Halbach Magnetic Circuit for Voice Coil Motor in Hard Disk Drives

Rotary-type voice coil motors are widely used as actuators in hard disk drives. The recent trend toward higher density and smaller form factors in data storage devices requires performance improvement of the voice coil motor. In this study, we introduce a Halbach magnet array to the voice coil motor in order to increase the force generation. The Halbach magnetic circuit outperforms the conventional magnetic circuit due to the confined magnetic flux. To investigate the performance of the Halbach magnetic circuit, we analyze air gap flux density with the various shapes and thickness of the magnets using 3-dimensional finite element analysis. Consequently the optimum shape of the Halbach magnetic circuit is proposed. Simulations and experimental results proved effectiveness of the proposed magnet array in the voice coil motor for a commercial hard disk drive.