HDD Filter Unit Shields Actuator Gap to Block Grease Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-actuator assemblies of hard disk drives, the scattering of grease from bearing units can contaminate magnetic disks and heads, leading to issues like insufficient flying or head crashes, which cause data read/write failures due to the gap between overlapping actuator assemblies allowing mist and gas components to be carried by air flow.
Innovation Solution
A filter unit is positioned between the magnetic disks and actuator assemblies, featuring a holder with ventilation openings and a filter that captures particles, reducing contamination by shielding the air flow and preventing high-speed air from hitting the gap between actuator assemblies, thereby minimizing grease adhesion on disks and heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a multi-actuator assembly with overlapping bearings is used to support multiple magnetic disks, then the storage capacity and disk support capability are improved, but grease scattering from the bearing gap increases, leading to contamination of magnetic disks and heads
Solution Approach 1:
A filter unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the magnetic disks and the actuator assemblies. The filter unit includes a filter member that intercepts grease particles scattered from the bearing gap, preventing them from reaching and contaminating the magnetic disks and heads. This mediator approach allows the multi-actuator assembly to maintain its high disk support capability while eliminating the harmful grease scattering effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful grease scattering function is extracted and isolated from the bearing assembly by positioning the filter unit at the gap between overlapping bearings. The filter unit specifically targets and removes grease particles from the air flow path, separating the beneficial bearing support function from the harmful grease scattering effect.
2Loss of energy
If ventilation openings are provided in the filter holder for air flow, then the air circulation is improved, but particles may pass through and contaminate the magnetic disks
Solution Approach 1:
The filter holder is designed with non-uniform local qualities: ventilation openings are provided in certain regions to allow air circulation, while other regions maintain solid filtering structures to block particles. The filter member itself has localized filtering properties that allow air passage while intercepting grease particles, creating different functional zones within the same component structure.
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 filter unit effectively captures particles and reduces grease contamination, preventing adhesion on magnetic disks and heads, thus enhancing the reliability of the HDD by preventing insufficient flying and head crashes, and improving data integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a filter unit which is provided between the magnetic disks and the first and second actuator assemblies. The filter unit includes a holder including a shielding portion facing a boundary portion between the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly and a ventilation opening provided at a position spaced apart from the boundary portion in the axial direction, and a filter held by the holder and facing the ventilation opening
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a disk device includes rotatable magnetic disks, a first actuator assembly rotatably supported on a pivot through a first bearing unit, a second actuator assembly rotatably supported on the pivot through a second bearing unit and provided side by side with the first actuator assembly in an axial direction of the pivot, and a filter unit provided between the magnetic disks and the first and second actuator assemblies. The filter unit includes a holder including a shielding portion facing a boundary portion between the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly and a ventilation opening provided at a position spaced apart from the boundary portion in the axial direction, and a filter held by the holder and facing the ventilation opening.