Elastohydrodynamic Analysis of Head to Flexible Disk Interface Phenomena

The finite-element and finite-difference techniques are used to develop an analytical model which describes the interaction between a magnetic recording head and a flexible disk. The finite-element approach is used to describe disk deformation. Both disk bending stiffness and stiffness effects due to disk rotation are included. The finite-difference scheme is used to solve the Reynold’s or lubrication equation which describes the flow interaction between head and disk. The procedure used to couple the two numerical models into a complete head-to-disk interface simulator is outlined. Accuracy of the simulator is verified experimentally, and results of studies showing the sensitivities of various parameters are given.