JP2972655B2 - Complex type library device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite library device, and more particularly to a composite library device for transporting a recording medium such as a magnetic tape between storage rooms.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional composite type library device, for example, a cartridge magnetic tape device is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-260979. In the cartridge magnetic tape device described in the publication, storage chambers for opposing each other and storing a cartridge accommodating the magnetic tape are separately provided in a front storage chamber group and a rear storage chamber group, respectively. And transport means for transporting the cartridge between the storage chambers.

[0005] The transport means is a gripping means constituted as a pair of fingers, and is disposed between the opposing storage chamber groups and is an XY.
And a transport mechanism that transports the gripping means in the Z direction orthogonal to the X and Y directions. The gripping means is composed of a substantially T-shaped plate member provided with a pair of fingers that are disposed to face each other in the Y direction and extend in the Z direction, and the fingers approach or move away from each other by the driving mechanism. Thereby gripping or releasing the cartridge.

[0004]

In the above-described conventional cartridge magnetic tape device, for example, a cartridge taken out from a front storage group by a gripping means is passed through the rear storage group as it is and stored. Can be. However, since only one cartridge can be transported at a time, for example, when exchanging cartridges between the front storage room group and the rear storage room group, the following complicated steps are required. become. That is, the gripping unit is transported to a desired first storage room in the front storage room group, the cartridge taken out from the first storage room is temporarily stored in another storage room, and then the desired storage space in the rear storage room group is temporarily stored. Another cartridge removed from the second storage compartment is stored in the first storage compartment. Further, the cartridge temporarily stored in another storage room is taken out and stored in the second storage room. In such a conventional cartridge magnetic tape device, in order to speed up the process at the time of replacement, it is necessary to take measures such as preparing two transport mechanisms each provided with the gripping means having the above structure. Increase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a composite library device capable of reducing the time required for a process of exchanging recording media between storage rooms while suppressing an increase in the number of components.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a composite library apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first and a second group of storage rooms each having a plurality of storage rooms for storing recording media. In the combined type library device provided to face each other, a pair of recording medium gripping means for gripping or releasing the recording medium by individually opening and closing operations, and the pair of recording medium gripping means, wherein the gripping surfaces are opposite to each other. And a direction reversing means for integrally reversing the orientation of the gripping surfaces of the pair of recording medium gripping means on the transporting means. I do.

In the composite library device of the present invention, for example, a pair of recording medium gripping means are integrally transported by the transporting means, and one of the recording medium gripping means is moved to a desired first storage chamber in the first storage chamber group. And the corresponding position. Then
The recording medium in the first storage chamber is gripped and taken out by the operation of one of the recording medium gripping means, and the other recording medium gripping means is then moved to the desired second storage chamber in the second storage chamber group in this gripped state. And the corresponding position. At this time, by operating the other recording medium gripping means, the recording medium in the second storage chamber is gripped and taken out, and the direction of the gripping surfaces of the pair of recording medium gripping means is integrally reversed by the direction reversing means. Next, the recording medium from the first storage chamber that has been gripped is stored in the second storage chamber by operating one of the recording medium gripping means.

Thereafter, the pair of recording medium gripping means are integrally transported by the transporting means, and the other recording medium gripping means gripping the recording medium from the second storage chamber is moved to a position corresponding to the first storage chamber. Let it. In this state, by operating the other recording medium gripping means, the recording medium from the second storage chamber that has been gripped is stored in the first storage chamber. Thus, in the present complex type library device, as in the conventional device,
Since there is no need to prepare two transport mechanisms each provided with a gripping means, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of components and to speed up the recording medium exchange process.

Here, it is preferable that the conveying means can convey the recording medium gripping means in the XYZ directions. In this case, the recording medium gripping means can be freely transported to a desired storage room.

More preferably, each of the pair of recording medium gripping means comprises a pair of L-shaped finger members which are disposed at line symmetric positions with each other and whose intermediate portion is rotatably supported. Each of the letter-shaped finger members is biased in a direction in which one end facing the gripping surface approaches each other to grip the recording medium. In this case, the mechanism of the recording medium gripping means becomes extremely simple.

The pair of recording medium gripping means are disposed with their backs facing each other. Between the pair of recording medium gripping means, there is another L-shaped finger member constituting one recording medium gripping means. A first rotating position for pressing the end, a second rotating position for pressing the other end of the L-shaped finger member constituting the other recording medium gripping means, and a third rotating position for pressing any other end.
It is also a preferable embodiment that a finger cam that rotates is disposed at the rotation position. In this case, the individual opening and closing operations of the pair of recording medium gripping means can be realized only by the rotation operation of the finger cam.

[0012]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an initial configuration of an entire configuration of a composite library device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The composite type library apparatus 10 includes storage chambers 16 _{1 to} 16 _n and 17 _{1 to} 17 _n for storing cartridges 11 each containing a magnetic tape as a recording medium, respectively. It is divided into a storage room group 17 and provided so as to face each other. Storage chambers 16 _{1 to} 16 _n and 17 ₁
Although similar storage chambers are arranged in the direction of the drawing in FIG. ₁ to 17 _n, they are not shown. The composite library device 10 further includes a recording / reproducing unit (not shown) that performs at least one of recording and reproducing information on and from a magnetic tape;
A control unit 24 that controls the operation of each unit in a comprehensive manner.

Between the front storage chamber group 16 and the rear storage chamber group 17, a pair of recording medium gripping means 21 and 22 supported by a finger base 23 are integrally formed in the XYZ directions described later. A transport means for transporting is provided. The transfer means includes a finger base 23, a hand base 14 that movably supports the finger base 23, and an access mechanism that transfers the hand base 14 between the front storage chamber group 16 and the rear storage chamber group 17. Be composed.

The access mechanism is provided between the storage chamber groups 16 and 17 and has a swivel base 18 movable in an X direction, which is a vertical direction in the figure, and a Y direction, which is a depth direction in the drawing. On the swivel base 18, the hand base 14 is rotatably supported at a substantially central portion thereof. The hand base 14 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise in FIG. 1 around a rotation shaft 15 by a swivel motor 13 installed on a swivel base 18.

The hand base 14 has a slide guide 19 extending in a Z direction orthogonal to the XY directions, and a finger base 23 is supported on the slide guide 19 so as to be movable in the same direction. The finger base 23 moves forward and backward in the Z direction by the rotation of the picker motor 25 disposed on the hand base 14 side being transmitted via a belt or the like. The hand base 14, the swivel base 18, and the swivel motor 13 are provided with a pair of recording medium gripping means 21, 22.
And a direction reversing means for integrally reversing the direction of the gripping surface on the transport means.

FIG. 2 shows a pair of recording medium gripping means 21 and 2.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of No. 2 in detail. The recording medium gripping means 21 and 22 are supported by the finger base 23 with their back surfaces facing each other so that the gripping surfaces face in opposite directions. Grip or release. Each of the pair of recording medium gripping means 21 and 22 has a pair of L-shaped fingers 21a and 21b and 22a and 22b, respectively.

The fingers 21a and 21b are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to each other, and the intermediate portion is rotatably supported on a finger base 23 by a rotation shaft 28. Also,
Each of the fingers 21a and 21b is biased by a tension spring 31 in a direction in which one end facing the gripping surface approaches each other, and a cam roller 29 is disposed at the other end which is close to each other.
A finger rubber 27 is provided on each of the gripping surfaces of the fingers 21a and 21b to suppress slippage when taking out the cartridge by frictional force. The fingers 22a and 22b
Although the grip surface faces in the opposite direction to the fingers 21a and 21b, the main configuration is the same as that of the fingers 21a and 21b.

On the finger base 23, a finger cam 20 is disposed between the recording medium gripping means 21 and 22. The finger cam 20 rotates around the rotation shaft 30, and includes a cam surface 20 a protruding at an eccentric position with respect to the rotation shaft 30. Locking projections 29 are respectively provided on the finger base 23 at positions facing the back surfaces of the other ends of the fingers 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b. In the free state, the fingers 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b each receive the urging force of the tension spring 31 to rotate to a position where they come into contact with the corresponding locking projection 29. At this time,
Each cam roller 29 is provided on the cam surface 20 of the finger cam 20.
It is located on the rotation locus of a.

The finger cam 20 receives the rotation of the finger cam motor 26 provided on the finger base 23, and moves to a first rotation position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It rotates to a moving position and a third rotating position shown by a solid line. The first rotation position is the finger 21a,
21b is a position where both cam rollers 29 are pressed to open the recording medium gripping means 21, and a second rotation position is a position where both cam rollers 29 of both fingers 22a and 22b are pressed to open the recording medium gripping means 22. It is. Further, the third rotation position does not press any of the cam rollers 29,
This is a position where both of the recording medium gripping means 21 and 22 are closed.

The operation of the composite type library apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. FIG. 3-
FIG. 6 shows the recording medium gripping means 2 conveyed from the state of FIG.
It is a top view which shows 1 and 22 in steps.

For example, the storage room 16_TwoCart stored in
Ridge 11 and containment group 17_ThreeCartridge stored in
The operation at the time of exchanging 11 will be described. First, as shown in Fig.
In the state, the rotation of the finger cam motor 26
When the garcam 20 rotates to the first rotation position, the fingers
21a, 21b each finger roller 29 is a cam surface
The recording medium gripping means 21 is released by being pressed at 20a.
Next, since the picker motor 25 rotates, the fingers
The base 23 is placed on the hand base 14 in the storage room 16. _TwoBeside
It moves to the state shown in FIG. Finger base 23
Is further moved in the same direction, the opened recording medium gripping means
21 is the storage room 16_TwoInto the finger 21a,
One end of 21 b is positioned on both sides of the cartridge 11.
In this state, the rotation of the finger cam motor 26
Since the finger cam 20 rotates to the third rotation position,
The recording medium gripping means 21 conforms to the urging force of the tension spring 31.
To rotate. As a result, the recording medium gripping means 21
The cartridge 11 is gripped via the inger rubber 27.
You.

Next, the finger base 23 returns to the initial position at the center of the hand base by the rotation of the picker motor 25, and the state shown in FIG. Furthermore, the swivel base 18 access mechanism is actuated to move in the X direction, and stops at the position where the recording medium grasping means 22 corresponds to the storing chamber group 17 _3.

In this state, since the finger cam 20 rotates to the second rotation position, the finger rollers 29 of the fingers 22a and 22b are pressed by the cam surface 20a,
The recording medium gripping means 22 is released. Then, since the picker motor 25 rotates, the finger base 23 moves on the hand base 14 in the storage chamber 17 ₃ side, the state shown in FIG. When the finger base 23 further moves in the same direction, the opened recording medium gripping means 22 is moved to the storage chamber 17 _3.
And one ends of the fingers 22 a and 22 b are positioned on both sides of the cartridge 11. In this state, since the finger cam 20 is rotated to the third rotation position, the recording medium gripping means 22 is rotated in the closing direction by the tension spring 31, and the cartridge 11 is moved through the finger rubber 27.
To grip.

Next, the finger base 23 is moved to the storage room.
17_ThreeThe cartridge 11 from the storage medium holding means 22
And the storage room 16_TwoCartridge 11 from
While holding the recording medium by the recording medium gripping means 21,
Return to the center. In this state, the swivel motor 13
To rotate, the hand base 14 is
And rotate clockwise. Thereby, the recording medium gripping hand
As shown in FIG. 6, the steps 21 and 22 are oriented in the direction of the respective gripping surfaces.
The storage chamber 16 _Twofrom
The recording medium gripping means 21 gripping the cartridge 11 is
Room 17_ThreeTurn to the side.

[0026] In this state, the picker motor 25 rotates, the finger base 23 moves on the hand base 14 in the storage chamber 17 ₃ side, the cartridge 11 held by the recording medium grasping means 21 in the storage chamber 17 ₃ insert. Next, since the finger cam 20 is rotated to the first rotation position, the recording medium gripping means 21 is released, and the gripped cartridge 11 is released. Thereby, the storage room 16 ₂
Cartridge 11 from is stored in the storage chamber 17 _3.

[0027] After this, since the access mechanism is driven, the recording medium grasping means 22, the front storage chamber group 16 side while holding the cartridge 11 from the orientation storage chamber 17 _3, integral with the recording medium grasping means 21 Transported to Furthermore, the picker motor 25 rotates at the time of the stop at the position where the recording medium grasping means 22 is opposed to the storage chamber 16 _2. Thus, the finger base 23 moves on the hand base 14 in the storage chamber 16 ₂ side, the cartridge 11 which is gripped by the recording medium grasping means 22 is inserted into the storage chamber 16 _2. Then, since the finger cam 20 is rotated in a second rotational position, the recording medium gripping means 22 releases the cartridge 11, it is stored in the storage chamber 16 _2.

As described above, the present complex type library apparatus 1
0, the recording medium gripping means 21, 2
The direction of the gripping surface 2 can be integrally reversed. Therefore, the two cartridges 11 are simultaneously conveyed by the recording medium gripping means 21 and 22, and
Since the direction of the cartridge 11 can be freely changed, the replacement process of the cartridge 11 becomes extremely simple and the speed is increased.

In the present embodiment, only the cartridge exchange process between the storage chamber groups 16 and 17 facing each other has been described. , Or between the storage rooms of the storage room group 17. Further, a step of simply transporting the cartridge 11 from one storage room to the other storage room can be executed.

Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiment, the composite type library device of the present invention
It is not limited only to the configuration of the above embodiment,
A composite library device in which various modifications and changes have been made from the configuration of the above embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0031]

As described above, in the composite library apparatus of the present invention, a pair of recording medium gripping means which individually open and close operate integrally while supporting the gripping surfaces so that they face in opposite directions. Since the sheet is conveyed and the direction of the gripping surface is integrally reversed by the direction reversing means, an increase in the number of components can be suppressed, and the time required for the process of exchanging the recording medium between the storage rooms can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of an integrated library device according to an embodiment of the present invention in an initial state.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a recording medium gripping means in detail.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the state of conveyance of the recording medium holding means in a stepwise manner.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the state of conveyance of the recording medium holding means in a stepwise manner.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the conveyance state of the recording medium gripping means in a stepwise manner.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the conveyance state of the recording medium holding means in a stepwise manner.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Composite type library device 11 Cartridge 13 Swivel motor 14 Hand base 15 Rotation axis 16 Front storage room group 16 _{1 to} 16 _n , 17 _{1 to} 17 _n Storage room 17 Rear storage room group 18 Swivel base 20 Finger cam 20a Cam surface 21, 22 Recording medium gripping means 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b Finger 23 Finger base 25 Picker motor 26 Finger cam motor 29 Cam roller 31 Tension spring

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A composite library device comprising first and second groups of storage chambers each having a plurality of storage chambers for storing recording media, each of which is opposed to each other, wherein each of the first and second storage chamber groups is individually provided via a common drive member. A pair of recording medium gripping means for gripping or releasing the recording medium by opening and closing operation; and a transporting means for integrally transporting the pair of recording medium gripping means while supporting the pair of recording mediums so that the gripping surfaces face in opposite directions. And a direction reversing means for integrally reversing the orientation of the gripping surfaces of the pair of recording medium gripping means on the transporting means. 2. The composite library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transport means is capable of transporting said recording medium gripping means in XYZ directions. 3. A pair of L-shaped finger members, each of which is disposed at a line symmetrical position with respect to each other and whose intermediate portion is rotatably supported, and wherein the pair of L-shaped finger members is provided. The composite library device according to claim 1, wherein each of the finger-like members grips the recording medium by being urged in a direction in which one ends facing the grip surface approach each other. 4. The driving member is disposed between the pair of recording medium gripping means, and has a first rotation position for pressing the other end of an L-shaped finger member forming one of the recording medium gripping means. A finger that pivots between a second pivoting position that presses the other end of the L-shaped finger member that constitutes the other recording medium gripping means and a third pivoting position that does not press any other end The composite library device according to claim 3, further comprising a cam.