CARRIAGE/LOADING ARM ASSEMBLY WITH TWO MAGNETIC TRANSDUCERS FOR DOUBLE-SIDE FLOPPY DISC

摘要

Apparatus for maintaining two magnetic transducers in operative relation with both sides of a rotatable flexible planar magnetic recording media is shown. The apparatus includes a carriage having a first transducer coupled to one end thereof through a differential torsion spring support means which is adapted to support the first transducer against one side of the media in a semi complaint relationship and a high degree of stiffness about two axes, one of which is radial with respect to the media and the other axis which is normal to the media, and in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about a third axis which is circumferential with respect to the media. The apparatus includes a loading arm which is pivotally connected to the other end of the carriage and which is adapted to be movable toward and away from the other side of the media. A second transducer is coupled to the loading arm through a gimbal support means and is adapted to be positioned in engagement with the other side of the media. The gimbal support means is adapted to support the second transducer in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness with all three of the axes with respect to the media. Means are provided which are operatively coupled to the carriage and the loading arm for moving the loading arm toward the other side of a media to position the second transducer into contiguous engagement with the other side of the media and to urge the one side of the media into contiguous engagement with the first transducer such that variations inflexure of the media along the axes which are normal and radial to the media are compensated primarily by movement of the second transducer against its gimbal support means and partially by movement of the first transducer against its differential torsion spring support means and variations in flexure of the media along the third axis circumferential thereto are compensated by equal movements of each transducer against its associated support means.