Hard Disk Drive Flexure Side Surface Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hard disk drives, the increasing number of components on the gimbal portion leads to conductors and connecting terminals being closely spaced, causing reliability issues due to potential short circuits from solder flow, and existing machine processing methods are cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
A flexure design with a conductive member featuring an insulating layer and a conductive layer, where connecting terminals are formed on the side surfaces of elevated portions, increasing the distance between terminals and improving reliability without requiring new machine processing or equipment investments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of components mounted on the gimbal portion increases, then the functionality of the flexure is enhanced, but the distance between adjacent conductors and connecting terminals decreases, leading to potential short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by forming connecting terminals not only on the flat surface but also on the side surfaces of elevated portions of the insulating layer. This three-dimensional arrangement allows conductors to be closely spaced while maintaining sufficient distance between connecting terminals, preventing short circuits even as the number of components increases
2Reliability
If the width of connecting terminals is increased to ensure connection reliability, then the connection reliability is improved, but the area occupied by connecting terminals increases, reducing the available space on the gimbal portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by forming connecting terminals on the side surfaces of elevated portions. This allows the terminals to have sufficient width for reliable connections while the elevated structure prevents them from occupying excessive planar area, thus preserving space on the gimbal portion
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layer is segmented into flat portions and elevated portions, with connecting terminals formed on different segments. This segmentation allows the terminals to be distributed in three-dimensional space, reducing their collective footprint while maintaining individual terminal size for reliable connections
3Area of stationary object
If machine processing is used to raise up connecting terminals to reduce planar area, then the area of connecting terminals in plan view is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical bending processes with a lamination-based approach. The elevated portions are formed by laminating the insulating layer in a pattern that creates three-dimensional structures, eliminating the need for complex mechanical processing while achieving the same space-saving effect
4Reliability
If the distance between conductors is increased to prevent short circuits, then the connection reliability is improved, but the mounting density of components on the gimbal portion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by separating the spacing requirements for conductors from those for connecting terminals. Conductors can be closely spaced on the flat portions to maintain high mounting density, while connecting terminals are positioned on elevated portions, ensuring sufficient distance between terminals to prevent short circuits
Data Source
AI summary
A flexure of a hard disk drive includes a metal base, and a conductive member formed on the metal base. The conductive member includes an insulating layer and a conductive layer. The insulating layer has a flat portion and an elevated portion projected from the flat portion. The conductive layer has a connecting terminal formed along the side surface.