Magnetic Disk Drive Head Support Mechanism Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head support mechanisms for magnetic disk devices are costly due to the use of two piezoelectric members, which also limit the displacement amount of the head element and deteriorate frequency response characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A head support mechanism with a slider, slider support plate, load beam, fulcrum protrusion, and drive means, where the drive means support portion has a narrow part and at least one wide part on the load beam, overlapping the fulcrum protrusion, allowing increased displacement and improved frequency response characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pair of piezoelectric members are provided on both sides of the support frame, then the head support mechanism can be constructed, but the cost increases due to the use of two piezoelectric members
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates one of the two piezoelectric members from the support frame structure. By positioning the single piezoelectric member directly on the load beam near the fulcrum protrusion, the design removes the redundant piezoelectric member while maintaining the head support function, thereby reducing cost without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the piezoelectric member and the support frame by positioning the piezoelectric member directly on the load beam rather than on a separate support frame. This integration eliminates the need for a separate support frame structure and reduces the total number of components, achieving cost reduction while maintaining structural integrity
2Length of moving object
If the piezoelectric members are made to close to the fulcrum protrusion in order to increase a displacement amount of the head element, then the displacement amount increases, but the resonance frequency peak is reduced and frequency response characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the piezoelectric member along the load beam, positioning it at a specific distance from the fulcrum protrusion. This optimized positioning achieves the right balance between displacement amount and frequency response characteristics, avoiding both the problems of being too far (insufficient displacement) and too close (reduced resonance frequency peak)
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 solution reduces costs, increases the displacement amount of the head element, and enhances frequency response characteristics by optimizing the configuration of the drive means support portion and piezoelectric element, resulting in improved performance and miniaturization of the head support mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a micro-actuator that horizontally rotates the magnetic head slider with a central part of the magnetic head slider as an axis... two piezoelectric members connecting the base part to the movable plate
Data Source
AI summary
A head support mechanism is provided with: a slider with a head element; a slider support plate; a load beam that holds the slider support plate; a fulcrum protrusion that is provided around a front end part of the load beam which supports the slider support plate; drive means that is configured to pivotally move the slider support plate centering on the fulcrum protrusion; and a drive means support portion that is provided to overlap and support the drive means. The drive means support portion has a narrow part and at least one wide part provided on a front end part side and a rear end part side of the load beam with respect to the narrow part. The drive means support portion is disposed at a position overlapping the fulcrum protrusion in a projection plane in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the slider.