Head Cleaning Device Wiper Entrainment for Tape Width Direction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional head cleaning devices either clean the head in the tape lengthwise direction or have complex configurations, failing to effectively clean the head in the tape width direction while separating the tape.

Innovation Solution

A head cleaning device with a wiper member and a support member that moves in the tape width direction, allowing the wiper member to clean the head while the belt member separates the tape from the head, both configured to simplify the cleaning process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a support arm rotates with axial direction coincident with tape width direction to separate tape from head, then tape separation is achieved, but cleaning direction becomes coincident with tape lengthwise direction instead of tape width direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetape separationVSAvoidcleaning direction alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the support arm to achieve tape separation (which causes cleaning direction misalignment), the patent inverts the approach by moving the support arm in the tape width direction while maintaining axial alignment with the tape width direction. This allows both tape separation and proper cleaning direction alignment to be achieved simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a static support arm configuration to a dynamic one where the support arm moves in the tape width direction. This dynamic movement enables the wiper to clean the head in the correct direction while the support arm simultaneously separates the tape from the head, resolving the directional conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If cleaning direction is aligned with tape width direction, then effective head cleaning is achieved, but device configuration becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning direction alignmentVSAvoiddevice configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support for the wiper, enables tape separation through movement in the tape width direction, and facilitates proper cleaning direction alignment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms, keeping the device configuration simple while achieving effective head cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the tape separation function and the head cleaning function into a single integrated mechanism. The support arm simultaneously performs both tape separation and wiper positioning, and the wiper motion is directly coupled to the support arm movement, combining multiple functions into one streamlined system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9147432B2Head cleaning device and drive device

Publication Date: 2015.09.29 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A head cleaning device includes: a wiper member formed in an elongate shape and having a wiper anchoring portion anchored so as not to move in a tape width direction; and a support member that includes a wiper entrainment portion about which the wiper member is entrained so as to double back, that causes the wiper entrainment portion to move in the tape width direction so that a surface of the wiper member at an opposite side of the wiper entrainment portion from the wiper anchoring portion wipes a head that performs at least one of writing information to, or reading information from, a recording tape.