Retractable low profile head brush assembly for cleaning read/write heads in a media tape drive

摘要

A threader assembly for a tape drive has a retractable, low profile head brush assembly that is articulated into and out of wiping contact with the tape head. The head brush assembly is integrated into the threader assembly such that the same components used to load and unload the media tape also articulate the head brush assembly. The head brush assembly includes a set of bristles that are mounted to a brush arm. The head brush assembly has a cleaning position for placing the bristles in contact with the tape head. When the head brush assembly is in the cleaning position, the tape head is cleaned through oscillation of the head via a coarse track following actuator. The head brush assembly also has a storage position wherein the entire head brush assembly is pivotally retracted away from the tape head without interfering with other components of the threader assembly.