Piezoelectric Microactuator Suspension for Slider Position Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

As disk drives progress to higher areal densities, maintaining the slider within operational specifications becomes increasingly difficult due to reduced fly height and fly height tolerances, necessitating an improved suspension assembly design.

Innovation Solution

A suspension assembly incorporating first and second piezoelectric microactuators electrically non-conductively attached to a load beam and mount plate, with a flex circuit segment folded about these actuators, allowing for pivoting of the load beam relative to the mount plate and providing electrical isolation, thereby facilitating precise positioning of the slider.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional suspension assembly design is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to maintain slider position at reduced fly heights is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslider position controlVSAvoidsuspension assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical positioning mechanisms with piezoelectric microactuators that use piezoelectric effects to achieve precise slider positioning. The piezoelectric elements convert electrical signals into mechanical displacement, enabling fine control of load beam angle and slider position without complex mechanical linkages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the suspension assembly by introducing piezoelectric actuators that can dynamically adjust the load beam angle through electrical control. This allows real-time modification of positioning parameters to maintain optimal slider-to-disk spacing at reduced fly heights

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If piezoelectric microactuators are electrically conductively attached, then electrical connection is simple, but electrical isolation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidelectrical isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate non-conductive layer between the piezoelectric microactuators and the load beam/mount plate. This intermediary layer provides both mechanical support and electrical isolation, allowing the piezoelectric elements to be securely attached while preventing unwanted electrical conduction paths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin non-conductive films or coatings on the piezoelectric microactuators to provide electrical isolation. These thin film layers maintain the compact structure while ensuring electrical separation between the piezoelectric elements and surrounding conductive components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enhances the ability to maintain the slider's position over the disk surface, improving operational specifications by enabling precise control and stability, even at reduced fly heights.

Implementation Method 1

first and second piezoelectric microactuators... The first piezoelectric microactuator is disposed between the load beam and the mount plate for pivoting the load beam relative to the mount plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS7280319B1Suspension assembly with piezoelectric microactuators electrically connected to a folded flex circuit segment

Publication Date: 2007.10.09 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A suspension assembly includes a load beam, a mount plate, first and second piezoelectric microactuators, and a flex circuit segment. The first piezoelectric microactuator is electrically non-conductively attached to the load beam and the mount plate. The first piezoelectric microactuator includes a first piezoelectric element, a first top electrode, and a first bottom electrode. The second piezoelectric microactuator is electrically non-conductively attached to the load beam and the mount plate. The second piezoelectric microactuator includes a second piezoelectric element, a second top electrode, and a second bottom electrode. The flex circuit segment is disposed folded about the first and second piezoelectric microactuators. The flex circuit segment is in electrical communication with the first top electrode, the first bottom electrode, the second top electrode, and the second bottom electrode.