Bond Pad Sharing via Null Point Center Tap in Head Sliders
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in hard disk drive (HDD) slider design is the limited space for bond pads on the trailing edge, which restricts the number of electrical connections needed for increased functionality and data density, as existing bond pads occupy significant surface area and are not efficiently utilized.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using a center tap at or near the voltage null point in circuit arrangements to share bond pads between write and read elements, allowing for multiple functionalities with fewer bond pads, thereby optimizing the available surface area for additional components and improving data storage density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bond pads are provided for each electrical connection to accommodate increased functionality and data density, then the number of electrical connections increases, but the available surface area on the trailing edge is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connections for write and read elements by providing a shared bond pad that serves both functions. The write element and read element are electrically connected to the same bond pad, eliminating the need for separate bond pads for each element and thereby reducing the total surface area required on the trailing edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The bond pad is designed to perform multiple functions by serving as a common electrical connection point for both the write element and the read element. This multi-functional bond pad structure allows the same physical component to facilitate different electrical connections, optimizing the use of limited trailing edge surface area.
2Ease of operation
If separate bond pads are provided for write and read elements, then electrical connections are simplified, but the number of bond pads increases occupying more surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection functions by providing a single shared bond pad that electrically connects both the write element and the read element. This merging approach maintains electrical connection simplicity while reducing the total number of bond pads required, thereby freeing up surface area on the trailing edge.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more bond pads are provided to support increased functionality, then device capabilities improve, but manufacturing costs increase due to more components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing costs by merging the bond pad structures for write and read elements into a single shared bond pad. This consolidation decreases the total number of components that need to be fabricated and assembled, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while still supporting the required functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared bond pad is designed to universally serve both write and read element connections, eliminating the need for multiple specialized bond pads. This universal design reduces the bill of materials and simplifies the manufacturing process, leading to cost savings without compromising device capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A head slider for use in a disk drive is movably positionable relative to a magnetic recording disk and includes at least one write element for writing data to the magnetic recording disk. The write element includes a writer coil electrically connected between a first bond pad and a second bond pad, where the connection between the first bond pad and the second bond pad includes a center tap located proximate to a voltage null point. The head slider also includes at least one read element for reading data from the magnetic recording disk, the read element electrically connected between the center tap and a third bond pad, where the write element and the read element are configured to be selectively activated based on biased inputs to the first bond pad, the second bond pad, and the third bond pad.