Disk drive suspension

Abstract

A sagging bend (55) is formed in a longitudinal portion of the load beam (12) and is bent in a thickness direction. The load beam (12) includes a first portion (12A) and a second portion (12B) adjoining the sagging bend (55). The roots (33a, 34a) of the outrigger portions (33, 34) are fixed to the load beam (12) by welds (41). A slit portion (60) is formed around each weld (41). The slit portion (60) includes an arc-shaped slit (61) and a pair of extended slits (62, 63). An outrigger support portion (70) is formed inside the slit portion (60). The outrigger support portion (70) extends in a direction different from the second portion (12B) of the load beam (12) with respect to a cross section in a longitudinal direction along the thickness direction of the load beam (12).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a magnetic disk drive suspension including a load beam and a flexure, and particularly to a suspension in which the load beam and the flexure are fixed by a weld. BACKGROUND

[0002] A magnetic disk drive is used in an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. The magnetic disk drive includes a magnetic disk that rotates around a spindle, a carriage that pivots around a pivot, and the like. A magnetic disk drive suspension is provided on an arm of the carriage.

[0003] A magnetic disk drive suspension (hereinafter referred to as a suspension) includes, for example, a base plate, a load beam, and a flexure arranged along the load beam. A slider is provided with a gimbal portion that is formed near a distal end of the flexure. The slider is provided with an element configured to perform an access to a magnetic disk to read / write data from / to the magnetic disk. Examples of conventional suspensions are disclosed in US2003 / 0086207A (Patent Literature 1) and US2014 / 0268427A (Patent Literature 2).

[0004] The load beam is formed of a metal plate such as stainless steel. One example of the flexure includes a metal base portion and a wiring portion formed along the metal base portion. The metal base portion is made of a metal plate such as stainless steel that is thinner than the load beam. Both sides of the gimbal portion are formed with outrigger portions.

[0005] The outrigger portions are formed of a portion of the metal base portion and elastically support the gimbal portion. The metal base portion is fixed to the load beam by a weld such as laser spot welding. Depending on the specifications of the suspension, the weld can be formed near a proximal end portion of the outrigger portion.

[0006] An example of a suspension is described in JP 2021-190151 A (Patent Literature 3). According to the description, the suspension has a curved portion in the longitudinal direction of the load beam (between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion). The curved portion is curved at a small angle in the thickness direction of the load beam. In this technical field, this curved portion is referred to as a sag curved portion.

[0007] The sag curved portion is formed by a die that curves a longitudinal portion of the load beam in the thickness direction of the load beam. The load beam with the sag curved portion includes a first portion and a second portion that is bounded by the sag curved portion. The first portion is located on a side closer to the proximal end portion of the load beam with respect to the sag curved portion. The second portion is located on a side closer to the distal end portion of the load beam with respect to the sag curved portion.

[0008] As the rotational speed of the magnetic disk is increased, and further the density and accuracy of the magnetic disk are increased, it becomes increasingly important to control the vibration mode near the gimbal portion. In order to suppress the vibration mode of the gimbal portion, it is necessary to appropriately control the profile of the outrigger portion.

[0009] The expression "profile of the outrigger portion" used in this specification refers to the shape of the outrigger portion, the angle of the outrigger portion with respect to the load beam, and the like when the load beam is viewed from the side direction. If the profile of the outrigger portion is not properly maintained, some adverse effects on the vibration control of the knuckle portion can occur.

[0010] The metal base portion (may also be referred to as a metal plate) of the flexure is fixed to the load beam by a plurality of weld portions. The weld portions are formed, for example, by laser spot welding in general. In some suspensions, some of the weld portions are formed near the root of the outrigger portion. In some cases, the weld portions are formed near the sag bend portion.

[0011] The weld portion for supporting the root of the outrigger portion can be located near the sag bend portion. In this case, the profile of the outrigger portion can be affected by the sag bend portion. The second portion is curved in the thickness direction of the load beam with respect to the first portion at the boundary of the sag bend portion. Thus, the root of the outrigger portion is affected by the sag bend portion. In some cases, the sag bend portion causes the vibration characteristics of the knuckle portion to deteriorate.

[0012] The specification of US 5,748,409 A (Patent Literature 4) describes weld portions that fix the load beam and the flexure to each other. Here, in order to reduce thermal stress generated when the weld portions are formed, a circular slit is formed around substantially the entire circumference of the weld portions. The slit is located closer to the center in the width direction of the flat load beam. However, Patent Literature 4 does not mention the sag bend portion in the load beam or the outrigger.

[0013] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a suspension in which a weld portion is located near the root of the outrigger portion and near the sag bend portion, which is capable of maintaining a proper profile of the outrigger portion. SUMMARY

[0014] According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk drive suspension includes a load beam having a base portion and a distal end portion, and a flexure fixed to the load beam by a weld portion. A sag bend portion is formed between the base portion and the distal end portion, which is curved in the thickness direction. The load beam includes a first portion on one side near the base portion and a second portion on one side near the distal end portion at the boundary of the sag bend portion. The flexure includes an outrigger portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the load beam.

[0015] A slit portion is formed around the weld portion of the load beam to surround half or more of the circumference of the weld portion. An outrigger support portion is formed inside the slit portion. The outrigger support portion extends in a direction different from the second portion with respect to a cross section in the longitudinal direction along the thickness direction of the load beam.

[0016] According to this embodiment, the profile of the outrigger portion can be appropriately maintained in the suspension, and the welding portions of the suspension are located near the root of the outrigger portion and near the sag bend portion, respectively.

[0017] One example of the slit portion can be U-shaped in a plan view of the load beam. The slit portion includes an arc-shaped slit forming a circumference of one-half or more of the welding portion and a pair of extension slits connecting opposite ends of the arc-shaped slit. The welding portion can include a surface nugget exposed from a surface of the flexure. In the welding portion having the surface nugget, a distance from a center of the welding portion to the slit portion can be one time or more but three times or less of a diameter of the surface nugget.

[0018] The load beam can include a flange bend portion along a longitudinal direction of the load beam at a side thereof. A narrow portion can be provided between the flange bend portion and the slit portion. The narrow portion is a portion of the load beam and extends along the longitudinal direction of the load beam along the flange bend portion.

[0019] In the load beam in which the arc-shaped slit is formed in the second portion, the extension slit can extend through the sag bend portion to the first portion.

[0020] In a cross section of the load beam in the longitudinal direction, an angle of the outrigger support portion can be smaller than an angle of the second portion with respect to a virtual line segment extending the first portion in the longitudinal direction. In the load beam in which the arc-shaped slit is formed in the first portion, the extension slit can extend through the sag bend portion to the second portion.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the slit portion can include a first slit formed in the first portion and a second slit formed in the second portion. The first slit and the second slit can be symmetrical to each other about the sag bend portion as a boundary. According to another embodiment, the slit portion is formed in the first portion and the extension slit extends in a width direction of the load beam.

[0022] Additional objects and advantages of the application will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by the practice of the application. The objects and advantages of the application can be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the application and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the application.

[0024] Figure 1 is a plan view of a disk drive suspension of the first embodiment viewed from a load beam side.

[0025] Figure 2is viewed from the side of the flexure Figure 1 is a plan view of the suspension shown.

[0026] Figure 3 is Figure 1 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the suspension shown.

[0027] Figure 4 is Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the suspension shown.

[0028] Figure 5 is Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the outrigger portion, weld portion, etc. of the suspension shown.

[0029] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the suspension taken along the F6-F6 line shown. Figure 5

[0030] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the suspension taken along the F7-F7 line shown. Figure 5

[0031] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the load beam of the suspension shown. Figure 1

[0032] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a magnetic disk drive.

[0033] Figure 10 is Figure 4 is a partial plan view of the suspension shown with the left and right sides reversed.

[0034] Figure 11 is a graph showing the relationship between position and height along line segments L1, L2, L3 shown. Figure 10

[0035] is a cross-sectional view showing the root portion, weld portion, etc. of the outrigger of the suspension of the second embodiment. Figure 12

[0036] is a graph showing the relationship between position and height along line segments L1, L2, and L3 shown in the suspension shown. Figure 13 Figure 12 Figure 10 is a graph showing the relationship between position and height along line segments L1, L2, and L3 shown in the suspension shown.

[0037] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the root portion, weld portion, etc. of the outrigger portion of the suspension according to the third embodiment.

[0038] Figure 15 is a partial plan view of the suspension according to the fourth embodiment.

[0039] ​​​​​Figure 16 This is a partial top view showing the suspension according to the fifth embodiment.

[0040] Figure 17 This is a partial top view showing the suspension according to the sixth embodiment.

[0041] Figure 18 It is along Figure 17 The cross-sectional view of the suspension taken from the F18-F18 line. Detailed Implementation

[0042] [First Embodiment]

[0043] Reference Figures 1 to 11 The disk drive suspension (hereinafter referred to as suspension 10) according to the first embodiment is described.

[0044] Figure 1 The suspension 10 shown includes a base plate 11, a load beam 12, a flexural member 13, etc. Figure 1 This is a plan view of the suspension 10 as seen from one side of the load beam 12. Figure 2 This is a plan view of the suspension 10 as seen from one side of the flexure 13.

[0045] The load beam 12 is made of stainless steel sheet and extends along the longitudinal direction of the suspension 10. Figure 1 The direction indicated by the double-headed arrow X1 is the longitudinal direction of the load beam 12. Figure 1 The double-headed arrow Y1 points in the direction of the width of the load-bearing beam 12. The load-bearing beam 12 includes a base 12a fixed to the base plate 11 (e.g., ...). Figure 2 (As shown). The thickness of the load beam 12 is, for example, 20 to 40 μm, but may have other thicknesses.

[0046] First piezoelectric elements 15a and 15b (e.g., ...) are provided near the base 12a of the load beam 12. Figure 1 (As shown). Second piezoelectric elements 16a and 16b are provided near the distal end 12b of the suspension 10 (as shown). Figure 2 (As shown). Piezoelectric elements 15a, 15b, 16a and 16b have the function of causing the distal end 12b of the suspension 10 to move in the oscillation direction (as shown). Figure 1 The function of moving in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow S1.

[0047] The flexural member 13 includes a metal base (metal plate) 20 and a wiring portion 21. The metal plate 20 is made of a thin sheet of stainless steel. The wiring portion 21 is arranged along the metal plate 20. The thickness of the metal plate 20 is, for example, 20 μm (12 to 25 μm), but other thicknesses are also possible. The thickness of the metal plate 20 is less than the thickness of the load beam 12.

[0048] like Figure 2As shown, the flexure 13 includes a flexure body 30, a flexure tail 31, a gimbal portion 32, and a pair of outrigger portions 33, 34. The flexure body 30 is fixed to the load beam 12. The flexure tail 31 extends behind the base plate 11 (in the direction indicated by Rl). Figure 1 The gimbal portion 32 is formed near a distal end 13a of the flexure 13. The gimbal portion 32 has a tongue portion 35 formed thereon. The tongue portion 35 has a slider 36 for a magnetic head formed therein.

[0049] The outrigger portions 33 and 34 are formed from a portion of the metal plate 20. The outrigger portions 33 and 34 extend from both sides of the flexure body 30 to both sides of the gimbal portion 32 along the length direction of the flexure 13. The length direction of the flexure 13 is also the length direction of the load beam 12. The outrigger portions 33 and 34 each have an elongated shape and elastically support the tongue portion 35 and the like. The root portions 33a and 34a of the outrigger portions 33 and 34 are connected to the flexure body 30.

[0050] The metal plate 20 of the flexure 13 is fixed to the load beam 12 by a plurality of weld portions 41, 42, and 43. The weld portions 41, 42, and 43 are formed by laser spot welding. The first weld portion 41 is formed near the root portions 33a and 34a of the outrigger portions 33 and 34. The second weld portion 42 fixes the flexure body 30 to the load beam 12. The third weld portion 43 fixes the distal end 13a of the flexure 13 to the load beam 12.

[0051] Figure 3 is a partial enlarged plan view of the suspension 10. Figure 1 is a partial enlarged plan view of the suspension 10. Figure 4 is a partial enlarged plan view of the suspension 10. Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the root portion 33a of the outrigger portion 33 and the weld portion 41 and the like. The root portion 33a of the outrigger portion 33 is supported by the weld portion 41. Figure 5

[0052] is a partial cross-sectional view of the suspension 10 (near the weld portion 41) taken along the F6-F6 line in FIG. 6. Figure 6 Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the F7-F7 line in FIG. 7.

[0053] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the F7-F7 line in FIG. 7. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the F7-F7 line in FIG. 7. Figure 5 Figure 7

[0054] Figure 6 and Figure 7 ​​​The root 33a and the weld 41 of one of the outrigger portions 33 and 34 (the outrigger portion 33) are shown. The root 34a and the weld 41 of the other outrigger portion 34 are configured similarly to the root 33a and the weld 41 of the outrigger portion 33. Therefore, the following description is given with the outrigger portion 33 and the weld 41 as representatives.

[0055] Figure 8 is an isometric view of the load beam 12. Flange bends 51 and 52 are formed on both sides of the load beam 12. The flange bends 51 and 52 extend in the longitudinal direction of the load beam 12. Figure 8 The direction indicated by the bidirectional arrow X1 in is the longitudinal direction of the load beam 12. Figure 8 The direction indicated by the bidirectional arrow Y1 in is the width direction of the load beam 12.

[0056] The longitudinal portion of the load beam 12 (between the base portion 12a and the distal end portion 12b) is formed with a sag bend 55. As shown in Figure 6 , the sag bend 55 is formed by bending the longitudinal portion of the load beam 12 in the thickness direction by an angle θ1. As shown in Figure 8 , the sag bend 55 extends in the width direction of the load beam 12.

[0057] The load beam 12 with the sag bend 55 includes a first portion 12A and a second portion 12B delimited by the sag bend 55. The first portion 12A is closer to the base portion 12a relative to the sag bend 55. The second portion 12B is closer to the distal end portion 12b relative to the sag bend 55. The weld 41 is formed on the second portion 12B of the load beam 12 near the sag bend 55. The root 33a of the outrigger portion 33 is secured to the load beam 12 by the weld 41. The weld 41 supports the root 33a of the outrigger portion 33 to the load beam 12.

[0058] A slit portion 60 is formed in the load beam 12. The slit portion 60 is U-shaped in a plan view of the load beam 12. The slit portion 60 is formed in an area W1 Figure 3 indicated in the plan view of the load beam 12 that includes the weld 41. The area W1 including the weld 41 is a portion of the load beam 12 and includes the root 33a of the outrigger portion 33, the weld 41, and is a portion of the sag bend 55.

[0059] The slit portion 60 includes an arc-shaped slit 61 and a pair of extension slits 62 and 63. The arc-shaped slit 61 is formed in the shape of about half a circumference around the weld 41. The extension slits 62 and 63 connect respective ends of the arc-shaped slit 61. An outrigger support portion 70 is formed within the slit portion 60. The weld 41 is formed in the outrigger support portion 70.

[0060] An arc-shaped slot 61 is formed in the second portion 12B of the load-bearing beam 12. In this embodiment, the arc-shaped slot 61 is formed in a generally semi-circular shape around the weld portion 41. Extending slots 62 and 63 extend from their respective ends of the arc-shaped slot 61 in a direction away from the weld portion 41. Extending slots 62 and 63 are formed in the longitudinal direction of the load-bearing beam 12. Extending slots 62 and 63 extend from the second portion 12B to the first portion 12A across the drooping bend 55.

[0061] A narrow portion 71 is formed between the flange bend 51 and the slit portion 60. The narrow portion 71 is part of the load beam 12. The narrow portion 71 extends along the flange bend 51 and in the longitudinal direction of the load beam 12. The slit portion 60 is formed in the load beam 12. With this structure, the bending stiffness of the load beam 12 decreases near the slit portion 60. However, since the flange bend 51 is located near the narrow portion 71, the necessary stiffness as a load beam 12 is obtained.

[0062] The weld portion 41 is formed by irradiating a laser beam from the side of the suspension's flexure 13 using a laser irradiation device. The area where the laser beam is focused melts, and as the molten metal solidifies, the weld portion 41 is formed. The weld portion 41 has a front weld nugget 41a and a rear weld nugget 41b. The front weld nugget 41a protrudes from the surface of the flexure 13 and has a generally circular shape. The rear weld nugget 41b protrudes from the rear surface of the load beam 12 and has a generally circular shape. In other embodiments, the laser beam can irradiate from the side of the suspension's load beam 12.

[0063] The diameter D1 of the pre-melting core 41a (e.g.) Figure 5 (As shown) is larger than the diameter of the post-melting core 41b (as shown) Figure 6 (As shown). The diameter D1 of the front weld nugget 41a is, for example, 0.13-0.16 mm. When forming the weld portion 41, a retaining fixture is used to support the load beam 12. Figure 5 In the accompanying drawing, reference numeral D2 indicates the distance from the center C1 of the welded portion 41 to the slit portion 60. If this distance D2 is too short, it will be difficult to secure the contact surface of the aforementioned retaining clamp.

[0064] On the other hand, if the distance D2 is too large, a portion of the slit portion 60 may reach the flange bend portion 51, which is undesirable. As the distance D2 increases, the area of ​​the extended support portion 70 becomes larger, thus making the rigidity of the extended support portion 70 excessive. Therefore, the distance D2 from the center C1 of the weld portion 41 to the slit portion 60 is preferably more than one and less than three times the diameter D1 of the front weld nugget 41a.

[0065] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the load-bearing beam 12 along the longitudinal direction is shown. (As shown...) Figure 6As shown, viewed from the side, the second portion 12B of the load beam 12 is bent relative to the first portion 12A in the thickness direction of the load beam 12. That is, the second portion 12B bends at an angle θ1 in the thickness direction of the load beam 12 at the boundary of the drooping bend 55. In contrast, the outrigger support 70 bends at an angle θ2 on the same side of the second portion 12B of the load beam 12.

[0066] like Figure 6 As shown, the extended support 70 extends in a direction different from the second part 12B of the load beam 12. Figure 6 In this context, let's assume X2 is a virtual line segment extending from the first portion 12A in the longitudinal direction of the load beam 12. The angle between the extended support portion 70 and this virtual line segment X2 is θ2. The angle between the second portion 12B and the virtual line segment X2 is θ1. The angle θ2 of the extended support portion 70 is smaller than the angle θ1 of the second portion 12B.

[0067] The root 33a of the extended support portion 33 is fixed to the extended support support portion 70 via the welding portion 41. Therefore, the root 33a of the extended support portion 33 is bent at an angle θ2, which corresponds to the angle of the extended support support portion 70. Figure 7 As shown, the extended support 70 is configured to have a different height relative to the load beam 12 along the thickness direction.

[0068] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a disk drive 80. The disk drive 80 has a housing 81 (shown only partially), a disk 82, a bracket 84, a positioning motor 85, etc. The disk 82 rotates about a spindle. The bracket 84 pivots about a pivot 83. The motor 85 drives the bracket 84. The housing 81 is sealed by a cover. The bracket 84 includes a plurality of arms 86. A base plate 11 of a suspension 10 is fixed to the end of each arm 86.

[0069] As the disk 82 rotates, an air bearing is formed between the slider 36 and the disk 82. When the bracket 84 is pivoted by the motor 85, the suspension 10 moves radially along the disk 82. Therefore, the slider 36 moves to the desired position on the disk 82.

[0070] Figure 10 This is a partially enlarged plan view of the suspension 10. The suspension 10 has an extended support portion 33. For ease of explanation, it is compared with... Figure 4 compared to, Figure 10 It is represented as left to right reversed. Figure 11 Show along Figure 10 The relationship between the positions and heights of line segments L1, L2, and L3 is shown. Figure 11 As shown by line segment L3, based on the angle θ2 of the extended support 70 ( Figure 6The contour of the outrigger portion 33 is optimized (as shown in

[0071] [Second Embodiment]

[0072] Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the outrigger support portion 70 of the suspension 10A according to the second embodiment is shown. The outrigger support portion 70 of the suspension 10A extends in the same direction as the first portion 12A with respect to a cross section taken in the longitudinal direction of the load beam 12. The outrigger support portion 70 extends in a different direction from the second portion 12B of the load beam 12. The outrigger support portion 70 and the second portion 12B are angled at an angle θ1 to each other.

[0073] Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the outrigger support portion 70 of the suspension 10A according to the second embodiment is shown. The outrigger support portion 70 of the suspension 10A extends in the same direction as the first portion 12A with respect to a cross section taken in the longitudinal direction of the load beam 12. The outrigger support portion 70 extends in a different direction from the second portion 12B of the load beam 12. The outrigger support portion 70 and the second portion 12B are angled at an angle θ1 to each other. Figure 10 The relationship between the positions and the heights corresponding to the line segments L1, L2, L3 shown is shown. Figure 13 The line segment L3 shown in the drawing indicates the contour of the outrigger portion 33 of the suspension 10A in the second embodiment (as shown in Figure 12 The outrigger portion 33 of the suspension 10A has the contour described with respect to the outrigger support portion 70. In this embodiment, the heights corresponding to the positions of the line segments L1 and L2 are measured with reference to the rear surface of the load beam 12. In Figure 13 The direction of the height corresponding to the measurement position is indicated in the drawing. As for other structures and operations, since the suspension 10A of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the suspension 10 of the first embodiment (as shown in Figures 1 to 8

[0074] [Third Embodiment]

[0075] Figure 14 A cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the outrigger support portion 70 of the suspension 10B according to the third embodiment is shown. Figure 14 is a cross section taken in the longitudinal direction of the load beam 12. The outrigger support portion 70 of the suspension 10B is bent at a negative angle θ3 to the opposite side of the second portion 12B. The outrigger 33 of the suspension 10B has a contour according to the outrigger support portion 70 having the negative angle θ3. As for other structures and operations, since the suspension 10B of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the suspension 10 of the first embodiment, items common to both are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0076] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0077] Figure 15 ​This is a plan view of the suspension 10C according to the fourth embodiment. The arcuate slit 61 of this suspension 10C is formed in the first portion 12A of the load beam 12. Extending slits 62 and 63 extend from the first portion 12A through the drooping bend 55 to the second portion 12B. Regarding other structures and operations, since the suspension 10C of the fourth embodiment has the same construction as the suspension 10 of the first embodiment, common items are indicated by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0078] [Fifth Embodiment]

[0079] Figure 16 This is a plan view of the suspension 10D according to the fifth embodiment. The slit portion 60 of the suspension 10D includes a first slit 60A and a second slit 60B. The first slit 60A and the second slit 60B are symmetrically arranged with the drooping bend 55 as the axis of symmetry. The first slit 60A is formed in the first portion 12A of the load beam 12. The second slit 60B is formed in the second portion 12B of the load beam 12.

[0080] The slit portion 60 includes a first slit 60A and a second slit 60B. An overhanging bracket support portion 70 with a welded portion 41 is formed in the slit portion 60. Note that the first slit 60A and the second slit 60B do not need to be perfectly symmetrical. For example, the first slit 60A and the second slit 60B can be slightly asymmetrical with the drooping bend 55 as the boundary. As for other structures and operations, since the suspension 10D of the fifth embodiment has the same construction as the suspension 10 of the first embodiment, common items are indicated by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0081] [Sixth Embodiment]

[0082] Figure 17 This is a plan view of the suspension 10E according to the sixth embodiment. Figure 18 It is along Figure 17 A cross-sectional view of the suspension 10E taken from the F18-F18 line. Figure 17 In the load beam 12, axis X3 extends along the longitudinal direction. The suspension 10E includes a pair of slits 60, which are symmetrical about axis X3. Slits 60 are formed in the first portion 12A of the load beam 12. Extending slits 62 and 63 extend along the width direction of the load beam 12. An overhanging support 70 with a welded portion 41 is formed within the slits 60.

[0083] like Figure 18As shown, the central portion of the cross section of the load beam 12 in the width direction is slightly convex and curved toward the opposite sides of the flange bending portions 51 and 52. The pair of outrigger support portions 70 each extend in the width direction of the load beam 12. As for other structures and operations, since the suspension 10E of the sixth embodiment has the same configuration as the suspension 10 of the first embodiment, common items of the two are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0084] In implementing the present application, needless to say, the specific shapes and configurations of the load beam and the flexure that constitute the suspension, and the shapes and arrangements of the droop bending portions, the outrigger portions, the slit portions, the suspension outrigger support portions, and the like can be changed as needed.

[0085] Other advantages and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Therefore, the present application in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the general inventive concepts as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A disk drive suspension, comprising: A load-bearing beam (12), including a base (12a) and a distal end (12b); and A flexible member (13) includes an extended support portion (33, 34). Extending along the longitudinal direction of the load beam (12) and fixed to the load beam (12), The disk drive suspension is characterized in that it further includes: A drooping bend (55) is formed between the base (12a) and the distal end (12b) of the load beam (12) and bends in the thickness direction of the load beam (12); A first part (12A) is located on the side closer to the base (12a) at the boundary with the drooping bend (55); A second part (12B) is located on the side closer to the distal end (12b) at the boundary with the drooping bend (55); A welded part (41) that fixes the load beam (12) and the flexure (13) to each other and supports the roots (33a, 34a) of the extended support parts (33) and (34); A slit (60) is formed around the weld (41) of the load beam (12) to cover at least half a circumference of the weld (41); and An extended support portion (70) is located within the slit portion (60) and extends in a direction different from the second portion (12B) relative to the cross section in the longitudinal direction along the thickness direction of the load beam (12).

2. The disk drive suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slit portion (60) includes: An arc-shaped gap (61) is formed around half or more of the circumference of the welded part (41); and A pair of extending slits (62, 63) connect the corresponding ends of the arcuate slit (61) and extend in a direction away from the weld (41), and In the plan view of the load beam, the slit (60) is formed in a U-shape.

3. The disk drive suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: The front weld nugget (41a) of a welded part (41) is exposed from the surface of the flexural member (13). in The distance from the center of the weld (41) to the slit (60) is at least one but less than three times the diameter of the front weld nugget (41a).

4. The disk drive suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: The flange bends (51, 52) are located on one side of the load beam (12) along the longitudinal direction of the load beam (12); and A narrow portion (71) is located between the flange bends (51, 52) and the slit portion (60), which is part of the load beam (12) and extends along the flange bends (51, 52) in the longitudinal direction of the load beam (12).

5. The disk drive suspension according to claim 2, characterized in that, include: The flange bends (51, 52) are located on one side of the load beam (12) along the longitudinal direction of the load beam (12); and A narrow portion (71) is located between the flange bends (51, 52) and the slit portion (60), which is part of the load beam (12) and extends along the flange bends (51, 52) in the longitudinal direction of the load beam (12).

6. The disk drive suspension according to claim 2, characterized in that, The arc-shaped slit (61) is formed in the second portion (12B) of the load beam (12), and the extending slits (62, 63) extend across the drooping bend (55) to the first portion (12A).

7. The disk drive suspension according to claim 6, characterized in that, Relative to the cross section along the longitudinal direction of the load beam (12), The angle (θ2) between the extended support portion (70) and the virtual line segment (X2) that extends longitudinally as the first portion (12A) is smaller than the angle (θ1) of the second portion (12B).

8. The disk drive suspension according to claim 2, characterized in that, The arc-shaped slit (61) is formed in the first portion (12A) of the load beam (12), and the extending slits (62, 63) extend across the drooping bend (55) to the second portion (12B).

9. The disk drive suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slit portion (60) includes: A first slit (60A) is formed in the first portion (12A); and A second slit (60B) is formed in the second portion (12B), and The first slit (60A) and the second slit (60B) are symmetrical to each other at the boundary of the drooping bend (55).

10. The disk drive suspension according to claim 2, characterized in that, The slit portion (60) is formed in the first portion (12A) of the load beam (12), and the extended slits (62, 63) extend along the width direction of the load beam (12).

Images