US20050035241A1 - Magnetic tape drive - Google Patents
Magnetic tape drive Download PDFInfo
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- US20050035241A1 US20050035241A1 US10/891,067 US89106704A US2005035241A1 US 20050035241 A1 US20050035241 A1 US 20050035241A1 US 89106704 A US89106704 A US 89106704A US 2005035241 A1 US2005035241 A1 US 2005035241A1
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- Prior art keywords
- magnetic tape
- guide
- guides
- tape drive
- nitride
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B15/00—Driving, starting or stopping record carriers of filamentary or web form; Driving both such record carriers and heads; Guiding such record carriers or containers therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function
- G11B15/60—Guiding record carrier
- G11B15/66—Threading; Loading; Automatic self-loading
- G11B15/67—Threading; Loading; Automatic self-loading by extracting end of record carrier from container or spool
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B15/00—Driving, starting or stopping record carriers of filamentary or web form; Driving both such record carriers and heads; Guiding such record carriers or containers therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function
- G11B15/60—Guiding record carrier
- G11B15/605—Guiding record carrier without displacing the guiding means
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a magnetic tape drive for recording/reproducing magnetic information for a magnetic tape.
- a magnetic tape drive is equipped with a travel device for running a magnetic tape and a plurality of guides for guiding the magnetic tape, which runs, along a predetermined route (for example, see paraphrase 0058 and FIG. 1 in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication 2002-530791).
- a running magnetic tape is designed to be hung across a plurality of guides arranged at predetermined positions.
- each of these guides is configured, as well known, of a roller portion of a cylindrical shape freely rotationally supported by a shaft around a center axis and a flange portion arranged on up/down ends of each roller.
- the magnetic tape drive it is designed so that magnetic information is sent to a magnetic head while a magnetic tape, which is received on a periphery of the roller portion, is regulated in a lateral directional movement thereof by the flange portion; thereby the magnetic information is recorded on the magnetic tape; and the recorded magnetic information is reproduced.
- a groove G is dug into a flange portion 20 a of a guide 20 where an edge of a magnetic tape MT abrades as use times of a magnetic tape drive are repeated.
- This tendency noticeably appears in a magnetic tape drive where a running speed of a magnetic tape is heightened and magnetic information is recorded/reproduced at a high speed.
- the magnetic tape MT guided by the guide 20 is oscillated in lateral directions (in up/down directions in FIG. 9 ) by the groove G in order of a micro meter ( ⁇ m).
- the inventor has found that when in each of a plurality of guides arranged at a magnetic tape drive a ratio of a peripheral speed of each guide for a running speed of a magnetic tape becomes lower than a predetermined value, a flange portion of the guide is peculiarly ground by the magnetic tape, and thereby has reached the present invention.
- a first aspect of the present invention to solve the problem is a magnetic tape drive comprising a travel device for running a magnetic tape and a plurality of guides guiding the magnetic tape, which is running, along a predetermined route, and a surface hardening treatment is dispensed to a relevant guide out of the guides, whose ratio of a peripheral speed for a running speed of the magnetic tape is not more than 0.9.
- the magnetic tape drive when the travel device runs the magnetic tape while the guides guide it along the predetermined route, the magnetic tape is regulated by flange portions of the guides in a movement of lateral directions thereof.
- the surface hardening treatment is dispensed to the relevant guide out of the guides, whose ratio of the peripheral speed for the running speed of the magnetic tape is not more than 0.9, that is, the guide where a difference between the running speed of the magnetic tape and a rotation speed of the guide is not less than the predetermined value, the flange portion of the relevant guide becomes difficult to be ground by edges of the magnetic tape. Accordingly, even when the magnetic tape drive is used over a long period, the magnetic tape is not oscillated in the lateral directions thereof.
- the wrap angle described here means a range of a plane angle where the magnetic tape hung across a periphery of a guide contacts the periphery, that is, a contact angle (see FIG. 2B ).
- the surface hardening treatment is preferable to be dispensed to the relevant guide out of the guides, whose ratio of the peripheral speed for the running speed of the magnetic tape is not more than 0.9 and whose wrap angle of the magnetic tape is not more than 90 degrees.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a magnetic tape drive related to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a state around a guide used in the magnetic tape drive of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 2B is a pattern drawing showing a state where a magnetic tape contacts a guide used in the magnetic tape drive of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a partial section drawing of a guide used in the magnetic tape drive of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing arrangement positions in a magnetic tape drive used for an abrasion resistance test of a guide.
- FIG. 5 is a pattern drawing of a guide sample provided for an observation through a laser microscope.
- FIG. 6 is a microscope photo of a guide sample (example of the present invention).
- FIG. 7 is a microscope photo of a guide sample (comparison example).
- FIGS. 8A and 8B is a partial section drawing of a guide used in a magnetic tape drive related to other embodiments.
- FIG. 9 is a conceptual drawing showing a guide used in a conventional magnetic tape drive.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a magnetic tape drive related to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a state around a guide used in the magnetic tape drive of FIG. 1
- FIG. 2B is a pattern drawing showing a state where a magnetic tape contacts a guide used in the magnetic tape drive of FIG. 1
- FIG. 3 is a partial section drawing of a guide used in the magnetic tape drive of FIG. 1 when the guide is cut at a plane along a rotation axis thereof.
- the drive exemplified in the embodiment is one according to the LTO standard (Linear Tape-Open) and is designed to record/reproduce magnetic information at a high speed even when a magnetic tape of a magnetic tape cartridge runs in any forward/reverse of bi-directions.
- LTO standard Linear Tape-Open
- a drive A related to the embodiment comprises a first gear 11 a and a second gear 11 b ; a reel 12 ; a magnetic head 14 ; a first guide 15 a and a second guide 15 b (simply referred to as “guide 15 ” when not specifying a guide); drive motors not shown for driving the first gear 11 a and the second gear 11 b , respectively; and a casing 16 for housing the members 11 a , 11 b , 12 , 14 , 15 a , and 15 b.
- the first gear 11 a rotates a reel 17 of a magnetic tape cartridge MC loaded in the drive A and is designed to rotate in any forward/reverse of bi-directions by a drive motor not shown.
- the reel 12 (hereinafter referred to as a “drive-side reel 12 ”) winds a magnetic tape MT, which is sent out from the reel 17 (hereinafter referred to as a “cartridge-side reel 17 ”) of the magnetic tape cartridge MC, and sends out the magnetic tape MT, which is wound, to the cartridge-side reel 17 .
- the second gear 11 b rotates the drive-side reel 12 in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the cartridge-side reel 17 and is designed to rotate in any forward/reverse of bi-directions of a by a drive motor not shown.
- the magnetic head 14 records magnetic information on the magnetic tape MT, which reciprocates between the cartridge-side reel 17 and the drive-side reel 12 , and also reproduces the recorded magnetic information.
- a compound head which comprises a read element such as a magnetoresistive effect element and a write element such as an electromagnetic induction element.
- the magnetic head 14 is arranged so as to be able to contact the magnetic tape MT, which runs with being guided to a predetermined route by the guide 15 described next.
- the first guide 15 a and the second guide 15 b guide the magnetic tape MT, which is sent out from the magnetic tape cartridge MC (cartridge-side reel 17 ), so as to head for the drive-side reel 12 via the magnetic head 14 ; and otherwise guide the magnetic tape MT, which is wound on the drive-side reel 12 , so as to head for the cartridge-side reel 17 via the magnetic head 14 .
- By these first guide 15 a and second guide 15 b is determined a running route of the magnetic tape MT in the drive A.
- such the guide 15 is designed to be supported by a rotation shaft 15 c , which extends to a vertical direction of the casing 16 , and to be able to rotate around the rotation shaft 15 c .
- the guide 15 is designed so that a flange portion 15 e thereof regulates a movement of lateral directions of the running magnetic tape MT while the guide 15 itself rotates by the running magnetic tape MT being hung across a periphery of a roller portion 15 d thereof.
- the running magnetic tape MT which is hung across such the guide 15 , contacts a periphery thereof in a range of opening at a predetermined angle ⁇ from a center C of the rotation shaft 15 c .
- the contact angle is referred to as a wrap angle.
- the wrap angle ⁇ in the first guide 15 a gradually becomes small as the magnetic tape MT is sent out from the cartridge-side reel 17 to the drive-side reel 12 ; the wrap angle ⁇ in the second guide 15 b gradually becomes small as this sent-out magnetic tape MT is wound on the drive-side reel 12 .
- the wrap angle ⁇ in the second guide 15 b gradually becomes large as the magnetic tape MT is sent out from the drive-side reel 12 to the cartridge-side reel 17 ;
- the wrap angle ⁇ in the first guide 15 a gradually becomes large as this sent-out magnetic tape MT is wound on the cartridge-side reel 17 .
- the guide 15 is arranged at positions where the wrap angle ⁇ , which thus fluctuates when the magnetic tape MT reciprocates between the cartridge-side reel 17 and the drive-side reel 12 , always becomes not more than 90 degrees.
- the wrap angle ⁇ is set in such the range, and thereby the drive A is designed so that a frictional resistance of the magnetic tape MT for the first guide 15 a and the second guide 15 b is reduced, a high speed running of the magnetic tape MT can be made, and magnetic information for the magnetic tape MT is quickly recorded/reproduced.
- a ratio of a peripheral speed of the roller portion 15 d for a running speed of the magnetic tape M (hereinafter simply referred to as a “rotation following ratio of the guide 15 ”) is designed to be not more than 0.9 when the magnetic tape MT is run by a travel device.
- a hardening treatment is dispensed to a surface of a base metal B and a hardened layer H is formed on the surface.
- a hardened layer H is formed on the surface.
- a hardening treatment such as a soft-nitrizing treatment, carburizing and quenching, and induction hardening is dispensed to the base metal B or a hard film is formed on the surface of the base metal B, for example, by a known thin-film-forming method such as a sputtering method.
- the material of the hardened layer H is not specifically limited, and for example, are cited titan nitride (TiN), chromium nitride (CrN), titan aluminum nitride (TiAlN), tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co), diamond-like carbon (DLC), and the like. Meanwhile, in the hardened layer H, which is formed on the base metal B, a polish treatment may also be dispensed so that a surface thereof becomes a predetermined smoothness.
- the magnetic tape cartridge MC is loaded in the drive A and the first gear 11 a and the second gear 11 b are rotated by drive motors not shown, and thereby the magnetic tape MT wound on the cartridge-side reel 17 is sent out to the drive-side reel 12 ;
- This sent-out magnetic tape MT is wound to the drive-side reel 12 and thereby runs between the cartridge-side reel 17 and the drive-side reel 12 .
- first guide 15 a and the second guide 15 b guide the running magnetic tape MT so as to contact the magnetic head 14 . Because at this time each wrap angle ⁇ of the first guide 15 a and the second guide 15 b is set to become a range of not more than 90 degrees, a frictional resistance of the magnetic tape MT for the guide 15 is reduced. As a result, because the magnetic tape MT can be stably run at a high speed, magnetic information can be recorded/reproduced at a high speed for the magnetic tape MT.
- the wrap angle ⁇ is set in a range of not more than 90 degrees and a contact area of the guide 15 and the magnetic tape MT is reduced, the rotation following ratio of the guide 15 becomes not more than 0.9. That is, a difference occurs between a running speed of the magnetic tape MT and a peripheral speed of the guide 15 .
- the flange portion 15 e thereof becomes difficult to be ground.
- the drive A does not generate a tracking error, not depending on recoding density of the magnetic tape MT loaded therein being high or low, and can be used for an inspection of the magnetic tape MT and a library over a long period.
- the drive used in the abrasion resistance test is, as shown in FIG. 4 , designed so that the magnetic tape MT, which runs between a pair of reels R 1 and R 2 , is guided along a predetermined route by guides arranged at positions #1, #2, #3, and #4. And out of these guides, on peripheries of guides arranged at the positions #2 and #3 a groove not shown is formed and adjusts a running speed of the magnetic tape MT and peripheral speeds of rotating guides so as to become nearly equal, that is, each the rotation following ratio of the guides approximates 1.
- a guide arranged at the position #1 is used a stainless steel guide, where a hardened layer of titan nitride (TiN) is formed on a surface thereof.
- a rotation speed which is described in a column of “Finish-Side Speed” in Table 1, is that of each guide when finishing to send the magnetic tape MT from the reel R 1 , that is, when the magnetic tape MT is at a position Y in FIG. 4 .
- TABLE 1 Rotation Speed of Guide (rotation per second): The Present Invention Forward Direction Reverse Direction Start-Side Finish-Side Start-Side Finish-Side Guide No. Speed Speed Speed Speed #1 78 16 21 17 #2 164 164 164 164 #3 165 164 165 164 #4 48 40 87 164
- a sample provided for this observation (hereinafter referred to as a “guide sample”) is something that is cut out from the guide 15 with leaving the flange portion 15 e.
- FIG. 6 is a microscope photo of a #1 guide sample when running the magnetic tape MT.
- the flange portion 15 e is not abraded away even when the guide 15 is arranged at a position where the rotation following ratio is far lower than 0.9.
- FIG. 7 is a microscope photo of a #1 guide sample when running the magnetic tape MT.
- first guide 15 a and the second guide 15 b are applied ones where a hardening treatment is dispensed to all surfaces thereof, the present invention is not limited thereto; for example, as shown in FIG. 8A , are available the first guide 15 a and the second guide 15 b , where the hardened layer H is formed on nothing but an inner surface I of the flange portion 15 e arising from a periphery thereof.
- the roller portion 15 d and the flange portion 15 e is configured of different members and the flange portion 15 e , where a surface hardening treatment is dispensed, may be joined to the roller portion 15 d.
- the present invention is not limited thereto and a two-reel cartridge drive is also available.
- a guide used for the magnetic tape drive of the present invention is applicable to one arranged within a magnetic tape cartridge.
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Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a magnetic tape drive for recording/reproducing magnetic information for a magnetic tape.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- A magnetic tape drive is equipped with a travel device for running a magnetic tape and a plurality of guides for guiding the magnetic tape, which runs, along a predetermined route (for example, see paraphrase 0058 and FIG. 1 in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication 2002-530791). In this magnetic tape drive a running magnetic tape is designed to be hung across a plurality of guides arranged at predetermined positions. And each of these guides is configured, as well known, of a roller portion of a cylindrical shape freely rotationally supported by a shaft around a center axis and a flange portion arranged on up/down ends of each roller.
- In such the magnetic tape drive, it is designed so that magnetic information is sent to a magnetic head while a magnetic tape, which is received on a periphery of the roller portion, is regulated in a lateral directional movement thereof by the flange portion; thereby the magnetic information is recorded on the magnetic tape; and the recorded magnetic information is reproduced.
- In the meantime, because if such the magnetic tape drive is used for an inspection of magnetic characteristics of the magnetic tape and a library equipping many magnetic cartridges where magnetic information data is stored, the magnetic tape loaded on the magnetic tape drive is in no use or nearly in no use, the guides are remarkably abraded away by a large grinding force of the magnetic tape. In short, for example, as shown in
FIG. 9 , a groove G is dug into aflange portion 20 a of aguide 20 where an edge of a magnetic tape MT abrades as use times of a magnetic tape drive are repeated. This tendency noticeably appears in a magnetic tape drive where a running speed of a magnetic tape is heightened and magnetic information is recorded/reproduced at a high speed. And such the groove G being dug, the magnetic tape MT guided by theguide 20 is oscillated in lateral directions (in up/down directions inFIG. 9 ) by the groove G in order of a micro meter (μm). - On the other hand, nowadays a track width tends to be narrowed in order to achieve a high density recording of a magnetic tape. As a result, when a magnetic tape drive is used, the above oscillation of the magnetic tape becomes a cause of a tracking error even if an oscillation width thereof is in order of the micro meter.
- Consequently, is strongly requested a magnetic tape drive, which does not generate the tracking error, not depending on recording density of a magnetic tape even if used over a long period.
- The inventor has found that when in each of a plurality of guides arranged at a magnetic tape drive a ratio of a peripheral speed of each guide for a running speed of a magnetic tape becomes lower than a predetermined value, a flange portion of the guide is peculiarly ground by the magnetic tape, and thereby has reached the present invention.
- A first aspect of the present invention to solve the problem is a magnetic tape drive comprising a travel device for running a magnetic tape and a plurality of guides guiding the magnetic tape, which is running, along a predetermined route, and a surface hardening treatment is dispensed to a relevant guide out of the guides, whose ratio of a peripheral speed for a running speed of the magnetic tape is not more than 0.9.
- In the magnetic tape drive, when the travel device runs the magnetic tape while the guides guide it along the predetermined route, the magnetic tape is regulated by flange portions of the guides in a movement of lateral directions thereof. In accordance with such the magnetic tape drive, because when the running magnetic tape is guided by the guides, the surface hardening treatment is dispensed to the relevant guide out of the guides, whose ratio of the peripheral speed for the running speed of the magnetic tape is not more than 0.9, that is, the guide where a difference between the running speed of the magnetic tape and a rotation speed of the guide is not less than the predetermined value, the flange portion of the relevant guide becomes difficult to be ground by edges of the magnetic tape. Accordingly, even when the magnetic tape drive is used over a long period, the magnetic tape is not oscillated in the lateral directions thereof.
- On the other hand, in accordance with knowledge of the inventor a guide, where a wrap angle of the magnetic tape is not more than 90 degrees, is remarkably bad in a rotation following ability. Meanwhile, the wrap angle described here means a range of a plane angle where the magnetic tape hung across a periphery of a guide contacts the periphery, that is, a contact angle (see
FIG. 2B ). - Accordingly, in such the magnetic tape drive the surface hardening treatment is preferable to be dispensed to the relevant guide out of the guides, whose ratio of the peripheral speed for the running speed of the magnetic tape is not more than 0.9 and whose wrap angle of the magnetic tape is not more than 90 degrees.
- Even when the magnetic tape drive is used over a long period, it more surely suppresses an oscillation of a magnetic tape in lateral directions thereof.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a magnetic tape drive related to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a state around a guide used in the magnetic tape drive ofFIG. 1 ;FIG. 2B is a pattern drawing showing a state where a magnetic tape contacts a guide used in the magnetic tape drive ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a partial section drawing of a guide used in the magnetic tape drive ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing arrangement positions in a magnetic tape drive used for an abrasion resistance test of a guide. -
FIG. 5 is a pattern drawing of a guide sample provided for an observation through a laser microscope. -
FIG. 6 is a microscope photo of a guide sample (example of the present invention). -
FIG. 7 is a microscope photo of a guide sample (comparison example). - Each of
FIGS. 8A and 8B is a partial section drawing of a guide used in a magnetic tape drive related to other embodiments. -
FIG. 9 is a conceptual drawing showing a guide used in a conventional magnetic tape drive. - Here will be described one embodiment of the present invention related to a magnetic tape drive (hereinafter simply referred to as a “drive”) in detail, referring to the drawings as needed. In referred drawings
FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a magnetic tape drive related to an embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a state around a guide used in the magnetic tape drive ofFIG. 1 ;FIG. 2B is a pattern drawing showing a state where a magnetic tape contacts a guide used in the magnetic tape drive ofFIG. 1 ; andFIG. 3 is a partial section drawing of a guide used in the magnetic tape drive ofFIG. 1 when the guide is cut at a plane along a rotation axis thereof. - The drive exemplified in the embodiment is one according to the LTO standard (Linear Tape-Open) and is designed to record/reproduce magnetic information at a high speed even when a magnetic tape of a magnetic tape cartridge runs in any forward/reverse of bi-directions.
- As shown in
FIG. 1 , a drive A related to the embodiment comprises afirst gear 11 a and asecond gear 11 b; areel 12; amagnetic head 14; afirst guide 15 a and asecond guide 15 b (simply referred to as “guide 15” when not specifying a guide); drive motors not shown for driving thefirst gear 11 a and thesecond gear 11 b, respectively; and acasing 16 for housing themembers - The
first gear 11 a rotates areel 17 of a magnetic tape cartridge MC loaded in the drive A and is designed to rotate in any forward/reverse of bi-directions by a drive motor not shown. - The reel 12 (hereinafter referred to as a “drive-
side reel 12”) winds a magnetic tape MT, which is sent out from the reel 17 (hereinafter referred to as a “cartridge-side reel 17”) of the magnetic tape cartridge MC, and sends out the magnetic tape MT, which is wound, to the cartridge-side reel 17. - The
second gear 11 b rotates the drive-side reel 12 in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the cartridge-side reel 17 and is designed to rotate in any forward/reverse of bi-directions of a by a drive motor not shown. - The
magnetic head 14 records magnetic information on the magnetic tape MT, which reciprocates between the cartridge-side reel 17 and the drive-side reel 12, and also reproduces the recorded magnetic information. In themagnetic head 14 is used a compound head, which comprises a read element such as a magnetoresistive effect element and a write element such as an electromagnetic induction element. Themagnetic head 14 is arranged so as to be able to contact the magnetic tape MT, which runs with being guided to a predetermined route by theguide 15 described next. - The
first guide 15 a and thesecond guide 15 b guide the magnetic tape MT, which is sent out from the magnetic tape cartridge MC (cartridge-side reel 17), so as to head for the drive-side reel 12 via themagnetic head 14; and otherwise guide the magnetic tape MT, which is wound on the drive-side reel 12, so as to head for the cartridge-side reel 17 via themagnetic head 14. By thesefirst guide 15 a andsecond guide 15 b is determined a running route of the magnetic tape MT in the drive A. - As obvious jointly in reference to
FIG. 2A , such theguide 15 is designed to be supported by arotation shaft 15 c, which extends to a vertical direction of thecasing 16, and to be able to rotate around therotation shaft 15 c. And theguide 15 is designed so that aflange portion 15 e thereof regulates a movement of lateral directions of the running magnetic tape MT while theguide 15 itself rotates by the running magnetic tape MT being hung across a periphery of aroller portion 15 d thereof. - In addition, as shown in
FIG. 2B , the running magnetic tape MT, which is hung across such theguide 15, contacts a periphery thereof in a range of opening at a predetermined angle θ from a center C of therotation shaft 15 c. Hereinafter the contact angle is referred to as a wrap angle. - The wrap angle θ in the
first guide 15 a gradually becomes small as the magnetic tape MT is sent out from the cartridge-side reel 17 to the drive-side reel 12; the wrap angle θ in thesecond guide 15 b gradually becomes small as this sent-out magnetic tape MT is wound on the drive-side reel 12. On the contrary, the wrap angle θ in thesecond guide 15 b gradually becomes large as the magnetic tape MT is sent out from the drive-side reel 12 to the cartridge-side reel 17; the wrap angle θ in thefirst guide 15 a gradually becomes large as this sent-out magnetic tape MT is wound on the cartridge-side reel 17. In the drive A related to the embodiment theguide 15 is arranged at positions where the wrap angle θ, which thus fluctuates when the magnetic tape MT reciprocates between the cartridge-side reel 17 and the drive-side reel 12, always becomes not more than 90 degrees. In the drive A related to the embodiment the wrap angle θ is set in such the range, and thereby the drive A is designed so that a frictional resistance of the magnetic tape MT for thefirst guide 15 a and thesecond guide 15 b is reduced, a high speed running of the magnetic tape MT can be made, and magnetic information for the magnetic tape MT is quickly recorded/reproduced. And in theguide 15 thus arranged a ratio of a peripheral speed of theroller portion 15 d for a running speed of the magnetic tape M (hereinafter simply referred to as a “rotation following ratio of theguide 15”) is designed to be not more than 0.9 when the magnetic tape MT is run by a travel device. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , in such theguide 15 a hardening treatment is dispensed to a surface of a base metal B and a hardened layer H is formed on the surface. Meanwhile, although inFIG. 3 the base metal B and the hardened layer H are clearly discriminatingly depicted, an interface thereof is not always clear, depending on a material of the hardened layer H. - In the hardened layer H a hardening treatment such as a soft-nitrizing treatment, carburizing and quenching, and induction hardening is dispensed to the base metal B or a hard film is formed on the surface of the base metal B, for example, by a known thin-film-forming method such as a sputtering method.
- The material of the hardened layer H is not specifically limited, and for example, are cited titan nitride (TiN), chromium nitride (CrN), titan aluminum nitride (TiAlN), tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co), diamond-like carbon (DLC), and the like. Meanwhile, in the hardened layer H, which is formed on the base metal B, a polish treatment may also be dispensed so that a surface thereof becomes a predetermined smoothness.
- Next, will be described operation of the drive A related to the embodiment, referring to
FIGS. 1, 2A , 2B, and 3 as needed. - First, the magnetic tape cartridge MC is loaded in the drive A and the
first gear 11 a and thesecond gear 11 b are rotated by drive motors not shown, and thereby the magnetic tape MT wound on the cartridge-side reel 17 is sent out to the drive-side reel 12; This sent-out magnetic tape MT is wound to the drive-side reel 12 and thereby runs between the cartridge-side reel 17 and the drive-side reel 12. - Then the
first guide 15 a and thesecond guide 15 b guide the running magnetic tape MT so as to contact themagnetic head 14. Because at this time each wrap angle θ of thefirst guide 15 a and thesecond guide 15 b is set to become a range of not more than 90 degrees, a frictional resistance of the magnetic tape MT for theguide 15 is reduced. As a result, because the magnetic tape MT can be stably run at a high speed, magnetic information can be recorded/reproduced at a high speed for the magnetic tape MT. On the contrary, because in thefirst guide 15 a and thesecond guide 15 b the wrap angle θ is set in a range of not more than 90 degrees and a contact area of theguide 15 and the magnetic tape MT is reduced, the rotation following ratio of theguide 15 becomes not more than 0.9. That is, a difference occurs between a running speed of the magnetic tape MT and a peripheral speed of theguide 15. - On the other hand, because the surface hardening treatment is dispensed to the
first guide 15 a and thesecond guide 15 b, theflange portion 15 e thereof becomes difficult to be ground. In other words, even when the drive A is used over a long period, the magnetic tape MT is not oscillated in the lateral directions thereof. Accordingly, the drive A does not generate a tracking error, not depending on recoding density of the magnetic tape MT loaded therein being high or low, and can be used for an inspection of the magnetic tape MT and a library over a long period. - Next, because an abrasion resistance test of a guide used in a drive of the present invention was performed, a test result thereof will be discussed.
- The drive used in the abrasion resistance test is, as shown in
FIG. 4 , designed so that the magnetic tape MT, which runs between a pair of reels R1 and R2, is guided along a predetermined route by guides arranged atpositions # 1, #2, #3, and #4. And out of these guides, on peripheries of guides arranged at thepositions # 2 and #3 a groove not shown is formed and adjusts a running speed of the magnetic tape MT and peripheral speeds of rotating guides so as to become nearly equal, that is, each the rotation following ratio of the guides approximates 1. In addition, as a guide arranged at theposition # 1, is used a stainless steel guide, where a hardened layer of titan nitride (TiN) is formed on a surface thereof. - In the abrasion resistance test, firstly setting a tension 1N and running the magnetic tape MT at 6 meters per second, measure a rotation speed of each guide. And here make a direction of sending the magnetic tape MT from the reel R1 to the reel R2 a forward direction and a reverse thereof a reverse direction, measure the rotation speed of each guide when running the magnetic tape MT in the forward and reverse directions. The result is shown in Table 1. Meanwhile, a rotation speed, which is described in a column of “Start-Side Speed” in Table 1, is that of each guide when starting to send the magnetic tape MT from the reel R1, that is, when the magnetic tape MT is at a position X in
FIG. 4 . On the other hand, a rotation speed, which is described in a column of “Finish-Side Speed” in Table 1, is that of each guide when finishing to send the magnetic tape MT from the reel R1, that is, when the magnetic tape MT is at a position Y inFIG. 4 .TABLE 1 Rotation Speed of Guide (rotation per second): The Present Invention Forward Direction Reverse Direction Start-Side Finish-Side Start-Side Finish-Side Guide No. Speed Speed Speed Speed # 1 78 16 21 17 #2 164 164 164 164 #3 165 164 165 164 #4 48 40 87 164 - As obvious from Table 1, it turns out that the guide arranged at the
position # 1 is far lower than 0.9 in the rotation following ratio thereof. - Next, run a commercial new magnetic tape in such the drive in the forward and reverse directions, respectively. And observe an abrasion state of a guide arranged at the
position # 1 by a laser microscope after running the magnetic tape MT by 12,000 meters. Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 5 , a sample provided for this observation (hereinafter referred to as a “guide sample”) is something that is cut out from theguide 15 with leaving theflange portion 15 e. -
FIG. 6 is a microscope photo of a #1 guide sample when running the magnetic tape MT. - As obvious from
FIG. 6 , it turns out that in theguide 15, which is used for a magnetic tape drive of the present invention, theflange portion 15 e is not abraded away even when theguide 15 is arranged at a position where the rotation following ratio is far lower than 0.9. - Next, as a comparison example, measure a rotation speed of each guide for a conventional stainless steel guide same as described above when running the magnetic tape MT. The result is shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2 Rotation Speed of Guide (rotation per second): Comparison Example Forward Direction Reverse Direction Start-Side Finish-Side Start-Side Finish-Side Guide No. Speed Speed Speed Speed # 1 74 20 20 17 #2 165 165 165 165 #3 164 164 164 164 #4 66 57 93 163 - As obvious from Table 2, it turns out that the guide arranged at the
position # 1 is far lower than 0.9 in the rotation following ratio thereof. - In addition, for the conventional stainless steel guide same as described above, observe an abrasion state of a guide arranged at the
position # 1 by a laser microscope.FIG. 7 is a microscope photo of a #1 guide sample when running the magnetic tape MT. - As obvious from
FIG. 7 , in a flange portion used for a conventional magnetic tape drive, it turns out that a portion receiving the magnetic tape MT, which is running, is remarkably abraded away. - As obvious from the abrasion resistance tests thus described, because if a guide used for the drive of the present invention is arranged at a position where the rotation following ratio is lower than 0.9, the
flange portion 15 e (seeFIG. 2A ) is not abraded away, the magnetic tape MT guided by theguide 15 is not oscillated in the lateral directions thereof. - Thus, although the drive of the present invention is concretely described, based on the embodiment, the invention is not at all limited to such the embodiment and various variations are available without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
- For example, although as the
first guide 15 a and thesecond guide 15 b are applied ones where a hardening treatment is dispensed to all surfaces thereof, the present invention is not limited thereto; for example, as shown inFIG. 8A , are available thefirst guide 15 a and thesecond guide 15 b, where the hardened layer H is formed on nothing but an inner surface I of theflange portion 15 e arising from a periphery thereof. - In addition, as shown in
FIG. 8B , in thefirst guide 15 a and thesecond guide 15 b theroller portion 15 d and theflange portion 15 e is configured of different members and theflange portion 15 e, where a surface hardening treatment is dispensed, may be joined to theroller portion 15 d. - Furthermore, although in the embodiment the drive according to the LTO standard, that is, a single-reel cartridge drive is exemplified, the present invention is not limited thereto and a two-reel cartridge drive is also available.
- Still furthermore, a guide used for the magnetic tape drive of the present invention is applicable to one arranged within a magnetic tape cartridge.
Claims (16)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2003-292925 | 2003-08-13 | ||
JP2003292925A JP2005063565A (en) | 2003-08-13 | 2003-08-13 | Magnetic tape drive |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050035241A1 true US20050035241A1 (en) | 2005-02-17 |
Family
ID=33562791
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/891,067 Abandoned US20050035241A1 (en) | 2003-08-13 | 2004-07-15 | Magnetic tape drive |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050035241A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1507258A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2005063565A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8955782B2 (en) | 2010-09-29 | 2015-02-17 | Fujifilm Corporation | Tape guiding member |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20010025896A1 (en) * | 2000-02-24 | 2001-10-04 | Heimo Huettenegger | Recording and/or reproducing apparatus including a reel disc having magnetically acting holding means for a reel |
US6447179B1 (en) * | 1997-03-24 | 2002-09-10 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Conveying roller for photosensitive material and method of producing the same |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2830615A1 (en) * | 1978-07-12 | 1980-01-31 | Basf Ag | GUIDE DEVICE FOR A THICK BAND-SHAPED RECORDING CARRIER, ESPECIALLY FOR A MAGNETIC TAPE |
US4403720A (en) * | 1982-02-05 | 1983-09-13 | Bell & Howell Company | Bidirectional tape advancing method and apparatus |
EP0474099B1 (en) * | 1990-08-29 | 1996-04-17 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Tape driving mechanism for magnetic recording apparatus |
JPH05101595A (en) * | 1991-03-30 | 1993-04-23 | Sanshin Kogyo Kk | Production of stepped pin used for data cartridge and micro-data cartridge |
US5542593A (en) * | 1993-02-17 | 1996-08-06 | Verbatim Corporation | Tape guides for magnetic tape equipment |
JPH08321100A (en) * | 1995-05-26 | 1996-12-03 | Sony Corp | Magnetic recording and/or reproducing device |
CN1134776C (en) * | 1998-11-12 | 2004-01-14 | 皇家菲利浦电子有限公司 | Storage system including storage device and storage container and positioning means for positioning storage container in storage device |
US6570740B1 (en) * | 2000-08-21 | 2003-05-27 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Tape guide with wear resistant coating |
WO2003034423A1 (en) * | 2001-10-18 | 2003-04-24 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Recording and/or reproducing device comprising a coated tape guide |
-
2003
- 2003-08-13 JP JP2003292925A patent/JP2005063565A/en not_active Abandoned
-
2004
- 2004-07-06 EP EP04015902A patent/EP1507258A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-07-15 US US10/891,067 patent/US20050035241A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6447179B1 (en) * | 1997-03-24 | 2002-09-10 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Conveying roller for photosensitive material and method of producing the same |
US20010025896A1 (en) * | 2000-02-24 | 2001-10-04 | Heimo Huettenegger | Recording and/or reproducing apparatus including a reel disc having magnetically acting holding means for a reel |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8955782B2 (en) | 2010-09-29 | 2015-02-17 | Fujifilm Corporation | Tape guiding member |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1507258A2 (en) | 2005-02-16 |
JP2005063565A (en) | 2005-03-10 |
EP1507258A3 (en) | 2007-09-12 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NAKAO, TORU;ASAI, MASAHIKO;REEL/FRAME:015585/0135 Effective date: 20040602 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FUJIFILM CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FUJIFILM HOLDINGS CORPORATION (FORMERLY FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.);REEL/FRAME:018904/0001 Effective date: 20070130 Owner name: FUJIFILM CORPORATION,JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FUJIFILM HOLDINGS CORPORATION (FORMERLY FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.);REEL/FRAME:018904/0001 Effective date: 20070130 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |