JP2000048316A - Magnetic head and magnetic recording/reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic head and a magnetic recording/reproducing device capable of reducing the cost without lowering the satisfied contact property with a magnetic recording medium. SOLUTION: This magnetic head 1 is furnished with at least three contact parts with a magnetic tape, which are arranged so as to align along the running direction of the magnetic tape and to abut on this magnetic tape at the running time of the magnetic tape. In this magnetic head 1, at least, one contact part with magnetic tape among the contact parts with magnetic tape other than those contact parts arranged at both sides has the length in the breadthwise direction of magnetic tape shorter than those of the contact parts with magnetic tape arranged at both sides, then a magnetic field applying means for applying the magnetic field to the magnetic tape, and/or a magnetic field detecting means for detecting the magnetic field from the magnetic tape is formed on the contact part with magnetic tape, the length of which in the breadthwise direction of magnetic tape is shortened than those of the contact parts with magnetic tape arranged at both sides.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetic head and a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Thin-film magnetic heads suitable for high-density recording are:
In the field of tape streamers for computers and the like, which are shifting to higher capacity, adoption of bulk type magnetic heads has been promoted. In particular, in response to the recent trend toward higher densities, inductive thin-film heads using electromagnetic induction have been used as magnetic heads for recording, and signal magnetic fields from magnetic tape have been used as magnetic heads for reproduction to change electrical resistance. A magneto-resistive effect type magnetic head which detects by conversion is used.

Since such a thin film magnetic head is manufactured by repeatedly performing a thin film forming process, a patterning process and an etching process, a large number of head elements are generally mounted on a substrate of about 3 inches to 5 inches. Are often formed.

In manufacturing a thin film magnetic head, the substrate size is increased as much as possible in order to reduce the man-hour per head element in the thin film forming process, increase the yield per head element, and reduce the cost. The dimensions of the head element are reduced to the minimum necessary,
Consideration has been given to increasing the number of heads that can be taken per substrate as much as possible.

However, in a thin-film magnetic head used for a tape streamer for a computer, for example, in order to ensure a good contact with the magnetic tape, the width of the tape contact portion that comes into contact with the magnetic tape is reduced by the width of the thin-film magnetic head element. It needs to be formed wider. If a portion to be a tape contact portion other than the thin film magnetic head is to be secured when forming the thin film magnetic head, an area occupied by a portion to be a tape contact portion other than the thin film magnetic head element increases, so that one sheet This makes it impossible to increase the number of thin-film magnetic head elements formed on the substrate.

In the manufacturing process of a thin-film magnetic head, the thin-film forming process is tens of processes or more, which accounts for a very large proportion of the entire process, resulting in an increase in cost especially from the viewpoint of yield. Often.

Conventionally, when manufacturing such a magnetic head requiring a tape contact portion with a magnetic tape wider than the thin-film magnetic head element, one head is required to avoid an increase in cost due to a decrease in yield. Is designed with the minimum width dimension of the magnetic head element portion. Then, in order to compensate for the required contact width with the magnetic tape, a parallel protection plate disposed in parallel with the substrate and a thin film element portion disposed opposite to the substrate are provided on the substrate on which the magnetic head element is formed. In a subsequent step.

Next, a method for manufacturing such a conventional magnetic head will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 12, a magnetic head element 41 is formed in a matrix on the surface of a substrate 40 by using a thin film forming technique such as vapor deposition, sputtering or etching. For example, when the magnetic head element 41 is a reproducing magnetic head element, the magnetic head element 41 includes a magnetoresistive element 41a serving as a magnetic sensing element and an electrode lead terminal 41b from the magnetoresistive element 41a. Have been.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the substrate 40 on which a number of magnetic head elements 41 are formed is cut for each head to produce a cut chip 42. Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the opposing protection plate 43 and the parallel protection plate 44 are combined with the cutting chip 42 and bonded with resin or glass. Thereby, the adhesive chip 45 is manufactured.

Next, as shown in FIG.
5. Grinding tip 4 by polishing the surface to be the tape contact surface
6 is assumed. At this time, a marker (depth marker) formed on the substrate 40 that can read the polishing amount of the gap depth as a dimension, a polishing monitor (depth monitor) that detects the polishing amount of the gap depth by a change in electric resistance, or the like is used. Is controlled so as to have a predetermined gap depth dimension (depth).

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, an electrode lead terminal 42 of the magnetic head element 41 is
The electrode wiring is taken out from b and connected to the printed wiring board 47 using wire bonding or solder connection, and the head chip 48 is manufactured.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, of the above head chips, a reproducing magnetic head chip 49 having a reproducing magnetic head element formed thereon, and a recording magnetic head chip having a recording magnetic head element formed therein. 50 and tape guide 5
1 and the magnetic head chips are positioned so that each magnetic head element has a stable tape contact, and then bonded, and the combination block 52
Is prepared.

The combination block 52 is combined with one or more head chips, a tape guide, an erasing magnetic head, etc., depending on the configuration of the magnetic head element of each head chip. For example, a recording head chip, a reproducing head chip, and an erasing head chip may be combined, or a combined recording / reproducing head chip and a tape guide may be combined.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 18, the combination block 52 is positioned on a shield frame 53 made of permalloy or the like and fixed with a resin or the like. Thus, a composite magnetic head 54 is manufactured.

[0016]

However, the conventional composite magnetic head as described above has the following disadvantages. In other words, each magnetic head combined with the composite magnetic head needs to form a facing protection plate at a portion facing the parallel protection plate so that the entire width of the magnetic tape can be brought into contact and slid to secure a stable tape contact. there were.

Accordingly, in the step of forming the adhesive chip, the parallel protection plate must be bonded in addition to the cutting chip and the opposing protection plate, so that the number of man-hours per head is increased, and the material cost of the parallel protection plate is increased. , Which leads to an increase in cost.

Further, when producing a grinding chip from an adhesive chip, a thin film head generally requires a high dimensional accuracy because the element depth is only a few μm.
Since the processing must be performed for each head, the number of man-hours to be handled also increases, thereby increasing costs.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and has a magnetic head and a magnetic head capable of reducing costs without deteriorating good contact with a magnetic recording medium. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording and reproducing device.

[0020]

According to the present invention, there is provided a magnetic head comprising:
The magnetic tape includes at least three magnetic tape contact portions that are arranged along the running direction of the magnetic tape and abut on the magnetic tape when the magnetic tape runs. In the magnetic head, at least one of the magnetic tape contact portions other than the magnetic tape contact portions disposed on both sides of the magnetic tape contact portion has a length in the magnetic tape width direction on both sides. The magnetic field that applies a magnetic field to the magnetic tape is shorter than the magnetic tape contact portion arranged on the side and the magnetic tape contact portion whose length in the width direction of the magnetic tape is shorter than the magnetic tape contact portion arranged on both sides. An application unit and / or a magnetic field detection unit for detecting a magnetic field from a magnetic tape are formed.

In the magnetic head according to the present invention as described above, of the at least three magnetic tape contact portions, at least one of the magnetic tape contact portions other than the magnetic tape contact portions disposed on both sides is a magnetic tape contact portion. Since the length in the tape width direction is shorter than the magnetic tape contact portions arranged on both sides, the length in the magnetic tape width direction is shorter than the magnetic tape contact portions arranged on both sides. The cost can be reduced without lowering the good contact between the magnetic recording medium and the magnetic field applying means and / or the magnetic field detecting means arranged at the contact portion of the magnetic tape.

A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention is a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus having a magnetic head, wherein the magnetic head is arranged along a running direction of the magnetic tape. At least three magnetic tape contact portions abutting against the magnetic tape. In the magnetic recording / reproducing device, at least one of the magnetic tape contact portions other than the magnetic tape contact portions disposed on both sides of the magnetic tape contact portion has a length in the magnetic tape width direction, A magnetic field is applied to the magnetic tape at the magnetic tape contact area where the length in the width direction of the magnetic tape is shorter than the magnetic tape contact area arranged on both sides and shorter than the magnetic tape contact area arranged on both sides. And / or a magnetic field detecting means for detecting a magnetic field from the magnetic tape.

In the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention as described above, of the at least three magnetic tape contact portions of the magnetic head, of the magnetic tape contact portions other than the magnetic tape contact portions arranged on both sides. At least one is such that the length in the magnetic tape width direction is shorter than the magnetic tape contact portions arranged on both sides, so that the length in the magnetic tape width direction is equal to the magnetic tape contact portions arranged on both sides. The cost is reduced without lowering the good contact between the magnetic recording medium and the magnetic field applying means and / or the magnetic field detecting means disposed on the magnetic tape contact portion shorter than the portion.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the magnetic head according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic head 1 has a reproducing magnetic head chip 2 having a reproducing magnetic head element formed as a magnetic head element and a recording medium having a recording magnetic head element formed as a magnetic head element. This is a composite type thin film magnetic head comprising a magnetic head chip 3 for use, a tape guide 4 and a shield frame 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reproducing magnetic head chip 2 is bonded to a substrate 10, a reproducing magnetic head element 11 formed on the substrate 10, and an adhesive or the like on the substrate. Protective substrate 1 for protecting head element 11
2 is formed.

In the reproducing magnetic head element 11, a magnetoresistive element, an electrode lead-out terminal from the magnetoresistive element, and the like are formed at a predetermined position corresponding to a track position in order to retrieve information from the magnetic tape. It becomes. Then, the printed wiring board 1 is output from the reproducing magnetic head element 11.
3 is derived, and the information reproduced by the magnetic head element is transmitted to an external device (not shown) by the printed wiring board 13. The tape contact surface 2a that comes into contact with the magnetic tape is processed so that the contact with the magnetic tape is stable.

As shown in FIG. 3, the recording magnetic head chip 3 includes a substrate 20, a recording magnetic head element 21 formed on the substrate 20, and a substrate for ensuring good contact with the magnetic tape. 20 and a parallel protection plate 22 arranged in parallel with
And an opposing protection plate 23 disposed opposite the substrate 20 and the parallel protection plate 22 to protect the recording magnetic head element 21.

The recording magnetic head element 21 has a magnetic core, a magnetic gap and the like formed at predetermined positions corresponding to track positions in order to record information on a magnetic tape. A printed wiring board 24 is led out of the recording magnetic head element 21. Information to be recorded on the magnetic tape is transmitted from an external device (not shown) to the printed wiring board 24.
To the magnetic head element 21 for recording. In addition,
The surface of the tape contact surface 3a that comes into contact with the magnetic tape is processed so that the contact with the magnetic tape is stable.

The tape guide 4 is provided on both sides of the composite magnetic head chip 6, in which the reproducing magnetic head chip 2 and the recording magnetic head chip 3 are integrated, in the running direction of the magnetic tape indicated by arrow A in FIG. It is provided to ensure the contact between the magnetic tape and the reproducing magnetic head chip 2 and the recording magnetic head chip 3.

The shield frame 5 is a frame for fixing the positions of the reproducing magnetic head chip 2, the recording magnetic head chip 3, and the tape guide 4 so as not to be displaced.

The reproducing magnetic head chip 2
And the recording magnetic head chip 3 is, as shown in FIG.
Reproducing magnetic head chip 2 and reproducing magnetic head chip 2
Are arranged on both sides of the recording magnetic head chip 3 in the running direction of the magnetic tape to form a composite magnetic head chip 6. Further, the tape guides 4 are arranged on both sides of the composite magnetic head chip 6 in the running direction with the magnetic tape, are joined and integrated by an adhesive or the like, and are fixed by the shield frame 5.

In such a magnetic head 1, since the tape guides 4 are disposed on both sides of the composite magnetic head chip 6, the contact between each magnetic head chip and the magnetic tape can be improved.

Further, in the magnetic head 1, the above-described structure eliminates the structure and process of forming the dimensional portion of the facing protection plate facing the parallel protection plate of a part or all of the magnetic heads. As a result, the number of manufacturing steps and material costs can be reduced, and furthermore, by adopting this structure, a plurality of grinding chips can be processed simultaneously up to the manufacturing step, so that the number of working steps per unit can be reduced, and the depth accuracy can be reduced. Can be raised.

Next, a method for manufacturing the magnetic head 1 as described above will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the reproducing magnetic head elements 11 are formed in a matrix on the surface of the substrate 10 by using a thin film forming technique such as vapor deposition, sputtering or etching. The reproducing magnetic head element 11 includes a magnetoresistive element 11a serving as a magnetic sensing part and an electrode lead terminal 11b from the magnetoresistive element 11a. Further, the reproducing magnetic head element 11 includes a depth marker or a depth sensor required when forming a depth.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 10 on which a number of reproducing magnetic head elements 11 are formed is substantially parallel to the surface which will eventually be the tape contact surface (the Y direction is shown here). Cut along the imaginary line. Thereby, the substrate 10
A cutting block 30 in which a plurality of reproducing magnetic head elements 11 are arranged in a row is manufactured.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, an opposing protective plate 12 is superimposed on the surface of the substrate 10 on which the reproducing magnetic head element 11 is formed. At this time, the length t ₁ of the opposing protection plate 12 is made shorter than the length t ₂ of the substrate 10, and the length t ₁ from the outside to the electrode lead-out terminal 11 b of the reproducing magnetic head element 11 formed on the substrate 10. Electrical connection is made possible. Then, the superposed substrate 10 and the opposing protection plate 12 are adhered with resin or glass, thereby producing an adhesion block 31.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the surface of the adhesive block 31 which is to be in contact with the tape is ground and wrapped by using the above-described depth marker and depth sensor while controlling the surface to a predetermined depth. Grinding block 32
Is prepared.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the grinding block 32 is cut for each head along a virtual line with reference to a reference positioning marker or the like provided in advance on the reproducing magnetic head element 11. . Thereby, the grinding tip 33 is manufactured.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, an electrode wiring is taken out from the electrode lead-out terminal 11b of the reproducing magnetic head element 11 from the grinding chip 33, and connected to the printed wiring board 13 by wire bonding or solder connection. Thus, the reproducing magnetic head chip 2 is manufactured.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the two reproducing magnetic head chips 2 on which the reproducing magnetic head elements 11 are formed are replaced with the recording magnetic head chips 3 on which the recording magnetic head elements 21 are formed. The composite magnetic head chip 6 is disposed on both sides of the magnetic tape running direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. Here, the recording magnetic head chip 3
Is manufactured in the same manner as in the conventional method described above.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, tape guides 4 are arranged on both sides of the composite magnetic head chip 6 in the running direction of the magnetic tape. Then, the magnetic head chips of each magnetic head chip are positioned at predetermined positions so that the magnetic head elements of the magnetic head chips are stably brought into contact with the tape, and then bonded, thereby producing a combination block 34.

Then, the combination block 3
4 is fitted into a shield frame 5 made of permalloy or the like, positioned and fixed with a resin or the like. Thus, the composite magnetic head 1 as shown in FIG. 1 is manufactured.

The magnetic head 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG.
And the conventional magnetic head 53 shown in FIG.
The contact characteristics with the magnetic tape were examined. FIG. 19 shows the relationship between the tape tension and the head output for the magnetic head 1. Further, regarding the magnetic head 52,
FIG. 20 shows the relationship between the tape tension and the head output.

19 and 20, the magnetic head 1 according to the present invention in which the parallel protective plates are not disposed on both sides of the magnetic head portion also has the conventional magnetic head 53 in which the parallel protective plates are disposed on both sides of the magnetic head portion. It can be seen that good hitting characteristics are shown without being inferior.

Therefore, in the magnetic head according to the present invention, a good contact can be obtained even when the parallel plate is not provided on the head chip, and the cost is reduced as compared with the magnetic head having the parallel plate provided on the head chip. It is possible to lower it.

Also, in this magnetic head, by adopting the above-described structure, the structure and the step of forming the dimensional portion of the facing protection plate facing the parallel protection plate of a part or all of the magnetic head can be eliminated. In addition, the number of manufacturing steps and material costs can be reduced, and further, by adopting this structure, a plurality of grinding chips can be simultaneously processed up to the manufacturing process.
The number of work steps per unit can be reduced, and the depth accuracy can be increased.

[0049]

According to the present invention, an excellent magnetic head and a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus with improved contact with the magnetic recording medium and improved depth accuracy can be realized at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a magnetic head according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one configuration example of a reproducing magnetic head chip of the magnetic head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one configuration example of a recording magnetic head chip of the magnetic head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing a magnetic head, and is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a number of magnetic head elements are formed on a substrate.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the method of manufacturing the magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state where the substrate on which the magnetic head elements are formed is cut into cut blocks.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the method of manufacturing the magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state in which an opposing protection plate is adhered to the cutting block to form a joining block.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the method of manufacturing the magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state in which the surface of the joining block that is to be the tape contact surface is ground to form a ground block.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the method of manufacturing the magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state in which the grinding block is cut for each head to form a cut block.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the method of manufacturing the magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state where the terminals of the magnetic head element and the electrode wiring board are joined.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing a magnetic head.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a reproducing magnetic head chip and a recording magnetic head chip are combined to form a composite magnetic head chip.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing a magnetic head.
It is a perspective view showing the state where tape guides were arranged on both sides of a compound magnetic head chip.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a conventional method for manufacturing a magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state in which a number of magnetic head elements are formed on a substrate.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a conventional method for manufacturing a magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state in which a substrate is cut for each magnetic head to obtain a cut chip.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a conventional method for manufacturing a magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state in which a facing chip and a parallel board are attached to a cutting chip to form a bonding chip.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a conventional method for manufacturing a magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state in which a surface to be a tape contact surface of a bonding chip is ground to form a ground chip.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a conventional method for manufacturing a magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state in which a terminal of a magnetic head element and an electrode wiring board are joined.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining a conventional method for manufacturing a magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state in which a reproducing magnetic head chip and a recording magnetic head chip are combined to form a composite magnetic head chip.

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining a conventional method for manufacturing a magnetic head, and is a perspective view showing a state where a composite magnetic head chip is fitted into a shield frame.

FIG. 19 is a view showing a contact characteristic between the magnetic head and the magnetic tape of FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a contact characteristic between the magnetic head and the magnetic tape in FIG. 18;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 magnetic head, 2 magnetic head chip for reproduction, 3
Magnetic head chip for recording, 4 Tape guide, 5
Shield frame

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 26, 1998 (1998.8.2
6)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, an electrode lead-out terminal 41 of the magnetic head element 41 is
The electrode wiring is taken out from b and connected to the printed wiring board 47 using wire bonding or solder connection, and the head chip 48 is manufactured.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 8

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 8

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic tape comprising: at least three magnetic tape contact portions which are arranged in a running direction of a magnetic tape and come into contact with the magnetic tape when the magnetic tape is traveling; At least one of the magnetic tape contact portions other than the magnetic tape contact portion has a length in the magnetic tape width direction shorter than the magnetic tape contact portions arranged on both sides, and a length in the magnetic tape width direction. The magnetic tape applying portion for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic tape and / or the magnetic field detecting device for detecting the magnetic field from the magnetic tape are formed in the magnetic tape contact portion which is shorter than the magnetic tape contact portions arranged on both sides. A magnetic head characterized in that: 2. A magnetic field applying means for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic tape and / or a magnetic field detecting means for detecting a magnetic field from the magnetic tape are formed on at least one of the magnetic tape contact portions arranged on both sides. The magnetic head according to claim 1, wherein 3. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus provided with a magnetic head, wherein the magnetic heads are arranged so as to be arranged in a running direction of the magnetic tape, and each of the magnetic heads contacts at least three magnetic tapes which come into contact with the magnetic tape during running of the magnetic tape. At least one of the magnetic tape contact portions other than the magnetic tape contact portions arranged on both sides of the magnetic tape contact portion has a length in the magnetic tape width direction arranged on both sides. Magnetic field applying means for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic tape, wherein the magnetic tape contact portion is shorter than the magnetic tape contact portion, and has a length in the magnetic tape width direction shorter than the magnetic tape contact portion arranged on both sides. And / or magnetic field detection means for detecting a magnetic field from a magnetic tape. 4. A magnetic field applying means for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic tape and / or a magnetic field detecting means for detecting a magnetic field from the magnetic tape are formed on at least one of the magnetic tape contact portions arranged on both sides. 4. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: