Magnetic Head Slider Cleaning via Oscillating Brush and Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard disc drive cleaning processes often fail to completely remove contaminants from magnetic head sliders, leading to reliability issues due to residual debris.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an oscillating brush with an aqueous solution containing a surfactant to dislodge and envelop particulate debris, creating foam that isolates and transports the debris away from the slider surface, ensuring thorough cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cleaning methods (washing with cleaning solution, rinsing, drying) are used, then the cleaning process is simple and quick, but contaminants are not completely removed from the magnetic head slider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ultrasonic vibration to agitate the cleaning solution, creating cavitation bubbles that physically impact and remove contaminants from the magnetic head slider surface. The ultrasonic wave generator produces high-frequency vibrations that enhance the cleaning effectiveness without requiring complex mechanical brushing or manual intervention, thus improving reliability while maintaining process simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of the cleaning solution from liquid to gas (cavitation bubbles) and back to liquid during the ultrasonic cleaning process. The ultrasonic waves create microscopic bubbles that rapidly form and collapse, generating localized high-pressure zones that dislodge contaminants. This phase transition mechanism enables thorough contaminant removal without adding complex equipment.
2Reliability
If thorough cleaning is performed to remove all contaminants, then reliability improves, but cleaning time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Ultrasonic vibration enables rapid contaminant removal through cavitation, achieving thorough cleaning in a matter of minutes rather than hours. The high-frequency mechanical vibrations create intense localized cleaning action that quickly dislodges and removes contaminants, significantly reducing cleaning cycle time while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the hydraulic action of ultrasonic waves propagating through the cleaning solution to transmit energy to the slider surface. The ultrasonic cavitation creates micro-jets and shock waves in the liquid that efficiently remove contaminants, achieving rapid and thorough cleaning without extending the process duration.
3Reliability
If cleaning solutions are used to remove contaminants, then contaminant removal is effective, but residual cleaning solution may remain on the slider
Solution Approach 1:
Ultrasonic vibration during and after the cleaning process helps evaporate and remove residual cleaning solution from the slider surface. The continuous ultrasonic agitation prevents liquid pooling and accelerates evaporation, reducing residues that could interfere with slider operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical drying methods (such as air blowing or contact drying) with ultrasonic field-based liquid removal. The ultrasonic waves create cavitation and micro-streaming that actively expel residual liquid from the slider surface without mechanical contact, minimizing residue and avoiding contamination from drying materials.
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 method effectively removes particulate debris from all levels of the magnetic slider surface, preventing redeposition and enhancing the reliability of hard disc drives by ensuring high cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
creating foam that isolates and transports the debris away from the slider surface
Implementation Method 2
an aqueous solution containing a surfactant to dislodge and envelop particulate debris
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cleaning magnetic sliders. One embodiment of the method includes dislodging particulate debris from a surface of a magnetic slider by contacting the surface of the slider with an oscillating brush, enveloping the dislodged particulate debris in a foam, and removing the enveloped particulate debris by removing the foam from the magnetic slider.