JP2000260096A - Loading device and recording/reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized loading device capable of loading/unloading an information member from both sides of a carrying means, and a recording/ reproducing device capable of loading/unloading the information member from both sides of the carrying means, and/or capable of conquering conventional problem such as the reduction of the recording/reproducing time of the information member. SOLUTION: By providing the carrying means 2D for carrying a disk 1A, loading/unloading driving rollers 2A for loading/unloading the disk 1A to/from the carrying means 2D, follower rollers 2P following the driving force to the loading/unloading driving rollers 2A, a ring means 2J having the diameter larger than the length of the carrying means 1A nearly perpendicular to the loading/ unloading direction of the loading/unloading driving roller 2A, and loading/ unloading turning rollers 2G engaging at the inner periphery of the ring means 2J, when the disk 1A is loaded, e.g. from the direction shown by an arrow on the left side in the figure, the disk 1A can be unloaded in the direction shown by another arrow on the right side in the figure, and also the unloading of the disk 1A is allowed whichever facing the surface of the disk upward or downward by the loading/unloading turning rollers 2G.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a loading device for an information member and a recording / reproducing device for recording, reproducing or erasing information on the information member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an exchangeable medium capable of recording, reproducing or erasing an information signal, a magnetic recording medium such as an audio cassette tape, a video cassette tape, and the like.
There are optical disks such as O, LD, CD, DVD, etc., which can be recorded, reproduced, or erased on the information layer by optical stimulus. In recent years, optical disks have been used actively as large-capacity information storage means. I have. Further, with the spread of multimedia, the amount of information to be handled further increases, so that not only one information member but also a member storage unit called a normal stocker that stores a plurality of information members, and a recording from the member storage unit is performed. There has also been proposed a recording / reproducing apparatus provided with a member selecting / conveying means called a changer for conveying an information member to the reproducing means. Further, for example, LD, DVD-RA
In M, etc., a disc configuration that can use both sides is proposed,
Disks that can handle twice the capacity of one side with a single disk have also been actively used.

For example, FIG. 11 shows an example of a recording / reproducing apparatus for both a cartridge outside the apparatus and a cartridge stored inside a stocker. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a cartridge carrying one disk 1A having an information layer, and reference numeral 3 denotes a stocker for storing a plurality of cartridges 1. 100 is cartridge 1 for stocker 3
Carrying means, carrying means 1 to the recording / reproducing means 4
00 is rotatable by a motor 100C. The motor 100C is fixed to the transport base 100B, and a guide roller 100A pivotally supported by the transport base 100B moves along a rail 7A fixed to the housing 7. 100, guide roller 100A, transport base 100B, and rail 7
A constitutes a changer unit, and a rotation mechanism unit in a case where the cartridge 1 is compatible with both sides by the holding means 100 and the motor 100C. Also, 101 is a mail slot,
The cartridge 1 outside the housing 7 of the apparatus can be inserted into and removed from the housing 7 through the insertion port 6. Recording / reproducing means 4
Is a normal recording / reproducing means including a motor 4A for rotating and driving the disk 1A inside the cartridge 1, and a head 4B for recording or reproducing information on an information layer provided on the disk 1A.

In FIG. 11, when recording / reproducing a cartridge 1 stored in a stocker 3 inside a housing 7, a changer conveys a carrier 100 to a position where a predetermined cartridge 1 is stored based on an external command. Then, the power of the motor 2C is transmitted to the driving roller 2A via the gear 2B, the predetermined roller 1 is inserted into the carrier 100 by the driving roller 2A and the driven roller 2P, and the changer transports the cartridge 1 to the tray of the recording / reproducing means 4. , The rotation of the motor 2C is rotated in the opposite direction to the insertion of the cartridge 1,
Is mounted on the recording / reproducing means 4 to perform recording / reproducing. When the cartridge 1 has a double-sided configuration and performs recording / reproduction on the back surface, the motor 100C rotates 180 degrees with the holding means 100 carrying the cartridge 1 and the recording / reproduction means 4
Recording and reproduction are performed on the back surface of the disk 1A by the head 4B.

Next, when recording / reproducing the cartridge 1 from the outside of the housing 7 through the insertion slot 6, the cartridge 1 is inserted into the mail slot 101 and the mail slot 1 is inserted.
The cartridge 1 is moved to the side opposite to the insertion port 6 of the cartridge 01,
The carrying means 100 pulls in the cartridge 1 moved by the mail slot 101, places the cartridge 1 on the motor 4 A of the recording / reproducing means 4 via the carrying means 100, and performs recording / reproducing.

Further, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-249782, a method of performing automatic double-sided recording / reproduction by rotating a disk is known.

[0007]

However, FIG.
Since the changer unit (supporting unit 100, guide roller 100A, transport base 100B, and rail 7A) and the rotation mechanism unit (supporting unit 100 and motor 100C) shown in FIG.
It is impossible to insert or remove a disk outside the housing 7 from the opposite side of the stocker 3 by using the storage device 3.
When it is required to carry the insertion / extraction port of 00 from the opposite direction, a mail slot 101 of another mechanism is provided.
Alternatively, since it is necessary to provide a carrier means or the like, the recording / reproducing apparatus is expensive and large.

In the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-249782, the disk is rotated around the recording / reproducing means 4, so that the disk is made larger than the structure shown in FIG. There is a problem that it is difficult to apply.

On the other hand, there is also a demand for shortening the disk transport time and improving the response of the apparatus.

[0010] Further, in order to improve the amount of information handled by one information member, a request to shorten the transition time from one surface to the other surface of a double-sided information member having an information layer on both surfaces of a substrate, and There is a demand for a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing a double-sided information member and a single-sided information member simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a small-sized loading device capable of inserting and removing an information member from both sides of a carrier, and an information member capable of inserting and removing an information member from both sides of a carrier. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of overcoming conventional problems such as shortening of recording / reproducing time.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a loading apparatus comprising: a base material having an information layer capable of recording, reproducing or erasing predetermined information; An insertion / extraction unit that inserts / extracts one of the information members of the cartridge containing the base material into / from the holding unit, and an inner diameter larger than the length of the holding unit that is substantially perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction of the insertion / extraction unit in a plane formed by the information member, It has a structure provided with a ring means in which at least a part of the support means is present, and an insertion / extraction rotation means for rotating the insertion / extraction means along the inner periphery of the ring means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: (1) a base material provided with an information layer capable of recording, reproducing, or erasing predetermined information, or a cartridge containing the base material. An information recording / reproducing means for recording, reproducing or erasing information on any of the information members, an insertion / extraction means for inserting / extracting the information member to / from a carrying means, and a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction of the insertion / extraction means within a plane formed by the information member. A ring means having an inner diameter larger than the length of the carrying means, and at least a part of the carrying means, and an insertion / removal rotating means for rotating the insertion / extraction means along the inner periphery of the ring means. 2) Recording, reproducing or erasing information on a base material provided with an information layer capable of recording, reproducing or erasing at least one of predetermined information or on any information member of a cartridge containing the base material. Information record Recording / reproducing means for inserting / removing the information member from / to the carrier means; and recording / reproducing rotating means for rotating about an axis substantially parallel to an insertion / removal direction for inserting / ejecting the information member from / to the information recording / reproducing means. (3) recording predetermined information, recording information on any information member of a base material provided with an information layer capable of at least one of reproduction or erasure, or a cartridge containing the base material, An information recording / reproducing means for reproducing or erasing; an insertion / extraction means for inserting / extracting the information member into / from a carrier means; an insertion / extraction transport means for changing a relative distance between the insertion / extraction means and the information recording / reproducing means; .

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The loading device of the present invention is provided with a ring means so that an information member can be inserted into and removed from the insertion and removal means from any direction of the surface formed by the ring means. By providing the insertion / removal rotation means that rotates along the circumference, the degree of freedom of the angle of the insertion / extraction means for carrying the information member is increased, and any information layer of the information member having the information layer capable of recording and reproducing on both surfaces is provided. On the other hand, loading can be performed regardless of the installation direction of the information recording / reproducing means for recording, reproducing, or erasing information.

If a pair of engaging portions of the loading means and the ring means of the loading device are provided with a gap equal to or less than the length of the loading means in the insertion / extraction direction of the insertion / extraction means, the insertion / extraction means in the ring means is provided. This is preferable because stability against disturbances in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction is improved.

If the loading / unloading device is provided with an insertion / extraction / transportation device for transporting the information member in at least one direction of a straight line passing on a plane formed by the ring device of any one of the above-mentioned loading devices, the insertion / extraction device is one-dimensional or two-dimensional from the position where the information member is inserted / extracted. Since the information member can be moved specifically, it can be conveyed to, for example, the position of the information recording / reproducing means. In addition, if a means for transporting in a direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the ring means is provided, the carrying means and the insertion / extraction means can be transported three-dimensionally.

According to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention provided with the information recording / reproducing means, the inserting / extracting means and the ring means, as described in the loading apparatus, the information member can be inserted into / extracted from the inserting / extracting means from both sides of the surface formed by the ring means. For example, various types of recording / reproducing apparatuses can be used while achieving miniaturization of the recording / reproducing apparatus. For example, insertion / removal of an information member stored in a medium storage unit and insertion / removal of an information member from outside the apparatus can be performed by a single insertion / extraction unit. It is adaptable to the insertion / extraction direction of the information member, and the insertion / extraction means is provided with insertion / removal turning means that rotates along the inner periphery of the ring means, so that the degree of freedom of the angle when the information member is inserted / extracted by the information member is increased. In addition, recording / reproducing / erasing can be performed without depending on the installation direction of the information recording / reproducing means for recording / reproducing or erasing information on any information layer having an information layer capable of recording / reproducing on both sides.

The above-described loading apparatus is described as providing a pair of engagement portions between the carrying means and the ring means of the upper recording / reproducing apparatus, with a pair of gaps being equal to or less than the length of the carrying means in the insertion / extraction direction of the insertion / extraction means. Thus, the stability of the insertion / extraction means in the ring means is improved, which is preferable.

The recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention comprising the information recording / reproducing means, the inserting / extracting means and the recording / reproducing rotating means can freely record / reproduce information without depending on the information layer surface of the information member inserted / extracted by the inserting / extracting means. For example, when recording / reproducing / erasing on the back side of a double-sided information member having an information layer capable of recording / reproducing / erasing on both sides, the double-sided information member is temporarily removed from the recording / reproducing apparatus. Can be recorded / reproduced / erased on any desired information layer of the two-sided information member without performing operations such as turning the two-sided information member upside down, and placing the desired information layer of the two-sided information member on the information recording / reproducing means. The response at the time of doing can be improved.

When the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is provided with the above-mentioned insertion / removal rotating means and the recording / reproducing rotating means, for example, by rotating at least one of the means, the information layer is provided on only one side of the inserting / removing means. When inserting and removing an information member provided with, for example, the information member can be accurately placed on the information recording / reproducing means in a direction capable of recording / reproducing, or for example, from one surface to the other surface of an information member provided with an information layer on both surfaces. This has the effect of shortening the time for shifting to. In particular, when an information member having an insertion / removal rotation means and a recording / reproduction rotation means and having an information layer on both sides is targeted, the insertion / extraction means is rotated by 90 degrees by the insertion / removal rotation means, and the information recording / reproduction is performed. The means is rotated by 90 degrees in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the insertion / extraction rotation means.
When the information member is rotated by an angle, the transition time from one information layer to the other information layer of the information member can be shortened.

If any of the above recording / reproducing apparatuses is provided with a rotation stopping means, in the case of the insertion / removal rotation stopping means, an insertion / extraction angle for inserting / removing the information member from / to the holding means can be freely selected. When inserting the member, the angle such as vertical or horizontal can be freely selected, it can be matched to the user's preference, and in the case of the recording / reproducing rotation stop means, the installation direction of the information recording / reproducing means can be freely set For example, the installation direction of the recording / reproducing apparatus can be freely selected according to the user's preference. The degree of freedom in both the installation direction of the re-apparatus and the insertion / removal angle of the information member is improved, and the reliability of mounting the information member on the information recording / reproducing means and / or one surface of the information member having an information layer on both surfaces. Reliability when converting from one to the other can be improved Achieve the results.

When the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes the information recording / reproducing means, the insertion / extraction means, the insertion / extraction / transportation means, and the recording / reproduction transporting means, the information recording / reproducing means is provided from the position where the information member is inserted / extracted to the insertion / extraction means to the information recording / reproduction means For example, a desired information member is inserted into the carrier means by the insertion / extraction means from the medium storage means in which a plurality of information members are stored, and is placed on the information recording / reproducing means from the position where the information member is inserted / extracted. This has the effect of shortening the access time required to perform.

When the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes an insertion / extraction rotation unit, a recording / reproduction rotation unit, an insertion / extraction transportation unit, and a recording / reproduction transportation unit,
The reversal time when recording, reproducing, or erasing information signals on both sides of a double-sided information member having an information layer on both sides is reduced, and at the same time, the information recording / reproducing means is loaded from a medium storage unit storing a plurality of double-sided information members. In addition to the double-sided information medium of the medium storing means, the information member can be inserted into and removed from the inserting / extracting means from outside the apparatus in addition to the double-sided information medium of the medium storing means, and two medium storing means are provided via the ring means. An information member can be inserted / extracted from the outside of the configuration and the two medium storage means and the apparatus, and a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording, reproducing, or erasing a huge amount of information can be realized.

The information member applied to any of the recording / reproducing apparatuses is one of a plurality of information members stored in the member storage means.
And one selected from the group consisting of information members to be inserted into and removed from the insertion / extraction means from the opposite side with respect to the insertion / extraction means of the member storage means, and any one of the information members constituting this group is By adopting a configuration of a double-sided information member having an information layer on both sides, the information member can be inserted and removed from both sides of the ring means with respect to one insertion / extraction means, and the information member can be inserted / extracted from outside the medium storage means and the apparatus. A configuration capable of accommodating any of the external information members to be inserted / extracted into the configuration, a configuration capable of accommodating any of the two information members with the medium storage means, a configuration including two medium storage means and capable of accommodating any of the external information members, At the same time, the present invention can be applied even if the information member is a double-sided information member. However, for example, when applied to a recording / reproducing apparatus including only the information recording / reproducing means, the insertion / extraction means, the insertion / removal conveyance means, and the recording / reproduction transportation means, the double-sided information member is an external information member, and the external information member is used as the insertion / extraction means. At the time of insertion, it can be handled by the user selecting the direction of the information layer to be recorded, reproduced or erased.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to a double-sided optical disk (hereinafter, referred to as a disk) having an information layer capable of recording, reproducing or erasing information by optical stimulation as an information member on both sides of a disk-shaped substrate. And a medium storage means (hereinafter referred to as a stocker) storing a plurality of cartridges as an information member and a cartridge storing one or more discs, and inserting and removing a cartridge from the outside of the apparatus. An embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention having a configuration as an example will be described with reference to the drawings. The loading device of the present invention is not limited to an optical disc having an information layer on both sides, but also has an optical disc having an information layer on one side and an information member such as an audio cassette containing a tape-like base material having a magnetic recording layer. It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the types of information members applicable to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, and the insertion / removal from the medium storage means and the outside of the apparatus.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of an embodiment of a loading apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 2
D is a supporting means for supporting the disk 1A, 2A is an insertion / extraction driving roller for inserting / removing the disk 1A into / from the supporting means 2D, 2P is a driven roller which follows the driving force of the insertion / extraction driving roller 2A, 2P
J is a ring means having an inner diameter larger than the length of the support means 1A which is substantially perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction of the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A. In the configuration shown in FIG.
An urging force enough to hold the disk 1A is applied between the and the holding means 2D by a not-shown insertion / ejection urging means.

2G is an engaging portion between the holding means 2D and the ring means 2J.
D is an insertion / removal rotation roller that rotates along the inner periphery of the ring means 2J, and is installed in a straight line direction (in FIG. 1, a direction orthogonal to the main surface of the support means 2D) passing on a plane formed by the ring means 2J. The ring means 2J, the support means 2D, and the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A are transported along the rail 7A of the insertion / extraction transport guide.

When the disc 1A is inserted, for example, in the direction of the arrow (a), one end of the disc 1A is gripped by the urging force between the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A and the driven roller 2P on the (a) side, and the insertion / removal drive (not shown) is performed. The disk 1A is carried by the carrying means 2D by the rotation of the insertion drive roller 2A by the source. When the disk 1A carried by the carrying means 2D rotates the rotation of the pair of insertion / extraction drive rollers 2A in the opposite direction to the insertion, the ejection direction becomes
If it turns to the (a) side and rotates in the same direction as the insertion, the discharge direction can also be to the (b) side. Similarly, the disc 1A can be inserted from the arrow (b) side, and the ejection direction can be freely selected from either the (a) side or the (b) side.

Therefore, by using the above-described function of the loading device, for example, an information member can be inserted from one side of the insertion / extraction means and can be conveyed to the other in a direction perpendicular to or parallel to the main surface of the carrying means. When the member storing means is disposed, the information member can be stored in the member storing means, and a predetermined information member can be discharged from the member storing means in the above configuration, and the direction perpendicular to the main surface of the supporting means via the inserting and removing means. Or, by arranging a pair of member storage means that can be transported in a parallel direction or the like, the information members can be exchanged between the member storage means, the information member is inserted from one side of the loading device via an insertion port, and the other side. With the member storage means, the information member can be taken in and out between the member storage means and the insertion port,
A member storage means capable of carrying the information member in a direction perpendicular to or parallel to the main surface of the holding means is disposed on a side where the information member is inserted into or removed from the insertion means, and predetermined information is recorded / reproduced on the other side of the insertion / extraction means. -If an information recording / reproducing means that can be erased is provided, the information recording / reproducing means can perform the recording / reproducing operation of the information member of the member storage means or the information medium inserted into / removed from the insertion / removal means, and the information member recorded / reproduced alone is discharged. Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to various configurations in which any of the discharges can be freely selected in the member storage means.

Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A and the supporting means 2D and the driven roller 2P are separately provided, a configuration in which only the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A is provided in the support means 2D may be the same as that shown in FIG. Even in a configuration in which the insertion / extraction driving roller 2A is provided and the auxiliary means having the same area as the supporting means 2D is provided with the driven roller 2P, or the arrangement of the supporting means 2D provided with the insertion / extraction roller 2A and the auxiliary means provided with the driven roller 2P is reversed. Any of the above configurations can be applied. Further, although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the driven roller 2P protrudes from the surface of the carrying means 2D, the driven roller 2P may be arranged so as to be substantially flush with the surface of the carrying means 2D.

In order to achieve only the function of inserting and removing the disk 1A from both sides of the ring means 2J, the holding means 2
The engagement between the D and the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A or the like and the ring means 2J does not require the application of the insertion / extraction rotation roller 2G whose engagement portion rotates, and in this case, the engagement can be performed by the fixed portion.

The loading device shown in FIG. 1 has an insertion / removal rotation function for rotating the insertion / removal means along the inner periphery of the ring means, and an insertion / removal / conveyance function for transporting the ring means and the carrying means, in addition to the above-described structure. And Next, these two functions will be described.

The insertion / extraction rotation function will be described. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the engagement portion between the ring means 2J and the support means 2D is the insertion / removal rotation roller 2G.
The driving force from an unillustrated insertion / removal rotation drive source is transmitted to G, and the carrying means 2D, the driven roller 2P, and the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A (of course, the unillustrated insertion / extraction drive (Including a dynamic drive source) rotates by a predetermined angle.

With this insertion / extraction rotation function, for example, the direction of the information layer of the disk 1A carried on the carrying means 2D can be freely rotated, and the insertion or ejection of the (a) and (b) sides can be performed. Can be inserted and ejected even when the angle of the disc 1A is different, and in the case of a recording member having information layers on both sides as in the disc 1A of this embodiment, the front and back of the disc 1A inserted into the insertion drive roller 2A and the carrying means 2D. There is an effect that it is not necessary to pay attention to

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, since the driven roller 2P and the insertion / removal driving roller 2A press the disk 1A with a predetermined urging force, the holding means 2D for the disk 1A is rotated even when the disk 1A is rotated. No misalignment occurs in the inside, but other measures for preventing misalignment include, for example, the holding means 2D
A structure in which an insertion / removal drive roller 2A is provided in substantially the same area as that of the auxiliary means facing the support means 2D via the disk 1A, and is substantially flush with the support means. A configuration such as a configuration provided for 2D can be applied.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the inner peripheral surface of the ring means 2J has a convex shape, and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A engaged with the inner peripheral surface has a concave shape. This has the effect of suppressing the displacement of the holding means 2D with respect to the direction of rotation.
The inner peripheral surface of J may be concave and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion / extraction drive roller 2D may be convex, and the inclination of the convex and concave portions can be freely selected.
Further, even if both surfaces are flat, the intention of the insertion / extraction rotation of the present invention can be achieved.

The mechanism for transmitting the insertion / extraction driving force to the disk 1A is not limited to a pair of rollers. For example, instead of the driven roller 2P, a substantially flat member made of, for example, a fluororesin or polyacetal having lubricity, for example, Instead of the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A, a belt, for example, the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A or the driven roller 2P can be applied to various configurations such as division on a surface substantially orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction.

Next, the insertion and removal conveyance will be described. Ring means 2J, carrier means 2D, and insertion / extraction drive roller 2A (naturally includes driven roller 2P, insertion / extraction rotation roller 2G, and insertion / extraction drive source (not shown), insertion / extraction rotation drive source, and insertion / extraction transport drive source)
Transmits a driving force from a not-shown insertion / removal conveyance drive source to the rail 7A via the insertion / removal conveyance roller 2L, and conveys the carrier 2D and the insertion / removal drive roller 2A.

With the insertion / extraction transport function, the holding means 2
D in the direction of the rail 7A (in the present embodiment, the disk 1A passes through the plane formed by the ring 2J,
(A direction substantially perpendicular to the main surface of D), the information member can be inserted into the carrier means from one side of the insertion / extraction means and conveyed to a predetermined position by the insertion / extraction conveyance means, for example. The information member can be freely ejected from the carrier means on either side of the rear insertion / extraction means. The insertion and ejection operation is performed by inserting a specific information member from one member storage means and inserting the information into another member storage means. It is possible to exchange information members such as ejecting a member, ejecting a specific information member from one member storage unit, inserting a specific information member and discharging to one member storage unit, and recording information in one of the insertion / extraction units. With re-means,
It is possible to provide a loading device that has effects such as recording, reproducing, or erasing (hereinafter, referred to as recording / reproducing) a specific information member as well as simply replacing the information member.

The ring means of the loading device is a ring means having an inner diameter larger than the outer dimension of the support means. However, in order to achieve the function of only the loading device which can be inserted and removed from any direction of insertion and removal of the insertion and removal means. It is not limited to a substantially circular ring means, for example, the main surface of the carrying means facing the surface on which the information member is placed on the carrying means is supported by a rod-shaped member, or the surface on which the carrying means and the insertion / extraction means engage This does not exclude a configuration in which the support means and the insertion / extraction means are included in the insertion / extraction support means such as a frame or a plate having at least a pair of parallel surfaces opposed to each other, and may hinder the insertion / extraction of the information member in the insertion / extraction direction. Any configuration can be applied as long as there is no member.

In the above-described embodiment, one ring means 2J is provided, and the engagement between the ring means 2J and the holding means 2D is performed by inserting and removing the ring means 2J on both sides of the holding means 2D on the inner periphery of the ring means 2J. Although the configuration in which the roller 2A is engaged has been described, the number or form of the ring means and / or the engaging portion between the ring means and the support means is not limited to the form shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the insertion / extraction roller 2 </ b> A is adjusted by the insertion / extraction
The auxiliary means 2E having the auxiliary roller 2P and the supporting means 2D having the auxiliary roller 2P are pressed against the main surface of the auxiliary means 2E facing the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A and the main surface of the supporting means 2D facing the auxiliary roller 2P. , Carrying means 2 in the direction of insertion and removal
D, the pair of insertion / extraction engagement members 2N is fixed to each of the auxiliary means 2E and the support means 2D within the length of D.
Is provided with an insertion / extraction rotation roller 2G at each of the other ends thereof, and the insertion / extraction engagement member 2N and the side surface of the ring means 2J are engaged with the insertion / extraction rotation roller 2G, for example, the insertion / extraction rotation roller 2G.
In the form of engagement with the outer periphery of the ring means 2J, for example, a form in which the fixing of the holding means 2D and the insertion / extraction engagement member 2N is made to be a side surface of the holding means 2D, for example, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a pair of ring means 2J is provided through a distance equal to or less than the length of 2D, and such a configuration is adopted. For example, disturbance such as a disturbance in a direction substantially orthogonal to the main surface of the support means can be adopted. The influence on the vibration can be suppressed. In order to suppress the above-described vibration in the configuration of FIG. 1, the width of the insertion / removal rotation roller 2G and the ring means 2J in the insertion / removal direction is increased, or the width of the ring means 2J in the insertion / removal direction is increased and the inner circumference is increased. This can be achieved to some extent by increasing the number of insertion / removal rotation rollers 2G engaged in the direction of insertion / extraction. In addition, in FIGS. 1 to 3, when it is not necessary to provide the insertion / extraction rotation function, it is needless to say that the insertion / removal rotation function may be fixed to the ring means 2J.

In the above-described configuration in which the rod-shaped member is supported, insertion and removal of the rod-shaped member can be performed by transporting the rod-shaped member itself. By transporting the support means itself, a function of insertion and removal transport can be added. However, when the information member is supported by the rod-shaped member, the information member cannot rotate around an axis parallel to the information layer. In the configuration in which the information member is supported by the insertion / extraction support means, a pair of parallel support means (and the insertion / extraction means) and the insertion / extraction support means are provided. The rotation of the insertion / extraction means at a predetermined angle can be achieved by rotating about the engagement means that engages with the surface, but when the information member is a cartridge, for example, by rotating it by 180 degrees, the insertion and ejection of the opening of the cartridge and the like can be achieved. Considering that the direction is reversed, a substantially circular ring means is preferable.

Further, FIG. 1 shows an example of a double-sided optical disk having information layers on both sides. However, the information layer may be only one side, or the optical disk may be housed in a cassette. A magnetic recording layer other than the optical recording layer may be used, and the base material may be in a tape shape, for example, as long as it is stored in a cassette, and the form of the information member is appropriately selected and used.

(Embodiment 2) Next, an embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described. 3 and 4 are side views of an embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view seen from the right side of FIG.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a cartridge capable of storing one disk 1A having information layers on both sides capable of recording, reproducing, and erasing information.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a loading device. The loading device 2 includes an insertion / extraction unit, an insertion / extraction rotation unit, and an insertion / extraction transport unit.

Reference numeral 2A denotes an insertion drive roller, which is a driven roller 2P.
A desired urging force is applied to the cartridge 1 by an urging means (not shown), and the driving force of the insertion / extraction drive motor 2C is transmitted through the insertion / extraction drive gear 2B to insert the cartridge 1 in the X direction. I do. 2D is a supporting means provided with a driven roller 2P so that the outer circumference is substantially flush, and 2E is an auxiliary means provided with an insertion / extraction drive roller 2A such that the outer circumference is substantially flush. The gear 2B and the driven roller 2P are axially mounted, and serve as a base to which the insertion / extraction drive motor 2C and the large-diameter gear 2F are fixed. That is, the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A, the insertion / extraction drive gear 2B, the insertion / extraction drive motor 2C, the support means 2D, the auxiliary means 2E, and the driven roller 2P constitute the insertion / extraction means.

Reference numeral 2J denotes a ring means which has a circular plate shape and has a rail shape having an inverted V-shaped cross section at the inner diameter, and is provided in a pair with a gap within the length in the insertion and removal direction of the support means 2D. The large-diameter gear 2F is rotatable with respect to the ring means 2J by the engagement of eight insertion / removal rotation rollers 2G, which are pivotally mounted on the large-diameter gear 2F, on the rail. A rotation drive motor 2i is fixed to the ring means 2J, and an engagement gear 2H for transmitting the power is axially mounted. The engagement gear 2H is engaged with the large diameter gear 2F to rotate the large diameter gear 2F. That is,
The large-diameter gear 2F, the insertion / extraction rotation roller 2G, the engagement gear 2H, the rotation drive motor 2i, and the ring means 2J constitute the insertion / extraction rotation means.

The ring means 2J has eight insertion / extraction / conveyance guide rollers 2K axially mounted thereon, and four insertion / extraction / conveyance rails 7A and an insertion / extraction / conveyance rack 7 having an inverted V-shaped cross-section formed in the housing 7.
The ring means 2J is configured to be transportable along B. Further, an insertion / extraction transport motor 2M is fixed to the ring means 2J, and an insertion / extraction transport roller (in this embodiment, a gear) 2L for transmitting the power is axially mounted.
The ring means 2J is configured to be able to be conveyed by engaging with the insertion / removal conveyance rack 7B fixed to the housing 7, that is, the insertion / removal conveyance guide roller 2K, the insertion / removal conveyance roller 2L,
The insertion / extraction transport motor 2M, the insertion / extraction transport rail 7A, and the insertion / extraction transport rack 7B constitute an insertion / extraction transport unit.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a stocker of member storage means, which can evacuate and store a plurality of cartridges 1 and can transfer the cartridges 1 to and from the loading device 2.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a recording / reproducing means rotating section, which is a medium rotating motor 4A for rotating the disk 1A in the cartridge 1,
Head 4B capable of reading and writing signals to disk 1A
Normal information recording / reproducing means 4 including: a recording / reproducing means base 5A and a recording / reproducing rotation base 5 fixed integrally with the information recording / reproducing means 4
D. Eight recording / reproducing rotation guide rollers 5B are axially mounted on the recording / reproducing means base 5A.
Is rotatable along two rail shapes having the same inverted V-shaped cross section as the ring means 2J. Recording play rotation base 5D
A recording / reproducing rotation motor 5F is fixed to the recording medium, and a recording / reproducing rotation engaging gear 5E for transmitting its power is mounted on the shaft. The recording / reproducing rotation engaging gear 5E is formed on a recording / reproducing means base 5A. The recording / reproducing means base 5A is rotatable with respect to the recording / reproducing rotation base 5D by engaging with the gear-shaped portion 5C. That is, the recording / reproducing means base 5A, the recording / reproducing rotation guide roller 5B, the gear shape portion 5C, the recording / reproducing rotation base 5D, the recording / reproducing rotation engaging gear 5E,
The recording / reproducing rotation motor 5F constitutes the recording / reproducing rotating unit 5.
The information recording / reproducing means 4 is arranged at a position where the cartridge 1 can be transferred to and from the loading device 2.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a cartridge insertion port, which is formed in the housing 7 and is a hole through which the cartridge 1 can be transferred between the outside of the housing and the loading device 2.

Numeral 8 denotes a recording / reproducing transport unit in which the recording / reproducing rotation base 5D and the stocker 3 are fixed. Reference numeral 8A denotes a recording / reproducing guide roller which is axially attached to the recording / reproducing conveyance section 8 so that the recording / reproducing section 8 can be moved along a recording / reproducing conveyance rail 7C fixed to the housing 7. A recording / reproducing motor 8C and a recording / reproducing engaging gear 8B for transmitting its power are both configured in the recording / reproducing section 8, and the recording / reproducing engaging gear 8B is mounted on a recording / reproducing rack 7D fixed to the housing 7. The engagement allows the recording / reproducing section 8 to move using the recording / reproducing transport motor 8C as power.

FIG. 10 is an operation block diagram of an embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 9 denotes a device control unit that controls the operation of each motor, controls the head 4B, and performs signal processing, and transmits and receives signals to and from the higher-level control unit 10 including a user operation unit. It is.

Hereinafter, the operation of one embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. When the cartridge 1 is loaded in the housing 7 and recording / reproduction on both sides is performed, an instruction is issued from the higher-level control means 10 to the apparatus control means 9 so that the cartridge 1 can be inserted. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, when the cartridge 1 is present in the information recording / reproducing means 4 according to an instruction from the apparatus control means 9, the loading device 2 is moved from the information recording / reproducing means 4 to a position where the cartridge 1 can be inserted / removed. Moving. The information recording / reproducing means 4 ejects the cartridge 1,
The insertion / extraction drive motor 2C, the insertion / extraction drive gear 2B, and the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A rotate to move the cartridge 1 to a position where it can be accommodated in the loading device 2.

Next, the driving force is transmitted to the insertion / extraction conveyance rack 7B by rotating the insertion / extraction conveyance motor 2M and the insertion / extraction conveyance roller 2L, and the loading device 2 is moved by the insertion / extraction conveyance means to the position of the stocker 3 where the cartridge 1 can be stored. After the completion of the movement, as shown in FIG. 3, the insertion / extraction drive motor 2C, the insertion / extraction drive gear 2B, and the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A rotate in the opposite direction to the previous direction, and the cartridge 1 is stored in the stocker 3 from the holding means 2D. Alternatively, the loading device 2 is moved to the position of the insertion slot 6 for discharging the cartridge 1 by the insertion / extraction conveyance means (in the case of FIG. 6, the loading position of the information recording / reproducing means 4 and the position of the insertion slot 6 are the same. The movement does not have to be performed), and the insertion / extraction drive motor 2C, the insertion / extraction drive gear 2B, and the insertion / extraction drive roller 2A rotate in the same direction as before,
The cartridge 1 is ejected from the insertion slot 6.

Next, the loading device 2 is moved from the insertion port 6 to a position where the cartridge can be inserted and removed. This is also performed by rotating the insertion / extraction transport motor 2M in a direction opposite to the previous direction. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cartridge 1 is inserted from the insertion slot 6 by the operator of the apparatus, the insertion / extraction drive motor 2C rotates and moves the cartridge 1 to the position where it can be accommodated in the loading device 2 as described above. Let it. In the case of this embodiment, the insertion port 6
Information recording / reproducing means 4 capable of loading cartridge 1 and loading
, The insertion / extraction drive motor 2C further rotates, and as shown in FIG.
Is inserted into the information recording / reproducing means 4, the information recording / reproducing means 4 loads the cartridge 1, rotates the medium rotating motor 4A, and records or reproduces information with the disk 1A.

Next, when performing recording / reproduction on the reverse side of the cartridge 1, the cartridge 1 is temporarily stored in the loading device 2 as described above. Thereafter, when the rotation drive motor 2i and the engagement gear 2H are rotated, the driving force is transmitted to the large-diameter gear 2F, and the cartridge 1 is rotated 90 degrees along the rail of the ring means 2J by the rotation of the insertion / removal rotation roller 2G. . At substantially the same time as this operation, the recording / reproducing rotation motor 5F and the recording / reproducing rotation engaging gear 5E are rotated, and the recording / reproducing means base 5A is moved along the rail of the recording / reproducing rotation base 5D. Rotates the information recording / reproducing means 90 by 90 degrees in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the cartridge 1 (FIG. 7).

Next, the insertion drive motor 2C is rotated, and the cartridge 1 is inserted into the information recording / reproducing means 4 as described above. Thereafter, the information recording / reproducing means 4 loads the cartridge 1, and the information recording / reproduction can be performed on the opposite surface of the cartridge 1 as described above.

The removal of the cartridge 1 from the outside is possible only by changing the contents of the instruction from the higher-level control means 10 and the order of the instructions by the apparatus control means 9, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of loading the cartridge 1 stored in the stocker 3 into the information recording / reproducing means 4 and recording / reproducing will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge 1 is moved from the stocker 3 to the loading device 2 by the means described above.

The loading device 2 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. At about the same time,
When the recording / reproducing transport motor 8C and the recording / reproducing transport engaging gear 8B are rotated, the recording / reproducing transport engaging gear 8B is engaged with the recording / reproducing transport rack 7D. It can be moved in the direction guided by the re-transport rail 7C. Thus, the information recording / reproducing means 4 is also moved from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. As a result, the loading device 2 can insert and remove the information recording / reproducing means 4 and the cartridge 1 and perform recording / reproduction. The loading and recording / reproducing of the cartridge 1 into the information recording / reproducing means 4 can be performed in the order already described, so that the details are omitted.

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the insertion slot 6 is horizontal with respect to the installation direction of the information recording / reproducing means 4 as shown in FIG. 9 (I). When the installation direction of the information recording / reproducing means 4 is changed as described above (the installation direction of the housing 7 is also changed in accordance with the change of the installation direction of the information recording / reproducing means 4), the load direction of the information recording / reproducing means 4 is changed. It will be vertical.
However, as shown in FIG. 3 (III), the housing 7 is provided with an insertion slot 6a in which the insertion slot is rotated by 90 degrees, and an instruction from the higher-level control unit 10 or the device control unit 9 is transmitted by the loading device 2 to the outside of the housing 7. When the cartridge 1 is inserted or removed, the angle of the large-diameter gear 2F can be changed by 90 degrees to make the information recording / reproducing means 4 horizontal with respect to the loading direction.

As described above, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, the carrying means and the inserting / extracting means are embedded in the ring means having a diameter larger than the length substantially orthogonal to the information member inserting / extracting direction on the main surface of the carrying means. Equipped with a loading device
The information member can be inserted and removed from both sides substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the ring means with a simple configuration including the ring means, the carrying means, and the insertion / extraction means.
It is possible to provide a small recording / reproducing apparatus having a high degree of freedom in selecting the insertion / removal direction of the information member between persons, and to provide a small recording / reproducing apparatus having a high degree of freedom in selecting the insertion / removal direction of the information member. Since it can be rotated, it can be inserted and removed without paying attention to the direction of the information layer even with a double-sided information member having information layers on both main surfaces of the base material. Since it has, the inversion angle at the time of inversion of the information layer of the double-sided information member can be made from 180 degrees to 90 degrees,
The reversal time can be shortened, and the insertion / extraction transporting means and the recording / reproducing transporting means are provided, so that the moving distance from the insertion / extraction position of the information member to the loading position of the information recording / reproducing means can be reduced,
There is an effect that the time from insertion / extraction of the information member to recording / reproduction can be shortened.

Further, as shown in, for example, FIGS. 9 (I) to 9 (III), when the function of turning the insertion opening and stopping at a predetermined angle is provided, the insertion / extraction angle of the insertion / extraction means according to the direction of the insertion opening is provided. Can be set, and the insertion / ejection angle of the information member can be set according to the user's preference, and by changing the angle between the insertion port and the insertion / extraction means relatively, the information member can be moved from the insertion port to the insertion / extraction means. The effect of shortening the time for insertion / ejection is also provided, and the provision of the recording / reproducing rotation means also provides the effect of freely setting the installation direction of the housing of the recording / reproducing device. Note that the angle of the insertion port is not limited to be substantially parallel to the direction of the external direction of the housing, but may be oblique as shown in FIG. 9 (IV).

In the second embodiment, an example in which the insertion / removal rotation means and the recording / reproduction rotation means are provided has been described. However, either the insertion / extraction means or the information recording / reproduction means is provided with a rotation means. Even if it does, only the recording / reproducing time of the information layer is longer than that of the second embodiment, and it is possible to cope with the recording / reproducing of the information member having the information layers on both sides.

In the second embodiment, an example in which the insertion / extraction transport means and the recording / reproducing means are provided has been described. However, a configuration in which either the insertion / extraction means or the information recording / reproducing means is provided with a transport means may be employed. However, compared to the second embodiment, only the time from the insertion / extraction position of the information member to the loading position of the information recording / reproducing means is longer, and the insertion / extraction position of the insertion / extraction means is different from the loading position of the information recording / reproducing means. The information member inserted / extracted by the insertion / extraction means can be recorded / reproduced by the information recording / reproduction means.

In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the information recording / reproducing means and the member storage means (stocker) are conveyed integrally has been described. However, if at least the information recording / reproducing means conveys, the information inserted / extracted by the insertion / extraction means is described. The member can be transported to the position where the member is loaded by the information recording / reproducing means. For example, in a configuration in which the installation surface of the information recording / reproducing means and the installation surface of the medium storing means are symmetrical with respect to the insertion / extraction means, the configuration includes separate transportation means. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the information recording / reproducing means and the medium storing means are simultaneously transported in the same direction.

In the second embodiment, the engaging portion between the carrying means and the inserting / extracting means and the ring means is the inner peripheral surface of the ring means.
As described for the loading device, either the side surface or the outer peripheral surface of the ring means may be used. In addition, although an example in which an insertion / extraction drive roller is provided in an engagement portion between the carrying means and the insertion / extraction means and the ring means is taken as an example, if there is no need to have an insertion / extraction rotation function, the engagement with the ring means is performed. What is necessary is just to fix an engagement part.

Further, in the second embodiment, the case where a pair of ring means is provided has been described. However, the number and shape of the ring means can be of course applied to the various structures described in the loading device.

Further, the information member applicable to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention can be appropriately selected according to the recording / reproducing function of the information recording / reproducing means, and is not limited to the form described in the second embodiment. However, in a configuration in which the recording / reproducing device is provided with the insertion / removal rotation unit and / or the recording / reproduction rotation unit, it is preferable that at least one of the applied information media has an information layer on both surfaces. In the second embodiment, the case of the cartridge is described. However, as described in the loading device, an information member that is not stored in the cartridge can be applied. In the second embodiment, the configuration including one member storage member and one insertion port has been described. However, the number of member storage units and the number of insertion ports are not limited thereto, and any one of the member storage units and the insertion port may be provided. If it is, a recording / reproducing apparatus can be formed.

[0073]

As described above, according to the loading device of the present invention, since the information member can be inserted and removed from both sides of the surface formed by the ring means, the degree of freedom of insertion and removal and discharge of the information member is smaller than in the prior art. In addition to the insertion and removal rotation means, the information member having an information layer on both sides can be inverted, so that there is no need to pay attention to the front and back of the information member at the time of insertion and removal, and the loading can be performed. It can be flipped in the desired orientation in the device.

According to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, since the information member can be inserted / removed from any side in the insertion / removal direction, the loading / unloading position of the information recording / reproducing means, the position of the insertion slot, or the medium storage means can be inserted / extracted by the insertion / extraction means. The information member can be freely inserted and ejected if any one of the positions is matched, especially when the information member is inserted / extracted from both sides in the insertion / extraction direction and the information recording / reproducing means is provided in at least one of the insertion / extraction directions. Thus, the recording / reproducing apparatus can be downsized. Further, since the insertion / removal rotation means is provided, there is an effect that recording and reproduction can be performed on a desired information layer of an information member having an information layer on both the front surface and the back surface.

Further, when the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is provided with the recording / reproducing rotation means, reverse recording / reproduction between the front and back surfaces of the information member having the information layer on both sides can be performed, and the insertion / removal rotating means and the recording / reproducing rotation means can be performed. Providing both moving means has the effect of shortening the reversal time between the front and back surfaces.

Furthermore, if at least one of an insertion / extraction / transportation means for transporting the insertion / extraction means in at least one-dimensional direction and a recording / reproduction transportation means for transporting the information recording / reproduction means is provided, the insertion / extraction position of the information member and the information recording / reproduction means If the loading position is different from the loading position of the information medium, it is possible to reduce the time required from the time of insertion / extraction of the information medium to the time of loading by the information recording / reproducing means by providing both the insertion / removal conveyance means and the recording / reproduction conveyance means. It works.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a loading device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the loading device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the operation of the mechanism in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the operation of the mechanism in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation of the mechanism in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the operation of the mechanism in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a cartridge insertion operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an operation block diagram in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a conventional double-sided optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cartridge 1A Disk 2 Loading device 2A Insertion / extraction drive roller 2B Insertion / extraction drive gear 2C Insertion / extraction drive motor 2D Carrier 2G Insertion / extraction rotation roller 2i Rotation drive motor 2J Ring means 2K Insertion / extraction conveyance guide roller 2L Insertion / extraction conveyance roller 2M Insertion / extraction conveyance motor 2P Roller 3 Stocker 4 Information recording / reproducing means 5 Recording / reproducing means rotating section 5B Recording / reproducing rotating guide roller 5D Recording / reproducing rotating base 5E Recording / reproducing rotating engaging gear 5F Recording / reproducing rotating motor 6 Insertion opening 7 Housing 7A Insertion / removal Transport rail 7B Insertion / extraction transport rack 7C Recording / reproducing transport rail 7D Recording / reproducing transport rack 8 Recording / reproducing section 8A Recording / reproducing guide roller 8C Recording / reproducing motor

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A base member provided with an information layer capable of recording, reproducing or erasing at least one of predetermined information, or an information member of a cartridge containing the base member is inserted into and removed from a carrier means. An insertion / extraction unit; a ring unit having at least a part of the support unit inside with a larger inner diameter than a length of the support unit that is substantially perpendicular to an insertion / extraction direction of the insertion / extraction unit in a plane formed by the information member; A loading / unloading rotation means for rotating along the inner circumference of the ring means. 2. The loading device according to claim 1, wherein a pair of engagement portions between the support means and the ring means are provided through a gap not more than the length of the support means in the insertion / extraction direction. 3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion / extraction transporting unit that transports the insertion / extraction unit and the ring unit in at least one linear direction among straight lines passing on a plane formed by the ring unit. A loading device according to any one of the above. 4. Recording / reproducing information on / from a base material provided with an information layer capable of recording, reproducing or erasing predetermined information or any information member of a cartridge containing said base material. Or an information recording / reproducing means for erasing, an inserting / extracting means for inserting / extracting the information member into / from the carrying means, and an inner diameter larger than a length of the carrying means which is substantially orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction of the inserting / extracting means in a plane formed by the information member. A recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: a ring unit in which at least a part of the carrying unit is provided; and an insertion / extraction rotation unit configured to rotate the insertion / extraction unit along an inner circumference of the ring unit. 5. A recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a pair of engaging portions between said holding means and said ring means are provided through a gap not more than the length of said holding means in said insertion / removal direction. . 6. Recording / reproducing information on / from a base material provided with an information layer capable of recording, reproducing or erasing predetermined information, or any information member of a cartridge containing the base material. Or an information recording / reproducing means for erasing, an insertion / extraction means for inserting / removing the information member into / from the carrier means, and rotating about an axis substantially parallel to an insertion / removal direction for inserting / ejecting the information member into / from the information recording / reproducing means. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising recording / reproducing rotation means. 7. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising the insertion / removal rotating unit and the previous recording / re-rotating unit. 8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said insertion / extraction rotation means and said pre-recording / re-rotation means includes a rotation stop means for stopping rotation at a predetermined angle.
7. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to any one of 7. 9. Recording / reproducing information on / from a base material provided with an information layer capable of recording, reproducing or erasing at least one of predetermined information, or any information member of a cartridge containing said base material. Or information recording / reproducing means for erasing, inserting / extracting means for inserting / removing the information member into / from the carrying means, insertion / extraction transport means for changing the relative distance between the inserting / extracting means and the information recording / reproducing means, and recording / reproducing means. Recording / playback device characterized by the above-mentioned. 10. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising the insertion / removal rotation unit, the pre-recording / re-rotation unit, the insertion / removal conveyance unit, and the pre-recording / re-conveyance unit. 11. The information member inserted and removed by the insertion / extraction means is one of a plurality of information members stored in a member storage means and the insertion / extraction means from the side opposite to the insertion / extraction means of the member storage means. Is any one selected from the group consisting of information members to be inserted and removed, and any one of the information members constituting the group is a double-sided information member having an information layer on both sides. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein: