US 12,243,566 B2
Multi-layer load beam flexure for magnetic storage device
Takuma Muraki, Yamato (JP); Yoshinobu Noguchi, Yokohama (JP); Eiji Soga, Chigasaki (JP); and Hiroyasu Tsuchida, Fujisawa (JP)
Assigned to WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by Western Digital Technologies, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 26, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/359,753.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/445,219, filed on Feb. 13, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0274153 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. G11B 5/48 (2006.01)
CPC G11B 5/4833 (2013.01) [G11B 5/4826 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A suspension assembly for a magnetic storage device, the suspension assembly comprising:
a base plate;
a load beam, attached to the base plate and comprising a distal end portion and a hinge, wherein the hinge is interposed between the distal end portion and the base plate and is configured to flex so that the distal end portion moves relative to the base plate; and
a flexure, attached to the base plate and the load beam, wherein:
the flexure comprises a hinge portion, which overlaps with at least a portion of the hinge of the load beam, and fixed portions adjacent the hinge portion;
each one of the fixed portions of the flexure comprises a first layer and a second layer;
the first layer is interposed between the second layer and the load beam;
the hinge portion of the flexure comprises the second layer, but does not comprise the first layer such that a gap is defined between the first layers of the fixed portions of the flexure; and
a thickness of the second layer of the hinge portion of the flexure is less than a thickness of the second layers of the fixed portions of the flexure.