Transducing Head Thermal Management via Push Block Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transducing heads face a tradeoff between achieving high stroke efficiency and actuation performance while maintaining low transducer operating temperatures, as increased heating for stroke promotion can jeopardize transducer thermal integrity, and cooling structures often limit actuation performance.
Innovation Solution
The transducing head design includes a heater element positioned behind a bottom shield, a heat transfer block, and a push block assembly with a first and second portion, where the second portion is flared and overlaps the heater element, allowing for thermal expansion-driven mechanical actuation without excessive heat transmission to the read element, thereby controlling transducer-to-medium spacing effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heating is increased to promote stroke and improve actuation performance, then stroke efficiency is improved, but transducer thermal integrity deteriorates due to excessive heat transmission
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal management structure comprising a heat transfer block and push block assembly is introduced as an intermediary between the heater element and the reader element. The heat transfer block receives heat from the heater and transfers it to the push block assembly, which then transmits thermal energy to the reader shield and surrounding structures to induce stroke while protecting the reader element from excessive heat. This intermediary system enables decoupling of the heating function from the reader element thermal load.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management structure implements local quality by creating different thermal zones within the transducing head. The heat transfer block and push block assembly are positioned to receive concentrated heat from the heater element, while the reader element remains in a cooler zone protected by the bottom shield and bottom reader shield. This spatial differentiation of thermal properties allows localized heating for stroke promotion without compromising overall reader element thermal integrity.
2Temperature
If cooling structures are added to maintain low transducer temperatures, then transducer thermal integrity is improved, but actuation performance deteriorates due to limited stroke efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using traditional cooling structures that would interfere with heating, the patent employs a push block assembly as a thermal intermediary that actively participates in the stroke generation process. The push block assembly, positioned between the heat transfer block and the reader shield, serves as a thermal conduit that directs heat-induced expansion toward generating stroke while shielding the reader element from excessive thermal load, thereby maintaining both actuation performance and thermal integrity.
3Productivity
If the heater element is positioned closer to the reader element to improve heating efficiency, then stroke efficiency is improved, but heat transmission to the reader element increases causing thermal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management structure with the heat transfer block and push block assembly serves as a controlled thermal intermediary between the heater element and the reader element. This intermediary system allows the heater to be positioned in close proximity to the reader for efficient heating while the bottom shield, bottom reader shield, and push block assembly collectively manage heat flow to prevent excessive thermal transmission to the reader element, thereby decoupling heating efficiency from harmful heat exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating distinct thermal management zones: a high-heat zone around the heater element and heat transfer block, a transition zone with the push block assembly and shields, and a protected low-heat zone around the reader element. This spatial differentiation enables localized efficient heating while maintaining reader element thermal protection through strategically positioned thermal barriers and conduits.
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 design enhances stroke efficiency by 7-14% while maintaining lower reader element temperatures, improving transducer positioning and reducing the risk of damage from asperities or particles on the storage medium.
Implementation Method 1
applying a current to a heater element to generate heat
Implementation Method 2
thermal expansion resulting from the heat absorbed from the heater element
Implementation Method 3
cooling the heater element with a heater block positioned below the heater element
Data Source
AI summary
A transducing head having a media-facing surface includes a transducer element, a bottom shield positioned below the transducer element, a heater element positioned below the bottom shield, a heat transfer block positioned below the heater element, and a push block assembly. A first portion of the push block assembly is positioned below a bottom edge of the bottom shield, and a second portion of the push block assembly is located behind the bottom shield relative to the media-facing surface of the transducing head and extends above the bottom edge of the bottom shield, with the first and second portions of the push block assembly spaced from each other. The second portion of the push block assembly overlaps the heater element, and the heater element is positioned between the heat transfer block and at least the second portion of the push block assembly.