Disk drive load arm structure having a strain sensor and method of its fabrication
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A load arm for a disk drive comprising:
- a base section having hinge arms terminating in tabs;
an arm section affixed to the tabs of the hinge arms of the base section;
a head suspension assembly affixed to a distal end of the arm section; and
a sensor formed on a selected hinge arm of the base section adapted to provide a strain measurement signal responsive to mechanical deflection of the selected hinge arm, the base section and the selected hinge arm being electrically conductive to form a first signal path for the sensor, the sensor being formed of a continuously extending first layer of piezoelectric polymer sensing material which extends along the base section, and an electrode being formed as a continuously extending second layer of conductive material that contactingly extends along the first layer to provide a second signal path for the sensor.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A load arm for a disk drive may include a base section that has an opening for receiving a spindle of a voice coil motor. The base section may have hinge arms that extend from the base section and terminate in tab portions. An arm section may be affixed to the tabs of the hinge arms of the base section such as by spot welding. A head suspension assembly may be affixed to a distal end of the arm section such as by spot welding. A sensor may be provided on a hinge arm of the base section. The sensor may comprise a piezoelectric polymer sensing element and an electrode formed over the piezoelectric polymer sensing element.
67 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A load arm for a disk drive comprising:
-
a base section having hinge arms terminating in tabs; an arm section affixed to the tabs of the hinge arms of the base section; a head suspension assembly affixed to a distal end of the arm section; and a sensor formed on a selected hinge arm of the base section adapted to provide a strain measurement signal responsive to mechanical deflection of the selected hinge arm, the base section and the selected hinge arm being electrically conductive to form a first signal path for the sensor, the sensor being formed of a continuously extending first layer of piezoelectric polymer sensing material which extends along the base section, and an electrode being formed as a continuously extending second layer of conductive material that contactingly extends along the first layer to provide a second signal path for the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A method of forming a load arm for a disk drive comprising;
-
providing a substrate comprising a sheet of a structural material and a piezoelectric polymer film formed on a surface of the structural material; forming sensors on the structural material, the sensors comprising electrodes overlying portions of the piezoelectric polymer film; masking said sensors and portions of the substrate with a mask defining a base section of a load arm, the mask defining hinge arms of the base section beneath said sensors, the base section being electrically conductive to form a first signal path for the sensor, the electrode providing a second signal path that continuously extends along the piezoelectric polymer film; etching the structural material to form a base section corresponding in shape to the mask; removing the mask from the base section; affixing an arm section to the base section at tabs extending from the hinge arms of the base section; and affixing a head suspension assembly to a distal end of the arm section. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An apparatus comprising:
-
a base section comprising a base plate portion extending along a first plane and spaced apart first and second hinge arms which linearly extend from the base plate portion along a second plane non-normal to the first plane; an arm section connected to the first and second hinge arms and extending along said second plane; and a continuous layer of piezoelectric material which contactingly extends along the base plate portion and a selected one of the first or second hinge arms, a distal end of said layer of piezoelectric material adapted to generate a strain measurement signal responsive to mechanical deflection of the selected hinge arm, the base section and the selected hinge arm being electrically conductive to form a first signal path for the sensor, the sensor being formed of a continuously extending first layer of piezoelectric polymer sensing material which extends along the base section, and an electrode being formed as a continuously extending second layer of conductive material that contactingly extends along the first layer to provide a second signal path for the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (19)
-
Specification