Disk Drive Flexure Tail Pad Bridge Element Crosstalk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crosstalk occurs in flexure tails of disk drive suspensions due to leakage current when pulse signals are passed between write and read conductors, adversely affecting the electrical characteristics of hard disk drives.
Innovation Solution
A flexure design with a tail pad portion featuring a frame structure, a tail terminal group, and a bridge portion where the bridge element electrically connects the frame structure while being insulated from the tail terminals, reducing crosstalk by strategically positioning the bridge element to overlap specific tail terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tail terminals are arranged in the tail pad portion to connect conductors to the circuit board, then electrical connection is achieved, but crosstalk occurs due to leakage current between write and read conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The tail pad portion is divided into multiple frames (first frame, second frame, third frame) that are electrically insulated from each other. Each frame groups specific tail terminals (write terminals in one frame, read terminals in another), thereby segmenting the electrical pathways and preventing leakage current between different signal types.
Solution Approach 2:
An insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the metal base and the tail terminals, and between adjacent frames. This insulating layer acts as a mediator that allows mechanical support while blocking electrical leakage, thus preventing crosstalk between conductors.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple tail terminals are arranged closely in the tail pad portion, then space is saved, but leakage current increases causing crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The tail pad portion is segmented into multiple electrically insulated frames arranged in the longitudinal direction. By distributing tail terminals across different frames rather than concentrating them in one area, the design prevents leakage current while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging all tail terminals in a single plane without separation, the invention uses the longitudinal dimension to create multiple frames spaced apart. This dimensional arrangement allows terminals to be distributed along the length of the flexure tail, reducing electrical interference while maintaining compact width.
3Strength
If the metal base provides structural support for the flexure, then mechanical strength is maintained, but electrical leakage occurs between conductors through the metal base
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the metal base and the tail terminals, and between adjacent frames. This insulating layer acts as a mediator that allows mechanical support while blocking electrical leakage, thus preventing crosstalk between conductors.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal base is segmented into multiple frames that are electrically isolated from each other by insulating layers. This segmentation maintains the overall structural strength of the metal base while preventing electrical leakage pathways between different functional areas.
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 design effectively reduces crosstalk, improving the electrical characteristics of the disk drive by minimizing leakage current, with the bridge element positioned to overlap either write, read, or sensor tail terminals within a specific range of the frame structure.
Implementation Method 1
the bridge portion is arranged at a position which overlaps at least one of the tail terminals, electrically connects the first frame and the second frame to each other
Implementation Method 2
is electrically insulated from the tail terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A tail pad portion is provided in a flexure tail including a metal base and a conductive circuit portion. Tail terminals are arranged in the tail pad portion. The metal base is made of stainless steel, and includes a frame structure having a first frame and a second frame. An opening is formed between the first frame and the second frame. The tail terminals are arranged parallel to each other between the first frame and the second frame. A bridge portion is formed between the first frame and the second frame. The bridge portion includes at least one bridge element which is a part of the metal base. The bridge element is arranged at a position which overlaps at least one of the tail terminals in the thickness direction.