Hard Disk Drive Load Beam Rail Extensions for Shock Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing head suspensions in hard disk drives face challenges in achieving the required shock property and increasing the B1 frequency, particularly due to the blank left between the rail and joint of the load beam, which affects the vertical rigidity and off-track performance.
Innovation Solution
The load beam design includes a rigid part with rails along its side edges and a resilient part with extensions that cover the joint, increasing the vertical rigidity and B1 frequency by reinforcing the blanks between the rails and joint, thereby enhancing the shock property and preventing off-track errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the load beam is made thin and short to improve shock property, then the shock property improves, but the vertical rigidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds extensions to the resilient part that extend in the width direction (perpendicular to the length direction), creating a three-dimensional structure. This dimensional change allows the load beam to achieve both thinness/shortness for shock property and sufficient vertical rigidity through the extended width, resolving the contradiction between shock resistance and vertical stiffness
Solution Approach 2:
The load beam combines the rigid part and resilient part with different material properties into a composite structure. The rigid part provides structural stability while the resilient part with extensions provides both shock absorption and enhanced vertical rigidity, allowing the system to achieve conflicting properties through material composition
2Reliability
If the B1 frequency is increased to improve shock property, then the shock property improves, but the off-track property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The extensions are added locally to the resilient part rather than uniformly throughout the entire load beam. This localized modification increases B1 frequency in specific regions where shock resistance is needed, while maintaining the overall structural properties required for good off-track performance, thus resolving the contradiction between shock property and positioning accuracy
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 configuration effectively increases the B1 frequency, improves the shock property, and prevents off-track errors by reinforcing the load beam's vertical rigidity without adding extra parts, ensuring better assembly and management of the head suspension.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient part (11) having a second end fixed to the arm (5) and a first end fixed to the rigid part (9)
Implementation Method 2
the load beam (3) must be designed in consideration of the first bending frequency of the arm (5), i.e., the resonant frequency of the arm (5) in a first bending mode
Data Source
AI summary
A head suspension includes an arm turned around a spindle, the load beam, and a flexure. The load beam includes a rigid part, a resilient part, and a head. The rigid part has a body and a joint. The joint is connected to a first end of the resilient part that is supported with the arm. The head is for writing and reading data to and from a disk and is positioned at a front end of the load beam to receive load from the load beam. The flexure is attached to the load beam and supports the head. A rail is formed along each side edge of the body of the rigid part and rises in a thickness direction of the body. The first end of the resilient part has extensions that extend over the joint of the rigid part toward the body of the rigid part. The extensions are fixed to the body of the rigid part.