Hard Disk Drive Flexure Asymmetric Rigidity Windage Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hard disk drive flexures are susceptible to windage effects, leading to improper functioning and increased off-track motion due to twisting and bending under dynamic loading, which existing solutions like additional welds or re-routing of tracings do not adequately address without compromising suspension stiffness.
Innovation Solution
A flexure design with an outer radius having greater rigidity than the inner radius, achieved by reducing the number of bridges on the outer radius, provides enhanced resistance to windage effects by minimizing twisting motion and off-track motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tracing is routed asymmetrically (perpendicular to midline then to outer edge), then the flexure can be implemented, but twisting force on hinges increases under dynamic loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately creating an asymmetric mass distribution in the flexure design. The outer radius is designed with greater mass than the inner radius, which counterbalances the asymmetric routing of the tracing. This intentional asymmetric mass distribution compensates for the twisting forces generated by the asymmetric tracing path, thereby reducing net hinge twisting under dynamic loading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the mass distribution at different radial positions of the flexure. Specifically, the outer radius is designed with greater mass concentration compared to the inner radius. This localized mass adjustment creates a counterbalancing effect that offsets the twisting moments generated by the asymmetric tracing routing, thereby stabilizing the hinge operation.
2Reliability
If additional welds are added to anchor the free span of the flexure, then separation or lifting is reduced, but suspension stiffness increases detrimentally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the need for additional welds by implementing the asymmetric mass distribution design. Instead of adding welds to anchor the free span of the flexure, the invention uses the mass-asymmetric design to inherently reduce separation and lifting effects. This approach maintains suspension flexibility while improving reliability, avoiding the detrimental stiffness increase that would result from additional welding.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the outer radius of the flexure has greater rigidity, then resistance to windage effects improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the mass distribution parameters of the flexure. Specifically, the outer radius is designed with greater mass than the inner radius, which changes the inertial properties of the flexure. This parameter modification increases resistance to windage effects by creating a more stable mass distribution that better withstands dynamic loading and airflow forces during hard disk drive operation.
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 design significantly reduces off-track slider motion and improves resistance to windage, maintaining suspension flexibility and reducing instances of non-repeatable run out and track mis-registration.
Implementation Method 1
the flexure is subject to windage, e.g., generated airflow within a hard disk drive
Implementation Method 2
The outer radius has greater rigidity than the inner radius
Implementation Method 3
when the suspension is under dynamic loading such as shock and windage
Implementation Method 4
the flexure can cause improper functioning of the suspension of which it is a part as well as the read/write head mounted on the suspension
Data Source
AI summary
A flexure resistant to windage effects present during operation of a hard disk drive is described. The flexure includes an end portion proximal to a slider. The flexure further includes an opposite end portion proximal to a tail of an actuator arm having swaged therewith a suspension. The flexure is interposed between the slider and the tail. The flexure also includes a flexure direction re-router. The flexure direction re-router has an inner radius and an outer radius. The outer radius of the flexure has greater rigidity than the inner radius. This greater rigidity provides resistance against the windage effects.