US5870258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conductive trace flexure for a magnetic head suspension assembly
Assignee: Western Digital Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1997-09-16
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Granted: 1999-02-09
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Expires: 2017-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic head suspension assembly for transducing data from and onto a surface of a rotating magnetic disk includes a load beam for supplying a directed force to a slider, so as to maintain the slider at a desired height above the disk surface. A flexure is secured to the load beam, and is formed of a flexible dielectric layer on which a pattern of conductive traces are formed. These conductive traces are patterned for providing sufficient flexibility in various degrees of movement and stiffness to resist physical deformation, for imparting optimal mechanical and structural support to the slider and to the load beam, and for electrically connecting the slider to read/write electronic circuitry. In the preferred embodiment, the dielectric layer is made of a polymeric resinous material, such as polyimide, and the conductive traces are made of copper.
Inventors
- 👤 Amanullah Khan
- 👤 Kevin Patrick Hanrahan
- 👤 Yiao-Tee Hsia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:19
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/4806; G11B5/486; G11B5/4833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A suspension assembly for supporting a head, comprising: a load beam; flexure secured to said load beam; said flexure being formed of a dielectric layer containing a pattern of conductive traces; said dielectric layer providing added stiffness to said load beam; at least some of said conductive traces being adapted for connection to the head; said flexure including a forward portion; said load beam including a forward section; and said flexure forward portion extending onto a substantial surface of said load beam forward section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A suspension assembly for supporting a head, comprising: a load beam; flexure secured to said load beam; said flexure being formed of a dielectric layer containing a pattern of conductive traces; said dielectric layer providing added stiffness to said load beam; at least some of said conductive traces being adapted for connection to the head; said flexure including a forward portion; said load beam including a forward section; and said flexure forward portion extending onto a substantial surface of said load beam forward section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said dielectric layer is made of a polymeric resinous material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said dielectric layer is made of polyimide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said dielectric layer is made of plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said conductive traces are made of copper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said load beam includes a lateral edge; wherein said flexure further includes a bend portion and a rearward portion; and wherein said flexure bend portion extends integrally into said flexure rearward portion; and wherein said flexure rearward portion is substantially flattened against and secured to said load beam lateral edge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said flexure forward portion includes a wing that extends integrally, underneath said load beam, into a substantially uniform, elongated tail, which terminates proximately to a resilient section of said load beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said dielectric layer has a generally uniform thickness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the thickness of said dielectric layer is not uniform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly as recited in claim 6, further including stiffening regions on said flexure for increasing the stiffness of said flexure, and for controlling the flatness of said flexure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein said stiffening regions also act as stops for adhesive flow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly as recited in claim 10, further including one or more bond sites.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein at least one of said bond sites provides a ground connection.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said flexure includes a test pad.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said flexure forward portion extends generally symmetrically over substantially the entire surface of said load beam forward section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said flexure forward portion includes a tongue formed as part of said flexure for supporting the head.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein said flexure includes a dimple that bears on the head for providing a gimballing action.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein said load beam includes a dimple that bears on the head through a clearance opening in said tongue.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
79 words
A suspension assembly for supporting a head, comprising: a load beam; a flexure secured to said load beam; said flexure being formed of a dielectric layer containing a pattern of conductive traces; said dielectric layer providing added stiffness to said load beam; at least some of said conductive traces being adapted for connection to the head; said flexure including a forward portion; and said dielectric layer in said flexure forward portion extending in a tongue for supporting the head.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
79 words
A suspension assembly for supporting a head, comprising: a load beam; a flexure secured to said load beam; said flexure being formed of a dielectric layer containing a pattern of conductive traces; said dielectric layer providing added stiffness to said load beam; at least some of said conductive traces being adapted for connection to the head; said flexure including a forward portion; and said dielectric layer in said flexure forward portion extending in a tongue for supporting the head.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
83 words
A suspension assembly for supporting a head, comprising: a load beam; a flexure secured to said load beam; said flexure being formed of a dielectric layer containing a pattern of conductive traces; said dielectric layer providing added stiffness to said load beam; at least some of said conductive traces being adapted for connection to the head; said flexure including a forward portion; said load beam including a forward section; and said flexure forward portion extending generally symmetrically over said load beam forward section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
83 words
A suspension assembly for supporting a head, comprising: a load beam; a flexure secured to said load beam; said flexure being formed of a dielectric layer containing a pattern of conductive traces; said dielectric layer providing added stiffness to said load beam; at least some of said conductive traces being adapted for connection to the head; said flexure including a forward portion; said load beam including a forward section; and said flexure forward portion extending generally symmetrically over said load beam forward section.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-08 | 2002-08-10 | 2003-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-08 | 2006-08-10 | 2007-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-08 | 2010-08-10 | 2011-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |