1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to suspension systems for hard disk drive systems. More specifically, the invention relates to lifters used in hard disk drive suspension assemblies. Most specifically, the invention relates to lifters designed to cope with high shock conditions.
2. Related Art
Disk drive head suspensions, or head gimbal assemblies, are well known in the art. These assemblies typically comprise a load beam and a flexure, the load beam extending longitudinally from a base plate, and the flexure moveably coupled to the load beam. A dimple displaced between the flexure and load beam provides a pivot point for the flexure. A read/write head, typically mounted at or near the distal end of the flexure, reads data from and writes data onto a disk surface during high-speed rotation of the disk within influential range of the head. Movement of the disk past the head creates aerodynamic flow exploited by the head to create an air bearing which maintains a minute separation form the head to the disk. The load beam is pre-loaded such that, during steady-state conditions, the pre-load force counteracts the lift force to advantageously suspend the read/write head at an optimal distance from the disk surface. In an unloaded condition, the load beam maintains a minimum lift clearance from the disk surface. Normally, the lift clearance between load beam and disk surface is in the range of 0.35 mm to 0.75 mm.
During a shock event, vertical movement of the suspension assembly may occur, causing the read/write head to impact the disk surface. This action may cause damage to the read/write head, load beam, or flexure, and permanently alter the lift clearance. In severe cases, the impact may damage the disk surface, causing loss of stored data. Shock conditions may result from normal operation, for example, during loading or unloading of a disk. Other sources of shock include non-operational phenomena such as shipping, handling, or installation that cause external jarring or impact to the system. Disk drive systems used in mobile applications are especially subject to shock.
A desired shock rating for disk drive systems typically ranges between 500 g/gm and 1000 g/gm. To meet this criteria, lifters are designed for high stiffness and low mass in order to optimize shock performance. Generally, a high stiffness dampens suspension system response to shock, and provides a lifter with sufficient material strength to resist deformation and withstand shear forces. In addition, a low mass minimizes the reactive forces transmitted by the lifter to interconnected suspension assembly components. However, a tradeoff occurs when attempting to achieve these design objectives. Greater stiffness is achieved at the expense of higher mass, and reducing mass tends to lower stiffness. A lifter stiffness of at least 800 N/m may be required for certain applications. Meeting this criteria while maintaining the shock rating is especially challenging for designers.
The effectiveness of a forming technique used to form shock-resistent limiters varies according to the thickness of the base material. Previous techniques used on thick material cannot be applied effectively to thinner materials that are required for low mass/high shock applications. One such technique, typically employed on thicker materials, is known as M-forming. M-forming consists of configuring a lifter with an M-shaped cross section 101, as shown in
In view of the foregoing, there is an ongoing need to improve the shock performance of limiters in disk drive suspension systems.
Various embodiments of the present invention provide improvements in the design and function of lifters subjected to high-shock conditions in HDD systems. These improvements generally comprise extending one or more portions of a planar load beam into a vertical dimension above or below the load beam plane.
In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, a load beam comprises a body portion having one or more substantially planar transverse members extending between rails that border the body portion along longitudinal edges. A dimple protrudes downward from one of the transverse members to provide a pivot point for a flexure. A lifter comprising a rib having a conic cross section and a tab having a generally triangular shape is located at a distal end of the load beam. The tab comprises a base and one or more upward curving edges that intersect at or near the point of the triangle. The rib has a width narrower than the base, and extends longitudinally between the dimple and tab, connecting the base to one of the transverse members. This embodiment achieves a lifter stiffness of about 1005 N/m, and, by virtue of the rib and tab configuration, allows for a reduction in overall mass.
In a second embodiment of the invention, a load beam comprises a substantially planar body portion having one or more transverse members extending between opposing rails. The rails comprise edges bending at about a 90 degree angle from the one or more transverse members. The rails are separated by a first width at a proximal end of the body portion, and taper to a second width at a distal end of the body portion. A lifter is displaced between the rails, and has a width narrower than the second width. The lifter has one or more upward curving edges and extends in a longitudinal direction from the distal end of the body portion. At least one stiffener extends from one of the rails and connects to the lifter at an intermediate location on the lifter. By adding the one or more stiffeners, this embodiment generally increases lifter stiffness by about 50%, resulting in a stiffness on the order of 800 N/m for a lifter formed from stainless steel having a uniform thickness in a range of about 20 μm to 30 μm.
In another aspect of the second embodiment, the lifter further comprises first and second sections. The first section is displaced between the rails and extends in the longitudinal direction from the distal end of the body portion to a higher elevation. The second section extends in the longitudinal direction from a distal end of the first section along the higher elevation, and at least one stiffener connects to the second section.
In another embodiment, a load beam according to the invention comprises a substantially planar body having one or more transverse members extending between opposing longitudinal edges. The edges are separated at a distal end of the body by a first width. A transition portion extends from the distal end in a longitudinal direction and tapers to form a narrower, second width. A lifter extends from the second width in the longitudinal direction. The lifter has a width substantially equal to the second width. A rail comprising a continuous edge borders the body, the transition portion, and the lifter. The rail bends at an angle of about 90 degrees from the body plane and maintains a substantially uniform height with respect to the body plane. This embodiment can achieve a stiffness as high as 1000 N/m for a load beam thickness of 20 μm.
Other embodiments include a planar load beam having a body portion slanting upward at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees with respect to the load beam plane. A lifter extending distally from the body portion slants downward beginning at an intermediate location on the lifter, at an angle between about 5 and about 15 degrees with respect to the upward slant. In still other embodiments, a lifter extending from a planar load beam slants first upward, then downward to a position substantially parallel with the load beam plane. The slanting technique allows formation of a narrower load beam, thereby reducing mass, and can achieve a shock rating up to 725 g/gm and a lifter stiffness on the order of 1000 N/m.
And in various implementations of the aforementioned embodiments, load beams according to the invention may include one or more transverse members having curved edges bordering a hollow area in a load beam plane, and may also include one or more protrusions located on a border between a body portion and an intermediate portion that transitions to a lifter. These features, singly or in combination, can increase lifter stiffness from about 6% to about 15%.
Related systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention or combinations of the foregoing will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, advantages and combinations be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
a shows a top isometric view of a first embodiment according to the invention of a high shock load beam employing a lifter comprising a rib and tab.
b shows a bottom isometric view of the first embodiment.
c shows a side view of the first embodiment.
d shows a top, local view of the first embodiment coupled to a flexure.
e shows the first embodiment as installed within an entire hard disk drive suspension assembly.
a shows a bottom isometric view of another embodiment according to the invention comprising a high shock load beam employing stiffeners and a lifter having multiple sections.
b shows a side view of the load beam of
a shows a top isometric view of another embodiment according to the invention comprising a high shock load beam having a transition portion between body and lifter, and a continuous 90 degree rail along its border.
b shows a top view of the load beam of
a shows a top view of another embodiment according to the invention comprising a high shock load beam having upward slanting and downward slanting portions.
b shows a side view of the load beam of
c shows a side view of another embodiment according to the invention comprising a high shock load beam having an upward and downward slanting limiter.
As utilized herein, terms such as “about” and “substantially” and “approximately” are intended to allow some leeway in mathematical exactness to account for tolerances that are acceptable in the trade. Accordingly, any deviations upward or downward from the value modified by the terms “about” or “substantially” or “approximately” in the range of 1% to 20% should be considered to be explicitly within the scope of the stated value.
a, 3b, and 3c illustrate a first embodiment of a load beam 300 designed for high shock performance according to the invention, whereby lifter stiffness and shock performance are improved by extending one or more portions of the load beam in a dimension normal to the load beam plane. Load beam 300 comprises a body portion 302 having one or more substantially planar transverse members 304 extending between rails 306 that border body portion 302 along longitudinal edges 308. A dimple 310 protrudes downward from one of the transverse members 304 to provide a pivot point for a flexure 312 (see
The curved cross section of rib 316 may comprise part of a conic section. For example, the curved section may be circular or comprise a half or partial circle, or it may comprise some portion of an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola. In the present embodiment, the curved portion is concave up; however, in another embodiment, the curved portion may be concave down. These variations on the cross-sectional form of rib 316 are also possible in the many embodiments of lifters disclosed hereinafter.
In another embodiment, rib 316 is located substantially entirely above the transverse member plane. This means that rib 316 may originate at the plane of a transverse member 304, but does not extend below the load beam plane. Other embodiments of a cross section of rib 316 are possible, such as a triangular cross section, a rectangular cross section, or a cross section resembling an inverted bathtub curve or normal curve, provided that at least some portion of rib 316 extends above the load beam plane. Similarly, shapes other than that of a triangle may comprise tab 318. For example, tab 318 may be generally circular, elliptical, or rectangular. In one implementation, tab 318 is disposed to create an offset from the bottom of dimple 310 to the bottom of tab 318 in a range from about 0.0022 to 0.0042 inches.
Load beam 300, as well as all other load beam embodiments disclosed herein, is preferably formed from a single, planar sheet of metal such as full hard 300 series stainless steel foil. The thickness of the stainless steel may vary according to the application, but is typically less than about 0.0012 inches. Features such as members 304, rails 306, dimple 310 and lifter 314 are preferably formed by punching, bending, peening, drilling, and/or cutting, etc., as the feature may require, by means of one or more automated forming stations. For example, these features may be formed using a conventional progressive die. In one embodiment, the sheet comprises a super thin stainless steel material having a thickness between about 20 μm and about 30 μm. This embodiment achieves a lifter stiffness of about 1005 N/m. Moreover, the narrow configuration of rib 316 and tab 318 allows for a reduction in overall mass.
d shows a top, local view of load beam 300 coupled to flexure 312.
By adding stiffeners 440, load beam 400 generally increases the stiffness of lifter 414 by about 50%. In one experimental model, a load beam formed from stainless steel having a uniform thickness in a range of about 20 μm to 30 μm and configured with dual stiffeners exhibited a lifter stiffness on the order of 800 N/m.
a illustrates another embodiment of a load beam according to the invention, shown in bottom isometric perspective. In this embodiment, a load beam 500 includes a lifter 514, which further comprises a first section 548 and a second section 550. First section 548 is displaced between rails 506 and extends in a longitudinal direction from a distal end 536 of body portion 502 to a higher elevation. Second section 550 extends in the longitudinal, direction from a distal end of first section 548 along the higher elevation, as shown. Stiffeners 540 and 542 each extend from a rail 506 and connect to second section 550 to enhance the stiffness of lifter 514.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that additional embodiments of a load beam according to the invention include the basic configuration of the load beam of
a and 6b illustrate another embodiment of a load beam having a high-shock suspension lifter according to the invention. In this embodiment, load beam 600 comprises a substantially planar body 602 having one or more transverse members 604 extending between opposing longitudinal edges 608. In one embodiment, a dimple 610 is formed in a transverse member 604 to create an offset between the bottom of dimple 610 and the bottom of lifter 614 in a range of about 3 mils to about 7 mils. Edges 608 are separated at a distal end 636 of body 602 by a first width 634. A transition portion 652 extends from distal end 636 in a longitudinal direction and tapers to form a narrower, second width 626. A lifter 614 extends from second width 626 in the longitudinal direction. Lifter 614 has a width substantially equal to second width 626, and terminates in a rounded end 654. A rail 606 comprises a continuous border around body 602, transition portion 652, and lifter 614. Rail 606 bends at an angle of about 90 degrees from the plane of body 602 and maintains a substantially uniform height with respect to that plane. By advantageously employing the continuous rail along the load beam border as in embodiment 600, lifter stiffness can be greatly enhanced. In one such experimental model, a stiffness of about 1000 N/m was achieved for a load beam having a thickness of about 20 μm.
b shows a top view of a load beam 600 to illustrate the concept of tapering in a transition portion 652. In this particular example, at the location of first width 634, body 602 is already tapering slightly an angle of about 5.5 degrees with respect to a line extending in the longitudinal direction. Beginning at the same location, transition portion 652 tapers from body 602 at an angle of about 11 degrees, and maintains that slope until connecting to lifter 614. At the junction between transition portion 652 and lifter 614, the tapering ceases, and lifter 614 forms an angle of about 16.5 degrees with respect to tapering edge 656, thereby redirecting rail 606 to the longitudinal direction. These angles are given for purposes of illustration only. Other embodiments are possible wherein the tapering angle and redirecting angle may each lie anywhere within a range between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees, or where lifter 614 forms an angle other than zero with respect to the longitudinal direction.
a illustrates another embodiment of a load beam according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a load beam 700 is configured generally as in embodiments previously described, with a planar body 702, transverse members 704, rails 706, and lifter 714. This embodiment enhances lifter stiffness and shock performance by first slanting a portion of body 702 upward, then slanting a portion of lifter 714 downward, as best seen in the side view of
Skilled artisans will recognize that the dual slanting technique disclosed in load beam 700 may be readily applied to any of the foregoing embodiments alone (as in load beam 700), or in combination with other aspects of those embodiments to further enhance lifter stiffness and shock performance. On certain load beam configurations, the dual slanting technique allows formation of a narrower load beam, thereby reducing mass, and can achieve a shock rating up to 725 g/gm and a lifter stiffness on the order of 1000 N/m.
c illustrates another implementation according to the invention of a dual slanting technique. In this example, a lifter 714 extending distally from a body portion 702 slants upward beginning at a distal end 736 of body portion 702, at an angle between about 5 and about 15 degrees with respect to a line parallel to the load beam plane. At an intermediate location 760 on lifter 714, lifter 714 begins a downward slant at an angle between about 5 and about 15 degrees with respect to the upward slant. In another example, the downward slant redirects lifter 714 to a position substantially parallel with the load beam plane.
While various embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
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