Tracking servo system for magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus using flexible magnetic disk

Claim 1

A tracking servo system for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus using a flexible magnetic magnetic disk, comprising: the flexible magnetic disk having on one magnetic surface thereof a plurality of adjacent tracks, each track including a data track portion on which an information signal is to be recorded and a pair of servo track portions which are located on both sides of the data track portion and on which a tracking signal is recorded, different frequencies being respectively alloted to the tracking signals recorded on the servo track portion pairs of at least three adjacent tracks, the pair of servo track portions located on both sides of the data track portion having the same frequency; a magnetic head assembly including a data head means and a servo head means formed in a unitary structure, said data head means being movable over said flexible magnetic disk, said data head means being provided with at least one gap for forming the data track portion in a given one of said tracks to record the information signals thereon and for reading out the recorded information signals therefrom, said servo head means being movable together with said data head means for reading out the tracking signals from said servo track portions, said servo head means being provided with a gap for reading out, when said data head means records an information signal on the data track portion in a given one of said tracks and when it reads out the recorded information signal therefrom, the tracking signals recorded on the servo track portions in the two adjacent tracks with the given track interposed therebetween, the gap of said servo head means and said said at least one gap of said data head means being arranged parallel to each other, the gap of said servo head means having a width larger than the width of the track, and said at least one gap of said data head means having a width smaller than the width of the track; a tracking error detection circuit for receiving the tracking signals read out from said servo head means to produce an output signal proportional to a difference in amplitude therebetween; and an actuator responsive to the output signal of said tracking error detection circuit for urging said data head means to a correct position of the data track portion in said given track.