Modeling and dynamic simulation for head/disk and suspension interface during load/unload process of a hard disk drive

The tribological and dynamic characteristics of the head/disk and the suspension lift-tap/ramp interface during load/unload (L/UL) process for a miniature hard disk drive were modeled, and the dynamic performances of the slider and the suspension as well as the contact at the lift-tab/ramp interface were simulated. The effects of the loading and unloading velocity and the ramp angle on the contact deformation, contact force and the energy consumption during L/UL process were analyzed. The simulation results indicated that the increase in the loading or unloading velocity of the suspension causes the increase in the contact and friction forces at the interface, while the increase in the ramp angle dissipates more energy during L/UL processes. The research results were beneficial to improvement of head/disk interface and application of load/unload technology in hard disk drives.