초록 ▼

A tape guide mechanism includes an edge-guide element extending radially from a central axis. A tape guide roller, rotatable about the central axis, is arranged for urging an advancing magnetic tape laterally in the direction of the edge-guide element, to maintain an edge of the tape perpendicular t

A tape guide mechanism includes an edge-guide element extending radially from a central axis. A tape guide roller, rotatable about the central axis, is arranged for urging an advancing magnetic tape laterally in the direction of the edge-guide element, to maintain an edge of the tape perpendicular to and in continuous contact with the edge-guide element during tape transport movement. A piezoelectric actuator, preferably comprising a stack of flexing type bimorph elements responsive to a voltage signal relating to the direction and magnitude of a tape-tracking error, causes movement of the edge-guide element in a single composite direction having a first component which is perpendicular to the edge of the tape, and a second component, which is parallel to the tape edge. Thus, the tape is caused to move laterally in either direction for tracking control, in one direction under the influence of perpendicular movement of the edge-guide element toward the tape, and in the opposite direction under the urging of the guide roller, to follow perpendicular movement of the edge-guide element away from the tape.

대표청구항 ▼

In a tape guide mechanism including an edge-guide element extending radially from a central axis of said tape guide mechanism, and a tape guide member, positioned axially from said edge-guide element and responsive to the wrapping of an advancing tape partially around said member, for applying an ax

In a tape guide mechanism including an edge-guide element extending radially from a central axis of said tape guide mechanism, and a tape guide member, positioned axially from said edge-guide element and responsive to the wrapping of an advancing tape partially around said member, for applying an axial force to the advancing tape to move the tape laterally in the direction of said edge-guide element, to maintain a predetermined edge of the tape in continuous contact with a reference surface of said edge-guide element during tape transport movement, the improvement comprising: (a) said edge-guide element being mounted for axial movement relative to said tape guide member; and (b) energizable means having an output, coupled to said edge-guide element and arranged for movement in response to a voltage signal that is functionally related to a tape tracking error, for causing axial movement of said edge-guide element relative to said tape guide member in accordance with the movement of the output of said energizable means, whereby the tape is caused to move laterally in accordance with the movement of said edge-guide element.