Suspension structural body for disk device, and disk device

Abstract

To provide a suspension structural body for a disk device that can be made thinner.SOLUTION: A suspension structural body for a disk device according to one embodiment includes: a base member having a base portion with a boss portion attached to arms of the disk device, and an attachment portion connected to the base portion, the attachment portion having a first attachment surface facing a direction opposite to a protrusion direction of the boss portion and a second attachment surface facing the protrusion direction of the boss portion; a first load beam attached to the first attachment portion; and a second load beam attached to the second attachment surface and facing the first load beam.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension structure for a disk drive, and to a disk drive. [Background technology]

[0002] Hard disk drives (HDDs) are used in information processing devices such as personal computers. Hard disk drives include a magnetic disk that rotates around a spindle and a carriage that rotates around a pivot shaft. The carriage has an arm that rotates around the pivot shaft in the track width direction of the disk, driven by a positioning motor such as a voice coil motor.

[0003] A disk drive suspension (hereinafter simply referred to as the suspension) is attached to the arm. The suspension includes a base plate connected to the arm, a load beam, and a flexure arranged along the load beam. A slider that constitutes the magnetic head is provided on a gimbal portion formed near the tip of the flexure.

[0004] The slider is provided with an element (transducer) for accessing the disk to read or write data, etc. The load beam, flexure, and slider together form a head gimbal assembly.

[0005] To accommodate the increasing recording density of disks, it is necessary to further miniaturize the head gimbal assembly and to position the slider with higher precision relative to the recording surface of the disk.

[0006] Due to the strong demand for increased recording capacity in hard disk drives in response to improved recording density, efforts are being made to increase the number of magnetic disks installed in hard disk drives (so-called multi-disk configurations). In order to increase the number of magnetic disks, it is necessary not only to make the magnetic disks thinner, but also to reduce the spacing between the magnetic disks.

[0007] It is known that reducing the distance between magnetic disks can be achieved by, for example, reducing the thickness of the arm. Various proposals have been made for reducing the thickness of the arm (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2736174 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0264941 [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 07-111771 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, even in light of the inventions disclosed in the above Patent Documents 1 to 3, there is still room for various improvements in terms of making disk devices thinner.

[0010] Therefore, one of the objects is to provide a suspension structure for a disk drive that can be made thinner, and a disk drive. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In one embodiment, a suspension structure for a disk drive includes a base member having a base with a boss portion attached to an arm of a disk drive, and an attachment portion connected to the base, the attachment portion having a first attachment surface facing in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the boss portion and a second attachment surface facing in the protruding direction of the boss portion, a first load beam attached to the first attachment surface, and a second load beam attached to the second attachment surface and facing the first load beam.

[0012] The first load beam may have first bent portions formed on both sides thereof and extending in a longitudinal direction of the first load beam, and the second load beam may have second bent portions formed on both sides thereof and extending in the longitudinal direction facing the first bent portions.

[0013] The base may have a first surface on which the boss portion is formed and facing the arm. The second mounting surface may be disposed offset from the first surface in the protruding direction. The base may further have a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first mounting surface may be disposed offset from the second surface in the protruding direction.

[0014] The base member may include a first member having the first mounting surface, and a second member having the boss portion and the second mounting surface and overlapping the first member. The second member may have a third surface that does not overlap the first member, and a fourth surface that is connected to the third surface and faces the first member.

[0015] The base member may include a third member having the boss portion and the first mounting surface, and a fourth member having the second mounting surface and overlapping the third member. The first load beam may include a first spring portion attached to the first mounting surface and a first load bend portion formed in the width direction of the first load beam between the first spring portion and the first bend portion and having a first angle. The second load beam may include a second spring portion attached to the second mounting surface and a second load bend portion formed in the width direction between the second spring portion and the second bend portion and having a second angle different from the first angle.

[0016] The second mounting surface may be inclined along the longitudinal direction so that the distance from the first mounting surface increases. The second load beam may have second bent portions formed on both sides of the second load beam, extending in the longitudinal direction, and forming a gap between the first bent portion and the second bent portion in the width direction of the first load beam. The first bent portion may overlap the second bent portion as viewed in the width direction. The base member may further have an actuator mounting portion formed between the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface.

[0017] A disk drive according to one embodiment includes the disk drive suspension structure and the arm having a base fixing portion to which the base member is attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a suspension structure for a disk drive that can be made thinner, and a disk drive. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a disk device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of the disk device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged partial view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the suspension structure taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the suspension structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm of a disk device according to a comparative example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a head stack assembly and a plurality of disks in a disk device according to a comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a head stack assembly and a plurality of disks in the disk device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm in the disk device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm in the disk device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm in the disk device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm in the disk device according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic enlarged partial view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm in the disk device according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm in the disk device according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of a load beam of a suspension structure according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement of the load beam of the suspension structure according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm in the disk device according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm in a disk device according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a suspension structure according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm in the disk device according to the tenth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For clarity of the description, the size, shape, etc. of each part in the drawings may be changed from the actual embodiment and shown schematically.

[0021] In the drawings, mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are shown as necessary to facilitate understanding. The direction along the X-axis is referred to as the first direction X, the direction along the Y-axis is referred to as the second direction Y, and the direction along the Z-axis is referred to as the third direction Z. One side of the third direction Z may be referred to as up or upward, and the other side of the third direction Z may be referred to as down or downward.

[0022] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a disk device 1 (HDD) according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the disk device 1 includes a case 2, a plurality of magnetic disks 4 (hereinafter simply referred to as disks 4) that rotate around a spindle 3, a carriage 6 that can rotate around a pivot shaft 5, and a positioning motor (voice coil motor) 7 for driving the carriage 6. The case 2 is sealed with a lid (not shown).

[0023] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of the disk device 1 according to this embodiment. The carriage 6 has a plurality of (for example, three) arms 8. A disk device suspension structure 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as the suspension structure 10) is attached to the tip of the central arm 8 among the plurality of arms 8.

[0024] Hereinafter, of the multiple arms 8, the arm 8 to which the suspension structure 10 is attached will be referred to as arm 8A. Furthermore, the other arms 8 each have a disk drive suspension 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as suspension 100) attached to their tip.

[0025] A slider 11 constituting a magnetic head is mounted on the tip of each of the suspension structure 10 and the suspension 100. Two sliders 11 are mounted on one suspension structure 10. In contrast, one suspension 100 is mounted on one slider 11.

[0026] 2, multiple (for example, two) disks 4 face each other at a predetermined distance. The suspension structure 10 is located between the two disks 4. The carriage 6, suspension structure 10, suspension 100, etc. constitute a head stack assembly HSA.

[0027] When the disk 4 rotates at high speed, air flows in between the disk 4 and the slider 11, forming an air bearing. When the positioning motor 7 rotates the carriage 6, the arm 8 moves in the radial direction of the disk 4, and the slider 11 moves to the desired track on the disk 4.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a schematic enlarged partial view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm 8A shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the suspension structure 10 taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the suspension structure 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0029] A portion of the suspension structure 10 is shown in cross section in Fig. 3. Only the load beams 30A and 30B are shown in Fig. 4. The suspension structure 10 is viewed in the direction opposite to the third direction Z in Fig. 5.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the suspension structure 10 is attached to the arm 8A. The arm 8A has a base fixing portion 81 at its tip. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the base fixing portion 81 has a smaller thickness than the other portions.

[0031] A through hole 81a through which a boss portion, which will be described later, passes is formed in the base fixing portion 81. The carriage 6 (shown in FIG. 2) including the arm 8A is made of a metal material, such as an aluminum alloy.

[0032] The suspension structure 10 extends in a first direction X. In this embodiment, the first direction X corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the suspension structure 10. In the first direction X, the side on which the slider 11 is mounted, with the arm 8 as the reference, is referred to as the tip side.

[0033] The second direction Y corresponds to the width direction of the suspension structure 10, and the third direction Z corresponds to the thickness direction of the suspension structure 10. Hereinafter, the distance along the third direction Z may be referred to as the thickness.

[0034] The suspension structure 10 includes a base member 20 and suspension elements SA1 and SA2. The base member 20 is configured so as to be attachable to a base fixing portion 81 of the arm 8A. The base member 20 has a plate shape.

[0035] The base member 20 has a base portion 21 and an attachment portion 23 connected to the base portion 21. The base portion 21 corresponds to a portion that overlaps with the arm 8A, for example.

[0036] The base member 20 has a surface 25 and a surface 27 opposite to the surface 25. In this embodiment, the surface 25 corresponds to a first mounting surface, and the surface 27 corresponds to a second mounting surface. Each of the surfaces 25 and 27 is formed across the base portion 21 and the mounting portion 23. The surface 25 faces the third direction Z, and the surface 27 faces the direction opposite to the third direction Z.

[0037] The surfaces 25 and 27 are parallel to the XY plane defined by the first direction X and the second direction Y. Focusing on the arm 8A, the surface 27 includes a region facing the arm 8A.

[0038] The base 21 has a boss portion 29. The base member 20 is attached to the arm 8A via the boss portion 29. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the boss portion 29 is formed on a surface 27 of the base 21.

[0039] The boss portion 29 protrudes from the surface 27 in a direction opposite to the third direction Z. In this embodiment, the third direction Z corresponds to the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the boss portion 29, and the third direction Z corresponds to the protruding direction of the boss portion 29.

[0040] The boss portion 29 has, for example, a circular shape when viewed in the third direction Z. The boss portion 29 is formed with a through hole 29a for passing a ball for crimping therethrough.

[0041] The thickness of the base member 20 is, for example, 300 μm or less. In one example, the thickness of the base member 20 is 100 to 300 μm. However, the thickness of the base member 20 is not limited to the above example. The thickness of the base member 20 corresponds to the distance between the surface 25 and the surface 27. The thickness of the base member 20 is, for example, smaller than the thickness of the arm 8. Here, the thickness of the arm 8 refers to the thickness of the portion other than the base fixing portion 81.

[0042] The base member 20 is formed from a metal material such as stainless steel, etc. In this embodiment, the base member 20 is formed from a single member.

[0043] The suspension elements SA1 and SA2 are each attached to a base member 20. The suspension element SA1 faces the suspension element SA2 with the base member 20 interposed therebetween.

[0044] The suspension element SA2 has the same structure as the suspension element SA1, and the structure of the suspension element SA1 will be mainly described here.

[0045] The suspension element SA1 includes a load beam 30A (first load beam) and a flexure 40A. The load beam 30A is attached to the surface 25 of the base member 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the load beam 30A has a tapered shape toward the tip end.

[0046] The load beam 30A has a spring portion 31A (first spring portion). The load beam 30A is elastically supported on the surface 25 by the spring portion 31A. The load beam 30A is fixed to the surface 25 by spot welding using a laser, for example.

[0047] The load beam 30A further includes a load bend 33A (first load bend) and bends 35A and 37A (first bends). As shown in Fig. 3, the load beam 30A is inclined in a direction intersecting with the first direction X when viewed in the second direction Y by the load bend 33A.

[0048] The load bend 33A is located between the spring portion 31A and the bends 35A and 37A in the first direction X. The load bend 33A is formed along the second direction Y. The load bend 33A has a first angle θ1.

[0049] The first angle θ1 of the load bend portion 33A is, for example, an angle in a clockwise direction from the spring portion 31A when viewed in the second direction Y. The load beam 30A is inclined upward in the first direction X in FIG.

[0050] The bent portions 35A and 37A are located closer to the tip than the load bent portion 33A. As shown in FIG. 4, the bent portions 35A and 37A are formed on both side portions 350 and 370 of the load beam 30A. The both side portions 350 and 370 of the load beam 30A are portions located on both sides of the load beam 30A in the second direction Y. The bent portions 35A and 37A extend in the first direction X. The rigidity of the regions of the load beam 30A where the bent portions 35A and 37A are formed is greater than the rigidity of the other regions.

[0051] The thickness of the load beam 30A is smaller than that of the base member 20. The thickness of the load beam 30A is, for example, 20 to 80 μm, but is not limited to this example. The load beam 30A is made of a metal material such as stainless steel.

[0052] 5, the flexure 40A is disposed along the base member 20 and the load beam 30A. A portion of the flexure 40A overlaps the load beam 30A. The flexure 40A is fixed to the base member 20 and the load beam 30A by spot welding using a laser, for example.

[0053] The flexure 40A includes a tip portion 41A that overlaps the load beam 30A, and a flexure tail 43A that extends from the tip portion 41A toward the rear of the base member 20.

[0054] The flexure 40A has a metal base 45 made of, for example, a thin stainless steel plate, and a wiring portion 47 superimposed on the metal base 45. The thickness of the metal base 45 is smaller than the thickness of the load beam 30A. The thickness of the metal base 45 is, for example, 15 to 20 μm.

[0055] At the tip end portion 41A, the flexure 40A further has a tongue 51 and a pair of outriggers 53 and 55. The tongue 51 has a slider 11 mounted thereon.

[0056] An element capable of converting magnetic signals to electric signals, such as an MR element, is provided at the tip of slider 11. In tip portion 41A, wiring section 47 is electrically connected to the element of slider 11 via terminal 57. These elements are used to access disk 4, such as to write or read data.

[0057] The pair of outriggers 53, 55 are disposed on both sides of the tongue 51 in the second direction Y. The pair of outriggers 53, 55 are shaped to protrude outward from both sides of the tongue 51 in the second direction Y. The tongue 51 and the pair of outriggers 53, 55 are all part of the metal base 45, and the contours of each are formed by, for example, etching.

[0058] The gimbal portion is formed by the tongue 51, the pair of outriggers 53, 55, etc. The gimbal portion is formed on the tip portion 41A of the flexure 40A. Actuator elements 61, 63 are mounted on the gimbal portion. The actuator elements 61, 63 have the function of rotating the tongue 51 in the sway direction S (shown in FIG. 5).

[0059] The actuator elements 61 and 63 are arranged on both sides of the slider 11 in the second direction Y. The actuator elements 61 and 63 are made of a piezoelectric material such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT). The actuator elements 61 and 63 are each fixed to the tongue 51 with a conductive adhesive or the like.

[0060] The suspension element SA2 includes a load beam 30B (second load beam) and a flexure 40B, as shown in Fig. 3. The load beam 30B and the flexure 40B are configured similarly to the load beam 30A and the flexure 40A.

[0061] The load beam 30B is attached to the surface 27 of the base member 20. The load beam 30B faces the load beam 30A. The load beam 30B has a spring portion 31B (second spring portion), a load bending portion 33B (second load bending portion), and bending portions 35B and 37B (second bending portions).

[0062] The load beam 30B is elastically supported on the surface 27 by the spring portion 31B. The load beam 30B is inclined in a direction different from that of the load beam 30A by the load bend portion 33B. The load bend portion 33B has a second angle θ2.

[0063] The second angle θ2 of the load bend 33B is, for example, a counterclockwise angle from the spring portion 31B when viewed in the second direction Y. In this embodiment, the second angle θ2 is equal to the first angle θ1. As shown in FIG. 3, the load beam 30B is inclined downward as it moves toward the first direction X. In another respect, as shown in FIG. 3, the load beams 30A, 30B are inclined away from each other as they move toward the first direction X due to the load bends 33A, 33B.

[0064] This allows the slider 11 mounted on the suspension element SA1 to read and write data from and to a different disk 4 than the slider 11 mounted on the suspension element SA2.

[0065] The bent portions 35B and 37B are formed on both side portions 350 and 370 of the load beam 30B and extend in the first direction X. Focusing on the suspension element SA1, the bent portions 35B and 37B face the bent portions 35A and 37A of the load beam 30A, as shown in FIG.

[0066] 4, the distance W1 between the bent portions 35A and 37A in the second direction Y is equal to the distance between the bent portions 35B and 37B in the second direction Y. The distance W1 gradually decreases along the first direction X.

[0067] The bent portions 35A and 37A are aligned with the bent portions 35B and 37B at a distance in the third direction Z. In other words, a gap G1 is formed between the bent portions 35A and 37A and the bent portions 35B and 37B. The size of the gap G1 gradually increases in the first direction X, as shown in FIG.

[0068] Fig. 6 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of arm 8 of disk device 1E according to a comparative example. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the arrangement of head stack assembly HSAE and multiple disks 4 in disk device 1E according to a comparative example. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the arrangement of head stack assembly HSA and multiple disks 4 in disk device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0069] In the disc device 1E according to the comparative example, two suspensions 100 are attached to the arm 8. Specifically, the suspensions 100 are attached to the arm 8 from the third direction Z and the direction opposite to the third direction Z, respectively.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 7, a slider 11 is mounted on the tip side of each suspension 100. The suspension 100 includes a base plate 200, a load beam 30, and a flexure 40. As described above, the arm 8 in this embodiment is also provided with a suspension 100 (shown in Fig. 2).

[0071] The base plate 200 has a boss portion and a surface 250. For example, the thickness of the base plate 200 is equal to the thickness of the base member 20. The load beam 30 is configured similarly to the load beams 30A and 30B described above. The flexure 40 is configured similarly to the flexures 40A and 40B described above. The load beam 30 is attached to the surface 250 of the base plate 200.

[0072] 6, two base plates 200 are attached to the arm 8. Therefore, the base fixing portion 810 of the arm 8 in the comparative example has a thickness greater than that of the base fixing portion 81 in this embodiment.

[0073] Here, the distance between the surface 25 and the surface 27 of the base member 20 in this embodiment is defined as distance D1 (shown in FIG. 3), and the distance between the surfaces 250 of the base plate 200 in the comparative example is defined as distance D2 (shown in FIG. 7). The distances D1 and D2 correspond to the spacing between the spring portions of the load beam. The distance D1 is smaller than the distance D2 (D1 <D2)。

[0074] Focusing on the head stack assembly HSA, the thickness DH (shown in FIG. 2) of the head stack assembly HSA can be reduced by reducing the distance D1. In particular, when the number of arms 8A increases, the thickness can be further reduced.

[0075] Here, it is assumed that the angles of the load bends of the load beams 30, 30A, and 30B are equal to each other. In this case, the distance between the sliders 11 can be reduced by reducing the distance D1.

[0076] The distance between the sliders 11 in the comparative example is defined as distance D3 (shown in FIG. 7), and the distance between the sliders 11 in this embodiment is defined as distance D4 (shown in FIG. 8). As described above, distance D4 is smaller than distance D3 (D4 <D3)。

[0077] Reducing the distance D4 reduces the spacing between the disks 4. That is, the spacing between the disks 4 in this embodiment is smaller than the spacing between the disks 4 in the comparative example.

[0078] As a result, this embodiment can reduce the thickness of the disk device 1 when arranging the same number of disks 4. In other words, with the configuration of this embodiment, more disks 4 can be arranged in a case 2 having the same thickness than in the disk device 1E according to the comparative example.

[0079] Furthermore, by reducing the distance D1, when the head stack assembly HSA is positioned between the disks 4, a sufficient gap can be formed between, for example, the disks 4 and the suspension structure 10. This makes it less likely that the head stack assembly HSA will come into contact with the disks 4.

[0080] In this embodiment, since the suspension elements SA1 and SA2 are attached to the base member 20, the number of components for attaching the load beam can be reduced compared to the head stack assembly HSAE in the comparative example, thereby reducing the cost of components.

[0081] Furthermore, by reducing the number of members for attaching the load beam, the thickness of the base member 20 can be increased, thereby improving the rigidity of the base member 20. As a result, the resonance characteristics and load stability of the suspension elements SA1 and SA2 can be improved.

[0082] Furthermore, by reducing the number of members for attaching the load beam, the height of the boss portion 29 can be increased. This allows the base member 20 to be stably attached to the arm 8A. As a result, the resonance characteristics and load stability of the suspension elements SA1 and SA2 can be improved.

[0083] In this embodiment, in the manufacturing process, the load direction can be unified when attaching the base member 20 to the arm 8A. Specifically, in the crimping process, the direction in which the ball is passed through the through hole 29a can be unified (for example, the direction opposite to the third direction Z).

[0084] In this case as well, the base member 20 can be stably attached to the arm 8A, and as a result, the resonance characteristics and load stability of the suspension elements SA1, SA2 can be improved.

[0085] As described above, the configuration of this embodiment makes it possible to provide a disk drive suspension structure 10 that can be made thinner. In particular, this embodiment makes it possible to make the head stack assembly HSA thinner. A disk drive 1 equipped with such a disk drive suspension structure 10 can make the disk drive 1 thinner. In addition, this embodiment can provide various other advantageous effects.

[0086] In this embodiment, an example has been disclosed in which the suspension structure 10 is attached to one arm 8A of the multiple arms 8 of the carriage 6, but the suspension structure 10 may also be attached to each of the multiple arms 8 of the carriage 6.

[0087] Next, other embodiments will be described. In the other embodiments described below, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted or simplified.

[0088] [Second embodiment] 9 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm 8A in the disc device 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the shape of the base member 20 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0089] The base member 20 has a base portion 21 and an attachment portion 23. The thickness of the attachment portion 23 is different from the thickness of the base portion 21. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the thickness of the attachment portion 23 is greater than the thickness of the base portion 21.

[0090] Compared to the first embodiment, the thickness of the base portion 21 is smaller than the thickness of the base member 20 in the first embodiment, and the thickness of the attachment portion 23 is equal to the thickness of the base member 20 in the first embodiment.

[0091] The base member 20 has surfaces 271 and 273 located opposite to the surface 25. The surface 271 is located on the base portion 21, and the surface 273 is located on the mounting portion 23. In this embodiment, the surface 25 corresponds to the first mounting surface, the surface 271 corresponds to the first surface, and the surface 273 corresponds to the second mounting surface.

[0092] The surfaces 271 and 273 are parallel to the XY plane. The surface 271 faces the arm 8A and has a boss portion 29 formed thereon. The surface 273 is located lower than the surface 271, as shown in FIG.

[0093] In other words, the surface 273 is shifted from the surface 271 in the direction opposite to the third direction Z. The load beam 30A is attached to the surface 25 of the base member 20, and the load beam 30B is attached to the surface 273 of the base member 20.

[0094] In terms of the relationship with the arm 8A, the surface 273 is located above the lower surface 83 of the arm 8A, and the surface 25 is located below the upper surface 85 of the arm 8A. In addition, the spring portion 31A of the load beam 30A is located below the upper surface 85.

[0095] The configuration of this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of Embodiment 1. In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the thickness of the mounting portion 23 and the thickness of the base portion 21 are changed, so that the positions of the spring portions 31A and 31B are shifted in the direction opposite to the third direction Z compared to the first embodiment.

[0096] This allows the distance D5 (shown in FIG. 9) from the lower surface 83 to the load beam 30A to be made smaller than in the first embodiment. As a result, when the arm 8A is positioned between the disks 4, the suspension structure 10 is less likely to come into contact with the disks 4.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the position of the slider 11 (shown in FIG. 8) can be shifted in the third direction Z or the direction opposite to the third direction Z compared to the first embodiment. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the position of the slider 11 can be shifted in the direction opposite to the third direction Z compared to the first embodiment.

[0098] [Third embodiment] 10 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm 8A in the disc device 1 according to this embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the base member 20 is made up of multiple members.

[0099] The base member 20 has a member 201 and a member 202 that overlaps the member 201. In this embodiment, the member 201 corresponds to a first member, and the member 202 corresponds to a second member. The member 201 is fixed to the member 202 by spot welding using a laser, for example.

[0100] The members 201 and 202 each have a plate shape. The size of the member 201 is approximately equal to that of the member 202 when viewed in the third direction Z. The base portion 21 and the attachment portion 23 of the base member 20 are formed by the members 201 and 202.

[0101] The member 201 has a surface 2011 and a surface 2013 opposite to the surface 2011. The member 202 has a surface 2021, a surface 2023 opposite to the surface 2021, and a boss portion 29.

[0102] In this embodiment, the surface 2011 corresponds to the first mounting surface, and the surface 2023 corresponds to the second mounting surface. The surface 2013 faces the surface 2021. The surface 2023 is formed with a boss portion 29. The load beam 30A is attached to the surface 2011 of the member 201, and the load beam 30B is attached to the surface 2023 of the member 202.

[0103] The configuration of this embodiment can also provide the same effects as those of Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the base member 20 has a member 201 and a member 202.

[0104] In the manufacturing process, the load beam 30A is attached to the surface 2011 of the member 201, and the load beam 30B is attached to the surface 2023 of the member 202. After that, the load bend portions 33A and 33B of the load beams 30A and 30B are formed, respectively.

[0105] Then, after a process of joining members 201 and 202, the suspension structure 10 is attached to the arm 8A. In this way, since the load beams 30A and 30B are attached to separate members, the load bend portions 33A and 33B can be easily processed. As a result, this embodiment can improve the productivity of manufacturing the suspension structure 10.

[0106] [Fourth embodiment] 11 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm 8A in the disc device 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the shape of a member 201 is different from that of the third embodiment.

[0107] In this embodiment, the base portion 21 of the base member 20 is formed by the member 202, and the mounting portion 23 is formed by the member 201 and the member 202. In other words, the member 201 does not overlap, for example, the boss portion 29 of the member 202. The length of the member 201 in the first direction X is smaller than the length of the member 202 in the first direction X, as shown in FIG.

[0108] The surface 2021 of the member 202 has a surface 2021a that does not overlap the member 201 and a surface 2021b that faces the member 201. The surface 2021b is connected to the surface 2021a. In this embodiment, the surface 2021a corresponds to the third surface, and the surface 2021b corresponds to the fourth surface.

[0109] The configuration of this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the third embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the length of the member 201 in the first direction X is smaller than that of the third embodiment. This allows the mass of the base member 20 to be smaller than that of the base member 20 in the third embodiment.

[0110] That is, the mass of the head stack assembly HSA can be made smaller than that of the head stack assembly HSA in the third embodiment, thereby improving the responsiveness of the head stack assembly HSA.

[0111] [Fifth embodiment] 12 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm 8A in the disk device 1 according to this embodiment. This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the attachment portion 23 of the base member 20 is made up of multiple members.

[0112] The base member 20 has a member 202 and a member 203 that overlaps the member 202. In this embodiment, the member 202 corresponds to the third member, and the member 203 corresponds to the fourth member. The member 203 is fixed to the member 202 by spot welding using a laser, for example.

[0113] In this embodiment, the base portion 21 of the base member 20 is formed by a member 202, and the attachment portion 23 is formed by the member 202 and a member 203. The member 203 does not overlap the boss portion 29 of the member 202, for example.

[0114] The member 203 has a plate shape. The length of the member 203 in the first direction X is smaller than the length of the member 202 in the first direction X, as shown in FIG.

[0115] The member 203 has a surface 2031 facing the surface 2023 and a surface 2033 opposite the surface 2031. In this embodiment, the surface 2021 corresponds to a first mounting surface, and the surface 2033 corresponds to a second mounting surface. The load beam 30A is attached to the surface 2021 of the member 202, and the load beam 30B is attached to the surface 2033 of the member 203.

[0116] 12, the surface 2033 is positioned below the surface 2021. In other words, the surface 2033 is disposed so as to be shifted in the direction opposite to the third direction Z from the surface 2021.

[0117] The configuration of this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of Embodiment 2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the load beams 30A and 30B are attached to separate members, which makes it easier to process the load bent portions 33A and 33B.

[0118] [Sixth embodiment] 13 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm 8A in the disc device 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the shape of the base member 20 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0119] The base member 20 further has a step portion 22 formed between the base portion 21 and the mounting portion 23. The base portion 21, the mounting portion 23, and the step portion 22 have, for example, a uniform thickness. The surface 25 of the base member 20 has a surface 25a located at the base portion 21, a surface 25b located at the mounting portion 23, and a surface 25c located at the step portion 22.

[0120] The surface 27 of the base member 20 has a surface 27a located at the base portion 21, a surface 27b located at the attachment portion 23, and a surface 27c located at the step portion 22. The surface 27a faces the arm 8A, and has a boss portion 29 formed thereon.

[0121] In this embodiment, the surface 25a corresponds to the second surface, the surface 25b corresponds to the first mounting surface, the surface 27a corresponds to the first surface, and the surface 27b corresponds to the second mounting surface. The load beam 30A is attached to the surface 25b of the base member 20, and the load beam 30B is attached to the surface 27b of the base member 20.

[0122] The surfaces 25c and 27c are, for example, inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the first direction X. Specifically, the surfaces 25c and 27c are inclined downward as they extend in the first direction X, as shown in FIG.

[0123] As a result, surface 25b is positioned lower than surface 25a, and surface 27b is positioned lower than surface 27a. In other words, surface 25b is positioned offset in the direction opposite to third direction Z from surface 25a, and surface 27b is positioned offset in the direction opposite to third direction Z from surface 27a.

[0124] In terms of the relationship with the arm 8A, the surface 27b is located above the lower surface 83 of the arm 8A, and the surface 25b is located below the upper surface 85 of the arm 8A. In addition, the spring portion 31A of the load beam 30A is located below the upper surface 85.

[0125] The configuration of this embodiment can also provide the same effects as those of Embodiments 1 and 2. The shape of the step portion 22 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0126] [Seventh embodiment] 14 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm 8A in the disc device 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the thickness of the base member 20 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0127] Specifically, the thickness of the base member 20 is smaller than that of the base member 20 in the first embodiment. As a result, at least a portion of the load beam 30A overlaps with the load beam 30B when viewed in the second direction Y. That is, the base member 20 has a thickness that allows at least a portion of the load beam 30A to overlap with the load beam 30B.

[0128] Specifically, bent portions 35A and 37A overlap bent portions 35B and 37B when viewed in the second direction Y. In Fig. 14, dots are added to the areas where bent portions 35A and 37A overlap bent portions 35B and 37B when viewed in the second direction Y. The overlapping areas of bent portions 35A and 37A and bent portions 35B and 37B gradually become smaller as they extend in the first direction X.

[0129] 15 and 16 are diagrams showing examples of the arrangement of the load beams 30A, 30B of the suspension structure 10 in this embodiment.

[0130] 15, the distance W1 between the bent portions 35A and 37A in the second direction Y is different from the distance W2 between the bent portions 35B and 37B in the second direction Y. Specifically, the distance W1 between the bent portions 35A and 37A in the second direction Y is greater than the distance W2 between the bent portions 35B and 37B in the second direction Y.

[0131] The load beam 30B is located between the bent portions 35A and 37A of the load beam 30A in the second direction Y. The distance W1 between the bent portions 35A and 37A in the second direction Y may be smaller than the distance W2 between the bent portions 35B and 37B in the second direction Y.

[0132] 16, the distance W1 between the bent portions 35A and 37A in the second direction Y is equal to the distance between the bent portions 35B and 37B in the second direction Y. The center of the load beam 30A in the second direction Y is shifted from the center of the load beam 30B in the second direction Y.

[0133] Specifically, the load beam 30B is offset to the left in the drawing with respect to the center of the load beam 30A. The load beam 30B may also be offset to the right in the drawing with respect to the center of the load beam 30A. In the example shown in Fig. 16, the distance W1 in the second direction Y between the bent portions 35A and 37A may be different from the distance in the second direction Y between the bent portions 35B and 37B, as shown in Fig. 15.

[0134] 15 and 16, the bent portions 35A, 37A form a gap G2 with the bent portions 35B, 37B in the second direction Y. With the arrangement shown in the examples shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the load beams 30A, 30B are less likely to interfere with each other even if the thickness of the base member 20 is reduced.

[0135] The configuration of this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thickness of the base member 20 can be made smaller. The configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to the other embodiments described above.

[0136] [Eighth embodiment] 17 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm 8A in the disk device 1 according to this embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first angle θ1 of the load bend portion 33A of the load beam 30A is different from the second angle θ2 of the load bend portion 33B of the load beam 30B.

[0137] 17, the second angle θ2 of the load bend 33B is smaller than the first angle θ1 of the load bend 33A. The first angle θ1 of the load bend 33A is larger than in the first embodiment. In contrast, the second angle θ2 of the load bend 33B is smaller than in the first embodiment.

[0138] The configuration of this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by adjusting the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2, the position of the slider 11 (shown in FIG. 8) can be shifted in the third direction Z or the direction opposite to the third direction Z compared to the first embodiment. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 17, the position of the slider 11 can be shifted in the direction opposite to the third direction Z compared to the first embodiment.

[0139] Furthermore, the distance between the disks 4 can be adjusted according to the first angle θ1 of the load bent portion 33A and the second angle θ2 of the load bent portion 33B. The configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to the other embodiments described above.

[0140] [Ninth embodiment] 18 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of the arm 8A in the disc device 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the shape of the base member 20 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0141] The surface 27 has a surface 27d located on the mounting portion 23. In this embodiment, the surface 25 corresponds to the first mounting surface, and the surface 27d corresponds to the second mounting surface. The load beam 30A is attached to the surface 25 of the base member 20, and the load beam 30B is attached to the surface 27d of the base member 20.

[0142] Surface 27d is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to surface 25. Specifically, surface 27d is inclined along first direction X so that the distance from surface 25 in third direction Z increases. Angle θ3 of surface 27d with respect to first direction X can be changed appropriately depending on the spacing between disks 4. Furthermore, first angle θ1 of load bend 33A may be equal to or different from second angle θ2 of load bend 33B.

[0143] The configuration of this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as in Embodiment 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by adjusting the angle θ3 of the surface 27d with respect to the first direction X, the position of the slider 11 (shown in FIG. 8) can be shifted in the third direction Z or in the direction opposite to the third direction Z compared to Embodiment 1.

[0144] 18, the position of the slider 11 can be shifted in the direction opposite to the third direction Z compared to the first embodiment. Also, the distance between the disks 4 can be adjusted according to the angle θ3 of the surface 27d with respect to the first direction X.

[0145] In this embodiment, the surface 27 is inclined, but the surface 25 to which the load beam 30A is attached may be inclined, or the surfaces to which the load beams 30A and 30B are attached may each be inclined. The configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to the other embodiments described above.

[0146] [Tenth embodiment] Fig. 19 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a suspension structure 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 20 is a schematic partial enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip of an arm 8A in a disk drive 1 according to this embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that actuator elements 65, 67 are mounted on a base member 20.

[0147] In the example shown in FIG. 19, the suspension structure 10 includes actuator elements 61 and 63 mounted on the tip side, and actuator elements 65 and 67 mounted on the base member 20.

[0148] In the base member 20, openings 71 and 73 (shown in FIG. 19) for mounting the actuator elements 65 and 67 are formed in the mounting portion 23. In this embodiment, the openings 71 and 73 correspond to the actuator mounting portions.

[0149] The openings 71 and 73 are formed between the surface 25 and the surface 27. Specifically, the openings 71 and 73 penetrate through the surface 25 and the surface 27. Focusing on the suspension elements SA1 and SA2, the actuator elements 65 and 67 are located between the load beams 30A and 30B, as shown in FIG.

[0150] The configuration of this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, actuator elements 65, 67 are mounted on base member 20. As a result, actuator elements 65, 67 act on suspension elements SA1, SA2, respectively.

[0151] In this way, since there is no need to mount an actuator element for each of the suspension elements SA1 and SA2, the number of actuator elements to be mounted can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of components.

[0152] In carrying out the above-described embodiments, the specific aspects of the elements that make up the disk device, including the specific aspects of the shapes of the arm, base member, load beam, and flexure, can be modified in various ways.

[0153] Various embodiments can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in each of the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all the components shown in each embodiment. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 1...disk device, 4...magnetic disk, 6...carriage, 8, 8A...arm, 10...suspension structure for disk device, 11...slider, 20...base member, 21...base, 23...mounting portion, 29...boss portion, 30A, 30B...load beam, 31A, 31B...spring portion, 33A, 33B...load bending portion, 35A, 35B, 37A, 37B...bending portion, 40A, 40B...flexure, 61, 63, 65, 67...actuator element, 71, 73...opening, 81...base fixing portion, 100...suspension for disk device, HSA...head stack assembly, SA1, SA2...suspension element.

Claims

1. A suspension structure for a disk drive attached to an arm of the disk drive, comprising: a base member including: a base portion having a boss portion attached to the arm; and an attachment portion connected to the base portion, the attachment portion having a first attachment surface facing in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the boss portion and a second attachment surface facing in the protruding direction of the boss portion; a first load beam attached to the first mounting surface; a second load beam attached to the second mounting surface and facing the first load beam; A suspension structure for a disk drive.

2. the first load beam has first bent portions formed on both sides of the first load beam and extending in the longitudinal direction of the first load beam; the second load beam has second bent portions formed on both sides of the second load beam, extending in the longitudinal direction, and facing the first bent portion; 2. The suspension structure for a disk drive according to claim 1.

3. the base portion has a first surface on which the boss portion is formed and which faces the arm; The second mounting surface is disposed so as to be shifted in the protruding direction from the first surface.

3. The suspension structure for a disk drive according to claim 2.

4. the base further has a second surface opposite the first surface; The first mounting surface is disposed so as to be shifted in the protruding direction from the second surface.

4. The suspension structure for a disk drive according to claim 3.

5. The base member includes a first member having the first mounting surface, and a second member having the boss portion and the second mounting surface and overlapping the first member.

3. The suspension structure for a disk drive according to claim 2.

6. The second member has a third surface that does not overlap the first member, and a fourth surface that is connected to the third surface and faces the first member.

6. The suspension structure for a disk drive according to claim 5.

7. the base member includes a third member having the boss portion and the first mounting surface, and a fourth member having the second mounting surface and overlapping the third member.

3. The suspension structure for a disk drive according to claim 2.

8. the first load beam has a first spring portion attached to the first mounting surface, and a first load bend portion formed in a width direction of the first load beam between the first spring portion and the first bend portion and having a first angle; the second load beam has a second spring portion attached to the second mounting surface, and a second load bent portion formed in the width direction between the second spring portion and the second bent portion and having a second angle different from the first angle.

3. The suspension structure for a disk drive according to claim 2.

9. The second mounting surface is inclined along the longitudinal direction so that the distance between the second mounting surface and the first mounting surface increases.

3. The suspension structure for a disk drive according to claim 2.

10. the first load beam has first bent portions formed on both sides of the first load beam and extending in the longitudinal direction of the first load beam; the second load beam has second bent portions formed on both sides of the second load beam, extending in the longitudinal direction, and forming a gap between the second bent portion and the first bent portion in the width direction of the first load beam; The first bent portion overlaps the second bent portion when viewed in the width direction.

2. The suspension structure for a disk drive according to claim 1.

11. The base member further includes an actuator mounting portion formed between the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface.

3. The suspension structure for a disk drive according to claim 2.

12. a disk drive suspension structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11; the arm having a base fixing portion to which the base member is attached, Disk device.

Images