Magnetic recording device and magnetic recording system

Abstract

To provide a magnetic recording device and a magnetic recording system capable of obtaining stable operation.SOLUTION: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording device includes a magnetic recording medium, a plurality of magnetic heads, and a control unit. Each of the plurality of magnetic heads includes a coil, a first magnetic pole, and a light-emitting unit. The control unit executes a first operation. In the first operation, the control unit calculates lifetime information regarding the remaining lifetime of one of the plurality of magnetic heads based on first information about the failure probability of a magnetic head group including the plurality of magnetic heads, and second information about the remaining time based on the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a magnetic recording device and a magnetic recording system.

Background Art

[0002] In a magnetic recording device, information is recorded on a magnetic recording medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) using a magnetic head. Stable operation is desired in the magnetic recording device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic recording device and a magnetic recording system capable of obtaining stable operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to an embodiment, a magnetic recording device includes a magnetic recording medium, a plurality of magnetic heads configured to record information on the magnetic recording medium, and a control unit configured to control the plurality of magnetic heads. Each of the plurality of magnetic heads includes a coil, a first magnetic pole configured to generate a magnetic field according to a recording current supplied to the coil, and a light emitting unit configured to irradiate the magnetic recording medium with light to locally increase the temperature of the magnetic recording medium. The control unit is configured to perform a first operation. In the first operation, the control unit calculates lifetime information regarding the remaining lifetime of one of the plurality of magnetic heads based on first information regarding the failure probability of a magnetic head group including the plurality of magnetic heads and second information regarding the remaining time based on the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a magnetic recording device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the magnetic recording device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the magnetic recording device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the magnetic recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic recording apparatus 210 according to the embodiment includes a magnetic recording medium 80, a plurality of magnetic heads 110, and a control unit 75. The plurality of magnetic heads 110 are configured to record information on the magnetic recording medium 80. The control unit 75 is configured to control the magnetic heads 110.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the magnetic head 110. The magnetic head 110 includes a coil 30c and a first magnetic pole 31. The first magnetic pole 31 generates a magnetic field (recording magnetic field) corresponding to the recording current Iw supplied to the coil 30c. The generated magnetic field is applied to the magnetic recording medium 80. Thereby, the direction of magnetization 83 of the magnetic recording medium 80 is controlled. The state of magnetization 83 corresponds to the information to be recorded. In this example, the magnetic head 110 further includes a second magnetic pole 32. The first magnetic pole 31 is, for example, a main magnetic pole. The second magnetic pole 32 is, for example, a trailing shield.

[0010] The magnetic head 110 further includes a light emitting unit 77. The light emitting unit 77 is configured to irradiate the magnetic recording medium 80 with light 77L to locally increase the temperature of the magnetic recording medium 80. For example, HAMR (Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording) is implemented.

[0011] For example, the light emitting unit 77 includes a light source 77S and an optical guide 77G. The light 77L emitted from the light source 77S is guided by the optical guide 77G. The light 77L emitted from the optical guide 77G is emitted to the magnetic recording medium 80 through, for example, an optical element or the like. The light source 77S is, for example, a laser.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic recording medium 80 may include a plurality of magnetic disks 80D. One of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 faces one of the plurality of magnetic disks 80D.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of magnetic heads 110 and a plurality of magnetic disks 80D. The plurality of magnetic heads 110 are configured to record information on the plurality of magnetic disks 80D, respectively. For example, one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 records information on one of the plurality of magnetic disks 80D. For example, another one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 records information on another one of the plurality of magnetic disks 80D.

[0014] For example, one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 may reproduce the information recorded on one of the plurality of magnetic disks 80D. For example, another one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 may reproduce the information recorded on another one of the plurality of magnetic disks 80D. The magnetic recording device 210 may be, for example, a magnetic recording and reproducing device.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the magnetic recording device 210 may include a head control circuit 85. The head control circuit 85 supplies, for example, a recording current Iw to the coil 30c. The head control circuit 85 may control the light source 77S. The head control circuit 85 may supply power to the light source 77S.

[0016] The head control circuit 85 may process the signal reproduced by the magnetic head 110. The processing may include, for example, amplification and AD conversion.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 75 is connected to, for example, the head control circuit 85. The control unit 75 controls the plurality of magnetic heads 110 and the magnetic recording medium 80 via, for example, the head control circuit 85.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic recording device 210 may further include a storage unit 75m. The storage unit 75m can store various information used in the operation of the control unit 75.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation of the control unit 75. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 75 obtains the first information I1 (step S11). The control unit 75 obtains the second information I2 (step S12). These pieces of information may be stored, for example, in the storage unit 75m. These pieces of information may be supplied from the storage unit 75m to the control unit 75, for example.

[0020] The first information I1 relates to, for example, the failure probability of the magnetic head group. The magnetic head group includes, for example, a plurality of magnetic heads 110. For example, the target magnetic recording device 210 includes the plurality of target magnetic heads 110. There is a group of products having the same configuration as the target magnetic recording device 210. The magnetic heads included in this group of products correspond to the above magnetic head group. The failure probability of the magnetic head group changes, for example, according to a bathtub curve or the like. The first information I1 relates to the failure probability of a group of products similar to the plurality of target magnetic heads 110.

[0021] On the other hand, the second information I2 relates to the remaining time based on the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110. For example, the second information I2 includes at least any one of design conditions, manufacturing conditions, and inspection results regarding one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110. For example, the manufacturing conditions or inspection results are different for each of the plurality of magnetic heads 110. For example, the design conditions or the like may be different for each of the plurality of magnetic heads 110. The unique characteristics of each of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 correspond to the second information I2.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, in the first operation OP1, the control unit 75 calculates life information I3 (see FIG. 1) regarding the remaining life time of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 based on the first information I1 and the second information I2 (step S21).

[0023] In an embodiment, for example, life information I3 regarding the remaining life time of one of a plurality of magnetic heads 110 is calculated based on first information I1 regarding the failure probability of the magnetic head group and second information I2 unique to one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110. Thereby, the remaining life time can be estimated with higher accuracy. According to the embodiment, a magnetic recording apparatus capable of obtaining stable operation can be provided.

[0024] For example, the second information I2 is unique to the plurality of magnetic heads 110. For example, the second information I2 regarding the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 may be different from the second information I2 regarding the history of another one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 75 may be configured to perform a first operation OP1 on each of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 to calculate life information I3 for each of the plurality of magnetic heads 110.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 75 may be further configured to perform a second operation OP2. In the second operation OP2, the control unit 75 determines the next magnetic head 110 based on the life information I3 regarding the remaining life time of each of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 (step S31). The next magnetic head 110 is one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 used when recording the next information on the magnetic recording medium 80.

[0027] The remaining life time of the next one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 is the longest among the remaining life times of each of the plurality of magnetic heads 110.

[0028] The second operation OP2 includes recording the next information on the magnetic recording medium 80 using the next one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 described above (step S41). For example, by recording using the magnetic head 110 with the longest remaining life time, stable operation can be obtained for a long period in the entire plurality of magnetic heads 110.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, after step S41, it may return to step S12 (and step S11). In the embodiment, steps S11, S12, S21, S31, and S41 may be repeatedly performed.

[0030] For example, the control unit 75 may be configured to repeatedly perform the first operation OP1. The second information I2 may be updated by the repetition of the first operation OP1. The updated second information I2 may be stored in the storage unit 75m.

[0031] For example, according to the recording of each of the plurality of magnetic heads 110, the history of each of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 may be updated.

[0032] For example, the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 includes the characteristics when one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 was used for recording. The characteristics when one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 was used for recording may include recording conditions and the like.

[0033] For example, the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 may include the characteristics after one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 was used for recording.

[0034] For example, the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 includes the state of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 after the start of use.

[0035] For example, the remaining time based on the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 may be obtained by inputting the past characteristics of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 into the first machine learning model. The first machine learning model may be, for example, a neural network model.

[0036] For example, the failure probability of the magnetic head group may be obtained by inputting the characteristics of the magnetic head group after the start of use into the second machine learning model. The second machine learning model may be, for example, a neural network model.

[0037] For example, the failure probability of the magnetic head group may be based on the cumulative usage time. As already described, the light emitting unit 77 includes a light source 77S that emits light 77L. The failure probability of the magnetic head group may be based on the value of the power supplied to the light source 77S. The failure probability of the magnetic head group may be based on the value of the current supplied to the light source 77S.

[0038] In an embodiment, the remaining lifetime of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 may be derived based on the following first formula. [Number]

[0039] In the first formula, LT pos (Da, Db) is the estimated remaining lifetime of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110. "Da" is data after the start of use of the target magnetic recording device 210. "Db" is data before the start of use of the target magnetic recording device 210.

[0040] P(Da) is the failure rate of the target magnetic recording device 210 obtained based on information after the start of use of the target magnetic recording device 210. Information after the start of use includes, for example, the cumulative operating time of the plurality of magnetic heads 110. Information after the start of use may include, for example, the power (or current) supplied to the light source 77S. The failure rate (P(Da)) is obtained based on, for example, accelerated test data, etc. The failure rate (P(Da)) may be included in, for example, the first information I1.

[0041] In the first formula, LT pri (Da, Db) is the potential lifetime of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110. The potential lifetime is obtained based on, for example, the inspection result of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110. The potential lifetime is obtained by inputting inspection results, etc. into a machine learning model obtained based on, for example, accelerated test data, etc. The lifetime is estimated by the machine learning model. LT pri (Da, Db) corresponds to, for example, the remaining time based on the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110. LT pri(Da, Db) may be included in the second information I2, for example.

[0042] As shown in the first equation, when the failure probability of the magnetic head group is P(Da), the remaining lifetime (LT pos (Da, Db)) of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 may be the product of the remaining time (LT pri (Da, Db)) based on the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads and (1 - P(Da)).

[0043] "1 - P(Da)" is a function of the failure probability of the magnetic head group. The remaining lifetime of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110 may be the product of a function of the failure probability of the magnetic head group and the remaining time based on the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads 110.

[0044] In an embodiment, the control unit 75 may be configured to obtain the first information I1 and the second information I2 from a storage unit 75m configured to store the first information I1 and the second information I2, and perform a first operation OP1.

[0045] The control unit 75 may obtain the first information I1 and the second information I2 from a storage unit 75m configured to store the first information I1 and the second information I2, and repeatedly perform the first operation OP1. As already described, the second information I2 is updated by repeating the first operation OP1. The storage unit 75m may be configured to store the updated second information I2.

[0046] The storage unit 75m may be included in the magnetic recording device 210. The storage unit 75m may be provided separately from the magnetic recording device 210.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a part of the magnetic recording device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the magnetic recording device 210 may include a control unit 75. The magnetic recording device 210 may further include a storage unit 75m. The magnetic recording device 210 may include an acquisition unit 76f, a display device 76d, an input device 76i, and the like. The acquisition unit 76f is configured to acquire, for example, first information I1 and second information I2. The acquisition unit 76f may supply the acquired information to the control unit 75. The acquisition unit 76f may output, for example, life information I3. The acquisition unit 76f is, for example, an interface. The control unit 75 may include, for example, a processor. (Second Embodiment) The second embodiment relates to a magnetic recording system 310 (see FIG. 1). The magnetic recording system 310 includes the magnetic recording device 210 according to the embodiment and a storage unit 75m. Information transmission and reception between the magnetic recording device 210 and the storage unit 75m may be performed by any method of wired or wireless.

[0048] The embodiment may include the following technical solutions. (Technical Solution 1) A magnetic recording medium, A plurality of magnetic heads configured to record information on the magnetic recording medium, A control unit configured to control the plurality of magnetic heads, Comprising, Each of the plurality of magnetic heads, A coil, A first magnetic pole configured to generate a magnetic field corresponding to a recording current supplied to the coil, An optical emission unit configured to irradiate the magnetic recording medium with light to locally increase the temperature of the magnetic recording medium, Including, The control unit is configured to perform a first operation, In the first operation, the control unit calculates life information regarding the remaining life time of one of the plurality of magnetic heads based on first information regarding the failure probability of a magnetic head group including the plurality of magnetic heads and second information regarding the remaining time based on the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads. A magnetic recording device.

[0049] (Technical Solution 2) The magnetic recording device according to Technical Solution 1, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the first operation for each of the plurality of magnetic heads to calculate the life information for each of the plurality of magnetic heads.

[0050] (Technical Solution 3) The control unit is further configured to perform a second operation. In the second operation, the control unit determines the next one of the plurality of magnetic heads to be used when recording the next information on the magnetic recording medium based on the life information regarding the remaining life time of each of the plurality of magnetic heads. The magnetic recording device according to Technical Solution 2.

[0051] (Technical Solution 4) The remaining life time of the next one of the plurality of magnetic heads is the longest among the remaining life times of each of the plurality of magnetic heads. The magnetic recording device according to Technical Solution 3.

[0052] (Technical Solution 5) The second operation includes recording the next information on the magnetic recording medium using the next one of the plurality of magnetic heads. The magnetic recording device according to Technical Solution 3 or 4.

[0053] (Technical Solution 6) The history includes the characteristics when the one of the plurality of magnetic heads was used for recording. The magnetic recording device according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 5.

[0054] (Technical Solution 7) The history includes the characteristics after the one of the plurality of magnetic heads was used for recording. The magnetic recording device according to Technical Solution 6.

[0055] (Technical Solution 8) The second information includes at least one of the design conditions, manufacturing conditions, and inspection results regarding the one of the plurality of magnetic heads. The magnetic recording device according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 7.

[0056] (Technical Solution 9) The second information regarding the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads is different from the second information regarding the history of another one of the plurality of magnetic heads, and the magnetic recording apparatus according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 8.

[0057] (Technical Solution 10) The remaining lifetime of one of the plurality of magnetic heads is the product of a function of the failure probability of the magnetic head group and the remaining time based on the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads, and the magnetic recording apparatus according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 9.

[0058] (Technical Solution 11) The remaining time based on the history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads is obtained by inputting the past characteristics of one of the plurality of magnetic heads into a first machine learning model, and the magnetic recording apparatus according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 10.

[0059] (Technical Solution 12) The history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads includes the state of one of the plurality of magnetic heads after the start of use, and the magnetic recording apparatus according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 11.

[0060] (Technical Solution 13) The failure probability of the magnetic head group is based on the cumulative usage time, and the magnetic recording apparatus according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 12.

[0061] (Technical Solution 14) The light emitting unit includes a light source that emits the light, The failure probability of the magnetic head group is based on the power supplied to the light source, and the magnetic recording apparatus according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 13.

[0062] (Technical Solution 15) The failure probability of the magnetic head group is obtained by inputting the characteristics of the magnetic head group after the start of use into a second machine learning model, and the magnetic recording apparatus according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 14.

[0063] (Technical Solution 16) The control unit is configured to repeatedly perform the first operation, The second information is updated by repeating the first operation, and is the magnetic recording device according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 15.

[0064] (Technical Solution 17) The control unit is configured to obtain the first information and the second information from a storage unit configured to store the first information and the second information, and perform the first operation, which is the magnetic recording device according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 16.

[0065] (Technical Solution 18) The control unit obtains the first information and the second information from a storage unit configured to store the first information and the second information, and performs the first operation, The control unit is configured to repeatedly perform the first operation, The second information is updated by repeating the first operation, The storage unit is configured to store the updated second information, and is the magnetic recording device according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 15.

[0066] (Technical Solution 19) The magnetic recording device according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 16, further comprising a storage unit configured to store at least one of the first information and the second information.

[0067] (Technical Solution 20) The magnetic recording device according to Technical Solution 17 or 18, The storage unit, and a magnetic recording system including the same.

[0068] According to the embodiment, a magnetic recording device and a magnetic recording system capable of obtaining stable operation can be provided.

[0069] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. For example, regarding the specific configurations of each element such as the magnetic recording medium, the magnetic head, and the control unit included in the magnetic recording device and the magnetic recording system, those skilled in the art can appropriately select from the known range to similarly implement the present invention, and as long as the same effects can be obtained, it is included in the scope of the present invention.

[0070] Combinations of any two or more elements of each specific example within the technically possible range are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the gist of the present invention.

[0071] In addition, based on the magnetic recording device and the magnetic recording system described above as embodiments of the present invention, all magnetic recording devices and magnetic recording systems that those skilled in the art can appropriately design and modify and implement also belong to the scope of the present invention as long as they include the gist of the present invention.

[0072] In addition, within the scope of the idea of the present invention, those skilled in the art can conceive of various modification examples and correction examples, and it is understood that those modification examples and correction examples also belong to the scope of the present invention.

[0073] Some embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0074] 30c: Coil, 31, 32: First and second magnetic poles, 75: Control unit, 75m: Memory unit, 76d: Display device, 76f: Acquisition unit, 76i: Input device, 77: Light emitting unit, 77G: Optical guide, 77L: Light, 77S: Light source, 80: Magnetic recording medium, 80D: Magnetic disk, 83: Magnetization, 85: Head control circuit, 110: Magnetic head, 210: Magnetic recording device, 310: Magnetic recording system, I1, I2: First and second information, I3: Lifetime information, Iw: Recording current, OP1, OP2: First and second operations

Claims

1. A magnetic recording medium, a plurality of magnetic heads configured to record information on the magnetic recording medium, a control unit configured to control the plurality of magnetic heads, comprising: each of the plurality of magnetic heads includes a coil, a first magnetic pole configured to generate a magnetic field corresponding to a recording current supplied to the coil, and a light emitting unit configured to irradiate the magnetic recording medium with light to locally increase the temperature of the magnetic recording medium, and includes: the control unit is configured to perform a first operation, in the first operation, the control unit calculates lifetime information regarding the remaining lifetime of one of the plurality of magnetic heads based on first information regarding a failure probability of a magnetic head group including the plurality of magnetic heads and second information regarding a remaining time based on a history of one of the plurality of magnetic heads. A magnetic recording device.

2. The magnetic recording device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the first operation for each of the plurality of magnetic heads to calculate the lifetime information for each of the plurality of magnetic heads.

3. The control unit is further configured to perform a second operation, in the second operation, the control unit determines a next one of the plurality of magnetic heads to be used when recording next information on the magnetic recording medium based on the lifetime information regarding the remaining lifetime of each of the plurality of magnetic heads. The magnetic recording device according to claim 2.

4. The magnetic recording device according to claim 3, wherein the remaining lifetime of the next one of the plurality of magnetic heads is the longest among the remaining lifetimes of each of the plurality of magnetic heads.

5. The magnetic recording device according to claim 3, wherein the second operation includes recording the next information on the magnetic recording medium using the next one of the plurality of magnetic heads.

6. The magnetic recording device according to claim 1, wherein the second information includes at least one of design conditions, manufacturing conditions, and inspection results regarding the one of the plurality of magnetic heads.

7. The magnetic recording device according to claim 1, wherein the remaining lifetime of the one of the plurality of magnetic heads is a product of a function of the failure probability of the magnetic head group and the remaining time based on the history of the one of the plurality of magnetic heads.

8. The control unit is configured to repeatedly perform the first operation. The magnetic recording device according to claim 1, wherein the second information is updated by repeating the first operation.

9. The magnetic recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit configured to store at least one of the first information and the second information.

10. The magnetic recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a storage unit configured to store the first information and the second information, comprising: a magnetic recording system, wherein the control unit is configured to obtain the first information and the second information from the storage unit and perform the first operation.

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