Magnetic head slider with resistance to debris accumulation

Abstract

A magnetic recording head for reading and writing information with respect to a rotating disk medium includes a pad region having a working surface which contacts the recording medium. The pad region has a leading edge and a trailing edge with the leading edge facing in the general direction of relative motion between the head and the medium. The leading edge has a narrower width than the trailing edge so as to reduce the effect of debris accumulation at the disk-head interface. The narrower leading edge allows the head to deflect oncoming debris as the head traverses the surface of the rotating magnetic medium.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A recording head for reading and writing information with respect to a rotating disk medium, said head including a pad region having a working surface which contacts said medium during the reading/writing process, a magnetic pole structure being embedded within said pad region, said pad region having a leading edge and a trailing edge with said leading edge facing in the general direction of relative motion between said head and said medium, and wherein said leading edge has a narrower width than said trailing edge.  
     
     
         2 . The recording head of  claim 1  wherein said pad has a V-shape, with the narrow part of said V-shape pointing in said direction.  
     
     
         3 . The recording head of  claim 1  wherein said pad has a U-shape, with the narrow part of said U-shape pointing in said direction.  
     
     
         4 . The recording head of  claim 1  wherein said pad has a parabolic shape, with the narrow part of said parabolic shape pointing in said direction.  
     
     
         5 . A slider for supporting a magnetic transducer above the surface of a rotating disk medium, said slider comprising: 
 a body;    a plurality of rail members extending outward from said body in a direction towards said medium, each of said rail members having a leading and a trailing edge with said leading edge facing in the general direction of relative motion between said head and said medium, and wherein said leading edge has a narrower width as compared to said trailing edge;    each of said rail members also having an air-bearing surface which is alternately brought into contact with and separated from said surface of said medium, said air-bearing surface being generally parallel to said surface of said medium.    
     
     
         6 . The slider of  claim 5  wherein each of said rail members has a V-shape, with the narrow part of said V-shape pointing in said direction.  
     
     
         7 . The slider of  claim 5  wherein each of said rail members has a U-shape, with the narrow part of said U-shape pointing in said direction.  
     
     
         8 . The recording head of  claim 5  wherein each of said rail members has a parabolic shape, with the narrow part of said parabolic shape pointing in said direction.  
     
     
         9 . The slider of  claim 5  wherein said leading edges are tapered away from said working surface to create a lifting effect to maintain said body at a predetermined height above said surface of said medium.