US 5,710,681 A · Pivot bearing having no moving parts for use in a high density data tape drive

Abstract

A pivot bearing structure formed of a leaf spring is incorporated into a rocker or force transmission member which whenever mounted to a carriage of a high density data tape drive system precisely defines the pivot axis of the rocker and provides a very high degree of stiffness in a vertical plane, that plane being parallel to the recording surface of the magnetic tape. The rocker derives motion from a voice coil motor (VCM) and transmits that controlled motion to a magnetic head which is suspended for movement in a vertical plane while in contact with a length of magnetic tape upon which data is recorded or from which data is read. The movement of the magnetic head may be very precisely controlled by energizing the VCM, because the pivot axis is extremely well defined due to the stiffness in the vertical plane of the pivot bearing. Movement of the VCM coil directly translates into movement of the magnetic head. The rocker is fabricated to form a cavity or pocket exposing a portion of the leaf spring to permit the bonding of another part to the leaf spring.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A high density data storage tape drive for use with a cartridge containing a length of storage tape, comprising:

a frame;
a drive mechanism supported on said time to spool said tape;
a read/write head disposed adjacent said tape;
an electrical drive having a fixed portion and a movable portion;
said head supported on And movable with respect to a carriage, said carriage displaceable relative to said tape in coarse increments;
a pivotable force transmission member engaged with said head and said movable portion of said electrical drive for transmitting movement of said movable portion of said electrical drive to said head, thereby displacing said head relative to said carriage and the tape in fine increments;
said force transmission member including a leaf spring secured to said carriage and having a scalloped edge defining a pivot bearing said scalloped edge provided in a plane parallel to a plane of a recording surface of the storage tape, said scalloped edge of said leaf spring providing reduced stress per degree of rotation at said pivot bearing with an axis parallel to said plane of the storage tape.

4 more elements

A high density data storage tape drive for use with a cartridge containing a length of storage tape, comprising:

a frame;
a drive mechanism supported on said flame to spool said tape;
a read/write head disposed adjacent said tape;
said head supported on and moveable with respect to a carriage, said carriage displaceable relative to the tape in coarse increments;
a pivotable force transmission member engaged with said head and a movable portion of a voice coil motor for transmitting movement of said movable portion of said voice coil motor to said head, thereby displacing said head relative to said carriage and the tape in fine increments;
said force transmission member including a metal leaf spring secured to said carriage and insert-molded into a rocker engaged with said head and said movable portion of said voice coil motor, wherein said metal leaf spring allows pivotable movement of said head relative to said rocker about an axis substantially parallel to a plane of a recording surface of the storage tape while providing a high degree of stiffness in the plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the storage tape.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pivot bearing having no moving parts for use in a high density data tape drive

Life of this patent

Pivot bearing having no moving parts for use in a high density data tape drive

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9