Spring-Coupled Transducer for Stable Fly Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data storage devices, maintaining a constant head-to-media spacing (HMS) between the transducing head and the disc is challenging due to non-flat disc topography, leading to air bearing gap modulation and inaccurate reading/writing, especially as data storage density increases, requiring a solution that minimizes HMS modulation and reduces wear on the media.
Innovation Solution
A slider apparatus with a body and a transducer portion coupled by spring members, utilizing actuators for precise positioning and fly height control, allowing the transducer portion to adjust its position relative to the disc for stable tracking and reduced wear during reading and writing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the head-to-media spacing is reduced to increase data storage density, then the storage capacity increases, but the allowable HMS modulation decreases and tracking accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slider is segmented into a body portion and a separate transducer portion (head chip). The transducer portion is mounted on a compliant mounting structure with spring members that allow independent movement of the transducer relative to the slider body. This segmentation enables the transducer to follow disc topography variations while the slider body maintains stable flight, resolving the contradiction between reduced HMS for high density and tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure incorporates spring members that provide compliant, dynamic support for the transducer portion. This dynamic mounting allows the transducer to adaptively follow disc surface variations through elastic deformation of the springs, maintaining accurate tracking even at reduced HMS where allowable modulation is minimal.
2Manufacturing precision
If heaters or microactuators are used to control transducer position and maintain HMS, then tracking accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant mounting structure with spring members provides passive, self-adjusting support for the transducer portion. The spring-based mounting automatically adapts to disc topography variations through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for active heaters or microactuators. This self-service approach maintains HMS control precision while significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex active control systems (heaters, microactuators) with a simpler passive mechanical compliance system based on spring members. This mechanical substitution achieves HMS control through elastic deformation rather than active actuation, reducing device complexity while maintaining control precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the transducer portion is made heavier for stability, then positioning stability improves, but wear on the storage media increases during direct contact
Solution Approach 1:
The slider is divided into a heavier body portion and a lighter transducer portion (head chip). The spring members connect these portions, allowing the lightweight transducer to contact the media during recording while the heavier body provides overall stability. This segmentation reduces media wear from direct contact while maintaining positioning stability, as the light transducer portion can be easily actuated and the heavy body provides inertial stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the slider have different mass characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The body portion is heavier for stability, while the transducer portion is lightweight to minimize media wear during contact recording. The spring mounting structure locally connects these dissimilar mass portions, allowing each to perform its optimized function without compromising the other.
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 constant HMS, minimizing modulation and ensuring accurate data reading/writing while reducing wear on the storage media by using MEMS springs and actuators to control the transducer's position, thereby enhancing data storage density and device performance.
Implementation Method 1
The transducer portion is coupled to the body by a plurality of spring members extending from the transducer portion to the body
Implementation Method 2
Air bearing sliders have been extensively used in disc drives to appropriately position a transducing head above a rotating disc. During operation the disc rotates at high speeds, which produces air movement and generates a lift force directing the slider away from the disc
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a body having a first air bearing surface and defining an opening, and a transducer portion having a second air bearing surface and positioned within the opening and coupled to the body by a plurality of spring members extending from the transducer portion to the body.