Head positioning assembly
US4833558A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 1986 |
| Grant date | May 23, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/55
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A magnetic read/write head is mounted on a carriage having a bore therein. The carriage is slidable along a stationary guide rod which extends into the bore. A lead screw threads into a nut which is keyed to the carriage so that rotation of the lead screw moves the carriage along the guide rod. A torsion spring engages the carriage and provides a force to bias the carriage so as to eliminate any undesired clearance between the carriage and the nut and between the carriage and the guide rod. The force is applied at an angle relative to the axis of motion of the carriage. As the carriage moves, the spring is deflected, causing the angle of the force to change and the amount of the force to change. The spring is oriented so that the total force directed parallel to the axis of the motion of the carriage remains constant. The amount of the total force is predetermined to minimize vibration of the carriage and head. The carriage is guided by the guide rod, not the lead screw, so that misalignment of the lead screw does not affect the positioning of the head. A second guide rod extends into a half-bore in the carriage to prevent rotation of the carriage about the lead screw.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.