Slider for load/unload operation with high stiffness and low unload force

摘要

A disk drive (22) for load/unload applications having an actuator arm (32), a slider (34) and a suspension membrane (48) which attaches the slider (34) to the actuator arm (32). The slider (34) includes a leading edge (50), a trailing edge (52), a number of pads (80, 82) and a cavity (60), which creates a region of sub-ambient pressure (61), including a negative pressure center (62). A load point (64) is formed where the suspension membrane (48) attaches to the slider (34). The negative pressure center (62) is positioned towards the trailing edge (52) relative to the load point (64), such that when upward force (96) is applied to the slider (34) at the load point (64), a moment (98) is produced which raises the leading edge (50), allowing increased air flow into the cavity (60), which diminishes the sub-ambient pressure (61), and allows the arm (34) to be raised without damaging the suspension membrane (48).;Also, a slider (34) contoured for use in a load/unload disk drive (22) and a method for disengaging a slider (34) having high stiffness from a disk surface (26) without damaging a disk drive suspension membrane (48).