JP2010238326A - Optical disk conveying device and optical disk conveying method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To convey optical disks from an optical disk case where a plurality of optical disks are loaded and stored compactly, to a recording/reproducing device. <P>SOLUTION: An optical disk case loads and houses a plurality of optical disks, and partition sheets are mounted between upper and lower optical disk adjacent to a stacked optical disk. The stacked and housed partition sheet has an area other than an area overlapped with the stacked and housed optical disk. The optical disk conveying device includes an adsorption arm for conveying an optical disk from the optical disk case to an optical disk drive, adsorbing the optical disk, adsorbs the partition sheet in the area other than the area overlapped with the optical disk, and simultaneously conveying the optical disk and the partition sheet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical disk transport apparatus, and more particularly to an optical disk transport apparatus that stores a plurality of optical disks.

  In recent years, as the amount of information handled by computers has increased, the capacity of storage devices that store information has increased significantly.

  Examples of the large-capacity storage device include a hard disk (HDD), a disk-shaped storage medium such as an optical disk, or a magnetic tape.

  A hard disk is used as a main storage device in a computer or the like because it has higher recording / reproducing speed and random access performance than the other two (disk-shaped storage medium, magnetic tape). On the other hand, disk-shaped storage media such as optical disks and magnetic tapes are used for archives (file storage) and backup applications.

  Magnetic tape is superior to disk-shaped storage media such as optical disks in terms of low cost and large recording capacity per unit volume, but is inferior in random accessibility and storability. .

  Therefore, the appearance of a low-cost, large-capacity storage device with excellent random accessibility and storability that combines the advantages of disk-shaped storage media such as optical disks and magnetic tapes is desired.

  As a method for increasing the capacity of a storage medium such as an optical disk, which is superior in random accessibility and storability compared to a magnetic tape, a method in which a plurality of optical disks are loaded in an optical disk case, stored and used can be mentioned. .

  As a method for transporting a plurality of optical disks from an optical disk case to a recording / reproducing device on the premise of this method, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-216156 (Patent Document 1) describes an optical disk stacked on an optical disk case from above. Examples of taking out and transporting in order are shown. However, in this case, there is a problem that when the optical disks are stacked by themselves, the disks are attached to each other.

  As a means for preventing this, there is a configuration in which a sheet serving as a partition is inserted between the disks. However, in this case, when sequentially transporting the optical disk, the optical disk, the partition sheet, the optical disk, the partition sheet, etc. . . . As described above, it is necessary to sequentially convey the optical disk and the partition sheet. Further, it is necessary to evacuate the partition sheet and the optical disc that is not recorded / reproduced, and it takes more time to transport the optical disc to the optical disc drive that performs recording / reproduction as compared with the case where it is not evacuated. For these reasons, it has been a hindrance to speeding up the total (total) data recording and reproduction.

JP 2006-216156 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of storing optical disks in a compact stack without having a special structure, and transporting the optical disk to a recording / reproducing apparatus at high speed.

  In the present invention, in order to achieve the object, the optical disk and the partition sheet are alternately stacked and mounted on the disk case. This partition sheet has an area that does not overlap with the optical disk. In a picker for picking up the optical disk from the disk case to the recording / reproducing apparatus, in addition to a mechanism for sucking and moving the conventional optical disk, a mechanism for simultaneously sucking the partition sheet in a region not overlapping with the optical disk is provided. A transport mechanism having a picker capable of transporting an optical disk and a partition sheet simultaneously is provided.

  The optical disk transport device of the present invention includes an optical disk, a partition sheet, an optical disk case, and a picker. The partition sheet is disposed in contact with the optical disk, and has a region exposed together with the optical disk on a predetermined surface. In the optical disc case, optical discs and partition sheets are alternately stacked and stored in a stacked manner. The picker sucks the optical disk by the first sucking means, sucks the partition sheet by the second sucking means, and takes out the optical disk and the partition sheet from the optical disk case at the same time.

  In the optical disk conveying method of the present invention, the optical disk and the partition sheet are arranged in a state where the partition sheet in contact with the optical disk has an area exposed together with the optical disk on a predetermined surface. Next, the optical disk and the partition sheets are alternately stacked and stored in the optical disk case. Next, the optical disk is adsorbed by the first adsorbing means, the partition sheet is adsorbed by the second adsorbing means, and the optical disk and the partition sheet are simultaneously taken out from the optical disk case.

  In the optical disk transport device, it is possible to transport the disk efficiently and in a short time.

The perspective view of each of an optical disk and a partition sheet is shown. The front view of each of an optical disk and a partition sheet is shown. It is a disassembled perspective view of an optical disk case and n sets of optical disks and partition sheets mounted and stacked thereon. 1 is an overall perspective view of an archive optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is detail drawing of a picker. It is a perspective view of the picker of an optical disk case and a conveyance part. It is a perspective view of the place which conveys the optical disk and partition sheet which were loaded on the optical disk case simultaneously with a picker, respectively. It is a perspective view of the place which retracted the partition sheet to the partition sheet holder. It is a perspective view when the picker holding the optical disk has moved onto the drive tray of the optical disk drive. It is a perspective view of the optical disk and partition sheet which are used for the archive optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the optical disk and partition sheet which are used for the archive optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of an optical disk case and n sets of optical disks and partition sheets mounted and stacked thereon. It is a perspective view of the archive optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an expansion perspective view of the selector table of the archive optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the selector table from the optical disk drive side of the archive optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the partition sheet holder on the selector table of the archive optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an information recording / reproducing unit in which optical disk drives are mounted in parallel in the vertical direction in order that a picker installs an optical disk on a drive tray. It is a top view of the optical disk and each partition sheet in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of an optical disk case, n sets of optical disks mounted and stacked thereon, and each partition sheet. It is a perspective view of the picker corresponding to an optical disk and a partition sheet | seat. It is a perspective view of an optical disk case and a picker. It is a perspective view of the optical disk and partition sheet which were simultaneously adsorbed by the picker. It is a perspective view of a picker and a partition sheet holder. It is a perspective view of an optical disk drive and a picker. It is each perspective view of the optical disk and partition sheet of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is each front view of the optical disk and partition sheet of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is detail drawing of a picker. It is a perspective view at the time of conveyance of the picker which hold | maintained two optical disks and a partition sheet simultaneously.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the optical disk 1 and the partition sheet 2 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of each of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2. FIG. 2 shows a front view of each of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2.

  At least one optical disk 1 exists. The optical disk 1 is merely an example of a disk-shaped storage medium. The partition sheet 2 is disposed on the recording surface side of the optical disc 1. Here, it is assumed that there are a plurality of optical disks 1. The partition sheet 2 is disposed between each of the optical disks 1.

  The partition sheet 2 is used so that the optical disk 1 and the other optical disk 1 are attracted to each other and are not rubbed to cause damage to the surface.

  The optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are each circular, and the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are overlapped on the same core in the vertical order, and the partition sheet is used for an area that holds only the partition sheet 2 that does not overlap. 2 is larger than the outer diameter of the optical disc 1. That is, if the outer diameter of the optical disc 1 is “φD1” and the outer diameter of the partition sheet 2 is “φD2”, “φD1” <“φD2”. The inner diameters of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are the same for positioning.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an optical disk case (optical disk cartridge) 3 in which n sets of optical disks 1 and partition sheets 2 shown in FIG. 1 are stacked and stored. That is, FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the optical disk case 3 and n sets of optical disks 1 (1-i, i = 1 to n) and partition sheets 2 (2-i, i = 1 to n) mounted and stacked thereon. It is a perspective view.

  The optical disc case 3 includes, in order from the top, the first optical disc 1-1, the first partition sheet 2-1, the second optical disc 1-2, the second partition sheet 2-2, and the third optical disc 1-3. Third partition sheet 2-3,. . . . . (N-1) th optical disc 1- (n-1), (n-1) th partition sheet 2- (n-1), nth optical disc 1-n, second partition sheet 2-n, , N optical disks 1 and partition sheets 2 are alternately stacked.

  The optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are positioned with respect to the inner peripheral edge and the central axis in the cylindrical groove of the optical disc case 3, and the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are stacked concentrically. Yes.

  FIG. 4 shows an overall perspective view of an archive optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus that houses a large number of optical disk cases 3 and records and reproduces information.

  The archive optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus includes a stock apparatus 4, an information recording / reproducing unit 5, and a transport unit 6.

  In the stocker 4, a large number of optical disk cases 3 containing many optical disks 1 are held and stored on the stocker shelf.

  The stocker 4 has a rotating cylindrical shape. The optical disc case 3 is arranged in order in the xy plane along the arc of the stocker 4 and is stacked in several stages in the z direction which is perpendicular to the xy plane.

  The information recording / reproducing unit 5 includes at least one optical disc drive 7 for recording / reproducing information recorded on the optical disc 1.

  The transport unit 6 selects the designated optical disc case 3 from the optical disc cases 3 stored in the cylindrical stocker 4, takes out the optical disc 1 in order, and the optical disc drive 7 in the information recording / reproducing unit 5. Transport to.

  Here, an actuator for moving the optical disc case 3 and the optical disc 1 is collectively referred to as a transport unit 6.

  The transport unit 6 includes a picker 10.

  The picker 10 takes out the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 from the optical disc case 3 and transports them.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the picker 10.
The picker 10 includes a suction pad 11 and a suction pad 12.

  The suction pads 11 are a set of three suction pads, and suck the upper surface side around the central hole of the optical disc 1. The suction pad 12 is a set of three suction pads, and sucks the upper surface side of the partition sheet 2 in an area outside the outer diameter “φD1” of the optical disc 1 and inside the outer diameter “φD2” of the partition sheet 2. .

  Here, the suction pad 11 is a sucker-like member made of rubber or the like, and is integrated into one system by a manifold, connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) via a pressure tube or the like, and the vacuum pump is turned on. A suction operation or a release operation of each optical disk 1 by evacuation is performed by an off operation or an operation of an electromagnetic opening / closing valve.

  Similarly, the suction pad 12 is a sucker-like member made of rubber or the like, and is integrated into one system by a manifold, connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) via a pressure tube, etc., and the vacuum pump is turned on / off. Alternatively, the operation of attracting and releasing each partition sheet 2 by evacuation is performed by operating an electromagnetic on-off valve or the like.

  Accordingly, the picker 10 can perform the transport operation by simultaneously sucking the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 to the suction pad 11 and the suction pad 12, respectively. That is, the suction pad 11 sucks the optical disc 1. At the same time, the suction pad 12 sucks the partition sheet 2.

  With reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, a basic operation of transporting the optical disk 1 and the partition sheet 2 loaded on the optical disk case 3 from the stocker 4 to the information recording / reproducing unit 5 by the picker 10 of the transport unit 6 will be described. .

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the optical disk case 3 and the picker 10 of the transport unit 6.
In the optical disk case 3, as shown in FIG. 3, optical disks 1 and partition sheets 2 are alternately stacked in order.

  The picker 10 is moved onto the optical disc case 3 by an actuator (not shown) of the transport unit 6 and is positioned outside the center hole end of the uppermost optical disc 1 (center) by an optical disc suction pad (suction pad 11). The uppermost optical disc 1 is sucked or released around the hole).

  At the same time, the picker 10 is used for a partition sheet 2 located under the uppermost optical disc 1 and located outside the outer diameter “φD1” in a region between the outer diameter “φD1” and the outer diameter “φD2”. It is sucked or released by the suction pad (suction pad 12). That is, the picker 10 sucks the uppermost optical disk 1 with the suction pad 11 and sucks the portion of the partition sheet 2 under the uppermost optical disk 1 that is not covered with the optical disk 1 with the suction pad 12. Accordingly, the picker 10 can be moved while the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are simultaneously held by the picker 10.

  FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the optical disk 1 and the partition sheet 2 loaded on the optical disk case 3 being simultaneously conveyed by the picker 10.

  FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the partition sheet 2 retracted to the partition sheet holder 20.

  The partition sheet holder 20 is a place for retracting the partition sheet 2 while information recorded on the optical disc 1 is being recorded and reproduced by each optical disc drive 7 of the information recording / reproducing unit 5. The partition sheet holder 20 is provided on the transport unit 6 in the archive optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus in FIG. That is, the transport unit 6 includes a picker 10 and a partition sheet holder 20.

  When the picker 10 moves onto the partition sheet holder 20, the partition sheet 2 is moved onto the partition sheet holder 20 by releasing the air pressure of the partition pad suction pad (suction pad 12) using a solenoid valve (not shown). Release.

  At that time, in the picker 10, the suction air of the suction pad 11 remains acting, so the picker 10 continues to hold only the optical disk 1 and continues the transport operation.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view when the picker 10 holding the optical disc 1 moves onto the drive tray 8 of the optical disc drive 7.

  The picker 10 releases an optical disc 1 from the suction pad 11 by operating a solenoid valve (not shown) or the like on the drive tray 8 of the optical disc drive 7, and the optical disc 1 is provided on the drive tray 8. Place in the groove.

  The optical disc drive 7 records and reproduces information recorded on the optical disc 1 in the optical disc drive 7 when the drive tray 8 is loaded into the optical disc drive 7 by the picker 10.

  Accordingly, the picker 10 efficiently transports both the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 at the same time from the optical disc case 3 to the optical disc drive 7 without repeating the disc, and sequentially repeats this to shorten the disc efficiently. The disc can be transported in time.

<Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  6 to 9 show the basic operation of the optical disc transport operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 10 to 17 show examples of other archive optical disc recording / reproducing apparatuses.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 used in the archive optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 used in the archive optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment.

  The outer diameter of the optical disc 1 is “φD1”. The partition sheet 2 has an outer diameter “φD2” of a region held by the suction pad in the transport picker. In this case, “φD1” <“φD2”.

  Moreover, the partition sheet 2 is notched for size reduction except for the region for adsorption by the transport picker. For example, the partition sheet 2 has an outer diameter “φD21” other than an area for adsorption by the transport picker (an area for partitioning the optical disc 1). In this case, not only “φD1” <“φD21” but also “φD1” = “φD21” may be used. Further, “φD1”> “φD21” may be used as long as it does not affect the partition of the optical disc 1.

  FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the optical disk case 3 and n sets of optical disks 1 (1-i, i = 1 to n) and partition sheets 2 (2-i, i = 1 to n) mounted and stacked thereon. Indicates.

  The optical disk 1 is accommodated in the optical disk case 3, but the optical disk 1 and the other optical disk 1 are attracted to each other and rub against each other so that the surface is not damaged. A partition sheet 2 is inserted between the two and stacked. Here, the optical disc 1 is assumed to be the optical disc 1. Further, the partition sheet 2 is referred to as a partition sheet 2.

  That is, on the optical disc case 3, the optical disc 1-1, the partition sheet 2-1, the optical disc 1-2, the partition sheet 2-2, the optical disc 1-3, the partition sheet, 24-3,. The optical disc 1-n and the partition sheet 2-n are stacked in this order.

  At that time, the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are positioned with respect to the inner peripheral edge and the central axis in the groove of the optical disc case 3, and the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are stacked on the same core. .

  Further, the n partition sheets 2 (2-i, i = 1 to n) are also positioned in the rotational direction with reference to the outer straight line portion and the groove end surface of the optical disc case 3.

  Next, referring to FIG. 13 to FIG. 17, in the archive optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, the designated optical disc case is taken out from the stocker, the optical disc is taken out from the top of the optical disc case, and information is recorded / reproduced. The operation of transporting to the optical disk drive will be described.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the archive optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment.
The archive optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment includes a stocker 4 and a selector table 9.

  Here, the stocker 4 is a cylindrical rotary stocker.

  In the cylindrical rotary stocker (stocker 4), the respective optical disc cases 3 are arranged and accommodated sequentially around the center of rotation along the circular arc of the rotary stocker (stocker 4). In each optical disk case 3, an optical disk 1 and a partition sheet 2 are stacked and stored. Here, in the cylindrical rotary stocker (stocker 4), the respective optical disc cases 3 are stacked in the vertical direction.

  The selector table 9 includes an actuator 30.

  In order to take out the designated optical disc case 3 from the rotary stocker among the respective optical disc cases 3, a motor (not shown) of the rotary stocker (stocker 4) is driven and the rotary stocker (stocker 4) is rotated. The designated optical disk case 3 is positioned in front of the selector table 9 by moving the selector table 9 up and down by the actuator 30 on the selector table 9, and then the designated optical disk by the actuator 30 on the selector table 9. The case 3 may be pulled out on the selector table 9.

  FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the selector table 9 of the archive optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment.

  The selector table 9 is included in the transport unit 6. Here, the transport unit 6 includes a selector table 9, a picker 10, an up / down movement actuator 40, and a left / right movement actuator 50.

  On the selector table 9 is the optical disk case 3 taken out. The picker 10 sucks and conveys the optical disc and the partition sheet in order from the top optical disc.

  For this purpose, the transport unit 6 moves the picker 10 onto the optical disc case 3 by driving the vertical movement actuator 40 in the vertical direction and the horizontal movement actuator 50 in the horizontal direction.

  The picker 10 abuts three optical disk suction pads (adsorption pads 11) and three partition sheet suction pads (adsorption pads 12) on the optical disk 1 and the partition sheet 2, respectively. The (suction pad 11) sucks the optical disc 1, and the partition sheet 2 is sucked by three suction pads (suction pads 12).

  That is, the picker 10 sucks and holds the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 at the same time. Here, it is assumed that the picker 10 has a function of rotating and aligning the suction pad 12 and the partition sheet 2 in order to suck the suction pad 12 to a predetermined region of the partition sheet 2. However, actually, the optical disk case 3 and the partition sheet 2 themselves may be rotated by an actuator.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the selector table 9 from the optical disc drive side of the archive optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment.

  The picker 10 holds the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 at the same time. The optical disk 1 and the partition sheet 2 are moved simultaneously by driving the vertical movement actuator 40 in the vertical direction again and the horizontal movement actuator 50 in the horizontal direction to move the picker 10.

  FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the partition sheet holder 20 on the selector table 9 of the archive optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment.

  The partition sheet holder 20 is a place for retracting and holding the partition sheet 2 while the optical disk 1 is recording and reproducing information with the optical disk drive.

  The picker 10 holding the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 moves onto the partition sheet holder 20, and then the partition sheet suction air (suction pad 12) is released by releasing the partition sheet suction air with an electromagnetic valve (not shown). The partition sheet 43 is released, and the partition sheet 43 is retracted onto the partition sheet holder 20.

  On the other hand, the suction force continues to act on the optical disk suction pad of the picker 10, the picker 10 is in a state of holding only the optical disk 1, and the picker 10 moves together with the optical disk 1.

  FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the information recording / reproducing unit 5 in which the optical disk drives 7 are sequentially mounted in parallel in the vertical direction, and the picker 10 places the optical disk 1 on the drive tray 8.

  The information recording / reproducing unit 5 pulls out the drive tray 8 of the selected optical disc drive 7. The picker 10 moves onto the drive tray 8 while holding the optical disk 1 with the optical disk suction pad (suction pad 11). When the picker 10 reaches the drive tray 8, the optical disk 1 is released from the optical disk suction pad (suction pad 11), and the optical disk 1 is placed in the optical disk groove on the drive tray 8.

  The information recording / reproducing unit 5 returns the pulled-out drive tray 8 into the selected optical disc drive 7. Thereafter, the selected optical disk drive 7 performs recording / reproduction of information on the optical disk 1.

  Thereafter, the transport operation of the optical disk 1 mounted on the uppermost part of the optical disk case 3 to the designated optical disk drive 7 is repeated again.

  Conversely, when the optical disk 1 and the partition sheet 2 are sequentially returned from the optical disk drive 7 and the partition sheet holder 20 to the optical disk case 3, the processing is performed in the reverse order of the above description (from FIG. 17 to FIG. 13).

<Third Embodiment>
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 18 is a plan view of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheets 21 to 24 in the present embodiment.

  Here, the outer diameter of the optical disc 1 is “φD3”.

  Moreover, the partition sheet 2 of this embodiment has four types, the partition sheet 21, the partition sheet 22, the partition sheet 23, and the partition sheet 24. FIG. However, actually, it is not limited to four types. Each of the partition sheets 21 to 24 is a kind of the partition sheet 2. These four types of partition sheets 21 to 24 are formed by attaching three magnetic disks on the circumference of “φD4”, and their positions are different from each other.

  In the partition sheet 21, the magnetic disk 21 a is attached at an angle A 21 a on the circumference “φD 4”. The magnetic disk 21b is attached at an angle A21b on the circumference “φD4”. The magnetic disk 21c is attached at an angle A21c on the circumference “φD4”.

  In the partition sheet 22, the magnetic disk 22 a is attached at an angle A 22 a on the circumference “φD 4”. The magnetic disk 22b is attached at an angle A22b on the circumference “φD4”. The magnetic disk 22c is attached at an angle A22c on the circumference “φD4”. Further, “A22a = A21a + α”, “A22b = A21b + α”, and “A22c = A21c + α” are set. Note that α> 0.

  In the partition sheet 23, the magnetic disk 23 a is attached at an angle A 23 a on the circumference “φD 4”. The magnetic disk 23b is attached at an angle A23b on the circumference “φD4”. The magnetic disk 23c is attached at an angle A23c on the circumference “φD4”. In addition, “A23a = A21a + 2α”, “A23b = A21b + 2α”, and “A23c = A21c + 2α”.

  In the partition sheet 24, the magnetic disk 24a is attached at an angle A24a on the circumference “φD4”. The magnetic disk 24b is attached at an angle A24b on the circumference “φD4”. The magnetic disk 24c is attached at an angle A24c on the circumference “φD4”. Further, “A24a = A21a + 3α”, “A24b = A21b + 3α”, and “A24c = A21c + 3α”.

  FIG. 19 shows an exploded perspective view when the optical disc 1 and the partition sheets 21 to 24 are stored in the optical disc case 3. That is, FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the optical disc case 3, the n sets of optical discs 1 mounted and stacked thereon, and the partition sheets 21 to 24.

  Here, the optical disk 1-1, the partition sheet 21-1, the optical disk 1-2, the partition sheet 22-1, the optical disk 1-3, the partition sheet 23-1, the optical disk 1-4, the partition sheet 24-1,. . . . . A total of eight sets of the optical disc 1-8 and the partition sheet 24-2 are loaded in the optical disc case 3.

  At this time, the optical disc 1 and the partition sheets 21 to 24 are positioned with respect to the inner peripheral edge and the central axis in the groove of the optical disc case 3, and the optical disc 1 and the partition sheets 21 to 24 are concentric. To be loaded. Further, the eight partition sheets 21 to 24 are also positioned in the rotational direction with reference to the outer straight line portion and the groove end face of the optical disc case 3.

  In FIG. 20, the perspective view of the picker 10 corresponding to this optical disk 1 and the partition sheets 21-24 is shown.

  In the present embodiment, the picker 10 includes a suction pad 11 and an arm holder 13.

  Three vacuum suction pads (suction pads 11) for sucking optical disks are attached to the arm holder 13. The suction pad 11 is a sucker-like member made of rubber or the like, and is integrated into a single system by a manifold, connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) via a pressure tube, etc., and the vacuum pump on / off operation or electromagnetic The operation of sucking or releasing each optical disc 1 by evacuation is performed by operating the on-off valve or the like.

  Further, the arm holder 13 includes three sets of four electromagnets in order to attract the four types of partition sheets 21 to 24. Here, the arm holder 13 includes a total of 12 cylindrical electromagnets including electromagnets 121a, 122a, 123a, and 124a, electromagnets 121b, 122b, 123b, and 124b, and electromagnets 121c, 122c, 123c, and 124c. Each electromagnet can attract a magnetic body to the bottom surface of the magnet by a magnetic force by passing an electric current.

  In the partition sheet 21, the magnetic disc 21a is in a position corresponding to the electromagnet 121a. Further, the magnetic disk 21b is in a position corresponding to the electromagnet 121b. The magnetic disk 21c is located at a position corresponding to the electromagnet 121c. When the partition sheet 21 is attracted to the picker 10, a current is passed through these electromagnets 121a, 121b, 121c to generate a magnetic force.

  In the partition sheet 22, the magnetic disk 22 a is at a position corresponding to the electromagnet 122 a. Further, the magnetic disk 22b is in a position corresponding to the electromagnet 122b. Further, the magnetic disk 22c is in a position corresponding to the electromagnet 122c. When the partition sheet 22 is attracted to the picker 10, a current is passed through these electromagnets 122a, 122b, 122c to generate a magnetic force.

  In the partition sheet 23, the magnetic disk 23a is located at a position corresponding to the electromagnet 123a. Further, the magnetic disk 23b is in a position corresponding to the electromagnet 123b. The magnetic disk 23c is located at a position corresponding to the electromagnet 123c. When the partition sheet 23 is attracted to the picker 10, an electric current is passed through these electromagnets 123a, 123b, 123c to generate a magnetic force.

  In the partition sheet 24, the magnetic disk 24a is in a position corresponding to the electromagnet 124a. The magnetic disk 24b is located at a position corresponding to the electromagnet 124b. The magnetic disk 24c is located at a position corresponding to the electromagnet 124c. When the partition sheet 24 is attracted to the picker 10, an electric current is passed through the electromagnets 124a, 124b, and 124c to generate a magnetic force.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the adjacent partition sheets are different types in which the magnetic discs are located at different positions. When the electromagnets of each combination act, the adjacent partition sheets are also attracted simultaneously. Is to prevent.

  A basic operation of transporting the optical disc 1 from the optical disc case 3 to the optical disc drive 7 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the optical disc case 3 and the picker 10. Here, an example in which the optical disk 1 and the next partition sheet 21 are picked from the optical disk case 3 at the same time is shown.

  The picker 10 is moved to a position on the optical disc case 3 by an actuator (not shown). By operating a solenoid on-off valve (not shown), negative pressure air is generated in the vacuum suction pad for the optical disc (suction pad 11), whereby the uppermost optical disc 1 is sucked and held on the suction pad.

  At the same time, the picker 10 applies current to the coils of the three electromagnets of the electromagnet 121a, the electromagnet 121b, and the electromagnet 123b, thereby applying magnetic force to the magnetic disks 21a, 21b, and 21c corresponding to the positions of the electromagnets on the partition sheet 21. Occurs and the magnetic disks 21a, 21b, 21c are attracted to the electromagnets 121a, 121b, 123b. As a result, the picker 10 holds the partition sheet 21 simultaneously with the optical disc 1 and starts moving.

  FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 21 that are simultaneously attracted to the picker 10.

  FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the picker 10 and the partition sheet holder 20.

  The picker holding the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 21 stops the attracting force by stopping the current of the electromagnets 121a, 121b, and 121c on the partition sheet holder 20, and opens the partition sheet 21. The picker 10 places the partition sheet 21 on the partition sheet holder 20 and holds only the optical disk 1 by the vacuum suction force of air acting on the suction pad 11.

  FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the optical disc drive 7 and the picker 10.

  The optical disc drive 7 opens the drive tray 8 in order to record and reproduce information. The optical disk drive 7 is generally commercially available. The picker 10 holds the optical disk 1 by vacuum suction of the suction pad 11, releases the vacuum suction of the suction pad 11 by operating a solenoid valve or the like on the drive tray 8, and releases the optical disk 1.

<Fourth embodiment>
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  The optical disk 1 and the partition sheet 2 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of each of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2. FIG. 26 shows front views of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2.

  In the present embodiment, the optical disk 1 and the partition sheet 2 are each circular with the same outer diameter, and, contrary to the first embodiment, the partition sheet 2 and the optical disk 1 are stacked on the same core in the vertical order. The inner diameter of the partition sheet is increased because of the area for holding only the optical disc 1 where both do not overlap. That is, the partition sheet 2 is disposed on the optical disc 1. An area for holding only the optical disc 1 is exposed at the central hole portion of the partition sheet 2, and the optical disc 1 can be held at a position outside the end of the central hole portion of the partition sheet 2.

  Here, the outer diameters of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are the same in order to make it easy to superimpose on the optical disc case 3 on the same core. When the center positions of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are aligned in the shape of the inside of the optical disc case 3, the outer diameters of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 may not be the same.

  When the inner diameter of the optical disc 1 is “φD8” and the inner diameter of the partition sheet 2 is “φD9”, “φD8” <“φD9”. Here, the outer diameters of the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are the same. Although not shown, the partition sheet 2 and the optical disc 1 are stacked in this order on the optical disc case 3 from the top. Unlike the first to third embodiments, the partition sheet 2 and the optical disc 1 are positioned according to the outer side of the groove of the optical disc case 3 and stacked on the same core, based on the outer peripheral edge. become.

FIG. 27 shows a detailed view of the picker 10.
The picker 10 includes a suction pad 11 and a suction pad 12.

  The suction pad 11 is a set of three suction pads that sucks the upper surface side of the optical disc 1 at a position inside the inner diameter “φD9” of the partition sheet 2 and larger than the inner diameter “φD8” of the optical disc 1.

  The suction pad 12 is a set of three suction pads that sucks the upper surface side of the partition sheet 2 in a region outside the inner diameter “φD9” of the partition sheet 2.

  The suction pad 11 is a sucker-like member made of rubber or the like, and is integrated into one system by a manifold, connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) via a pressure-resistant tube, etc., and the vacuum pump on / off operation or open / close valve The operation of sucking and releasing each optical disc 1 by evacuation is performed by the above operations.

  Similarly to the suction pad 11, the suction pad 12 is a sucker-like member made of rubber or the like, and is integrated into one system by a manifold and connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) via a pressure-resistant tube or the like. The suction operation and release operation of each partition sheet 2 are performed by evacuation by ON / OFF operation or opening / closing valve operation.

  As a result, the picker 10 can simultaneously suck the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 to the suction pad 11 and the suction pad 12, respectively, and simultaneously carry the optical disk 1 and the partition sheet 2.

  FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the picker 10 that holds two optical disks 1 and two partition sheets 2 at the same time during conveyance.

  Here, the optical disks 1 are alternately stacked so that the lower side and the partition sheet 2 are on the upper side.

  The suction pad 12 performs a suction operation with air at a position in a region larger than the inner diameter “φD9” on the uppermost partition sheet 2.

  At the same time, the suction pad 11 performs an operation of sucking the optical disk 82 under the partition sheet 2 with air at a position in a region between the inner diameter “φD9” and the inner diameter “φD8” of the partition sheet 2.

  Thereby, it is possible to carry out the transport operation while the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are simultaneously held by the picker 10.

  The transport operation of the present embodiment is not particularly illustrated because it conforms to the first and second embodiments.

  In the positional relationship between the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 with respect to the picker 10, since the partition sheet 2 is on the picker 10 side, the picker 10 is the optical disc drive in the description of the first and second embodiments as the order of the transport operation. 7, the optical disk 1 is transported to the optical disk drive 7 first, and then the partition sheet 2 is transported to the partition sheet holder 20.

  Note that the method in which the picker 10 holds the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 is not limited to vacuum suction or adsorption by magnetic force. It is also possible to use a holding method that can obtain the same effect. For example, the optical disk 1 and the partition sheet 2 may be temporarily lifted from the holes or dents of the optical disk 1 and the partition sheet 2 and connected by temporary fitting or adhesion.

  Further, the shape of the partition sheet 2 has been described on the assumption of a circular shape. However, in practice, any shape that can partition between the circular optical discs 1 may be used. Therefore, the shape of the partition sheet 2 may be a rectangle, a triangle, or another polygon. Even in this case, it is assumed that the optical disc 1 and the partition sheet 2 are superposed on the same core in the vertical direction.

  With the stacked tray used in the optical disk transport apparatus of the present invention, disk-shaped storage media can be stacked and stored compactly. Further, by using this stacked tray, it is possible to efficiently transport the stacked tray to the optical disk drive in a short time without having a special structure for each disk.

  As described above, the present invention is a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording or reproducing information on a plurality of optical disks, and a mechanism for transporting the optical disk from the optical disk case in which a plurality of optical disks are stacked and stored compactly to the recording / reproducing apparatus. About.

  In the present invention, the optical disk and the partition sheet are alternately stacked and mounted on the disk case. This partition sheet has an area that does not overlap with the optical disk. The picker for transporting the optical disk from the disk case to the recording / reproducing apparatus is provided with a mechanism for simultaneously sucking the partition sheet in a region that does not overlap with the optical disk, in addition to the mechanism for sucking and moving the conventional optical disk. The transport mechanism is characterized by having a picker capable of transporting the two at the same time.

  The optical disk case has a plurality of disk-shaped optical disks stacked and stored, and a partition sheet serving as a partition is mounted between the stacked optical disks and the adjacent optical disks in the vertical direction. The optical disc case has a region other than the region where the partition sheets stacked and stored overlap the optical discs stacked and stored.

  The optical disk transport device transports the optical disk from such an optical disk case to the optical disk drive, sucks the optical disk, sucks the partition sheet in an area other than the area overlapping with the optical disk, and sucks the optical disk and the partition sheet simultaneously. It comprises an arm.

  In addition, the optical disk loaded and stored has an area other than the overlapping area with respect to the partition sheets stacked and stored.

  The optical disk transport device includes a suction arm that sucks the partition sheet, sucks the optical disk in a region other than the region overlapping with the partition sheet, and transports the optical disk and the partition sheet simultaneously.

  Note that the above embodiments can be implemented in combination.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail, actually, it is not restricted to said embodiment, Even if there is a change of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it is included in this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical disk 2 ... Partition sheet 21-24 ... Partition sheet 3 ... Optical disk case (optical disk cartridge)
4 ... Stock appratus
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Information recording / reproducing part 6 ... Conveying part 7 ... Optical disk drive 8 ... Drive tray 9 ... Selector table 10 ... Picker (pick apparatus)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Adsorption pad 12 ... Adsorption pad 121a-124a, 121b-124b, 121c-124c ... Electromagnet 13 ... Arm holder 20 ... Partition sheet holder 21a-24a, 21b-24b, 21c-24c ... Magnetic disk 30 ... Actuator 40 ... Actuator for vertical movement 50 ... Actuator for horizontal movement

Claims (15)

An optical disc,
A partition sheet disposed in contact with the optical disc and having an area exposed with the optical disc on a predetermined surface;
An optical disk case in which the optical disk and the partition sheet are alternately stacked and stacked and stored;
An optical disc transport apparatus comprising: a picker that adsorbs the optical disc by a first adsorbing unit, adsorbs the partition sheet by a second adsorbing unit, and simultaneously takes out the optical disc and the partition sheet from the optical disc case. The optical disk transport device according to claim 1,
An optical disk drive for recording and reproducing information recorded on the optical disk;
A partition sheet holder for retracting the partition sheet while performing recording and reproduction of information recorded on the optical disk by the optical disk drive;
The picker releases the partition sheet on the partition sheet holder by the second suction means, and releases the optical disk on a drive tray of the optical disk drive by the first suction means. The optical disk transport device according to claim 1 or 2,
The partition sheet is disposed under the optical disc, and an area adsorbed by the second adsorbing means is exposed outside an area covered with the optical disc. The optical disk transport device according to claim 3,
The outer diameter of the partition sheet is larger than the outer diameter of the optical disc. The optical disk transport device according to claim 1 or 2,
The second attracting means is an electromagnet;
The partition sheet has a magnetic body attached to a region attracted by the second attracting means. The optical disk transport device according to claim 1 or 2,
The partition sheet is disposed on the optical disc,
The outer diameter of the partition sheet is the same as the outer diameter of the optical disc,
The inner diameter of the central hole of the partition sheet is larger than the inner diameter of the central hole of the optical disc,
The picker sucks the optical disk by the first sucking means inside the hole at the center of the partition sheet in an area not covered by the partition sheet. The optical disk transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The first suction means is a sucker-like member, connected to the vacuum pump via a pressure-resistant tube, and sucks the optical disk by evacuation by turning on / off the vacuum pump or operating an electromagnetic opening / closing valve. Optical disk transport device that performs work and release work.   An optical disk case used in the optical disk transport device according to claim 1. Placing the optical disk and the partition sheet in a state where the partition sheet in contact with the optical disk has a region exposed with the optical disk on a predetermined surface;
In the optical disk case, the optical disk and the partition sheet are alternately stacked, stacked and stored;
A method of conveying an optical disc, comprising: adsorbing the optical disc by a first adsorbing means, adsorbing the partition sheet by a second adsorbing means, and simultaneously taking out the optical disc and the partition sheet from the optical disc case. The optical disk transport method according to claim 9,
Releasing the optical disc on a drive tray of an optical disc drive by the first suction means;
Recording / reproducing information recorded on the optical disc with the optical disc drive;
Releasing the partition sheet on the partition sheet holder by the second suction means;
A method of conveying an optical disk, further comprising: retracting the partition sheet with a partition sheet holder while recording and reproducing information recorded on the optical disk with the optical disk drive. The optical disk transport method according to claim 9 or 10,
Disposing the partition sheet under the optical disc;
An optical disc transport method, further comprising: setting an area adsorbed by the second adsorbing unit to the partition sheet so as to be exposed outside an area covered with the optical disc. The optical disk transport method according to claim 11, comprising:
An optical disk transport method, further comprising making an outer diameter of the partition sheet larger than an outer diameter of the optical disk. The optical disk transport method according to claim 9 or 10,
Using an electromagnet as the second attracting means;
A method of conveying an optical disc, further comprising: attaching a magnetic material to a region attracted by the second attracting unit to the partition sheet. The optical disk transport method according to claim 9 or 10,
Disposing the partition sheet on the optical disc;
Making the outer diameter of the partition sheet the same as the outer diameter of the optical disc;
Making the inner diameter of the central hole of the partition sheet larger than the inner diameter of the central hole of the optical disc;
The optical disc transport method further comprising: adsorbing the optical disc by the first adsorbing means in an area that is not covered by the partition sheet inside the central hole of the partition sheet. 15. An optical disk transport method according to any one of claims 9 to 14,
Using a sucker-like member as the first suction means;
The first suction means is connected to a vacuum pump via a pressure-resistant tube, and the suction operation and release operation of the optical disk by evacuation are performed by on / off operation of the vacuum pump or operation of an electromagnetic on-off valve; An optical disc conveying method further comprising:

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