Laser Recess Head Gimbal Assembly Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of a laser into data storage devices poses challenges due to limited physical space and the need for precise encapsulation, which often results in increased size and damage to electrical contacts, hindering the reduction of encapsulating material without compromising performance.
Innovation Solution
A slider design with a laser recess on one surface and studs adjacent to the laser on the opposite surface, allowing for precise positioning and electrical connections on a common plane, enabling efficient encapsulation and reduced physical size without thinning, thus maintaining electrical compatibility and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a laser is integrated into a data storage device, then data storage capacity and transfer speed are enhanced, but the physical space required increases and encapsulation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The laser is positioned within a laser recess formed in the slider, nesting the laser assembly into the existing structure rather than adding it as a separate external component. This allows the laser to be integrated into the limited space of the data storage device while maintaining its functionality for enhancing data transfer speed
Solution Approach 2:
The laser recess is formed by removing material from the slider to create a three-dimensional space that accommodates the laser. By utilizing the vertical dimension and creating a recessed area, the design accommodates the laser without increasing the overall footprint of the device, thus resolving the contradiction between functionality and physical size
2Volume of moving object
If encapsulating material is reduced to decrease physical size, then device compactness improves, but electrical contacts may be damaged and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Studs are positioned adjacent to and separated from the laser to provide localized electrical connections. This localized approach ensures that electrical contacts are made at specific points (the studs) rather than requiring extensive encapsulating material, thereby maintaining electrical contact integrity while reducing the overall amount of encapsulating material needed
Solution Approach 2:
The studs act as intermediary elements that facilitate electrical connections between the laser and the slider. By introducing these intermediate connection points, the design reduces the need for large amounts of encapsulating material while ensuring reliable electrical contact, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and reliability
3Productivity
If the laser is precisely positioned for optimal operation, then data storage capacity increases, but the complexity of encapsulation and electrical connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser recess is pre-formed in the slider before the laser is installed, and studs are positioned adjacent to the laser. This preliminary preparation of the structural framework simplifies the subsequent installation and encapsulation processes, allowing precise laser positioning for optimal data storage capacity without proportionally increasing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The design segments the laser assembly into distinct components: the laser itself, the recess that houses it, and adjacent studs for electrical connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the recess provides precise positioning for data storage performance, while the studs handle electrical connections separately, thereby managing complexity through modular design
Data Source
AI summary
A slider may have a first surface on an air bearing surface (ABS) and a laser recess formed in a second surface of the slider, opposite the first surface. A laser can then be positioned in the laser recess with the laser extending from the slider to a top plane. A stud may be formed adjacent to and separated from the laser on the second surface of the slider with the stud extending from the second surface of the slider to the top plane.