Slider Test Socket Clamp for Temporary HDD Slider Holding
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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 inefficiencies 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 savings 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 slider to head-gimbal assembly for testing, then testing reliability is improved, but assembly loss increases when slider is defective
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp divides the holding function into separate components: a stationary frame providing structural support and springs providing flexible retention. This segmentation allows the slider to be held securely during testing while enabling easy removal without damaging the head-gimbal assembly, thus maintaining testing reliability while preventing assembly loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp acts as an intermediary device between the slider and the head-gimbal assembly during testing. It provides the necessary mechanical retention and electrical connection without permanently bonding the slider to the assembly. This intermediary approach allows reliable testing while enabling selective disposal of only defective sliders rather than entire assemblies.
2Device complexity
If springs are located at the same vertical level as slider space, then structural simplicity is improved, but footprint and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The springs are positioned in a different vertical dimension relative to the slider space rather than at the same level. This vertical separation allows the springs to be located below the slider space, reducing the horizontal footprint and mass of the clamp while maintaining structural functionality. The stationary frame provides vertical support, allowing springs to operate in a lower vertical plane.
3Ease of manufacture
If springs are located at the same vertical level as slider space, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but stability deteriorates due to increased mass
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning springs in a lower vertical dimension beneath the slider space, the design reduces the overall mass and moment of inertia of the moving components. This dimensional repositioning improves positional stability during slider testing while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the stationary frame structure that provides stable mounting points for the springs.
4Productivity
If clamp mass is reduced by repositioning springs, then productivity is improved through faster testing, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary frame and spring components are segmented into distinct functional elements with clearly defined positioning requirements. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing where each component can be precision-manufactured separately and assembled, facilitating faster testing cycles while maintaining the positional precision needed for reliable slider testing through standardized interfaces and mounting features.
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 described clamp design reduces vibrations and improves positional stability during testing, leading to lower error rates and cost savings by allowing for the separate disposal of defective sliders, thus optimizing manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that can be deflected 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.