Patent ID: 8159776
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A magnetic tape driving apparatus comprising: a magnetoresistive head unit capable of recording or reproducing information with respect to a magnetic tape; and a tape driving portion that drives the magnetic tape, wherein a tape separation portion that separates the magnetic tape from the magnetoresistive head unit is located on at least one of a tape input side and a tape output side of the magnetoresistive head unit, friction between the tape separation portion and the magnetic tape is smaller than that between the magnetic tape and the magnetoresistive head unit, the tape separation portion provides a state in which the magnetic tape is in contact with the magnetoresistive head unit and a state in which the magnetic tape is separated from the magnetoresistive head unit, the tape separation portion separates the magnetic tape from the magnetoresistive head unit at least before the tape driving portion causes the magnetic tape to start running and performs tracking servo based on a drive instruction so as to prevent static friction between the magnetoresistive head unit and the magnetic tape, the tape separation portion separates the magnetic tape from the magnetoresistive head unit at least before the tape driving portion causes the magnetic tape to stop running based on a stop instruction so as to prevent static friction between the magnetoresistive head unit and the magnetic tape, and the tape separation portion separates the magnetic tape from the magnetoresistive head unit at least when the tape driving portion reverses a running direction of the magnetic tape based on a reverse instruction so as to prevent static friction between the magnetoresistive head unit and the magnetic tape.