JP2009032361A - Library device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a library device capable of suppressing occurrence of an error during reading a bar code. <P>SOLUTION: The library device is provided with: a recording medium housing shelf 14 arranged in a casing and for housing a plurality of magnetic tapes 13; a recording medium exit/entrance 12 for conveying in or out the magnetic tape to/from the casing; a magnetic tape drive 15 having the magnetic tape 13 loaded therein to enter/output information to the loaded magnetic tape 13; and a robot 16 for receiving driving of a servo motor to convey the magnetic tape 13 between the recording medium exit/entrance 12 and the recording medium housing shelf 14 and between the recording medium housing shelf 14 and the magnetic tape drive 15. A bar code reading unit 18 is disposed in the robot 16 to read the identification bar code of the magnetic tape 13. The robot 16 removes dusts from the bar code reading unit 18 by a vibrating operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a library apparatus that stores a plurality of information recording media such as magnetic tapes and inputs / outputs information to / from these information recording media.

  A library device is known in which a plurality of information recording media such as magnetic tapes can be stored in a housing, and these information recording media are transported to an information input / output device such as a magnetic tape drive by a robot to input / output information. Yes. An identification recording barcode is attached to the information recording medium. A barcode reader is attached to the robot. The robot reads the barcode of the information recording medium placed at the information recording medium carry-in port by the barcode reader, conveys the information recording medium, and stores it in a predetermined storage manner. Store on the shelf. As a barcode reader, an optical barcode reader using an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is widely used.

  Several heat-dissipating fans are provided in the housing of the library apparatus and are driven when the power is turned on. When the fan is driven and an air flow is generated in the housing, dust outside the apparatus may be sucked together with the air flow and enter the housing. Also, dust generated by friction between the information recording medium and the storage shelf is floating inside the housing, and the dust adheres to the CCD lens of the bar code reader and the CCD lens becomes dirty. A reading error may occur that prevents the code from being read correctly.

  When this reading error occurs, the maintenance person is notified and the maintenance person performs the cleaning operation of the CCD lens. However, until the cleaning operation is completed, the function of the library device is stopped. End up.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a library apparatus that stores a plurality of cartridge magnetic tapes, a plurality of cells that store cartridge magnetic tapes, a hand mechanism that grips and releases the cartridge magnetic tape, and an accessor that moves the hand mechanism between cells An air conduit is formed in each of the hand mechanism and the accessor, and when the hand mechanism is positioned at a position where the cartridge magnetic tape in the cell is gripped, a contact portion between the hand mechanism and the accessor is provided. A communication portion is formed in which both the air pipes communicate with each other, and compressed air is blown into the hand mechanism from an air compressor. By blowing into the cell through the accessor opening through the accessor air line. Library apparatus that blow off dust attached to the cartridge magnetic tape has been disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-2-35651

  However, in the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the hand mechanism is positioned at a position where the cartridge magnetic tape is gripped, the air conduit of the hand mechanism and the air conduit of the accessor are completely communicated with each other through the communication portion. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a hand mechanism, an accessor, a positioning device, etc., which are processed with high accuracy, and there is a problem that the cost is likely to increase.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost and highly reliable library device.

  The library apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object includes a casing, a recording medium storage shelf that is provided in the casing and stores a plurality of information recording media, and an information recording medium that is carried into or out of the casing. The recording medium inlet / outlet, the input / output device for inputting / outputting information to / from the information recording medium loaded with the information recording medium, and the motor capable of switching the rotation direction, In the library apparatus having a robot for transporting an information recording medium between the recording medium storage shelf and between the recording medium storage shelf and the input / output device, and a controller for controlling the operation of the robot, the information The recording medium has a barcode for identification, and the robot includes a reading unit that reads the barcode of the information recording medium. By switching the rotation direction of the serial motor alternately, and characterized in that letting it performed vibrating operation in the robot.

  According to the library device of the present invention, since the control device causes the robot to perform the vibration operation by alternately switching the rotation direction of the motor, adhesion and accumulation of dust floating in the housing on the reading unit are suppressed. Thus, the occurrence of a read error is prevented, the maintenance cost of the library apparatus is reduced, and the reliability is improved.

  In addition, as a motor which can switch a rotation direction, if it is a motor which can switch a rotation direction, such as a servomotor, the kind will not ask | require.

  Here, when the robot is stopped at the target position, the control device detects a positional deviation between the actual stop position where the robot has stopped and the target position, and rotates the motor in a direction to cancel the positional deviation. In order to cause the robot to perform a vibration operation, the control device changes the rotational direction of the motor at a cycle shorter than the cycle of the positional displacement correction operation. It is preferable to switch alternately.

  When the library apparatus of the present invention is configured as described above, the motor rotation direction is alternated at a cycle shorter than the cycle of the misalignment correction operation by utilizing the motor that performs the misalignment correction operation. By controlling to switch to, dust attached to the reading unit can be shaken off by adding vibration to the robot without adding a special mechanism. An excellent library device can be obtained.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said control apparatus makes the said robot perform the said vibration operation when the power supply of this library apparatus is turned on.

  When the library apparatus according to the present invention is configured as described above, dust attached to the reading unit of the robot is shaken off when the power is turned on while the library apparatus is not operating, so that the barcode reading unit is in a clean state. By preventing read errors, the reliability of the library apparatus can be improved.

  In addition, the control device causes the robot to perform the vibration operation when the barcode reading by the reading unit is not performed and the robot is not moving. It is preferable.

  When the library apparatus of the present invention is configured as described above, even when the library apparatus is in operation, the information recording medium is not transported, so that the vibration is performed in a so-called standby state so that the inside of the housing is It is possible to prevent floating dust from adhering to and accumulating on the reading unit and to prevent reading errors.

  Furthermore, the control device may cause the robot to perform the vibration operation when receiving an instruction to turn off the power of the library device.

  When the library apparatus of the present invention is configured as described above, when the library apparatus receives an instruction to stop operation, the dust attached to the reading unit of the robot is shaken off when the power is turned off. Next, since the bar code reader when the library apparatus is turned on is kept clean, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of read errors after the start of operation.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said control apparatus makes the said robot perform the said vibration operation when the reading error by the said reading unit generate | occur | produces.

  In the case where the library apparatus of the present invention is configured as described above, when a reading error occurs, dust is removed by the vibration operation and the reading error is eliminated, so that the reliability of the library apparatus can be further improved. it can.

  In addition, an exhaust fan that exhausts the heat in the casing to the outside and a temperature sensor that measures the temperature in the casing are provided, and the control device performs the above operation according to the temperature in the casing measured by the temperature sensor. The rotational speed of the exhaust fan is changed, and the control device is configured to cause the robot to perform the excitation operation when the rotational speed of the exhaust fan is changed from a low speed to a high speed. preferable.

  When the library apparatus of the present invention is configured as described above, for example, when the temperature in the casing rises and the rotation speed of the exhaust fan is changed to the high speed side, the flow of air in the casing by the exhaust fan that rotates at high speed. Therefore, by performing the vibration operation at such time, the dust removal effect of the reading unit is enhanced, and the maintenance cost can be further reduced and the reliability can be improved.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said control apparatus moves the said robot to the vicinity of the said exhaust fan, and makes this robot perform the said vibration operation.

  Usually, the exhaust fan is often attached to the upper back of the library apparatus. Therefore, when the library apparatus according to the present invention is configured as described above, the robot is used in a large amount of air flow near the exhaust fan. Since the vibrating operation can be performed, the dust removal effect of the reading unit can be further enhanced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a library device that is low in cost and excellent in reliability.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view showing a first embodiment of a library apparatus of the present invention.

  The library device 10 of the first embodiment corresponds to an example of the first library device of the present invention.

  FIGS. 1A and 1B show a housing 11 of the library apparatus 10 and a recording medium inlet / outlet 12 for loading and unloading the magnetic tape into and from the library apparatus 10. The recording medium inlet / outlet 12 is provided at two locations, and each recording medium inlet / outlet 12 is provided with a door 12a that opens to the outside, and the magnetic tape stored in the magazine 12b by opening the door 12a is stored in this library. It can be carried into and out of the apparatus 10.

  In this magazine 12b, as shown in FIG. 1B, a maximum of 10 cassettes 12c in which a magnetic tape (not shown) is housed can be placed.

  In the following description, a magnetic tape stored in a cassette is simply referred to as a magnetic tape.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the library apparatus of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the library apparatus 10 is provided in a housing 11 (see FIG. 1), a recording medium storage shelf 14 for storing a plurality of magnetic tapes 13, and a magnetic tape 13 carried into the library apparatus 10. The recording medium inlet / outlet 12 for loading and unloading, the magnetic tape drive 15 for inputting / outputting information to / from the magnetic tape 13 loaded with the magnetic tape 13, and servomotors 35 and 36 (see FIG. 5) , A robot 16 that transports the magnetic tape 13 between the recording medium entrance 12 and the recording medium storage shelf 14 and between the recording medium storage shelf 14 and the magnetic tape drive 15, and a control device 20 that controls the operation of the robot 16. , A plurality of main fan units 40 for discharging the heat in the casing 11 to the outside, a plurality of drives for discharging the heat from the magnetic tape drive 15 to the outside An'yunitto 41, and a temperature sensor 50 for measuring the temperature of the housing 11.

  The servo motors 35 and 36 in the present embodiment correspond to an example of a motor capable of switching the rotation direction referred to in the present invention, and the magnetic tape 13 in the present embodiment is the information referred to in the present invention. The magnetic tape drive 15 according to this embodiment corresponds to an example of an input / output device according to the present invention.

  In addition, although four volumes of magnetic tape 13 are depicted in the recording medium entrance / exit 12 shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium entrance / exit 12 can accommodate up to 10 volumes of magnetic tape 13.

  Under the control of the control device 20, the robot 16 conveys the magnetic tape between the recording medium inlet / outlet 12 and the recording medium storage shelf 14, and magnetic tape between the recording medium storage shelf 14 and the magnetic tape drive 15. Carry out operations such as transport. Therefore, a moving mechanism including rails 31 and 32 and a servo motor (not shown) for moving the robot 16 in the directions of arrows A, B, C, and D is provided. Details of the moving mechanism will be described later.

  By this drive mechanism, the robot 16 moves to the position of the cell 14a (see FIG. 2) designated by the control device 20 (see FIG. 2), and accesses the magnetic tape stored in the cell.

  The recording medium storage shelf 14 is provided with a plurality of cells 14a in which the magnetic tapes 13 are stored, and each cell is given a unique cell number.

  A bar code label (not shown) on which a bar code for identifying each magnetic tape is printed is attached to the magnetic tape 13.

  The robot 16 includes a reading unit 18 for reading a barcode attached to the magnetic tape 13.

  The barcode attached to the magnetic tape 13 is read by the reading unit 18 attached to the robot 16 when the magnetic tape newly carried into the library apparatus 10 is placed at the recording medium entrance 12 and is controlled. Based on a control signal from the apparatus 20, it is used as information for storing in a predetermined cell of the recording medium storage shelf 14.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a robot, a reading unit, and a magnetic tape in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a magnet 17 is attached to a printed circuit board 16a provided on the upper part of the robot 16, and the reading unit 18 is attracted by a magnetic force.

  An LED (Light Emitting Diode) 16 b is installed on the printed circuit board 16 a of the robot 16, and a CCD 18 a is built in the reading unit 18. The LED 16b emits light toward the barcode 21 of the magnetic tape 13, and the CCD 18a reads the barcode 21 illuminated by the LED 16b.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the magnetic tape stored in the recording medium storage shelf in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 4 shows the magnetic tape 13 stored in the recording medium storage shelf 14a. Each magnetic tape 13 is provided with a bar code 21 for identifying the magnetic tapes.

  The control device 20 (see FIG. 1) reads the barcode 21 of the magnetic tape 13 at the recording medium entrance 12 (see FIG. 1) by a reading unit attached to the operational robot, and based on the read barcode, The cell number of the recording medium storage shelf 14 in which the magnetic tape 13 is to be stored is checked and notified to the operational robot. The operational robot that has received the notification transports the magnetic tape 13 to the cell 14a corresponding to the cell number and stores it there.

  FIG. 5 is a side view (a) and a top view (b) showing the driving mechanism of the robot in the present embodiment.

  In the library apparatus of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, two rows of recording medium storage shelves 14 and 14 'are provided so as to sandwich the robot 16, and the robot 16 is provided on both sides of the robot. The magnetic tape stored in the cell of the recording medium storage shelf on the desired side of the two rows of recording medium storage shelves 14 and 14 'provided can be accessed.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the robot 16 is slidably supported by a rail 31 extending in the vertical direction (arrows A and B), and includes a timing belt 33 that circulates in the vertical direction and the timing belt 33. The servomotor 35 that is driven moves in the vertical direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the rail 31 that slidably supports the robot 16 is slidably supported by a rail 32 extending in the depth direction (arrows C and D), and circulates in the depth direction. The timing belt 34 and the servo motor 36 that drives the timing belt 34 are moved in the depth direction.

  The servomotors 35 and 36 are motors capable of switching the rotation direction, and the control device 20 (see FIG. 2) causes the servomotors 35 and 36 to stop the robot 16 at the target position as described later. The misalignment correction operation and the vibration operation for removing dust from the reading unit 18 are performed.

  When the control device 20 stops the robot 16 at the target position, the library apparatus 10 (see FIG. 2) of the present embodiment detects a positional deviation between the actual stop position where the robot 16 stopped and the target position. The servo motors 35 and 36 (see FIG. 5) are rotated in the direction to cancel the misalignment to perform the misalignment correction operation for correcting the misalignment.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a current waveform of a servo motor used in the library apparatus of this embodiment.

  FIG. 6A shows a current waveform at the time of a normal misalignment correction operation of the servo motor in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the period of the correction current during the position shift correction operation is adjusted to a relatively long period so that the robot does not oscillate.

  By supplying the current having such a waveform to the servo motors 35 and 36 (see FIG. 2), the control device 20 can stop the robot 16 at desired target positions on the rail 31 and the rail 32.

  Next, the vibration operation of the robot will be described.

  As described above, dust that has entered from outside or dust generated inside floats in the housing of the library apparatus, and the dust adheres to the lens of the CCD 18a and generates a barcode reading error. There is. Therefore, in the library device of the present embodiment, the control device 20 can cause the robot to perform the vibration operation by alternately switching the rotation directions of the servo motors 35 and 36 during the vibration operation. .

  Here, the control device 20 is configured to alternately switch the rotation directions of the servomotors 35 and 36 at a cycle shorter than the cycle at the time of the misalignment correction operation when causing the robot 16 to perform an excitation operation. .

  In the above example, it has been described that both servo motors 35 and 36 provided in the library apparatus 10 are vibrated. However, only one of the two servo motors is applied. You may comprise so that a vibration operation may be carried out.

  FIG. 6B shows a current waveform of the servo motor during the vibration excitation operation for dust removal in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the period of the current during the excitation operation is set to a period shorter than the period during the misalignment correction operation. The robot oscillates due to the current having such a waveform, and as a result, the adhesion of dust to the reading unit 18 (see FIG. 2) is suppressed, or the dust adhering to the reading unit 18 is shaken off, resulting in a reading error. Occurrence is avoided.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 20 (see FIG. 2) is configured to cause the robot 16 to perform the above vibration operation when the library device 10 is powered on. By doing so, dust adhering to the reading unit 18 while the library apparatus 10 is stopped is shaken off when the power is turned on, thereby avoiding occurrence of a reading error.

  Further, the control device 20 is configured to cause the robot 16 to perform the above vibration operation when the power of the library device 10 is cut off. In this way, when the library apparatus 10 is stopped, dust attached to the reading unit 18 is shaken off when the power is turned off, and the barcode reading unit when the library apparatus 10 is turned on next time is Since it is kept in a clean state, occurrence of a reading error after the start of operation is avoided.

  In addition, the control device 20 is configured to cause the robot 16 to perform the above vibration operation when the barcode reading by the reading unit 18 is not performed and when the robot 16 is not moving. Has been. In this way, even when the library apparatus 10 is in operation, the magnetic tape 13 is not transported, so that it is floated in the casing 11 (see FIG. 1) by performing the above-described excitation operation in a so-called standby state. It is possible to prevent adhesion and accumulation of dust on the reading unit 18.

  In addition, the control device 20 is configured to cause the robot 16 to perform the above vibration operation when a reading error by the reading unit 18 occurs. In this way, when a reading error occurs, dust is removed immediately by the vibration operation, and the reading error is eliminated.

  Next, a description will be given of a control mechanism in which the vibration operation of the robot by the control device 20 of the library apparatus 10 (see FIG. 2) of the present embodiment is related to the exhaust fan attached to the housing 11.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing an exhaust fan provided in the library apparatus of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, a plurality of main fan units 40 that discharge the heat in the casing 11 to the outside are provided on the upper back of the casing 11 of the library apparatus of the present embodiment. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, heat from a magnetic tape drive 15 (see FIG. 2) provided in the housing 11 is placed in the rear middle portion of the housing 11 of the library apparatus of this embodiment. Drive fan units 41 are provided.

  The main fan unit 40 and the drive fan unit 41 correspond to an example of the exhaust fan according to the present invention.

  As described above, the library apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes the temperature sensor 50 (see FIG. 2) that measures the temperature in the housing 11, and the control apparatus 20 measures the temperature sensor 50. The rotational speeds of the main fan unit 40 and the drive fan unit 41 are changed according to the temperature in the housing.

  The control device 20 is configured to cause the robot 16 to perform the above vibration operation when the control device 20 changes the rotation speed of the main fan unit 40 and the drive fan unit 41 from a low speed to a high speed. ing.

  With this configuration, for example, when the temperature inside the casing rises and the rotational speed of the exhaust fan is changed to the high speed side, the flow of air inside the casing is increased by the exhaust fan that rotates at a high speed. In such a case, the dust removing effect of the reading unit can be enhanced by performing the vibration operation.

  The above control may be for both the main fan unit 40 and the drive fan unit 41, or may be for one.

  Furthermore, in the library apparatus of the present embodiment, the control device 20 (see FIG. 2) moves the robot 16 to the vicinity of the main fan unit 40 and the drive fan unit 41 to cause the robot 16 to perform the above-described vibration operation. It is configured as follows.

  With this configuration, the robot can be vibrated in a large amount of air flow in the vicinity of the exhaust fan, so that the dust removal effect of the reading unit can be further enhanced.

It is an external view which shows 1st Embodiment of the library apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the library apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the robot, reading unit, and magnetic tape in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the magnetic tape accommodated in the recording-medium storage shelf in this embodiment. It is the side view (a) and top view (b) which show the drive mechanism of the robot in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the current waveform of the servomotor used for the library apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the exhaust fan with which the library apparatus of this embodiment was equipped.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Library apparatus 11 Housing | casing 12 Recording medium entrance / exit 12a Door 12b Magazine 12c Cassette 13 Magnetic tape 14,14 'Recording medium storage shelf 14a Cell 15 Magnetic tape drive 16 Robot 16a Printed circuit board 16b LED
17 Magnet 18 Reading unit 18a CCD
20 Control device 21 Bar code 31, 32 Rail 33, 34 Timing belt 35, 36 Servo motor 40 Main fan unit 41 Drive fan unit 50 Temperature sensor

Claims (7)

A casing, a recording medium storage shelf for storing a plurality of information recording media provided in the casing, a recording medium inlet / outlet for loading / unloading the information recording medium into / from the casing, and the information recording medium are loaded. An input / output device for inputting / outputting information to / from a loaded information recording medium, and a drive by a motor capable of switching the rotation direction, and between the recording medium inlet / outlet and the recording medium storage shelf, and the recording medium In a library device having a robot that conveys an information recording medium between a storage shelf and the input / output device, and a control device that controls the operation of the robot,
The information recording medium has a barcode for identification,
The robot includes a reading unit that reads a barcode of the information recording medium,
The library device according to claim 1, wherein the control device causes the robot to perform a vibration operation by alternately switching a rotation direction of the motor. When the robot is stopped at the target position, the control device detects a positional deviation between the actual stop position where the robot has stopped and the target position, and rotates the motor in a direction to cancel the positional deviation. Is to perform a displacement correction operation to correct
2. The library according to claim 1, wherein the control device alternately switches the rotation direction of the motor at a cycle shorter than the cycle of the positional deviation correction operation when causing the robot to perform an excitation operation. apparatus.   3. The library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus causes the robot to perform the vibration operation when the library apparatus is powered on.   The control device causes the robot to perform the vibration operation when the barcode reading by the reading unit is not performed and the robot is not moving. 4. The library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the library apparatus is characterized in that:   5. The library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device causes the robot to perform the vibration operation when a reading error is generated by the reading unit. 6. . An exhaust fan that exhausts heat in the housing to the outside, and a temperature sensor that measures the temperature in the housing, and the control device includes the exhaust fan according to the temperature in the housing measured by the temperature sensor. Which changes the rotation speed of
6. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when the rotational speed of the exhaust fan is changed from a low speed to a high speed, the control device causes the robot to perform the vibration operation. The library apparatus according to 1.   The library according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control device moves the robot to the vicinity of the exhaust fan to cause the robot to perform the vibration operation. apparatus.

Images