Abstract:
A support mechanism for magnetic head sliders moves between a read and write position and an offset position. A flexure includes a substrate and a wiring structure that includes an insulating layer on the disk side surface. A conductor layer extends on the insulating layer and a protection layer covers the conductor layer. A load beam is joined to the flexure substrate and constitutes a suspension together with the flexure. An arm is mounted on a rotational shaft and joined to the joining region of the load beam to support the load beam. The conductor layer has slider pads on the distal end portion of the substrate and is connected to the magnetic head of the magnetic head slider, and terminal pads on the substrate. The load beam has an aperture extending from the disk side surface of the load beam to the opposite rear side surface of the load beam. The insulating layer has at least one opening and the flexure substrate has at least one opening, wherein the terminal pads are located at the positions corresponding to at least one opening in the flexure substrate and to at least one opening in the insulating layer.

Description:
This application is a divisional of patent application Ser. No. 09/072,873, filed May 5, 1998, which issued on May 2, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,986. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a support mechanism for magnetic sliders, and more particularly to a wiring-integrated support mechanism for magnetic head sliders and a method of producing the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recently, it has been reported that rigid disk drives have the following disadvantages that: i) the stiffness of leads, i.e., electrical wires such as Au wires connected to a magnetic head, adversely affects the flying characteristics of a slider as magnetic head sliders are downsized; and that ii) since connecting the leads to the magnetic head or attaching the magnetic head slider to a suspension supporting it is done by hand, the improvement of productivity has been obstructed. To eliminate these disadvantages, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications Nos. 30310/1978, 246015/1985 and 215513/1994 disclose wiring-integrated suspensions in which a wiring structure is formed integrally with a suspension (i.e., a support member for supporting a magnetic head slider at its distal end). 
     According to such a support mechanism in which a wiring-integrated suspension is attached directly on an arm by welding or the like, it is necessary to connect the wiring structure on the suspension surface (i.e., the magnetic disk side surface having a slider attached thereon) to a flexible print circuit (hereinafter referred to as “FPC”) attached on the opposite side surface of the arm relative to the magnetic disk. 
     To fulfill this, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 243449/1994 discloses a slider support mechanism in which a flexure acting as a suspension is attached on the disk side surface of the arm, wherein the wiring structure is folded upward at side edge of the flexure, a connection land is formed on the folded portion of the wiring structure to thereby connect the wiring structure on the disk side surface of the flexure to the FPC on the rear side surface of the arm. With this construction, the disclosed mechanism is to solve the following problem. That is, the FPC on the rear side surface of the arm is folded toward the disk side surface in the connecting portion between the arm and the flexure, and then the FPC is connected to the wiring structure on the disk side surface of the flexure of the suspension via the connection land. Since the connection land is a bulky solder projection, the distances cannot be reduced between the flexure, the arm and the magnetic disk. 
     However as disclosed in the Publication, when the wiring structure on the disk side surface of the suspension is folded toward the rear side, it is often damaged because of the tension generated thereon. Further, even if the wiring structure is not damaged, the reliability of the wiring structure decreases with time. 
     According to the assembly process of such a slider support mechanism, it is necessary to fold up the wiring structure of the disk side surface of the suspension onto the opposite side surface and secure it there, whereby the process is complicated and costly. Further, because of being folded, the wiring structure is often likely to be damaged, for example, by a mold or the like used for pressing. 
     The wiring-integrated flexure is manufactured by laminating a polyimide insulating layer, a Cu wiring layer and a polyimide protection layer on a sheet constituting a flexure substrate and made of stainless steel (Matsumoto et al., “Development of a gimbal integrated suspension substrate for magnetic heads”, 15A-13 of Proceedings of the 9th JIPC Annual Meeting). In this process, more flexure patterns are arranged in a sheet of certain area to reduce production cost most effectively. 
     However, according to the flexure requiring the wiring structure to be folded as described, since the folded portion projects orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the flexure pattern, the flexure patterns cannot be formed densely in the sheet. Accordingly, the above flexure produces unwanted areas in the sheet, resulting in an increased production cost. 
     The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to enable it to easily connect the wiring structure on the disk side surface of a suspension to the FPC and the like attached on the rear side surface of the arm, thereby producing a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders at low cost. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple method of producing the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To fulfill the above objects, the present invention provides a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders, wherein the support mechanism has a magnetic head slider attached at its distal end, and wherein the support mechanism is supported at its proximal end by a rotational shaft, the support mechanism being moved to take a read and write position and an offset position therefrom relative to a magnetic disk and the mechanism comprising: 
     a flexure comprising: i) a substrate of plate shape wherein the magnetic head slider is mounted on the disk side surface of a distal end portion of the substrate; and ii) a wiring structure including an insulating layer on the disk side surface, a conductor layer extending longitudinally of the substrate on the insulating layer; and a protection layer covering the conductor layer; 
     a load beam longitudinally joined to the flexure substrate and constituting a suspension together with the flexure; and 
     an arm mounted on the rotational shaft at its proximal end portion and joined to the joining region of the load beam at its distal end portion to support the load beam, 
     wherein the conductor layer includes i) slider pads provided on the distal end portion of the substrate and connected to the magnetic head of the magnetic head slider and ii) terminal pads provided on the proximal end portion of the substrate and connected to external wiring, 
     wherein the load beam has an aperture extending from the disk side surface of the load beam to the opposite rear side surface of the load beam, 
     wherein the flexure has its distal end portion extending along the disk side surface of the load beam and has the proximal end portion passing through the aperture of the load beam to reach the rear side surface of the load beam, the insulating layer having at least one opening and the flexure substrate having at least one opening, 
     wherein the terminal pads are located at the positions corresponding to said at least one opening in the flexure substrate and to said at least one opening in the insulating layer. 
     Preferably, the load beam has the disk side surface of the joining region jointed to the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the arm, and wherein the terminal pads of the flexure is arranged on the rear side surface of the load beam joining region. 
     Preferably, the load beam has the disk side surface of the joining region jointed to the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the arm, and wherein the flexure has the proximal end portion of the substrate extending beyond the load beam joining region to reach the arm and jointed to the rear side surface of the arm, and wherein the terminal pads are arranged to extend beyond the load beam joining region to reach the rear side surface of the arm. 
     Preferably, the load beam has the rear side surface of the joining region jointed to the disk side surface of the distal end portion of the arm, and wherein the flexure has the proximal end portion of the substrate extending to reach the rear side surface of the arm and jointed thereto, and wherein the terminal pads are arranged on the rear side surface of the arm. 
     Preferably, the arm has a cutout formed in the distal end portion, which cutout is opened toward the distal edge of the arm, and wherein the terminal pads of the flexure are located within the cutout of the arm. 
     The present invention also provides a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders, wherein the support mechanism has a magnetic head slider attached at its distal end, and wherein the support mechanism is supported at its proximal end by a rotational shaft, the support mechanism being moved to take a read and write position and an offset position therefrom relative to a magnetic disk and comprising: 
     a flexure comprising: i) a substrate of plate shape wherein the magnetic head slider is mounted on the disk side surface of a distal end portion of the substrate; and ii) a wiring structure including an insulating layer on the disk side surface, a conductor layer extending longitudinally of the substrate on the insulating layer; and a protection layer covering the conductor layer; 
     a load beam longitudinally joined to the flexure substrate and constituting a suspension together with the flexure; and 
     an arm mounted on the rotational shaft at its proximal end portion and joined to the joining region of the load beam at its distal end portion to support the load beam, 
     wherein the conductor layer includes i) slider pads provided on the distal end portion of the substrate and connected to the magnetic head of the magnetic head slider and ii) terminal pads provided on the proximal end portion of the substrate and connected to external wiring, 
     wherein the load beam has an aperture extending from the disk side surface of the load beam to the opposite rear side surface of the load beam and has the disk side surface of the joining region joined to the rear side surface of the arm, the proximal end of the aperture extending beyond the distal end of the arm, 
     wherein the flexure has the distal end portion extending along the disk side surface of the load beam and has the disk side surface of the proximal end portion of the substrate joined to the rear side surface of the arm within the aperture of the load beam, and 
     wherein the terminal pads are located within the aperture of the load beam and at the positions corresponding to said at least one opening in the flexure substrate and to said at least one opening in the insulating layer. 
     Preferably, the arm has a cutout formed in the distal end, which cutout is opened toward the distal edge of the arm, and wherein the terminal pads of the flexure are located within the cutout of the arm. 
     Preferably, the load beam is bent with load so that the magnetic head slider to be mounted on the flexure may come near the magnetic disk. 
     Preferably, the aperture of the load beam is formed in the load-bent region, and wherein the flexure is formed of only wiring at least at the position corresponding to the load-bet region of the load beam. 
     The present invention also provides a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders, wherein the support mechanism has a magnetic head slider attached at its distal end, and wherein the support mechanism is supported at its proximal end by a rotational shaft, the support mechanism being moved to take a read and write position and an offset position therefrom relative to a magnetic disk and comprising: 
     a flexure constituting a suspension and comprising: i) a substrate of plate shape wherein the magnetic head slider is mounted on the disk side surface of a distal end portion of the substrate; and ii) a wiring structure including an insulating layer on the disk side surface, a conductor layer extending longitudinally of the substrate on the insulating layer; and a protection layer covering the conductor layer; and 
     an arm mounted on the rotational shaft at its proximal end portion and joined to the joining region of the load beam at its distal end portion to support the load beam, 
     wherein the conductor layer includes i) slider pads provided on the distal end portion of the substrate and connected to the magnetic head of the magnetic head slider and ii) terminal pads provided on the proximal end portion of the substrate and connected to external wiring, and 
     wherein the terminal pads of the flexure are located at the positions corresponding to said at least one opening in the flexure substrate and to said at least one opening in the insulating layer. 
     Preferably, the flexure substrate has the disk side surface of the joining region joined to the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the arm, and wherein the terminal pads of the flexure are arranged on the rear side surface of the arm. 
     Preferably, the flexure substrate has the rear side surface of the joining region joined to the disk side surface of the distal end portion of the arm, and wherein the terminal pads of the flexure are arranged on the rear side surface of the arm. 
     Preferably, the arm has a cutout formed in the distal edge portion of the arm, which cutout is opened toward the distal end of the arm, and wherein the terminal pads of the flexure are located within the cutout of the arm. 
     Preferably, the flexure substrate is bent with load so that the magnetic head slider to be mounted on the flexure may come near the magnetic disk, and wherein the flexure has no substrate under the wiring structure in the load-bent region. 
     Preferably, a flexible print-circuit substrate is joined to the rear side surface of the arm, which flexible print-circuit substrate is connected at its one end to the terminal pads of the flexure. 
     The present invention also provides a method of producing a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders, wherein the support mechanism has a magnetic head slider attached at its distal end, and wherein the support mechanism is supported at its proximal end by a rotational shaft, the support mechanism being moved to take a read and write position and an offset position therefrom relative to a magnetic disk and comprising: i) a flexure having a substrate and including a conductor layer formed on the disk side surface of the substrate, which conductor layer having slider pads and terminal pads, the slider pads being connected to a magnetic head of the magnetic head slider and terminal pads being connected to external wiring and exposed on the rear side surface of the substrate; ii) a load beam jointed longitudinally to the flexure substrate; and iii) an arm having its proximal end attached to a rotational shaft and having its distal end portion joined to the joining region of the proximal end portion of the load beam, the method comprising: 
     a first step of forming an insulating pattern having at least one opening in the disk side surface of the flexure substrate, said at least one opening being located to correspond to the terminal pads; 
     a second step of forming a plating feed layer on the insulating layer and the exposed disk side surface of the flexure substrate; 
     a third step of i) forming a first resist layer on the plating feed layer except the region on which the conductor layer is formed and also forming the first resist layer on the rear side surface of the flexure substrate and ii) sequentially laminating an etching stopper layer, an intermediate layer and a surface layer except the region on which the first resist is formed, by electric plating using the plating feed layer as an electrode, the three layers constituting the conductor layer; 
     a forth step of removing the first resist layer and etching the feed layer using the conductor layer as a mask except the region on which the conductor is formed; 
     a fifth step of forming a protection layer covering the conductor layer except the region where the slider pads are formed; 
     a sixth step of i) forming a second resist on the rear side surface of the flexure substrate, the second resist having at least one opening at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads, and also forming the second resist on the entire disk side surface of the flexure substrate and ii) etching the flexure substrate and the feed layer on the flexure substrate using the second resist as a mask so as to form a substrate having at least one opening at the position corresponding to the terminal pads; 
     a seventh step of i) joining the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the flexure substrate to the disk side surface of the load beam after passing the flexure through the aperture formed in the load beam and ii) joining the disk side surface of the proximal end portion of the flexure substrate to the rear side surface of the load beam; 
     a eighth step of joining the disk side surface of the joining region of the load beam to the rear side surface of the arm; and 
     a ninth step of subjecting the load beam to a bending process with load. 
     Preferably, the method comprises, instead of the above seventh and eighth steps, the steps of: 
     i) joining the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the flexure to the disk side surface of the load beam after passing the flexure through the aperture formed in the load beam and 
     ii) joining the disk side surface of the joining region of the load beam to the rear side surface of the arm, wherein the flexure substrate has a region corresponding to the terminal pads, which region is jointed to the rear side surface of the arm beyond the jointing area of the load beam. 
     Preferably, the method comprises, instead of the above seventh and eighth steps, the steps of: 
     i) joining the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the flexure to the disk side surface of the load beam; and 
     ii) joining the disk side surface of the joining region of the load beam to the rear side surface of the arm and joining the disk side surface of the flexure substrate, at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads, to the rear side surface of the arm within the aperture of the load beam. 
     Preferably, the method comprises, instead of the above seventh and eighth steps, the steps of: 
     i) joining the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the flexure to the disk side surface of the load beam after passing the flexure through the aperture formed in the load beam; and 
     ii) joining the rear side surface of the joining region of the load beam to the disk side surface of the arm and joining the disk side surface of the flexure substrate, at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads, to the rear side surface of the arm. 
     The present invention also provides a method of producing a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders, wherein the support mechanism has a magnetic head slider attached at its distal end, and wherein the support mechanism is supported at its proximal end by a rotational shaft, the support mechanism being moved to take a read and write position and an offset position therefrom relative to a magnetic disk and comprising: i) a flexure having a substrate and including a conductor layer formed on the disk side surface of the substrate, which conductor layer having slider pads and terminal pads, the slider pads being connected to a magnetic head of the magnetic head slider and terminal pads being connected to external wiring and exposed on the rear side surface of the substrate; and ii) an arm having its proximal end attached to a rotational shaft and having its distal end portion joined to the joining region of the proximal end portion of the flexure, the method comprising: 
     a first step of forming an insulating pattern having at least one opening on the disk side surface of the flexure substrate, said at least one opening being located to correspond to the terminal pads; 
     a second of forming a plating feed layer on the insulating layer and the exposed disk side surface of the flexure substrate; 
     a third step of i) forming a first resist layer on the plating feed layer except the region on which the conductor layer is formed and also forming the first resist layer on the rear side surface of the flexure substrate and ii) sequentially laminating an etching stopper layer, an intermediate layer and a surface layer except the region on which the first resist is formed, by electric plating using the plating feed layer as an electrode; 
     a forth step of removing the first resist layer and etching the feed layer using the conductor layer as a mask except the region on which the conductor is formed; 
     a fifth step of forming a protection layer covering the conductor layer except the region where the slider pads are formed; 
     a sixth step of i) forming a second resist on the rear side surface of the flexure substrate, the second resist having at least one opening at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads, and also forming the second resist on the entire disk side surface of the flexure substrate and ii) etching the flexure substrate and the feed layer on the flexure substrate using the second resist as a Mask so as to form a substrate having at least one opening at the position corresponding to the terminal pads; 
     a seventh step of joining the disk side surface of the joining region of the flexure to the rear side surface of the arm; and 
     an eighth step of subjecting the flexure to a bending operation with load so that the magnetic head to be mounted on its distal end portion may come near the magnetic disk. 
     Preferably, the method comprises, instead of the above seventh step, the steps of: 
     i) joining the disk side surface of the flexure substrate, at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads, to the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the arm; and 
     ii) joining the rear side surface of the joining region of the flexure substrate to the disk side surface of the arm. 
     Preferably, the method comprises, instead of the above sixth step, the steps of: 
     i) forming a second resist on the rear side surface of the flexure substrate such that the second resist may have openings at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads and to the load-bent region, and 
     ii) etching the flexure substrate and the feed layer using the second resist as a mask so as to form a substrate pattern having at least one opening corresponding to the terminal pads and to the load-bent region. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section of a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders according of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the portion denoted at X in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders  110  of FIG. 1, as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the mechanism of FIG. 1, as viewed from its disk side; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the mechanism of FIG. 1 as viewed from its rear side, with no FPC being attached yet; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a flexure of the magnetic head slider mechanism shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a gimbal portion of the flexure shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates the terminal pads shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 10 as viewed from its rear side, with no FPC being attached yet; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the fourth embodiment as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 13 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 12, as viewed from its disk side; 
     FIG. 14 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 12 as viewed from its rear side, with no FPC being attached yet; 
     FIG. 15 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the fifth embodiment of the present invention as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 16 is a vertical cross section of the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross section of the portion denoted at A in FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 16 as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 19 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 16 as viewed from its rear side, with no FPC being attached yet; 
     FIG. 20 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the seventh embodiment as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 21 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 20 as viewed from its disk side; 
     FIG. 22 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 20 as viewed from its rear side, with no FPC being attached yet; 
     FIG. 23 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the eighth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 24 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the ninth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from its disk side; 
     FIG. 25 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 24 as viewed from its rear side: 
     FIG. 26 illustrates a flexure  70  of the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 24, as viewed from its disk side; 
     FIG. 27 illustrates a flexure  70  of the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 24, as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 28 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the tenth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from its disk side; 
     FIG. 29 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 28, as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 30 illustrates a flexure  80  of the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 28, as viewed from its disk side; 
     FIG. 31 illustrates the flexure of FIG. 29 as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 32 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from its disk side; 
     FIG. 33 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 32, as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 34 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the twelfth embodiment, as viewed from its disk side; 
     FIG. 35 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 34, as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 36 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from its disk side; 
     FIG. 37 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 36, as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 38 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the fourth embodiment, as viewed from its disk side; 
     FIG. 39 illustrates the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 38, as viewed from its rear side; 
     FIG. 40 illustrates part of the assembly process of the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 41 illustrates part of the assembly process of the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 42 illustrates part of the assembly process of the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of FIG.  15 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiment 1 
     The first preferred embodiment of the support mechanism for the magnetic head slider of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-8. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section of a support mechanism  110  for supporting a magnetic head slider of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the portion denoted at X in FIG.  1 . FIG. 3 illustrates the support mechanism as viewed from its rear side. FIG. 4 illustrates the mechanism as viewed from its disk side. FIG. 5 illustrates the mechanism as viewed from its rear side, with no FPC being attacked yet. 
     The support mechanism of Embodiment 1 for magnetic head sliders  110  has a substrate  11  of plate shape and further comprises a flexure  10  for supporting the magnetic head slider  1  at the distal end portion of the magnetic disk  2  side surface; a load beam  20  longitudinally joined to the substrate  11  of the flexure  10  for constituting a suspension; and an arm  30  for supporting a joining area  20 F of the proximal end portion of the load beam  20  at its distal end portion. 
     The load beam  20  is provided with an aperture  20 A extending from the disk side surface to the rear side surface of the load beam  20 . The flexure  10  passes through the aperture. The flexure substrate  11  has the rear side surface of the distal end portion joined to the disk side surface of the distal end portion of the load beam  20  and has the disk side surface of its proximal end portion joined to the rear side surface of the proximal end portion of the load beam via suitable joining means such as welding. To position the flexure  10  relative to the load beam  20  for joining, positioning holes (not shown) are utilized, which holes are formed in the flexure substrate  11  and the load beam  20 . A projection  20 E projecting toward the flexure  10  side is formed on the distal end portion of the load beam  20 , i.e., the projection  20 E is formed on the corresponding portion of the load beam  20  to the head slider  1  mounting region of the flexure  10 . In this region, the flexure  10  contacts the load beam  20  via the projection  20 E only. Further, on the proximal end portion of the load beam  20 , the disk side surface of the joining region  20 F is joined to the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the arm  30 , as shown in FIG. 1. A shaft hole  30 A is formed in the distal end portion of the arm  30 . 
     A load-bent region  20 B is formed in the load beam  20  by subjecting the load beam  20  to load, so that the slider side (i.e., distal end) of the load beam  20  comes near a magnetic disk  2  than the arm  30  side (proximal end). Thereby, the load directed to the magnetic disc  2  is applied on the slider mounting region of the flexure  10  via the tip end of the projection  20 E of the load beam  20 . Preferably, the aperture  20 A of the load beam  20  is located in the load-bent region  20 B of the load beam  20 . With this construction, it becomes possible to readily conduct a bending operation. Flange portions  20 D are formed between the load-bent region  20 B and the projection  20 E to increase the stiffness of the load beam  20 . Taking into consideration structural strength and the like, the load beam  20  and the arm  30  are preferably made of stainless steel. The load beam  20  is preferably 40 μm-80 μm in thickness, and the arm  30  is preferably 0.2 mm-0.4 mm in thickness. 
     Attached on the rear side surface of the proximal end portion of the load beam  20  and on the rear side surface of the arm  30  is an FPC substrate  40 , i.e., the wiring structure for connection with the outside. The central portion of the FPC substrate  40  has a conductor pattern sandwiched between a base film and a coverlay film. No coverlay film is formed on the distal end portion of the load beam  20 , with the FPC conductor layer being therefore exposed. The proximal end of the FPC substrate extends near a shaft hole  30 A in the proximal end portion of the arm  30 . In this region, too, the FPC conductor layer is exposed for connection with an external circuit. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, the flexure  10  comprises a flexure substrate  11  and a wiring structure consisting of an insulating layer  12 , a conductor layer  13  and a protection layer  14  that are sequentially laminated on the flexure substrate  11 . The flexure substrate  11  is preferably comprised of stainless steel of 15-40 μm in thickness. Formed on the distal end portion of the flexure substrate  11  is a gimbal  11 A for reliably lifting the mounted slider  1  over the magnetic disk  2 . Formed in the proximal end portion of the flexure substrate  11  are terminal openings  11 B for exposing the later-described terminal pads. 
     The above-mentioned wiring structure comprises a polyimide insulating layer  12  of 5-15 μm in thickness, an Au/Ni/Cu/Ni/Au conductor multilayer  13  of about 5-15 μm in thickness and a polyimide protection layer  14  of 1-10 μm in thickness, these being sequentially formed on the flexure substrate  11 . 
     The conductor layer  13  comprises slider pads  13 A connected to terminals of the magnetic head by Au bonding or the like, terminal pads  13 B to be connected to the FPC substrate attached on the arm  30  and a wiring structure  13 C interconnecting the slider pads  13 A and the terminal pads  13 B. The insulating layer  12  is provided with terminal openings at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads  13 B. The protection layer  14  is provided with slider openings  14 A at the positions corresponding to the slider pads  13 A of the conductor layer  13 . The conductor layer  13  is insulated from the flexure substrate  11  by the insulating layer  12  and protected by the protection layer  14  except the slider openings  14 A. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a gimbal portion of the flexure  10 . FIG.  7 ( a ) is a view as seen from the disk side, FIG.  7 ( b ) is a cross section taken along Line A-A′ of FIG.  7 ( a ), and FIG.  7 ( c ) is a cross section taken along Line B-B′ of FIG.  7 ( a ). FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a region surrounding the terminal pads. FIG.  8 ( a ) is a view as seen from the disk side, FIG.  8 ( b ) is a cross section taken along Line C-C′ of FIG.  8 ( a ), and FIG.  8 ( c ) is a cross section taken along Line D′D′ of FIG.  8 ( a ). 
     As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal pads  13 B of the conductor layer have their rear side surface exposed outside via the openings  12 B of the insulating layer and the openings  11 B of the flexure substrate. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal pads  13 B, having the rear side surface exposed outside as above, are connected, via a connection land  3  made of solder, to the exposed portion of an FPC conductor layer, the exposed portion being located in proximity of the load beam  20 . 
     In the support mechanism for magnetic slider heads  110  of Embodiment 1, the wiring structure on the disk side surface of the flexure  10 , which constitutes part of the suspension, can be connected to the FPC substrate attached on the rear side surface of the arm, without being folded as seen in the prior art. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the wiring structure from being damaged, thus improving the reliability of a wiring structure. Further, according to Embodiment 1, since it is not necessary to fold the wiring structure, it is possible to form the flexure pattern to a substantial rectangular shape having no extension therefrom, thereby arranging the flexure pattern densely in the sheet and reducing production cost. 
     Explained below is a method of producing the support mechanism  110  of Embodiment 1 for magnetic head sliders. 
     Firstly, a method of producing the flexure  10  will be explained with reference to FIGS. 40 and 41. The entire surface of the flexure substrate  11  made of stainless steel and of about 15-40 μm in thickness is coated with photosensitive polyimide. Thereafter, the flexure substrate  11  is exposed to light and developed so as to form an insulating layer pattern  12  that has openings  12   b  at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads as shown in FIG.  40 ( a ). Next, as shown in FIG.  40 ( b ), formed on the entire surface of the insulating layer  12  by vacuum evaporation or sputtering is a feed layer  15  made of Ni film, Cu film, Cr film or the like and of about 50-300 nm in thickness. 
     As shown in FIG.  40 ( c ), a first resist  16  is formed by photolithography on the disk side surface of the flexure substrate  11  except the region where the conductor layer  13  is to be formed, and also the first resist  16  is formed on the entire rear side surface of the flexure substrate  11 . Using the feed layer  15  as an electrode, electroplating is conducted to sequentially laminate, on the feed layer  15  except the region where the first resist  16  is formed, a lower layer (etching stopper layer)  13   a  made of Au and of about 0.5-2 μm in thickness, an intermediate layer  13   b  made of Cu and of 3-10 μm in thickness and a disk side layer  13   a  made of Ni/Au laminate layer and of 1-3 μm in thickness to thereby form a conductor layer  13 . The reason for employing Au for the surface layer  13   c  is that it is necessary to protect the conductor layer  13   c  exposed at the slider pad region  13 A and to improve the Au ball bonding properties and the solder wettability of this region. 
     Next, after the first resist  16  is removed, the feed layer  15  is further subjected to etching except the region where the conductor layer  13  is formed, as shown in FIG.  40 ( d ). Thereafter, the entire surface is coated with photosensitive polyimide and followed by light exposure and development operations, whereby the conductor layer  13  is exposed outside only at the positions where the slider openings  14 A are formed, as shown in FIG.  40 ( e ). The polyimide protection layer  14  is formed to cover the conductor layer  13  surface except the portions where the slider openings  14 A are formed. 
     Next, as shown in FIG.  41 ( f ), a second resist  17  is formed by photolithography on the rear side surface of the flexure substrate  11 , the second resist  17  having terminal openings  17 B formed at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads  13 B. The second resist  17  is also formed on the entire disk side surface of the flexure substrate  11 . Further, as shown in FIG.  41 ( g ), the flexure substrate  11  made of stainless steel is subjected to etching with an etching liquid mainly containing ferric chloride using the second resist  17  as a mask. At this time, the feed layer  15  is also etched at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads  13 B. However, the lower layer  13   a  of the conductor layer  13  is not etched because of being made of Au. Accordingly, the intermediate layer  13   b  and the surface layer  13   c  laminated on this lower layer  13   a  are not etched, either. Specifically, the lower layer  13   a  of the conductor layer  13  acts as an etching stopper. 
     Next, explained below is a method of assembling the flexure  10 , the load beam  20 , the arm  30  and the FPC  40 . The load beam  20  is formed by the steps of etching a 40-80 μm stainless steel plate to have a predetermined shape, pressing the plate to form a projection  20 E and the flange portions  20 D. The arm  30  is produced by etching or punching a stainless steel plate of about 0.2-0.4 μm thickness to have a predetermined shape. 
     The method comprises i) contacting the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the flexure  10  with the disk side surface of the load beam  20  and ii) passing the proximal end portion of the flexure  10  through the aperture of the load beam  20  to contact the disk side surface of the proximal end portion of the flexure  10  with the rear side surface of the load beam  20  and iii) joining the flexure substrate  11  to the load beam  20  at a predetermined position. 
     Next, the method comprises joining the joining region  20 F of the proximal end portion of the load beam  20  to the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the arm  30 . Thereafter, the load beam  20  is bent with load to form the load-bent region  20 B so that the distal end of the load beam  20  comes near the magnetic disk  2  relative to the arm  30 . Then, the FPC  40  is joined to the rear side surface of the joining region  20 F of the load beam  20 . Lastly, the connection land  3  is formed for connecting the terminal pads  13 B of the flexure conductor layer to the conductor layer of the FPC substrate  40 . 
     As described, according to the support mechanism  110  for magnetic head sliders of Embodiment 1, Au is employed for the lower layer  13   a  of the conductor layer  13 . Further, the lower layer  13   a  is utilized as an etching stopper layer. Accordingly, it is possible to automatically stop the etching process of forming the terminal openings  11 B in the flexure substrate  11  when the lower layer  13   a  appears. Thus, it is possible to form the terminal openings  13 B, stably and with good yieldability, in the rear side surface of the flexure  10 . By thus forming the terminal pads  13 B on the rear side surface of the flexure  10 , it is possible to connect the wiring structure on the disk side surface of the flexure  10  to the FPC on the rear side surface of the arm, without folding any portion of the wiring structure. 
     Further, in assembling the slider support mechanism  110  of Embodiment 1, it is possible to eliminate the need for the step of folding the wiring structure on the disk side surface of the flexure constituting part of the suspension, thereby simplifying the whole assembly procedure and reducing assembling cost. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the wiring structure from being damaged during pressing with a mold. 
     In the above-described method of producing a flexure, the lower layer  13   a  of the wiring layer  13  is a single Au layer, but may be made of two layers of Au/Ni. Thereby, it is possible to prevent mutual diffusion reaction between the lower layer  13   a , i.e., the Au layer and the intermediate layer  13   b , i.e., the Cu layer and to provide good adhesion between both layers. 
     According to the present embodiment, after the load beam  20  is joined to the flexure  10 , the load beam  20  is joined to the arm  30 . Conversely, after the load beam  20  is joined to the arm  30 , the flexure  20  may be joined to the load beam  20 . By this converse procedure, it is possible to join the load beam  20  to the arm  30  on an appropriate position of the joining region  20 F, for example, even on the portion where the load beam  20  and flexure  10  are laminated on each other, thereby joining the load beam  20  to the arm  30  more strongly. 
     Embodiment 2 
     The second embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIG.  9 . FIG. 9 illustrates the support mechanism  120  of Embodiment 2 for magnetic head sliders as viewed from its rear side. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     In lieu of the load beam  20  of Embodiment 1, the support mechanism  120  of Embodiment 2 for magnetic head sliders employs a load beam  21  having a cutout  21 E formed at its proximal end, the cutout being opened toward the proximal end, wherein the flexure substrate  11  is directly joined, at the portions  11 C corresponding to the terminal pads  13 , to the rear side surface of the arm  30 . 
     Embodiment 2 has only two layers, i.e., the flexure  10  and the FPC substrate  20  disposed on each other in the joining region between the terminal pads  13 B and the FPC substrate  40  on the rear side surface of the arm  30 , whereby it is possible to more reduce the thickness of the slider support mechanism than employing the three layer structure of the load beam  10 , the flexure  10  and the FPC  40  as in Embodiment 1. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce each distance between a number of magnetic disks stacked in a rigid disk drive, thereby downsizing the whole drive in addition to the advantages of Embodiment 1. 
     As described, Embodiment 2 employs the load beam  21  provided with the cut out  21  at its proximal end within which the terminal pads  13 B are located. Alternatively, it is also possible to use the load beam  20  of Embodiment 1, extend the flexure wiring structure beyond the proximal end of the load beam  20  and join the flexure substrate directly to the rear side surface of the arm at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads, thereby obtaining the same advantages as in Embodiment 2. 
     Embodiment 3 
     The third embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 illustrates a support mechanism  130  of Embodiment 3 for magnetic head sliders, as viewed from its rear side. FIG. 11 illustrates the support mechanism  130  for magnetic head sliders as viewed from its rear side, with no FPC being attached yet. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, Embodiment 3 employs a load beam  22  in lieu of the load beam  20  of Embodiment 1, which load beam  22  is provided with an aperture  22 A that extends beyond the distal end of the arm. The flexure substrate  11 C is directly joined, at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads  13 B, to the rear side surface of the arm  30  so that the terminal pads  13 B of the flexure is located within the aperture  22 A of the load beam  22 . 
     In addition to the advantages described in Embodiment 1, according to the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders  130  of Embodiment 3, it is possible to attain the same advantages as those of Embodiment 2, i.e., to downsize the slider support mechanism by employing the two layer structure consisting of the flexure  10  and the FPC substrate  40  on the rear side surface of the arm  30 . 
     According to Embodiment 3, it is not necessary to pass the flexure  10  through the aperture  22 A in the load beam  20  in order to lay the flexure  10  over the rear side surface of the load beam  22 , thereby reducing the bending curvature of the flexure  10 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the flexure wiring structure from being damaged with sudden contact with the edge of the load beam aperture  22 A. 
     Further, according to the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to pass the flexure  10  through the load beam aperture  22 A, both the load beam  22  and the flexure  10  can be joined to the rear side surface of the arm  30  after the flexure  10  is welded to the disk-side surface of the load beam  22 . Thereby, it is possible to simplify the assembly process and therefore reduce the production cost. 
     Embodiment 4 
     The forth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained below with reference to FIGS. 12-14. FIG. 12 illustrates a support mechanism  140  of Embodiment 4 for magnetic head sliders as viewed from its rear side. FIG. 13 illustrates the mechanism  140  as viewed from its disk side. FIG. 14 illustrates the mechanism  140  as viewed from its rear side, with no FPC being attached yet. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     As shown in FIGS. 12-14, in lieu of the arm  30  of Embodiment 3, Embodiment 4 employs an arm  31  provided, at its distal end, with a cutout  31 A opened toward the distal end. The flexure substrate  11 C is directly joined, at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads  13 B, to the rear side surface of the arm  31  in such a manner that the terminal pads  13 B be located within the cutout  31 A of the arm  31 . 
     In addition to the same advantages as those of Embodiment 3, according to the support mechanism  140  of Embodiment 4 for magnetic head sliders, it is possible to prevent the wiring structure on the flexure  10  from contacting the distal edge of the arm  31 , thereby preventing the wiring structure from being damaged. 
     Embodiment 5 
     The fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained below with reference to FIG.  15 . FIG. 15 illustrates a support mechanism  150  of Embodiment 5 for magnetic head sliders as viewed from its rear side. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     As shown in FIG. 15, in lieu of the flexure  10  of Embodiment 3, Embodiment 5 employs a flexure  60  that consists of only wiring at the position corresponding to the load-bent region  22 B of the load beam  22 . 
     Explained below is a method of producing the flexure  60  of the present embodiment. Firstly, a wiring structure is produced in accordance with the steps shown in FIGS.  40 ( a )- 40 ( e ). Next, as shown in FIG.  42 ( a ), formed on the rear side surface of a flexure substrate  61  by photolithography is a second resist  18  that has terminal pad openings  18 B at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads  13 B and has openings  18 C at the position corresponding to the load-bent region  22 B of the load beam  22 . The second resist  18  is also formed on the entire disk side surface of the flexure  61 . The flexure substrate  61  is etched with an etching liquid containing ferric chloride as an active ingredient and using the second resist  18  as a mask. Thereby, the portions corresponding to the terminal pads and the portion corresponding to the load-bent region are removed from the flexure substrate  61  as shown in FIG.  42 ( b ). Thus, the flexure  60  which consists of only wiring at these portions can be produced. 
     According to the thus constructed slider support mechanism  150  of Embodiment 5, the flexure  60  has no flexure substrate  61  at the position corresponding to the load-bent region of the load beam  22  and is formed of only wiring at that portion. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the load generated by the load beam  22  being bent from being affected by the flexure  60 , thereby generating stable load. 
     As described, the present embodiment employs the flexure  60  in Embodiment 3 in lieu of the flexure  10 . It is also possible to employ the flexure  60  in Embodiment 4 in lieu of the flexure  10 . 
     Embodiment 6 
     The sixth embodiment will now be explained below with reference to FIGS. 16-19. FIG. 16 is a vertical cross section of a support mechanism  160  of Embodiment 6 for magnetic head sliders. FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross section of the portion denoted at A in FIG.  16 . FIG. 18 illustrates the mechanism  160  as viewed from its rear side. FIG. 19 illustrates the mechanism  160  as viewed from its rear side, with no FPC  40  being attached yet. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     As shown in FIGS. 16-19, Embodiment 6 employs the same parts of the previous embodiments. Embodiment 6 has the joining region  20 F (located on the proximal end portion of the load beam  20 ) to the disk side surface of the arm  30  and has the flexure substrate  11  joined, at the positions  11 C corresponding to the terminal pads  13 B, to the rear side surface of the arm  30 . 
     The thus constructed Embodiment 6 can also attain the same advantages as those of Embodiment 1. 
     Embodiment 7 
     The seventh embodiment of the present invention will now be explained below with reference to FIGS. 20-22. FIG. 20 illustrates a support mechanism  170  of Embodiment 7 for magnetic head sliders, as viewed from its rear side. FIG. 21 illustrates the mechanism  170  as viewed from its disk side. FIG. 22 illustrates the mechanism  170  as viewed from its rear side, with no FPC being attached yet. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     As shown in FIGS. 20-22, in lieu of the arm  30 , Embodiment 7 employs an arm  31  in Embodiment 6, the arm  31  being provided at its distal end with a cutout  31 A of Embodiment 4. The flexure substrate  11  is directly joined, at the positions corresponding to the terminal pads  13 B, to the rear side surface of the arm  31  in such a manner that the terminal pads  13 B be located within the cutout  31 A of the arm  31 . 
     In addition to the advantages of Embodiment 6, according to Embodiment 7, it is possible to prevent the flexure wiring structure from contacting the distal edge of the arm  30  and therefore from being damaged. 
     Embodiment 8 
     The eighth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained below with reference to FIG.  23 . FIG. 23 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders  180  of Embodiment 8 as viewed from its rear side. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     As shown in FIG. 23, in lieu of the flexure  10  of Embodiment 6, Embodiment 8 employs a flexure  60  in Embodiment 6, which flexure consists of only wiring at the position corresponding to the load-bent region  20 B of the load beam  20 . 
     According to the thus constructed Embodiment 8, since the flexure  60  has no flexure substrate  61  at the position corresponding to the load-bent region of the load beam  20  and consists of only wiring at that position, the load generated by bending the load beam  20  can be prevented from being affected by the flexure  60 , thereby reducing generating stable load. 
     According to Embodiment 8, the flexure  60  is used in Embodiment 6 in lieu of the flexure  10 . It is also possible to employ the flexure  60  in Embodiment 7 in lieu of the flexure  10 . 
     Embodiment 9 
     The ninth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 24-27. FIG. 24 illustrates a support mechanism for magnetic head sliders  190  of the present embodiment as viewed from its disk side. FIG. 25 illustrates the mechanism  170  as viewed from its rear side. FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrates a flexure  70  of the present embodiment, as viewed from its disk side and from its rear side, respectively. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     The support mechanism  190  of Embodiment 9 for magnetic slider heads comprises, as shown in FIGS. 24-27, a substrate  71  of plate shape; a flexure  70  for supporting the magnetic head slider  1  on the disk  2  side surface of the distal end portion of the flexure substrate  71 ; and an arm  30  for supporting, with its the distal end portion, the joining region  71 F located to the proximal end of the flexure substrate  71 . 
     The flexure  70  comprises a load-bent region  70 B and also flange portions  70 D between the load-bent region  70 B and a gimbal  70 A for increasing the stiffness thereof. That is, the flexure  70  functions as both the flexure and the load beam used in Embodiments 1-8. 
     The flexure substrate  71  of the flexure  70  is joined at its proximal end portion to the rear side surface of the arm  30 . The wiring structure is connected to the conductor layer of the FPC  40  joined to the rear side surface of the arm  30 . The flexure, the wiring structure and the FPC conductor layer are connected in the same manner as in Embodiment 1. 
     Next, explained below is a method of producing the slider support mechanism  190  of Embodiment 9. Firstly, a wiring structure is formed on the disk side surface of the flexure substrate  71  in accordance with the same steps as described in Embodiment 1 (see FIGS.  40  and  41 ). Then, the flange portions are folded up after patterning is conducted on the flexure substrate  71 . Next, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the flexure substrate  71  is joined, at the joining region  71 F located to the proximal end, to the rear side surface of the distal end portion of the arm  30 . The flexure  70  is subjected to bending to form the load-bent region  70 B so that the distal end of the flexure  70  may come closer to the magnetic disk  2  relative to the arm  30 . Next, the FPC  40  is attached on the rear side of the joining region  71 F of the flexure substrate  71 . As a last step, the wiring structure of the flexure  70  is connected to the conductor layer of the FPC  40  in accordance with the same manner as in Embodiment 1. 
     In addition to the same advantages as those of Embodiment 1, according to the support mechanism of Embodiment 9 for magnetic slider heads, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps, thereby reducing production cost. 
     Embodiment 10 
     The tenth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 28-31. FIG. 28 illustrates a support mechanism  200  of the present embodiment for magnetic head sliders, as viewed from its disk side. FIG. 29 illustrates the mechanism  200  as viewed from its rear side. FIG. 30 illustrates a flexure  80  of the slider support mechanism, as viewed from its disk side. FIG. 31 illustrates the flexure  80  as viewed from its rear side. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     The support mechanism for magnetic slider heads  200  of Embodiment 10 employs a flexure  80  in Embodiment 9 in lieu of the flexure  70 . In the flexure  80 , the joining region  81 F is located to the proximal end of the flexure substrate  81  and separated from a portion  81 C corresponding to the terminal pads by slits  81 E. 
     According to the support mechanism of Embodiment 10 for magnetic head sliders  200 , the joining region  81 F at the proximal end of the flexure substrate  81  is attached to the disk side surface of the distal end portion of the arm  30 . The flexure  81  is joined, at the positions  81 C corresponding to the terminal pads, to the rear side surface of the proximal end portion of the arm. 
     According to the thus constructed Embodiment 10, it is also possible to obtain the same advantages as those of Embodiment 9. 
     Embodiment 11 
     The eleventh embodiment of the present invention will now be explained below with reference to FIGS. 32 and 33. FIG. 32 illustrates a support mechanism  210  of Embodiment 11 for magnetic head sliders, as viewed from its disk side. FIG. 33 illustrates the mechanism  140 , as viewed from its rear side. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, in lieu of-the arm  30 , Embodiment 11 employs an arm  31  in Embodiment 9, which arm is provided at its proximal end with a cutout  31 A opened toward the proximal edge. The terminal pads  73 B of the flexure are located within the cutout  31 A of the arm  31 . 
     In addition to the advantages of Embodiment 9, according to the thus constructed Embodiment 11, it is possible to prevent the wiring structure of the flexure  70  from contacting the edge of the arm  31 , thereby preventing the wiring structure from being damaged. 
     Embodiment 12 
     The twelfth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained below with reference to FIGS. 34 and 35. FIG. 34 illustrates a support mechanism  220  of Embodiment 12 for magnetic head sliders, as viewed from its disk side. FIG. 35 illustrates the mechanism  140 , as viewed from its rear side. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, in lieu of the arm  30 , Embodiment 12 employs an arm  31  in Embodiment 10, which arm is provided at its proximal end with a cutout  31 A opened toward the proximal end. The terminal pads are located within the cutout  31 A of the arm  31 . 
     The thus constructed Embodiment 12 can attain the same advantages as those of Embodiment 11. 
     Embodiment 13 
     The thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained below with reference to FIGS. 36 and 37. FIG. 36 illustrates a support mechanism  230  of Embodiment 13 for magnetic head sliders, as viewed from its disk side. FIG. 37 illustrates the mechanism  230 , as viewed from its rear side. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, in lieu of the flexure  70 , Embodiment 13 employs a flexure  90  in Embodiment 9, which flexure has no flexure substrate  61  under the wiring structure in a load-bent region  90 B. Patterning is conducted on the flexure  90  in the same manner as that of Embodiment 5. 
     According to the thus constructed Embodiment 13, it is possible to obtain the following advantages in addition to those of Embodiment 9. That is, the load-bent region of the flexure has no flexure substrate  61  under the wiring structure in the load-bent region and is formed of only wiring at this portion. Accordingly, the load generated by bending the flexure  90  is not influenced by the flexure itself, resulting in generating stable load. 
     According to the present embodiment, the flexure  90  is used in Embodiment 9 in lieu of the flexure  70 . It is also possible to employ the flexure  90  in Embodiment 11 in lieu of the flexure  70 . 
     Embodiment 14 
     The fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained below with reference to FIGS. 38 and 39. FIG. 38 illustrates a support mechanism  240  of Embodiment 14 for magnetic head sliders, as viewed from its disk side. FIG. 39 illustrates the mechanism  240 , as viewed from its rear side. The same parts as in the previous embodiment or the equivalent parts thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanations therefor are omitted below. 
     As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, in lieu of the flexure  80 , Embodiment 14 employs a flexure  90  in Embodiment 10, which flexure has no flexure substrate under the wiring structure in a load-bent region  90 B. 
     According to the thus constructed Embodiment 14, it is possible to obtain the following advantages in addition to those of Embodiment 10. That is, the load-bent region of the flexure  90  has no flexure substrate under the wiring structure and is formed of only wring at this portion. Accordingly, the load generated by bending the flexure  90  is not influenced by the flexure itself, resulting in generating stable load. 
     According to the present embodiment, the flexure  90  is used in Embodiment 10 in lieu of the flexure  80 . It is also possible to employ the flexure  90  in Embodiment 12. 
     The respective embodiments described above comprise FPC via which the wiring structure is connected to the outside. In lieu of the FPC, it is also possible to use a lead. 
     ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders of the present invention, a flexure is passed through an aperture formed in a load beam, and terminal pads formed on the disk side surface of the flexure are exposed from the rear side surface of the flexure for connection with FPC and the like formed on the rear side surface of an arm. Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to fold the wiring structure as often seen in the prior art, thereby preventing the wiring structure from being damaged at the folded portion and therefore improving the reliability of the wiring structure. 
     Since it is not necessary to fold the wiring structure, it is possible to produce the flexure patterns of substantial rectangular shape having no extension, thereby arranging the flexure pattern in a sheet with higher density than the prior art flexures so as to reduce production cost. 
     Since the flexure terminal pads are connected to the FPC directly on the rear side surface of the arm, and the connecting portion is of two layer construction, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the slider support mechanism and therefore reduce the distance between a number of disks disposed in a fixed disk drive, thereby downsizing the fixed magnetic disk drive. 
     The aperture of the load beam is extended onto the rear side surface of the arm to connect the flexure terminal pads to the FPC and the like within the aperture. Accordingly, it is not necessary to pass the flexure through the aperture of the load beam, thereby welding both the load beam and the flexure on the rear side surface of the arm after welding the flexure on the disk side surface of the load beam and therefore simplifying assembly process and reducing production cost. 
     Since a cutout opened toward the distal end is formed in the distal end of the load beam to prevent the flexure terminal pads and the wiring structure from contacting the distal edge of the arm, it is possible to prevent the wiring structure from being damaged at the arm edge. 
     In the load-bent region, since there is no substrate provided under the wiring structure, it is possible to prevent the load generated by the load-bent from being affected by the substrate under the wiring structure, thereby reducing the dispersion of the load. 
     According to the method of the present invention for producing the support mechanism for magnetic head sliders, the lower layer of the conductor layer functions as an etching stopper layer. Accordingly, it is possible to automatically stop the etching operation for forming a flexure aperture when the lower layer appears, thereby forming the terminal pads of the conductor layer on the rear side of the flexure stably and with good yieldability. 
     According to the present invention, it is unnecessary to fold up the wiring structure of the disk side surface of the flexure constituting part of the suspension onto the opposite side and secure the wiring structure there, thereby simplifying assembly process and reducing production cost. 
     Further, it is possible to eliminate the problem of damaging the wiring structure in bending the wiring structure with a mold.