Disk Drive Suspension Damping via Segmented Load Beam Openings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disk drive suspensions face challenges in suppressing flexure shaking while maintaining low rigidity, which is essential for precise head gimbal assembly movement and high recording density, as adding damper members to outriggers increases rigidity and affects gimbal movement.
Innovation Solution
A suspension design incorporating a load beam with first and second openings and corresponding damper members attached to outriggers, where the damper members are strategically spaced and overlapping to inhibit flexure swinging and rigidity increase, using viscoelastic material layers and constrained plates to absorb vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a damper member is attached to the outrigger to suppress flexure shaking, then the shaking of the flexure is restrained, but the rigidity of the flexure is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The load beam is divided into multiple sections with openings, and damper members are attached to specific sections (first and second sections) rather than the entire outrigger. This segmented approach allows localized vibration damping while preserving flexibility in other regions, resolving the contradiction between overall shaking suppression and maintaining low rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
Damper members are strategically positioned only in specific regions (first and second sections of the load beam) where vibration damping is most needed, rather than uniformly across the entire structure. This local placement provides targeted shaking suppression while minimizing the overall rigidity increase that would occur with full-coverage damping.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a damper member extending along the longitudinal direction of the outrigger is attached, then the shaking is suppressed, but the rigidity in pitch direction and roll direction are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The load beam is segmented into multiple sections with openings, and damper members are attached to specific segments rather than continuously along the longitudinal direction. This segmentation allows vibration suppression in specific zones while maintaining flexibility in other zones, preventing excessive rigidity in pitch and roll directions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching damper members continuously along the longitudinal dimension of the outrigger, the invention places them in specific cross-sectional regions (first and second sections) defined by the openings. This dimensional repositioning allows damping to be applied where needed without continuously constraining the outrigger's flexibility in pitch and roll.
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
Effectively suppresses flexure shaking and maintains low rigidity, preventing adverse effects on gimbal movement, thereby enhancing the precision and performance of the head gimbal assembly.
Implementation Method 1
using viscoelastic material layers and constrained plates to absorb vibrations
Implementation Method 2
a damper member is attached to the outrigger so that the outrigger and the damper member move together
Implementation Method 3
a damper member is provided on a part of the suspension so as to suppress the shaking of the flexure
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension includes a load beam with first and second openings, a flexure including first and second outriggers, and first and second damper members. The first damper member is attached to the load beam and part of the first outrigger that overlaps the first opening of the load beam. The second damper member is attached to the load beam and part of the second outrigger that overlaps the second opening of the load beam. The first opening includes a region which is not covered by the first damper member, and the second opening includes a region which is not covered by the second damper member.