Magnetic Head Slider Locking Apparatus with Multi-Directional Spring Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic head slider locking apparatuses face challenges in reducing costs, improving durability, and enhancing workability due to the need for high processing accuracy and durability issues with accordion-like spring portions, as well as requiring significant operation force for mounting and detaching the magnetic head slider.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic head slider locking apparatus with a flexure part that includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, and paired spring portions, where the movable portion is elastically deformed to sandwich the magnetic head slider, reducing the distance required for biasing region expansion and improving workability by combining movements in the suspension longitudinal and width directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If accordion-like spring portions are used to retain the magnetic head slider, then the slider can be detachably mounted, but the processing accuracy requirement increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion is divided into multiple segments (first spring portion and second spring portion) that can independently expand and contract. This segmentation allows each segment to handle part of the expansion distance, reducing the processing accuracy requirement for each individual segment while maintaining the overall detachable mounting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces movement in the suspension width direction in addition to the longitudinal direction. By combining width-direction movement with longitudinal expansion, the system achieves the required retention force with smaller longitudinal expansion distance, thereby reducing the processing accuracy requirement for the spring portions.
2Force
If accordion-like spring portions with many convex-concave sets are used, then sufficient biasing force is generated, but durability decreases due to local elastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion is segmented into multiple sections (first and second spring portions) with different expansion characteristics. This segmentation distributes the elastic deformation across multiple segments, reducing local stress concentration and improving durability while maintaining sufficient biasing force through the combined action of all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the spring portions by providing different expansion distances for the first and second spring portions. This parameter variation allows optimization of the biasing force distribution across segments, achieving sufficient total force while reducing local deformation magnitude in each segment, thereby improving durability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the proximal-side connection region is fixed to the flexure substrate, then the structure is stabilized, but the stroke in suspension longitudinal direction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic movement capability to the proximal-side connection region by providing movable jigs that can move in the suspension width direction. This dynamic feature allows the connection region to maintain stability during normal operation while enabling sufficient stroke during mounting and detaching operations through controlled movement in the width direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the stroke limitation by introducing movement in the suspension width direction. The movable jigs can move laterally to accommodate the expansion of the spring portions, thereby maintaining structural stability in the longitudinal direction while providing the necessary stroke through width-direction movement.
4Ease of operation
If the movable jig moves only in the suspension longitudinal direction, then the operation is simple, but significant operation force is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the required operation force by allowing the movable jig to move in the suspension width direction in addition to the longitudinal direction. By utilizing width-direction movement to assist the spring portion expansion, the system achieves easier operation with reduced force requirement compared to longitudinal movement alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic movement capability to the movable jig, allowing it to move in multiple directions (both longitudinal and width directions). This dynamic feature enables the jig to follow the expansion path of the spring portions more efficiently, reducing the operation force required while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive multi-directional movement.
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 apparatus achieves cost reduction, enhanced durability, and improved workability by securing a strong biasing force with a reduced operation force, allowing for efficient mounting and detaching of the magnetic head slider while maintaining a large stroke in the suspension longitudinal direction.
Implementation Method 1
The paired spring portions press the movable portion in such a way that the paired proximal-side engagement regions sandwich the magnetic head slider in cooperation with the distal-side engagement region
Data Source
AI summary
The magnetic head slider locking apparatus according to the present invention includes a fixed portion, a movable portion and paired right and left spring portions. Upon transition from an initial posture to an elastically deformed posture, the movable portion is wholly moved toward the proximal side in the suspension longitudinal direction and, at the same time, the inner end of each of paired proximal-side engagement regions in the suspension width direction is moved toward the inner side in the suspension width direction, so that the distal end and the proximal end of each of the proximal-side extending regions are moved toward the inner side and the outer side in the suspension width direction, respectively, while the proximal-side extending regions are wholly moved toward the proximal side in the suspension longitudinal direction.