IP Library Granted Patent US 7,130,159
Granted Patent B2
US 7,130,159 · App. 11/154,544 · Granted Oct 31, 2006

Magnetic disk apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,130,159
App. No.
11/154,544
Granted
Oct 31, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A head support mechanism includes a head to write/read information, and a head support member to support the head. The head support member has parts delimiting an opening at a portion thereof in which opposing parts which delimit the opening in a width direction of the head support member are elastically deformable. Protrusions are formed on edges of the opening, and piezoelectric elements are mounted on the protrusions to enable deforming of the head support member in a direction of positioning of the head.

Claims (26)

1. A head support mechanism, comprising:

a head to write/read information;

a head support member to support the head, the head support member having parts delimiting an opening at a portion thereof in which opposing parts which delimit the opening in a width direction of the head support member are elastically deformable;

protrusions formed on edges of the opening; and

piezoelectric elements mounted on a top surface of the protrusions and being disposed for deforming the head support member in a direction of positioning of the head.

2. A head support mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions comprise spacers which are separate from the head support member and which are bonded to the head support member.

3. A head support mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the opposing parts delimiting the opening in the width direction of the head support member include a flexible structure comprising one of beams, parallel leaf springs, and bellows.

4. A head support mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the opposing parts delimiting the opening in the width direction of the head support member comprise one of beams, parallel leaf springs, and bellows-figured spring structures.

5. A head support mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein a coupling portion is provided along a central axis of the opening in a longitudinal direction of the head support member.

6. A head support mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein a coupling portion is provided along a central axis of the opening in a longitudinal direction of the head support member.

7. A head support mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein a coupling portion is provided along a central axis of the opening in a longitudinal direction of the head support member.

8. A head support mechanism according to claim 4 , wherein a coupling portion is provided along a central axis of the opening in a longitudinal direction of the head support member.

9. A head support mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the head support member which supports the head includes a flexure for mounting the head thereon, a load beam having the flexure mounted proximate to one end thereof, and a piezoelectric element mounting portion at an opposite end of the load beam in a longitudinal direction of the load beam, wherein the piezoelectric mounting portion includes the portion of the head support member delimiting the opening therein.

10. A head support mechanism comprising:

a head to write/read information;

a head support member to support the head, the head support member having parts delimiting an opening at a portion thereof in which opposing parts in a width direction of the head support member are elastically deformable and other opposing parts delimiting the opening are formed with protrusions in a longitudinal direction of the head support member; and

piezoelectric elements are secured to a top surface of the protrusions of the head support member so as to span the opening.

11. A head support mechanism according to claim 10 , wherein the protrusions comprise spacers which are separate from the head support member and are bonded to the head support member.

12. A head support mechanism according to claim 10 , wherein the opposing parts delimiting the opening in the width direction of the head support member include a flexible structure comprising one of beams, parallel leaf springs, and bellows.

13. A head support mechanism according to claim 11 , wherein the opposing parts delimiting the opening in the width direction of the head support member comprise one of beams, parallel leaf springs, and bellows-figured spring structures.

14. A head support mechanism according to claim 10 , wherein a coupling portion is provided along a central axis of the opening in a longitudinal direction of the head support member.

15. A head support mechanism according to claim 11 , wherein a coupling portion is provided along a central axis of the opening in a longitudinal direction of the head support member.

16. A head support mechanism according to claim 12 , wherein a coupling portion is provided along a central axis of the opening in a longitudinal direction of the head support member.

17. A head support mechanism according to claim 13 , wherein a coupling portion is provided along a central axis of the opening in a longitudinal direction of the head support member.

18. A head support mechanism according to claim 13 , wherein the head support member includes a load beam having flanges provided on opposite sides of the load beam, at least one recessed portion is provided on the load beam, a thickness of the load beam at the at least one recessed portion is smaller than a thickness at other portions of the load beam, and oscillation damping material having a height which is less than a height of the flanges is arranged in the at least one recessed portion.

19. A head support mechanism according to claim 10 , wherein the head support member which supports the head includes a flexure for mounting the head thereon, a load beam having the flexure mounted proximate to one end thereof, and a piezoelectric element mounting portion at an opposite end of the load beam in a longitudinal direction of the load beam, wherein the piezoelectric mounting portion includes the portion of the head support member delimiting the opening therein.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL 052915 FRAME 0566 Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 059127/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2020
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 052915/0566 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2016
From: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 040819/0450 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2006
From: HITACHI, LTD.
To: HITACHI GLOBAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN, LTD.
Reel/Frame 017336/0194 →