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Actuation device and method for high density hard disk drive headActuation device and method for high density hard disk drive head description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070165332, Actuation device and method for high density hard disk drive head. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention generally relates to techniques for operating a disk drive apparatus. More particularly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for reading and writing information onto a computer disk commonly called a hard disk for storing data. Merely by way of example, the present invention is implemented using such method and apparatus with an actuating device coupled between a read/write head and support member for fine tuning the read/write head onto a data track on the hard disk, but it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability. [0002] Storage of information has progressed through the years. From the early days, primitive man stored information on walls of caves, as well as used writings on wood such as bamboo. Since then, people have used wood, silk, and papers as a media for writings. Paper has been bound to form books. Information is now stored electronically on disks, tape, and semiconductor devices. As merely an example, some of the early disks used magnetic technology to store bits of information in a digital manner onto the magnetic media. One of the first disk drives was discovered in the 1950's by International Business Machines of Armonk, N.Y. [0003] Although such disks have been successful, there continues to be a demand for larger storage capacity drives. Higher storage capacity can be achieved in part by increasing an aerial density of the disk. That is, the density increases with the number of tracks per inch (TPI) and the number of bits per inch (BPI) on the disk. [0004] As track density increases, however, the data track becomes narrower and the spacing between data tracks on the disk decreases. It becomes increasingly difficult for the motor and servo control system to quickly and accurately position the read/write head over the desired track. Conventional actuator motors, such as voice coil motors (VCM), often lack sufficient resolution and bandwidth to effectively accommodate high track-density disks. As a result, a high bandwidth and resolution second-stage microactuator is often necessary to precisely position the read/write head over a selected track of the disc. [0005] Additionally, microactuators should also be cost effectively manufactured. Most microactuator devices are often fabricated in individual form, which is discrete and separate from others. Unfortunately, microactuators are often fragile, small in size, and difficult to handle effectively. Accordingly, complex assembly procedures are generally required to attach individual microactuator device elements to a suspension assembly. Such procedures are often inefficient and increases manufacturing cost, reduces yield, and causes longer throughput times. [0006] Thus, there is a need for an improved high volume manufacturing process for microactuator devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to the present invention, techniques for operating a disk drive apparatus are provided. More particularly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for reading and writing information onto a computer disk commonly called a hard disk for memory applications. Merely by way of example, the present invention is implemented using such method and apparatus using with an actuating device coupled between a read/write head and support member for fine tuning the read/write head onto a data track on the hard disk, but it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability. [0008] In a specific embodiment, the invention provides an improved disk drive apparatus. The apparatus has a first drive device (e.g., voice coil motor, commonly called VCM) and a support member (e.g., suspension) coupled to the first drive device. Preferably, the support member is operably coupled via pivoting action to the voice coil motor. The support member has a tongue portion and a gimbal portion, which are formed on a larger gimbal structure. The tongue portion is coupled the gimbal portion. That is, the larger gimbal structure is a continuous elongated member, which includes a tongue portion that extends within the gimbal structure. The tongue portion is continuous with a certain portion of the gimbal structure. Preferably, the tongue portion, which is shaped like a "tongue," has at least three sides, which are free from attachment to the gimbal structure, which allows for the tongue portion to move and/or flex (e.g., pitch, roll, rotate, yaw) in three-dimensions, e.g., three degrees of freedom, or in four dimensions, e.g., three rotational and 1 translational. Alternatively, the tongue may be supported by other configurations, which do not include three sides. Further details of the tongue portion can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below. A fixed drive device is formed within a first portion of the tongue portion. Preferably, the fixed drive device is machined (e.g., etch, stamp) into the first portion of the tongue portion. A movable drive device is operably coupled to the fixed drive device and formed within a second portion of the tongue portion. Preferably, the fixed drive device and movable drive device operate in a manner to allow the movable drive device to rotate about an axis normal to a surface area of the tongue portion and preferably a surface of the fixed portion of the fixed drive device. In a specific embodiment, the fixed drive device and the movable drive device operably couple to each other via a comb structure configuration, which allows the movable drive device to move relative to the fixed drive device. A read/write head is coupled (e.g., attached, bonded, glued) to the movable drive device. Preferably, the coupling is permanent and does not allow the read/write head to move relative to the movable drive device. That is, the read/write head and movable drive device operate together. A voltage source is coupled between the fixed drive device and the movable drive device to cause movement of the read/write head by forming an interaction between the fixed drive device and the movable drive device. Preferably, the voltage source causes an electrostatic force to actuate the movable drive device via electrostatic attractive forces. [0009] In an alternative specific embodiment, the invention provides a method for operating a disk drive apparatus. The method includes applying a read/write head onto a movable disk, which is rotated about a fixed axis. The read/write head is disposed on a movable drive device, which is operably coupled to a fixed drive device. The movable drive device is formed on a tongue portion of a substrate. The method adjusts a voltage source coupled between the fixed drive device and the movable drive device to cause movement of the read/write head by forming an interaction between the fixed drive device and the movable drive device. [0010] Still further, the invention provides a method for fabricating an integrated actuating device for a read/write head. The method includes providing a substrate, which has an upper surface. A plurality of trench isolation regions are formed within the substrate to define a plurality of external drive regions. The method also forms a plurality of movable drive members and a plurality of fixed drive members on the substrate. The movable drive members are operably coupled to the fixed drive members. The movable drive members are formed around a center region, which is an axis of the movable drive members. The method also attaches a read/write head on the center portion of the plurality of movable drive members. [0011] Numerous benefits are achieved using the invention over conventional techniques. In a specific embodiment, the present invention can be implemented using conventional lithographic technologies. Additionally, the invention can allow for the read/write head to move in a rotational manner through a linear relationship between the drive voltage and movement of the read/write head. The invention provides a simple but elegant design, which are relatively easy to manufacture. Here, the drive device is integrated into the tongue portion of the gimbal structure, where the drive device is actually formed via patterning of the gimbal structure, which uses fewer assembly steps than conventional techniques. The drive device has the same form factor as the tongue portion, which allows for a smaller overall form factor for the read/write head and gimbal assembly in certain embodiments. Depending upon the embodiment, one or more of these benefits may be achieved. These and other benefits are described throughout the present specification and more particularly below. [0012] Various additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention can be more fully appreciated with reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings that follow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a simplified top-view diagram of a disk drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is a more detailed side-view diagram of a disk drive suspension assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of the operating principle of an electrostatic actuated comb drive according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 4 is a three dimensional illustration of a diagram of a gimbal with a tongue portion whereupon a comb drive actuator is formed, and slider attachment method; [0017] FIG. 5 is a detailed top-view diagram of an integrated comb drive actuator formed on the gimbal substrate; [0018] FIGS. 6 through 9 are simplified diagrams illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 10 is a detailed side-view diagram of a head gimbal assembly with integrated comb drive actuator formed on the gimbal substrate; and [0020] FIG. 11 is a detailed diagram of fabricating an integrated comb drive actuator on the gimbal substrate using laser micromachining. 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