Magnetic Head Slider Supporting Mechanism With Elastic Fixing Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supporting members for magnetic sliders face challenges in maintaining reliable electrical connections and efficient assembly, as they tend to disconnect under external forces and require cumbersome bonding processes, leading to increased manufacturing time and costs.
Innovation Solution
A supporting member with a first and second supporting portion, featuring a conductive pattern and holding portion with elastic fixing portions that securely sandwich the slider, allowing for easy attachment and detachment while maintaining electrical connection, and a method for dynamic-characteristics evaluation testing that reduces manufacturing costs by enabling pre-assembly testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the slider is held by bonding the upper face of the slider onto the slider-mounting portion, then the slider can be supported, but the electrical connection between the lead wire and electrode is easily cut off when external force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The holding portion is divided into multiple fixing portions (first fixing portion and second fixing portion) that can independently clamp the slider. This segmentation allows the electrical connection to be maintained through the conductive pattern while providing mechanical support through the elastic fixing portions, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive pattern acts as an intermediary element that simultaneously provides mechanical support through the holding portion and electrical connection. By integrating the conductive pattern into the holding portion structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate wiring processes while maintaining both mechanical and electrical reliability.
2Reliability
If the lead wire is connected to the electrode on the slider by ultrasonic bonding under heating, then electrical connection is achieved, but the slider cannot be easily attached to and detached from the suspension
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing portions are designed with elastic properties that allow them to dynamically adjust during assembly and operation. The elastic fixing portions can be deformed during attachment and return to their original shape, enabling easy attachment and detachment while maintaining stable electrical connection through the conductive pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from the mechanical bonding process. By using the elastic fixing portions for mechanical attachment and the conductive pattern for electrical connection, the patent separates these functions, allowing the slider to be easily attached and detached without compromising electrical connection stability.
3Reliability
If the slider is moved toward a position at which the lead wire and electrode are brought into contact, then electrical connection is completed, but the connecting work becomes troublesome and much time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mechanical holding function and electrical connection function into a single integrated structure. The conductive pattern is formed directly in the holding portion, so that when the slider is clamped by the elastic fixing portions, electrical connection is automatically established without requiring separate positioning and connection steps, thereby reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive pattern is pre-formed in the holding portion during manufacturing, so that electrical connection capability is prepared in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site wiring and positioning operations, allowing for rapid assembly while ensuring reliable electrical connection.
4Ease of operation
If the magnetic head slider is inserted from the open-end side into the hooking concave portion, then the slider can be hooked, but the magnetic head slider tends to be displaced toward the open-end side
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic fixing portions are designed with asymmetric geometry that provides directional clamping force. The fixing portions clamp the slider from the side, creating an asymmetric constraint that prevents displacement toward the open-end while allowing easy insertion from the open-end side, thus resolving the contradiction between installation ease and position stability.
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 solution provides a versatile supporting member that ensures stable electrical connections and efficient slider handling, reducing manufacturing time and costs by allowing for pre-assembly dynamic-characteristics evaluation testing, thus improving the manufacturing efficiency of magnetic head apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
the fixing portion has elasticity and the slider is held in the holding portion by pressing force caused by the elasticity of the fixing portion
Data Source
AI summary
A holding portion, on which a slider having a magnetic element for recording and/or replaying is held is provided on a second supporting portion of a supporting member, in which conductive patterns are formed. A plurality of fixing portions are formed in the holding portion and when the slider is sandwiched between the plurality of fixing portions, the slider is electrically connected with the conductive patterns.