Adjustable Protective Bar for HGA Carrier Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional head gimbal assembly (HGA) carriers for energy-assisted magnetic recording systems lack flexibility in accessing multiple sides for component bonding and inspection, limiting the efficiency of solder jet bonding and inspection processes.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable protective bar on the HGA carrier allows for movement between two positions, providing access to different sides of the HGA, enabling efficient solder jet bonding and inspection by retracting to allow underside access while preventing deformation during handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a non-adjustable bar is used on the HGA carrier, then the structure is simple and rigid, but access to multiple sides of the HGA is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to multiple sidesVSAvoidcarrier structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective bar is made adjustable and movable between different positions (first position blocking access, second position providing access) rather than being fixed. This dynamic capability allows the carrier to adapt to different operational requirements, enabling access to multiple sides of the HGA when needed while maintaining structural simplicity when not needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the protective bar is fixed in position, then the structure is stable and simple, but access for solder jet bonding and inspection is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess for bonding and inspectionVSAvoidprotection against deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective bar can be positioned in a first position to protect the HGA from deformation during handling, and moved to a second position to allow access for solder jet bonding and inspection. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by providing protection when needed and access when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The protective bar is positioned in advance to protect the HGA during handling and loading, then moved away when bonding and inspection operations are required. This preliminary protective action ensures reliability during vulnerable operations while enabling ease of operation during manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If access to the back side of the HGA is enabled, then component bonding is facilitated, but the risk of deformation during handling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent bonding accessibilityVSAvoiddeformation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective bar dynamically transitions between blocking and allowing access to the back side of the HGA. During handling operations, it blocks access to prevent deformation; during bonding operations, it is moved to allow access. This resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and deformation risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9105282B1Head gimbal assembly carrier with adjustable protective bar

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A method, related to manufacturing of head gimbal assembly (HGA) including the steps of soldering a first component on a HGA, while the HGA is mounted on an HGA mounting member and while a protective carrier bar of the HGA carrier is in a first position. The method further includes the steps of moving the protective carrier bar to a second position, and soldering a second component on the HGA while the protective carrier bar is in the second position.