Slider Test Clamp Layout for Stable Temporary HDD Slider Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current testing methods for hard disk drive sliders require permanent bonding to a head-gimbal assembly for dynamic electrical testing, leading to unnecessary discarding of entire assemblies if the read head is defective, resulting in significant waste and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A clamp with springs located at a different vertical level than the slider space, allowing for a reduced footprint and mass, improved stability, and the ability to temporarily hold sliders for testing without permanently bonding them to a head-gimbal assembly, enabling cost-effective and efficient testing by allowing defective sliders to be discarded separately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent bonding is used to attach the slider to the head-gimbal assembly for testing, then the slider can be securely held for dynamic electrical testing, but the entire assembly must be discarded if the read head is defective, resulting in waste and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into separate functional components: a stationary frame, a movable contact surface, and springs. This segmentation allows the slider to be temporarily held without permanent bonding to the head-gimbal assembly, enabling disposal of only the defective slider rather than the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp acts as an intermediary device between the slider and the testing system. It provides temporary mechanical and electrical connection during testing, then allows the slider to be removed and discarded without affecting the head-gimbal assembly, thus preventing unnecessary waste.
2Device complexity
If the clamp structure is minimized to reduce footprint and mass, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the clamp must still provide sufficient holding force and stability during testing
Solution Approach 1:
The springs are positioned at a different vertical level than the slider space, utilizing the vertical dimension to provide holding force without occupying horizontal space. This dimensional separation allows the clamp to maintain simplicity and small footprint while ensuring adequate holding stability during testing.
3Device complexity
If the springs are located at the same vertical level as the slider space, then the clamp structure is simplified, but the footprint and mass of the clamp increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are repositioned to a different vertical level (z-dimension) relative to the slider space, rather than placing them at the same level in the horizontal plane. This vertical separation reduces the horizontal footprint and mass of the clamp while maintaining the necessary holding capability through the spring mechanism.
4Device complexity
If the clamp uses a compact design with reduced footprint, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but vibrations during testing may increase affecting measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the springs at a different vertical level than the slider contact surfaces, the clamp achieves a compact horizontal footprint while the vertical spring placement provides vibration damping. This dimensional arrangement reduces vibrations during testing, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite the simplified compact design.
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 reduces vibrations and improves positional stability during testing, leading to lower error rates and cost savings by allowing defective sliders to be replaced without discarding the entire head-gimbal assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The clamp includes a spring that can deflect relative to the slider
Data Source
AI summary
Described are clamps useful for temporarily holding a slider of a hard disk drive in a test socket for dynamic electrical testing of the slider, as well as related assemblies that include the test socket, a head-gimbal-assembly, a testing assembly, and related methods of use.