Snap-on Mounts for Disk Drive Head Suspensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved structures and methods to securely mount magnetic disk drive head suspensions to actuator structures, allowing for easy removal and reassembly, while also being efficient to fabricate and commercially viable.
Innovation Solution
A snap-on mount design that provides a secure friction fit engagement with actuator arms, allowing for efficient removal and rework, and is efficient to manufacture, featuring resilient materials and various configurations such as spring arms, hard stops, and dimples for enhanced engagement and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional attachment structures are used to mount suspensions to actuator arms, then secure mounting is achieved, but removal and reassembly become difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is divided into separate components: a mount with resilient arms that can independently engage and disengage from the actuator arm. This segmentation allows the suspension to be securely mounted while enabling easy removal and reassembly without damaging components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount incorporates resilient arms that can dynamically flex and deform during engagement and disengagement. The resilient arms bend to allow insertion and then spring back to secure the suspension, providing both secure mounting and easy removal capabilities.
2Reliability
If traditional attachment structures are used, then secure mounting is achieved, but manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient arms are self-actuating and require no external tools or additional operations for engagement. The arms automatically flex and lock into place when the suspension is positioned on the actuator arm, eliminating complex assembly steps and improving manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical attachment mechanisms with a simple resilient arm system that uses elastic deformation instead of threads, clips, or adhesives. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining secure mounting.
3Ease of repair
If resilient materials and spring arms are used, then easy removal and rework are enabled, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mount uses thin resilient arms made of flexible material that can bend and deform. These flexible elements provide the necessary compliance for easy removal while maintaining a simple overall structure that does not require complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arms change their physical state between deformed (during engagement) and recovered (during secure mounting). This parameter change allows the same structure to serve dual purposes: enabling easy removal when deformed and providing secure attachment when recovered, without increasing complexity.
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 snap-on mount design securely attaches and detaches from actuator arms without damage, reducing manufacturing costs and enabling easy rework, while maintaining a strong and reliable connection.
Implementation Method 1
The mount may be formed from a resilient material
Implementation Method 2
featuring resilient materials and various configurations such as spring arms
Implementation Method 3
structures that snap onto the actuator arm to provide a secure friction fit engagement
Data Source
AI summary
Mounts for securing magnetic disk drive head suspensions to actuator arms. The mounts include structures that snap onto the actuator arm to provide a secure friction fit engagement. The mounts can be efficiently removed to permit rework of the suspension and head components.