U.S. patent application number 11/103211 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-11 for magnetic recording head, magnetic reproducing head, magnetic head, tape drive and disk drive.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Ozue, Tadashi, Soda, Yutaka.
Application Number | 20050174689 11/103211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29701408 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050174689 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ozue, Tadashi ; et
al. |
August 11, 2005 |
Magnetic recording head, magnetic reproducing head, magnetic head,
tape drive and disk drive
Abstract
A magnetic recording/reproducing head having a plurality of
magnetic head elements for multi-channeling capable of achieving
high density recording/reproducing capability, including: a
plurality of magnetic recording/reproducing head layers each
including magnetic recording/reproducing head elements fabricated
by a thin film process and interposed between two
insulating/magnetic shielding layers laminated on a non-magnetic
substrate; the total of magnetic recording/reproducing head
elements formed therein are displaced from each other in a head
width direction, and each magnetic recording/reproducing head layer
has a plurality of magnetic recording/reproducing head elements
formed at a predetermined pitch.
Inventors: |
Ozue, Tadashi; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Soda, Yutaka; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jay H. Maioli
Cooper & Dunham
1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York
NY
10036
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
|
Family ID: |
29701408 |
Appl. No.: |
11/103211 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11103211 |
Apr 11, 2005 |
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10431834 |
May 8, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
360/129 ;
G9B/5.078; G9B/5.116; G9B/5.13; G9B/5.175; G9B/5.177 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 5/3967 20130101;
G11B 5/488 20130101; G11B 5/3912 20130101; G11B 5/531 20130101;
G11B 5/534 20130101; G11B 5/4893 20130101; G11B 5/295 20130101;
G11B 5/3116 20130101; G11B 5/3951 20130101; G11B 5/3163 20130101;
G11B 5/3903 20130101; G11B 5/3103 20130101; G11B 5/115 20130101;
G11B 5/4976 20130101; G11B 5/4886 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
360/129 |
International
Class: |
G11B 005/11 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 15, 2002 |
JP |
P2002-140556 |
Claims
1-5. (canceled)
6. A magnetic head comprising a plurality of magnetic reproducing
head layers each having magnetic reproducing head elements
fabricated by a thin film process and interposed between two
magnetic shielding layers and a plurality of magnetic recording
head layers each having magnetic recording head elements fabricated
by a thin film process and interposed between two insulating films,
laminated on a substrate made of a non-magnetic material, and all
of said magnetic reproducing head elements being displaced from
each other in a head width direction constituting an orthogonal
direction relative to a direction of lamination thereof, wherein
said magnetic reproducing head layers include a plurality of
magnetic reproducing head elements formed at a predetermined pitch;
said magnetic recording head layers have a plurality of magnetic
recording head elements formed at a same pitch as said plurality of
magnetic reproducing head elements; and each magnetic reproducing
head element and each magnetic recording head element are formed
substantially at a similar position in the head width direction,
forming a pair.
7. The magnetic head according to claim 6, wherein said magnetic
reproducing head layers and said magnetic recording head layers are
alternately laminated, and a magnetic reproducing head element and
a magnetic recording head element forming a pair are adjacent in
the direction of lamination and are separated via a magnetic
shielding layer and an insulating layer.
8. The magnetic head according to claim 6, further comprising: a
magnetic reproducing head layer group formed by laminating a
plurality of magnetic reproducing head layers; and a magnetic
recording head layer group formed by laminating a plurality of
magnetic recording head layers; wherein said magnetic reproducing
head layer group and said magnetic recording head layer group are
laminated to one another.
9-13. (canceled)
14. A tape drive provided with a magnetic head for recording and
reproducing a signal to and from a recording tape, and a tape
running means for running the recording tape along a predetermined
running path, wherein said magnetic head comprises a plurality of
magnetic reproducing head layers each having magnetic reproducing
head elements fabricated by a thin film process and interposed
between two magnetic shielding layers, and a plurality of magnetic
recording head layers each having magnetic recording head elements
fabricated by a thin film process and interposed between two
insulating layers, laminated on a substrate made of a non-magnetic
material, all of the magnetic reproducing head elements therein
being displaced from each other in a head width direction
constituting an orthogonal direction relative to a direction of
lamination, and all of the magnetic recording head elements therein
being displaced from each other in the head width direction; each
magnetic reproducing head layer includes a plurality of magnetic
reproducing head elements formed at a predetermined pitch; each
magnetic recording head layer includes a plurality of magnetic
recording head elements formed at a pitch substantially similar to
a pitch of the plurality of the magnetic reproducing head elements;
and each magnetic reproducing head element and each magnetic
recording head element are formed at a substantially similar
position in the head width direction, forming a pair.
15. The tape drive according to claim 14, wherein said magnetic
reproducing head layers and said magnetic recording head layers are
alternately laminated; and said magnetic reproducing head element
and said magnetic recording head element constituting the pair are
adjacent in the direction of lamination and separated by an
insulating layer.
16. The tape drive according to claim 14, further comprising a
magnetic reproducing head layer group formed by laminating a
plurality of magnetic reproducing head layers, and a magnetic
recording head layer group formed by laminating a plurality of
magnetic recording head layers, wherein said magnetic reproducing
head layer group and said magnetic recording head layer group are
laminated to each other.
17. A disk drive provided with a magnetic head for recording and
reproducing a signal to and from a disk-shaped recording medium,
and a drive mechanism for rotating said disk-shaped recording
medium, wherein said magnetic head comprises: a plurality of
magnetic reproducing head layers each including magnetic
reproducing head elements fabricated by a thin film process and
interposed between two magnetic shielding layers; and a plurality
of magnetic recording head layers each including magnetic recording
head elements fabricated by a thin film process and interposed
between two insulating layers, both being laminated on a substrate
made of a non-magnetic material, all of the magnetic reproducing
head elements formed therein being displaced from each other in a
head width direction constituting an orthogonal direction relative
to a direction of lamination, and all of the magnetic recording
head elements formed therein being displaced from each other in the
head width direction; each magnetic reproducing head layer
comprises a plurality of magnetic reproducing head elements formed
at a predetermined pitch; each magnetic recording head layer
comprises a plurality of magnetic recording head elements formed at
a pitch substantially similar to a pitch of said plurality of
magnetic reproducing head elements; and each magnetic reproducing
head element and each magnetic recording head element are formed at
a substantially similar position in the head width direction,
forming a pair.
18. The disk drive according to claim 17, wherein said magnetic
reproducing head layers and said magnetic recording head layers are
alternately laminated, and a magnetic reproducing head element and
a magnetic recording head element in a pair are adjacent via a
magnetic shielding layer and separated by an insulating layer in
the direction of lamination.
19. The disk drive according to claim 17, further comprising a
magnetic reproducing head layer group formed by laminating a
plurality of magnetic reproducing head layers, and a magnetic
recording head layer group formed by laminating a plurality of
magnetic recording head layers, wherein said magnetic reproducing
head layer group and said magnetic recording head layer group are
laminated to each other.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present document is based on Japanese Priority
Application JP2002-140556, filed in the Japanese Patent Office on
May 15, 2002, the contents of which being incorporated herein by
reference to the extent permitted by law.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a magnetic recording head,
a magnetic reproducing head, a magnetic head, a tape drive and a
disk drive using a similar, and in particular, relates to a
technology for facilitating arrangement of a plurality of magnetic
heads (including both magnetic recording heads and magnetic
reproducing heads) (hereinafter referred to as multiplicity of
magnetic heads) in order to achieve higher recording density.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Recently, in order to realize large capacity of storage for
magnetic recording media, an increasingly higher recording density
is required for magnetic heads, so that the use of magnetic heads
suitable for reducing a recording track width thereof (hereinafter
referred to as "width reduction") has been increasing.
[0006] Further, in order to realize a large capacity storage and a
high density in magnetic recording and reproducing of information,
provision of a multiplicity of channels is desired (hereinafter
referred to as a "multi-channeling"), and hence a multi-channeled
magnetic head is on demand.
[0007] As an example of such type of a multi-channeled magnetic
head, there is, for example, a head that is formed by laminating a
plurality of magnetic recording head elements or magnetic
reproducing head elements on one common substrate via a magnetic
shielding layer, an insulating layer and the like has been proposed
by the present applicant of the present invention.
[0008] A magnetic head disclosed in the JP-A Laid-Open No.
2001-6750 is directed to a magnetic recording head, and a magnetic
head disclosed in the JP-A Laid-Open No. 2000-348377 is directed to
a magnetic reproducing head.
[0009] Both of those magnetic heads mentioned above are formed by
laminating a plurality of magnetic recording head layers or
magnetic reproducing head layers, each layer including a single
magnetic head element, on a substrate made of a non-magnetic
substance, and displacing all magnetic head elements from each
other in an orthogonal direction relative to a direction of
lamination thereof (herein after referred to as a "head width
direction").
[0010] As a result, multi-channeling of the magnetic head is
enabled, and each magnetic head element is placed in proximity or
overlapped in the direction of the head width thereby enabling to
respond to narrower recording track.
[0011] The number of channels required for a magnetic recording
medium nowadays is not limited to 2 channels or 4 channels, but
several tens of channels, for example, 40 channels or more are
demanded. This is because that in the field of information
recording, a further speedup in recording speed and/or reproducing
speed is desired, thereby necessitating a provision of a greater
multiplicity of channels for recording and reproducing information
to and from a recording medium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In the above-mentioned magnetic recording head or the
magnetic reproducing head, if a magnetic head having, for example,
40 channels is to be fabricated, magnetic head layers each having a
magnetic head element must be laminated as many as 40 layers.
[0013] However, when a plurality of magnetic head layers are
laminated, there occurs a problem that, due to an error in accuracy
of positioning (alignment error) between each magnetic head element
in its width direction, a displacement between the top magnetic
head element and the bottom magnetic head element in the head width
direction becomes considerably large.
[0014] In other words, when forming a magnetic head element having
a head width of, for example, 1 .mu.m, an alignment error between
two magnetic head elements adjacent in the direction of lamination
is considered to be approximately 0.05 .mu.m.
[0015] This is caused by the fact that, when forming magnetic head
elements by a thin film processing, each layer thereof is formed by
masking with a mask and depositing a film, however, there is a
limit to securing accuracy in positioning of each masking in the
lamination.
[0016] Then, for example, in the case described above in which the
magnetic head layers having the magnetic head element having the
head width of 1 .mu.m are laminated as many as 40 layers, a maximum
displacement between the uppermost and the bottom magnetic head
elements becomes:
0.05 .mu.m.times.40=2 .mu.m,
[0017] Hence, a ratio of displacement relative to the width of the
magnetic head element (equal to a track width in the case of the
magnetic recording head element) becomes substantially large so
that it cannot be ignored.
[0018] As a result, there is a limit to the number of laminations
allowable for the magnetic head layers, thereby preventing the
multi-channeling, and in consequence, the higher recording density
and reproducing of information.
[0019] The present invention has been contemplated in view of the
above-mentioned problems associated with the conventional
technology, and to achieve a further improvement in the recording
and reproducing density by an increased multi-channeling of the
magnetic head elements.
[0020] A magnetic recording head according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of
magnetic recording head layers laminated on a substrate made of a
non-magnetic material, each of the plurality of magnetic recording
head layers including magnetic recording head elements fabricated
by a thin film process and interposed between two insulating
layers, and all of the magnetic recording head elements being
displaced from each other in a head width direction constituting an
orthogonal direction relative to a direction of lamination, the
plurality of magnetic recording head layers comprising a plurality
of magnetic recording head elements formed at a predetermined
pitch.
[0021] According to another preferred embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a tape drive having a magnetic
recording head for recording a signal on a recording medium in tape
form and a tape running means for running the recording medium in
tape form along a predetermined run path; the magnetic recording
head includes a plurality of magnetic recording head layers
laminated on a substrate made of a non-magnetic material, each of
the plurality of magnetic recording head layers including magnetic
recording head elements interposed between two insulating layers,
all of the magnetic recording head elements formed therein being
displaced from each other in a head width direction constituting an
orthogonal direction relative to a direction of lamination thereof;
and said plurality of magnetic recording head layers includes a
plurality of magnetic recording head elements formed at a
predetermined pitch.
[0022] As a result, according to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, as the plurality of magnetic recording head
elements are formed at a predetermined pitch in each magnetic
recording head layer, recording tracks are formed on the recording
medium using a number of magnetic reproducing head elements
corresponding to an integer multiple (two or more) of the number of
laminations.
[0023] As a result, according to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, as the plurality of magnetic recording head
elements are formed at a predetermined pitch in each magnetic
recording head layer, a width of each magnetic recording head
element can be reduced and an alignment error between each
recording head elements can be minimized, thereby enabling
recording further narrower recording tracks with higher density,
hence permitting realizing a multi-channeling capability for the
magnetic recording head.
[0024] Further, a magnetic reproducing head device according to
another preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided,
including a plurality of magnetic reproducing head layers laminated
on a substrate made of a non-magnetic material, each of the
plurality of the magnetic reproducing head layers including
magnetic reproducing head elements fabricated by a thin film
process and interposed between two magnetic shielding layers, and
all of the magnetic reproducing head elements being displaced from
each other in a head width direction constituting an orthogonal
direction relative to a direction of lamination; the plurality of
magnetic reproducing head layers including a plurality of magnetic
reproducing head elements formed at a predetermined pitch.
[0025] According to still another preferred embodiment of the
present invention, a tape drive apparatus is provided having a
magnetic reproducing head for reproducing a signal from a recording
medium in tape form and a tape running means for running the
recording medium in tape form along a predetermined transport path;
the magnetic reproducing head includes a plurality of magnetic
reproducing head layers laminated on a substrate made of a
non-magnetic material, each of the plurality of magnetic
reproducing head layers having magnetic reproducing head elements
fabricated by a thin film process and interposed between two
magnetic shielding layers, and all of the magnetic reproducing head
elements formed therein being displaced from each other in a head
width direction constituting an orthogonal direction relative to
the direction of lamination thereof, and the magnetic reproducing
head layers include a plurality of magnetic reproducing head
elements formed at a predetermined pitch.
[0026] As a result, according to this preferred embodiment of the
present invention, as the plurality of magnetic reproducing head
elements are formed at a predetermined pitch in each magnetic
reproducing head layer, reproduction of information from recording
tracks is performed by use of a number of magnetic reproducing head
elements corresponding to an integer multiple (two or more) of the
number of laminations.
[0027] Further, according to this preferred embodiment of the
present invention, as the plurality of magnetic reproducing head
elements is formed at a predetermined pitch by the thin film
process in each magnetic reproducing head layer, a width of each
magnetic reproducing head element can be reduced, and an alignment
error between each magnetic reproducing head element can be
minimized, thereby enabling to reproduce information from further
narrower recording tracks with higher density.
[0028] According to still another preferred embodiment of the
present invention, in a magnetic reproducing head, any two magnetic
reproducing head elements adjacent in the direction of lamination
via a magnetic shielding layer share a common magnetic shielding
layer existing therebetween, thereby capable of omitting one step
of the lamination processes hence achieving a cost reduction.
[0029] Still further, a magnetic reproducing head according to
still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in
which two magnetic reproducing head elements adjacent in the
direction of lamination via magnetic shielding layers, further has
an insulting layer interposed between two magnetic shielding layers
existing between the two magnetic reproducing head elements,
thereby enabling to eliminate a crosstalk therebetween, thus
permitting achieving higher density.
[0030] Further, a magnetic head according to another preferred
embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of
magnetic reproducing head layers each having magnetic reproducing
head elements fabricated by a thin film process and interposed
between two magnetic shielding layers and a plurality of magnetic
recording head layers each having magnetic recording head elements
fabricated by a thin film process and interposed between two
insulating films, laminated on a substrate made of a non-magnetic
material, and all of the magnetic reproducing head elements being
displaced from each other in a head width direction constituting an
orthogonal direction relative to a direction of lamination thereof;
the magnetic reproducing head layers comprise a plurality of
magnetic reproducing head elements formed at a predetermined pitch;
the magnetic recording head layers has a plurality of magnetic
recording head elements formed at a same pitch as the plurality of
magnetic reproducing head elements; and each magnetic reproducing
head element and each magnetic recording head element are formed
approximately at a similar position in the head width direction,
forming a pair.
[0031] Still further, a tape drive according to still another
preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided with a
magnetic head for recording and reproducing a signal to and from a
recording medium in tape form, and a tape running means for running
the recording medium in tape form along a predetermined running
path; the magnetic head includes a plurality of magnetic
reproducing head layers each having magnetic reproducing head
elements fabricated by a thin film process and interposed between
two magnetic shielding layers, and a plurality of magnetic
recording head layers each having magnetic recording head elements
fabricated by a thin film process and interposed between two
insulating layers, laminated on a substrate made of a non-magnetic
material, all of the magnetic reproducing head elements therein
being displaced from each other in a head width direction
constituting an orthogonal direction relative to the direction of
lamination, and all of the magnetic recording head elements therein
being displaced from each other in the head width direction; each
magnetic reproducing head layer includes a plurality of magnetic
reproducing head elements formed at a predetermined pitch; each
magnetic recording head layer includes a plurality of magnetic
recording head elements formed at a similar pitch as that of the
plurality of the magnetic reproducing head elements, and each
magnetic reproducing head element and each magnetic recording head
element are formed approximately at a similar position in the head
width direction, forming a pair.
[0032] A disk drive according to still another preferred embodiment
of the present invention is provided with a magnetic head for
recording and reproducing a signal to and from a disk-shaped
recording medium, and a drive mechanism for rotating the
disk-shaped recording medium; the magnetic head includes: a
plurality of magnetic reproducing head layers each including
magnetic reproducing head elements fabricated by a thin film
process and interposed between two magnetic shielding layers; and a
plurality of magnetic recording head layers each including magnetic
recording head elements fabricated by a thin film process and
interposed between two insulating layers, both being laminated on a
substrate made of a non-magnetic material, all of the magnetic
reproducing head elements formed therein being displaced from each
other in a head width direction constituting an orthogonal
direction relative to a direction of lamination, and all of the
magnetic recording head elements formed therein being displaced
from each other in the head width direction; each magnetic
reproducing head layer includes a plurality of magnetic reproducing
head elements formed at a predetermined pitch; each magnetic
recording head layer includes a plurality of magnetic recording
head elements formed at a similar pitch as that of the plurality of
magnetic reproducing head elements; and each magnetic reproducing
head element and each magnetic recording head element are formed
approximately at a similar position in the head width direction,
forming a pair.
[0033] As a result, according to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, in each magnetic head layer, there are provided
a plurality of magnetic reproducing head elements or a plurality of
magnetic recording head elements formed at a predetermined pitch
respectively, thereby the magnetic head having a number of the
magnetic reproducing heads and the magnetic recording heads
corresponding to an integer multiple of the number of laminations
(two or more) in order to reproduce and record information to and
from recording tracks.
[0034] According to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, as in respective magnetic head layers there is provided
a plurality of magnetic reproducing head elements and a plurality
of magnetic recording head elements, formed at a predetermined
pitch, a width of each magnetic recording head element and each
magnetic reproducing head element can be reduced, and alignment
errors between respective magnetic recording head elements or
respective magnetic reproducing head elements can be minimized,
thereby enabling to record and reproduce information to and from
narrower and higher density recording tracks, thereby providing a
magnetic recording and reproducing head capable of coping with a
trend towards an ever increasing multi-channeling.
[0035] In addition, according to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, magnetic reproducing head layers and magnetic
recording head layers are alternately laminated to provide a pair
of a magnetic reproducing head element and a magnetic recording
head element adjacent in the direction of lamination via a magnetic
shielding layer and an insulating layer, and the pair of the
magnetic recording head elements and the magnetic reproducing head
elements residing in a magnetic recording head layer and in a
magnetic reproducing head layer respectively adjacent to each other
in the direction of lamination, both of the pair can be formed in
proximity to each other, thereby enabling to minimize an alignment
error in the head width direction between each magnetic recording
head element and each reproducing head element of the pair.
[0036] According to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, as after a plurality of magnetic reproducing head layers
are laminated to form a magnetic reproducing head layer group, a
plurality of magnetic recording head layers are laminated to form a
magnetic recording head group, then, the magnetic reproducing head
layer group and the magnetic recording head layer group are
laminated, a manufacturing process thereof is substantially
simplified.
[0037] In other words, as environmental conditions such as
temperature at the time of manufacture of the magnetic recording
head layer or of the magnetic reproducing head layer differ, if it
is arranged so as to change the environment after completion of the
manufacture of the magnetic recording head layer for a subsequent
manufacture of the magnetic reproducing head layer, an alteration
cycle of the process environment can be reduced to once, thereby
substantially simplifying the manufacturing process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
description of the presently preferred exemplary preferred
embodiment of the present invention taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view depicting a conventional a
tape drive apparatus;
[0040] FIG. 2 shows, together with FIGS. 3 to 5, a first exemplary
preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in particular,
it depicts a relationship between a magnetic recording head and
recording tracks;
[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a cut-out portion
of the magnetic recording head;
[0042] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a rotary drum;
[0043] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram indicating a positional
relationship between recording tracks and the magnetic recording
head;
[0044] FIG. 6 shows, together with FIG. 7, a second exemplary
preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in particular,
it shows a schematic diagram indicating each positional
relationship at a first revolution, a second revolution and a third
revolution of the magnetic recording head;
[0045] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram indicating each positional
relationship between the magnetic recording head and recording
tracks at respective rounds;
[0046] FIG. 8 shows, together with FIGS. 9 and 10, a third
exemplary preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in
particular, it shows a relationship between a magnetic reproducing
head and recording tracks;
[0047] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a rotary drum;
[0048] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram indicating a positional
relationship between recording tracks and the magnetic reproducing
head;
[0049] FIG. 11 shows a modified version of the magnetic reproducing
head according to the third embodiment of the present invention,
and in particular, it shows a positional relationship between its
magnetic reproducing head and recording tracks;
[0050] FIG. 12 shows, together with FIG. 13, a fourth embodiment of
the present invention, and in particular, it depicts each
positional relationship at a first, a second and a third
revolutions of the magnetic reproducing head;
[0051] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram indicating a positional
relationship between the magnetic recording head and the recording
tracks at each revolution;
[0052] FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention,
and in particular, it shows a diagram indicating a relationship
between its magnetic head and recording tracks;
[0053] FIG. 15 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention,
and in particular, it shows a diagram indicating a relationship
between its magnetic head and recording tracks; and
[0054] FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of a disk drive.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0055] By referring to the accompanying drawings, preferred
embodiments of the present invention are described in detail.
[0056] First, an overview of a conventional tape drive will be
described by referring to FIG. 1.
[0057] A tape drive 1 is provided with: a rotary drum unit 2; guide
pins 5, 5, . . . which form a predetermined tape path for a
tape-form recording medium 4 by pulling it out from a tape cassette
3 and winding around the rotary drum unit 2; reel tables 7, 7 for
supporting reels 6, 6 of the tape cassette 3; a capstan axis 9 for
running the tape-form recording medium 4 in collaboration with a
pinch roller 8, and so on, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0058] The rotary drum unit 2 is mounted with its axial center
slightly slanting relative to the plane of a chassis 10, and when a
tape cassette 3 is loaded, its tape-form recording medium 4 is
pulled out toward the rotary drum unit 2 by the guide pins 5, 5, .
. . to be wound around the rotary drum 2, and at a similar time,
the tape-form recording medium 4 is gripped between the pinch
roller 8 and the capstan axis 9 thereby forming a tape run path, as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0059] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a state in which the tape
cassette 3 is loaded in the tape drive apparatus 1 and the tape
path is formed.
[0060] After the tape path is formed, when the rotary drum 2 and
the capstan axis 9 are rotated, the tape-form recording medium 4 is
caused to run along the tape run path at a constant speed.
[0061] By way of example, the above-mentioned parts such as "guide
pins 5, pinch roller 8, capstan axis 9" correspond to "a tape
running means for running a recording medium in tape form along a
predetermined running path" as will be described later.
[0062] The rotary drum unit 2 described above is provided with a
stationary axis 11 mounted on the chassis 10, a rotary drum 12
rotatably supported by the stationary axis 11 via a bearing (not
shown), and a stationary drum 13 disposed under the rotary drum 12
and fixed to the chassis 10, the stationary drum 13 and the rotary
drum 12 being mounted opposing to each other and having a
predetermined clearance there between; a notch (not shown) is
formed in a bottom edge portion in a perimeter of the rotary drum
12, and in the notch there are disposed a magnetic recording head
20, a magnetic reproducing head 40 or a magnetic head 60, described
later.
[0063] FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 show a first exemplary preferred embodiment
of the present invention, in which a magnetic recording head 20
having eight pieces of magnetic recording head elements is mounted
on its rotary drum 2.
[0064] FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram of an enlarged portion
of the magnetic recording head 20, shows a frontal view as seen
from a side thereof in contact with the tape-form recording medium
4.
[0065] The magnetic recording head 20, as shown in FIG. 2, is
formed by sequentially laminating four layers of magnetic recording
head layers 21, 21, . . . on a bottom non-magnetic substrate 22,
and an upper non-magnetic substrate 23 on the uppermost magnetic
recording head layer 21.
[0066] Each magnetic recording head layer 21 has two insulating
layers 24, 24 and a magnetic film layer 25 interposed between these
insulating layers 24, 24, wherein a bottom magnetic pole 26 is
formed on the magnetic film layer 25 partially protruding in an
upper direction as viewed from the front side, and an upper
magnetic pole 27 formed over the bottom magnetic pole 26 spaced
apart therefrom with a predetermined distance (hereinafter referred
to as gap) G, which in combination form a magnetic recording head
element 28 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0067] More specifically, the magnetic recording head element 28 is
formed by winding a coil 30 around a core 29 formed in a U-shape as
viewed from a lateral direction, wherein the upper and bottom end
portions of the core 29 correspond to the upper pole piece 27 and
the bottom pole piece 26, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0068] By applying a current through the coil 30, a magnetic field
is induced in the gap G between the upper pole piece 26 and the
bottom pole piece 27, thereby enabling to form a record track Tr in
the tape-form recording medium 4 running in contact with or in
proximity to the gap G as shown in FIG. 2.
[0069] This magnetic recording head element 28 is formed to have a
width (head width W.sub.1), for example, W.sub.1=1 .mu.m, and a gap
G of G=0.1 .mu.m (see FIG. 2).
[0070] The bottom and the upper non-magnetic substrates 22 and 23
are made of AlTiC, for example. The insulating layers 24, 24, . . .
are made of, for example, Al.sub.2O.sub.3. Further, the magnetic
thin film layer 25 is preferably made of a ferromagnetic material
such as, for example, Ni--Fe (Permalloy), Si--Al--Fe (Sendust),
amorphous iron core material (highly magnetically permeable thin
film) and the like.
[0071] In one magnetic recording head layer 21 there are disposed
two magnetic recording head elements 28, 28 separated by a
predetermined distance from each other in the direction of the head
width thereof. As a result, the magnetic recording head 20 thus
assembled according to the first embodiment of the present
invention has eight pieces of the magnetic recording head elements
28, 28, . . . , 28 in total, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0072] Any two magnetic recording head elements 28, 28 adjacent in
the direction of lamination via an insulating layer 24 are made
share one common layer of insulating layer 24. As a result, the
magnetic recording head 20 is composed by alternately laminating
five layers of insulating layers 24, 24, . . . , 24 and four layers
of magnetic film layers 25, 25, . . . , 25 between the bottom
non-magnetic substrate 22 and the upper non-magnetic substrate 23,
more specifically such as "the bottom nonmagnetic substrate
22-insulating layer 24-magnetic film layer 25-insulating layer
24-magnetic film layer 25-insulating layer 24- . . .
-insulating-layer 24-the upper nonmagnetic substrate 23", as shown
in FIG. 2.
[0073] As to a positional relationship between each magnetic
recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 in the magnetic
recording head layers 21, 21, . . . laminated as described above,
adjacent elements in the direction of the lamination are formed
such that their edge lines approximately match with each other. As
a result, a pitch P.sub.1 of the laminated magnetic recording head
elements 28, 28, . . . , in the head width direction is formed
approximately equal to the width (W.sub.1=1 .mu.m) of the magnetic
recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , hence P.sub.1.dbd.W.sub.1
(see FIG. 2).
[0074] Further, a distance .omega..sub.1 between the two magnetic
recording head elements 28 and 28 in a similar magnetic recording
head layer 21 is formed to be .omega..sub.1=3 .mu.m. As a result,
the magnetic recording head element 28 on the left-hand side in the
uppermost magnetic recording head layer 21 and the magnetic
recording head element 28 on the right-hand side in the bottom
magnetic recording head layer 21 are positioned such that they do
not overlap in the direction of lamination and that their edge
lines on either side nearest to the other are linearly aligned in
the direction of lamination (see FIG. 2).
[0075] Accordingly, all of the eight pieces of the magnetic
recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 in the magnetic
recording head 20 thus constructed are ensured to be positioned
without overlapping in the direction of lamination.
[0076] Further, as this magnetic recording head 20 is fabricated
using the thin film process, and if an alignment error between any
two adjacent magnetic recording head elements 28 and 28 in the
direction of lamination is assumed to be 0.05 .mu.m, a maximum
alignment error between the bottom magnetic recording head element
28 and the uppermost magnetic recording head element 28 can be
suppressed to:
4.times.0.5 .mu.m=0.2 .mu.m.
[0077] Still further, because the two magnetic recording head
elements 28, 28 in a similar magnetic recording head layer 21 are
formed with a same mask, there is almost no alignment error between
these two magnetic recording head elements 28, 28.
[0078] Therefore, a problem of the alignment errors that must be
considered among these eight pieces of the magnetic recording head
elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 is only in the direction of the
lamination. According to the magnetic recording head 20 of this
first embodiment of the present invention, as described above, a
ratio of displacement relative to the width of W.sub.1=1 .mu.m of
the magnetic recording head element 28 can be suppressed within
20%, which is within a range that does not affect the recording of
recording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . .
[0079] In addition, in order to increase the number of channels,
instead of merely increasing the number of laminations, it is
possible to increase the number of magnetic recording head elements
28, 28 formed within a similar magnetic recording head layer 21,
thus an overall positional accuracy (alignment accuracy) among each
of magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 can be
further improved, thereby enabling to record a narrower record
track Tr than the conventional one, and correspond to the demand
for an ever increasing number of channels.
[0080] By way of example, in the above description, an allowable
range of the ratio of displacement relative to the head width
W.sub.1 was set to be 20%, however, this is only one example, and
it may be arranged also such that if its allowable range is large,
the number of laminations may be increased, conversely, if its
allowable range is small, the number of laminations may be
reduced.
[0081] The magnetic recording head 20 thus assembled is mounted on
the rotary drum 12 so that a direction of scanning thereof with
respect to the tape-form recording medium 4 coincides with the
direction of the lamination described above (refer to FIG. 4).
[0082] Hence, according to the magnetic recording head 20 of the
present invention described above, there have been accomplished
such advantages that the width of each of magnetic recording head
elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 can be reduced, and alignment errors
between each of magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28
can be minimized, thereby allowing for the magnetic recording head
20 to record a narrower and higher density record track,
implementing an enhanced multi-channeling with a further increased
number of channels (see FIG. 5).
[0083] Further, in the first exemplary preferred embodiment of the
present invention described above, among the four pieces in
lamination of the magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . . ,
28, any two magnetic recording head elements 28 and 28 adjacent in
the direction of lamination share a common insulating layer 24
therebetween, thereby allowing to omit one of the lamination
processes, hence realizing a cost reduction in the manufacture.
[0084] In the description of the first exemplary preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic recording head 20
is described by way of example in which the magnetic recording head
elements 28, 28, . . . , are laminated in the number of four,
however, the number of laminations thereof is not limited thereto,
and it may be two, three or any number, provided that a final
alignment error between the laminated magnetic recording head
elements 28, 28, . . . is within an allowable range.
[0085] Further, the above magnetic recording head 20 is described
by way of example, in which the four layers of magnetic recording
head layers 21, 21, . . . , 21 are formed so as to be hold between
the upper and the bottom non-magnetic substrates 22 and 23,
however, this example is directed to a magnetic recording head
suitable for use with the tape-form recording medium 4, and in the
case for use with a disk-shaped recording medium, it may be
arranged such that the aforementioned insulating layers 24, 24, and
magnetic recording head layers 21, 21, . . . are alternately
laminated on one common non-magnetic substrate.
[0086] Still further, although in the above description of the
first embodiment of the present invention, it is set forth that the
magnetic recording head elements 28, 28 adjacent in the direction
of lamination are formed such that their left and right edge
portions match, it is not limited to such configuration, so that
the edge portions may be arranged to partially overlap. As a
result, a recording track can be formed narrower than the head
width of the magnetic recording head element 28. In this case, it
is arranged such that a magnetic recording head element 28 on the
left side in the uppermost layer and a magnetic recording head
element 28 on the right side in the bottom layer do not overlap as
viewed from the direction of lamination, and both edge portions
thereof are disposed so as to match or be slight separated from
each other. Because recording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , are formed
sequentially first by the magnetic recording head elements 28, 28
in the bottom layer, and then sequentially by other magnetic
recording head elements in the upper layers, the above-mentioned
arrangement is necessary in order to prevent a left edge portion of
a recording track Tr formed by the magnetic recording head element
28 positioned on the right side in the bottom layer from being
overwritten by the right edge portion of another recording track Tr
formed by the magnetic recording head element 28 positioned on the
left side in the uppermost layer.
[0087] By way of example, in the first exemplary preferred
embodiment of the present invention described above, the four
pieces of the magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . . 28 in
lamination as provided in the magnetic recording head layers 21 are
arranged to share a common insulating layer 24 therebetween,
however, it is not limited thereto, and there may be formed
individual insulating layers 24, 24 for each magnetic recording
head layer 21 as well.
[0088] A second exemplary preferred embodiment of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. A magnetic recording head
20A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as
compared with the magnetic recording head 20 according to the first
embodiment, is similar in that it has eight pieces of magnetic
recording head elements, but differs in that a distance between two
pieces of the magnetic recording head elements formed on a same
film layer is different from that in the first preferred
embodiment. This difference will be mainly described in the
following, however omitting description of the other parts that are
similar to the first embodiment and labeling such parts with a
similar numerals.
[0089] Each magnetic recording head elements 28A, 28A, . . . , 28A
in the laminated magnetic recording layers 21A, 21A, . . . , 21A
are formed to have a positional relationship such that both edge
lines on the adjacent side of any two pieces of the head elements
28A, 28A adjacent in the direction of lamination match. As a
result, a pitch P.sub.2 in the head width direction of two adjacent
magnetic recording head elements 28A, 28A is approximately equal to
a width (W.sub.2=1.mu.) of the magnetic recording head element 28A,
28A, . . . , that is, P.sub.2=W.sub.2 (refer to FIG. 6).
[0090] A distance .omega..sub.2 between the two magnetic recording
head elements 28A and 28A formed in a same magnetic recording head
layer 21 is set .omega..sub.2=11 .mu.m (refer to FIG. 6).
[0091] That is, as shown in FIG. 6, eight pieces of magnetic
recording head elements 28A, 28A, . . . , 28A in lamination can be
divided into two groups of a left side group 35L including four
pieces of the magnetic recording head elements on the left-hand
side (hereinafter, referred to as the "left-side magnetic pole
group") and a right side group 35R including four pieces of the
magnetic recording head elements on the right-hand side
(hereinafter, referred to as the "right-side magnetic pole group").
A gap g.sub.2 between these two magnetic pole groups 35L and 35R is
set g.sub.2=8 .mu.m, thereby providing a space to accommodate two
other magnetic pole groups therebetween.
[0092] As a result, in the magnetic recording head 20A, a width
b.sub.2 given between the leftmost edge of a magnetic recording
head element 28A and the rightmost edge of a magnetic recording
head element 28A is set b.sub.2=16 .mu.m to accommodate four
magnetic pole groups in total therebetween (see FIG. 6).
[0093] The magnetic recording head 20A thus formed is disposed in
the notch in the rotary drum 12 likewise the magnetic recording
head 20 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0094] Then, when the rotary drum 12 makes one revolution, each of
the magnetic pole groups 35L and 35R are made scan at respective
positions displaced from each other by a distance corresponding to
two unit widths of the magnetic groups 35R and 35L as indicated in
FIG. 7.
[0095] As a result, the magnetic recording head 20A is assured to
form recording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr in a lateral direction of
the recording track Tr without guard band after making three
revolutions (refer to FIG. 7).
[0096] Also, in the magnetic recording head 20A according to this
second embodiment of the present invention, likewise the case of
the magnetic recording head 20 according to the first preferred
embodiment, because that a width of each of the magnetic recording
head elements 28A, 28A, . . . can be reduced and that an alignment
error between each of the magnetic recording head elements 28A,
28A, . . . can be minimized, narrower recording tracks with higher
density can be formed, thereby permitting realizing a magnetic
recording head 20A able to respond to increasing
multi-channeling.
[0097] A third exemplary preferred embodiment of the present
invention is shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, as applied to a magnetic
reproducing head having eight pieces of magneto-resistive effect
thin film heads (hereinafter referred to as MR head).
[0098] It should be noted that the arrangement of MR heads in a
magnetic reproducing head 40 according to this third preferred
embodiment of the present invention is almost a similar as the
arrangement of the magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . . ,
28 in the magnetic recording head 20 according to the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0099] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of an enlarged view of the
magnetic reproducing head 40 as a frontal view in contact with a
tape-form recording medium 4.
[0100] By referring to FIG. 8, the magnetic reproducing head 40 is
formed by interposing four layers of magnetic reproducing head
layers 41, 41, . . . , 41 between two non-magnetic substrates 42,
43 and also between two insulating layers 44, 44 from the upper and
the bottom directions.
[0101] More specifically, it is formed by laminating the insulating
layer 44 on the bottom non-magnetic substrate 42, a plurality of
magnetic reproducing head layers 41, 41, . . . on the insulating
layer 44, the upper insulating layer 44 thereon, and fin totaly the
upper non-magnetic substrate 43 (refer to FIG. 8).
[0102] Further, each of the plurality of magnetic reproducing head
layers 41 includes two magnetic shielding layers 45, 45; a MR head
(corresponding to a magnetic reproducing head element) interposed
between the two magnetic shielding layers 45, 45; and hard films
47, 47 which are positioned in a similar layer as the MR head 46
and firmly hold the MR head 46 from both sides thereof. The hard
film 47, by firmly holding the MR head 46 from the both sides
thereof, gives a horizontal bias to the MR head 46, as shown in
FIG. 8.
[0103] Further, each MR head 46 includes sequentially laminating,
from the bottom, a SAL (soft adjacent layer) film 48, an
intermediate separation film (insulating film) 49, and a
magneto-resistive effect film (MR element) 50, as shown in FIG. 8.
As the MR head 46 is fabricated by a thin film processing, its
width W.sub.3 can be formed, for example, W.sub.3=1 .mu.m.
[0104] In the magnetic reproducing head lamination layer 41 there
are disposed two pieces of MR head 46, 46 in the head width
direction separated from each other by a predetermined distance. As
a result, the magnetic reproducing head 40 thus assembled has eight
pieces of MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 in total, as shown in FIG.
8.
[0105] Any two pieces of the MR heads 46, 46 adjacent via a
magnetic shielding layer 45 in the direction of lamination are
arranged so as to share one layer of a common magnetic shielding
layer 45 existing therebetween. As a result, the magnetic
reproducing head 40 is formed by alternately laminating five
magnetic shielding layers 45, 45, . . . , 45 and four pieces of MR
heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 or hard films 47, 47, . . . , 47, such as
"the bottom nonmagnetic substrate 42-insulating layer 44-magnetic
shielding layer 45-MR head 46 or hard film 47-magnetic shielding
layer 45-MR head 46 or hard film 47-magnetic shielding layer 45- .
. . -magnetic shielding layer 45-insulating layer 44-the upper
nonmagnetic substrate 43", as shown in FIG. 8.
[0106] A positional relationship between each MR heads 46, 46, . .
. , 46 in the magnetic reproducing head layers 41, 41, . . . , 41
in lamination is arranged such that both edge lines on their
adjacent side of any two MR heads 46, 46 adjacent in the direction
of lamination are formed so as to approximately match. As a result,
a pitch P3 in the direction of a head width of MR heads 46, 46, . .
. , 46 formed in lamination is approximately equal to the width
thereof (W.sub.3=1 .mu.m).
[0107] In addition, a distance .omega..sub.3 between the two MR
heads 46,46 formed in a similar magnetic reproducing head layer 41
is set W.sub.3=3 .mu.m. As a result, a MR head 46 on the left side
in the uppermost magnetic reproducing head layer 41 and a MR head
46 on the right side in the bottom magnetic reproducing head layer
41 are formed in such a manner that they do not overlap with each
other as viewed from the direction of lamination, and that both
edge lines closer to each other are aligned in the direction of
lamination, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0108] As a result, all of the eight pieces of the MR heads 46, 46,
. . . , 46 formed as laminated in the magnetic reproducing head 40
are displaced not to overlap in the direction of lamination.
[0109] Further, the magnetic reproducing head 40 which is
fabricated by the thin film process has such an advantage that if
an alignment error between any two MR heads 46 and 46 adjacent in
the direction of lamination is 0.05 .mu.m, a maximum alignment
error induced between the uppermost MR head 46 and the bottom MR
head 46 may be suppressed to be within
4.times.0.05 .mu.m=0.2 .mu.m.
[0110] In addition, because the MR heads 46, 46 in a similar layer
are formed using a same mask, almost no alignment error is
originated therebetween.
[0111] Therefore, a problem of alignment errors that must be
considered between these eight pieces of MR heads 46, 46, . . . ,
46 resides only in the direction of lamination of those MR heads.
According to the magnetic reproducing head 40 of the third
exemplary preferred embodiment of the present invention, a ratio of
displacement relative to a width W.sub.3=1 .mu.m of the MR head 46
can be suppressed within 20% as described above, which is within an
allowable range without affecting reproduction of the recording
tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr.
[0112] In addition, if an increase in the number of channels is
required, by increasing the number of MR heads 46, 46 . . . to be
formed in a similar magnetic reproducing layer 41 instead of
increasing the number of lamination, the positional accuracy among
MR heads can be further improved, thereby enabling to reproduce a
narrower recording track than conventional, and to implement an
increased multi-channeling with an increased number of
channels.
[0113] Hereinabove, it is described that the allowable range of
displacement relative to the head width of the MR head 46 is 20%,
however, it is only an example, and not limited thereto. If its
allowable range is large, the number of lamination can be
increased, conversely, if its allowable range is narrow, the number
of lamination can be decreased accordingly.
[0114] The magnetic reproducing head 40 assembled as described
above is mounted on the rotary drum 12 so that its scanning
direction on the tape-form recording medium 4 coincides with the
direction of lamination thereof, as shown in FIG. 9.
[0115] Hence, according to the magnetic reproducing head 40
described above, the width of MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 can be
reduced and the alignment error between MR heads can be minimized,
thereby enabling to reproduce information from a narrower recording
track with higher density, and hence realizing magnetic reproducing
head 40 featuring a multi-channeling capability with an increased
number of channels, as shown in FIG. 10.
[0116] In other words, in the case where, for example, a track
width of each of the eight recording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr
recorded on the tape-form recording medium 4 is equal to a track
pitch, that is, even if the recording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr are
formed densely packed without guard band therebetween, it is
allowed for each of the eight pieces of the MR heads 46, 46, . . .
, 46 to scan responding to each of the recording tracks Tr, Tr, . .
. , Tr, individually, as shown in FIG. 10.
[0117] Further, according to the third preferred embodiment of the
present invention, any two MR heads 46, 46 adjacent in the
direction of lamination of the four pieces of the MR heads 46, 46,
. . . , 46 on either sides of the lamination are arranged to share
a common magnetic shielding layer 45 therebetween, one of the
lamination processes can be omitted thereby reducing the cost of
manufacture.
[0118] Further, although not indicated in the figures, according to
this magnetic reproducing head 40 of the third preferred
embodiment, as the plurality of MR heads 46, 46 are formed in a
similar magnetic reproducing head layer, it is possible to form
electric circuits of these MR heads 46, 46 simultaneously in its
lamination process, as well as to share a common electric circuit
therebetween, hence simplifying the structure.
[0119] The third preferred embodiment of the present invention
described above has been set forth by way of example of the
magnetic reproducing head 40 in which four layers of the magnetic
reproducing head layers embedding four pieces of MR heads 46, 46, .
. . , 46 on both sides thereof are laminated, however, the number
of laminations is not limited thereto, so that it may be two, three
or any number, provided that the alignment error between the MR
heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 falls within its allowable range.
[0120] Further, the above magnetic reproducing head 40 is described
by way of example, in which the magnetic reproducing head layers
41, 41, . . . , 41 are formed as sandwiched between the upper and
the lower nonmagnetic substrates 42 and 43, the arrangement of
which is suitable as a magnetic reproducing head for use with a
recording medium in tape form, however, it is not limited thereto,
and in the case for use with a disk-shaped recording medium, its
magnetic reproducing head may be comprised by laminating the
aforementioned magnetic shielding layers 45, 45, . . . , 45, and
magnetic reproducing head layers 41, 41, . . . , 41 alternately on
one common nonmagnetic substrate.
[0121] Still further, according to the third preferred embodiment
of the present invention described above, any two MR heads 46 and
46 adjacent in the direction of lamination are formed so that the
left edge line of the one on the right-hand side and the right edge
line of the other on the left-hand side are aligned in the
direction of lamination, however, it is not limited thereto, and
both edge portions adjacent may be formed partially to overlap as
well. Depending on how the recording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr are
formed on the tape-form recording medium 4, MR heads 46, 46, . . .
, 46 may be formed corresponding thereto. By way of example, if the
MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 are formed partially to overlap in the
magnetic reproducing head 40, a non-tracking reproduction described
in the magnetic reproducing head according to its third preferred
embodiment disclosed in the aforementioned JP-A Laid-Open No.
2000-348377 can be achieved.
[0122] With reference to FIG. 11, a modified version of the
magnetic reproducing head 40 according to the third preferred
embodiment of the present invention described above is shown. A
magnetic reproducing head 40A according to this modified version
includes further forming an intermediate insulating layer 51
between the magnetic reproducing head layers 41 and 41.
[0123] That is, the magnetic reproducing head 40A is formed by
alternately laminating four layers of magnetic reproducing layers
41, 41, . . . , 41 and three layers of intermediate insulating
layers 51, 51, . . . , 51, for example, such as "a bottom
nonmagnetic substrate 42-insulating layer 44-magnetic reproducing
head layer 41-intermediate insulating layer 51-magnetic reproducing
head layer 41-intermediate insulating layer 51-magnetic reproducing
head layer 41-intermediate insulating layer 51-magnetic reproducing
head layer 41-insulating layer 44-upper nonmagnetic substrate 43",
as shown in FIG. 11.
[0124] In other words, unlike the magnetic reproducing head 40
according to the third preferred embodiment of the present
invention, in which the magnetic shielding layers 45, 45., are
shared between the two magnetic reproducing head layers 41, 41
adjacent in the direction of lamination, because there is provided
an intermediate insulating layer 51 between any two MR heads 46 and
46 adjacent in the direction of lamination, a crosstalk between
these two MR heads 46, 46 may be eliminated, thereby enabling to
achieve further higher density recording and reproducing of
information.
[0125] With reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, a fourth preferred
embodiment of the present invention is be described as follows. A
magnetic reproducing head 40B according to the fourth preferred
embodiment of the present invention is similar to the magnetic
reproducing head 40 according to the first preferred embodiment of
the present invention in that there are provided eight pieces of MR
heads, however, it differs in that a distance between two MR heads
formed in a same film layer is different therefrom. This difference
will be described specifically in the following, omitting
description of the other portions which are a similar or similar as
in the magnetic reproducing head 40 according to the third
preferred embodiment, and labeled with the same numerals.
[0126] It should be noted that the arrangement of MR heads 46A,
46A, . . . , 46A in the magnetic reproducing head 40B according to
the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is
approximately a similar as that of the magnetic recording head
elements 28A, 28A, . . . , 28A in the magnetic recording head 20A
according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention as shown in FIG. 12.
[0127] A positional relationship of the MR heads 46A, 46A, . . . ,
46A in the magnetic reproducing head layers 41A, 41A, . . . , 41A
as laminated is arranged such that both edge lines on their
adjacent side of any two MR heads 46A, 46A adjacent in the
direction of lamination are formed to approximately match with each
other, thereby a pitch P.sub.4 in the head width direction between
the centers of any two adjacent MR heads 46A, 46A is formed
approximately equal to a width of the head (W.sub.4=1 .mu.m), hence
P.sub.4=W.sub.4, as shown in FIG. 12.
[0128] Furthermore, a distance .omega..sub.4 between the two pieces
of MR heads 46A and 46A formed in a similar magnetic reproducing
layer 41A is set that .omega..sub.4=11 .mu.m, as shown in FIG.
12.
[0129] That is, the eight pieces of the MR heads 46A, 46A, . . . ,
46A as laminated are divided into two groups of 46L which includes
four pieces of MR heads on the left-hand side (hereinafter,
referred to as the left-side MR head group) and 46R which includes
the other four pieces of MR heads on the right-hand side
(hereinafter, referred to as the right-side MR head group). Here,
it should be noted that the distance g.sub.4 between these two MR
head groups 46L and 46R is set g.sub.4=8 .mu.m, thereby securing a
space to accommodate two more MR head groups therebetween, as shown
in FIG. 12.
[0130] As a result, the magnetic reproducing head 40B has a width
b.sub.4 (b.sub.4=16 .mu.m) extending from its leftmost edge to its
rightmost edge so as to accommodate four groups of MR heads
therebetween, as shown in FIG. 12.
[0131] The magnetic reproducing head 40B thus formed is disposed in
the notch of the rotary drum 12 in a similar manner as the magnetic
reproducing head 40 according to the first preferred
embodiment.
[0132] When the rotary drum 12 makes one revolution, the MR head
groups 46L and 46R are made scan a position on the recording tracks
Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr displaced by a amount corresponding to a width
of two MR head groups of 46L and 46R, as indicated in FIG. 13.
[0133] As a result, when the rotary drum 12 makes three
revolutions, the magnetic reproducing head 40A is made reproduce
the whole recording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr which are densely
packed without guard band in the width direction thereof, as shown
in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.
[0134] With reference to FIG. 14, a fifth preferred embodiment of
the present invention is shown, which is applied to a magnetic head
which has eight pieces of MR heads and eight pieces of magnetic
recording head elements.
[0135] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged portion
of a magnetic head 60 according to a fifth preferred embodiment of
the present invention, as a frontal view having contact with a
tape-form recording medium 4.
[0136] The magnetic head 60 is formed by alternately laminating
four layers of magnetic recording head layers 61, 61, . . . , 61
and four layers of magnetic reproducing head layers 62, 62, . . . ,
62 on a bottom nonmagnetic substrate 63, then an upper nonmagnetic
substrate 64 on an uppermost magnetic reproducing head layer
62.
[0137] By way of example, each magnetic recording head layer 61
described above has a similar structure as that in the first
preferred embodiment, and each magnetic reproducing head layer 62
described above has a similar structure as that in the third
preferred embodiment.
[0138] In addition, each magnetic recording head elements 28, 28 in
a magnetic recording head layer 61 and each MR heads 46, 46 in a
magnetic reproducing head layer 62 immediately thereon are formed
to match with each other in a positional relationship as viewed
from the direction of lamination.
[0139] As a result, in the direction of the head width, each of two
magnetic recording head elements 28, 28 in the magnetic recording
head 61 and each of two MR heads 46, 46 in the magnetic reproducing
head layer 62 laminated on the layer 61 are disposed corresponding
to each other, forming a pair, as shown in FIG. 14.
[0140] As a result, according to the magnetic head 60 laminated as
described above, a width of each magnetic recording head elements
28, 28, . . . , 28 and each MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 can be
reduced, and also, an alignment error between each magnetic
recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 and each MR heads 46,
46, . . . , 46 can be minimized. As a consequence, recording and
reproducing of information to and from narrower recording tracks
with higher density are enabled, thereby providing an improved
multi-channeling capability to the magnetic head 60.
[0141] Further, according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the
present invention described above, because a pair of a magnetic
recording head element 28 and a MR head 46 reside in the magnetic
recording head layer 61 and the magnetic reproducing head layer 62
adjacent in the direction of lamination, both of the pair can be
formed in closest proximity, thereby enabling to minimize an
alignment error in the direction of the head width for the pair of
the magnetic recording head element 28 and the MR head 46 to the
least.
[0142] With reference to FIG. 15, a sixth preferred embodiment of
the present invention is shown, which is applied to a magnetic head
which has eight pieces of MR heads and eight pieces of magnetic
recording head elements.
[0143] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic head 70
according to the sixth preferred embodiment, and shows a frontal
view in enlargement as a frontal view having contact with a
tape-form recording medium 4.
[0144] The magnetic head 70 is formed by sequentially laminating
four layers of magnetic recording head layers 71, 71, . . . , 71 to
form a magnetic recording head layer group 73 on a bottom
nonmagnetic substrate 72, then sequentially laminating four layers
of magnetic reproducing head layers 74, 74, . . . , 74 to form a
magnetic reproducing head layer group 75 on the magnetic recording
head layer group 73, and laminating an upper nonmagnetic substrate
76 on the magnetic reproducing head layer group 75.
[0145] By way of example, each magnetic recording head layer 71 has
a similar structure as that in the first preferred embodiment, and
each magnetic reproducing head layer 74 has a similar structure as
that in the third preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0146] Further, a positional relationship between each magnetic
recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 in the magnetic
recording head layer group 73 is similar to that between each
magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 in the magnetic
recording head 20 according to the first preferred embodiment, and
further, a positional relationship between each MR heads 46, 46, .
. . , 46 in the magnetic reproducing head layer group 75 is similar
to that between the each MR heads, 46, 46, . . . , 46 in the
magnetic reproducing head 40 according to the third preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0147] As a result, magnetic recording head elements 28, 28 in each
magnetic recording head layer 71 in the magnetic recording head
layer group 73 and MR heads 46, 46 in each magnetic reproducing
head layer 74 in the magnetic reproducing head layer group 75 are
formed in a same relative position in the head width direction,
forming respective pairs in a vertical direction, as shown in FIG.
15.
[0148] As a result, advantageously, according to the magnetic head
70 thus fabricated, widths of each magnetic recording head elements
28, 28, . . . , 28 and of each MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 can be
minimized, and also an alignment error between each magnetic
recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 as well as each MR heads
46, 46, . . . , 46 can be minimized, thereby enabling to record and
reproduce information to and from a narrower and higher density
recording track, and thereby providing an improved multi-channeling
capability to the magnetic head 70.
[0149] Still further, according to the sixth preferred embodiment
of the present invention, after laminating a plurality of the
magnetic recording head layers 71, 71, . . . , 71, a plurality of
the magnetic reproducing head layers 74, 74, . . . , 74 are
laminated thereon, thereby enabling to simplify the manufacturing
process.
[0150] That is, because an environment of the process such as
temperature differs between the manufacturing of the magnetic
recording head layers and manufacturing of the magnetic reproducing
head layers, if it is made set up a different process environment
after completion of the manufacture of the magnetic recording head
layers for starting the lamination of magnetic reproducing head
layers, alteration of process environment can be reduced to one
time, thereby enabling to simplify the manufacturing process.
[0151] FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a disk
drive using the magnetic head 60 or 70 described above.
[0152] A disk drive 80 is provided with a drive mechanism 82 for
rotating a disk-shaped recording medium 81, and a head transport
mechanism 83 for transporting the magnetic head 60 or 70 in a
radius direction of the disk-shaped recording medium 81, wherein
the head transport mechanism 83 is comprised of a head slider 84
for supporting the magnetic head 60 or 70, a suspension 85 for
allowing the head slider 84 to make an elastic contact with the
disk-shaped recording medium 81, and a suspension arm 86 connected
to the head transport mechanism 83 for supporting the suspension
85, as shown in FIG. 16.
[0153] When the disk-shaped recording medium 81 rotates driven by
the drive mechanism 82, the magnetic head 60 or 70 supported by the
head slider 84 performs recording or reproducing of a signal to and
from the disk-shaped recording medium 81.
[0154] By performing the recording or reproducing of the signal to
and from the disk-shaped recording medium 81 by means of the
magnetic head 60 or 70 described above, it is enabled to accomplish
the multi-channeling and high density recording and reproducing of
the information.
[0155] Hereinabove, each exemplary preferred embodiments of the
present invention have been described by way of example of the
magnetic head which has the eight pieces of magnetic heads
elements, however, it should be noted that the present invention is
not limited thereto.
[0156] Further, in the above description of the exemplary preferred
embodiments, its tape drive system has been described by way of
example of a so-called helical scan tape system using the rotary
drum, however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and
can be applied to a linear scan tape system as well.
[0157] Furthermore, although the present invention has been
described in its preferred form with a certain degree of
particularity, many changes, variations, combinations and
sub-combinations are possible herein. It is therefore to be
understood that any modifications will be practiced otherwise than
as specifically described herein without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
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