Cleaning Tape Protrusions for MR Head Abrasion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-density magnetic recording requires a cleaning tape that effectively removes dirt from both the surface of highly hard ceramics and the minute depressions of MR heads without abrading the soft MR elements, while ensuring consistent contact and preventing static electricity damage.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning tape with a coating layer having a central line average roughness of 5 to 25 nm and protrusions of 25 nm or more per 105 μm², comprising a nonmagnetic layer and a magnetic layer, which ensures efficient dirt removal and controlled abrasion, and includes a backing layer to prevent static electrification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a cleaning tape with smooth surface is used, then the tape can be made easily, but the cleaning power is insufficient and persistent dirt cannot be removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcleaning power

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning tape surface is designed with localized protrusions (asperities) having specific height (25 nm or more) and density (60 to 1,700 per 10^5 μm²) on an otherwise controlled roughness background (Ra: 5 to 25 nm). This local quality variation provides targeted cleaning action for persistent dirt while maintaining overall tape uniformity and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention specifies precise parameter ranges for the coating layer: central line average roughness (Ra) of 5 to 25 nm, protrusion height of 25 nm or more, and protrusion density of 60 to 1,700 per 10^5 μm². By controlling these parameters within defined ranges, the tape achieves optimal cleaning power while remaining manufacturable through conventional coating processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a cleaning tape with strong abrading force is used, then the cleaning power increases, but the MR element gets abraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning powerVSAvoidabrasion damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning tape features localized protrusions that concentrate cleaning action at specific contact points. These protrusions have controlled height (25 nm or more) and density (60 to 1,700 per 10^5 μm²), providing sufficient cleaning force for stubborn dirt while the limited density ensures the soft MR element is not continuously abraded during sliding contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning mechanism transitions from continuous contact to intermittent contact. As the tape slides against the MR head, the protrusions make intermittent contact with the soft MR element, providing cleaning action only when needed while minimizing continuous abrasion. This dynamic interaction protects the MR element while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If a cleaning tape with irregular contact is used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the cleaning results are uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcleaning uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If a cleaning tape with Ra less than 5 nm is used, then the surface is smooth and easy to manufacture, but the cleaning power is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface smoothnessVSAvoidcleaning power

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

5Reliability

If a cleaning tape with Ra more than 25 nm is used, then the cleaning power increases, but the head abrasion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning powerVSAvoidhead abrasion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The tape efficiently cleans MR heads by maintaining consistent contact with ceramics while intermittently contacting the MR elements, preventing abrasion and ensuring effective data recording and reproduction with reduced static risk.

Implementation Method 1

a cleaning tape has appropriate abrading force so as not to abrade the soft MR element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

the cleaning tape surface is kept in contact with the surface of the ceramics at all times but the MR element is brought into contact with protrusions intermittently

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7433154B2Cleaning tape for cleaning a magnetic head

Publication Date: 2008.10.07 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A cleaning tape comprising a support and a coating layer containing powder and a binder, wherein a surface of the coating layer has a central line average roughness of from 5 to 25 nm and has protrusions having height of 25 nm or more in number of from 60 to 1,700/105 μm2, the surface of the coating layer being a surface of the cleaning tape.