Abstract: A hard disk drive carriage arm includes a top depressed portion or indentation extending from a top surface toward a bottom surface and a bottom depressed portion or indentation extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface and opposing the top depressed portion. As such, a separating structure between the depressed portions partitions a corresponding balance hole, preferably at or near a mid-plane between the top and bottom surfaces. This configuration does not notably increase windage-based power loss while suppressing fluid force fluctuation, thereby stabilizing and balancing the airflow inside of the depressed portions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk device includes magnetic disks, a first head gimbal assembly, a first damper, and a carriage. The first head gimbal assembly includes a first magnetic head, a first load beam, and a first base plate. The first load beam supports the first magnetic head. The first base plate is connected to the first load beam. The first damper includes a first viscoelastic material, and a first member attached to the first viscoelastic material. The carriage rotates about a rotation axis to move the first magnetic head along a recording surface of a first magnetic disk. The carriage includes an arm, and a first flat surface of the arm. The first flat surface faces the recording surface of the first magnetic disk. The first base plate and the first viscoelastic material are fixed to the first flat surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a plurality of recording media each including a recording layer and an actuator assembly including an actuator block rotatably supported around a rotation shaft, a plurality of arms extending from the actuator block, and suspension assemblies respectively attached to the arms and supporting respective magnetic heads. Of the plurality of arms, at least one arm has vibration characteristics different from those of the other arms.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a plurality of recording media each including a recording layer and an actuator assembly including an actuator block rotatably supported around a rotation shaft, a plurality of arms extending from the actuator block, and suspension assemblies respectively attached to the arms and supporting respective magnetic heads. Of the plurality of arms, at least one arm has vibration characteristics different from those of the other arms.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a magnetic storage device includes a top surface and a bottom surface that opposes the top surface. The actuator assembly also includes a first constraining layer that is secured to the top surface by a first adhesive layer. The first adhesive layer is positioned between the top surface and the first constraining layer. Additionally, the actuator assembly includes a second constraining layer that is secured to the bottom surface by a second adhesive layer. The second adhesive layer is positioned between the bottom surface and the second constraining layer. At least one of (i) the first constraining layer is configured differently than the second constraining layer; and (ii) the first adhesive layer is configured differently than the second adhesive layer.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein address the foregoing problems by providing a suspension assembly used in a storage device to support a transducer head, wherein the suspension assembly comprises a base plate for attaching to an actuator arm and a moving portion movably attached to the base plate. The base plate is fixed and/or clamped to the actuator arm and the moving portion adapted to rotate about a center of rotation. The moving portion is adapted to have a center of mass of its moving mass substantially close to its center of rotation. In one implementation, a counter-weight is attached to the moving portion to move the center of mass of its moving mass substantially close to its center of rotation to minimize inertial loads to the system during suspension actuation.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a method for manufacturing a disk drive head suspension component. Such methods can comprise providing a head suspension component comprising a layer of insulating material on a spring metal layer. Such methods can further comprise forming a strain gauge element and a trace seed layer by depositing a first metal on the insulating material layer, such as by sputtering. The strain gauge element and the trace seed layer can be formed simultaneously by the depositing of the first metal as part of the same process step. The first metal can be of a strain gauge class of metal having relatively high resistivity, such as constantan. Such methods can further comprise plating a second metal on the trace seed layer to form one or more traces.

Abstract: A mount plate includes a flange having a first surface and an opposing second surface and a boss tower having a swage hole and extending from an area where the boss tower meets the first surface of the flange to an end surface of the boss tower. The boss tower has an inner diameter defining an inner surface of the swage hole, an outer diameter defining a portion of an outer surface of the boss tower and at least one cut-out portion formed in the boss tower along an obliquely angled plane. The cut-out portion intersects with the outer surface at a first area located a first distance from where the boss tower meets the first surface of the flange and intersects with the end surface at a second area located a second distance from the inner diameter. The first distance is less than the second distance.

Abstract: A suspension clamp is disclosed for clamping a disk drive suspension to an actuator arm. The suspension clamp comprises a housing including a spring operable to bias a latching member, wherein the latching member is rotatable about a pivot. After compressing the spring and rotating the latching member in a first direction, the latching member is operable to clamp the suspension to the actuator arm by decompressing the spring.

Abstract: A system for fastening a head stack to a hard drive base assembly (HDBA) comprises a threaded head stack pivot (THSP) having a socket defined therein. The socket comprises a proximal portion defined by inner walls arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the socket and a distal portion having a width less than a width of the proximal portion and forming a ledge adjacent to the proximal portion. The system also comprises a bit for driving the THSP into an HDBA. The bit comprises a head comprising contact surfaces arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bit and tapered surfaces extending from respective contact surfaces to a distal end of the bit. The bit is configured to engage the ledge at seams formed between adjacent tapered surfaces and to engage the inner walls with respective contact surfaces when driving the THSP into the HDBA.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a magnetic head supporting suspension includes forming a load beam blank having a load beam with a dimple formed therein, and a frame portion with a positioning part formed therein; and forming a flexure blank having a flexure and a frame portion. A fitting portion in the flexure blank is fittable to the positioning part. An anti-rotation portion is formed on the load beam blank or a member attached to the load beam blank. A receiving portion in the flexure blank is fittable to the anti-rotation portion. The load beam blank and flexure blank are superposed with the positioning part fitted to the fitting portion. The anti-rotation portion is fitted to the receiving portion, and the flexure is fixed to the load beam. The load beam and flexure are thereafter separated from the frame portions.

Abstract: A magnetic disk device including a disk, a spindle motor, a base for supporting the spindle motor and the disk, a slider includes a head element. The device also includes an actuator including arms for supporting the slider and a coil of a voice coil motor for rotating the arms, wherein a first natural bending frequency of the coil is less than a first natural bending frequency of the arms.

Abstract: The present invention directs an anti-shock method for head stack assembly which carries a slider for flying on a disk for operation, and the anti-shock method includes: inputting a constant current to a head disk interface sensor which is deposited in the slider; obtaining a changing voltage of the head disk interface sensor, which is changed with the temperature of the head disk interface sensor as the slider is shocked; outputting the changing voltage to a controller with a threshold set therein; if the changing voltage is bigger than the threshold for a specified number of times, the controller is triggered to control the head stack assembly to stop operating and load on a ramp beside the disk; while if the changing voltage is small than the threshold for said specified number of times, the controller is not be triggered and the head stack assembly still operates.

Abstract: In a magnetic head suspension according to the present invention, each of paired right and left connecting beams that are positioned on both sides of an open section, with which paired piezoelectric elements are at least partially overlapped in a plan view, in a suspension width direction and connect a proximal end section that is directly or indirectly connected to a main actuator and a distal end section to which the load bending part is connected includes proximal-side and distal-side beams. The distal-side beam is inclined with respect to the proximal-side beam in a plan view such that a connection point between the proximal-side and distal-side beams is located closer to a suspension longitudinal center line relative to a virtual line connecting the proximal end of the proximal-side beam and the distal end of the distal-side beam.

Abstract: In a magnetic head suspension according to the present invention, each of paired right and left connecting beams that are positioned on both sides of an open section, with which paired piezoelectric elements are at least partially overlapped in a plan view, in a suspension width direction and connect a proximal end section that is directly or indirectly connected to a main actuator and a distal end section to which the load bending part is connected includes proximal-side and distal-side beams. The distal-side beam is inclined with respect to the proximal-side beam in a plan view such that a connection point between the proximal-side and distal-side beams is located closer to a suspension longitudinal center line relative to a virtual line connecting the proximal end of the proximal-side beam and the distal end of the distal-side beam.

Abstract: Described herein is a disk drive having a head stack assembly with an actuator arm that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and has a damping layer disposed on the actuator arm. The damping layer has first and second damping portions, which can include an adhesive or viscoelastic layer. The first damping portion has different damping properties than the second damping portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head suspension, wherein a supporting portion such as an arm or base plate includes a pair of supporting pieces extending from its opposite sides in the widthwise direction to a tip-end side of the suspension, and a concave portion which is defined by the pair of supporting pieces and is opened toward the tip-end side of the suspension, there is provided an elastically-deformable elastic plate which is connected to the pair of supporting pieces at a first end and a second end in the widthwise direction of the magnetic head suspension, the member forming the load beam portion is connected to the elastic plate, and the elastic plate forms the load bending portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head suspension, wherein a supporting portion such as an arm or base plate includes a pair of supporting pieces extending from its opposite sides in the widthwise direction to a tip-end side of the suspension, and a concave portion which is defined by the pair of supporting pieces and is opened toward the tip-end side of the suspension, there is provided an elastically-deformable elastic plate which is connected to the pair of supporting pieces at a first end and a second end in the widthwise direction of the magnetic head suspension, the member forming the load beam portion is connected to the elastic plate, and the elastic plate forms the load bending portion.

Abstract: An endcap for use on an actuator arm carrying a single head gimbal assembly, the endcap comprising a body, and a shielding feature extending from the body for reducing windage excitation of the head gimbal assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head suspension, wherein a supporting portion such as an arm or base plate includes a pair of supporting pieces extending from its opposite sides in the widthwise direction to a tip-end side of the suspension, and a concave portion which is defined by the pair of supporting pieces and is opened toward the tip-end side of the suspension, there is provided an elastically-deformable elastic plate which is connected to the pair of supporting pieces at a first end and a second end in the widthwise direction of the magnetic head suspension, the member forming the load beam portion is connected to the elastic plate, and the elastic plate forms the load bending portion.

Abstract: Described herein is a disk drive having an actuator arm constrained layer damper, for reducing, during use, vibration of the actuator arm. The damper can include a first substantially planar portion that is configured to be positioned on and coupled to a top surface of an actuator arm. The damper can also include a second substantially planar portion extending in a plane transverse to the first planar portion and configured to be coupled to at least one of a side surface of the actuator arm or a surface of an adjacent actuator body.

Abstract: In a hard disk drive (HDD), a ratio of the distance R between the axis of rotation of an actuator and a magnetic head to the distance R0 between the axis of rotation of the actuator and the center of a disk is in the range of 0.9 to 0.96. Thus, the deviation of the skew angles for the tracks from 0 degrees is minimized and yet a swing arm of the actuator can be relatively short. Accordingly, not only is the recording density maximized, but the HDD can be small and light as well.

Abstract: This application discloses a hard disk drive comprising a arm limiter mounted on a disk base to limit movement of the actuator arms during a non-operational shock event while parked. The arm limiter and disk base are disclosed in various combinations to limit actuator arm movement during non-operational shocks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head suspension, wherein a supporting portion such as an arm or base plate includes a pair of supporting pieces extending from its opposite sides in the widthwise direction to a tip-end side of the suspension, and a concave portion which is defined by the pair of supporting pieces and is opened toward the tip-end side of the suspension, there is provided an elastically-deformable elastic plate which is connected to the pair of supporting pieces at a first end and a second end in the widthwise direction of the magnetic head suspension, the member forming the load beam portion is connected to the elastic plate, and the elastic plate forms the load bending portion.

Abstract: Interconnections for attaching a suspension assembly to an arm of an actuator or positioning device are disclosed. In illustrated embodiments, the interconnection includes one or more weld connections formed along opposed side seams of overlapping portions of the arm and head suspension assembly. In illustrated embodiments, the weld connections are formed along side surfaces generally transverse to upper and lower surfaces of the arm. In another embodiment, a groove pattern is formed, for example via a laser etching process, in an overlapping portion of the head suspension assembly or arm and an epoxy is inlayed in the groove to connect the head suspension assembly and arm. Illustrated embodiments also include multiple connections including, for example, a swage connection and a weld or other connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head suspension, wherein a supporting portion such as an arm or base plate includes a pair of supporting pieces extending from its opposite sides in the widthwise direction to a tip-end side of the suspension, and a concave portion which is defined by the pair of supporting pieces and is opened toward the tip-end side of the suspension, there is provided an elastically-deformable elastic plate which is connected to the pair of supporting pieces at a first end and a second end in the widthwise direction of the magnetic head suspension, the member forming the load beam portion is connected to the elastic plate, and the elastic plate forms the load bending portion.

Abstract: A head suspension 15 includes a base plate 27, a load bend 35, a load beam 37, a flexure 39, and a slider 25 that are assembled together through several processes including a pressing process. In such a head suspension 15 that is a finished product in a conventional sense, a front end 30 of the base plate 27 is twisted so that the front end 30 inclines toward one of inner and outer circumferences of a disk-like recording medium 33. The twisting process is carried out before attaching the head suspension 15 to an arm 13 of a carriage to be installed in a hard disk drive. The head suspension 15 with the twisted front end 30 prevents off-track errors even when it is used for a multi-arm assembly involving a plurality of head suspensions.

Abstract: It is an object to achieve prevention of lowering resonant frequency and improved production efficiency while achieving reduction in weight of a supporting part with a boss portion and reduction in thickness at area at which the boss portion is located. In the present invention, the supporting part includes a first supporting member with which a load bending part is connected, and a second supporting member with the boss portion and a main body region extended radially outward from the boss portion. At least one of the inner periphery of the mount hole and the outer periphery of the main body region is integrally provided with a rib region.

Abstract: A ramp to park a read/write head includes a fixed portion fixed to a base member of the hard disk drive, and a supporting portion to contact and support the tip-tab of the suspension assembly and includes an inclined rail surface and a horizontal rail surface which extend in a moving direction of the tip-tab, wherein a rail boundary between the inclined rail surface and the horizontal rail surface is inclined with respect to a lengthwise axis of the tip-tab. The rail boundary can be a straight line inclined at an angle with respect to the lengthwise axis of the tip-tab, or can be curved toward the horizontal rail surface or the inclined rail surface.

Abstract: A novel head stack assembly (HSA), and method for HSA assembly, are disclosed and claimed. A first flexure tail has a long axis approximately parallel to a side of the actuator arm. The actuator arm includes a slot in the side having a slot end. The first flexure tail is disposed partially within the slot. The first flexure tail includes a first raised region in contact with the slot adjacent the slot end. The first raised region includes an out-of-plane bend with cross-sectional curvature along the long axis. The first raised region may be squeezed while inserting the first flexure tail partially within the side slot, with the first raised region adjacent the slot end, and then allowed to expand into contact with the slot adjacent the slot end.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention prevent a magnetic disk drive from increasing in size and in manufacturing cost and reduces a positioning error of a magnetic head. An embodiment of a magnetic disk drive in accordance with the present invention includes: a disk-shaped magnetic disk that is rotated and driven; a magnetic head that reads and writes information to and from the magnetic disk, an arm that supports and moves the magnetic head; a spoiler that is close to a disk surface and extends in a radial direction of the disk; and a cabinet that houses these parts. The spoiler is disposed closer to an upstream side in a rotational direction of the disk than the arm and has a flow rate suppressing clearance positioned in a central portion in a peripheral direction of the spoiler, opened to both sides in an axial direction, and formed in a shape elongated in a radial direction of the disk.

Abstract: A head stack assembly (HSA) for a hard disk drive (HDD) comprises a swing arm rotatably coupled to a base member of the HDD, a connection plate coupled to an edge part of the swing arm, a head suspension component attached to the connection plate, and a head slider comprising a magnetic read/write head attached to an edge part of the head suspension component.

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: A carriage for a disc device, which has a top arm, bottom arm, and mid arm, has a main mode, end arm mode, and mid arm mode as a frequency response obtained when subjected to a vertical shake. In the main mode, all of the top, bottom, and mid arms swing at a first frequency within the same phase in a primary bending mode. In an end arm mode, the top and bottom arms swing at a second frequency higher than the first frequency within opposite phases and with an amplitude larger than that of the mid arm. In the mid arm mode, the mid arm swings at a third frequency having a difference of 50 Hz or less from the second frequency within the same phase as in the main mode, and the top and bottom arms swing within the phase opposite from that in the main mode.

Abstract: A head suspension for a hard disk drive is thin from an arm to a head and involves a minimum step between the arm and a load beam. The head suspension includes a load beam that includes a rigid part and a resilient part. The load beam applies load onto a head that is arranged at a front end of the load beam to write and read data to and from a disk arranged in the hard disk drive. The head is connected to read/write wiring patterns of a flexure. The flexure supports the head and is attached to a disk-facing surface of the rigid part. An arm is attached to a carriage of the hard disk drive and is turned around a spindle. The arm supports the resilient part that is attached to a base end of the rigid part. A disk-facing surface of the arm is arranged within the total of thicknesses of the rigid part and head.

Abstract: A method for assembling a head stack assembly with a disk drive base utilizing a tooling mandrel is described. The head stack assembly includes a pivot bearing cartridge with a shaft and a sleeve. The shaft includes a shaft first end with an engagement feature. The shaft defines an axis of rotation and a shaft outer circumferential surface. The sleeve defines a sleeve inner circumferential surface disposed towards the shaft outer circumferential surface. The tooling mandrel includes a retainer element defining a longitudinal axis and including a distal end. The distal end engages the engagement feature. The tooling mandrel includes tooling fingers angularly fixed to the retainer element with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tooling fingers each include a tip portion. Each tip portion engages the pivot bearing cartridge through cooperative radial movement with respect to the axis of rotation with the distal end engaged with the engagement feature.

Abstract: Actuator arm includes an island coupling through a mote to at least two of actuator base, first and second actuator arm bridge. Head stack including at least one actuator arm. Head stack assembly including head stack. Hard disk drive including head stack assembly. Manufacturing methods for actuator arm, head stack, head stack assembly, and hard disk drive, and the products of these processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic head actuator and a magnetic disk device in which a magnetic head is moved to a predetermined position by actuating an arm on a revolving magnetic disk. A magnetic head actuator comprises an arm in which a suspension for supporting a magnetic head is provided, the arm being actuated to move the magnetic head. A damper material is provided on at least one side of the arm, the damper material comprising a restriction material and a viscoelastic material, the restriction material suppressing vibrations of the arm, and the viscoelastic material absorbing vibrations of the arm.

Abstract: An actuator assembly usable un a hard disk drive includes an actuator arm having an arm hole to improve dynamic characteristics. The actuator arm of the actuator assembly has an arm hole having first, second, and third extended portions, and two members positioned at both sides of the arm hole. The first extended portion is formed at an edge positioned at a leading end of the arm hole so that each of leading ends of the two members has a first reduced width, the second extended portions are formed at edges positioned at a rear end of the arm hole so that each of rear ends of the two members has a second reduced width, and the third extended portions are formed at both sides of a middle portion of the arm hole so that each of middle portions of the two members has a third reduced width.

Abstract: A method of reducing oscillation at the read write element of a hard disk drive, is described. In one embodiment, a flex cable for conducing data signals from a head stack assembly to a connector is provided. One or more weights are then coupled with the flex cable at one or more predetermined locations. The one or more predetermined locations are selected based upon mass distribution along the flex cable.

Abstract: A head support device of self-balancing type and a disk drive are disclosed. The head support device reduces manufacturing variation in a load and the number of components, and has stability and reliability, while being inexpensive. In this head support device, a flange and a nut cramp, via a collar, a head support arm having a reinforcing plate fixed thereto. The head support arm is supported rotatably about a line provided between contact points at which pivots contact the flange and in a direction perpendicular to a recording medium. A spring as an elastic member provides an urging force toward the recording medium, and is provided unitarily with the head support arm. Bent portions are provided on both sides of the arm composing the head support arm to a tab.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a storage disk having a data surface, a head suspension assembly, an actuator assembly and an E-block. The actuator assembly moves the E-block relative to the storage disk. The E-block includes a first actuator arm and a second actuator arm. The first actuator arm supports the head suspension assembly while the second actuator arm supports no head suspension assemblies. The first actuator arm has a first upper surface having a first configuration. The second actuator arm has a second upper surface having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration and is tuned to decrease off-track displacement of the data transducer. In non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the actuator arms have substantially similar thicknesses, but have different perimeters, shapes, volumes and/or other properties.

Abstract: A mounting arm for a hard disk drive having a generally planar region, the mounting arm having at least one striation formed on the generally planar region to provide compressive residual stress with desirable shape characteristics in the mounting arm.

Abstract: A head stack assembly includes a head stack assembly main body moving a head across a disk, and rotating around a predetermined pivot shaft. The head stack assembly also includes a center of gravity compensation portion coupled to the head stack assembly main body and compensating for imbalances in the center of gravity of the head stack assembly main body to be not more than a reference imbalance value. The reference imbalance value is based on an imbalance value of the center of gravity of the head stack assembly main body measured with respect to a rotational center of the pivot shaft.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly includes a plate member located at a position distanced from the base. A head slider is supported at the front end of the plate member. A leaf spring connects the rear end of the plate member to the front end of the base. A rib extends at least from the rear end of the plate member toward the front end of the plate member. A restraining piece is located in a space between the rib and the base. When the internal force is induced in the head suspension assembly in response to an impact, the leaf spring receives a force to bend upward to move the head slider upward. The restraining piece serves to avoid any change in the position of the plate member relative to the base. The lead spring is prevented from bending. The plate member is thus reliably prevented from an upward movement.

Abstract: A HSA of the present invention includes a voice coil; an E-block connected to the voice coil, which including at least one actuator arms; at least one HGAs, wherein each HGA is swaged on a tip of the respective actuator arm and includes a suspension having a flexure for supporting a slider thereon; and at least one support block formed on each actuator arm which having a supporting portion to support a tail end of the flexure so as to reduce or delete a displacement of the flexure. The invention also discloses a manufacturing method thereof and a disk drive unit with such an HSA.

Abstract: Mounts for securing magnetic disk drive head suspensions to actuator arms. The mounts include structures that snap onto the actuator arm to provide a secure friction fit engagement. The mounts can be efficiently removed to permit rework of the suspension and head components.

Abstract: An actuator arm with suppressed arm fluttering is provided. On a main surface of each actuator arm in an actuator arm unit there are formed a rigid area which extends centrally in the longitudinal direction and flow uniformizing areas which are each formed in a substantially flat shape extending longitudinally in adjacency to the rigid area and which are thinner than the rigid area. A balance aperture is not formed in the portion where the flow uniformizing areas and the rigid area are formed, to diminish arm fluttering. Instead of a balance aperture, the flow uniformizing areas also exhibit the effect of reducing the weight of the actuator arm.

Abstract: A laminated actuator arm of a hard disk drive. The actuator arm can be laminated with a relatively stiff material and a low density material. The stiff material can provide structural integrity for the arm. The low density material may be a damping material that damps shock and vibration energy transmitted into the arm.

Abstract: Outer arm constrained layer dampers to improve actuator dynamics are disclosed. One embodiment provides a housing and disk pack mounted to the housing and having a plurality of disks that are rotatable relative to the housing. In addition, an actuator is coupled to the housing, the actuator having a plurality of suspensions arms for reaching over the plurality of disks. A first damper is coupled with an outside (or inside) portion of a top outside suspension arm of the plurality of suspensions arms. In addition, a second damper is coupled with an outside (or inside) portion of a bottom suspension arm of the plurality of suspensions arms. In so doing, vibration modes involving deformation of the top suspension arm and the bottom suspension arm are damped.