JP2010140596A - Head, head suspension assembly, and disk drive incorporating them - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a head reducing the floating height fluctuation of the slider and improving its reliability and stability, and also to provide a head suspension assembly incorporating the head, and a disk drive. <P>SOLUTION: The slider 42 of the head 40 has a negative pressure cavity 54 formed on the facing surface 43, a leading step 50 arranged upstream of the negative pressure cavity, a head arranging pad 60 formed on the facing surface at the negative pressure cavity and where the air flows out and the head part is provided, a positive pressure generating pad 64 formed on the facing surface between the leading pad and the head arranging pad to generate a positive pressure, and center skirts 66 formed on the positive pressure generating pad and where the air flows out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a head used in a disk drive device such as a magnetic disk device, a head suspension assembly including the head, and a disk drive device including the head suspension assembly.

  As a disk drive device, for example, a magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk disposed in a case, a spindle motor that supports and rotates the magnetic disk, and a magnetic head that reads / writes information from / to the magnetic disk. And a carriage assembly that supports the magnetic head movably with respect to the magnetic disk. The carriage assembly includes an arm rotatably supported and a suspension extending from the arm, and a magnetic head is supported on the extended end of the suspension. The magnetic head has a slider attached to the suspension, and a head portion provided on the slider, and the head portion includes a read reproducing element and a write recording element.

  The slider has a disk facing surface (air bearing surface: ABS) facing the recording surface of the magnetic disk. A predetermined head load is applied to the slider by a suspension in a direction toward the magnetic recording layer of the magnetic disk. During the operation of the magnetic disk apparatus, an air flow is generated between the rotating magnetic disk and the slider, and a force (positive) that causes the slider to float from the recording surface of the magnetic disk on the disk-facing surface of the slider due to the principle of air fluid lubrication. Pressure). By balancing the flying force and the head load, the slider floats with a gap from the magnetic disk recording surface. In order to prevent fluctuations in the flying height of the slider, there is known a disk drive device in which a negative pressure cavity and a dynamic pressure generating groove are formed near the center of the opposing surface of the slider (for example, Patent Document 1).

  That is, the slider includes a negative pressure cavity formed in the central portion of the ABS, a front pad portion provided on the air inflow end side of the slider, and a rear pad provided on the air outflow end side of the slider. Yes. The rear pad is composed of an outflow side step portion, an outflow side rail surface formed following the outflow side step portion, a groove deeper than the outflow side rail, and an outflow side pad portion at the same height as the outflow side rail surface. It is configured. The outflow side pad portion is surrounded by the outflow side rail surface at the front and both sides thereof. And the magnetic transducer which comprises a head part is provided in the outflow side pad part.

  The air flow flowing between the disk surface and the ABS of the slider generates positive pressure at the front pad portion, rear pad portion, and outflow side pad portion, and the slider is in a state where the outflow side pad portion is closest to the disk surface. Maintain a floating attitude.

  On the other hand, in recent years, as a magnetic disk, a discrete track record having improved recording density by forming irregularities on the disk surface, that is, forming a groove between adjacent tracks and reducing mutual interference between adjacent tracks. A coated (DTR) disc is provided.

JP 2007-73165 A

  When information is written to or read from the recording surface with unevenness of the DTR disk using the magnetic head as described above, each pad portion of the slider is caused by changes in the unevenness of the recording surface or minute dust generated during media processing. As a result, the positive pressure generated in the step changes and the flying height of the slider fluctuates greatly. In particular, the positive pressure generated at the outflow side pad portion located closest to the recording surface tends to fluctuate. Thus, when the flying height of the slider fluctuates, it becomes difficult to record and reproduce information stably with respect to the disk.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a head that suppresses the flying height variation of the slider and has improved reliability and stability, a head suspension assembly including the head, and a disk drive device. It is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a head according to an aspect of the present invention has a facing surface facing the surface of a rotatable recording medium, and is generated between the recording medium surface and the facing surface by rotation of the recording medium. A slider that floats by an air flow, and a head unit that is provided on the slider and records and reproduces information on the recording medium,
The slider includes a negative pressure cavity that is defined by a recess formed in the facing surface and generates a negative pressure, and a leading step portion that is located upstream of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity on the facing surface. A head arrangement pad provided on the opposite surface on the outflow side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity and provided with the head portion, and a predetermined distance on the inflow side of the air flow with respect to the head arrangement pad And a positive pressure generating pad that is provided on the opposing surface and generates positive pressure, and a center skirt that is provided on the air outflow side of the positive pressure generating pad.

A disk drive device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a drive unit that supports and rotates a disk-shaped recording medium, and a facing surface that faces the surface of the rotatable recording medium. A head comprising: a slider that floats by an air flow generated between the surface of the recording medium by rotation and an opposing surface; and a head portion that is provided on the slider and records and reproduces information on the recording medium; And a head suspension configured to support the movably,
The slider includes a negative pressure cavity that is defined by a recess formed in the facing surface and generates a negative pressure, and a leading step portion that is located upstream of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity on the facing surface. A head arrangement pad provided on the opposite surface on the outflow side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity and provided with the head portion, and a predetermined distance on the inflow side of the air flow with respect to the head arrangement pad And a positive pressure generating pad that is provided on the opposing surface and generates positive pressure, and a center skirt that is provided on the air outflow side of the positive pressure generating pad.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a head that suppresses the flying height fluctuation of the slider and has improved reliability and stability, a head suspension assembly including the head, and a disk drive device.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an HDD according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing a magnetic head and a magnetic disk portion in the HDD. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the disk facing surface side of the slider of the magnetic head. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the disk-facing surface side of the slider. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a slider according to Comparative Example 1, a slider according to Comparative Example 2, and a slider according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating pressure distributions of the slider according to Comparative Example 1, the slider according to Comparative Example 2, and the slider according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a result of simulating flying height fluctuations of the slider according to Comparative Example 2 and the slider according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a slider of a magnetic head according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a slider of a magnetic head according to a third embodiment of the invention.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which a disk drive device according to the present invention is applied to a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the internal structure of the HDD with the top cover of the case removed. As shown in FIG. 1, the HDD includes a rectangular box-shaped base 12 having an open top surface and a top cover (not shown) that is screwed to the case with a plurality of screws and closes the upper end opening of the case.

  In the base 12, a magnetic disk 16 as a recording medium, a spindle motor 18 as a drive unit for supporting and rotating the magnetic disk, a plurality of magnetic heads 40 for writing and reading information to and from the magnetic disk, and these magnetic heads A carriage assembly 22 that supports the head movably with respect to the magnetic disk 16, a voice coil motor (hereinafter referred to as VCM) 24 that rotates and positions the carriage assembly, and the magnetic head moves to the outermost periphery of the magnetic disk. A ramp load mechanism 25 that holds the magnetic head in a retracted position away from the magnetic disk, a substrate unit 21 having a head IC, and the like are disposed.

  A printed circuit board (not shown) is screwed to the outer surface of the bottom wall of the base 12. The printed circuit board controls operations of the spindle motor 18, the VCM 24, and the magnetic head 40 via the board unit 21.

  The magnetic disk 16 has a magnetic recording layer on the upper surface and the lower surface. Also, as the magnetic disk 16, discrete track recording with improved recording density by forming irregularities on the disk surface, that is, by forming grooves between adjacent tracks and reducing mutual interference between adjacent tracks. A (DTR) disc is used. The magnetic disk 16 is fitted on the outer periphery of a hub (not shown) of the spindle motor 18 and is fixed on the hub by a clamp spring 17. By driving the spindle motor 18, the magnetic disk 16 is rotated in the arrow B direction at a predetermined speed.

  The carriage assembly 22 includes a bearing portion 26 fixed on the bottom wall of the base 12 and a plurality of arms 32 extending from the bearing portion. These arms 32 are positioned parallel to the surface of the magnetic disk 16 and at a predetermined distance from each other, and extend from the bearing portion 26 in the same direction. The carriage assembly 22 includes an elongated plate-like suspension 38 that can be elastically deformed. The suspension 38 is configured by a leaf spring, and the base end thereof is fixed to the distal end of the arm 32 by spot welding or adhesion, and extends from the arm. A magnetic head 40 is supported at the tip of each suspension 38. Each suspension 38 may be formed integrally with the corresponding arm 32. The arm 32 and the suspension 38 constitute a head suspension, and the head suspension and the magnetic head 40 constitute a head suspension assembly.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each magnetic head 40 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped slider 42 and a recording / reproducing head portion 44 provided on the slider, and a gimbal spring 41 provided at the distal end portion of the suspension 38. It is fixed to. Each magnetic head 40 is applied with a head load L directed toward the surface of the magnetic disk 16 due to the elasticity of the suspension 38.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the carriage assembly 22 has a support frame 45 extending from the bearing portion 26 in the direction opposite to the arm 32, and the voice coil 47 constituting a part of the VCM 24 is supported by the support frame. Has been. The support frame 45 is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the voice coil 47 with synthetic resin. The voice coil 47 is located between a pair of yokes 49 fixed to the base 12, and constitutes the VCM 24 together with these yokes and a magnet (not shown) fixed to one of the yokes. By energizing the voice coil 47, the carriage assembly 22 rotates around the bearing portion 26, and the magnetic head 40 is moved and positioned on a desired track of the magnetic disk 16.

  The ramp loading mechanism 25 includes a ramp 51 provided on the bottom wall of the base 12 and disposed outside the magnetic disk 16, and a tab 53 extending from the tip of each suspension 38. When the carriage assembly 22 rotates to the retracted position outside the magnetic disk 16, each tab 53 engages with the ramp surface formed on the ramp 51, and then is pulled up by the ramp surface inclination, and the magnetic head 40. Perform the unload operation.

Next, the configuration of the magnetic head 40 will be described in detail. 3 is a perspective view showing the disk-facing surface side of the magnetic head, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the slider, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the slider.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the magnetic head 40 has a slider 42 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The slider 42 is a rectangular disk-facing surface (ABS) 43 facing the surface of the magnetic disk 16, and a disk. An inflow side end surface 44a extending perpendicular to the facing surface, an outflow side end surface 44b extending perpendicular to the disk facing surface, and extending between the inflow side end surface 44a and the outflow side end surface 44b perpendicular to the disk facing surface, respectively. A pair of side surfaces 44c.

  The longitudinal direction of the disk facing surface 43 is defined as a first direction X, and the width direction orthogonal thereto is defined as a second direction Y. The slider 42 is formed so that the length L1 in the first direction X is 1.25 mm or less, for example, 0.85 mm, and the width W along the second direction Y is 1.00 mm or less, for example, 0.70 mm. It is configured as a slider.

  The magnetic head 40 is configured as a flying head, and the slider 42 floats due to an air flow C (see FIG. 2) generated between the disk surface and the disk facing surface 43 by the rotation of the magnetic disk 16. During the operation of the HDD, the disk facing surface 43 of the slider 42 always faces the disk surface with a gap. Here, the direction of the air flow C coincides with the rotation direction B of the magnetic disk 16. The slider 42 is disposed so that the first direction X of the disk facing surface 43 substantially coincides with the direction of the air flow C with respect to the surface of the magnetic disk 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a negative pressure cavity 54 formed of a recess is formed from substantially the center of the disk facing surface 43 to the outflow end side. The negative pressure cavity 54 is open toward the outflow side end face 44b. The slider 42 has a thickness of 0.23 mm, for example, and the negative pressure cavity 54 has a depth of 600 to 1500 nm, for example 1500 nm. By providing the negative pressure cavity 54, a negative pressure can be generated at the center of the disk facing surface 43 at all yaw angles realized by the HDD.

  In the disk facing surface 43, a substantially rectangular leading step portion 50 is formed at the inflow side end. The leading step portion 50 is one step lower than the disk facing surface 43 and is provided so as to protrude from the bottom surface of the negative pressure cavity 54. The leading step portion 50 is located on the inflow side of the negative pressure cavity 54 with respect to the air flow C, and extends over almost the entire length of the slider 42 in the second direction Y.

  The disk facing surface 43 is formed with a pair of side portions 46 that extend along the respective side edges of the disk facing surface 43 and face each other at an interval in the second direction Y. These side portions 46 are provided so as to protrude from the bottom surface of the negative pressure cavity 54. The side portion 46 extends from the leading step portion 50 to the downstream end side of the slider 42. The leading step part 50 and the pair of side parts 46 are provided on the object with respect to the central axis of the slider 42, and as a whole, are formed in a substantially U shape with the upstream side closed and opened toward the downstream side. A negative pressure cavity 54 is defined by the leading step portion 50 and the pair of side portions 46.

  In order to maintain the pitch angle of the magnetic head 40, a leading pad 52 that supports the slider 42 by an air film protrudes from the leading step portion 50. The leading pad 52 extends continuously over the entire width direction of the leading step portion 50 along the second direction Y, and is formed at a position shifted from the inflow side end surface 44a of the slider 42 to the outflow end side. .

  A side pad 48 is formed on each side portion 46 and is connected to the leading pad 52. The leading pad 52 and the side pad 48 are formed almost flat and form a disk facing surface 43.

  Each side pad 48 is formed with a first recess 56a and a second recess 56b. The first and second recesses 56 a and 56 b open toward the magnetic disk surface and open toward the inflow side end of the disk facing surface 43. Each of the first recess 56a and the second recess 56b is formed in a rectangular shape, and connects the pair of side edges extending substantially parallel to the first direction X and the extending ends of these side edges and It is defined by a bottom edge extending substantially parallel to the two directions Y. The second recess 56b is formed one step deeper than the first recess 56a.

  A pair of side skirts 57 are formed on the disk facing surface 43 of the slider 42 so as to extend linearly from the side portion 46 toward the outflow side end of the slider along the first direction X. Each side skirt 57 is formed deeper than the side portion 46 and protrudes from the bottom surface of the negative pressure cavity 54. Each side skirt 57 is formed with a depth of, for example, 100 to 200 nm with respect to the disk facing surface 43.

  The slider 42 is a distance between the head placement pad 60 provided at the outflow side end of the disk facing surface 43, and between the leading pad 52 and the head placement pad 60, that is, from the outflow side end of the slider to the inflow side. It has a positive pressure generating pad portion 64 provided on the disk facing surface 43 at a position separated by L2, and a pair of center skirts 66 provided on the outflow end side with respect to the positive pressure generating pad.

  The head arrangement pad 60 is formed in a sufficiently small rectangular shape, is located on the central axis of the slider 42, and protrudes from the negative pressure cavity 54. The head arrangement pad 60 forms a part of the disk facing surface 43. The head portion 44 of the magnetic head 40 has a recording element and a reproducing element for recording and reproducing information with respect to the magnetic disk 16. These reproducing element and recording element are embedded in the head arrangement pad 60. The reproducing element and the recording element have a read / write gap (not shown) formed in the head arrangement pad 60.

  The positive pressure generating pad 64 is formed in, for example, a rectangular shape, is located on the central axis of the slider 42, and protrudes from the negative pressure cavity 54. The upper surface of the positive pressure generating pad 64 is positioned at the same height as the leading pad 52 and the side pad 48 and forms a part of the disk facing surface 43. The positive pressure generating pad 64 has a width along the second direction, and this width is formed larger than the width of the head arrangement pad 60.

  The length L2 from the positive pressure generating pad 64 to the outflow side end of the slider 42 is 7% to 30% (the position of the side portion) of the length L1 between the inflow end and outflow end of the slider 42, preferably The distance between the side portion 46 and the outflow side end of the slider is set to be shorter than 15%.

  The positive pressure generating pad 64 has a first recess 65a and a second recess 65b formed continuously. The first and second recesses 65 a and 65 b open toward the magnetic disk surface and open toward the inflow side end of the disk facing surface 43. Each of the first recess 65a and the second recess 65b is formed in a rectangular shape, connects a pair of side edges extending substantially parallel to the first direction X, and the extending ends of these side edges and It is defined by a bottom edge extending substantially parallel to the two directions Y. The second recess 65b is formed one step deeper than the first recess 65a.

  The pair of center skirts 66 extend along the first direction X from the outflow side end of the positive pressure generating pad 64 to the outflow side end of the disk facing surface 43. The pair of center skirts 66 are opposed to each other along the second direction Y by an interval substantially equal to the width of the positive pressure generating pad 64. The pair of center skirts 66 is shallower than the negative pressure cavity 54 and deeper than the positive pressure generating pad 64. A negative pressure generation region 70 is defined by the positive pressure generation pad 64 and the pair of center start portions 66. The head arrangement pad 60 is located between the center skirts 66.

  According to the HDD and head suspension assembly configured as described above, the magnetic head 40 is floated by the air flow C generated between the disk surface and the disk facing surface 43 by the rotation of the magnetic disk 16. As a result, during the operation of the HDD, the disk facing surface 43 of the slider 42 always faces the disk surface with a gap. As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic head 40 floats in an inclined posture in which the read / write gap of the head portion 44 is closest to the disk surface.

  By providing the negative pressure cavity 54 on the disk facing surface 43 of the slider 42, the magnetic head 40 can generate a negative pressure at the center of the disk facing surface 43 at all yaw angles realized by the HDD. At the outflow side end portion of the slider 42, that is, the trailing portion, the minimum necessary head arrangement pad 60 for mounting the read / write element is arranged, and the positive pressure generating pad 64 on the outflow end side is arranged on the slider 42. This is provided at a position that is shifted from the outflow side end to the inflow side end and is difficult to receive the irregularities on the magnetic disk surface. Further, a center skirt extending from the positive pressure generating pad to the outflow end side of the slider is provided to increase the amount of negative pressure generated on the trailing side. As a result, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the flying height of the head due to the unevenness of the surface of the magnetic disk and the influence of minute dust generated during disk processing.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the present inventor prepared sliders according to Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 and a slider according to the present embodiment, and generated pressure distribution of these sliders and the uneven surface of the magnetic disk. A comparative analysis was conducted on the flying height fluctuation.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, in the slider according to Comparative Example 1, the trailing-side pad has a head placement pad provided on the outflow side end and a positive pressure provided on the inflow end side. Although it is divided into generating pads, it does not have a center skirt. As shown in FIG. 6B, the slider according to Comparative Example 2 is provided with a head placement pad and a positive pressure generating pad collectively at the outflow side end of the disk facing surface. In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, other configurations of the slider are the same as those of the slider according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6C shows the slider according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C show the pressure distribution of the slider according to Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, and this embodiment, respectively. In the slider according to the present embodiment, the length L2 from the positive pressure generating pad 64 to the outflow side end of the slider 42 is formed to be 19% of the length L1 between the inflow end and outflow end of the slider 42. Shall.

  In the slider according to Comparative Example 1, a large positive pressure and negative pressure are not generated around the head placement pad and the positive pressure generating pad. In the slider according to Comparative Example 2, a large positive pressure is generated at the outflow end of the slider. As shown in FIG. 7C, according to the slider according to the present embodiment, the positive pressure is generated by the positive pressure generating pad 64 at a position away from the outflow side end of the slider 42 to the inflow end side. It can be seen that the negative pressure increases in the negative pressure generation region 70 on the outflow end side of the positive pressure generation pad.

  FIG. 8 shows the results of simulating flying height fluctuations caused by irregularities on the surface of the magnetic disk for the slider according to Comparative Example 2, the slider according to this embodiment, and the slider according to Embodiment 2. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the flying height variation of the slider 42 according to the present embodiment is smaller than that of the comparative example 2. For example, when comparing the lowest point of the flying height, the slider according to the present embodiment differs from the slider according to Comparative Example 2 by the height H, and the flying height variation is reduced by about 20% compared to Comparative Example 2. I understand that.

  In the slider according to the second embodiment, the length L2 from the positive pressure generating pad 64 to the outflow side end of the slider 42 is 7% of the length L1 of the slider 42. It can be seen that also in the slider according to the second embodiment, the flying height variation of the slider is reduced as compared with Comparative Example 2.

  In the head according to this embodiment, 1) the influence of unevenness on the surface of the magnetic disk is reduced by shifting the positive pressure generation position of the trailing part to the leading side and extending the distance from the magnetic disk surface to the positive pressure generation position. 2) The center skirt is installed, and the amount of negative pressure lost can be recovered compared to the case where the positive pressure generation position is simply moved to the leading side. Conceivable.

  That is, on a magnetic disk with unevenness, such as a DTR disk, the positive pressure generated at each pad portion of the slider 42 changes due to unevenness of the disk surface and minute dust generated during media processing. For this reason, in the outflow end side positive pressure generation type slider as in Comparative Example 2, the positive pressure generation position is closest to the disk surface, so it is easily affected by irregularities on the disk surface, and the flying height varies greatly. End up.

  In order to suppress the influence of the unevenness, it is necessary to ensure a long distance from the disk surface to the positive pressure generating surface of the slider, particularly the positive pressure generating surface of the trailing pad portion. However, as in Comparative Example 1, simply moving the positive pressure generating pad to the leading side reduces the efficiency of generating positive pressure, so the pad must be enlarged. As a result, the negative pressure generation area is lost.

  Therefore, as in this embodiment, 1) a head arrangement pad 60 having a minimum size necessary for mounting a read / write element is arranged on the trailing portion of the slider 42 (two-part configuration of trailing). 2) Generate positive pressure for the trailing part in the leading side area which is not easily affected by unevenness on the disc surface. 3) Increase the amount of negative pressure generated on the trailing side by using a center skirt. Further, the flying height fluctuation of the head due to the unevenness of the surface of the magnetic disk and the influence of the minute dust generated during the disk processing can be suppressed, and the reliability and stability can be improved.

  From the above, it is possible to obtain a head in which fluctuation of the flying height of the slider is suppressed and reliability and stability are improved, a head suspension assembly including this head, and a disk drive device.

  Next, a head according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 schematically shows a magnetic head 40 of the disk device according to the second embodiment. According to the magnetic head 40 of the disk device according to the second embodiment, the pair of center skirts 66 extending from the positive pressure generating pad 64 of the slider 42 to the outflow end side are provided on both sides of the head placement pad 60 from the positive pressure generating pad. It extends to. That is, the pair of center skirts 66 extends slightly to the front of the outflow side end of the slider 42.

  FIG. 10 shows a magnetic head 40 of the disk device according to the third embodiment. According to the present embodiment, the pair of center skirts 66 extending from the positive pressure generating pad 64 of the slider 42 toward the outflow end side are separated from each other along the second direction Y by an interval larger than the width of the positive pressure generating pad 64. And are facing each other.

  In the second and third embodiments, the other configuration of the slider 42 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and the same reference numerals are given to the same portions, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. . Also in the second and third embodiments, it is possible to obtain a head in which the flying height variation of the slider is suppressed and reliability and stability are improved, a head suspension assembly including this head, and a disk drive device.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  The shapes and dimensions of the leading step portion, the side portion, the positive pressure generating pad, and the head placement pad in the slider are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as necessary. The present invention is not limited to the femto slider but can be applied to a pico slider, a pemto slider, or a slider having a larger dimension. In the disk drive device, the number of magnetic disks is not limited to one and can be increased.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Base, 16 ... Magnetic disk, 18 ... Spindle motor 22 ... Carriage assembly, 26 ... Bearing part, 32 ... Arm,
38 ... Suspension, 40 ... Magnetic head, 42 ... Slider, 43 ... Disc facing surface,
44 ... head part, 46 ... side part, 48 ... side pad,
50 ... Reading step part, 52 ... Reading pad, 54 ... Negative pressure cavity,
57 ... side skirt, 60 ... head placement pad, 64 ... positive pressure generating pad,
66 ... Center Skirt

Claims (11)

A slider having a facing surface facing the surface of the rotatable recording medium, and floating by an air flow generated between the recording medium surface and the facing surface by rotation of the recording medium;
A head portion provided on the slider for recording and reproducing information with respect to the recording medium,
The slider is
A negative pressure cavity that is defined by a recess formed in the facing surface and generates a negative pressure;
A leading step portion located on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity in the facing surface;
A head placement pad provided on the opposite surface on the outflow side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity, and the head portion is provided;
A positive pressure generating pad that is provided on the facing surface at a predetermined distance from the head placement pad on the air flow inflow side and generates a positive pressure;
And a center skirt provided on the air outflow side of the positive pressure generating pad. Each of the sliders is provided on the facing surface, and includes a pair of side portions that extend from the leading step portion to the outflow end side of the slider and face each other at an interval,
The distance between the positive pressure generating pad and the outflow end of the slider is approximately 7% or more of the length between the inflow end and the outflow end of the slider, and the positive pressure generating pad is the side of the side. The head according to claim 1, wherein the head is provided closer to the outflow end side of the opposing surface than the portion.   A pair of the center skirts are provided on the air outflow side of the positive pressure generating pad, respectively extending from the positive pressure generating pad to the outflow side end of the opposing surface, and the head placement pad is between the pair of center skirts. The head according to claim 1, which is located in   The head according to claim 3, wherein the center skirt extends from the positive pressure generating pad to both sides of the head placement pad. The opposing surface of the slider has a first direction extending in the direction of the air flow, and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,
The positive pressure generating pad has a width along the second direction, and the pair of center skirts are separated from each other by an interval substantially equal to the width of the positive pressure generating pad along the second direction. The head according to claim 3 or 4, which faces each other. The opposing surface of the slider has a first direction extending in the direction of the air flow, and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,
The positive pressure generating pad has a width along the second direction, and the pair of center skirts are spaced apart from each other along the second direction by a distance larger than the width of the positive pressure generating pad. The head according to claim 3 or 4, which faces each other. Each of the sliders is provided on the facing surface, extends from the leading step portion to the outflow end side of the slider, and has a pair of side portions facing each other at an interval,
The head according to claim 1, further comprising: a pair of side skirts provided on the facing surface and extending from the side portion toward the outflow end side of the slider and deeper than the side portion. A head suspension assembly used in a disk device,
A slider having a facing surface facing the surface of the rotatable recording medium, and floating by an air flow generated between the recording medium surface and the facing surface by rotation of the recording medium; and the recording medium provided on the slider A head unit that records and reproduces information on the head, and
A head suspension configured to movably support the head with respect to the recording medium,
The slider is
A negative pressure cavity that is defined by a recess formed in the facing surface and generates a negative pressure;
A leading step portion located on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity in the facing surface;
A head placement pad provided on the opposite surface on the outflow side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity, and the head portion is provided;
A positive pressure generating pad that is provided on the facing surface at a predetermined distance from the head placement pad on the air flow inflow side and generates a positive pressure;
And a center skirt provided on the air outflow side of the positive pressure generating pad. A drive unit that supports and rotates a disk-shaped recording medium;
A slider having a facing surface facing the surface of the rotatable recording medium, and floating by an air flow generated between the recording medium surface and the facing surface by rotation of the recording medium; and the recording medium provided on the slider A head unit that records and reproduces information on the head, and
A head suspension configured to movably support the head, and
The slider is
A negative pressure cavity that is defined by a recess formed in the facing surface and generates a negative pressure;
A leading step portion located on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity in the facing surface;
A head placement pad provided on the opposite surface on the outflow side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity, and the head portion is provided;
A positive pressure generating pad that is provided on the facing surface at a predetermined distance from the head placement pad on the air flow inflow side and generates a positive pressure;
And a center skirt provided on the air outflow side of the positive pressure generating pad. A slider having a facing surface facing the surface of the rotatable recording medium, and floating by an air flow generated between the recording medium surface and the facing surface by rotation of the recording medium;
A head portion provided on the slider for recording and reproducing information with respect to the recording medium,
The opposing surface of the slider has a first direction extending in the direction of the air flow, and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,
The slider is
A negative pressure cavity that is defined by a recess formed in the facing surface and generates a negative pressure;
A leading step portion located on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity in the facing surface;
A pair of side portions respectively provided on the facing surface and extending from the leading step portion to the outflow end side of the slider and facing each other at an interval in the second direction;
A head placement pad provided on the opposite surface on the outflow side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity, and the head portion is provided;
A positive pressure generating pad that is provided on the facing surface at a predetermined distance from the head placement pad on the air flow inflow side and generates a positive pressure;
A head provided with a pair of center skirts provided on the air outflow side of the positive pressure generating pad and shallower than the negative pressure cavity; A disk-shaped recording medium;
A drive unit that supports and rotates the recording medium;
A slider having a facing surface facing the surface of the rotatable recording medium, and floating by an air flow generated between the recording medium surface and the facing surface by rotation of the recording medium; and the recording medium provided on the slider A head unit that records and reproduces information with respect to
A head suspension configured to movably support the head with respect to the recording medium,
The opposing surface of the slider has a first direction extending in the direction of the air flow, and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,
The slider is
A negative pressure cavity that is defined by a recess formed in the facing surface and generates a negative pressure;
A leading step portion located on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity in the facing surface;
A pair of side portions respectively provided on the facing surface and extending from the leading step portion to the outflow end side of the slider and facing each other at an interval in the second direction;
A head placement pad provided on the opposite surface on the outflow side of the air flow with respect to the negative pressure cavity, and the head portion is provided;
A positive pressure generating pad that is provided on the facing surface at a predetermined distance from the head placement pad on the air flow inflow side and generates a positive pressure;
A disk drive device comprising a pair of center skirts provided on the air outflow side of the positive pressure generating pad and shallower than the negative pressure cavity.

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