Magnetic Head Asymmetric Layers to Suppress Leakage Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic heads suffer from reduced detection sensitivity due to leakage currents through intermediate layers, which affect the accuracy of magnetic field detection.

Innovation Solution

The magnetic head design incorporates asymmetrical configurations with shorter nonmagnetic intermediate layers and insulating regions to minimize leakage currents, enhancing detection sensitivity and reducing electrical resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If symmetrical intermediate layers are used between shields and magnetic layer, then structural simplicity is maintained, but leakage currents increase reducing detection sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidintermediate layer configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the first intermediate layer between the first shield and first magnetic layer with a different structure than the second intermediate layer between the first magnetic layer and second shield. Specifically, the first intermediate layer has first and second regions with different thicknesses or material compositions, creating an asymmetric structure that suppresses leakage currents more effectively than symmetrical configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating regions with different properties within the intermediate layers. The first intermediate layer contains a first region with different electrical or magnetic properties than a second region, allowing each region to perform its specific function optimally - one region for suppressing leakage currents while another maintains structural integrity or provides different suppression characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If intermediate layers are made thinner to reduce leakage current paths, then detection sensitivity improves, but structural stability and shielding effectiveness may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidshielding effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different properties within the intermediate layers. The first intermediate layer contains a first region with different electrical or magnetic properties than a second region, allowing each region to perform its specific function optimally - one region for suppressing leakage currents while another maintains structural integrity or provides different suppression characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by using intermediate layers with different material compositions in different regions. The first and second regions of the first intermediate layer have different material properties, creating a composite structure that simultaneously achieves leakage current suppression and maintains adequate thickness for structural stability and shielding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If nonmagnetic intermediate layers are used to reduce magnetic interference, then magnetic field detection accuracy improves, but electrical resistance increases due to leakage currents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field detection accuracyVSAvoidleakage current

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the electrical resistance or conductivity parameters of the intermediate layers through asymmetric configuration. By creating regions with different thicknesses or material compositions, the patent optimizes the electrical resistance parameters to minimize leakage current while maintaining the nonmagnetic properties necessary for accurate magnetic field detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design effectively suppresses leakage currents, improving the detection sensitivity and accuracy of magnetic field detection in magnetic heads.

Implementation Method 1

a second intermediate layer length of the second intermediate layer along the second direction is shorter than a first intermediate layer length of the first intermediate layer along the second direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS12462834B2Magnetic head and magnetic recording device

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a reproducing section. The reproducing section includes a first shield, a second shield, a third shield, a fourth shield, a first magnetic layer, a first intermediate layer, and a second intermediate layer. A second direction from the third shield to the fourth shield crosses a first direction from the first shield to the second shield. The first magnetic layer is provided between the first shield and the second shield and between the third shield and the fourth shield. The first intermediate layer is provided between the first shield and the first magnetic layer, and is nonmagnetic. The second intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second shield, and is nonmagnetic. The second intermediate layer length of the second intermediate layer is shorter than a first intermediate layer length of the first intermediate layer along the second direction.