Hard disk drive suspension trailing portion with tapered tip

Abstract

This invention is entitled "Hard Disk Drive Suspension Tail with Narrowing Tip." A hard disk drive suspension includes a suspension tail configured to electrically connect to a read-write transducer at a distal end and extend in a proximal direction toward a tapered tip at a proximal end, wherein the tapered tip includes a decreasing taper that narrows in the proximal direction. Accordingly, structural overlap between adjacent suspension tails in a misalignment scenario and the resulting edge-to-edge electrical connection between the suspension tail and a corresponding flexible printed circuit is prohibited. A proximal-most electrical pad of the suspension tail can be configured to have a different aspect ratio or a fewer number of rows than other adjacent electrical pads, fitting within the narrowest portion of the tapered tip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention may relate generally to hard disk drives, and more specifically to a method for avoiding mechanical interference between adjacent suspension tails. Background Technology

[0002] A hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile storage device housed in a protective casing that stores digitally encoded data on one or more disks with magnetic surfaces. When an HDD is in operation, each magnetic recording disk is rapidly rotated by a spindle system. Read / write heads (or "transducers") positioned above specific locations on the disk by actuators read data from and write data to the magnetic recording disk. The read / write heads use magnetic fields to write data onto and read data from the surface of the magnetic recording disk. The write head operates by utilizing current flowing through its coils, thereby generating a magnetic field. Electrical pulses are sent to the write head in different modes of positive and negative current. The current in the coils of the write head generates a localized magnetic field in the gap between the head and the disk, which in turn magnetizes a small area on the recording medium.

[0003] In order to write or read data from a medium, the read / write head must receive instructions from the controller. Therefore, the head is electrically connected to the controller in some way so that it not only receives instructions to read / write data, but can also send back information to the controller regarding data reading and / or writing. Without a good electrical connection, the data flow of the input / output heads may be damaged.

[0004] Any method described in this section is a feasible method, but not necessarily one that has been previously conceived or implemented. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, no method described in this section should be considered prior art simply because it is included in this section. Attached Figure Description

[0005] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings by way of example rather than limitation, in which the same reference numerals refer to similar elements and wherein:

[0006] Figure 1 This is a plan view of a hard disk drive according to one embodiment;

[0007] Figure 2A This is a perspective view showing the actuator assembly according to one embodiment;

[0008] Figure 2B It is based on an implementation plan illustration Figure 2A A perspective view of the integrated lead-wire suspension (ILS) of the actuator assembly;

[0009] Figure 3AThis is a front view of an adjacent rear suspension pair in a nominal configuration, according to one implementation scheme;

[0010] Figure 3B It is assembled with a flexible printed circuit (FPC) according to one implementation scheme. Figure 3A A cross-sectional view of the rear of the suspension;

[0011] Figure 3C This is a front view of an adjacent suspension rear pair in an misaligned configuration, according to one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3D This is a front view of an adjacent suspension rear pair in an misaligned configuration, according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4A This is a front view of an adjacent high-capacity suspension rear pair in a nominal configuration, according to one implementation scheme;

[0014] Figure 4B It is assembled with a flexible printed circuit (FPC) according to one implementation scheme. Figure 4A A cross-sectional view of the rear of the high-capacity suspension;

[0015] Figure 4C This is a front view of an adjacent high-capacity suspension rear pair in an misaligned configuration, according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4D This is a front view of an adjacent high-capacity suspension rear pair in an misaligned configuration, according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5A This is a front view of a high-capacity suspension tail section with a narrowed tip, according to one embodiment;

[0018] Figure 5B It is based on an implementation plan illustration Figure 5A Rear view of the high-capacity suspension tail section with narrowed tip;

[0019] Figure 6A This is a front view of a high-capacity suspension tail section with a narrowed tip, according to one embodiment;

[0020] Figure 6B It is based on an implementation plan illustration Figure 6A Rear view of the high-capacity suspension tail section with narrowed tip;

[0021] Figure 7A This is a front view of a high-capacity suspension rear section with a narrowed tip, according to one embodiment; and

[0022] Figure 7BIt is based on an implementation plan illustration Figure 7A Rear view of the high-capacity suspension tail section with narrowed tips. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Generally, this invention describes a method for avoiding mechanical interference between adjacent suspension tails in a hard disk drive (HDD). In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth for purposes of explanation in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention described herein. However, it will be apparent, however, that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices may be shown in block diagram form to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention described herein.

[0024] introduction

[0025] the term

[0026] References to "implementation," "an embodiment," etc., herein are intended to mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. However, instances of such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0027] The term "substantially" should be understood as describing features that are mostly or nearly structured, constructed, or dimensionally defined, but in practice, manufacturing tolerances and other factors may cause the structure, configuration, dimensions, etc., to not always or necessarily be as precise as described. For example, describing a structure as "substantially vertical" would give the term its general meaning, implying that the sidewalls are vertical for all practical purposes, but may not be precisely at 90 degrees throughout.

[0028] While terms such as “optimal,” “minimum,” “maximum,” “maximize” may not have certain values ​​associated with them, if used herein, it is intended that those skilled in the art will understand that such terms will encompass values, parameters, measures, etc., that influence in a beneficial direction consistent with the whole of this disclosure. For example, describing the value of something as “minimum” does not require that the value is actually equal to some theoretical minimum (e.g., zero), but should be understood in a practical sense as the corresponding objective being to move that value toward the theoretical minimum in a beneficial direction.

[0029] Context

[0030] To increase the storage capacity of a hard disk drive (HDD), the number of recording media (i.e., disks) can be increased. However, the overall size and dimensions of an HDD are limited, so when additional disks are implemented in a larger capacity HDD, the amount of space between adjacent disks may become narrower or reduced. Typically, an HDD head stack assembly (HSA) includes a suspension head assembly for each disk recording surface, and therefore, two suspensions need to be fitted between adjacent disks, for example, one operating on the upper disk and one on the lower disk. Therefore, when more disks are used in a fixed-size HDD, the available space for operation between the suspension disks is smaller. Consequently, when the space for the suspensions is reduced, precise alignment of the suspensions is required, as misalignment of one or two suspensions can easily lead to overlap or interference between suspensions.

[0031] At the far end of the suspension, there are read / write transducers (or "heads") for reading and writing data. At the other near end of the suspension, there are conductive pads (or simply "electrical pads") for electrical connection to corresponding conductive pads on a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The surfaces of the suspension and the FPC are not parallel in their simplest form, so each suspension is folded (e.g., approximately 90 degrees), and the suspension pads and FPC pads are typically electrically interconnected with solder or ACF (anisotropic conductive film) along a plane.

[0032] Figure 2A This is a perspective view illustrating an actuator assembly according to one embodiment. The actuator assembly 200 includes a carriage 201 (see, for example...). Figure 1 The carriage 134), which is connected by a pivot bearing assembly 203 (see, for example) Figure 1 Pivot bearing assembly 152) and central pivot shaft 202 (see example) Figure 1 The actuator assembly 200 is rotatably coupled to a pivot 148 and is rotatably driven by a voice coil motor (VCM) whose voice coil 204 is shown herein. The actuator assembly 200 also includes one or more actuator arms 206 (see, for example...). Figure 1 Each actuator arm of the arm 132 is coupled to the suspension assembly 208 (or simply "suspension", "lead wire suspension" or "integrated lead wire suspension" (ILS); see example Figure 1 The lead suspension 110c typically includes a forged substrate ( Figure 2B ) and load-bearing beams (see example) Figure 1 The load-bearing beam is 110d; Figure 2B Each suspension 210 passes through the rear of the suspension ( Figure 2B The flexible printed circuit (FPC) 212 coupled to the carriage 201 is electrically connected.

[0033] Figure 2B It is based on an implementation plan illustration Figure 2AA perspective view of the integrated lead-wire suspension (ILS) of the actuator assembly. The suspension 210 includes a base plate 210a (e.g., forged to) connected to a load beam 210b. Figure 2A The corresponding actuator arm 206 in the actuator assembly 200, also referred to as the head stack assembly (HSA), has the read / write head attached to the load beam at the distal end. Electrical signals are carried from the distal head and possibly other electronic components (such as, as a non-limiting example, a microactuator) to the proximal FPC 212 via electrical leads integrated with the suspension tail 210c. Figure 2A As mentioned, the rear suspension 210c has a fold at the folding area, and a plurality of electrical pads 210d on the rear suspension tip 210e extend beyond the folding area in the proximal direction. In the actuator assembly 200, these electrical pads 210d are electrically connected to the FPC 212, such as using solder or ACF.

[0034] Rear suspension - nominal alignment

[0035] As discussed, any increase in the number of suspension elements tends to reduce the suspension 210 ( Figure 2A , Figure 2B ) and FPC 212 ( Figure 2A The available space for electrical connections between the suspensions. Historically, there was sufficient space for such electrical connections because of the relatively large clearances between the suspensions. However, as the clearances between the suspensions decrease, the risk of undesirable overlap between the rear suspension sections (especially in the FPC 212 area) becomes more significant.

[0036] Figure 3A This is a front view of an adjacent suspension rear pair in a nominal configuration, according to one implementation scheme. Figure 3A Two pairs of suspension rear tips (210e-1 and 210e-2, and 210e-3 and 210e-4) are depicted, each of which has a corresponding set of electrical pads (210d-1, 210d-2, 210d-3, 210d-4). Here, due to the relatively large space between the suspension rear tips, no overlap is depicted. Figure 3B It is assembled with a flexible printed circuit (FPC) according to one implementation scheme. Figure 3A A cross-sectional view of the rear of the suspension. Figure 3B A suspension tail tip 210e with a corresponding electrical pad 210d is depicted, which is located at, on or near, the suspension tail tip and is electrically connected to the electrical pad 212d of the FPC 212 by solder 300 (or ACF).

[0037] Rear suspension - misaligned

[0038] Figure 3C This is a front view of an adjacent suspension rear pair in an misaligned configuration, according to one embodiment. Figure 3C The two pairs of suspension tail tips (210e-1 and 210e-2, and 210e-3 and 210e-4) and their corresponding set of electrical pads (210d-1, 210d-2, 210d-3, 210d-4) are depicted again. Here, the space between the suspension tail tips is again relatively large, but due to the presence of large misalignment, structural overlap is shown between the first pair of suspension tail tips 210e-2 and the adjacent suspension tail tips 210e-3 of the second pair. Figure 3D This is a front view of an adjacent suspension rear pair in an misaligned configuration, according to one embodiment. Similar to... Figure 3C The concept, Figure 3D Two pairs of suspension tail tips (210e-1 and 210e-2, and 210e-3 and 210e-4) and their corresponding sets of electrical pads (210d-1, 210d-2, 210d-3, 210d-4) are depicted again. Here, the space between the suspension tail tips is again relatively large, but in the presence of large misalignment, structural overlap is shown between the same pair of suspension tail tips 210e-1 and the adjacent suspension tail tip 210e-2, and similarly between the same pair of suspension tail tips 210e-3 and the adjacent suspension tail tip 210e-4. In either case, if overlap occurs between adjacent suspension tail tips, it undesirably prevents or prohibits proper and effective electrical connection between the suspension 210 and the corresponding FPC 212.

[0039] High-capacity suspension rear end - nominal alignment

[0040] In addition to the increase in the number of suspension components, the number of electrical pads is also trending upwards due to the increased number of functions (e.g., micro-actuators and milli-actuators, auxiliary recording, etc.). Therefore, the number of rows or lines of electrical pads may also increase. This increase in the number of pads and / or pad lines leads to what is referred to herein as a “high-capacity” suspension.

[0041] Figure 4A This is a front view of an adjacent high-capacity suspension rear pair in a nominal configuration, according to one implementation scheme. Figure 4A Two pairs of suspension rear sections (410e-1 and 410e-2, and 410e-3 and 410e-4) are depicted, each rear section (410e-1 to 410e-4) having a corresponding set of electrical pads (410d-1, 410d-2, 410d-3, 410d-4), described here as rows of paired electrical pads. Although the space between the suspension rear sections is relatively smaller than before due to the increased number of pads, no overlap is shown here. Figure 4BIt is assembled with a flexible printed circuit (FPC) according to one implementation scheme. Figure 4A A cross-sectional view of the rear of the high-capacity suspension. Figure 4B A suspension tail section 410e is depicted having a pair of corresponding electrical pads 410d, which are located at, on, or near the suspension tail section and electrically connected to an electrical pad 412d of an FPC 412 using solder 400 (or ACF). According to one embodiment, each of the electrical pads 410d of the high-capacity suspension tail section 410e is configured to extend through the suspension tail section 410e material, for example as... Figure 4B As shown.

[0042] High-volume suspension rear end - misaligned

[0043] Figure 4C This is a front view of an adjacent high-capacity suspension rear pair in an misaligned configuration, according to one embodiment. Figure 4C Two pairs of suspension tail sections (410e-1 and 410e-2, and 410e-3 and 410e-4) and their corresponding sets of electrical pads (410d-1, 410d-2, 410d-3, 410d-4) are depicted again. Here, due to the high density and high capacity of the suspension tail sections, the space between the suspension tail sections is relatively small again, so even with minimal misalignment, structural overlap may occur, as shown between the same pair of suspension tail sections 410e-1 and the adjacent suspension tail section 410e-2. Figure 4D This is a front view of an adjacent high-capacity suspension rear pair in an misaligned configuration, according to one embodiment. Similar to... Figure 4C The concept, Figure 4D Two pairs of suspension tail sections (410e-1 and 410e-2, and 410e-3 and 410e-4) and their corresponding sets of electrical pads (410d-1, 410d-2, 410d-3, 410d-4) are depicted again. Here, due to the high density and high capacity of the suspension tail sections, the space between the suspension tail sections is relatively small again, so structural overlap may occur even with minimal misalignment, as shown between the first pair of suspension tail sections 410e-2 and the adjacent suspension tail section 410e-3 of the second pair. In either case, if overlap occurs between adjacent suspension tail sections, it undesirably prevents or prohibits proper and effective electrical connection between such suspension and the corresponding FPC.

[0044] Suspension rear end with narrowed tip

[0045] As described herein, if the suspension or suspension tail is misaligned, the tips of the suspension tail are prone to overlap. According to one embodiment, the suspension is constructed such that the suspension tail beyond the folding area narrows or tapers, thereby prohibiting or avoiding structural overlap even in the case of misalignment.

[0046] According to one implementation plan Figure 5A It is a front view showing the rear of a high-capacity suspension with a narrowed tip, and Figure 5B It is shown Figure 5A A rear view of a high-capacity suspension tail section with a narrowed tip. The suspension tail section 500 includes a tapered tip 502 that includes a plurality of electrical pads 504. That is, the tapered tip 502 is configured with a “decreasing taper” 502a, which extends from the folded area of ​​the suspension tail section 500 (see [reference]). Figure 2B The suspension narrows towards the proximal end. The narrowing or decreasing tapered shape 502a typically appears in the plane of the rear suspension 500, which is parallel to the corresponding FPC (see example...). Figure 2A (FPC212) and mates with it. Therefore, size 2 is greater than Figure 5A The dimension 1 shown. In the context of a suspension tail 500 having a tapered tip 502 including a decreasing tapered 502a, structural overlap between adjacent suspensions / suspension tails in misaligned scenarios and the resulting invalid or marginalized electrical connections between the suspension tail 500 and the corresponding FPC are prohibited, reduced, or avoided.

[0047] According to one implementation scheme, the decreasing cone 502a is a stepped cone, such as... Figure 5A , Figure 5B As shown, it narrows gradually rather than linearly. However, a linear tapering is also envisioned, and it falls within the scope of the embodiments disclosed in this invention. Furthermore, although Figure 5A , Figure 5B The diagram shows two sets, two groups, two rows, and two lines of electrical pads 504, but it is possible to implement and therefore particularly envisioned a suspension tail with a single row (or more than two rows) of electrical pads (e.g., electrical pads 504) coupled to the tapered tip (e.g., tapered tip 502) of a decreasing tapered shape (e.g., decreasing tapered shape 502a).

[0048] Pad aspect ratio

[0049] According to one implementation plan Figure 6A It is a front view showing the rear of a high-capacity suspension with a narrowed tip, and Figure 6B It is shown Figure 6AA rear view of a high-capacity suspension tail section with a narrowed tip. The suspension tail section 600 includes a tapered tip 602 that includes a plurality of electrical pads 604. That is, the tapered tip 602 is configured with a “decreasing taper” 602a, which extends from the folded area of ​​the suspension tail section 600 (see [reference]). Figure 2B The suspension narrows towards the proximal end. The narrowing or decreasing tapered shape 602a typically appears in the plane of the rear suspension 600, which is parallel to the corresponding FPC (see example...). Figure 2A (FPC212) and mates with it. Therefore, size 2 is greater than Figure 6A The dimension 1 shown. In the context of a suspension tail 600 having a tapered tip 602 including a decreasing tapered 602a, structural overlap between adjacent suspensions / suspension tails in misaligned scenarios and the resulting invalid or marginalized electrical connection between the suspension tail 600 and the corresponding FPC are prohibited, reduced or avoided.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the aspect ratio of at least one electrical pad 604a among a plurality of electrical pads 604 is different from the aspect ratio of the adjacent electrical pad 604b. According to one embodiment and as shown... Figure 6A , Figure 6B As generally shown, one or more electrical pads 604a at or near the proximal end of the tapered tip 602 are longer (e.g., in the direction toward the proximal end) and flatter / thinner (e.g., in the direction perpendicular to the proximal end) than one or more adjacent electrical pads 604b (e.g., in the direction toward the distal end). According to one embodiment, at least the last (or a pair) electrical pads 604a at the proximal end of the tapered tip 602 are electrical pads with different aspect ratios, thus fitting within the narrowest portion of the tapered tip 602. Although Figure 6A , Figure 6B The diagram shows two sets, two groups, two rows, or two lines of electrical pads 604, but it is possible to implement and therefore particularly envisioned to have a suspension tail with a single row (or more than two rows) of electrical pads (e.g., electrical pads 604) coupled to the tapered tip (e.g., tapered tip 602) of a decreasing tapered shape (e.g., decreasing tapered shape 602a), wherein at least one of the electrical pads has a different aspect ratio.

[0051] Number of lines

[0052] According to one implementation plan Figure 7A It is a front view showing the rear of a high-capacity suspension with a narrowed tip, and Figure 7B It is shown Figure 7AA rear view of a high-capacity suspension tail section with a narrowed tip. The suspension tail section 700 includes a tapered tip 702 that includes a plurality of electrical pads 704. That is, the tapered tip 702 is configured with a “decreasing taper” 702a, which extends from the folded area of ​​the suspension tail section 700 (see [reference]). Figure 2B The suspension narrows towards the proximal end. The narrowing or decreasing tapered shape 702a typically appears in the plane of the rear suspension 700, which is parallel to the corresponding FPC (see example...). Figure 2A (FPC212) and mates with it. Therefore, size 2 is greater than Figure 7A The dimension 1 shown. In the context of a suspension tail 700 having a tapered tip 702 including a decreasing tapered 702a, structural overlap between adjacent suspensions / suspension tails in misaligned scenarios and the resulting invalid or marginalized electrical connection between the suspension tail 700 and the corresponding FPC are prohibited, reduced or avoided.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the number of rows (or sets or groupings) of electrical pads 704 decreases at the tapered tip 702. For example, the electrical pads 704 along the rear of the suspension 700 change from two rows (i.e., pairs) to one row, as... Figure 7A , Figure 7B As shown. That is, the first portion 704a of the electrical pad 704 is configured in pairs along the first portion of the suspension tail 700, and the second portion 704b of the electrical pad 704 is configured alone along the second portion of the suspension tail 700, which is closer to the proximal end of the tapered tip 702 than the first portion of the suspension tail 700. According to one embodiment, at least the last (nearest) electrical pad 704 at the proximal end of the tapered tip 702 is configured as a single row, rather than as part of a pair (e.g., as with the first portion 704a), thus fitting within the narrowest portion of the tapered tip 702.

[0054] Physical description of illustrative operational scenarios

[0055] The implementation scheme can be used in contexts such as digital data storage devices (DSDs) like hard disk drives (HDDs). Therefore, according to one implementation scheme, Figure 1 A floor plan of a typical HDD 100 is shown to help illustrate how a typical HDD usually operates.

[0056] Figure 1The functional arrangement of components of an HDD 100, including a slider 110b, is shown. The slider 110b includes a magnetic read / write head 110a. The slider 110b and the head 110a can be collectively referred to as the head slider. The HDD 100 includes at least one head gimbal assembly (HGA) 110 with the head slider, a lead suspension 110c typically attached to the head slider via a bend, and a load beam 110d attached to the lead suspension 110c. The HDD 100 also includes at least one recording medium 120 rotatably mounted on a spindle 124 and a drive motor (not visible) attached to the spindle 124 for rotating the medium 120. The read / write head 110a (also referred to as a transducer) includes a write element and a read element for writing and reading information stored on the medium 120 of the HDD 100, respectively. The medium 120 or multiple disk media can be attached to the spindle 124 using a disk clip 128.

[0057] HDD 100 also includes an arm 132, a carriage 134, and a voice coil motor (VCM) attached to HGA 110. The VCM includes an armature 136 containing a voice coil 140 attached to the carriage 134 and a stator 144 containing a voice coil magnet (not visible). The armature 136 of the VCM is attached to the carriage 134 and configured to move the arm 132 and HGA 110 to access the media 120, both mounted together on a pivot 148 with an inserted pivot bearing assembly 152. In the case of an HDD with multiple disks, the carriage 134 may be referred to as an "E-block" or comb because the carriage is arranged to carry a linked array of arms, thus giving it a comb-like appearance.

[0058] An assembly including a head universal joint assembly (e.g., HGA110) to which the head slider is coupled, an actuator arm (e.g., arm 132) and / or load beam to which the bend is coupled, and an actuator (e.g., VCM) to which the actuator arm is coupled, can be collectively referred to as a head stack assembly (HSA). However, an HSA may include more or fewer components than those described above. For example, an HSA may refer to an assembly that also includes electrical interconnect components. Generally, an HSA is an assembly configured to move the head slider to access portions of the medium 120 for read and write operations.

[0059] Further reference Figure 1Electrical signals, including write signals to and read signals from the magnetic head 110a (e.g., current to the voice coil 140 of the VCM), are transmitted by a flexible cable assembly (FCA) 156 (or “flexible cable”, or “flexible printed circuit” (FPC)). The interconnect between the flexible cable 156 and the magnetic head 110a may include an arm electronics (AE) module 160, which may have an onboard preamplifier for the read signal and other read and write channel electronics. The AE module 160 may be attached to a carriage 134, as shown. The flexible cable 156 may be coupled to an electrical connector block 164, which in some configurations provides electrical communication via an electrical feedthrough provided by the HDD housing 168. The HDD housing 168 (or “housing base”, “substrate”, or simply “base”) together with the HDD cover provides a semi-sealed (or hermetically sealed, in some configurations) protective enclosure for the information storage components of the HDD 100.

[0060] Other electronic components, including the disk controller and servo electronics including a digital signal processor (DSP), provide electrical signals to the drive motor, the voice coil 140 of the VCM, and the magnetic head 110a of the HGA 110. The electrical signals provided to the drive motor cause it to rotate, thereby providing torque to the spindle 124, which is then transmitted to the medium 120 attached to the spindle 124. The medium 120 thus rotates in direction 172. The rotating medium 120 forms an air cushion that acts as an air bearing on which the air bearing surface (ABS) of the slider 110b is mounted, allowing the slider 110b to fly above the surface of the medium 120 without contacting the thin magnetic recording layer on which information is recorded. Similarly, in HDDs utilizing gases lighter than air (such as helium used in a non-limiting example), the rotating medium 120 forms an air cushion that acts as a gas or fluid bearing on which the slider 110b is mounted.

[0061] The electrical signal supplied to the voice coil 140 of the VCM enables the head 110a of the HGA 110 to access the track 176 on which information is recorded. Therefore, the armature 136 of the VCM swings through an arc 180, allowing the head 110a of the HGA 110 to access the individual tracks on the medium 120. Information is stored in multiple radially nested tracks on the medium 120, which are arranged in sectors (such as sector 184) on the medium 120. Accordingly, each track is composed of multiple sectorized track portions (or “track sectors”) such as sectorized track portions 188. Each sectorized track portion 188 may include recorded information and a data header containing error correction code information and a servo burst signal pattern, such as the ABCD-servo burst signal pattern (which is information identifying track 176). When accessing track 176, the read element of the head 110a of the HGA 110 reads a servo burst signal pattern, which provides a positioning error signal (PES) to the servo electronics. This controls the electrical signal supplied to the voice coil 140 of the VCM, enabling the head 110a to follow track 176. Upon locating track 176 and identifying a specific sectored track portion 188, the head 110a either reads information from track 176 or writes information to track 176 according to instructions received by the disk controller from an external agent (e.g., the microprocessor of a computer system).

[0062] The electronic architecture of an HDD includes multiple electronic components for performing their respective HDD operating functions, such as a hard disk controller (“HDC”), an interface controller, an arm electronics module, a data channel, a motor driver, a servo processor, a buffer memory, etc. Two or more of these components may be combined on a single integrated circuit board called a “system-on-a-chip” (“SOC”). Several (if not all) of these electronic components are typically arranged on a printed circuit board coupled to the bottom side of the HDD, such as to the HDD housing 168.

[0063] This article references hard drives, such as references Figure 1The HDD 100 shown and described may include an information storage device sometimes referred to as a “hybrid drive.” A hybrid drive generally refers to a storage device that combines the functionality of a conventional HDD (see, for example, HDD 100) with a solid-state storage device (SSD) that uses non-volatile memory (such as flash memory or other solid-state (e.g., integrated circuit) memory) that is electrically erasable and programmable. Because the operation, management, and control of different types of storage media typically differ, the solid-state portion of a hybrid drive may include its own corresponding controller functionality, which may be integrated with the HDD functionality into a single controller. Hybrid drives can be built and configured to operate and utilize the solid-state portion in a variety of ways, such as, as a non-limiting example, using the solid-state memory as cache memory for storing frequently accessed data, for storing I / O-intensive data, etc. Additionally, hybrid drives can be built and configured essentially as two storage devices, namely a conventional HDD and an SSD, in a single housing, with one or more interfaces for host connectivity.

[0064] Expansion and Replacement

[0065] In the foregoing description, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details, which may vary depending on the specific implementation. Therefore, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, the invention, and the applicant's intended sole and exclusive indicator of the invention, is the set of claims in the specific form issued by this patent application, including any subsequent amendments. Any definitions of terms expressly set forth herein that are included in these claims shall determine the meaning of those terms as used in the claims. Therefore, any limitations, elements, characteristics, features, advantages, or attributes not expressly cited in the claims shall not in any way limit the scope of these claims. Therefore, this specification and the accompanying drawings are to be considered exemplary rather than restrictive.

[0066] Furthermore, in this description, certain process steps may be shown in a specific order, and alphanumeric labels may be used to identify certain steps. Unless explicitly specified in the specification, the implementation is not necessarily limited to any particular order in which such steps are performed. Specifically, these labels are used only for the convenience of identifying the steps and are not intended to specify or require a particular order in which such steps are performed.

Claims

1. A head stacking assembly (HSA), comprising: Multiple read / write transducers, each read / write transducer being configured to read from and write to at least one corresponding recording medium; Flexible printed circuits (FPCs); Multiple suspensions, each suspension including a suspension tail, the suspension tail being electrically coupled to a corresponding read / write transducer among the multiple read / write transducers, and extending in a direction from the read / write transducer toward a tapered tip of the suspension tail, the tapered tip being formed by a series of multiple structured steps spanning multiple electrical pads, the multiple electrical pads being coupled to the tapered tip; The tapered tip includes a decreasing tapered shape that narrows from the folded area at the rear of the suspension toward the proximal end of the tapered tip.

2. The HSA of claim 1, wherein each suspension further comprises the plurality of electrical pads, the plurality of electrical pads being coupled to the tapered tip and each being electrically coupled to a corresponding electrical pad of the FPC.

3. A hard disk drive comprising the HSA as claimed in claim 2.

4. The HSA according to claim 3, wherein: The aspect ratio of at least one of the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension is different from that of the adjacent electrical pads of the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension, wherein the at least one electrical pad is closer to the proximal end than the adjacent electrical pad.

5. The HSA of claim 4, wherein the at least one electrical pad is longer than the adjacent electrical pad in the direction.

6. The HSA of claim 4, wherein the at least one electrical pad is thinner than the adjacent electrical pad in a direction perpendicular to the direction.

7. The HSA according to claim 2, wherein: The first portions of the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension are arranged in pairs along the first portion of the suspension; and The second portion of the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension is separately configured along the second portion of the suspension, and the second portion is closer to the end of the tapered tip than the first portion of the suspension.

8. The HSA according to claim 2, wherein: The aspect ratio of each of a pair of electrical pads in the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension is different from the aspect ratio of each of an adjacent pair of electrical pads in the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension in the direction.

9. A hard disk drive suspension, comprising: The rear suspension is configured to be electrically connected to a read / write transducer at a distal end and extends in a proximal direction toward a tapered tip at a proximal end, wherein the tapered tip includes a plurality of structured steps forming a decreasing tapered shape that narrows toward the proximal end from a folded region of the rear suspension in the proximal direction and spans a plurality of electrical pads coupled to the tapered tip.

10. The suspension according to claim 9, wherein: The aspect ratio of at least one of the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension is different from that of the adjacent electrical pads of the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension.

11. The suspension of claim 10, wherein the at least one electrical pad is longer than the adjacent electrical pad in the proximal direction.

12. The suspension of claim 10, wherein the at least one electrical pad is thinner than the adjacent electrical pad in a direction perpendicular to the proximal direction.

13. The suspension according to claim 9, wherein: The first portions of the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension are arranged in pairs along the first portion of the suspension; and The second portion of the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension is separately configured along the second portion of the suspension, and the second portion is closer to the end of the tapered tip than the first portion of the suspension.

14. The suspension according to claim 9, wherein: The aspect ratio of each of a pair of electrical pads in the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension is different from the aspect ratio of each of an adjacent pair of electrical pads in the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension.

15. A hard disk drive, comprising: Multiple storage media, the multiple storage media being rotatably mounted on a spindle; A circuit device for transmitting electrical signals; and A head stack assembly coupled to an actuator configured to move the head stack assembly to access a portion of the storage medium, the head stack assembly comprising: Multiple head sliders, each head slider housing a corresponding read / write transducer, the read / write transducer being configured to read from and write to at least one corresponding storage medium of the storage medium. Multiple suspensions, each suspension including a suspension tail, the suspension tail being electrically coupled to a corresponding head slider of a plurality of head sliders and extending in a direction from the head slider toward a tapered tip of the suspension tail, wherein the tapered tip includes a series of multiple structured steps forming a decreasing cone and spanning multiple electrical pads coupled to the tapered tip, the decreasing cone narrowing in the direction from a folded region of the suspension tail toward a proximal end of the tapered tip, and wherein each of the multiple electrical pads is electrically coupled to a corresponding electrical pad of the circuitry.

16. The hard disk drive of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension is configured as multiple rows, each row being positioned along the direction.

17. A head stacking assembly (HSA), comprising: Multiple read / write transducers, each read / write transducer being configured to read from and write to at least one corresponding recording medium; Flexible printed circuits (FPCs); Multiple suspensions, each suspension comprising: The rear of the suspension is electrically coupled to a corresponding read / write transducer among the plurality of read / write transducers, and extends in a direction from the read / write transducer toward the tapered tip of the rear of the suspension. Multiple electrical pads, each of which is coupled to the tapered tip and electrically coupled to a corresponding electrical pad of the FPC; For each suspension: The tapered tip includes a decreasing tapered shape that narrows in the direction from the folded area at the rear of the suspension toward the proximal end of the tapered tip; The first portions of the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension are arranged in pairs along the first portion of the suspension; and The second portion of the plurality of electrical pads of the suspension is separately configured along the second portion of the suspension, and the second portion is closer to the end of the tapered tip than the first portion of the suspension.

18. A hard disk drive suspension, comprising: The rear suspension portion is configured to be electrically connected to a read / write transducer at the distal end and extends in a proximal direction toward a tapered tip at the proximal end. Multiple electrical pads, wherein the multiple electrical pads are coupled to the conical tip, in: The tapered tip includes a decreasing tapering shape that narrows in the proximal direction from the folded area at the rear of the suspension toward the proximal end; The first portions of the plurality of electrical pads are arranged in pairs along the first portion of the suspension; and The second portion of the plurality of electrical pads is separately configured along the second portion of the suspension, and the second portion is closer to the end of the tapered tip than the first portion of the suspension.

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