JPH0676514A - Head arm assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a head to be withdrawn from any position of a disk and to keep the head from contacting with the disk. CONSTITUTION:1st and 2nd supporting arm members 14R and 14L are provided to be extended from a rigid arm 2 over to the side of the head 12, and a leaf spring 18 is fixed to the 1st and 2nd supporting arm members 14R and 14L to be engageable with a suspension 8 on the side of the disk 40, and a piezoelectric element 16 is disposed between the 1st and 2nd supporting arm members 14R and 14L.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a head arm assembly for positioning a head with respect to a disk.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a generally used magnetic hard disk drive employs a CSS (contact start stop) system. In this method,
When the magnetic hard disk is stopped, the magnetic head is in contact with the disk surface, and as the disk rotates,
The magnetic head floats.

US Pat. No. 4,933,785 includes NC
An SS (non-contact start / stop) type magnetic hard disk drive is disclosed. In this device, a cam follower member is provided on the arm assembly, a cam surface assembly is provided on the outside of the disk, and when unloading, the arm assembly is moved to the outside of the disk to bring the cam follower member into contact with the cam surface, and then the arm • Move the assembly along the cam surface until it remains stationary in the locked position.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned CSS type magnetic hard disk device, the liquid contained in the device adheres to the disk surface, so that the attraction phenomenon (stiction) between the magnetic head and the magnetic disk occurs. There is. As a measure against this, a texture that roughens the surface of the disk is formed, which runs counter to the most basic requirement of magnetic recording to try to bring the magnetic head as close as possible to the magnetic film of the disk, and especially in the future. It is an obstacle to the higher density recording that is about to be achieved.

The N-CSS disclosed in the above USP
In the method, in order to move the head away from the disk, it is necessary to move the head to the outside of the disk. Therefore, if an impact occurs during the head moving time, the head and the disk may come into contact with each other. Further, since the head is loaded while moving it horizontally instead of moving it up and down, the head may come into contact with the disk during loading.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a head arm assembly in which the head can be retracted from any position on the disk and the head does not contact the disk. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

A head arm assembly according to claim 1 comprises: (A) a rigid arm (eg,
A suspension (for example, the rigid arm 2) of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and (B) one end of which is fixed to the rigid arm and a head (for example, the magnetic head 12 of FIG. 1) is attached to the other end.
The suspension 8) of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and (C) a first support member whose one end is substantially fixed to the rigid arm and extends toward the head (for example, the first support arm member 1 of the embodiment of FIG. 1).
4R), (D) second support means (eg, the first support arm member 14R of the embodiment of FIG. 1) that is substantially fixed to one end or a rigid arm and extends toward the head side, and (E) disk (eg, , A spring member (for example, the leaf spring 18 of the embodiment of FIG. 1) fixed to the first and second support members so as to be engageable with the suspension on the magnetic hard disk 40 side of the embodiment of FIG. F) It is characterized by including piezoelectric means (for example, the laminated piezoelectric element 16 of the embodiment of FIG. 1) arranged between the first supporting member and the second supporting member.

A head arm assembly according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: (a) a rigid arm (for example, the rigid arm 2 in the embodiment of FIG. 8); and (b) one end fixed to the rigid arm,
A suspension (for example, the suspension 8 of the embodiment of FIG. 8) to which a head (for example, the magnetic head 12 of FIG. 8) is attached to the other end, and (c) a first hinge portion (for example, the embodiment of FIG. 8) on the rigid arm. Of the first support arm member 8 of the embodiment of FIG. 8 and the first support member extending toward the head side and the opposite side thereof.
4R), (d) a second support member which is coupled to the rigid arm via a second hinge portion (for example, the hinge portion 84LH in the embodiment of FIG. 8) and extends to the head side and the opposite side thereof (see, for example, FIG. 8). Second support arm member 84L) of the embodiment of
(E) A spring member (for example, the leaf spring 18 of the embodiment of FIG. 8) fixed to the first and second support members so as to be engageable with the suspension on the disk side, and (f) the first and second spring members. 2 The first on the side opposite to the head with respect to the hinge
And a piezoelectric means (for example, the laminated piezoelectric element 86 of the embodiment of FIG. 8) arranged between the first support member and the second support member at a predetermined position of the second support member. To do.

[0009]

According to the head arm assembly of the present invention, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric means, the piezoelectric means contracts and the distance between the first supporting member and the second supporting member is narrowed. The member moves to the disk side and moves away from the suspension, and the head is loaded (that is, the head is flying). Further, when no voltage is applied to the piezoelectric means, the piezoelectric means expands to increase the distance between the first support member and the second support member, which causes the spring member to move away from the disk and engage with the suspension, and thus the suspension. The head is unloaded away from the disc.

According to another aspect of the head arm assembly of the present invention, when no voltage is applied to the piezoelectric means, the piezoelectric means extends and the gap between the first support member and the second support member, on which the piezoelectric means is disposed. However, the distance between the first support member and the second support member at the position where the spring member is arranged is narrowed.
As a result, the spring member moves toward the disk and separates from the suspension, and the head is loaded (that is, the head is flying). Further, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric means, the piezoelectric means contracts and the gap between the first support member and the second support member at the position where the piezoelectric means is arranged is narrowed, but at the position where the spring member is provided. The distance between the first support member and the second support member increases. As a result, the spring member moves away from the disk and engages with the suspension, moving the suspension away from the disk and unloading the head.

[0011]

1 shows the construction of an embodiment of a head arm assembly when the present invention is applied to a magnetic hard disk drive. One end of a suspension 8 is fixed to the mounting area 6 of the rigid arm 2. A magnetic head 12 is attached to the other end of the suspension 8.
Actually, the magnetic head main body for writing and reading data is included in the slider, and the slider is attached to the suspension 8 via the flexure. However, in order to simplify the explanation and the illustration,
The magnetic head 12 includes a magnetic head body, a flexure, and a slider.

One end of the first support arm member 14R is fixed to the first side portion of the hub portion of the rigid arm 2 and extends toward the magnetic head 12 side substantially in parallel with the suspension 8. The hub portion of the rigid arm 2 is coupled to the fixed shaft 30 via a bearing. First support arm member 14R
Of the hinge portion 14R is made thinner than the other portions.
H is formed. One end of the second support arm member 14L is fixed to the second side portion of the hub portion of the rigid arm 2 and extends toward the magnetic head 12 side substantially in parallel with the suspension 8 and the first support arm member 14R. A predetermined portion of the second support arm member 14L is made thinner than other portions to form a hinge portion 14LH.

Leaf springs 18 are fixed to the ends of the first and second support arm members 14R and 14L so as to be able to engage with the suspension 8 on the magnetic hard disk 40 side.

2 and 3 are a plan view and a front view showing an example of the structure of the leaf spring 18 used in the embodiment of FIG. The leaf springs 18 are attached to the first support arm members 14R and 14L, respectively.
A suspension support part 24, an offset part 22R connecting the mounting part 20R and the suspension support part 24 so as to form a step, and a mounting part 20L and the suspension support part 24 forming a step. And an offset portion 22L that connects At the center position of the suspension support portion 26 (this position is located in the central axis of the suspension 8 in the longitudinal direction), a spherical projection 26 is provided that protrudes toward the suspension 8 by forming dimples. Suspension 8
Engages with the protrusion 26, it is possible to perform a roll movement, and the magnetic head 12 can be maintained in a posture parallel to the magnetic disk 40. The protrusion 26 may have a partially cylindrical shape whose longitudinal center axis coincides with the longitudinal center axis of the suspension 8.

At a predetermined position between the hinge portions 14RH and 14LH of the first and second support arm members 14R and 14L and the fixed position of the leaf spring 18, between the first and second support arm members 14R and 14L. A laminated piezoelectric element 16 is provided.

A VCM (voice coil motor) 36 is provided in a portion integrally formed with the hub portion of the rigid arm 2 and extending on the side opposite to the suspension 8 with respect to the fixed shaft 30. The arm 2 is rotated about the central axis of the fixed shaft 30 by the driving force of the VCM 36, and the magnetic head 12 is positioned at a required position of the magnetic hard disk 40.

The first and second support arm members 14R and 14L function as a first mechanism for expanding the displacement of the laminated piezoelectric element 16. That is, the hinge portions 14RH and 14
With LH as a fulcrum, the first and second support arm members 14
R and 14L act as a "lever", and hinge 14
By appropriately selecting the positions of RH and 14LH, the displacement of the laminated piezoelectric element 16 can be adjusted so that the tips of the first and second support arm members 14R and 14L, that is, the leaf springs 1 are moved.
8 fixed positions can be tripled.

The leaf spring 18 functions as a second mechanism for expanding the displacement of the laminated piezoelectric element 16. That is, the leaf spring 18
Is the first and second support arm members 14R and 14L.
Lateral displacements of the attachment portions 22R and 22L are converted into a vertical direction in the suspension support portion 24 and enlarged to, for example, 8 times.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 configured as described above will be described. When the magnetic hard disk drive is not operating, no voltage is applied to the laminated piezoelectric element 16. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the laminated piezoelectric element 16 extends and the first support arm member 14 extends.
The distance between R and the second arm support member 14L increases, and as a result, the leaf spring 18 moves away from the disk 40, its protrusion 26 engages with the suspension 8, and the suspension 8 moves away from the disk 40. Will not come into contact with the disk 40 (that is, will be in an unloading state). This state is maintained even when the magnetic hard disk drive is operating and the head 12 does not access the disk 40.

When the head 12 accesses the disk 40, the disk 40 is rotated, and after a steady rotation is reached, a voltage is applied to the laminated piezoelectric element 16. This allows
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the laminated piezoelectric element 1
6 contracts to narrow the distance between the first support arm member 14R and the second arm support member 14L, and as a result, the leaf spring 18
Moves toward the disk and moves away from the suspension 8 to load the head (that is, fly the head), so that the head 12 can access the disk 40.

When the operation of the magnetic hard disk drive is stopped, the voltage application to the laminated piezoelectric element 16 is stopped and the head 12 is moved away from the disk 40 before the rotation of the disk 40 drops and the flying height decreases.

When the magnetic hard disk drive receives an impact, the sensor senses this and immediately stops the voltage application to the laminated piezoelectric element 16 to move the head 12 away from the disk 40, and the head 12 and the disk 40. Avoid crashes. Similar actions can be taken to prevent a crash even during a power outage or sudden power off.

For example, a laminated piezoelectric element 16 having a length of 14 mm
When a voltage of 60 V is applied to the laminated piezoelectric element 16,
It is displaced by 0 μm. This displacement is about 2 by the first and second support arm members 14R and 14L and the leaf spring 18.
Since it can be magnified 0 times, the displacement of the suspension support portion 24 of the leaf spring 18 is about 200 μm.

FIG. 8 shows the construction of another embodiment of the head arm assembly of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
The rigid arm 2, suspension 8, magnetic head 12, leaf spring 18, fixed shaft 30, and VCM 36 are shown in FIG.
The same as the embodiment of The difference is that a first support arm member 84R corresponding to the first support arm member 14R of FIG.
On the first side of the hub portion of the rigid arm 2.
4RH and extends substantially parallel to the rigid arm 2 and the suspension 8 in both directions, the head 12 side and the opposite side, and the second support arm member 14L of FIG.
The second support arm member 84L corresponding to
Is connected to the second side of the hub portion of the disk via the second hinge portion 84LH, and extends substantially parallel to the rigid arm 2 and the suspension 8 in both the head 12 side and the opposite side thereof, and the leaf spring 18 is connected to the disk. Suspension 8 on the side
Is fixed to the ends of the first and second support arm members 84R and 84L so as to be engageable with the laminated piezoelectric element 86.
Is disposed between the ends of the first and second support arm members 84R and 84L on the side opposite to the head 12 with respect to the first and second hinge portions 84RH and 84LH.

In the head arm assembly of FIG. 8, when no voltage is applied to the laminated piezoelectric element 86, the element 86 extends and the end portion of the first support arm member 84R between which the element 86 is disposed. The distance between the end of the second support arm member 84L and the end of the first support arm member 84R where the leaf spring 18 is disposed and the end of the second support arm member 64L are reduced. As a result, the leaf spring 18 moves to the disk side and separates from the suspension 8, and the head 1
2 loadings (ie head flight) are performed.

When a voltage is applied to the laminated piezoelectric element 86, the element 86 contracts and the first element 86 is arranged between them.
The end of the support arm member 84R and the second support arm member 84
Although the distance between the end portion of L and the end portion of the first support arm member 84R in which the leaf spring 18 is disposed and the end portion of the second support arm member 84L are narrowed. As a result, the leaf spring 1
8 moves away from the disk and engages with the suspension 8 to move the suspension 18 away from the disk, and the head 12 is unloaded.

Although the leaf spring is provided at the end of the support arm member in the above embodiment, it may be provided at an intermediate position of the support arm member. However, to get the maximum displacement,
Should be provided at the edge.

Although the piezoelectric element is provided at the end of the support arm member in the embodiment of FIG. 8, it may be provided at an intermediate position of the support arm member. However, for maximum displacement, it should be at the end.

In the above embodiment, the supporting arm member is fixed to the hub portion of the rigid arm. However, instead of this, for example, the support arm member is fixed to the outer ring of the bearing to which the hub portion of the rigid arm is fixed. The support arm member may be fixed. It only needs to be substantially fixed to the rigid arm.

In the above embodiment, the arm for supporting the head is arranged above the magnetic disk, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the arm is arranged below the magnetic disk. It can also be applied in cases.

The present invention can be applied not only to the case of one magnetic disk but also to a plurality of magnetic disks.

Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to magnetic disks but also to optical disks and magneto-optical disks.

[0033]

According to the head arm assembly of the first aspect, two supporting members are extended from the rigid arm to the head side, and the spring member is provided on the two supporting members so as to be engageable with the suspension on the disk side. Since the piezoelectric means is fixed and the piezoelectric means is disposed between the two support members, the following effects are obtained. (1) Since the head and the disk never come into contact with each other,
It is not necessary to form a texture on the disc surface, and the surface state suitable for high density recording can be obtained. (2) Since the two support members and the spring member move together with the suspension, the head can be retracted at any position on the disk. That is, sudden shocks,
The head can be immediately separated from the disk even in the case of power failure or sudden power off, so that the head does not collide with the disk. (3) Even if a power failure or sudden power off occurs, the voltage is no longer applied to the piezoelectric means, and the head is separated from the disk by the two support members and the spring member, so that head crash does not occur. (4) Since the head can be loaded and unloaded at any position on the disk, keep the head far away from the disk at that position on the disk when the head is not reading or writing. As a result, the shock resistance is improved and it is not necessary to move the head from the retreat zone, so the start-up time can be shortened.

According to the head arm assembly of the second aspect, the two supporting members are coupled to the rigid arms through the hinge portions, respectively, and the spring member is provided on the two supporting members so as to be engageable with the suspension on the disk side. Since the piezoelectric means is fixed and the piezoelectric means is disposed between the two support members at a predetermined position on the side opposite to the head with respect to the hinge portion, the same effect as that of claim 1 can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of an embodiment of a head arm assembly when the present invention is applied to a magnetic hard disk drive.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a leaf spring 18 used in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration example of a leaf spring 18 used in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state of the embodiment of FIG. 1 during a loading operation.

5 is a front view showing a state of the embodiment of FIG. 1 during a loading operation. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state of the embodiment of FIG. 1 during an unloading operation.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the state of the embodiment of FIG. 1 during the unloading operation.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the head arm assembly of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Rigid Arm 8 Suspension 12 Magnetic Head 14R First Support Arm Member 14RH First Hinge Part 14L Second Support Arm Member 14LH Second Hinge Part 16 Laminated Piezoelectric Element 18 Leaf Springs 20R, 20L Attachment Part 22R, 22L Offset Part 24 Suspension Support Part 26 Protrusion 84R First support arm member 84RH First hinge part 84L Second support arm member 84LH Second hinge part 86 Laminated piezoelectric element

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A head arm assembly for positioning a head with respect to a disk, a rigid arm, a suspension having one end fixed to the arm and the head attached to the other end, and the arm at one end. A first support member that is substantially fixed to the head and extends to the head side; a second support member that is substantially fixed to the arm and extends to the head side; and a suspension that is engageable with the suspension on the disk side. A head arm comprising: a spring member fixed to the first and second support members; and piezoelectric means arranged between the first support member and the second support member. ·assembly. 2. A head arm assembly for positioning a head with respect to a disk, comprising: a rigid arm; a suspension having one end fixed to the arm and the other end to which the head is attached; A first support member which is coupled via one hinge portion and extends in both directions on the head side and the opposite side thereof; and a first support member which is coupled to the arm via a second hinge portion and extends in both the head side and the opposite side thereof. 2 a support member, a spring member fixed to the first and second support members so as to be engageable with the suspension on the disk side, and a side opposite to the head with respect to the first and second hinge portions. A piezoelectric means disposed between the first support member and the second support member at a predetermined position of the first and second support members. Head arm assembly to collect.