Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Record transport with head stationary during transducing – Tape record
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-05
2004-02-24
Heinz, A. J. (Department: 2653)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Record transport with head stationary during transducing
Tape record
C360S128000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06697212
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cartridge magnetic tape device, especially to a mechanism for cleaning a magnetic head of the cartridge magnetic tape device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A cleaning operation for a magnetic head is indispensable to implement more stable reading/writing (R/W) operations from/into a magnetic tape. For example, in a magnetic head cleaning mechanism of a magnetic tape device disclosed in JP(A)-6-131637, a cleaning member is disposed out of a threading track. When a magnetic head is cleaned, the cleaning member is moved by a threader arm so that the cleaning member comes into contact with the magnetic head, and then the threader arm is reciprocally moved with a predetermined stroke, whereby the magnetic head is rubbed by the cleaning member.
In order to satisfy recent requirements of low-cost and little-space design for devices (that is, requirements of reducing the manufacturing cost and also reducing the size of the device), the number of parts is needed to be reduced by simplifying the mechanism itself (integration of mechanisms or the like).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to integrate a threading mechanism and a magnetic head cleaning mechanism so that the head portion of a magnetic head is cleaned by a brush provided to a leader block for threading the magnetic tape when the leader block passes the front side of the magnetic head.
In order to attain the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a magnetic tape device comprising:
a magnetic head;
a threading arm;
a threading motor for driving the threading arm;
a threading pin attached to the threading arm;
a guide along which the threading pin is moved in connection with driving of the threading arm; and
a leader block attached to the threading pin for drawing out a leader pin from a magnetic tape cartridge, the leader pin being fixed at a tip of a magnetic tape accommodated in the magnetic tape cartridge, wherein the leader block has a brush for cleaning the magnetic head by contacting therewith.
In an aspect of the present invention, the threading arm is driven through both a drive shaft driven by the threading motor and a drive arm one end of which is secured to the drive shaft while another end of which is rotatably connected to the threading arm. In an aspect of the present invention, the leader block is rotatably attached to the threading pin. In an aspect of the present invention, the threading pin has a bearing by which the threading pin is moved along the guide.
In an aspect of the present invention, the magnetic tape device further comprises a sensor for detecting the threading pin, especially the bearing thereof, at a position where the brush is brought into contact with the magnetic head, wherein the threading motor is stopped on the basis of detection result, and the magnetic head is moved across a direction of magnetic tape threading.
In an aspect of the present invention, the frequency of movement of the magnetic head is set in accordance with dirt degree of the magnetic head. In an aspect of the present invention, the magnetic tape device further comprises a lead screw for moving the magnetic head, and a motor for rotating the lead screw, wherein the motor is forwardly and inversely rotated to move the magnetic head along the lead screw, or, further comprises a voice coil for moving the magnetic head.
According to the present invention, the mechanism for cleaning the magnetic head and the magnetic tape threading mechanism are integrated, and thus it is unnecessary to provide a cleaning mechanism independently, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the little-space design of the device can be implemented.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5463519 (1995-10-01), Dodt et al.
patent: 6067211 (2000-05-01), Chliwnyj et al.
patent: 6067212 (2000-05-01), Poorman
patent: 6215618 (2001-04-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 6-131637 (1994-05-01), None
patent: 11-328635 (1999-11-01), None
patent: 2000-149236 (2000-05-01), None
Castro Angel
Heinz A. J.
NEC Corporation
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