Importance

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Abstract

A disk drive suspension has a longitudinal axis that defines inner and outer edges of the suspension. A flexure having a head gimbal assembly is aligned with the axis and spring-loaded to the suspension. A single limiter extends from the flexure through an opening in the suspension to hook to the suspension. The limiter limits the planar separation between the flexure and the suspension. The limiter is offset from the axis such that it is located much closer to the inner edge. During the unloading of the suspension from the disk, a tab on the suspension engages a ramp to begin to lift the suspension away from the disk. As the suspension is lifted, the flexure and head gimbal assembly have limited planar separation from the suspension due to the limiter. Since the limiter is offset from the axis, the surface of the head gimbal assembly is skewed relative to the disk. The offset limiter reduces the chance of the hub-side edge of the slider contacting the disk surface, since the limiter lifts the slider from hub side. For the same reason, the rim-side edge of the slider comes off the disk last, thus increasing the chance of contacting the disk at that point.

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First Claim