stroke length of the PZT. The constraining layer may be one or more layers of active PZT material that act in the opposite direction to the main PZT layer. The constraining layer may be thinner than the main PZT layer.

A head gimbal assembly (HGA), such as for a hard disk drive (HDD), includes a load beam formed with proximal openings therethrough and a flexure coupled with the load beam, where the flexure includes a tongue portion to which a fine actuator is coupled and the tongue portion includes corner portions proximal to the fine actuator. Each opening of the load beam is shaped and positioned to overlay the corner portion of the flexure to avoid contact between the load beam and the corner portion in response to shock events. Flexure gimbal clearance relative to the load beam is thereby enabled to protect the integrity of the fine actuator piezoelectric elements from non-operational shock events for example.

To provide a disk device capable of suppressing fluctuations in a gap between a recording medium and a head and improving reliability.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, a disk device includes: a disk-shaped recording medium; a magnetic head having a heater that adjusts a gap between a write head, a read head, and the recording medium; a suspension assembly that supports the magnetic head; a microactuator including a piezoelectric element provided in the suspension assembly; and a controller that sets a driving voltage of the piezoelectric element according to the difference between the piezoelectric element and a touchdown output at driving, and the piezoelectric element and a touchdown output at non-driving.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

A suspension of an embodiment includes a first actuator including a piezoelectric element, a second actuator including a piezoelectric element, and a third actuator including a piezoelectric element. A first conductor supplies a first alternating current to the first actuator. A second conductor supplies a second alternating current to the second actuator. A third conductor supplies a third alternating current with a phase opposite to the second alternating current to the third actuator. The first conductor includes a first and a second proximity portions. The first proximity portion extends along the second conductor in the longitudinal direction of the wiring unit. The second proximity portion extends along the third conductor in the longitudinal direction of the wiring unit.

A head gimbal assembly (HGA), such as for a hard disk drive (HDD), includes a load beam formed with proximal openings therethrough and a flexure coupled with the load beam, where the flexure includes a tongue portion to which a fine actuator is coupled and the tongue portion includes corner portions proximal to the fine actuator. Each opening of the load beam is shaped and positioned to overlay the corner portion of the flexure to avoid contact between the load beam and the corner portion in response to shock events. Flexure gimbal clearance relative to the load beam is thereby enabled to protect the integrity of the fine actuator piezoelectric elements from non-operational shock events for example.

Embodiments provide a magnetic disk drive and control method capable of preventing degradation of microactuator components. When adjusting the position of a magnetic head using a microactuator, the magnetic disk drive control unit applies a third voltage value based on the second voltage value to the microactuator when the absolute value of the first voltage value applied to the microactuator is corrected based on hysteresis and the absolute value of the second voltage value applied to the microactuator is positive. Furthermore, the control unit operates at least one of the voice coil motor and / or the microactuator other than the microactuator applying the third voltage value to adjust for any shortfall in adjustment by the microactuator.

The invention provides a microactuator assembly and a suspension for a disk drive. A PZT microactuator (e.g., for a hard disk drive) has a restraint layer bonded on its side opposite to the side on which the PZT is mounted. The restraint layer includes a stiff and resilient material, such as stainless steel. The restraint layer may cover most or all of the top of the PZT, electrically connected to the PZT where it is not covered by the restraint layer. The constraining layer reduces bending of the PZT at the time of installation, thereby increasing the effective stroke length, or reverses the sign of the bending, thereby further increasing the effective stroke length of the PZT. The constraining layer may be one or more active PZT material layers having an opposite direction of action to the primary PZT layer. The restraint layer may be thinner than the primary PZT layer.

A suspension assembly includes a load beam, a base plate connected to the load beam, and a single actuator disposed in an opening of the base plate. The single actuator is formed of a crystal material that expands along a first axis and contracts along a second orthogonal axis, and expands along the second axis and contracts along the first axis in response to respective first and second bias voltages. The single actuator is configured to flex the base plate when expanding along the first axis to rotate the load beam in a first rotational direction about a center of rotation located along the load beam, and flex the base plate when expanding along the second axis to rotate the load beam in a second, opposite rotational direction about the center of rotation.

According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a disk-shaped recording medium, a magnetic head including a write head, a read head, and a heater configured to adjust a gap between the magnetic head and the recording medium, a suspension assembly supporting the magnetic head, a micro actuator including a piezoelectric element on the suspension assembly, and a controller configured to set a drive voltage of the piezoelectric element in accordance with a difference between a touchdown output in time of driving the piezoelectric element and a touchdown output in time of non-driving the piezoelectric element.

A flexure of a suspension for a disk drive includes a metal base and a wiring portion provided along the metal base and including a base insulation layer, a conductor layer overlaid on the base insulation layer, and a cover insulation layer overlaid on the conductor layer. The flexure includes a first area on which an electronic component is mounted and a second area aligned alongside the first area, and the first area includes a thin-walled portion which overlaps the electronic component and having a thickness less than a thickness of the second area.

A tape drive device includes a head member, a tape drive mechanism moving a tape, a suspension member supporting the head member, piezoelectric units, a drive voltage supply circuit applying a voltage to a piezoelectric element, and a controller. Each of the piezoelectric units includes a piezoelectric element. The controller determines a state of a head unit, based on a piezoelectric output generated at the piezoelectric element provided in the suspension member.

A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric microactuator having a wrap-around electrode includes forming a piezoelectric element having a large central electrode on a top face, and having a wrap-around electrode that includes the bottom face, two opposing ends of the device, and two opposing end portions of the top face. The device is then cut through the middle, separating the device into two separate piezoelectric microactuators each having a wrap-around electrode.

A suspension assembly includes a load beam terminating in a hinge, a gimbal assembly mounted to the load beam, and a base plate connected to the hinge and including an opening. A PZT actuator is disposed in the opening and includes first and second opposing ends. The PZT actuator includes active and inactive regions both extending between the first and second opposing ends, PZT material disposed in both the active and inactive regions, and first and second electrodes configured to cause active expansion and contraction of the PZT material in the active region in response to voltage differentials applied to the first and second electrodes, and configured to not cause active expansion and contraction of the PZT material in the inactive region in response to voltage differentials applied to the first and second electrodes of the PZT actuator.

According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a disk-shaped recording medium, a magnetic head including a write head, a read head, and a heater configured to adjust a gap between the magnetic head and the recording medium, a suspension assembly supporting the magnetic head, a micro actuator including a piezoelectric element on the suspension assembly, and a controller configured to set a drive voltage of the piezoelectric element in accordance with a difference between a touchdown output in time of driving the piezoelectric element and a touchdown output in time of non-driving the piezoelectric element.

To provide a head driving device capable of stably holding a head member and functioning as an actuator for fine movement.SOLUTION: A head driving device 10A includes a head support unit 16 for supporting a head member 17, a first beam 21, a second beam 22, a first piezoelectric unit 51 including a pair of piezoelectric elements 51a and 51b, and a second piezoelectric unit 61 including a pair of piezoelectric elements 61a and 61b. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements 51a and 51b of the first piezoelectric unit 51, the piezoelectric elements 51a and 51b are deformed to move a tip 21b of the first beam 21. The piezoelectric elements 61a and 61b of the second piezoelectric unit 61 are also deformed when the voltage is applied, to move a tip 22b of the second beam 22 in a direction same as that of the tip 21b of the first beam 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1