Disk Drive Flexure Thin-Wall Structure for Denser Disk Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspensions for disk drives are not thin enough to accommodate the increasing demand for higher recording densities and precise positioning of sliders on magnetic disks, leading to potential contact between adjacent disks and the need for thinner suspensions.
Innovation Solution
A flexure design with a thin-walled portion in the area where electronic components are mounted, comprising a metal base, base insulation layer, conductor layer, and cover insulation layer, which reduces the overall thickness of the flexure and suspension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the suspension is made thinner to increase the number of disks, then the recording density is improved, but the risk of contact between adjacent suspensions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexure is designed with non-uniform thickness, featuring a thin-walled portion in the first area where electronic components are mounted and a thicker second area. This local variation in thickness allows the suspension to be thin enough to accommodate multiple disks while maintaining sufficient strength and insulation in critical areas to prevent contact between adjacent suspensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexure is divided into distinct areas with different thickness characteristics - a first area with thin-walled portion for component mounting and a second area with greater thickness for structural support and insulation. This segmentation allows each area to optimize its thickness for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between overall thinness and contact prevention.
2Quantity of substance
If the flexure thickness is reduced to accommodate more disks, then the device capacity is improved, but the electrical insulation stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring portion includes a base insulation layer and cover insulation layer that are thicker in the second area compared to the first area. This local quality variation ensures adequate electrical insulation in areas where it is most needed, maintaining insulation stability even when the overall flexure thickness is reduced to accommodate more disks.
3Measurement precision
If the suspension is made thinner to increase recording density, then the positioning precision is improved, but the mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexure features a thin-walled portion in the first area to minimize interference with the slider and enable precise positioning, while the second area maintains greater thickness to provide adequate mechanical strength. This local quality differentiation allows the suspension to achieve both positioning precision and mechanical strength simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexure of a suspension for a disk drive includes a metal base and a wiring portion provided along the metal base and including a base insulation layer, a conductor layer overlaid on the base insulation layer, and a cover insulation layer overlaid on the conductor layer. The flexure includes a first area on which an electronic component is mounted and a second area aligned alongside the first area, and the first area includes a thin-walled portion which overlaps the electronic component and having a thickness less than a thickness of the second area.