Base plate suspension assembly in a hard disk drive with step in flange

Abstract

A base plate having a hub, a flange having an outer flange region at an outer periphery of the flange and a clamping region at an inner periphery of the flange that is contiguous with the hub. The flange has a modified region that at least partially surrounds and is contiguous with the clamping region, the modified region having a stress reducing configuration such that the clamping region is thicker than the outer flange region. The modified region may be a circular or linear step, and can be on either side of the flange. The step fits the contour of a load beam and the flange is welded to the load beam. The load beam thickness is the same as or less than the thickness of the step.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.