JP2000036147A - Recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording and reproducing device which is capable of using a cassette equipped with a reference hole and a reference face for positioning suitable for the improvement of positioning accuracy and which is capable of dealing with cassettes of different thickness. SOLUTION: The device is equipped with a positioning member 13 that has a height determining part 14 for deciding a position in the thickness direction of a cassette 10 case, and that has a planar position determining part 13a for deciding a position in a plane parallel to the lower face of the case. The height determining part 14, when a thick cassette is inserted, comes into contact with the reference face which is provided nearly parallelly to the lower face of the case and separately inward by a prescribed distance and, when a thin cassette is inserted, comes into contact with the lower face of the case; thereby making it possible to deal with cassettes of the same mechanism but of a different thickness.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus using a cassette containing a recording medium, and more particularly to a positioning structure for mounting the cassette on the recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Cassettes containing recording media, for example,
When a tape cassette containing a reel for winding a magnetic tape is mounted on a recording / reproducing apparatus, the reel and the tape cassette case are separately positioned. That is, the reel is positioned by the reel base of the apparatus, and the case of the tape cassette is positioned by the positioning member of the apparatus.

A conventional tape cassette is, for example, an SMPT.
E Journal, March 1986, page 358
As in the case of the D1 or D2 tape cassette described on pages 374 to 374, the surface or hole for positioning the case of the tape cassette may be the outermost surface of the case,
That is, it is generally provided on the lowermost surface. Such a shape is the simplest in structure. Also, since the reference surface or hole can be provided without being affected by the internal structure,
Suitable for thinning cassette cassettes.

[0004]

However, the prior art as described above does not consider the accuracy of the reference surface of the tape cassette, particularly the maintenance of the accuracy. That is, a normal tape cassette is mounted on a recording / reproducing apparatus by a cassette loading mechanism. At this time, the case surface of the tape cassette comes into contact with the cassette loading mechanism and slides. By repeating such operations, the case surface of the tape cassette is easily damaged. Further, the surface of the case is likely to come into contact with foreign matter even when the tape cassette is being transported, and the surface accuracy is likely to deteriorate. If the surface accuracy of the reference surface of the tape cassette is deteriorated, when the tape cassette is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus, the position of the tape cassette with respect to the apparatus becomes inaccurate, and the tape cassette cannot be mounted horizontally. Therefore, the reel rubs against the case inside the tape cassette, or the accuracy of the tape guide inside the tape cassette is deteriorated, and the tape running becomes unstable.

In recent years, VTRs have become widespread as mini-movies and the number of cases used outdoors has been increasing.
In these use environments, not only dust and drip proof measures but also a snake that is not damaged even if the tape cassette is dropped
Duty ones are required. In order to meet such market demands, the above-mentioned prior art has not always been sufficiently considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to eliminate these disadvantages and to maintain a high-precision positioning surface.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus which can use a cassette capable of ensuring the strength of a case and can cope with cassettes having different thicknesses.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a recording medium and a first case for accommodating the recording medium are provided, and the first case has a reference surface parallel to the lower surface and provided inward from the lower surface by a predetermined distance. A second cassette including a first cassette, a recording medium, and a second case that stores the recording medium and has a smaller outer dimension in the thickness direction than the first case. Can be used interchangeably, and a height determining portion that determines a position in the thickness direction of the first and second cases, and a plane positioning portion that determines a position in a plane parallel to the lower surface of the case. And a positioning member having the height determining part, which is in contact with the reference surface when the first cassette is mounted, and on the lower surface of the second case when the second cassette is mounted. Recording / reproducing device characterized by contact . Alternatively, the following configuration is adopted. That is, the recording medium and the first
The first case, the first case has a reference surface parallel to the lower surface and provided inward from the lower surface by a predetermined distance, a recording medium, and a storage medium for storing the recording medium, And a second case having a smaller outer dimension in the thickness direction than the first case. A first cassette having compatibility with a second cassette including the second case is used. A height determining unit for determining a position in the thickness direction;
A positioning member having a planar positioning portion for determining a position in a plane parallel to the lower surface of the case, wherein the height determining portion comes into contact with the reference surface when the first cassette is mounted. Recording and reproducing device. Alternatively, the following configuration is adopted. That is, in a recording / reproducing apparatus using a second cassette compatible with the first cassette, the first cassette includes a recording medium and a first case for storing the recording medium, The first
The case has a reference surface provided in parallel with the lower surface thereof so as to be separated from the lower surface by a predetermined distance inward, and the second cassette stores the recording medium and the recording medium. A second case having a smaller outer dimension in the thickness direction than the first case, and a height determining unit for determining a position of the second case in the thickness direction; A positioning member for determining a position in a plane parallel to the lower surface of the second case, the height determining portion including the second case when the second cassette is mounted. A recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus is in contact with a lower surface of the recording medium.

According to the above configuration, the following operations are provided. That is, the height determining portion can determine the position of the first cassette in the thickness direction by abutting on the reference surface of the first cassette. Further, the height determining portion abuts on the lower surface of the second case, whereby the position in the thickness direction of the second cassette can be determined. Further, the height determining portion abuts on the reference surface when the first cassette is mounted, and abuts on the lower surface of the second case when the second cassette is mounted. It is possible to mount two types of cassettes having different sizes. The first cassette used in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the reference surface for positioning the cassette in the height direction is a surface separated by a predetermined distance from the outermost surface of the case. That is the provision. Another feature is that the reference plane for positioning in the plane of the cassette is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the cassette formed between the outermost surface of the case and a surface separated from the surface by a predetermined amount. It is provided on the surface. The lower surface of the cassette is provided with a plurality of concave portions partially separated from the lower surface by a predetermined amount. Further, at least two positions in the concave portion are provided with holes in a plane forming the concave portion. The positioning member for positioning in the height direction when the cassette is mounted on the apparatus is formed smaller than the size of the concave portion, and the height is determined on the surface of the concave portion. A positioning member for positioning the cassette in a plane fits into a hole provided in the recess. Thus, the positioning of the cassette is performed not on the outermost surface of the case but on the inner surface separated by a predetermined distance. Similarly, on the lower surface of the cassette, a plurality of concave portions are provided at positions away from the lower surface by a predetermined amount.
A surface perpendicular to the lower surface connecting the concave portion and the lower surface is formed in a predetermined shape at at least two places in the concave portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the positioning member inserted into the concave portion and the cassette insertion direction. Fit. As a result, the cassette is positioned in the plane by the vertical surface connecting the concave portion and the lower surface.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a bottom view of one embodiment of a tape cassette as a cassette used in a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. 10 is a tape cassette, 1 is a lower case, 2 is a cover for covering the front surface of the tape cassette 10, 3 is an opening formed by the lower case 1 and the cover 2, and
A tape guide for pulling out the tape during loading is inserted. Reference numeral 4 denotes a supply reel, and reference numeral 5 denotes a take-up reel. The tape is wound in a tape cassette 10 and driven by a reel base through a hole provided in the lower case 1. The department faces the outside. The lower case 1 is provided with reference holes 6 and 7 near the opening 3 thereof. Recesses 8 and 9 are provided at corners opposite to the opening 3 with the reels 4 and 5 interposed therebetween. In this embodiment, the reference holes 6, 7 and the recesses 8, 9 are arranged at positions not overlapping with the hub diameter of the reel, and do not hinder the tape cassette from being thinned.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a section of the reference hole and the concave portion. Various recesses are provided on the lower surface 1a of the lower case 1, and their cross sections are listed in FIG. The reference hole 6 is formed by a two-step recess, and the lower surface 1a
Is provided with a height determining reference surface 6a in the first concave portion from
Further, a recess 6b is provided in the back. The recess 6b has a substantially circular shape. The reference hole 7 is also formed by a two-step concave portion, and the first concave portion from the lower surface 1a has a height determining reference surface 7
a, and a concave portion 7b is further provided in the back.
The recess 7b has a substantially elliptical shape. The concave portion 8 is formed by a one-step concave portion having a height determining reference surface 8a. The recess 9 has a similar shape. The height determining reference planes 6a, 7a, 8a described above.
Are preferably provided at the same height (L2). This is because the height reference plane is the same height and accuracy can be easily ensured.

The state where the tape cassette 10 is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 3 shows a state before mounting, and FIG. 4 shows a state at the time of mounting. A positioning pin 13 and a height determining pin 14 are fixed to the chassis 11. The positioning pin 13 has a stepped shape, and a substantially conical guide portion 13a and a conical positioning portion 13b connected below the guide portion 13a are provided at an upper portion, and a cassette mounting surface 13c is provided at an upper surface at a lower portion. It consists of a cylindrical part provided. The cassette mounting surface 14a is provided at the upper end of the height determining pin 14.
Is provided. When the tape cassette moves in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3, the tape cassette enters the mounting state shown in FIG. Guide part 13
a determines the approximate position of the tape cassette with respect to the chassis following the concave portion 6b, and accurate positioning is performed by fitting the positioning portion 13b and the concave portion 6b. The cassette mounting surface 13c is in contact with the height determining reference surface 6a to determine the height of the tape cassette. Although not shown, similar positioning pins also correspond to the reference holes 7, and together with the reference holes 6, determine the position of the tape cassette in the plane with respect to the chassis. The cassette mounting surface 14a is in contact with the height determining reference surface 8a, and determines the height of the tape cassette with the cassette mounting surface 13c. Further, since the concave portions 8 and 9 shown in the present embodiment can secure a predetermined area, they can be used as, for example, a grip for an autochanger.

Next, another embodiment of a tape cassette as a cassette used in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the tape cassette, and FIG. 6 is a side sectional view thereof. The lower case 21 of the tape cassette 20 is provided with recesses 22 and 23 near the opening 28 thereof. Below the lower case, recesses 24 and 25 are provided at both corners. Further, a reference hole 26 is provided in the recess 24, and a reference hole 27 is provided in the recess 25. The reference hole 26 is substantially circular, and the reference hole 27 is substantially oblong. The positioning pin 13 shown in FIG. 3 described above is inserted into the reference holes 26 and 27, and the height determining pin 14 is engaged with the concave portions 22 and 23. The height determining reference surfaces 22a, 24a and 25a provided in each recess are arranged at the same height (L3) with respect to the lower surface 21a of the lower case 21.

Next, another embodiment of a tape cassette as a cassette used in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is a bottom view of the tape cassette, FIG. 8 is a side view before mounting, and FIG. 9 is a side view when mounting. The lower case 31 of the tape cassette 30 has
3, 34, 35 and 36 are provided. Recesses 33 and 3
4 is provided near the opening 32, and the recesses 35 and 36 are provided at corners opposite to the opening with the reel interposed therebetween. The recess 33 is substantially circular, and the recess 34 is substantially oval. Also recess 3
5 and 36 have a predetermined size. As shown in FIG. 8, a positioning pin 37 and a height determining pin 38 are fixed to the chassis 11. These pins have the same shape with a slight taper at the tip and the same parts can be used. When the tape cassette changes from the state shown in FIG. 8 to the state shown in FIG. 9 in which the tape cassette is mounted on the apparatus, the positioning pins 37 are inserted into the recesses 33 and 34. The inner diameter of the concave portion 33 and the width of the concave portion 34 are substantially equal to the outer diameter of the positioning pin 37, and the tape cassette 30 is positioned. Further, the height determining pin 38 is engaged with the concave portions 35 and 36. According to this embodiment, the positioning pin can be shared and the shape of the tape cassette can be simplified.

Next, an application of this embodiment will be described. FIG.
0 and FIG. 11 show a tape as a cassette described in this embodiment.
1 shows a normal tape cassette thinner than a tape cassette. FIG. 10 shows a state before the tape cassette is mounted on the chassis of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 11 shows a state where the tape cassette is mounted on the chassis. Supply side reel 4
Has a reference hole 41 on the lower surface 44 thereof. The chassis 11 is provided with a positioning pin 42 and a height determining pin 43. The positioning pin 42 fits into the reference hole 41 to determine the position of the tape cassette. The height determining pin 43 supports a predetermined position of the tape cassette and determines the height of the tape cassette. In this case, the reference surface of the height of the tape cassette is the lower surface 44.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 of the present embodiment, the tape cassette 1 thicker than the tape cassette 40 is used.
0 and lower surface 1a and height determining reference surfaces 6a, 7a, 8a
Is the same as the difference in the thickness of the tape cassette, the positioning pins 13 and 42 and the height determining pins 14 and 43 have the same shape and the same height of the tape cassette with respect to the chassis. can do. That is, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to cope with tape cassettes having different thicknesses by the same mechanism. Therefore, a rib or the like for ensuring strength can be provided inside the thick tape cassette.

[0016]

According to the present invention, it is possible to mount a cassette provided with the reference surface for determining the height of the cassette inside the lower surface of the cassette, and it is possible to accommodate cassettes having different thicknesses. It is possible to provide a simple recording and reproducing device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a tape cassette used in a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a concave portion of the tape cassette shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state before the tape cassette shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state where the tape cassette shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the tape cassette used in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a concave portion of the tape cassette shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the tape cassette used in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

8 is a side view showing a state before the tape cassette shown in FIG. 7 is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state where the tape cassette shown in FIG. 7 is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state before a conventional cassette is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state where a conventional cassette is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... lower case 2 ... lid 3 ... opening 4 ... supply side reel 5 ... take-up side reel 6 ... reference hole 7 ... reference hole 8 ... recess 9 ... recess 10 ... te -Tape cassette 13 ... Positioning pin 14 ... Height determining pin 20 ... Tape cassette 21 ... Lower case 22 ... Recess 23 ... Recess 24 ... Recess 25 ... Recess 26 ... Reference hole 27 ... Reference hole 33 ... Recess 34 ... Recess 37 … Positioning pin 38… Height determining pin

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shoji Ono 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Media Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. (72) Inventor Mikihisa Inoue 1-188 Ushitora, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka, Japan

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reference provided with a recording medium and a first case for accommodating the recording medium, wherein the reference is provided on the first case so as to be parallel to the lower surface and to be separated from the lower surface by a predetermined distance inward. A second cassette comprising: a first cassette having a surface; a recording medium; and a second case that houses the recording medium and has a smaller outer dimension in the thickness direction than the first case. And a cassette, which can be used interchangeably, a height determining portion for determining a position in the thickness direction of the first and second cases, and a position in a plane parallel to the lower surface of the case. A positioning member having a planar positioning portion, wherein the height determining portion comes into contact with the reference surface when the first cassette is mounted, and the second case when the second cassette is mounted. Characterized in that it contacts the lower surface of the Raw equipment. 2. A reference medium provided with a recording medium and a first case for accommodating the recording medium, the reference being provided on the first case so as to be parallel to the lower surface and to be separated from the lower surface by a predetermined distance inward. And a second case having a recording medium, and a second case for storing the recording medium and having a smaller outer dimension in the thickness direction than the first case. A height determining unit that determines a position in the thickness direction of the first case, and a plane positioning unit that determines a position in a plane parallel to the lower surface of the first case. A recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: a positioning member having a height, wherein the height determining portion comes into contact with the reference surface when the first cassette is mounted. 3. A second cassette compatible with the first cassette.
In the recording / reproducing apparatus using the cassette, the first cassette includes a recording medium and a first case for accommodating the recording medium. A reference surface provided so as to be spaced inward by a predetermined distance; and the second cassette has a recording medium and the first cassette for storing the recording medium.
A second case having a smaller outer dimension in the thickness direction than that of the second case, wherein a height determining unit that determines a position in the thickness direction of the second case; A positioning member for determining a position in a plane parallel to the lower surface of the case, wherein the height determining portion contacts the lower surface of the second case when the second cassette is mounted. A recording / reproducing device, which is in contact with the recording / reproducing device.