Disk Drive Suspension Sway Stability via Segmented Tongue
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing co-located actuator (CLA) type of disk drive suspension experiences unstable stroke movement in a sway direction due to the slider's unstable contact with the pillar portion, affecting the oscillation mode and frequency characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A disk drive suspension design that includes a load beam, a flexure with a tongue, and a dimple portion with protrusion portions that swingably support the tongue in the thickness direction, stabilizing the slider's movement by using first and second pillow portions to maintain consistent contact and separation, thereby stabilizing the stroke in a sway direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the slider is fixed to the tongue by adhesive in the manufacturing process, then the slider can be securely attached to the tongue, but the posture stability of the tongue and slider becomes difficult to maintain during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is divided into a first tongue portion and a second tongue portion connected by a hinge portion. The slider is fixed to the second tongue portion while the first tongue portion remains movable, allowing the attachment to remain strong while accommodating posture changes through the hinge mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge portion enables the tongue to dynamically adjust its posture by allowing relative movement between the first and second tongue portions. This dynamic structure maintains attachment strength while adapting to operational requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a plurality of pillow portions are provided in the tongue to support the slider, then the slider posture can be stabilized during adhesive attachment, but the stroke movement in sway direction becomes unstable due to slider contact with pillar portion
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the tongue into two portions connected by a hinge allows the slider to be supported by pillow portions on the second tongue portion during attachment, while the hinge enables controlled movement to maintain stable stroke characteristics during operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tongue is made movable in sway direction by the actuator, then the suspension can correspond to high-density disk recording surfaces, but the stroke movement becomes unstable due to irregular contact with the pillar portion
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented tongue structure with hinge portion allows the slider to move in sway direction for high-density disk compatibility while the hinge controls the movement to prevent unstable contact with the pillar portion, maintaining stroke stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge portion changes the mechanical parameters of the tongue by introducing rotational degrees of freedom, enabling controlled sway movement that adapts to high-density requirements while maintaining stable stroke characteristics through regulated motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension includes a load beam, a flexure and a dimple portion. The flexure includes a tongue. The dimple portion swingably supports the tongue at least over a first position and a second position. In the tongue, first pillow portions supporting a slider and an adhesive portion fixing the slider are provided. In the load beam, a second pillow portion protruding towards the slider is provided. The second pillow portion is in contact with the slider when the tongue is located at the first position, and separates from the slider when the tongue has moved to the second position.