Head suspension with vibration damping for a data storage device
View Patent ↗An apparatus, method and combination for dissipating vibration from a head suspension of a data storage device. The combination includes a rotating disc in a data exchange relationship with a read/write head supported by a head suspension formed by the method. The method includes the steps of; forming a mounting region and a load beam region each adjacent a bend region; removing material from the bend region to form an aperture, a strut, an isolation aperture and a damping material support structure; and affixing a damping material to the strut and the damping material support structure. The apparatus includes the bend region adjacent both the mounting region and the load beam region, with the damping material attached to the strut as well as to the damping material support structure. The load beam region includes a rigid portion, which supports a flexure upon which a read/write head is attached.
1. A head suspension which supports a data transducer in a data exchange relationship with a storage medium, the head suspension comprising:
a load beam region comprising a substantially planar portion bounded on opposing sides by respective first and second stiffener rails;
a bend region comprising first and second strut members extending from said load beam region;
a mounting region coupled to the first and second strut members to form a central aperture bounded by the mounting region, the first and second strut members and the planar portion of the load beam region;
a damping material secured to the planar portion of the load beam region between said first and second rails, said material partially spanning the central aperture and
a damping material support structure which partially supports said layer, the dampening material support structure comprising a cantilever projection which extends from the planar portion of the load beam region into the central aperture between the first and second struts.
2. The head suspension of claim 1 , further comprising a head suspended at one end of the planar portion of the load beam region opposite the mounting region.
3. The head suspension of claim 1 , wherein the mounting region is coupled to a rigid actuator arm.
4. The head suspension of claim 1 , wherein the damping material is secured to the planar portion of the load beam region symmetrically across a longitudinal axis which bisects the planar portion along a length thereof and terminates at a data transducer supported at a distal end thereof.
5. The head suspension of claim 1 , wherein the damping material spans a plurality of isolation channels adjacent to the damping material support structure.
6. The head suspension of claim 1 , further comprising at least one mass adjustment area which extends through the planar portion of the load beam region.
7. A head suspension which supports a data transducer in a data exchange relationship with a storage medium, comprising:
a longitudinally extending load beam region which supports the data transducer at a first end thereof, said load beam region comprising a substantially planar portion bounded on opposing sides by respective first and second stiffener rails;
a bend region extending from the load beam region opposite the data transducer and comprising spaced apart, first and second strut members;
a mounting region coupled to the first and second strut members opposite the load beam region, wherein a central aperture is formed bounded by the mounting region, the first and second strut members and the planar portion of the load beam region;
a layer of dampening material affixed to the planar portion of the load beam region between said first and second rails, said layer partially spanning the aperture; and
a damping material support structure which partially supports said layer, the dampening material support structure comprising a cantilever projection which extends from the planar portion of the load beam region into the central aperture between the first and second struts.
8. The head suspension of claim 7 , further comprising a head suspended at one end of the planar portion of the load beam region opposite the mounting region.
9. The head suspension of claim 7 , wherein the mounting region is coupled to a rigid actuator arm.
10. The head suspension of claim 7 , wherein the damping material is secured to the planar portion of the load beam region symmetrically across a longitudinal axis.
11. The head suspension of claim 7 , wherein the damping material spans a plurality of isolation channels adjacent to the damping material support structure.
12. The head suspension of claim 7 , further comprising at least one mass adjustment area.
13. A head suspension which supports a data transducer in a data exchange relationship with a storage medium, the head suspension comprising:
a mounting region configured for attachment to a rigid actuator arm;
a bend region extending from the mounting region comprising:
an aperture defined by a plurality of bend members; and
a cantilevered damping material support structure extending into the aperture to define at least one isolation channel;
a load beam region adjacent the bend region defined by a plurality of stiffening rails; and
a damping material secured to the load beam region between the stiffening rails and to the bend region partially spanning the damping material support structure and isolation channels so that a remaining portion of the damping material support structure and isolation channels are not spanned by said damping material.
14. The head suspension of claim 13 , further comprising a head suspended at one end of the planar portion of the load beam region opposite the mounting region.
15. The head suspension of claim 13 , wherein the mounting region is coupled to a rigid actuator arm.
16. The head suspension of claim 13 , wherein the damping material is secured to the planar portion of the load beam region symmetrically across a longitudinal axis.
17. The head suspension of claim 13 , wherein the damping material spans a plurality of isolation channels adjacent to the damping material support structure.
18. The head suspension of claim 13 , further comprising at least one mass adjustment area.