Head Slider Air Bearing Compliance via Segmented Recessed Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head sliders in disk drive data storage devices face issues such as lubricant pick-up, fly height variations, pitch problems, high peak pressure, mid-disk hump, and insufficient stiffness, leading to poor magnetic interfacing and potential catastrophic failures due to distortion and contact with the disk.
Innovation Solution
A head slider design featuring a head body with a media facing surface having a leading portion, a trailing portion with a tail section, and recessed surfaces, including a first, second, and third surface with specific vertical distances, and notches between the surfaces to enhance air bearing compliance and actuation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the head slider uses a conventional design without multiple recessed surfaces and notches, then the structure is simpler, but the air bearing compliance is insufficient and actuation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The head slider's media facing surface is segmented into multiple recessed surfaces (first, second, and third surfaces at different vertical distances) and notches, dividing the air bearing interface into distinct functional zones that independently manage airflow and pressure distribution, thereby improving compliance without requiring a completely complex redesign
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the head slider are given different local structures - the first surface has a different vertical distance than the second and third surfaces, with notches positioned specifically between certain surfaces. This local variation optimizes airflow and pressure distribution in specific areas to improve overall air bearing compliance while maintaining structural manageability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the head slider operates at high altitudes or in low-pressure environments, then the disk can be accessed in diverse locations, but fly height variations occur that affect magnetic interfacing
Solution Approach 1:
The head slider design incorporates multiple recessed surfaces at different vertical distances and notches that modify the air bearing parameters to compensate for changes in ambient pressure and altitude, maintaining stable fly height and magnetic interfacing across diverse operating conditions without requiring redesign
3Strength
If the head slider has insufficient stiffness, then the structure is more flexible and easier to manufacture, but the head slider flexes and distorts during operation causing poor magnetic interfacing and potential contact with the disk
Solution Approach 1:
The head slider body is segmented into multiple surfaces and regions with different structural characteristics, allowing each segment to be optimized for stiffness while maintaining overall manufacturability through standardized manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The head slider employs composite construction with the head body, head body cap, and media facing surface combining materials and structures that provide necessary stiffness and strength while remaining compatible with existing manufacturing capabilities
4Force
If the head slider experiences high peak pressure between the head slider and disk, then the air bearing force is increased, but lubricant pick-up increases and actuation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The head slider features local structural variations with notches and recessed surfaces that create optimized pressure distribution patterns, concentrating air bearing force where needed while reducing peak pressures in regions prone to lubricant pick-up, thereby maintaining actuation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The notches and recessed surfaces extract or redirect airflow paths to prevent direct high-pressure contact with the disk surface, reducing lubricant pick-up while maintaining necessary air bearing force through alternative pressure distribution mechanisms
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 design improves air bearing compliance and actuation efficiency, reduces lubricant pick-up, minimizes fly height variations, and prevents the head slider from pitching or crashing, resulting in stable and efficient magnetic interfacing across different altitudes and disk positions.
Implementation Method 1
The head slider includes media facing surface (MFS), such as an air bearing surface (ABS), designed to generate an air bearing force that counteracts a preload bias urging the head slider toward the disk
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a head slider within disk drive data storage devices. A head slider comprises a head body having a leading edge, a trailing edge and an ABS. The ABS has a leading portion and a trailing portion, the trailing portion having a tail section disposed adjacent the trailing edge. The head body has three surfaces recessed from the ABS: a first surface disposed a first vertical distance, a second surface disposed a second vertical distance that is greater than the first vertical distance, and a third surface disposed a third vertical distance that is greater than the second vertical distance. A first plateau disposed at the third surface is bound between a second plateau at the first surface and a trailing pad of the tail section. Between the first plateau and the trailing pad are one or more notches disposed at the first surface.