Curved Trailing Air Flow Dam for Hard Disk Slider Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data storage devices like magnetic hard disk drives, the slider's flying posture is unstable near the ramp, leading to a higher probability of contact with the recording surface, resulting in a significant unused area due to potential damage, which reduces the recording surface available for data storage.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a recessed and curved trailing air flow dam on the slider shifts the likely contact points away from the corners, reducing the likelihood of contact with the recording surface, thereby minimizing the unused area by allowing more of the surface to be used for data storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional slider design is used, then the slider structure is simple, but the slider contacts the recording surface near the ramp causing damage and requiring a large unused area
Solution Approach 1:
The trailing air flow dam is designed with a curved geometry that extends from the trailing edge of the slider body. This curved structure redirects air flow along the curved path, which stabilizes the slider's flying posture and reduces pitch and roll motions near the ramp, thereby decreasing the probability of corner contact with the recording surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailing air flow dam is divided into multiple segments including an inner-diameter portion and an outer-diameter portion, each extending at different angles from the trailing edge. This segmentation allows independent optimization of air flow control at different radial positions, improving overall slider stability while maintaining structural flexibility.
2Reliability
If the slider is designed to avoid contact near the ramp, then contact reliability improves, but the unused recording surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved trailing air flow dam dynamically adapts to the slider's motion near the ramp by redirecting air flow in response to changing flight conditions. This dynamic air flow control maintains stable flying posture during the critical transition regions, allowing the slider to safely operate near the ramp without requiring excessive safety margins.
3Reliability
If the trailing air flow dam extends to the trailing edge, then air flow control is maximized, but the contact point remains at the corner
Solution Approach 1:
The trailing air flow dam is positioned at specific locations rather than uniformly across the entire trailing edge. The inner-diameter and outer-diameter portions are strategically placed to control air flow at critical regions, achieving effective air flow management while positioning contact points away from the vulnerable corners of the slider.
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 design reduces the size of the non-data area near the ramp, increasing the storage capacity by ensuring the slider contacts the recording surface in a narrower area, thus maximizing the usable recording surface during loading, unloading, and operation.
Implementation Method 1
the curved trailing air flow dam redirects air flow along a curved path, which stabilizes the slider's flying posture
Implementation Method 2
the ABS further comprises at least one sub-ambient pressure cavity adjacent to the trailing air flow dam and disposed between the trailing air flow dam and the leading edge
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are slider designs having improved trailing air flow dams, and data storage devices including such sliders. In some embodiments, a slider comprises a trailing edge and an air-bearing surface (ABS) comprising a trailing edge pad, and a trailing air flow dam coupled to the trailing edge pad, wherein, in an ABS view of the slider, the trailing air flow dam is recessed from and curves away from the trailing edge. In the ABS view, a shape of the trailing air flow dam may comprise two segments. The slider also has a leading edge and may at least one sub-ambient pressure cavity adjacent to the trailing air flow dam and disposed between the trailing air flow dam and the leading edge. A contact point of the trailing air flow dam may be at least 50 microns from a corner of the slider.