Variable-Thickness Disk Flexure to Suppress Magnetic-Disk Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
The flexure in a disk apparatus, such as a hard disk drive, is prone to coming into contact with the magnetic disk due to shocks or vibrations, which can cause damage and affect data integrity.
Innovation Solution
The flexure is designed with a thin portion that is thinner than other portions, featuring non-parallel wiring arrangements and strategic attachment points to the base plate, allowing for enhanced flexibility and reduced contact with the magnetic disk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flexure is made with uniform thickness to ensure structural strength, then the flexure can withstand shocks and vibrations, but the flexure may come into contact with the magnetic disk causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The flexure is designed with non-uniform thickness distribution, featuring a thinner first portion (covering the base plate first surface) and a thicker second portion (extending toward the magnetic head). This local quality variation allows the flexure to have reduced contact risk with the magnetic disk while maintaining structural strength where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexure is segmented into distinct portions with different thickness characteristics. The first portion has a first thickness covering the base plate first surface, while the second portion has a second thickness extending toward the magnetic head. This segmentation enables differentiated functional performance across the flexure structure.
2Reliability
If the flexure is made thinner to reduce contact with the magnetic disk, then the risk of contact is reduced, but the flexure may lack sufficient structural strength
Solution Approach 1:
The flexure implements local quality by having different thicknesses in different regions. The first portion covering the base plate has a first thickness that reduces contact risk, while the second portion extending toward the magnetic head has a greater second thickness to maintain structural strength and support the magnetic head assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wiring in the flexure is arranged in non-parallel directions to improve flexibility, then the flexure can better accommodate movements, but the wiring arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring arrangement in the flexure transitions from rigid parallel lines to dynamic non-parallel paths that can accommodate flexure deformation. The wirings are configured to follow the contours and bending patterns of the flexure, allowing the electrical connections to remain intact during flexure movement and positioning operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A disk apparatus includes a carriage, a magnetic disk, a base plate, a load beam, a flexure, and a magnetic head. The carriage rotates around a first rotation axis. The base plate includes a first surface facing the magnetic disk and is attached to the carriage. The load beam is attached to the base plate. The flexure includes a plurality of wirings and is attached to the base plate and the load beam. The magnetic head is attached to the flexure and electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of wirings. The flexure includes a thin portion that is thinner than other portions of the flexure. The thin portion includes a first portion which covers the first surface and at which the plurality of wirings extends in non-parallel directions with respect to each other.