MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AIR BEARINGS FOR SUPPORTING A FLEXIBLE OPTICAL DISK

A disk-supporting mechanism for a high-capacity 90-mm (3.5-in) flexibl e optical-disk system is studied for low-cost recording media and smal l drives. The mechanical characteristics are analyzed by a simple calc ulation of dynamic air pressure generated by pocket thrust bearings an d by measurements of disk vibrations. The flexible disk rotates stably , supported by two thrust air bearings fabricated in a plastic cartrid ge, with disk tilt less than 5 mrad and disk acceleration less than 5 m/s2 The feasibility of this system is confirmed by write-erase operat ions at a 2-mum track pitch.