US 6,556,383 B2 · Disc drive anti-shock suspension cushions

Abstract

A suspension for connecting a slider to an actuator arm of a disc drive includes a cushion extending vertically from the suspension. The cushion limits vertical excursions and dampens motion of the suspension during a shock event to better maintain the slider in contact with a disc surface in the disc drive. The cushion can be formed as an external feature attached to the suspension, such as a foam or plastic cushion, or as an integral feature of the suspension. A disc drive assembly having a plurality of discs includes a first suspension and a first cushion extending vertically downward toward a second suspension. The second suspension may include a second cushion extending vertically upward toward the first suspension. The first cushion and one of the second suspension or the second cushion are spaced apart by a predetermined distance under normal operating conditions and engage one another to limit vertical excursions and dampen motion of the first and second suspensions when the disc drive undergoes a shock event.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A suspension for connecting a slider to an actuator arm of a disc drive, the suspension adapted to maintain the slider substantially engaged with a surface of a disc, the suspension comprising:

a body having a top surface facing away from the disc surface, a proximal end for attaching the suspension to the actuator arm and a distal end adapted for attachment to the slider;
and
a cushion attached to the top surface of the body and extending vertically away from the disc surface, the cushion adapted to contact a surface within the disc drive other than the disc surface to limit vertical excursions and dampen motion of the suspension during a shock event, wherein the cushion further comprises a hollow plastic body having an air port for expelling air during compression of the cushion.

A disc drive assembly having at least one disc mounted on a hub for rotation about a spindle axis, the disc having a surface for recording data, the disc drive assembly further including an actuator for moving an actuator arm above the surface of the disc between an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the disc, and a suspension connecting a slider to the actuator arm to maintain the slider substantially engaged with the disc surface, the slider including a transducer for reading and writing data to the disc surface, and wherein the suspension comprises:

a body having a top surface facing away from the disc surface, a proximal end attached to the actuator arm and a distal end attached to the slider;
an elastically deformable cushion attached to the top surface of the body and defining a contact surface extending vertically away from the disc surface, the elastically deformable cushion compressed from a first operational size to a second compressed size during assembly of the suspension within the disc drive, wherein the elastically deformable cushion expands from the second compressed size to the first operational size following assembly of the suspension within the disc drive;
and
an engagement surface spaced a predetermined distance from the contact surface of the elastically deformable cushion as the actuator arm moves over the disc surface between the inner and outer diameters of the disc to engage the contact surface of the elastically deformable cushion and dampen vibratory motion of the suspension when the disc drive undergoes a shock event during operation of the disc drive, wherein the engagement surface comprises a surface within the disc drive other than the disc surface.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Disc drive anti-shock suspension cushions

Life of this patent

Disc drive anti-shock suspension cushions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17