Piezoelectric Magnetic Recording Head for Precise HMS Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in magnetic recording heads is to maintain precise control over head-media spacing (HMS) to enhance data storage capacity, reliability, and reduce mechanical damage, while minimizing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a piezoelectric actuator to displace active components of the magnetic recording head, allowing for flexible fabrication and precise control of HMS through lower temperatures and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If head-media spacing is reduced to improve areal density capability and signal-to-noise ratio, then data storage capacity and read signal strength are improved, but the risk of mechanical damage to the magnetic recording head increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of head-media spacing through a piezoelectric actuator that can adjust the position of the magnetic recording head in real-time. This allows the system to maintain optimal spacing for performance while dynamically responding to conditions that could cause mechanical contact, thus resolving the contradiction between precision spacing control and mechanical reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor head-media spacing and adjust the piezoelectric actuator accordingly. This closed-loop control enables maintaining precise spacing while detecting and correcting potential contact conditions, thereby improving both spacing precision and mechanical reliability simultaneously
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional heating methods are used to control head-media spacing, then spacing control is achieved, but thermal stress on the magnetic recording head increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal actuation mechanisms with a piezoelectric actuator that uses mechanical/electrical fields instead of thermal fields to control head-media spacing. This substitution eliminates the thermal stress problem while maintaining precise spacing control capability, directly resolving the contradiction between spacing precision and thermal stress
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional heating methods are used to control head-media spacing, then spacing adjustment is possible, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes resistive heating with piezoelectric actuation, which consumes significantly less power to achieve the same spacing control function. The piezoelectric effect converts electrical energy directly to mechanical displacement without the energy losses inherent in thermal processes, thereby resolving the contradiction between spacing precision and power consumption
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 approach enables higher areal density capability, improved signal-to-noise ratio, lower bit-error rates, and extended lifetime of the magnetic recording head by providing accurate and consistent HMS control with reduced mechanical risk and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric actuator configured to displace one or more active components of the magnetic recording head in a manner that changes the head-media spacing (HMS)
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic recording head includes a piezoelectric actuator for controlling head-media spacing. A method for making the magnetic recording head including a piezoelectric actuator includes the steps of: providing a source wafer on which to fabricate the piezoelectric actuator; providing a target wafer; fabricating the piezoelectric actuator on the source wafer; releasing the piezoelectric actuator from the source wafer; and placing the piezoelectric actuator on the target wafer.