Slider Induction Grooves for Disk Drive Contaminant Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic disk drives face issues with dust and contaminants entering the gap between the slider and disk due to high airflow rates, leading to potential damage and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of induction grooves on the slider's surface to guide airflow, reducing the amount of air delivered to the trailing step and head section, thereby minimizing the entry of dust and contaminants, and enhancing roll rigidity to maintain stable flying height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the airflow rate to the outflow pad is increased to improve flying height stability, then the roll rigidity is improved, but the possibility of dust and contaminants entering the gap between slider and disk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slider surface is segmented into multiple regions with different functions: a first region with a first surface slope for generating airflow and a second region with a second surface slope for controlling airflow direction. This segmentation allows the design to simultaneously achieve high roll rigidity through the first region while controlling contaminant entry through the second region's optimized slope.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the slider surface are given different local properties through varying surface slopes. The first region has a steeper slope to generate strong airflow for stability, while the second region has a gentler slope to control airflow and prevent contaminant penetration. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and contamination resistance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the surface slope of the slider is optimized to control airflow direction, then contaminant penetration is reduced, but the roll rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The slider surface is divided into a first region with a first surface slope optimized for airflow generation to ensure roll rigidity, and a second region with a second surface slope optimized for airflow direction control to prevent contaminant penetration. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The first region employs a steeper surface slope to maximize airflow generation and roll rigidity, while the second region uses a gentler surface slope to control airflow direction and minimize contaminant entry. This local quality differentiation enables simultaneous optimization for both roll rigidity and contaminant resistance.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of contaminant penetration, improves roll rigidity, and enhances the reliability and stability of the magnetic head, leading to improved performance and reduced error rates in disk drives.
Implementation Method 1
When the disk drive is actuated, airflow is produced between the rotating disk and slider
Implementation Method 2
the facing surface of the slider is subjected to a force (positive pressure) that causes the slider to fly above the recording surface of the disk, based on the principle of air lubrication
Implementation Method 3
induction grooves continuously extending from the leading pad to the side pads, individually, and serving to guide introduced airflow
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a facing surface of a slider of a head includes a leading step on an inflow side of the slider, a leading pad on the leading step, a pair of side steps extending in a first direction from the leading step toward an outflow end of the slider and opposed to each other across a space in a second direction, side pads provided on the side steps to be continuous with the side pads, individually, a trailing step located on an outflow side of the airflow and provided with a head section, and induction grooves continuously extending from the leading pad to the side pads, individually, and configured to guide introduced airflow.