JP2002015544A - Magnetic tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic tape cartridge which is made in a manner in which a non-contacting type memory device is hardly damaged by external force on the storage, conveyance and loading/unloading, is not in the way of loading/unloading, enables ensuring the flexibility of a magnetic tape cartridge, and also, the flexibility of design of a data read/write device on the side of an external storage device, and further is hardly affected by a magnetic field generated by elements, etc., other than the data read/write device. SOLUTION: This magnetic tape cartridge stores a magnetic tape in a tape cartridge body with the non-contacting memory device being disposed on the face confronted with a tape winding face of the cartridge body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cartridge, and more particularly, to a magnetic tape cartridge having a non-contact type memory device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, upper and lower halves have been used as tape cartridges for recording / reproduction used in video tape recorders or cameras for home or business use, or as large-capacity recording media for data backup in external storage devices such as computers. There is known a magnetic tape cartridge of a type in which a pair of a winding hub around which a magnetic tape is wound, or a single tape winding reel around which a magnetic tape is wound, are rotatably housed in a cartridge body composed of a lower half. ing. For example, JIS X6127, X612
A magnetic tape cartridge whose structure and dimensions are specified in 9, X6130, ECMA-288 or the like is known. Important information such as backup data is recorded on these magnetic tape cartridges, especially on magnetic tape cartridges used as recording media for data storage in computers and the like.

In these magnetic tape cartridges, if the contents of the recorded information and the type of the magnetic tape can be specified without reading the information from the magnetic tape, storage / management of the magnetic tape cartridge, retrieval of recorded information, etc. It is effective in the point. In particular, in the case of a magnetic tape cartridge used as a data storage recording medium for a computer or the like, it would be advantageous if only the outline of the recorded information could be easily recognized without accessing the magnetic tape. Therefore, it has been considered to attach a non-contact type memory element (CM) including an IC memory capable of writing and reading information in a non-contact manner to the cartridge body. This non-contact type memory element does not have a power supply itself, and operates by an induced current generated by an electromagnetic induction action of a data reading / writing device provided on a recording / reproducing device (deck) side to record information. And reading is performed.

When the non-contact type memory device is mounted on the cartridge body, the degree of freedom in designing a magnetic tape recording / reproducing apparatus is expanded, and protection against dust adherence to the non-contact type memory device itself and an external impact are provided. In view of the above, it is usually arranged inside the cartridge body. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-317050, as shown in FIG.
A magnetic tape cartridge in which a non-contact type memory element is incorporated in a cartridge body is described. The magnetic tape cartridge 100 is inserted into a recording / reproducing device (deck, not shown) in the direction of arrow A.

[0005] Non-contact type memory element 1 used in this example
05 has a data transmitting / receiving antenna 110 and a memory device 115. The memory device 115 is a storage device, such as a conventional memory chip, from which information can be electronically retrieved, and stores information related to the magnetic tape cartridge 100 or its contents. The data transmitting / receiving antenna 110 converts a magnetic field emitted from an antenna of a data reading / writing device provided inside the deck side to supply power to the data transmitting / receiving antenna 110 itself and the memory device 115,
The coil antenna has a function of transmitting digital data from the memory device 115 to the antenna of the data reading / writing device on the deck side. The data transmission / reception antenna 110 is mounted near the bottom 120 and the back 125 inside the magnetic tape cartridge 100. In the example shown in FIG.
And the rear surface 125 at an angle of about 45 °.

[0006]

However, when a non-contact type memory element is arranged inside a cartridge body in which main parts such as a tape take-up reel and a magnetic tape are housed, an arrangement space for various members in the cartridge body is provided. And the winding space of the magnetic tape, etc., greatly restricts the degree of freedom in designing the arrangement position of the non-contact type memory element, and accordingly, the non-contact type memory element provided on the external storage device side. The degree of freedom in designing the position of the data read / write device is also restricted.

On the other hand, when a non-contact type memory element is mounted outside the magnetic tape cartridge, the magnetic tape cartridge is stored, transported and loaded into an external storage device.
When detached, it is easily damaged by external force,
There is a possibility that it may hinder loading and unloading. In addition, data reading / reading of a non-contact type memory element provided in an external storage device
There is a possibility that the magnetic field is easily affected by a magnetic field generated by elements other than the writing device.

Therefore, the present invention provides a method for storing, transporting, and loading a magnetic tape cartridge in a non-contact type memory device.
It is hard to be damaged by external force at the time of attachment / detachment, does not hinder loading / unattachment, and secures the design freedom of the magnetic tape cartridge and the design of the data read / write device on the external storage device side. It is another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic tape cartridge which is capable of being hardly affected by a magnetic field generated by elements other than the data reading / writing device.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a magnetic tape cartridge for accommodating a magnetic tape in a cartridge body, wherein a non-contact type magnetic tape is provided on a surface of the cartridge body opposite to a tape winding surface. A magnetic tape cartridge provided with a memory element is provided.

In the magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention, the tape winding surface refers to a surface corresponding to the upper surface or the lower surface of a bundle of magnetic tape wound around a tape reel housed in the cartridge body. Further, the surface facing the tape winding surface of the cartridge body refers to the outer surface of the upper half or the lower half of the cartridge body, which is located above or below the tape winding surface. For example, the upper surface outside the upper half of the cartridge body or the lower surface outside the lower half is referred to. In addition, the arrangement position of the non-contact type memory element is such that, on the surface facing the tape winding surface, these parts and members are arranged so as not to interfere with the parts provided in the upper half and the lower half or the members to be mounted. It is appropriately determined according to the installation position.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below,
Any magnetic tape cartridge that accommodates a tape reel for winding a magnetic tape in the cartridge body can be applied without any limitation. For example, a one-reel type magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 4 or a video tape recorder (for example, DVDPRO, 8 mm, β cam (including digital β cam), various specifications such as D2 and D3, and video tape of standard) The present invention can be applied to a magnetic tape cartridge for a recorder, etc. without any particular limitation.

The non-contact type memory element used in the present invention has a shape, dimensions, and an arrangement position according to the form of the tape reel and the cartridge main body in the magnetic tape cartridge, the arrangement of each member, and the like. Etc. can be determined appropriately. For example, the non-contact type memory element preferably has a thin shape so as not to increase the thickness of the cartridge body, and particularly preferably has a thickness of 1.0 mm or less. The non-contact type memory element includes a memory element main body, an antenna, and a substrate made of a material such as synthetic resin or paper for arranging the antenna and the antenna. The memory element main body may be arranged at any position on the substrate, and is not particularly limited. Further, it is desirable that the antenna has an area as large as possible, but it is preferable that the antenna is disposed at the center of the cartridge body so as not to be affected by a metallic member such as a metal plate.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention will be described below with reference to a magnetic tape cartridge whose schematic configuration is shown in FIG. 1 as an exploded perspective view. The magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG.
The main members are a cartridge body 14 composed of an upper half 10 and a lower half 12, and a slider 16 slidably fitted to the lower outside of the lower half 12.

This magnetic tape cartridge has a supply side take-up hub 18a between the upper half 10 and the lower half 12.
The magnetic tape 20 wound between the take-up side and the take-up hub 18b is housed. When the magnetic tape cartridge is not used, the magnetic tape 2 is placed on the front side of the upper half 10.
A front lid (lid) 22 that covers and protects 0 is rotatably attached to the support shaft 22a.

The upper half 10 is provided with a brake member 24 to prevent the magnetic tape 20 wound around the winding hubs 18a and 18b from sagging when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used. This brake member 24
The brake pieces 28a and 28 are urged by a brake spring 28 locked on a projection 26 provided on the upper half 10.
b to the supply-side and take-up side take-up hubs 18a and 18b.
By engaging the gears 30a and 30b provided on the upper portion b, the rotation of the winding hubs 18a and 18b is prohibited, and the slack of the magnetic tape 20 is prevented.

The lower half 12 has a rectangular bottom surface 12a.
In addition, when a magnetic tape cartridge is used, the cartridge body 14 has reel shaft insertion holes 32a and 32b into which reel shafts (not shown) for driving the take-up hubs 18a and 18b are inserted. Overhang 3 extending forward from both left and right ends toward front cover 22 of upper half 10
4a and 34b. Column-shaped ribs 3 for guiding the magnetic tape 20 are provided on the left and right overhang portions 34a and 34b.
6a and 36b are provided. The left and right overhang portions 34
A space 38 between a and 34b is a space provided on the deck side where the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded, into which a so-called tape loading device enters.

In this magnetic tape cartridge, a slider 16 fitted to the lower outside of the lower half 12 contacts the bottom surface 12a of the lower half 12 and slides in the front-rear direction of the magnetic tape cartridge. In some cases, the space 38 between the left and right overhang portions 34a and 34b of the lower half 12 and the reel shaft insertion holes 32a and 32b are closed. When the slider 16 is located rearward, the left and right overhanging portions 34a
The space 38 between the reel shafts 34b and 34b is released, and the two holes 40a and 40b provided on the bottom surface 12a of the slider 16 are aligned with the reel shaft insertion holes 32a and 32b, respectively, and drive the winding hubs 18a and 18b. An opening for inserting a reel shaft (not shown) is formed. When the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded on the deck, the slider 16 is automatically positioned rearward by the action of the device in the deck. However, when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used, the leaf spring 42 provided on the lower half 12 is used.
And is located forward.

In this magnetic tape cartridge, as shown in the bottom view of the lower half of FIG. 2, a non-contact type memory element 46 is disposed on the surface opposite to the tape winding surface, that is, on the lower bottom surface 44 of the lower half 12. Is what it is. The non-contact type memory element 46 is provided in a recess 48 formed in the lower bottom surface 44 of the lower half 12. The concave portion 48 is not limited to the arrangement portion shown in FIG. 2 and does not interfere with each portion of the lower bottom surface 44, so that data can be read and written by a data reading / writing device provided on the storage device side where the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded. As long as writing is possible, the lower bottom surface 44 of the lower half 12
May be arranged at any of the positions. Further, the non-contact type memory element is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and may be provided on a surface facing the tape winding surface, an upper surface outside the upper half of the cartridge body, or the like. The non-contact type memory element 46 is fixed by welding, pasting with an adhesive, and insert molding to form the cartridge body in a state where the non-contact type memory element is disposed at a predetermined position of the molding die. The substrate itself can be clamped and fixed to a predetermined portion of the cartridge body.

As shown in FIG. 3, the non-contact type memory element 46 is made of a rectangular plate-like member,
2, an IC chip 74 is disposed inside, and the whole is resin-sealed. The antenna 72 is a coil antenna that supplies an induced current electromagnetically induced by a magnetic field emitted from the antenna of the data reading / writing device to the non-contact type memory element 46 on the deck side (not shown) to the IC chip 74. The portion 76 of the non-contact type memory element 46 has no particular function.

[0020]

According to the magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention, the non-contact type memory element is housed in the erroneous erasure prevention portion without being exposed to the outside and protected by the erroneous erasure prevention member. Is hardly damaged by external force during storage, transport, loading and unloading, and does not hinder loading and unloading.

Furthermore, the degree of freedom in designing the magnetic tape cartridge and the storage device are different from the case where the non-contact type memory element is mounted inside the main body in which various members such as the take-up hub and the magnetic tape are provided. The degree of freedom in designing the data reading / writing device on the side can also be ensured.

Further, in the magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention, it is preferable that the non-contact type memory device is disposed at the center of the upper flange or the lower flange of the tape reel.
Since a simple change can be made to the assembling work, there is an advantage in manufacturing that it is extremely easy to add and attach a non-contact type memory element to an existing product.

Furthermore, in the magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention, since the tape winding surface has magnetic shielding,
The non-contact type memory element is less likely to be affected by a magnetic field generated by an element other than the data reading / writing device, and is advantageous in protecting data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lower half of the magnetic tape cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a non-contact type memory device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional magnetic tape cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic tape cartridge 10 Upper half 12 Lower half 14 Cartridge main body 16 Slider 18a Supply side take-up hub 18b Take-up side take-up hub 20 Magnetic tape 22 Front cover 22a Support shaft 24 Brake member 26 Projection 28 Brake spring 28a, 28b Brake pieces 30a, 30b Gears 32a, 32b Reel shaft insertion holes 34a, 34b Overhangs 36a, 36b Ribs 38 Spaces 40a, 40b holes 42 Leaf springs 44 Lower bottom surface 46 Non-contact type memory element 48 Depression 72 Antenna 74 IC chip 76 Part REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 magnetic tape cartridge 110 data transmitting / receiving antenna 115 memory device 120 bottom inside magnetic tape cartridge 125 back

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic tape cartridge for accommodating a magnetic tape in a cartridge body, wherein a non-contact type memory element is provided on a surface of the cartridge body opposite to a tape winding surface.