Polymer bumps for trace and shock protection

Details Polymer bumps for trace and shock protection Polymer bumps for trace and shock protection

1998-11-16

2001-03-13

Ometz, David L. (Department: 2652)

Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval

Head mounting

Disk record

C360S245900

Reexamination Certificate

active

06201664

ABSTRACT:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is related to commonly assigned co-pending patent application attorney docket number JA9-97-007, entitled “Suspension Assembly With Resilient Shock Bumpers For A Disk Drive Device”, and is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates in general to suspension assemblies in a hard disk drive and in particular to preventing a suspension assembly from damaging a magnetic disk in a hard disk drive and protecting conductor traces in the head stack assembly process.
BACKGROUND ART
Magnetic recording files such as hard disk drives are commonly known in the art. Hard disk drives typically employ a plurality of magnetic read/write heads on the end of movable suspension actuator arms to interact with magnetic disks. As the demand for higher capacity disk drives increases, the disk-to-disk spacing has been reduced. Hence, the suspensions are getting closer to the disks.
Because of these close-fitting requirements, hard disk drives must be able to withstand some shock vibration such as that experienced during handling. In some applications, hard disk drives must also be able to survive high G-force impacts. Shock vibration can cause the stainless steel actuator arms to come into contact with the magnetic disks and scratch them, or produce contamination particles. These particles can damage the disks and cause slider crashes. During the head stack assembly process, a separator clip is inserted between each of the suspensions. The insertion and removal of the separator generates particles due to the sharp edges of the flexure stainless steel. The separator also touches the conductive traces and may damage the gold coating, thereby creating reliability concerns.
One way to reduce the risk of particle generation is to add flanges on the flexure sides of the suspension. Unfortunately, this will add extra material to the suspension and one more forming process step to its manufacture. These disadvantages would add additional cost to the disk drive. An inexpensive device or feature is needed to eliminate contamination during the head separation process and to protect the traces and disks in high shock environments.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A hard disk drive has actuator arms with a load beam or suspension extending from one end. Each suspension carries an integrated lead layer with electrical traces which are connected to a magnetic read/write heads for interacting with magnetic disks in the disk drive. Each suspension also has a pair of pads on each side of the traces. The pads may be formed from polyamide or some other preferred polymer. Each pad has a series of bumps which give the pads a greater thickness than the lead layer for preventing contact between the traces, suspensions and magnetic disks during shock vibration. The pads also prevent contact between the trace conductors and the head separator during the separation process.


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IBM Bulletin Jun. 1995 “High-Shock Resistant HSA/HAA”.
IBM Bulletin Oct. 1995 “Flexure Design for High Shock”.

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