Abstract
This paper describes a novel magnetic head positioning mechanism, which uses two micro-actuators in order to change contact forces acting on contact pads. Differential of drag forces acting on the two contact pads swings a slider, and this swing motion is utilized as head positioning. In addition, this mechanism can compensate skew angle of a magnetic head against recording tracks. First, it was showed that low rotational stiffness is needed for self-slignment of skew angle. Next, simulation with the analysis model was performed on following and seeking motion, which showed that this mechanism can compensate skew angle automatically, but its seek time is longer than that of conventional head positioning mechanism. Last, a scale model which had two actuated contact pads was experimentally built, and it was shown that the scale model can be actuated by contact force. Additionally, the linearity of swing anglewith respect to the input voltage and ability of actuation with only a single actuated contact pad were shown experimentally.
