Compact magnetic head flexible suspension

Abstract

A digital memory system of the hard or Winchester disk type, includes a series of hard disks, and pivoted mounting arms for the magnetic heads or sliders. In order to minimize the vertical, or inter-disk space occupied by the sliders and their mounting arms when used in a rotary type of head positioner, the end of a direct, or straight, mounting arm for each slider is generally ring-shaped, or of an open rectangular configuration, with the outer transverse portion of the mounting arm extending through a slot in the surface of the slider which is not intended for engagement with or proximity to the recording disk. In addition, the slider is secured to the mounting arm by a small springy resilient sheet metal member, having a broad central area with a rounded protrusion intended to engage the outer transverse portion of the ring-shaped end of the mounting arm, and being bonded to the slider at the bottom of the slot in the slider on either side of the rounded bearing member. This small springy member has two arms extending from it which are secured to the slider mount, at the outer ends of the arms away from the broader central area of the springy member, so that the slider is free to pivot through a small angle relative to its mounting arm, thereby allowing stable operation of the air bearing action to support the slider in a predefined position and attitude relative to the disk surface. The slider mounting arm has an outer load beam section with up-turned edges to increase its stiffness or rigidity, and a transverse plate is secured to these upturned edges to increase the natural frequency of the slider mounting arm. The load beam has the additional function of establishing force equilibrium with the air bearing action to provide control of flying height above the disk surface.