Magnetic head device and recording/reproducing apparatus

Abstract

A head main body ( 12 ) is supported at a free end of a cantilevered suspension ( 14 ). The head main body ( 12 ) has a first holding portion ( 5 ) that is substantially in parallel to an information recording medium ( 1 ), and the suspension ( 14 ) has a second holding portion ( 6 ) that is substantially in parallel to the information recording medium ( 1 ) and is located near the free end of the suspension ( 14 ). When a magnetic head device is not used, the head main body ( 12 ) is spaced away from the information recording medium ( 1 ). At this time, when an external shock is applied, the first holding portion ( 5 ) and the second holding portion ( 6 ) contact each other, thereby preventing a permanent deformation of the suspension ( 14 ). It is possible to reduce a displacement amount against a shock when the head main body ( 12 ) is spaced away from the information recording medium ( 1 ). Consequently, a spacing amount of the magnetic head main body ( 12 ) can be reduced. As a result, it becomes possible to make a thinner optomagnetic recording/reproducing apparatus.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . A recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 a converter for recording information on and/or reproducing information from an information recording medium;    a suspension system for keeping the converter at a desired distance and orientation with respect to the information recording medium;    a suspension system supporting member for supporting the suspension system; and    a fixed structure that is not displaced substantially with respect to an outer case;    wherein the fixed structure is arranged substantially in opposition to the information recording medium, and at least a part of the suspension system supporting member is arranged between the fixed structure and the information recording medium; and    the part of the suspension system supporting member contacts the fixed structure when the converter is spaced away from the information recording medium.    
     
     
         19 . A recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 a converter for recording information on and/or reproducing information from an information recording medium;    a suspension system for keeping the converter at a desired distance and orientation with respect to the information recording medium; and    a suspension system supporting member for supporting the suspension system;    wherein a plurality of contacting regions are formed integrally with the converter so as to be substantially rigid; and    the contacting regions of the converter contact the suspension system supporting member when the converter is spaced away from the information recording medium.    
     
     
         20 . A recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: 
 a converter for recording information on and/or reproducing information from an information recording medium;    a suspension system for keeping the converter at a desired distance and orientation with respect to the information recording medium;    a suspension system supporting member for supporting the suspension system; and    a fixed structure that is not displaced substantially with respect to an outer case;    wherein the fixed structure is arranged substantially in opposition to the information recording medium, and at least a part of the suspension system supporting member is arranged between the fixed structure and the information recording medium;    a plurality of contacting regions are formed integrally with the converter so as to be substantially rigid; and    the part of the suspension system supporting member contacts the fixed structure and the contacting regions of the converter contact the suspension system supporting member when the converter is spaced away from the information recording medium.    
     
     
         21 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein a surface of the converter in opposition to the information recording medium is substantially in parallel to the information recording medium when the converter is spaced away from the information recording medium so that the contacting regions contact the suspension system supporting member.  
     
     
         22 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein a contacting portion of the suspension system supporting member that contacts the fixed structure is formed to have a convex surface.  
     
     
         23 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein a region of the fixed structure that contacts the suspension system supporting member is formed to have a convex surface.  
     
     
         24 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein a contacting portion of the suspension system supporting member that contacts the fixed structure is formed to have a substantially cylindrical surface, and a generating line of the substantially cylindrical surface is substantially in parallel to the information recording medium and substantially in perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the convex surface formed on the fixed structure.  
     
     
         25 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the suspension system supporting member and the fixed structure are substantially in point contact with each other.  
     
     
         26 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 18 , comprising a vibration absorbing mechanism for damping an external vibration, wherein the fixed structure is held on a structure that is supported by the vibration absorbing mechanism.  
     
     
         27 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein at least one of a portion of the suspension system supporting member contacting the fixed structure and a portion of the fixed structure contacting the suspension system supporting member is made of a material having sliding characteristics.  
     
     
         28 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein a surface of the converter in opposition to the information recording medium is substantially in parallel to the information recording medium when the converter is spaced away from the information recording medium so that the contacting regions contact the suspension system supporting member.  
     
     
         29 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein a contacting portion of the suspension system supporting member that contacts the fixed structure is formed to have a convex surface.  
     
     
         30 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein a region of the fixed structure that contacts the suspension system supporting member is formed to have a convex surface.  
     
     
         31 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein a contacting portion of the suspension system supporting member that contacts the fixed structure is formed to have a substantially cylindrical surface, and a generating line of the substantially cylindrical surface is substantially in parallel to the information recording medium and substantially in perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the convex surface formed on the fixed structure.  
     
     
         32 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the suspension system supporting member and the fixed structure are substantially in point contact with each other.  
     
     
         33 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 20 , comprising a vibration absorbing mechanism for damping an external vibration, wherein the fixed structure is held on a structure that is supported by the vibration absorbing mechanism.  
     
     
         34 . The recording/reproducing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of a portion of the suspension system supporting member contacting the fixed structure and a portion of the fixed structure contacting the suspension system supporting member is made of a material having sliding characteristics.