Magnetic Head Separator Fin Material for Slider Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hard disk drives, shock events can cause the top and bottom sliders to contact the separator fin, leading to debris deposits and contamination that may result in magnetic reader and writer head failures.

Innovation Solution

A ramp assembly with a fin constructed from a different material than the ramp body, such as polyetherimide (PEI) for the fin and polyoxymethylene (POM) for the ramp body, is used to protect the sliders from contact during shock events, minimizing material transfer and residue deposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separator fin is used to protect sliders from contact during shock events, then slider protection is improved, but particulate contamination and material transfer to sliders occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslider protectionVSAvoidparticulate contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the separator fin by selecting a material with lower hardness (e.g., durometer 60A-80A) compared to conventional materials. This parameter change allows the fin to deform and absorb impact energy during shock events, preventing material transfer to sliders while maintaining protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material construction where the separator fin is made from a elastomeric material such as polyetherimide (PEI) or polyoxymethylene (POM) with specific mechanical properties. This composite approach combines flexibility for shock absorption with durability for repeated use, resolving the contradiction between protection and contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the fin material is made harder to withstand shock events, then protection capability is improved, but material transfer and debris deposits increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock resistanceVSAvoidmaterial transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by reducing the hardness parameter of the fin material to 60A-80A durometer range. This softer material deforms elastically during shock events, absorbing impact energy without transferring material to sliders, thus achieving both shock resistance and contamination prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of material hardness into benefit by using a softer material that deforms to absorb shock energy. The fin's deformation during impact dissipates energy that would otherwise be transferred as material debris to the sliders, turning the material's softness into a protective mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS9196275B1Magnetic head separator fin material to prevent particulate contamination on slider

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An apparatus for a magnetic storage drive includes a magnetic head assembly having a first slider and a second slider arranged with a gap between the first and second sliders, the first slider comprising a first magnetic head and the second slider comprising a second magnetic head. The apparatus includes a ramp constructed of a first material, the ramp being configured to guide and hold the magnetic head assembly in place when parked; and a fin constructed of a second material different than the first material, the fin arranged with the ramp to protect the first slider from contacting the second slider when the magnetic head assembly is parked on the ramp.