Nortronics Company, Inc.

Leonard E Kronfeld

Ricky J Madsen

Thomas J Winkler

An optical inspection system includes a thin optical probe having spaced parallel viewing surfaces on opposite sides and image reflecting elements within for transmitting images from the viewing surfaces to viewing optics including optical paths aligned with the edge of the probe to receive and magnify images from the viewing surfaces. The apparatus permits insertion of the probe for inspection and measurement of areas not readily accessible by conventional means. The probe is preferably used as part of a system and method for optical alignment verification of double sided floppy disk transducer head assemblies, wherein the probe is inserted between the heads, with their read/write gaps adjacent the viewing surfaces. Measurement apparatus is provided to permit measurement of the relative positions of the read/write gaps for the two heads. An optical tracking scope is provided for measuring any movements of a transducer mounted on a lift arm of a transducer assembly that are caused by lifting the arm wider than normal operating position to accept the thickness of the optic probe. The induced movements can then be compensated for in the calculation of head alignment.

Optical inspection and alignment verification system

An electromagnetic transducer assembly includes a carriage 30 carrying a first transducer 33 projecting therefrom and a load arm 35 carrying a second transducer 32 arranged for gimballing movement about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes, the arm being connected to the carriage by a leaf hinge assembly 43 for movement to load or unload transducer 32 to the disk recording medium 20. The transducers have planar disk engaging faces surrounded by edge bevels which merge smoothly with each other at conical corner surfaces 144, 157, and which are blended smoothly into the faces. The second transducer 32 is mounted in the arm on a flexure member 65, which also mounts a connector block 75 to which a flex strip 81 is connected, and which includes eyelet pins for facilitating the wiring of the transducer coils. The arm has an aperture 60 near the end which includes transducer 32 which permits access thereto during assembly. Insert cover 120 fits the aperture and includes a lifting tab 122, and an adjustable pivot member 133 for the gimballing of the transducer. The base includes ramps 160, 161 for facilitating the insertion and removal of a diskette 21 into operative position with respect to the transducers. The hinge assembly includes a leaf spring 44 and means 45-47, 52, 53 clamping it to the arm and to the base. A spring 55 urges the arm in a first direction about the hinge, and acts as a cover for passages 82-86 leading a connection cable 80 to the flex strip.

Transducer arm assembly for floppy disk

An electromagnetic transducer assembly includes a carriage 30 carrying a first transducer 33 projecting therefrom and a load arm 35 carrying a second transducer 32 arranged for gimballing movement about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes, the arm being connected to the carriage by a leaf hinge assembly 43 for movement to load or unload transducer 32 to the disk recording medium 20. The transducers have planar disk engaging faces surrounded by edge bevels which merge smoothly with each other at conical corner surfaces 144, 157, and which are blended smoothly into the faces. The second transducer 32 is mounted in the arm on a flexure member 65, which also mounts a connector block 75 to which a flex strip 81 is connected, and which includes eyelet pins for facilitating the wiring of the transducer coils. The arm has an aperture 60 near the end which includes transducer 32 which permits access thereto during assembly. Insert cover 120 fits the aperture and includes a lifting tab 122, and an adjustable pivot member 133 for the gimballing of the transducer. The base includes ramps 160, 161 for facilitating the insertion and removal of a diskette 21 into operative position with respect to the transducers. The hinge assembly includes a leaf spring 44 and means 45-47, 52, 53 clamping it to the arm and to the base. A spring 55 urges the arm in a first direction about the hinge, and acts as a cover for passages 83-86 leading a connection cable 80 to the flex strip.

Beveled magnetic heads for floppy disk

Transducer supporting assembly for double sided floppy disk

A spring retaining clip resiliently urges the back bar core piece of a magnetic head assembly into contact with the back ends of two other core pieces whose front ends define the head gap. Use of the clip permits installation of the head coil on one of the core pieces and installation of the back bar after the core pieces have been secured, ground and lapped in the head housing, thus simplifying the manufacturing process. In a preferred embodiment the retainer clip has a first surface member for engaging or being glued to the side of the back bar, and a pair of resilient tabs for engaging the back ends of the pole pieces when the back bar is installed with the clip holding the back bar and the pole pieces tightly together. A grounding wire for the core can be soldered to the retaining clip.

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Leonard E Kronfeld