IP Library Granted Patent US 7,593,190
Granted Patent B1
US 7,593,190 · App. 11/945,454 · Granted Sep 22, 2009

Flexure design and assembly process for attachment of slider using solder and laser reflow

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,593,190
App. No.
11/945,454
Granted
Sep 22, 2009
Kind
B1
Abstract

A head gimbal assembly includes a slider, a flexure, and a plurality of solder receptacles. The slider has an air-bearing surface and a metallized backside opposite the air bearing surface. The flexure includes a flexure tongue layer at least partially formed of stainless steel. The flexure further includes at least one additional layer over the flexure tongue layer. The plurality of solder receptacles extend through the at least one additional layer to the flexure tongue layer. Solder fills at least one of the solder receptacles and contacts the stainless steel of the flexure tongue layer.

Claims (12)

1. A head gimbal assembly, comprising:

a slider having an air-bearing surface and a metallized backside opposite the air bearing surface;

a flexure comprising a flexure tongue layer at least partially formed of stainless steel, the flexure further comprising at least one additional layer over the flexure tongue layer;

a plurality of solder receptacles extending through the at least one additional layer to the flexure tongue layer; and

solder filling at least one of the solder receptacles and contacting the stainless steel of the flexure tongue layer;

wherein the solder receptacles extend through the flexure tongue layer.

2. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one additional layer comprises an insulating layer.

3. The head gimbal assembly of claim 2 , wherein the insulating layer comprises polyimide.

4. The head gimbal assembly of claim 3 , wherein the insulating layer includes a leading edge that is recessed inward relative to a leading edge tip of the flexure.

5. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one additional layer includes a metallic bond pad layer.

6. The head gimbal assembly of claim 5 , wherein the metallic bond pad includes an extension and further comprising conductive adhesive applied to the extension to form an electrical ground path between the slider and the flexure.

7. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the solder receptacles are generally cylindrical.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL 038710 FRAME 0845 Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL (FREMONT), LLC; WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 058965/0445 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 19, 2019
From: WESTERN DIGITAL (FREMONT), LLC
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 050450/0582 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2018
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WESTERN DIGITAL (FREMONT), LLC
Reel/Frame 045501/0158 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 16, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL (FREMONT), LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038744/0755 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 16, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL (FREMONT), LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038710/0845 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 16, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL (FREMONT), LLC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038744/0675 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2007
From: THORNTON, BRIAN SCOTT; FANSLAU, EDMUND BRUNO, JR.
To: READ-RITE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 020159/0203 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2007
From: READ-RITE CORPORATION
To: WESTERN DIGITAL (FREMONT), LLC
Reel/Frame 020159/0265 →