Patent · US Expired

Tape head fine positioning system for a tape backup drive

US5331490A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
9References
82Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 31, 1990
Grant dateJul 19, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 31, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B25/063
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a back-up tape drive having a precision molded chassis with a fine positioning system for a tape head. This system includes a follower nut threadingly mounted on a lead screw that is bi-directionally rotated by a stepper motor. A lever arm engages the follower nut in a manner such that torsional moments between the forces of the follower nut and lever arm are minimized. The other end of the lever arm engages a tape head mounting unit. The lever arm pivotally engages the chassis at a predetermined midpoint of the lever arm such that a mechanical advantage is derived. The positioning system is designed so the forces acting on the tape head mounting unit are aligned to minimize the torsional forces acting on the tape head mounting unit. The tape head mounting unit further includes reference features that reduce the need for azimuth and zenith adjustment.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.