DSA suspension with microactuators extending to gimbal through flexible connectors

摘要

A dual stage actuated (DSA) suspension includes two PZT microactuators that are attached at their first ends to a non-gimbaled portion of the suspension such as the portion of the flexure that is rigidly attached to the load beam, and are attached at their second ends to the gimbaled portion of the suspension such as the gimbal tongue through flexible connectors that can be formed integrally with the suspension's flexure. The flexible connectors are flexible enough so as not to interfere with the suspension's gimballing action. The flexible connectors transmit force from the PZTs to the gimbal as the PZTs expand and contract in order to rotate the gimbal and thus effect fine movements of the head slider.

主权项

1. A dual stage actuator (DSA) type suspension for a disk drive, the suspension comprising:
a beam; a gimbaled portion including a head slider supported by the beam, the gimbaled portion being supported in gimbaled fashion so that the head slider pitches and rolls freely in response to surface irregularities in a surface of a data disk as the data disk travels underneath the head slider; a microactuator having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the microactuator being attached at its first end to a non-gimbaled portion of the suspension, the microactuator being located entirely proximal of the head slider; and a connector having a first end and a second end, the first end of the connector being attached to the second end of the microactuator, and the second end of the connector being attached to the gimbaled portion of the suspension, the connector comprising:
a microactuator attachment pad to which the microactuator is affixed; anda connector arm that extends primarily longitudinally from the microactuator attachment pad toward the gimbaled portion, the connector arm being attached to the gimbaled portion in a manner allowing tensile and compressive forces from contraction and expansion of the microactuator, respectively, to be transmitted to the gimbaled portion thereby effecting rotation of the gimbaled portion; wherein the connector arm is narrower than the microactuator and is sufficiently flexible to allow the gimbaled portion to rotate.