Modified gimbal tongue designs to reduce particle sensitivity

Details Modified gimbal tongue designs to reduce particle sensitivity Modified gimbal tongue designs to reduce particle sensitivity

2002-02-08

2004-06-01

Tupper, Robert S. (Department: 2652)

Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval

Head mounting

Disk record

Reexamination Certificate

active

06744602

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This application relates generally to disc drives and more particularly to a gimbal tongue within a disc drive.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The storage medium for a disc drive is a flat, circular disc capable of retaining localized magnetic fields. The data that are stored upon the disc find physical representation through these localized magnetic fields. The data are arranged on the disc in concentric, circular paths known as “tracks.” The localized magnetic fields can be detected by a magnetically-sensitive head when they are brought in close proximity to the head.
The head is mounted upon the distal end of an actuator arm, which enables the head to move radially to address each track on the disc. This arrangement is generally depicted in
FIG. 1
, which shows a head
100
mounted upon the distal end of an actuator arm
102
. As can be seen from
FIG. 1
, the disc
104
rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, creating an air current
106
that also rotates in a counterclockwise direction with the disc
104
. The air current
106
moves from the leading edge
108
of the head
100
to its trailing edge
110
. The air current interacts
106
with an air-bearing surface (not shown) on the bottom of the head
100
, thereby causing the head
100
to literally float at a small elevation over the surface of the disc
104
.
FIG. 2
is a simplified cut-away side view that depicts, with greater detail, the arrangement presented in FIG.
1
. As illustrated in
FIG. 2
, the actuator arm
102
includes, in part, a load beam
200
, which is connected to a gimbal tongue
202
via a load point
204
. The gimbal tongue
202
has a leading edge
206
and a trailing edge
208
, as defined by the direction of the air current
106
(the leading edge
206
is upwind of the trailing edge
208
). A slider
210
is adhered to the gimbal tongue
202
; the slider
210
also possesses a leading edge
212
and a trailing edge
214
. The magnetically-sensitive head
100
is located on the trailing edge
214
of the bottom surface of the slider
210
. During operation, the head
100
is suspended in close proximity to the disc
216
, so as to allow the head
100
to read and write the magnetic signals stored thereon.
The air current
106
, which is generated by the rotation of the disc
216
, carries with it particulate matter that contaminates the interior of the disc drive. Because the air current
106
is directed into the leading edge
212
of the slider
210
, particulate matter collects on the leading edge
212
. Particulate matter is particularly apt to collect on regions of the leading edge
212
that are proximate to the gimbal tongue
202
(because the gimbal tongue
202
and the slider
210
cooperate to form an inner corner
218
which traps particles).
In time, particles that have collected on the inner corner
218
or on the leading edge
212
of the slider
210
migrate, under the influence of gravity, operating shock, and/or shock vibration, to the bottom surface of the slider
210
. Such migration is detrimental to the operation of the disc drive, because the particles, once on the bottom surface of the slider
210
, serve as an abrasive that scratches the magnetic layer of the disc
216
and destroys the ability of the disc
216
to retain data. Worse still, if the particles migrate to the trailing edge
214
of the slider
210
, they can destroy the magnetically-sensitive head
100
, thereby rendering the disc drive unable to read any data, at all.
Based upon the foregoing discussion, it is evident that a need exists for a scheme by which to minimize the amount of particulate matter that collects upon either the inner corner
218
or leading edge
212
of the slider
210
. Further, a desirable attribute for any such scheme is simplicity and inexpensiveness of implementation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Against this backdrop the present invention has been developed. A gimbal tongue that reduces collection of particles upon an attached slider (or upon itself) possesses opposed first and second surfaces and possesses a leading and a trailing edge. The first surface is connected to a beam via a load point. The second surface is connected to a slider that also possesses a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge of the gimbal tongue overhangs the leading edge of the slider, thereby defining an inner corner where the second surface of the gimbal tongue meets the slider. A slot penetrates the first and second surfaces of the gimbal tongue in a region between the leading edge of the gimbal tongue and the leading edge of the slider.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of reducing collection of particles on a gimbal tongue or upon a leading edge of a slider includes producing a region of slow air current in a region of space upwind from the gimbal tongue, thereby slowing the velocity of particles being carried by the air current. Additionally, the direction of travel of the particles carried by the air current is altered. Finally, the particles are vented from a first side of the gimbal tongue to a second side of the gimbal tongue.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a suspension assembly that reduces collection of particles includes a gimbal tongue attached to a slider and a means for venting particles being carried by the air current from a first side of the gimbal tongue to a second side of the gimbal tongue.
These and various other features as well as advantages which characterize the present invention will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4212044 (1980-07-01), Plotto
patent: 4486798 (1984-12-01), Feliss et al.
patent: 4510541 (1985-04-01), Sasamoto
patent: 4814906 (1989-03-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5452158 (1995-09-01), Harrison et al.
patent: 5467238 (1995-11-01), Lee et al.
patent: 5751517 (1998-05-01), Agarwal
patent: 6118637 (2000-09-01), Wright et al.
patent: 6587311 (2003-07-01), Niijima et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Modified gimbal tongue designs to reduce particle sensitivity does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Modified gimbal tongue designs to reduce particle sensitivity, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Modified gimbal tongue designs to reduce particle sensitivity will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3319411