Slider Heating Element Spacing for Fly Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high areal density data storage systems, the increasing proximity of transducer pole tips to the storage medium leads to undesirable contact, and the use of writer heaters results in reduced reliability due to heat transfer affecting the read element.
Innovation Solution
A transducing device with a heating element spaced apart from the transducing element to control the slider's fly height, preventing head-to-medium contact by generating a secondary lift when energized, thereby maintaining a reliable read process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a writer heater is placed in the write element to generate active control of pole tip protrusion, then write efficiency is improved, but the reader element temperature increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating function into two separate heating elements: a first heating element associated with the write element for controlling pole tip protrusion, and a second heating element associated with the read element for controlling fly height. This segmentation allows independent thermal management of write and read functions, preventing heat from the writer heater from affecting the reader element's reliability while maintaining write efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If passive head-to-medium spacing is decreased to increase areal density, then storage capacity is improved, but the head comes into contact with the medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thermal expansion by applying heat to the read element through the second heating element to increase the fly height. This parameter change in the physical dimension (fly height) of the read element prevents head-to-medium contact while maintaining the desired small passive spacing for high areal density storage.
3Ease of operation
If the writer heater transfers significant heat to the reader element, then pole tip protrusion control is improved, but the reader element becomes less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate second heating element as an intermediary thermal management device specifically for the read element. This mediator allows independent temperature control of the read element without being affected by the writer heater's heat transfer, thus maintaining reliable read operations while preserving pole tip protrusion control through the first heating element.
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 solution effectively maintains a consistent and efficient write process while preventing pole tip contact with the medium, enhancing the reliability of the transducing device by controlling the fly height and reducing heat transfer to the read element.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one heating element is spaced a sufficient distance from the transducing element to substantially reduce a temperature effect on the transducing element
Implementation Method 2
As the disc rotates, the disc drags air under the slider along the air bearing surface, which creates a hydrodynamic lifting force that causes the slider to lift and fly above the disc surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a transducing device. The transducing device includes a transducing element having a read element and a write element. The transducing device further includes at least one heating element formed within the transducing device and spaced apart from the heating element a sufficient distance to keep the at least one heating element from influencing a temperature of the transducing element.