Load beam with varying thickness for magnetic storage device

Abstract

Examples of the present disclosure include a suspension assembly for a magnetic storage device. The suspension assembly includes a load beam and a flexure. The load beam includes a flexure side and a substrate side opposite the flexure side. The load beam also includes a recess formed in the flexure side. The flexure is attached to the flexure side of the load beam at least partially within the recess.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to magnetic storage devices, and more particularly to load beams having varying thicknesses. BACKGROUND

[0002] Magnetic storage devices, such as hard disk drives (“HDDs”), are widely used to store digital data or electronic information for enterprise data processing systems, computer workstations, portable computing devices, digital audio players, digital video players, and the like. Generally, HDDs include read-write heads that help facilitate the storage of data on magnetic disks. Each read-write head is supported on a suspension assembly. Some HDDs include suspension assemblies having flexures. SUMMARY

[0003] There is a need for a magnetic storage device and a method of manufacturing the magnetic storage device that helps maintain separation between flexures of suspension assemblies of the magnetic storage device and magnetic storage disks while reducing the spacing between the disks of the magnetic storage device. The subject matter of the present application is developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully resolved by currently available magnetic storage devices. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present disclosure overcomes at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art.

[0004] The following is a non-exhaustive list of embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein that can or can not be claimed.

[0005] A suspension assembly for a magnetic storage device is disclosed. The suspension assembly includes a load beam and a flexure. The load beam includes a flexure side, a base plate side opposite the flexure side, and a recess formed in the flexure side. The flexure is attached to the flexure side of the load beam at least partially within the recess. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0006] The suspension assembly further includes a base plate attached to the base plate side of the load beam. The load beam further includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a hinge between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. The proximal end portion is attached to the base plate. The hinge is interposed between the distal end portion and the base plate, and the load beam is configured to flex about the hinge such that the distal end portion moves relative to the base plate. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, wherein Embodiment 2 further includes the subject matter of Embodiment 1 as described above.

[0007] The recess is at least partially located on the proximal end portion of the load beam. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure, wherein Embodiment 3 further includes the subject matter of Embodiment 2 as described above.

[0008] A maximum width of the flexure is greater than a width of the recess. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure, wherein Embodiment 4 further comprises the subject matter of any of Embodiments 2-3, above.

[0009] A portion of the recess on the proximal end portion is greater than any portion of the recess on the distal end portion. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure, wherein Embodiment 5 further comprises the subject matter of any of Embodiments 2-4, above.

[0010] The suspension assembly further comprises two actuators coupled to the base plate and configured to move the load beam. The recess is located between the two actuators. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure, wherein Embodiment 6 further comprises the subject matter of any of Embodiments 2-5, above.

[0011] A bifurcation plane through a center of the suspension assembly bifurcates the recess into equal halves. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Embodiment 7 of the present disclosure, wherein Embodiment 7 further comprises the subject matter of any of Embodiments 1-6, above.

[0012] The recess is configured to receive the flexure such that a base of the flexure fills only a portion of the recess. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Embodiment 8 of the present disclosure, wherein Embodiment 8 further comprises the subject matter of any of Embodiments 1-7, above.

[0013] The recess is configured to face a first flexure side of the flexure when the recess receives the flexure. The load beam further comprises a non-recessed portion located immediately adjacent to the recess. A ratio of a distance between the base plate side and a second flexure side opposite the first flexure side when the flexure is received by the recess to a thickness of the non-recessed portion is between 1.3 and 1.9 and includes 1.3 and 1.9. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Embodiment 9 of the present disclosure, wherein Embodiment 9 further comprises the subject matter of any of Embodiments 1-8, above.

[0014] A maximum width of a portion of the flexure within the recess is less than a width of the recess. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Embodiment 10 of the present disclosure, wherein Embodiment 10 further comprises the subject matter of any of Embodiments 1-9, above.

[0015] The load beam further comprises a non-recessed portion located immediately adjacent to the recess, and a ratio of a thickness of the non-recessed portion to a thickness of a portion of the load beam forming the recess is not less than 1.7. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Embodiment 11 of the present disclosure, wherein Embodiment 11 further comprises the subject matter of any of Embodiments 1-10, above.

[0016] The ratio is no more than ten. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes embodiments 12 of the present disclosure, where embodiments 12 further comprise the subject matter of embodiments 11 as described above.

[0017] The width of the recess in a virtual plane substantially perpendicular to the length of the load beam is less than the width of the load beam in the virtual plane. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes embodiments 13 of the present disclosure, where embodiments 13 further comprise the subject matter of any of embodiments 1-12 as described above.

[0018] The flexure comprises a plurality of layers. The depth of the recess is greater than or equal to a thickness of a base layer of the plurality of layers. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes embodiments 14 of the present disclosure, where embodiments 14 further comprise the subject matter of any of embodiments 1-13 as described above.

[0019] The plurality of layers further comprises a dielectric layer attached to the base layer, the base layer is received by the recess, and the dielectric layer is not received by the recess. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes embodiments 15 of the present disclosure, where embodiments 15 further comprise the subject matter of embodiments 14 as described above.

[0020] Further disclosed herein is a magnetic storage system comprising a plurality of disks and a carriage. The carriage comprises a substrate and a magnetic storage system. The substrate comprises a flexure side, a substrate side opposite the flexure side, a recess formed in the flexure side, a distal portion, and a hinge. The hinge is interposed between the distal portion and the substrate and is configured to flex so that the distal portion moves relative to the substrate. The carriage further comprises a flexure attached to the flexure side of the load beam at least partially within the recess. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes embodiments 16 of the present disclosure.

[0021] The hinge is biased toward a surface of at least one disk of the plurality of disks to allow a head of the distal portion to read data from and / or write data to the at least one disk. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes embodiments 17 of the present disclosure, where embodiments 17 further comprise the subject matter of embodiments 16 as described above.

[0022] The load beam comprises a first load beam. The substrate comprises a first substrate. The recess comprises a first recess. The carriage further comprises a second load beam, a second substrate, and a second recess formed in the second load beam. The second recess faces away from the first recess. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes embodiments 18 of the present disclosure, where embodiments 18 further comprise the subject matter of any of embodiments 16-17 as described above.

[0023] Additionally, disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a suspension assembly of a magnetic storage device. The method includes attaching a flexure to a component for at least partially embedding the flexure into a load beam on a flexure side of the load beam. The flexure side is opposite a base plate side of the load beam. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes embodiment 19 of the present disclosure.

[0024] The component for at least partially embedding the flexure into the load beam includes a recess in the flexure side of the load beam. The method further includes forming the recess into the flexure side by removing material from the load beam to form the recess such that a ratio of a thickness of a non-recessed portion of the load beam immediately adjacent to the recess to a depth of the recess is between 1 and 2.3, and includes 1 and 2.3. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes embodiment 20 of the present disclosure, wherein embodiment 20 further includes the subject matter of embodiment 19, as described above.

[0025] The described features, structures, benefits and / or characteristics of the disclosed subject matter can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments and / or specific implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The disclosed subject matter can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] For the purposes of the present disclosure, terms in the singular will also include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Conversely, terms in the plural will also include the singular unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The description is not to be limited to the specific aspects, implementations or examples as described herein, but can include any alternatives, modifications, permutations, or equivalents of those concepts. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the disclosure and that methods and

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a magnetic storage device in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a head stack assembly in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3Ais a detailed view of a recess of a load beam of a suspension assembly of a magnetic storage device according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional side elevational view of a suspension assembly of a magnetic storage device taken along Figure 3A plane A-A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; and

[0031] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing a suspension assembly of a magnetic storage device according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, mean “one or more” when applied to any feature in

[0033] Referring to Figure 1 , according to one example, the magnetic storage device 100 is depicted as a hard disk drive (HDD). However, in other examples, the magnetic storage device 100 can be any of a variety of magnetic storage devices without departing from the essence of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The magnetic storage device 100 includes a housing 102 that seals or encloses an internal cavity 114 defined within the housing. The housing 102 includes a base 130 and a cover 132 (shown in dashed lines to avoid obscuring internal features of the magnetic storage device 100 within the internal cavity 114 of the housing 102). The cover 132 is coupled to the base 130 to enclose the internal cavity 114 from the environment outside of the housing 102. In some implementations, a seal or gasket is positioned between the base 130 and the cover 132 to facilitate a seal between the base 130 and the cover 132. In some examples, the base 130 is made of a metallic material, such as stainless steel.

[0034] The magnetic storage device 100 includes various features located within the internal cavity 114 of the housing 102. In some examples, the magnetic storage device 100 includes a tray 103, a platter 115, a spindle motor 121, and a voice coil motor (VCM) 125 within the internal cavity 114.

[0035] A spindle motor 121 is coupled to a base 130. Typically, the spindle motor 121 includes a stationary portion immovably fixed relative to the base 130 and a spindle rotatable relative to both the stationary portion and the base 130. Therefore, the spindle of the spindle motor 121 can be considered part of the spindle motor or integrated with it. Typically, the spindle motor 121 is operable to rotate the spindle relative to the base 130. A disc 115 or platter is rotatably fixed to the spindle of the spindle motor 121 via a corresponding hub 122, which is rotatably fixed to both the disc 115 and the spindle. When the spindle of the spindle motor 121 rotates, the disc 115 rotates accordingly. In this way, the spindle of the spindle motor 121 defines the axis of rotation for each disc 115. The spindle motor 121 can be operably controlled to rotate the disc 115 at a controlled rate and controlled amount in the rotation direction 190. Although the magnetic storage device 100 is shown as having one spindle motor 121 and one VCM 125, in other examples, the magnetic storage device 100 may have any number of spindle motors 121 and VCM 125.

[0036] Each disk in disk 115 can be any magnetic recording medium of various types. Typically, in one example, each disk 115 includes a substrate and a magnetic material applied directly or indirectly to that substrate. For example, the magnetic material of disk 115 can be a conventional granular magnetic recording disk or wafer with magnetic layers, wherein each bit has multiple magnetic grains. In granular magnetic media, all bits are coplanar, and the read / write surface 116 of the disk is substantially smooth and continuous. In one example, each bit has a magnetic dipole moment, which can have an in-plane (longitudinal) orientation or an out-of-plane (perpendicular) orientation.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 When disk 115 rotates in read-write mode, VCM 125 electromagnetically engages the voice coil of carriage arm 105, causing carriage arm 105 and head-gimbal assembly 109 coupled to carriage arm 105 to rotate relative to disk 115 in a plane parallel to the read-write surface 116 of disk 115 in a rotational direction. Carrier arm 105 is rotatable to position the read-write head 134 of head-gimbal assembly 109 above a designated radial region of the read-write surface 116 of the corresponding disk 115 for read and / or write operations. VCM 125 is fixed to base 130 and engages the voice coil of carriage arm 105, which is rotatably coupled to base 130 via a spindle 127 extending through carriage 103. Typically, spindle 127 defines an axis of rotation about which carriage arm 105 rotates when actuated by VCM 125.

[0038] The bracket arm 105 is immovably fixed to the base of the bracket 103 (e.g., integrally formed with the base of the bracket as a single monolithic body) and extends away from the base of the bracket 103 in a spaced-apart manner relative to each other. In some embodiments, the bracket arms 105 are equidistant from each other and extend parallel to each other. A corresponding disk in the disks 115 is positioned between adjacent bracket arms 105. In idle mode (e.g., when no read-write operation is performed), the VCM 125 is actuated to rotate the bracket arm 105 radially outward relative to the disks 115, such that the head-gimbal assembly 109 is parked or unloaded onto the ramp support 117 fixed to the base 130.

[0039] refer to Figure 2 The head stack assembly 107 includes a bracket 103 comprising a plurality of bracket arms 105 and at least one head-gimbal assembly 109 (e.g., a suspension) coupled to the distal tip of each of the plurality of bracket arms 105. Each head-gimbal assembly 109 includes a suspension assembly 135 and a slider 142. The slider 142 includes at least one read / write head 134 coupled to (e.g., embedded in) a housing of the slider 142. Although Figure 1 The magnetic storage device 100 is shown as having five bracket arms 105 and four disks 115, and Figure 2 Only one bracket arm 105 and two disks 115 are shown, but in other examples, the magnetic storage device 100 may have fewer or more than five bracket arms 105 or fewer or more than four disks 115. In one example, each bracket arm 105 has a head-gimbal assembly 109 on each side facing the disk 115 (e.g., each of the bottom bracket arm 105 and the top bracket arm 105 may have one head-gimbal assembly 109, and see reference). Figure 2 Each of the intermediate bracket arms 105 between the bottom bracket arm 105 and the top bracket arm 105 may have two head-universal assemblies 109.

[0040] The read-write head 134 of slider 142 includes at least one read transducer and at least one write transducer. The read transducer is configured to detect the magnetic properties (e.g., magnetic position mode) of disk 115 and convert these properties into an electrical signal. Conversely, the write transducer changes the magnetic properties of disk 115 in response to this electrical signal. For each head-gimbal assembly 109, an electrical signal is transmitted from and to the read-write head via an electrical trace or line formed in or connected to the slider 142 and the flexure 140. The electrical traces of slider 142 and flexure 140 are electrically interconnected to facilitate the transmission of an electrical signal between the read-write head of magnetic storage device 100 and the flexure connector 104, which communicates with the control module of magnetic storage device 100 (e.g., see...). Figure 1 The control module is configured to process electrical signals and facilitate the transmission of electrical signals between the magnetic storage device 100 and one or more external computing devices. Typically, the control module includes software, firmware, and / or hardware for controlling the operation of various components of the magnetic storage device 100. The control module may include a printed circuit board, on which the hardware is mounted or within. Solder solder joints are used for electrically connecting the corresponding electrical contact pads (and corresponding electrical traces) of the slider 142 and the flexor 140.

[0041] Figure 2 This is a side front view of an example of the head stack assembly 107. Figure 2 The head stacking assembly 107 includes a bracket arm 105 and two head-gimbal assemblies 109 coupled to the bracket arm 105. A portion of the bracket arm 105 is positioned between two disks 115. Although Figure 2 Only one bracket arm 105 is shown, but in some examples, the head stack assembly 107 includes multiple bracket arms 105. As described above, each head-gimbal assembly 109 includes a suspension assembly 135 and a slider 142 having a read / write head 134 configured to read data from one of the disks 115 and / or write data to one of the disks 115.

[0042] In some examples of this disclosure, the suspension assembly 135 includes a base plate 192 and a load beam 196, the side views of which are shown in... Figure 2 Examples are shown in the middle, and their lower sides are in Figure 3AAs illustrated, a base plate 192 spans between the distal end of a bracket arm 105 and the proximal end of a load beam 196, connecting them together. The load beam 196 bends relative to the base plate 192 of the suspension assembly 135 via a hinge 141. The hinge 141 biases the load beam 196 toward a read / write surface 116 of a corresponding disk in the disks 115, allowing the read / write head 134 of the suspension assembly 135 to read data from and / or write data to the corresponding disk in the disks 115. In some examples, the read / write head 134 floats above the read / write surface 116 as the disks 115 rotate relative to them.

[0043] In some examples, the load beam 196 is made of a flexible, elastic material, such as a metal. When bent, the hinge 141 acts as a spring to generate a force (referred to herein as a “gram load”) to push the head 134 of the load beam 196 toward the read / write surface 116 into a position that minimizes the flight height between the read / write surface 116 and the read / write head 134. This is achieved, for example, by forcing air or another gas (e.g., helium). The gap between the read / write head 134 and the disk 115 may be referred to herein as the “flight height” or “float height.” It is generally preferred to minimize and / or stabilize this gap to maximize the signal quality of data transmitted between the disk 115 and the read / write head 134. In some examples, the flight height is approximately equal to or less than five nanometers (“nm”). However, the examples in this disclosure are not limited to this.

[0044] The suspension assembly 135 also includes a flexure 140 extending along the underside of the base plate 192 and the load beam 196. The flexure 140 includes a portion extending above (e.g., across) the hinge 141. As used herein, the term “underside” refers to any side of the base plate 192 and / or the load beam 196 facing the read / write surface 116, toward which the corresponding read / write head 134 is pushed.

[0045] Refer again Figure 2 Reducing the distance d3 between disks 115 allows the magnetic storage device 100 to accommodate a larger number of disks 115 (see, for example, see...). Figure 2 If possible, reducing the distance d3 while maintaining the suspension-to-disk height d4 between the flexure 140 and the disk 115 can help maintain performance and improve design and component flexibility, while freeing up space for more disks 115 in the magnetic storage device 100. Thus, embodiments of this disclosure include a load beam 196 with a recess 111 configured to receive a portion of the flexure 140 to help maintain the suspension-to-disk space d4 while reducing the distance d3 between the disks 115.

[0046] Figure 3A This is a lower view of the suspension assembly 135 of a magnetic storage device 100 according to one or more examples of this disclosure. (See reference...) Figure 2 and Figure 3A to 3B The load beam 196 includes a flexure side 101 and a base plate side 106 opposite to the flexure side 101. The suspension assembly 135 also includes a flexure 140 that is at least partially attached to the flexure side 101 of the load beam 196 within a recess 111.

[0047] The base plate 192 of the suspension assembly 135 is attached to the base plate side 106 of the load beam 196. The load beam 196 includes a distal portion 133 and a proximal portion 119. The proximal portion 119 is attached to the base plate 192. In some examples, the distal portion 133 is not attached to the base plate 192. A hinge 141 is inserted between the distal portion 133 and the base plate 192 such that the proximal portion 119 is opposite the distal portion 133 relative to the hinge 141. The load beam 196 is configured to flex about the hinge 141 so that the distal portion 133 can move relative to the base plate 192. For example, refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3A The load beam 196 is configured to flex around the hinge 141, such that the distal portion 133 is pushed toward the read / write surface 116 of the disk 115.

[0048] Figure 3B It is based on one or more examples of this disclosure. Figure 3A A cross-sectional side front view of the suspension assembly 135 of the virtual plane "A" shown. (Reference) Figure 3A and Figure 3B A recess 111 is formed in the flexural side 101 of the load beam 196. The recess 111 may receive at least a portion of the flexural member 140. (See reference...) Figure 2 The recess 111 reduces the distance d3 between discs 115 by at least partially receiving the flexure 140 therein, while maintaining the suspension-to-disc space d4 between the flexure 140 and the discs 115.

[0049] like Figure 3B As shown, recess 111 defines a recessed portion 108 of the load beam 196. Recess 111 is at least partially located on the proximal portion 119 of the load beam 196. In some examples, recess 111 is primarily located on the proximal portion 119 of the load beam 196. In some examples, the area of ​​a portion of recess 111 on the proximal portion 119 is larger than the area of ​​any portion of recess 111 on the distal portion 133. In other examples, recess 111 is entirely located on the proximal portion 119.

[0050] refer to Figure 3AIn some examples, the recess 111 at least partially overlaps with a gap plane "C" that includes gap 144 and is substantially perpendicular to the bifurcation plane "B". In some examples, a first portion 113 of the recess 111 is positioned opposite a second portion 118, wherein the gap plane "C" effectively separates the first portion 113 from the second portion 118. The bifurcation plane "B" bifurcates the load beam 196 into two equal halves in a direction substantially parallel to the length L1 of the load beam 196. The gap plane "C" is also substantially perpendicular to the length L1 of the load beam 196. The first portion 113 and the second portion 118 form a continuous recess 111. In some examples, both the first portion 113 and the second portion 118 are located on the proximal portion 119 of the load beam 196. In such examples, when the distal portion 133 flexes relative to the proximal portion 119 about the hinge 141, the first portion 113 does not flex relative to the second portion 118. Figure 3A As shown, in some examples, the area of ​​the first part 113 is smaller than the area of ​​the second part 118.

[0051] Reference Figure 3B In some examples, the recess 111 is substantially centered relative to the load beam 196. For example, as Figure 3B As shown, a bifurcated plane “B” passing through the center of the suspension assembly 135 bifurcates the recess 111 into two equal halves. In various examples, plane “B” is substantially perpendicular to hinge 141 and / or substantially parallel to the length L1 of load beam 196.

[0052] In some implementations, the head-gimbal assembly 109 includes an actuator 120 that is optionally operable to move (e.g., pivot) the read-write head 134 relative to the substrate 192 at a location associated with a portion of the flexure 140 intersecting with the hinge 141. Reference Figure 3A The suspension assembly 135 includes at least two actuators 120. The actuators 120 may be, for example, piezoelectric (“PZT”) actuators. The actuators 120 are attached to the load beam 196 and the base plate 192 and are configured to move the load beam 196 relative to the base plate 192. For example, the actuators 120 are configured to cause the distal portion 133 of the load beam 196 to surround (extend) relative to the base plate 192. Figure 3A The axis in the page pivots, thereby causing the read-write head 134 (relative to) Figure 3A Rotate the page (left or right). Figure 3A As shown, actuator 120 is electrically connected to flexure 140.

[0053] refer to Figure 3A to 3BWhen the load beam 196 is attached to the substrate 192, the recess 111 is located between the two actuators 120. For example, the recess 111 is located on the load beam 196, between two actuator openings 138 in the proximal portion 119 of the load beam 196. The actuator openings 138 are configured to receive actuators 120 attached to the substrate 192 when the load beam 196 is attached to the substrate 192. In some examples, the recess 111 is completely located between the two actuators 120, meaning that the recess 111 does not overlap with either actuator of the actuators 120 in any plane parallel to plane “B”.

[0054] In some examples, flexure 140 is a multi-layered flexure. As used herein, the term "layer" can be used to describe multiple continuous or discontinuous layers. References Figure 3B The layers of the flexure 140 include, for example, a base layer 128, a first dielectric layer 129, a third layer 131, and a second dielectric layer 136 arranged in a stacked manner. The first dielectric layer 129 may be inserted between the base layer 128 and the third layer 131 and / or the second dielectric layer 136.

[0055] In some examples, the base layer 128 is formed directly on the load beam 196. Similar to the load beam 196, the base layer 128 is typically made of stainless steel or other similar materials and has a thickness greater than the other layers of the multilayer flexure 140. In some examples, the base layer 128 is made of a metallic material. According to some examples, the base layer 128 has a thickness of approximately 20 micrometers (“μm”). Figure 3B (Example t3). The substrate 128 may have a thickness t3 between 15 μm and 25 μm and includes both 15 μm and 25 μm (such as about 18 μm). In some examples, the substrate 128 is attached to the load beam 196 to attach the entire flexure 140 to the load beam. In other words, the substrate 128 is in contact with and positioned directly adjacent to the load beam 196.

[0056] refer to Figure 3BA portion of the flexure 140 received by the recess 111 includes at least a base layer 128 of the flexure 140. In some examples, the base layer 128 is the only layer of the flexure 140 within the recess 111. In some examples, a portion of the flexure 140 received by the recess 111 (e.g., the base layer 128) does not completely fill the recess 111, leaving a defined gap adjacent to the flexure 140 within the recess 111. According to some examples, the base layer 128 has a width w4 that is smaller than the maximum width w1 of the flexure 140. Other layers of the flexure 140 (e.g., the first dielectric layer 129) may be wider than the base layer 128. In some examples, the recess 111 has a width w2 that is at least as wide as or wider than the width w4 of the base layer 128 to allow the recess 111 to receive the base layer 128. In some examples, the recess width w2 may also be greater than the maximum width w1 of the flexure 140, but in other examples it is smaller than the maximum width w1.

[0057] like Figure 3B As illustrated, the base layer 128 may be entirely contained within the recess 111 along the virtual plane "A". In some examples, the base layer thickness t3 is less than or equal to the depth d2 of the recess 111. The depth d2 of the recess 111 is the depth relative to the flexural side 101 at the non-recessed portion 124. The base layer 128 is attached to the load beam 196 on the flexural side 101 and on the inner surface of the recess 111 or the base surface, such that the base layer 128 is received within the recess 111. Reference Figure 3B In various examples, the base layer 128 is substantially centered relative to the recess 111. In some examples, the plane "B" bifurcates both the recess 111 and the base layer 128 into two equal halves.

[0058] When the recess 111 receives the flexure 140, the recess 111 faces the first flexure side 123 of the flexure 140. The first flexure side 123 includes the side of the base layer 128 opposite to the side of the base layer 128 on which the first dielectric layer 129 is formed. Figure 3B In the plane “A” shown, the base layer 128 of the flexure 140 is the only layer of the flexure 140 that is directly attached to the load beam 196.

[0059] The flexure 140 includes a second flexure side 126 opposite to the first flexure side 123. The second flexure side 126 includes the side of one or more layers of the flexure 140 other than the substrate layer 128. The second flexure side 126 includes, for example, a second dielectric layer 136 of the flexure 140. In some examples, when the recess 111 receives the flexure 140, the distance d1 between the substrate side 106 of the load beam 196 and the second flexure side 126 is between 40 μm and 60 μm and includes both 40 μm and 60 μm, which includes both the thickness t2 of the recess 108 and the total flexure thickness t5 of the flexure 140. In one example, the distance d1 is approximately 48 μm.

[0060] In some examples, even when the flexural member 140 is received by the recess 111, the thickness t1 of the non-recessed portion 124 of the load beam 196 immediately adjacent to the recess 111 is less than the distance d1. When the flexural member 140 is received by the recess 111, the ratio of the distance d1 to the thickness t1 of the non-recessed portion 124 is between 1.3 and 1.9, and includes both 1.3 and 1.9. In some examples, the thickness t2 of the recessed portion 108 is less than the thickness t1 of the non-recessed portion 124, but the thickness t2 of the recessed portion 108 is always non-zero, such that the load beam 196 is not completely recessed. The ratio of the thickness t1 of the non-recessed portion 124 to the thickness t2 of the recessed portion 108 is not less than 1.7. For example, the thickness t1 of the non-recessed portion 124 is about 30 μm, and the thickness t2 of the recessed portion 108 is about 10 μm. The ratio of thickness t1 to thickness t2 can be between 1.7 and 10, and includes both 1.7 and 10.

[0061] The recessed portion 108 of the load beam 196 defines only a portion of the load beam 196 (e.g., the maximum width of the recess 111 is less than the maximum width of the load beam 196 and / or the maximum length of the recess 111 is less than at least one of the maximum length L1 of the load beam 196). Reference Figure 3A The recessed portion 108 is also smaller than the entire proximal portion 119 of the load beam 196. The recessed portion 108 does not extend along the entire length of the load beam 196. Limiting the area or size of the recessed portion 108 helps maintain the stiffness of the load beam 196. The width w2 of the recess 111 in a plane "A" substantially perpendicular to the length L1 of the load beam 196 is smaller than the total width w3 of the load beam 196 in the same plane "A".

[0062] In some examples, in the same virtual plane (e.g., virtual plane "A") perpendicular to the length L1 of the load beam, the ratio of the load beam width (e.g., load beam width w3) to the recess width w2 is greater than 1.2. For example, in plane "A", the ratio of the load beam width w3 to the recess width w2 is between 1.2 and 10 and includes both 1.2 and 10. In some examples, the recess 108 occupies the entirety of the proximal portion 119 of the load beam 196 located between the two actuators. In other examples, the recess 108 occupies less than the entirety of the proximal portion 119 between the two actuators 120, such that at least some portions of the proximal portion 119 between the two actuators 120 are not recessed.

[0063] although Figure 3B Not shown, but the load beam 196 is attached to the substrate 192 at the substrate side 106 of the load beam 196. For example, the proximal portion 119 includes a portion of the substrate side 106 and is attached to the substrate 192 at the substrate side 106. The non-recessed portion 124 and the recessed portion 108 are flush with the substrate side 106. The recessed portion 108 is attached to the substrate 192 at the substrate side 106. Maintaining a non-zero thickness t2 of the load beam 196 in the recessed portion 108 helps to facilitate the attachment of the load beam 196 to the substrate 192 at the recessed portion 108.

[0064] A first dielectric layer 129 of the flexural member 140 is formed (e.g., applied to) a substrate layer 128. In some examples, the first dielectric layer 129 is made of a dielectric and / or photosensitive material, such as liquid polyimide. Figure 3B As illustrated, the first dielectric layer 129 forms a barrier between the traces of the substrate layer 128 and the third layer 131 to help maintain signal quality. The thickness of the first dielectric layer 129 is positively correlated with signal quality. In various examples, the first dielectric layer 129 is made of a polyimide material (such as a polyimide film, a polyimide resin, and / or any combination thereof).

[0065] refer to Figure 3B In some examples, although the first dielectric layer 129 is not directly attached to the load beam 196 like the substrate layer 128, in some examples, the recess 111 receives at least a portion of the first dielectric layer 129. In other examples, the first dielectric layer 129 is completely received by the recess 111. In yet another example, the thickness t3 of the substrate layer 128 is greater than the depth d2 of the recess 111, and the first dielectric layer 129 is not received within the recess 111.

[0066] like Figure 3BAs illustrated, in some examples, the flexure 140 includes an additional third layer 131. The third layer 131 may be made of copper. In some examples, the copper in the third layer 131 has a high purity, making it less stiff and more flexible. For example, the third layer 131 comprises copper with a purity exceeding ninety-nine percent or similar to that of electronic-grade copper foil. In some examples, the third layer 131 is a portion of one or more signal traces for the flexure 140. In some examples, the flexure 140 includes signal traces (sometimes referred to as “circuit traces”) to conduct signals from the read / write head 134 to other components of the device 100. Although the traces are typically made of copper and / or copper foil, the examples of this disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, in some examples, the traces are made of aluminum, gold, or any combination thereof. The third layer 131 is disposed between the first dielectric layer 129 and the second dielectric layer 136.

[0067] In some examples, the third layer 131 has a thickness t4 of approximately six micrometers (“μm”). Figure 3B ).like Figure 3B As shown, a first dielectric layer 129 is interposed between a base layer 128 and a third layer 131. In some examples, the thickness t4 of the third layer 131 is less than the thickness t3 of the base layer 128. In other examples, each of the thicknesses t3 and t4 is approximately equal.

[0068] refer to Figure 2 In some examples, the magnetic storage device 100 includes a head stack assembly 107 having a plurality of carriage arms 105. In some examples, two head-gimbal assemblies 109 are coupled to the distal tip of each carriage arm 105, each of the two head-gimbal assemblies including a suspension assembly 135 and a slider 142. In such examples, each suspension assembly 135 includes a load beam 196. The load beams 196 of the two head-gimbal assemblies 109 are arranged such that the flexural side 101 of each load beam 196 faces an opposite direction. Recesses 111 are formed in the flexural side 101 of each of the two load beams 196 coupled to a given carriage arm 105. Thus, the two recesses 111 of the two load beams 196 are back-to-back with each other.

[0069] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a method 400 for manufacturing a suspension assembly 135 of a magnetic storage device 100 according to one or more examples of this disclosure. Specifically, method 400 includes manufacturing a load beam 196 of the suspension assembly 135 of the magnetic storage device 100. Those skilled in the art will understand that the following methods can be employed... Figure 4 Any combination of the steps illustrated and / or described herein.

[0070] Method 400 includes step 404: attaching a flexure 140 to a component for at least partially embedding the flexure 140 into the load beam 196 on a flexure side 101 of the load beam 196. In some examples, the component for at least partially embedding the flexure 140 into the load beam 196 includes a recess 111 in the flexure side 101, and attaching the flexure 140 includes attaching the flexure 140 such that the flexure 140 is at least partially attached within the recess 111 formed in the flexure side 101 and such that the flexure 140 is at least partially embedded into the load beam 196. The flexure side 101 may be opposite to a substrate side 106 of the load beam 196. The substrate side 106 is one side of the load beam 196, on which the load beam 196 is attached to a substrate 192.

[0071] In some examples, method 400 further includes the additional step of forming a recess 111 402 in the flexure side 101 before attaching the flexure 140 to the load beam 196. In some examples, method 400 includes forming the recess 111 by removing material from the load beam 196. Removing material from the load beam 196 includes partially etching the load beam, such as via reactive ion etching, chemical etching, and / or some combination thereof. Removing material from the load beam 196 can also be achieved using other methods, including but not limited to laser ablation, mechanical grinding and / or cutting, ion milling, and / or any combination thereof. In other examples, method 400 includes forming the recess 111 in the load beam 196 having the recess 111 in the flexure side 101 (e.g., by forming the load beam 196 in a mold).

[0072] In some examples, method 400 includes forming a recess 111 into the flexural side 101 such that the ratio of the thickness t1 of the non-recessed portion 124 of the load beam 196 adjacent to the recess 111 to the depth d2 of the recess 111 is between 1 and 2.3 and includes both 1 and 2.3.

[0073] In the above description, certain terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “upper part,” “lower part,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” “above,” and “below” may be used. These terms are used where applicable to provide a degree of descriptive clarity when dealing with relative relationships. However, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and / or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, simply by flipping the object, the “upper” surface can become the “lower” surface. However, it is still the same object. Furthermore, the terms “including,” “contains,” “have,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless otherwise expressly stated. An enumerated list of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and / or mutually inclusive, unless otherwise expressly stated. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also mean “one or more,” unless otherwise expressly stated. In addition, the term “multiple” can be defined as “at least two.”

[0074] As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware "configured to" perform a specified function is actually capable of performing the specified function without any changes, rather than having the potential to perform the specified function only after further modification. In other words, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware "configured to" perform a specified function is specifically selected, formed, implemented, utilized, programmed, and / or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, "configured to" indicates existing characteristics of the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For the purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as "configured to" perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as "suitable" to perform that function and / or described as "used to" perform that function.

[0075] Furthermore, the term "connected" to another element in this specification can include both direct and indirect connections. A direct connection can be defined as one element being connected to another element and forming some contact. An indirect connection can be defined as a connection between two elements that are not in direct contact with each other, but where one or more additional elements are present between the connected elements. Additionally, as used herein, fixing one element to another can include both direct and indirect fixing. Furthermore, as used herein, "adjacent" does not necessarily mean contact. For example, one element may be adjacent to another element but not in contact with it.

[0076] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of…” when used with a list of items means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and that only one of the items in the list may be required. The item can be a specific object, thing, or category. In other words, “at least one of…” means that any combination or number of items can be selected from the list, but not all items in the list may be required. For example, “at least one of items A, B, and C” could mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of items A, B, and C” could mean, for example, but not limited to, two items A, one item B, and ten items C; four items B and seven items C; or some other suitable combination.

[0077] Unless otherwise specified, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used merely as markers in this document and are not intended to impose any order, position, or hierarchy on the items mentioned by these terms. Furthermore, mentioning an item, such as “second,” does not require or excludes the presence of an item, such as “first” or a lower-numbered item, and / or an item, such as “third” or a higher-numbered item.

[0078] This article includes illustrative processes Figure 1 Flowcharts are generally presented as logic flowcharts. Thus, the depicted sequence and labeled steps indicate an example of the presented method. Other steps and methods that are functionally, logically, or effectively equivalent to one or more steps or portions thereof in the illustrated method can be envisioned. Furthermore, the format and symbols used are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and should be understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow and line types can be used in flowcharts, they should be understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. In practice, some arrows or other connectors can be used only to indicate the logical flow of the method. For example, an arrow may indicate a wait or monitoring period of unspecified duration between the listed steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.

[0079] This subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essence or essential characteristics. The examples described are to be considered in all respects merely illustrative and not restrictive. All variations within the meaning and scope of the claims are included within its scope.

Claims

1. A suspension assembly for a magnetic storage device, the suspension assembly comprising: Load-bearing beam, the load-bearing beam comprising: Flexural component side; The substrate side is opposite to the flexural member side; and A recess, the recess being formed in the side of the flexural member; and A flexure member, which is at least partially attached to the flexure side of the load beam within the recess.

2. The suspension assembly according to claim 1, wherein the suspension assembly further comprises: A substrate, the substrate being attached to the substrate side of the load beam, wherein: The load-bearing beam further includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a hinge located between the distal portion and the proximal portion; The proximal portion is attached to the substrate; The hinge is inserted between the distal portion and the substrate; and The load beam is configured to flex around the hinge, causing the distal portion to move relative to the substrate.

3. The suspension assembly of claim 2, wherein the recess is at least partially located on the proximal portion of the load beam.

4. The suspension assembly of claim 2, wherein the maximum width of the flexure is greater than the width of the recess.

5. The suspension assembly of claim 2, wherein a portion of the recess on the proximal portion is larger than any portion of the recess on the distal portion.

6. The suspension assembly of claim 2, further comprising two actuators coupled to the base plate and configured to move the load beam, wherein the recess is located between the two actuators.

7. The suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein a bifurcated plane passing through the center of the suspension assembly bifurcates the concave portion into two equal halves.

8. The suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the recess is configured to receive the flexure such that the base of the flexure fills only a portion of the recess.

9. The suspension assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The recess is configured to face the first flexure side of the flexure when the recess receives the flexure; The load-bearing beam further includes a non-recessed portion positioned closely adjacent to the recess; and When the flexure is received by the recess, the ratio of the distance between the substrate side and the second flexure side opposite to the first flexure side to the thickness of the non-recessed portion is between 1.3 and 1.9, and includes 1.3 and 1.

9.

10. The suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the maximum width of the flexure within the recess is less than the width of the recess.

11. The suspension assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The load-bearing beam further includes a non-recessed portion positioned closely adjacent to the recess; and The ratio of the thickness of the non-recessed portion to the thickness of the portion forming the recess in the load beam is not less than 1.

7.

12. The suspension assembly of claim 11, wherein the ratio is not greater than ten.

13. The suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the width of the recess in a virtual plane substantially perpendicular to the length of the load beam is less than the width of the load beam in the virtual plane.

14. The suspension assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The flexural element comprises multiple layers; and The depth of the recess is greater than or equal to the thickness of the base layer among the plurality of layers.

15. The suspension assembly of claim 14, wherein: The plurality of layers further includes a dielectric layer attached to the base layer; The base layer is received by the recess; and The dielectric layer is not received by the recess.

16. A magnetic storage system, the magnetic storage system comprising: Multiple disks; and The bracket includes: substrate; A load beam, the load beam being attached to the substrate and comprising: Flexural component side; The substrate side is opposite to the flexural member side; A recess, the recess being formed in the side of the flexural member; The distal part; and A hinge, wherein the hinge is inserted between the distal portion and the substrate and is configured to flex, such that the distal portion moves relative to the substrate; and A flexure member, which is at least partially attached to the flexure side of the load beam within the recess.

17. The magnetic storage system of claim 16, wherein the hinge is biased toward the surface of at least one of the plurality of disks to allow the head of the distal portion to read data from and / or write data to the at least one disk.

18. The magnetic storage system according to claim 16, wherein: The load-bearing beam includes a first load-bearing beam; The substrate includes a first substrate; The recessed portion includes a first recessed portion; The bracket further includes a second load beam, a second base plate, and a second recess formed in the second load beam; and The second recess faces away from the first recess.

19. A method for manufacturing a suspension assembly for a magnetic storage device, the method comprising: A flexure is attached to a component for at least partially embedding the flexure into the load beam on the flexure side of the load beam, wherein the flexure side is opposite to the substrate side of the load beam.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the component for at least partially embedding the flexure into the load beam includes a recess in the flexure side, and the method further comprises: The recess is formed in the flexural side by removing material from the load beam, such that the ratio of the thickness of the non-recessed portion of the load beam immediately adjacent to the recess to the depth of the recess is between 1 and 2.3, and includes both 1 and 2.3.

Images