JPH11203811A - Head supporting mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce interval of a slider in the height direction and to make a disk device thinner by connecting a suspension member with a groove part of the slider where a surface opposed to a disk surface is floated with a specified interval and applying prescribed load to the slider in the direction of a data recording surface of the disk. SOLUTION: A flexure 5 in the groove part 33 of the slider 3 installed within a range of height of a side part 31. Attitude of the slider 3 is stably controlled by the suspension member consisting of a suspension 2 and the flexure 5 and position attitude of recording reproduction which is stable with respect to the disk is always secured for fluctuation to the direction of the slider 3 of the disk to rotate at high speed by heads 10a, 10b. The height from an installation surface with a swing arm to a floating surface 32 regarding the slider 3 is small at least by the depth of the flexure 5. Relating to the disk device for which plural disks are used, the interval of the disk becomes relatively small and thickness of the disk device becomes thinner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a head support mechanism for supporting a head in a disk device which performs recording and / or reproduction on a disk by magnetic, optical, and other methods using the head. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some disk drives have a plurality of heads, and these heads record and reproduce data on both sides of a disk. In such a disk device, a head support mechanism for supporting the head is required. In a conventional head support mechanism, a head is mounted on a support made of a ceramic material or the like called a slider, and is supported in a state of floating above a data recording surface of a disk at a predetermined interval. There is.

FIG. 8 shows a conventional head support mechanism, and FIG.
1 shows a conventional disk device using this head support mechanism. Referring to these figures, a plurality of disks 4
Rotates at a high speed, and records data on and reproduces data from a disk 4 by a head mounted on a slider 3 attached to a suspension 2.

The head support mechanism is roughly divided into a base plate 1 and a suspension 2 as shown in FIG.
And the slider 3. The base plate 1 includes a swing arm (not shown), a caulking hole 1b, and a base plate 1a. The base plate 1a is configured to be rotationally driven by a driving force of a voice coil motor (VCM) as an actuator mechanism.

[0005] The suspension 2 includes a base plate 1a.
The slider 3 attached to the distal end of the disk 4 is rotated in the radial direction of the disk 4 by the rotation of the base plate 1a. The suspension 2 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the slider 3 includes a load beam 2a for applying a predetermined load to the slider 3 in the direction of the disk 4, and a folded portion 2b forming a side surface of the load beam 2a. The folded portion 2b is provided to reinforce the structural strength of the load beam 2a and to wire a lead wire connected to the head.

The slider 3 is supported by a suspension member called a flexure 5 and is connected to the suspension 2 via the flexure 5. The flexure 5 is a leaf spring member constituting a gimbal mechanism, and has a function of controlling the attitude of the slider 3. The suspension member includes a member called a dimple 6 for holding down the slider 3.

[0007] With the suspension 2 and the actuator mechanism, the slider 3 is supported on the disk 4 in a state of floating at a predetermined floating amount SH as shown in FIG. Is done. Slider 3
Has an air bearing surface 32 that floats by air dynamic pressure generated by the high-speed rotation of the disk 4.

[0008]

In order to increase the storage capacity as well as to reduce the size of the disk drive, a plurality of disks 4 are required.
Is implemented. Therefore, the sliders 3 are provided on both sides of each disk 4, respectively. In a disk device having a plurality of disks 4, the interval between the disks 4 is a factor that determines the size in the height direction. That is, in order to reduce the thickness of the disk device, it is desirable to reduce the distance between the disks 4.

As a factor for determining the distance between the disks 4, as shown in FIG. 8 (B), there is a distance ZH between the sliders 3 called "Z-Height". This interval Z
H is the height from the mounting surface with the swing arm to the floating surface 32, and is usually 0.584 mm (23 minc).
h) degree. By reducing the distance ZH with respect to the slider 3, the thickness of the disk device can be reduced as a whole. However, due to the thickness of the slider 3 and the thickness of the suspension 2, the distance ZH cannot be simply reduced.

In order to make the mounting structure of the suspension 2 thinner, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-294977. This is provided with a notch in the boss at the other end of the suspension. When the two suspensions arranged between the disks are mounted from both the upper and lower sides of the mounting portion of the actuator, the cutout portions of the boss are alternately overlapped to reduce the thickness of the suspension mounting portion, thereby reducing the disk interval. Therefore, it is intended to reduce the thickness of the entire apparatus.

However, even if the thickness of the suspension mounting portion of the actuator is reduced in this way, the thickness of the suspension and the thickness of the head cannot be reduced below a certain limit. Therefore, in this conventional example, there is a limit in reducing the disk interval. As described above, in the disk device, there is a demand for realizing the space in the height direction with respect to the slider as small as possible so as to reduce the thickness of the disk device on which a plurality of disks are mounted.

The present invention makes it possible to minimize the vertical spacing with respect to the slider, whereby
It is an object to solve the problem that the thickness of a disk device on which a plurality of disks are mounted can be easily reduced.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided a head supporting mechanism for supporting a head in a disk drive.
A slider member, and a suspension member, wherein the slider member has a structure in which a surface facing a data recording surface of the disk floats at a predetermined interval as a floating surface by rotation of the disk, and a head is provided on the floating surface. And a groove on the air bearing surface for coupling with the suspension member. The suspension member is provided on the data recording surface of the disk with respect to the slider member for controlling the attitude of the head. A head support mechanism for applying a predetermined load in the direction and being coupled to the groove portion ensures an optimum thickness necessary for mounting the head and the lead wire and a slider. The height of the space in the height direction is as small as possible. It has solved the above problem by attained a thickness reduction.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a head supporting mechanism for supporting a head in a disk drive, comprising a slider member and a suspension member. A structure in which a surface facing the data recording surface of the disk floats at a predetermined interval as a floating surface by rotation, and supports a head on the floating surface and couples the suspension member to the floating surface. The suspension member applies a predetermined load to the slider member in the direction of the data recording surface of the disk for controlling the attitude of the head, and is coupled to the groove. The distance between the slider members in the height direction is reduced, and the thickness of a disk device having a plurality of disks mounted thereon is reduced. It has a effect that is mounted with high precision suspension member to effect a slider member that is, the effect of suppressing rotational moment due to the impact force to the slider member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a head support mechanism for supporting a head in a disk drive, comprising a slider member and a suspension member, wherein the slider member is configured to rotate a disk to rotate a data recording surface of the disk. A surface facing the air bearing surface at a predetermined interval as a floating surface, supporting a head on the floating surface, and having a groove on the floating surface for coupling with the suspension member; The member applies a predetermined load to the slider member in the direction of the data recording surface of the disk for controlling the attitude of the head, and is coupled to the groove, and the groove of the slider member is By having an inclined surface on the side where air flows in with the rotation of the disk, there is a space between the disk and the head. It has the effect of achieving the floating from the head of the disk when the disk is rotated at an early stage to promote the inflow.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a head supporting mechanism for supporting a head in a disk drive, comprising a slider member and a suspension member, wherein the slider member is configured to rotate a disk to rotate a data recording surface of the disk. A surface facing the air bearing surface at a predetermined interval as a floating surface, supporting a head on the floating surface, and having a groove on the floating surface for coupling with the suspension member; The member applies a predetermined load to the slider member in the direction of the data recording surface of the disk for controlling the attitude of the head, is coupled to the groove, and has a thickness (Ts) of the suspension member. ) And the depth of the groove (Td)
And Ts <between the slider member and the thickness (Th) of the slider member.
By setting the relational expression of Td <Th to be satisfied, there is an effect that the inflow of air between the disk and the head is promoted, and the floating of the head from the disk when the disk rotates is realized at an early stage.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a head supporting mechanism for supporting a head in a disk device, comprising a slider member, a suspension member, and a holding member, wherein the slider member is configured to rotate the disk by rotating the disk. A surface facing the data recording surface of the head has a structure in which the head floats at a predetermined interval as a flying surface, the head is supported on the flying surface, and the suspension member is attached to a slider member for controlling the attitude of the head. On the other hand, a predetermined load is applied in the data recording surface direction of the disk, and the holding member couples the suspension member in the same direction as the floating surface of the slider member,
This has the effect that the positional accuracy in the height direction of the head can be ensured regardless of the thickness of the suspension member.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a head supporting mechanism for supporting a head in a disk device, comprising a slider member and a suspension member, wherein the slider member rotates by rotating the disk to record data on the data recording surface of the disk. A surface facing the air bearing surface at a predetermined interval as a floating surface, supporting a head on the floating surface, and having a groove on the floating surface for coupling with the suspension member; The member applies a predetermined load to the slider member in the direction of the data recording surface of the disk for controlling the attitude of the head, and is mechanically coupled to the groove, and a terminal is provided in the groove. And the head and the slider so that the slider member and the suspension member are electrically coupled via the terminals. To facilitate connection of terminals for exchanging signals with the scan pension member, and has an effect of easily perform the attachment to the small head suspension member.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a head supporting mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a slider member and a suspension member of the head supporting mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the wiring of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing attachment of the head support mechanism to the actuator mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to these drawings, the head support mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a base plate portion 1, a suspension 2, a slider 3, and a flexure 5. The suspension 2 and the flexure 5 are connected at one end of each other. Here, in the claims, the slider member includes the slider 3, and the suspension member includes the suspension 2 and the flexure 5.

The slider 3 is made of a material such as Al ₂ O ₃ —TiC and has a side surface 31, a floating surface 32, a groove 33, and a side surface 34. The floating surface portion 32 is opposed to the data recording surface 4a of the disk 4, and is driven by the air dynamic pressure generated by the high-speed rotation of the disk 4.
The slider 3 has a structure in which it floats, and is usually processed into a convex shape called a crown.

The groove portion 33 of the slider 3 is for attaching the flexure 5 by bonding, ultrasonic bonding, mechanical bonding with a boss, or the like, and an end portion at which air flows into the slider 3 by high-speed rotation of the disk 4. In the direction of the end from which the air flows out, a substantially central portion in the width direction of the floating surface portion 32 is formed by machining, dry etching, ion milling, or the like. In the dry etching process and the ion milling process, an arbitrary shape can be formed as compared with the mechanical processing.

The suspension 2 has a holding surface 50 at the other end.
The holding surface 50 is provided on the floating surface 3 of the slider 3.
Like the disk 2, the disk 4 faces the data recording surface 4 a of the disk 4. The holding surface 50 of the suspension 2 is attached to a holding member 40 constituting an actuator mechanism.

On the flying surface 32 of the slider 3, there are provided heads 10a and 10b made of an MR or a thin film for recording and reproducing data with the disk 4.

When the disk 4 rotates and air flows in the direction of the arrow X with respect to the air bearing surface 32 of the slider 3, the side portions 34 of the slider 3 corresponding to the inflow end of the air are provided with the leads of the heads 10a and 10b. Terminals 42 for wiring the wires are provided. One of the heads 10a and 10b may be dedicated to recording and the other may be dedicated to reproduction, and both may be recording / reproducing heads, or only one of them.

When the flexure 5 is mounted, the depth of the groove 33 in the slider 3 is within the range of the height of the side surface 31. Therefore, the plate thickness (Ts) of the flexure 5 <the depth of the groove 33 ( Td) <the thickness of the slider 3 (Th).

Here, the suspension 2 and the flexure 5
By controlling the attitude of the slider 3 stably by the function of the suspension member consisting of
The heads 10a and 10b always act to secure a stable position and orientation for recording or reproduction with respect to the disk 4 with respect to fluctuations in the direction of the slider 3 (vertical direction in FIG. 3).

The slider 3 has a head 10 on its side 34.
a, a terminal 42 for transmitting and receiving signals to be recorded or reproduced in the terminals 10a and 10b;
The terminals 41 and 42 are electrically connected to each other by a conductive metal or a resin having conductivity, preferably, for example, a gold ball 43 in the present embodiment.

According to the above-described head support mechanism of the present embodiment, when the flexure 5 is mounted at one end in the groove 33 of the floating surface 32 of the slider 3, the mounting surface is determined based on the relational expression. Is the plane of the groove 33. Therefore, the distance ZH of the slider 3 called “Z-Height” can be reduced by at least the depth of the flexure 5.

When the above-described slider 3 is applied to a head support mechanism in a disk drive using a plurality of disks 4, the distance ZH relating to the slider 3, which is one of the factors determining the distance between the disks 4, can be reduced. Therefore, the distance between the disks 4 can be relatively reduced. Accordingly, if the number of disks is the same, the thickness of the disk device can be relatively reduced, so that the thickness can be reduced. In this case, since the flexure 5 is attached to the groove 33 of the flying surface 32 of the slider, the shape of the flying surface 32 of the slider 3 or the heads 10a, 10b
With respect to the position of the flexure 5 as well as the position, the observer can attach the flexure 5 while observing these positions from the same direction using a microscope or an observation device such as a CCD (solid-state imaging device), thereby improving the assembling accuracy.

Similarly, the holding surface 50 of the suspension 2
Since both the floating surface 32 of the slider 3 and the flexure 5 are oriented in the same direction, the holding surface 50 of the suspension 2 is moved from the position A to the floating surface portion 3 of the slider 3.
The observer 2 and the flexure 5 can be assembled from the position B while the observer simultaneously observes them with the observation device, so that they can be assembled while maintaining their position and height relationship with high accuracy.

In order to couple the flexure 5 to the floating surface 32 side, the rear surface 3 of the slider 3 opposite to the floating surface 32
The flexure 5 can be connected and assembled in the groove 33 of the slider 3 with the 5 appropriately held on an observation assembly table (not shown). Therefore, when the flying surface 32 of the slider 3 is held on the observation assembly table, dust adheres to the flying surface 32, or dielectric breakdown of the table occurs due to static electricity when the MR head is used. However, in the present embodiment, the rear surface 35 of the air bearing surface 32 is held on the table, so there is no such possibility.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when foreign matters such as protrusions and dust are present on the disk 4 and the foreign matters collide with the air bearing surface 32 to apply a force F to the slider 3, the disk 4 of the slider 3 rotates. A moment (M) acts in the direction. In this case, if the distance from the mounting surface to the flexure 5 to the point where the force acts is (a) and the collision force is (F), the moment is expressed by the relational expression of (M) = (F × a). Is done. In the present embodiment, since the distance (a) is small, the moment (M) can be suppressed.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a slider of a head support mechanism according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a view showing a slider 3 and a flexure 5 of the head support mechanism according to Embodiment 2. FIG.

The slider 3 and the flexure 5 are fixed by bonding or the like. A groove 33 is provided on the flying surface 32 side of the slider 3 so as to extend vertically through the plane of FIG. The groove 33 is provided with a terminal 42 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the heads 10a and 10b. The flexure 5 is provided with a terminal 41 for transmitting and receiving a signal at a position corresponding to the terminal 42 on the slider 3 side via the insulating layer 40. An insulating layer 49 is provided between the slider 3 and the terminal 42.

In the second embodiment, by having the above-described configuration, the mechanical coupling between the slider 3 and the flexure 5 and the electrical coupling for transmitting and receiving signals can be performed simultaneously, and the slider 3 is, for example, 1 mm
It is possible to secure a space for electrical coupling when the size is reduced to about an angle or less.

When the terminal 41 and the terminal 42 are made of, for example, gold and the two terminals 41 and 42 are ultrasonically bonded, the mechanical coupling and the electrical coupling of the flexure 5 and the slider 3 are simultaneously performed. be able to.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a head support mechanism according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the groove 33 provided on the flying surface 32 of the slider 3, the groove 3
The air inflow side 3 (the side surface 34 side of the slider 3) has an inclined surface 33a having an inclination of a predetermined angle. The side surface 34 side of the slider 3 is also an inclined surface 34a. The flexure 5 and the suspension 2 are mechanically connected. The flexure 5 is mechanically connected in the groove 33 at the inclined surface 33a. Flexure 5
Is a spring material or the like.

When the slider 3 is supported on the disk 4 by the head supporting mechanism having such a structure,
Since the inclined surface 33 a is provided in the groove 33 on the air inflow end side of the slider 3, the disk facing surface 5 a of the flexure 5 also has an inclined surface structure, and air flows in by the rotation of the disk 4.

The disk facing surface 5a of the flexure 5
Is set to be larger than the surface roughness of the inclined surface 34 and the flying surface 32 of the slider, and the inflow of air by the flexure 5 can be easily performed even when the rotational speed of the disk 4 is relatively low. As a result, the slider 3 at the time of starting the rotation of the disk 4 can be floated early.

Further, since the surface accuracy of the flexure 5 is coarser than the surface accuracy of the floating surface 32, the true contact area between the flexure 5 and the disk 4 surface is compared with the true contact area between the floating surface 32 and the disk 4 surface. Since the contact area is small and suction is unlikely to occur, the reliability of the slider 3 as a slider operation is improved.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a head support mechanism according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Slider 3
The groove 33 provided on the floating surface 32 of the
On the air inflow side, an inclined surface 33a is formed over the entire width in the width direction of the slider 3 so as to have an inclination of a predetermined angle. The flexure 5 and the suspension 2 are connected. The flexure 5 is connected to the inclined surface 33a of the slider 3. The material of the flexure 5 is a spring material or the like.

According to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as in the third embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the flexure 5 is also provided on the air inflow side of the air bearing surface 32, the flexure 5 is provided.
It is possible to control the amount of air flowing into the air bearing surface 32 by the shape of. Therefore, the distance between the slider 3 and the disk 4 can be controlled only by replacing the flexure 5.

In the first, second, and third embodiments described above, the groove 33 is set at the center of the slider 3.
May have any shape. If the depth of the groove 33 is Ts <Td <Th, the thickness of the slider and the suspension in the height direction can of course be reduced.

In the first embodiment described above, the suspension member is provided on the inflow end side, but may be provided on the outflow end side.

[0047]

As described above, according to the head support mechanism of the present invention, the suspension member is connected to the groove of the slider member, so that the distance between the slider member called "Z-Height" is set to at least the depth of the suspension member. When this head support mechanism is applied to a disk device using a plurality of disks, the distance in the height direction of the slider, which is a factor that determines the distance between the disks, can be reduced. The distance between the disks can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the disk device in which a plurality of disks are mounted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a head support mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing wiring between a slider and a flexure of the head support mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the head support mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a slider of a head support mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing wiring between a slider and a flexure of a head support mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a head support mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a head support mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

8A and 8B show a conventional head support mechanism, where FIG. 8A is a plan view and FIG. 8B is a side view.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional disk device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Suspension 3 Slider 4 Disk 5 Flexure 10a Head 10b Head 31 Side 32 Floating surface 33 Groove 34 Side 40 Holding member 41, 42 Terminal 43 Gold ball 50 Holding surface

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A head supporting mechanism for supporting a head in a disk drive, comprising: a slider member and a suspension member, wherein the slider member has a surface facing a data recording surface of the disk floated by rotation of the disk. A surface that floats at a predetermined interval as a surface, while supporting a head on the air bearing surface, and having a groove on the air bearing surface for coupling with the suspension member. A head support mechanism for applying a predetermined load to the slider member in the direction of the data recording surface of the disk for controlling the attitude of the head, and being coupled to the groove. 2. A head supporting mechanism for supporting a head in a disk device, comprising a slider member and a suspension member, wherein the slider member has a surface facing a data recording surface of the disk floated by rotation of the disk. A surface that floats at a predetermined interval as a surface, while supporting the head on the air bearing surface, and having a groove for coupling with the suspension member on the air bearing surface; For applying a predetermined load to the slider member in the direction of the data recording surface of the disk for attitude control, the slider member is coupled to the groove, and the groove of the slider member is rotated by rotation of the disk. A head support mechanism having an inclined surface on a side where air flows in. 3. A head supporting mechanism for supporting a head in a disk device, comprising a slider member and a suspension member, wherein the slider member has a surface facing a data recording surface of the disk raised by rotation of the disk. A surface that floats at a predetermined interval as a surface, while supporting the head on the air bearing surface, and having a groove for coupling with the suspension member on the air bearing surface; A predetermined load is applied to the slider member in the direction of the data recording surface of the disk for attitude control. The slider member is connected to the groove, and the thickness (Ts) of the suspension member and the thickness of the groove are adjusted. A relational expression of Ts <Td <Th is established between the depth (Td) and the thickness (Th) of the slider member. Head support mechanism. 4. A head support mechanism for supporting a head in a disk device, comprising: a slider member, a suspension member, and a holding member, wherein the slider member faces a data recording surface of the disk by rotation of the disk. A floating surface as a floating surface at a predetermined interval, supporting a head on the floating surface, and the suspension member is configured to control data of the disk with respect to a slider member for controlling the attitude of the head. A head support mechanism for applying a predetermined load in a recording surface direction, wherein the holding member couples the suspension member with a surface in the same direction as a floating surface of the slider member. 5. A head supporting mechanism for supporting a head in a disk device, comprising a slider member and a suspension member, wherein the slider member has a surface facing a data recording surface of the disk raised by rotation of the disk. A surface that floats at a predetermined interval as a surface, while supporting the head on the air bearing surface, and having a groove for coupling with the suspension member on the air bearing surface; A predetermined load is applied to the slider member in the direction of the data recording surface of the disk for attitude control, and is mechanically coupled to the groove, and a terminal is provided in the groove, and the terminal is A head support mechanism, wherein the slider member and the suspension member are electrically coupled to each other via the slider.