IP Library Granted Patent US 8,107,185
Granted Patent B2
US 8,107,185 · App. 12/562,742 · Granted Jan 31, 2012

Magnetic disk device including a sensor in a case

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,107,185
App. No.
12/562,742
Granted
Jan 31, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A magnetic disk device includes a magnetic head assembly, which includes magnetic heads, support plates, and a flexible wiring substrate that are integrally formed. The magnetic heads include heating elements for making head element parts protrude toward magnetic disks by thermal expansion, the support plate supports the magnetic head, the flexible wiring substrate is provided along the support plate and electrically connects the magnetic heads to a circuit system, and the magnetic head assembly and the magnetic disks are assembled in a case. The magnetic disk device includes a sensor and a floating distance control circuit. The sensor detects at least one of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity in the case. The floating distance control circuit increases or decreases current supplied to the heating element on the basis of the output of the sensor and controls the floating distance of the magnetic head so that the floating distance is constant. While being received in a package made of high temperature co-fired ceramic, the sensor is mounted on a circuit mounting surface of the flexible wiring substrate in the case.

Claims (7)

1. A magnetic disk device including a magnetic head assembly, the magnetic head assembly including magnetic heads, support plates, and a flexible wiring substrate that are integrally formed, the magnetic heads including heating elements for making head element parts protrude toward magnetic disks by thermal expansion, the support plate supporting the magnetic head, the flexible wiring substrate being provided along the support plate and electrically connecting the magnetic heads to a circuit system, and the magnetic head assembly and the magnetic disks being assembled in a case, the magnetic disk device comprising:

a sensor that detects at least one of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity in the case;

a preamplifier; and

a floating distance control circuit that increases or decreases the current supplied to the heating element on the basis of the output of the sensor and controls the floating distance of the magnetic head so that the floating distance is constant,

wherein the sensor is received in a package made of a high temperature co-fired ceramic, and the sensor and the preamplifer are mounted on a circuit mounting surface of the flexible wiring substrate in the case and the preamplifier is a separate member from the package.

2. The magnetic disk device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the sensor comprises an atmospheric pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor received in the package.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 1, 2019
From: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048209/0260 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2009
From: OKAMOTO, KAZUHIRO; ONO, YUKI; GORAI, YUKIHIRO; WATANABE, MITSURU; SATO, AKIHIRO; KIKUCHI, KEITARO
To: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 023253/0831 →