Arc-Shaped Load Beam Tab for Disk Drive Suspension Spacing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As the demand for increased recording density and capacity in hard disk drives leads to a higher number of magnetic disks, existing disk drive suspensions face challenges in maintaining precise positioning and preventing contact between adjacent suspensions, which can result in mechanical interference and data access failures.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a load beam with an arc-shaped tab that protrudes in the lateral direction, featuring flat surfaces and connecting surfaces, which are formed by curving and flattening processes to ensure the tabs do not contact each other, even when the disk spacing is reduced, allowing for a higher number of disks within the same casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of magnetic disks is increased, then the recording capacity is improved, but the suspensions facing each other are more likely to contact each other
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is designed with an arc-shaped configuration where the central portion protrudes in the thickness direction, creating a curved surface profile. This curvature allows the tabs to clear each other when suspensions are positioned close together, preventing contact while accommodating increased disk density.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab extends in the longitudinal direction beyond the mounting portion, utilizing the longitudinal dimension to create spacing. The arc-shaped profile in the thickness direction further exploits this dimensional space to ensure clearance between opposing tabs without increasing the lateral footprint.
2Manufacturing precision
If the interval between magnetic disks is made shorter, then the recording density is improved, but the suspensions are more likely to contact each other
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped tab profile creates a rounded clearance path between opposing suspensions. This curved geometry ensures that even when disks are positioned close together, the tabs maintain sufficient clearance to prevent mechanical interference, thereby enabling higher recording density without compromising reliability.
3Length of moving object
If thinner suspensions are used, then the number of magnetic disks can be increased, but the tabs may still contact each other
Solution Approach 1:
Even in thinner suspension designs, the arc-shaped tab configuration maintains adequate clearance. The curved profile ensures that the protruding central portion and the end portions are positioned to clear each other, preventing contact despite the reduced overall thickness of the suspension structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab's extension in the longitudinal direction creates additional spacing dimensionally. This longitudinal protrusion, combined with the arc-shaped thickness profile, ensures that tabs from opposing suspensions maintain clearance even when the suspension thickness is minimized.
Data Source
AI summary
A disk drive suspension of the embodiments includes a load beam, and a flexure including a mounting portion on which a slider is mounted and overlapping with the load beam. The load beam includes a tab further extending than the mounting portion longitudinal direction of the load beam. The tab is shaped in an arc such that a central portion in a lateral direction protrudes with respect to both end portions in the lateral direction, in the load beam. Each of the both end portions includes a flat surface parallel to the lateral direction.