초록 ▼

A flexure assembly for mounting and supporting a read/write head in a rigid disc drive data storage device. The flexure assembly includes a main flexure member which has a rigid beam and a gimbal portion integrally formed using the processes of etching and half-etching. A load transfer extension is

A flexure assembly for mounting and supporting a read/write head in a rigid disc drive data storage device. The flexure assembly includes a main flexure member which has a rigid beam and a gimbal portion integrally formed using the processes of etching and half-etching. A load transfer extension is fixedly attached to the rigid beam of the main flexure member, and is used to transfer a balancing force to counteract the self-acting hydrodynamic air bearing which is an integral part of the head. Application of the balancing force is through a load point button formed using the half-etching process on the tab used to adhesively mount the head. Attachment of the load transfer extension to the rigid beam is accomplished using either adhesives, or, preferably, an arrangement of tabs which are bent into cooperative arrangement with alignment features, thus eliminating the need to weld a separate gimbal member to a flexure load beam.

대표청구항 ▼

A flexure assembly for mounting a head to an actuator in a disc drive data storage device, the flexure assembly comprising: a main flexure member, formed of a single continuous piece of material having a first material thickness, the main flexure member comprising: mounting means for connecting the

A flexure assembly for mounting a head to an actuator in a disc drive data storage device, the flexure assembly comprising: a main flexure member, formed of a single continuous piece of material having a first material thickness, the main flexure member comprising: mounting means for connecting the flexure assembly to the actuator, flexible beam means for exerting a balancing force to determine flying height of the head, a rigid beam for carrying the balancing force to the head, gimbal means for allowing roll and pitch compliance in flying attitude of the head, the gimbal means comprising: a pair of gimbal arms having a second material thickness less than the first material thickness, the gimbal arms laterally displaced from and extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rigid beam, the gimbal arms having first and second ends, the first ends being integral to the rigid beam, a cross-member integral to and connecting the second ends of the gimbal arms, and a head mounting tab integral to and projecting from the cross-member along the longitudinal axis toward the rigid beam, the head mounting tab having a load point button and a thickness which is less than the first material thickness and substantially equal to the second material thickness except at the location of the load point button, which retains the first material thickness, a load transfer extension fabricated as a separate piece of material from the main flexure member and comprising: a mounting portion for attachment of the load transfer extension to the rigid beam, and a contact surface which extends beyond the rigid beam and contacts a top of the load point button, and attachment means for attaching the load transfer extension to the rigid beam.