Friction force measurement assembly and method
US9171581B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/6076
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The application discloses a sensor device to measure friction force at a head-media interface. As disclosed, the sensor device has a transducer element oriented to provide an electrical output responsive to force or strain imparted to the transducer element along an in-plane axis. Sensor circuitry is coupled to the transducer element to process the electrical output to provide an output measure of friction force. In illustrated embodiments, the head includes an actuator element which is powered on/off at an on/off frequency to cyclically protrude a localized portion of the head. The on/off frequency of the actuator is used by the sensor circuitry to detect excitation of the sensor device due to friction force at the head-media interface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.