IP Library Granted Patent US 7,729,089
Granted Patent B1
US 7,729,089 · App. 11/580,542 · Granted Jun 1, 2010

Head-gimbal assembly including a flexure tongue with stand-offs arranged to facilitate lateral light entry

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,729,089
App. No.
11/580,542
Granted
Jun 1, 2010
Kind
B1
Abstract

A head-gimbal assembly (HGA) is disclosed. The HGA comprises a head including a slider having a leading end and a trailing end that define a slider length. The head further includes a read transducer disposed at the trailing end. The HGA further comprises an adhesive material and a flexure that includes a tongue to which the head is adhered. The tongue includes three stand-offs in contact with the slider, each of the three stand-offs spanning a stand-off length that is one-half the slider length or less. Two of the three stand-offs are disposed adjacent the leading end.

Claims (22)

1. A head-gimbal assembly (HGA) comprising:

a head including

a slider having a leading end and a trailing end that define a slider length, and

a read transducer disposed at the trailing end;

a flexure tongue; and

an adhesive material adhering the head to the flexure tongue;

wherein the flexure tongue includes no fewer than and no more than three stand-offs in contact with the slider, each of the three stand-offs comprising a dielectric material and spanning a stand-off length that is one-half the slider length or less, two of the three stand-offs being disposed adjacent the leading end,

wherein the adhesive material is an epoxy material that cures faster when exposed to ultraviolet light, and

wherein one of the three stand-offs is disposed approximately mid-way between the leading end and the trailing end and is circular in shape.

2. The HGA of claim 1 wherein the flexure tongue further includes at least one through-hole.

3. The HGA of claim 1 wherein the dielectric material comprises polyimide.

4. The HGA of claim 1 wherein the flexure tongue comprises stainless steel.

5. A head-gimbal assembly (HGA) comprising:

a head including

a slider having a leading end and a trailing end that define a slider length, and

a read transducer disposed at the trailing end;

a flexure tongue; and

an adhesive material adhering the head to the flexure tongue;

wherein the flexure tongue includes no fewer than and no more than three stand-offs in contact with the slider, each of the three stand-offs comprising a dielectric material and spanning a stand-off length that is one-half the slider length or less, two of the three stand-offs being disposed adjacent the leading end,

wherein the adhesive material is an epoxy material that cures faster when exposed to ultraviolet light, and

wherein each of the three stand-offs comprises a dielectric layer and a conductive layer.

6. The HGA of claim 5 wherein the conductive layer comprises copper.

Assignments (8)
PATENT COLLATERAL AGREEMENT - DDTL LOAN AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 21, 2023
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 067045/0156 →
PATENT COLLATERAL AGREEMENT - A&R LOAN AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 21, 2023
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 064715/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL 038744 FRAME 0481 Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 058982/0556 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2018
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 045501/0714 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038744/0481 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038744/0281 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038722/0229 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2006
From: HOGAN, JOHN W.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 018416/0732 →