Hutchinson Technology Corporation

Scott C Giere

Robert B Evans

Jeffry S Bennin

Jason R Heffelfinger

Brett L Haugen

Daniel D Willard

Jason S Griesbach

Tony S Peterson

Dennis M Ingle

Apparatus and method for selectively applying a voltage to one major surface of a pair of piezoelectric motors (PZTs) on a disk drive head suspension with a primary plane of a load beam of the head suspension parallel to the major surfaces of the PZT elements electrically insulated from the load beam. Electrical connections to the PZTs are made via wires, solder, conductive epoxy or electro-mechanical attachment of a plated surface of the PZT with a bond pad on an electrically isolated substrate. Lead extensions or separate pieces may be used to connect to the PZTs. The PZTs may be located on a major surface of the load beam, or may be assembled in a pre-fabricated motor assembly before being installed in the head suspension. Apertures in the load beam and other layers permit physical installation of the PZT motors and enable electrical connection to the PZTs.

Apparatus for insulating and electronically connecting piezoelectric motor in dual stage actuator suspension from the same side of the suspension

Apparatus for insulating and electrically connecting piezoelectric motor in dual stage actuator suspension

A head suspension including a load beam and flexure having a damping member for damping vibrations of the head suspension at a resonance mode frequency thereof. The load beam includes a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region adjacent to a distal end, and a spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region. The flexure is at the distal end of the load beam and is for supporting a head slider. The damping member extends from the head suspension and has a free end such that it can frictionally contact the head suspension to damp resonance mode frequency vibrations thereof.

Head suspension with resonance damping extension

A head suspension including a load beam and flexure having a vibration absorbing member for vibrating at resonance mode vibrations of the head suspension. The load beam includes a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region adjacent to a distal end, and a spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region. The flexure is at the distal end of the load beam and is for supporting a head slider. The vibration absorbing member extends from the head suspension and has a resonance mode frequency substantially the same as one of the resonance mode frequencies of the head suspension. As such, the vibration absorbing member absorbs energy on the head suspension at a resonance mode frequency thereof, acting to reduce gain at a resonance mode frequency of the head suspension.

Head suspension with dynamic vibration absorption extension

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Hutchinson, MN, United States of America

Scott C Giere