Segmented Front Bar Slider for Helium Particle Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data storage devices operating in lower-pressure helium environments face challenges with particle scratches and contamination on the air-bearing surface, leading to potential damage to the recording medium and data loss due to reduced particle mobility and pressure gradient.
Innovation Solution
A slider design with a segmented front bar and recessed portions at multiple levels, including a shallow-etch surface and cavities, is used to block particles while maintaining airflow and dynamic performance, fabricated using a method involving masks and ion milling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If data storage devices operate in helium atmosphere to reduce friction and power consumption, then friction and power consumption are reduced, but particle mobility decreases leading to increased particle scratches and contamination on the air-bearing surface
Solution Approach 1:
The front bar is divided into multiple segments with recessed portions at different levels, creating a multi-level structure that selectively blocks particles while maintaining airflow pathways. This segmentation allows the structure to perform multiple functions: blocking hard particles at higher levels and soft particles at lower levels, while preserving necessary air flow for bearing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the front bar structure have different depths and configurations tailored to specific particle types and flow requirements. The recessed portions at various levels provide localized protection zones for different particle sizes and densities, while maintaining optimal air flow characteristics in specific regions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a solid barrier is used to block particles on the air-bearing surface, then particle scratches are reduced, but airflow and dynamic performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a continuous solid barrier, the front bar is segmented into multiple sections with controlled recesses. This allows particles to be blocked in specific zones while air flow continues through and around the segmented structure, maintaining dynamic performance while providing particle protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed portions extend only partially through the front bar thickness, providing just enough blocking action for particles of specific sizes while allowing sufficient air flow through the structure. This partial action avoids the excessive blocking that would occur with a complete solid barrier.
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 segmented front bar design significantly reduces the probability of recording medium scratches by over 50% for hard particles and 75% for soft particles, while maintaining or improving dynamic performance by reducing vibrations and oscillations.
Implementation Method 1
The slider rides on a cushion or bearing of air or gas created above the surface of the medium as the disk rotates at its operating speed. The ABS is designed to generate an air-bearing force that counteracts a preload bias that pushes the slider toward the medium.
Implementation Method 2
fabricated using a method involving masks and ion milling processes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are sliders with segmented front bars, methods of manufacturing them, and data storage devices comprising them. In some embodiments, a slider comprises a segmented front bar, a leading pad, a shallow-edge surface, and a cavity. The segmented front bar includes a plurality of slots situated substantially perpendicular to the leading-edge surface of the slider. The leading pad is situated between the leading-edge surface of the slider and a trailing edge of the slider and is recessed from the segmented front bar. The cavity abuts the segmented front bar and is situated between the segmented front bar and the leading pad. The shallow-etch surface is situated between the cavity and the leading pad. A maximum depth of the plurality of slots relative to a non-recessed surface of the segmented front bar is less than a depth of the cavity relative to the non-recessed surface of the segmented front bar.