Tri-Stage Disk Drive Suspension Single-Side Actuator Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disk drive suspensions, particularly those with single and dual stage actuation, face limitations in precision and manufacturing efficiency due to the need for complex assembly and alignment of microactuators and voice coil motors, which can lead to increased costs and reduced manufacturing speed.
Innovation Solution
A tri-stage actuated disk drive suspension design featuring a beam with a gimbal and a baseplate that incorporates multiple actuators and a pseudo feature for balanced mass distribution, allowing for improved alignment and movement precision, and a simplified manufacturing process by mounting actuators from a single side, using techniques such as laser welding and conductive adhesive for efficient assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If microactuators are mounted on both sides of the suspension for balanced mass distribution, then mass balance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design by placing a pseudo feature (counterweight) on one side of the suspension to balance the mass of the single microactuator located on the other side. This asymmetric mass distribution strategy achieves balanced mass distribution without requiring symmetric placement of actuators, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining mass balance stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If actuators are mounted from both sides of the suspension, then mass balance is improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mounting operations by attaching all actuators and the pseudo feature from a single side of the suspension. This consolidation of mounting operations from one side eliminates the need for separate assembly steps on both sides, thereby reducing manufacturing time and cost while still achieving mass balance through the strategically positioned pseudo feature.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple actuators are precisely aligned for tri-stage actuation, then positioning precision is improved, but alignment complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features directly into the suspension structure during manufacturing. These pre-built alignment features guide the positioning of multiple actuators, ensuring precise alignment for tri-stage actuation without requiring complex post-assembly alignment procedures. This preliminary preparation of alignment references simplifies the overall manufacturing process while maintaining high positioning precision.
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
Enhances precision and alignment of the head slider over the disk drive tracks, reduces manufacturing complexity and time, and lowers costs by allowing simultaneous mounting of actuators from a single side, thereby improving overall disk drive performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
using techniques such as laser welding and conductive adhesive for efficient assembly
Implementation Method 2
using techniques such as laser welding and conductive adhesive for efficient assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A tri-stage actuated disk drive suspension is described. The tri-stage actuated disk drive suspension including a beam and a gimbal attached to the beam. The gimbal is configured to receive a first actuator to mount on a first surface of the suspension near a first lateral side of the suspension and is configured to receive a second actuator to mount on the first surface of the gimbal near a second lateral side of the suspension. The gimbal is configured to receive a head slider to mount on the first surface of the suspension. And, the tri-stage actuated disk drive suspension including a baseplate having the beam attached thereto. The baseplate configured to receive a third actuator from the first surface of the suspension to mount on a pair of shelves.