JP2006260773A - Recording tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording tape cartridge capable of exactly positioning a reel in the height direction while satisfactorily feeding and rewinding the recording tape. <P>SOLUTION: As to the recording tape cartridge 10 provided with cases 12, 14 for rotatably housing the reel 30 in simplex, on which the recording tape T is wound on a hub 32 having flange sections 34, 36 at the upper and lower ends, it is equipped with: a gear 40 for reel rotation arranged at a center of lower face of the reel 30 for engaging with a driving gear 80 of the drive side at only a face almost orthogonally crossed with the radial direction of the reel 30; a metal annular reel plate 41 fixed on the lower face of the reel 30 of the side outer than the reel rotating gear 40; and a reference section 42 arranged at the lower face of the reel 30 for positioning the reel 30 in the height direction by abutting on a positioning section 82A of the drive side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording tape cartridge in which a reel around which a recording tape such as a magnetic tape used as a recording / reproducing medium of a computer or the like is wound is contained in a single case.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a magnetic tape cartridge in which a magnetic tape used as a data recording / reproducing medium such as a computer is wound around a reel and the reel is accommodated in a single case. A leader member such as a leader block, a leader pin, and a leader tape is provided at the tip of the magnetic tape, and a drawing means provided on the drive device side draws the leader member out of the magnetic tape cartridge and is fixed to the magnetic member. The tape is wound around a take-up reel on the drive device side.

  By rotating the reel of the magnetic tape cartridge and the take-up reel on the drive device side in synchronism, data can be recorded on the magnetic tape and data recorded on the magnetic tape can be reproduced. The reel of the magnetic tape cartridge is formed by integrally forming a cylindrical hub and a lower flange portion projecting radially from the outer periphery of the lower end of the hub, and an upper flange portion having the same shape as the lower flange portion is joined to the upper end of the hub. The magnetic tape is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the hub.

As shown in FIG. 5, a reel gear 108 is engraved in an annular shape at the center of the lower surface of the reel 104 (lower flange portion 106) emerging from the opening 102 formed in the lower surface of the case 100. The reel 104 is configured to be rotationally driven when the drive gear 110 provided on the rotary shaft on the drive device side meshes with the reel gear 108. In other words, the substantially serrated reel gear 108 and the substantially serrated drive gear 110 mesh with each other, so that rotational power is transmitted and the reel 104 rotates (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
JP 2000-67558 A

  However, when the substantially serrated gears are engaged with each other and rotated in the direction of the arrow R shown in FIG. 5B, for example, the drive gear 110 pushes up the reel gear 108, and the engagement between the two is slightly shifted. (Gap) S may occur, and when such a deviation (gap) S occurs, a so-called “swell” occurs in which the lower flange portion 106 swings up and down, and the magnetic tape T is fed and wound. There was a risk of adverse effects on the return. In addition, in the side view, the approximate center in the height direction of the meshing portion (the position indicated by the imaginary line K in FIG. 5B) is the reference portion (reference surface) in the height direction of the reel 104 with respect to the drive device. Therefore, when a shift (gap) S occurs in the meshing between the two, there is a problem that the position of the reference portion (reference surface) becomes unstable and accurate positioning becomes difficult.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a recording tape cartridge capable of suitably feeding and rewinding a recording tape and accurately positioning a reel in the height direction.

  In order to achieve the above object, a recording tape cartridge according to claim 1 of the present invention is a reel in which a recording tape is wound around a hub having flange portions at the upper end and the lower end, and the reel is rotatable. A single housing case, a reel rotation gear provided at the center of the lower surface of the reel and meshing with a drive gear on the drive device side only on a surface substantially perpendicular to the radial direction of the reel, and more than the reel rotation gear A metal annular reel plate attached to the lower surface of the reel on the outer side, and a reference portion that is provided on the lower surface of the reel and contacts the positioning unit on the drive device side to position the reel in the height direction It is characterized by having.

  A recording tape cartridge according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the recording tape cartridge according to claim 1, the reference portion is provided intermittently.

  Furthermore, the recording tape cartridge according to claim 3 is the recording tape cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the braking member is provided on an upper surface of the reel and brakes a braking member for preventing the reel from rotating when not in use. A reel braking gear with which the gear is meshed is provided, and the direction in which the reel braking gear faces is different from the direction in which the reel rotation gear faces.

  According to the present invention, the reel rotation gear and the drive gear on the drive device side are engaged with each other only on a surface (including an orthogonal surface) substantially perpendicular to the radial direction of the reel. Therefore, there is no possibility that the meshing of the two is shifted by rotation and a gap is not generated. Therefore, “swell” does not occur in the flange portion, and the recording tape can be fed and rewound suitably. Further, since the reference portion for positioning the reel in the height direction is provided at a location different from the reel rotation gear, the positioning can be performed accurately.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail based on examples shown in the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the direction in which the recording tape cartridge is loaded into the drive device (the direction indicated by the arrow P in FIG. 1) is defined as the forward direction, and the front / rear, left / right, and upper / lower directions are used as a reference. Further, the magnetic tape T is employed as the recording tape, and the magnetic tape cartridge 10 will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape in which an upper case 12 and a lower case 14 made of synthetic resin are joined together by ultrasonic welding or the like. Inside, a reel 30 around which a magnetic tape T as an information recording / reproducing medium is wound is accommodated in a single rotatable manner. That is, the inner surface of each of the upper case 12 and the lower case 14 is provided with a substantially cylindrical floating regulation wall 20, and the reel 30 is accommodated in the single floating regulation wall 20. ing.

  A circular opening 22 is formed in the center of the lower case 14, and a reel gear 40, a reel plate 41, a protrusion 42 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) and the like provided on the lower surface of the reel 30 are opened. It comes out from the hole 22. In the reel 30, a cylindrical reel hub 32 and a lower flange portion 34 projecting radially from the outer periphery of the lower end of the reel hub 32 are integrally formed of synthetic resin, and an upper flange portion 36 having the same shape as the lower flange portion 34 is formed on the reel hub 32. Are joined to each other by ultrasonic welding or the like. A magnetic tape T is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the reel hub 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the lower flange portion 34 side of the reel hub 32 is closed by a bottom wall 38 having a through hole 38 </ b> A formed in the center, and the reel 30 is rotated around the lower surface outer peripheral portion of the bottom wall 38. A reel gear 40 for driving is engraved in an annular shape. The reel gear 40 is configured to mesh with the drive gear 80 on the drive device side only on a surface that is substantially orthogonal to the radial direction of the reel 30. For example, a protrusion having a predetermined length that is long in the height direction of the reel hub 32. A plurality of 40A (eight in the figure) are configured in a spline shape, which is annularly arranged at a predetermined interval.

  At both left and right ends of each protrusion 40A constituting the reel gear 40, a tapered surface 40B for guiding is formed so that the inner side is narrower than the outer side in plan view. It is formed in a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape in plan view. Note that the taper surface 40B may be provided with an extremely slight draft (inclined surface) that becomes substantially divergent from the lower end side toward the upper end side in order to facilitate extraction from the molding die. Therefore, the surface that meshes with the drive gear 80 is a surface that is substantially orthogonal to the radial direction of the reel 30, and includes both the orthogonal surface and a surface that is slightly inclined from the surface. It is preferable to form it on a surface orthogonal to the radial direction.

  In addition, the lower end of the ridge 40A is inclined toward the inner upper side from the outer side, and a taper for guiding the central part into a substantially saw-tooth shape in cross section with an obtuse angle protruding downward. A surface 40C is formed, and when the drive gear 80 and the reel gear 40 are meshed, the meshing can be performed smoothly. In addition, it is preferable to form a similar tapered surface on the drive gear 80 because the meshing becomes smoother. Needless to say, the reel gear 40 (the protruding portion 40A) may be formed without forming the tapered surfaces 40B and 40C.

  A metal annular reel plate 41 is integrally attached to the lower surface of the reel hub 32 on the outer side of the reel gear 40 by insert molding or the like, and the reel hub 32 on the outer side of the reel plate 41 is further attached. A convex portion 42 having a flat lower surface serving as a positioning reference portion (reference surface) for defining a position in the height direction of the reel 30 is projected in a ring shape with a predetermined height downward. Yes. Further, an annular groove 44 is provided on the outer side of the convex portion 42, and the rib 24 erected upward at the peripheral edge portion of the opening 22 is fitted into the annular groove 44. It has become.

  Therefore, when the reel gear 40, the reel plate 41, and the convex portion 42 appear from the opening 22, and the driving gear 80 meshes with the reel gear 40, the convex portion is formed on the upper surface 82A of the rotary shaft 82 on which the driving gear 80 is provided. When the lower surface of 42 is brought into contact, the reel 30 is accurately positioned in the height direction, and the electromagnet 81 provided annularly on the upper surface 82A attracts the reel plate 41, whereby the drive gear 80 and the reel gear 40 are arranged. The rotation center is suitably secured.

  In addition, the convex part 42 and the electromagnet 81 are not limited to what was provided continuously like the circular ring shape of illustration, For example, you may provide intermittently at predetermined intervals. Further, the positioning unit on the drive device side is not limited to the upper surface 82A of the rotating shaft 82, and may be provided separately from the rotating shaft 82. Similarly, the electromagnet 81 may be provided separately from the rotating shaft 82.

  On the other hand, a braking reel gear 46 is formed in an annular shape on the upper surface of the bottom wall 38 inside the reel hub 32, and the braking is formed on the outer periphery of the lower surface of the braking member 50 inserted into the reel hub 32. The gear 52 meshes with the reel gear 46. That is, the braking member 50 is urged downward by the coil spring 48 to urge the reel 30 downward, and when not in use (when not loaded in the drive device), the reel gear 46 and the braking gear. 52 to prevent the reel 30 from rattling (so as not to rotate inadvertently).

  The coil spring 48 is held between an annular protrusion 26 provided at the center of the inner surface of the upper case 12 and an annular groove 54 provided on the upper surface of the braking member 50. A substantially cylindrical protrusion 56 that can be inserted into the hole 38A is provided. A columnar convex portion 58 having a substantially U-shape in plan view is erected on the inner side of the annular groove 54 so that the open side is opposed, and two locking pins 28 that are juxtaposed on the inner side of the annular protrusion 26. Are inserted into the inner surface of the columnar convex portion 58, respectively.

  Further, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is configured such that an opening 60 is formed by cutting out a part of the peripheral walls 16 and 18 at the right front corner. The opening 60 is for pulling the magnetic tape T wound around the reel 30 to the outside. When the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is not used, the leader block 70 attached to the tip portion of the magnetic tape T has a corner angle. The opening 60 is closed by being locked to the portion.

  That is, on the inner surfaces of the upper case 12 and the lower case 14 near the corner (opening 60), a fitting wall 62 and an inner wall 64 that match the outer shape of the leader block 70 are provided so as to protrude further upward. The upper surface of the case 12 is cut into an elongated shape parallel to the peripheral wall 16 to form a leaf spring-like locking wall 66, and the leader block 70 is utilized by utilizing the elastic deformation of the locking wall 66. The top end 70D and the bottom surface 70E are respectively fitted to the fitting wall 62, and the left side 70C is in contact with the inner wall 64. The leader block 70 is locked.

  Further, in the upper case 12 and the lower case 14 in the vicinity of the opening 60, a concave portion 68 having substantially the same shape in plan view as a concave portion 72 formed at the tip of the leader block 70 is located at a position corresponding to the concave portion 72. The drawer pin (not shown) on the side of the drive device that pulls out the leader block 70 can be easily inserted.

  The leader block 70 is formed by bending a front portion 70A formed in a substantially arc shape in a plan view and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the reel hub when fitted to a reel hub (not shown) of a take-up reel on the drive device side. A substantially rectangular block having a curved rear surface portion 70B, the left side surface portion 70C, the upper surface portion 70D, the lower surface portion 70E, and the right side surface portion 70F. The drive device side drawer is provided on the front surface portion 70A. A recess 72 is formed in which the pin is engaged.

  Further, a hole 74 is formed in the upper surface portion 70D and the lower surface portion 70E, and a recess 76 is formed in the approximate center of the left side surface portion 70C of the leader block 70. The recess 76 is provided to fix the leading end portion of the magnetic tape T to the leader block 70, and an elastic synthetic resin fixing pin 78 sandwiches the leading end portion of the magnetic tape T while sandwiching the leading end portion of the magnetic tape T. The leader block 70 is fixed to the front end of the magnetic tape T by being fitted to 76.

  Next, the operation of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 configured as described above will be described. The reel 30 accommodated in the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is prevented from rotating carelessly by the braking member 50 when not in use. That is, the braking gear 52 of the braking member 50 urged downward by the coil spring 48 meshes with the reel gear 46 formed in the reel hub 32 of the reel 30 to prevent the reel 30 from being inadvertently rotated. Yes. The opening 60 is closed by the leader block 70.

  When the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is used, it is loaded into a bucket (not shown) of the drive device. When the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the bucket, the bucket is lowered, and the rotary shaft 82 approaches relatively toward the opening 22. Then, a substantially cylindrical projection 84 provided at the center of the upper surface of the rotary shaft 82 (drive gear 80) enters from the through hole 38A of the bottom wall 38 and comes into contact with the projection 56 of the braking member 50, and through the projection 56. Thus, the braking member 50 is pushed upward against the biasing force of the coil spring 48, and the meshing between the reel gear 46 and the braking gear 52 is released. Then, on the upper surface 82A of the rotating shaft 82, the electromagnet 81 provided on the outer side of the drive gear 80 attracts the reel plate 41, and meshes the two while ensuring the rotation center of the reel gear 40 and the drive gear 80 suitably. Let

  As described above, in the magnetic tape cartridge 10 in which the single reel 30 is accommodated, only the lowering operation of the bucket loaded with the magnetic tape cartridge 10 (the relative upward movement of the rotary shaft 82 provided with the drive gear 80). Only), the braking of the reel 30 by the braking member 50 can be released, and the engagement between the drive gear 80 and the reel gear 46 can be performed, so that the braking member can be connected to the reel of the reel, such as a magnetic tape cassette containing a pair of reels. The structure can be simplified as compared with a structure in which the operation is performed on the gear formed on the peripheral edge of the lower flange portion, and the braking member is released and the drive gear and the reel gear are engaged by different operations.

  Further, at this time, the reel gear 40 and the drive gear 80 are engaged with each other only on a surface substantially orthogonal to the radial direction of the reel 30 as in spline connection, and therefore, the reel gear 40 is engaged with each other reliably and firmly. Even if they are driven to rotate, there is no deviation (gap) or the like in the meshing portion between them. Therefore, “undulation” does not occur in the lower flange portion 34, the rotational power from the drive gear 80 is efficiently transmitted to the reel gear 40, and the magnetic tape T is preferably fed and unwound. Then, the upper surface 82A of the rotary shaft 82 on the outer side of the electromagnet 81 is in contact with the lower surface of the convex portion 42 provided on the lower surface of the reel 30 (reel hub 32), so that the height direction of the reel 30 with respect to the drive device. Therefore, accurate positioning can be achieved as compared with the prior art.

  On the other hand, the lead-out pin provided on the drive device side is engaged with the recess 72 of the leader block 70 attached to the tip of the magnetic tape T, and the leader block 70 is pulled out from the magnetic tape cartridge 10. Then, the leader block 70 is fitted to the reel hub of the take-up reel on the drive device side so that the magnetic tape T can be wound around the take-up reel, and the reel 30 and the take-up reel are driven to rotate synchronously. Thus, data recording or data reproduction is performed while sequentially winding the magnetic tape T on the take-up reel.

  When the magnetic tape T has been wound up to the end by the take-up reel, the reel 30 and the take-up reel are driven to rotate reversely, and the magnetic tape T is taken up on the reel 30. When the magnetic tape T has been wound up to the end of the reel 30, the leader block 70 is extracted from the reel hub of the take-up reel and is locked to the opening 60 of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, thereby closing the opening 60.

  Then, the magnetic force of the electromagnet 81 is released, the rotary shaft 82 is lowered, the meshing between the reel gear 40 and the drive gear 80 is released, and the protrusion 84 is extracted from the through hole 38A. Then, the braking member 50 is pressed downward by the urging force of the coil spring 48, the braking gear 52 and the reel gear 46 are engaged, and the reel 30 is prevented from being inadvertently rotated as described above. Thus, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is taken out from the drive device.

1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention as viewed obliquely from above. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention viewed obliquely from below. Schematic side sectional view showing a magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention and a drive gear on the drive device side Schematic bottom view showing the main part of the reel (A) The schematic perspective view which looked at the conventional magnetic tape cartridge from diagonally downward, (B) The explanatory view which shows the meshing part of the conventional reel gear and drive gear

Explanation of symbols

10 Magnetic tape cartridge (recording tape cartridge)
12 Upper case 14 Lower case 22 Opening hole 30 Reel 32 Reel hub 34 Lower flange part 36 Upper flange part 40 Reel gear (reel rotation gear)
41 Reel plate 42 Convex part (reference part)
46 Reel gear (reel braking gear)
50 Braking member 52 Braking gear 80 Drive gear 82 Rotating shaft 82A Upper surface (positioning portion)
T Magnetic tape (recording tape)

Claims (3)

A reel having a recording tape wound around a hub having flange portions at the upper and lower ends;
A case for accommodating the reel in a rotatable manner;
A reel rotation gear provided at the center of the lower surface of the reel and meshing with a drive gear on the drive device side only on a surface substantially orthogonal to the radial direction of the reel;
A metal annular reel plate attached to the lower surface of the reel on the outer side of the reel rotation gear;
A reference portion that is provided on the lower surface of the reel and that contacts the positioning portion on the drive device side to position the reel in the height direction;
A recording tape cartridge comprising:   The recording tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the reference portion is provided intermittently. A reel braking gear provided on the top surface of the reel and meshed with a braking gear of a braking member for preventing rotation of the reel when not in use;
The recording tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a direction in which the reel braking gear faces is different from a direction in which the reel rotation gear faces.

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