Fluorinated Ether Lubricant for Stable Head Flying in Magnetic Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic recording media face challenges in achieving both reduced floating amount and improved floating stability of the magnetic head, often leading to collisions and pickup issues due to inadequate interaction between the lubricating layer and the protective layer.
Innovation Solution
A fluorine-containing ether compound with specific terminal and central adsorption sites, represented by Formula (1), ensures balanced interaction with the protective layer, preventing agglomeration and pickup by using divalent linking groups like Formula (2-1) or (2-2), which have appropriate flexibility and hydroxy groups to maintain smoothness and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the floating amount of the magnetic head is reduced, then the recording density is improved, but the floating stability deteriorates and collisions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lubricating layer as an intermediary between the magnetic head and the protective layer. This lubricating layer, formed by fluorine-containing ether compounds with specific molecular structures (containing perfluoropolyether chains and polar terminal groups), mediates the interaction to provide appropriate floating amount while maintaining floating stability through balanced adhesion and lubrication properties.
2Productivity
If the floating amount of the magnetic head is reduced, then the recording density is improved, but pickup occurs due to adhesion of the lubricating layer to the magnetic head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the lubricating layer with specific local chemical properties. The fluorine-containing ether compounds have polar terminal groups (such as hydroxy groups or amino groups) that provide localized adhesion to the protective layer, while the perfluoropolyether chains provide localized lubrication. This spatial differentiation of properties prevents pickup while enabling reduced floating amount.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the lubricating layer by using fluorine-containing ether compounds with specific molecular weights, chain lengths, and terminal group compositions. These parameter adjustments optimize the balance between adhesion to the protective layer and prevention of pickup on the magnetic head, enabling reduced floating amount without pickup issues.
3Reliability
If a protective layer is formed on the recording layer, then the information protection is improved and slidability is improved, but the durability is not sufficiently obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective layer and lubricating layer into a combined structure. The protective layer provides information protection and basic slidability, while the lubricating layer (formed by fluorine-containing ether compounds) is applied on top to provide enhanced durability through reduced friction and wear. This merging of functions achieves both protection and durability.
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 lubricating layer formed with this compound achieves enhanced floating stability and suppresses pickup, ensuring reliable and durable operation of the magnetic recording medium.
Implementation Method 1
A fluorine-containing ether compound with specific terminal and central adsorption sites, represented by Formula (1), ensures balanced interaction with the protective layer
Data Source
AI summary
A fluorine-containing ether compound represented by the following formula. R1—CH2—R2[—CH2—R2—CH2—R2]x—CH2—R4 (x is an integer of 1 or 2; R2 is a perfluoropolyether chain; at least one of x pieces of R3's is Formula (2-1) or Formula (2-2); and R1 and R4 are each a terminal group having two to four polar groups, has 1 to 9 carbon atoms in a shortest distance between carbon atoms to which adjacent polar groups are bonded, and has an oxygen atom bonded to a methylene group to which R2 is bonded)