Slider Suspension Arm Electrical Interconnection Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic storage devices face challenges in reliably electrically interconnecting the slider and suspension arm of a read-write head assembly, which affects data storage and retrieval efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The magnetic storage device incorporates a suspension arm with electrical contact pads and a slider with corresponding electrical contact components, including a metallic sheet that overlays the contact pads and edges, ensuring secure electrical connectivity through solder weldments, and a method of forming these components to prevent gaps and ensure reliable contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrical interconnection methods are used between slider and suspension arm, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of electrical connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact pads are integrated directly into the suspension arm structure, and the electrical contact components are formed as part of the slider structure. This merging of electrical connection functions into the structural components eliminates the need for separate interconnection elements, thereby improving reliability while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical contact pads and contact components are pre-formed as integral parts of the suspension arm and slider during their respective manufacturing processes. This preliminary formation ensures precise alignment and consistent electrical contact before assembly, improving connection reliability without requiring additional complex interconnection mechanisms.
2Reliability
If electrical contact pads are positioned close to the slider edge, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact pads are designed with optimized dimensions and positioning parameters that balance proximity to the slider edge with manufacturability. By carefully selecting the distance, size, and shape parameters of the contact pads, reliable electrical connection is achieved while maintaining feasible manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact pads and contact components are pre-positioned and pre-formed during the manufacturing of the suspension arm and slider respectively. This preliminary action establishes precise geometric relationships between components before assembly, ensuring reliable electrical contact without requiring excessively tight manufacturing tolerances in the final assembly process.
3Reliability
If gap-free electrical contact is achieved, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact pads and contact components are pre-formed with precise geometries and positions during the manufacturing of the suspension arm and slider. This preliminary action ensures that when components are assembled, the contact surfaces naturally align without gaps, achieving reliable electrical connection while maintaining ease of assembly through straightforward co-movable fixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical contact surfaces are designed with homogeneous material properties and consistent surface characteristics that facilitate reliable solder weldment formation. This homogeneity in material composition and surface quality ensures consistent electrical contact across all contact points, improving reliability while simplifying the manufacturing process through standardized materials and procedures.
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
This configuration enhances the reliability of electrical connections between the slider and suspension arm, reducing solder-induced open conditions and improving data storage and retrieval efficiency in magnetic storage devices.
Implementation Method 1
at least one solder weldment directly coupled to the at least one first electrical contact pad and the at least one electrical contact component
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a magnetic storage device that comprises a suspension arm co-movably fixed to a carriage arm. The suspension arm comprises a slider attachment side and at least one first electrical contact pad on the slider attachment side. The suspension arm also comprises a slider co-movably fixed to the suspension arm. The slider comprises a suspension attachment side, a non-head side facing the suspension arm and intersecting the suspension attachment side at a first slider edge of the slider, a head side facing away from the suspension arm, and at least one electrical contact component on the suspension attachment side up to the first slider edge. At least one solder weldment is directly coupled to the at least one first electrical contact pad and the at least one electrical contact component. Additionally, a read-write head is coupled to the head side of the slider.