JP2004227741A - Tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape cartridge in which falling and coming off of a cartridge pin attributable to a gap between shells caused by the dropping of the cartridge can be prevented. <P>SOLUTION: A cartridge pin 22 preventing contact between a magnetic tape 20 paid out from a tape reel 14 and a periphery part 35a of an opening part 35 of a cartridge case 13 is screwed and coupled to a cartridge case 13. By this constitution, coupling strength of an upper shell 11 and a lower shell 12 at a forming position of the opening part 35 is improved, simultaneously, falling and coming off of the cartridge pin 22 with respect to the shell are prevented, and reliability of the tape cartridge C can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tape cartridge having a tape reel wound with a magnetic tape inside a cartridge case, and more particularly, to a tape provided with a contact preventing member for preventing contact between the tape inside the case and an edge of a shell opening. Regarding the cartridge.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a tape drive device that draws out a magnetic tape from a tape cartridge containing a single tape reel around which a magnetic tape as a recording medium is wound and records and reproduces information. This type of tape drive device is frequently used for data backup of systems handling a large amount of data, such as a computer server.
[0003]
There are various types of tape cartridges having a single tape reel. For example, a type in which a leader block to which one end of a magnetic tape is connected is arranged in an opening of a case of a tape cartridge is known (see below). Patent Document 1).
[0004]
When a tape cartridge having a leader block is mounted on a tape drive, the leader block is chucked by a chucking mechanism, pulled out by a transport mechanism, and transported to a take-up reel of the tape drive. The magnetic tape pulled out from the tape cartridge is recorded or reproduced by the magnetic head of the tape drive device while being wound on the take-up reel of the tape drive device.
[0005]
Now, when the tape cartridge is mounted on the tape drive device and the leader block is pulled out toward the take-up reel of the tape drive device, the direction of the tape unreeled from the opening according to the movement path of the leader block changes, May touch the edge of the opening. If the tape contacts the edges of the opening, the tape may be cut or damaged.
[0006]
In order to avoid the contact between the tape fed from the tape reel and the edge of the opening, the present applicant firstly applied the tape fed from the tape reel and the edge of the opening as shown in FIGS. And Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-337216 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-183420 have proposed a tape cartridge in which a cartridge pin made of a metal cylindrical member is disposed as a contact preventing member.
[0007]
Inside the cartridge case 3 in which an opening 5 for pulling out a tape is formed by joining the upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2, the cartridge pins 4 arranged near the opening 5 have upper and lower end portions. Is inserted into a concave portion 6 provided at a corresponding portion on the inner surface side of each of the upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2 to be supported upright on the cartridge case 3.
[0008]
The cartridge pin 4 has its axis centered in the tape width direction (cartridge direction) between the side wall 5w forming the edge 5a of the opening 5 and the guide wall 7w for regulating the position of the leader block 8 inside the cartridge case 3. (Thickness direction). When the tape cartridge is used, the leader block 8 is pulled out from the opening 5, and when the tape T is fed out from a tape reel (not shown), the cartridge pin 4 is connected to the tape T and the edge 5 a of the opening 5. It is located between. The peripheral surface of the cartridge pin 4 with which the tape T contacts is a smooth curved surface made of metal and has a function of protecting the magnetic tape T from damage due to contact with the opening edge 5a.
[0009]
In this conventional tape cartridge, when assembling, various components such as a tape reel wound with a magnetic tape are incorporated on the lower shell 2, and the lower end of the cartridge pin 4 is lightly pressed into the recess 6. After that, the upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2 are screwed together. After the coupling, the cartridge pins 4 are supported between the upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2.
[0010]
Prior art documents related to the invention of this application include the following.
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-195933 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-358753 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the cartridge is used in an office environment, it is conceivable that the cartridge may be accidentally dropped from the desk onto the floor. Even in such a case, the cartridge is required to have a usable drop strength.
[0012]
However, in the above-described conventional tape cartridge, when a drop impact is applied to the corner of the cartridge near the opening 5, a gap G is formed between the upper and lower shells 1 and 2 in the opening 5 as shown in FIG. In some cases, the shells may be separated from each other due to deformation as formed, and when an impact force is applied such that the gap G exceeds the fitting amount of the cartridge pin 4 and the concave portion 6, the cartridge pin 4 is illustrated. You may fall or fall off like you do.
[0013]
For example, if the gap between the shells cannot be eliminated by being caught between the shells 1 and 2 in an improper posture with the cartridge pin 4 lying down, the tape cartridge is mounted on the tape drive and the recording / reproduction of information is performed. When the cartridge is to be inserted, the cartridge case 3 cannot be inserted into the drive due to the thickness of the cartridge case 3 due to the gap between the shells, or dust enters the cartridge case 3 from the gap to damage the magnetic tape, and the quality of the cartridge is reduced. Is significantly reduced. Further, when the cartridge pin 4 comes off, when the leader block 8 is transported inside the tape drive, the tape may come into contact with the edge 5a of the opening 5 and cause breakage or cutting of the tape. Will happen.
[0014]
The cause of such a problem is the fastening position of the screw member that connects the upper and lower shells 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 15, the screw insertion holes 9A and 9B of the coupling screw for fastening the formation surface of the opening 5 are separated from each other, and the shell coupling strength near the opening 5 formed therebetween is weak. .
[0015]
As a method of increasing the bonding strength between the shells, for example, a screw hole may be provided near the cartridge pin 4 to add one screw, or a step of connecting the shells by ultrasonic welding may be added. However, in the former example, it is difficult to add screws in terms of space, and in the latter example, there is a problem in that the number of steps in the tape cartridge production process is increased as compared with the conventional case, resulting in a decrease in productivity.
[0016]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a tape cartridge that can prevent a cartridge pin from falling down or coming off due to a gap between shells caused by a drop of the cartridge.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In solving the above problems, the tape cartridge according to the present invention is characterized in that the contact preventing member is screwed and connected to the cartridge case. Thus, the contact prevention member can be integrated with the cartridge case, so that the contact prevention member is prevented from being detached from the cartridge case due to a drop impact or the like, and the contact prevention member can be prevented from falling down or coming off.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, examples in which the present invention is applied to a magnetic tape cartridge for data storage used for, for example, data backup of a computer will be described.
[0019]
(First Embodiment)
1 to 8 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge C of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tape cartridge C as viewed from the rear side, and FIG. FIG. FIG. 4 is a view showing a part of the inner surface of the upper shell 11 at a portion where an opening 35 for drawing out the tape is formed. FIG. 5 is a view showing a part of the lower shell 12 at a position corresponding to FIG. 6 is a side view of the cartridge pin 22 according to the present invention, FIG. 7 is a side sectional view for explaining the relationship between the cartridge case 13 and the cartridge pin 22, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cartridge pin 13 as viewed from the opening 35 side.
[0020]
The tape cartridge C of the present embodiment is a single unit in which a magnetic tape 20 is wound in a cartridge case 13 formed by combining an upper shell 11 and a lower shell 12 made of a synthetic resin material such as a polycarbonate resin. One tape reel 14 is rotatably accommodated.
[0021]
The tape reel 14 is a combination of an upper flange 41 and a lower flange 42 integral with the reel hub 15. A magnetic tape 20 having a transparent leader tape 21 connected to one end of the tape reel 14 is wound with the magnetic surface facing inward. The tape reel 14 has a ring-shaped bearing 16 that is press-fitted and fixed inside a reel hub 15, and a reel spring 18 provided between a bearing cap 17 that covers the bearing 16 and the center of the inner surface of the upper shell 11. To the lower shell 12 side. The reel spring 18 is formed of a coil spring having a cylindrical shape.
[0022]
At the center of the lower surface of the tape reel 14, a chucking gear meshing with the rotation shaft of the tape drive device is formed (not shown), and the chucking gear is formed in an opening formed at the center of the lower shell 12. It is exposed to the outside through 30.
[0023]
When the tape cartridge C is not loaded in the tape drive device and is not in use, the tape reel 14 cannot be rotated by the pair of reel lock members 25 and 26 urged by the reel lock springs 23 and 24. I have. That is, the tape reel 14 cannot be rotated because the engagement portions 25a and 26a formed on the reel lock members 25 and 26 engage with the reel lock gear 27 formed on the outer peripheral edge of the lower flange 42. ing.
The reel lock springs 23 and 24 and the reel lock members 25 and 26 are rotatably mounted on support shafts 28 and 29 erected on the inner surface of the lower shell 12, respectively.
[0024]
When not in use, the magnetic tape 20 is completely wound on the tape reel 14. The leading end of the leader tape 21 is arranged so as to close the tape pull-out opening 35 formed on the front of the cartridge case 13 from the inside of the cartridge case 13 when the upper shell 11 and the lower shell 12 are connected. Is connected to the leader block 32 via a clamper 36. The leader block 32 is positioned in the storage portion 37 inside the opening 35 while being elastically supported by the substantially U-shaped leader block spring 31.
[0025]
On the other hand, when the tape drive C is loaded with the tape cartridge C, the tape reel 14 is lifted to the center position of the cartridge case 13 due to the rise of the rotating shaft on the tape drive side, and the reel lock on the tape drive side is locked. When the release plug is inserted into the reel lock release holes 43, 44, the locks of the reel lock members 25, 26 are released, and the tape reel 14 is made rotatable. Then, the leader block 32 is pulled out from the opening 35 by the chucking mechanism on the tape drive device side, and the magnetic tape 20 is fed out of the cartridge case 13.
[0026]
The tape cartridge C is provided with a safety tab 33 for preventing erroneous recording and erasure on the magnetic tape 20. The safety tab 33 is slidably provided on the rear surface of the cartridge case 13 opposite to the surface on which the opening 35 is formed.
[0027]
A memory substrate 34 on which a non-contact type IC (semiconductor integrated circuit) memory is mounted is accommodated inside the back surface of the cartridge case 13, and the content recorded on the magnetic tape 20, for example, by communication with the tape drive device side The reading / writing of the information about is performed.
[0028]
Further, transparent window members 38A and 38B for detecting a tape end are provided on side surfaces of the cartridge case 13 facing in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion into the tape drive device.
[0029]
Subsequently, the details of the cartridge pin 22 as the contact prevention member according to the present invention will be described.
[0030]
The cartridge pin 22 is made of metal and is a cylindrical member that is inserted parallel to the thickness direction of the cartridge case 13, and is located between the edge 35 a of the opening 35 of the cartridge case 13 and the tape pulled out from the opening 35. Are arranged along the edge 35a of the opening 35 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 8). As a result, the magnetic tape 20 is subjected to the tape guiding action by the cartridge pins 22, and is prevented from being damaged by the contact with the opening edge 35a.
[0031]
As a material for forming the cartridge pin 22, a non-magnetic metal material such as austenitic stainless steel (SUS303, SUS304, etc.) is used.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge pin 22 has a cylindrical shaft portion 22a, a screw portion 22b formed at one end of the shaft portion 22a, and a head formed at the other end of the shaft portion 22a. It is configured as a screw member including the portion 22c. In the present embodiment, the screw member is constituted by a tapping screw.
[0033]
FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 show the configuration on the inner surface side of the upper shell 11 and the outer surface side of the lower shell 12 into which the cartridge pin 22 having the above configuration is inserted. A pin screw hole 56 into which the screw portion 22b of the cartridge pin 22 is screwed is formed in the upper shell 11. The lower shell 12 has a pin insertion hole 46 through which the shaft 22a of the cartridge pin 22 is inserted.
[0034]
The pin screw hole 56 is provided on the guide rib 53 that defines the storage portion 37, and is particularly provided at the junction of the side wall forming rib 51 forming the side wall of the opening 35 and the peripheral wall rib 52 surrounding the tape reel 14. I have. The side wall forming ribs 51 and the peripheral wall ribs 52 are also provided at corresponding positions on the inner surface side of the lower shell 11, and come into contact with each other when the upper shell 11 and the lower shell 12 are connected (FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and 8). The edges of the upper and lower sidewall forming ribs 51, 51 form the edge 35a of the opening 35 (FIG. 8).
[0035]
A cut-out portion 39 is formed in the upper shell 11 at the opening 35 where the chucking mechanism of the tape drive device enters. Reference numeral 57 denotes a receiving portion into which the support shaft 29 of the reel lock member 26 fits, and reference numerals 59A and 59B denote screw screw holes into which screw members 40 for shell connection are screwed, and are formed on the lower shell 12 side. It has a fitting relationship with the screw insertion holes 49A and 49B.
[0036]
On the other hand, the pin insertion hole 46 is formed on the guide wall 47 of the lower shell 12. The guide wall 47 is a position regulating rib for guiding the leader block 32 to the storage section 37, similarly to the guide rib 53 on the upper shell 11 side. A spot facing portion 46a is formed on the outer surface of the shell of the pin insertion hole 46, and the depth of the spot facing portion 46a is equal to or greater than the height of the head 22c of the cartridge pin 22.
[0037]
Next, a procedure for assembling the tape cartridge C configured as described above will be described.
[0038]
Referring to FIG. 2, a pair of reel lock springs 23, 24 and reel lock members 25, 26 are mounted on support shafts 28, 29, respectively. The tape reel 14, the safety tab 33, the memory board 34, and the window members 38A and 38B, around which the magnetic tape 20 is wound and the leader block 32 is connected, are assembled at predetermined positions. The leader block 32 is disposed in the storage section 37 by engaging with a leader block spring 31 previously integrated with the lower shell 12. The upper shell 11 is combined with the lower shell 12 via a reel spring 18 and connected by a plurality of screw members 40.
[0039]
The cartridge pin 22 is incorporated by inserting the threaded portion 22b at the tip of the cartridge pin 22 from the pin insertion hole 46 of the lower shell 12 into the cartridge case 13 and screwing it into the pin screw hole 56 on the inner surface of the upper shell 11 (FIG. 7). At this time, the head 22c of the cartridge pin 22 is immersed in the counterbored portion 46a of the pin insertion hole 46, and the protrusion of the head 22c from the outer surface of the lower shell 12 is prevented.
[0040]
After the insertion of the cartridge pin 22, the length L (FIG. 7) of the shaft portion 22a located inside the cartridge case 13 is set to be larger than the tape width of the magnetic tape in order to perform a desired tape guiding operation. Is set. That is, the amount of screwing of the screw portion 22b is regulated by the contact action between the tip of the screw portion 22b and the bottom of the pin screw hole 56 or the contact action between the head portion 22c and the bottom of the spot facing portion 46a. The length L of the shaft portion 22a is ensured.
[0041]
According to the present embodiment, since the cartridge pin 22 is screwed and connected to the cartridge case 13, the shell connection strength at the opening 35 of the tape cartridge C is increased, and the tape cartridge C is dropped by mistake. Even if an external force acts on the opening 35 in the direction of separating the upper and lower shells 11 and 12, separation of the shells 11 and 12 can be prevented. In addition, the cartridge pins 22 can be prevented from falling or falling out of the cartridge case 13.
[0042]
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a failure in loading the tape drive device due to an increase in the thickness of the cartridge due to the gap between the shells, and to ensure an appropriate tape guiding operation of the magnetic tape 20 by the cartridge pins 22 to prevent the tape from being damaged. Damage and the like can be avoided.
[0043]
(Second embodiment)
9 and 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, parts corresponding to those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0044]
The cartridge pin 62 in the present embodiment is made of non-magnetic metal, and as shown in FIG. 9, a cylindrical shaft portion 62a, a first screw portion 62b1 formed at one end of the shaft portion 62a, and a shaft. It is formed of a screw member including a second screw portion 62b2 formed at the other end of the portion 62a and a head portion 62c.
[0045]
The insertion of the cartridge pins 62 into the cartridge case 13 is performed in the same manner as in the above-described first embodiment. In the cartridge pin 62 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the first screw portion 62b1 is screwed into the pin screw hole 56 on the upper shell 11 side, and the pin insertion hole on the lower shell 12 side. The second threaded portion 62b2 is screwed to 46.
[0046]
With this configuration, the cartridge pins 62 can be screwed and connected to the upper shell 11 and the lower shell 12, so that the bonding strength of the cartridge pins 62 to the cartridge case 13 can be further increased. The bonding strength between the lower shell 12 and the lower shell 12 can also be increased. Thereby, the reliability of the tape cartridge can be further improved.
[0047]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, parts corresponding to those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0048]
The cartridge pin 72 in the present embodiment is made of non-magnetic metal, and as shown in FIG. 11, a cylindrical shaft portion 72a, a screw portion 72b formed at one end of the shaft portion 72a, and a shaft portion 72a. And a head 72c formed at the other end of the screw member.
[0049]
The outer diameter (peak diameter) of the screw portion 72b is smaller than the shaft diameter of the shaft portion 72a, and the screw portion 72b is formed via a step 72d of the shaft portion 72a. When the cartridge pin 72 is inserted into the cartridge case 13, the stepped portion 72 d comes into contact with the periphery of the opening of the pin screw hole 56 (guide rib 53) as shown in FIG. 12, and the screw portion 72 b is screwed into the pin screw hole 56. Regulate the amount of landing. Thus, it is possible to prevent the length L of the shaft portion 72a located between the upper and lower shells 11 and 12 from varying.
[0050]
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, parts corresponding to those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0051]
The cartridge pin 82 in the present embodiment is made of non-magnetic metal, and as shown in FIG. 11, a cylindrical shaft portion 82a, a first screw portion 82b1 formed at one end of the shaft portion 82a, and a shaft. It is configured as a screw member including a second screw portion 82b2 formed at the other end of the portion 82a. A groove 82c for engaging with a tightening tool is provided at the end on the second screw portion 82b2 side.
[0052]
When the cartridge pin 82 is inserted into the cartridge case 13, similarly to the above-described second embodiment, the first screw portion 82 b 1 is screwed into the pin screw hole 56 on the upper shell 11 side, and the lower shell The second screw portion 82b2 is screwed into the pin insertion hole 46 on the 12th side (FIG. 14). In the present embodiment, the second screw portion 82b2 can be easily formed since it does not have a head compared to the second embodiment, and the number of threads of the second screw portion 82b2 can be increased. Therefore, the bonding strength with the lower shell 12 can be increased.
[0053]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is, of course, not limited to these, and various modifications can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention.
[0054]
For example, in the above-described first embodiment, the cartridge pin is formed by the tapping screw. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the nut member is fixed at the position where the pin screw hole is formed and the cartridge screw is screwed into the nut member. It is also possible to configure pins.
[0055]
In the first embodiment, the pin screw holes 56 are formed in the upper shell and the pin insertion holes 46 are formed in the lower shell. However, the pin insertion holes are formed in the upper shell, and the pin holes are formed in the lower shell. A screw hole may be formed.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the tape cartridge of the present invention, the contact preventing member for preventing the contact between the tape fed from the tape reel and the edge of the case opening is screwed and connected to the cartridge case. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the contact prevention member from falling down or coming off due to a drop impact or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a tape cartridge C according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view when the tape cartridge C is viewed from the back side.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the internal structure of the tape cartridge C when the upper shell 11 is removed.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a part of the inner surface of the upper shell 11 where an opening 35 for tape withdrawal is formed.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a part of the outer surface of the lower shell 12 at a position corresponding to FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the cartridge pin 22 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side sectional view illustrating a relationship between a cartridge case 13 and a cartridge pin 22.
8 is a perspective view showing a cartridge pin 22 in an opening 35. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a side view of a cartridge pin 62 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a side sectional view illustrating a relationship between a cartridge case 13 and a cartridge pin 62.
FIG. 11 is a side view of a cartridge pin 72 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a side sectional view illustrating a relationship between a cartridge case 13 and a cartridge pin 72.
FIG. 13 is a side view of a cartridge pin 82 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a side sectional view illustrating a relationship between a cartridge case 13 and a cartridge pin 82.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a cartridge pin and its peripheral structure in a conventional tape cartridge.
FIG. 16 is a view for explaining the operation of the cartridge pin, and is a plan view of the configuration around the opening when the upper shell is removed.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the vicinity of an opening of a tape cartridge for explaining a conventional problem.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 upper shell, 12 lower shell, 13 cartridge case, 14 tape reel, 20 magnetic tape, 21 leader tape, 22, 62, 72, 82 ... cartridge pin (contact prevention member), 22a, 62a, 72a, 82a: Shaft, 22b, 72b: Screw, 62b1, 82b1: First screw, 62b2, 82b2: Second screw, 22c, 62c, 72c: Head, 32: Leader block, 35: Opening , 46: pin insertion hole, 56: pin screw hole, C: tape cartridge.

Claims (6)

A cartridge case having an opening for pulling out a tape formed by coupling an upper shell and a lower shell, a tape reel rotatably housed in the cartridge case and wound with a magnetic tape, and the tape reel A tape cartridge comprising: a magnetic tape that is fed out from an edge of the opening; and a contact prevention member that prevents contact between the magnetic tape and the edge of the opening.
The tape cartridge, wherein the contact preventing member is screwed to the cartridge case. The contact prevention member is a columnar member that is inserted parallel to the thickness direction of the cartridge case,
2. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a cylindrical shaft portion with which the magnetic tape contacts, and a screw portion formed at a tip of the shaft portion. 3. The tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein an outer diameter of the screw portion is smaller than a shaft diameter of the shaft portion, and the screw portion is formed through a step portion of the shaft portion. 3. The tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the contact preventing member is a screw member inserted into the cartridge case from the outer surface side. The first screw portion screwed to the upper shell side and the second screw portion screwed to the lower shell side are formed on a shaft portion of the screw member. 5. The tape cartridge according to 4. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the contact preventing member is made of a non-magnetic metal material.

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