Slider-level microactuator for precise head positioning
US6683757B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B21/21
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A microactuator is built at the slider level to achieve high resolution positioning of a transducing head with respect to a track of a rotatable disc having a plurality of concentric tracks in a disc drive system. The slider includes a main body carried by a flexure. A stator portion extends from the main body, and a plurality of beams extend from the stator portion, the beams being flexible in a lateral direction. A rotor portion is connected to the stator portion by the plurality of beams, forming a gap between the stator portion and the rotor portion. The rotor portion carries the transducing head. A plurality of stator electrodes are formed on the stator portion, and a plurality of rotor electrodes are formed on the rotor portion to confront the stator electrodes across the gap. Control circuitry applies selected voltages to the stator electrodes and the rotor electrodes to create a force in the lateral direction for moving the rotor portion with respect to the stator portion of the slider, thereby finely positioning the transducing head.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.