JP2007299502A - Device and method for sticking tape, and device and method for manufacturing tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for sticking a tape, capable of surely sticking a tape to a hub. <P>SOLUTION: The sticking device is provided with a case installation part 21 for installing a cartridge case 11 by supporting a tape reel 1 in the cartridge case 11 to be rotary-driven, a tape conveying part 22 having a holding part for holding the tip MT1 of a tape and passed through the opening of the cartridge case 11 installed by the case installation part 21 to freely move forward/backward close to the hub 2 of the tape reel 1, a sponge 228 for applying liquid to stick the tape to a sticking part, an edge position detection part 23 for detecting an edge position in the tape width direction of the tip MT1 of the tape held by the tape conveying part 22, and a position adjustment part 26 for adjusting the position of the tape conveying part 22 in the tape width direction. Based on the edge position detected by the edge position detection part 23, the position of the tape conveying part 22 is adjusted by the position adjustment part 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape sticking device and a tape sticking method used in an assembly line of a tape cartridge, a tape cartridge manufacturing device using the tape sticking device, and a tape cartridge manufacturing method using the tape sticking method.

  Conventionally, a magnetic tape cartridge is known as an external recording medium for data backup such as a computer. This type of magnetic tape cartridge accommodates a single tape reel or other portion on which a magnetic tape is wound inside a cartridge case, and a side wall portion of the cartridge case is used to draw out the magnetic tape. An opening is formed.

  At the final stage of the assembly process of the magnetic tape cartridge, the magnetic tape is wound around the hub of the tape reel in the cartridge case. However, when starting the winding, the tip of the magnetic tape must be securely attached to the hub. There is. In view of this, various tape applicators have been proposed in the past for attaching the tip of a magnetic tape to a hub (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The tape sticking device described in Patent Document 1 is a finger arm that is loaded with a sponge soaked with a liquid such as alcohol and that is capable of moving forward and backward toward the cartridge case while vacuum-adsorbing the tip of the magnetic tape. (Tape conveying means), the finger arm is advanced into the cartridge case, the sponge is pressed against the tape reel hub in the cartridge case, and the liquid is applied. Adhere to the applied hub. After the tip of the magnetic tape is attached to the hub, the finger arm is retracted from the cartridge case, and a predetermined amount of magnetic tape is wound around a tape reel in the cartridge case. When the winding of the predetermined amount of magnetic tape is completed, the magnetic tape is cut, and a leader tape and a leader pin are connected to the end of the cut magnetic tape, thereby completing one magnetic tape cartridge.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-322353 (paragraphs 0029 to 0031, FIG. 3)

  Here, when the tip of the magnetic tape is attracted to the finger arm, the position where the magnetic tape is attracted to the finger arm varies. In particular, if there is a deviation in the width direction of the magnetic tape, the magnetic tape is affixed at a position displaced from the center of the hub, and the end of the magnetic tape in the width direction (tape edge) can easily ride on the flange of the tape reel. The leading end of the tape is bent, causing radial winding stripes on the magnetic tape wound further upward. When such winding stripes occur, local damage such as wrinkles occurs on the magnetic tape, resulting in poor contact with the recording / reproducing head, affecting the recording / reproducing quality.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a tape sticking device and a tape sticking method, a tape cartridge manufacturing device and a tape cartridge manufacturing method capable of reliably sticking a tape to a hub in order to solve the above-described problems.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a tape applicator for affixing a tip portion of a tape to a hub of a tape reel in a cartridge case in which an opening is formed. The cartridge case installed in the case installation unit has a case installation unit that supports and installs the tape reel in the cartridge case so as to be rotationally driven, and a holding unit that holds the tip of the tape. Tape transporting means that can be moved forward and backward through the opening to the vicinity of the hub of the tape reel, liquid application means for applying a liquid for application to a site where the hub and the tip of the tape are applied, and the tape An edge position detecting means for detecting an edge position in a tape width direction of a tip portion of the tape held by the conveying means, and a tape of the tape conveying means Comprising a position adjusting means for adjusting the direction of the position, and based on the edge position detected by the edge position detection means, and adjusting the position of the tape transport means by the positioning means.

According to such a configuration, the tape sticking device first holds the cartridge case by adsorbing and holding the tape on the tape conveying means while installing the cartridge case in the case setting portion. Next, the edge position of the tape held by the tape conveying means is detected by the edge position detecting means while the tape conveying means holding the tape is advanced toward the opening of the cartridge case, for example, and the detected edge Based on the position, the position of the tape conveying means in the tape width direction is adjusted by the position adjusting means. The tape held by the tape transport means whose position has been adjusted is transported to a predetermined position with respect to the hub of the tape reel in the cartridge case. After applying the liquid to the application site of the hub or the tip of the tape by the liquid application means, transport the tip of the tape to the vicinity of the hub, release the holding of the tip of the tape, and pass through the application liquid. Affix the tip of the tape to the hub.
According to this, since the position in the tape width direction of the leading end portion of the tape with respect to the hub is adjusted, even when the leading end portion of the tape is held greatly deviated from the tape conveying means, The tip of the tape can be attached at an appropriate position.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the tape applicator according to the first aspect, the adjustment of the position of the tape conveying means is performed between an edge position detected by the edge position detecting means and a target value of a predetermined edge position. This is performed based on the difference.

  According to this configuration, the tape applicator calculates the difference (deviation amount) between the edge position of the leading end of the tape held by the tape transport means and the target value of the predetermined edge position, and corrects the difference. In order to adjust the position of the tape conveying means, the leading end of the tape can be attached to the hub at a fixed position.

  The invention according to claim 3 is a tape cartridge manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a tape cartridge formed by winding a tape around the tape reel of a cartridge case having an opening and having a tape reel inside. 3. A tape applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tape applicator attaches a leading end of the tape to the hub and then rotates the tape reel to wind the tape around the tape reel. It is characterized by.

  According to such a configuration, the tape can be wound around the tape reel after the tip end portion of the tape is attached to an appropriate position of the hub by the tape applying device according to claim 1 or 2.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape affixing method for affixing a leading end portion of a tape to a hub of a tape reel in a cartridge case in which an opening is formed, and the tape reel in the cartridge case is rotatably supported. A case installation step of installing the cartridge case in the case installation unit installed, and a holding unit for holding the tip of the tape, and passing through the opening of the cartridge case installed in the case installation unit. A tape holding step for holding the leading end of the tape outside the cartridge case, and a tape carrying step for moving the tape carrying means forward to the tape reel. And detecting the edge position in the tape width direction of the tip of the tape held by the tape transport means, A position adjusting step of adjusting the position of the tape conveying means in the tape width direction based on the taken-out edge position, and a liquid applying step of applying a liquid for application to a site where the hub and the tip of the tape are applied And a tape applying step of releasing the holding of the tape by the tape conveying means and attaching the tape to the hub.

According to such a procedure, first, the cartridge case is installed in the case installation part (case installation process), and the tape is sucked and held by the tape transport means (tape holding process). Next, the tape transport means holding the tape is advanced toward the opening of the cartridge case (tape transport process). During the tape conveyance, the edge position detection means detects the edge position of the tape held by the tape conveyance means, and the position adjustment means adjusts the position of the tape conveyance means in the tape width direction based on the detected edge position. (Position adjusting step) The tape held by the tape transport means is transported to a predetermined position with respect to the tape reel hub in the cartridge case. After applying the liquid to the application site of the hub or the tip of the tape by the liquid application means (liquid application process), transport the tip of the tape to the vicinity of the hub, release the holding of the tip of the tape, and apply The tip of the tape is attached to the hub through the liquid for use (tape application process). In addition, the liquid application process may be after the tape holding process and before the tape application process, and either the liquid application process or the position adjustment process may be performed first.
According to this, since the position in the tape width direction of the leading end portion of the tape with respect to the hub is adjusted, even when the leading end portion of the tape is held greatly deviated from the tape conveying means, The tip of the tape can be attached at an appropriate position.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the tape sticking method according to the fourth aspect, the adjustment of the position of the tape conveying means is performed between an edge position detected by the edge position detecting means and a target value of a predetermined edge position. This is performed based on the difference.

  According to such a procedure, the difference (deviation amount) between the edge position of the leading end of the tape held by the tape conveying means and the target value of the predetermined edge position is calculated, and the position of the tape conveying means is corrected so as to correct the difference. In order to adjust the tape, the tip of the tape can be attached to the hub at a fixed position.

  The invention according to claim 6 is a tape cartridge manufacturing method for manufacturing a tape cartridge formed by winding a tape around the tape reel of a cartridge case having an opening formed therein and having a tape reel inside. According to the tape sticking method of claim 4 or 5, the tape is wound around the tape reel after the leading end of the tape is stuck on the hub of the tape reel.

  According to such a procedure, the tape can be wound around the tape reel after the tip end portion of the tape is attached to an appropriate position of the hub by the tape applying method according to claim 4 or claim 5.

According to such a tape applicator and a tape applicating method, the tip of the tape can be securely attached to an appropriate position of the hub of the tape reel, and the tape tip can be applied to the flange, bent, or the like. Defects at the time of attachment can be prevented.
Further, according to the tape cartridge manufacturing apparatus using such a tape applying apparatus and the tape cartridge manufacturing method using the tape applying method, it is possible to prevent a defective attachment of the tape tip to the hub. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of radial winding stripes on the tape wound on the tape, and the yield of tape cartridge manufacturing can be improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the present embodiment, a magnetic tape cartridge conforming to the so-called LTO (Linear Tape Open) standard will be described as an example of the tape cartridge.

Prior to the description of the tape cartridge manufacturing apparatus, the configuration of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the embodiment.
The magnetic tape cartridge 10 according to the embodiment includes a single tape reel 1 in which a magnetic tape MT is wound inside a cartridge case 11 divided into a lower half 11b and an upper half 11a, and a magnetic tape MT. Leader tape L having one end connected to the end portion in the length direction via a splice tape S, a leader pin 5 fixed to the other end of the leader tape L, and a lock plate 13 for locking the rotation of the tape reel 1 And the compression coil spring 14, the release pad 15 for releasing the locked state of the tape reel 1, and the sliding door that opens and closes the magnetic tape outlet 11c formed in the cartridge case 11 across the lower half 11b and the upper half 11a. 16, a coil spring 17 that urges the slide door 16 to the closed position of the magnetic tape outlet 11c, An erroneous erasure preventing claw 18 and an IC chip 19 are incorporated.
Further, the tape reel 1 is configured such that a lower end portion and an upper end portion of a cylindrical hub 2 that is a winding core of the magnetic tape MT are provided with a disk-like lower flange 3 and an upper flange 4, respectively.

<Device configuration>
(Tape winder (tape cartridge manufacturing equipment))
Next, the configuration of a tape cartridge manufacturing apparatus for winding the magnetic tape MT around the hub 2 of the tape reel 1 of the cartridge case 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a tape winder (tape cartridge manufacturing apparatus) for winding a magnetic tape around a tape reel of a cartridge case.
In the tape winder W of this embodiment, the tape applicator 20 will be described with the vertical and horizontal directions defined based on the state of FIG. 2 installed on the panel P of the tape winder W standing vertically. To do.

  The tape winder W shown in FIG. 2 is cut into a product width from a raw fabric, and a magnetic tape MT wound in a so-called pancake shape is cut into a predetermined length and incorporated into the cartridge case 11. This is a device for winding the tape reel 1 around the hub 2. The tape winder W is provided with a tape applicator 20 for attaching the longitudinal end portion MT1 of the magnetic tape MT to the hub 2 of the tape reel 1 incorporated in the cartridge case 11. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tape winder W mainly includes a tape supply device 30, a tape applying device 20, a blade device 40 for polishing the surface of the magnetic tape MT, and a cleaning device for cleaning both surfaces of the magnetic tape MT. 50, 50, a tension adjusting device 60 for adjusting the tension of the running magnetic tape MT, a suction table 70 for sucking and cutting the magnetic tape MT, and the stocked cartridge case 11 with the tape applying device 20 And a cartridge case discharge section 90 for discharging the cartridge case 11 in which the magnetic tape MT is wound around the tape reel 1. Further, a plurality of tape guides G for guiding the magnetic tape MT to the tape applying device 20 are arranged at appropriate positions on the panel P. The tape applicator 20 also has a function for winding the magnetic tape MT around the hub 2. Moreover, SP in the figure is an operation panel for operating the tape winder W.

Next, the structure of the main part of the tape winder W will be described.
(Tape supply device)
As shown in FIG. 2, the tape supply device 30 is a device for supplying the magnetic tape MT to the tape applying device 20, and has a reel R1 and a reel R2 around which the magnetic tape MT is wound in a pancake shape. is doing. The tape supply device 30 rotates the reel R1 (or R2) at a predetermined rotational speed by a reel driving unit (not shown), and sends the magnetic tape MT toward the tape applying device 20. Since the tape supply device 30 has two reels R1 and R2, when the magnetic tape MT of one reel R1 is exhausted, the tape supply device 30 is switched to the reel R2 and the magnetic tape MT is attached to the tape applying device 20. It is designed to supply continuously.

(Tape sticking device)
The tape sticking device 20 includes a case setting portion 21 for setting the cartridge case 11 and a tape transfer portion 22 (tape transfer) for holding the tip portion MT1 of the magnetic tape MT supplied from the tape supply device 30 and transferring it to the cartridge case 11. Means), an edge position detecting unit 23 (edge position detecting means) for detecting an edge position in the width direction of the magnetic tape MT conveyed by the tape conveying unit 22, and a position of the tape conveying unit 22 in the tape width direction is adjusted. A position adjusting unit 26 (position adjusting means). The tape transport unit 22 also has a function as a liquid application means for applying a liquid for application. A sponge 228 for applying a liquid to the hub 2 is provided at the tip of the tape transport unit 22. It is installed.

(Case installation part)
The case installation part 21 is arrange | positioned at the lower right of the panel P, for example. The cartridge case 11 is installed in the case installation unit 21 with the magnetic tape outlet 11c directed to the lower left (in the direction of the tape transport unit 22).
The case installation unit 21 is configured to support the tape reel 1 in the cartridge case 11 so as to be rotationally driven, and to be able to wind the magnetic tape MT around the hub 2 by a reel driving unit (not shown).

(Tape transport unit)
Next, the configuration of the tape transport unit 22 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tape transport unit.
As shown in FIG. 3, the tape transport unit 22 is a long block that is long in the left-right direction. The tape transport unit 22 is installed at a position in the horizontal direction away from the magnetic tape outlet 11c of the cartridge case 11 installed in the case installation unit 21 (see FIG. 2), and is supplied from the tape supply device 30. It has a function of adsorbing and transporting the vicinity of the front end portion MT1 and is configured to be movable from the magnetic tape outlet 11c into the cartridge case 11. Moreover, the tape conveyance part 22 is installed in the position adjustment part 26 (refer FIG. 2) for adjusting the position of a depth direction (tape width direction). The position adjusting unit 26 constitutes a moving device 24 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) (not shown) together with moving means for moving the tape transport unit 22 in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) and the up-down direction.
Note that the width of the tape transport section 22 is slightly narrower than the width of the magnetic tape MT to be attracted so that it does not interfere with the tape reel 1 of the cartridge case 11 even if it moves for position adjustment in the tape width direction. It has become.

  On the upper surface side of the tape transport unit 22, from the front end side (closer to the cartridge case 11), the sponge placement unit 223, the first suction unit 224 (tape holding unit), and the second suction unit 225 (tape holding unit). ), And an installation portion 226 in which a sponge 227 (elastic member) is disposed is formed between the first suction portion 224 and the second suction portion 225.

  The sponge placement portion 223 is formed in a concave shape, and the sponge 228 (first sponge) is placed thereon. The sponge placement unit 223 is configured so that, for example, alcohol (liquid) for pasting such as methanol, ethanol, IPA (isopropanol) or the like is supplied into the sponge 228, and an appropriate amount of alcohol is always present in the sponge 228. It has come to ooze.

  The first suction portion 224 has a plurality of holes H1. This hole H1 is concentrated in one passage within the block of the tape transport unit 22, and a vacuum pump and a compressor are connected to this passage through a hose, a switching valve, and the like. When transporting the magnetic tape MT, the hole H1 can vacuum-suck the magnetic tape MT while being connected to a vacuum pump. Moreover, the hole H1 can spray the magnetic tape MT by switching with a switching valve so that it may be connected to a compressor.

  Similarly, the second suction portion 225 has a plurality of holes H2. The holes H2 are concentrated in a single passage in the block of the tape transport unit 22, and a vacuum pump is connected to the passage through a hose, a solenoid valve, or the like. When the magnetic tape MT is transported, the hole H2 can also vacuum-suck the magnetic tape MT while being connected to the vacuum pump.

  The installation portion 226 is formed in a groove shape from the installation surface 226a and the chamfered portions 226b and 226b continuing from the installation surface 226a to the first suction portion 224 or the second suction portion 225. The installation surface 226a preferably has a width A of 11 mm or less, a length B of 19 mm or more, and a depth C of 0.5 mm or more. By making the width A equal to or less than the width of the magnetic tape MT (1/2 inch = 12.65 mm), interference with the flange of the tape reel 1 in the cartridge case 11 is prevented. Further, by setting the length B and the depth C as described above, the chamfered portion 226b is prevented from contacting the hub 2 when the installation surface 226a and the hub 2 are in contact with each other.

A sponge 227 is fixed to the installation surface 226a of the installation unit 226 with screws V. Of course, you may fix by various fixing means, such as a double-sided tape and an adhesive agent.
The sponge 227 is a portion that presses the magnetic tape MT against the hub 2 when the tape transport unit 22 is raised toward the hub 2. By pressing with the sponge 227, the alcohol applied to the hub 2 conforms to the magnetic tape MT, and the magnetic tape MT is pressed along the shape of the hub 2.

  Since the tape transport unit 22 has only holes H1 and H2 for vacuum-sucking the magnetic tape MT and a passage formed therein, the tape transport unit 22 can be made thin, and the size of the magnetic tape outlet 11c of the cartridge case 11 can be reduced. It can be made small to match.

(Moving device)
Next, the moving device 24 that moves the tape transport unit 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. 4 is a diagram of the moving device viewed from the front, FIG. 5 is a diagram of the moving device viewed from the right side of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of the position adjusting unit of the moving device viewed from above. is there.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the moving device 24 has a pair of left and right mounting tables 245 and 245 attached to the panel P and mounting portions 244 and 244 fixed to these mounting tables 245 and 245. Two rails 243 and 243 that are held and arranged in the left and right (horizontal) direction, a moving table 242 that is movable in the left and right directions along the rails 243 and 243, and a moving table 242 Mounting plate 241, an air slide table 252 (see FIG. 5) having a moving part 253 (see FIG. 5) which is attached to the side surface of the mounting plate 241 and is movable in the vertical direction, and a mounting attached to the moving part 253 And a position adjusting unit 26 including an installation table 261 which is disposed on the upper surface of the mounting table 251 and which is attached to the tape transport unit 22 and is movable in the tape width direction. .
The tape transport unit 22 installed on the installation table 261 is configured to be movable in three directions by the moving device 24 in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the depth direction (tape width direction).

(Position adjuster)
As shown in FIG. 6, the position adjusting unit 26 is held at both ends by mounting units 267, 267, 267, 267 fixed to the upper surface of the mounting base 251, and is provided with two rails 268 arranged in the tape width direction. 268, and a mounting base 261 provided so as to be movable in the tape width direction along the rails 268, 268, a pulse motor 262, a rotating shaft 263 of the pulse motor 262, and a joint 264. A drive shaft 265 formed with a screw, and drive pieces 266 and 266 formed with a female screw to be screwed with the male screw and fixed to the installation base 261 are configured.
Further, the pulse motor 262 is connected to the control unit 27 by electric wiring (see FIG. 11).

(Edge position detector)
Next, the edge position detection unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the edge position detection unit viewed from the right direction (the direction of the case installation unit 21).
The edge position detection unit 23 is a transmissive optical sensor for detecting the edge position in the tape width direction of the magnetic tape MT attracted to the tape transport unit 22, and includes an illumination unit 231 and a light receiving unit 232. The illuminating unit 231 and the light receiving unit 232 are arranged on the back side of the magnetic tape MT (panel P) adsorbed by the tape conveying unit 22 in the tape conveying path by the tape conveying unit 22 between the adsorption table 70 and the case setting unit 21. The edge is sandwiched from above and below (see FIG. 2).

  The illumination unit 231 includes a light source 231a and a lens 231b that collects light emitted from the light source 231a. The light receiving unit 232 includes a light receiving element 232a and a lens 232b that forms an image including an edge of the magnetic tape MT on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 232a. Moreover, the edge position detection part 23 is connected with the control part 27 by the electrical wiring (refer FIG. 11).

  In the present embodiment, the illumination unit 231 is disposed on the upper side and the light receiving unit 232 is disposed on the lower side. However, the illumination unit 231 may be disposed upside down. As the light source 231a, a light-emitting element such as a tungsten lamp, a light-emitting diode, or a laser diode can be used as appropriate, and a photosensor such as a photodiode or a phototransistor can be used as the light-receiving element 232a. A one-dimensional imaging sensor such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor may be used.

(Suction table)
Next, the suction table 70 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the suction table.
The suction table 70 is disposed close to the supply path of the magnetic tape MT (see FIG. 2), and includes a first suction block 71 and a second suction block 72.
The first suction block 71 and the second suction block 72 each have a plurality of holes H3 and H4 on the lower surface side, and the holes H3 and H4 are formed as a single passage in each block. The vacuum pumps are connected to the passages via hoses, solenoid valves, and the like. The first suction block 71 and the second suction block 72 can perform suction and release of suction independently of each other.
Further, the tape cutter CT can enter the gap between the first suction block 71 and the second suction block 72, and the magnets attracted by the first suction block 71 and the second suction block 72. The tape MT is configured to be cut.

<Operation of the device>
(Tape winder (tape cartridge manufacturing equipment))
Next, the operation of the tape winder W (tape cartridge manufacturing apparatus) will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the tape winder W first supplies one cartridge case 11 stocked from the cartridge case supply unit 80, and the cartridge case 11 is taped in the cartridge case 11 at the case installation unit 21. The reel 1 is rotatably supported and installed, and the magnetic tape MT is supplied from the tape supply device 30 to the tape applying device 20 via the blade device 40, the cleaning devices 50 and 50, and the tension adjusting device 60.

  The tape applicator 20 receives and holds the tip MT1 of the supplied magnetic tape MT from the suction table 70 to the tape transport unit 22 (tape holding process) and transports it toward the cartridge case 11 (tape transport process). The tape transport unit 22 progresses into the cartridge case 11 through position adjustment in the tape width direction by the edge position detection unit 23 and the position adjustment unit 26 (position adjustment process) while the front end MT1 of the magnetic tape MT is being conveyed. . The tape transport unit 22 that has advanced into the cartridge case 11 applies a liquid by pressing the sponge 228 mounted on the tip thereof against the hub 2 (liquid application process), and the tip MT1 of the magnetic tape MT is applied to the cartridge case 11. Affixing to the hub 2 of the inner tape reel 1 (tape application process).

  When the leading end MT1 of the magnetic tape MT is attached to the hub 2, a predetermined amount of the magnetic tape MT is wound around the tape reel 1 by rotating the tape reel 1 at high speed by a reel driving means (not shown) of the case installation portion 21. take. In this winding of the tape, the tape reel 1 does not rotate at a constant rotational speed, but gradually increases the rotational speed from the beginning of winding of the magnetic tape MT, and when it reaches a predetermined rotational speed, the tape reel 1 does not rotate for a certain period of time. Maintain rotation speed. Then, the winding end time is predicted, and the rotational speed is gradually decreased so that the rotation stops when the winding is completed (tape winding step).

When the winding of the predetermined amount of magnetic tape MT is completed, the magnetic tape MT is sucked by the suction table 70, and the tape cutter CT advances between the first suction block 71 and the second suction block 72 of the suction table 70. The magnetic tape MT is cut (tape cutting step).
Thereafter, a leader tape L (see FIG. 1) supplied from a leader tape supply device (not shown) is connected to the cut end portion of the magnetic tape MT using a tape coupling device (not shown), and further, the leader tape L of the connected leader tape L is connected. A leader pin 5 (see FIG. 1) is attached to the other end by a leader pin attachment device (not shown) to complete a magnetic tape cartridge (end processing step). When the magnetic tape cartridge is completed, the case installation unit 21 releases the support of the cartridge case 11 (magnetic tape cartridge 10) around which the magnetic tape MT is wound. The cartridge case 11 whose support is released is discharged from the cartridge case discharge portion 90 (discharge process).

(Tape sticking device)
Next, with reference to FIG.9 and FIG.10, operation | movement of the tape sticking apparatus 20 is demonstrated.
Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a process in which the tape transport unit sucks the leading end of the magnetic tape and adjusts the position in the tape width direction, and FIG. 10 illustrates the leading end of the magnetic tape attracted by the tape transport unit. It is a figure which shows the process of affixing to the hub of a tape reel.

  FIG. 9A shows the final stage of the manufacturing process of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 (see FIG. 1), in which a predetermined amount of the magnetic tape MT has been wound around the tape reel 1 of the cartridge case 11. Yes. When the winding of the magnetic tape MT is completed, a vacuum pressure is supplied to the first suction block 71 and the second suction block 72 of the suction table 70 by a vacuum pump to suck the magnetic tape MT. Then, the tape cutter CT is caused to enter the gap between the first adsorption block 71 and the second adsorption block 72, and the adsorbed magnetic tape MT is cut. Next, the adsorption of the second adsorption block 72 that adsorbs the end of the cut magnetic tape MT on the cartridge case 11 side is released, and a leader tape L and a leader pin (see FIG. 1) are appropriately attached to the end. As a result, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is completed. The completed magnetic tape cartridge 10 (cartridge case 11) is released from the support by the case setting portion 21 (see FIG. 2), and is discharged from the cartridge case discharge portion 90 to complete the manufacturing process of the previous magnetic tape cartridge 10. To do.

  At this time, the other end of the cut magnetic tape MT is adsorbed to the first adsorbing block 71, and this end portion of the magnetic tape MT to be affixed to the hub 2 of the cartridge case 11 used for manufacturing next time. It becomes new tip part MT1. The tape transport unit 22 is retracted in the lower left direction. From here, a new tape sticking process is started.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, first, a new cartridge case 11 is taken out from the cartridge case supply unit 80 (see FIG. 2) and installed in the case installation unit 21 (case installation process). Next, the tape transport unit 22 is moved to a position where the first suction unit 224 and the second suction unit 225 face the first suction block 71. Then, after the suction of the first suction unit 224 and the second suction unit 225 of the tape transport unit 22 is started, the suction of the first suction block 71 of the suction table 70 is released, so that the tip of the magnetic tape MT The part MT1 is transferred from the suction table 70 to the tape transport unit 22, and is sucked and held by the tape transport unit 22 (tape holding process). During this delivery, the magnetic tape MT may be displaced in the width direction.

When adsorbing the leading end portion MT1 of the magnetic tape MT, the tape transporting portion 22 transports the leading end portion MT1 of the magnetic tape MT toward the cartridge case 11 as shown in FIG. 9C (tape transporting step).
The leading edge portion MT1 of the magnetic tape MT being transported is detected at the edge position in the tape width direction by the edge position detector 23 provided in the middle of the tape transport path. Then, based on the detected edge position, the position adjustment unit 26 (see FIG. 6) transports the tape so that the edge position of the tip portion MT1 of the magnetic tape MT attracted to the tape transport unit 22 becomes a predetermined position. The position of the portion 22 is moved to adjust the position in the tape width direction (tape position adjusting step). This position adjustment is completed before the tape transport unit 22 reaches the cartridge case 11. At this time, the movement of the tape transport unit 22 in the horizontal direction may be stopped and the position in the tape width direction may be adjusted. However, the position in the tape width direction is adjusted while moving in the horizontal direction. Thus, the manufacturing process time does not increase for adjustment.

When the tape position is adjusted, the tape transport unit 22 advances into the cartridge case and attaches the leading end MT1 of the magnetic tape MT to the hub 2 of the tape reel 1.
This process will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10A shows a state in which the adjustment of the position of the tape transport unit 22 in the tape width direction is completed by the process shown in FIG. 9C and is proceeding toward the cartridge case 11. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the tape transport unit 22 is moved in the horizontal direction as it is, and the sponge 228 is brought into contact with the hub 2 in the cartridge case 11. By doing so, an appropriate amount of alcohol that has soaked into the sponge 228 is applied to the hub 2.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, the tape transport unit 22 is further advanced and moved until the installation unit 226 is located below the hub 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 10D, while rotating the hub 2, the tape transport unit 22 is moved upward to press the magnetic tape MT against the hub 2. By doing so, the alcohol applied to the hub 2 becomes familiar with the magnetic tape MT and the magnetic tape MT is pressed along the shape of the hub 2 as shown on the right side of FIG. At the same time, while the magnetic tape MT is adsorbed to the second adsorbing portion 225, the adsorbing of the first adsorbing portion 224 is canceled and compressed air is supplied to the hole H1 (see FIG. 3). The tip MT1 of the tape MT is sprayed on the hub 2. By doing so, the distal end portion MT1 is attached to the hub 2.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10 (e), the tape transport unit 22 is lowered slightly to be retracted from the inside of the cartridge case 11, and the tape reel 1 is rotated by a predetermined angle, so that the leading end MT1 of the magnetic tape MT. Is wrapped around the hub 2 to complete the work of attaching the tip MT1 of the magnetic tape MT to the hub 2 (tape application process).

In the present embodiment, the application of the liquid for sticking is performed by mounting the sponge 228 soaked with the liquid at the tip of the tape transport unit 22 and bringing the sponge 228 into contact with the hub 2. However, the liquid may be applied to the tip portion MT1 of the magnetic tape MT. For example, a liquid application unit equipped with a sponge soaked with liquid is separately disposed between the suction table 70 and the case installation unit 21, and the sponge is applied to the tip MT 1 of the magnetic tape MT adsorbed to the tape transport unit 22. Can be brought into contact with each other to apply the liquid.
In this case, the liquid application process may be performed after the tape holding process and before the tape transport unit 22 enters the cartridge.

(Moving device)
Next, with reference to FIG. 4 thru | or FIG. 6, operation | movement of the moving apparatus 24 for moving the tape conveyance part 22 of the tape sticking apparatus 20 is demonstrated.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the moving device 24 includes a moving base 242 that is movably provided along rails 243 and 243 that are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction. It can be moved in the left-right direction by a driving means such as

  An L-shaped mounting plate 241 is installed on the moving table 242, and an air slide table 252 having a moving unit 253 that moves in the vertical direction is mounted on the side surface of the mounting plate 241. An inverted L-shaped mounting base 251 is attached to the moving portion 253, and the mounting base 251 can be moved in the vertical direction by driving the air slide table 252.

A position adjustment unit 26 is attached to the upper surface of the mounting base 251. As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the position adjustment unit 26 is an installation table 261 provided so as to be movable in the depth direction (tape width direction) along the rails 268 and 268, and means for driving the installation table 261. A pulse motor 262.
The rotation shaft 263 of the pulse motor 262 is connected to a drive shaft 265 having a male screw formed on the outer periphery via a joint 264, and drive pieces 266 and 266 having a female screw threadedly engaged with the male screw are installed. It is fixed to the base 261. The drive shaft 265 is arranged in parallel with the rails 268, 268, that is, in parallel with the tape width direction, and the installation base 261 is moved in the tape width direction via the drive pieces 266, 266 as the pulse motor 262 rotates. A driving force is transmitted and the tape can move in the tape width direction. The installation base 261 moves the pitch motor 262 by one pitch of the male screw of the drive shaft 265 for one rotation.

  The tape transport unit 22 is attached to an installation base 261 of the position adjusting unit 26, and can be moved in the left-right direction, the up-down direction, and the tape width direction by driving each component of the moving device 24.

(Position adjuster)
Next, the operation of the position adjustment unit 26 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of adjusting the position of the tape transport unit in the tape width direction. In FIG. 11, the tape transport unit 22 attracts the leading end portion MT1 of the magnetic tape MT and is moving toward the hub 2 of the tape reel 1, and the leading end portion MT1 reaches the edge position detecting portion 23. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the edge position detection unit 23 turns on the light source 231a of the illumination unit 231, and forms an image including the tape edge of the magnetic tape MT on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 232a of the light receiving unit 232. . Here, since the irradiation light irradiated from the illuminating unit 231 is blocked by the magnetic tape MT, the amount of light irradiated on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 232a decreases as the tape edge is located on the back side in the tape width direction. To do. Therefore, the edge position of the magnetic tape MT can be detected according to the amount of light received by the light receiving element 232a, that is, the magnitude of the sensor output.

As shown in FIG. 11, the edge position detection unit 23 transmits the sensor output to the control unit 27. The control unit 27 obtains a correspondence relationship between the sensor output and the edge position in advance, and stores it in a storage unit (not shown) of the control unit 27. From the correspondence relationship between the sensor output received from the light receiving element 232a and the edge position. , it detects the edge position X ₁ of the magnetic tape MT.

In addition, it is used the one-dimensional image sensor as a light receiving element 232a, also detect the edge position X ₁ with higher accuracy. In this case, an image including a tape edge in the tape width direction of the magnetic tape MT (the direction indicated by the arrow X in the drawing) is taken. The light receiving element 232a transmits the image data including the imaged tape edge to the control unit 27. Control unit 27 analyzes the image data received, to detect the edge position X ₁ of the magnetic tape MT.
Here, since the illumination light emitted from the illumination unit 231 is blocked by the magnetic tape MT, the edge position X ₁ is detected by analyzing the position where the brightness changes by using the fact that the brightness changes before and after the tape edge. can do.

Then, based on the edge position X ₁ which is detected, the procedure for adjusting the position of the tape transport unit 22.
The storage unit (not shown) of the controller 27, obtained in advance, the value of the edge position X ₀ of the magnetic tape MT0 when positioned centrally with respect to the hub 2 is stored as a target value of the edge position . The control unit 27 calculates a difference ΔX = X ₁ −X ₀ between the detected edge position X ₁ of the magnetic tape MT being conveyed and the target value X _0, and outputs a pulse signal to the pulse motor 262 according to the difference ΔX. Feed and rotate a predetermined angle. Since the tape transport unit 22 attached to the installation base 261 moves in the tape width direction (direction indicated by the arrow X) according to the rotation angle of the pulse motor 262, the magnetic tape MT attracted to the tape transport unit 22 is moved. edge position is adjusted to X _0.

For example, when the installation table 261 moves 1 μm every time one pulse is output to the pulse motor 262, in order to move 0.1 mm = 100 μm, a signal of 100 pulses is sent from the control unit 27 to the pulse motor 262. Good. Note that the direction of movement can be switched by switching the polarity of the drive power supply supplied to the pulse motor 262 according to the sign of the difference.
By this adjustment, the position of the magnetic tape MT is adjusted so as to be in the center position with respect to the hub 2, and the magnetic tape MT is conveyed to the vicinity of the hub 2.

  As described above, since the tip portion MT1 of the magnetic tape MT can be stably attached to the center position of the hub 2 of the tape reel 1 by the tape applying device 20 according to this embodiment, the tape applying device 20 With the tape winder W (tape cartridge manufacturing apparatus) using the above, the generation of winding stripes can be suppressed and a magnetic tape cartridge can be manufactured with a high yield.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the case where the magnetic tape MT is directly attached to the hub 2 has been described as the present embodiment. However, in the case where the leader tape is joined to the end of the magnetic tape MT, the liquid is applied to the leader tape, and then attached to the hub. The present invention can also be applied. Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where it applied to the tape winder W of the magnetic tape MT, it is not limited to a magnetic tape, It is applicable to the various apparatuses which need to affix a tape on the hub of a tape reel. it can.

It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the structure of the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic of the tape winder (magnetic tape cartridge manufacturing apparatus) which winds a magnetic tape around the tape reel of a cartridge case. It is a perspective view of a tape conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the moving apparatus from the front. It is the figure which looked at the moving apparatus from the right side of FIG. It is the figure which looked at the position adjustment part of a moving apparatus from the top. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the edge position detection part from the right direction. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a suction table. It is a figure which shows the process in which a tape conveyance part adsorb | sucks the front-end | tip part of a magnetic tape, and performs the position adjustment of a tape width direction. It is a figure which shows the process of sticking the front-end | tip part of the magnetic tape which the tape conveyance part adsorb | sucked to the hub of a tape reel. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the operation | movement of position adjustment of the tape width direction of a tape conveyance part.

Explanation of symbols

1 Tape Reel 2 Hub 10 Magnetic Tape Cartridge (Tape Cartridge)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Cartridge case 20 Tape sticking apparatus 21 Case installation part 22 Tape conveyance part (tape conveyance means, liquid application means)
23 Edge position detection unit (edge position detection means)
26 Position adjustment part (position adjustment means)
30 Tape supply device 228 Sponge (liquid application means)
MT Magnetic tape (tape)
MT1 Tip W Tape Winder (Tape Cartridge Manufacturing Equipment)

Claims (6)

A tape applicator for attaching the tip of a tape to a hub of a tape reel in a cartridge case in which an opening is formed,
A case installation section for installing the cartridge case in such a manner that the tape reel in the cartridge case is rotatably supported; and
A tape conveying means having a holding portion for holding the leading end portion of the tape, and capable of moving forward and backward through the opening of the cartridge case installed in the case installation portion to the vicinity of the hub of the tape reel;
A liquid application means for applying a liquid for application to a site where the hub and the tip of the tape are applied;
Edge position detection means for detecting an edge position in the tape width direction of the tip of the tape held by the tape transport means;
Position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the tape conveying means in the tape width direction;
With
The tape sticking apparatus, wherein the position adjusting means adjusts the position of the tape conveying means based on the edge position detected by the edge position detecting means.   The tape sticking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position of the tape transport unit is adjusted based on a difference between an edge position detected by the edge position detection unit and a target value of a predetermined edge position. A tape cartridge manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a tape cartridge formed by winding a tape around the tape reel of a cartridge case having an opening formed therein and having a tape reel inside,
The tape applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2,
An apparatus for manufacturing a tape cartridge, wherein the tape reel is rotated and the tape is wound around the tape reel after the tape tip is attached to the hub by the tape applying device. A tape affixing method for affixing a tip of a tape to a hub of a tape reel in a cartridge case in which an opening is formed,
A case installation step of installing the cartridge case in a case installation section that supports and installs the tape reel in the cartridge case so as to be rotationally driven; and
The cartridge has a holding portion for holding the tip end portion of the tape, and the cartridge can be moved forward and backward through the opening of the cartridge case installed in the case installation portion to the vicinity of the hub of the tape reel. A tape holding step of holding the tip of the tape outside the case;
A tape conveying step of advancing the tape conveying means to the tape reel;
A liquid application step of applying a liquid for application to a site where the hub and the tip of the tape are applied; and
A position adjusting step of detecting an edge position in the tape width direction of the leading end portion of the tape held by the tape conveying means, and adjusting a position of the tape conveying means in the tape width direction based on the detected edge position;
Releasing the holding of the tape by the tape conveying means, and a tape attaching step of attaching the tape to the hub;
A method for applying a tape, comprising:   The tape sticking method according to claim 4, wherein the adjustment of the position of the tape conveying means is performed based on a difference between an edge position detected by the edge position detecting means and a target value of a predetermined edge position. A tape cartridge manufacturing method for manufacturing a tape cartridge formed by winding a tape around the tape reel of a cartridge case having an opening formed therein and having a tape reel inside,
6. A method for producing a tape cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the tape is wound around the tape reel after the leading end of the tape has been stuck to the hub of the tape reel. .

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