Disk Drive Suspension Load Beam Recess for Damping Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disk drive suspensions face challenges in maintaining the static and dynamic properties due to deformation of the load beam when a damper is affixed, leading to increased thickness and weight, and requiring high positioning accuracy for proper damper placement.
Innovation Solution
A disk drive suspension design featuring a recess in the load beam to house a damping material, with a lid portion from a flexure member covering the recess, allowing for easy placement and reduced force on the load beam, thereby preventing deformation and minimizing weight increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the damper is affixed to the load beam by pressing the viscoelastic body against the surface, then the damping function is achieved, but the load beam is deformed due to the thin structure
Solution Approach 1:
The recess in the load beam creates a nested structure where the viscoelastic body is contained within the recess and covered by the lid portion, allowing the damping material to be integrated into the load beam structure without adding external thickness while maintaining the damping function without deforming the load beam
2Reliability
If the damper is affixed to the load beam, then the damping function is improved, but the thickness and weight of the suspension are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The recess in the load beam creates a nested structure where the viscoelastic body is contained within the recess and covered by the lid portion, allowing the damping material to be integrated into the load beam structure without adding external thickness while maintaining the damping function without deforming the load beam
3Reliability
If the damper is affixed in a predetermined position on the suspension, then the damping effectiveness is improved, but high positioning accuracy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is pre-formed in the load beam at the predetermined position, and the viscoelastic body is placed into this pre-prepared recess, eliminating the need for high-precision positioning during the affixing process itself. The lid portion is then attached to complete the assembly, making the damping material self-positioning within the recess
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 enables easy and accurate mounting of the damper, maintaining the load beam's integrity and reducing the suspension's weight, while effectively suppressing vibrations through the viscoelastic body's internal resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a damping material contained in the recess... suppressing vibrations through the viscoelastic body's internal resistance
Data Source
AI summary
In a disk drive suspension including a baseplate, a load beam, and a flexure, the suspension comprises a recess formed in one surface of the load beam relative to the thickness thereof, a damping material contained in the recess, and a lid portion superposed on the damping material so as to cover at least a part of the recess. The lid portion is formed of a part of a flexure. The flexure is an example of a suspension constituent member.