Hard Disk Drive Flexure Positioning via Plastic Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for positioning the head attaching part of a flexure relative to the supporting part of a load beam in hard disk drives face challenges due to deformation of the conductor layer and clearance issues, leading to imprecise positioning of the tongue with respect to the dimple.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the plastic deformation of an outside frame integral with the flexure and load beam, using techniques like laser beams, piezoelectric elements, or linear motors to adjust the position of the head attaching part of the flexure relative to the supporting part of the load beam, ensuring precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the reference hole on the flexure is defined with a conductor layer portion, then the positioning method is simple, but the reference hole deforms because the conductor layer is made of soft material such as copper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning pin as an intermediary element that bridges the reference holes on the flexure and load beam. The positioning pin, being made of rigid material rather than soft conductor layer, provides stable and accurate positioning without deforming. This mediator transfers the positioning function from the deformable conductor layer to a dedicated rigid positioning component, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and positioning precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If a clearance is prepared between the reference holes and the positioning pin, then the positioning process is feasible, but the clearance deteriorates the positioning accuracy of the tongue with respect to the dimple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the dimensional parameters of the positioning pin and reference holes to minimize clearance. By precisely controlling the size and fit parameters, the positioning accuracy is maximized while still allowing for feasible assembly. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance between assembly feasibility and positioning precision.
3Reliability
If the head must be precisely positioned relative to the dimple to stabilize the attitude, then the positioning accuracy requirement increases, but existing methods cannot achieve the required precision due to deformation and clearance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary positioning of the head relative to the dimple using the positioning pin before final assembly. By establishing the correct positional relationship in advance through the rigid positioning pin, the required high positioning precision is achieved without being compromised by subsequent deformations or clearances. This preliminary action ensures the head attitude stabilization requirement is met.
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 approach allows for precise adjustment of the tongue's position with respect to the dimple, improving positioning accuracy and overcoming limitations of existing methods by enabling adjustments not achievable through simple positioning, while maintaining the dynamic characteristics of the head suspension.
Implementation Method 1
plastically deforming the outside frame to bend the front end side of the flexure so that the position of the head attaching part of the flexure is adjusted to the position of the supporting part of the load beam
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning method positions a flexure whose front end side is joined to an outside frame with respect to a load beam, keeps the positioned state of the flexure and load beam, plastically deforms the outside frame to bend the front end side of the flexure so that the position of a tongue of the flexure is adjusted to the position of a dimple of the load beam, and joins the flexure and load beam to each other to keep the position adjusted state of the tongue.