Magnetic Tape Recorder

The invention relates to a magnetic tape apparatus of the type in which data is recorded by means of magnetic heads which scan a movable magnetic tape which is tensioned between two tape guides, particularly for magnetically recording and playing back with rotating head wheels.

A magnetic tape unit for recording data is known in which the magnetic tape is moved back and forth between two separately mounted reels, with both reels being driven via mandrels. Such magnetic tape units are used for longitudinal recordings, slant track recordings or for transverse track recordings. In such devices, the reels are usually disposed in cassettes. For longitudinal recordings, the magnetic tape remains within the cassette and the magnetic head for recording or scanning is pressed from outside against a tape disposed in the cassette and tensioned between two tape guides. For the slant track recording, the magnetic tape is pulled out of the cassette before the recording or playback and is placed around a head drum. For transverse track recording, the magnetic tape can also remain in the cassette. But in this case, the tape which is movable back and forth within the cassette, at the location where it is to be scanned, is curved transversely to its direction of movement around a head drum wheel whose axis of rotation is parallel to the direction of tape movement and whose tracks are thus recorded on the tape essentially or almost perpendicularly to the direction of tape movement. For magnetic tape units employing transverse track recordings, it has also been proposed, for still picture playback or track monitoring, to displace the head wheel, which serves to perform recording and/or playback, in the axial direction.

It is the object of the invention to provide a magnetic tape unit in which track monitoring and/or a still picture can be produced without or with reduced head displacement. This problem is solved in a magnetic tape unit of the type in which data is recorded by means of magnetic heads which scan a movable magnetic tape which is tensioned between two tape guides, particularly for magnetically recording and playing back with rotating head wheels by providing that whether the magnetic tape is moving or not moving, the portion of the magnetic tape which is tensioned between the tape guides is movable relative to a reference point in the direction of tape movement.

In principle, the problem is solved in that the magnetic tape tensioned between the tape guides, whether moving or not moving, can be moved relative to a reference point without utilization of the primary tape drive.

To explain the invention in greater detail, several embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The latter show in

FIG. 1, a basic illustration of the invention;

FIG. 2, a detail view of a head wheel system that is displaceable in its axial direction;

FIG. 3, an embodiment of a cassette according to the invention;

FIG. 4, another embodiment of a cassette according to the invention;

FIG. 5, a detail view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6, an embodiment having reels disposed in the cassette but not driven themselves;

FIG. 7 a path/time diagram and motion curve realizable with the present invention; and

FIG. 8, a displacement mechanism.

FIG. 1 shows a magnetic tape unit composed of two reels or tape coils 2 and 3 disposed in a cassette 1, with a magnetic tape 4 being movable back and forth between the reels. The magnetic tape 4 is brought out of cassette 1 at its longitudinal frontal face 5, for example by means of a projection 6 and, for transverse track recording, is adapted to the shape of a head wheel 7 in the region of the scanning location. This is done, for example, by means of two felt pieces 8 and 9 which are disposed at both sides of the scanning location and leave between them a groove-like depression 10. Felt pieces 8 and 9 are fastened to a flexible support 11 which is stationarily mounted in cassette 1 and permits flexible adaptation of felt pieces 8, 9 to the outer diameter of head wheel 7. Tape 4 is placed over felt pieces 8, 9 to closely follow the contours of head wheel 7 and is tensioned in such a manner that optimum scanning characteristics result for tape 4 in the region of the heads 7a of head wheel 7 (tape-to-head contact). Head wheel 7 is configured as a head drum or tape guide cylinder or is inserted into a head drum. The curvature of tape 4 is dimensioned such that the angle of looping of the tape region lies between 40.degree. and 70.degree., depending on the diameter of the head wheel or the head drum. In the region of the projection or location of the exit 6 from cassette 1, before entering the scanning location and in the region of the location of entrance 6b into the cassette, behind the scanning location, tape guides 12a and 12b, respectively, are provided. The outlines of these guides 12a and 12b, seen in a longitudinal sectional view, are essentially biconcave. This causes tape 4 to be precurved before it enters the location of the entrance into the scanning region.

FIG. 2 shows, in a partial sectional view, the drive system for head wheel 7 in the operating position together with an inserted magnetic tape cassette 1 in which a magnetic tape 4 is driven. Magnetic tape 4 lies between head wheel 7 or a tape guide cylinder 27 accommodating head wheel 7, and the felt cushions 8, 9. In this embodiment, tape guide cylinder 27 is permanently attached but does not rotate. In the effective region of magnetic heads 7a disposed on head wheel 7, magnetic tape 4 is then curved in such a manner that its surface is adapted to the circle described by magnetic heads 7a. This precise adaptation permits good tape-to-head contact. Head wheel 7 is provided with 2n heads 7a whose gaps alternatingly have different azimuth angles.

The input and output of the signal voltages to and from magnetic heads 7a is effected by means of two three-phase transformers 24. If the device has four or more heads, the magnetic heads 7a having the same azimuth angle are each electrically connected with one three-phase transformer 24. This can be done by connecting the magnetic head coils in series or in parallel.

Head wheel 7 is driven by a drive motor 21 which is disposed, together with head wheel 7 and an electromechanical transducer 25 provided for follow-up control, on a common axle 23. Electromechanical transducer 25 is composed of a coil 26 into which a soft-iron core 22 and the axle supporting it are pulled against a spring 28 when a control voltage is applied.

Transducer 25 is preferably part of drive motor 21 so that upon application of the control voltage, the rotor of motor 21 is displaced in the axial direction.

In a proven embodiment, a flexible support 11 in the form of a copper beryllium foil, was used for felt members 8, 9. This foil has antimagnetic characteristics and sufficient elasticity as well as durability. Support 11 itself may be planar, with felt pieces 8 and 9 being shaped. Or, support 11 may itself be adapted to the head wheel diameter and may be equipped with felt pieces, 8 and 9 of uniform, flat configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a modified cassette 1 in which tape reels 2 and 3 are no longer driven directly but are rotatably mounted in cassette 1 without having their own direct drive. The actual driving is performed by a separate roller 19 which is introduced into cassette 1 from the outside and drives tape 4 itself in the region between tape reels 2, 3. A cassette having such a drive is disclosed, for example, in German Pat. Nos. P 1,187,028 and 2,230,281.

The cassette is of such design that the tape guides or rollers 12a, 12b, which have a biconcave shape so as to curve the tape, are disposed near those edges of cassette 1 which delimit the longitudinal frontal face 5 facing head wheel 7. In the unit, head wheel 7 is disposed in such a manner that the scanning location lies near roller 12a and the motor 21 for driving head wheel 7 is disposed outside the region of cassette 1. This keeps possible stray magnetic fields from motor 21 away from cassette 1 and tape 4. Other possibly still interfering magnetic fields can be kept away from the tape by shieldings in the device and/or in the cassette.

FIG. 4 shows a modification according to the invention of the cassette 1 shown in FIG. 1 which permits a function similar to transducer 25. Tape guides 12a, 12b do not directly guide tape 4 to tape reels 2, 3 but around one or two further tape guides 36, 37 so as to form one or two tape loops 40. In the scanning region, tape guides 12a, 12b are displaceable essentially parallel to the direction of tape movement. For this purpose, two levers 30,31 are provided which are jointly pivotal around respective axles 34,35 by means of slides 32, 33. Displacement is effected in dependence on control signals for setting the track and/or for producing tracks corresponding to an accurate image or partial image. In this way, the position of the track relative to heads 7a can be corrected and/or still pictures can be recorded.

FIG. 5 shows a modification of the arrangement of FIG. 3 as shown in FIG. 4. As in FIG. 4, displacement of tape guides 12a, 12b may be effected by means of pivot layers or by electrically coupled or mechanically coupled means.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment including a shaped body 41 which permits simultaneous displacement of both tape guides 12a, 12b. For this purpose, both tape guides 12a, 12b of FIG. 6 are rotatably fastened on shaped body 41. Shaped body 41 is displaceably mounted in cassette 1. A projection 42 is externally accessible and can be moved by an electromechanical transducer (not shown) which can be set by means of control signals to have the accuracy required for track position correction or track displacement.

FIG. 7 shows a path/time diagram and motion curve that can be realized with the present invention for the fast forward mode. The ordinate s shows the paths, the abscissa t the time. It is assumed that during time t1 the tape is moved at a continuous, steady speed past scanning location 10 as is customary for playing back and recording the tracks. At the same time, the signal for image 1 is read into a memory and displayed on a screen. During time t2, it is assumed that a motion component is additionally superposed on tape 4 due to displacement of tape 4 in the direction of tape movement by displacement of shaped body 41. During t2, this initially results in accelerated, then fast and finally slowed-down movement which guides head 7a to the start of, for example, the seventh frame. During the advance, the first frame is repeated from memory. During the next section t1 (all sections t1 include storage and playback; all sections t2 include fast forward and playback of the memory contents), frame 7 is read out and played back simultaneously. Fast reverse is possible in a similar manner.

FIG. 8 shows a modification in which the axles 43 of tape guide rollers 12a, 12b project from the cassette and engage in actuation means, such as controlled projection 42.

Projection 42 may be controlled by electromechanical transducers. However, it is also possible to provide a profile control for certain applications.