Swing-type actuator assembly having internal conductors
AssigneeWestern Digital Corporation
InventorsKeith R. Berding, Shawn E. Casey, Charles B. Mountain
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a magnetic disk drive having a head stack assembly including a rotary actuator body having a flex circuit mounting site for mounting a main actuator flex circuit and an arm extending therefrom which supports a head gimbal assembly (HGA). The invention provides for molding the conductors into the arm and the actuator body so that the conductors are strategically exposed along the flex circuit mounting side of the actuator body and along an end of the arm body which mates with the HGA.
Claims28
A head stack assembly for a magnetic disk drive comprising:
- a molded actuator body having a pivot axis and an exterior surface defining a mounting site, the mounting site defining a plane substantially parallel to the pivot axis;
- a flex circuit cable having a portion thereof supported on the mounting site;
- a motive means for swinging the actuator body about the pivot axis;
- an actuator arm cantilevered from the actuator body;
- a head gimbal assembly cantilevered from the arm;
- the head gimbal assembly including a head and an HGA electrical terminal electrically connected to the head;
- the arm comprising a molded, elongated arm body;
- a plurality of conductors, each conductor including a head-terminal defining an exterior surface of the arm body, a body-terminal, and defining a conductive path extending between the head-terminal and the body-terminal, each body terminal projecting from the mounting site and being electrically connected to the flex circuit cable;
- the molded, elongated arm body and the molded actuator body completely covering each conductive path extending from the head-terminal to the body terminal, and further including means for electrically connecting the head-terminal to the HGA electrical terminal.
A magnetic disk drive having a disk and a head stack assembly including a swing-type actuator assembly, the head stack assembly comprising:
- a molded actuator body having a pivot axis, and an exterior surface defining a mounting site, the mounting site defining a plane substantially parallel to the pivot axis;
- a motive means for swinging the actuator body about the pivot axis;
- an actuator arm cantilevered from the actuator body;
- a head gimbal assembly cantilevered from the arm;
- the head gimbal assembly including a head and an HGA electrical terminal electrically connected to the head;
- a flex circuit cable having a portion thereof supported on the mounting site;
- the arm comprising a molded elongated arm body;
- a plurality of conductors, each conductor including a head-terminal defining an exterior surface of the arm body, a body-terminal, and defining a conductive path extending between the head-terminal and the body-terminal, each body terminal projecting from the mounting site and being electrically connected to the flex circuit cable;
- the molded elongated arm body and the molded actuator body completely covering each conductive path extending from the head-terminal to the body terminal, and further including means for electrically connecting the head-terminal to the HGA electrical terminal.
A method of making a head stack assembly for a magnetic disk drive, the method comprising:
- providing a flex circuit assembly;
- providing a head gimbal assembly;
- providing a plurality of conductors, each conductor having a head-terminal and a body-terminal and defining a conductive path extending between the head terminal and the body terminal for electrically connecting the head gimbal assembly to the flex circuit assembly;
- molding an elongated arm body and an actuator body over each conductive path such that the head terminal defines an exterior surface of the molded arm body and the body terminal defines an exterior surface of the molded actuator body;
- electrically connecting the head-terminal of the plurality of conductors to the head gimbal assembly;
- and
- electrically connecting the body-terminal of the plurality of conductors to the flex circuit assembly.
A method of making a head stack assembly for a magnetic disk drive, the method comprising:
- providing a flex circuit assembly;
- providing a head gimbal assembly;
- providing a lead frame having a plurality of conductors, each conductor having a head-terminal and a body-terminal and defining a conductive path extending between the head terminal and the body terminal for electrically connecting the head gimbal assembly to the flex circuit assembly;
- molding a non-conductive lead frame island on the lead frame for supporting the lead frame;
- molding an elongated arm body and an actuator body over each conductive path and lead frame island such that the head terminal defines an exterior surface of the molded arm body and the body terminal defines an exterior surface of the molded actuator body;
- electrically connecting the head-terminal to the head gimbal assembly;
- and
- electrically connecting the body-terminal to the flex circuit assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.