JP3443503B2 - Multi-layer suspension - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to slider suspension assemblies for data recording information storage systems and methods of making such assemblies. In particular, the present invention relates to improved suspensions for magnetic disk drive systems and methods of electrically connecting the suspensions to the actuator arm leads or electronic packages.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Information storage devices, including magnetic storage devices and optical data storage systems, read at least one rotatable disk having concentric data tracks containing information and reading data from various tracks. Or use a transducer to write data to it and a head positioning actuator connected to the head to move the head to the desired track and keep it on the track centerline during read and write operations. The transducer is mounted on a head (or "slider") having an air bearing surface that is supported adjacent to the disk's data surface by a cushion of air produced by a rotating disk. The slider is attached to the suspension on its backside (opposite the air bearing surface) and the suspension is attached to the actuator arm of the head positioning actuator.

This suspension provides dimensional stability between the slider and the actuator arm, controlled flexibility of slider pitch and roll motion with respect to the direction of motion on the rotating disk, and resistance to yaw motion. . Suspensions are typically the air bearing between the slider air bearing surface and the disk surface.
A load or force is applied to the slider that is compensated by the bearing force. Therefore, the slider is kept in close proximity to the data surface of the disk, but without contact. A suspension is usually a load beam attached to one end of an actuator arm, and a load
A flexure element is attached to the other end of the beam to support the slider. The load beam provides an elastic spring action that biases the slider toward the disk surface, and the flexure provides flexibility to the slider as it rides on the cushion of air between the air bearing surface and the rotating disk. provide. Such a suspension is described in US Pat. No. 4,167,765. An example of a conventional slider is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,823,416 assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

One type of composite or laminated structure comprising a base layer, a patterned conductive layer having patterned electrical leads formed thereon, and an insulating layer formed thereon is an IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin. ，
Vol. 22, No. 4 (September, 1979), pp. 1602-1603. In this laminated suspension, the slider is glued to the laminated suspension with epoxy and the transducer leads are soldered to the electrical leads formed on the suspension.

Another laminated structure type suspension having a stainless steel base layer, a polyimide insulating layer formed on the base layer, and a copper alloy patterned conductive layer formed on the insulating layer is described in US Patent No. 4996623
No. The etched copper layer electrically connects the lead structure to the read / write electronics of the thin film magnetic head transducer and disk drive.
A method of attaching a slider to a slider of a stacked / etched suspension of a data recording disk file is described in US Pat. No. 4,716,699 and IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 36, No. 2 (February 1993). There is.

A slider suspension assembly (or "head gimbal assembly" (HG
A)) is an integral unit consisting of a slider electrically and mechanically attached to the suspension. All current head gimbal assemblies that are commercially available, the signal reading and writing electro from the magnetic transducer on the slider using a separate wire (or "head")
Send to Nix Package. These wires terminate into an electronic component card or flex cable integrated with the actuator arm. To do this termination , use a
Located on cable or electronics package
Place on a termination pad, then electrically connected to the termination pads by reflow soldering operation or ultrasonic wire bonding process. Much of the disk drive industry uses a manual termination process in which trained operators use microscopes and tweezers to place wires individually on termination pads. The disadvantage of this type of manual process is that it is time consuming, tedious,
The result is uneven results specific to manual processes.

[0007] IBM uses an automated process of tensioning wires on a frame that holds the wires in alignment for placement on a pad. This eliminates variations due to manual processes. However, there are still variables due to wire tension and tolerances in the frame when attaching the frame to the suspension. Even without such variables, it is still necessary to align the frame with the wires on the termination pad of the electronics package or flex cable. Such alignment is necessary because assembly tolerances and component tolerances add up during assembly of the electronics package to the actuator arm, increasing the misalignment of the pad placement locations. This inconsistency coupled with variable wire position, electrical termination
Robot, the wires pad coater running the Nation
You may have to make minor adjustments for each mine .

[0008]

Therefore, the head gimbal assembly is electrically connected to the actuator arm electronics package or flex cable which eliminates the tolerances caused by attachment to the wire frame and its suspension. It is desirable to provide an improved automated process. In addition, the lead wire of the head gimbal assembly is electro
Nix package or flex cable tar
It is desirable to provide an automated process that can be easily and accurately aligned with Mi Nation pad.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a multi-layer suspension having a slider end and a termination end suitable for use in a slider suspension assembly of an information storage system. The suspension comprises a conductive lead structure having at least one conductor included in a patterned conductive layer formed on one or more layers. The conductive lead structure is
Connected to the slider of the transducer leads slider end, data
Ter of the arm electronics with over Mi Nation end
Suitable for connecting to a termination pad. The suspension further comprises a fixture formed from one or more layers and coplanar with the termination end of the conductive lead structure and having one or more anchor tabs attached to the layers of the conductive lead structure. Also prepare.
Fixture, by rotating the termination end of the conductive lead structure in the plane of the termination end, it is suitable for aligning the wires to the termination pads.

The above as well as additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described as an embodiment of a magnetic disk storage system as shown in FIG. Obviously, it can also be applied to systems. At least one rotatable magnetic disk 212 is supported on a spindle 214 and is rotated by a disk drive motor 218. The magnetic recording medium on each disk is in the form of an annular pattern of concentric data tracks (not shown) on disk 212.

At least one slider 213 is disposed on the disk 212, and each slider 213 supports one or more magnetic read / write heads 221. As the disk rotates, the slider 213 moves radially inward or outward so that the head 221 can access various locations on the disk surface 222 that contain data. Each slider 213 is attached to an actuator arm 219 by a suspension 215. The suspension 215 provides a slight spring force that biases the slider 213 and presses it against the disk surface 222. Each actuator arm 219
Attached to actuator means 227. The actuator means illustrated in FIG. 1 is a voice coil motor (VCM). A VCM is a coil that can move within a fixed magnetic field, and the direction and speed of coil movement is controlled by the current supplied.

During operation of the disk storage system, rotation of disk 212 causes slider 213 and disk surface 2 to rotate.
Air bearings are generated between the two. Thus, the air bearing balances the slight spring force of suspension 215 and supports slider 213 away from the disk surface at small intervals that are approximately constant during operation. Although the preferred embodiment describes an air bearing, any fluid bearing may be used, including a lubricating oil.

The various components of the disk storage system are controlled in operation by signals generated by a control (read / write electronics ) unit 229 including logic control circuits, storage means and a microprocessor, such as access control signals and internal clock signals. It The control unit 229 generates control signals for controlling the operation of various systems, such as motor control signals on line 223 and head position control signals on line 228. The control signal on line 228 causes the selected slider 213 to associate with the associated disk 21.
2 provides the desired current profile for optimal movement and positioning on the desired data track on 2.
Read and write signals are communicated to and from the read / write head 221 by a recording channel 225, which includes conductors extending along suspension 215 and actuator arm 219.

The above description of a typical magnetic disk storage system, and the associated diagram of FIG. 1, are for representation purposes only. The invention described in this application is useful for any mechanical configuration of a disk drive or direct access storage device ("DASD") of a magnetic storage system. Obviously, a disk storage system can accommodate a large number of disks and actuators, with each actuator capable of supporting several sliders. For example, FIG. 2 is an exploded view of disk drive 310. Note that although a rotary actuator is shown, the invention described in this application is also applicable to linear actuators. The disk drive 310 includes a housing 312 and a housing cover 314,
It is mounted in the frame 316 after assembly. An actuator arm assembly 320 is rotatably mounted within a housing 312 on an actuator shaft 318. One end of the actuator arm assembly 320 includes an E-block or comb structure 322 having a plurality of actuator arms 323. Separate arm 3 on comb or E-block 322
A spring type suspension 324 is attached to 23. A slider 326 carrying a magnetic transducer (not shown in FIG. 2) is attached to the end of each spring suspension. Spring suspension 324 and slider 3 of actuator arm assembly 320
At the other end opposite 26 is a voice coil 328.

Inside the housing 312, a pair of magnets 33
0 is attached. A pair of magnets 330 and voice coils 328 are included in actuator assembly 32.
0 force is applied to the actuator shaft 318
It is an important part of the voice coil motor that rotates around the. A spindle shaft 332 is also mounted in the housing 312. Several disks 334 are rotatably mounted on the spindle shaft 332. In FIG. 2, eight disks are mounted on the spindle shaft 332. The discs 334 are mounted on the spindle shaft 332 at intervals.

See FIG. 3 for an example of a prior art subassembly. The prior art suspension is
It comprises a load beam 100 and a flexure 120 located at the end of the load beam 100.
The suspension is mounted to the disk file actuator arm (not shown) by the mounting plate 140.
Attached to. The slider 160 is made of alumina (Al
It is a conventional slider formed of a ceramic material such as ₂ O ₃ ) or titanium carbide (TiC). Slider 160
Includes an air bearing surface 180 that includes two rails 120, 122, a back side 124 that is generally parallel and opposite the air bearing surface 180, and an air bearing surface 180.
And a back edge 124 having a leading edge 125 and a trailing edge 126 that together form an end surface that is oriented generally vertically. The slider 160 is fixed to the flexure 120 with an epoxy adhesive between the back side 124 and the flexure 120.

Two thin film read / write transducers 128, 130 are disposed on the trailing edge 126 of slider 160. Normally, only one transducer operates as a read / write element, but a plurality of thin film transducers are formed on one slider in order to improve the yield of the slider in the thin film manufacturing process. The converters 128 and 130 are
It has chips 129, 131, which are used for individual rails 12
It extends toward the edge of 0,122. Transducer 1 for connecting to the read / write electronics of a disk drive
28 has electrical leads 133, 135 and is connected to the converter 1
30 has electrical leads 137, 139.

[0019] In the prior art suspension illustrated in Figure 3, the electrical connection to the read and write electronics exits the tube 136 on load beam 100 extends from the read and write electronics of the magnetic recording system from the end of the street tube 136, The twisted wire 134 is used.
The end of wire 134 is connected to lead 13 of activity transducer 128.
Ultrasonic bonding to 3,135. The electrical connection of the transducer 128 by the stranded wire 134 is performed by hand manufacturing.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a suspension according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Suspension 16 is a layered suspension comprising multiple layers of material etched using photolithographic techniques well known in the industry to create the suspension.
The suspension 16 comprises a base layer, preferably made of stainless steel, an insulating layer, preferably made of polyimide, and a patterned conductive layer, preferably of copper alloy. This multilayer suspension is formed by laminating three very thin sheets of different materials. This multi-layer sheet has two metal layers formed on both sides of an insulating layer of polyimide and processed by using photolithography technology. Three
The layers are also etched to form the contour of the suspension 16. Both sides of the suspension are etched away at the desired sections to remove layers of stainless steel, polyimide and copper to create various features of the suspension. Specifically, the transducer leads of the slider are terminated on the actuator arm.
Pad and for electrically connecting a layer of copper is etched to produce a conductive lead structure including a transmission line and the termination pads. Alternatively, the suspension 16
Etched flex with adhesive to a sturdy base layer
It can also consist of a cable.

The suspension 16 starting from the slider end 17 is suitable for connecting to the termination pads of the transducer conductive leads of the attached slider 27. Conductive lead structures 13, data from the slider 27
It consists of four conductors that extend to the test pad 14 located at the termination end 18. The conductive lead structure is etched into the copper patterned conductive layer of suspension 16.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a suspension actuator having a manipulator according to the present invention.
The arm assembly is depicted. Suspension 1
6 is spot welded or epoxy bonded to the actuator arm 15. As can be seen in the enlarged view 5A, the conductive wire 7 transducer signal, arm arranged from the transducer leads on the head to an actuator arm 15
Transmitted to the termination pads 6 of electronics, reading and writing Electro storage system signals therefrom
Send to Nix or read / write electronic
Treatment with a nest.

The conductive lead structure 13 is used for the suspension 1.
6 over the slider end 17 and the termination end 1
As it extends toward 8, the conductive lead structure 13 is formed from only two layers, a polyimide layer and an etched copper layer, with the base layer removed or not formed in that area at all. Therefore, the conductive lead structure 13 is
As can be seen in the enlarged view 5A, one flexible wire made of four conductors 7 formed on top of the insulating polyimide layer.
As a cable, it extends towards the termination end 18. However, near the termination end 18, a strain relief tab 3 is formed from the stainless steel base layer. Immediately after the strain relief tab 3, the insulating layer under the conductive lead structure 13 terminates in the direction of the termination end 18, so that the conductor 7 can extend as a piece of copper wire in the direction of the hook 4. The conductor 7 connects with the hook 4 on a copper test pad 14, as can be seen in the enlarged view 5B. The conductors 7 are fixed and spaced along the hooks 4 so that they can be aligned directly on each termination pad 6. Since also conductors also be prepared in the photolithography process termination pad, Tamineshi
Tolerances ® down pad and between conductors to each other spacing is about 1 to 2 microns.

The present invention is a fixture that attaches to conductive lead structure 13 and allows for accurate and efficient positioning of all conductors 7 with respect to termination pad 6, referred to herein as a manipulator. The manipulator 1 includes a flexible anchor tab 2, an anchor tab 23, and a hook 4. This attachment is made up of a conductive lead structure 13 by means of a flexible anchor tab 2 and, in the strain relief tab 3, by an anchor tab 23.
Connected to. Further, the hook 4 is connected to each conducting wire 7. The manipulator 1 also has fiducial holes 5 that allow an operator or robot to rotate the manipulator 1 in the plane of the conductive lead structure 13 to align the conductors 7 with the termination pads 6.

A multi-layer laminated suspension is generally a flat flexible sheet of material with patterned metal layers laminated on both sides, or a multi-layer composite formed by vapor deposition, the features of the suspension being photolithographic etching techniques. Formed by. In the preferred embodiment, the manipulator 1 is designed by design into the suspension and manufactured with the remaining layers of the laminated suspension at no additional cost. In the preferred embodiment, manipulator 1 is formed from all three layers. As shown in FIG. 4, this first involves a base layer 19 of stainless steel that provides support and rigidity to the manipulator structure.
And a polyimide insulating layer formed on top of the stainless steel layer and an etched copper conductive layer 21 formed on the top of the insulating layer and containing conductors. Therefore, the manipulator 1 has a single multilayer laminated suspension 16
Formed as part of the suspension, the suspension also includes a conductive lead structure 13. The conductive layer 21 covers most of the main body of the manipulator 1, but does not extend to the hook 4. This is necessary because the test pads 14 are electrically isolated from each other. It should be noted that the layer of polyimide is not a necessary component of the structure of the present invention and thus may be omitted in alternative embodiments of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the conductive layer 21 is a base layer 1.
It extends beyond 9 and connects to the conductive lead structure 13 at three points. First, the conductive layer 21 extends outward at the anchor tab 23 and connects to the strain relief tab 3. As can be seen in FIG. 5A, below the anchor tabs 23 are small channels in which the stainless steel substrate 19 has been etched away or not formed at all.
Therefore, the strain relief tab and the base layer 19 are not directly connected. However, both the base layer 19 and the strain relief tab 3 are partially bonded by a section of the conductive layer 21 formed on the top. In the figure, the edges of the stainless steel layer are anchored.
It appears as a dashed line under the over-tab 23. The conductive layer 21 is formed at one end of the strain relief tab 3, but is not connected to the conductor 7 nor the underlying polyimide layer with the conductive lead structure 13.

Similarly, the flexible anchor tab 2 is
Copper conductive layer 21 extending beyond stainless steel substrate 19
And forms second and third connection points to the conductive lead structure 13. The flexible anchor tab 2 is attached to a small section of the insulating polyimide layer of the conductive lead structure 13 or to a small extension of the support base layer that extends outwardly to the termination end 18. These smaller sections can be seen in the figures at the attachment points 30 and 32. The dashed line shows the hidden edge of the stainless steel layer hidden under the tip of the anchor tab 2. In addition, the flexible A
A thin layer of polyimide may be formed under the anchor tabs 2, under the entire conductive layer 21, or both, to provide additional support to the manipulator structure. Further, the hook 4 is connected to each conducting wire 7. Manipulator preferred embodiment has been described as having an anchor tab 2,23, the manipulator design of the present invention, to connect the manipulator to the conductive lead structures Ann
It should be appreciated that the number of car tabs can be increased or decreased. Further, the manipulator fixture, in its simplest form, may simply be an extension hook arm 4 with each wire forming part of the conductive lead structure as the only contact with the conductive lead structure. Therefore, for the purposes of the present invention, the term " anchor tab" is intended to include hook arms, such as hook arm 4, as anchor points for connection to the conductive lead structure.

During the manufacture of the disk drive, the manipulator of the present invention, in particular, terminates the conductor 7.
Assembly of the actuator arm to the suspension is much easier when aligned with the pad 6. Since the conductive lead structure is integrated, four conductors can be aligned at the same time, and thus only one alignment procedure is required instead of the four-step alignment procedure required when the four wires are separated. do not do. This one-time alignment can be performed manually by the operation of the manipulator 1 or by a robot. In addition, by adding hooks that extend out of the fixture and connect to the ends of each conductor, the conductors are maintained in a fixed spacing that closely matches the spacing of the termination pads, aligning the four conductors simultaneously. Work becomes easier.

To begin assembly, the suspension 16 is attached to the actuator arm 15 by swaging rivets, machine screws, laser welding, or epoxy bonding. This may be done before or after attaching the slider to the suspension. The conductive lead structure 13 and the manipulator 1 extend along the edge of the actuator arm 15 and beyond the body of the suspension 16. The conductive lead structure 13 and the manipulator 1 have not yet been attached to the actuator arm 15. Termination of the conductive lead structure 13
The section located near the contact pad 18 is predominantly composed of a thin layer of copper alloy and a thin layer of polyimide, and thus is extremely flexible and within the plane of the conductive lead structure 13 near the termination end 18. , Or it can rotate at right angles to it. A flexible anchor with a majority of the rotation or yaw motion outlined by the dashed circle 20.
It occurs in the area at the slider end 17 of the tab 2 and the termination end 18 of the body of the suspension 16.

By applying a tool or an end effector of a robot to the reference hole 5 of the manipulator 1, a rotational moment is applied to the manipulator. The manipulator 1 is rotated around an axis passing through the center of the circular reference hole 5, and the terminator of the manipulator 1 and the conductive lead structure 13 is rotated.
A rotational moment is generated that causes the torsion end 18 to rotate clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) in the plane of the conductive lead structure 13 (ie, in the plane of the paper of FIG. 5). When a rotational moment is applied, the hook arm 4, flexible anchor tab 2 and anchor tab 23
Exerts a torque on the termination end 18, which causes the conductive lead structure 13 to rotate. The conductor 7 moves until it is precisely aligned on the termination pad 6 on the actuator arm 15.

Due to this rotation moment, the flexible angle
The car tabs 2 buckle alternately depending on the direction of rotation. The flexible anchor tab 2 includes a relatively thin conductive layer 21 (and
Because it is formed from a layer) of polyimide below some cases, one of the flexible anchor tab by rotation moment is pulled, the other flexible anchor tab is compressed. Flexible, so compressed flexible anchor
The tab buckles and the pulled flexible anchor tab resists any deformation. Since one flexible anchor tab buckles and the other resists, a small amount of angular displacement between them is possible, thus transmitting rotation and torque to the conductive lead structure 13. The torque is transmitted to the conductive lead structure 13 via the hook arm 4 and the anchor tab 23. Hook arm 4 and
When torque is transmitted across the wire 7 via the anchor tabs 23, the wire 7 is isolated from the resistance forces that distort the wire 7. One source of resistive force arises from the area outlined by the dashed circle 20 when it is deflected by the rolling or yawing motion of the conductive lead structure 13. Another source of resistance comes from the conductor 7 moving in contact with the termination pad 6, which produces a frictional drag.

The additional advantages of the flexible anchor tab 2 are:
There is limited freedom to do the alignment. Flexibility
The anchor tabs 2 limit the lateral translation of the conductive lead structure 13 to approximately 2 in the plane of the manipulator 1.
Providing rotational movement about an axis between the individual flexible anchor tabs. This simplifies the alignment procedure. This is because if the degree of freedom of translation is allowed, the operator is required to have more skill, or the robot is required to have more severe requirements. Conductor 7 Tha Mine
Once aligned on the termination pad 6, it is terminated (ie electrically connected) with a reflow soldering operation or an ultrasonic wire bonding process.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, termination
After successful termination of the conductor to the nation pad, the manipulator 1 can be removed from the conductive lead structure 13 and discarded. Flexible anchor tab 2
Layers of contact points 30 and 32 on the conductive lead structure 13.
And the overlap with the base layer (or insulating layer) is minimized. Similarly, there is minimal overlap between the anchor tab 23 and the substrate with the strain relief tab 3. Therefore, the small interface between copper and stainless steel acts as an anchor point for the manipulator 1. These anchor points strongly resist in-plane forces such as those exerted during rotation and alignment procedures. However, when the force is outside the plane of the manipulator, the copper interfacial layer tends to peel off from the stainless steel substrate due to the small interface between the layers. Alternatively, the anchor tab may tear in half or cut along the thinned area.

Flexible anchor tab 2 and anchor
After removing the tab 23, the manipulator 1 continues to rotate out of the plane of the conductive lead structure. Small notch 1 etched into conductor 7 (as can be seen in enlarged view B)
At 2 the wire breaks, creating a defined weak zone,
The hook 4 continues to rotate at a right angle to the conductor 7 until the conductor separates from the anchor point on the hook 4. The breakage of the conductor 7 at the notch 12 is further facilitated by the inner edge of the hook 4 which is etched at an angle from the vertical to have a sharp knife-like edge. As the hook 4 rotates, the knife-like rim bites into the conductor 7 at the notch 12 to promote breakage and, for example, the terminator.
By lifting the lead from tio down pad, termination end is less chance of damage by removal of the manipulator.

The manipulator is discarded after being removed from the conductive lead structure and the laminated suspension. At this point, the strain relief tab 3 can be secured to the actuator arm to prevent deformation of the conductive lead structure from transmitting undesired forces to the termination joint. This tab is attached to the actuator arm by a spot of adhesive. by this,
The soldered connections are relieved of stress and tension that may be transmitted along the laminated suspension after assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Arm Electronic
The box of the termination pads, suspension 1
There are also actuator arm designs that must be mounted on surface 11 (away from the plane of the drawing) at right angles to the plane of 6 and actuator arm 15. In these designs, the conductor 7 must be folded under the surface of the suspension 16 in order to align it with the termination pad 6 (not visible in the figure, so is shown in dashed lines). This folding is carried out in the bending region 9 by folding the conductive lead structure 13 along the folding line AA. This fold is performed in a stainless steel cutout area 10 which provides a weakened area that selectively bends at fold line AA. The conductors of the conductive lead structure in this area of the bending region 9 have a bending axis A
Traverse the bend region 9 perpendicular to A. This reduces the risk of the conductor breaking. Also, if the conductive lead structure 13 is formed of a stainless steel base layer, the stainless steel running under the fold line AA should be removed so that the conductor has a natural bend radius around the fold line. You can

A tacking point 8 formed in stainless steel is also included to provide additional fixation of the conductive lead structure 13 after completion of termination . By this design,
The adhesive can be dropped through the hole at the center of these temporary attachment points 8 for temporary attachment. It is also possible to attach the tack points 8 using spot welding.

After folding the manipulator into the correct plane, in this case the surface 11, the conductor 7 is terminated by using the manipulator 1 to rotate the conductive lead structure 13 in the same plane as the termination end 18.
Pad 6 and align. It is noted here that the termination end 18 lies in the plane of the surface 11 which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Next, alignment is performed in the same manner as described in FIG. A tool or an end effector of a robot is applied to the reference hole 5 to give a rotational moment. When the conductor 7 is fixed to the hook 4, the conductor is terminated.
Pad 6 until alignment, can be operated at a rotational moment. Flexible after termination is complete
Peel off the anchor tab 2 from the base layer and the conductors 7 of the stainless steel of the conductive lead structure 13, data manipulator 1
Separated from the hook 4 by rotating it out of the plane of the termination end 18. The strain relief tab 3 can be secured to the actuator arm to further support the conductive lead structure.

The present invention provides a manipulator manufactured as part of a laminated suspension for use in a disk drive system. This manipulator is a flex cable with a conductor that carries signals to and from the transducer of a slider attached to an actuator arm or a terminator on an arm electronics package.
The purpose of aligning with the solution pad. The manipulator allows these wires to be aligned and terminated simultaneously. By using photolithography techniques to fabricate conductive lead structures and fixtures as part of a laminated suspension, the conductors can be positioned within tight tolerances of fixation to one another. In addition, this spacing is strictly repeated for subsequently manufactured laminated suspensions. Furthermore, this manipulator limits the degrees of freedom to mere rotation, thus limiting the skill or robot complexity required of the operator to perform termination . After performing the alignment and termination procedure, the manipulator can be easily removed without the need for special tools,
Be discarded.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. .

In summary, the following matters will be disclosed regarding the configuration of the present invention.

(1) A multi-layer suspension having slider ends and termination ends suitable for use in a slider suspension assembly for an information storage system, the suspension being formed on one or more layers. At least one conductor included in the patterned conductive layer, connected to the transducer lead of the slider at the slider end, and arm electronic at the termination end .
Suitable for connecting to the box of the termination pads, conductive lead structures are formed from one or more layers, in the same plane as the termination end of the conductive lead structures, one attached to the conductive lead structures or a plurality of anchor tabs, by rotating the termination end of the conductive lead structure in the plane of the termination end, multilayer suspension and a fixture which is suitable for aligning the wires to the termination pads . (2) The multi-layer suspension according to (1) above, wherein the anchor tab is removable from the conductive lead structure so that the attachment can be removably attached to the conductive lead structure. (3) by peeling at least one layer of anchor tabs from a layer of conductive lead structures, characterized in that the removable anchor tabs of a conductive lead structure, the multilayer suspension according to the above (1). (4) The multi-layer suspension according to (1) above, wherein the anchor tab can be detached from the conductive lead structure by tearing or cutting the tab in half along an area having a reduced cross-sectional area. (5) At least one anchor tab has a terminator
Characterized in that in the vicinity of Deployment end a flexible anchor tab formed from one or more layers, the multilayer suspension according to the above (1). (6) The cross-sectional area of the anchor tab is small, and the terminator
When the rotational force is spent on fitting with tio emission end of the plane, characterized in that the anchor tabs easily buckle, multilayer suspension according to the above (5). (7) If a clockwise rotation force is applied to the fixture,
If the first tab buckles and the second tab is pulled, and the attachment is subjected to a counterclockwise rotational force, the two anchors are pulled so that the first tab is pulled and the second tab buckles.
(5) characterized in that the tabs are spaced apart
The multi-layer suspension described in. (8) The fixture includes a hook arm extending along the end of the conductive lead structure at the termination end, the hook arm being removably attached to the end of each conductor, and each conductor being secured. The multi-layer suspension according to (1) above, which is connected to the hook arms at intervals. (9) The hook arm is fixed to the hook arm,
Multilayer suspension according to (8) above, having test pads for each wire spaced along the length of the hook arm, each test pad being electrically connected to the wire. . (10) The conductive lead structure has a bending region that can be bent along a bending axis, and the conductive wire runs on the conductive lead structure so as to cross the bending region substantially perpendicular to the bending axis. The multilayer suspension according to (1) above. (11) The multilayer suspension described in (10) above, characterized in that the thickness of the bending region is thin. (12) The multi-layer suspension according to (1) above, wherein the attachment includes a hole suitable for operation by the end effector of the robot. (13) The conductive lead structure comprises a base layer, an insulating layer, and a patterned conductive layer, (1) above
The multi-layer suspension described in. (14) The multilayer suspension according to (13) above, wherein the base layer is stainless steel, the insulating layer is polyimide, and the patterned conductive layer is copper. (15) An actuator arm assembly for an information storage system, which is a component of arm electronics .
An actuator arm having a termination pad, a multi-layer suspension mechanically attached to the actuator arm, having a termination end and a slider end, and formed as part of the suspension on one or more layers. at least one conductor contained in the formed patterned conductive layer, suitable for connecting to the slider leads at one end, terminators
Electrically attached to an actuator arm on the Shon end termination conductors of the arm electronics
Is terminated in Nation pads, conductive lead structures are formed from one or more layers, in the same plane as the termination end of the conductive lead structures, one attached to the conductive lead structures or anchor It has tabs that allow you to use the terminator during the termination process.
Tamineshi conductive lead structure in the plane of Shon end
By rotating the ® emission end, Tamineshi conductors
Actuator arm assembly and a fixture which is suitable for that align to tio down pad. (16) The actuator arm assembly according to (15) above, wherein the anchor tab is detachable from the conductive lead structure so that the attachment is removably attached to the conductive lead structure. (17) by peeling at least one layer of anchor tabs from a layer of conductive lead structures, characterized in that the removable anchor tabs of a conductive lead structure, the actuator arm assembly according to the above (15). (18) The actuator arm according to (15) above, wherein the anchor tab can be detached from the conductive lead structure by tearing or cutting the tab in half along an area having a reduced cross-sectional area. ·assembly. (19) at least one anchor tab has a terminator
Actuator arm assembly according to (15) above, which is a flexible anchor tab formed of one or more layers near the end of the torsion arm. (20) The cross-sectional area of the anchor tab is small and the terminator
When the rotational force is applied to the fixture in the plane of Deployment ends, wherein the anchor tabs easily buckle, the actuator arm assembly according to (19). (21) When the mounting member receives a clockwise rotating force, the first tab buckles and pulls the second tab, and when the mounting member receives a counterclockwise rotating force, the first tab is pulled. Two anchors so that the second tab buckles when pulled.
The actuator arm assembly according to (19) above , wherein the tabs are spaced. (22) The fixture includes a hook arm extending along the end of the conductive lead structure at the termination end, the hook arm being removably attached to the end of each conductor, and each conductor being secured to the end. Hook at intervals
The actuator arm assembly according to (15) above, which is connected to an arm. (23) The hook arm is fixed to the hook arm and has a test pad for each conductor spaced along the length of the hook arm, and each test pad is electrically connected to the conductor. The actuator arm assembly according to (22) above, characterized in that: (24) The conductive lead structure has a bending region that can be bent along a bending axis, and the conductive wire runs on the conductive lead structure so as to cross the bending region substantially perpendicular to the bending axis. The actuator arm assembly according to (15) above. (25) The actuator arm according to (24) above, characterized in that the thickness of the bending region is thin.
assembly. (26) The above-mentioned (1), wherein the fixture includes a hole suitable for operation by the end effector of the robot.
5) The actuator arm assembly described in 5). (27) The conductive lead structure includes a base layer, an insulating layer, and a patterned conductive layer.
5) The actuator arm assembly described in 5). (28) The actuator arm assembly according to the above (27), wherein the base layer is stainless steel, the insulating layer is polyimide, and the patterned conductive layer is copper. (29) a storage medium having a plurality of tracks for storing data, and a write transducer formed therein, data
Of the arm electronics and a slider having an electrical lead that terminates at the termination pad.
An actuator arm having a termination pad, mechanically attached to the actuator arm, having a termination end and a slider end,
A multi-layer suspension for maintaining the transducer in a closely spaced position relative to the storage medium during relative movement between the transducer and the storage medium, the suspension further comprising a termination end. Having at least one conductor included in a patterned conductive layer formed on one or more layers, further electrically attached to a transducer lead of the slider at one end and the other end Electrically attached to the actuator arm at
Electronics Tha to termination pad of
Laminate-been, conductive lead structures are formed from one or more layers, in the same plane as the termination end of the conductive lead structure, attached to the conductive lead structures 1
With one or more anchor tabs, termination
By rotating the termination end of the conductive lead structure in the plane of the emission end termination conductors,
A fixture suitable for aligning with a pad, an actuator means coupled to the actuator arm for moving the transducer to a selected track on the storage medium, and a termination pad coupled to the information storage medium. Means for representing the recorded data bits and reading the signal transmitted by the converter. (30) The information storage system according to (29) above, wherein the anchor tab is detachable from the conductive lead structure so that the attachment can be removably attached to the conductive lead structure. (31) by peeling at least one layer of anchor tabs from a layer of conductive lead structures, characterized in that the removable anchor tabs of a conductive lead structure, the information storage system according to (29). (32) at least one anchor tab has a terminator
Wherein the near Shon end a flexible anchor tab formed from one or more layers, the information storage system according to (29). (33) When the mounting member receives a clockwise rotating force, the first tab buckles and pulls the second tab, and when the mounting member receives a counterclockwise rotating force, the first tab pulls. 2 anchors so that the second tab buckles when buckled
· Wherein the spacing tabs is free, the (3
The information storage system according to 2). (34) The fixture includes a hook arm extending along the end of the conductive lead structure at the termination end, the hook arm being removably attached to the end of each conductor, and each conductor being secured to the end. Hook at intervals
The information storage system as described in (29) above, which is connected to an arm. (35) The conductive lead structure has a bending region that can be bent along a bending axis, and the conductive wire runs on the conductive lead structure so as to cross the bending region substantially perpendicular to the bending axis. The information storage system according to (29) above. (36) The above-mentioned (2), wherein the fixture includes a hole suitable for operation by the end effector of the robot.
The information storage system according to 9). (37) To write data bits to the storage medium,
Information storage system according to (29) above, characterized in that the coupled means provide a signal to the transducer. (38) The information storage system as described in (29) above, wherein the connected means receives a signal from the converter that represents the data bits recorded in the information storage medium. (39) The information storage system as described in (29) above, wherein the information storage system is an optical data storage system and the converter is an optical converter. (40) The information storage system as described in (29) above, wherein the suspension is a multi-layered suspension. (41) The converter is a magnetic converter and the information storage system is a magnetic storage system.
The information storage system according to 9). (42) The information storage system as described in (41) above, wherein the magnetic converter is an inductive converter. (43) The transducer is an MR head,
The information storage system as described in (41) above. (44) The coupled means changes the resistance of the magnetoresistive material in the transducer in response to a magnetic field representative of the data bits recorded on the information storage medium and interrupted by the layer of magnetoresistive material. (41), characterized in that
Information storage system described in. (45) Attaching the multi-layer suspension to the actuator arm and attaching it to the conductive lead structure in the plane of the termination end until the conductive lead structure is properly located on the termination pad located on the actuator arm. was by operating the fixture, comprising the steps of: aligning the termination end of the conductive lead structure extending from the suspension, the step of terminating the wires to the termination pads, and removing the fixture from the conductive lead structure, the actuator -Method of manufacturing arm assembly. (46) The fixture has one or more anchor tabs affixed to the layer of conductive lead structure, and the removing step further comprises peeling at least one layer of anchor tabs from the layer of conductive lead structure. The method according to (45) above, which comprises: (47) at least one anchor tab has a terminator
The method of (46) above, which is a flexible anchor tab formed from one or more layers near the end of the attachment . (48) When a clockwise rotation force is applied to the fixture, the first tab buckles and the second tab is pulled, and when a counterclockwise rotation force is applied to the fixture, the first tab is Two anchors so that the second tab buckles when pulled.
-The method according to (47) above , wherein the tabs are spaced. (49) The fixture includes a hook arm extending along the end of the conductive lead structure at the termination end, the hook arm being removably attached to the end of each conductor, and each conductor being secured to the end. Hook at intervals
The method according to (45) above, characterized in that the method is connected to an arm.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a magnetic disk storage system.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a disk drive.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conventional slider suspension assembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates a suspension according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an actuator arm suspension assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an actuator arm assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Manipulator 2 Flexible Anchor Tab 3 Strain Relief Tab 4 Hook 5 Reference Hole 6 Termination Pad 7 Conductor 8 Temporary Fixing Point 9 Bending Area 10 Notch Area 11 Surface 12 Notch 13 Conductive Lead Structure 14 Test Pad 15 Actuator Arm 16 Suspension 17 Slider end 18 Termination end 19 Base layer 20 Circle 21 Conductive layer 23 Anchor tab 27 Slider 30 Connection point 32 Connection point 100 Load beam 120 Flexure / rail 122 Rail 124 Back side 125 Leading edge 126 Trailing edge 128 Conversion 129 Pole tip 130 Converter 131 Pole tip 133 Lead wire 134 Stranded wire 135 Lead wire 136 Tube 137 Lead wire 139 Lead wire 140 Mounting plate 160 Slider 180 Air bearing surface 212 Air disk 213 Slider 214 Spindle 215 Suspension 218 Disk drive motor 219 Actuator arm 221 Read / write head 222 Disk surface 225 Recording channel 227 Actuator means 228 Line 229 Control unit 310 Disk drive 312 Housing 314 Housing cover 316 Frame 318 Actuator Shaft 320 Actuator arm assembly 322 E-block 323 Actuator arm 324 Spring suspension 326 Slider 328 Voice coil 330 Magnet 332 Spindle shaft 334 Disc

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-292619 (JP, A) Actual Development Sho 63-55209 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G11B 21/02 G11B 5/60 G11B 21/21

Claims (49)

(57) [Claims] 1. A multi-layer suspension having slider ends and termination ends suitable for use in a slider suspension assembly for an information storage system, the suspension being formed on one or more layers. It has at least one conductor included in the patterned conductive layer and is connected to the transducer lead of the slider at the end of the slider for termination.
Taminesho of arm-electronics at tio down end
Suitable for connecting to a down pad, conductive lead structures are formed from one or more layers, other conductive lead structure
Of the conductive lead structure in the same plane as the termination end and having one or more anchor tabs attached to the conductive lead structure and in the plane of the termination end.
By rotating the termination end,
A multi-layer suspension with attachments suitable for aligning with termination pads. 2. The multi-layer suspension of claim 1, wherein the anchor tab is removable from the conductive lead structure so that the fixture is removably attached to the conductive lead structure. 3. The anchor tab is removable from the conductive lead structure by peeling at least one layer of the anchor tab from the layer of the conductive lead structure.
The multi-layer suspension according to claim 1. 4. The multi-layer suspension of claim 1 wherein the anchor tab is removable from the conductive lead structure by tearing or cutting the tab in half along the area of reduced cross-sectional area. . 5. At least one anchor tab comprises a tar
Characterized in that near the Mi destination end is flexible anchor tab formed from one or more layers, the multilayer suspension according to claim 1. 6. A cross-sectional area of the anchor tabs is small, terminator
Multilayer suspension according to claim 5, characterized in that the anchor tabs buckle easily when the fixture is subjected to a rotational force in the plane of the nation end. 7. The first tab buckles and the second tab is pulled when the attachment is subjected to a clockwise rotational force, and the first tab is pulled when the attachment is subjected to a counterclockwise rotational force. as second tab tab is pulled buckles, two Ann
Multilayer suspension according to claim 5, characterized in that the car tabs are spaced. 8. The fixture includes a hook arm extending along the end of the conductive lead structure at the termination end, the hook arm removably attached to the end of each conductor, and each conductor further comprising: A fixed and spaced-apart connection to the hook arm.
The multi-layer suspension described in. 9. A hook arm secured to the hook arm and having test pads for each conductor spaced along the length of the hook arm, each test pad electrically connected to the conductor. 9. The multi-layer suspension according to claim 8, characterized in that 10. The conductive lead structure has a bend region capable of bending along a bend axis, and the conductor runs on the conductive lead structure so as to traverse the bend region substantially perpendicular to the bend axis. The multi-layer suspension according to claim 1, characterized. 11. The multi-layer suspension according to claim 10, wherein the bending region has a small thickness. 12. The multi-layer suspension of claim 1, wherein the attachment includes holes suitable for manipulation by a robot end effector. 13. The multi-layer suspension according to claim 1, wherein the conductive lead structure comprises a base layer, an insulating layer, and a patterned conductive layer. 14. The base layer is stainless steel, the insulating layer is polyimide, and the patterned conductive layer is copper.
The multi-layer suspension according to claim 13. 15. An actuator for an information storage system
An arm assembly comprising an actuator arm having termination pads for arm electronics and a mechanically mounted actuator arm .
A multilayer suspension having a mini Nation end and the slider end, formed as part of the suspension, at least one conductor contained in one or more of the patterned conductive layer formed on the layer, Suitable for connecting to the slider lead at one end, electrically attached to the actuator arm on the termination end, and the conductor to the termination pad of the arm electronics .
A laminated conductive lead structure and a conductive lead structure formed of one or more layers .
In the same plane as the over Mi destination end have one or more anchor tabs attached to the conductive lead structures, during the termination process, Taminesho
By rotating the termination end of the conductive lead structure in the plane of the emission end termination conductors,
An actuator arm assembly with a mount suitable for aligning with a pad. 16. The actuator arm assembly of claim 15 wherein the anchor tab is removable from the conductive lead structure so that the fitting is removably attached to the conductive lead structure. By 17. peeling the at least one layer of anchor tabs from a layer of conductive lead structures, anchor
16. The actuator arm assembly of claim 15, wherein the tab is removable from the conductive lead structure. 18. The anchor tab is removable from the conductive lead structure by tearing or cutting the tab in half along the area of reduced cross-sectional area.
The actuator arm assembly according to claim 15. 19. At least one anchor tab comprises a tab .
A flexible anchor tab formed from one or more layers near the end of the termination ,
The actuator arm assembly according to claim 15. 20. An anchor tab has a small cross-sectional area ,
20. The actuator arm of claim 19, wherein the anchor tab buckles easily when the fixture is subjected to a rotational force in the plane of the termination end.
assembly. 21. When a clockwise rotational force is applied to the fixture, the first tab buckles and the second tab is pulled, and when a counterclockwise rotational force is applied to the fixture, the first tab is pulled. as second tab tab is pulled buckles, two a
20. The actuator arm assembly according to claim 19, wherein the anchor tabs are spaced. 22. The fixture includes a hook arm extending along the end of the conductive lead structure at the termination end, the hook arm removably attached to the end of each conductor, and each conductor further comprising: A fixed and spaced-apart connection to the hook arm.
5. The actuator arm assembly according to item 5. 23. A hook arm is secured to the hook arm and has test pads for each conductor spaced along the length of the hook arm, each test pad electrically connected to the conductor. 23. The actuator arm assembly according to claim 22, characterized in that: 24. The conductive lead structure has a bend region capable of bending along a bend axis, and the conductor runs on the conductive lead structure so as to traverse the bend region substantially perpendicular to the bend axis. 16. The actuator arm assembly of claim 15 characterized. 25. The actuator arm assembly according to claim 24, wherein the bending region has a reduced thickness. 26. The actuator arm assembly of claim 15 wherein the fixture includes a hole suitable for manipulation by a robot end effector. 27. The actuator arm assembly of claim 15, wherein the conductive lead structure comprises a base layer, an insulating layer, and a patterned conductive layer. 28. The base layer is stainless steel, the insulating layer is polyimide, and the patterned conductive layer is copper.
An actuator arm assembly according to claim 27. 29. A storage medium having a plurality of tracks for storing data, a read / write converter formed therein, and a termination.
- a slider having an electrical lead terminating in a pad, and an actuator arm having a termination pad arm electronics, mechanically attached to the actuator arm, Tha
A multilayer having a termination end and a slider end to maintain the transducer in a closely spaced position relative to the storage medium during relative movement between the transducer and the storage medium. A suspension, the suspension further having a termination end and at least one conductor included in a patterned conductive layer formed on one or more layers, the slider conversion at one end Is electrically attached to the instrument lead wire and the other end
It is electrically attached to the arm and the conductor wire is
Terminate the termination pads tronics is <br/>, conductive lead structures are formed from one or more layers, other conductive lead structure
Of the conductive lead structure in the same plane as the termination end and having one or more anchor tabs attached to the conductive lead structure and in the plane of the termination end.
By rotating the termination end,
A fixture suitable for aligning with the termination pad, an actuator means for connecting the actuator arm to move the transducer to a selected track on the storage medium, and an information storage for connecting the termination pad. An information storage system including means for reading the signals transmitted by the converter that represent the data bits recorded on the medium. 30. The information storage system of claim 29, wherein the anchor tab is removable from the conductive lead structure so that the fixture is removably attached to the conductive lead structure. 31. Anchor by peeling at least one layer of an anchor tab from a layer of a conductive lead structure.
30. The information storage system of claim 29, wherein the tab is removable from the conductive lead structure. 32. At least one anchor tab comprises a tab .
A flexible anchor tab formed from one or more layers near the end of the termination ,
The information storage system according to claim 29. 33. When the attachment is subjected to a clockwise rotational force, the first tab buckles and the second tab is pulled, and when the attachment is subjected to a counterclockwise rotational force, the first tab is pulled. as buckles second tab is pulled, the two-en
33. The information storage system of claim 32, wherein the car tabs are spaced apart. 34. The fixture includes a hook arm extending along the end of the conductive lead structure at the termination end, the hook arm being removably attached to the end of each conductor, and each conductor further comprising: A fixed and spaced connection to a hook arm.
9. The information storage system according to item 9. 35. The conductive lead structure has a bend region bendable along a bend axis, and the conductor runs on the conductive lead structure so as to traverse the bend region substantially perpendicular to the bend axis. 30. The information storage system according to claim 29, characterized in that 36. The information storage system of claim 29, wherein the fixture includes a hole suitable for manipulation by a robot end effector. 37. An information storage system according to claim 29, characterized in that the coupled means provide a signal to the converter for writing data bits to the storage medium. 38. An information storage system according to claim 29, characterized in that the coupled means receives a signal from the converter representing the data bits recorded on the information storage medium. 39. Information storage system according to claim 29, characterized in that the information storage system is an optical data storage system and the converter is an optical converter. 40. The information storage system according to claim 29, wherein the suspension is a multi-layered suspension. 41. The information storage system according to claim 29, wherein the converter is a magnetic converter and the information storage system is a magnetic storage system. 42. The information storage system according to claim 41, wherein the magnetic transducer is an inductive transducer. 43. An information storage system according to claim 41, wherein the transducer is an MR head. 44. The resistance of the magnetoresistive material in the transducer changes in response to a magnetic field, the coupled means representing data bits recorded on the information storage medium and interrupted by a layer of magnetoresistive material. 42. The information storage system according to claim 41, wherein the information storage system detects that 45. An actuator comprising a multi-layer suspension
Attaching to the arm and by manipulating the fixture attached to the conductive lead structure in the plane of the termination end until the conductive lead structure is properly placed on the termination pad located on the actuator arm. and aligning the termination end of the conductive lead structure extending from the suspension, the step of terminating the wires to the termination pads, and a step of removing the fixture from the conductive lead structure, manufacturing method of the actuator arm assembly. 46. The fixture comprises one or more anchor tabs affixed to the layer of conductive lead structure, and the removing step further comprises anchoring from the layer of conductive lead structure.
46. The method of claim 45 including the step of peeling off at least one layer of the tab. 47. At least one anchor tab comprises a tab .
A flexible anchor tab formed from one or more layers near the end of the termination ,
The method of claim 46. 48. The first tab buckles and the second tab is pulled when the fixture is subjected to a clockwise rotational force, and the first tab is pulled when the fixture is subjected to a counterclockwise rotational force. as second tab tab is pulled buckles, two a
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the anchor tabs are spaced. 49. The fixture includes a hook arm extending along the end of the conductive lead structure at the termination end, the hook arm removably attached to the end of each conductor, and each conductor further comprising: 5. A fixed and spaced connection to the hook arm.
The method according to 5.