Head Gimbal Assembly Thermal Conductor for Rapid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermally-assisted magnetic disk drives face challenges in rapidly cooling the recording medium after thermal laser application, leading to degradation of recorded data and limited linear recording density due to inadequate cooling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A head gimbal assembly with a magnetic head featuring a thermal conductor, such as a highly conductive return pole, that efficiently removes heat from the recording medium by contacting airflow produced as the disk rotates, thereby rapidly cooling the heated region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional magnetic heads without thermal conductors are used, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling efficiency is insufficient leading to data degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The return pole is designed to serve dual functions: magnetic circuit closure and thermal conduction. By making the return pole highly conductive, it simultaneously performs its magnetic function and acts as a heat sink, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall device complexity while improving cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The highly conductive return pole acts as an intermediary thermal pathway between the heated recording region and the cooler surrounding areas. It mediates heat transfer from the laser-heated spot to the rest of the head assembly, enabling efficient cooling without requiring direct contact with external cooling systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If thermal laser application is applied to heat the recording medium, then recording density is improved, but cooling speed is insufficient causing data degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conductivity parameter of the return pole is changed to be highly conductive, transforming it from a standard magnetic component to an active thermal management element. This parameter change enables rapid heat dissipation from the recording region, achieving both high recording density through thermal assistance and fast cooling to prevent data degradation.
3Temperature
If airflow path is added for cooling slider, then cooling capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return pole is designed to serve dual functions: magnetic circuit closure and thermal conduction. By making the return pole highly conductive, it simultaneously performs its magnetic function and acts as a heat sink, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall device complexity while improving cooling efficiency.
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
This solution effectively suppresses data degradation and enhances linear recording density by maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio and promoting rapid heat diffusion, improving recording performance compared to conventional systems without thermal conductors.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal conductor having thermal conductivity higher than thermal conductivity of the recording medium and comprising a heat absorbing portion configured to oppose the recording medium in the vicinity of the heated region of the recording medium and remove heat from the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
a coil configured to excite magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit
Implementation Method 3
a contact portion configured to contact airflow produced, as the recording medium rotates, at a position other than a facing surface of the slider opposed to the recording medium and radiate heat
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a head gimbal assembly includes a magnetic head for perpendicular, a suspension supporting the magnetic head, and a heating module configured to locally heat a recording area of the recording medium. A head section of the magnetic head includes a magnetic core including a main pole and a return pole forming a magnetic circuit in conjunction with the main pole, a coil configured to excite magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit, and a thermal conductor having thermal conductivity higher than thermal conductivity of the recording medium and including a heat absorbing portion configured to remove heat from the recording medium, and a contact portion configured to contact airflow produced, as the recording medium rotates, at a position other than a facing surface of a slider opposed to the recording medium and radiate heat.