Head Suspension Tab Detachment via Tensile Fracture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detaching head suspension components from a locating and transport structure often generate metal particles, which can contaminate the installation environment and lead to disk drive failure.
Innovation Solution
Applying tensile loads to tabs with reduced cross-sectional areas, created through processes like partial etching or coining, to fracture the intermediate members without generating metal particles, using a die with upper and lower portions to apply controlled forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If shearing forces are applied to tabs through shear bars to detach head suspension components, then the components are separated from the locating and transport structure, but metal particles are generated on the sheared edges which contaminate the installation environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional shearing mechanism with a tensile loading mechanism. Instead of using shear bars to apply shearing forces that generate metal particles, the invention applies tensile loads to the tabs through a die with upper and lower portions that pull the tabs in opposite directions, causing fracture without particle generation. This substitution of the mechanical detachment method eliminates the harmful shearing action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the loading parameter from shear force to tensile force. By applying tensile loads instead of shearing forces to the tabs, the detachment process fractures the tabs cleanly without generating metal particles. This parameter change in the applied force type fundamentally alters the detachment mechanism to eliminate contamination.
2Ease of operation
If tabs are weakened at the detaching portion to facilitate separation, then the components can be detached more easily, but the structural integrity of the tab is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a weakened portion only at the detaching region of the tab, while maintaining the full strength of the tab in its other portions. The weakened portion is created through partial etching or coining processes that locally reduce the cross-sectional area or modify the material structure only where the tab connects to the carrier strip, allowing easy detachment at that specific location without compromising the overall tab strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-weakening the tab at the detaching portion before the actual detachment process. The weakened portion is created in advance through partial etching or coining, so that when tensile loads are applied during detachment, the tab fractures cleanly at the predetermined weakened location without requiring excessive force, thus facilitating easy separation while maintaining overall structural integrity.
3Productivity
If conventional shearing processes are used to detach components, then separation is achieved, but the precise tolerances and operating characteristics of the components may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the shearing mechanical system with a tensile loading system that applies controlled tensile forces through a die. This substitution prevents the mechanical alteration and deformation that occurs during shearing, thereby preserving the precise tolerances and operating characteristics of the head suspension components while maintaining detachment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-weakening the tab at the detaching portion through partial etching or coining. This preliminary action creates a controlled fracture point that prevents uncontrolled deformation or damage to the component during detachment, thereby protecting the component's precise tolerances and operating characteristics while enabling efficient separation.
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 method effectively detaches head suspension components without producing metal particles on the fracture edges, maintaining the components' precise tolerances and preventing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
applying tensile loads to the tabs to cause them to fracture
Implementation Method 2
The weakened portion can be created by any process known in the art, including, but not limited to, partial etching or coining of the tab
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detaching a head suspension component from a locating and transport structure where the head suspension component is integrally connected to the locating and transport structure by a tab having a reduced tensile strength with respect to each of the head suspension component and the locating and transport structure. The method includes applying a tensile load to the tab to cause the tab to fracture, so that the head suspension component is detached from the locating and transport structure.