JP2007141401A - Jig and apparatus for assembling head utilizing near-field light - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tool for assembling a head utilizing near-field light for fixing an optical waveguide, a slider, and a suspension arm by simulating the posture of the suspension arm in the case of operation of a recording and reproducing apparatus, and to provide an apparatus for assembling using the tool. <P>SOLUTION: The tool for assembling which has a pallet 203 which fixes the suspension arm 104; a flexible correction arm 204 whose one end is fixed to the pallet 203, and the other end of which contacts the suspension arm 104; and an adjusting screw 206 which bends the correction arm 204 by contacting the correction arm 204, bends the correction arm 204 by operation of the adjusting screw 206, and relaxes the curve of the suspension arm 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a near-field light utilizing head assembly jig and a near-field light utilizing head assembling apparatus for assembling a near-field light utilizing head.

  In recent years, in order to cope with a rapid increase in image and moving image information in the information society, information recording / reproducing apparatuses have been increased in capacity and size. In an information recording / reproducing apparatus using light, since the recording density depends on the light wavelength, the density has been increased by using light having a short wavelength. As a method for realizing a wavelength-independent density, a recording / reproducing principle using near-field light has attracted attention. In an information recording / reproducing apparatus using magnetism, a minute region on the surface of a recording medium is separated and magnetized, and in order to detect it, only the minute region is heated by being irradiated with near-field light and then magnetized. Near-field optically assisted magnetic recording is regarded as a promising candidate for the next generation recording / reproducing principle.

The configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus using near-field light is almost the same as that of the magnetic disk device, and a near-field light using head is used instead of the magnetic head. The near-field light using head has a near-field light generating element composed of an optical minute aperture, a nanometer-size protrusion, or the like. The near-field light generating element is mounted on a slider using an air levitation technique. The slider is attached to the tip of the suspension arm and floats at a certain height with respect to the recording medium by dynamic pressure. Thereby, the near-field light generating element accesses an arbitrary data mark existing on the recording medium. In order to make the slider follow the recording medium rotating at a high speed, the near-field light using head has a flexure function for stabilizing the posture in response to the undulation of the recording medium. The near-field light using head having such a configuration requires a light introducing portion including an optical waveguide or the like in order to supply light to the head. The optical waveguide here also includes an optical fiber. How to efficiently guide light to a near-field light generating element and a recording medium using an optical waveguide with a lower degree of freedom of wiring than electrical wiring is an important point of recording / reproducing technology using near-field light In such a near-field light utilizing head, an optical waveguide is connected to the slider, and a light reflecting surface that reflects the light from the optical waveguide propagating in the horizontal direction to the media surface and directs the propagation direction to the opening direction is used. Therefore, a method of making a minute beam spot incident on the near-field light generating element has been devised. (See Patent Document 1.)
FIG. 1 shows an outline of an information recording / reproducing apparatus using a near-field light utilizing head assembly 100.
The near-field light using head assembly 100 includes an optical fiber 103, a suspension arm 104, a flexure 105, a slider 106, and a near-field light generating element (not shown). The slider 106 on which the near-field light generating element (not shown) is mounted is rotated at a high speed while the slider 106 is close to the surface of the recording medium 107 from several nm to several tens of nm. A flexure 105 is formed at the tip of the suspension arm 104 in order to always float with a fixed relative arrangement.

The suspension arm 104 is fixed to a voice coil motor (not shown) through a fixing hole 104a, and can be moved in the radial direction of the recording medium 107 by the voice coil motor. Here, the slider 106 is disposed so that the near-field light generating element faces the recording medium 107. The light propagation part that guides the light beam from the laser 101 to the slider 106 includes an optical fiber 103 fixed to the lens 102 and the suspension arm 104. If necessary, the laser 101 can be intensity-modulated by the circuit system 108. In order to make the outline easy to understand, the suspension arm 104, the flexure 105, and the slider head 106 are shown in an exploded form, but in reality, each is connected and fixed as necessary.
International Patent Publication No. 00/28536 pamphlet

  In the above-mentioned near-field light utilizing head, the slider 106 moves to the recording medium 107 by the balance between the force of pressing the slider 106 from the suspension arm 104 via the flexure 105 and the force of floating the slider 106 by the rotation of the recording medium 107. On the other hand, it floats stably with a gap of several nm to several tens of nm. The suspension arm 104 is curved in advance in the direction of the slider 106, and a pressing force against the slider 106 is generated by the spring force. During the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus, the curvature of the suspension arm 104 is relaxed due to the reaction force of the pressing force against the slider 106.

  Since the near-field light utilization head has a relatively rigid optical waveguide, the balance between the pressing force of the suspension arm against the slider and the flying force of the slider is disturbed, and it is difficult to maintain the gap between the slider and the recording medium. . On the other hand, the fixation of the slider and the optical waveguide and the fixation of the suspension arm and the optical waveguide are important factors when assembling the near-field light utilization head. When assembling, the suspension arm is curved, and if the above-described fixing is performed in this positional relationship, the optical waveguide pulls the slider during the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus in which the suspension arm is less curved. Hinder the rise of the. If the above-described fixing can be performed by simulating the posture of the suspension arm during the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus, a near-field light utilizing head that can stably float can be realized.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a pallet for fixing the near-field light utilization head, a flexible correction arm having one end fixed to the pallet and the other end contacting the suspension arm, and the correction arm contacting By doing so, the assembling jig having the adjustment portion that bends the correction arm deflects the correction arm by the operation of the adjustment portion and relaxes the curvature of the suspension arm. A screw or a latch mechanism is used for the adjustment unit. Further, the number of points where the correction arm contacts the suspension arm may be one or plural.

  Further, by using a correction arm having a claw substantially perpendicular to the correction arm, when the correction arm is bent by the adjustment unit, the suspension arm can be sandwiched and fixed between the claw and the pallet.

  The near-field light using head assembly apparatus according to the present invention includes a transport device that transports a pallet, a suspension mounter that disposes a suspension arm on the pallet, an adjuster that operates the adjustment unit, and a slider that is fixed to the suspension arm. A slider mounter and an optical waveguide mounter for fixing the optical waveguide to the slider and the suspension arm are provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the operation posture of the near-field light using head can be simulated by the correction arm pushing down the suspension arm by the operation of the adjusting unit. Thereby, fixation with a slider and an optical waveguide and fixation with an optical waveguide and a suspension arm can be performed easily. The near-field light using head manufactured in this way can stably float the slider without the optical waveguide pulling the slider during operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with the head.

  In addition, by using a screw for the adjustment unit, the operation posture of the near-field light utilization head can be accurately simulated, and the slider can be stably floated.

  In addition, by using a latch mechanism for the adjustment portion, the bending of the suspension arm can be relaxed in a short time, so that the assembly time can be reduced.

  In addition, by making the correction arm come into contact with the suspension arm as a single point, a small pallet can be used, so that a volume-efficient assembly line can be realized. Moreover, since only one adjustment part is required, assembly time can be reduced.

  In addition, by using a plurality of points where the correction arm contacts the suspension arm, the operation posture of the near-field light utilization head can be accurately simulated, and the slider can be stably floated.

  Further, according to the present invention, the suspension arm can be fixed to the pallet with the claws, and fixing means such as an adhesive can be omitted.

  In addition, the present invention can be applied to an assembly line corresponding to mass production, and an inexpensive near-field light utilizing head assembly can be manufactured in large quantities.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows an outline of an information recording / reproducing apparatus using a near-field light utilizing head assembly 100. Although FIG. 1 has already been described as background art, it will be described again here. The near-field light using head assembly 100 includes an optical fiber 103, a suspension arm 104, a flexure 105, a slider 106, and a near-field light generating element (not shown). The slider 106 on which the near-field light generating element (not shown) is mounted is rotated at a high speed while the slider 106 is close to the surface of the recording medium 107 from several nm to several tens of nm. A flexure 105 is formed at the tip of the suspension arm 104 in order to always float with a fixed relative arrangement. The suspension arm 104 is fixed to a voice coil motor (not shown) through a fixing hole 104a, and can be moved in the radial direction of the recording medium 107 by the voice coil motor.

  Here, the slider 106 is disposed so that the near-field light generating element faces the recording medium 107. The light propagation part that guides the light beam from the laser 101 to the slider 106 includes an optical fiber 103 fixed to the lens 102 and the suspension arm 104. If necessary, the laser 101 can be intensity-modulated by the circuit system 108. In order to make the outline easy to understand, the suspension arm 104, the flexure 105, and the slider head 106 are shown in an exploded form, but in reality, each is connected and fixed as necessary.

  FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a near-field light utilizing head assembling jig in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 2A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a side sectional view before the jig operation, and FIG. 2C is a side sectional view after the jig operation. The suspension arm 104 is fixed to the upper surface of the pallet 203. The suspension arm 104 has a shape that warps upward. A correction arm 204 is fixed to the lower surface of the pallet 203 using a fixing screw 205. The correction arm 204 is shaped like an alphabet C so that the arms 204a face each other so that the two arms surround the space. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the correction arm 204 is such that the two arms are once bent in the vertical direction with respect to the pallet 203 and then bent in the parallel direction with respect to the pallet 203 again. Since it has a crank shape, it has a three-dimensional shape. Because of the shape of the correction arm 204, the correction arm 204 is fixed to the lower surface of the pallet 203 and the suspension arm 104 is fixed to the upper surface of the pallet 203, but the tip 204 a of the correction arm 204 is directly above the suspension arm 104. Located in.

  An adjustment screw 206 is inserted into the pallet 203 so as to penetrate the pallet 203. The lower surface 206 a of the adjustment screw 206 is in contact with the correction arm 204. The adjustment screw 206 has a function of pushing down the correction arm 204 through the lower surface of the adjustment screw 206 by rotating and propelling the adjustment screw 206. As shown in FIG. 2C, the positions of the fixing screw 205 and the adjusting screw 206 are offset, and when the lower surface 206a of the adjusting screw pushes down the correction arm 204 by the adjusting screw 206, the fixing screw 205 is used as a fulcrum. The correction arm 204 is bent downward.

  When the correction arm 204 curves downward, the tip end 204a pushes down the suspension arm 104, and the warp of the suspension arm 104 can be temporarily relieved. By adjusting the rotation of the adjustment screw 206, the amount by which the suspension arm 104 is pushed down by the correction arm 204 can be adjusted. Therefore, the degree of relaxation of the suspension arm 104 can be adjusted. That is, the operation posture of the near-field light using head as shown in FIG. 1 can be simulated. Thereafter, the slider 106 (not shown) is fixed to the suspension arm 104, and the optical fiber 103 (not shown) is fixed to the slider 106 and the suspension arm 104.

  Heretofore, the structure example in which the correction arm 204 is fixed to the lower surface of the pallet 203 using the fixing screw 205 has been described. The structure may be fixed by using. The same applies to all embodiments described later.

  FIG. 3 shows a diagram of an assembly system for a near-field light utilizing head according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A correction arm 204 (not shown) and an adjustment screw 206 (not shown) are respectively attached to the plurality of pallets 203, and are arranged and conveyed on the belt conveyor 301. First, the suspension arm 104 is attached to the pallet 203 by the suspension mounter 302. Next, the adjusting screw 206 is rotated by the adjuster 303 to adjust the amount by which the suspension arm 104 is pushed down. Next, the slider 106 is attached to a predetermined position of the suspension arm 104 by the slider mounter 304. Finally, when the optical fiber 103 (not shown) is fixed to the slider 106 and the suspension arm 104 by the optical fiber mounter 305, the assembly of the near-field light using head assembly 100 is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the correction arm 204 pushes down the suspension arm 104 by adjusting the adjustment screw 206, so that the operation posture of the near-field light utilization head can be simulated. As a result, the slider 106 and the optical fiber 103 can be easily fixed, and the optical fiber 103 and the suspension arm 104 can be fixed easily. The near-field light using head manufactured in this way can stably float the slider without the optical fiber pulling the slider during operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with the head.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, it can be adapted to an assembly line corresponding to mass production, and an inexpensive near-field light utilizing head assembly can be manufactured in large quantities.
(Embodiment 2)
4 and 5 are diagrams of a near-field optical head assembling jig according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 4A is a plan view, FIG. 4B is a side sectional view before the jig operation, and FIG. 4C is a side sectional view after the jig operation. 5A is an enlarged view of FIG. 4B, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of FIG. 4C. The near-field optical head here is the same as the near-field optical head according to the first embodiment.

  The suspension arm 104 is disposed on the upper surface of the pallet 403. At this time, unlike the first embodiment, the suspension arm 104 and the pallet 403 are not fixed, and the flange 402b of the hole 104a at the base of the suspension arm 104 and the hole 403a on the pallet 403 are only fitted. .

  The suspension arm 104 has a shape that warps upward. A correction arm 404 is fixed to the lower surface of the pallet 403 using a fixing screw 405. The correction arm 404 is shaped like an alphabet C so that the arms 404a face each other so that the two arms surround the space. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the correction arm 404 is such that the two arms are once bent in the vertical direction with respect to the pallet 403 and then bent in the parallel direction with respect to the pallet 403 again. Since it has a crank shape, it has a three-dimensional shape. Because of the shape of the correction arm 404, the correction arm 404 is fixed to the lower surface of the pallet 403 and the suspension arm 104 is fixed to the upper surface of the pallet 403, but the tip 404 a of the correction arm 404 is directly above the suspension arm 104. Located in.

  An adjustment screw 406 is inserted into the pallet 403 so as to penetrate the pallet 403. The lower surface 406 a of the adjustment screw 406 is in contact with the correction arm 404. The adjustment screw 406 has a function of pushing down the correction arm 404 via the lower surface of the adjustment screw 406 by rotating and propelling the adjustment screw 406. As shown in FIG. 4C, the positions of the fixing screw 405 and the adjusting screw 406 are offset. When the lower surface 406a of the adjusting screw pushes down the correction arm 404 by the adjusting screw 406, the fixing screw 405 is used as a fulcrum. The correction arm 404 is bent downward.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the correction arm 404 has a claw 404b. The claw 404 b is formed substantially perpendicular to the correction arm 404 and protrudes from the lower surface of the pallet 403 through the window 407 to the upper surface of the pallet 403. When the correction arm 404 is bent downward by the adjustment screw 406, the claw 404 b is also inclined and pushes the side surface of the suspension 104. As a result, the suspension 104 is fixed to the pallet 403 by the flange 402b, the hole 403a, and the claw 404b.

  When the correction arm 404 curves downward, the tip 404a pushes down the suspension arm 104, and the warp of the suspension arm 104 can be temporarily eliminated. By adjusting the rotation of the adjustment screw 406, the amount by which the suspension arm 104 is pushed down by the correction arm 404 can be adjusted, so that the suspension arm 104 can be temporarily linear. That is, the operation posture of the near-field light using head as shown in FIG. 1 can be simulated.

In the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the suspension arm 104 can be fixed to the pallet 403 by the claws 404b, and fixing means such as an adhesive can be omitted.
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a near-field light utilizing head assembling jig according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The present embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, but the shape of the correction arm is different.

  The suspension arm 104 is fixed to the upper surface of the pallet 503. A correction arm 504 is fixed to the lower surface of the pallet 503 using a fixing screw 505. The correction arm 504 has a bowl-shaped tip 504a. Unlike the first embodiment, the correction arm 504 includes one arm. Further, the correction arm 504 has a crank shape that is once bent in a direction perpendicular to the pallet 503 and then bent again in a direction parallel to the pallet 503. (Not shown) Due to such a shape of the correction arm 504, the correction arm 504 is fixed to the lower surface of the pallet 503 and the suspension arm 104 is fixed to the upper surface of the pallet 503, but the tip 504a of the correction arm 504 is the suspension. Located just above the arm 104.

  An adjustment screw 506 is inserted into the pallet 503 so as to penetrate the pallet 503. The lower surface (not shown) of the adjustment screw 506 is in contact with the correction arm 504. The adjustment screw 506 has a function of pushing down the correction arm 504 through the lower surface of the adjustment screw 506 by rotating and propelling the adjustment screw 506. As shown in FIG. 7, the positions of the fixing screw 505 and the adjusting screw 506 are offset, and when the lower surface 506 a of the adjusting screw pushes down the correction arm 504 by the adjusting screw 506, the correcting arm 504 with the fixing screw 505 as a fulcrum. Curves downward.

  When the correction arm 504 curves downward, the tip 504a pushes down the suspension arm 104, and the warp of the suspension arm 104 can be temporarily relieved. By adjusting the rotation of the adjusting screw 506, the amount by which the suspension arm 104 is pushed down by the correction arm 504 can be adjusted, so that the degree of relaxation of the suspension arm 104 can be adjusted. That is, the operation posture of the near-field light using head as shown in FIG. 1 can be simulated.

In the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, a pallet smaller than the pallet of the first embodiment can be used, so that an assembly line with high volume efficiency can be realized. Further, since only one adjustment screw is required, the assembly time can be reduced.
(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a near-field light utilizing head assembling jig according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a side sectional view before the jig operation, and FIG. 8B is a side sectional view after the jig operation. The present embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment except that a latch mechanism is used instead of the adjustment screw.

  The suspension arm 104 is fixed to the upper surface of the pallet 603. The suspension arm 104 has a shape that warps upward. A correction arm 604 is fixed to the lower surface of the pallet 603 using a fixing screw 605. The shape of the correction arm 604 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The correction arm 604 is fixed to the lower surface of the pallet 603 and the suspension arm 104 is fixed to the upper surface of the pallet 603, but the tip 604a of the correction arm 604 is the suspension. Located just above the arm 104.

  A latch mechanism 607 is provided at the end of the pallet 603. When the correction arm 604 is pushed downward by an external force, the correction arm 604 is bent downward with the fixing screw 605 as a fulcrum. Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, because of the latch mechanism 607, the correction arm 604 remains curved even when the application of external force is stopped.

  When the correction arm 604 is curved downward, the tip 604a pushes down the suspension arm 104, and the warp of the suspension arm 104 can be temporarily relieved. The degree of relaxation of the suspension arm 104 can be determined by setting the latch mechanism 607. That is, the operation posture of the near-field light using head as shown in FIG. 1 can be simulated.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the use of the latch mechanism can reduce the bending of the suspension arm in a shorter time than using the adjusting screw, thereby reducing the assembly time. Can do.

It is the schematic of the information recording / reproducing apparatus using the near-field light utilization head concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure of the near field light utilization head assembly jig in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure of the near field light utilization head assembly system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure of the jig | tool for a near-field optical head assembly in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the near-field optical head assembly jig in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is a figure of the correction | amendment arm in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure of the jig | tool for a near-field optical head assembly in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure of the jig | tool for a near-field optical head assembly in Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Near field light utilization head assembly 101 Laser 102 Lens 103 Optical fiber 104 Suspension arm 105 Flexure 106 Slider 107 Recording medium 108 Circuit system 203 Pallet 203a Hole 204 Correction arm 204a Tip 205 Fixing screw 206 Adjustment screw 206a Bottom surface 301 Belt conveyor 302 Suspension mounter 303 Adjuster 304 Slider mounter 305 Optical fiber mounter 402b Flange 403 Palette 403a Hole 404 Correction arm 404a Tip 404b Claw 405 Fixing screw 406 Adjustment screw 406a Bottom surface 407 Window 503 Palette 504 Correction arm 504a Tip 505 Fixing screw 506 Fixing screw 506 Fixing screw 506 Arm 604a Tip 605 Fixing screw 60 Latch mechanism

Claims (7)

To assemble a near-field light utilization head comprising a slider that floats by air relative to a rotating recording medium, a suspension arm that supports the slider and has a curved portion, and an optical waveguide that introduces light into the slider. A near-field light utilizing head assembly jig used for
A pallet for fixing one end of the suspension arm;
One end is fixed to the pallet, the other end is in contact with the other end of the suspension arm, and the correction arm has flexibility,
An adjustment unit that bends the correction arm in contact with a predetermined portion between the one end and the other end of the correction arm;
The correction arm is bent by the contact action of the adjusting portion to apply an external force to the other end portion of the suspension arm, and the optical waveguide, the slider, and the suspension arm are moved in a state where the bending of the bending portion is relaxed. A jig for assembling a head using near-field light, characterized by being connected.   The near field light utilization head assembling jig according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment portion is formed of a screw.   The near-field light utilizing head assembling jig according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting portion includes a latch mechanism.   The near-field light using head according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the correction arm is formed so as to come into contact with the other end of the suspension arm at one location. Assembly jig.   The near-field light using head according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the correction arm is formed so as to contact the other end of the suspension arm at a plurality of locations. Assembly jig.   The correction arm has a claw substantially perpendicular to the correction arm. When the correction arm is bent by the adjustment unit, the suspension arm is sandwiched between the claw and the pallet as the correction arm is bent. The near-field light utilizing head assembling jig according to claim 1, wherein the near-field light utilizing head assembling jig is fixed.   A transport device that transports the near-field light utilizing head assembling jig according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a suspension mounter that disposes the suspension arm on the pallet, an adjuster that operates the adjusting unit, An apparatus for assembling a near-field light using head, comprising: a slider mounter for fixing the slider to the suspension arm; and an optical waveguide mounter for fixing the optical waveguide to the slider and the suspension arm.

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