Micro-actuator, head gimbal assembly and disk drive unit with the micro-actuator

• US 20060256479A1
• Filed: 05/10/2005
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAE Magnetics Limited (TDK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SAE Magnetics Limited (TDK Corporation)
• Inventors: Yao, MingGao, Shiraishi, Masashi
• Granted Patent: US 7,408,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 360/294.400
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/4826 Mounting, aligning or attachment of the transducer head relative to the arm assembly, e.g. slider holding members, gimbals, adhesive G11B5/484 takes precedence; details of head housings or structures G11B5/10, G11B5/127; adjustment relative to the record carrier G11B5/56
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/4853 Constructional details of the electrical connection between head and arm

Abstract

A micro-actuator of the invention includes a support frame having a base, a moving plate, a leading beam to connect the base with the moving plate; and two slider holding arms extending from both sides of the moving plate; at least one piezoelectric elements bonding to the support frame to connect a free end of the base with the moving plate; wherein the moving plate sways in a first direction or in a second direction when the at least one piezoelectric elements being actuated. The invention also discloses a head gimbal assembly and a disk drive unit using the micro-actuator.

Claims

1. A micro-actuator comprising:

a support frame having a base, a moving plate, a leading beam to connect the base with the moving plate; and

two slider holding arms extending from both sides of the moving plate;

at least one piezoelectric elements bonding to the support frame to connect a free end of the base with the moving plate;

wherein the moving plate sways in a first direction or in a second direction when the at least one piezoelectric elements being actuated.

2. The micro-actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two slider holding arms are substantially perpendicular to the moving plate.

3. A head gimbal assembly comprising:

a slider;

a micro-actuator;

wherein the micro-actuator comprising a support frame and at least one PZT elements each of which having at least one PZT electrical pad;

a suspension to support the slider and the micro-actuator;

wherein at least one suspension electrical pads are provided on the suspension corresponding to the at least one PZT electrical pads; and

a conductive film providing between the suspension electrical pads and the PZT electrical pads for establishing an electrical connection therebetween;

wherein at least one conductive medium is provided on each suspension electrical pad to assist the electrical connection between the conductive film and each suspension electrical pad.

4. The head gimbal assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support frame comprises a base, a moving plate, a leading beam to connect the base with the moving plate;

and two slider holding arms extending from both sides of the moving plate;

the at least one piezoelectric elements bonding to the support frame to connect a free end of the base with the moving plate;

wherein the moving plate sways in a first direction or in a second direction when the at least one piezoelectric elements being actuated.

5. The head gimbal assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the conductive film is anisotropic conductive film;

and the condutive medium is metal ball.

6. The head gimbal assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the two slider holding arms are substantially perpendicular to the moving plate.

7. The head gimbal assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slider is partially bonded to the support frame.

8. A disk drive unit comprising:

a head gimbal assembly;

a drive arm to connect with the head gimbal assembly;

a disk; and

a spindle motor to spin the disk;

wherein the head gimbal assembly comprising

a slider;

a micro-actuator;

wherein the micro-actuator comprising a support frame and at least one PZT elements each of which having at least one PZT electrical pad;

a suspension to support the slider and the micro-actuator;

wherein at least one suspension electrical pads are provided on the suspension corresponding to the at least one PZT electrical pads; and

a conductive film providing between the suspension electrical pads and the PZT electrical pads for establishing an electrical connection therebetween;

wherein at least one conductive medium is provided on each suspension electrical pad to assist the electrical connection between the conductive film and each suspension electrical pad.

9. The disk drive unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support frame comprises a base, a moving plate, a leading beam to connect the base with the moving plate;

and two slider holding arms extending from both sides of the moving plate;

the at least one piezoelectric elements bonding to the support frame to connect a free end of the base with the moving plate;

wherein the moving plate sways in a first direction or in a second direction when the at least one piezoelectric elements being actuated.