Patent · US Expired

Head stack assembly for a magnetic disk drive with a pass-through flex circuit cable

US5953183A · kind A · utility

34Cited by
11References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 17, 1997
Grant dateSep 14, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 17, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B5/4846
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A magnetic disk drive with a head stack assembly having a pass-through flex circuit cable is disclosed. The pass-through flex circuit cable is mounted to a side of the head stack assembly to extend straight forward in an initial unfolded position during handling and assembly and to then be folded over into a final position in a substantially opposite direction and with a desired flex cable trajectory. The head stack assembly includes a post, preferably of rectangular profile, that is integrally formed and spaced away from the actuator body. An outer surface of the post defines the flex cable trajectory. The flex circuit cable, located in the space between the actuator body and the post, extends past the post in the initial position and wraps around the post in the final folded over position. The flex circuit cable is secured to the post in the final folded over position, preferably with a flex clip that removably mounts to the post. The pass-through flex circuit cable of the present invention makes it less likely that the flex cable circuit will be damaged and provides more room for electronic components and for performing lead attachment operations.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.