Head Amplifier Heat Controller for Flying Height Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hard disk controllers (HDCs) designed for magnetic disk apparatuses with and without heating elements for flying height adjustment require separate configurations, leading to inconvenience and potential heat generation delays, which can hinder timely flying height adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A head amplifier with a write amplifier, read amplifier, heating element driver, and heat controller that applies appropriate heat generating currents under control, allowing for timely and precise flying height adjustments using a conventional HDC without a heating element, and includes a memory unit for state variable management and ambient condition consideration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heating element control function is implemented in the HDC, then the flying height can be adjusted, but the HDC must be modified and signal delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into two independent parts: the HDC handles data signal processing while the head amplifier handles heating element control for flying height adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without requiring modifications to the HDC, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable flying height control.
Solution Approach 2:
The head amplifier acts as an intermediary between the HDC and the heating element. Instead of the HDC directly controlling the heating element (which would require HDC modification), the head amplifier receives control signals and manages the heating element driver, thereby eliminating the need to modify the HDC while still enabling flying height adjustment.
2Reliability
If the heating element control is implemented in the HDC, then flying height adjustment is possible, but signal delays prevent timely adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the control function from the HDC to the head amplifier, the system enables parallel processing where the head amplifier can immediately respond to flying height requirements without waiting for HDC processing, thereby eliminating signal delays and enabling timely heating element control.
Solution Approach 2:
The head amplifier is pre-configured with the heating element driver circuitry, allowing it to immediately execute flying height adjustments without requiring signal routing through the HDC. This preliminary preparation of the control path eliminates delays in heat generation response.
3Reliability
If separate HDC configurations are used for heads with and without heating elements, then specific functions are optimized, but device versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The head amplifier is designed with universal functionality to handle both data signal amplification and heating element control. This multi-functionality allows a single head amplifier configuration to work with both heads that have heating elements and those that don't, thereby maintaining HDC compatibility and versatility while still providing precise heating element control when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The head amplifier independently handles the heating element control function without requiring external HDC intervention. This self-service capability allows the head amplifier to autonomously manage flying height adjustment, making the system adaptable to different head types without requiring different HDC configurations.
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
Enables timely and precise flying height adjustments in magnetic recording and reproducing apparatuses without the need for HDC modifications, reducing signal delays and accommodating changes in ambient conditions, thereby preventing accidental contacts and ensuring stable write and read operations.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for adjusting a flying height during a write and/or a read operation
Implementation Method 2
uses a magnetoresistive effect (MR) element, which functions as a read head element, to sense a magnetic field from the magnetic disk to read a data signal
Implementation Method 3
uses an electromagnetic coil element, which functions as a write head element, to apply a magnetic field to a magnetic disk to write a data signal
Data Source
AI summary
Timely and proper flying height adjustment is achieved using a controller, which is designed for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus that does not use a magnetic head having a heating element for flying height adjustment without any modification. A head amplifier includes a write amplifier for applying a write current to a write head element, a read amplifier for amplifying a read voltage output from a read head element and outputting a read signal, a heating element driver for applying a heat generating current to at least one heating element for adjusting a flying height, and a heat controller for controlling the heating element driver.