Disc Drive Load Beam Insular Region Laser Weld Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disc drive suspensions face challenges in reducing weight to shorten seek time and enhance impact resistance without compromising welding strength, as partial etching and laser spot welding can lead to reduced welding quality and damage to welding jigs.
Innovation Solution
A disc drive suspension design featuring a load beam with a circular insular region and a partially etched portion around it, where laser welding is performed in the insular region to maintain thickness and prevent laser beam penetration, ensuring strong and lightweight construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the thickness of the load beam is reduced by partial etching to reduce weight, then the weight of the load beam is reduced, but the thickness of the partially etched portion becomes variable and insufficient for maintaining welding strength
Solution Approach 1:
The load beam is designed with non-uniform thickness distribution: the partially etched portion has reduced thickness for weight reduction, while the insular region maintains full thickness to ensure adequate welding strength. This local differentiation allows the structure to be lightweight where needed while maintaining structural integrity where required.
2Ease of manufacture
If laser spot welding is performed on the thin partially etched portion, then welding can be conducted, but the laser beam may penetrate the laser weld causing poor appearance quality and damage to welding jig
Solution Approach 1:
The insular region with full thickness is specifically positioned to receive the laser weld, while the partially etched portion surrounds it. This spatial differentiation ensures that welding occurs in the thicker region where the laser beam cannot penetrate, preventing damage to the welding jig and achieving proper appearance quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The insular region acts as an intermediary structure between the partially etched portion and the welding process. It provides a protected zone where laser welding can occur without direct exposure to penetration risks, serving as a buffer that protects both the welding jig and the overall appearance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the output of laser oscillator is lowered to prevent laser beam penetration, then the laser weld can avoid being penetrated, but the welding strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By concentrating the laser welding process in the insular region with full thickness, the system can use higher laser output powers to achieve strong welds without causing penetration. The thicker material in this region absorbs the laser energy effectively, providing both strong welding and preventing the harmful penetration effect.
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 solution effectively reduces the suspension's weight while maintaining welding strength, preventing damage to the welding jig and improving impact resistance, thus enhancing performance in high-density data storage and high-speed disc rotation applications.
Implementation Method 1
a laser weld which fixes the load beam and the flexure to each other by laser spot welding
Data Source
AI summary
In a disc drive suspension having a load beam and a flexure lapped on the load beam, the load beam and the flexure are fixed to each other by a laser weld. The load beam has an insular region including the laser weld of the load beam and a partially etched portion formed around the insular region. The partially etched portion is thinner than the insular region. The etched portion is formed around the whole circumference of the insular region.