JP3104664B2 - Contact magnetic disk drive - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic disk drive, and more particularly, to a contact type magnetic disk drive that performs recording and reproduction while relatively moving a magnetic head slider in contact with a magnetic disk medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of information storage files, various measures have been taken in recent years to increase the recording density in order to reduce the size and capacity of the entire apparatus. In such cases,
In the magnetic disk device, making the gap between the magnetic head for writing / reading information and the magnetic disk medium smaller is one of the important factors for increasing the recording density .

[0003] Then, was developed in response to such societal demands is a contact type magnetic disk unit (e.g., "H H amilton:. J ournal of M agnetic S ociety
of J apan, V ol. 15, S upplement No. S2 (19
91) 483 ", and Japanese Patent Application No. 5-508808 (Japanese Patent Application No. 5-814495). This contact type magnetic disk drive performs recording and reproduction while a magnetic head is in contact with and slides on the surface of a magnetic disk medium. A magnetic head slider mounted on the magnetic head reduces wear and tear of a contact pad and a magnetic disk medium. Therefore, the load for pressing the magnetic disk medium is set small.

On the other hand, in the case of a floating magnetic disk drive, a mechanism has been proposed in which the magnetic head slider is separated from the magnetic disk medium when the magnetic disk drive is stopped in order to ensure impact resistance (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. HEI 9-163442). 5-67379
Gazette, JP-A-4-36885, and JP-A-4-3
No. 58372, JP-A-4-188476).

[0005] Another method of securing impact resistance is as follows.
For example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-131836, when the magnetic head slider is unloaded (when the operation is stopped).
A method of providing a mechanism for fixing a magnetic head slider has been proposed. In this case, as a method of fixing the magnetic head slider, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-131836, fixing is performed by applying a load from above a load beam spring or a gimbal spring.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 , when unloading (when operation is stopped), the magnetic head slider 10
There is known a configuration in which the components 1, 102 are transported to the outer periphery of the magnetic disk 100 and are fixed by a slider fixing mechanism 110 mounted thereon.

In this case, the slider fixing mechanism 110 includes a leaf spring holder 111 arranged outside the outer periphery of the magnetic disk 100, and the slider spring holding member 111 extends along the both surfaces of the magnetic disk 100 from the leaf spring holder 111. Disc 1
One and the other leaf springs 112 and 113 are provided so as to protrude toward the center of rotation 00.

The leaf springs 112 and 113 are formed so that the center portions thereof protrude toward the magnetic disk 100 in an arc shape, and the above-described magnetic head sliders 101 and 102 are formed between the magnetic disk 100 and the leaf springs 112 and 113. It is easy to get in between.

Reference numerals 101A and 102A denote gimbal springs that hold the magnetic head sliders 101 and 102 and connect the magnetic head sliders 101 and 102 to a load beam spring (not shown). 9 and 10 show a state where the magnetic head sliders 101 and 102 are inserted between the magnetic disk 100 and the leaf springs 112 and 113 and are sandwiched.

[0010]

In the above-mentioned conventional contact type magnetic disk drive, when the magnetic head slider is separated from the magnetic disk medium, the magnetic head slider is not directly fixed, so that a large impact force is applied. There is a disadvantage that the gimbal spring supporting the magnetic head slider is deformed and recording and reproduction cannot be performed.

In the case of a method in which a load is applied from above the load beam spring or the gimbal spring to fix it, when a large impact force is applied to the contact type magnetic disk drive, the load beam spring or the gimbal spring is deformed. There is a disadvantage that recording and reproduction cannot be performed.

Further, since the magnetic head slider is fixed at one place such as the outer periphery of the magnetic disk medium, the rotation of the spindle motor is frequently stopped to reduce the power consumption. Has to be moved to a fixed location, which increases power consumption.

In portable computers and the like, low power consumption has been actively promoted for battery driving. When a magnetic disk has not been accessed for a certain period of time, the rotation of a spindle motor may be stopped. It was done. In this case, even if the rotation of the spindle motor is stopped, the magnetic head slider is not fixed, so that the magnetic disk medium is damaged or the magnetic head slider is deformed, which causes a problem in mechanical reliability.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and to fix and hold a magnetic head slider directly on a magnetic disk medium at an arbitrary position, whereby a large impact force is applied. Another object of the present invention is to provide a contact-type magnetic disk drive capable of quickly and effectively avoiding the occurrence of damage to the magnetic head slider and the magnetic disk medium and effectively reducing power consumption.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a magnetic disk medium for storing predetermined information and a magnetic head for writing or reading information to or from the magnetic disk medium are provided. A head slider that is mounted and moves relative to the magnetic disk medium while in contact with the information storage surface of the magnetic disk medium, and a support arm that holds the head slider via a gimbal spring and a load beam spring In the contact type magnetic disk drive having the structure, the support arm moves integrally with the support arm, and the head slider is directly fixed on the surface of the magnetic disk medium when the rotation of the magnetic disk medium is stopped. Equipped with a slider fixing mechanism ,
Piezoelectric element with slider fixing mechanism fixed to support arm
Connected to and biased by the piezoelectric element
To press the head slider against the magnetic disk medium.
The piezoelectric element is composed of a slider pressing mechanism
The support beam is fixedly mounted on the support arm via the base end of the beam spring .

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
The slider moves integrally on the magnetic disk medium together with the head slider, and when a seek operation is performed, the slider fixing mechanism also moves simultaneously and integrally. When the apparatus is stopped, the slider fixing mechanism directly fixes the head slider. As a result, the head slider can be stopped at an arbitrary position on the magnetic disk medium to fix the head slider, and the gimbal spring can be prevented from being deformed even when an impact force is applied to directly fix the head slider.

In addition, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element is
If you can operate the slider pressing mechanism just by operating
There are advantages.

Further, the piezoelectric element is connected to the base end of the load beam spring.
The head slider has a slight
It is possible to equip the slider pressing mechanism with a large weight increase
Noh.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned claim is provided.
1. The contact type magnetic disk drive according to item 1,
The pressure mechanism is disposed in parallel with the load beam spring.
A pressing arm, which is provided at the tip of the pressing arm,
A pressing member that presses the tip of the head slider
Is adopted.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention,
In addition to functioning equivalently to the above-described invention of claim 1,
Press the tip of the head slider securely with the lider pressing mechanism.
The advantage is that it can be pressed.

According to the third aspect of the invention, predetermined information is recorded.
The magnetic disk medium to remember and the magnetic disk medium
Equipped with a magnetic head for writing or reading information
And in contact with the information storage surface of the magnetic disk medium
A head that moves relatively to the magnetic disk medium
A gimbal spring and a slider.
And a support arm for holding through a beam spring.
In the contact type magnetic disk drive, the support arm
While moving integrally with the support arm,
When the body stops rotating,
A slider fixing mechanism that directly fixes the slider
Equipped, the slider locking mechanism, which is fixed to the support arm
Piezoelectric element and piezoelectric element connected to and connected to the piezoelectric element
The head slider is operated by being biased by the magnetic disk medium.
And a slider pressing mechanism that presses against
The pressing mechanism is arranged parallel to the load beam spring.
A pressing arm and a head mounted on the tip of the pressing arm.
Consists of a pressing member that presses the tip of the slider
And press the pressing member from the tip of the pressing arm to the head slide.
A method of adopting a cantilever structure protruding toward
Has been adopted.

Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention,
Moves over the magnetic disk medium integrally with the head slider.
Is moving, and the slider fixing mechanism
It is designed to move integrally and simultaneously. Also, stop the device
Sometimes the slider fixing mechanism directly fixes the head slider.
It has become so.

Thus, any arbitrary data on the magnetic disk medium
Stop at the position to fix the head slider.
Impact force to directly fix the head slider.
Even if it does, deformation of the gimbal spring can be prevented.

Further , the structure can be simplified and the heads
This should be relaxed even when pressing suddenly against the rider.
Can function as a sum.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned claim is provided.
In the contact magnetic disk device according to 1, 2, or 3,
The slider fixing mechanism applies a predetermined operating voltage to the piezoelectric element.
When the voltage is applied, the slider pressing mechanism section is
It is configured to move away from the rider
Measures are taken.

Therefore, in the invention according to claim 4,
It functions in the same way as the above-mentioned invention of claim 1, 2, or 3.
In addition to this, power consumption is particularly high
The head slider is always held without
As a result, it is possible to make sure
The advantage is that it can be equipped with a lidar fixing mechanism.
You.

[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
It will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a magnetic disk medium for storing predetermined information, and reference numeral 2 indicates a head slider.

The head slider 2 is provided with a magnetic head 2A for writing or reading information to or from the magnetic disk medium 1, and is mounted on the magnetic disk medium 1 in a state in which it is in contact with the information storage surface of the magnetic disk medium 1. It is configured to move relatively. The head slider 2 is held by a support arm 5 via a gimbal spring 3 and a load beam spring 4.

Here, reference numeral 6 denotes a pivot. The pivot 6 protrudes from a predetermined position at the tip end of the load beam spring 4 toward the gimbal spring 3, and prevents the gimbal spring 3 from bending more than necessary to the load beam spring 4 due to vibration or the like. . Reference numeral 7 denotes a contact pad.
The contact pads 7 are provided at two positions, that is, a front end portion and a rear end portion of the surface where the head slider 2 contacts the magnetic disk medium 1.

Further, the head slider 2 moves integrally with the support arm 5 and directly fixes the head slider 2 on the surface of the magnetic disk medium 1 when the rotation of the disk medium 1 is stopped. A slider fixing mechanism 10 having a structure as shown in FIG.

The slider fixing mechanism 10 includes a piezoelectric element 11 fixed to the support arm 5 and a head slider 2 connected to the piezoelectric element 11 and operated by being urged by the piezoelectric element 11 to magnetically move the head slider 2. The slider press mechanism 12 presses the disk medium 1.

The slider pressing mechanism 12 includes a pressing arm 12 disposed in parallel with the load beam spring 4 described above.
A and a pressing member 12B mounted on the distal end of the pressing arm 12A and pressing the distal end of the head slider 2. The piezoelectric element 11 is fixedly mounted on the support arm 5 via the base end of the load beam spring 4. The pressing member 12B has a cantilever structure projecting from the distal end of the pressing arm 12A toward the head slider 2, and is held integrally with the pressing arm 12A.

Further, the slider fixing mechanism 10 described above
When the entire apparatus is in an operation stop state, the slider pressing mechanism section 12 is configured to constantly press the head slider 2 toward the magnetic disk medium 1. When a predetermined operating voltage is applied to the above-described piezoelectric element 11, the piezoelectric element 11 is immediately activated to function to move the above-described slider pressing mechanism 12 in a direction away from the head slider 2.

Here, the above-described magnetic disk medium 1 will be described. 1 shows a basic configuration of the contact magnetic disk device shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the magnetic disk medium 1 has a substrate 30, an underlayer 31, a magnetic film 32, and a protective film 33 which are sequentially laminated on the substrate 30, and a lubricating material is provided on the protective film 33. It has a structure to which an agent 34 is attached. As the substrate 30, for example, a diameter of 63.5 [m
m], and a glass having a thickness of 0.3 [mm] is used.

Here, the underlayer 31 is formed by depositing Cr (chrome) to a thickness of 100 [nm] by a sputtering method. The magnetic film 32 is formed by depositing CoCrTaPt to a thickness of 30 [nm] by a sputtering method. The protective film 33 is formed by depositing diamond-like carbon to a thickness of 5 [nm] by a sputtering method. Further, the lubricant 34 is formed by forming a film of perfluoropolyether to a thickness of 5 [nm] by a dipping method.

The head slider 2 has a width of 1 [m
m], length 1.2 [mm], and thickness 0.3 [mm]
Al ₂ O ₃ —TiC is used. As the magnetic head (magnetic recording / reproducing element) 2A, a thin film head using a NiFe alloy thin film as a yoke material is used.

The gimbal spring 3 has a length of 2 mm and a width of 1 mm.
[Mm], stainless steel having a thickness of 0.01 [mm] is used, and is bonded to the load beam spring 4 as described above. Further, the load beam spring 4 described above has a length of 10 mm.
[Mm], width 1.2 [mm] and thickness 0.05 [mm]
Stainless steel is used. The total load when the head slider 2 is pressed against the magnetic disk medium 1 by the load beam spring 4 is set to 200 [mgf] in the present embodiment.

The support arm 5 has a length of 15 [m
m], a stainless steel having a width of 3 mm and a thickness of 1 mm. The pivot 6 illustrates the load beam spring 4.
1 is formed by pressing a corresponding portion from the upper side in a spot-like manner, and may have a triangular pyramid shape or a hemispherical shape as shown in FIG. Actually, diameter 0.2 [mm], height 0.1
[Mm] spherical projections are provided. The contact pad 7 is formed by depositing diamond-like carbon 4 [μm] on an Al ₂ O ₃ -TiC substrate by a chemical vapor deposition method, and then forming the same to a diameter of 30 [μm] by milling with argon ions. Using.

Further, the slider fixing mechanism 10 has a length of 1.
2 [mm], width 0.5 [mm] and thickness 0.5 [m
m] stainless steel, length 1 [mm], width 0.1
[Mm] and a stainless steel having a thickness of 0.5 [mm] are adhered to the piezoelectric element 11.

The piezoelectric element 11 includes a load beam spring 4
And is fixed to the support arm 5 through the piezoelectric element 11.
When an operating voltage of, for example, 3 [V] is applied to the head slider 2, the slider fixing mechanism 10 shown in FIG.

When no voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 11, the slider fixing mechanism 10 is configured to fix the head slider 2 as shown in FIG. In this case, the pressing load applied to the head slider 2 by the slider fixing mechanism 10 is 10
It is set to about [gf].

The substrate 30, the underlayer 31, the magnetic film 3
2, protective film 33, lubricant 34, magnetic head slider 2,
The materials and forming methods of the magnetic recording / reproducing element 2A, gimbal spring 3, load beam spring 4, slider fixing mechanism 10, support arm 5, and contact pad 7 are not particularly limited to those described above.

[0043]

EXAMPLES Next, both will be described as Comparative Example Experimental Examples as Examples. In general, the group of the first to seventh embodiments and the eighth embodiment will be described separately.

[Embodiments 1 to 7] Using the contact type magnetic disk device shown in FIG. 1, the head slider 2 is rotated by a radius 25 of the magnetic disk medium (diameter 63.5 [mm]) 1 whose rotation is stopped. [Mm], and various impact forces were applied to the magnetic disk drive in a state where no voltage was applied to the piezoelectric element 11.

In this case, since no voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 11, the head slider 2 is
Fixed by 0. Further, the impact force applied to the magnetic disk device is 10 G to 1000 G as shown in FIG.
The operation of applying an impact force to the contact magnetic disk device was performed 100 times.

Thereafter, the presence of damage was examined by observing the magnetic disk medium with an atomic force microscope. The test results are shown in the table of FIG. At the same time, the presence or absence of deformation of the gimbal spring 3 was also observed with an optical microscope. The results are also shown in the chart of FIG.

(Comparative Examples 1 to 7) Next, in order to compare the above-described Examples 1 to 7 with the prior art, a conventional contact-type magnetic disk device shown in FIG. The same tests as in Examples 1 to 7 were performed with the head slider fixed using a contact-type magnetic disk device of the type pressed from above. The result is shown in FIG .

[0048] EXAMPLE 8 Next, using a contact type magnetic disk device shown in FIG. 1, is set in contact with the magnetic disk medium 1 that rotates at min 5400 rotates the head slider 2 slides Moved.

Regarding the data access of the magnetic disk device, the time of one data access was fixed at 1 second, the gap of the data access was changed, and a random number of 0.01 second to 1 hour was used. When data access is not performed, the head slider 2 is kept in the same position as the magnetic disk medium 1.
Was stopped, and the head slider 2 was fixed by the slider fixing mechanism 10. An impact force of 50 G was applied to the contact magnetic disk device every minute.

The above test was performed continuously for 1000 hours, and the average power consumption and the presence or absence of damage to the magnetic disk medium 1 after the test were measured by an atomic force microscope. The test results are shown in FIG . Comparative Example 8 Next, in order to compare Example 8 with the related art,
Using the conventional contact magnetic disk device shown in FIG. 7 (contact magnetic disk device in which the slider fixing mechanism presses from above the gimbal spring), the same test as in Examples 1 to 7 was performed with the head slider fixed. Was done. The result
As shown in FIG .

Here, in this comparative example, when data access is not performed, the head slider 2 is moved to a position where it can be fixed and then fixed. FIG. 6 shows the result.

(Comparative Example 9) Further, in order to compare Example 8 according to the present embodiment with the prior art, a conventional contact magnetic disk device not employing the concept of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. Embodiment 8 which does not have the slider fixing mechanism 10
A test was carried out under the same conditions as in Example 8 using the same contact type magnetic disk device as in Example 1. The result is shown in FIG.
Shown in

[Consideration of Examples 1 to 8] Experimental results of Examples 1 to 8 of FIGS. 5 and 6 and Comparative Example 1
With reference to the experimental results of Nos. To 9, the following considerations can be made.

First to Seventh Embodiments and First Embodiment
Referring to the test results (Comparative Example 7 to Comparative Example 7) (FIG. 5), when a load is applied from above the gimbal spring 101A (or 102A) as a mechanism for fixing the head slider 2, if the impact force is 20 G or more, the gimbal When the spring 3 is deformed and the impact force is 100 G or more, damage to the magnetic disk medium is also observed.

In contrast, in the embodiment according to the present invention, there is no deformation of the gimbal spring 3 and no damage to the magnetic disk medium 1 even when the impact force is 1000 G.

That is, as a method for fixing the head slider 2, instead of applying a load from above the gimbal spring 3,
It has been experimentally found that directly fixing the head slider 2 has an effect of providing a highly reliable contact type magnetic disk device.

Referring to the test results of the eighth embodiment, the eighth comparative example, and the ninth comparative example (FIG. 6), when the slider fixing mechanism 10 is at a fixed position on the magnetic disk medium 1, the magnetic disk It can be seen that the power consumption is required to be twice or more as compared with the case where it can be fixed at an arbitrary position on the medium 1.

Even when the head slider 2 is stopped at an arbitrary position on the magnetic disk medium 1, if the head slider 2 is not fixed, the magnetic disk medium 1
Damage will occur on top.

That is, when the rotation of the magnetic disk medium 1 is stopped, the place where the head slider 2 is fixed is the magnetic disk medium 1.
By being performed at any of the above locations, it is possible to provide a contact type magnetic disk device that is highly reliable and consumes low power.

From the considerations described above and above, the contact type magnetic disk device of the present invention provides a contact type magnetic disk device having lower power consumption and higher shock resistance than the conventional contact type magnetic disk device. it can.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the head slider is moved together with the head slider to fix the head slider directly on the magnetic disk medium, when a relatively large impact force is applied from the outside, the rotation of the magnetic disk medium is stopped. At the same time, the head slider can be immediately held on the spot, so that the occurrence of a damage accident of the head slider and the magnetic disk medium can be effectively prevented, and in this respect, the reliability of the entire apparatus can be improved. Also, during a normal stop operation, the head slider is stopped immediately on the data track existing at the same time as the rotation of the spindle motor is stopped, so that the head slider moves to the outer peripheral portion of the magnetic disk medium as in the conventional case. No labor is required, and power consumption can be reliably reduced. According to, it is possible to provide a contact type magnetic disk device of high reliability and low power consumption.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state before an operation of a slider fixing mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state after an operation of the slider fixing mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a head slider part in FIG. 3;

5 is a table showing the results of a comparative experiment of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1 with a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is a table showing another experimental result of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional example.

8 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the head slider in FIG. 7 and one and the other leaf springs holding the head slider.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the conventional example in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a head slider part of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic disk medium 2 Head slider 2A Magnetic head 3 Gimbal spring 4 Load beam spring 5 Support arm 10 Slider fixing mechanism 11 Piezoelectric element 12 Slider pressing part 12A Pressing arm 12B Pressing member

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A magnetic disk medium for storing predetermined information, and a magnetic head for writing or reading information to or from the magnetic disk medium, the magnetic head being provided in contact with the information storage surface of the magnetic disk medium. A contact-type magnetic disk device comprising: a head slider that moves relatively to a magnetic disk medium; and a support arm that holds the head slider via a gimbal spring and a load beam spring. while moving arm integrally with, equipped with a slider locking mechanism structure for fixing the head slider directly during rotation stops on the surface of the magnetic disk medium of the magnetic disk medium, said slider fixing mechanism, said support arm Fixed to
Piezoelectric element and piezoelectric element connected to and connected to the piezoelectric element
The head slider is operated by being biased by the magnetic disk.
And a slider pressing mechanism for pressing against the medium, wherein the piezoelectric element is connected to the load beam spring via a base end thereof.
A contact-type magnetic disk drive fixedly mounted on said support arm . 2. The method according to claim 2, wherein the slider pressing mechanism is mounted on the load.
A pressing arm arranged in parallel with the beam spring,
The tip of the head slider mounted on the tip of the arm
2. The contact type magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein the contact type magnetic disk drive is constituted by a pressing member for pressing the magnetic disk. 3. A magnetic disk medium for storing predetermined information.
And write or read information to or from this magnetic disk medium.
A magnetic head for carrying out the
The magnetic disk medium in contact with the information storage surface of the body.
A head slider that moves relative to the body,
Slider through a gimbal spring and load beam spring
Contact type magnetic disk provided with a support arm for holding by holding
In the apparatus, the support arm moves integrally with the support arm
When the rotation of the magnetic disk medium is stopped,
It is directly fixed to the head slider on the surface of the disk medium
The slider fixing mechanism is fixed to the support arm.
Piezoelectric element and piezoelectric element connected to and connected to the piezoelectric element
The head slider is operated by being biased by the magnetic disk.
A slider pressing mechanism for pressing against the medium, wherein the slider pressing mechanism is flat on the load beam spring.
Pressing arm arranged in a row and the tip of this pressing arm
Pressing to press the tip of the head slider
And the pressing member is configured to move the pressing member from the distal end of the pressing arm to the head.
A cantilever structure projecting toward the slider
A contact type magnetic disk device characterized by the above-mentioned . 4. The piezoelectric device according to claim 1, wherein the slider fixing mechanism includes a piezoelectric element.
When a predetermined operating voltage is applied to the slider pressing machine
The structure moves in the direction away from the head slider.
Claim 1 or 2 characterized by being constituted as follows.
3. The contact magnetic disk device according to 3.