JP2004133995A - Magnetic tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic tape cartridge capable of easily automating an assembling work of a curved door and a spring to a cartridge case. <P>SOLUTION: This magnetic tape cartridge is provided with a cartridge case constituted of an upper half and a lower half 1B, a magnetic tape pulling-out port formed at the corner of the side wall part of the cartridge case, a bent sliding door 6 for opening/closing the magnetic tape pulling-out port, and a guide groove 12 formed on the bottom surface 11 of the lower half 1B to be engaged with the sliding door 6 which freely slides. A pin 13 is formed apart from the guide groove 12, a projected part 14 is formed near the pin 13, and a twist coil spring 7 is fitted around the pin 13. One arm 7a of the twist coil spring 7 is brought into contact with the rear end 64 of the sliding door 6, the other arm 7b is brought into contact with the projected part 14, and the sliding door 6 is pressed to the closing position of the magnetic tape pulling-out port. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cartridge, and more particularly to a magnetic tape cartridge that can easily realize automation of a work for assembling a curved door and a spring to a cartridge case.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, as an external recording medium for data backup such as a computer, there is a magnetic tape cartridge configured to store a single reel on which a magnetic tape as a recording medium is wound (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-265560 (FIG. 2)
[0004]
There are various types of magnetic tape cartridges of this type. In recent years, in order to reduce the storage space of the magnetic tape cartridge when inserted into the drive device, an opening is formed at the corner of the cartridge case, Magnetic tape cartridges have been developed in which the opening is opened and closed by a door that is formed by bending a horizontally long thin plate.
[0005]
In such a magnetic tape cartridge, in order to open and close the door, the door is slidable with respect to the case, the door is provided with a door-side spring hook, and the case-side spring hook is provided on the bottom surface of the cartridge case. The door is normally urged in the closing direction by a tension coil spring spanned between the door-side spring hook and the case-side spring hook, and the operation protrusion formed on the outer surface of the door is attached to the drive device. A structure is considered in which the door is opened by being pushed by an operation arm attached to the loading mechanism.
[0006]
As a method for automating the assembly operation of the door and the tension coil spring in the magnetic tape cartridge having such a structure, first, the door is gripped by the robot hand and set in the guide groove formed on the bottom surface of the cartridge case. Then, an assembling method is conceivable in which the tension coil spring is gripped with a robot hand and both ends of the tension coil spring are attached to the door side spring hook and the case side spring hook.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above assembling method, if the door set in the guide groove of the cartridge case swings or tilts to the left or right, the position of the door-side spring-hanging portion with respect to the case-side spring-hanging portion shifts. There is a problem that it is difficult to attach the ring-shaped portions formed at both ends of the spring through the door-side spring hanging portion and the case-side spring hanging portion. Also, if the gap between the door and the case-side spring hook is narrow, the robot hand is not attached to the door when the both ends of the tension coil spring are gripped by the robot hand and attached to the door-side spring hook and the case-side spring hook. There was a risk of interference, and there was a problem that the assembly work became difficult. That is, the above assembling method has a problem that it is difficult to automate the operation of assembling the door and the tension coil spring to the cartridge case.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic tape cartridge that can easily realize automation of a work for assembling a curved door and a spring to a cartridge case.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention includes a cartridge case composed of an upper half and a lower half, a magnetic tape outlet formed at a corner of a side wall portion of the cartridge case, and a curved door that opens and closes the magnetic tape outlet. A magnetic tape cartridge having a guide groove formed on the bottom surface of the cartridge case and slidably engaged with the door, wherein the pin is formed away from the guide groove, and is formed in the vicinity of the pin. And a torsion coil spring fitted into the pin, wherein one arm of the torsion coil spring is in contact with the end of the door, the other arm is in contact with the protrusion, and the door is pulled with the magnetic tape. It is biased to the closed position of the outlet.
[0010]
According to the magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention, the coil portion of the torsion coil spring is externally fitted to the pin, the end of the door is hung on one arm of the torsion coil spring, and the door is guided while twisting the torsion coil spring. The assembly of the door can be completed by fitting it into the groove. That is, since the door can be assembled in a state where the spring for closing the door is assembled at a predetermined position, it is easy to assemble the door by the robot.
When the door is set in advance in the guide groove, a torsion coil spring with both arms closed by the robot hand is attached to the pin formed away from the door, and then the robot hand is attached. By pulling out, the two arms engage with the end portion and the convex portion of the door. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the interference between the robot hand and the door as in the prior art, and the arm of the torsion coil spring only needs to be engaged with the end portion and the convex portion of the door. It can be easily assembled with a robot hand or the like.
[0011]
Moreover, it is preferable that the said pin is divided | segmented and provided in the said lower half and the said upper half, and it is formed so that it can mutually fit at each front-end | tip.
With this configuration, when the magnetic tape cartridge is assembled, the pins to which the torsion coil springs are attached are fitted to each other, so that a strong impact is applied to the cartridge case by dropping or the like, and the upper half and the lower half Even if a slight gap is generated between them, the fitting portion does not come off completely, so that the torsion coil spring can be reliably prevented from falling off.
[0012]
Furthermore, it is preferable that a notch portion on which the one arm is hooked is formed at an end portion of the door.
If comprised in this way, since one arm of a torsion coil spring can be reliably engaged with the edge part of a door, a door can be urged | biased to a closed position stably with this torsion coil spring.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a magnetic tape cartridge and an assembling method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
[0014]
First, a magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the inner surface of the lower half included in the magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part in the magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 2 (cross-sectional view taken along the line XX shown in FIG. 4). FIG. 4 shows the inside of the magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. It is a principal part enlarged plan view.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, a magnetic tape cartridge MC is a single reel in which a magnetic tape MT as a recording medium is wound inside a cartridge case 1 divided into a lower half 1B and an upper half 1A. 2, a lock plate 3 and a compression coil spring 4 for locking the rotation of the reel 2, a release pad 5 for releasing the locked state of the reel 2, a corner 1C of the cartridge case 1 and a lower half 1B and an upper half 1A A sliding door 6 that opens and closes the magnetic tape outlet 1D that is formed to straddle, a torsion coil spring 7 that biases the sliding door 6 to the closed position of the magnetic tape outlet 1D, and a magnetic tape MT when the slide door 6 is in a closed state. The leaf spring 8 for locking the leader pin L attached to the tip of the head, the erroneous erasure preventing claw 9, the cartridge memory 10 and the like are assembled. Here, the corner portion 1 </ b> C of the cartridge case 1 is formed obliquely by notching a part of the side wall portion of the cartridge case 1. The “sliding door 6” corresponds to the “door” in the claims. In addition, “upper half 1A, lower half 1B” refers to the upper half at the time of assembly as “upper half 1B” and the lower half as “lower half 1B”.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slide door 6 is a horizontally long thin plate and has a shape curved in the plate thickness direction. A plurality of sliding projections 60 are formed on the upper and lower ends of the slide door 6 so as to be slidably fitted in the guide grooves 12 formed in the upper half 1A and the lower half 1B.
[0017]
On the outer surface of the slide door 6 (the surface facing the outside of the magnetic tape cartridge MC), an operation protrusion 61 for projecting the opening operation of the slide door 6 is provided. When the magnetic tape cartridge MC is assembled, the operation protrusion 61 is exposed from the operation opening 1E formed on the side wall portion of the upper half 1A. Then, the sliding door 6 is opened by pushing the operating projection 61 with an operating arm attached to the loading mechanism of the drive device.
[0018]
A torsion coil spring 7 is provided on the rear end portion 64 (the end portion on the opening direction side when the slide door 6 is assembled to the lower half 1B) of the inner surface of the slide door 6 (the surface facing the inner side of the magnetic tape cartridge MC). A notch 65 that can be engaged with one of the arms 7a is formed. In addition, the shape of the notch part 65 will not be specifically limited if it is a shape which the arm 7a of the torsion coil spring 7 can engage. The “rear end portion 64” corresponds to the “end portion” in the claims.
[0019]
The angles of the two arms 7a and 7b of the torsion coil spring 7 are not particularly limited. However, if the angle is too small, the sliding door 6 cannot be fully opened and closed. In the present embodiment, for example, about 135 ° is assumed. The arms 7a and 7b are preferably formed long so that the slide door 6 can be easily opened and closed.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom half 11 of the lower half 1B is fitted with the lower end of the slide door 6, and when the slide door 6 is opened and closed, the curved shallow guide groove guides the slide door 6 slidably in the opening and closing direction. 12, a pin 13 formed away from the guide groove 12 in the opening direction (rear) of the slide door 6, and a convex portion 14 formed further away from the pin 13.
[0021]
The pin 13 includes a columnar shaft 13a having a diameter into which the body portion 7c of the torsion coil spring 7 can be fitted, and a base 13b formed with a diameter larger than that. The shaft 13 a fits the body portion 7 c of the torsion coil spring 7 and serves as a rotation shaft of the torsion coil spring 7.
Further, the other arm 7 b of the torsion coil spring 7 is in contact with the convex portion 14, and the arm 7 a urges the slide door 6 in the closing direction by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 7.
Although not shown here, a guide groove 12 formed on the inner surface 11 of the lower half 1B and a pin 15 (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the pin 13 are also formed on the inner surface of the upper half 1A. Since the pin 15 is fitted with the pin 13, the tip 15a of the pin 15 is concave so that the shaft 13a can be received.
[0022]
Next, a method for assembling the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the slide door 6 and the torsion coil spring 7 are assembled to the lower half 1B of the cartridge case 1.
[0023]
When assembling the magnetic tape cartridge MC, the lower half 1B, the upper half 1A, the reel 2, the lock plate 3, the compression coil spring 4, the release pad 5, the slide door 6, the torsion coil spring 7 and the leaf spring 8 are placed on the transport pallet. The parts such as the erroneous erasure preventing claw 9 and the cartridge memory 10 are arranged, and in the process of assembling each part, each part is placed at a predetermined position of the lower half 1B by using an assembly device equipped with a robot hand. Is assembled.
[0024]
Hereinafter, assembly work of the slide door 6 and the torsion coil spring 7 will be described.
First, the trunk portion 7c of the torsion coil spring 7 is attached to the shaft 13a of the pin 13 formed on the lower half 1B, and the arm 7b is brought into contact with the convex portion 14.
Next, the slide door 6 is arranged along the guide groove 12 while pushing the arm 7a of the torsion coil spring 7 backward so as to resist the urging force at the notch portion 65 of the slide door 6.
When all parts are assembled to the lower half 1B, the upper half 1A is covered from above so that the pins 13 and 15 are fitted, and the assembly operation of the magnetic tape cartridge is completed.
[0025]
According to the above, in the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
Since the body portion 7c of the torsion coil spring 7 may be attached to the pin 13 formed in the cartridge case, there is no problem that the tension coil spring cannot be attached due to some deviation of each part as in the prior art, and the cartridge case It is possible to easily realize the automation of the work for assembling the sliding door and the torsion coil spring.
Further, automation is further facilitated by a simple assembly method in which the torsion coil spring 7 is attached to the pin 13 and the slide door 6 is set in the guide groove 12 formed in the bottom surface 11 of the cartridge case.
[0026]
Further, since the arm 7a of the torsion coil spring 7 is fitted into and is in contact with the cutout portion 6d of the slide door 6, the slide door 6 can be stably urged in the closing direction, and the set of the slide door 6 is assembled. It is possible to prevent the arm 7a from being detached from the rear end portion 64 of the slide door 6 when attached.
[0027]
When the magnetic tape cartridge is assembled, since the pin 13 and the pin 15 are fitted, a strong impact is applied to the cartridge case by dropping or the like, and a slight gap is formed between the upper half 1A and the lower half 1B. Even if this occurs, the torsion coil spring 7 does not come off because the fitting portion does not come off completely.
[0028]
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications are possible as long as it is based on the technical idea of the present invention.
[0029]
For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the body 7c of the torsion coil spring 7 is externally fitted to the shaft 13a of the pin 13 and then the slide door 6 is arranged and assembled in the guide groove 12 has been described. Alternatively, the torsion coil spring 7 may be assembled after the first is arranged.
[0030]
Further, in the present embodiment, the shape of the arm 7a of the torsion coil spring 7 is not particularly limited, but the tip portion may be bent so as to engage with the notch portion 65. By doing in this way, the arm of a torsion coil spring can be engaged with a slide door more stably.
Further, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 14 is not crafted at all, but a cutout portion may be formed in the same manner as the sliding door 6. By doing in this way, the arm 7b can be contact | abutted to the convex part 14 stably.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a magnetic tape cartridge that can easily realize automation of an operation of assembling a door and a torsion coil spring to a cartridge case.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention.
2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of an inner surface of a lower half included in the magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an essential part in the magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 2 (cross-sectional view taken along the line XX shown in FIG. 4).
4 is an enlarged plan view of a main part in the magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
6 Sliding door 64 Rear end (end)
65 Notch 7 Torsion coil spring 7a Arm 7b Arm 12 Guide groove 13 Pin 14 Projection 15 Pin

Claims (1)

A cartridge case consisting of an upper half and a lower half;
A magnetic tape outlet formed at a corner of the side wall portion of the cartridge case;
A curved door that opens and closes the magnetic tape outlet;
A magnetic tape cartridge comprising a guide groove formed on a bottom surface of the cartridge case and slidably engaged with the door;
A pin formed away from the guide groove;
A protrusion formed in the vicinity of the pin;
A torsion coil spring fitted into the pin,
One arm of the torsion coil spring is in contact with the end portion of the door, the other arm is in contact with the convex portion, and the door is biased to the closed position of the magnetic tape outlet. cartridge.

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