Air bearing slider with debris deflecting features

Abstract

The present invention is an air bearing design and methodology for use in a magnetic disk drive or similar device wherein particles of debris may be present on the recording surface. A deflecting wall is formed proximate to the leading edge of the slider, wherein airflow generated by the rotating disk enters the air bearing surface. The wall is disposed between the leading edge and one or more recessed regions defined by the ABS rail configuration. These recessed regions are ones that would otherwise be open to the incoming airflow and particles of debris. In a preferred embodiment, the wall is formed directly adjacent to the leading edge as an extension of rail portions located at the leading edge. The rail portions may include compression features. This design is suitable for both positive and negative pressure sliders. In an alternate embodiment, the deflecting wall stands alone and extends across substantially the slider's entire width. The deflecting wall is formed by modifying the shape of the recessed region(s) during slider fabrication so that a thin wall-like member remains near the leading edge after rail shaping.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.