On improving head-disk interface in hard disk drives using active control

How to improve head disk interface (HDI) characteristics in the mechanical design of hard disk drives (HDDs) has become increasingly important due to ever-growing demand for storage density and access speed. In the paper, an active actuation and control of the suspension structure in HDDs utilizing piezo-films is investigated. Its applications in reducing head-disk friction/wear and suppressing induced vibrations are studied. An analytical model for a cantilever beam like structure with the bonded piezo-films is presented. A direct output feedback control is proposed and its effectiveness in suppressing induced vibrations is demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally.