Disk Drive Suspension Recessed Base Plate Offset Hinge Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disk drive suspension assemblies face increased complexity and component count when attempting to compensate for disk flutter-induced track mis-registration, which requires a method to reduce off-track motion without adding additional components or manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
The suspension assembly design incorporates a recessed base plate surface with offset hinge arms, allowing for radial motion compensation through integrated hinge arms and load beams, eliminating the need for additional spacers and simplifying assembly by using a single component with material continuity, such as a load beam with integrated hinge arms, and optional shims for varying offset adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If two spacers are inserted to vertically offset hinge arms for compensating disk flutter, then track mis-registration is reduced, but assembly complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hinge arm and load beam into a single integrated component with material continuity. The hinge arm is formed as an integral part of the load beam, eliminating the need for separate spacers and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the vertical offset functionality for track registration accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated load beam with hinge arm serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables hinge motion, and incorporates the vertical offset for flutter compensation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate spacer components while achieving the same technical effect
2Manufacturing precision
If two spacers are inserted to vertically offset hinge arms for compensating disk flutter, then off-track motion is reduced, but component count increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hinge arm and load beam into one integrated component, eliminating the need for two separate spacer components. The integrated design maintains material continuity while providing the necessary vertical offset for flutter compensation, thereby reducing component count without sacrificing off-track motion control
3Manufacturing precision
If two spacers are inserted to vertically offset hinge arms for compensating disk flutter, then track mis-registration is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hinge arm and load beam into a single integrally formed component. This unified structure can be manufactured as one piece using conventional forming techniques, eliminating the need for separate spacer components and their associated alignment and attachment operations, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining track registration accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A disk drive suspension assembly includes a load beam, a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm, a base plate, and a flexure that includes a head mounting surface. The base plate has a first base plate layer that includes a first base plate side and an opposing second base plate side. The first base plate side has a main base plate surface and a recessed base plate surface parallel to and offset from the main base plate surface. A first hinge arm is attached to the main base plate surface. A second hinge arm is attached to the recessed base plate surface. The first and second hinge arms are attached to the load beam. The base plate has a first thickness at the main base plate surface and a second thickness at the recessed base plate surface that is the same as the first thickness.