IP Library Granted Patent US 8,179,631
Granted Patent B2
US 8,179,631 · App. 12/148,697 · Granted May 15, 2012

Magnetic disk drive feed-through solder connection with solder fillet formed inside base and protruding outside base

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,179,631
App. No.
12/148,697
Granted
May 15, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention help to achieve a solder joining structure having high reliability, in which even if a componential material of a flange of a feed-through of a sealed magnetic disk drive is an iron-based material such as Kovar™, and a componential material of a base of the drive is an aluminum-based alloy, leakage of low-density gas is dramatically reduced. According to one embodiment, a base has a stepped portion in the inside of a periphery of an opening, and an inclined surface extending to the outside of the base is formed at an edge of a surface of the stepped portion, on which a flange of a feed-through is placed, thereby when the stepped portion of the base is joined by soldering with the flange of the feed-through, a solder fillet is formed not only in the inside of the base, but also in the outside thereof.

Claims (19)

1. A magnetic disk drive comprising a base accommodating,

a disk,

a spindle motor for rotationally driving the disk,

a head for recording and reproducing information on the disk,

a head gimbal assembly for moving the head to an optional position on the disk,

an actuator assembly for driving the head gimbal assembly, and

a flexible printed circuit (FPC) assembly for electrically connecting between the head, spindle motor, and actuator assembly, and a feed-through for electrical connection to the FPC assembly is mounted in an opening of the base, and

the base is joined with a cover, so that a low-density gas is enclosed within the magnetic disk drive, characterized in that:

the base has a stepped portion in the inside of a periphery of the opening, and

an inclined surface extending to the outside of the base is provided at an edge of a surface of the stepped portion for placing a flange of the feed-through,

wherein the stepped portion of the base is joined by a solder fillet with the flange of the feed-through, wherein the solder fillet is formed in both of the inside and the outside of the base, and wherein a portion of the solder fillet formed outside of the base protrudes into the opening from an inner-most periphery of the opening adjacent the feed-through.

2. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1 , characterized in that: an angle of the inclined surface of the stepped portion of the base is about 30° degree to 135° degree with respect to a flat surface of the stepped portion.

3. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1 , characterized in that: a bank is provided on a periphery of a surface of the flange at a side to be subjected to solder joining with a certain distance from an edge of the relevant flange.

4. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1 , characterized in that: a groove is provided in a periphery of a surface of the flange at a side to be subjected to solder joining with a certain distance from an edge of the relevant flange.

5. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1 , characterized in that: a solder resist is coated on a periphery of a surface of the flange at a side to be subjected to solder joining with a certain distance from an edge of the relevant flange.

6. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1 , characterized in that: a masking tape is attached to a periphery of a surface of the flange at a side to be subjected to solder joining with a certain distance from an edge of the relevant flange.

7. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1 , characterized in that: a surface-roughened region is provided in a periphery of a surface of the flange at a side to be subjected to solder joining with a certain distance from an edge of the relevant flange.

8. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1 , wherein a surface of the solder fillet formed outside of the base is curved.

9. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1 , wherein a surface of the solder fillet formed outside of the base is (a) substantially straight and (b) not at a right angle with respect to the base.

Assignments (6)
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 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 6, 2016
From: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 040826/0821 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 25, 2012
From: HITACHI GLOBAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES NETHERLANDS B.V.
To: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
Reel/Frame 029341/0777 →