Motor Contact Paddle Voids for Adhesive Containment in DSA Flexures
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved electrical contacts with enhanced electrical and mechanical characteristics for dual stage actuated (DSA) suspensions, particularly for connecting to piezoelectric motors in disk drive head suspensions, as existing solutions do not adequately address the requirements for robust and reliable connections.
Innovation Solution
The development of a dual stage actuation flexure with a motor contact paddle that includes a stainless steel base, a conductive metal contact, and a dielectric layer, where the paddle features voids to prevent adhesive wicking and a trace layer extending along the flexure for electrical connectivity, ensuring a robust mechanical and electrical connection to the motor terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voids are added to the paddle to prevent adhesive wicking, then adhesive containment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle incorporates voids (porous structure) to control adhesive flow. The voids allow the adhesive to be contained within the paddle body during bonding, preventing it from wicking to the top side where it could cause electrical shorts or mechanical interference. This porous material approach resolves the contradiction by providing reliable adhesive containment while managing the added structural complexity through functional design.
2Reliability
If a dielectric layer with exposed sections is used to electrically isolate the stainless steel base, then electrical isolation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer is segmented into two distinct sections: a first section that overlaps the stainless steel base for electrical isolation, and a second section that extends beyond the base to expose the conductor. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function independently, achieving reliable electrical isolation while maintaining manufacturability through clear, functional division of the dielectric layer.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the dielectric layer have different properties and functions. The first section provides electrical isolation where it overlaps the stainless steel base, while the second section provides conductor exposure where it extends beyond the base. This local differentiation of dielectric layer properties achieves both electrical isolation and conductor accessibility without requiring complex multi-layer assemblies.
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
This solution provides a reliable and efficient electrical connection to piezoelectric motors, enhancing both mechanical adhesion and electrical characteristics by preventing adhesive flow through the voids and ensuring a strong bond between the paddle and the motor, thus improving the performance of DSA suspensions.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom side of the paddle can be configured to connect to the terminal with electrically conductive adhesive to electrically connect the terminal to the conductor
Implementation Method 2
each void is sufficiently small to prevent wicking of conductive adhesive through the void to the first surface
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments concern a dual stage actuation flexure having a motor contact paddle for connecting to a terminal of a piezoelectric motor. The flexure comprises a paddle having a top side and a bottom side, the paddle comprising at least one void, each void extending through the paddle from the bottom side to the top side. The paddle further comprises a stainless steel base, a conductor comprising a layer of metal, and a dielectric layer having a first section and a second section, the first section positioned between the conductor and the stainless steel base to overlap the stainless steel base and the second section extending beyond the stainless steel base to not overlap the stainless steel base. The bottom side of the paddle is configured to connect to the terminal with electrically conductive adhesive.