Disk drive suspension

Abstract

A flexible member (22) of a suspension (1) includes a metal base (40), a circuit portion (41), and a slider arrangement portion (50). The slider arrangement portion (50) includes a hole portion (70) formed in the metal base (40) and a slider support portion (90) provided on the metal base (40). The hole portion (70) is provided at a position on which the slider (51) is provided. The embedded circuit portion (41a) is provided within the hole portion (70). The embedded circuit portion (41a) constitutes a part of the circuit portion (41) in the longitudinal direction. A slider support portion (90) supports the slider (51), and an embedded circuit portion (41a) is provided in the hole portion (70). The embedded circuit portion (41a) has a contact portion (91) in contact with the protruding portion (30a) of the load beam (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a disk drive suspension including a load beam, a flexure, and the like. Background Art

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

[0003] A disk drive suspension consists of a base plate, a load beam, and a flexure arranged along the load beam. The flexure comprises a metal base made of a thin stainless steel plate and a circuit section arranged along the metal base. Hereinafter, the disk drive suspension is simply referred to as the suspension.

[0004] A swingable gimbal structure is formed near the tip of the flexure. The gimbal structure includes a slider arrangement, on which the slider is arranged. The portion of the flexure that constitutes the slider arrangement is also called a tongue. The tongue is formed on a portion of the metal base. The gimbal structure is supported by a protrusion formed on the load beam. In industry, the protrusion is also called a dimple. The apex of the protrusion (the apex of the dimple) swingably supports the tongue.

[0005] A slider, serving as a magnetic head, is attached to the slider arrangement. The slider includes components for accessing data, such as reading or writing data stored on the magnetic disk. As the magnetic disk rotates, an air bearing is created between the slider and the disk. The distance between the slider's air bearing-forming surface and the magnetic disk surface (head-to-medium spacing) is, for example, 10 nm or less. This distance is very small.

[0006] JP 4993524B (Patent Document 1) discloses an example of a slider and a circuit section. The circuit section is connected to the slider. The circuit section in Patent Document 1 extends along the side surface and the other side surface of the slider in the longitudinal direction of the flexure. The slider is fixed to the metal base of the flexure by bonding or other methods. In this case, space for the circuit section is required on both sides of the slider. This configuration is not conducive to achieving a more compact suspension.

[0007] JP 5931624B (Patent Document 2) discloses another example of a suspension. The suspension includes a circuit section between the rear surface of the slider and a metal base. Specifically, the metal base, circuit section, and slider overlap in the thickness direction. In this case, an adhesive secures the rear surface of the slider to the circuit section. This configuration reduces the width of the slider-mounting portion, thus contributing to a more compact suspension.

[0008] In the suspension disclosed in Patent Document 2, the circuit section and the slider overlap in the thickness direction. The circuit section includes multiple independent conductors, each covered with a covering resin. Therefore, if these conductors and the covering resin are misaligned, the slider's orientation is inaccurate, which is disadvantageous. Furthermore, the metal base, circuit section, and slider overlap in the thickness direction. This configuration further disadvantageously increases the distance between the apex of the dimple and the slider's air bearing forming surface by the thickness of the circuit section.

[0009] The present invention is directed to providing a suspension capable of stabilizing the orientation of a slider provided on a slider arrangement portion. Summary of the Invention

[0010] One embodiment is a disk drive suspension including a load beam and a flexure. The flexure includes a metal base, a circuit portion disposed along the metal base, and a slider placement portion on which a slider is disposed. The slider placement portion includes a hole portion formed in the metal base, a slider support portion formed on the metal base, an embedded circuit portion forming a portion of the lengthwise direction of the circuit portion, and an abutment portion. The slider support portion supports the slider. A protruding portion of the load beam abuts the abutment portion. A hole portion is formed at the location where the slider is disposed. The slider is supported by the slider support portion, with the embedded circuit portion formed in the hole portion.

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention can stabilize the orientation of a slider provided on a slider arrangement portion in a suspension including a circuit portion, a slider arrangement portion, and the like.

[0012] In the suspension of this embodiment, the embedded circuit portion may include a base resin layer, a conductor along the base resin layer, a covering resin covering the conductor, and an abutment portion. The slider placement portion may include a base resin that overlaps the base resin layer. A metal portion formed from a portion of a metal base may be disposed within the hole portion. The metal portion may include a slider support portion. The metal component may include an abutment portion.

[0013] The embedded circuit portion may include a load beam side facing the load beam, a slider side facing the slider, a first conductor, and a second conductor. The first conductor includes a terminal portion exposed at the load beam side. The second conductor includes a terminal portion exposed at the slider side. A ground conductor may be provided for electrically connecting the metal base and the conductor of the embedded circuit portion.

[0014] The slider support portion may include a metal portion and an electrically insulating base member disposed between the metal portion and the slider. The slider support portion may include a first base member and a second base member, the first base member being electrically insulated from the second base member. The first base member covers the hole portion. The second base member is disposed between the slider and the first base member.

[0015] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the following description, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the present invention. The objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized and obtained through the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0017] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the suspension according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 is a plan view showing a portion of the suspension.

[0019] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a magnetic disk drive.

[0020] Figure 4 It is along Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the slider arrangement section along the F4-F4 line.

[0021] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of the slider arrangement section along the F5-F5 line.

[0022] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion of the second embodiment.

[0023] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion of the third embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion of a fourth embodiment.

[0025] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion of a fifth embodiment.

[0026] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion of a sixth embodiment.

[0027] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion of a seventh embodiment.

[0028] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion of an eighth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] [First embodiment]

[0030] The following reference Figures 1 to 5 A suspension including the slider arrangement portion of the first embodiment is described.

[0031] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the suspension 1. Figure 2 It is a plan view of a portion of the suspension 1 . Figure 1 The double-headed arrow X1 in FIG. 1 represents the length direction of the suspension 1 . Figure 1 The double-headed arrow Y1 in FIG. 1 represents the width direction of the suspension 1 .

[0032] Figure 3 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a disk drive 10. Disk drive 10 includes a housing 11 (partially shown), a disk 12 that rotates about a spindle, a carriage 14, a positioning motor 15, and the like. Carriage 14 pivots about a pivot 13. Motor 15 drives carriage 14. A cover tightly seals housing 11. Suspension 1 is attached to the tip portion of arm 16 of carriage 14.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the suspension 1 includes a base plate 20, a load beam 21, and a flexible member 22. The base plate 20 is formed of, for example, a stainless steel plate. The boss portion 23 of the base plate 20 is fixed to the bracket 14 (e.g., Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , for example, the thickness of the substrate 20 is 100 to 300 μm. The thickness is not limited to these values.

[0034] The load beam 21 extends in the longitudinal direction of the suspension 1. For example, the thickness of the load beam 21 is 20 to 40 μm. The thickness is not limited to these values. The load beam 21 has a first surface 21 a on which the flexure 22 is provided, and a second surface 21 b opposite the first surface 21 a.

[0035] A recessed portion 30 is formed near the tip of the load beam 21. The recessed portion 30 includes a protruding portion 30a. The protruding portion 30a protrudes from the first surface 21a of the load beam 21 toward the flexure 22. The recessed portion 30 is curved inward from the second surface 21b of the load beam 21. Therefore, the protruding portion 30a is also referred to as a recess in the industry. The protruding portion 30a protrudes toward the flexure 22.

[0036] The flexible member 22 is connected by welding portions 35 and 36 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 The flexure 22 is fixed to the load beam 21 (partially shown in the middle). The flexure 22 extends along the load beam 21 in the longitudinal direction of the suspension 1. The flexure 22 includes a metal base 40 and a circuit portion 41. The metal base 40 is formed of a stainless steel plate that is thinner than the load beam 21. The circuit portion 41 is provided along the metal base 40. The thickness of the metal base 40 is, for example, 20 μm (12 to 25 μm). The thickness is not limited to these values.

[0037] A slider arrangement portion 50 is formed near the tip of the flexure 22. A slider 51 serving as a magnetic head is provided on the slider arrangement portion 50. The slider 51 is provided with elements for magnetically recording data on the magnetic disk 12, elements for reading data recorded on the magnetic disk 12, and the like.

[0038] The slider arrangement portion 50 includes a plate portion 55 (eg, Figure 2 (As shown). The plate portion 55 is also known in the industry as a tongue. The plate portion 55 of this embodiment is supported by arms 56 and 57, limiter portions 58 and 59, and the like, allowing the plate portion 55 to swing relative to the load beam 21. The plate portion 55 includes a first plate 55a and a second plate 55b. Each of the first plate 55a and the second plate 55b can move slightly in the width direction of the suspension 1 relative to the slit 55c.

[0039] The actuator elements 61 and 62 are provided on the respective sides of the slider 51. Each of the actuator elements 61 and 62 is formed of a piezoelectric body such as zirconate titanate (PTZ). When a voltage is applied to the actuator elements 61 and 62, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts according to the applied voltage. Therefore, the tip side of the slider 51 can be adjusted in the width direction ( Figure 1 The slider 51 is slightly moved in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow Y1. The element for reading and writing data is provided on the tip side of the slider 51.

[0040] Figure 4 It is along Figure 2 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the slider arrangement portion 50 taken along line F4-F4. Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the slider arrangement portion 50 taken along line F5-F5. Figure 4 The double-headed arrow X2 in FIG. 4 indicates the thickness direction of the metal base 40. The metal base 40 includes a first surface 40a corresponding to a side where the slider 51 is arranged, and a second surface 40b facing the load beam 21.

[0041] The slider arrangement portion 50 includes a hole portion 70 formed in the metal base 40. The hole portion 70 is open toward the thickness direction of the metal base 40. The hole portion 70 of this embodiment is open toward the first surface 40a and the second surface 40b of the metal base 40. The hole portion 70 may be open only toward the first surface 40a (the side where the slider 51 is provided). The width W1 of the hole portion 70 (e.g., Figure 4 shown) is smaller than the width W2 of the slider 51.

[0042] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the embedded circuit portion 41a may be disposed in the hole portion 70. The embedded circuit portion 41a constitutes a portion of the circuit portion 41 in the length direction. Figure 2The double-headed arrow X3 in FIG. 1 represents the length direction of the circuit portion 41 .

[0043] The embedded circuit portion 41a includes a base resin layer 72, a plurality of conductors (e.g., a first conductor 81 and a second conductor 82), and a covering resin 73. Each of the base resin layer 72 and the covering resin 73 is formed of an electrically insulating resin such as polyimide. In this embodiment, the first conductor 81 and the second conductor 82 are described as examples. The number and shape of the conductors are not limited to the examples described in this embodiment. The conductors 81 and 82 are covered by the base resin layer 72 and the covering resin 73.

[0044] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, terminal portion 85 and conductive member 86 electrically connect the ends of circuit portion 41 to the terminals of slider 51. Conductors 81 and 82 are primarily formed of copper. If necessary, the copper may be plated with gold or other materials. For simplicity, illustration of the plating is omitted. Plating is not required on the conductors.

[0045] The slider support portion 90 is formed on the first surface 40a of the metal base 40. The slider support portion 90 is a portion of the metal base 40 and is substantially flat. The slider 51 is fixed to the slider support portion 90 by a fixing method such as bonding. A gap G (e.g., a gap G) is formed between the covering resin 73 embedded in the circuit portion 41a and the slider 51. Figure 4 As shown). The gap G may be filled with an electrically insulating resin.

[0046] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the abutment portion 91 is formed on the base resin layer 72 in which the circuit portion 41a is embedded. The protruding portion 30a of the load beam 21 (near the apex of the recessed portion 30) contacts the abutment portion 91. The protruding portion 30a protrudes from the first surface 21a of the load beam 21 toward the slider arrangement portion 50. Therefore, the slider arrangement portion 50 can swing around the protruding portion 30a in the thickness direction of the metal base 40.

[0047] The slider arrangement 50 of this embodiment can include an embedded circuit portion 41a. The embedded circuit portion 41a is disposed within the hole 70. A slider support 90 supports the slider 51, with the embedded circuit portion 41a disposed within the hole 70. The slider support 90 is a substantially flat portion of the metal base 40. Therefore, the slider 51 is supported by the slider support 90 in a stable orientation. Furthermore, the distance between the magnetic disk 12 and the air bearing forming surface 51a (the slider's flying height) can be precisely controlled. The slider's flying height is very small, so precise control of the slider 51's orientation is crucial. According to the slider arrangement 50 of this embodiment, the protrusion 30a (the apex of the recess) of the load beam 21 contacts the abutment portion 91 of the embedded circuit portion 41a. The embedded circuit portion 41a is disposed within the hole 70. Therefore, the distance between the apex of the recess and the air bearing forming surface 51a can be reduced. This helps provide a low-profile slider arrangement 50. Furthermore, the width of the slider arrangement 50 can be reduced.

[0048] The rotation of the disk 12 creates an air bearing between the disk 12 and the slider 51. Figure 3 The pivoting of the bracket 14 caused by the rotation of the bracket 14 (shown) causes the suspension 1 to move in the radial direction of the disk 12. The slider 51 is thereby moved to a desired position on the disk 12. When voltage is applied to the actuator elements 61 and 62, the actuator elements 61 and 62 expand and contract. Therefore, the tip side of the slider 51 can be accurately and quickly moved in the width direction ( Figure 1 Move in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow Y1).

[0049] The following reference Figures 6 to 12 The slider arrangement portions 50A to 50G of the second to eighth embodiments are described. In these embodiments, the slider arrangement portion 50 of the first embodiment and the common constituent elements of these embodiments are given the same reference numerals. Explanations of these elements are omitted.

[0050] [Second embodiment]

[0051] Figure 6 1 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion 50A according to the second embodiment. The slider arrangement portion 50A includes a base resin 100. Abutment portions 90, which contact the apex of the dimple portion, may be formed on the base resin 100. The base resin 100 is formed from an electrically insulating resin such as polyimide and overlaps with the base resin layer 72. Since the remaining structures are identical to those of the slider arrangement portion 50 and the slider arrangement portion 50A according to the first embodiment, descriptions thereof will be omitted by assigning common reference numerals to common components.

[0052] [Third embodiment]

[0053] Figure 7 1 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion 50B of the third embodiment. The slider arrangement portion 50B includes a metal portion 110 formed from a portion of the metal base 40. The metal portion 110 is formed within the hole portion 70. The slider support portion 90 is formed on the metal portion 110. Thus, the slider 51 is supported by the slider support portion 90.

[0054] [Fourth embodiment]

[0055] Figure 8 FIG4 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion 50C of the fourth embodiment. The slider arrangement portion 50C includes a hole portion 70. A metal portion 111, formed from a portion of the metal base 40, is formed at the center of the hole portion 70 in the width direction. A slider support portion 90 is formed on the slider-facing side of the metal portion 111. An abutment portion 91 is formed on the load beam-facing side of the metal portion 111.

[0056] [Fifth embodiment]

[0057] Figure 9 FIG2 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement 50D according to the fifth embodiment. The embedded circuit portion 41a of the slider arrangement 50D includes a load beam side 121 and a slider side 122. A terminal portion 81a is formed on a portion of the first conductor 81. The terminal portion 81a is exposed on the load beam side 121. The terminal portion 81a is electrically connected to a terminal 130 of the flexure 22. A terminal portion 82a is formed on a portion of the second conductor 82. The terminal portion 82a is exposed on the slider side 122. The terminal portion 82a is electrically connected to a terminal (top bonding pad) 131 located on the rear surface of the slider 51.

[0058] [Sixth embodiment]

[0059] Figure 10 FIG1 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement 50E according to the sixth embodiment. The slider arrangement 50E includes a ground connection conductor 140. The ground connection conductor 140 electrically connects a portion of the metal base 40 (the metal portion 111) and the terminal 131 located on the rear surface side of the slider 51. A connection conductor 141 may be provided to electrically connect the plurality of second conductors 82 to each other.

[0060] [Seventh embodiment]

[0061] Figure 11FIG1 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion 50F according to the seventh embodiment. The slider arrangement portion 50F includes a metal portion 110 and a base member 150 disposed on the metal portion 110. The metal portion 110 includes a slider support portion 90. The base member 150 is formed from an electrically insulating resin. The slider support portion 90, including the base member 150, supports the slider 51. An electrically insulating embedding resin 160 fills the hole portion 70 formed in the metal base 40. Conductors 81 and 82 are disposed on the base resin 100. The conductors 81 and 82 are embedded in the embedding resin 160.

[0062] [Eighth embodiment]

[0063] Figure 12 1 is a cross-sectional view of a slider arrangement portion 50G according to the eighth embodiment. Slider arrangement portion 50G includes a first base member 161 and a second base member 162. First base member 161 covers hole portion 70. Second base member 162 overlaps first base member 161 in the thickness direction. Both first base member 161 and second base member 162 are formed of an electrically insulating resin. Slider 51 is supported by slider support portion 90 including first base member 161 and second base member 162. Since the remaining structure is the same as that of slider arrangement portion 50F and slider arrangement portion 50G according to the seventh embodiment, description thereof will be omitted by assigning common reference numerals to common structural elements.

[0064] Each of the slider arrangement portions 50, 50A to 50G includes an embedded circuit portion 41a disposed in a hole portion 70. The metal base 40 includes a slider support portion 90. The slider 51 is supported by the slider support portion 90, with the embedded circuit portion 41a disposed in the hole portion 70. This configuration enables the slider 51 to be arranged in a stable orientation and also reduces the width of the slider arrangement portion.

[0065] In the slider arrangement portions 50, 50A to 50G of the embodiment, the protruding portion 30a (apex of the dimple) of the load beam 21 is in contact with the abutment portion 91, and the embedded circuit portion 41a is disposed in the hole portion 70. This configuration shortens the distance between the apex of the dimple and the air bearing forming surface 51a and contributes to providing a low-profile slider arrangement portion.

[0066] It goes without saying that various modifications can be made to the configuration of each component, such as the metal base and the circuit portion, that constitute the flexure when implementing the present invention. Furthermore, the hole portions formed in the metal base, the slider support portion, and the abutment portion can also be implemented in various forms as long as they do not depart from the present invention.

[0067] Other advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Therefore, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A disk drive suspension, characterized in that include: a load beam (21); and A flexible member (22), wherein The flexible member (22) comprises: a metal base (40); a circuit portion (41) disposed along the metal base (40); A slider arrangement portion (50) (50A to 50G) on which a slider (51) is provided The slider arrangement portion (50) (50A to 50G) includes: a hole portion (70) formed in the metal base (40); an embedded circuit portion (41a) disposed in a hole portion (70) in a portion of the circuit portion (41); a slider support portion (90) formed on the metal base (40) and supporting the slider (51), wherein the embedded circuit portion (41a) is disposed in the hole portion (70); and An abutting portion (91) contacts a protruding portion (30a) formed on the load beam (21).

2. The suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that The embedded circuit portion (41a) includes a base resin layer (72), a conductor (81, 82) along the base resin layer (72), a covering resin (73) covering the conductor (81, 82), and an abutting portion (91).

3. The suspension according to claim 2, characterized in that The slider arrangement portion (50A) (50F) (50G) includes a base resin (100) that overlaps with a base resin layer (72).

4. The suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: A metal portion (110, 111) is disposed within the hole portion (70) and forms a portion of the metal base (40), wherein The metal portion (110, 111) includes a slider support portion (90).

5. The suspension according to claim 4, characterized in that The metal portion (110, 111) includes an abutment portion (91).

6. The suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that The embedded circuit part (41) includes: a load beam side surface (121) facing the load beam (21); a slider side surface (122) facing the slider (51); A first conductor (81) includes a terminal portion (81a) exposed on the side of the load beam (121); a second conductor (82) includes a terminal portion (82a) exposed on the side of the slider (122).

7. The suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: A ground connection conductor (140) electrically connects the metal base (40) and the conductor (81) of the embedded circuit portion (41a).

8. The suspension according to claim 4, characterized in that The slider support portion (90) includes: An electrically insulating base member (150) is disposed between the metal portion (110, 111) and the slider (51).

9. The suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that The slider support portion (90) includes: an electrically insulating first base member (161) covering the aperture portion (70); and An electrically insulating second base member (162) is located between the slider (51) and the first base member (161).

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