U.S. patent application number 09/858303 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-13 for reverse flow disk drive and head suspension for same.
Invention is credited to Davis, Michael W., Evans, Robert B., Krinke, Todd A, Linnertz, Wade A., Wolter, Raymond R..
Application Number | 20010050828 09/858303 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27498566 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010050828 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis, Michael W. ; et
al. |
December 13, 2001 |
Reverse flow disk drive and head suspension for same
Abstract
A head suspension for a reverse flow disk drive. The head
suspension includes a load beam having a mounting region at a
proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a spring region
between the mounting region and the rigid region. A flexure is
mounted on the distal end of the rigid region. A slider is mounted
on the flexure. The slider has a proximal end closest to the
proximal end of the load beam. One or more read/write heads located
on the proximal end of the slider. The head suspension can include
one or more of an airflow attenuator, micro-actuators, and/or an
inverted gimbal.
Inventors: |
Davis, Michael W.;
(Rockford, MN) ; Linnertz, Wade A.; (Chanhassen,
MN) ; Wolter, Raymond R.; (Hutchinson, MN) ;
Evans, Robert B.; (Hutchinson, MN) ; Krinke, Todd
A; (Rockford, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Karl G. Schwappach
FAEGRE & BENSON LLP
2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis
MN
55402-3901
US
|
Family ID: |
27498566 |
Appl. No.: |
09/858303 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60205344 |
May 18, 2000 |
|
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60217789 |
Jul 12, 2000 |
|
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60221758 |
Jul 31, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
360/97.13 ;
360/244.1; 360/244.2; 360/245.3; G9B/5.23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 5/4873 20130101;
G11B 5/6005 20130101; G11B 5/4833 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
360/97.01 ;
360/245.3; 360/244.2 |
International
Class: |
G11B 017/02; G11B
005/012; G11B 005/48 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A head suspension for a reverse flow disk drive, the head
suspension comprising: a load beam having a mounting region at a
proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a spring region
between the mounting region and the rigid region; a flexure mounted
on the distal end of the rigid region; a slider mounted on the
flexure, the slider having a proximal end closest to the proximal
end of the load beam, wherein the spring region, the rigid region,
the flexure and the slider comprise an active portion; and one or
more read/write heads located on the proximal end of the
slider.
2. The head suspension of claim 1 wherein the flexure comprises an
inverted gimbal including a gimbal distal end adjacent to the
distal end of the rigid region and a gimbal proximal end, the
inverted gimbal comprising: a pair of outer arms extending from the
gimbal proximal end to a distal cross piece proximate the gimbal
distal end; a pair of inner arms extending from the distal cross
piece to a proximal cross piece proximate the gimbal proximal end;
and a cantilever beam connecting the proximal cross piece to a
slider mounting region.
3. The head suspension of claim 1 comprising: a via extending
through the rigid region and the flexure proximate a rear surface
of the slider; and electrical conductors extending through the via
and electrically coupled to the slider.
4. The head suspension of claim 1 comprising one or more airflow
attenuators located downstream from the active portion.
5. The head suspension of claim 1 comprising at least one airflow
attenuator located on one of the mounting region or an inactive
portion of an unamount arm.
6. The head suspension of claim 1 comprising at least one airflow
attenuator integrally formed with the mounting region.
7. The head suspension of claim 1 comprising one or more airflow
attenuators extending along one or more of the side, the top or the
bottom of the head suspension.
8. The head suspension of claim 1 comprising one or more airflow
attenuators including a shape adapted to create a region of reduced
airflow velocity proximate the flexure.
9. The head suspension of claim 1 comprising one or more airflow
attenuators including a shape adapted to create a region of reduced
airflow velocity proximate the active portion.
10. The head suspension of claim 1 comprising one or more
micro-actuators.
11. The head suspension of claim 1 comprising electrical traces
including one of a micro-actuator, a sensor or an integrated
circuit.
12. The head suspension of claim 11 wherein a portion of the
electrical traces are integral with the slider and extend from a
distal end of the slider to the proximal end of the slider.
13. The head suspension of claim 1 wherein the flexure comprises: a
cantilevered slider mounting surface having a free end extending
toward the proximal end of the load beam; a gap between the free
end and the flexure; one or more electrical traces spanning the
gap; and contact pads on the slider mounting surface near the free
end electrically coupled with the electrical traces spanning the
gap.
14. A head suspension for a reverse flow disk drive, the head
suspension comprising: a load beam having a mounting region at a
proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a spring region
between the mounting region and the rigid region; a flexure mounted
on the distal end of the rigid region; a slider mounted on the
flexure having one or more read/write heads, wherein the spring
region, the rigid region, the flexure and the slider comprise an
active portion; and one or more micro-actuators adapted to move the
slider in response to a tracking control signal.
15. The head suspension of claim 14 comprising: a via extending
through the rigid region and the flexure proximate a rear surface
of the slider; and electrical conductors extending through the via
and electrically coupled to the slider.
16. The head suspension of claim 14 comprising one or more airflow
attenuators located downstream from the active portion.
17. The head suspension of claim 14 comprising at least one airflow
attenuator located on one of the mounting region or an inactive
portion of an unamount arm.
18. The head suspension of claim 14 comprising at least one airflow
attenuator integrally formed with the mounting region.
19. The head suspension of claim 14 comprising one or more airflow
attenuators extending along one or more of the side, the top or the
bottom of the head suspension.
20. The head suspension of claim 14 comprising one or more airflow
attenuators including a shape adapted to create a region of reduced
airflow velocity proximate the flexure.
21. The head suspension of claim 14 comprising one or more airflow
attenuators including a shape adapted to create a region of reduced
airflow velocity proximate the active portion.
22. A head suspension for a reverse flow disk drive, the head
suspension comprising: a load beam having a mounting region at a
proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a spring region
between the mounting region and the rigid region; a flexure mounted
on the distal end of the rigid region; a slider having one or more
read/write heads mounted on the flexure, wherein the spring region,
the rigid region, the flexure and the slider comprise an active
portion; and one or more airflow attenuators located downstream
from the active portion.
23. The head suspension of claim 22 wherein the flexure comprises
an inverted gimbal.
24. The head suspension of claim 22 comprising at least one airflow
attenuator located on one of the mounting region or an inactive
portion of an unamount arm.
25. The head suspension of claim 22 comprising at least one airflow
attenuator attached to the mounting region.
26. The head suspension of claim 22 comprising at least one airflow
attenuator integrally formed with the mounting region.
27. The head suspension of claim 22 comprising one or more airflow
attenuators extending along one or more of the side, the top or the
bottom of the head suspension.
28. The head suspension of claim 22 comprising one or more airflow
attenuators including a shape adapted to create a region of reduced
airflow velocity proximate the flexure.
29. The head suspension of claim 22 comprising one or more airflow
attenuators including a shape adapted to create a region of reduced
airflow velocity proximate the active portion.
30. The head suspension of claim 22 comprising one or more
micro-actuators.
31. The head suspension of claim 22 comprising electrical traces
including one of a micro-actuator, a sensor or an integrated
circuit.
32. A reverse flow disk drive, comprising: one or more disks; one
or more head suspensions comprising; a load beam having a mounting
region at a proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a
spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region; a
flexure mounted on the distal end of the rigid region; a slider
mounted on the flexure, the slider having a proximal end closest to
the proximal end of the load beam, wherein the spring region, the
rigid region, the flexure and the slider comprise an active
portion; and one or more read/write heads located on the proximal
end of the slider.
33. The reverse flow disk drive of claim 32 comprising one or more
airflow attenuators located downstream from the active portion.
34. The reverse flow disk drive of claim 32 comprising at least one
airflow attenuator located on one of the mounting region or an
inactive portion of an unamount arm.
35. The reverse flow disk drive of claim 32 comprising at least one
airflow attenuator located on an actuator arm.
36. The reverse flow disk drive of claim 32 comprising one or more
airflow attenuators extending along one or more of the side, the
top or the bottom of the head suspension.
37. The reverse flow disk drive of claim 32 comprising one or more
airflow attenuators including a shape adapted to create a region of
reduced airflow velocity proximate the flexure.
38. The reverse flow disk drive of claim 32 comprising one or more
airflow attenuators including a shape adapted to create a region of
reduced airflow velocity proximate the active portion.
39. The reverse flow disk drive of claim 32 comprising one or more
micro-actuators.
40. The reverse flow disk drive of claim 32 comprising electrical
traces including one of a micro-actuator, a sensor or an integrated
circuit.
41. The reverse flow disk drive of claim 40 wherein a portion of
the electrical traces are integral with the slider and extend from
a distal end of the slider to the proximal end of the slider.
42. A reverse flow disk drive, comprising: one or more disks; one
or more head suspensions comprising: a load beam having a mounting
region at a proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a
spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region; a
flexure mounted on the distal end of the rigid region; a slider
mounted on the flexure having one or more read/write heads, wherein
the spring region, the rigid region, the flexure and the slider
comprise an active portion; and one or more micro-actuators adapted
to move the slider in response to a tracking control signal.
43. A reverse flow disk drive, comprising: one or more disks; one
or more head suspensions comprising: a load beam having a mounting
region at a proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a
spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region; a
flexure mounted on the distal end of the rigid region; a slider
having one or more read/write heads mounted on the flexure, wherein
the spring region, the rigid region, the flexure and the slider
comprise an active portion; and one or more airflow attenuators
located downstream from the active portion.
Description
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/205,344 filed May 18,
2000 entitled Means of Reducing Windage Generated Off-Tracking by
Reversing the Platters Spin Direction; 60/217,789 filed Jul. 12,
2000 entitled Flexure for Reducing Windage Generated in Reverse
Flow Drive, and 60/221,758 filed Jul. 31, 2000 entitled
Suspension/E-Block Based Downstream Air Dam for Reverse Flow Drive
(Dam Located Downstream of HGA).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a reverse flow disk in a
data storage device and to a head suspension for supporting a
read/write head in a reverse flow disk. Airflow induced vibration
is reduced over the current state of the art by rotating the disks
so that the read/write heads are upstream of the rigid region of
the head suspension relative to the air flowing with the disks.
Certain flexures and electrical connections enable conventional
read/write heads to be used in the present reverse flow disk drive.
Additional reductions in airflow induced vibrations can be achieved
with the placement of downstream attenuators.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Most personal computer systems today employ direct access
storage devices (DASD) or rigid disk drives for data storage. A
conventional disk drive 20, such as shown in FIG. 1, contains a
plurality of magnetically coated recording disks 26 mounted on the
spindle for rotation in a direction 24 so that flexure 42 is
downstream of load beam 40 relative to airflow 23. The disks 26
could alternatively rotate in a direction opposite to 24 with the
airflow 23 also moving in the opposite direction from shown in FIG.
1, provided that head suspension 32 is oriented so that the flexure
42 is downstream of the load beam 40.
[0006] The disks 26 contain a plurality of disk features. As used
herein, "disk features" refers to discrete magnetic or optical
properties of the coated disks. The number of disks 26 and the
composition of their magnetic material coating determine, in part,
the data storage capacity of the disk drive 20. Positioned adjacent
the peripheries of the rotating disks 26 is an E-block 28 having a
plurality of actuator arms 30 each supporting one or more head
suspensions 32 that extend in cantilever fashion over the disks
26.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows the head suspension 32 used to support and
properly orient a head slider 34 over the rotating disks 26 of FIG.
1 in more detail. A variety of head suspensions can be used for
this purpose, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,444 (Heeren
et al.). Head suspension 32 has a longitudinal axis 36, and is
comprised of a base plate 38, a load beam 40, and a flexure 42.
Base plate 38 is mounted to a proximal end 44 of load beam 40, and
is used to attach head suspension 32 to the actuator 30 in the disk
drive 20. Slider 34 is mounted to flexure 42, and as the disk 26 in
the storage device 20 rotates beneath head slider 34, an air
bearing is generated between slider 34 and the rotating disk 26
that creates a lift force on head slider 34. This lift force is
counteracted by a spring force generated by the load beam 40 of
head suspension 32, thereby positioning the slider 34 at an
alignment above the disk referred to as the "fly height." Flexure
42 provides the compliance necessary to allow head slider 34 to
gimbal in response to small variations in the air bearing generated
by the rotating disk.
[0008] Load beam 40 of head suspension 32 has an actuator mounting
region 46 at proximal end 44, a load region 48 adjacent to distal
end 50, a resilient spring region 52 positioned adjacent actuator
mounting region 46, and a rigid region 54 that extends between
spring region 52 and load region 48. Resilient spring region 52
generates a predetermined spring force that counteracts the lift
force of the air bearing acting on head slider 34. Toward this end,
spring region 52 can include an aperture 53 to control the spring
force generated by spring region 52. Rigid region 54 transfers the
spring force to load region 48 of load beam 40. A load point dimple
(not shown) is formed in load region 48, and contacts flexure 42 to
transfer the spring force generated by spring region 52 to flexure
42 and head slider 34. A load point dimple can alternatively be
formed in flexure 42 to extend toward and contact with load region
48 of load beam 40.
[0009] The flexure 42 is formed as a separate component and is
mounted to load beam 40 near the distal end 50. Flexure 42 includes
a gimbal region 56 and a load beam mounting region 58. Load beam
mounting region 58 overlaps and is mounted to a portion of rigid
region 54 using conventional means, such as spot welds. Gimbal
region 56 of flexure 42 provides the necessary compliance to allow
head slider 34 to gimbal in both pitch and roll directions about
load point dimple in response to fluctuations in the air bearing
generated by the rotating disk. Toward this end, gimbal region 56
includes a cantilever beam 60 having a slider mounting surface to
which head slider 34 is attached. Cantilever beam 60 is attached to
cross piece 62, which is connected at each end to first and second
arms 64a and 64b of flexure 42. Cantilever beam 60 is resiliently
movable in both pitch and roll directions with respect to the
remainder of flexure 42, and thereby allows head slider 34 to
gimbal. Load point dimple (when formed in load region 48) contacts
the surface opposite the slider mounting surface of cantilever beam
60 to transfer the spring force generated by spring region 52 of
load beam 40 to head slider 34, and further to provide a point
about which head slider 34 and cantilever beam 60 can gimbal. In
dynamic storage devices optical or magnetic read/write heads 66 are
supported on a trailing edge 68 of the slider 34. The trailing edge
68 is defined in relation to the direction 24 that the disk 26
rotates.
[0010] A continued trend for greater areal density and faster data
transfer rates for rigid disk drives place more demand on
suspension windage performance. One way to increase areal density
is to increase the number of tracks per inch (TPI), which requires
a reduction in track misregistration. The suspension's contribution
to off-track due to windage excitation must be maintained within
ever-tightening track misregistration requirements. One approach to
increase the data transfer rate and reduce latency is to increase
the disk RPM. Higher disk RPM can negatively impact suspension
windage performance because of increased wind energy. For example,
if you spin two identical drives at different RPM, the higher RPM
drive is going to create a greater amount of wind energy due to
increased disk velocity and therefore higher track misregistration.
To satisfy the continuing trends of rigid disk drives, tighter
track misregistration will require suspensions that exhibit less
off-track due to windage when exposed to increase levels of windage
energy due to increasing disk speeds.
[0011] Interactions that determine the suspension's windage-driven
off-track can be generalized into three separate variables: source
energy, energy extraction and the transfer function. Windage
off-track occurs due to source energy that originates from fast
spinning disks. Turbulent effects of the E-block and other drive
features also contribute to source energy. One way to describe the
magnitude and influence of source energy is with the Bernoulli
Equation. Assume that for any given system, off-track is related to
dynamic pressure: 1 SourceEnergy Pressure Dynamic = 1 2
FluidDensity ( Velocity ) 2
[0012] Fluid density and fluid velocity are the two primary
factors, with velocity having a squared effect. For a given
suspension, an increase in dynamic pressure will result in an
increase in windage off-track (an increase in source energy with
all else remaining constant). In terms of windage, the ideal case
is to have disks spinning as slowly as possible, thus creating
minimal turbulence.
[0013] The second variable is the suspension's efficiency to
extract energy from the source. Different suspension designs
extract different amounts of energy from a given source, depending
on part length, surface area, rail height, headlift feature, etc.
The third variable is the suspension's transfer function. After a
certain amount of wind energy is absorbed into the suspension, the
transfer function dictates how it translates to slider off-track.
For all suspension modes, the transfer function dictates a given
ratio of output per input. The ideal goal is to have output
minimized as much as possible by having the ratio as close to zero
as possible.
[0014] Turning back to FIG. 1, rotation of the disks 26 creates
airflow 23 within the disk drive 20. The actuator arms 30 and the
E-block 28 channel the airflow 23 toward the head suspension 32.
Air flow 23 encounters the E-block 28 and the actuator arms 30
first, with the head suspensions 32 and flexure 42 located
downstream of this obstruction. Consequently, the head suspension
32 is located in the E-block's wake. Any turbulent flow generated
by the E-block 28 and/or actuator arm 30 can propagate downstream
and strike the head suspension 32. The E-block 28 and actuator arms
30 act as funnels to direct more airflow 23 toward the head
suspension 32. According to the conservation of mass flow, as the
cross-sectional area of the flow region becomes restricted, the
fluid density and/or the velocity must increase to account for the
smaller cross-sectional area. Increases in these values increase
the magnitude of the dynamic pressure acting on the head suspension
32, thus adding to the windage-induced suspension off-track.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention relates to a head suspension for a
reverse flow disk drive. The head suspension includes a load beam
having a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region at a
distal end and a spring region between the mounting region and the
rigid region. A flexure is mounted on the distal end of the rigid
region. A slider is mounted on the flexure. The slider has a
proximal end closest to the proximal end of the load beam, wherein
the spring region, the rigid region, the flexure and the slider
comprise an active portion. One or more read/write heads are
located on the proximal end of the slider.
[0016] In another embodiment, the head suspension includes a load
beam having a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region at
a distal end and a spring region between the mounting region and
the rigid region. A flexure is mounted on the distal end of the
rigid region. A slider is mounted on the flexure. The slider has
one or more read/write heads, wherein the spring region, the rigid
region, the flexure and the slider comprise an active portion. The
head suspension includes one or more micro-actuators adapted to
move the slider in response to a tracking control signal.
[0017] In yet another embodiment, the head suspension includes a
load beam having a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid
region at a distal end and a spring region between the mounting
region and the rigid region. A flexure is mounted on the distal end
of the rigid region. A slider is mounted on the flexure. The slider
has one or more read/write heads, wherein the spring region, the
rigid region, the flexure and the slider comprise an active
portion. The head suspension includes one or more airflow
attenuators located downstream from the active portion.
[0018] The flexure can optionally be an inverted gimbal. Any of the
embodiments disclosed herein can include one or more airflow
attenuators located downstream from the active portion. The airflow
attenuators are typically located on one of the mounting region or
an inactive portion of an unamount arm. The airflow attenuator are
optionally integrally formed with the mounting region. The airflow
attenuators can optionally extend along one or more of the side,
the top or the bottom of the head suspension. In one embodiment,
the airflow attenuators include a shape adapted to create a region
of reduced airflow velocity proximate the flexure and/or the active
portion.
[0019] The present invention is also directed to a reverse flow
disk drive. The reverse flow disk drive includes one or more disks
and one or more of the head suspensions discussed herein. One or
more airflow attenuators can be located downstream from the active
portion on the actuator arms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Further objects and features of the present invention are
set forth in the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention and in the drawing figures
wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a prior art disk
drive.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art head
suspension.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a reverse flow disk
drive in accordance with the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of an alternate reverse
flow disk drive including an unamount arm in accordance with the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a head suspension for use in
a reverse flow disk drive in accordance with the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a flexure in accordance with the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate head suspension
in accordance with the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an alternate flexure in
accordance with the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a top view of a load beam and flexure in
accordance with the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a flexure with an inverted gimbal
for use in a reverse flow disk drive in accordance with the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a reverse flow disk drive
with a micro-actuated head suspension in accordance with the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a reverse flow disk
drive including an attenuator in accordance with the present
invention.
[0033] FIGS. 12-14 illustrate various embodiments of head
suspension assemblies including attenuators in accordance with the
present invention.
[0034] FIGS. 15a-15b are graphical data showing windage off-track
for a first head suspension in a conventional disk drive.
[0035] FIGS. 15c-15d are graphical data showing windage off-track
for a second head suspension in a conventional disk drive.
[0036] FIGS. 16a-16b are graphical data showing windage off-track
in a reverse flow disk drive using the head suspension evaluated in
FIG. 15a-15b.
[0037] FIGS. 16c-16d are graphical data showing windage off-track
in a reverse flow disk drive using the head suspension evaluated in
FIG. 15c-15d.
[0038] FIG. 17a is graphical data showing windage off-track in a
reverse flow disk drive without a downstream attenuator.
[0039] FIG. 17b is graphical data showing windage off-track in the
reverse flow disk drive evaluated in FIG. 17a with a downstream
attenuator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a reverse flow disk drive 70 including a
magnetic disk stack 72 and a head stack assembly 74 with head
suspensions 76 in accordance with the present invention. As used
herein, "reverse flow disk drive" refers to a disk drive in which
the disk is rotated in a direction that causes disk features to
pass the read/write head(s) before passing the suspension arm. In a
reverse flow disk drive, the most distal end of the head suspension
leads into the airflow caused by disk rotation.
[0041] Disk stack 72 includes one or more spaced disks 78 (two are
shown in FIG. 3) mounted to a spindle for rotation by a drive
motor. Head stack assembly (or E-block) 74 includes a plurality of
actuator arms 80 having proximal ends mounted to actuator shaft 82.
The proximal ends of head suspension assemblies 76 are mounted to
the distal ends of actuator arms 80 in a conventional manner such
as by swage boss 84. Flexure 88 is located at distal end of rigid
portion 91 of load beam 94. Slider 86 with a magnetic read/write
head is mounted to the flexure 88 of each head suspension assembly
76. Spring region 96 biases the slider 86 against the disk 78. The
actuator arms 80 are spaced from one another by spacers 90 in such
a manner that the suspensions 76 mounted thereto extend between
disks 78 to position the sliders 86 and magnetic heads adjacent to
the disk surfaces.
[0042] The disks 78 rotate in a direction 92 at several thousand
revolutions per minute (RPM) while the disk drive is turned on.
Consequently, active portion 99 of the head suspension 76 leads
into the airflow 98. As used herein, "active portion" refers to the
spring region and all portions of the head suspension distal
thereto, including the rigid region and the flexure.
[0043] In the reverse flow disk drive 70 illustrated in FIG. 3, the
flexure 88 and the slider 86 are located in a more laminar, lower
velocity region of the airflow 98 than in the standard flow
conditions (see FIG. 1). The airflow 98 progresses down the load
beam 94 to the spring region 96, and finally passes the actuator
arms 80. The air flow 98 has its greatest energy immediately after
passing the actuator arms 80. After passing the actuator arms 80,
the airflow 98 has approximately three-quarters of a turn of the
disk 78 for turbulence to dissipate before it again strikes the
active portion 99 of the head suspension 76. The present reverse
flow disk drive 70 does not expose the flexure 88 and slider 86 to
the high energy airflow that is found immediately downstream of the
actuator arms 80, as occurs in a conventional disk drive (see FIG.
1). As used herein, "downstream" is relative to the airflow
generated by rotation of the disks in the disk drive.
[0044] FIG. 3A illustrates an alternate reverse flow disk drive 70A
in which the actuator arms 80 and the head suspension assembly 76
are replaced with a single structure referred to as an unamount arm
76A. The unamount arm 76A is typically attached directly to
actuator column 93A. Portion 80A of the unamount arm 76A comprises
a fairly rigid inactive portion of the head suspension 76 that is
resistant to airflow induced vibrations. Spring region 96A, rigid
region 91A and flexure 88A comprise the active portion 99A in the
head suspension assembly 76A of FIG. 3A. The disks 78A rotate on
spindle 95A in the direction 92A so that the airflow 98A first
encounters flexure 88A and then progresses down the rigid region
91A, the spring region 96A and the portion 80A. The active portion
99A leads into the airflow 98A, as discussed above. In one
embodiment, inactive portion 80A includes an airflow attenuator
97A, discussed in detail below.
[0045] FIGS. 4-9 are directed to various head gimbal assemblies
suitable for use in the present reverse flow disk drive.
[0046] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the head suspension 132 used
to support and properly orient a head slider 134 over the rotating
disk 126 (see FIG. 3). Head suspension 132 has a longitudinal axis
136, and is comprised of a base plate 138, a load beam 140, and a
flexure 142. Base plate 138 is mounted to a proximal end 144 of
load beam 140, and is used to attach mounting region 146 of head
suspension 132 to the actuator 130 in the disk drive 120. Slider
134 is mounted to flexure 142, and as the disk 126 in the storage
device 120 rotates beneath head slider 134, an air bearing is
generated between slider 134 and the rotating disk 126 that creates
a lift force on head slider 134. This lift force is counteracted by
a spring force generated by the load beam 140 of head suspension
132, thereby positioning the slider 134 at an alignment above the
disk referred to as the "fly height." Flexure 142 provides the
compliance necessary to allow head slider 134 to gimbal in response
to small variations in the air bearing generated by the rotating
disk 126.
[0047] Flexure 142 includes a gimbal region 156 and a load beam
mounting region 158. Load beam mounting region 158 overlaps and is
mounted to a portion of rigid region 154 using conventional means,
such as spot welds. Gimbal region 156 of flexure 142 provides the
necessary compliance to allow head slider 134 to gimbal in both
pitch and roll directions about load point dimple in response to
fluctuations in the air bearing generated by the rotating disk.
[0048] Toward this end, gimbal region 156 includes a cantilever
beam 160 having a slider mounting surface to which head slider 134
is attached. Cantilever beam 160 is attached to cross piece 162,
which is connected at each end to first and second arms 164a and
164b of flexure 142. Cantilever beam 160 is resiliently movable in
both pitch and roll directions with respect to the remainder of
flexure 142, and thereby allows head slider 134 to gimbal. Load
point dimple (when formed in load region 148) contacts the surface
opposite the slider mounting surface of cantilever beam 160 to
transfer the spring force generated by spring region 152 of load
beam 140 to head slider 134, and further to provide a point about
which head slider 134 and cantilever beam 160 can gimbal.
[0049] Optical or magnetic read/write heads 166 are preferably
supported on a trailing edge 168 of the slider 134. The trailing or
downstream edge 168 is defined in relation to the airflow 98
illustrated in FIG. 3. Since the disks 72 rotate in the opposite
direction than illustrated in FIG. 1, the trailing edge 168 is the
edge of the slider 134 closest to the proximal end 144. Locating
the read/write heads 166 at the trailing edge 168 of the slider 134
maintains the flying characteristics of the head suspension 132
when used in a reverse flow disk drive. In one embodiment, slider
134 is a conventional slider rotated 180 degrees so that the
read/write heads 166 are oriented as shown.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the flexure 142 of FIG. 4 with
the slider 134 removed. Electrical wires, traces or integrated
leads 174a, 174b, 174c, 174d (referred to collectively as "174")
extend along the first and second arms 164a, 164b and the cross
piece 162 to the proximal edge 170 of the slider mounting surface
147. Various other suitable trace configurations are disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,888 (Krinke et al.). Slider mounting surface
147 is attached to the cross piece 162 in a cantilevered fashion so
that gap 176 is formed around several sides of the surface 147,
including along the proximal edge 170. Consequently, contact pads
172a, 172b, 172c, 172d are located adjacent to the proximal edge
170 for electrical coupling with the read/write heads 166 (see FIG.
4).
[0051] In one embodiment, the traces 174a, 174b, 174c, 174d
comprise multiple segments. Segments 175 of the traces 174 may be a
simple electrical conductor or some other device, such as a
micro-actuator (see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,994,159,
5,923,798, 5,912,094 and 6,046,888), a sensor, an integrated
circuit chip, such as a pre-amplifier, or a variety of other
devices. The electrical traces used on any of the embodiments
disclosed herein can be formed using a variety of techniques,
including wireless or integrated leads made by an additive
deposition process, a trace carrier laminate, or a wireless
flexure, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,584.
[0052] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the flexure 142 with a modified
slider 134a and modified traces 174a, 174b, 174c, 174d (referred to
collectively as "174") in accordance with the present invention.
The traces 174 terminate at the distal edge 171 of the slider
mounting surface (see FIG. 5). Contact pads 172a, 172b, 172c, 172d
(referred to collectively as "172") are located near the distal
edge 171. The modified slider 134a includes integral electrical
conductors 173 that electrically couple the contact pads 172 to the
read/write heads 166 near the proximal edge 170. The electrical
conductors 173 can be internal or external to the slider 134a.
[0053] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an alternate flexure 242 in which
electrical traces 274a, 274b, 274c, 274d extend across gap 276
between the slider mounting surface 247 and the first and second
arms 264a, 264b to the proximal edge 270 of the slider mounting
surface 247. Contact pads 272a, 272b, 272c, 272d are located
adjacent to the proximal edge 270 for electrical coupling with the
read/write heads 166 oriented toward the proximal end 273 (see FIG.
4).
[0054] FIG. 8 is a top view of another alternate flexure 342 in
which the electric traces 374 extend along the load beam 340. A
hole or via 378 is formed in the load beam 340 and the slider
mounting surface 347 on the gimbal 342 so that distal ends 373 of
the traces 374 can be electrically coupled with the slider.
Consequently, no integrated leads need be formed on the flexure
342.
[0055] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of an inverted gimbal 280 for use
with the present reverse flow disk drive. A pair of outer arms 282
are attached to a distal cross piece 284 at distal end 283 that
connects to a pair of inner arms 286. The inner arms 286 connect to
a proximal cross piece 288 adjacent proximal end 289 of the
inverted gimbal 280. The proximal cross piece 288 is connected to
the cantilever beam 290 and a slider mounting surface 292. The
traces 294 are routed along the outer arms 282, the distal cross
piece 284, the inner arms 286 and the proximal cross piece 288 to
the slider mounting surface 292. As used herein, "inverted gimbal"
refers to a gimbal with a cantilever beam located on the proximal
side of the slider mounting surface. In one embodiment, distal
cross piece 284 is welded to the load beam (not shown) on the
distal side of the gimbal 280 to minimize the risk of buckling. The
inverted gimbal 280 permits the use of conventional sliders with
the read/write heads oriented toward the proximal end 289 (see FIG.
4).
[0056] FIG. 10 illustrates a reverse flow disk drive 500 with a
micro-actuated head suspension assembly 502. In the illustrated
embodiment, the micro-actuator comprises motors 504 and 506. The
motors 504, 506 can each be biased with a voltage so that active
portion 524 is deflected along tracking axis 510 or 512 in response
to a tracking control signal. In head suspension assemblies with a
micro-actuator, the active portion 524 typically refers to flexure
508, rigid region 526 and spring region 528. The micro-actuator can
be piezoelectric, electro-strictive, magnetic field generating
coils, micro-electro-mechanical devices (MEMS),
micro-optical-electro-mechanical devices (MOEMS), or the like.
Since piezoelectric elements or electro-strictive elements do not
use magnetic field generating coils, use of such elements reduces
the likelihood of interference between microactuator tracking
signals and read/write processes and are generally preferred. Other
suitable head suspension including a micro-actuator are disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,888 (Krinke et al.).
[0057] In a conventional disk drive, the disk 514 rotate in a
direction 516. The kinetic energy of the resulting airflow 518 is
increased when it encounters actuator arms 505 and the
micro-actuated suspension assembly 502. The higher energy and
higher velocity airflow 518 increases airflow induced vibrations to
the active portion 524. In the present reverse flow disk drive 500,
the disks 514 rotate in a direction 520 so that the active portion
524 leads into the resulting airflow 522, with a significant
reduction in airflow induced vibration, as discussed herein.
[0058] Further reductions in suspension windage can be achieved
with the addition of downstream airflow attenuators. The downstream
airflow attenuators work by reducing the velocity of the air in the
region where the head suspension is located. The airflow
attenuators work by creating a zone with higher static pressure
(lower velocity) air around the head suspension. Oncoming air is
diverted by the zone of higher static pressure. The reduction in
airflow velocity causes an overall reduction in dynamic
pressure.
[0059] FIG. 11 illustrates a reverse flow disk drive 400
incorporating a downstream airflow attenuator 402 downstream of
active portion 420, and in particular, downstream of head gimbal
assembly 414. The attenuator 402 can be located on the actuator
arms 404 or on inactive portion 422 of the head suspension assembly
406. The inactive portion 422 of the head suspension assembly 406
is the portion downstream of the active portion 420, typically the
mounting region and/or the base plate 416. In one embodiment, the
attenuator 402 is located at the interface between the base plate
416 and the actuator arm 404.
[0060] As used herein, "attenuator" refers to a structure located
downstream from the active portion whose primary function is to
reduce the velocity and kinetic energy of the airflow in a region
adjacent to the active portion. While the head gimbal assembly in a
reverse flow disk drive redirects a portion of the airflow, the
amount of airflow that is redirected is significantly less than
that redirected by an attenuator. Attenuators also extend beyond
the boundaries of the head suspension assembly and/or the actuator
arm(s). For some embodiments, the effective surface area of an
attenuator can be measured as a function of the length of the head
suspension measured from the proximal edge of the mounting region
to the distal end of the flexure. For example, an attenuator with a
surface area of about 10.0 millimeters.sup.2 divided by a head
suspension with a length of about 8.5 millimeters produces a ratio
of 1.18 millimeters.
[0061] In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the attenuator 402 has a
leading edge with an effective surface area that encounters the
airflow 408 greater than the effective surface area of the leading
edge 415 of the head gimbal assembly 414. As used herein, "leading
edge" refers to the entire front edge of a particular structure
that directly encounters the airflow.
[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the attenuator 402 extends on
both side of the head suspension assembly 406. In an alternate
embodiment, the attenuator 402 may extend along one side, the top
and/or the bottom of the head suspension assembly 406. In yet
another embodiment, the disk drive 400 may include an attenuator on
both the actuator arms 404 and the head suspension assembly 406.
Due to the nature of the reverse flow disk drive 400, attenuators
402 can be located on the actuator arms 404, the E-block, an
unamount arm (see FIG. 3A), and/or the base plate (see FIGS.
12-14).
[0063] As the airflow 408 travels around the attenuator 402, the
airflow in the region 412 immediately upstream of the attenuator
402 has a lower velocity and a lower kinetic energy. The reduced
velocity is due to the attenuator 402 restricting the airflow 408,
thus partially shielding the head suspension 406 from the airflow
408 and promoting more of the airflow 408 to choose a path of least
resistance on either side of the attenuator 402. What remains of
the airflow 408 in the region upstream of the attenuator 402 has a
lower velocity and lower kinetic energy. As a result, the head
gimbal assembly 414 is located in a region of reduced velocity and
energy. Use of attenuators in reverse flow disk drives can further
reduce airflow induced vibration of the head suspension.
[0064] As used herein, "airflow velocity" and "airflow kinetic
energy" are preferably measured in a region away from the head
suspension 406 and actuator arms 419. Regions of reduced velocity
and regions of reduced kinetic energy near the head gimbal are
measured relative to the airflow velocity and airflow kinetic
energy immediately downstream of the base plate and/or the actuator
arms.
[0065] The attenuators of the present invention can be designed and
manufactured in a variety of ways and shapes. The attenuator can be
of various sizes and geometry designed to focus the optimal effect
in the region of the flexure and slider. The size, shape, location
and number of attenuators can vary with the application. One
possible trade-off is power consumption. The larger the attenuator,
the more drag that may be put on the drive motor, requiring more
energy to maintain disk rotation.
[0066] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a head suspension
assembly 440 in accordance with the present invention. A pair of
attenuators 444, 446 are formed integrally from the same material
forming the load beam and positioned on both sides of the load beam
stiffener 448. Partial etch lines can be formed to facilitate
bending of the attenuators 444, 446. Although the attenuators 444,
446 are located on both sides of the load beam stiffener 448, an
attenuator on only one side of the stiffener 448 is possible. In
the embodiment of FIG. 12, the base plate 442 and the attenuators
444, 446 comprise the inactive portion 458. The inactive portion is
located downstream from active portion 456 in a reverse flow disk
drive (see FIG. 3). Alternatively, the attenuators 444, 446 can be
formed integrally with the base plate 442 or as separate
component(s) attached to the base plate 442 by spot welding,
adhesive, or a variety of other techniques.
[0067] The attenuators 444, 446 optionally extend downward below
the level of the load beam stiffener 448. The attenuators 444, 446
are also swept forward toward the head gimbal assembly 450. The
shape of the attenuators 444, 446 can be modified to alter the
shape of the region 452 of reduced velocity and reduced kinetic
energy created by airflow 454. For some applications, two or more
attenuators may be used simultaneously. In another embodiment, the
attenuator 402 can be integrally formed with the actuator arms (or
e-block).
[0068] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternate head
suspension 460 in accordance with the present invention. Base plate
462 includes an integrally formed attenuator 464 having a pair of
cutouts 466 on either side of the load beam stiffener 468. When the
attenuator 464 is folded in the upright position illustrated in
FIG. 13, portions 470 of the attenuator 464 extend below the load
beam stiffener 468. Again, the attenuator 464 can be formed as a
separate component and attached to the head suspension assembly 460
using suitable techniques. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, attenuator
464 creates a region 476 of reduced velocity and reduced kinetic
energy of airflow 478 around active portion 472 of the head
suspension 460. The shape of the region 476 is shown schematically
and can very with the shape, size and location of the attenuator
464.
[0069] FIG. 14 illustrates an alternate head suspension assembly
490 having an attenuator 494 formed on an edge of reverse base
plate 492. Thickness 496 of the base plate 492 times the width 498
of the base plate 492 comprise the effective surface area of the
attenuator 494. No additional forming or stamping processes are
required. When the base plate 492 is attached to the head
suspension assembly 490, the attenuator 494 is positioned
downstream of active portion 497 to engage airflow 499, as
discussed above.
EXAMPLE 1
[0070] FIGS. 15A-D illustrate off-track movement generated by
airflow induced vibration within a conventional disk drive. FIGS.
16A-D illustrate off-track movement generated by the same head
suspensions evaluated in FIGS. 15A-D in a reverse flow disk drive.
FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16A, and 16B illustrate the performance of a Mag 5e
micro-actuated head suspensions, available from Hutchinson
Technology located in Hutchinson, Minn., at about 10,000
revolutions per minute and about 15,000 revolutions per minute.
FIGS. 15C, 15D, 16C, and 16D illustrate the performance of a 4230
TSA head suspensions, also available from Hutchinson Technology
located in Hutchinson, Minn., at about 10,000 revolutions per
minute and about 15,000 revolutions per minute. The graph indicates
the windage generated off track in nanometers.
[0071] The z-height indicated on the graphs is the distance between
the actuator mount and the disk surface. The sliders were turned
about 180 degrees so that the read/write heads were on the
downstream side of the slider relative to the airflow, as generally
indicated in FIG. 4. The head suspension setup included a gap of
about 60 millimeters between the center of rotation of the disks
and the center of rotation of the actuator arms. The distance from
the center of rotation of the actuator arms to the slider was about
52 millimeters. The distance between the slider and the center of
rotation of the disks was about 30 millimeters. There was about a
2.4 millimeter gap between the two adjacent disks. The test was
performed with the suspensions between the two spinning disks.
[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 16A, at about 10,000 revolutions per
minute the Mag 5e micro-actuated head suspension experienced about
a 68% reduction in windage induced vibration than the vibration
experienced in a conventional disk drive as illustrated in FIG.
15A. As illustrated in FIG. 16B, at about 15,000 revolutions per
minute the Mag 5e head suspension experienced about a 67% reduction
in windage induced vibration than the vibration experienced in a
conventional disk drive as illustrated in FIG. 15B.
[0073] Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 16C, at about 10,000
revolutions per minute the 4230 TSA head suspension experienced
about a 55% reduction in windage induced vibration than the
vibration experienced in a conventional disk drive as illustrated
in FIG. 15C. As illustrated in FIG. 16D, at about 15,000
revolutions per minute the 4230 TSA head suspension experienced
about a 61% reduction in windage induced vibration than the
vibration experienced in a conventional disk drive as illustrated
in FIG. 15D.
[0074] The micro-actuated Mag 5e head suspension experienced a
greater reduction in windage induced vibration than the
non-actuated 4230 TSA head suspension. The difference in reduction
is believed to be due to undesirable aerodynamic features on the
Mag 5e micro-actuated head suspension.
EXAMPLE 2
[0075] FIG. 17A illustrates off-track movement generated by airflow
induced vibration in a reverse flow disk drive without an airflow
attenuator. FIG. 17B illustrates off-track movement generated by
airflow induced vibration in a reverse flow disk drive with an
airflow attenuator. The head suspension assembly was a Mag 5e
available from Hutchinson Technology located in Hutchinson, Minn.
The disk drive was operated at about 10,000 revolutions per minute.
The airflow attenuator was generally as indicated in FIG. 12 and
had an effective surface area of 10 millimeters.sup.2. The graph
indicates the windage generated off track in nanometers.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 17B, at about 15,000 revolutions per
minute the head suspension with the airflow attenuator experienced
about a 33% reduction in windage induced vibration than the
vibration experienced by the head suspension without the airflow
attenuator.
[0077] All of the patents and patent applications disclosed herein,
including those set forth in the Background of the Invention, are
hereby incorporated by reference. With regard to the foregoing
description, it is to be understood that changes may be made in
detail, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, the present reverse airflow disk drive can be used
with any combination of airflow attenuators, micro-actuators on the
head suspension, and or backward flexures. It is intended that the
specification and depicted aspects be considered exemplary only,
with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by
the broad meaning of the following claims.
* * * * *