Disk Drive Suspension Assemblies for Stress Minimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of solder joints in disk drives makes them susceptible to mechanical stress and cracking, leading to connectivity failures due to non-operational shocks and rolling motions, which existing suspension assemblies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The suspension assembly design includes a flexure with a metal support layer and isolation arms, and a load beam with cut-out sections to minimize contact and stress on solder joints, using a flexure tongue and tip to absorb impact and prevent direct contact between the load beam and solder pads during shocks and rolling motions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If solder joint size is miniaturized to pack many solder joints on the head, then the quantity of electrical connections is improved, but the susceptibility to mechanical stress and cracking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protrusion on the load beam that contacts the backside of the flexure before shock forces can reach the solder joints. This protrusion acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and redirects impact forces away from the vulnerable miniaturized solder joints, preventing stress concentration and cracking while allowing the high-density solder joint configuration to be maintained
2Strength
If the flexure backside makes contact with the load beam during shock or roll operation, then the mechanical support is improved, but the solder joints experience stress and cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flexure structure into distinct functional zones: a contact zone at the backside of the flexure that interfaces with the load beam protrusion, and a protected zone containing the solder joints. This segmentation allows the backside to make forceful contact with the protrusion for mechanical support while the solder joint zone remains isolated from stress through the geometric design that directs forces away from the connection area
Data Source
AI summary
Suspension assemblies for minimizing stress on slider solder joints in a disk drive are described. One such suspension assembly includes a flexure including a gimbal area having a leading end and a trailing end, a metal support layer including a flexure tongue, a flexure tip disposed at the trailing end and including first and second isolation arms extending from the flexure tongue, and a bond pad support including a support arm extending from the flexure tongue, and a load beam including an elongated flat surface having a protrusion extending therefrom and having a cut-out section, where the leading end of the flexure gimbal area is attached along the flat surface, where the flexure is configured to retain contact with the protrusion, and where the cut-out section is configured to receive a portion of the bond pad support when the flexure rotates about a long axis of the suspension assembly.