Friction Force Measurement Assembly and Method

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An assembly comprising:
a load beam having an elongate length extending along an in-plane axis; a head coupled to the load beam through a gimbal spring to supply a load force to the head along an out-of-plane axis generally transverse to the in-plane axis; and a sensor device coupled to the load beam including a transducer element having a sensing axis orientated along the in-plane axis of the load beam to provide an electrical output responsive to force or strain imparted to the transducer element along the in-plane axis, wherein the load bean includes a proximal portion and a distal portion coupled to the head through the gimbal spring and the sensor device is connected to the load bean between the proximal and distal portions of the load beam.