Head suspension assembly having improved frequency response, accurate head positioning and minimized flying variation

• Main Author: WOLTER; RAYMOND R
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.04.1995
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: INFORMATION STORAGE; INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORDCARRIER AND TRANSDUCER; PHYSICS

A load beam is joined by its proximal end to a rigid actuator arm. The load beam has stiffening flanges projecting from its longitudinal edges. The flanges have a Z-axis measurement or height of at most about 0.4 mm. The flanges terminate co-extensive with the load beam surface. The distal end of the load beam has a load bearing dimple with a Z-axis height of at least about 0.10 mm. The flexure is attached to a distal end of the load beam. The load beam distal end may be narrower than the flexure. Longitudinal load beam edges in the base plate region may have a rail or tabs for supporting head connection. The load beam spring region may have a central area of reduced thickness. The load beam may have alignment and assembly tooling features. The flexure and the actuator base plate may be welded to the load beam, or the mounting arm and the load beam may be a unitary one-piece structure. Each flange may have a U-shaped or V-shaped cross-sectional profile, or each flange may taper from a minimum depth at a load beam proximal end to a maximum depth at a load beam distal end. The flexure may have areas of reduced thickness on the flexure arms.