Suspension Flexure Tail Bonding Terminals for Disk Drive Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disk drive suspension designs require additional length for dynamic performance testing pads, increasing production costs due to the need for a longer flexure tail.
Innovation Solution
A suspension design with a short flexure tail featuring bonding terminals that combine testing and bonding capabilities, eliminating the need for additional testing pads and reducing overall length and production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional area is added on the flexure tail for placing dynamic performance testing pads, then dynamic performance testing can be performed, but the length of the flexure is increased and the cost of the suspension is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding terminals are designed to serve dual purposes: both for bonding the FPC to the flexure and for dynamic performance testing. The bonding pads are positioned and configured so that the same structural elements used for mechanical and electrical connection also function as testing contact points, eliminating the need for separate testing pads and reducing the flexure tail length
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding terminals are designed as multi-functional elements that simultaneously perform bonding function and testing function. The bonding pads are configured to accept both bonding material for FPC attachment and testing probes for dynamic performance evaluation, making the bonding terminals universal components that fulfill multiple requirements without needing additional dedicated testing structures
2Reliability
If additional area is added on the flexure tail for placing dynamic performance testing pads, then dynamic performance testing can be performed, but the cost of the suspension is increased in mass production
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding terminals are designed to serve dual purposes: both for bonding the FPC to the flexure and for dynamic performance testing. The bonding pads are positioned and configured so that the same structural elements used for mechanical and electrical connection also function as testing contact points, eliminating the need for separate testing pads and reducing the flexure tail length
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding terminals are designed as multi-functional elements that simultaneously perform bonding function and testing function. The bonding pads are configured to accept both bonding material for FPC attachment and testing probes for dynamic performance evaluation, making the bonding terminals universal components that fulfill multiple requirements without needing additional dedicated testing structures
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 allows for both dynamic performance testing and bonding on the same terminals, shortening the suspension length and reducing manufacturing costs by omitting the additional testing area.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the bonding terminals comprises a connecting pad and a hole formed at one end of the connecting pad for electrically and mechanically connecting the connecting pad to the FPC by bonding material
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension for a head gimbal assembly comprises a flexure having a flexure having a tail with a plurality of electrical traces and a plurality of bonding terminals adapted for connecting with a flexible printed circuit formed thereon. Each of the bonding terminals comprises a connecting pad and a hole formed at one end of the connecting pad for electrically and mechanically connecting the connecting pad to the flexible printed circuit by bonding material. And the connecting pad has a bonding portion adjacent to the hole and an exposed portion for testing. The invention also discloses a head gimbal assembly and a disk drive unit with the same.