JP2003115179A - Head slider, head support device and recording/ reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve shock resistance when a head slider is affected by inertia force due to external shock, etc., even when mounted on a disk drive with low flying height, a low rotating speed and high density. SOLUTION: When the inertia force acts, film rigidity of an air spring layer at an upstream side position away from a position with inertia force acting in the direction of an air inflow end by a distance L1 and at a downstream side position away from the position with the inertia force acting in the direction of an air outflow end by a distance L2 is defined as Kl and Kt respectively, vertical flying height from the recording medium at the downstream side position is defined as Xh, and an angle made between an air-lubrication surface and the recording medium when the head slider 20 stably flies is defined as θp, the following relation is maintained: ((L1+L2)tanθp/Xh)<=((KtL2/KlL 1)-1)<((L1+L2)/Lt).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a head slider, a head support device, and a recording / reproducing device equipped with an information conversion element for recording / reproducing a signal on / from a recording medium by utilizing the action of magnetism, light, magneto-optical properties and the like. Regarding the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a disk type recording / reproducing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a disk device) for recording / reproducing a disk-shaped recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a disk) such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. Technological progress has been remarkable, not only in conventional computer mounting,
For example, the application is expanding to mobile such as mounting on a portable small electronic device.

For this reason, in recent disk devices, particularly magnetic disk devices, even higher density recording and shock resistance capable of stable recording and reproduction without damage to the disk or head slider even when subjected to disturbance such as shock. In addition, it is required to be compact and capable of being mounted on a portable small electronic device.

Among them, the issue of impact resistance is that, when an external impact such as a disturbance is applied, the head slider collides with or comes into contact with the disk, and the head slider and the recording layer of the disk are worn or damaged. This may result in data destruction or device damage.

In order to solve this problem, various techniques have been proposed for realizing the vibration isolation of the head slider,
Many have been proposed as desirable air-lubricated surface shapes for head sliders.

[0006]

However, the conventional techniques have been studied for vibration proofness, and have not been examined for a structure that can effectively withstand an impact applied from the outside. .

Further, in a disk device mounted in a portable small electronic device, the gap between the head slider and the disk, that is, the so-called flying height is reduced to several tens (nm) in order to increase the recording density. Further, in consideration of mobile applications, it has been attempted to reduce the disk rotation speed to reduce the power consumption of the motor, which reduces the flow velocity of the air flow flowing into the air lubrication surface of the head slider.

Therefore, in the conventional technique as described above,
When an externally applied impact acts on the head slider to generate an inertial force, the position of the head slider is changed, and the possibility that the head slider collides with the disk becomes extremely large.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention can be mounted on a high density disk device having a low flying height and a low rotation speed.
Provided are a head slider having high impact resistance, which is free from the above-mentioned collision even when an inertial force acts on the head slider due to an external impact, and a head support device and a recording / reproducing device using the same. The purpose is to

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, the head slider of the present invention has a distance from the position where the inertial force acts on the head slider toward the air inflow end when the inertial force acts. Upstream position away from L1, and
The film rigidity of the air spring layer formed between the head slider and the recording medium at the downstream position that is a distance L2 away from the position where the inertial force acts in the air outflow end direction is K, respectively.
Let l and Kt be the vertical flying height from the recording medium at the downstream position be Xh, and θp be the angle between the surface of the head slider facing the recording medium and the recording medium during stable flying of the head slider. Then, ((L1 + L2) tan θp / Xh) ≦ ((KtL2 /
It is characterized by satisfying the relationship of KlL1) -1).

With such a structure of the head slider, when an inertial force such as an impact from the outside is applied, the head slider rotates in the pitch direction while the air-lubricated surface and the medium surface of the head slider move. The air layer between them acts as an air spring, so that the head slider is less likely to collide with the medium and excellent in impact resistance.

When the distance in the direction parallel to the recording medium between the downstream position and the downstream end of the surface of the head slider that should face the recording medium is Lt, ((KtL2 / KlL1) -1) < ((L1 + L2) /
By satisfying the relationship of (Lt), it is possible to prevent excessive rotation in the pitch direction and the formation of an air spring between the air-lubricated surface of the head slider and the medium surface, resulting in more effective impact resistance. An excellent head slider can be obtained.

Further, in the head slider of the present invention, when the inertial force acts, the upstream side position, which is a distance L1 away from the position where the inertial force acts on the head slider in the air inflow end direction, and the inertial force is When the film rigidity of the air spring layer formed between the head slider and the recording medium at the downstream side position away from the acting position by the distance L2 in the air outflow end direction is Kl and Kt, respectively, 2.5 ≦ It is characterized by satisfying the relationship of (KtL2 / KlL1) <11.0.

By using the head slider having such a structure, it is possible to obtain a head slider having excellent impact resistance.

Further, in the head slider of the present invention, when the inertial force acts, the upstream side position, which is a distance L1 away from the position where the inertial force acts on the head slider in the air inflow end direction, and the inertial force is Displacement amounts in the vertical direction to the recording medium at the downstream side position away from the acting position by the distance L2 in the air outflow end direction are Xl and Xt, respectively, and a vertical flying amount from the recording medium at the downstream side position is Xh. When the angle formed by the surface of the head slider facing the recording medium and the recording medium during the stable flying of the head slider is θp, ((L1 + L2) tan θp / Xh) ≦ ((XLL2 /
XtL1) -1) is satisfied.

With such a structure of the head slider, when an inertial force such as an impact from the outside is applied, the head slider rotates in the pitch direction and the air-lubricated surface and the medium surface of the head slider move. The air layer between them acts as an air spring, so that the head slider is less likely to collide with the medium and excellent in impact resistance.

Further, when the distance in the direction parallel to the recording medium between the downstream position and the downstream end of the surface of the head slider that should face the recording medium is Lt, ((X1L2 / XtL1) -1) < ((L1 + L2) /
By satisfying the relationship of (Lt), it is possible to prevent excessive rotation in the pitch direction and the formation of an air spring between the air-lubricated surface of the head slider and the medium surface, resulting in more effective impact resistance. An excellent head slider can be obtained.

Further, in the head slider of the present invention, when the inertial force acts, the upstream side position which is a distance L1 away from the position where the inertial force acts on the head slider in the air inflow end direction and the inertial force is When the displacements in the vertical direction to the recording medium at the downstream position away from the acting position by the distance L2 in the air outflow end direction are Xl and Xt, respectively, 2.5 ≦ (XlL2 / XtL1) <11.0 It is characterized by satisfying relationships.

By using the head slider having such a structure, it is possible to obtain a head slider having excellent impact resistance.

Further, instead of the air spring layer, a lubricating layer formed between the head slider and the surface of the recording medium is used.
A desired membrane rigidity or displacement amount may be realized.

Further, the recording medium is a disk-shaped medium,
By satisfying a desired relationship on the innermost side of the disk-shaped medium where the relative speed between the disk-shaped medium and the head slider is minimized, the impact resistance of the entire disk-shaped medium can be improved.

Next, the head supporting device of the present invention applies a predetermined urging force to the head slider in the recording medium direction via the pivot portion so that the pivot position at which the pivot portion contacts the head slider is changed. The present invention is characterized by including a suspension configured so as to be the center of rotation of the head slider, and the head slider of the present invention.

As a result, it becomes possible to obtain a head supporting device having excellent impact resistance.

Further, by making the position of the center of gravity of the head slider coincide with the position of the pivot position projected on the surface of the recording medium, the impact resistance is further improved when an inertial force such as an impact such as a disturbance is applied. It is possible to obtain such a head support device.

Next, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is equipped with a recording medium, drive means for rotationally driving the disk-shaped recording medium, rotating means for rotating the support arm, control means, and the head slider of the present invention. It is characterized in that it is provided with the head supporting device.

As a result, it is possible to obtain a recording / reproducing apparatus having excellent impact resistance.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) The first embodiment of the present invention shows the structure of a head slider of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a head slider 20 of the present invention,
It shows a state in which the disk 2 is steadily levitated, that is, a state in which the surface of the disk 2 is steadily levitated while maintaining an angle of the pitch angle θp.

A biasing force indicated by F in the figure is applied to the load acting point 101 from a head supporting device (not shown). Further, as the disk 2 rotates, an airflow flows in a direction indicated by an arrow between the surface of the head slider 20 facing the disk 2 (hereinafter referred to as an air lubrication surface) and the surface of the disk 2, and this air layer is formed. Acts as an air spring to act as a force for floating the head slider 20. By maintaining the balance between the reaction force of the air spring and the force that causes the head slider 20 to approach the disk 2 due to the biasing force F and the own weight of the head slider 20, the head slider 20 floats and maintains a stable posture. To do.

The urging force F is perpendicular to the surface of the disk 2 from the load acting point 101 applied to the head slider 20 and intersects with the air-lubricated surface from the air inflow end (left side toward the paper surface). ) Direction, a point on the air-lubricated surface that has moved a distance L1 parallel to the surface of the disk 2 is defined as the upstream side rigid action position 103, and the air outflow end (right side toward the paper surface)
A point on the air-lubricated surface that has moved a distance L2 in the direction parallel to the surface of the disk 2 is defined as the downstream side rigidity acting position 104.

Here, assuming that the rigidity of the above-mentioned air spring is a rigid body spring, the rigidity coefficient at the upstream side rigidity acting position 103 is Kl, and the rigidity coefficient at the downstream side rigidity acting position 104 is Kt, respectively. It is assumed that the head slider 20 is stably levitated by two rigid springs at two points.

This rigidity coefficient can be arbitrarily changed by changing the design of the shape of the air-lubricated surface of the head slider 20.

Further, the distance between the downstream side rigidity acting position 104 and the disk 2 surface is Xh, and the downstream side rigidity acting position 104
Let Lt be the distance in the direction parallel to the disk 2 surface from the point on the air lubricated surface of the head slider 20 that is closest to the air outflow end (right side toward the paper surface).

The center of gravity 102 of the head slider 20 and the load acting point 101 are connected to the disk 2 in order to reduce the influence of the inertial force due to a disturbance such as a shock and improve the shock resistance.
The positions projected in the directions are configured to match.

Under such a condition, the head slider 20 of the present invention is such that ((L1 + L2) tan θp / Xh) ≦ (KtL2 / KlL1) <(((L1 + L2) / Lt) +1) (1) If the relationship is satisfied and the formula (1) is satisfied,
It was found that it is possible to obtain the head slider 20 that is the most resistant to the impact due to disturbances and the like and has excellent impact resistance.

The behavior of the head slider 20 of the present invention satisfying the expression (1) when it receives an impact due to a disturbance will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, the head slider 20 shown by the solid line shows the position before the inertial force G is applied due to an impact or the like, and the head slider 20a shown by the broken line is when the inertial force G is applied from the outside. Shows the position of. The inertial force G acts on the load acting point 101 where the biasing force F is applied to the head slider 20, and the inertial force G acts on the load acting point 10.
The vertical displacement of the upstream side rigid acting position 103 when acting on 1 is Xl, and the vertical displacement of the downstream side rigid acting position 104 is Xt.

At this time, the head slider 20 of the present invention is used.
When an impact is applied, when the inertial force G is absorbed by the spring rigidity of the air film, the air inflow end side (left side toward the paper surface) is more than the air outflow end side (right side toward the paper surface). , Approaches the surface of the disk 2 with a large amount of displacement.

In other words, it can be said that the head slider 20 absorbs the inertial force G by the rigidity of the air spring while rotating in the pitch direction. A high head slider 20 can be obtained.

Next, the conditions to be satisfied when realizing such a head slider 20 will be described in detail.

In the steady state shown in FIG. 1, the head slider 20 has the pitch angle θp and the downstream side rigidity acting position 10.
The flying height Xh of 4 is maintained at a distance. At this time, the upstream side rigid working position 103 and the downstream side rigid working position 1
The flying height difference of 04 is represented by ((L1 + L2) tan θp), and the ratio a to the flying height Xh is expressed by the following equation.

A = ((L1 + L2) tan θp / Xh) (2) Next, the inertial force G due to an external impact shown in FIG.
When the head slider 20 behaves when
Upstream side rigid working position 103 and downstream side rigid working position 104
And the difference b between the displacement amount in the direction perpendicular to the disk 2 and Xl are represented by the following equation.

B = ((X1-Xt) / Xt) = (X1 / Xt) -1 (3) In this case, as a condition for realizing high impact resistance,
When an inertial force due to impact is applied to the head slider 20, the head slider 20 rotates in the pitch direction and an air spring between the air lubrication surface and the disk 2 surface absorbs the inertial force.
That is, it is necessary that the ratio b of the displacement amount is equal to or greater than the ratio a of the flying height of the steady-state initial posture, that is, the relationship of a ≦ b is established, and the relationship expressed by the equation (4) is satisfied. It is necessary to hold.

((L1 + L2) tan θp / Xh) ≦ ((X1 / Xt) −1) (4) That is, the head slider satisfying the equation (4) is strong in inertial force due to impact from the outside.

On the contrary, the behavior of the head slider 30 when the expression (4) is not satisfied, that is, the relationship of a> b is shown in FIG. The displacement when the inertial force G is applied is shown by the head slider 30a.

Having the relationship of a> b means that the air outflow end side of the head slider 30, which is originally closer to the disk 2, approaches the surface of the disk 2 more preferentially when an impact is applied from the outside. Since the head slider easily contacts, it can be said that the head slider has a problem in impact resistance.

However, even with a head slider having a relationship of a≤b, when the inertial force is absorbed by the air spring, an impact from the outside is applied in the pitch direction like the head slider 40 shown in FIG. When the head slider 40a is displaced to the position shown by the head slider 40a and the air outflow end side is too close to the disk surface, the head slider 40a
An air film is not formed between a and the disk 2, and the head slider 40a loses its flying force and collides with the surface of the disk 2. The conditions for avoiding this collision will be described below.

Returning to FIG. 1, the downstream side rigidity acting position 104
And Lt is the distance between the air-lubricated surface and the end portion 105 on the air outflow end side in the direction parallel to the disc 2, (L1 + L
The ratio c between 2) and Lt is expressed by the following equation.

C = (L1 + L2) / Lt (5) As described above, the phenomenon that the air film is not formed due to the head slider rotating too much in the pitch direction occurs when an inertial force G is applied to the head slider. , The displacement ratio b expressed by the expression (3) is larger than the length ratio c expressed by the expression (5) in the direction parallel to the disk 2 of the head slider. This occurs because the displacement on the upstream side of the air flow, which is determined by the inertial force G and the air film rigidity ratio due to the impact from the outside, is relatively small with respect to the length in the direction.

Further, the shock resistance value of the head slider is such that the flying gap at the upstream side rigid working position 103 becomes smaller than the flying gap at the downstream side rigid working position 104.
Not only the shape of the medium facing surface, but also large fluctuations due to fluctuations in rotation speed, fluctuations in skew angle, fluctuations in load, etc. Also, if the floating clearance becomes small, it will rapidly break, so there will be large fluctuations in shock resistance. It can be said that the head slider has a problem in impact resistance.

On the contrary, like the head slider 20 of this embodiment, the ratio b of the displacement amount expressed by the equation (3) is the length of the head slider expressed by the equation (5) in the direction parallel to the disk 2. The head slider 20 satisfying the relationship of b <c, which is smaller than the height ratio c, that is, the head slider 20 satisfying the expression (6) ((X1 / Xt) -1) <((L1 + L2) / Lt) (6) is Strong against inertial force due to impact from.

Therefore, the head slider having strong impact resistance of the present invention is a head slider satisfying the expressions (4) and (6), that is, ((L1 + L2) tan θp / Xh) ≦ ((X1 / Xt) − 1) <((L1 + L2) / Lt) It can be said that the head slider satisfying the relationship (7) has the best impact resistance.

By the way, assuming that the film rigidity at the upstream side rigidity acting position 103 and the downstream side rigidity acting position 104 is Kl and Kt respectively, the inertial force G is applied to the load acting point 101 as described above. Therefore, when the inertial force G due to an external shock is applied to the head slider, if the component forces of the inertial force G generated at the upstream side rigid acting position 103 and the downstream side rigid acting position 104 are F1 and F2, respectively,
From the relationship of F = kx (F: applied force, k: rigidity coefficient (elastic coefficient), x: displacement), which is a formula representing a general elastic coefficient, inertial force, and displacement, F1 = Kl × Xl (8) F2 = Kt × Xt (9) holds, and these are transformed to Xl = F1 / K1 (10) Xt = F2 / K2 (11) Therefore, when the ratio of Xl and Xt is taken, Xl / Xt) = (F1 × Kt) / (Kl × F2) (12) Further, since the relationship of F1 × L1 = F2 × L2 (13) is established, F2 = (F1 × L1 / L2) (14) Substituting this into the equation (12), (X1 / Xt) = ((Kt XL2) / (KlxL1)) (15) Therefore, the expressions (4) and (6) are synonymous with the following expressions (16) and (17), respectively.

[0055]   ((L1 + L2) tan θp) ≦ ((KtL2 / KlL1) −1) (16)   ((KtL2 / KlL1) -1) <((L1 + L2) / Lt) (17) To satisfy the expressions (9) and (10) at the same time,   ((L1 + L2) tan θp) ≦ ((KtL2 / KlL1) −1) <((L1 + L2) / Lt) (1) Should be satisfied.

Specifically, K that satisfies the equation (1)
By designing the air-lubricated surface shape that can achieve t and Kl, it is possible to obtain a head slider having excellent impact resistance.

Equations (4) and (6) or (16)
By mounting a head slider having a medium facing surface shape that satisfies the expressions (17) and (17) (that is, the expression (7) or (1)), it is resistant to external shock and has excellent shock resistance. It is possible to realize a head support device and a disk device.

In a disk device, the relative speed between the head slider and the disk is generally smaller when the head slider is located on the inner circumference side than when the head slider is located on the outer circumference side. It is considered that the impact resistance is lowered because the air flow generated on the air lubricated surface and the flying height are reduced.

Therefore, it is sufficient that at least the inner peripheral side of the disk where the flying height is the lowest satisfies the above expressions (4) and (6) or (16) and (17).

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the required film rigidity is generated by using the positive pressure generated in the air flow between the air lubrication surface and the disk surface has been shown, but instead of the air layer. Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained even if a structure having similar film rigidity is realized by using another lubricant.

Next, in order to verify the conditions of the above-described head slider having excellent impact resistance, specifically, the results of examining the difference in impact resistance due to the difference in the air-lubricated surface shape of the head slider will be shown.

FIG. 8 shows the specifications of the head slider evaluated and examined, and the results of evaluation of its impact resistance. Also,
The behavior of the head slider when an inertial force is applied to each head slider is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

In the head slider of the present invention, when an inertial force G due to an external impact or the like is applied, the head slider moves from the position where the inertial force acts to the air inflow end direction to the direction parallel to the disk 2 by L.
The upstream side stiffness acting position 103 at a distance of 1 and
Letting Kl and Kt be the air film stiffnesses obtained at the downstream stiffness action position 104, which is a distance L2 away from the inertial force action direction toward the air inflow end side, respectively, L1 = 0. 23 (mm), L2 = 0.58
(Mm). Further, the downstream side rigidity acting position 104
And the distance Lt = 0.1 (m
m), the flying height Xh = 20 (nm) at the downstream rigid working position 104 in the steady flying state on the inner circumference side of the disk, and the pitch angle θp was evaluated under the conditions of θp = 30 (μrad).

On the other hand, for comparison with the head slider of the present invention, the head sliders having the specifications shown in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 shown in FIG. 8 were also evaluated.

The air-lubricated surface of the head slider 30 of Comparative Example 1 has air film stiffnesses Kl and Kt at the upstream side rigid acting position 103 and the downstream side rigid acting position 104, respectively.
Then, L1 = 0.32 (m at the position where Kl = Kt
m) and L2 = 0.3 (mm).

The head slider 40 of Comparative Example 2 is
Upstream side rigid working position 103 and downstream side rigid working position 1
Assuming that the air film rigidity at 04 is Kl and Kt, respectively, L1 = 0.05 (mm) at the position where Kl = Kt,
L2 = 0.61 (mm).

With respect to the head slider 20 of the embodiment of the present invention and the head sliders 30 and 40 of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, the value of (KtL2 / KlL1) is obtained and the head slider is moved in the disk direction. The impact resistance when an inertial force due to an impact from outside acted was evaluated, and the results are shown in FIG. Here, the impact resistance is represented by the magnitude of the inertial force required to bring any part of the head slider to be evaluated into contact with the disk.

In this impact resistance evaluation, the equivalent mass including the head slider and the slider holding portion is 8 (m).
g), the urging force applied from the suspension to the head slider is 2 (gf), and the disk rotation speed is 4500 (rp).
m), the skew angle is -5 at the disk radius 6 (mm) position
The evaluation was performed under the condition of (°).

As shown in FIG. 8, the value of (KtL2 / KlL1) of the head slider 20 of this embodiment is 2.53, and the value of (KtL2 / KlL1) of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 is 0, respectively. .97 and 12.2. Further, the impact resistance value of the head slider 20 of the present embodiment is 1000 G, and the impact resistance value of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 is 260 G, respectively.
And 570G.

Considering the use as a magnetic disk device for mobile applications, it is clear that the head slider of the present invention has practical impact resistance.

Next, in some head sliders including the head slider 20 of this embodiment and the head sliders 30 and 40 of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, at the upstream side rigid acting position 103 and the downstream side rigid acting position 104 ( KtL2
FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the value of / KlL1) and the impact resistance evaluation result.

As can be seen from FIG. 9, the impact resistance is (K
It can be seen that it changes depending on the value of tL2 / K1L1).

As described above, the upstream side rigid working position 10
3 is different from the air film rigidity at the downstream side rigidity acting position 104, the head slider to which the inertial force G due to the impact from the outside is applied is at the upstream side rigidity acting position 103 and the downstream side rigidity acting position 104. Since the amount of displacement of the disc in the vertical direction is different, the disc is displaced while rotating in the pitch direction.

That is, the inertial force G due to an external impact
The behavior of the head slider that occurs when is added is (K
It will change depending on the value of tL2 / K1L1).

The design condition of the head slider excellent in impact resistance in the present invention described above, that is, (((L1 + L2) tan θp) / Xh) ≦ ((KtL2 / KlL1) −1) <((L1 + L2) / Substituting the conditions for the evaluation this time into Lt) (1), 1.5 ≦ ((KtL2 / KlL1) −1) <10.0 (12) and 2.5 ≦ (KtL2 / KlL1) < When the relationship of 11.0 (13) is satisfied, a head slider having high impact resistance can be obtained.

Next, the behavior of the three types of head sliders in this embodiment when an inertial force is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

The head slider 20 of the present invention is (13)
Since the condition of the formula is satisfied, as shown in FIG. 5, when an inertial force G due to an external impact acts on the head slider 20, the head slider 20 is displaced to the position indicated by the head slider 20a, but the displacement of the flying gap on the inflow end side is displaced. The displacement on the outflow end side is smaller than the amount. When an inertial force larger than the inertial force G due to an external impact acts, the head slider is displaced to the position shown in the head slider 20b. However, even in such a state, the head slider maintains a positive pitch angle, so that The air film formed between the air-lubricated surface and the surface of the disk 2 is not broken, and the air film acts as an air spring, so collision can be prevented. Even if a collision occurs, since the collision energy is small, the head slider 20
And the disk 2 is less likely to be damaged.

On the other hand, in the case of the head slider 30 of Comparative Example 1, as shown in FIG. 6, (KtL2 / KlL1) was 0.97, which did not satisfy the condition of the expression (13) and the upstream side rigidity action. At the position 103, the amount of displacement in the direction perpendicular to the disk 2 after the inertial force G due to an external impact is applied is smaller than the amount of levitation in the initial posture. Therefore, when the inertial force G due to the impact from the outside acts, the rotation in the pitch direction hardly occurs, and the fluctuation in the vertical direction occurs.
Therefore, the air outflow end side end portion 105 on the downstream side collides with the disk 2 by the inertial force G due to a relatively small impact from the outside.

On the other hand, in the case of the head slider 40 of Comparative Example 2, (KtL2 / KlL1) is 1 as shown in FIG.
2.2, which does not satisfy the condition of Expression (13). In such a head slider 40, even if the inertial force G due to an external impact acts and the head slider 40 is displaced to the position shown by the head slider 40a, it does not collide with the disk 2. However, when an inertial force due to an impact from the outside is further applied, as shown by the head slider 40b, the flying gap at the upstream air inflow end becomes smaller than the flying gap at the downstream air outflow end, and the head slider 40b No air film is formed between the air-lubricated surface of 40 and the disk 2. When such a phenomenon occurs, the flying force is suddenly lost and the head slider 4
0 collides with the surface of the disk 2 and the head slider 40
Alternatively, the possibility of damaging the disk 2 increases.

From the above examination, it was proved that the head slider of the present invention satisfying the above-mentioned conditions is excellent in impact resistance.

It should be noted that the head slider of the present invention does not limit the shape of the air-lubricated surface at all, and whatever the shape of the air-lubricated surface has, the relation as shown in the equation (1) is obtained. By holding, it is possible to obtain a head slider having excellent impact resistance.

(Second Embodiment) As a second embodiment of the present invention, a head support mechanism and a disk device using the head slider of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an essential part of the disk device of the present invention. Here, a magnetic disk device is used as an example of the disk device.

In FIG. 10, the disk 2 is rotatably supported by the main shaft 1 and is rotationally driven by the driving means 3. As the driving means 3, for example, a spindle motor is used. A head slider 20 of the present invention equipped with an information conversion element (not shown) for recording / reproducing is fixed to a suspension 5 to form a head supporting device 10. The head supporting device 10 is fixed to an actuator arm 6, and further, The actuator arm 6 is rotatably attached to the actuator shaft 7.

The head slider 20 of the present invention means
(7) described in the first or second embodiment of the present invention
The head slider satisfies the formula or the formula (1).

The definitions of the respective constants and variables are the same as those shown in the first embodiment, and therefore will be omitted.

As the rotating means 8, for example, a voice coil motor is used, and the actuator arm 6 is rotated to move the head slider 20 to an arbitrary track position on the surface of the disk 2. The housing 9 holds these in a predetermined positional relationship.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main part of the head support device 10 including the suspension 5 and the head slider 20. The head slider 20 is fixed to a tongue-shaped portion 12 provided at one end on the tip side of the slider holding portion 11.
The other end of the slider holding portion 11 is fixed to the beam 13.

As the slider holding portion 11, for example, a gimbal spring is used, and is structured so that the pitch movement and the roll movement of the head slider 20 are allowed. The head slider 20 can be fixed to the slider holding portion 11 by, for example, bonding with an adhesive, and the slider holding portion 11 can be fixed to the beam 13 by welding, for example. At the tip of the beam 13, there is a pivot 14 that applies a load to the head slider 20, and a predetermined load is applied to the head slider 20 via this pivot 14. This pivot 14 is the head slider 2
The point of contact with 0, that is, the pivot position is the point of action of load described in the first embodiment, that is, the point of action of the inertial force when an inertial force such as an impact due to a disturbance is applied. Become.

At this time, by constructing the head supporting device 10 so that the position where the center of gravity of the head slider 20 and the pivot position are projected on the surface of the recording medium coincide with each other, the head having the best impact resistance is obtained. It is possible to obtain the support device 10.

Further, the beam 13 having the pivot 14 is provided.
And the slider holding portion 11 having the tongue portion 12 constitute the suspension 5, and the head slider 20
The head supporting device 10 is configured to include.

Using the head supporting device 10 as described above,
When performing recording / reproducing on the rotating disk 2, the head slider 20 acts in a direction in which the head slider 20 is levitated from the disk 2 by the air flow due to the load applied from the pivot 14 and the design of the air lubrication surface of the head slider 20. Three forces, a positive pressure acting on the disk 2 and a negative pressure acting in the direction of approaching the disk 2, act on the head slider 20 due to the balance of these forces, and the head slider 20 rotates while maintaining a constant flying height. It is possible to perform recording / reproduction by an information conversion element (not shown) while driving the means 8 to position it at a desired track position.

By using the head supporting device 10 and the disk device 19 having the head slider 20 of the present invention having such a structure, it is possible to obtain a head supporting device and a disk device having excellent impact resistance.

The present invention is not limited to the magnetic disk device shown as an example, and can be applied to a magneto-optical disk device and a disk device using a flying head slider such as an optical disk device. Needless to say.

Further, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to a disc device using a disc-shaped medium, but can be applied to a recording / reproducing device using any other shaped medium. Absent.

[0096]

As described above, according to the present invention, when an inertial force due to an impact from the outside acts on the head slider, the head slider is rotated in the pitch direction while maintaining a positive pitch angle, so that the inertial force is reduced. A head slider, a head support device, and a disk device that can be relaxed.

With this structure, even when a large inertial force due to an external impact acts on the head slider while the head slider is flying over the disk, the head slider can be prevented from colliding with the disk surface, or when the collision occurs. It is possible to provide a highly reliable head slider, head support device, and disk device that can reduce energy and prevent damage to the disk.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a flying state of a head slider before an inertial force due to an external impact acts on the head slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior of the flying state when an inertial force due to an external impact acts on the head slider in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior of a flying state when an inertial force acts on a head slider of Comparative Example 1 for the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior of a flying state when an inertial force acts on a head slider of Comparative Example 2 with respect to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior of the flying state when an inertial force due to an external impact acts on the head slider in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior of a flying state when an inertial force due to an external impact acts on the head slider of Comparative Example 1 for the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior of a flying state when an inertial force due to an external impact acts on the head slider of Comparative Example 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic comparison diagram between the head slider and the comparative example according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates (KtL2 in the first embodiment of the present invention.
/ KlL1) value and impact resistance value

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part of a recording / reproducing apparatus configured by using a head slider and a head supporting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a head slider and a head support device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 spindle 2 disk 3 drive means 20, 20a, 20b, 30, 30a, 40, 40a,
40b Head slider 5 Suspension 6 Actuator arm 7 Actuator shaft 8 Rotating means 9 Housing 10 Head support device 11 Slider holder 12 Tongue 13 Beam 14 Pivot 19 Disk device 101 Load acting point 102 Center of gravity 103 Upstream side rigid acting position 104 Downstream rigidity action position 105 Air outflow end end

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tatsuhiko Inagaki             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shio Den             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5D042 NA02 TA02 TA03                 5D059 AA01 BA01 CA11 CA25 CA26                       DA15 DA24 EA02

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. When an inertial force is applied, air is moved from a position on the head slider at a distance L1 away from the position where the inertial force acts toward the air inflow end direction, and a position where the inertial force acts. The film rigidity of the air spring layer formed between the head slider and the recording medium at the downstream position separated by the distance L2 in the outflow end direction is respectively Kl and Kt.
Xh is a flying height in the vertical direction from the recording medium at the downstream side position, and an angle formed by the surface of the head slider facing the recording medium and the recording medium during stable flying of the head slider. Is set to θp, ((L1 + L2) tan θp / Xh) ≦ ((KtL2 /
A head slider characterized by satisfying the relationship of KlL1) -1). 2. When the distance in the direction parallel to the recording medium between the downstream position and the downstream end of the surface of the head slider that should face the recording medium is Lt, ((KtL2 / KlL1) -1) <((L1 + L2) /
The head slider according to claim 1, wherein the relationship of Lt) is satisfied. 3. When an inertial force is applied, the air is moved from the position where the inertial force acts on the head slider to a distance L1 away from the position where the inertial force acts in the air inflow end direction, and the position where the inertial force acts. The film rigidity of the air spring layer formed between the head slider and the recording medium at the downstream position separated by the distance L2 in the outflow end direction is respectively Kl and Kt.
The head slider is characterized by satisfying the following relationship: 2.5 ≦ (KtL2 / KlL1) <11.0. 4. The film rigidity is realized by a lubricating layer formed between the head slider and the surface of the recording medium instead of the air spring layer. The head slider according to any one of 3 to 3. 5. When an inertial force is applied, air is moved from a position on the head slider at a distance L1 away from the position where the inertial force acts in the direction of the air inflow end, and a position where the inertial force acts. Displacement amounts in the vertical direction with respect to the recording medium at downstream positions separated by a distance L2 in the outflow end direction are Xl and Xt, respectively, and floating amounts in the vertical direction from the recording medium at the downstream position are Xh, and When the angle formed by the surface of the head slider facing the recording medium and the recording medium during the stable flying of the head slider is θp, ((L1 + L2) tan θp / Xh) ≦ ((X1L2 /
XtL1) -1) relationship is satisfied. 6. When the distance in the direction parallel to the recording medium between the downstream position and the downstream end of the surface of the head slider that should face the recording medium is Lt, ((X1L2 / XtL1) -1) <((L1 + L2) /
The head slider according to claim 5, wherein the relationship of Lt) is satisfied. 7. When an inertial force is applied, the air is moved from a position where the inertial force acts on the head slider to a distance L1 away from the position where the inertial force acts in the air inflow end direction and a position where the inertial force acts. When the displacement amounts in the direction perpendicular to the recording medium at the downstream position separated by the distance L2 in the outflow end direction are Xl and Xt, respectively, it is necessary to satisfy the relationship of 2.5 ≦ (XlL2 / XtL1) <11.0. Characteristic head slider. 8. The displacement amount is realized by a lubricating layer formed between the head slider and the surface of the recording medium instead of the air spring layer. 7. The head slider according to any one of 7 to 7. 9. The recording medium is a disk-shaped medium,
A head slider, wherein the innermost side of the disk-shaped medium satisfies the relationship described in any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. A predetermined biasing force is applied to the head slider in the recording medium direction via a pivot portion,
The suspension configured such that a pivot position where the pivot portion comes into contact with the head slider serves as a rotation center of the head slider, and the suspension according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A head support device comprising a head slider. 11. The head supporting device according to claim 10, wherein a position where the center of gravity of the head slider and the pivot position are projected on the surface of the recording medium coincide with each other. 12. A recording medium, a drive unit for rotationally driving the disc-shaped recording medium, a rotating unit for rotating the support arm, a control unit, and the head support device according to claim 10 or 11. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: