Apparatus for positioning magnetic head to position corresponding to reference track on magnetic tape

Claim 1

In a magnetic tape apparatus provided with a magnetic head movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of running of a magnetic tape having a plurality of data tracks extending in the running direction thereof and a stepper motor for moving the magnetic head in the direction perpendicular to the running direction of the tape with respect to a reference position corresponding to a reference track of the tape, said stepper motor including a rotor and a plurality of phase windings successively excited by a drive pulse signal, apparatus for positioning said magnetic head to said reference position comprising: detecting means for detecting the arrival of said magnetic head at the neighborhood of said reference position when said head is moved toward said reference position; a plurality of selectable switches for specifying the phase and the corresponding phase winding which will be excited when said head is at said reference position; and control circuit means connected to said detecting means, said switches and said stepper motor for causing said stepper motor to stop said magnetic head at said reference position when the previously specified phase winding of said step motor is excited after the detection of arrival of said magnetic head at the neighborhood of said reference position by said detecting means to thereby obtain the reference position of said magnetic head.