JP2001266522A - Magnetic disk cartridge and its driving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure the strength of a case and to prevent erroneous insertion to a driving device in such a thin small magnetic disk cartridge with large recording capacity that a PC card slot can be loaded together with a driving device. SOLUTION: The case of the cartridge 1 is constituted of a base plate and a pair of cover case covering upper and lower surfaces of the base plate while exposing a corner part of four corners of the base plate. A projecting part projected in a vertical direction from the upper and lower surfaces of the cover case is formed in at least one exposure corner part 27 located in right or left side in an insertion direction to the driving device 60. A broad width part 61a to permit the passage of the projecting part only when the cartridge 1 is inserted in a normal direction is provided in the cartridge loading port 61 of the driving device 60.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thin, large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge in which a disk-shaped magnetic disk medium is accommodated in a flat cartridge case, and a drive unit for the same. The present invention relates to a magnetic disk cartridge provided with means for preventing the occurrence of a magnetic disk and a drive device for the magnetic disk cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetic disk medium (a so-called floppy disk) in which a magnetic layer is provided on both sides of a disk-shaped base made of a flexible polyester sheet or the like and magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer by a magnetic head while being driven to rotate. (Registered trademark). Disk) is provided in a flat case, and is mainly used as a recording medium for a computer because of its advantages such as easy handling and low cost.

Further, the case is provided with a window for inserting a magnetic head through which a magnetic head for magnetic recording and reproduction is brought in and out of one side or both sides of a magnetic disk medium from the outside so as to come into contact with or approach. In order to prevent intrusion of dust and the like during use, a shutter member slidable between an open position for opening the window and a closed position for closing the window is mounted.

By the way, the miniaturization of the computer using the above-mentioned magnetic disk cartridge has progressed, and the notebook type personal computer has become widespread. An external system without a built-in disk drive device is now being sold. The adoption of this external method is excellent in terms of portability of small personal computers.However, for example, there is a problem that a large amount of data cannot be recorded and reproduced because magnetic disk cartridges cannot be used at the carrying destination of small personal computers. This causes a problem that data cannot be recorded on a plurality of magnetic disk cartridges.

[0005] In view of these points, a small personal computer is provided with an external interface and an additional memory for the personal computer.
Some have a PC card slot (compliant with PCMCIA specifications) in which a card is inserted. Therefore, it has been proposed to configure an external storage device using a magnetic disk cartridge using the PC card slot.

A PC that can be inserted into the PC card slot
The specification of the card is PCMCIA type II with a thickness of 5.0 mm. The thickness of the magnetic disk cartridge and the disk drive device is intended to be included in this thickness. It is necessary to make it ultra-thin.

[0007]

By the way, even when the above-described thin magnetic disk cartridge is constructed,
The recording capacity required as a recording medium is large. In order to increase the recording density and secure the maximum recording capacity, it is necessary to rotate the magnetic disk medium at a high speed in order to increase the transfer rate.

The characteristics required as a large-capacity small magnetic disk cartridge include the following.

First, the cartridge case must be strong enough to suppress deformation of the cartridge case during handling such as attachment / detachment operation to the drive device or during transportation, and to ensure operational reliability. The temperature inside the drive increases with high-speed rotation, and the drive must have heat resistance to maintain rigidity and dimensional accuracy. It must be durable so that it is more frequently transported alone without being stored in a special case, so that it will not be deformed or damaged even when a drop impact is applied directly. It must have dust-prevention, dust-prevention, and dust-removal functions to prevent dust, which may cause dropout, from entering from outside, and to prevent dust from being generated inside when subjected to a drop impact. Although component parts are downsized, dimensional accuracy and functional stability to ensure stable operation are ensured, and productivity is ensured by a structure that is easy to assemble even small parts. Means shall be provided for preventing incorrect insertion of the drive device in the front-rear direction, preferably in the wrong direction. It is required to have positioning means for the drive device.

In consideration of the above points, it is necessary to design the basic structure of the magnetic disk cartridge. In particular, the magnetic disk medium is rotatably housed inside while ensuring the strength of the cartridge case. It is an important issue to secure a space to be used. In other words, in the case where the upper and lower shells of the divided structure are joined in a lid-like manner like the cartridge case of the conventional magnetic disk cartridge, the thickness of the flat case becomes thin as a result of the strict regulation in the thickness direction of the cartridge case, The mechanical strength decreases. Insufficient strength of the case portion causes deformation or the like during loading or unloading operation to or from the drive device, and handling during the outside of the drive device, and the magnetic disk medium rubs against the inner surface of the case, affecting the recording / reproducing characteristics, This may cause a decrease in reliability. In addition, it is necessary that the access movement of the recording / reproducing magnetic head to the magnetic disk medium can be performed well in a narrow space.

Further, regarding the means for preventing erroneous insertion into the drive device, it is desirable that when the erroneous insertion operation is performed, the insertion into the drive device is immediately disabled and the user can recognize that the erroneous insertion operation is performed. .

Further, regarding the positioning of the cartridge with respect to the drive device, for example, in a 3.5-inch floppy disk cartridge, a positioning hole into which a positioning pin of the drive device is engaged is provided on the lower surface of the cartridge case. When arranging a magnetic disk cartridge and a disk drive device in a thickness of only 5.0 mm, the size of the drive device in the height direction is severely restricted, as in the case of a 3.5-inch floppy disk system. It is impossible to provide the positioning means.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention provides an ultra-thin, large-capacity recording device which ensures the strength of a cartridge case, effectively prevents erroneous insertion into a drive device, and facilitates positioning. An object of the present invention is to provide a small magnetic disk cartridge and a drive device for the cartridge.

[0014]

According to the present invention, there is provided a magnetic disk cartridge in which a disk-shaped magnetic disk medium is rotatably accommodated in a flat cartridge case, wherein the cartridge case comprises a base plate and a base plate. On the lower surface, there is provided a pair of cover cases attached in such a manner that the corners of the base plate are exposed, and a means for preventing erroneous insertion into the drive device is provided at the exposed corners of the base plate. It is a feature.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one exposed corner located on one of the left and right sides with respect to the insertion direction into the drive device, the projection is formed to project from the surface of the cover case. The projecting portion cooperates with a member on the drive device side to prevent erroneous insertion into the drive device.

In this case, it is preferable that the protrusion is provided at an exposed corner on the rear edge side of the base plate in the direction of insertion into the drive device. The protrusion may be provided on the cover case.

On the other hand, the drive unit is provided with a cartridge insertion opening corresponding to the structure of the magnetic disk cartridge, which allows the protrusion to pass only when the magnetic disk cartridge is inserted in the normal direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one exposed corner of the base plate is formed with a notch vertically penetrating the base plate, and the notch is formed by a member on the drive device side. In cooperation with the drive device to prevent erroneous insertion into the drive device.

In this case, the notch is preferably provided at an exposed corner on the rear edge side of the base plate in the direction of insertion into the drive device. The notch may be substantially U-shaped or substantially triangular, but the front edge of the notch in the insertion direction is perpendicular to the insertion direction, and the rear edge is More preferably forms a slope with respect to the insertion direction. The notch may be provided in the cover case.

On the other hand, the drive device is provided with a positioning pin that engages with the above-mentioned notch, corresponding to the configuration of the magnetic disk cartridge. This positioning pin
Due to the operation of the drive device itself or external operation,
The cartridge is configured to escape from the notch and release the cartridge.

[0021]

According to the present invention, since the cartridge case includes the base plate and the cover cases respectively attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the base plate, the strength required as a flat case can be secured and the cartridge case can be made thin. Even in this case, dimensional accuracy can be maintained without deformation such as warpage, and characteristics required for a mode of use as a magnetic disk cartridge can be obtained, reliability can be secured, and good assemblability can be obtained.

Since the upper and lower cover cases are attached to the base plate in such a manner that the corners of the base plate are exposed, erroneous insertion preventing means can be easily provided at the exposed corners.

When the magnetic disk cartridge has at least one exposed corner located on one of the right and left sides with respect to the direction of insertion into the drive device, a projection projecting from the surface of the cover case is formed. By providing a cartridge insertion opening on the device side that allows the magnetic disk cartridge to pass through the protruding portion only when the magnetic disk cartridge is inserted in the normal direction, erroneous insertion of the cartridge into the drive device in the front-back or front-back state Is blocked by the edge of the cartridge insertion slot.

In particular, when the projecting portion is provided at an exposed corner on the rear edge side of the base plate with respect to the inserting direction into the drive device, when the front and rear are erroneously inserted, the projecting portion is inserted into the drive device. Since the cartridge is present at the exposed corner on the opposite side of the front edge of the cartridge with respect to the insertion direction of the cartridge, the protrusion collides with the edge of the cartridge insertion slot at the same time as the user starts the cartridge insertion operation. This is a more preferable configuration in that further insertion becomes impossible, whereby it can be recognized that the insertion is erroneous.

In the case where the magnetic disk cartridge has a notch formed in at least one exposed corner of the base plate so as to penetrate the base plate up and down, the notch is provided on the drive device side. If a positioning pin to be engaged is provided, and this positioning pin is biased by a spring in a direction to be engaged with the notch, the cartridge can be moved to a predetermined position with the insertion of the magnetic disk cartridge into the drive device in the normal direction. When inserted to the position, the positioning pin engages with the notch,
The cartridge can be positioned at a predetermined position. When the cartridge is erroneously inserted in the opposite direction, positioning of the cartridge can be disabled.

In particular, the notch is provided at an exposed corner on the rear edge side of the base plate with respect to the direction of insertion into the drive device, and the edge of the notch at the front side in the insertion direction is inserted in the insertion direction. When the rear edge forms a slope with respect to the insertion direction when the rear edge forms an inclined surface with respect to the insertion direction, the notch is inserted into the drive The edge located at the exposed corner on the front edge side of the base plate, the edge on the rear side in the insertion direction is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, and the edge on the front side in the insertion direction is oblique to the insertion direction. Therefore, the positioning pin engages with the notch at the same time as the user starts the insertion operation, but further insertion is possible because the edge on the rear side in the insertion direction is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction. In addition to this, it is more preferable that the cartridge can be recognized as being erroneously inserted. In addition, since the front edge in the insertion direction forms a slope with respect to the insertion direction, it is easy to extract the cartridge.

On the other hand, after the cartridge is inserted into the drive device in the proper direction and positioned at a predetermined position, the edge of the notch portion, which is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the cartridge is removed, comes into contact with the positioning pin, and the cartridge is removed. This is not possible, and it is safe because the positioning pin is released for the first time by the release operation.

Further, since the positioning pin is configured to engage with the notch from the side of the cartridge,
There is an advantage that the design of a drive device whose height is severely restricted is facilitated.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a magnetic disk cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a top view showing a state in which a window for inserting a magnetic head is closed by a shutter member. It is a perspective view. Also, FIG.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic disk cartridge when the magnetic head insertion window is opened as viewed from the lower surface side. In addition, in order to clarify the structure, the thickness and the like of each part in the drawings are shown in proportions different from actual dimensions.

The magnetic disk cartridge 1 has a disk-shaped magnetic disk medium 10 (see FIG. 3) rotatably housed in a flat cartridge case C.
The cartridge case C includes a base plate 2 serving as a central member.
And a substantially planar upper cover case 3 and a lower cover case 4 attached to the top and bottom of the base plate 2. The magnetic disk medium 10 has a disk-shaped base made of a flexible polyester sheet and the like, on both surfaces of which magnetic layers are provided, and a rotary drive hub 11 (center core) is fixedly integrated at the center.

A hub hole 7 is provided on the lower surface of the cartridge case C to enable chucking between the drive motor of the drive device and the rotary drive hub 11, and the bottom of the rotary drive hub 11 faces the hub hole 7. The magnetic disk medium 10 is housed in a cartridge case C.

At the front end of the cartridge case C with respect to the direction of insertion into the drive device (arrow D in FIG. 1), there is formed a window 8 accessible by the recording / reproducing magnetic head. The window 8 is vertically penetrated and opened from the front end faces of the base plate 2 and the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 toward the center thereof in a rectangular shape (see FIG. 2). Shutter member 5 for opening and closing 8
Are slidably mounted in the left and right directions inside the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4.

With the above-described structure of the window 8, the recording / reproducing magnetic head can be inserted into the window 8 from the front end side of the cartridge case C without opening and closing greatly.
Moreover, the adoption of the built-in shutter member 5 prevents the shutter member 5 from coming off due to insufficient strength due to miniaturization, becomes strong against dropping, etc., and has good assemblability.

Next, the structure of each component will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

First, the base plate 2 is made of a synthetic resin such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin) or POM resin, and has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. A circular recess 21 for accommodating the disk medium 10 is formed, and a hub hole 7 is opened at the center of the bottom plate of the recess 21. In addition, the front portion of the bottom plate of the concave portion 21 is removed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the lower surface plate portion 5 of the shutter member 5 described below is removed.
A space 22 into which the base plate 2 is movably inserted is formed, and a front end portion of the base plate 2 has a central portion removed in the front-rear direction to open a window portion 8 penetrating vertically. Then, the front surface of the front wall on one side (the right side in FIG. 3) of the window portion 8 of the base plate 2 is retracted from the front surface of the front wall on the other side (the left side in FIG. 3) to form the spring storage portion 23, A shutter spring 6 described later is arranged in this portion. Further, the front corner 24 facing the window 8 of the front wall on the opposite side (left side in FIG. 3) from the spring housing 23 is cut obliquely to guide the shutter member 5 when the shutter member 5 closes. Become shutter member 5
Are securely closed, and the base plate 2 is not cut off by interference. The space 22
If there is room in the thickness direction of the base plate 2, the base plate 2 may be formed in a thin groove shape from the bottom surface side.

Further, the four corners of the base plate 2 correspond to the upper and lower cover cases 3,
The four corners of 4 are notched to expose as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The remaining three exposed corner portions 25 of the four corner portions of the base plate 2 except for the exposed corner portion 27 on the left side (right side in FIG. 3) with respect to the insertion direction D are the thicknesses of the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4. The base plate 2 is provided so as to protrude in the vertical direction by an amount corresponding to the thickness and to protrude outward.
When the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 are fitted to each other, the surface of each corner 25 is flush with the surface of the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4.

On the other hand, one exposed corner 27 on the trailing edge side
Is formed thicker in the vertical direction than the other exposed corner portions 25, and as shown in FIG. 1, a and b are respectively formed from the upper surface of the upper cover case 3 and the lower surface of the lower cover case 4.
Only protruding.

By exposing the corner portions 25 and 27 of the base plate 2 to the outside in this manner, when a shock or the like at the time of a drop is applied, the impact can be absorbed by the corner portions 25 and 27 and each corner can be absorbed. In parts 25 and 27,
By providing the hole 26 that penetrates in the vertical direction (a hole that does not penetrate and may be an intermediate depth), a greater buffering effect is provided against the impact at the time of drop. The base plate 2 is a magnetic disk medium 1
0 has a strength that allows deformation that does not hinder recording and reproduction. It is preferable that the base plate 2 is made of an elastic plastic from the viewpoint of absorbing the impact, and it is preferable that the base plate 2 contains a lubricant from the viewpoint of sliding with the shutter member 5 to improve dimensional accuracy. From the viewpoint of improving the assemblability with the cover cases 3 and 4, it is preferable to include a filler material.

On the side surfaces of the corner portions 25, 25 on both sides of the front portion of the base plate 2, cutouts 15 penetrating vertically through the base plate 2 are formed, and the cutouts 15 are mounted on the drive device. It is used for positioning. In the case of the present embodiment, the corner of one front corner 25 is cut off obliquely, and
It is 6.

The upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 are formed of a high-strength material such as a pressed stainless steel plate, and the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 are substantially symmetrical.
The corners of the four corners are removed in a rectangular shape, a flat rectangular window 8 is opened in the center of the front part, and the front, rear, left and right edges are bent at substantially right angles, so that the front wall parts 31 and 41 and the side wall parts are respectively provided. 32,4
2. The rear wall portions 33 and 43 are configured. The front wall 3 on one side (the left side in FIGS. 1 and 3 and the right side in FIG. 2) of the window 8
The slits 18 (see FIG. 1) are formed between the upper and lower front wall portions 31 and 41 when the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 are attached to the base plate 2. It has become. The drive-side shutter opening / closing member is inserted into the slit 18 and is configured to move along the slit 18. Opposite side of window 8 (right side in FIGS. 1 and 3, left side in FIG. 2)
Notches are formed in the front wall portions 31 and 41 of the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 in a state where the front wall portions 31 and 41 of the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 are fitted together. A rectangular spring insertion port 19 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is formed and used for mounting the shutter spring 6.

On the upper surface of the central portion of the upper cover case 3,
A concave portion 35 serving as a label attaching portion is formed to have a stepped structure, and imparts a predetermined strength to the upper cover case 3. The bottom surface of the recess 35 projects downward, and the recess 35
In the assembled state, the base plate 2 is positioned such that the upper and lower clearances of the magnetic disk medium 10 positioned at the center in the thickness direction of the base plate 2 are substantially equal.
The clearance in the space above the magnetic disk medium 10 is reduced in accordance with the thickness of the bottom plate of
The rotational stability of the magnetic disk medium 10 can be improved.

The concave portion 35 is formed obliquely so that its peripheral edge is open outward, thereby preventing the upper cover cases from being fitted to each other at the time of assembling. It is possible to prevent snagging in the drive device. A hub hole 7 is opened at the center of the lower cover case 4.

When the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 are assembled to the base plate 2, a shutter member 5 is provided between the upper and lower surfaces of the base plate 2 and the inner surfaces of the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 at the front portion thereof. The dimension is set so that a thin space in which the slidable member extends can be formed extending in the left-right direction.

As described above, since the shutter member 5 is housed inside the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4, the shutter member 5 is prevented from coming off due to insufficient strength due to the miniaturization of the shutter member 5, and the shutter member 5 is prevented from falling. Even stronger,
The assemblability is also improved.

The base plate 2, the upper and lower cover cases 3,
The fixing method in assembling with the upper cover case 4 is such that the contact portions of the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 are mutually joined by spot welding, bonding, caulking, or the like, or the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 are caulked with respect to the base plate 2. It is performed by fixing by bonding or the like.

The shutter member 5 is inserted between the base plate 2 and the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4 and into the moving space 22 opened to the base plate 2 on the lower surface side, and is slidably mounted in the left and right opening and closing directions. . The shutter member 5 is made of metal, for example, formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section from a stainless steel plate or an aluminum plate. The upper plate portion 51 and the lower plate portion 52 are connected by a connecting portion 53 at the front end. The height of 53 is substantially equal to the thickness of the front part of the base plate 2. Then, a shutter window 54 is formed by being cut out in a substantially rectangular shape from the connecting portion 53 to the upper surface plate portion 51 and the lower surface plate portion 52. The shutter window 54 has a size substantially corresponding to the window 8 of the cartridge case C, and is communicated with the shutter window 54 during the opening operation. The shutter window 54 is provided at a position deviated from the center of the shutter member 5, and together with the connecting portion 53, the cartridge case C
A closing area for closing the window 8 is formed adjacent to the shutter window 54.

A spring receiving projection 55 bent from the connecting portion 53 of the shutter member 5 is provided on the inner surface of the front end of the shutter window 54 on the side of the closed area. When contracted, the shutter member 5 is urged in the closing direction. Although not shown, at least one of the upper surface plate portion 51 and the lower surface plate portion 52 is cut and raised, and is engaged with a guide groove extending in the left and right direction on the base plate 2 so as to be assembled. It is useful for preventing the coming off. Reinforcing ribs 56 are formed on the upper plate portion 51 and the lower plate portion 52 of the shutter member 5 to prevent deformation during the opening operation. The reinforcing rib 56 is formed in a protruding shape protruding outward to suppress the generation of abrasion powder and the like due to the sliding of the tips of the upper and lower plate portions 51 and 52 contacting the upper and lower cover cases 3 and 4. It also has the effect of reducing the frictional resistance of the device and ensuring the stability of the opening and closing operation.

The hub member 7 on the bottom surface may be opened and closed by the shutter member 5. In this case, the lower plate 52 of the shutter member 5 is extended to the portion of the hub hole 7, the hub hole 7 is closed by the extension of the lower plate 52 during the closing operation, and the hub hole 7 is closed in accordance with the opening operation. Formed to open.

On the upper and lower sides of the magnetic disk medium 10, protective sheets 12 made of a plastic sheet or the like obtained by subjecting the surface of a PET sheet to slip processing (Teflon processing) are interposed. The protective sheet 12 has a substantially C-shape by removing a portion corresponding to the window portion 8 in the radial direction.
An opening 12a is formed in a portion opposite to the above, and a cleaning member 13 is fixed to this portion from the magnetic disk medium 10 side to the inner surface of the upper cover case 3 and the bottom surface of the base plate 2. 12 is fixed. The cleaning member 13 is brushed on the side facing the magnetic disk medium 10 and comes into contact with the surface of the magnetic disk medium 10 to remove dust on the surface. An adhesive is applied to the opposite surface of the cleaning member 13.

When assembling the magnetic disk cartridge 1, first, the protective sheet 12 is fixed to the circular recess 21 of the base plate 2 and the lower surface of the upper cover case 3 by fixing the cleaning member 13 in advance. After the magnetic disk medium 10 is set in the shutter member 5, the shutter member 5 is mounted from the front.
Subsequently, the upper cover case 3 is fitted to the base plate 2 from above and the lower cover case 4 is fitted and held from below to integrate them. Thereby, the base plate 2
The upper surface of the circular concave portion 21 is covered by the upper cover case 3, and a flat space defined by the bottom surface of the upper cover case 3 and the upper surface of the circular concave portion 21 becomes a storage space for the magnetic disk medium 10, and Are rotatably stored. Thereafter, the coiled shutter spring 6 is inserted into the internal spring accommodating portion 23 while bending the coiled shutter spring 6 from the spring insertion opening 19 in the front wall portion of the upper and lower cover cases 3, 4. , And pushed into the storage portion 23 while shrinking the rear end to complete the assembly. The shape of the spring insertion opening 19 prevents the assembled shutter spring 6 from coming off.

FIG. 4 shows a magnetic disk cartridge 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an external appearance of a drive device 60 to which the device is mounted.

The drive device 60 has a slit-shaped cartridge insertion port 61 on its front wall, which is an insertion port for the cartridge 1, on its front wall.
Is provided with a storage space 62 for the cartridge 1 at the back. The width of the slit-shaped cartridge insertion opening 61 in the vertical direction is set according to the thickness of the cartridge 1, and the left end thereof corresponds to the thickness of the exposed corner 27 of the cartridge 1 formed thick. Thus, the width is increased in the vertical direction. A storage space 63 for the exposed corner 27 is formed inside the drive device 60 so as to communicate with the widened portion 61a.

Further, when the cartridge 1 is inserted to a predetermined position in the drive device, it is inserted into the cutouts 15, 15 from the side at the back of the storage space 62 for the cartridge 1 of the drive device 60. A positioning pin (not shown) for positioning the cartridge 1 is provided. These positioning pins are spring-biased in a direction pressed against the side edge of the cartridge 1, and slide along the side edge of the cartridge 1 as the cartridge 1 is inserted into the drive device 60, thereby cutting off. It is configured to engage in the notch 15.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion slot 61 of the drive device 60 in the normal direction, the widened portion 61a of the cartridge insertion slot 61 is The cartridge 1 is accommodated in the accommodating space 62 of the drive device 60 while allowing the passage of the cartridge 27, and the positioning pins are engaged with the notches 15, 15 of the cartridge 1 for positioning, and at the same time, the shutter opening / closing mechanism is provided. Is inserted into the slit 18 at the front end, and the shutter member 5 is opened. The drive device has a magnetic head at the back and a drive unit that can move up and down at the bottom, and the spindle is locked to the rotation drive hub 11 of the magnetic disk medium 10 of the inserted cartridge 1 to rotate the drive. It is configured to

If the cartridge 1 is to be inserted into the cartridge insertion slot 61 in an opposite state, the exposed corner 27 is located on the right side of the front edge of the cartridge 1 with respect to the direction of insertion into the drive device 60. Therefore, the thick exposed corner 27 protruding up and down collides with the upper edge and the lower edge of the right end of the cartridge insertion slot 61 simultaneously with the start of the insertion operation by the user, and further insertion becomes impossible. Can be recognized as an erroneous insertion.

When the cartridge 1 is to be inserted into the cartridge insertion slot 61 in an opposite state, the exposed corner 27 is present on the right side of the rear edge of the cartridge 1 in the direction of insertion into the drive device 60. Therefore, the cartridge 1 can be inserted into the cartridge insertion port 61 halfway. However, during the insertion, the thick exposed corner portion 27 protruding up and down collides with the upper edge and the lower edge of the right end portion of the cartridge insertion slot 61, and further insertion becomes impossible, and it is erroneously inserted. Can be recognized.

As is apparent from the above description, in the present embodiment, the magnetic disk cartridge 1 projects upward and downward at the left end of the cartridge insertion slot 61 of the drive device 60 only when the magnetic disk cartridge 1 is inserted in the normal direction. Since the widened portion 61 a that allows the exposed corner 27 to pass through is formed, erroneous insertion of the cartridge 1 into the drive device 60 in the front-rear direction or the front-back direction can be prevented from being caused by the upper edge and the lower edge of the cartridge insertion slot 61. Blocked by

The cartridge case C has a base plate 2 and cover cases 3 and 4 respectively attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the base plate 2. Further, a flat recess 35 is formed on the surface of the upper cover case 3. By doing so, the strength required for the flat case can be secured, the dimensional accuracy can be maintained without deformation such as warpage even when the case is thin, and the characteristics required for the mode of use as a magnetic disk cartridge can be obtained and reliability can be obtained. As a result, good assemblability can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the exposed corner 27 is formed on the upper surface of the upper cover case 3 and on the lower cover case 4.
Although it has a thickness that protrudes from both the lower surfaces, it may be configured to protrude from either the upper side or the lower side. Further, the exposed corner portion 27 having the above thickness may be further provided at another exposed corner portion on the left side in the insertion direction.

Furthermore, the entire exposed corner portion 27 need not be thick. The projection may be provided at a part of the exposed corner 27.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of the magnetic disk cartridge according to the present invention.

In the cartridge 1 of this embodiment, the exposed corners 25 at the four corners of the base plate 2 are all substantially flush with the surfaces of the cover cases 3 and 4, and the drive device (( The cartridge insertion slot (not shown) is formed as a simple slit not having the widened portion 61a as shown in Fig. 4. The side surfaces of the exposed corner portions 25, 25 on both sides of the rear portion of the base plate 2 are provided. Notch portions 15 penetrating the base plate 2 vertically are formed, and these notch portions 15 are used for positioning when loaded in the drive device, and cooperate with positioning pins P, P on the drive device side. It works to constitute an erroneous insertion preventing means.

Except for the above configuration, the cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 5 has the same configuration as that of the cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, the duplicated description will be omitted. 15, 15, as shown in FIG.
The front edge 15a is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction D with respect to the insertion direction D with respect to the drive device, and the rear edge 15b forms a slope with respect to the insertion direction.

On the other hand, similar to the drive device 60 in the first embodiment, when the cartridge 1 is inserted to a predetermined position in the drive device, the notch is provided near the cartridge insertion opening of the drive device. Part 15, 1
Two positioning pins P, P for engaging the cartridge 5 from the side and positioning the cartridge 1 are provided. Each of the positioning pins P is biased by a spring in a direction pressed against the side edge of the cartridge 1, and slides along the side edge of the cartridge 1 as the cartridge 1 is inserted into the drive device. When it reaches a predetermined position, it engages in the notch 15.

The cartridge 1 is provided with positioning pins P, P
When a force is applied to the cartridge 1 in the ejection direction in a state where the cartridge 1 is positioned at a predetermined position, FIG.
As is clear from FIG. 6, the edge 15 of the cutout portion is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the cartridge 1 is withdrawn upward in FIG.
Since the pin P abuts on a, it cannot be pulled out as it is and it is safe. Then, the positioning pin P escapes from the notch 15 and releases the cartridge 1 by the operation of the drive device itself or an operation from the outside, so that the cartridge 1 is released.
The cartridge 1 can be extracted from the drive device.

On the other hand, when the cartridge 1 is erroneously inserted back and forth as shown in FIG. 7, the notches 15 are located at the front ends of both side edges of the cartridge 1. Therefore, the positioning pins P, P are immediately engaged in the notches 15, 15 by the biasing force of the spring with the start of the insertion operation by the user. In this case, the edge 15a on the rear side in the insertion direction of the notch 15 is inserted. Is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, the cartridge 1 is locked by the positioning pins P, P, so that further insertion becomes impossible, and it can be recognized that the cartridge 1 is inserted erroneously. Then, the edge 15 on the front side in the insertion direction
Since b forms a slope with respect to the insertion direction, it is easy to remove the cartridge 1 from this state.

According to the present embodiment, erroneous insertion can be effectively prevented. In the present embodiment, the notches 15 are provided on both side edges on the rear side in the insertion direction of the cartridge 1, but the notches 15 may be provided on any one of the side edges. A notch 15 may be provided at the front side edge of the cartridge 1 in the insertion direction, but the notch 15 is provided at the rear side edge in that the wrong insertion can be immediately recognized. It can be said that the provision is more preferable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a magnetic disk cartridge according to the present invention.
In the embodiment, a perspective view from the top side showing a state in which a window for inserting a magnetic head is closed by a shutter member.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the magnetic disk cartridge shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which a window for inserting a magnetic head is opened, as viewed from a lower surface side;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic disk cartridge shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

4 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a drive device to which the magnetic disk cartridge shown in FIG. 1 is mounted.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the magnetic disk cartridge according to the present invention.
1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the notch.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the magnetic disk cartridge shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 C Cartridge case P Positioning pin 1 Magnetic disk cartridge 2 Base plate 3 Upper cover case 4 Lower cover case 5 Shutter member 6 Shutter spring 7 Hub hole 8 Magnetic head insertion window 10 Magnetic disk media 11 Hub 12 Protective sheet 13 Cleaning member 15 Cut Notched portion 21 Circular concave portion 23 Spring storing portion 25 Exposed corner portion 27 Exposed corner portion (projecting portion) 28 Notched portion 35 Recessed portion 51 Upper surface plate portion of shutter member 52 Upper surface plate portion of shutter member 53 Connecting portion of shutter member 54 Shutter window Unit 60 Drive unit 61 Cartridge insertion slot 61a Widening section of cartridge insertion slot

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic disk cartridge in which a disk-shaped magnetic disk medium is rotatably housed in a flat cartridge case, wherein the cartridge case includes a base plate, and upper and lower surfaces of the base plate, and corner portions of the base plate. A magnetic disk cartridge, comprising: a pair of cover cases which are attached in such a manner that the base plate is exposed; and a means for preventing erroneous insertion into a drive device is provided at an exposed corner of the base plate. 2. At least one exposed corner located on one of the left and right sides with respect to the direction of insertion into the drive device, protrudes from the surface of the cover case, and cooperates with a member on the drive device side. 2. The magnetic disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion for preventing erroneous insertion into the drive device is formed. 3. A notch formed in at least one exposed corner portion of the base plate to prevent erroneous insertion into the drive device in cooperation with a member on a drive device side, and formed through the base plate vertically. The magnetic disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein 4. A drive device for a magnetic disk cartridge, comprising: a cartridge insertion opening that allows the protrusion to pass through only when the magnetic disk cartridge according to claim 2 is inserted in a normal direction. 5. A drive device for a magnetic disk cartridge, comprising: a positioning pin engaged with the notch provided in the magnetic disk cartridge according to claim 3.