JP2014026691A - Magazine chuck - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magazine chuck capable of, even when a problem occur on an opening/closing motor of a hook for chucking the magazine tray, continuing a magazine chuck operation without causing any damage on a magazine chuck mechanism until the problem is removed.SOLUTION: The magazine chuck includes: a pair of right and left hooks 61 and 62 for chucking a magazine tray; a coupling gear 67 that links the hooks to open/close synchronously: a hook holding spring 79 acting on the coupling gear; a chuck rod 75 that drives at least one of the hooks; and a chuck transportation unit that moves the chuck unit 60 forward/backward with respect to the magazine. The hook holding spring is arranged to, at a hook close position, give a force to the coupling gear to close the hook; and at a hook open position, to give a force to the coupling gear to open the hook open direction. When the hook is at the close position, the hook can move in the open direction, and when the hook is at the open position, the hook can move in the close direction.

Description

  The present invention is equipped with a magazine tray insertion / extraction apparatus for inserting / removing a magazine tray into / from a magazine provided with a magazine tray loaded with a plurality of discs (disc-shaped information storage media such as CDs and DVDs). The present invention relates to a magazine chuck equipped in a magazine tray insertion / extraction device that can be used in a disk device that supplies a disk to each of a plurality of disk drives, for example.

  Conventionally, for example, an apparatus described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-204311) is known as a disk apparatus that supplies a disk to each of a plurality of disk drives. The disk device of Patent Document 1 includes a magazine that stores a plurality of trays that store one disk, and a plurality of disk drives. The disk device of Patent Document 1 is configured to pull out an arbitrary tray from a magazine, suck and hold one disk stored in the pulled-out tray by a suction pad, and place it on a tray of an arbitrary disk drive. Has been.

  Since the disk device of Patent Document 1 is configured to store one disk in one tray, the number of disks stored in the magazine is small. In order to increase the number of disks stored in the magazine, it is considered effective to directly stack a plurality of disks without using a tray and reduce the number of trays.

  However, in this case, adjacent disks are brought into close contact with each other and cannot be easily separated. As a technique for solving this problem, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-117553). Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which a claw portion is inserted between two adjacent disks so that the two disks are separated from each other, and the separated disks are sucked and held by a suction pad. Yes.

JP 2011-204311 A JP 2000-117553 A

  In the disk device, a further increase in the number of stored disks is required. Increasing the number of magazines is an effective way to increase the number of discs stored. For this reason, a magazine box for storing a plurality of disc storage magazines in a removable manner is prepared, and a plurality of such magazine boxes are accommodated side by side. It is conceivable to provide a magazine stocker.

  In a disk device equipped with such a magazine stocker, by providing an automatic insertion / removal device capable of automatically removing / inserting a magazine from / to a magazine box, a desired disk can be transferred to a predetermined disk without bothering humans. It becomes possible to supply to the drive, and the convenience for the user can be greatly improved.

  In this case, the magazine is composed of a magazine tray loaded with a plurality of discs and a case for storing the magazine tray so that the magazine tray can be removed, and when the disc is supplied to the disc drive, the case is placed in the magazine box. It is conceivable that only the magazine tray is chucked (gripped) by the hook of the magazine chuck mechanism of the automatic insertion / removal device, and is selectively removed from the magazine box and conveyed to the disk drive side.

  The magazine chuck of such an automatic insertion / extraction device normally performs hook opening / closing operation by a motor drive. However, in such a motor used for opening and closing the hook, the motor load increases due to inevitable wear or the like generated in the chuck mechanism system due to repeated opening and closing operations of the hook. If it becomes larger than a certain level, smooth rotation of the motor is hindered, leading to failure.

  In particular, in the disk device, it is strongly demanded to reduce the cost and to make the structure compact. The magazine chuck mechanism of the automatic insertion / extraction device is also operated to open and close the hook in order to realize compactness. The actual situation is that the motor that performs the operation must be as small as possible. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to the failure due to the life of the motor itself or the wear of the chuck mechanism system described above.

  Conventionally, when a failure occurs in a hook opening / closing motor, if the operation of the magazine chuck mechanism is continued without stopping even though the motor is not operating, the interference between the hook and the magazine, Interference or collision with the chuck mechanism components may occur, which may damage the magazine chuck mechanism itself, and the damage is even greater.

  When a failure occurs in the hook opening / closing motor in this way, even if the operation of the motor is stopped, the magazine chuck mechanism itself is damaged at least until the failure is resolved by replacement or maintenance of the motor. It is very convenient if the operation of the magazine chuck mechanism can be continuously performed without exerting the above-mentioned effects.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a magazine chuck provided in a magazine tray insertion / extraction apparatus for inserting / removing a magazine tray into / from a magazine provided with a magazine tray loaded with a plurality of discs, wherein a hook for chucking the magazine tray is provided. Even when a failure occurs in the opening / closing motor, the magazine chuck mechanism can be continuously operated without damaging the magazine chuck mechanism itself until the failure of the motor is resolved. , That is the basic purpose.

For this reason, the magazine chuck according to the present invention is a magazine chuck equipped in a magazine tray insertion / extraction apparatus that inserts / extracts the magazine tray into / from a magazine provided with a magazine tray loaded with a plurality of disks.
A pair of left and right hooks for chucking the magazine tray, a connecting means for interlockingly opening and closing the pair of hooks, a hook holding spring acting on at least one of the connecting means or the hooks, and driving the pair of hooks Drive means, and chuck transfer means for moving the magazine chuck forward and backward with respect to the magazine,
In the hook closed position where the hook chucks the magazine tray, the hook holding spring biases the connecting means or the hook in the hook closing direction, and in the hook open position where the hook releases the magazine tray, the hook A holding spring is configured to bias the connecting means or the hook in the hook opening direction,
The hook is movable in the hook opening direction when the hook is in the closed position, and is movable in the hook closing direction when the hook is in the open position.

  According to the magazine chuck of the present invention, the hook holding spring biases the connecting means or the hook in the hook closing direction in the hook closed position, and the hook holding spring hooks the connecting means or the hook in the hook open position. Although biased in the opening direction, the hook can move in the hook opening direction when the hook is in the closed position, and can move in the hook closing direction when the hook is in the open position. That is, the driving means is not completely engaged with the connecting means, and the hook has a degree of freedom with respect to the connecting means. Therefore, even when the drive means is inoperative, the chuck transfer means can be operated to open and close the hook without damaging the magazine chuck mechanism itself.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a disk device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a magazine provided in the disk device of FIG. 1. It is a magazine exploded perspective view of Drawing 2A. It is a perspective view of the picker with which the disk apparatus of FIG. 1 is provided. It is a top view which shows the structure of the drive system of the lifting platform with which the picker of FIG. 3 is provided. It is the perspective view which looked at the picker of FIG. 3 from diagonally downward. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which the picker of FIG. 3 has moved to the front of a magazine selected from a plurality of magazines. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing how the picker of FIG. 3 pulls out a magazine tray from a magazine. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing how the picker of FIG. 3 pulls out a magazine tray from a magazine. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing how the picker of FIG. 3 pulls out a magazine tray from a magazine. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing how the picker of FIG. 3 pulls out a magazine tray from a magazine. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing how the picker of FIG. 3 pulls out a magazine tray from a magazine. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where the picker of FIG. 3 has pulled out a magazine tray from the magazine. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which the picker of FIG. 3 transports a magazine tray to the vicinity of a plurality of disk drives. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the picker of FIG. 3 transports a magazine tray to the vicinity of a plurality of disk drives. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the picker of FIG. 3 has moved the magazine tray above a lifter included in the disk device of FIG. 1. It is a whole perspective view of the chuck | zipper unit which shows the state holding the magazine tray, and an elevator stand unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the whole structure of a chuck | zipper unit. It is the top view which removed and showed the upper base of the above-mentioned chuck unit. It is the bottom view which removed and showed the lower base of the said chuck unit. It is a top view which expands and shows the drive part in the initial state of FIG. 18A. It is a top view which expands and shows the said drive part in hook opening operation | movement. It is a top view which expands and shows the said drive part in hook closing operation | movement. It is a fragmentary sectional perspective view which expands and shows the said drive part at the time of performing opening operation from a hook open state. It is a fragmentary sectional perspective view which expands and shows the said drive part at the time of performing closing operation from a hook closed state. It is a top view of the chuck | zipper unit which shows the hook open state by rotation of a hook motor. It is a top view of the chuck | zipper unit which shows the hook closed state by rotation of a hook motor. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the chuck unit showing an initial state when the magazine tray is inserted and removed by opening and closing the hook by the advance and retreat of the chuck unit. FIG. 23 is a plan view of the chuck unit showing a state in which the chuck unit has advanced from the initial state of FIG. 22 and the left and right hooks are in contact with the front corner R portion of the magazine tray. FIG. 24 is a plan view of the chuck unit showing a state where the chuck unit has further advanced from the state of FIG. 23. FIG. 25 is a plan view of the chuck unit showing a state where the chuck unit has further advanced from the state of FIG. 24 and chucked the magazine tray with the left and right hooks. FIG. 26 is a plan view showing a state where the chuck unit is further advanced from the state of FIG. 25 to release the magazine tray chuck by the left and right hooks. FIG. 27 is a plan view showing a state where the chuck unit is retracted from the state of FIG. 26. FIG. 28 is a plan view showing a state in which the chuck unit is further retracted from the state of FIG. 27 and the rear outer side of the hook in the open state is in contact with the tip of the chuck holder of the lifting platform. FIG. 29 is a plan view showing a state where the chuck unit is further retracted from the state of FIG. 28 and the hook is closed and positioned inside the chuck holder.

  The magazine tray insertion / extraction apparatus according to the present invention can take the following aspects based on the above-described configuration.

That is, at the tip of each hook, when the magazine chuck is advanced to the magazine tray side in the closed position, the left and right corners on the side closer to the magazine chuck than the hook engaging portion of the magazine tray And an abutting portion provided on the base member side that supports the forward and backward movement of the magazine chuck when the magazine chuck is retracted in the hook open state. An outer inclined surface is formed,
At the left and right corners of the magazine tray, a first guide surface that guides the inner inclined surface of the advancing hook outward is formed, and further away from the magazine chuck than the hook engaging portion of the magazine tray. The left and right side walls are formed with second guide surfaces that guide the inner inclined surfaces of the hooks that move forward in a state where the pair of hooks chuck the magazine tray,
When the magazine chuck moves forward in the hook closed position, the hook holding spring acts in the hook closing direction when the inner inclined surface of each hook gets over the first guide surface of the magazine tray. When the inner inclined surface of the magazine rides on the second guide surface of the magazine tray, the action of the holding spring is reversed in the hook opening direction,
When the magazine chuck is retracted in the hook open position, it is preferable that the outer inclined surface of the rear portion of the hook is in contact with the contact portion on the base member side, and the operation of the holding spring is reversed in the hook closing direction. .

According to this configuration, in particular, the inner inclined surface is provided at the tip of the hook, while the first guide surfaces are provided at the left and right corners closer to the magazine chuck than the hook engaging portion of the magazine tray. When the hook tip portion accesses the magazine tray in the hook closed state, the hook passes over the left and right corners and engages with the hook engaging portion, and the magazine tray can be chucked and pulled out. Also, by providing the second guide surfaces on the left and right side walls on the side farther from the magazine chuck than the hook engaging portion of the magazine tray, by overstroke the forward movement of the magazine chuck after returning the magazine tray, The hook can be held open. Furthermore, by providing the outer inclined surface at the rear portion of the hook, the hook can be returned to the closed state when the magazine chuck is retracted from the magazine in the hook open state.
That is, even when the driving means is inoperative, the hook can be opened and closed without damaging the magazine chuck mechanism itself by moving the magazine chuck forward and backward with respect to the magazine.

  In the above case, the connecting means includes an interlocking mechanism for interlockingly opening and closing the pair of hooks, and the driving means includes a power source for supplying power to the interlocking mechanism. be able to.

  According to this configuration, the driving means is not completely engaged with the connecting means, and the hook has a degree of freedom with respect to the connecting means. Even when a failure occurs in the power source supplying the hook, the driving means can be operated to open and close the hook without damaging the mechanism of the magazine chuck itself.

  Also, in this case, when the interlocking mechanism of the connecting means is driven by the power supplied from the power source at normal times, and an abnormality occurs in the operation of the power source, an alarm for notifying the occurrence of the abnormality is generated. More preferably, the hook is opened and closed only by moving the magazine chuck forward and backward.

  According to this configuration, the driving means is not completely engaged with the connecting means, and the hook has a degree of freedom with respect to the connecting means, thereby supplying power to the interlocking mechanism of the connecting means. Even when a failure occurs in the power source, the driving means can be operated to open and close the hook without damaging the magazine chuck mechanism itself. Therefore, even if a power source failure occurs, it is not necessary to immediately stop the operation of the magazine chuck. Until the operator who has been informed of the abnormality of the power source by the alarm starts maintenance, the magazine continues. The chuck can be actuated.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all of the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a disk device including a magazine box according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the lower left side in FIG. 1 is referred to as “device front”, and the upper right side in FIG. 1 is referred to as “device rear”.

  First, the overall configuration of the disk device will be described with reference to FIG.

  The disk device according to this embodiment includes two magazine stockers 1 and 1. The two magazine stockers 1 and 1 are provided on the bottom chassis 11 so as to face each other in the apparatus width direction Y. In FIG. 1, the illustration of one (front side) magazine stocker 1 is omitted.

  Each magazine stocker 1 includes a plurality of magazine boxes 50 (for example, five in this embodiment) in which a plurality of disk storage magazines 2 are detachably stored. These five magazine boxes 50 are arranged along the apparatus depth direction X on the bottom chassis 11. Each magazine box 50 can store a plurality of (for example, nine in this embodiment) magazines 2 in the magazine stocker 1 in a state of being arranged vertically in a substantially horizontal posture.

  As will be described in detail later, each magazine 2 has a magazine tray 21 (see FIG. 2) that stores a plurality of (for example, 12) disks. Between the two magazine stockers 1 and 1, there is provided a picker 3 that pulls out the magazine tray 21 from one magazine 2 selected from the plurality of magazines 2 and holds the magazine tray 21.

  The picker 3 is configured to convey the held magazine tray 21 to the vicinity of a plurality of disk drives 4 arranged at the rear of the apparatus. The picker 3 is integrally provided with a lifter 5 that pushes out a plurality of discs from the magazine tray 21.

  The disk drive 4 is a device that records or reproduces information on a disk. The disk drive 4 is a tray type disk drive that loads a disk using a tray. A plurality of (for example, 12) disk drives 4 are stacked in the apparatus height direction Z.

  That is, a plurality of disk drives 4 are formed in two rows that overlap each other, and the disk drives 4 in the two columns are arranged so as to face each other, and the plurality of disk drives 4 are combined into a single unit ( Disk drive unit).

  The plurality of disk drives 4 in each row are arranged adjacent to each magazine stocker 1, 1 at the rear of the apparatus. A carrier 6 is provided between the plurality of disk drives 4 stacked adjacent to one magazine stocker 1 and the plurality of disk drives 4 stacked adjacent to the other magazine stocker 1. Yes.

  The carrier 6 is provided in a housing 8 that accommodates a plurality of (for example, twelve) disk drives 4. The carrier 6 holds a plurality of disks pushed out by the lifter 5 in a stacked state. Above a discharged tray (not shown), one disk is separated from the plurality of held disks, and the separated disk is placed on the tray.

  An electric circuit and a power source 7 are provided further behind the carrier 6 and the plurality of disk drives 4. The electric circuit and power source 7 is provided with a control unit that controls operations (motors and the like) of devices such as the picker 3, the disk drive 4, and the carrier 6. The control unit is connected to, for example, a host computer that manages data. Based on the operator's instruction, the host computer sends a command to the control unit so as to perform operations such as writing or reading data to or from the designated magazine 2. The control unit controls the operation of each device such as the picker 3, the disk drive 4, and the carrier 6 in accordance with the command.

  The magazine stocker 1 is provided along a guide rail 12 that slidably guides the picker 3. The guide rail 12 is provided so as to extend in the apparatus depth direction X (longitudinal direction of the magazine stocker 1). A handle 13 is provided on the side surface of the magazine stocker 1 on the front side of the apparatus. By pulling the handle 13, the magazine stocker 1 can be moved forward of the apparatus. Each magazine stocker 1 includes a partition (not shown) that extends in the apparatus width direction Y. The magazine 2 is accommodated in each space surrounded by the partition.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the magazine 2 includes a magazine tray 21 and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case 22 that houses the magazine tray 21. As shown in FIG. 2B, an opening 22 a into which the magazine tray 21 can be inserted and removed is provided on the front surface (one side surface) of the case 22.

  The magazine tray 21 has a substantially rectangular outer shape in plan view. The magazine tray 21 stores a plurality of discs 100 in a state where they are stacked in close contact with each other. Cut portions 21 a and 21 a are formed at both corner portions located on the back side of the case 22 when the magazine tray 21 is stored in the case 22. Further, when the magazine tray 21 is housed in the case 22, the entire side surface 21b located on the back side of the case 22 is formed in an arc shape including the cut portions 21a and 21a.

  When the magazine tray 21 is stored in the case 22, notches 21 c and 21 c are formed at both corner portions located on the front side of the case 22. In the width direction of the magazine tray 21, engaging recesses 21d and 21d are formed on the inner side of the notches 21c and 21c to engage hooks (not shown) of the picker 3.

  The magazine tray 21 is provided with a core rod 23 that is inserted into a central hole 100 a provided in each of the plurality of disks 100 and restricts movement of each disk 100 in the surface direction. The core rod 23 prevents each disk 100 from being damaged by the movement of each disk 100 in the surface direction.

  The picker 3 includes a traveling base 31. As shown in FIG. 3, a carriage 31 a that slidably moves the guide rail 12 is attached to one magazine stocker 1 side of the traveling base 31. In addition, a roller 31b is attached to the other magazine stocker 1 side of the traveling base 31 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the traveling base 31 is provided with a picker motor 31 c that generates a driving force for moving the picker 3 in the apparatus depth direction X. A reduction gear 31d meshes with the motor gear 31i press-fitted into the drive shaft of the picker motor 31c. The reduction gear 31d meshes with the pinion gear 31e. The pinion gear 31e meshes with the rack 14 provided so as to extend in the apparatus depth direction X adjacent to the guide rail 12.

  When the picker motor 31c is driven, the driving force of the picker motor 31c is transmitted to the pinion gear 31e via the motor gear 31i and the reduction gear 31d, and the pinion gear 31e rotates. Here, the rack 14 is fixed to the bottom chassis 11. On the other hand, the traveling base 31 is not fixed to the bottom chassis 11. For this reason, when the pinion gear 31e rotates, the pinion gear 31e moves along the rack 14, and the picker 3 moves in the apparatus depth direction X.

  For example, a stepping motor is used as the picker motor 31c. By giving a predetermined pulse to the picker motor 31c, the picker 3 can be moved in front of the predetermined magazine 2.

  A picker base 31h made of resin is attached to the traveling base 31 made of sheet metal. The picker base 31h is provided with a turntable 32 that is rotatable about a rotation shaft 32a extending in the apparatus height direction Z. The picker base 31h is provided with a turntable motor 31f that generates a driving force for rotating the turntable 32. As shown in FIG. 4, a reduction gear 31g is meshed with the motor gear 31j press-fitted into the drive shaft of the turntable motor 31f. The reduction gear 31g meshes with a turntable gear 32b provided on the outer periphery of the turntable 32. When the turntable motor 31f is driven, the driving force of the turntable motor 31f is transmitted to the turntable gear 32b via the motor gear 31j and the reduction gear 31g, and the turntable 32 rotates.

  The turntable 32 is provided with a pair of elevating rails 33, 33 extending in the apparatus height direction Z and facing each other. A lifting platform 34 is provided between the pair of lifting rails 33, 33. Further, the rotary table 32 is provided with a lift motor 32c that generates a driving force for moving the lift 34 up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a relay gear 32d is engaged with the motor gear 32k press-fitted into the drive shaft of the lift motor 32c. The connecting shaft gear 32e meshes with the relay gear 32d. A connecting shaft 32f passes through the center of the connecting shaft gear 32e. Worms 32g and 32g are fixed to both ends of the connecting shaft 32f. Each worm 32g is engaged with the relay gear 32h. Each relay gear 32h meshes with the lead screw gear 32i. Each lead screw gear 32i is fixed to a lead screw 32j. Each lead screw 32j is provided so as to extend in the apparatus height direction Z along the elevating rail 33. As shown in FIG. 3, a nut 34a provided on the lifting platform 34 is screwed into each lead screw 32j.

  When the elevator motor 32c is driven, the driving force of the elevator motor 32c is driven by the lead screw 32j via the motor gear 32k, relay gear 32d, connecting shaft gear 32e, connecting shaft 32f, worm 32g, relay gear 32h, and lead screw gear 32i. And the lead screw 32j rotates. As a result, the lifting platform 34 moves up and down in the apparatus height direction Z along the pair of lifting rails 33, 33.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the lifting platform 34 has a pair of left and right hooks 61 and 62 that can be engaged with the engaging recess 21 d of the magazine tray 21, and a mechanism that opens and closes the pair of hooks 61 and 62. In addition, a chuck unit 60 is provided that moves back and forth by a lead screw 34e (see FIG. 5) provided on the lifting platform 34.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the lift table 34 is provided with a chuck motor 34 b. The reduction gear 34c meshes with the motor gear 34f press-fitted into the drive shaft of the chuck motor 34b. The reduction gear 34c meshes with the lead screw gear 34d. The lead screw gear 34d is fixed to the lead screw 34e. The lead screw 34e is provided so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to a straight line connecting the pair of lifting rails 33, 33. A nut 36a fixed to the chuck unit 60 is screwed into the lead screw 34e.

When the chuck motor 34b is driven, the driving force of the chuck motor 34b is transmitted to the nut 36a via the motor gear 34f, the reduction gear 34c, the lead screw gear 34d, and the lead screw 34e, and the chuck unit 60 is moved along the lead screw 34e. Move.
These chuck motor 34b, motor gear 34f, reduction gear 34c, lead screw gear 34d, lead screw 34e and nut 36a constitute "chuck transfer means" described in the claims of this application.

  Further, the chuck unit 60 is configured to be able to adjust the distance between the pair of hooks 61 and 62. When the chuck unit 60 reduces the distance between the pair of hooks 61 and 62, the pair of left and right hooks 61 and 62 can be engaged with the engagement recesses 21 d and 21 d of the magazine tray 21. On the other hand, when the chuck unit 60 widens the distance between the pair of hooks 61, 62, the engagement state between the pair of hooks 61, 62 and the engagement recesses 21 d, 21 d of the magazine tray 21 can be released. Details of the structure of the chuck unit 60 and the mechanism for opening and closing the hooks 61 and 62 will be described later.

  The pair of elevating rails 33 are attached to both side surfaces of the U-shaped angle 37. The upper ends of the pair of lead screws 32j are rotatably attached to the upper surface of the angle 37.

  The picker motor 31c, the rotary table motor 31f, the lift table motor 32c, and the chuck motor 34b are connected to a control unit of the electric circuit and the power source 7 via an FFC (flexible flat cable) 114 (see FIG. 1). The drive is controlled by.

  6 to 12 show how the picker 3 pulls out the magazine tray 21 from the case 22. As the traveling base 31 travels in the apparatus depth direction X and the lifting platform 34 moves up and down in the apparatus height direction Z along the pair of lifting rails 33, as shown in FIG. The picker 3 is moved to the front of the selected one magazine 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the turntable 32 is rotated so that the chuck unit 60 faces the front of the magazine 2.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the chuck unit 60 moves forward toward the magazine tray 21, and the pair of hooks 61 and 62 are engaged with the engaging recesses 21 d and 21 d of the magazine tray 21 as shown in FIG. 9. Let In this state, the magazine tray 21 is pulled out from the case 22 when the chuck unit 60 is retracted from the case 22.

  As shown in FIG. 10, after the chuck unit 60 moves backward (moves in front of the case 22), the cut portion 21 a of the magazine tray 21 passes through the opening 22 a of the case 22, and then the turntable 32 rotates to the rotation axis. It is rotated clockwise about 32a. In other words, as shown in FIG. 11, the distance L1 from the apex 21f of the side surface 21b of the magazine tray 21 (the position farthest from the rotation shaft 32a) to the rotation shaft 32a is the front end 22b of the side surface of the case 22. When the rotation table 32 becomes smaller than the distance L2 from the rotary shaft 32a, the rotary base 32 is rotated clockwise about the rotary shaft 32a. As the turntable 32 rotates, the magazine tray 21 rotates about the rotation shaft 32a as shown in FIGS. As a result, the magazine tray 21 is completely pulled out from the case 22 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the magazine tray 21 pulled out from the case 22 is located in the vicinity of the plurality of disk drives 4 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, as the traveling base 31 of the picker 3 travels backward. To be transported. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the chuck unit 60 of the picker 3 moves forward, and the magazine tray 21 is placed at a predetermined position on the magazine tray guide 18 above the lifter 5. 14 and 15, the illustration of the front disk drive 4 is omitted.

  A carrier 6 is provided in a housing 8 that accommodates a plurality of (for example, twelve) disk drives 4, and holds a plurality of disks 100 pushed out by the lifter 5 in a stacked state. The disc 100 is separated from the plurality of discs 100 held above the tray (not shown) ejected from the disc, and the separated disc 100 is placed on the tray.

  An electric circuit and a power source 7 are provided further behind the carrier 6 and the plurality of disk drives 4. The electric circuit and power source 7 is provided with a control unit that controls operations (motors and the like) of devices such as the picker 3, the disk drive 4, and the carrier 6. The control unit is connected to, for example, a host computer that manages data. Based on the operator's instruction, the host computer sends a command to the control unit so as to perform operations such as writing or reading data to or from the designated magazine 2. The control unit controls the operation of each device such as the picker 3, the disk drive 4, and the carrier 6 in accordance with the command.

Next, the structure and operation of the chuck unit 60 of the picker 3 will be described in more detail.
FIG. 16 is an overall perspective view of the chuck unit 60 and the lifting platform 34 showing a state in which the magazine tray 21 is chucked (gripped) by the left and right hooks 61 and 62. As described above, the magazine 2 is constituted by the magazine tray 21 storing the disc 100 and the magazine case 22 covering the magazine tray 21. The chuck unit 60 is guided by the pair of left and right chuck holders 34s on the lifting platform 34. In this state, the magazine 2 is supported so as to be movable forward and backward. The chuck unit 60 can hold the magazine tray 21 by the left and right hooks 61 and 62. When the chuck unit 60 moves backward, the magazine tray 21 is pulled out from the magazine case 22, and moves forward to move inside the magazine case 22. It is stored in.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall configuration of the chuck unit 60. 18A is a plan view showing the chuck unit 60 with the upper base removed, and FIG. 18B is a bottom view showing the chuck unit 60 with the lower base removed.
As shown in these drawings, the chuck unit 60 includes a lower base 65 that supports the left and right hooks 61 and 62, and an upper base 64 provided with main components of the drive system.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 17 and 18A, a hook motor 71 that opens and closes the left and right hooks 61 and 62 is attached to the upper base 64, and a motor gear 72 is press-fitted into the output shaft 71s of the hook motor 71. . A driving gear 74 is engaged with the motor gear 72 via a relay gear 73. The drive gear 74 drives a chuck rod 75 described later. The relay gear 73 and the drive gear 74 are both rotatably held on the upper base 64, and the drive gear 74 is rotated via the motor gear 72 and the relay gear 73 when the hook motor 71 rotates. Has been. In FIG. 18A, the relay gear 73 is not shown for the sake of clarity.

  The drive gear 74 is provided with an arc-shaped drive rib 74r with a part cut away. As shown in FIG. 18A, the drive gear 74r has a cut-out region (notch region). An engagement rib 75r provided on the chuck rod 75 can be engaged. In addition, a detection switch 76 that can detect an initial state, that is, a state in which the hooks 61 and 62 can freely move, is disposed on the outer periphery of the drive rib 74r. A switch detection rib 74d with which the switch 76 abuts is provided.

  FIG. 18A shows a state in which the hooks 61 and 62 can freely move (initial state). In this initial state, the engagement rib 75r of the chuck rod 75 is located in the notch region of the drive rib 74r. At this time, the switch detection rib 74d provided outside the drive rib 74r is in contact with the detection portion 76d of the detection switch 76. The detection switch 76 is preferably configured such that the detection unit 76d can be tilted to the left or right, and the detection operation can be performed regardless of the tilt to the left or right.

Using this detection switch 76, an alarm can be issued when an abnormality occurs in the hook motor 71. For example, after the magazine tray 21 insertion / extraction operation using the chuck unit 60 is started or the hook motor 71 is energized, the detection switch 76 is connected to the switch detection rib 74d of the drive rib 74r for a certain period or more. If the ON / OFF operation of the detection switch 76 does not occur without contact or reverse contact, the drive rib 74r does not rotate and an abnormality may occur in the operation of the motor 74. There is sex.
In this embodiment, in such a case, the detection switch 76 transmits an abnormality detection signal of the motor 74 to, for example, the control unit provided in the electric circuit and the power source 7 described above, and this abnormality detection. Is displayed on an operation panel or the like of the control unit to notify the operator.

  The chuck rod 75 is provided on the upper base 64 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. From the state in which the engagement rib 75r is in the notch region of the drive rib 74r, the chuck gear 75 is rotated. When the drive rib 74r rotates, the engagement rib 75r is pushed against the left or right end 74a or 74b of the cutout region of the drive rib 74r. In other words, when the drive gear 74 rotates to the right, it is pushed by the left end 74a and moves to the right. When the drive gear 74 rotates to the left, it is pushed by the right end 74b and moves to the left. It is configured.

  A convex portion 75p protruding upward by a predetermined amount is provided on the upper portion of the chuck rod 75, and arms of left and right holding springs 77 and 78 that are torsion coil springs are disposed so as to sandwich the convex portion 75p. In the initial state, the arms of the holding springs 77 and 78 on both sides are in contact with a spring stopper 64a provided on the upper portion of the upper base 64, and no spring biasing force acts on the convex portion 75p.

When the chuck rod 75 moves to the right, a left biasing force is applied to the protrusion 75p against the arm of the right holding spring 78, and when the chuck rod 75 moves to the left, the arm of the left holding spring 77 is applied. Comes into contact with the convex portion 75p and a rightward biasing force acts. Therefore, when the chuck rod 75 does not receive a driving force from the driving gear 74, the holding springs 77 and 78 always keep returning to the center position of the both 77 and 78.
In addition, a hook drive rib 75k positioned between a pair of contact ribs 61a and 61b provided on the upper surface of the left hook 61 is provided below the chuck rod 75.

  As well understood from FIG. 18B, a pair of engaging pins 65a slidably engaged with a pair of guide grooves 61c of the left hook 61 and a pair of guide grooves 62c of the right hook 62 are slidably engaged with each other. A pair of engaging pins 65 b to be mated are provided on the lower base 65. The left hook 61 is slidable in the left-right direction on the lower base 65 by the pair of engaging pins 65a engaging and guiding the pair of guide grooves 61c, respectively. The pair of engagement pins 65b engage and guide the pair of guide grooves 62c, respectively, so that the pair of engagement pins 65b can move slidably in the left-right direction on the lower base 65.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18B, rack gears 61g and 62g are provided in the vicinity of the center of the left hook 61 and the right hook 62 so as to face each other, and the rack gears 61g and 62g rotate to the lower base 65. When the connecting gear 67 is engaged with the pinion gear 67g of the connecting gear 67 that is freely supported and rotated clockwise (counterclockwise in FIG. 18B) when viewed from the top surface shown in FIG. When the hook parts 61f, 62f of 61, 62 move in a direction approaching each other and the connecting gear 67 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the upper surface shown in FIG. 18A (clockwise in FIG. 18B), the left and right hooks 61 , 62 are configured to move in a direction away from each other.

  The pinion gear 67g of the connecting gear 67 and the rack gears 61g and 62g provided on the left and right hooks 61 and 62 respectively constitute "connecting means" described in the claims of the present application. The hook motor 71, the motor gear 72, the relay gear 73, the drive gear 74, and the chuck rod 75 described above constitute the main part of the “drive means” described in the claims of the present application, and are provided on the upper surface of the left hook 61. The pair of contact ribs 61a and 61b and the hook drive rib 75k of the chuck rod 75 positioned between them are also included in the “drive means”.

  This “driving means” finally opens and closes the left and right hooks 61 and 62, but there are various driving methods. In the present embodiment, as will be described in more detail below, the hook drive rib 75k of the chuck rod 75 is pressed against the pair of contact ribs 61a and 61b provided on the left hook 61 to rotate the pinion gear 67g. A pair of left and right hooks 61 and 62 are driven. Instead, a pair of contact ribs having the same configuration and arrangement as the contact ribs 61a and 61b are provided on the right hook 62 side. A similar operation may be performed. Further, the pair of left and right hooks 61 and 62 can be driven to open and close by driving the connecting gear 67 and rotating the pinion gear 67g.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, a spring hook 67 f that engages and holds one end of a hook holding spring 79 that is a tension coil spring is provided on the upper portion of the connection gear 67. The other end of the hook holding spring 79 is locked near the rear end on the right side of the lower base 65. The hook holding spring 79 is constituted by a tension coil spring and urges the connecting gear 67 to pull rightward. In the hook closed state shown in FIG. 18A, the spring hook 67f is in front of the rotation center of the connecting gear 67, and the connecting gear 67 is urged clockwise in FIG. 18A by the spring force of the hook holding spring 79. Therefore, the left and right hooks 61 and 62 are maintained in the closing direction.

Next, the opening / closing operation of the hooks 61 and 62 by the hook motor 71 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19A to 20B.
FIG. 19A is an enlarged plan view showing the drive unit of FIG. 18A. FIG. 19B is an enlarged plan view showing the drive unit in the hook opening operation, and FIG. 19C is an enlarged plan view showing the drive unit in the hook closing operation. FIG. 20A is an enlarged partial sectional perspective view showing the drive unit when the opening operation is performed from the hook closed state, and FIG. 20B is an enlarged view of the drive unit when the closing operation is performed from the hook open state. FIG. Further, FIG. 21A is a plan view of the chuck unit 60 showing a hook open state by rotation of the hook motor, and FIG. 21B is a plan view of the chuck unit 60 showing a hook closed state by rotation of the hook motor.

  First, the hook opening operation from the hook closed state will be described. In the initial state shown in FIG. 19A, when the hook motor 71 is rotated counterclockwise, the drive gear 74 is rotated counterclockwise via the motor gear 72 and the relay gear 73. Accordingly, the drive rib 74r rotates in the same direction, and the right end 74b of the drive rib 74r pushes the engagement rib 75r of the chuck rod 75 to the left. As a result, the chuck rod 75 moves to the left against the urging force of the left holding spring 77 and enters the state shown in FIG. 19B (hook open state).

  As described above, when the hook motor 71 is rotated counterclockwise to move the chuck rod 75 to the left, the hook drive rib 75k of the chuck rod 75 comes into contact with the left contact rib 61a of the left hook 61. The left hook 61 moves to the left. Since the left and right hooks 61, 62 are engaged with the pinion gear 67g of the connecting gear 67 at the rack gears 61g, 62g, when the left hook 61 moves to the left, the pinion gear 67g rotates counterclockwise, Accordingly, the right hook 62 moves to the right.

  Thus, the left and right hooks 61 and 62 are in the open state as shown in FIG. 21A. At this time, the spring hook 67f of the connection gear 67 has moved to the rear side of the rotation center of the connection gear 67, and the spring hook 67f is pulled to the right by the hook holding spring 79, so that the connection gear 67 is counterclockwise. Is biased in the direction.

  Next, when the hook motor 71 is reversed and rotated in the clockwise direction, the drive gear 74 rotates in the same direction. When the cutout region of the drive rib 74r of the drive gear 74 returns to the original position, the chuck rod 75 is biased to the right by the left holding spring 77, so that the original is accompanied by the movement of the cutout region of the drive rib 74r. Return to position. When the detection portion 76 d of the detection switch 76 returns to the initial position where it abuts on the switch detection rib 74 d of the drive gear 74, the chuck rod 75 is returned to the original position by the left holding spring 77.

  However, since the connecting gear 67 is urged counterclockwise by the hook holding spring 79, the left and right hooks 61 and 62 remain open even when the chuck rod 75 returns to the original position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 20B, the right contact rib 61 b of the left hook 61 is in a state of being close to the hook drive rib 75 k of the chuck rod 75. The drive system is in the initial state shown in FIG. 19A.

  Next, the hook closing operation from the hook open state will be described. When the hook motor 71 is rotated clockwise in the initial state shown in FIG. 19A, the drive gear 74 is rotated clockwise via the motor gear 72 and the relay gear 73. When the drive gear 74 rotates clockwise, the drive rib 74r rotates in the same direction, and the left end 74a of the drive rib 74r pushes the engagement rib 75r of the chuck rod 75 to the right. As a result, the chuck rod 75 moves to the right against the urging force of the right holding spring 78, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 19C.

  20B is the hook open state as described above, and the right contact rib 61b of the left hook 61 is close to the hook drive rib 75k of the chuck rod 75. When the hook motor 71 is rotated clockwise as described above to move the chuck rod 75 to the right, the hook drive rib 75k of the chuck rod 75 comes into contact with the right contact rib 61b of the left hook 61. The left hook 61 moves to the right.

  As a result, the left and right hooks 61 and 62 are closed as shown in FIG. 21B. At this time, the spring hook 67f of the connection gear 67 has moved to the front side relative to the rotation center of the connection gear 67, and the spring hook 67f is pulled rightward by the hook holding spring 79, so that the connection gear 67 is rotated clockwise. It is energized.

  Next, when the hook motor 71 is reversed and rotated counterclockwise, the drive gear 74 rotates in the same direction. When the notched region of the drive rib 74r of the drive gear 74 returns to the original position, the chuck rod 75 is biased to the left by the right holding spring 78, so that the notch region of the drive rib 74r is moved. Along with this, the original position is restored. When the detection portion 76d of the detection switch 76 returns to the initial position where it abuts on the switch detection rib 74d of the drive gear 74, the chuck rod 75 is returned to the original position by the right holding spring 78.

  However, since the connecting gear 67 is urged clockwise by the hook holding spring 79, the left and right hooks 61 and 62 remain closed even when the chuck rod 75 returns to the original position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 20B, the right contact rib 61 b of the left hook 61 is in a state of being close to the hook drive rib 75 k of the chuck rod 75. The drive system is in the initial state shown in FIG. 19A.

  After the left and right hooks 61 and 62 have been opened and closed, the hook motor 71 is reversed to return the chuck rod 75 to its original state. However, the hook switch 71 is rotated in the same direction, and the detection switch 76 detects the switch. Even if the rib 74d is detected and stopped, when the notch region of the drive rib 74r returns to the initial position and the engagement rib 75r of the chuck rod 75 becomes free, the biasing force of the holding springs 77 and 78 causes The chuck rod 75 returns to the original position.

Next, a method for opening and closing the hooks 61 and 62 without using the hook motor 71 when, for example, a failure occurs in the hook motor 71 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the chuck that is maintained in the initial position by the left and right holding springs 77 and 78 in the initial state regardless of whether the left hook 61 (and therefore the right hook 62) is open or closed. The hook drive rib 75k of the rod 75 is between a pair of left and right contact ribs 61a and 61b provided on the left hook 61. Therefore, in the state where the chuck rod 75 is maintained in the initial state, even if the left hook 61 moves, the contact ribs 61 a and 61 b do not hinder the operation of the left hook 61. The left and right hooks 61 and 62 are biased by a hook holding spring 79 via a connecting gear 67 so that the left and right hooks 61 and 62 are held in the open position in the open state and in the closed position in the closed state. It is possible to maintain that state.

A case where the magazine tray 21 is inserted and removed by opening and closing the hooks 61 and 62 by the forward and backward movement of the chuck unit 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. The advance / retreat of the chuck unit 60 is performed by the driving force of the chuck motor 34b mounted on the lifting platform 34 of the picker 3 as described above.
FIG. 22 is a plan view of the chuck unit 60 showing an initial state. In this initial state, the hooks 61 and 62 remain closed. From this initial state, the chuck unit 60 is advanced toward the magazine tray 21.

23 is a plan view of the chuck unit 60 showing a state in which the chuck unit 60 has advanced from the initial state of FIG. 22 and the left and right hooks 61 and 62 are in contact with the left and right front corner R portions 21r of the magazine tray 21, FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a state where the chuck unit 60 has further advanced from the state of FIG. FIG. 25 is a plan view showing a state where the chuck unit 60 is further advanced from the state of FIG. 24 and the magazine tray 21 is chucked by the left and right hooks 61, 62.
23 and 24, as the chuck unit 60 moves forward, the left and right hooks 61 and 62 come into contact with the front corners R portions 21r and 21r of the magazine tray 21, and then the respective hook portions 61f. 62f, the inner inclined surfaces 61r, 62r open to the left and right while being guided by the front corner R portions 21r, 21r.

  Thus, when the hooks 61 and 62 are pushed open to the left and right, the connecting gear 67 rotates counterclockwise, but the spring hook 67f is on the front side of the rotation center of the connecting gear 67. The hook holding spring 79 applies a biasing force in the clockwise direction (that is, the closing direction in which the hooks 61 and 62 are closed). Therefore, even when the hooks 61 and 62 get over the front corner R portions 21r and 21r of the magazine tray 21 and the hooks 61 and 62 are opened to the maximum, the same state is maintained.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 25, the hook portions 61f and 62f of the left and right hooks 61 and 62 are engaged with the left and right engaging recesses 21d and 21d of the magazine tray 21, whereby the left and right hooks 61 and 62 The tray 21 can be chucked. The chucked state shown in FIG. 25 is maintained by the hook holding spring 79. Therefore, when the chuck unit 60 is retracted, the magazine tray 21 is also retracted and pulled out from the magazine case 22.
Conversely, when the magazine tray 21 is returned to the magazine case 22 from the chucked state as shown in FIG. 25 or FIG. 16, the chuck unit 60 is advanced in that state.

  26 is a plan view showing a state where the chuck unit 60 is further advanced from the state of FIG. 25 and the chuck of the magazine tray 21 by the left and right hooks 61 and 62 is released. FIG. 27 is a plan view showing a state in which the chuck unit 60 is retracted from the state of FIG. 28 is a plan view showing a state in which the chuck unit 60 is further retracted from the state of FIG. 27 and the rear outer sides of the hooks 61 and 62 in the open state are in contact with the tips of the chuck holders 34s and 34s of the lifting platform 34. FIG. 29 is a plan view showing a state where the chuck unit 60 is further retracted from the state shown in FIG. 28 and the hooks 61 and 62 are located inside the chuck holders 34s and 34s in the closed state.

  As described above, when the magazine tray 21 is returned into the magazine case 22, if the chuck unit 60 is advanced while being chucked by the hooks 61 and 62, the magazine held by the hooks 61 and 62 accordingly. The tray 21 also moves forward by the urging force of the hook holding spring 79. When the chuck unit 60 continues to move forward and the magazine tray 21 is housed in the magazine case 22 (the same state as in FIG. 25), when the chuck unit 60 is further advanced, the left and right hooks 61 and 62 are moved forward. The inner inclined surfaces 61r and 62r of the hook portions 61f and 62f come in contact with the left and right inclined contact portions 21s and 21s of the magazine tray 21, respectively, and move forward while being guided by the inclination, whereby the hooks 61 and 62 are moved forward. Opens against the urging force of the hook holding spring 79. At this time, as shown in FIG. 20A, since the hook drive rib 75k is separated from the contact rib 61b of the hook 61, the hook 61 can be opened without being restricted by the drive system.

  As shown in FIG. 26, when the front surface of the chuck unit 60 is advanced to a state close to the magazine tray 21, the spring hook 67 f of the connection gear 67 comes to the rear side from the rotation center of the connection gear 67. The connecting gear 67 is reversed by the urging force. In this state, the hooks 61 and 62 are open. Since this open state is maintained by the hook holding spring 79, it is maintained even when the chuck unit 60 is retracted, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 28 shows a state where the chuck unit 60 is further retracted and the chuck unit 60 is retracted until the hooks 61 and 62 are completely separated from the magazine tray 21. When the chuck unit 60 is further retracted, the chuck unit 60 enters between the chuck holders 34s and 34s provided on the lifting platform 34. Since the left and right hooks 61, 62 protrude larger than the width of the chuck unit 60 in the open state, the rear side surfaces 61s, 61s abut against the tip portions of the chuck holders 34s, 34s, respectively.

  The rear side surfaces 61s and 61s of the hooks 61 and 62 are formed in an inclined shape, and the hooks 61 and 62 are closed so that the inclined rear side surfaces 61s and 62s are guided by the tip portions of the chuck holders 34s and 34s. Goed to. At this time, as shown in FIG. 20B, since the abutment rib 61a of the hook 61 is separated from the hook drive rib 75k, the closing operation of the hook 62 is performed without being restricted by the drive system. When the chuck unit 60 is further retracted, the left and right hooks 61 and 62 are completely closed, and the spring hook 67f of the connection gear 67 moves to the front side from the rotation center of the connection gear 67. It is urged clockwise by the urging force 79 to maintain the closed state and return to the initial state.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the hook holding spring 79 biases the connection gear 67 in the hook closing direction at the hook closed position, and the hook holding spring 79 hooks the connection gear 67 at the hook open position. The chuck rod 75 is biased in the opening direction. The chuck rod 75 can move the hooks 61 and 62 in the hook opening direction when the hooks 61 and 62 are in the closed position. The hooks 61 and 62 can be moved in the hook closing direction. That is, the chuck rod 75 is not completely engaged with the connection gear 67, and the hooks 61 and 62 have a degree of freedom with respect to the connection gear 67. Therefore, even when the hook motor 71 is not operated, the mechanism itself of the chuck unit 60 is not damaged.

In this case, in particular, the inner inclined surfaces 61r and 62r are provided at the tips of the hooks 61 and 62, while the left and right corners of the magazine tray 21 are closer to the chuck unit 60 than the engaging recesses 21d and 21d for hook engagement. In addition, by providing the corner R portions 21r and 21r as the first guide surface, when the hook tip portion accesses the magazine tray 21 with the hook closed, the hooks 61 and 62 get over the left and right corner portions 21r and 21r. The magazine tray 21 can be pulled out by being engaged with the engaging recesses 21d and 21d. Further, by providing inclined contact portions 21s, 21s as second guide surfaces on the left and right side walls farther from the chuck unit 60 than the engaging recesses 21d, 21d of the magazine tray 21, the magazine tray 21 is By making the forward movement of the chuck unit 60 overstroke after returning, the hooks 61 and 62 can be held open. Furthermore, by providing inclined rear side surfaces 61s and 62s as outer inclined surfaces at the rear portions of the hooks 61 and 62, the hooks 61 and 62 are closed when the chuck unit 60 is retracted from the magazine 2 in the hook open state. It can be returned to the state.
That is, even when the hook motor 71 is inoperative, the chuck motor 60b is operated without damaging the mechanism itself of the chuck unit 60 by moving the chuck unit 60 forward and backward with respect to the magazine 2, thereby causing the hooks 61, 62 can be opened and closed.

  In the above case, the connecting gear 67 has a pinion gear 67g as an interlocking mechanism for interlockingly opening and closing the pair of hooks 61, 62, and power for rotation is supplied to the connecting gear 67 including the interlocking mechanism 67g. A hook motor 71 is provided as a power source to be supplied. In this case, the chuck rod 75 is not completely engaged with the connection gear 67 between the contact portions 61 a and 61 b and the hook drive rib 75 k, and the hooks 61 and 62 have a degree of freedom with respect to the connection gear 67. In particular, even when a failure occurs in the hook motor 71 that supplies power to the connecting gear 67 including the pinion gear 67g, the chuck rod 75 can be mounted without damaging the mechanism itself of the chuck unit 60. The hooks 61 and 62 can be opened and closed by operating.

  In the above case, normally, when the hooks 61 and 62 are driven in conjunction with the power supplied from the hook motor 71 and an abnormality occurs in the operation of the hook motor 71, the detection switch 76 is operated. By detecting this abnormality and issuing an alarm notifying the occurrence of this abnormality, even if the hook motor 71 fails, it is not necessary to immediately stop the operation of the chuck unit 60. The chuck unit 60 can be continuously operated until an operator who knows that an abnormality has occurred starts maintenance.

  While the invention has been fully described in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included therein, so long as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention according to the appended claims.

  The present invention is a magazine chuck provided in a magazine tray insertion / extraction device for inserting / removing a magazine tray into / from a magazine provided with a magazine tray loaded with a plurality of discs. The present invention can be effectively used as a magazine chuck provided in a magazine tray insertion / extraction device that can be used in a disk device that supplies a disk to each.

2 Magazine 21 Magazine tray 21d Engaging recess 21r Front corner R portion 21s Inclined contact portion 3 Picker 34 Lifting platform 34b Chuck motor 34c Reduction gear 34d Lead screw gear 34e Lead screw 34f Motor gear 34s Chuck holder 36a Nut 60 Chuck unit 61, 62 Hook 61a, 61b Abutment rib 61f, 62f Hook part 61g, 62g Rack gear 61r, 62r Inner inclined part 61s, 62s Inclined rear side 67 Connection gear 67f Spring hook 67g Pinion gear 71 Hook motor 72 Motor gear 73 Relay gear 74 Drive gear 74d Switch detection Rib 74r Driving rib 75 Chuck rod 75k Hook driving rib 75p Protruding part 75r Engaging rib 76 Detection switch 76d Detection part 77, 7 Holding spring 79 hooks holding spring 100 disk

Claims (4)

A magazine chuck provided in a magazine tray insertion / extraction device that inserts / extracts the magazine tray into / from a magazine provided with a magazine tray in which a plurality of discs are loaded.
A pair of left and right hooks for chucking the magazine tray, a connecting means for interlockingly opening and closing the pair of hooks, a hook holding spring acting on at least one of the connecting means or the hooks, and driving the pair of hooks Drive means, and chuck transfer means for moving the magazine chuck forward and backward with respect to the magazine,
In the hook closed position where the hook chucks the magazine tray, the hook holding spring biases the connecting means or the hook in the hook closing direction, and in the hook open position where the hook releases the magazine tray, the hook A holding spring is configured to bias the connecting means or the hook in the hook opening direction,
The hook is movable in the hook opening direction when the hook is in the closed position, and is movable in the hook closing direction when the hook is in the open position.
Magazine chuck characterized by that. When the magazine chuck is advanced to the magazine tray side in the state of being in the closed position, it comes into contact with the left and right corners closer to the magazine chuck than the hook engaging portion of the magazine tray. An inner inclined surface is formed, and a rear portion of each hook is in contact with an abutting portion provided on the base member side that supports the forward and backward movement of the magazine chuck when the magazine chuck is retracted in the hook open state. An outer inclined surface is formed,
At the left and right corners of the magazine tray, a first guide surface that guides the inner inclined surface of the advancing hook outward is formed, and further away from the magazine chuck than the hook engaging portion of the magazine tray. The left and right side walls are formed with second guide surfaces that guide the inner inclined surfaces of the hooks that move forward in a state where the pair of hooks chuck the magazine tray,
When the magazine chuck moves forward in the hook closed position, the hook holding spring acts in the hook closing direction when the inner inclined surface of each hook gets over the first guide surface of the magazine tray. When the inner inclined surface of the magazine rides on the second guide surface of the magazine tray, the action of the holding spring is reversed in the hook opening direction,
When the magazine chuck moves backward in the hook open position, the outer inclined surface of the rear portion of the hook comes into contact with the contact portion on the base member side, and the action of the holding spring reverses in the hook closing direction.
The magazine chuck according to claim 1.   2. The connection unit according to claim 1, further comprising an interlocking mechanism that interlocks and opens and closes the pair of hooks, and the driving unit includes a power source that supplies power to the interlocking mechanism. 2. The magazine chuck according to 2.   Normally, the linkage mechanism of the connecting means is driven by the power supplied from the power source, and when an abnormality occurs in the operation of the power source, an alarm is issued to notify the occurrence of the abnormality, and the magazine chuck The magazine chuck according to claim 3, wherein the hook is opened and closed only by moving forward and backward.

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