JP2014013631A - Magnetic tape device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a magnetic tape device that reduces the wear of a magnetic head by a magnetic tape, has high durability, and can stably maintain a high reproduction output.
A magnetic head unit 6 having a magnetic head capable of recording and reproducing signals on a magnetic tape 2 accommodated in a winding member 1 and the position of the magnetic tape 2 drawn from the winding member 1 are regulated. The sliding contact member 9 is selectively disposed at any one of the magnetic tape guides 4, 5, 8 to be performed, the contact position that contacts the magnetic tape 2, and the retracted position that does not contact the magnetic tape 2. The sliding contact member 9 abuts on the magnetic tape 2 to alleviate the wear action of the magnetic head by the magnetic tape 2.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic tape device used for recording / reproducing signals on a magnetic tape, and more particularly to a magnetic tape device capable of reducing wear of a magnetic head due to the magnetic tape.

  Magnetic tape has various uses such as audio tape, video tape, and computer tape. In recent years, data backup tapes are increasingly used as recording media for backing up hard disk data. With an increase in the capacity of a hard disk to be backed up, an increase in capacity in the backup tape field is progressing, such as commercialization of a storage capacity of 800 GB or more per volume of magnetic tape.

  In order to increase the capacity of the magnetic tape, for example, there is a method of increasing the tape length per reel without increasing the diameter of the magnetic tape with respect to the reel by reducing the thickness of the magnetic tape. . There is also a method of increasing the recording density in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape by shortening the recording wavelength of data recorded on the magnetic tape. Furthermore, a technology for increasing the recording density has been developed to increase the recording density in the width direction of the magnetic tape by narrowing the recording track width of the magnetic tape.

  When adopting a technology for increasing the recording density of a magnetic tape, it is necessary to reduce the spacing (spacing) between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head during recording / reproduction. When the distance between the magnetic head and the magnetic tape is reduced, the degree to which the magnetic head is worn due to the irregularities on the surface of the magnetic tape increases and the durability of the magnetic head decreases. In particular, in the case of a magnetic head provided with an MR head using a magnetoresistive element (MR element) as a reproducing head, a PTR (Pole Tip Recession) of a predetermined size from the surface of a slider constituting the magnetic head unit. The magnetic tape swells and contacts the MR element in the retracted position, and the MR element that is easily worn compared to the slider member is worn by the magnetic tape, resulting in a decrease in reproduction output. It was.

  In order to solve such problems, as a magnetic tape that can reduce the spacing loss between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head and reduce the wear of the magnetic head, the magnetic layer applied on the non-magnetic support, It has been proposed that the center line average surface roughness Ra of the surface of the magnetic layer is 3.2 nm or less by performing lapping / rotary / tissue treatment (LRT treatment) under predetermined conditions (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-187415 A

  According to the magnetic tape whose surface smoothness is maintained by the above conventional processing method, it is possible to reduce the wear of the MR element used as the magnetic head, and to suppress the durability of the magnetic head itself and the decrease in the reproduction output. it can.

  However, the above-mentioned conventional technology for flattening magnetic tape is to process at a high speed of 400 m / min in a so-called pancake state before the magnetic tape is incorporated into the magnetic tape cartridge. There was a limit to the effect of removing the uneven abrasive. For this reason, in particular, in recent years, magnetic tapes are often used for archiving as long-term storage in addition to conventional backup applications, and as the frequency with which unused green tapes are used increases, Even when a magnetic tape to which a technique for smoothing the surface is applied is used, the problem of wear of the magnetic head has become apparent again.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, reduces the wear of the magnetic head due to the magnetic tape even when unused tape is frequently used, and has high durability and stable high reproduction output. An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic tape device that can be maintained.

  In order to solve the above problems, a magnetic tape device according to the present invention includes a magnetic head unit including a magnetic head capable of recording and reproducing signals on a magnetic tape housed in a winding member, and the magnetic head drawn from the winding member. A magnetic tape guide that regulates the position of the tape; and a sliding contact member that is selectively disposed at any one of a contact position that contacts the magnetic tape and a retracted position that does not contact the magnetic tape. The sliding contact member is in contact with the magnetic tape to alleviate the wear action of the magnetic head by the magnetic tape.

  The magnetic tape device according to the present invention is selectively disposed at any one of a contact position that contacts the magnetic tape and a retracted position that does not contact the magnetic tape. The sliding contact member which relieves the wear action of is provided. For this reason, a magnetic tape device capable of reducing the wear action of the magnetic head by the magnetic tape by bringing the sliding contact member into contact with the magnetic tape as necessary, and maintaining high reproduction output with high durability. Can be realized.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the magnetic tape apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional magnetic tape apparatus as a comparative example. It is a figure which shows the shape of the dummy head unit as a slidable contact member of the magnetic tape apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the characteristic change of the magnetic head in the magnetic tape apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the modification of the magnetic tape apparatus concerning this embodiment.

  The magnetic tape device of the present invention regulates the position of the magnetic head unit provided with a magnetic head capable of recording and reproducing signals on the magnetic tape accommodated in the winding member, and the magnetic tape drawn out from the winding member. A magnetic tape guide; and a sliding contact member that is selectively disposed at any one of a contact position that contacts the magnetic tape and a retracted position that does not contact the magnetic tape. The magnetic head is abutted against the magnetic tape to reduce the wear action of the magnetic head.

  The magnetic tape device of the present invention is selectively disposed at any one of a contact position that contacts the magnetic tape and a retracted position that does not contact the magnetic tape, and the magnetic tape device uses the magnetic tape to contact the magnetic tape. A sliding contact member is provided to reduce the wear action of the head. For this reason, when the wear action of the magnetic head by the magnetic tape is strong, the wear action of the magnetic head by the magnetic tape can be weakened by bringing the sliding contact member into contact with the magnetic tape. Also, when the magnetic tape is not strongly worn by the magnetic tape, the surface of the magnetic tape is unnecessarily polished by disposing the sliding contact member at the retracted position where it does not contact the magnetic tape. It is possible to prevent adverse effects such as deterioration of the durability of the magnetic tape due to excessive reduction of the polishing power and sticking of the magnetic tape to the magnetic head.

  In the magnetic tape device of the present invention, it is preferable that the sliding contact member is disposed at a position upstream of a position where the magnetic head contacts the magnetic tape drawn out from the winding member. By doing in this way, before the magnetic tape contacts a magnetic head for the first time, the abrasion effect of the magnetic head by a magnetic tape can be relieved.

  In addition, it is preferable that at least three or more magnetic tape guides are provided, and the magnetic head and the sliding contact member are disposed at intervals between the different magnetic tape guides. By doing so, the contact state of the magnetic tape with the magnetic head can be determined by recording the signal in both cases where the sliding contact member is in contact with the magnetic tape and not in contact with the magnetic tape. It is possible to maintain a preferable state for reproduction.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the sliding contact member is disposed at the contact position when the number of times the magnetic tape has traveled is less than a predetermined number. In the case of a magnetic tape with a small number of uses, the magnetic head is excessively worn by such a magnetic tape because a large amount of abrasive material remains on the surface of the magnetic layer and wear action on the magnetic head is large. Can be effectively prevented.

  In this case, the number of running times of the magnetic tape can be read from the recording portion of the winding member in which the magnetic tape is accommodated. Furthermore, the number of times the magnetic tape is run can be read from a history recording unit formed in the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape.

  The apparatus further comprises a detecting means for detecting a sticking strength between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head unit, and the sliding contact member is used when the sticking strength between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head unit is larger than a predetermined value. It is preferable to arrange in the retracted position. When the adhesive strength between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head unit is large, it can be assumed that the surface of the magnetic tape is smooth.By placing the sliding contact member in the retracted position, the surface of the magnetic tape is more than necessary. It can be avoided that the sticking strength between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head is further increased due to the smoothing.

  In the magnetic tape device of the present invention, it is preferable that the sliding contact member is a dummy head unit that does not perform magnetic recording / reproduction. By doing in this way, the magnetic tape apparatus provided with the sliding contact member which can ensure the contact property with the magnetic tape similar to a magnetic head unit can be obtained easily.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said sliding contact member is a sliding contact blade provided with the grinding | polishing part which planarizes the unevenness | corrugation of the said magnetic tape surface. By doing in this way, the magnetic tape apparatus provided with the sliding contact member of the shape suitable for the objective of relieving the abrasion effect of the magnetic head by a magnetic tape can be obtained.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the magnetic head includes an MR head that reproduces a signal recorded on the magnetic tape using a magnetoresistive element. By doing so, it is possible to obtain a magnetic tape device that can maintain a high reproduction output while including an MR head that is easily worn.

  The magnetic tape device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In addition, each figure referred below demonstrates the magnetic tape apparatus of this invention simplified about the part required in order to demonstrate this invention for convenience of explanation. Therefore, the magnetic tape device according to the present invention can have an arbitrary configuration that is not shown in each of the referenced drawings. Moreover, the dimension of the member in each figure does not necessarily represent the dimension of an actual structural member, and the dimension ratio of each member faithfully.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which a magnetic tape conforming to the LTO standard housed in a cartridge is equipped with a linear magnetic head for recording and reproducing data, and in particular an MR head using an MR element as the reproducing head. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a magnetic tape device in which is adopted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic tape device 100 shown in the present embodiment records and reproduces data while pulling out a magnetic tape 2 from a cartridge 1, which is a winding member that houses the magnetic tape, and loading it onto a take-up reel 3. Do.

  The magnetic tape device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a first magnetic tape guide 4 and a second magnetic tape guide 5, and a magnetic field is provided in a gap portion between the first magnetic tape guide 4 and the second magnetic tape guide 5. A magnetic head unit 6 having a head is disposed. The magnetic tape 2 pulled out from the cartridge 1 is magnetically disposed at the tip of the magnetic head unit 6 in a state where the position is regulated between the first magnetic tape guide 4 and the second magnetic tape guide 5. When the head abuts, data can be recorded on a predetermined track formed on the magnetic tape 2 and the recorded data can be reproduced.

  The magnetic head unit 6 of the magnetic tape device 100 of the present embodiment has a predetermined contact surface between the slider that forms a convex shape in which the contact surface with the magnetic tape 2 is gently curved and the magnetic tape that is the tip of the slider. And two sets of magnetic heads (not shown) arranged at a distance of. Each magnetic head is composed of a recording head and a reproducing head, and an MR head having an MR element is used as the reproducing head. These two sets of magnetic heads function as a recording head and a reproducing head, respectively, according to the traveling direction of the magnetic tape 2, and can record and reproduce data on the magnetic layer formed on the surface of the magnetic tape 2. . The magnetic head unit 6 is attached to the actuator 7 and regulates the magnetic head to contact a predetermined track among a plurality of tracks formed in the tape width direction of the magnetic tape 2, and to the magnetic tape 2. The pressing force of the magnetic head unit 6 is controlled.

  Also in the conventional magnetic tape apparatus 200 as a comparative example shown in FIG. 2, two magnetic tape guides 104 are used to record and reproduce data while pulling the magnetic tape 102 from the cartridge 101 and loading it onto the take-up reel 103. , 105 is disposed with a magnetic head unit 106 supported by an actuator 107.

  Compared with the magnetic tape device 200 of the comparative example shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic tape device 100 of this embodiment is further closer to the cartridge 1 side of the first magnetic tape guide 4, that is, the magnetic drawn from the cartridge 1. A dummy that is a slidable contact member is provided on the upstream side of the tape 2 in the point that the third magnetic tape guide 8 is disposed and in the space between the third magnetic tape guide 8 and the first magnetic tape guide 4. The difference is that the head unit 9 is arranged. That is, in the magnetic tape device 100 of the present embodiment, the magnetic head unit 6 and the dummy head unit 9 that is a slidable contact member are arranged at intervals between different magnetic tape guides. Further, the dummy head unit 9 which is a sliding contact member is disposed at a position upstream from the position where the magnetic head unit 6 contacts the magnetic tape 2 pulled out from the cartridge 1.

  The dummy head unit 9 is supported by the support portion 10, and a contact position where the contact portion with the magnetic tape 2 at the tip of the dummy head unit 9 contacts the magnetic tape 2 and a retreat without contacting the magnetic tape 2. It is selectively arranged at any position of the position. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the dummy head unit 9 that is a sliding contact member is disposed at a retracted position that does not contact the magnetic tape 2.

  In the magnetic tape device 100 of the present embodiment, the dummy head unit 9 and the magnetic head unit 6 that are slidable contact members are arranged at intervals between different magnetic tape guides. For this reason, the dummy head unit 9 is moved from the state where it is disposed at the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrow 11 in the drawing and is disposed at the contact position, so that the dummy head unit 9 and the magnetic tape 2 are in contact with each other. Even when the pressing force in the direction of arrow 11 in the figure is applied to the magnetic tape 2 at the portion in contact with the dummy head unit 9, the first magnetic tape guide 4 is interposed therebetween, so that the first The magnetic tape guide 4 and the second magnetic tape guide 5 are not affected by fluctuations in the position of the magnetic tape 2 contacting the magnetic head unit 6. If the position of the magnetic tape 2 with respect to the magnetic head unit 6 is correctly secured and a state in which the data recording / reproducing operation by the magnetic head is not affected can be secured, the first having the magnetic head unit 6 in the interval portion. In addition to the magnetic tape guide 4 and the second magnetic tape guide 5, it is not necessary to provide a third third magnetic tape guide 8 and dispose the dummy head unit 9 in the space between the different magnetic tape guides. In this case, the magnetic head unit 6 and the dummy head unit 9 can be disposed in the space between the same magnetic tape guides, and the surface area of the magnetic tape device 100 can be reduced.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the dummy head unit 9 that is a sliding member used in the magnetic tape device 100 of the present embodiment.

The dummy head unit 9 is composed of a slider made of AlTiC (Al ₂ O ₃ —TiC) having the same shape as the magnetic head unit 6. In the dummy head unit 9 of the magnetic tape device 100 according to the present embodiment, the sliders are the first rail 21, the second rail 22, the third rail 23, the fourth rail 24, the fifth rail 25, and the sixth rail. Six rails of the rail 26 are provided. In the case of the magnetic head unit 6, magnetic heads 27 as recording / reproducing heads are disposed on the end surfaces of the second rail 22 and the fifth rail 25 on the side in contact with the magnetic tape 2, respectively. In No. 9, since no data recording / reproduction is performed, the magnetic head 27 is not disposed.

  In the magnetic tape device 100 of this embodiment, a dummy head unit that has the same outer shape as the magnetic head unit 6 that records and reproduces data on the magnetic tape 2 and that is composed of the same material and does not perform magnetic recording and reproduction. 9 is used, the contact state of the sliding member with the magnetic tape 2 can be kept the same as the contact state of the magnetic head unit 6 and the magnetic tape 2. By doing in this way, the grinding | polishing effect | action of the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape 2 by a sliding contact member can be easily adjusted to a desired thing.

In the dummy head unit 9 illustrated in FIG. 3, the configuration in which the magnetic head 27 is not disposed on the second rail 22 and the fifth rail 25 is illustrated, but the magnetic head 27 may be disposed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the front end portions of the respective rails with which the magnetic tape 2 abuts, in particular, the first rail 21 and the sixth rail 26 located on both outer sides of the dummy head unit 9, and the inner side thereof. Anti-wear layers 28 and 29 made of a material having excellent wear resistance, such as AlTiC (Al ₂ O ₃ —TiC) and single crystal ferrite, are formed on the tip portions of the second rail 22 and the fifth rail 25 located in the center. can do. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the dummy head unit 9 is in contact with each other in addition to the formation of the wear prevention layers 28 and 29 having the same thickness on the entire surface of the front ends of the rails 21, 22, 25 and 26. Wear of both outer portions, for example, the left end portion 28 a of the first rail 21 and the left end portion 29 a of the second rail 22, which are likely to be worn due to a stronger pressing force applied to the magnetic tape 2 when placed at the position. The prevention layers 28 and 29 can be formed thick, or the wear prevention layer can be formed only on the left end portion 28 a of the first rail 21 and the left end portion 29 a of the second rail 22. Like the left rail, the right fifth rail 25 and the sixth rail 26 also have thicker anti-wear layers 28 and 29 on the outer side (right side) or prevent wear only at the right end. A layer can be formed.

  Further, in order to improve the wear resistance of the dummy head unit 9, the curved outer shape which is a contact portion with the magnetic tape 2 is the same, but the number of rails is not six but eight or more. A dummy head unit having the above number can be employed. Although the outer shape is not exactly the same as that of the magnetic head unit 6, a dummy head having a shape in which the sliding surface with respect to the magnetic tape is curved as a whole, like the magnetic head unit. Units can also be used.

  Here, the magnetic tape 2 will be described.

  The magnetic tape 2 conforming to the LTO standard that is used in the magnetic tape device 100 of the present embodiment and records and reproduces data is manufactured as follows.

Coating composition of magnetic tape production example <Backcoat layer coating component for magnetic tape>
Carbon black (particle size: 25 nm) 80 parts Carbon black (particle size: 350 nm) 10 parts α-iron oxide (particle size: 100 nm) 10 parts Nitrocellulose 45 parts Polyurethane resin (containing SO3 Na group) 30 parts Cyclohexanone 290 parts Toluene 680 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 410 parts The above-mentioned back coat layer paint component was dispersed in a sand mill for a residence time of 45 minutes, and then 15 parts of polyisocyanate was added and stirred, followed by filtration to prepare a back coat layer paint. This back coat layer coating was applied to one surface of a nonmagnetic support made of PEN having a thickness of 4.8 μm so that the thickness after drying and calendering was 0.5 μm, dried, and dried. A coat layer was formed.

<Non-magnetic paint component for magnetic tape>
(1) Component α-iron oxide (particle size: 110 nm) 68 parts α-alumina powder (particle size: 70 nm) 8 parts Carbon black (average particle size: 75 nm) 24 parts Stearic acid 1 part Vinyl chloride-hydroxypropyl acrylate 8.8 parts of polymer (containing -SO3 Na group: 0.7.times.10@-4 equivalent / g)
Polyester polyurethane resin 4.4 parts (Tg: 40 ° C., contained-SO 3 Na group: 1 × 10 −4 equivalent /)
Cyclohexanone 71 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 120 parts Toluene 26 parts (2) Component Stearic acid 1 part Butyl stearate 1 part Cyclohexanone 20 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 13 parts Toluene 20 parts (3) Component Polyisocyanate 1.5 parts Cyclohexanone 2 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 15 parts Toluene 2 parts Among the non-magnetic coating components described above, the component (1) is kneaded with a batch kneader, and after the component (2) is added and stirred, a dispersion treatment is performed using a sand mill with a residence time of 60 minutes. (3) The component was added, stirred, and filtered to prepare a nonmagnetic paint for magnetic tape.

<Magnetic paint component for magnetic tape>
(1) Components of kneading process 100 parts of ferromagnetic iron-based metal powder [Co / Fe: 30 at%,
Y / (Fe + Co): 6.0 at%
Al / (Fe + Co): 3.0 wt%
σs: 155 A · m 2 / kg,
Hc: 193 kA / m,
(Average particle diameter: 100 nm)
12 parts of vinyl chloride-hydroxypropyl acrylate copolymer
(Contained -SO3 Na group: 0.7.times.10@-4 equivalent / g)
5.5 parts of polyester polyurethane resin
(Contained -SO3 Na group: 1.0 * 1.0 * 10 <-4> equivalent / g)
Carbon black (average particle size: 25 nm) 2 parts Methyl acid phosphate 2.5 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 30 parts Toluene 12 parts (2) Dilution process component α-alumina slurry 22 parts (Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.,
α-alumina average particle diameter: 200 nm, content rate 45%)
N-butyl stearate 1 part Palmitic acid amide dispersion (20 wt%) 7 parts Cyclohexanone 110 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 110 parts Tetrahydrofuran 30 parts Toluene 80 parts (3) Compounding process components Polyisocyanate 1.9 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 12 parts Cyclohexanone 5 parts Toluene 5 Part Among the above magnetic coating components, (1) component is kneaded with a batch kneader, and after (2) component is added and stirred to this, dispersion treatment is performed with a sand mill for a residence time of 60 minutes. (3) The component was added, stirred, and filtered (filter pore size: 1.0 μm) to prepare a magnetic paint for magnetic tape.

  As described above, the nonmagnetic coating material is dried on the other surface of the nonmagnetic support composed of the polyethylene terephthalate film having the backcoat layer formed on one surface, and the thickness after calendering becomes 0.8 μm. On the undercoat layer, the above magnetic coating is further applied wet-on-wet so that the thickness of the magnetic layer after the magnetic field orientation treatment, drying, and calendar treatment is 0.08 μm. After the orientation treatment, the magnetic sheet was obtained by drying using a dryer. In the magnetic field orientation treatment, an NN counter magnet (5 kG) is installed in front of the dryer, and two NN counter magnets (5 kG) are spaced from each other at a distance of 50 cm from the front side 75 cm of the position of dry coating of the coating in the dryer. It was installed at. The coating speed was 100 m / min.

  The magnetic sheet thus obtained was mirror-finished using a seven-stage calendar made of a metal roll under the conditions of a temperature of 100 ° C. and a linear pressure of 245 kN / m, and the magnetic sheet was wound on a core at 70 ° C. at 72 ° C. After time aging, cut to 1/2 inch width, while running this at 200m / min, the surface of the magnetic layer was polished with rotary and surface was wiped with tissue, servo signal was recorded on the magnetic layer An LTO cartridge tape is produced.

  In this way, the magnetic layer formed on the surface of the magnetic tape, along with the magnetic powder that records the magnetic signal from the magnetic head, provides polishing force to the magnetic layer to clean the magnetic head, and the durability of the magnetic layer Contains an abrasive to maintain. In the process of manufacturing the magnetic tape, it is difficult to completely avoid the uneven distribution of excess resin or abrasive on the surface of the magnetic layer due to, for example, convection of the solvent inside the magnetic layer at the time of drying. Even with a magnetic tape that has been subjected to a surface treatment for flattening the surface of the magnetic layer, it is virtually impossible to completely flatten the abrasive that is excessively present on the surface of the magnetic layer.

  As described above, the magnetic tape 2 has an action to wear the magnetic head by the abrasive remaining on the surface of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape 2, and the wear of the magnetic head is caused by the wear of the magnetic head by the wear action. Sex is reduced. Further, when the MR head using the MR element used in the magnetic tape device 100 according to the present embodiment is used as a reproducing head, the MR element that is easily worn compared to the slider is the magnetic tape 2. Will be worn selectively. When the MR element is worn, the PTR (Pole Tip Recession), which is the retraction amount of the MR element from the slider surface, increases from the set value, and the magnetic sensitivity of the magnetic head decreases, leading to a decrease in reproduction output. .

  On the other hand, by repeatedly contacting the magnetic head unit 6, the magnetic tape unit 6 also has a polishing effect by the magnetic head unit 6 and the abrasive remaining on the surface of the magnetic layer is abraded, so that the surface of the magnetic tape 2 is removed. It is gradually flattened. As a result, the surface of the magnetic tape 2 that has traveled a certain number of times is considerably smooth compared to the unused state, and the coefficient of friction with respect to the magnetic head unit 6 and the rollers of the magnetic tape guide is increased, causing sticking. It tends to occur. When the magnetic tape 2 sticks to the magnetic head unit 6 or the magnetic tape guide roller, the tension applied by the drive roller that tries to run the magnetic tape 2 at a predetermined speed is applied to the magnetic tape 2 to damage the magnetic tape 2. As a result, the durability may decrease. Further, it is considered that the effect of cleaning the surface of the magnetic head by disposing an abrasive on the surface of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape 2 is lost, which may cause a recording / reproducing error.

  In the magnetic tape device 100 of the present embodiment, the dummy head unit 9 that is a sliding contact member is selectively selected at any one of a contact position that contacts the magnetic tape 2 and a retracted position that does not contact the magnetic tape 2. Can be arranged. For this reason, the arrangement position of the dummy head unit 9 is selected according to the flattening state of the magnetic layer surface and the cleaning effect, which vary depending on the number of runnings, and the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape 2 is polished. The state of the material can be made a more preferable state in relation to the magnetic head and the magnetic head unit 6.

  That is, in the magnetic tape device 100 of this embodiment, when the magnetic tape 2 is still new and a large amount of abrasive remains on the surface of the magnetic layer, the dummy head unit 9 is disposed at the contact position and the magnetic tape In the case of the magnetic tape 2 that has been used more than a predetermined number of times and has a large number of running times, the dummy head unit 9 is disposed at a retracted position that does not contact the magnetic tape 2. The surface of the magnetic layer is flattened more than necessary to prevent stiction.

  FIG. 4 shows the effect of mitigating the wear of the magnetic head by the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape device of the present embodiment, in the difference in the number of times the magnetic tape is used and the contact state between the dummy head unit and the magnetic tape. It is a figure which shows the result of the done durability running test.

  In the endurance running test whose result is shown in FIG. 4, the LTO drive device is partially modified, and the dummy head unit shown in FIG. 3 is slid between the magnetic head unit and the cartridge as shown in FIG. A magnetic tape device arranged as a contact member was used. In addition, as the magnetic tape, an LTO standard magnetic tape manufactured by the method exemplified above was used. The measurement environment was a relative humidity of 50 to 60% RH and a temperature of 20 to 25 ° C.

  In the endurance running test whose results are shown in FIG. 4, as a magnetic tape for evaluation, a completely unrun product and 100 times running with full read / write performed 100 times to record and reproduce signals over the entire length of the magnetic tape. Two groups were prepared. For each group of magnetic tapes, two conditions are set: the dummy head is disposed at a contact position that contacts the magnetic tape and the dummy head is disposed at a retract position that does not contact the magnetic tape. Then, under the total of four conditions, the operation of writing the entire capacity onto the 846 m long magnetic tape accommodated in the cartridge was performed. In addition, LTO5 was used for the LTO tape used for the measurement. The LTO 5 has 80 paths (there are 16 channels, so there are 1280 recording tracks), and therefore, in the case of full capacity writing, the LTO 5 travels 40 times.

  In the evaluation of the durability running test, the reproduction output value when the signal written by the recording head of the magnetic head was reproduced by the reproducing head was measured for every 10 cartridges. In this case, the reproduction output of 90% or more with respect to the initial value is represented by “◯”, the reproduction output of 80 to 90% is represented by “Δ”, and the reproduction output is represented by “x”. In addition, the head wear amount of the magnetic head was measured by measuring PTR using an AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) after running 200 turns. The head wear amount is shown in FIG. 4 as “small” when the PTR is less than 20 nm, “medium” when it is 20-30 nm, and “large” when it is 30 nm or more.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the non-running product that is the evaluation tape of the first group, when the dummy head unit is arranged at the contact position, it is always 90 even when 200 rolls are repeatedly run. Excellent playback output of more than%. Further, the amount of wear of the head after running 200 rolls had a PTR of less than 20 nm, and there was no noticeable change with respect to the original set value of PTR.

  On the other hand, in the case of a non-running product and when the dummy head unit is disposed at the retracted position, the reproduction output decreases after the 140-roll repeated running, and the 140-wind running is caused. The reproduction output after decreasing to less than 90% and decreasing to 80 to 90% and further running 170 times repeatedly decreased to less than 80%. Further, the amount of head wear after running 200 turns was greater than the initial set value, with PTR of 30 nm or more.

  Further, in the 100-run product that is the evaluation tape of the second group, when the dummy head unit is disposed at the contact position, the reproduction output is reduced to 80 to 90% after the 140-roll repeated run. In addition, the reproduction output decreased to less than 80% during the 180th turn. The amount of head wear after running 200 rolls was as small as 20 nm or less in PTR and was almost the same as the initial PTR.

  On the other hand, when the dummy head unit is placed at the retracted position on the 100-running magnetic tape that is the second group, the reproduction output is maintained at a satisfactory state of 90% or more even when 200 rolls are run. It was leaning. Further, the amount of wear of the magnetic head after running 200 rolls was less than 20 nm in PTR, and almost no change from the initial PTR was observed.

  From the results shown in FIG. 4, in the case of a non-running magnetic tape, the dummy head unit, which is a sliding contact member, is disposed at the contact position, so that the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape is polished. Since the agent was properly polished and the magnetic tape wear action of the magnetic tape was appropriately mitigated, the amount of wear of the magnetic head was not large even after running 200 rolls, and the reproduction output was kept good. I can confirm. On the other hand, when the dummy head unit is in the retracted position in the case of an unused product, the magnetic head is undesirably worn by the abrasive remaining on the surface of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, and as the number of turns to run increases. It can be confirmed that the output between the magnetic head and the magnetic tape is widened and the reproduction output is lowered. The amount of wear of the magnetic head after running 200 turns is also a large value.

  On the other hand, in the case of a 100-running magnetic tape, the abrasive material remaining on the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape in contact with the magnetic head is polished by being already used 100 times, so that the magnetic tape It is considered that the wear action on the head was small. For this reason, even when the dummy head unit is disposed at the retracted position and the surface of the magnetic tape is not polished by the dummy head unit, the magnetic head is not undesirably worn. Since the distance from the tape was kept in a desired state, it is considered that the reproduction output could be maintained in a good state of 90% or more. On the other hand, if the dummy head unit is disposed at the contact position in the case of 100-time running product, the polishing force on the surface of the magnetic tape, which has a small wear action on the magnetic head, decreases, and the durability of the magnetic layer decreases. By doing so, it is considered that the reproduction output after 140 windings decreased. The wear of the magnetic head by the magnetic tape was originally not strong, so it is considered that the amount of wear of the magnetic head was small.

  From the above measurement results, when the magnetic tape is not used or is running only a few times, the surface of the magnetic tape is not polished by the magnetic head, so the dummy head unit, which is a sliding member, comes into contact. By disposing the magnetic head, the wear action of the magnetic head by the magnetic tape can be alleviated. If the magnetic tape has been used, for example, about 100 times or more, the dummy head unit that is a sliding member is used. By disposing at the retracted position that does not contact the magnetic tape, it is possible to maintain the state in which the necessary abrasive remains on the surface of the magnetic layer without excessively polishing the surface of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape. Recognize.

  In the magnetic tape device of this embodiment, in order to grasp the number of times of running of the magnetic tape and place the dummy head unit at a preferred position, the number of times of running of the magnetic tape is detected by the reading unit, and the number of times of running is less than a predetermined value. If it is smaller, the dummy head unit is arranged at the contact position, and when the number of times the magnetic tape has traveled is more than a predetermined number, the dummy head unit is controlled to be arranged at the retracted position. . Note that the number of times the tape travels as a threshold for changing the arrangement position of the sliding contact member can be determined as appropriate according to the actual characteristics and initial state of the magnetic tape. As an example, it was used in the durability running test. It is possible to select 100 times that is the number of times of running.

  In the case of a magnetic tape compliant with the LTO standard exemplified as the present embodiment, a storage element is arranged as a recording unit in a cartridge in which the magnetic tape is accommodated, and the magnetic tape manufacturer or the adoption is adopted. Information relating to the magnetic tape, such as the standards and specifications, is recorded so as to be readable by known information reading means. In this recording unit, the number of runnings of the magnetic tape can be easily detected by the reading unit on the side of the magnetic tape device by recording the number of runnings every time the magnetic tape is fully written and read once. Can do. Regardless of whether or not a recording unit is provided, a dedicated storage element for storing the number of times of tape running in the cartridge can be newly added to make this storage element a recording unit of the number of times of running.

  As a means for recording the number of times of running of the magnetic tape, in addition to the recording element provided in the tape cartridge described above, for example, the number of times of running data is recorded at the head portion where no servo signal or data signal of the magnetic tape is recorded. It is conceivable to provide a history recording unit for recording the number of times of travel and update and record the number of times of data every time the magnetic tape is fully written and read. The tape running history information recorded in the history recording unit provided at the head of the magnetic tape can be easily read by the magnetic head.

  Further, as an index for determining whether the dummy head unit, which is a sliding contact member, is placed in the contact position or the retracted position, in addition to the number of times the magnetic tape is run as described above, the magnetic tape The degree of planarization of the magnetic layer surface can be used. As described above, when the surface of the magnetic tape is flattened, the coefficient of friction between the magnetic tape magnetic head and the roller of the magnetic tape guide increases, and sticking occurs. For this reason, if the strength of sticking between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head unit is grasped by a method such as detecting the tension applied to the magnetic tape, for example, the actual flatness of the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape can be obtained regardless of the number of times the tape is run. Depending on the degree of conversion, it is possible to select and control whether the dummy head unit is disposed at the contact position and the tape travel is performed or the tape travel is performed at the retracted position.

  In order to detect the sticking strength of the magnetic tape, additional tape state detection means such as measuring the tension applied to the magnetic tape as described above is required. However, the tape in the initial state that changes due to manufacturing variations is also required. Even when full write read is performed the same number of times as the polishing agent remains on the surface, the dummy head unit abuts more appropriately without being affected by the degree of polishing of the magnetic tape surface, which varies depending on the state of the magnetic head. It can be arranged at a position or a retracted position. Also, when running on a magnetic tape device that cannot count the number of times the magnetic tape has been run, or due to an error in the means for recording the number of runs, the actual number of runs on the magnetic tape and the run recorded on the recording unit Even if the number of times data is different, the sliding contact member can be appropriately arranged at the contact position or the retracted position depending on the degree of flattening of the magnetic tape surface.

  In measuring the degree of sticking between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head unit or the magnetic tape guide roller, a method of detecting the driving torque of the running roller that runs the magnetic tape can be employed.

  It is also possible to determine whether the sliding contact member is disposed at the contact position or at the retracted position by using both the number of times the tape is run and the strength of sticking the magnetic tape to the magnetic head unit or the like. . In this case, first, it is detected whether or not the number of times the tape has traveled has reached a predetermined number of times, and when it is less than the predetermined number of times, the sliding contact member is disposed at the contact position and recording / reproducing on the magnetic tape is started. When the tension applied to the magnetic tape during the running of the magnetic tape is measured and the degree of sticking between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head unit exceeds a predetermined value, the sliding contact member is arranged at the retracted position. Can be controlled.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the magnetic tape device when a member different from the dummy head unit shown in FIG. 1 is used as a sliding contact member as a modification of the magnetic tape device of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 5 shows a structure in which the sliding member is changed to the sliding blade 12 from the magnetic tape device 100 using the dummy head unit 9 shown in FIG. For this reason, each component of the magnetic tape device 110 shown in FIG. 5 is given the same reference numeral as that of the magnetic tape device 100 of FIG. 1, and a detailed description of each member is omitted.

  In the modified magnetic tape device 110 shown in FIG. 5, the sliding member is not a dummy head unit 9 whose outer shape is the same as that of the magnetic head unit 6, but an abrasive on the surface of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape 2 at the tip portion. A sliding contact blade 12 having a polishing portion that can be polished is used. Since the sliding contact blade 12 having a completely different shape from the magnetic head unit 6 is disposed as the sliding contact member, it is necessary to derive a new condition for the contact state between the magnetic tape 2 and the sliding contact blade 12. Even when it is repeatedly arranged at the abutting position where it abuts on the magnetic tape 2, it has a highly durable shape as a sliding contact member so that the action of polishing the abrasive remaining on the surface of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape 2 does not decrease. can do. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, a dummy head unit having the same outer shape as that of the magnetic head unit 6 can be obtained by using a blade-like member having a narrow width as the name of the sliding contact blade 12 as the sliding contact member. Compared with the case where 9 is used, the sliding contact member in the state attached to the support part 10 can be comprised small. For this reason, the space | interval of the 1st magnetic tape guide 4 and the 3rd magnetic tape guide can be narrowed, As a result, it becomes possible to comprise the whole magnetic tape apparatus 110 small shape.

  In FIG. 5, the blade-like sliding contact blade 12 is illustrated, but a polishing portion capable of polishing the polishing material on the surface of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape 2 is provided at a portion in contact with the magnetic tape 2 at the tip. If it exists, various external shapes, such as a rectangular parallelepiped shape, can be selected as the shape of the sliding contact blade 12, for example. Further, if the influence on the contact state between the magnetic head unit 6 and the magnetic tape 2 when the contact with the magnetic tape 2 is negligible, the magnetic tape device 110 of the modification shown in FIG. Even in this case, as in the case of the magnetic tape device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the sliding blade 12 can be arranged at the same interval between the magnetic tape guides as the magnetic head unit 6.

  As described above, the magnetic tape device according to the present embodiment is configured so that the slidable contact member that can abut against the magnetic tape and relieve the wear action of the magnetic head by the magnetic tape is in contact with the magnetic tape. It is possible to select and arrange the retracted position so as not to contact the magnetic tape. Therefore, it is possible to select whether or not to polish the abrasive on the surface of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape according to the magnitude of the magnetic head wear action by the magnetic tape, which depends on the usage state of the magnetic tape.

  In the above embodiment, the sliding member is disposed between the cartridge containing the magnetic tape and the magnetic head, that is, on the upstream side of the position where the magnetic head in the magnetic tape drawn from the cartridge contacts. This has been illustrated and described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sliding contact member can be disposed downstream of the position where the magnetic head contacts. It is also possible to arrange a plurality of sliding contact members. In that case, not only when a plurality of sliding contact members are arranged on either the upstream side or the downstream side of the magnetic head, the magnetic head It is possible to arrange sliding members on both the upstream side and the downstream side.

  In the above-described embodiment, a specific description is omitted, but the abrasive that is left on the surface of the magnetic tape by contacting the magnetic tape between the sliding contact member and the magnetic head, and the like is polished by the sliding contact member. By providing a cleaning bar or the like that can remove the foreign matter, it is possible to effectively prevent the foreign matter from adhering to the magnetic tape contact surface of the magnetic head.

  In the above embodiment, the magnetic tape device having a configuration in which the support member that supports the sliding contact member moves and the sliding contact member is selectively disposed at the contact position and the retracted position has been described. With the contact member fixed, the magnetic tape guide disposed in the vicinity of the sliding contact member moves, deforms, etc., thereby changing the running position of the magnetic tape, and the relative contact between the magnetic tape and the sliding contact member. A magnetic tape device having a configuration in which the positional relationship can be changed between an abutting position and a retracted position can also be provided.

  In the above description, the linear magnetic head is used as the magnetic head and the MR head is provided as the reproducing head. However, there are restrictions on the magnetic head and the magnetic tape running method in the magnetic tape device of the present invention. However, the problem caused by the magnetic head wear action by the magnetic tape can be solved by applying to other types of magnetic tape devices such as a helical scan type.

  In the magnetic tape apparatus of the present invention, the magnetic head capable of recording and reproducing signals on the magnetic tape is a recording head that only records data on the magnetic tape, a reproducing head that only reproduces data from the magnetic tape, and a magnetic tape. Recording / reproducing head capable of recording data and reproducing data on magnetic tape, and recording and / or reproducing not only data but various control signals for operating magnetic tape device such as servo signal Any magnetic head such as a head to be used is included. In addition, the magnetic head unit means a magnetic head support mechanism that enables the magnetic head including the above-mentioned various forms to be brought into contact with a predetermined position of the magnetic tape in a predetermined contact state. And the shape.

  The magnetic tape device according to the present invention is provided with a sliding contact means that can select and arrange the contact with or contact with the magnetic tape according to the strength of the magnetic head wear action by the magnetic tape, and has high durability. As a magnetic tape device equipped with a magnetic head capable of continuously realizing stable recording and reproduction, it can be used in various magnetic recording and reproduction fields.

1 Cartridge (winding member)
2 Magnetic tape 4, 5, 8 Magnetic tape guide 6 Magnetic head unit 9 Dummy head unit (sliding contact member)

Claims (10)

A magnetic head unit comprising a magnetic head capable of recording and reproducing signals on a magnetic tape housed in a winding member;
A magnetic tape guide for regulating the position of the magnetic tape drawn from the winding member;
A sliding contact member that is selectively disposed at any one of a contact position that contacts the magnetic tape and a retracted position that does not contact the magnetic tape;
The magnetic tape device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding contact member abuts on the magnetic tape to alleviate an abrasion action of the magnetic head by the magnetic tape.   2. The magnetic tape device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding contact member is disposed at a position upstream of a position at which the magnetic head contacts the magnetic tape drawn out from the winding member.   3. The magnetic tape device according to claim 1, further comprising at least three or more magnetic tape guides, wherein the magnetic head and the sliding contact member are arranged at intervals between the different magnetic tape guides.   4. The magnetic tape device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding contact member is disposed at the contact position when the number of running times of the magnetic tape is less than a predetermined number. 5.   The magnetic tape device according to claim 4, wherein the number of running times of the magnetic tape is read from a recording unit of the winding member in which the magnetic tape is accommodated.   The magnetic tape device according to claim 4, wherein the number of running times of the magnetic tape is read from a history recording unit formed in a magnetic layer of the magnetic tape.   The apparatus further comprises a detecting means for detecting a sticking strength between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head unit, and the sliding contact member has a structure in which the sticking strength between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head unit is larger than a predetermined value. The magnetic tape device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic tape device is disposed at a retracted position.   The magnetic tape device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding contact member is a dummy head unit that does not perform magnetic recording and reproduction.   The magnetic tape device according to claim 1, wherein the slidable contact member is a slidable contact blade provided with a polishing portion for flattening irregularities on the surface of the magnetic tape.   The magnetic tape device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic head includes an MR head that reproduces a signal recorded on the magnetic tape using a magnetoresistive element.

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