Thin-Film Magnetic Head Thermal Projection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thin-film magnetic heads face challenges in controlling the projection of the element portion toward the recording medium due to inefficient heat delivery, leading to potential damage and decreased recording and emitting characteristics.

Innovation Solution

The heat-emitting member is optimally positioned below the coil layer, allowing for enhanced heat delivery to the reproduction element, thereby increasing its projection amount and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the heat-emitting member is positioned closer to the reproduction element to enhance heat delivery, then the projection amount of the reproduction element increases, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojection amount controlVSAvoidheat-emitting member positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the heat-emitting member in the vertical dimension below the coil layer rather than adjacent to the reproduction element, achieving effective heat delivery without increasing horizontal complexity. This dimensional repositioning allows heat to be delivered through the stack while maintaining manageable device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-emitting member is positioned below the coil layer during the manufacturing process, establishing the thermal pathway in advance. This preliminary positioning ensures that heat is delivered efficiently to the reproduction element during operation without requiring complex real-time adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If electrical power is increased to enhance heat emission from the heat-emitting member, then the projection amount increases, but energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojection amountVSAvoidheat efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the coil layer and intermediate layers as thermal mediators between the heat-emitting member and the reproduction element. These intermediaries facilitate efficient heat transfer through the stack, reducing energy loss and improving overall heat efficiency compared to direct positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the thermal parameters of the intermediate layers, including thermal conductivity and thickness, to maximize heat transfer efficiency. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective heating of the reproduction element with reduced energy input requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the element portion is projected farther toward the recording medium, then recording characteristics improve, but the risk of periphery contact and medium damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording characteristicVSAvoidmedium damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local thermal expansion specifically to the reproduction element through the positioned heat-emitting member, creating a localized projection effect. This localized quality change allows the element portion to project toward the recording medium without causing uniform expansion that would lead to periphery contact and damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration enables precise control of the reproduction element's projection toward the recording medium, improving recording characteristics and preventing medium damage by increasing heat efficiency and reducing the distance between the heat-emitting member and the reproduction element.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-emitting member emitting heat by electrification

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

causes the reproduction element to project toward a recording medium by thermal expansion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS7894160B2Thin-film magnetic head controlling floating amount by locally projecting element portion toward recording medium by thermal expansion and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2011.02.22 TDK CORP

AI summary

A thin-film magnetic head which can locally project a reproduction element toward a recording medium and a method of manufacturing the thin-film magnetic head are provided. The thin-film magnetic head includes a reproduction element, a recording element which is stacked on the reproduction element and has a pair of magnetic core layers and a coil layer configured to apply a recording magnetic field to the magnetic core layers, and a heat-emitting member emitting heat by electrification, which causes the reproduction element to project toward the recording medium by thermal expansion. The heat-emitting member is disposed below the coil layer.