Magnetic Head Shield Layers Segmented From Lead Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic head devices using GMR or tunnel effects face reduced reading precision and noise due to the complex shapes and large sizes of lower and upper shield layers, which affect the insulating properties and increase the device size, especially with increasing recording density and signal frequency.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic head device design featuring smaller, simpler-shaped lower and upper shield layers with insulating layers between conductive electrodes, allowing for a compact structure and improved insulation, reducing noise and enhancing reading precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lower shield layer and upper shield layer are made large and complex in shape to ensure shielding coverage, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but device size increases and reading precision deteriorates due to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the current path function from the shield layers by introducing separate lead electrodes. The shield layers are segmented to only perform magnetic shielding, while current conduction is handled by dedicated electrodes, allowing the shield layers to be smaller and simpler in shape without compromising shielding effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The current conduction function is extracted from the shield layers and assigned to separate lead electrodes. This extraction allows the shield layers to be minimized in size and simplified in shape, reducing noise while maintaining effective shielding through the dedicated electrode structure
2Ease of operation
If the lower shield layer and upper shield layer are made large and complex to form integrated lead layers, then current conduction is achieved, but device size increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device into distinct functional components: shield layers for magnetic shielding and separate lead electrodes for current conduction. This segmentation simplifies the shield layer geometry while ensuring effective current paths through the dedicated electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The current conduction function is extracted from the shield layers and implemented through separate lead electrodes. This extraction simplifies the shield layer structure, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective current conduction through the dedicated electrode paths
3Measurement precision
If the shield layers are made small and simple in shape to reduce noise, then reading precision is improved, but insulating properties deteriorate and current path formation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functional responsibilities by introducing separate lead electrodes for current conduction. This allows the shield layers to be minimized for noise reduction while the electrodes provide reliable current paths with proper insulation, decoupling the insulating property requirement from the shield layer size
Solution Approach 2:
The current path formation function is extracted from the shield layers and assigned to dedicated lead electrodes. This extraction allows the shield layers to be small and simple for noise reduction, while the electrodes ensure reliable current conduction with adequate insulation between them
4Ease of operation
If via-hole conductors are used to electrically connect lead layers to shield layers, then electrical connection is achieved, but device size increases and structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the current conduction path from the shield layer structure and implements it through separate lead electrodes that extend from the insulating layer. This extraction eliminates the need for via-hole conductors, reducing device size and structural complexity while maintaining effective electrical connection
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 achieves reduced noise and improved reading precision by minimizing the shield layer area and complexity, ensuring sufficient insulation and a smaller device size, while maintaining effective shielding and current path simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a detecting element in which a current flows in a layer thicknesswise direction using a GMR effect or a tunnel effect
Implementation Method 2
a detecting element in which a current flows in a layer thicknesswise direction using a GMR effect or a tunnel effect
Implementation Method 3
a lower shield layer formed of a soft magnetic material on the bottom of a detecting element, and an upper shield layer formed of a soft magnetic material on the detecting element. A leakage magnetic flux from a magnetic recording medium in a middle region between both the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer is detected by the detecting element
Data Source
AI summary
A lower shield layer has a substantially flat shape, and an upper shield layer has a front portion and a rear portion, where the front portion is disposed closer to the lower shield layer than the rear portion. A lower conductive electrode and an upper conductive electrode are disposed between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer. The lower conductive electrode is electrically connected to the lower shield layer, and the upper conductive electrode is electrically connected to the upper shield layer. Since the lower and upper conductive electrodes are disposed between the upper and lower shield layers, each of the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer may be formed to have a small area and a simple shape.