GB2054506A - Magnetic transport mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A transport mechanism 48 for magnetically engaging a work piece 22 and moving the work piece to a work station 28. In an optical memory system, guide members 52, 55 extend from a load/unload station to a laser read/write station. A support member 50 is mounted on the guide members, and preferably one guide member 52 is a lead screw for moving the support member. A magnet 58 and holder 56 extend from the support member whereby the magnet can engage a magnetic strip on the optical memory. The transport mechanism moves the memory to the work station where the memory is received in alignment with a laser beam. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Magnetic transport mechanism This application is related to copending applications 8023883 for "Magnetically Retrievable Optical Memory" filed 22nd July 1980 and A-345905 for "Registration Station for Optical Memory and the Like", assigned to the present assignee.

This invention relates generally to transport mechanisms for moving a work piece between two stations, and more particularly the invention relates to transport means for magnetically engaging a work piece for movement thereof.

A continuing need exists for larger, capacity faster access data storage mediums particularly for archieval storage of data. Magnetic tapes, drums and discs have heretofore been the primary repository for data banks. However, memory physical size, data access time, and security of magnetically recorded data are limitations in such systems.

Optical data recording systems have been introduced which offer permanent data storage in memories having greatly reduced phyical size. In one form an optical memory comprises a support plate such as glass on which a recording medium such as a metal film is formed. An intermediate layer such as plastic or other amorphous material can be provided therebetween to facilitate the recording of data in the film and reduce stresses in the film.

Copending patent application serial number 960,066, filed October 1978, for METHOD AND MEANS FOR RECORDING DATA BY LASER MEANS assigned to the present assignee, describes such a recording medium in which data is recorded and read by laser means. In recording data, a laser beam is focused on the recording film with holes or other disruptions selectively formed in the film by modulating the power of the laser. In reading the stored data, a lower power laser beam scans the surface of the recording film and reflected light is detected. The stored data is determined by the amount of reflected light.

Typically, the plates are rectangularly shaped having sides measuring several inches in length. A hole in the film for designating a "bit' of data may measure 0.5 to 1.0 micron in diameter. Thus, data densities of up to 109 bits per square inch can be realized. In recording and reading data, the plates must be transported to a work station and accurately aligned in registration with the laser system. Heretofore, this has been accomplished manually.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is transport means for moving a work piece between a load/unload station and a work station.

Another object of the invention is means for magnetically engaging a work piece and transporting said work piece.

Afeature of the invention is support means movably mounted on at least one guide member extending between a load/unload station and a work station with a magnetic member mounted to holder means extending from the support means.

In one application, planar optical memories may be provided at a load/unload station in a stacked array with laser read/write means provided at a work station. The transport means moves an optical memory between the stacked array and registration means at the work station for read/write operations.

The invention and objects and features thereof will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims when taken with the drawings.

In the drawings, Figure lisa perspective view of a magnetically retrievable optical memory.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical memory of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective of one system for retrieving and registering an optical memory and including transport means in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the transport means in the system of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a top view of the registration means of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the registration means of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the registration means of Figure 6 with an optical memory positioned therein.

Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of magnetically retrievable optical memories which are used in the system illustrated in Figure 3 which includes registration means in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the memory includes a planar member 10 which may comprise a plate of glass and a recording film supported on a major surface of the plate. As previously described, data is recorded by scanning the recording film with a laser beam with surface disruptions formed by selectively modulating the laser beam representing the recorded data. In reading the data, a lower power laser beam scans a recording film with reflected light being indicative of the recorded data.Attached to one edge of plate 10 is a body of magnetic material 12, which as seen in the exploded perspective view of Figure 2, may be shaped to clip to the edge of plate 10. The material may comprise rolled shim steel or other suitable magnetic material which can also provide abrasion protection for the edge of the glass plate 10. A suitable epoxy can be applied to ensure adherence of the magnetic strip 12 to the plate 10. By use of the magnetic strip 12, the memory can be magnetically retrieved and transported to a registration station for read and write operations.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a system for magnetically retrieving an optical memory as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and the system includes transport means in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated system a storage cabinet 20 contains a plurality of plates 22 which may be slidably stored on rails within the cabinet 20. Suitable drive means such as lead screws 24 move cabinet 20 vertically whereby any one of the plates 20 can be placed in alignment with a horizontal surface 26. At the end of surface 26 opposite cabinet 20 is a work station shown generally at 28 which receives and registers the memory plates in proper alignment for a read or record operation with suitable laser means (not shown).

As shown in Figure 3 and in Figures 5-7, the alignment station 28 includes two guide members 30 and 32 mounted by a suitable bracket and fasteners on opposite sides of a rectangular support plate 34 having a centrally disposed aperture 36. At one end of the support member 34 are a plurality of posts 38, 40, and 42 for receiving and aligning a plate in proper registration with the laser. Mounted in the surface of plate 34 between posts 38 and 40 are a pair of magnets 44 and 46.

As shown in Figure 3, a transport mechanism 48 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a support 50 which is mounted on and driven by a lead screw 52 and motor 54. Support 50 also mounted on guide rod 55. Holder means 56 extends from support 50 and retains a magnet 58 mounted on one end thereof. Magnet 58 is of suitable dimensions to pass between posts 38 and 40 on support member 34 of the work station 28.

In operation, cabinet 20 is moved vertically whereby a desired memory plate is in alignment with the surface 26, and transport 48 is moved laterally until magnet 58 engages a magnetic strip 12 of the aligned memory plate. The transport is then moved laterally away from cabinet 20 pulling the memory plate across surface 26 into engagement with work station 28 with the guides 30 and 32 aligning the plate in the work station, as shown in Figure 7. Posts 38 and 40 receive the strip 23 whereupon magnet 58 is disengaged from the strip 23 as the transport continues moving away from work station 28. As shown in Figure 7, cam 31 on guide bracket 30 urges one edge of plate 10 into engagement with post 42 while the magnetic strip 12 engages the posts 38 and 40. Magnets 44 and 46 abut the magnetic strip 12 and maintain the memory plate in proper registration in the work station 28.Upon completion of a read or record operation on the memory plate, transport 48 moves the plate back into storage cabinet 20. Suitable latch means can be provided in the cabinet to retain the returned plate.

Thus, from the above illustrative embodiment it is seen that transport means in accordance with the present invention can be employed in an optical memory read and record system wherein an optical memory can be automatically retrieved and transported into alignment and registration with a laser beam for a read or record operation. It will be appreciated that the transport means can be employed in other systems which require automatic handling of a work piece.

Thus, while the invention has been described with reference to one specific embodiment and one specific application, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications and applications may occurto those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. Transport means for moving a work piece between a load/unload station and a work station, said work piece including a magnetic portion, comprising: at least one guide member extending between said load/unload station and said work station, support means mounted on said guide member and movable therealong, a magnetic member, holder means attached to said support means and extending therefrom for holding said magnetic member, and drive means for driving said support means along said guide member whereby said magnetic member engages said magnetic poertion of said work piece and thereby transports said work piece.

2. Transport means as defined by Claim 1 wherein said guide member comprises a lead screw and said drive means comprises a motor for turning said lead screw.

3. Transport means as defined by Claim 1 wherein said holder means comprises a bracket with one end of said bracket attched to said support means and the opposite end of said bracket configured to receive said magnetic member.

4. Transport means as defined by Claim 1 wherein said work piece comprises an optical memory and said work station includes laser read/write means.

5. Transport means as defined by Claim 4wherein said holder means comprises a bracket with one end of said bracket attached to said support and the opposite end of said bracket configured to receive said magnetic member.

6. Transport means as defined by Claim 5 wherein said load/unload station comprises a movable stacked array of planar optical memories.

7. Transport means as defined by Claim 5 or 6 wherein said guide member comprises a lead screw and said drive means comprises a motorforturning said lead screw.

8. For use in transport for moving a work piece between a load/unload station and a work station and including a support member mounted on a guide member and movable therealong for moving a work piece between said load/unload station and said work station, means for engaging a work piece comprising a magnetic member and holder means attachable to said support member and extending therefrom for holding said magnetic member, whereby said magnetic member engages a magnetic portion of a work piece.

9. A magnetic transport mechanism substantially as herein before described with reference to as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.