Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a magnetic disk, a load beam, a flexure, a head unit, and a first restrictor. The load beam has a first face facing the magnetic disk. The flexure is attached to the first face. The head unit includes: a magnetic head attached to the flexure, configured to read and write information from and to the magnetic disk; and a heat-assister attached to the magnetic head, configured to heat the magnetic disk. The first restrictor is included in the head unit, configured to come in contact with at least one of the load beam and the flexure along with movement of the magnetic head away from the first face by a first distance.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a suspension assembly includes a support plate including a distal end and a proximal end portion, a wiring member including a gimbal portion and provided on the support plate, and a magnetic head mounted on the gimbal portion. The gimbal portion includes a first end portion located on a side of the proximal end portion with respect to the magnetic head and welded to the support plate, a second end located on a side of the distal end portion with respect to the magnetic head and welded to the support plate, a tongue portion on which the magnetic head is mounted, located between the first end portion and the second end portion, and supported so as to be displaceable relative to the support plate, and a limiter opposing the tongue portion with a gap.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that comprises an actuator arm that is pivotably connectable to a pivot post at a proximal end. The actuator arm extends linearly along a first axis from the proximal end to a distal end. The apparatus also comprises a lift tab that comprises an elongate member. The elongate member comprises a proximal end, coupled to the distal end of the actuator arm, and a distal end. The elongate member extends linearly along a second axis from the proximal end to the distal end. The second axis intersects the first axis to define an angle between the first axis and the second axis. The distal end of the elongate member is configured to engage an incline member when the actuator arm is in an unload position to lift the actuator arm.

Abstract: An optics arrangement for a solid immersion lens (SIL) is disclosed. The arrangement enables the SIL to freely tilt. The arrangement includes a SIL having an optical axis extending from an engaging surface and a rear surface of the SIL; a SIL housing having a cavity configured to accept the SIL therein while allowing the SIL to freely tilt within the cavity, wherein the cavity includes a hole positioned such that the optical axis passes there-through, to thereby allow light collected by the SIL to propagate to an objective lens; and, a SIL retainer attached to the SIL housing and configured to prevent the SIL from exiting the cavity.

Abstract: To control the resonance generated in the head assembly and improve property on the head location controlling. A head assembly includes: a slider having a head element; a slider supporting plate for holding the slider; a load beam for holding the slider supporting plate; a support projection which is arranged on the front end part of the load beam and on which the slider supporting plate is supported rotatably; a drive unit that rotates the slider supporting plate around the support projection; a dynamic vibration absorber arranged on the slider supporting plate, wherein the dynamic vibration absorber is disposed closer to the rear end side of the load beam than the support projection and has vibration freedom in the rotating direction of the slide supporting plate.

Abstract: A PZT limiter in a microactuator type dual stage actuated (DSA) suspension limits travel of the PZT, particularly of the cantilevered end of the PZT and particularly during non-operational shock. The PZT limiter thus limits the stresses including bending placed on the PZT during the shock event and thus helps to prevent cracking of the PZT. Additionally, by limiting displacement of the PZT, the limiter improves the mechanic and electrical performance of the suspension during operation.

Abstract: A suspension board with circuit for mounting a slider unit including an electron device, the electron device being mounted so as to form, when projected in the thickness direction with respect to the slider provided with a magnetic head, an overlapping portion that overlaps with the slider, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the slider. The suspension board with circuit is formed with a first opening penetrating in the thickness direction and accommodates the overlapping portion, and a second opening that communicates with the first opening and accommodates the protruding portion.

Abstract: A slider and microactuator elements are arranged on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A conducting member includes tongue conductive circuit portions, and unsupported conductive circuit portions which do not overlap with a metal base. The unsupported conductive circuit portions are disposed between arms of an outrigger portion. Bendable portions for reducing bending stiffness are formed in the unsupported conductive circuit portions, respectively. End portions of the microactuator elements are secured to supporting portions of a tongue, respectively. Each of bridge members is provided between the corresponding supporting portion of the tongue and the corresponding unsupported conductive circuit portion.

Abstract: In a gimbal dual stage actuated suspension, the gimbal including the head slider is moment-balanced about the load beam dimple thus reducing sway mode gain. In a ring gimbal suspension the T-limiter can be removed and replaced with an extended gimbal tongue including the same layers of insulating material and copper that are part of flexure's flexible circuit, thus allowing the moment-balancer to be formed integrally with the rest of the flexure as part of the standard flexure manufacturing process. Additionally, the traces of the flexible circuit can be made to run at least partially underneath the head slider and approach the slider bond pads from the proximal side of the suspension, thereby shifting weight toward the proximal side.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly for a disk drive includes a load beam extending from a load beam supported end to a load beam distal end, and a laminated flexure supported by the load beam. The laminated flexure includes a structural layer having a head mounting tongue, a conductive layer having a plurality of patterned traces, and a dielectric layer between the structural layer and the conductive layer. The structural layer of the laminated flexure includes a distal limiter that has a first limiter arm and a second limiter arm adjoining at a distal apex. The distal apex is disposed closer to the load beam distal end than is the head mounting tongue. Each of the first and second limiter arms splits into a plurality of branches.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a dual stage actuation flexure. The dual stage actuation flexure comprises a flexure having a gimbal. The gimbal comprising a pair of spring arms, a tongue between the spring arms, and a pair of linkages respectively connecting the pair of spring arms to the tongue. The dual stage actuation flexure further comprises a pair of motors mounted on the gimbal and a pair of stiffeners respectively mounted on the motors. The dual stage actuation flexure further comprises a slider mounting. Electrical activation of the motors bends the pair of linkages to move the slider mounting about a tracking axis while the stiffeners limit the degree of bending of the motors during the electrical activation.

Abstract: A slider and microactuator elements are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A first end portion of each of the elements is secured to a first supporting portion. A second end portion is secured to a second supporting portion. A ground-side conductor is provided on the second supporting portion. A limiter member consists mainly of a resin shared with an insulating layer of a conductive circuit portion. The limiter member comprises a grounding junction, a first bridge portion, and a second bridge portion. The grounding junction is secured to the second supporting portion. The first bridge portion extends in a first direction from the grounding junction. The second bridge portion extends in a second direction from the grounding junction.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a DSA suspension of a disk drive. The DSA suspension comprises a support configured to attach to the disk drive, the support comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a linkage portion therebetween. The DSA head suspension system further comprises at least one motor mounted on the support, each motor positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The DSA suspension further comprises a damper attached to some or all of the proximal portion, the motor(s), the distal portion, and the linkage portion. The damper can be a single layer or multilayered. The damper can comprise viscoelastic material. The damper can be adhesive. The damper may only be attached to the support and the motors and not to other components of the DSA suspension.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure comprising flexure which comprises a gimbal. The gimbal comprises at least one spring arm and a tongue connected to the at least one spring arm. The dual stage actuation structure further comprises a motor mounted on the gimbal, the motor comprising a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, the bottom side of the motor facing the flexure. The dual stage actuation structure further comprises a damper located between the motor and the flexure, the damper contacting the tongue and the bottom side of the motor. The damper comprises one or both of elastic and viscoelastic material. Various other features of a dual stage actuation structure are provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a dual stage actuation flexure. The dual stage actuation flexure comprises a flexure having a gimbal. The gimbal comprising a pair of spring arms, a tongue between the spring arms, and a pair of linkages respectively connecting the pair of spring arms to the tongue. The dual stage actuation flexure further comprises a pair of motors mounted on the gimbal and a pair of stiffeners respectively mounted on the motors. The dual stage actuation flexure further comprises a slider mounting. Electrical activation of the motors bends the pair of linkages to move the slider mounting about a tracking axis while the stiffeners limit the degree of bending of the motors during the electrical activation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a disk drive head suspension including a load beam, a flexure and a limiter for restricting the range of motion of the flexure with respect to the load beam. The load beam includes an aperture and an engaged portion adjacent to the aperture. The flexure, in an unformed state, includes a slider mounting region and a generally planar engagement structure extending from the slider mounting region. The engagement structure includes a tab portion extending from the slider mounting region and a hook portion extending from the tab portion. During a first forming operation the hook portion is bent around a tooling die to a ninety degree angle with respect to the tab portion. The flexure is then welded to the load beam with the hook portion extending into the aperture. During a second forming operation the tab portion is bent around a tooling die to a ninety degree angle with respect to the slider mounting region.

Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive with a load beam having continuous rails and a distal lift tab. A dimple is positioned proximal to the lift tab, either on the load beam or the gimbal, the dimple providing a pitch axis and a roll axis for the slider. The suspension also includes at least one tab member fixed in relation to the load beam, where each of the at least one tab member is aligned with or is distal to the dimple. The at least one tab and a portion of the gimbal define a gimbal limiter that is aligned with or distal to the dimple. The at least one tab member extends either longitudinally or laterally from the load beam at or distal to the dimple.

Abstract: Approaches to a mass balanced flexure gimbal assembly for controlling the sway mode of the loadbeam portion of the suspension of a head gimbal assembly (HGA) of a hard-disk drive (HDD). The sway mode of concern is that which is excited when a head slider is actuated by a plurality of piezo actuation devices of a secondary actuation system. A suspension includes a mass attached to the suspension flexure and configured for balancing a moment force about the gimbal, about which a slider rotates when microactuated. The mass is located on the side of the slider opposing the side on which the piezo actuation devices are mounted, to counteract the mass of the piezo devices.

Abstract: A head support mechanism includes a slider on which a head element is mounted is arranged at a tip end part of a load beam. The head support mechanism includes a support projection arranged at the tip end part of the load beam, a gimbal part including the slider and arranged to support the slider in a revolvable manner around the support projection, a displacement member arranged to revolve the slider around the support projection, and a counter balance aligned along a symmetric axis of the gimbal part so as to align a centroid of the gimbal part including the slider with the support projection.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal which includes a pair of spring arms, a pair of struts, and a tongue between the spring arms. A motor is mounted on the gimbal. The motor comprises a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side. The bottom side of the motor faces the flexure. A stiffener is mounted on the top side of the motor. At least one layer of adhesive is located between the stiffener and the motor and bonded to the stiffener and the motor. The gimbaled flexure includes a slider mounting for attaching a slider, such as to the tongue. The motor bends the struts to move the slider mounting about a tracking axis while the stiffener limits the degree of bending of the motor.

Abstract: Approaches for protecting a component when a hard-disk drive (HDD) experiences a mechanical shock. An HDD includes a suspension comprising a load beam, a gimbal, and a flexure tongue. A component, such as a microactuator, is mounted on the suspension. The flexure tongue extends to at least the edge of the microactuator that is furthest from the gimbal. The flexure tongue prevents the microactuator from contacting the load beam when the HDD receives a mechanical shock. Alternately, the flexure tongue may comprise a tip portion that extends beyond the edge of the microactuator that is furthest from the gimbal, and the tip portion of the flexure tongue may deform to act as shock absorber when the HDD receives a mechanical shock. Alternately or additionally, a padding material may be used to prevent the microactuator or the flexure tongue from contacting the load beam when the HDD receives a mechanical shock.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly for use with a load beam includes a gimbal, a slider for carrying a transducing head, and first and second tabs. The gimbal is configured to be supported by the load beam, and includes a gimbal tongue. At least a portion of the slider is secured to the gimbal tongue. The first tab extends from the gimbal tongue proximate a first corner of the slider. The second tab is spaced from the first tab and extends from the gimbal tongue proximate a second corner of the slider.

Abstract: In the magnetic head slider locking apparatus according to the present invention, a spring portion takes a sandwiching posture in which a center region of a proximal-side engage portion sandwiches a magnetic head slider in a suspension longitudinal direction in cooperation with a distal-side engage portion when an operational force to the spring portion is released after the magnetic head slider has been mounted in a state where the spring portion has been elastically deformed from an initial posture to an elastically deformed posture.

Abstract: The magnetic head slider locking apparatus according to the present invention includes a fixed portion, a movable portion and paired right and left spring portions. Upon transition from an initial posture to an elastically deformed posture, the movable portion is wholly moved toward the proximal side in the suspension longitudinal direction and, at the same time, the inner end of each of paired proximal-side engagement regions in the suspension width direction is moved toward the inner side in the suspension width direction, so that the distal end and the proximal end of each of the proximal-side extending regions are moved toward the inner side and the outer side in the suspension width direction, respectively, while the proximal-side extending regions are wholly moved toward the proximal side in the suspension longitudinal direction.

Abstract: This application discloses a hard disk drive comprising a landing ramp mounted to a disk base including a slider limiter for at least one slider in the hard disk drive to limit movement of the sliders during a non-operational shock event while parked on the loading ramp. Each of the slider limiters includes a clearance zone configured so that when the slider contacts the slider limiter during the non-operational event, the read-write head remains out of contact with the slider limiter. The clearance zone may include a recess and/or a cutout. The clearance zone may include a recess and/or a cutout. The recess may take any shape, for example the recess may be a polygon and/or curved in cross section. The polygon may have at least two sides. The clearance zone may further include a radial bulge to further protect the read-write head during non-operational shock events.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a suspension assembly having a dielectric limiter. According to one embodiment, the suspension assembly includes a load beam and a flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes a metal layer where there are formed a fixing portion fixed to the load beam, main rings, and extending from the fixing portion, sub-rings, and a flexure tongue having moving-side limiter coupling portions defined thereon. Fixing-side limiter coupling portions are defined at the main rings. Dielectric limiters each have a gross length larger than a between-coupling-portions distance between a fixing-side limiter coupling portion and a moving-side limiter coupling portion, and couple the fixing-side limiter coupling portion to the moving-side limiter coupling portion.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension is provided with a load beam and a flexure including a tongue portion on which a slider is mounted. A pair of bent edge portions are formed by bending regions which extend along opposite side edges of the load beam in a thickness direction. A pair of limiters are formed on those parts of the load beam where the bent edge portions are provided. The limiters each include an arm portion and a retainer portion. An aperture for defining a contour of each limiter is formed in a region which extends along each side edge of the load beam. Each limiter is bent in a direction opposite to that of each corresponding bent edge portion.

Abstract: In a disk drive suspension, a gimbal is longitudinally moment-balanced about the dimple to improve shock performance by adding weight to one side of the gimbal and/or by removing weight from the other side of the gimbal, such that when the suspension experiences an operational shock the gimbal the gimbal tends to stay level with the disk surface and not pitch relative to the disk surface. The gimbal may be moment balanced by leaving or depositing on the suspension's limiter tab the same insulative material as is used to form the flexible circuit, by increasing the mass of the limiter tab, and/or by reducing the size of the detabs or the trailing edge, or by other means.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a limiter mechanism that permits the gimbal to be designed more freely than before. The head gimbal assembly (HGA) according to one embodiment of the present invention has a limiter mechanism within the silhouette of the head slider. The limiter mechanism has a limiter tab formed in the gimbal tongue and projection of the load beam. Upon receipt of an external impact, the projection locks the limiter tab, thereby limiting the deformation of the gimbal. The limiter tab is formed by fabricating a part within the silhouette of the head slider. This structure allows for freer design of the gimbal and the load beam.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension with a bend-down tab which supports an outrigger lead. The bend-down tab extends laterally to the suspension and away from the slider, and can include tabs which are narrower than the electrical lead. The depth of the tab can be at least the depth of the outrigger lead, or deeper. The tab can be supported by and integrally formed with an elongate gimbal spring arm.

Abstract: A data storage device comprises a housing, a data storage medium within the housing and a head gimbal assembly including a suspension supporting a read/write head. The read/write head is configured to store and retrieve data on the data storage medium. The read/write head is operably positioned between the data storage medium and the housing. The device further includes a head-lift limiter protruding from the housing that limits a movement of the read/write head in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the data storage medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the static attitude of a head suspension having a gimbal with at least one gimbal arm. One embodiment of the invention includes a pair of first contacting members contacting a first side of the gimbal arm at a pair of spaced apart locations, and a second contacting member contacting a second side of the gimbal arm at an intermediate location between the spaced apart locations. The first and second contacting members move together relative to each other, plastically deforming the gimbal arm by the relative movement between the second and first contacting members while the spaced apart location between the first contacting members is maintained during the plastic deformation such that at least one of a pitch and roll parameter of the gimbal is adjusted to a desired amount.

Abstract: In a balanced head gimbal assembly for improved seeking performance, a slider having a magnetic head with a set of read elements to read data and a set of write elements to write data, an air-bearing surface, and a non-air-bearing surface is coupled to a suspension. The suspension includes a loadbeam, a flexure, and a balancing weight. The loadbeam is coupled to an actuator arm. The flexure, coupled to the loadbeam, has a window through which a dimple, coupled to the loadbeam, contacts a dimple contact point. The balancing weight, coupled to the flexure, has a configuration which permits alignment of a center of mass of the head gimbal assembly with the dimple contact point.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention reduce the height of a head gimbal assembly (HGA) while maintaining the rigidity of a load beam. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an HGA includes a slider, a flexure, and a load beam. The load beam includes a flange formed to protrude to the opposite side to a magnetic disk at the edge of the load beam extending in the length-wise direction. The load beam has a recessed portion opened to the side opposing the magnetic disk and having an opening area larger than the area of the back surface of the slider opposing the flexure. The slider is provided in the recessed portion so that the position of the surface of the load beam is between a virtual surface including the surface of the slider opposing the magnetic disk and a virtual surface including the slider back surface.

Abstract: A head stack assembly of a hard disk drive includes a swing arm having a prong at its leading end, an actuator for rotating the swing arm, and a head gimbal having a head slider including a read/write head for reading/writing data from/onto a disk. The head gimbal is supported by the swing arm such that the head slider protrudes from the prong of the swing arm. The swing arm is configured to prevent the head gimbal from being vibrated due to windage. In particular, the swing arm defines a slot in one side of the prong, and a flexure of the head gimbal is received in the slot.

Abstract: A magnetic-head supporting mechanism includes a slider having a chamfered bleed portion, a mounting portion on which the slider is mounted, a flexible finger portion extending in a longitudinal direction and supporting the mounting portion, a load beam extending in the longitudinal direction that connects at an end to a positioning mechanism, and that applies a load to the slider, and a regulating member extending from the load beam in the longitudinal direction for preventing change of an attitude of the slider when an angular attitude of the slider exceeds a predetermined angle. The regulating member extends over and above the flexible finger portion and over and above the slider and has an end in the longitudinal direction at a position approximately equal to an end of the flexible finger portion in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A locking segment presses a slider towards a supporting member so that the slider is fixed to the supporting member. In the present invention, the slider is mechanically pressure-mounted to the supporting member without the use of an adhesive. This reduces the fluctuation of the distance between the slider and the supporting member. Accordingly, when a magnetic head is scanning a recording medium in a floating fashion, the floating distance of the magnetic head can be readily controlled within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A slider suspension assembly includes a positioning arm mounted to a laminate that has a spring layer and a flex circuit layer. The spring layer has a gimbal spring arm. The flex circuit layer has an elongate flex circuit arm separated from the elongate gimbal spring arm by a gap. The flex circuit layer include a flex circuit tab that extends across the gap to an attachment point on the gimbal spring arm.

Abstract: A disk drive head-gimbal assembly (200) is disclosed, which includes what may be characterized as a flexure (215) with an integrated trailing edge limiter. The head-gimbal assembly (200) includes a deflectable flexure tongue (228) and a bond pad platform (230) that is spaced from this flexure tongue (228). At least one bridge (234) extends between and structurally interconnects the flexure tongue (228) and bond pad platform (230). A slider assembly (136), including a slider positioner (156) and a slider (140), is mounted on the flexure tongue (228). The bond pad platform (230) is used to establish an electrical connection with the slider (140).

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention is an apparatus comprising a movement guide that can be utilized with a data storage device. The movement guide can be for preventing a magnetic head of the data storage device from contacting a disk of the data storage device during operation.

Abstract: This application discloses a hard disk drive comprising a landing ramp mounted to a disk base including a slider limiter for at least one slider in the hard disk drive to limit movement of the sliders during a non-operational shock event while parked on the loading ramp. Each of the slider limiters includes a clearance zone configured so that when the slider contacts the slider limiter during the non-operational event, the read-write head remains out of contact with the slider limiter. The clearance zone may include a recess and/or a cutout. The clearance zone may include a recess and/or a cutout. The recess may take any shape, for example the recess may be a polygon and/or curved in cross section. The polygon may have at least two sides. The clearance zone may further include a radial bulge to further protect the read-write head during non-operational shock events.

Abstract: A suspension for a disc drive has a load beam, a flexure, a slider, etc. A tongue portion and a pair of outrigger portions are formed on the flexure. Slits are formed between the outrigger portions and opposite side edges of the tongue portion. The tongue portion and the outrigger portions are connected by connecting portions. Limiter members are formed on the load beam. Each limiter member has a bent portion, which is inserted in its corresponding slit, and an extending portion. The extending portion faces its corresponding connecting portion. A trace member is electrically connected to the slider. The trace member passes outside the limiter members and extends along the outrigger portions.

Abstract: There is provided a head suspension mechanism capable of more effectively restraining sway mode and second-order torsion mode vibrations of the head suspension mechanism caused by an air flow. A flange portion having a free end portion 23c on the base part side is formed at both edges close to the tip end of a suspension main frame 23, and at the same time, an elastic material 23d is provided in the free end portion 23c. Also, a sway mode dynamic vibration absorber is formed by the length of the flange portion and the damping effect of the elastic material 23d.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension and method with a low profile limiter structure located within the vertical extent of the slider, the tongue free and any gap provided by the limiter structure so as to not increase the overall vertical extent of the suspension. The limiter structure has a tab separated on three sides from the suspension beam portion and extending from the beam portion locus toward the suspension tongue portion free end. The tab has a projecting shoulder spaced at a gap from the beam portion. The tongue free end outer terminus has an opening that interfits with the tab in tab shoulder engaging relation to block free end movement away from the locus beyond that permitted by the gap.

Abstract: A multi-step shock limiter in a disk drive suspension assembly has a load beam and a flexure, with a plurality of limiting pairs. A first limiting pair has a clearance less than that of any other limiting pair, and is flexible. During a shock condition, vertical movement of the flexure with respect to the load beam causes the first limiting pair to engage and absorb shock. Further movement engages at least one additional pair, redistributing the shock thereamong until all pairs engage, thereby substantially anchoring the flexure to the load beam and limiting further movement of the flexure. The limiters may comprise a double tee shape having two legs and a cross member, with the first limiter defined by the cross member between the legs, and two additional limiters defined by the ends of the cross member that extend beyond the legs. The limiters engage corresponding tabs or tongues.

Abstract: A HGA includes a slider and a suspension for supporting the slider. The suspension includes a load beam, a base plate, and a flexure, which are assembled together. The flexure has a suspension tongue with a suspension through hole defined therein at a position corresponding to a center of the slider mounted on the suspension tongue. A dimple is provided to connect the suspension tongue and the load beam. The dimple has a first bump, a second bump and a shaft connecting the first and the second bumps. The shaft of the dimple extends through the suspension through hole to limit the suspension tongue between the first and the second bumps. Meanwhile, a manufacturing method of the HGA and a disk drive unit with the HGA are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a magnetic head slider to be easily mounted on or dismounted from a suspension and can hold a magnetic head slider so as not to be removed due to a shock resultant from handling during a characteristic test and a manufacturing process. A load beam is formed with protruding portions on both sides. A flexure includes a frame portion, a plate portion, a spring portion, an E-shaped pressing portion, and a probe portion. The plate portion extends from a guide portion of the frame portion. The probe portion may be formed by partially cutting out the frame portion. A limiter is formed on both sides of the plate portion. The limiter protrudes from the rear of the load beam and has a hook-shaped tip. The hook-shaped portion of the limiter engages with the protruding portion 6 of the load beam to limit excess vertical movement of the flexure. A gap may be formed between the limiter and the protruding portion.

Abstract: A head suspension restricts deformation of a flexure caused by frictional force produced between a hard disk and a slider when the hard disk turns in a reverse direction. The head suspension has a load beam resiliently supported with a base. The base is supported with an arm that is turned around an axis. The load beam applies load onto a head having a slider to write and read data to and from the hard disk. The flexure is attached to the load beam and has a tongue that supports the slider. The flexure is provided with a limiter that limits displacement of the tongue due to frictional force produced between the hard disk and the slider when the hard disk is reversely turned. The limiter is on the base side and faces a free end of the tongue. The limiter is integrally formed from a part of the flexure, to face the free end of the tongue.

Abstract: There is provided a head suspension mechanism capable of more effectively restraining sway mode and second-order torsion mode vibrations of the head suspension mechanism caused by an air flow. A flange portion having a free end portion 23c on the base part side is formed at both edges close to the tip end of a suspension main frame 23, and at the same time, an elastic material 23d is provided in the free end portion 23c. Also, a sway mode dynamic vibration absorber is formed by the length of the flange portion and the damping effect of the elastic material 23d.

Abstract: A suspension assembly has a flexure limiter and an actuator of a disk drive adopting the flexure limiter. The suspension assembly elastically biases a slider toward a surface of a disk, in which a read/write head is mounted on the slider. In the suspension assembly, a load beam is coupled to an end portion of a swing arm of the actuator and has sidewalls bent along both outside edges thereof. A flexure supports the slider and has a rear end portion fixed to a disk facing surface of the load beam and a front end portion extended toward a front end portion of the load beam. A flexure limiter is bent from the front end portion of the flexure toward the load beam to face a surface opposite to the disk facing surface of the load beam, thus limiting a range of pitching and rolling movements of the flexure.