Loading-protected bending microactuator in additive suspensions

A microactuated disk drive suspension comprising relatively movable proximate and distal suspension portions on a common axis solely joined by a bending system cantilevered from a said suspension portion and consisting of a cantilevered bending motor opposing said common axis and having a laterally bendable, unsupported region, and a cantilevered laterally bendable load assist structure extending along and spaced from said bending motor and preferentially bendable to bend in preference to bending of said suspension portions and arranged to block undue loading of said bending motor unsupported region.

A microactuated disk drive suspension comprising a mechanical pivot connection-free, relatively movable proximate and distal suspension portions on a common axis joined by a bending system cantilevered from a said suspension portion and comprising a cantilevered bending motor opposing said common axis and having a laterally bendable, unsupported region, and a cantilevered laterally bendable load assist structure extending along and spaced from said bending motor and arranged to block undue loading of said bending motor unsupported region.

A microactuated disk drive suspension for supporting a slider at a disk, said suspension comprising a mount plate, a load beam extending in a plane and having on a common axis a base section adapted for mounting to an actuator by said mount plate, a spring section and a beam section carrying a flexure and said slider thereon, said suspension having relatively movable proximate and distal portions on said common axis joined by a bending system cantilevered from said proximate portion and comprising a cantilevered bending motor opposed to said common axis and having a laterally bendable unsupported region, and a cantilevered laterally bendable load assist structure arranged to block undue loading of said bending motor unsupported region.

A method of manufacturing a disk drive suspension including providing relatively movable proximate and distal portions and coupling said portions with a bending system cantilevered from said proximate portion and comprising a cantilevered bending motor having a laterally bendable unsupported region, and a cantilevered laterally bendable load assist structure arranged to block undue loading of said bending motor unsupported region.

A method of operating a disk drive suspension including positioning a slider with said suspension, and bending said suspension between relatively movable proximate and distal portions thereof with a bending system cantilevered from said proximate portion and comprising a bending motor having a laterally bendable unsupported region, and a cantilevered laterally bendable load assist structure arranged to block undue loading of said bending motor unsupported region.