Circuit integrated suspension and method of manufacture thereof

Abstract

An Extended Circuit Integrated Suspension (ECIS) includes: a load beam, including a first plurality of traces disposed on a first side of the load beam and a first connection portion; and a flexure circuit which is disposed on an opposite side of the first side of the load beam and connected to the load beam by the first connection portion, and includes a second plurality of traces and a second connection portion to connect to the first plurality of traces on the load beam.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An Extended Circuit Integrated Suspension (ECIS), comprising:
 a load beam, comprising a first plurality of traces disposed on a first side of the load beam and a first connection portion; and   a flexure circuit which is disposed on an opposite side of the first side of the load beam and connected to the load beam by the first connection portion, and comprises a second plurality of traces and a second connection portion to connect to the first plurality of traces on the load beam.   
     
     
         2 . The ECIS of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected by a via disposed on the load beam. 
     
     
         3 . The ECIS of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected by a wire. 
     
     
         4 . The ECIS of  claim 1 , wherein the load beam comprises a base layer and a polymide layer,
 the first plurality of traces of the load beam is disposed on the polymide layer, and   the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected by a via disposed on a portion of the polyimide layer disposed outside the base layer.   
     
     
         5 . The ECIS of  claim 1 , wherein the second connection portion is connected to the first connection portion on the first side of the load beam. 
     
     
         6 . An Extended Circuit Integrated Suspension (ECIS), comprising:
 a load beam, comprising a first plurality of traces disposed on a first side of the load beam and a first connection portion;   a flexure circuit which is disposed on an opposite side of the first side of the load beam and connected to the load beam by the first connection portion, and comprises a second plurality of traces and a second connection portion to connect to the first plurality of traces on the load beam; and   at least one piezoelectric device (PZT) disposed on the load beam and connected to the first plurality of traces.   
     
     
         7 . The ECIS of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one PZT is a micro actuator configured to move a portion of the load beam. 
     
     
         8 . The ECIS of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one PZT is further configured to contract or expand to move a portion of the load beam. 
     
     
         9 . The ECIS of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one PZT is a sensor configured to sense vibrations in the suspension and load beam. 
     
     
         10 . The ECIS of  claim 6 , wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected by a via disposed on the load beam. 
     
     
         11 . The ECIS of  claim 6 , wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected by a wire. 
     
     
         12 . The ECIS of  claim 6 , wherein the load beam comprises a base layer and a polymide layer,
 the first plurality of traces of the load beam is disposed on the polymide layer, and   the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected by a via disposed on a portion of the polyimide layer disposed outside the base layer.   
     
     
         13 . The ECIS of  claim 6 , wherein the second connection portion is connected to the first connection portion on the first side of the load beam.