Write Pole Box Shield with Multi-Layer Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high data bit density data storage environments, existing magnetic shield configurations face challenges in maintaining magnetic performance while accommodating smaller form factors and increased data access reliability, as they often compromise magnetic field gradient and flexibility due to complex construction and plating processes.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic element with a write pole enclosed within a multi-layer gap structure comprising dissimilar materials, allowing for physical and magnetic isolation, and enabling milling instead of plating, which simplifies manufacturing and enhances magnetic performance by using a non-magnetic gap layer and a mill stop layer to shape the write pole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex plating processes are used for magnetic shield construction, then magnetic shielding performance can be maintained, but manufacturing complexity and process difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the plating process (electrochemical/mechanical system) with a milling process (mechanical removal system). The non-magnetic gap layer serves as a mill stop layer that allows precise milling of the write pole shape without requiring complex plating processes. This substitution simplifies manufacturing while maintaining magnetic shielding performance through the box shield structure.
2Productivity
If smaller form factor components are used for high data bit density storage, then data storage capacity increases, but magnetic field gradient and magnetic performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform magnetic field distribution through the shaped write pole. The mill stop layer enables precise control of the write pole geometry, allowing different regions of the write pole to have optimized shapes for generating high magnetic field gradient locally, even in smaller form factors. The box shield structure also provides localized magnetic shielding where needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If robust magnetic shielding is implemented, then adjacent track interference is reduced, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gap structure into multiple layers: a non-magnetic gap layer and a mill stop layer. This segmentation allows the non-magnetic gap layer to provide magnetic shielding isolation between the write pole and box shield, while the mill stop layer enables simplified milling manufacturing. The segmented structure achieves robust magnetic shielding without requiring complex integrated manufacturing processes.
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 configuration provides robust magnetic shielding with high write field gradient and reduced adjacent track interference, enabling reliable data storage in densely packed data tracks without compromising magnetic performance, and simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing milling of intricate shapes.
Implementation Method 1
The write pole can be separated from the box shield by a multi-layer gap structure that consists of at least two gap layers of dissimilar materials
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic element may be generally configured as a data writer constructed at least with a write pole within a box shield that consists of first and second side shields and first and second vertical shields. The write pole may be separated from the box shield by a multi-layer gap structure that consists of at least two gap layers of dissimilar materials.