Magnetic head loading/unloading mechanism with a ramp having an oscillating function

摘要

A loading/unloading mechanism for loading and unloading a magnetic head mounted on a magnetic disk drive for recording data in a magnetic recording medium. A suspension mechanism exerts a predetermined load on a flying head slider while the disk drive is not operated. A ramp mechanism supports the suspension mechanism and moves the head slider away from the surface of the medium. The whole or part of the ramp mechanism is constituted by an oscillation mechanism having a piezoelectric element. The static frictional force acting on the suspension mechanism and ramp mechanism is replaced with a dynamic frictional force to thereby reduce the friction. This saves power at the beginning of a loading operation and facilitates the control over the movement of the head slider caused by a positioner actuator.