Dissolving shunt connection system for ESD sensitive components

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for protecting an electrical component from electrostatic discharge prior to its electrical connection to an additional component. Specifically, a flex on suspension circuit of a disc drive that is electrically connected to the read/write head is disclosed as having exposed leads for connection to a printed circuit cable assembly. The exposed leads are shunted with a solder conductor such as solder tape after testing of the circuit and head to prevent electrostatic build-up across the read and write elements. The flex on suspension circuit is then electrically connected to the printed circuit assembly cable by reflowing the solder conductor to bond the exposed leads of the flex on suspension circuit to the electrical contacts of the printed circuit assembly cable and also to remove the electrical short established between the exposed leads by the solder conductor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.