Conductive Side Gap Write Head for Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic recording write heads in HDDs face reliability issues due to heat generated by high current usage, leading to degradation and potential breakdown, limiting their ability to handle larger currents effectively.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a non-magnetic electrically-conducting material in the trailing and side gaps to dissipate heat away from the main pole, reducing electrical resistance and temperature rise, and may include a two or three terminal connection configuration to manage current flow efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If higher amounts of current are applied to the write head to improve writing performance, then the writing capability is enhanced, but the temperature of the write head increases causing degradation and reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewriting capabilityVSAvoidwrite head reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful heat generated by high current into a beneficial effect by using it to drive current through the conductive trailing gap material, which creates a transverse magnetic field that assists the main pole in writing to the media. The heat that would normally cause degradation is instead utilized to enable the current-assisted writing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive material in the trailing gap acts as an intermediary element between the main pole and the media. It carries current from the main pole to the media, generating an auxiliary magnetic field that enhances the writing capability while the main pole continues to provide the primary magnetic flux.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If higher current is applied to improve areal density, then the magnetic writing performance is improved, but the write head degrades at the media facing surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveareal densityVSAvoidwrite head structure stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful thermal effect into a useful current-carrying mechanism. The heat generated by high current is utilized to enable current flow through the trailing gap material, creating an assistive magnetic field that allows higher areal density writing without directly causing degradation through alternative pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional purely magnetic writing mechanism with a hybrid current-assisted mechanism. Instead of relying solely on magnetic flux from the main pole, the system uses electrical current flowing through the trailing gap material to generate an additional transverse magnetic field, substituting part of the magnetic function with an electromagnetic approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution enhances the reliability and performance of write heads by allowing higher current applications without causing degradation, reducing device resistance and temperature increase, and improving magnetization switching accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

The side gap comprises a non-magnetic electrically-conducting material to dissipate heat away from the main pole, lowering the resistance and temperature rise due to heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

A first portion of the trailing gap and a second portion of the trailing gap each comprise a non-magnetic electrically-conducting material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

higher amounts of current being applied to the write head cause the temperature of the write head to increase. Due to the amount of heat being generated, the current flowing through the write head can cause the write head to degrade

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11557314B1Write heads having conducting side gap for directing current

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to magnetic recording systems, and more particularly to a magnetic recording system with a current-assisted write head. The write head comprises a main pole, a trailing shield disposed above the main pole, a trailing gap disposed between the main pole and the trailing shield, a side shield surrounding three sides of the main pole, the side shield being in contact with and disposed below the trailing shield and the trailing gap, and a side gap disposed between the side shield and each of the three sides of the main pole. The side gap comprises a non-magnetic electrically-conducting material to dissipate heat away from the main pole, lowering the resistance and temperature rise due to heating. The trailing gap may further comprise a non-magnetic electrically-conducting material. The write head may have a two terminal or three terminal connection configuration.