Endless Spring Magnetic Head Slider Locking Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic head slider locking apparatuses require high processing accuracy and increased costs due to complex spring configurations, which affect durability and retention efficiency, leading to increased costs and potential durability issues.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic head slider locking apparatus utilizing an endless spring portion that surrounds a fixed portion, allowing for significant expansion and contraction strokes with improved durability without the need for high processing accuracy, and featuring pinching arms for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex spring configurations are used to achieve strong elastic forces, then retention efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion is divided into multiple regions with different functions: a first region that provides elastic force, a second region that guides movement, and a third region that provides locking engagement. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining retention efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the spring portion are given different local properties: the first region has high elasticity for force generation, the second region has guiding geometry for movement control, and the third region has engagement features for locking. This local differentiation improves retention efficiency without requiring high precision throughout the entire component.
2Reliability
If complex spring configurations are used to achieve strong elastic forces, then retention efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (elastic force generation, movement guidance, and locking engagement) are merged into a single spring portion component. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components while maintaining retention efficiency through the multi-region design.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides elastic force for retention, guides the movement of the proximal-end-side connection region, and engages with the magnetic head slider for locking. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while achieving reliable retention.
3Force
If complex spring configurations are used to achieve strong elastic forces, then elastic force is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion is segmented into functional regions that can be manufactured using different processes optimized for each region's requirements. This allows cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining the elastic force generation capability through the first region's design.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion's geometry parameters are optimized in different regions: the first region has parameters optimized for elastic force generation, while other regions have parameters optimized for their specific functions. This parameter differentiation achieves strong elastic forces without requiring high precision throughout, reducing manufacturing costs.
4Duration of action of moving object
If the proximal-end-side connection region is spaced apart from the distal-end-side connection region to allow spring expansion, then elastic deformation capability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection regions and spring portion are merged into an integrated structure where the spring portion directly connects the distal-end-side connection region to the proximal-end-side connection region. This integration simplifies the overall structure while allowing sufficient expansion and contraction stroke through the spring's elastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion provides dynamic connection between the connection regions, allowing the proximal-end-side connection region to move relative to the distal-end-side connection region during expansion and contraction. This dynamic connection simplifies the structure compared to rigid connections with multiple components.
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 apparatus achieves strong elastic forces with large expansion and contraction strokes, improves durability, and reduces processing complexity and costs, while maintaining effective retention of the magnetic head slider.
Implementation Method 1
the spring portion is capable of taking an initial posture where no external operational force is applied thereto and also taking an elastically deformed posture where an external operational force is applied thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic head slider locking apparatus includes a fixed portion having a distal-side engage portion engaged with a slider's distal end and fixed to a flexure part, an endless spring portion surrounding the fixed portion in a plan view, a connection portion connecting the fixed portion to the spring portion, and a proximal-side engage portion provided to the spring portion so as to be engaged with a slider's proximal end. The spring portion takes an initial posture where no external operational force is applied thereto so that the proximal-side engage portion is located closer to a distal end side in the suspension longitudinal direction than the slider's proximal end, and also takes an elastically deformed posture where an external operational force is applied thereto so that the proximal-side engage portion is located closer to a proximal end side in the suspension longitudinal direction than the slider's proximal end.