JP2007164825A - Cartridge loading/ejecting mechanism and library device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge loading/ejecting mechanism which is provided in a library device equipped with a drive unit recording/reproducing data to and from a recording medium in a cartridge and an accessor transporting the cartridge and loads/rejects a magazine capable of storing a plurality of cartridges in and from the library device, the cartridge loading/ejecting mechanism securely setting the magazine at a regular position. <P>SOLUTION: The cartridge loading/ejecting mechanism has: a link section 13 which links an internal space where the accessor operates and an external space of the library device to each other, the external space side of the library device being a loading opening for the magazine and the internal space where the accessor operates being the regular setting position for the magazine; a drawing means 100 of drawing the magazine 9 to the regular position when the magazine 9 is inserted almost into the regular setting position of the link section; and a holding means 200 of holding the magazine 9 drawn into the regular position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is provided in a library apparatus having a drive unit for recording / reproducing data on / from a recording medium in a cartridge and an accessor for transferring the cartridge, and a magazine capable of accommodating a plurality of cartridges is provided in the library. The present invention relates to a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism for loading / unloading the apparatus and a library apparatus having the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism.

  In a computer system, a library apparatus using a cartridge-type storage medium (hereinafter simply referred to as a cartridge) that stores a magnetic tape (recording medium) is used as an information storage apparatus for storing a large amount of information.

  The library apparatus includes a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism for loading / unloading cartridges to / from the library apparatus, a drive unit for recording / reproducing data on / from a storage medium in the cartridge, a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism, and a drive unit. And an accessor robot (hereinafter simply referred to as an accessor) for transferring the cartridge between the two.

  In the library apparatus, a plurality of shelves for accommodating the cartridges may be provided. In this case, the accessor transports the cartridge between the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism and the drive unit via the shelf or directly.

  Further, the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism includes a mechanism for loading / unloading a magazine containing a plurality of cartridges to / from the library apparatus in addition to a mechanism for loading / unloading one cartridge to / from the library apparatus (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

In the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism for loading / unloading the magazine with respect to the library apparatus, the operator has confirmed visually and touched that the magazine has been set at a proper position.
JP 2004-62973 A (FIGS. 1 to 5)

  However, if the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism for loading / unloading the magazine into / from the library device is provided in a low place, conversely, if it is provided in a high place, the proper set position is further In the case of a new place, there is a problem that it is not known whether or not the magazine is set at a proper position only by visual observation and touch.

Therefore, a method is conceivable in which the position of the set magazine is detected by a sensor and it is determined whether or not the magazine has been set at a normal position.
However, even if the sensor is used, there may be a case where it is not possible to determine whether the magazine has been set to the normal position by the sensor due to a dimensional error in manufacturing the cartridge input / output mechanism. In this case, even if the magazine is set at the regular position, it cannot be determined that the magazine is set at the regular position, or even if the magazine is set at a position other than the regular position, it is determined that the magazine is set at the regular position.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism and a library apparatus in which a magazine is surely set at a normal position.

  The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-described problem is provided in a library apparatus including a drive unit for recording / reproducing data on / from a recording medium in a cartridge and an accessor for transferring the cartridge. In the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism for loading / unloading a plurality of magazines that can be stored in the library apparatus, the internal space in which the accessor operates and the external space of the library apparatus are communicated, and the external space side of the library apparatus is When the magazine is inserted to the vicinity of the regular set position of the communication portion, the magazine insertion port, the internal space side where the accessor operates is the regular set position of the magazine, and the magazine is inserted to the regular set position of the communication portion. Retracting means for retracting to a position, and said magazine retracted to a normal position Holding means for holding the a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism, characterized in that it comprises a.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drive unit for recording / reproducing data on / from a recording medium in a cartridge, an accessor for transferring the cartridge, and a magazine capable of storing a plurality of cartridges. In the library apparatus comprising a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism for loading / unloading, the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism communicates an internal space in which the accessor operates and an external space of the library apparatus, and is external to the library apparatus. When the magazine is inserted to the vicinity of the regular setting position of the communication portion, the space side is the insertion slot of the magazine, the internal space side where the accessor operates is the regular setting position of the magazine, and the magazine is inserted to the vicinity of the regular setting position of the communication portion. Pull-in means for pulling to a normal position, and the magazine pulled into the normal position A holding means for holding a library apparatus characterized by having a.

  In these inventions, when a magazine capable of accommodating a plurality of the cartridges is inserted from the magazine insertion port of the communication portion, and the magazine reaches the vicinity of the normal set position, the drawing-in means of the cartridge insertion / discharge mechanism removes the magazine. The magazine is pulled in to the normal position, and the holding means holds the magazine drawn in the normal position.

  The accessor transfers a plurality of cartridges accommodated in a magazine inserted into a regular position by the cartridge insertion / ejection mechanism to the drive unit. The drive unit records / reproduces data on / from a recording medium in the cartridge. A magazine containing a plurality of cartridges for which data recording / reproduction has been completed is ejected from the library device by a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the pull-in means is provided in the magazine and can be protruded to the outside of the magazine, and is provided in the magazine, and is biased in a direction in which the pin protrudes to the outside of the magazine. A biasing means, a magazine insertion port of the communication part, and a magazine setting position of the communication part, and a pin protruding outside the magazine can be contacted, 2. The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism comprises a slope gradually increasing in depth toward the inner space side.

  The pins provided in the magazine are urged in a direction that protrudes to the outside of the magazine by the urging force of the urging means. The magazine is inserted from the slot into the regular set position of the magazine, and when the pin provided on the magazine reaches the slope, the pin pushes the slope. By pushing the inclined surface, a component force that moves the magazine in the normal set position direction is generated in the pin (magazine), and the magazine is pulled to the normal set position.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the holding means is provided inside the magazine and can be protruded to the outside of the magazine, and is provided in the magazine, and the pin is biased in a direction in which the pin protrudes to the outside of the magazine. An urging means that is connected to the inclined surface, and a hole into which the pin fits and prohibits further movement of the magazine at a regular set position of the magazine. 1 is a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism.

  The pins provided in the magazine are urged in a direction that protrudes to the outside of the magazine by the urging force of the urging means. When the magazine moves to the proper set position, the pins are fitted into the holes and further movement of the magazine is prohibited.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding release means for accommodating the pin in the magazine against the biasing force of the biasing means. Mechanism.

  When the holding release means is driven, the pin is accommodated inside the magazine against the biasing force of the biasing force.

  According to the invention of claim 1-5, when the magazine is inserted to the vicinity of the normal set position of the communication portion, the magazine is surely normal by pulling means for pulling the magazine to the normal position. It is pulled in to the position.

Further, when the magazine is pulled into the regular position, the magazine can be reliably held at the regular position by having the holding means for holding the magazine.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the pull-in means is provided in the magazine and can protrude to the outside of the magazine, and is provided in the magazine so that the pin protrudes to the outside of the magazine. The library is provided between an urging means for urging, an insertion port of the magazine of the communication portion, and a magazine setting position of the communication portion, and a pin protruding to the outside of the magazine can come into contact with the library. The structure is simple due to the slope that gradually becomes deeper toward the internal space side of the device.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the holding means is provided inside the magazine and can protrude to the outside of the magazine, and is provided on the magazine, in a direction in which the pin protrudes to the outside of the magazine. The structure comprises: an urging means for urging, and a hole that is connected to the inclined surface, the pin is fitted into the hole, and the magazine is prohibited from further movement at a regular setting position of the magazine. Simple.

  According to the invention according to claim 4, by providing the holding release means for accommodating the pin inside the magazine against the urging force of the urging means, by driving the holding release means, The magazine in the regular position can be ejected from the library apparatus.

  First, the overall configuration of the library apparatus provided with the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the library apparatus 1 is provided with two cartridge loading / unloading mechanisms 3 and 5. The library apparatus 1 includes a drive unit for recording / reproducing data on / from a recording medium in the cartridge, a plurality of shelves for accommodating the cartridge, and an accessor for transferring the cartridge.

  As shown in FIG. 1, which is a perspective view of the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism of FIG. 2, the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism 3 (5) loads / releases a magazine 9 that can accommodate a plurality of cartridges 7 into / from the library apparatus 1. To be discharged.

  The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism 3 (5) communicates the internal space in which the accessor operates with the external space of the library device 1, and the external space side of the library device 1 is the insertion port 11 of the magazine 9 and the internal space in which the accessor operates. The communication part 13 whose side is the normal set position of the magazine 9, the pulling means 100 for pulling the magazine 9 to the normal position when the magazine 9 is inserted to the vicinity of the normal set position of the communication part 13, and the magazine 9 are And holding means 200 for holding at the set position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 which is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 2, a door 17 for closing the magazine insertion port 11 by closing is provided at the magazine insertion port 11 of the communication portion 13.
Here, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the lower surface 13b of the communication portion 13 of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the cutting line BB of FIG. 4, and a configuration diagram of the magazine of FIG. The drawing-in means and the holding means will be described with reference to FIG. 7 which is an enlarged view of a portion C in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the lower surface 13b of the communication portion 13, a convex portion 13d is formed in the width direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the magazine 9 at a substantially center along the insertion direction of the magazine 9, and both sides of the convex portion 13d are formed. Is a base surface 13c.

  Further, a slope portion 13 h is formed on the magazine insertion port 11 side of the convex portion 13 d of the communication portion 13. Further, a guide groove 13e is formed at the center of the convex portion 13d in the width direction up to a substantially central portion in the length direction, which is the insertion direction of the magazine 9.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, a base surface 9 d that faces the convex portion 13 d of the communication portion 13 and a leg portion 9 c that faces the base surface 13 c of the communication portion 13 are formed on the lower surface 9 e of the magazine 9. Yes.

  Further, a hole 9 a is formed in the base surface 9 d of the magazine 9 so as to face the convex portion 13 d of the communication portion 13. In the hole 9a, a pin 9b that can protrude to the outside of the magazine 9 is provided. The pin 9b is urged in a direction protruding from the magazine 9 by a spring which is an urging means described later.

  The protruding length of the pin 9b is such that it does not reach the bottom surface of the leg portion 9c of the magazine 9 in a normal state (in a state where the magazine 9 is not set in the communication portion 13). When the magazine 9 is inserted into the communication portion 13, the tip of the pin 9 b comes into contact with the bottom surface of the guide groove 13 e of the communication portion 13 and is pushed into the inside of the magazine 9.

Further, the pin 9b slides upward (in the direction opposite to the biasing force) when the holding release lever 9l shown in FIG. 6 is pushed (details will be described later).
At the terminal end side of the guide groove 13e, when the magazine 9 is inserted to the vicinity of the regular setting position of the communication portion 13, the pulling means 100 for pulling the magazine 9 to the regular position and the magazine 9 pulled to the regular position are held. Holding means 200 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (a), a pin 9b that is connected to the end of the guide groove 13e and protrudes to the outside of the magazine 9 can be contacted, and gradually becomes deeper toward the inner space side of the library device 1. A slope 101 that is deep is formed.

A hole 201 is provided which is connected to the inclined surface 101, is fitted with the pin 9b, and prohibits further movement of the magazine 9 at the regular setting position of the magazine 9n.
The hole 201 is set so that when the pin 9b of the magazine 9 is fitted, the magazine 9 is positioned at a regular set position.

  Accordingly, a pin 9b provided inside the magazine 9 and capable of projecting to the outside of the magazine 9, a biasing means provided on the magazine 9 for biasing the pin 9b so as to project outside the magazine 9, and the communicating portion 13 A pin 9b which is provided between the insertion port 11 of the magazine 9 and the magazine setting position of the communication portion 13 and protrudes to the outside of the magazine 9 can come into contact with the magazine 9 in the direction toward the internal space side. When the magazine 9 is inserted to the vicinity of the regular setting position of the communication portion 13 with the slope 101 that gradually becomes deeper, pull-in means 100 is configured to draw the magazine 9 to the regular position.

  Further, a pin 9b provided inside the magazine 9 and capable of projecting to the outside of the magazine 9, a biasing means provided on the magazine 9 for biasing the pin 9b so as to project outside the magazine 9, and a slope 101 The holding means 200 is formed by a hole 201 that is continuously provided, the pin 9b is fitted therein, and prohibits further movement of the magazine 9 at a regular setting position of the magazine 9.

  As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, when the magazine 9 is inserted up to the vicinity of the normal set position, when the biased pin 9b reaches the inclined surface 101, the pin pushes the inclined surface 101. By pressing the inclined surface 101, a component force is generated on the pin 9b (magazine 9) to move the magazine 9 in the normal set position direction, and the magazine 9 is pulled to the normal set position.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (d), when the magazine 9 moves to the regular set position, the pin 9b is fitted into the hole 201, and further movement of the magazine 9 is prohibited, and the magazine 9 is brought to the regular position. Retained.

When the magazine 9 at the regular position is ejected from the library apparatus 1, the magazine holding release lever 9 l is pushed and the pin 9 b is removed from the hole 201.
Here, the holding release means of the magazine 9 will be described with reference to FIG. (A) is a view of the side surface of the magazine shown in FIG. 6 provided with the holding release lever 9l as seen from the back side, and (b) is a perspective view for explaining the main part of the mechanism of the T portion in FIG. is there.

  A bracket 150 is provided on the side surface 9 f of the magazine 9. The bracket 150 is formed with two arm portions 150a extending from the side surface 9f of the magazine 9 to the outside. A holding release lever 9l is disposed between the two arm portions 150a, and the holding release lever 9l is rotatably provided by the shaft 151.

  The bracket 150 is formed with a first horizontal plane 150b and a second horizontal plane 150c provided substantially in parallel. Holes 150d and 150e are formed in the first horizontal plane 150b and the second horizontal plane 150c, and a pin 9b is engaged with the holes 150d and 150e so as to be movable in the axial direction.

Further, the end of the holding release lever 9l on the inner side of the magazine 9 extends on the second horizontal plane 150c and can come into contact with the second horizontal plane 150c. A washer 153 that can contact the holding release lever 9l is fixed to the pin 9b. The upper end portion contacts the lower surface of the first horizontal surface 150b, the intermediate portion winds the pin 9b, and the lower end portion contacts the washer 153. The spring 155 as the biasing means described above causes the pin 9b to When the holding release lever 9l is moved in the direction of arrow U in FIG. 8B against the urging force of the spring 155, the holding release lever 9l is The lever 9 l pushes the washer 153, and the pin 9 b is accommodated in the magazine 9.

In this embodiment, the sub pull-in means 300 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 6, a recess 9 h is formed on the lower surface of the magazine 9. The recess 9h is formed with a wall surface 9i that intersects the insertion direction of the magazine 9 (the direction of arrow D in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5) and generates a force in the insertion direction of the magazine 9 when pressed. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the sub pull-in means 300 includes an arm 25 that is rotatably provided in the surface direction in which the recess 9 h of the magazine 9 is provided, using a pin 23 at the lower portion of the communication portion 13. is doing. One end side of the arm 25 protrudes into the communication portion 13 (a space into which the magazine 9 is inserted) through a hole 13t formed in the lower surface 13b of the communication portion 13. Furthermore, a roller 29 is rotatably provided on one end side of the arm 25 using a pin 27 so that the roller 29 can come into contact with the wall surface 9 i of the recess 9 h of the magazine 9.

  On the side of the internal space where the accessor of the communication portion 13 operates, on the side of the regular set position of the magazine 9, there is formed a stopper 31 that prohibits further insertion when the magazine 9 is inserted to the regular position. .

  Returning to FIG. 1 again, when the magazine 9 is inserted from the magazine insertion port 11 to the magazine insertion port 11 side of the communication unit 13, the reaction is performed. When the magazine 9 moves to the vicinity of the regular set position of the communication unit 13, the response is performed. Magazine abnormal sensor (first sensor) 51 and a magazine set sensor (second sensor) which is provided at a regular magazine set position of the communication portion 13 and responds when the magazine 9 is set at the regular set position. Sensor) 53.

Here, the magazine abnormal sensor 51 and the magazine set sensor 53 provided in the communication portion 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, three holes 13 f and 13 g and a hole 201 are formed on the lower surface 13 b of the communication portion 13 from the magazine insertion port 11 side. The communication section 13 is provided with two arms 61 and 63 from the magazine insertion slot 11 side. The arm 61 is formed with a protrusion 61a and a protrusion 61b that can protrude into the communication portion 13 (a space in which the magazine 9 is inserted) through the hole 13f and the hole 13g. The arm 63 is formed with a protrusion 63 a located in the hole 201. In other words, the protrusion 63a of the arm 63 is in a positional relationship such that it does not protrude from the surface of the guide groove 13e of the convex portion 13d toward the communicating portion. The arm 61 is biased by a biasing member (not shown) in a direction in which the protrusion 61a protrudes into the communication portion 13 through the hole 13f and the protrusion 61b through the hole 13g (in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 5). Has been. The arm 63 is urged by an urging member (not shown) in a direction in which the protruding portion 63a protrudes into the communicating portion 13 through the hole 21 (direction of arrow I in FIG. 5).

  The magazine abnormal sensor 51 is adapted so that the projection 61a of the arm 61 is pushed by the magazine 9 to be inserted and the arm 61 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow H direction. When the magazine 9 is positioned at the normal position, the magazine set sensor 53 is pushed by the protrusion 63a of the arm 63 being engaged with the pin 9b of the magazine 9 that is urged into the hole 21, and the arm 63 is moved by the arrow I. It responds by rotating in the opposite direction.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an intermediate portion between the magazine insertion slot 11 of the communication portion 13 and the regular set position of the magazine 9 is placed in the library apparatus 1 in consideration of the safety of the operator. An inner door 71 for preventing the entry of a hand or the like is provided. The inner door 71 is urged in a direction (arrow G direction in FIG. 1) that closes the communication portion 13 by an urging member (not shown). When the magazine 9 is not inserted, the communication portion 13 is blocked by a stopper (not shown). It does not rotate beyond the closing position. Further, in a state where the magazine 9 is not inserted, as shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion 61 b of the arm 61 protrudes into the communication portion 13 (space in which the magazine 9 is inserted), and this protrusion 61 b is the inner door 71. Is a stopper that prohibits rotation in the opening direction (the direction opposite to the arrow G direction in FIG. 1). Then, when the magazine 9 is inserted and the arm 61 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow H direction, the projecting portion 61b is retracted from the inside of the communicating portion 13 (the space in which the magazine 9 is inserted) and is placed on the front end surface of the magazine 9. When pressed, the inner door 71 rotates in the opening direction.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a door open sensor 81 for detecting the open / closed state of the door 17 and a closed door 17 are opened on the magazine insertion slot 11 side of the communication portion 13. A solenoid (door closing prohibition portion) 83 that has a push pin 18 that can project and prohibits the door 17 from being opened by projecting is provided.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 91 denotes a signal from the magazine abnormal sensor 51 and the magazine set sensor 53, drives the solenoid 83, and takes in signals from the magazine abnormal sensor 51, the magazine set sensor 53, and the door open sensor 81, and It is a control part which gives drive permission to.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram of the magazine abnormal sensor 51 and the magazine set sensor 53 when a magazine is inserted. When the magazine 9 is inserted from the magazine insertion slot 11, the magazine abnormal sensor 51 and the magazine set sensor 53 are moved according to the position of the magazine, and the state changes as follows.

  The state 1 is a state in which the magazine abnormal sensor 51 and the magazine set sensor 53 are not responding, that is, a state in which the magazine 9 has not been inserted, and a state in which the tip of the magazine 9 has not reached the magazine abnormal sensor 51. In this embodiment, since the door 17 cannot be physically closed when the leading end of the magazine 9 does not reach the magazine abnormal sensor 51, this state is also set to the state in which the magazine 9 is not yet inserted.

  State 2 is a state in which the magazine 9 is inserted, the magazine abnormal sensor 51 is responding, and the magazine set sensor 53 is not responding, that is, the state in which the magazine 9 is in the position of the two-dot chain line in FIG. The state of a) is shown. At this time, the inner door 71 is pushed and opened by the front end surface of the magazine 9.

  State 3 is a state when the magazine 9 has reached the vicinity of the normal position, and the magazine abnormal sensor 51 and the magazine set sensor 53 are not responding, that is, the states of FIGS. 7B and 7C. is there.

  State 4 is a state in which the magazine 9 is inserted into the normal position, the magazine abnormal sensor 51 is not responding, and the magazine set sensor 53 is responding, that is, the magazine 9 is in the position of the thin line in FIG. The state of FIG.7 (d) is shown.

  In summary, state 1 is a state in which the magazine 9 is not yet inserted, state 2 is a state in which the magazine 9 is being inserted, state 3 is a state when the magazine has reached the vicinity of the normal position, and state 4 is a state in which the magazine 9 is inserted. 9 is in a normal position.

Ideally, it is ideal to make a direct transition from state 2 to state 4 without going through state 3, but it is necessary to increase the accuracy of the parts for construction, which is expensive.
In this embodiment, it has a pull-in means 100 by the biased pin 9b and the inclined surface 101, and when the magazine 9 is inserted to the vicinity of the normal set position, it is always set at the normal set position. The state 3 is not maintained during the magazine insertion operation, and the state transitions to the state 4 immediately after the state 3.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the controller 91 when a magazine is inserted. If it is in state 1 (abnormal sensor 51 off, magazine set sensor 53 on), since magazine 9 is not yet inserted, control unit 91 turns off solenoid 83 (step 1).

Here, when the door 17 is closed and the door open sensor 81 is turned on, it is determined that the magazine 9 is not inserted, and the process ends (step 2).
If the magazine 9 is inserted with the door 17 open (step 2) and the magazine 9 is in the state 2 (abnormal sensor 51 on, magazine set sensor 53 off), the magazine 9 is not set at the normal set position. The controller 91 drives the solenoid 83 and prohibits the door 17 from closing (step 3). Here, the solenoid 83 is turned on, and the door 17 does not close so that the operator is informed that the magazine 9 is not set at the proper set position. Further, since the door 17 does not close, the door open sensor 81 is off.

  When the magazine 9 is further inserted into the state 3 (abnormal sensor 51 off, magazine set sensor 53 off), the magazine 9 is located near the normal set position (see FIG. 7A), and the control unit 91 The solenoid 83 is turned off. When the magazine 9 reaches the vicinity of the regular set position, the slope 101 slides by the urging force of the pin 9b and is fitted into the hole 21, and the magazine 9 moves to the regular set position in an instant. For this reason, it is substantially impossible to close the door 17 in the state 3, and the door open sensor 81 is not turned on.

  In the state 4 (abnormal sensor 51 off, magazine set sensor 53 on), since the magazine 9 is in the proper set position, the solenoid 83 is turned off (step 5), the door 17 is closed, and the door open sensor 81 is turned on. When turned on (step 6), the operation of the accessor 93 is permitted.

  Next, the operation of the control unit 91 when the magazine abnormal sensor 51 fails will be described. If the magazine abnormal sensor 51 fails in the ON state, the control unit 91 drives the solenoid 83 and prohibits the door 17 from being closed, so that the door 17 can be closed even when the magazine 9 is set at a normal position. Since the door open sensor 8 is not turned on, the operation of the accessor 93 is not permitted.

  When the magazine abnormal sensor 51 fails in the off state, the magazine set sensor is in the off state until the magazine 9 reaches the normal position. Therefore, the controller 91 determines that the magazine 9 is not yet inserted, closes the door 17 and closes the door. Even if the open sensor 8 is turned on, the operation of the accessor 93 is not permitted. Only when the magazine 9 reaches the normal position, the magazine set sensor is turned on, the door 17 is closed, and when the door open sensor 81 is turned on, the operation of the accessor 93 is permitted.

According to such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the magazine 9 is inserted to the vicinity of the regular setting position of the communication portion 13, the magazine 9 is reliably pulled to the regular position by having the pulling means 100 for pulling the magazine 9 to the regular position.
(2) When the magazine 9 is pulled into the regular position, the magazine 9 can be reliably held at the regular position by having the holding means 200 that holds the magazine 9.
(3) The pull-in means 100 is provided inside the magazine 9 and can be protruded to the outside of the magazine 9; and the spring 155 that is provided on the magazine 9 and biases in a direction in which the pin 9b protrudes outside the magazine 9. A pin 9b that protrudes outside the magazine 9 and can be brought into contact with the insertion space 11 of the magazine 9 of the communication portion 13 and the magazine setting position of the communication portion 13. The structure is simple because it is configured with the slope 101 that gradually becomes deeper in the lateral direction.
(4) A pin 9b that is provided inside the magazine 9 and can protrude to the outside of the magazine 9, a spring 155 that is provided on the magazine 9 and biases in a direction in which the pin 9b protrudes to the outside of the magazine 9, and a slope 101 The structure is simple because the holding means 200 is configured with the holes 201 that are continuously provided, the pins 9b are fitted, and the magazine 9 is prohibited from further movement at the regular setting position of the magazine 9.
(5) By providing holding release means for accommodating the pins 9b inside the magazine 9 against the urging force of the spring 155, the holding release means is driven, so that the magazine 9 at the normal position is moved to the library device. 1 can be discharged.
(6) When the magazine 9 is inserted to the vicinity of the regular set position of the communication portion 13, the magazine 9 has a pull-in means for pulling the magazine 9 to the regular position, thereby detecting that the magazine 9 has reached the regular position. The abnormal sensor 51 can be reliably turned off and the magazine set sensor 53 can be reliably turned on without increasing the component accuracy.
(7) When the magazine 9 is not set at the regular set position, the door 17 is not closed, so that the operator can be urged to insert the magazine to the regular set position.
(8) Even when the magazine abnormal sensor 51 that reacts when the magazine is set at an irregular position fails, the accessor 93 accesses the magazine at an irregular position that may cause a fatal malfunction of the apparatus. Can be prevented.

(Appendix 1)
A drive unit for recording / reproducing data on / from a recording medium in the cartridge;
Provided in a library apparatus comprising an accessor for transferring the cartridge;
In a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism for loading / unloading a magazine capable of storing a plurality of cartridges into / from the library device,
The internal space where the accessor operates and the external space of the library device communicate with each other, the external space side of the library device is the magazine slot, and the internal space side where the accessor operates is the regular set position of the magazine And
When the magazine is inserted to the vicinity of the regular set position of the communication portion, a pull-in means for pulling the magazine to the regular position;
Holding means for holding the magazine drawn into a regular position;
A cartridge loading / unloading mechanism.

(Appendix 2)
The pull-in means is
A pin provided inside the magazine and projectable to the outside of the magazine;
A biasing means provided in the magazine and biasing in a direction in which the pin protrudes to the outside of the magazine;
It is provided on the inner wall surface of the communication part, and comprises a slope that can come into contact with a pin protruding to the outside of the magazine and gradually increases in depth toward the internal space side of the library device. The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism according to appendix 1.

(Appendix 3)
The holding means is
A pin provided inside the magazine and projectable to the outside of the magazine;
A biasing means provided in the magazine and biasing in a direction in which the pin protrudes to the outside of the magazine;
A hole continuously provided on the inclined surface, the pin is fitted, and a hole that prohibits further movement of the library device toward the internal space at the regular set position of the magazine;
The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism according to supplementary note 1, characterized by comprising:

(Appendix 4)
4. The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism according to claim 3, further comprising holding release means for accommodating the pin in the magazine against the urging force of the urging means.

(Appendix 5)
A drive unit for recording / reproducing data on / from a recording medium in the cartridge;
An accessor for transferring the cartridge;
A cartridge loading / unloading mechanism for loading / unloading a magazine capable of storing a plurality of cartridges into / from the apparatus;
In a library device equipped with
The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism is
The internal space where the accessor operates and the external space of the library device communicate with each other, the external space side of the library device is the magazine slot, and the internal space side where the accessor operates is the regular set position of the magazine And
When the magazine is inserted to the vicinity of the regular set position of the communication portion, a pull-in means for pulling the magazine to the regular position;
Holding means for holding the magazine drawn into a regular position;
A library apparatus comprising:

(Appendix 6)
A first sensor which is provided on the magazine insertion port side of the communication portion and responds when the magazine is inserted from the magazine insertion port, and stops responding when the magazine moves to the vicinity of a normal set position of the communication portion. When,
A second sensor which is provided in the communication portion and responds when the magazine is set at a normal set position;
A warning section that informs the operator that the magazine is not set in the proper set position;
Capturing signals from the first sensor and the second sensor;
In a state where the first sensor is not responding and the second sensor is responding, it is determined that the magazine is set at a normal position;
In a state where the first sensor and the second sensor do not respond, it is determined that the magazine is not set,
Appendices 1 to 4, further comprising a control unit that determines that the inserted magazine is not set at a normal position in a state in which the first sensor is responding, and drives the warning unit. The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism according to any one of the above.

(Appendix 7)
The warning part is
A door that is provided at the magazine inlet of the communication part and closes the door to close the magazine inlet,
It is provided in the communication part, and comprises a door closing prohibiting part that prohibits the door from closing,
The controller is
7. The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism according to claim 6, wherein when the first sensor is responsive, the door closing prohibiting portion is driven to prohibit the door from closing. .

It is a perspective view of the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism of the embodiment. It is a figure explaining the whole structure of the library apparatus provided with the cartridge insertion / ejection mechanism of the example. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram of the communication part lower surface of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line BB in FIG. 4. It is the figure which looked at the magazine of Drawing 1 from the bottom. It is a figure explaining a drawing-in means and a holding means. It is a figure explaining the holding release means of a magazine. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the cartridge insertion / extraction mechanism of an example. FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram when a magazine is inserted into a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism. It is a flowchart explaining the action | operation of the control part when a magazine is inserted in a cartridge insertion / discharge mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Library apparatus 3 Cartridge insertion / discharge mechanism 9 Magazine 11 Magazine insertion port 13 Communication part 100 Pull-in means 200 Holding means

Claims (5)

A drive unit for recording / reproducing data on / from a recording medium in the cartridge;
Provided in a library apparatus comprising an accessor for transferring the cartridge;
In a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism for loading / unloading a magazine capable of storing a plurality of cartridges into / from the library device,
The internal space where the accessor operates and the external space of the library device communicate with each other, the external space side of the library device is the magazine slot, and the internal space side where the accessor operates is the regular set position of the magazine And
When the magazine is inserted to the vicinity of the regular set position of the communication portion, a pull-in means for pulling the magazine to the regular position;
Holding means for holding the magazine drawn into a regular position;
A cartridge loading / unloading mechanism. The pull-in means is
A pin provided inside the magazine and projectable to the outside of the magazine;
A biasing means provided in the magazine and biasing in a direction in which the pin protrudes to the outside of the magazine;
A pin provided between the insertion port of the magazine of the communication portion and the magazine setting position of the communication portion, and a pin protruding to the outside of the magazine can be contacted, and is directed toward the internal space side of the library device. 2. The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a slope whose depth gradually increases. The holding means is
A pin provided inside the magazine and projectable to the outside of the magazine;
A biasing means provided in the magazine and biasing in a direction in which the pin protrudes to the outside of the magazine;
A hole continuously provided on the inclined surface, the pin is fitted, and a hole that prohibits further movement of the magazine at a regular set position of the magazine;
The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism according to claim 1, comprising:   4. The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism according to claim 3, further comprising holding release means for accommodating the pin in the magazine against the urging force of the urging means. A drive unit for recording / reproducing data on / from a recording medium in the cartridge;
An accessor for transferring the cartridge;
A cartridge loading / unloading mechanism for loading / unloading a magazine capable of storing a plurality of cartridges into / from the apparatus;
In a library device equipped with
The cartridge loading / unloading mechanism is
The internal space where the accessor operates and the external space of the library device communicate with each other, the external space side of the library device is the magazine slot, and the internal space side where the accessor operates is the regular set position of the magazine And
When the magazine is inserted to the vicinity of the regular set position of the communication portion, a pull-in means for pulling the magazine to the regular position;
Holding means for holding the magazine drawn into a regular position;
A library apparatus comprising:

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