Abstract: A head stack assembly for a disk drive. The head stack assembly includes an actuator body. The actuator body includes a main body section defining a horizontal plane orthogonal to an axis of rotation. The actuator body further includes an actuator arm extending from the main body section. The actuator body further includes a flex cable guiding support extending from the main body section adjacent the actuator arm orthogonal to the horizontal plane. The head stack assembly further includes a flex cable including a substantially flat main cable body disposed in mechanical communication with the flex cable guiding support in planes orthogonal to the horizontal plane parallel to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: To provide a disk apparatus that can enhance reliability of a head wiring and a driving wiring, a disk apparatus includes a head slider, an arm, a driving unit, a wiring body provided for supplying a head mounted on the head slider with a head current used for signal recording or reproduction with respect to a disk-like recording medium and supplying the driving unit with a driving current used to drive the arm to swing, and a lead-out terminal portion. The wiring body includes a flexure sheet provided in the arm so as to support the head slider, a head wiring provided so as to connect the head slider and the lead-out terminal portion by passing over the flexure sheet thereby to supply the head mounted on the head slider with the head current, and a driving wiring provided along the head wiring in an area ranging from a wiring connecting portion formed on a side of the flexure sheet opposite the head slider to the lead-out terminal portion thereby to supply the driving unit with the driving current.

Abstract: A system and method for an improved magnetic head arm assembly (HAA) is disclosed. The HAA includes three principal components, a head gimbal assembly (HGA), a flexible printed circuit (FPC) assembly, and an actuator coil assembly. The design allows for HAA rigidity, yet each of the components is designable and manufacturable independent of one another, in addition to other advantages over current methods.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a casing which houses a disk-shaped recording medium, a drive motor which holds and rotates the recording medium, a head which performs read/write operations, a head actuator movably supporting the head to move the head relative to the recording medium, and a board unit connected to the head actuator. The board unit has a board main body arranged on the inner surface of the casing and at least one capacitor, mounted on the board main body for supplying power to perform a retracting operation for permitting the head actuator to move the head to a retracted position.

Abstract: One feature of the invention is to support a wiring structure on a side surface of an actuator arm used in a magnetic disk device so as not to allow fluttering to occur. In one embodiment, a wire support member 102a used in a magnetic disk device includes a protruding wall 108a provided with an opposing surface facing a wiring structure 90a and protruding in a width direction, and a protruding wall 110a provided with an opposing surface facing the wiring structure 90a and protruding in a width direction. The wire support member 102a is provided with a fixing area for accommodating the wiring structure between the opposing surface of the protruding wall 108a and the opposing surface of the protruding wall 110a. The wire support member 102a is further provided with an open area adjoining the fixing area at a longitudinal end portion of the protruding wall and includes protruding walls 328, 330, 332 each having an opposing surface facing the wiring structure.

Abstract: A head supporting device includes a supporting arm that is swingable in a plane parallel to a recording surface of a recording medium around a first swing axis and in a plane perpendicular to the recording surface of the recording medium around a second swing axis, a head that is attached to one end of the supporting arm so as to be opposed to the recording medium, a holding member that is allowed to swing around the first swing axis in conjunction with a swinging motion of the supporting arm around the first swing axis, and signal wiring that performs signal sending/receiving with respect to the head. The signal wiring is arranged so that from the head, the signal wiring runs through the supporting arm and the holding member in this order and then is connected to an electric circuit. Thus, the attitude of the supporting arm around the second swing axis is not affected by a reaction force generated when the signal wiring is bent due to a swinging motion of the supporting arm around the first swing axis.

Abstract: A head stack assembly for a disk drive. The head stack assembly includes an actuator body defining an axis of rotation. The actuator body includes a main body section and a coil support portion extending from the main body section. The head stack assembly further includes an actuator coil supported by the coil support portion. The head stack assembly further includes insulated wiring extending between the actuator coil and the main body section in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation. The head stack assembly further includes a lateral wiring protector disposed laterally about the insulated wiring and extending from the main body section in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. The lateral wiring protector includes an open channel with the insulated wiring disposed within the open channel.

Abstract: A flex circuit assembly includes a flex circuit base film. The flex circuit assembly includes an integrated circuit device disposed adjacent the flex circuit base film and including a solder bump connection. The flex circuit assembly includes an electrically conductive trace disposed upon the base film. The trace includes a contact pad. The contact pad is electrically connected to the solder bump connection. The flex circuit assembly includes an underfill portion disposed between the base film and the integrated circuit device for attaching the integrated circuit device to the base film. The underfill portion is formed of an underfill material. The flex circuit assembly includes a glob top portion material disposed upon the underfill portion and the base film for sealing the electrically conductive trace. The glob top portion is formed of a glob top material. The glob top material is different than the underfill material.

Abstract: A disc unit includes a head that records information onto and/or reproduces information from a disc, a suspension that includes a top surface and a side surface, and supports the head on the top surface, a flexible printed circuit board attached to the side surface of the suspension through an air gap, the flexible printed circuit board transmitting a signal indicative of the information to and from the head, and a damper that damps oscillation of the flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for damping operational vibration modes of an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly preferably supports a data transducing head adjacent a storage medium in a servo track writing environment. The actuator assembly further supports a circuit assembly comprising circuit board, card or other circuit portion to facilitate electrical communication with the data transducing head. A damping assembly is interposed between the circuit assembly and the actuator assembly to mechanically decouple the circuit assembly from the actuator assembly. Preferably, the damper assembly comprises one or more rigid damper plates and one or more viscoelastic layers therebetween to provide constrain layer damping. As desired, the plates can be provided with progressively larger thickness dimensions in a direction away from the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of terminating an integrated lead suspension (ILS) tail to an arm electronics cable allows plated solder material to be utilized on the ILS pads by providing additional degrees of freedom for the solder pads on the ILS tail. The additional degrees of freedom provide additional compliance between the individual pairs of solder pads that form the solder joints. In addition to a cantilever spring action in the ILS tail, the invention comprises designs that allow each individual pad to move independently out of plane of the tail as well as providing a twist capability about its axis such that each pad has its own gimbal structure.

Abstract: An integrated suspension assembly including interconnect is used to provide an electrical and mechanical connection between an actuation system and a slider. The suspension assembly includes a multi-layer laminate substrate having a base layer, an insulator layer and a conductor layer. The laminate substrate further includes an attachment region for attaching the suspension assembly to an actuator arm, a load beam region, a flexure region for supporting the slider, and an interconnect path. The interconnect path extends along the flexure region, the load beam region and the attachment region wherein the path terminates at the attachment region at a connection point to provide an electro-mechanical attachment to the actuator arm.

Abstract: A breather filter is assembled within a disc drive by positioning the filter atop a flex circuit bracket on a base plate of the drive. A breather port is formed through a top cover of the disc drive, and an inlet of the breather filter is sealed against the top cover of the drive. Compressing the top cover against the top of the breather filter helps to retain the filter in position between the flex circuit bracket and the top cover without an adhesive connection to the top cover. The connection of the breather filter to the flex circuit bracket allows a top-down assembly of the disc drive so that an adhesive connection between the filter and the top cover of the drive is not required.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a rotating disk storage device including a connection structure between an FPC and a printed board and providing allowance for dimensional tolerances. In one embodiment, the rotating disk storage device includes a disk enclosure, an FPC supporting portion, and a flexible printed circuit board assembly provided with an FPC terminal area that extends along a front surface of the FPC supporting portion and further beyond an end portion of the FPC supporting portion. When the printed board is mounted on the disk enclosure, a connector terminal contacts and gives pressure to an FPC terminal formed in the FPC terminal area. This causes the FPC terminal area to flex in the direction of an arrow.

Abstract: A carriage arm assembly is disclosed that has a sub-assembly and a signal relay member that is arranged on a side surface of an arm portion of a carriage arm of the sub-assembly for connection between a head slider and a head IC. The signal relay member includes a wire, a wrapping portion that is formed from a synthesized resin mixed with a charging prevention agent, and two pairs of hooks that are projecting from the wrapping portion. When the hooks are in contact with the arm portion of the carriage arm, static electricity possessed by the signal relay member flows away through the carriage arm, and this prevents a magnetic head at the end of the head slider from being destroyed by the static electricity. In addition, the hooks are engaged with grooves on the signal relay member so as to position the signal relay member on the arm portion.

Abstract: An actuator to which leads are easily attachable, and a method of making the same are provided. In the actuator in accordance with the present invention, a pair of silicon arms have their resistances lowered by being doped with impurities and are connected to each other by way of a glass substrate. A predetermined surface of each silicon arm is formed with a piezoelectric part, whereas a predetermined surface of the piezoelectric part is formed with a thin-film electrode. Therefore, the piezoelectric part is driven when a voltage is applied between a bonding wire attached to the thin-film electrode and a bonding wire attached to the silicon arm. Since the bonding wire can be attached to the silicon arm at any position thereon, wire bonding can be carried out while appropriately selecting positions and surfaces where the bonding wire is easily attachable.

Abstract: A dedicated read IC chip is mounted on a head suspension. The dedicated read IC chip is located closer to a read element. A stray capacitance of a wiring can be reduced. Even if the electric resistance value of the read element increases, the magnetic information data of a higher density can be read out. Moreover, the dedicated read IC chip generates little heat. Even if the dedicated read IC chip is located on the head suspension, an excessive heat cannot be transmitted to the head suspension from the dedicated read IC chip. The mechanical properties and shape of the head suspension can be maintained as expected.

Abstract: A fabricating method effective in affixing FPC with high accuracy, simplifying a supporting mechanism of a head supporting member, avoiding mechanical damage to a load beam or a flexible member and promoting performance of adhering FPC to the load beam. Before bending a load beam included in a head supporting member, FPC is affixed on a face of the head supporting member. Thereafter, the load beam is bent.

Abstract: To strengthen a flying lead portion of a long-tail flexible printed circuit (FPC) integrally formed with a flexure, stacked support portions of resin layers on both sides of a flying lead 7 of a long-tail FPC 6 are reinforced with metal frames 14. A fold-back portion 9 of the long-tail FPC 6 is folded back at 90 degrees so that flying lead 7 is disposed parallel with a turning shaft 21 of a carriage 20. The flying lead is then joined to a connection pad 26 on a main FPC board 24 using solder 18.

Abstract: A technique of connection between VCM system wires and a FPC of a disk drive is improved in the following manner to enable miniaturization and thinning of the disk drive and reduction in cost. There is provided a disk drive comprising a disk-shaped medium for recording information, an actuator on which a head for recording/reproducing information is mounted, a VCM for driving the actuator, a coil holder supporting a coil of the VCM, a FPC for transmitting a signal, which is read by the head, and a signal to the VCM, a cut groove formed on a side of the coil holder, ends of coil lead wires and an end of a ground wire, which are arranged in the cut groove, and an end of the FPC inserted into the cut groove to thereby be connected to the ends of the coil lead wires and the end of ground wire.

Abstract: A disc drive suspension comprises a load beam, baseplate, hinge member, and wired flexure. The wired flexure has a metal base and a wiring portion formed on the metal base. A supported portion is formed on a part of the metal base of the flexure. The supported portion protrudes sideways from the wired flexure, and is fixed to the rear end portion of the baseplate.

Abstract: A thermal component is mounted on the front surface of an isolator sheet within a first specific area. A thermally-conductive material is located on the back surface of the isolator sheet on the back of the first specific area. An electrically-conductive material is located on the front surface of the isolator sheet within a second specific area. A thermally-insulating material is located on the back surface of the isolator sheet on the back of the second specific area. The flexible printed circuit board unit of this type allows heat of the thermal component to efficiently radiate from the thermally-conductive material. An increase in temperature can be suppressed in the thermal component. Heat can reliably stay in the electrically-conductive material when a solder material is applied to the surface of the electrically-conductive material. The solder material is allowed to reliably fuse.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a base, a cover, a spindle motor attached to the base, a disk supported by the spindle motor, a subassembly for attachment to the base, and a compressible element positioned between the cover and the subassembly. The compressible element is in compression for attaching the subassembly to the base.

Abstract: In a method to manufacture a bar in which a row of slider sections are aligned, a wafer block is made from a wafer in which rows of slider sections are aligned. The wafer block is bonded to a dummy block on a support plate. Next, a processing step and a cutting step are repeated. The processing step is to perform specific processing on the medium facing surfaces of a row of slider sections in the medium facing surface of the wafer block bonded to the support plate. The cutting step is to cut the wafer block together with the support plate such that the row of slider sections whose medium facing surfaces have received the specific processing are separated from the wafer block to be the bar.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive base, a spindle motor attached to the disk drive base, a disk supported by the spindle motor, and a head stack assembly coupled to the disk drive base. The head stack assembly includes an actuator body, a coil portion cantilevered from the actuator body, an actuator arm cantilevered from the actuator body in an opposite direction from the actuator arm, a flex circuit cable having an electrical connector end, and a flex bracket for clamping the electrical connector end of the flex circuit cable to the disk drive base, the flex bracket having first and second ends being spaced-apart along a width of the disk drive.

Abstract: A stacked actuator assembly has symmetrical actuator arms and spacers stacked on a rotatable sleeve. The assembly may have circuit elements or other elements attached on one side of the assembly. The weight of these elements is counter balanced by a screw or pin mounted on the other side of the assembly. The screw passes through the stacked armature arms and spacers to clamp the arms and spacers relative to each other and prevent them from rotating relative to each other. In addition, the spacers may be position registered relative to each other by registration members molded into the spacers. The registration members in adjacent spacers mate with each other to register the spacers relative to each other. The stacked actuator assembly may be assembled on a jig. The jig has a mounting hole or post to receive the sleeve for the stacked actuator assembly, and it has a post to register the arms when they are stacked on the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention includes at least one head arm providing head electrical interconnection as essentially parallel traces on at least one face of the head arm using the metallic body of the head arm as a ground plane. This insures that the neighboring pairs of parallel traces used for differential read and write interconnection have essentially matched impedance, lowering crosstalk between the write and read signal pairs. The invention includes voice coil actuator arms comprising at least one of these head arms, as well as, disk drives made using these voice coil actuator arms.

Abstract: The present invention for a disk drive is a damping feature applied to the contact area between the flexible circuit and the pivot housing, reducing the resonance energy transferred from the flexible circuit to the pivot housing. This invention reduces the direct energy transfer from the flexible circuit to the pivot house by applying a damping feature as embodied by damping material on the flexible circuit or pivot housing at the point at which they make contact or by adding a damper to the flexible circuit re-routing tip area between the pivot housing and the flexible circuit. The damping feature absorbs the resonance energy from the flexible circuit to the damping feature material and reduces the energy transferred from the flexible circuit to the pivot housing.

Abstract: A disk drive comprises a housing including a base; a disk rotatably attached to the base; a printed circuit board coupled to the base and including a plurality of circuit board pads; a head stack assembly pivotally coupled to the base about a pivot axis and a flex-to-board connector. The head stack assembly includes a head for reading and writing to the disk and a flex cable assembly that includes a flexible film including a plurality of conductive traces that are electrically coupled to the head. The flexible film includes a connecting portion in which each of the plurality of conductive traces defines a trace pad. Each trace pad is disposed on a surface of the flexible film that is generally parallel to the pivot axis. The flex-to-board connector is attached to the base and is configured to couple to the connecting portion of the flexible film and to maintain the surface of the flexible film on which the trace pads are disposed in an orientation that is generally parallel to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A magnetic head suspension includes an insulating base (12), wiring parts (13) formed on one surface of the insulating base (12) including a conductive metal layer, an elastic metal plate (14) provided on the other surface of the insulating base (12), and a wiring protecting layer (19) covering the wiring parts (13). The wiring protecting layer (19) is formed by subjecting a dry film containing an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin and a polymer containing aromatic rings to exposure and developing processes.

Abstract: Magnetic disk apparatus includes an electric wiring capable of satisfying an electric condition under which high frequency recording higher than or equal to 200 MHz, a magnetic head having at least a recording device to a magnetic recording medium, and also the electric wiring corresponding to a recording current supplying device to this magnetic head are formed on a suspension member for mechanically suspending the magnetic head, the recording current being supplied to a magnetic head recording device by employing such electric wiring, the characteristic impedance of which is higher than a maximum impedance of the magnetic head recording device.

Abstract: A new type of suspension circuit electrical bonding pad for electrically and mechanically connecting the magnetic recording head is described. The new type of bonding pad will serve as the joint material as well as the joint interface. Thus, there is no need to apply the conductive material in between the bonding pads and the magnetic recording head terminals, consequently reducing the process leading time and simplifying the magnetic recording head assembly process.

Abstract: A connector that can couple a flexible circuit board of a head gimbal assembly to driving circuits of an apparatus coupled to a hard disk. The connector includes a pair of spring biased plates that push the flexible circuit into contact with a printed circuit board. The circuit board is coupled to the driving circuits. The pressure plates can be manually pushed into an open position to allow an operator to insert or remove the flexible circuit board from the connector.

Abstract: A flex cable assembly for use in a disc drive data storage device includes a laminated flex cable and a flex cable support. The flex cable provides electrical communication paths between a moveable head stack assembly and a disc drive printed circuit board. The flex cable support comprises a base and adjacent first and second flex support portions with respective first and second flex support surfaces. The flex cable is routed along the flex support surfaces and exerts a spring force thereagainst as the flex cable attempts to return to a nominally planar orientation. The direction of the second flex support surface establishes the orientation of a dynamic loop between the flex cable support and the head stack assembly. Preferably, a portion of the flex cable pulls away from the second flex support surface to lengthen the dynamic loop in response to movement of the head stack assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for damping vibration in a flexible cable for use in a magnetic disk drive apparatus. The vibration damping mitigates resonant oscillation of the flexible cable which would otherwise cause tracking errors by forcing the actuator of the away from the desired data track on a magnetic disk. A layer vibration damping material and one or more electrical leads are enclosed within a surrounding electrical insulator, the damping material being completely enclosed, while the leads have selected portions exposed to allow electrical connection devices.

Abstract: A hard disk drive is formed of head signal patterns, voltage patterns, a ground pattern, and a current pattern, and characterized in having a flexible printed circuit (FPC) with a hole between the head signal patterns, and the voltage patterns, the ground pattern, and the current pattern. The effect of noise on the head signal patterns is reduced in the provided hard disk drive, and vibration energy at a specific low frequency band is reduced to minimize effects on a servo control and to improve overall performance of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A system and method for an improved magnetic head arm assembly (HAA) is disclosed. The HAA includes three principal components, a head gimbal assembly (HGA), a flexible printed circuit (FPC) assembly, and an actuator coil assembly. The design allows for HAA rigidity, yet each of the components is designable and manufacturable independent of one another, in addition to other advantages over current methods.

Abstract: One feature of the invention is to support a wiring structure on a side surface of an actuator arm used in a magnetic disk device so as not to allow fluttering to occur. In one embodiment, a wire support member 102a used in a magnetic disk device includes a protruding wall 108a provided with an opposing surface facing a wiring structure 90a and protruding in a width direction, and a protruding wall 110a provided with an opposing surface facing the wiring structure 90a and protruding in a width direction. The wire support member 102a is provided with a fixing area for accommodating the wiring structure between the opposing surface of the protruding wall 108a and the opposing surface of the protruding wall 110a. The wire support member 102a is further provided with an open area adjoining the fixing area at a longitudinal end portion of the protruding wall and includes protruding walls 328, 330, 332 each having an opposing surface facing the wiring structure.

Abstract: A carriage arm assembly is disclosed that has a sub-assembly and a signal relay member that is arranged on a side surface of an arm portion of a carriage arm of the sub-assembly for connection between a head slider and a head IC. The signal relay member includes a wire, a wrapping portion that is formed from a synthesized resin mixed with a charging prevention agent, and two pairs of hooks that are projecting from the wrapping portion. When the hooks are in contact with the arm portion of the carriage arm, static electricity possessed by the signal relay member flows away through the carriage arm, and this prevents a magnetic head at the end of the head slider from being destroyed by the static electricity. In addition, the hooks are engaged with grooves on the signal relay member so as to position the signal relay member on the arm portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically coupling a slider to a controller circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, a pre-amplifier with an integrated electrical connector (I-connector) may be connected via an electrical trace to a slider and via a head stack assembly flexible circuit to a control circuit. The pre-amplifier may have two parallel series of spring probe claws, two parallel series of contact pegs, two slots, or a slot and a rotary cam.

Abstract: To strengthen a flying lead portion of a long-tail flexible printed circuit (FPC) integrally formed with a flexure, stacked support portions of resin layers on both sides of a flying lead 7 of a long-tail FPC 6 are reinforced with metal frames 14. A fold-back portion 9 of the long-tail FPC 6 is folded back at 90 degrees so that flying lead 7 is disposed parallel with a turning shaft 21 of a carriage 20. The flying lead is then joined to a connection pad 26 on a main FPC board 24 using solder 18.

Abstract: A connector that can couple a flexible circuit board of a head gimbal assembly to driving circuits of an apparatus coupled to a hard disk. The connector includes a pair of spring biased plates that push the flexible circuit into contact with a printed circuit board. The circuit board is coupled to the driving circuits. The pressure plates can be manually pushed into an open position to allow an operator to insert or remove the flexible circuit board from the connector.

Abstract: A thermal component is mounted on the front surface of an isolator sheet within a first specific area. A thermally-conductive material is located on the back surface of the isolator sheet on the back of the first specific area. An electrically-conductive material is located on the front surface of the isolator sheet within a second specific area. A thermally-insulating material is located on the back surface of the isolator sheet on the back of the second specific area. The flexible printed circuit board unit of this type allows heat of the thermal component to efficiently radiate from the thermally-conductive material. An increase in temperature can be suppressed in the thermal component. Heat can reliably stay in the electrically-conductive material when a solder material is applied to the surface of the electrically-conductive material. The solder material is allowed to reliably fuse.

Abstract: A head actuator has two of arms that extend from a bearing assembly, and a relay FPC is fixed to each arm. The relay FPC extends from a head to the proximal end portion of the arm. The relay FPC includes a connecting portion located on the proximal end portion of the corresponding arm and has a first contact each. The connecting portions are opposed to each other across a space and form a female connector. A male connector attached to a main FPC has a projection detachably fitted in the female connector and second contacts provided on the projection and connected to the main FPC. As the projection of the male connector is fitted between the connecting portions of the female connector, the first and second contacts are pressed against each other, whereupon the relay FPC and the main FPC are connected electrically to each other.

Abstract: A connecting portion of the external side FPC board connected to a control circuit provided outside of a magnetic head assembly and connecting terminals of arm side FPC boards respectively connected to magnetic heads are overlapped with an anisotropic conductive tape having anisotropic conductivity in the direction of thickness in between. The anisotropic conductive tape is applied pressure between the connecting portion and the connecting terminals with heating to a temperature of, for example, 150° C. and is set. As a result, the connecting portion and the connecting terminals are connected. The anisotropic conductive tape has anisotropic conductivity only in the direction of thickness so that conduction of wirings adjacent each other is prevented although a plurality of wirings is formed on the connecting portion and the connecting terminals.

Abstract: An HDD, in which a magnetic head is moved in a substantially radial direction of a rotating magnetic disk to record and reproduce data on and from the disk, has an FPC that has a head IC. The FPC has a board and a flexible cable. The board has three chip resistors and a connector pin. The head IC is mounted on the distal end of the flexible cable. To identify the head IC, a probe of an inspection apparatus is connected to the connector pin, thereby to measure the impedance of the chip resistors.

Abstract: A connecting portion of the external side FPC board connected to a control circuit provided outside of a magnetic head assembly and connecting terminals of arm side FPC boards respectively connected to magnetic heads are overlapped with an anisotropic conductive tape having anisotropic conductivity in the direction of thickness in between. The anisotropic conductive tape is applied pressure between the connecting portion and the connecting terminals with heating to a temperature of, for example, 150° C. and is set. As a result, the connecting portion and the connecting terminals are connected. The anisotropic conductive tape has anisotropic conductivity only in the direction of thickness so that conduction of wirings adjacent each other is prevented although a plurality of wirings is formed on the connecting portion and the connecting terminals.

Abstract: An actuator assembly of a disc drive having an actuator arm rotatably mounted adjacent a data disc. The actuator arm has a top surface and a bottom surface, and includes a head gimbal assembly support portion located at one end of the actuator arm. The actuator assembly further includes an arm circuit fastened to the top surface of the actuator arm. The actuator assembly may additionally include a head gimbal assembly that electrically couples the data transducer and the arm circuit. The gimbal circuit is partially routed along the head gimbal assembly and over the top surface of the actuator arm. Alignment apertures on the arm circuit and the head gimbal circuit and alignment pins on the actuator arm may be used for positioning of the circuits over the top surface of the actuator arm.

Abstract: An interconnect apparatus for connecting a transducer to a flexible connector in an actuator assembly of a data storage device. The actuator assembly has a moveable actuator body and an arm extending from the body. The body defines a longitudinal opening aligned with the arm and associated with the placement of the interconnect apparatus. The interconnect apparatus includes a proximal end fixed to the actuator body and electrically connected to the flexible connector; a distal end fixed to the arm and electrically connected to the transducer; a medial portion electrically connecting the ends, a segment of the medial portion disposed within the actuator body opening; and a retaining member interposed between the medial portion and the actuator body within the opening, fixing the medial portion to the actuator body without using a bonding material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin actuator which is used for transferring a head of a magnetic disk drive, and prevents resultant malfunctions. In a moving part of the actuator in which a coil, holding member, housing, and plate-shaped terminals are integrated by resin molding, the plate-shaped terminals are provided in the holding member in a coil moving direction, and the plate-shaped terminals and connecting parts provided in a conductor end part of the flexible circuit board are brought into surface contact, and these contacted portions are electrically connected with solder.