NHK Spring Assigned Two Patents

Head driving device configured to move head member relative to tape as recording medium and configured to stably hold head member
NHK Spring Co., Ltd., Yokohama, Japan, has been assigned a patent (12482495) developed by Kuwata; Ryo, Nashimoto; Gaku, Nishida; Tatsuhiko, Arai; Mikio, Nakayama; Hiroshi, and Kuchiwaki; Isamu, Yokohama, Japan, for “head driving device configured to move a head member relative to tape as a recording medium and configured to stably hold the head member.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A head driving device includes a base member, a head supporting member, a beam member, a piezoelectric unit, and a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is arranged between a first end portion in a length direction of a head member and the base member. The second member is arranged between a second end portion in a length direction of the head member and the base member. The reinforcement member allows the head supporting member to move in a direction along a surface of tape and controls the head supporting member from moving in a thickness direction of the head member.”

The patent application was filed on 2024-04-19 (18/640230).

Tape drive device and method of detecting state of head unit of tape drive device
NHK Spring Co., Ltd., Yokohama, Japan, has been assigned a patent (12482490) developed by Arai; Mikio, Yokohama, Japan, for “tape drive device and method of detecting state of head unit of tape drive device.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A tape drive device includes a head member, a tape drive mechanism moving a tape, a suspension member supporting the head member, piezoelectric units, a drive voltage supply circuit applying a voltage to a piezoelectric element, and a controller. Each of the piezoelectric units includes a piezoelectric element. The controller determines a state of a head unit, based on a piezoelectric output generated at the piezoelectric element provided in the suspension member.”

The patent application was filed on 2024-04-19 (18/640961).