Magnetic disk drive

A magnetic disk drive includes an actuator arm, a suspension fixed to a tip end of the actuator arm, and a head slider having at least two electromagnetic transducers mounted at a tip end of the suspension. The head slider has a first electromagnetic transducer inclined in a direction in which the inner side face side is nearer to an air outflow end than a central portion thereof, and a second electromagnetic transducer inclined in a direction in which the outer side face side is nearer to the air outflow side than the central portion thereof. A controller performs changeover control such that an inner side data region of a magnetic disk is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer while an outer side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a magnetic disk drive for vertical recording.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, together with the progress of downsizing and increase in capacity of magnetic disk drive, refinement of magnetic particles in a medium is demanded. However, according to a conventional recording method which is called in-plane recording method, since refinement of magnetic particles makes a factor of thermal instability, it is difficult to produce very fine magnetic particles. Therefore, a vertical magnetic recording method which is superior in thermomagnetic relaxation and so forth is examined. In a common vertical magnetic recording method, a two-layer film medium is used which is formed by laminating a soft magnetic ground layer on a substrate and laminating a vertical magnetization film on the soft magnetic ground layer.

Referring toFIG. 1, there is illustrated a relationship between a conventional vertical recording magnetic head2and a vertical magnetic recording medium8. The vertical magnetic recording medium8is formed by laminating a soft magnetic ground layer12of Ni—Fe or the like on a non-magnetic substrate10and laminating a vertical magnetization film14made of Co—Cr on the soft magnetic ground layer12. The soft magnetic ground film12has a thickness of 1 μm or more, and the vertical magnetization film14has a thickness of 0.1 μm or less.

The vertical recording magnetic head2includes a leading pole4and a trailing pole6, and most part of magnetic fluxes16outgoing from a tip end4aof the leading pole4of the magnetic head2pass through the soft magnetic ground film12and return to the trailing pole6. In this manner, in the vertical magnetic recording medium8, since most part of the magnetic fluxes16pass through the soft magnetic ground film12having a great thickness and return to the trailing pole6, a magnetic field in a steep vertical direction can be easily applied to the vertical magnetization film14. Therefore, the gap length G to be defined between the tip end4aof the leading pole4and a tip end6aof the trailing pole6need not be set very short. Generally, the gap length G is set to a great gap length of approximately 10 μm. Generally, since the shape of the tip end4aof the leading pole4and the tip end6aof the trailing pole6is a rectangular shape, the magnetic fluxes16of a rectangular shape are applied to the vertical magnetic recording medium8.

A conventional magnetic disk drive for which a vertical recording method is used has such problems as described below. When a head slider performs seeking movement to the inner or outer side of a magnetic disk, since the air bearing surface (ABS) shape or flotation face shape of the head slider is a rectangular shape, a yaw angle dependence occurs together with the rectangular shape of fluxes to be applied as described above. Then, upon data recording, data to be recorded is recorded protruding to a one-side track edge, and then upon reproduction, the reproduction signal quality is degraded by an influence of the protruding recorded portion. Conventionally, the flotation face shape of the head slider is set to an inverse trapezoidal shape or a rectangular shape having a taper on the upper side to decrease the protruding portion of the magnetic fluxes upon recording on the inner or outer side. However, it is very difficult from a viewpoint of a fabrication process to work the head slider into such a special shape as described above. Further, also the yield is low, and a considerable expense is required from a viewpoint of the cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vertical recording magnetic disk drive which can suppresses the yaw angle dependence upon recording.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a magnetic disk drive including a housing having a base, an actuator arm mounted for pivotal motion on the base, a suspension having a base end fixed to a tip end of the actuator arm, a head slider having at least two electromagnetic transducers mounted at a tip end of the suspension, a magnetic disk accommodated for rotation in the housing, and a controlling section for performing changeover control between the at least two electromagnetic transducers. The head slider has an air inflow end, an air outflow end, an inner side face, an outer side face, a first electromagnetic transducer inclined in a direction in which the inner side face side is nearer to the air outflow end than a central portion thereof, and a second electromagnetic transducer inclined in a direction in which the outer side face side is nearer to the air outflow side than the central portion thereof. The controlling section performs the changeover control such that a data region of the magnetic disk is virtually divided at a central portion thereof into two regions and the inner side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer while the outer side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer.

Preferably, where the maximum yaw angle of the head slider is represented by θmax, an angle defined by a straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer and a longitudinal center line of the head slider by φi, and an angle defined by a straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer and the longitudinal center line of the head slider by φo, the first electromagnetic transducer is inclined by θmax/4−φiwith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer, and the second electromagnetic transducer is inclined by θmax/4−φowith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer.

Preferably, the first and second electromagnetic transducers are provided in the proximity of the air outflow end. As an alternative, the first and second electromagnetic transducers may be provided in the proximity of the air inflow end.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a magnetic disk drive including a housing having a base, an actuator arm mounted for pivotal motion on the base, a suspension having a base end fixed to a tip end of the actuator arm, a head slider having at least two electromagnetic transducers mounted at a tip end of the suspension, a magnetic disk accommodated for rotation in the housing, and a controlling section for performing changeover control between the at least two electromagnetic transducers. The head slider has an air inflow end, an air outflow end, an inner side face, an outer side face, a first electromagnetic transducer inclined in a direction in which the inner side face side is farther from the air outflow end than a central portion thereof, and a second electromagnetic transducer inclined in a direction in which the outer side face side is farther from the air outflow side than the central portion thereof. The controlling section performs the changeover control such that a data region of the magnetic disk is virtually divided at a central portion thereof into two regions and the inner side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer while the outer side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer.

Preferably, where the maximum yaw angle of the head slider is represented by θmax, an angle defined by a straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer and a longitudinal center line of the head slider by φi, and an angle defined by a straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer and the longitudinal center line of the head slider by φo, the first electromagnetic transducer is inclined by θmax/4+φiwith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer, and the second electromagnetic transducer is inclined by θmax/4+φowith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer.

Preferably, the first and second electromagnetic transducers are provided in the proximity of the air outflow end. As an alternative, the first and second electromagnetic transducers may be provided in the proximity of the air inflow end.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a magnetic disk drive including a housing having a base, an actuator arm mounted for pivotal motion on the base, a suspension having a base end fixed to a tip end of the actuator arm, a head slider having at least three electromagnetic transducers mounted at a tip end of the suspension, a magnetic disk accommodated for rotation in the housing, and a controlling section for performing changeover control among the at least three electromagnetic transducers. The head slider has an air inflow end, an air outflow end, an inner side face, an outer side face, a first electromagnetic transducer inclined in a direction in which the inner side face side is nearer to the air outflow end than a central portion thereof, a second electromagnetic transducer inclined in a direction in which the outer side face side is nearer to the air outflow side than the central portion thereof, and a third electromagnetic transducer provided in the proximity of the air outflow end. The controlling section performs the changeover control such that a data region is virtually divided into three regions and the inner side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer while the outer side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer and the central data region is taken charge of by the third electromagnetic transducer.

Preferably, where the maximum yaw angle of the head slider is represented by θmax, an angle defined by a straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer and a longitudinal center line of the head slider by φi, and an angle defined by a straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer and the longitudinal center line of the head slider by φo, the first electromagnetic transducer is inclined by θmax/6−φiwith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer, and the second electromagnetic transducer is inclined by θmax/6−φowith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer.

Preferably, the first and second electromagnetic transducers are provided in the proximity of the air outflow end. As an alternative, the first and second electromagnetic transducers may be provided in the proximity of the air inflow end.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a magnetic disk drive including a housing having a base, an actuator arm mounted for pivotal motion on the base, a suspension having a base end fixed to a tip end of the actuator arm, a head slider having at least three electromagnetic transducers mounted at a tip end of the suspension, a magnetic disk accommodated for rotation in the housing, and a controlling section for performing changeover control among the at least three electromagnetic transducers. The head slider has an air inflow end, an air outflow end, an inner side face, an outer side face, a first electromagnetic transducer inclined in a direction in which the inner side face side is farther from the air outflow end than a central portion thereof, a second electromagnetic transducer inclined in a direction in which the outer side face side is farther from the air outflow side than the central portion thereof, and a third electromagnetic transducer provided in the proximity of the air outflow end. The controlling section performs the changeover control such that a data region is virtually divided into three regions and the inner side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer while the outer side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer and the central data region is taken charge of by the third electromagnetic transducer.

Preferably, the maximum yaw angle of the head slider is represented by θmax, an angle defined by a straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer and a longitudinal center line of the head slider by φi, and an angle defined by a straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer and the longitudinal center line of the head slider by φo, the first electromagnetic transducer is inclined by θmax/6+φiwith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer, and the second electromagnetic transducer is inclined by θmax/6+φowith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer.

Preferably, the first and second electromagnetic transducers are provided in the proximity of the air outflow end. As an alternative, the first and second electromagnetic transducers may be provided in the proximity of the air inflow end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, several embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the embodiments, substantially like elements are denoted by like reference characters. Referring toFIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of a magnetic disk drive of the present invention in a state wherein a cover is removed. A shaft22is fixed to a base20, and a spindle hub not shown which is driven to rotate by a DC motor is provided around the shaft22. Vertical recording magnetic disks24and spacers (not shown) are fitted alternately on the spindle hub. A disk clamp26is fastened to the spindle hub by a plurality of screws28so that a plurality of magnetic disks24are attached in a predetermined spaced relationship from each other to the spindle hub.

Reference numeral30denotes a rotary actuator formed from an actuator arm assembly32and a magnetic circuit34. The actuator arm assembly32is mounted for pivotal motion around a shaft36fixed to the base20. The actuator arm assembly32includes an actuator block38mounted for pivotal motion around the shaft36through a pair of bearings, a plurality of actuator arms40extending in a direction from the actuator block38, and a head assembly42fixed to a tip end of each of the actuator arms40.

Each of the head assemblies42includes a head slider44having a vertical recording electromagnetic transducer (magnetic head device) for performing reading/writing of data from/to a magnetic disk24, and a suspension46having a tip end at which the head slider44is supported and a base end fixed to the actuator arm40. A coil not shown is supported on the side opposite to the actuator arms40with respect to the shaft36and is inserted in the gap of the magnetic circuit34to form a voice coil motor (VCM)48. Reference numeral50denotes a flexible printed wiring board (FPC) for supplying a writing signal to the electromagnetic transducers and extracting a reading signal from the electromagnetic transducers. One end of the flexible printed wiring board is fixed to a side face of the actuator block38, and the other end of the flexible printed wiring board is connected to a main printed wiring board mounted on a rear face of the base20.

FIG. 3shows a schematic view showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 3, the suspension46shown inFIG. 2is omitted, and the head slider44is shown carried directly at the tip end of the actuator arm40. The head slider44of the present embodiment includes first and second vertical recording electromagnetic transducers52and54provided in the proximity of an air outflow end. The first electromagnetic transducer52is inclined in a direction in which the inner side face side thereof is nearer to the air outflow end to a central portion thereof, and the second electromagnetic transducer54is inclined in a direction in which the outer side face side thereof is nearer to the air outflow end than a central portion thereof.

The maximum yaw angle when the head slider44seeks from the innermost track to the outermost track of the magnetic disk24having a vertical magnetization film is represented by θmax; the angle defined by a straight line m interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer52and a longitudinal center line h of the head slider44is represented by φi; and the angle defined by a straight line n interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer54and the longitudinal center line h of the head slider44is represented by φo. At this time, the first electromagnetic transducer52is formed so as to be inclined by θmax/4−φiwith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line m interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arms40and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer52. The second electromagnetic transducer54is formed so as to be inclined by θmax/4−φowith respect to the perpendicular line to the straight line m interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arms40and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer54.

Then, a data region of the magnetic disk24is virtually divided at the central portion thereof into two regions, and changeover control is performed by the controlling section56so that the inner side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer52and the outer side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer54. By disposing, changing over and using the first and second electromagnetic transducers52and54in this manner, the oscillation width of the yaw angle can be suppressed to ½, and the influence of protruding recording caused by the yaw angle dependence can be reduced.

FIG. 4shows a plan view of the head slider44as viewed from the ABS side (flotation face side).FIG. 5is a sectional view taken along line V-V ofFIG. 4. The head slider44has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is formed from, for example, Al2O3·TiC. The head slider44has an air inflow end44aand an air outflow end44b. On the disk opposing face of the head slider44, a front pad58is formed adjacent the air inflow end44a, and a pair of rear pads60and62are formed adjacent the air outflow end44b. An uppermost face (air bearing surface)64which extends in a slider widthwise direction and a step face66having a step with respect to the uppermost face64are formed on the front pad58.

Similarly, uppermost faces (air bearing surfaces)68and70and step faces72and74having steps with respect to the uppermost faces68and70are formed on the rear pads60and62, respectively. The first electromagnetic transducer52is formed in the proximity of the air outflow end of the rear pad60such that it is inclined at such an angle as described above. Further, the second electromagnetic transducer54is formed in the proximity of the air outflow end of the rear pad62such that it is inclined at such an angle as described above.

If the magnetic disk24rotates and an air flow is generated along a disk face, then the air flow acts upon the uppermost faces64,68and70. As a result, on the uppermost faces64,68and70, buoyancy for floating the head slider44from the disk face is generated. High buoyancy appears on the uppermost face64when the head slider44floats above the magnetic disk. As a result, the head slider44is retained in a posture inclined by a pitch angle α wherein the air inflow end44aside is lifted.

A pair of side pads76and78which extend to the downstream side are continuously formed at both ends in the slider widthwise direction of the front pad58. A groove80is formed on the downstream side of the front pad58. The groove80is formed such that it is started from the inflow end44aside with respect to the center in a longitudinal direction of the head slider44and extends to the outflow end44b. Accordingly, simultaneously when the air flow which flows along the uppermost face64passes the front pad58, it spreads in the groove80in a disk face vertical direction. As a result, a negative pressure is generated in the groove80. The floating amount of the head slider44is specified as the buoyancy described above balances with the negative pressure.

FIG. 6is a schematic view showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention. In a head slider44A in the present embodiment, the first and second electromagnetic transducers82and84are carried in an inclined relationship on the air inflow end side. The inclination angles of the first and second electromagnetic transducers82and84are similar to those in the first embodiment. Similarly as in the first embodiment, the data region of the magnetic disk24is virtually divided at the central portion thereof into two regions, and changeover control is performed by the controlling section56such that the inner side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer82and the outer side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer84.

FIG. 7is a schematic view showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention. A head slider44B in the present embodiment has first and second electromagnetic transducers86and88provided in the proximity of the air outflow end inclined in directions opposite to the inclination directions of the first and second electromagnetic transducers52and54in the first embodiment. In particular, the head slider44B includes a vertical recording first electromagnetic transducer86inclined in a direction in which the inner side face side thereof is farther from the air outflow end from a central portion thereof and a vertical recording second electromagnetic transducer88inclined in a direction in which the outer side face side thereof farther from the air outflow end from the central portion thereof.

The maximum yaw angle when the head slider44B seeks from the innermost track to the outermost track of the magnetic disk24having a vertical magnetization film is represented by θmax; the angle defined by a straight line m interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer86and a longitudinal direction center line h of the head slider44B is represented by φi; and the angle defined by a straight line n interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer88and the longitudinal direction center line h of the head slider44B is represented by φo. At this time, the first electromagnetic transducer86is formed so as to be inclined by θmax/4+φiwith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line m interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer86. The second electromagnetic transducer88is formed so as to be inclined by θmax/4+φowith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line n interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer88.

In the present embodiment, the data region of the magnetic disk24is virtually divided at the central portion thereof into two regions, and changeover control is performed by the controlling section56such that the inner side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer88and the outer side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer86. In the present embodiment, the divided regions to be taken charge of by the first and second transducers86and88are reversed to those in the first embodiment. However, since the magnitudes of the angles φiand φoare 10% or less in comparison with the yaw angle, it is considered that the difference between the first and third embodiments is not very great.

FIG. 8is a schematic view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. A head slider44C in the present embodiment includes first and second electromagnetic transducers90and92provided in the proximity of the air inflow end and inclined similarly to the electromagnetic transducers86and88in the third embodiment. The inclination angles of the first and second electromagnetic transducers90and92are similar to those of the first and second electromagnetic transducers86and88in the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the data region of the magnetic disk24is virtually divided at the central portion thereof into two regions. Changeover control is performed by the controlling section56such that the inner side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer92and the outer side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer90.

FIG. 9is a schematic view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. A head slider44D in the present embodiment includes vertical recording electromagnetic transducers52,54and94in the proximity of the air outflow end. In particular, the head slider44D includes a first electromagnetic transducer52inclined in a direction in which the inner side face side thereof is nearer to the air outflow end than a central portion thereof, a second electromagnetic transducer54inclined in a direction in which the outer side face side thereof is nearer to the air outflow end than the central portion, and a third electromagnetic transducer94provided in the proximity of the air outflow end at a central portion in the widthwise direction.

The maximum yaw angle when the head slider44D seeks from the innermost track to the outermost track of the magnetic disk24is represented by θmax; the angle defined by a straight line m interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer52and a longitudinal direction center line h of the head slider44D is represented by φi; and the angle defined by a straight line n interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer54and the longitudinal direction center line h of the head slider44D is represented by φo. At this time, the first electromagnetic transducer52is formed so as to be inclined by θmax/6−φiwith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line m interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer52, and the second electromagnetic transducer54is formed so as to be inclined by θmax/6−φowith respect to a perpendicular line to the straight line n interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer54. The third electromagnetic transducer94is formed in parallel to the air outflow end in the proximity of the air outflow end at the widthwise direction central portion of the head slider44D.

Then, the data region of the magnetic disk24is virtually divided into three regions. Changeover control is performed by the controlling section56such that the inner side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer52and the outer side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer54, and the data region at the central portion is taken charge of by the third electromagnetic transducer94. Where the electromagnetic transducers52,54and94are disposed in this manner and are changed over and used by the controlling section56, the oscillation width of the yaw angle can be suppressed to ⅓, and the influence of protruding recording by the yaw angle dependence can be decreased.

FIG. 10is a schematic view showing a configuration of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. A head slider44E in the present embodiment includes first and second electromagnetic transducers82and84provided in the proximity of the air inflow end and inclined similarly to the electromagnetic transducers52and54in the fifth embodiment shown inFIG. 9, and includes a third electromagnetic transducer94in the proximity of the air outflow end at a central portion in the widthwise direction. The inclination angles of the first and second electromagnetic transducers82and84are similar to those of the first and second transducers52and54in the fifth embodiment shown inFIG. 9.

Similarly as in the fifth embodiment, the data region of the magnetic disk24is virtually divided into three regions. Changeover control is performed by the controlling section56such that the inner side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer82and the outer side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer84, and the data region at the central portion is taken charge of by the electromagnetic transducer94.

FIG. 11is a schematic view showing a configuration of a seventh embodiment of the present invention. A head slider44F in the present embodiment includes three vertical recording electromagnetic transducers86,88and94in the proximity of the air outflow end. In particular, the head slider44F includes a first electromagnetic transducer86inclined in a direction in which the inner side face side thereof is farther from the air outflow end than a central portion thereof, a second electromagnetic transducer88inclined in a direction in which the outer side face side thereof is farther from the air outflow end than the central portion, and a third electromagnetic transducer94provided in the proximity of the air outflow end at a widthwise direction central portion of the head slider44F.

The first electromagnetic transducer86is formed so as to be inclined by θmax/6+φiwith respect to a perpendicular line to a straight line m interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the first electromagnetic transducer86. The second electromagnetic transducer88is formed so as to be inclined by θmax/6+φowith respect to a perpendicular line to a straight line n interconnecting the center of pivotal motion of the actuator arm40and the center of the second electromagnetic transducer88. The third electromagnetic transducer94is formed in parallel to the air outflow end in the proximity of the air outflow end at the central portion of the head slider44F.

Then, the data region of the magnetic disk24is virtually divided into three regions. Changeover control is performed by the controlling section56such that the inner side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer88and the outer side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer86, and the data region of the central portion is taken charge of by the third electromagnetic transducer94. The regions taken charge of by the first and second electromagnetic transducers86and88are reverse to those in the fifth embodiment shown inFIG. 9. However, since the magnitudes of the angles φiand φoare 10% or less in comparison with the yaw angle, it is considered that the difference between the fifth and seventh embodiments is not very great.

FIG. 12is a schematic view showing a configuration of an eighth embodiment of the present invention. A head slider44G in the present embodiment includes first and second electromagnetic transducers90and92provided in the proximity of the air inflow end and inclined similarly to the first and second electromagnetic transducers86and88in the seventh embodiment shown inFIG. 11, and a third electromagnetic transducer94provided in the proximity of the air outflow end at a widthwise direction central portion of the head slider44G.

Then, the data region of the magnetic disk24is virtually divided into three regions, and changeover control is performed by the controlling section56such that the inner side data region is taken charge of by the second electromagnetic transducer92and the outer side data region is taken charge of by the first electromagnetic transducer90, and the data region of the central portion is taken charge of by the third electromagnetic transducer94.

While, in the embodiments described above, the first and second electromagnetic transducers are disposed in an inclined relationship by predetermined angles, since the use track region is known in advance, also the ranges of the yaw angle of the electromagnetic transducers are known. Therefore, the control by the controlling section56can be performed by allocating the electromagnetic transducers equally to the regions of the yaw angle in advance and allocating the ranges of the gray code part representative of the head select of firmware and the track position to the electromagnetic transducers.

According to the present invention, the influence of protruding recording caused by yaw angle dependence in a magnetic disk drive which uses a vertical recording method can be reduced by disposing a plurality of vertical recording electromagnetic transducers in an inclined relationship and changing over and controlling the electromagnetic transducer to be used. Since a parallelepiped head slider can be used, the fabrication process of the head slider is almost similar to a conventional fabrication process, and the head slider can be fabricated with a high yield and at a low cost.