Mounting plate with suspension circuit recess

Abstract

A hard disk drive (HDD) includes a suspension connected to a stack arm. The suspension includes a mount plate, a hinge, a load beam, and a circuit. The mount plate includes a lower surface facing the disk and an ear extending from a side edge of the mount plate. The lower surface includes a flat region, a first recessed region recessed perpendicular to the flat region, and a second recessed region located in the ear and recessed perpendicular to the flat region. The load beam terminates in a load beam hinge connected to the first recessed region. The circuit extends along the first and second recessed regions.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an improved hard disk drive assembly having improved suspension-to-disk clearance, and more particularly to a mounting plate having enhanced features that vertically shift the suspension circuit for improved suspension-to-disk clearance. [Background technology]

[0002] Increasing storage capacity is a goal in the data storage industry. Data storage products, such as magnetic and optical disk drives, store digital information on rotating disks using read / write heads. Information is typically recorded in concentric circumferential tracks near the center of the disk.

[0003] 1 shows a conventional hard disk drive (HDD) assembly 10 having a pair of adjacent suspensions 12A, 12B on either side of a disk 14 configured to rotate between the suspensions 12A, 12B. Although two suspensions are shown on either side of a single disk, it should be understood that multiple disks and corresponding suspensions may be included in a single disk drive. The configuration of suspension 12A (facing the top surface of disk 14) is described below. However, it should be understood that suspension 12B has the same configuration as suspension 12A, but faces the bottom surface of disk 14.

[0004] The suspension 12A includes a gimbal section 16 (also referred to as a gimbal tongue) with a slider 18 having a read / write head for writing digital information to the disk 14 and reading and writing digital information from the disk 14. The slider 18 is attached to the gimbal section 16. The gimbal section 16 contacts a dimple point on a load beam 20. The other end of the load beam 20 terminates in a hinge 22. The hinge 22 connects the load beam 20 to a mounting plate 24. The hinge 22 allows vertical bending of the load beam 20 relative to the mounting plate 24. The mounting plate 24 is preferably connected to the stack arm 26 by swaging a cylindrical boss 28 of the mounting plate 24 into a mounting hole 30 in the stack arm 26.

[0005] Disk drives use a servo-controlled actuator to position the read / write head of the slider 18 over a desired track on the disk 14 by horizontally pivoting the stack arm 26. The actuator moves the read / write head from one track to another in a process called seeking. The actuator also maintains the position of the read / write head over the desired track in a process called track following. For example, a voice coil motor (VCM) can be used to actuate the head positioning by manipulating the pivot positioning of the stack arm 26. As track density increases, VCM actuators have limitations in resolution and frequency response. To increase storage capacity and increase track density, two-stage or three-stage actuators have been developed. A three-stage actuator uses a VCM for seeking and coarse track following. A three-stage actuator also uses a milliactuator on the mounting plate 24 and a microactuator on the gimbal portion 16 on which the slider 18 is located for fine track positioning.

[0006] Electrical signals are conveyed from the slider 18 by suspension circuitry 32 of wires or conductive traces that extend from the slider 18 along the load beam 20 and mounting plate 24 to the stack arm 26. For best access to the slider 18 attached to the gimbal portion 16, the circuitry 32 extends along the underside of the load beam 20, hinge 22, and mounting plate 24 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0007] As shown in Figure 1, there are several suspension-to-disk clearances of interest. A first suspension-to-disk clearance A is defined as the distance between a distal end portion 34 of the suspension 12A and the top surface of the disk 14. The distal end portion 34 is the non-fixed end of the suspension 12A and is made of a relatively thin, semi-rigid material, such as stainless steel. The clearance location A is important to ensure that the distal end portion 34 properly contacts the ramp when the suspension is parked on the ramp during a non-operating condition.

[0008] A second suspension-to-disk clearance B is defined as the distance between the portion of the circuit 32 extending along the underside of the load beam 20 closest to the disk 14 and the upper surface of the disk 14. The portion of the circuit 32 is located toward the center of the load beam 20. However, the portion of the circuit 32 is subject to undesired contact with the rotating disk 14 due to the shape of the load beam 20 and undesired vertical displacement of that portion of the suspension 12A upon impact at the clearance location B.

[0009] A third suspension-to-disc clearance C is defined as the distance between the portion of circuit 32 that extends along the underside of mount plate 24 and the upper surface of disk 14. This area of ​​suspension 12A is also referred to as the mount plate area. Mount plate 24 has a generally flat underside except for cylindrical boss 28. During an impact that causes significant bending of suspension 12A, the portion of circuit 32 that extends along the underside of mount plate 24 is subject to undesirable contact with rotating disk 14 at clearance location C.

[0010] If the circuitry 32 on the bottom of the suspension 12A comes into contact with the disks 14 during shock, the HDD assembly 10 may fail. Therefore, the clearances B and C must be high enough to prevent such contact. However, there are conflicting efforts in HDD assemblies to reduce the clearances B and C. Specifically, there is a demand to increase the storage capacity of the HDD assembly 10. This involves placing more disks 14 and corresponding suspensions 12A / 12B within the HDD assembly 10. However, the thickness of the HDD assembly 10 is typically fixed by the replacement requirements of existing drive stacks. Therefore, there is a demand to make the suspension 12A as thin as possible while maintaining the minimum clearances A, B, and C required for reliable operation even in the event of shock. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] A mounting plate having a suspension circuit recess is provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In some embodiments, a suspension is disclosed. The suspension includes a mount plate terminating in a load beam hinge, a load arm, and a circuit. The mount plate includes a lower surface facing the disk and ears extending from side edges of the mount plate. The lower surface includes a flat region, a first recessed region recessed perpendicular to the flat region, and a second recessed region located in the ear and recessed perpendicular to the flat region. The load beam hinge is connected to the first recessed region. The circuit extends along the first and second recessed regions.

[0013] In another aspect, a hard disk drive (HDD) assembly is disclosed. The HDD assembly includes a disk configured to rotate, a stack arm, and a suspension connected to the stack arm. The suspension may include a mount plate connected to the stack arm. The mount plate includes a lower surface facing the disk and an ear extending from a side edge of the mount plate. The lower surface includes a flat region, a first recessed region recessed perpendicular to the flat region, and a second recessed region located in the ear and recessed perpendicular to the flat region. A load beam hinge may be connected to the first recessed region. A circuit extends along the first and second recessed regions.

[0014] Other features and advantages of examples according to the present disclosure will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. Examples according to the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional hard disk drive (HDD) head stack assembly. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the mounting plate area of ​​the HDD suspension of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of a mounting plate area of ​​a suspension of a head stack assembly according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the mount plate area of ​​FIG. 3 taken along the dotted line labeled FIG. 4 in FIG. 3; [Diagram 5] 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the mount plate area of ​​FIG. 3 taken along the dotted line labeled FIG. 5 in FIG. 3; [Figure 6] 4 is a bottom view of the suspension mounting plate area of ​​the head stack assembly shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view of a hard disk drive (HDD) head stack assembly according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a top view of a mounting plate area of ​​a suspension of a head stack assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 9 is a bottom view of the suspension mounting plate area of ​​the head stack assembly of FIG. 8 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] 3 is a top view of the mounting plate area of ​​a hard disk drive (HDD) suspension. Mount plate 50 is attached to stack arm 54 via a cylindrical boss 53 (on mount plate 50) that is swaged into a mounting hole in stack arm 54. Mount plate 50 may be manufactured from a flat stainless steel sheet that is chemically etched into almost any two-dimensional design within the limits of process tolerances. The patterned flat stainless steel sheet is then formed into the desired three-dimensional shape as described below. The present disclosure utilizes the above design features that can be easily and accurately manufactured.

[0017] The mount plate 50 generally includes a lower surface 51 having a flat region 51a and a recessed region 51b (also referred to herein as a first recessed region) recessed perpendicular to the flat region 51a. For example, the recessed region 51b may be flat and parallel to the flat region 51a of the lower surface 51, but offset by a recess amount I. The recess amount I may be approximately 0.030-0.0345 mm, which corresponds to the thickness of the load beam or the circuitry 70 described below. The recessed region 51b may be created by mechanical stamping, jog forming techniques, and / or chemical etching, which may create a corresponding stepped region 52b on the upper surface 52 of the mount plate 50 that protrudes perpendicular to the flat region 52a of the upper surface 52. The step amount S may be equal to the recess amount I, as best shown in FIG. 4, which is a side cross-sectional view of the mount plate 50 taken along the dotted line labeled FIG. 4 in FIG. 3.

[0018] Mount plate 50 further includes first and second ears 60, 62 extending from side edges of mount plate 50. As best seen in FIG. 5, which is a side cross-sectional view of mount plate 50 taken along the dotted line labeled FIG. 5 in FIG. 3, first and second ears 60, 62 are recessed relative to flat area 51a of lower surface 51 by an amount I ear The first and second ears 60, 62 include a recessed region 51c (also referred to herein as a second recessed region) of the lower surface 51 that is recessed (vertically recessed) by a step amount S ear The recessed area 51c is flat and parallel to the flat area 51a of the mount plate lower surface 51, but includes a recessed area 52c of the upper surface 52 that is stepped by a recess amount I ear Similar mechanical stamping, jog forming techniques, and / or chemical etching may be used to form recessed region 51b and recessed region 51c. Thus, recess amount I ear may be the same as the recess amount I of the recessed region 51b. ear may be the same as the step amount S of the step region 52b. earmay be smaller than the recess amount I of the recessed region 51b. ear may be less than the step amount S of stepped region 52b. Although two mounting ears 60, 62 are shown, there may be a single mounting ear, or three or more mounting ears.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3-6, a circuit 70 of wires or conductive traces (also referred to as a flexure circuit) that extends to and connects with the slider extends along the recessed portions 51c of the first and second ears 60, 62 and the recessed portion 51b of the mount plate 50. A load beam 74 terminates in a load beam hinge 72 that is attached to the recessed area 51b of the mount plate lower surface 51. This configuration avoids the circuit 70 and the load beam hinge 72 extending along and being attached to the flat area 51a of the non-recessed mount plate lower surface 51. With the lower surface 51 of the mount plate 50 facing the disk 14, the mount plate 50 can be positioned closer to the disk 14 while maintaining the same clearance C compared to the configuration of Figure 1. This is because the flexure 70 extends only along the recessed areas 51b and 51c in the lower surface 51 which are located further away from the upper surface of the disk 14, and the load beam hinge 72 is attached to the recessed area 51b.

[0020] 7 shows a hard disk drive (HDD) head stack assembly having a pair of suspensions 76. When the slider 18, including the above-described mounting plate 50, circuitry 70, and load beam 74, flies closely above the disk 14 on an air bearing, the mounting plate 50 may bend up and down due to vibrations of operation and potentially contact the disk 14. The mounting plate 50 configured as described herein provides sufficient clearance C between the disk 14 and the portion of the circuitry 70 that extends along the mounting plate 50, thereby preventing such contact.

[0021] 8 and 9 show an alternative including actuators mounted in recessed region 51b. Specifically, mounting plate 50 includes first and second openings 80, 81 extending between upper surface 51 and lower surface 52 and located in recessed region 51b and step region 52b. First and second actuators 82, 83 are disposed within first and second openings 80, 81, respectively. Actuators 82, 83 may be piezoelectric elements that expand and contract in response to a drive signal. Load beam hinge 72 is mounted in a distal portion of recessed region 51b. Expansion of one of actuators 82, 83 bends the distal portion of recessed region 51b in which load beam hinge 72 is mounted. This displaces the position of load beam hinge 72 and therefore the position of load beam 20 adjacent load beam hinge 72. The actuators 82, 83 may be used for high precision positioning of the load beam 20 and the slider 18 attached thereto, as compared to the low precision positioning of the load beam 20 and slider 18 by VCM controlled rotation of the stack arm 54.

[0022] In this example, circuitry 70 extends along recessed region 51b between openings 80, 81. The configuration of Figures 8 and 9 combines the clearance reduction feature of circuitry 70 extending along recessed portion 51b and recessed portion 51c located below circuitry 70 of Figure 8 with precision positioning using actuators 82, 83 attached to openings 80, 81 in recessed portion 51b.

[0023] It will be understood that terms such as "upper," "lower," "upper," "best," x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction, as used herein, are terms of convenience to indicate the spatial relationship of parts to one another, rather than any particular spatial or gravitational orientation. These terms are therefore intended to encompass an assembly of components, whether the assembly is oriented in the particular orientation shown in the drawings and described herein, or whether it is upside-down or any other rotational variation from that orientation.

[0024] It is understood that the term "the present disclosure" used in this specification should not be interpreted to mean that only a single disclosure having a single essential element or group of elements is presented. Similarly, the term "the present disclosure" is also understood to encompass multiple separate variations, each of which can be interpreted as a separate disclosure. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and drawings, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. A hard disk drive (HDD) assembly, comprising: a disk configured to rotate; A stack arm; a suspension connected to the stack arm, The suspension comprises: a mount plate connected to the stack arm, the mount plate including a lower surface facing the disk and a tab extending from a side edge of the mount plate, the lower surface having: A flat region; a first recessed region recessed perpendicular to the flat region; the mount plate including a second recessed area located at the ear and recessed perpendicular to the flat area; a load beam hinge connected to the first recessed area; and a circuit extending along said first and second recessed areas.

2. 2. The HDD assembly of claim 1, wherein said ears include a plurality of ears, each ear including said second recessed area along which said circuitry extends.

3. 2. The HDD assembly of claim 1, wherein said first recessed region is flat and parallel to said flat region.

4. the first recessed region is recessed vertically with respect to the flat region by a recess amount I; The second recessed region has a recess amount I ｅａｒ Only vertically concave, The recess amount I is ｅａｒ 2. The HDD assembly of claim 1, wherein:

5. 2. The HDD assembly of claim 1, wherein a load beam terminates at said load beam hinge, and said circuit extends along an underside of said load beam hinge and an underside of said load beam.

6. 2. The HDD assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting plate includes a first opening extending from an upper surface of said mounting plate to said first recessed area in said lower surface.

7. 7. The HDD assembly of claim 6, further comprising a first actuator disposed within the first opening and configured to bend a distal portion of the first recessed area, the hinge being connected to the distal portion of the first recessed area.

8. The HDD assembly of claim 7 , wherein said mounting plate includes a second opening that extends from said upper surface to said first recessed area in said lower surface of said mounting plate.

9. 9. The HDD assembly of claim 8, further comprising a second actuator disposed in the second opening and configured to bend the distal portion of the first recessed area.

10. 10. The HDD assembly of claim 9, wherein said circuitry extends along said first recessed area and between said first opening and said second opening.

11. A mount plate, the mount plate including a lower surface and ears extending from side edges of the mount plate, the lower surface comprising: A flat area; a first recessed region recessed perpendicular to the flat region; the mount plate including a second recessed area located at the ear and recessed perpendicular to the flat area; a load beam hinge connected to the first recessed area; a circuit extending along the first and second recessed areas.

12. The suspension of claim 11 , wherein the ear includes a plurality of ears, each ear including the second recessed area along which the circuit extends.

13. The suspension of claim 11 , wherein the first recessed region is flat and parallel to the flat region.

14. the first recessed region is recessed vertically with respect to the flat region by a recess amount I; The second recessed region has a recess amount I ｅａｒ Only vertically concave, The recess amount I is ｅａｒ 12. The suspension of claim 11, wherein the

15. The suspension of claim 11 , wherein a load beam terminates at the load beam hinge, and the circuit extends along an underside of the hinge and an underside of the load beam.

16. The suspension of claim 11 , wherein the mounting plate includes a first opening that extends from an upper surface of the mounting plate to the first recessed area of ​​the lower surface.

17. 17. The suspension of claim 16, further comprising a first actuator disposed within the first opening and configured to bend a distal portion of the first recessed area, the hinge being connected to the distal portion of the first recessed area.

18. The suspension of claim 17 , wherein the mounting plate includes a second opening that extends from the upper surface to the first recessed area of ​​the lower surface of the mounting plate.

19. 20. The suspension of claim 18, further comprising a second actuator disposed in the second opening and configured to flex the distal portion of the first recessed area.

20. The suspension of claim 19 , wherein the circuit extends along the first recessed area and between the first opening and the second opening.

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