JP2670689B2 - Media member - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial field of application> The present invention relates to a member for media such as video tape, audio tape, computer cartridge, etc., which records and / or reproduces information by utilizing magnetism or light. .

<Prior Art> In a recording / reproducing carrier for various information such as a video cassette, an audio cassette, a computer cartridge, a video floppy disk, and a laser vision disk, a tape-shaped or disk-shaped recording or reproducing medium is stored in a storage case. And the medium travels or rotates in the storage case and the recording / reproducing apparatus. That is, inside these recording / reproducing carriers, the recording / reproducing medium, the members constituting the storage case and the members arranged in the storage case, or these members move while slidingly contacting each other.

Taking a video tape as an example, in the cassette case,
Along with the video tape, which is a recording medium, a reel that winds the video tape, a brake that locks the reel, various members such as a guide pole that guides the running of the tape, and a tape guide are stored.

Then, when the medium is loaded into the recording / reproducing apparatus, for example, a tape running guide member such as a video tape and a guide pole, a tape guide, or a reel and a reel leaf spring slide on each other.

Therefore, in order to ensure accurate and smooth running and rotation of media such as tapes and discs, A: low friction coefficient, B: misalignment of members and tapes In order to eliminate dropouts, etc., characteristics such as excellent wear resistance and high surface hardness, C: Excellent antistatic properties to prevent static electricity and other charges that may cause recording / playback malfunctions are required. You.

Conventionally, such a member is usually formed of a resin material from the viewpoint of ease of molding and light weight, but in order to satisfy the above characteristics, a coating film for antistatic is formed on the surface,
Some of the necessary members are made of metal having excellent wear resistance, or a metal coating is provided.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, when an antistatic coating film is provided, it is difficult to form a thin and uniform coating film, and there are problems such as blooming, and when a part of a member is metallized. However, there are disadvantages such as an increase in the number of processing steps and an increase in cost, and a difficulty in processing a complicated shape.

Under such circumstances, the present inventors first formed a plasma polymerized film of an organic metal (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-222115), a silicon compound (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-222438), etc. on the above member. We are proposing to do so.

However, in these things, paying attention only to the antistatic property,
We also did not evaluate running friction.

The object of the present invention is to have an excellent antistatic property, the recording / reproducing medium can be accurately and smoothly and stably run, the durability is excellent, the dropout during recording / reproducing is small, and the number of parts and the number of processing steps can be increased. It is to provide a member for media that is not invited.

<Means for Solving the Problems> Such an object is achieved by the present invention described below.

That is, the present invention relates to a member constituting a storage case that stores a tape-shaped or disk-shaped medium rotatably or rotatably, or a member other than the medium arranged in the storage case, the surface of which is C, F and N, F
And the total content of N is 5 to 40 at%, the atomic ratio of N / F is
A member for a medium, wherein a plasma polymerized film having a thickness of 0.2 to 5 is formed.

In this case, it is preferable that the plasma-polymerized film further contains H.

 Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the present invention will be described in detail.

The medium member of the present invention is a member that constitutes the storage case that stores a tape-shaped or disk-shaped medium so that it can run or rotate, or is a member that is arranged in this storage case. A polymer film was formed.

FIG. 1 shows an example in which the medium member of the present invention is applied to a video tape cassette.

In this case, a recording tape 11 having a magnetic layer on a flexible base is used as a medium, and a cassette 14 forms a storage case.

In the video cassette shown in FIG.
14 is the upper cassette half 141 and the lower cassette half 142
And the guard panel 145 is assembled by tapping screws 117, and these members constitute the case of the present invention. Inside the cassette 14, there are provided a supply reel 13S that winds a tape, a take-up reel 13T that winds the tape, a brake 16 that prevents the reel from rotating when not in use, and a tape guide 153. A traveling guide member such as a guide roller 154 is installed.

The supply reel 13S and the take-up reel 13T are arranged side by side in the cassette, and are pressed against the lower cassette half 142 by the reel roof spring 1411. Further, the brake 16 is arranged at the center of the upper part of both reels. In addition, the tape guide 153,
A tape running guide member such as the guide roller 154 is arranged near the tape feed port and the tape pull port.

Further, as another member, a leader trailer tape 121 for connecting the supply reel 13S and the recording tape 11 is provided.
Is provided.

The magnetic tape 11 supplied from the supply reel 13S passes between the guide pole 151 and the tape pad 152 while being given an appropriate back tension by the tape pad 152, and passes through the tape guide 153 at the tape supply port into the recording / reproducing apparatus. Be drawn in. The tape running in the recording / playback equipment
Pass between the tape guide 153 and the guide roller 154,
It is taken up by the take-up reel 13T.

The video cassette usually has the structure as described above, but most of the members constituting such a video cassette slide on the recording tape 11 or each member.

In the present invention, a predetermined plasma-polymerized film is formed on the surface of a member constituting such a video cassette, and in particular, a guide pole 151, which is a running guide member that comes into contact with the recording tape 11, and a tape. Pad 152,
The tape guide 153, the guide roller 154, the leader trailer tape 121 connected to the recording tape, and the reel center boss 1333 that contacts the reel leaf spring 1411, the front surface 141a of the upper cassette half 141 and the lower cassette half 142, A better effect can be obtained when a predetermined plasma polymerized film is formed on the surface of 142a.

Next, FIG. 2 shows an example in which the medium member of the present invention is applied to an audio cassette.

In this case, as in the case of the video cassette,
A cassette 25 forms a case using a recording tape 21 having a magnetic layer on a flexible base.

In the audio cassette shown in FIG. 2, the cassette 25 is formed by combining the half side A251 and the half side B253, and the case of the audio cassette is constituted by these members. Inside the cassette 25, a hub portion 231, which winds or winds the tape, a clamp 233, a guide roller 243 which guides the running of the tape,
A guide pin 241, and further other members include a sheet 261 for accurately and smoothly winding the tape without electrification, a hub portion 231, a leader tape 221 for connecting the clamp 233 and the recording tape 21, and the like. Provided.

The tape supplied from the hub portion 231 is a guide pin 241,
The guide roller 243 guides the traveling route and enters the contact portion with the head or the like in the recording / reproducing apparatus. After being sandwiched by the head pad 245 and in sliding contact with the head, the guide roller 243 and the guide pin 241 again guide the traveling path, and the hub portion 231 is wound around the other.

In the present invention, like the video cassette, the above-mentioned plasma polymerized film is formed on the surface of the member constituting such an audio cassette, but among them, the guide pin 241 which is the traveling guide member, the guide Better results are obtained when a predetermined plasma polymerized film is formed on the surface of the roller 243, the leader tape 221, the sheet 261 or the like.

The present invention is also effective when applied to various video cassettes, audio cassettes, and computer cartridges having the same type of members as those of the same type of magnetic tape, in addition to the above-mentioned video cassettes and audio cassettes. Further, it is also effective when applied to various disk-shaped media such as floppy disks, hard disks, and compact disks, and media members such as cleaning cassettes.

In the present invention, the plasma polymerized film contains C, N and F, more preferably C, H, N and F.

At this time, the total content of F and N is 5 to 40 at%,
More preferably, it is 10 to 35 at%.

If this value is less than 5 at%, sufficient antistatic properties will not be exhibited even if the F / N ratio described below is controlled, and if it exceeds 40 at%, the strength of the film will decrease and the durability as a member will decrease. .

Further, the atomic ratio of N / F is 0.2 to 5, more preferably 0.3.
~ 3.

If this value is out of this range, sufficient antistatic properties cannot be exhibited.

The balance other than N and F may be C alone or may be composed of C and H.

When C and H are contained, the atomic ratio of H / C is usually 2 or less, particularly about 0.05 to 2.

The analysis of the contents of C, N, F, H and other elements in the plasma polymerized film may be performed according to SIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) or the like. In the case of using SIMS, the plasma polymerized film is preferably used in the present invention with a film thickness of 10 to 1000Å, so if C, N, F, H and other elements are counted and calculated on the surface of the plasma polymerized film. Good.

Alternatively, while performing ion etching with Ar or the like,
It may be calculated by measuring the profiles of C, N, F, H and other elements.

Regarding the measurement of SIMS, Surface Science Fundamentals Volume 3 (1984) Basics and Applications of Surface Analysis (P70) “SIMS and LAM
MA ".

With such a composition, the thickness of the plasma polymerized film formed is preferably 10 to 1000Å, more preferably 20 to 100Å.

When the film thickness exceeds 1000Å, internal stress during film formation remains in the film, the strength of the film itself is lowered, the breaking strength of the medium is lowered, and the film is liable to drop and dropout easily occurs.

Further, if the film thickness is less than 10Å, the present invention is not effective, the durability is deteriorated, the film is damaged, and the dropout is likely to occur. Furthermore, inconveniences such as deterioration of the surface condition occur.

Note that the film thickness may be measured using an ellipsometer or the like.

In addition, such control of the film thickness may be performed by controlling the reaction time, the flow rate of the raw material gas, and the like when forming the plasma polymerized film.

In the present invention, as a raw material source used for the plasma polymerization film, a plurality of sources containing the above-described elements may be generally used in combination.

 The available sources include:

(1) Hydrocarbon Usually, methane which is gaseous at normal temperature
One or more of ethane, propane, butane, pentane, ethylene, propylene, butene, butadiene, acetylene, methylacetylene, and other saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons.

(2) Fluorocarbon or fluorinated hydrocarbon such as tetrafluoromethane, octafluoropropane, octafluorocyclobutane, tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, trifluorochloromethane, difluoromethane, trifluorobromomethane, difluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane, etc. One or more.

(3) Nitrogen-containing hydrocarbons One or more of ethyleneimine, methylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, ethylenediamine and the like.

(4) In addition to the combination of the above (1) to (3) or in place of this, a nitrogen-containing fluorohydrocarbon can be used.

(5) Other NO _X such as NO, N ₂ O and NO ₂ , H ₂ , O ₂ , O ₃ , H ₂ O, NH ₃ , N
It is also preferable to use one or more of F ₃ , CO, CO _{2 and the} like in addition to the source.

As described above, the source may contain Br, Cl, O, and the like.

Further, if necessary, it can be added to the raw material as a trace component of a source such as Si, B, P, and S.

The use ratio of these sources can be appropriately set according to the desired composition of the plasma-polymerized film.

The plasma polymerized film is formed by bringing the above-mentioned discharge plasma of the source gas into contact with the substrate (in the present invention, the medium member).

The principle of plasma polymerization is outlined. When a gas is kept at a low pressure and an electric field is applied, free electrons that are present in a small amount in the gas have an intermolecular distance that is much larger than at atmospheric pressure, and therefore are subjected to an electric field acceleration of 5 to 10 eV. Acquire kinetic energy (electron temperature).

When the accelerated electrons collide with atoms or molecules, they break up the atomic orbitals and molecular orbitals and dissociate them into species that are unstable in normal conditions, such as electrons, ions, and neutral radicals.

The dissociated electrons are again subjected to electric field acceleration to dissociate other atoms and molecules, but this chain action quickly turns the gas into a highly ionized state. This is called plasma gas.

Since gas molecules have little chance of collision with electrons, they do not absorb much energy and are kept at a temperature close to room temperature.

Thus, the kinetic energy of the electron (electron temperature)
A system in which the thermal motion (gas temperature) of molecules is separated is called low-temperature plasma, which creates a situation in which the chemical species can proceed with an additive chemical reaction such as polymerization while maintaining its relatively original form.
The present invention intends to form a plasma polymerized film on a substrate by utilizing this situation. Since low-temperature plasma is used, there is no thermal effect on the substrate.

An example of an apparatus for forming a plasma polymerized film on the surface of a substrate is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a plasma polymerization apparatus using a frequency variable power source.

In FIG. 3, raw material gas is supplied to the reaction vessel R from a raw material gas source 511 or 512 via mass flow controllers 521 and 522, respectively. Gas source 511 or 512
When supplying different gases from the mixer 53, the gases are mixed and supplied in the mixer 53.

The source gases can each have a flow rate range of 1 to 250 ml / min.

Opposing electrodes 551 and 552 are provided in the reaction container R, and one electrode 551 is, for example, a frequency variable power source 54.
And the other electrode 552 is grounded. The substrate is typically placed on the electrode 552.

Further, a vacuum system for evacuating the inside of the reaction vessel R is provided in the reaction vessel R, and this is provided with a liquid nitrogen trap 5.
7, including an oil rotary pump 58 and a vacuum controller 59.
These vacuum systems maintain the inside of the reaction vessel in a vacuum range of 0.01 to 10 Torr.

In operation, the inside of the reaction vessel R is first evacuated by an oil rotary pump until the pressure in the reaction vessel R becomes 10 ^-3 Torr or less, and thereafter, the raw material gas is supplied in a mixed state into the vessel at a predetermined flow rate.

At this time, the vacuum in the reaction vessel is controlled in the range of 0.01 to 10 Torr.

When the flow rate of the source gas is stabilized, the power is turned on.
Thus, the plasma polymerized film is formed on the surface of the substrate.

Ar, He, H ₂ or the like may be used as the carrier gas.

The applied current, the processing time, etc. may be set under normal conditions.

As a plasma source, in addition to high frequency discharge, any of microwave discharge, DC discharge, AC discharge and the like can be used.

Such a plasma polymerized film is preferably formed on a substrate, particularly on a substrate that has been subjected to plasma treatment.

By subjecting the substrate surface to plasma treatment, the adhesive strength between the substrate and the plasma polymerized film is improved.

The principle, method, forming conditions and the like of the plasma treatment method for the substrate surface are basically the same as those of the above-described plasma polymerization method.

However, in principle, the plasma treatment uses an inorganic gas as a treatment gas, and on the other hand, an organic gas (in some cases, an inorganic gas may be mixed) is used for the formation of the plasma polymerized film by the plasma polymerization method described above. Used as source gas.

In the present invention, the plasma processing gas is not particularly limited.

Further, the frequency of the plasma processing power supply is not particularly limited, and may be any of direct current, alternating current, microwave, and the like.

As described above, as a more preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned plasma polymerized film is formed on the substrate subjected to the plasma treatment.

<Experimental Examples and Examples> Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to specific experimental examples and examples.

[Experimental Example 1] Using the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the plasma-polymerized film shown in Table 1 below was formed on the surface of a PET sheet having a thickness of 30 μm.
It was formed to a thickness of 200Å to obtain a sheet sample. Operating pressure 0.0
The plasma power was 200 W and the plasma frequency was 13.56 MHz at 5 Torr. Table 1 shows the raw material gas and the flow rate of the plasma polymerization.

The composition of the plasma polymerized film (F + N and N / F) is S
Measured by IMS. The film thickness was measured with an ellipsometer.

The friction coefficient (μ) of the sheet thus obtained was measured. Also, charge the sheet with a charge of 5000V,
The half-life of the charge amount was measured. Further, at 20 ° C and 60% RH
The half-life of the charge amount was measured even after storage for 24 hours.

 Table 2 shows the results.

As a comparative example, the same experiment was conducted on a sheet having the same material and film thickness and having no plasma polymerized film formed thereon and a sheet having a plasma polymerized film having a composition outside the scope of the present invention formed thereon. The results are also shown in Table 2.

[Experimental example 2] Using a device shown in Fig. 3, a stainless steel diameter was used.
The plasma-polymerized film shown in Table 1 was formed on the surface of a 4 mm pole to a thickness of 500 Å to obtain a sample. The plasma polymerized film is the same as in Experimental Example 1.

The friction coefficient μ of the pole thus manufactured was measured.

 Table 3 shows the results.

As comparative examples, a pole (sample No. 11) made of the same material and not forming a plasma polymerized film and a POM
The same experiment was performed on the pole made of the sample (Sample No. 12). The results are also shown in Table 3.

The coefficient of friction μ is preferably 0.25 or less, and if it is more than this value, smooth running cannot be expected.

Example 1 The same plasma polymerized film as in Experimental Examples 1 and 2 was formed on the surface of the following member, and the member was used to fabricate the video cassette shown in FIG.

 The film thickness of the plasma polymerized film was 500Å.

Leader Trailer Tape 121 (Made of PET) Guide Pole 151 (Made of POM) Tape Pad 152 (Made of PET) Tape Guide 153 (Made of POM) Guide Roller 154 (Made of POM) Reel Center Boss 1333 (Made of POM) Recording Tape 11 is 14 μm Co on thick PET film
Deposition-has a magnetic layer containing γFe ₂ O ₃ as magnetic powder.

In addition, in one video cassette, each member is formed with the same plasma polymerized film.

The following experiment was conducted using the sample video cassette thus produced.

(1) Dropout The dropout of each sample was measured at the initial stage and after running for 200 passes at 60 ° C, 90% RH.

In the test method, the number of dropouts per minute of a video tape having a total length of 120 minutes was measured, and the average thereof was calculated.

The results are the average of 10 runs of each sample video cassette for this test.

 Table 4 shows the results.

In addition, in such a test, if the number of dropouts exceeds 20 even once for one sample, it cannot be put to practical use, but the result of the present invention exceeds 20 dropouts even once. Did not come out.

In the original use, the dropout canceller works effectively, so 20 or less dropouts are not visible.

Example 2 The same plasma polymerized film as in Experimental Examples 1 and 2 was formed on the surface of the following member, and the member was used to manufacture the audio cassette shown in FIG. The film thickness of the plasma polymerized film was 500Å.

Leader tape 221 (PET made 125 μm thick) Sheet 261 (PET made 35 μm thick) Guide pin 241 (SUS made) Guide roller 243 (POM made) Recording tape 21 is a C-90 PET film with Co
Deposition-has a magnetic layer containing γFe ₂ O ₃ as magnetic powder.

In addition, in one audio cassette, each member is formed with the same plasma polymerized film.

The following experiment was conducted using the sample audio cassette thus produced.

(1) Level-down The level-down of each sample was measured after running at 60 ° C, 90% RH and 200 passes.

As the test conditions, a level recorder 2307 manufactured by B & K was used, a signal of 10 kHz was used, and a chart speed was set to 0.3 mm / sec without using a filter for recording and reproduction.

Under these conditions, check the playback signal before and after the endurance running of 10 cassettes for each sample, and check the total tape length.
In the case where there was at least one decrease of 3 dB or more compared to before the endurance running, the evaluation was x, and in the case where there was no reduction, the evaluation was o.

 Table 5 shows the results.

<Effect of the Invention> The medium member of the present invention has a predetermined plasma polymerized film formed on its surface.

Therefore, the medium member of the present invention has very high antistatic properties, and also has excellent properties such as low friction and high abrasion resistance.

Further, the carrier using such a member has excellent properties such as high antistatic property, accurate traveling / movement of the recording / reproducing medium, smoothness and stability, and less dropout.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a VHS video cassette using the medium member of the present invention. Explanation of code 11 …… Recording tape, 121 …… Leader trailer tape, 123 …… Adhesive tape, 13S …… Supply reel, 13T …… Take-up reel, 131 …… Reel flange, 133 …… Reel hub, 1331 …… Hub Part, 1333 …… reel center boss, 135 …… tape clamp, 141 …… upper cassette half, 1411 …… reel leaf spring, 1412 …… clear window, 142 …… lower cassette half, 145 …… guard panel, 1451… … Guard panel spring, 147 …… Lock plate, 1471 …… Lock plate spring, 151 …… Guide pole, 152 …… Tape pad, 153 …… Tape guide, 154 …… Guide roller, 1541 …… Guide roller pin, 161 ...... Brake lever, 1611 …… Brake spring, 162 …… Release lever, Fig. 2 shows the structure of an audio cassette using the medium member of the present invention. FIG. Explanation of code 21 …… Recording tape, 221 …… Leader tape, 231 …… Hub part, 233 …… Clamp, 241 …… Guide pin, 243 …… Guide roller, 2431 …… Guide roller pin, 245 …… Head pad , 251 ...... Half side A, 253 ...... Half side B, 255 ...... Shield plate, 257 ...... Tapping screw, 261 ...... Sheet Fig. 3 shows the plasma processing equipment using DC, AC and variable frequency power supplies. It is a schematic diagram. Explanation of code 53 …… Mixer, 54 …… DC, AC and variable frequency power supply, 57 …… Liquid nitrogen trap, 58 …… Oil rotary pump, 511,512 …… Process gas source, 521,522 …… Mass flow controller,

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A member constituting a storage case for rotatably or rotatably storing a tape-shaped or disk-shaped medium, or a member other than the medium arranged in the storage case, the surface of which is C or F. A member for media, characterized in that a plasma polymerized film containing 5 and 40 at% of the total content of F and N and having an atomic ratio of N / F of 0.2 to 5 is formed. 2. The medium member according to claim 1, wherein the plasma polymerized film further contains H.