Process and arrangement for significantly increasing the service life and recording density of magnetic disk stores

摘要

The invention makes it possible to displace or eliminate the flying edge on disk surfaces of data stores with rotating disks to stabilise the sliding behaviour (frictional characteristics) of the read/write heads. The process according to the invention and the arrangement according to the invention are advantageous in particular for encapsulated hard-disk stores, which are generally known by the name "Winchester", predominantly also those whose heads (4) make contact with the disk surface (3) and/or in which the heads (4) assume lubricant-distributing functions and remain on the disk surface (3) when at rest. In order to achieve stable sliding (frictional) conditions, the flying edge (9) is displaced during operation beyond the electronic limits of the positioning unit (5) for the heads (4) as far as the maximum mechanical limits by wiping or conditioning the disk surface with the aid of the read/write heads during certain cycles or time periods. In addition, a further displacement beyond the mechanical limits is achieved by flexible restoring elements (12, 12'; 13, 13'). The performed flying-edge displacement or elimination achieves the effect that the skid edge of the head (4), forming the flying edge, does not come to bear against the flying edge (9) even when at a standstill. It is consequently not possible for lubricating material to seep in on one side when at a standstill. IMAGE