Suspension for disc drive

• US 20010043443A1
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Published: 11/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NHK Spring Company Limited, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Japan Limited (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NHK Spring Company Limited
• Inventors: Shiigi, Toshio, Okamoto, Hiroshi, Fujiwara, Tetsuya, Hanya, Masao, Uozumi, Koji, Takikawa, Kenichi, Iriuchijima, Osamu
• Granted Patent: US 6,731,472 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 360/294
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 21/025 of rotating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 21/16 Supporting the heads; Supporting the sockets for plug-in heads

Abstract

A suspension for disc drive having a micro actuator mechanism comprises a base plate, a connecting plate having a hinge portion thinner than the base plate, a load beam provided with a flexure, a pair of actuator elements such as PZT, etc. The micro actuator mechanism includes a pivot portion formed between a pair of slits and support walls formed on the connecting plate. The actuator elements are provided individually on the opposite sides of the pivot portion. Each support wall is a bent portion that is formed by raising an edge portion of the connecting plate in the thickness direction of the main portion of the connecting plate.

Claims

1. A suspension for disc drive, comprising:

an actuator base including a base plate;

a load beam provided with a flexure; and

a micro actuator mechanism attached to the actuator base,

the micro actuator mechanism including

at least one pair of slits formed in the actuator base,

a pivot portion situated between the slits,

an actuator element provided on the actuator base and adapted to be distorted to cause displacement of a distal end portion of the load beam when supplied with current, and

a support wall formed of a bent portion rising in the thickness direction of the actuator base from an edge portion of the actuator base.

2. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 1

, which further comprises a connecting plate for connecting the actuator base and the load beam, the connecting plate is formed of a springy material and includes a main plate portion thinner than the base plate and superposed on the base plate, the support wall rising in the thickness direction of the main plate portion from an edge portion of the main plate portion, and a hinge portion flexible in the thickness direction between the base plate and the load beam.

3. A suspension for disc drive, comprising:

an actuator base including a base plate having a thickness of 0.17 mm or more and formed integrally with a boss portion;

a load beam provided with a flexure; and

a micro actuator mechanism attached to the actuator base,

the micro actuator mechanism including

an actuator element adapted to be distorted to cause displacement of a distal end portion of the load beam when supplied with current.

4. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 3

, wherein said actuator base is provided with an aperture for storing the actuator element.

5. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 4

, which further comprises supporting portions for supporting both ends of said actuator element respectively.

6. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 3

, which further comprises a springy connecting plate for connecting the base plate and the load beam to each other, the connecting plate including a hinge portion flexible in the thickness direction between the base plate and the load beam.

7. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 4

, which further comprises a springy connecting plate for connecting the base plate and the load beam to each other, the connecting plate including a hinge portion flexible in the thickness direction between the base plate and the load beam.

8. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 5

, wherein at least one end of said actuator element is supported by said load beam.

9. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 7

, wherein at least one end of said actuator element is supported by said connecting plate.

10. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 3

, wherein said base plate is formed of a cladding material including a light metal and a stainless steel.

11. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 4

, which further comprises a conductive member for electrically connecting a wiring portion on the flexure and a connector portion of the actuator element.

12. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 4

, wherein said base plate has an outwardly convex flexible portion in a position corresponding to a side face of the actuator element on each side portion thereof.

13. A suspension for disc drive, comprising:

an actuator base including a base plate of a long-mount type having a thickness of 0.17 mm or more;

a load beam provided with a flexure; and

a micro actuator mechanism attached to the actuator base,

the micro actuator mechanism including

an actuator element adapted to be distorted to cause displacement of a distal end portion of the load beam when supplied with current.

14. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 13

, wherein said actuator base is provided with an aperture for storing the actuator element.

15. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 14

, which further comprises supporting portions for supporting both ends of said actuator element respectively.

16. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 13

, which further comprises a springy connecting plate for connecting the base plate and the load beam to each other, the connecting plate including a hinge portion flexible in the thickness direction between the base plate and the load beam.

17. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 14

, which further comprises a springy connecting plate for connecting the base plate and the load beam to each other, the connecting plate including a hinge portion flexible in the thickness direction between the base plate and the load beam.

18. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 15

, wherein at least one end of said actuator element is supported by said load beam.

19. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 17

, wherein at least one end of said actuator element is supported by said connecting plate.

20. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 13

, wherein said base plate is formed of a cladding material including a light metal and a stainless steel.

21. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 14

, which further comprises a conductive member for electrically connecting a wiring portion on the flexure and a connector portion of the actuator element.

22. A suspension for disc drive according to

claim 14

, wherein said base plate has an outwardly convex flexible portion in a position corresponding to a side face of the actuator element on each side portion thereof.