Method and apparatus for providing electrostatic discharge protection for an inductive coil of a magnetic transducer

摘要

Electrostatic discharge protection for an inductive coil in a magnetic head of a disk drive. Structures are provided to dissipate electrostatic charges which may arise between the leads of the inductive coil or between the inductive coil and one of the pole pieces in a magnetic head. An electrostatic discharge element is coupled to the inductive coil for dissipating electrostatic charge from the inductive coil. The electrostatic discharge element may include a spark gap, a diode circuit, a MOSFET, a silicon controlled rectifier or a bleed transistor circuit. The electrostatic discharge element may include a first electrostatic discharge element coupled between the first turn of the inductive coil and the magnetic yoke and a second electrostatic discharge element coupled between the magnetic yoke and the last turn of the inductive coil. The magnetic yoke or pole piece may include an upper and a lower magnetic pole with mirrored protection circuits provided for each pole.