Mid-Loadbeam DSA Head Suspension with Segmented Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual stage actuated (DSA) disk drive head suspensions face challenges in achieving increased servo bandwidth, stroke, and stability while minimizing mass, as existing microactuator placement along the load beam can reduce stroke actuation and cause stability issues.
Innovation Solution
A mid-load beam DSA head suspension system with a base plate, a load beam having a continuous void and two rails, and microactuators mounted on both the proximal and distal portions of the load beam, allowing for lateral movement of the head slider with enhanced structural linkage and stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If microactuators are placed along the loading plate (base plate), then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the microactuators must move the distal portion of the base plate and the entire load beam, resulting in increased mass and reduced stroke actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The load beam is segmented into a proximal portion and a distal portion separated by a continuous void. The microactuators are placed on the load beam rather than the base plate, actuating only the distal portion independently. This segmentation allows the distal portion to move with smaller mass and achieves greater stroke actuation while the proximal portion remains relatively stationary during microactuation.
2Weight of moving object
If microactuators are relocated distally on the load beam, then less mass needs to be moved, but stroke actuation is reduced and stability challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The load beam is designed with different structural properties in different regions. The proximal portion has full material continuity for stability, while the distal portion is separated by a continuous void to reduce moving mass. The microactuators are positioned to actuate only the distal portion, which has optimized local properties for both low mass and adequate stroke actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous void acts as an intermediary element between the proximal and distal portions of the load beam. It allows the distal portion to move independently with reduced mass while maintaining structural connection through the rails, achieving both stability and reduced moving mass.
3Ease of operation
If the continuous void extends from the first rail to the second rail, then the proximal and distal portions are effectively separated for independent actuation, but structural linkage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rails extending along the lateral edges of the load beam act as flexible linkages between the proximal and distal portions. These thin film-like structures provide sufficient structural connection to maintain overall integrity while allowing independent actuation of the distal portion through the continuous void.
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 provides increased stroke and servo bandwidth with improved stability and reduced mass, achieving strokes of 100 nm or more with minimal degradation in shock and resonance performance.
Implementation Method 1
a load beam connected to the base plate along a spring region
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments concern a head suspension system having a load beam. The lead beam comprises a metal base having a proximal portion and a distal portion. Two opposing rails extend along the proximal and distal portions. The load beam has a void in the metal base separating the proximal portion from the distal portion, the void extending between the rails. A pair of microactuators is coupled to each of the proximal portion and the distal portion such that each microactuator extends across the void. The microactuators bend the rails to move the distal portion along a X-Y plane relative to the proximal portion. Additionally, the rails stiffen the load beam to resist movement between the first portion and the second portion along a Z-axis.