Disk Drive Suspension Limiter Bridge Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disk drive suspensions with microactuator elements face issues with excessive vibration and dimple separation due to external mechanical shocks, which can lead to peeling off of limiter members under repeated stress.
Innovation Solution
A disk drive suspension design featuring a conductive circuit portion with an insulating layer and ground-side conductors on the second supporting portions, where limiter members with grounding junctions and bridge portions are securely connected to the metal base, effectively suppressing vibration and preventing dimple separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a limiter member is provided in a position where the tongue vibrates strongly to prevent vibration and dimple separation, then vibration suppression is improved, but the junction between the tongue and limiter member may be peeled off by repeated stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bridge portion as an intermediary element between the grounding junction and the tongue. This bridge portion acts as a mediator that transmits grounding function while avoiding direct connection in the high-stress vibration zone, thus preventing peeling while maintaining vibration suppression effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiter member is segmented into two distinct functional parts: a grounding junction that provides electrical grounding and a bridge portion that extends outwardly to connect with the tongue. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other, particularly protecting the junction from vibration-induced stress.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the limiter member is connected to the tongue at the vibration-prone position, then vibration suppression is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge portion serves as an intermediary that simplifies the manufacturing process by providing a dedicated connection point that is separate from the tongue's main structure. This allows the limiter member to be attached independently without complex integration with the tongue, reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining vibration suppression capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents excessive vibration of the gimbal portion and secures the limiter members, ensuring reliable operation by firmly grounding the junctions and preventing separation, even under frequent movement caused by vibration.
Implementation Method 1
The distal end of the suspension can be quickly moved by an infinitesimal distance in a sway direction (or transversely relative to tracks) by applying a voltage to and thereby deforming the actuator element
Data Source
AI summary
A slider and microactuator elements are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A first end portion of each of the elements is secured to a first supporting portion. A second end portion is secured to a second supporting portion. A ground-side conductor is provided on the second supporting portion. A limiter member consists mainly of a resin shared with an insulating layer of a conductive circuit portion. The limiter member comprises a grounding junction, a first bridge portion, and a second bridge portion. The grounding junction is secured to the second supporting portion. The first bridge portion extends in a first direction from the grounding junction. The second bridge portion extends in a second direction from the grounding junction.