JP2595477Y2 - Auto changer - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic changer, and more particularly to a recording medium transport mechanism configured to transport a recording medium inserted from outside or a recording medium stored in a recording medium storage section to a recording / reproducing section by a carriage. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an information processing system such as a computer which handles a large amount of data, a recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, and a tape cassette is used as external storage means for storing data. As the amount of information increases, the number of recording medium stocks also increases, so that management, search, recording and reproduction of the recording medium takes considerable time, and various automatic changers as devices for automatically performing these operations are available. Is being developed.

As this type of autochanger, there is, for example, an apparatus having a configuration as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-140266. In this apparatus, in order to be able to store more recording media, a storage chamber is provided on the outer peripheral surface of a rotary storage rack, and the storage rack is rotated so that a designated recording medium cartridge is moved by a recording medium transport mechanism. It is configured to be taken out and transported to a recording / reproducing unit. Therefore, when reproducing the designated recording medium, first, the rotary storage rack is rotated to stop the row of the storage chamber in which the target recording medium is stored at a position facing the carriage of the recording medium transport mechanism. Then, the carriage is moved up and down to stop at a height position facing the storage chamber in which the target recording medium is stored.

Further, in this kind of autochanger,
A cartridge loading section (recording medium insertion section) for inserting a cartridge from outside is provided so that a cartridge other than the cartridge stored in the storage rack can be mounted on the recording / reproducing section. However, in the conventional autochanger, when the cartridge is inserted in the wrong direction, the cartridge is transferred to the carriage as it is, and when the cartridge is inserted from the carriage into the recording / reproducing section, an erroneous insertion prevention mechanism provided in the recording / reproducing section is used. The mounting of the incorrectly oriented cartridge was prevented.

As an erroneous insertion prevention mechanism provided in a magneto-optical disk drive, there is a mechanism having a configuration as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-212275, which was previously proposed by the present applicant.

[0006]

However, in the conventional autochanger, the erroneous insertion preventing mechanism is provided in the recording / reproducing section. Therefore, even if the cartridge is inserted in the cartridge loading section in the wrong direction, the recording / reproducing section is not used. Until the cartridge is inserted, it is not detected that the orientation of the cartridge is incorrect, and the operator does not know until the cartridge is returned from the cartridge loading unit. Therefore, the conventional autochanger has a problem that it takes a long time for the operator to re-insert the cartridge in the correct orientation.

Further, it is conceivable to provide the erroneous insertion prevention mechanism disclosed in the above publication in the cartridge loading portion of the autochanger as it is. In this case, the cartridge loading operation of the cartridge inserted in the wrong direction can be prevented by the cartridge loading unit, so that the cartridge can be immediately re-inserted in the correct direction. When the cartridge is returned from the carriage, the rear end of the cartridge abuts against the erroneous insertion prevention member, and the cartridge cannot be returned.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an autochanger which solves the above-mentioned problems.

[0009]

The present invention has a recording medium insertion section into which a recording medium is externally inserted, and a carriage for conveying the recording medium inserted into the recording medium insertion section to a recording / reproducing section. In the autochanger, when the recording medium is inserted into the recording medium insertion portion in an incorrect direction, an erroneous insertion prevention member that prevents insertion of the recording medium,
Displacement means for displacing the erroneous insertion preventing member to a position where it does not contact the recording medium when the recording medium is returned from the carriage to the recording medium insertion portion.

[0010]

The recording medium inserted in the recording medium insertion portion can be prevented from being inserted in an incorrect direction by the erroneous insertion preventing member provided in the recording medium insertion portion, and the recording medium can be moved from the carriage to the recording medium. When returned to the insertion section, the erroneous insertion prevention member is displaced to a position where it does not come into contact with the recording medium, so that the recording medium can be returned from the recording medium insertion section without any trouble.

[0011]

1 to 3 show one embodiment of an autochanger according to the present invention.

In each of the figures, an autochanger 1 generally includes a rotary storage section 2, a fixed storage section 3, a cartridge transport section 4, a cartridge loading section 5, a first recording / reproducing section 6, and a second recording / reproducing section 6. And a control circuit 64 for controlling them are provided in a box-shaped housing 8.

In the autochanger 1, a cartridge (not shown) in which a cartridge transport unit 4 contains a magneto-optical disk (recording medium) from one of a rotary storage unit 2, a fixed storage unit 3, and a cartridge loading unit 5 is used. The recording medium is taken out and attached to the first recording / reproducing unit 6 or the second recording / reproducing unit 7 to perform recording / reproduction. When recording / playback is completed,
The cartridge transport section 4 takes out the cartridge mounted on the first recording / reproducing section 6 or the second recording / reproducing section 7 and returns it to the original storage place or the cartridge loading section 5.

A wheel 9 is mounted on the bottom of the housing 8, so that the autochanger 1 can be easily moved. or,
In order to prevent malfunction of the recording / reproducing units 6 and 7 due to heat generated by each device, a duct 8a for introducing outside air is provided in the housing 8.
And a cooling fan 10 for generating an airflow in the duct 8a.
Is provided.

Next, the configuration of each block will be described.

I Configuration of Rotary Storage Unit 2 The rotary storage unit 2 includes a rotary storage rack 11 that stores cartridges, a storage rack drive mechanism 12 that drives the storage rack 11 to rotate, and a rotation of the storage rack 11. A position detection mechanism 13 for detecting the position, a storage rack lock mechanism 14 for locking the storage rack 11, and a protrusion detection mechanism 15 for detecting the protrusion of the cartridge from the storage rack 11.
And more.

The storage rack 11 is mounted and fixed on a turntable 16, and the turntable 16 is supported on a support base 17 formed on a base 17 at the bottom of the housing 8.
The bearing 18 is rotatably supported by a bearing 18 provided at a. The storage rack 11 is configured by arranging media blocks 19A to 19D in which media boxes 19 capable of storing, for example, 20 cartridges are vertically stacked in two tiers at intervals of 90 °.

[0018] Further, the media box 19 rib 19a projecting each thickness spacing of the cartridge on both sides of the inner side wall is integrally formed, the ribs 19a (19a ₁ ~ 19
housing chamber 19b of the cartridge is inserted by a ₂₀₎
(19b ₁ ~19b ₂₀₎ has been defined. Each of the media boxes 19 is arranged such that the opening 19c on the front surface is positioned on the outer peripheral surface side of the turntable 16 so that the cartridge can be easily taken out and returned, and the rear surface is located at the center of the turntable 16. It is supported by a bracket 20 fixed to the turntable 16 in an upright state so as to face the portion.

A driving rotating body 21 is mounted on the upper surface of the storage rack 11 formed by stacking the media boxes 19. The driving rotator 21 has a gear 21a on the outer periphery so as to be rotationally driven integrally with the storage rack 11, and a position detecting mechanism 13 is provided on the upper surface.

The storage rack drive mechanism 12 for rotatingly driving the storage rack 11 includes a rack driving mechanism 21 supported on a lower surface of the driving rotator 21 and a fixed base 22 laid over the driving rotator 21. A motor 23 and a gear 2 of the driving rotator 21 which is rotationally driven by the rack driving motor 23;
1a. Therefore,
When the rotational driving force of the rack driving motor 23 is transmitted to the driving rotator 21 via the motor gear 24 and the gear 21a, the storage rack 11 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise.

The rack driving motor 23 comprises a stepping motor, and rotates by an angle corresponding to the number of supplied pulses. The number of teeth of the gear 24 is set so that the reduction ratio becomes a predetermined ratio as compared with the number of teeth of the gear 21a.

The storage rack lock mechanism 14 is provided on the base 17 at the bottom of the housing 8 so as to lock the turntable 16 in a non-rotatable state when the power is turned off. That is, the storage rack lock mechanism 14 includes a rod 30 that fits into a lock hole (not shown) formed in the turntable 16 corresponding to each of the media blocks 19A to 19D.
An arm 31 for supporting the rod 30 and a solenoid 32 for rotating the arm 31 are provided.

When the power of the autochanger 1 is turned on, the solenoid 32 is excited to lower the rod 30. When the power of the autochanger 1 is turned off, the solenoid 32 is demagnetized, and the rod 30 moves upward by the spring force of a coil spring (not shown) to move the turntable 1.
6 is fitted into a lock hole (not shown). Thereby, the turntable 16 is fixed to the base 17. The rod 30 has a tapered distal end so that it can be easily inserted into a lock hole (not shown).

The protruding detecting mechanism 15 optically detects whether the cartridge protrudes from the storage rack 11 or not. If the storage rack 11 is rotated with the cartridge protruding from the storage rack 11, the protruding portion of the cartridge may collide with the cartridge transport unit 4, and the cartridge or the cartridge transport unit 4 may be damaged. Will be.

The protruding detection mechanism 15 is connected to the storage rack 11.
, Four light emitting elements 33a to 33d disposed below
The light emitting elements 33 a to 33 are disposed above the storage rack 11.
Four light receiving elements 34a for receiving light emitted from 3d
To 34d. The light emitting elements 33a to 33d and the light receiving elements 34a to 34d are provided so as to face each other and form a pair, and are provided so as to correspond to the stop positions of the respective media blocks 19A to 19D.

Therefore, after the cartridge is returned by the return operation of the cartridge transport unit 4, the drive mechanism 12
When all the outputs from the light receiving elements 34a to 34d are on, the rotation driving of the storage rack 11 is permitted, and if the returned cartridge protrudes from the storage rack 11 and one of the outputs of the light receiving elements 34a to 34d is off. At this time, the rotation driving of the storage rack 11 is prohibited.

II. Structure of Fixed Storage Unit 3 The fixed storage unit 3 is configured by stacking two media boxes 40 and 41 having the same configuration as the media box 19 attached to the storage rack 11. The media boxes 40 and 41 are mounted on a media box mounting portion 43 provided on the front panel 8 b of the housing 8, and are locked so that the opening portions 40 c and 41 c for taking out the cartridge face the cartridge transport portion 4. You. Further, the media boxes 40 and 41 are attached to and detached from the front surface of the housing 8 and can be replaced with different ones for each box.

The upper and lower portions of the openings 40c and 41c of the media boxes 40 and 41 are optically detected as to whether or not the cartridge has protruded from the media boxes 40 and 41, similarly to the above-described protrusion detection mechanism 15. Light emitting element 61 and light receiving element 44 are provided.

III. Configuration of the Cartridge Transport Unit 4 The cartridge transport unit 4 includes a lead screw 45 that hangs on the base 17, a carriage 46 that moves up and down along the lead screw 45, and a carriage lift drive unit 47 that drives the carriage 46. And more.

The lead screw 45 is composed of a ball screw, and both ends thereof are rotatably supported by bearings 49 and 50 provided on a base 17 and a frame (not shown). The carriage lifting / lowering drive unit 47 includes a lifting / lowering motor 51 and a reduction mechanism 52 for reducing the rotation of the lifting / lowering motor 51 and transmitting the rotation to the lead screw 45.

The lead screw 4 is mounted on the carriage 46.
The lead screw 45 is rotatably driven by the lifting / lowering motor 51 to move up and down in accordance with the amount and direction of rotation of the lead screw 45.
The elevating motor 51 is composed of a stepping motor.
An angle rotation drive corresponding to the supplied pulse number is performed. The speed reduction mechanism 52 has a belt 52c stretched between a large-diameter pulley 52a and a small-diameter pulley 52b, and the elevating speed of the carriage 46 is determined by the reduction ratio between the large-diameter pulley 52a and the small-diameter pulley 52b.

The carriage 46 has a cartridge moving mechanism (not shown) for moving the cartridge inside. The carriage 46 takes out the designated cartridge from any one of the storage rack 11, the fixed storage section 3, and the cartridge loading section 5. The cartridge is housed inside, and is raised by the carriage lifting / lowering drive unit 47, and the cartridge is inserted into a vacant side of the first recording / reproducing unit 6 or the second recording / reproducing unit 7 described above.

The carriage 46 is provided with an elevating position detecting mechanism 53 for detecting the elevating position. The elevation position detection mechanism 53 includes a lower limit sensor 54, a home position detection sensor 55 provided to detect a projecting piece 46a provided on the carriage 46 at each position,
An upper limit sensor 56, the carriage positioning sensor 57 for the relative positioning of the housing chamber 19b cartridge and the carriage 46 which is accommodated in (19b ₁ through 19b ₂₀₎ of the storage rack 11, the media box 19,
It comprises a cartridge detection sensor 62 for detecting the presence or absence of a cartridge in 40 and 41.

Each of the sensors 54 to 56 is composed of a photo interrupter, and the carriage positioning sensor 57 is composed of a reflection type optical sensor. Accordingly, by obtaining detection signals from the sensors 54 to 57, the position of the carriage 46 is determined, and the detection signal from the sensor 62 is used to detect the presence or absence of the cartridge.

Further, a carriage lock mechanism 58 for locking the carriage 46 when it is detected that the carriage 46 is at the stop position of the lower position is provided in the housing 8. The carriage lock mechanism 58 includes a locking rod 59 that is fitted to the carriage 46 from the lateral direction, and a solenoid 60 that drives the locking rod 59.

IV Schematic Configuration of Cartridge Loading Unit 5 The cartridge loading unit 5 is attached to the front surface 40 of the housing 8, has a cartridge insertion port (not shown) in the front panel 8 b, and the cartridge passes through the rear surface. The cartridge passage 73 is open. The cartridge loading section 5 is provided with a cartridge transfer mechanism (not shown) for transferring the cartridge inserted from the cartridge insertion slot to the carriage 46 or for transferring the cartridge returned from the carriage 46 to the cartridge insertion slot. ing.

A positioning plate 6 for positioning the carriage 46 to the first recording / reproducing section 6 or the second recording / reproducing section 7 is provided below the cartridge loading section 5.
3 are provided.

V Configuration of First and Second Recording / Reproducing Units 6 and 7 The first and second recording / reproducing units 6 and 7 have magneto-optical devices housed in a cartridge carried by the carriage 46. A pickup (not shown) for reading data recorded on the disk or writing data on the magneto-optical disk is provided.

The recording / reproducing units 6 and 7 have the same configuration, and are provided in a pair to reduce the time from when a cartridge is selected to when recording / reproducing is started. Therefore, the cartridges are alternately inserted into the pair of recording / reproducing units 6 and 7, and while one performs recording / reproducing, the other returns the cartridge that has been recorded / reproduced.

Next, the internal structure of the cartridge loading section 5 and the cartridge lock mechanism 71 of the rotary storage section 2 and the fixed storage section 3 will be described.
The configuration of No. 6 will be described in detail.

VI Detailed Configuration of Cartridge Loading Unit 5 In FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge loading unit 5 includes a base 72 attached to the front surface of the housing 8 and a base 7.
2, a cartridge insertion port 73a opened on the front side of the cartridge path 73.
An opening / closing mechanism 74 for opening and closing the cartridge, a cartridge loading mechanism 76 for transferring the cartridge inserted in the cartridge passage 73 to the cartridge outlet 73 b for sending the cartridge into the autochanger 1, and locking the cartridge inserted in the cartridge passage 73. And a cartridge lock mechanism 77 that operates.

On the side of the cartridge passage 73 of the base 72, a cartridge insertion detection sensor 78 for detecting that the leading end of the cartridge inserted from the cartridge insertion port 73a has passed the intermediate position of the cartridge passage 73.
And a cartridge insertion completion detecting sensor 79 for detecting that the leading end of the cartridge has reached the cartridge outlet 73b of the cartridge passage 73. The detection sensors 78 and 79 are composed of photointerrupters, and output detection signals when the side of the cartridge passes and blocks detection light.

The opening / closing mechanism 74 includes a roller 80 having a diameter sufficiently larger than the thickness of the cartridge, a shaft 81 penetrating the center of the roller 80 in the longitudinal direction, and a shaft 81.
And a coil spring 83 for urging the rotating arm 82 in the A direction. The rotating arm 82 has arms 82b and 82c provided at both ends of a laterally extending portion 82a which is extended over the roller 80, and the arms 82b and 8c.
The pins 84 provided on both sides of the base 72 have ends 2c.
It is rotatably supported by. The roller 80 is mounted so as to be rotatable with respect to a shaft 81 supported by the pair of arms 82b and 82c.

The roller 80 before the cartridge is inserted is lowered to a position where it comes into contact with the bottom surface 73c of the cartridge passage 73 so as to close the cartridge insertion port 73a by the pulling force of the coil spring 83, as shown in FIG. When the cartridge is inserted, it rides on the front end of the cartridge K (indicated by a dashed line) while rotating, and rotates the rotating arm 82 in the B direction. When the roller 80 comes into contact with the upper surface of the cartridge, the insertion speed of the cartridge is reduced to prevent the cartridge from being inserted vigorously, and the rattling of the insertion operation is prevented. or,
The same effect as described above is obtained in the cartridge discharging operation.

Since the roller 80 rolls with the operation of inserting the cartridge, the load at the time of inserting the cartridge is relatively small.

The cartridge loading mechanism 76 includes a loading motor 86 provided on a bracket 85,
A reduction gear 87 that meshes with a gear 86b provided on an output shaft 86a of the motor 86 to reduce the rotation of the motor 86; a shaft 88 that is fitted to the reduction gear 87 and laid over the top of the cartridge passage 73; A pair of rubber rollers 89 fitted on the shaft 88, a rotating member 90 rotatably supported on the shaft 88 and rotatably supported on the upper surface of the base 72, and biasing the rotating member 90 downward. It comprises a coil spring 91. The roller 89 is in contact with the upper surface of the cartridge inserted into the cartridge passage 73 and is provided at the same position as the detection sensor 78 in the cartridge insertion direction.

The rotating member 90 is provided with a connecting arm 101 connected so as to retract the cartridge erroneous insertion preventing mechanism 100 as described later.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a bent portion 101a having a tip bent downward, and a connection pin 101b inserted from the side into the cartridge passage 73 so as to abut the lower surface of the erroneous insertion preventing member 111 in the bent portion 101a. Is provided.

Therefore, when the cartridge is returned from the carriage 46 to the cartridge passage 73 as described later, the roller 89 rides on the upper surface of the cartridge, and the rotating member 90 rotates clockwise about the shaft 90a. The tip of the connection arm 101 connected to the cartridge erroneous insertion prevention mechanism 100 is raised. Therefore, the erroneous insertion prevention member 11 of the cartridge erroneous insertion prevention mechanism 100
1 moves above the cartridge passage 73 so as not to hinder the returning operation of the cartridge.

Returning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the description will be continued.

In the cartridge loading mechanism 76 having the above structure, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge passage 73 through the cartridge insertion port 73a and detected by the detection sensor 78, the motor 86 is driven to drive the reduction gear 8
7. The shaft 88 and the roller 89 are driven to rotate clockwise.
Therefore, the cartridge is pulled into the apparatus by the rotation of the roller 89.

The cartridge lock mechanism 77 includes a base 7
A solenoid 93 attached to a bracket 92 fixed to the upper surface of the second unit 2, and a connecting rod 94 connected to a rod 93a driven by the solenoid 93 and extending in the lateral direction.
And one end is connected to a rod 93a via a connecting rod 94, and a lock pin 95a at the other end is provided.
The rotation lever 95 is supported by a shaft 92a protruding forward from the position 2 and a detection switch 96 for detecting that the cartridge is locked.

When the rod 93a of the solenoid 93 is driven in the direction C, the rotating lever 95 is rotated about the shaft 92a to cause the lock pin 95a to enter the cartridge passage 73, and is provided on the side surface of the cartridge. Fit into a recess (not shown). That is, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge passage 73 and the cartridge loading mechanism 76 operates as described above, the leading end of the cartridge is detected by the detection sensor 79. This detection sensor 7
The solenoid 93 is excited based on the detection signal from the actuator 9, the rod 93a is driven in the direction C, and the cartridge is locked by the lock pin 95a.

Before the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge passage 73, the rod 93a is displaced in the direction D, and the connecting rod 94 connected to the rod 93a is in contact with the detection switch 96. However, when the solenoid 93 is excited as described above and the rod 93a is driven in the direction C, the connecting rod 94 is separated from the detection switch 96 and switches off the detection switch 96. Thereby, it is confirmed that the cartridge is locked by the cartridge lock mechanism 77, and it is confirmed that the lock is released when the solenoid 93 is demagnetized, the rod 93a is driven in the D direction, and the detection switch 96 is turned on. Is done.

Configuration of VII Cartridge As shown in FIG. 9, a cartridge K for a magneto-optical disk
Comprises a case 103 in which a disk 104 is housed.
A rectangular recess 103a is provided near the rear of both sides of the case 103, and an arc-shaped recess 103b is provided near the front of both sides of the case 103.

On the upper and lower surfaces of the front edge of the case 103, a shutter 103d for opening and closing the opening 103c is slidably mounted. Further, the left corner of the front end of the case 103 has an inclined portion 103e inclined at an angle of about 45 °.
Is formed. In addition, an erroneous insertion detection portion 103f is formed at the right corner of the front end of the case 103.

VIII Configuration of Cartridge Erroneous Insertion Prevention Mechanism 100 As shown in FIG.
0 denotes an erroneous insertion prevention member 111 shown in FIG. 11, an erroneous insertion prevention arm 112 shown in FIG.
13.

The erroneous insertion preventing member 111 is provided on the base 72 so that the erroneous insertion preventing portion 114 protruding downward does not fit into the concave portion 103a of the cartridge K.

The main body 115 of the erroneous insertion preventing member 111
On the base side of the lower surface 116, there is an oblique side 117 that allows the erroneous insertion preventing member 111 to be rotatable, which will be described later. Lower surface 11
6 and the oblique side portion 117 are aligned with the erroneous insertion preventing member 1.
11 is the center of rotation.

The main body 115 has an opening 119 at the center and a concave spring receiving portion 121 on the upper surface 120.

In the erroneous insertion preventing member 111, the central opening 119 is fitted to the vertical portion 123 formed by cutting and raising from the upper surface 122 of the base 72, and the base side faces the cutting and raising pieces 124 and 125. As a result, the rotation around the opening 119 is restricted with the boundary line 118 pointing in the same direction as the disc cartridge insertion direction, and further,
A portion on the left side of the upper surface 120 as viewed from the insertion port 119 is provided.

The erroneous insertion preventing member 111 is
The base 8 can rotate in the E ₁ and E ₂ directions, that is, in a plane perpendicular to the upper surface 122 of the base 72. The connecting pin 101b inserted from the left side is in contact with the lower surface 116 of the erroneous insertion preventing member 111. Therefore, when the connecting pin 101b when ejecting operation of the cartridge K is moved upward, erroneous insertion preventing member 111 is rotated in the E ₂ direction around the boundary line 118.

The torsion spring member 113 has a central portion 113a.
On both sides of the arm, U-shaped arms 113b, 11 twisted by approximately 90 degrees.
3c. The torsion spring member 113 cuts and raises a central portion 113a thereof, fits it to 126 and 127, and locks one arm 113b with a spring locking portion 123a of the vertical portion 123 in a twisted state, and the other arm. The portion 113c is provided so as to be engaged with the spring receiving portion 121.

As a result, the erroneous insertion preventing member 111 becomes E ₁
The rotation is urged in the direction, that is, the direction pressed against the upper surface 122 of the base 72. In the base 72, the erroneous insertion preventing portion 114 of the erroneous insertion preventing member 111 and the notch 1 into which the connecting pin 101 b provided at the tip of the connecting arm 101 is inserted.
29 are formed.

The erroneous insertion preventing portion 114 of the erroneous insertion preventing member 111 has a substantially inverted triangular pyramid shape, and has a triangular receiving surface 13 perpendicular to the cartridge insertion direction indicated by an arrow F.
0, an oblique side 131 extending obliquely in the direction of the left side from the upper surface 122 of the base 72, and a top 132 at the lower end of the oblique side 131.

Further, the erroneous insertion prevention arm 112 is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a metal plate is formed by pressing and bending a metal plate, and has a plate-like first erroneous insertion preventing portion 133 for preventing erroneous insertion, an upwardly projecting portion 134, and an ejecting operation. The cartridge K has a contact portion 135 that contacts the rear end corner portion 103g.

The erroneous insertion prevention arm 112 has its base side pivotally supported by a pin 136 on the upper surface 122 of the base 72, and extends in a direction opposite to the cartridge insertion direction (the direction of arrow F). Insertion slot 7 out of 73
3a, it is disposed at a position closer to the left side as viewed from 3a.
2 can be rotated in the G ₁ and G ₂ directions.

The erroneous insertion prevention arm 112 is
It is rotationally biased in the G ₁ direction by 7, the stopper portion 122a
And the first erroneous insertion preventing portion 133 is fitted into the notch 129 of the base 72.

As shown in FIG.
The twelve protrusions 134 protrude above the upper surface 122 of the base 72. The erroneous insertion prevention member 111 is
Has a lock portion 138 that comes into contact with the protrusion 134.
Therefore, before the cartridge K is inserted, the erroneous insertion preventing member 1
And locked 11 locking portion 138 protruding 134 insertion preventing arm 112 erroneous, the erroneous insertion preventing arm 112 G ₂
Directional rotation is restricted.

The tip of the contact portion 135 is inclined leftward so that the rear end corner 103g of the cartridge K contacts the ejecting operation as described later. for that reason,
When the cartridge K is ejected in the insertion preventing arm 112 rear corners 103g of the cartridge K is erroneously abuts against the abutment portion 135 is rotated in the G ₂ direction, the insertion preventing portion 133 and the projection 134 mis It is retracted to the side of the cartridge passage 73.

IX Operation of Cartridge Incorrect Insertion Prevention Mechanism 100 When Cartridge K is Inserted in Correct Direction As shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge K is inserted in the F direction and the cartridge passage 7 of the cartridge loading section 5
3 is inserted.

When the cartridge K is normally inserted, as shown in FIGS.
The inclined surface 103e of the cartridge K is opposed to. When the inclined surface 103e of the cartridge K comes into contact with the oblique side 131 of the erroneous insertion prevention unit 114, the erroneous insertion prevention unit 114 is pushed down in accordance with the insertion of the cartridge K. Therefore, the cartridge K is further inserted into the cartridge passage 73.

Since the concave portion 103b of the cartridge K is not open on the upper surface side, the erroneous insertion preventing portion 114 does not engage in the concave portion 103b, and the cartridge K is inserted into a predetermined insertion position.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 16, when the insertion preventing portion 114 erroneously in response to insertion of the cartridge K is displaced upward, the erroneous insertion preventing member 111 is E ₂ direction against the spring member 113, i.e. the base 72 Is pivoted in a direction of floating from the upper surface 122 of the camera. Therefore, erroneous insertion preventing member 111 is E ₂
The locking portion 138 is rotated in the
The arm 112 is released from the second protrusion 134 and the lock is released.

Further, when the cartridge K is inserted,
The slope portion 103e comes into contact with the erroneous insertion prevention portion 133 of the erroneous insertion prevention arm 112. Then, rotating the insertion preventing arm 112 mis while sliding the insertion preventing portion 133 inclined surface portion 103e of the cartridge K is erroneous G ₂ direction. Therefore, when the cartridge K is inserted in a normal direction, the erroneous insertion prevention arm 112 slides on the inclined surface 103 e of the cartridge K to the erroneous insertion prevention part 133, so that the erroneous insertion prevention part 1
33 rotates so as to retract to the side of the cartridge passage 73. Accordingly, the cartridge K is inserted into the cartridge passage 73 at a predetermined insertion position through the cartridge erroneous insertion prevention mechanism 100.

As described above, when the cartridge K is inserted into the cartridge passage 73 in a normal direction, the erroneous insertion prevention portions 114 and 133 are separated from the cartridge passage 73. Therefore, the cartridge K can be inserted into the cartridge passage 73 without any trouble. Then, the cartridge K inserted into the cartridge passage 73 is
As described above, the cartridge 46 is transferred into the carriage 46 by the cartridge loading mechanism 76,
Moves up and down and is attached to the recording / reproducing units 6 and 7.

After that, when the recording / reproducing operation for the mounted cartridge K is completed in the recording / reproducing sections 6 and 7, the cartridge K is returned to the cartridge loading section 5 by an ejecting operation reverse to the above mounting operation.

As shown in FIG. 17, when the cartridge K is inserted from the carriage 46 into the cartridge passage 73 of the cartridge loading section 5, the roller 89 of the cartridge loading mechanism 76 slides on the upper surface of the cartridge K. At this time, the roller 89 is
And gets displaced upward.

Since the rotating member 90 supporting the roller 89 is supported by the shaft 90a suspended on the base 72, the rotating member 90 rotates clockwise about the shaft 90a with the upward movement of the roller 89. As a result, the tip of the connecting arm 101 provided integrally with the rotating member 90 rises. As shown in FIG. 18, the distal end of the connecting arm 101 is provided with a connecting pin 101b that comes into contact with the lower surface 116 of the erroneous insertion preventing member 111 from the side as described above.
Insertion preventing member 111 mis lifted from the side by the connecting pin 101b, rotates in the E ₂ direction.

As shown in FIG. 19, when the cartridge K moves in the cartridge passage 73 in the ejection direction,
The rear end corner 103g of the cartridge K contacts the contact portion 135 of the erroneous insertion prevention arm 112. This contact portion 135
Is the rear corner 103 of the cartridge K during the eject operation.
Since the tip is inclined to the left so that g touches,
When the cartridge K is ejected may rotate the insertion preventing arm 112 mis G ₂ direction, erroneous insertion prevention unit 133
And the protrusion 134 is retracted to the side of the cartridge passage 73.

Thus, the erroneous insertion prevention part 114 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 111 and the erroneous insertion prevention part 133 of the erroneous insertion prevention arm 112 are retracted to a position where they do not hinder the ejecting operation of the cartridge K. Therefore, the cartridge K is ejected by displacing the roller 80 of the opening / closing mechanism 74 without being disturbed by the cartridge erroneous insertion prevention mechanism 100.

Operation of Cartridge Erroneous Insertion Prevention Mechanism 100 when X Cartridge K is Inserted in the Wrong Orientation As shown in FIG. 20, when cartridge K is erroneously inserted with its front and back turned, Detection unit 10
3f collides with the receiving surface 130 of the erroneous insertion prevention unit 114, and further insertion of the cartridge K is restricted.

XI Operation of Cartridge Mis-insertion Prevention Mechanism 100 When Cartridge Other Than the Magneto-Optical Disk Is Incorrectly Inserted into Cartridge Loading Section 5 For example, FIGS. 21A, 21 B, and 21 C are shown. The insertion preventing operation when the magnetic disk cartridge 141 is inserted into the cartridge passage 73 from the cartridge loading section 5 will be described.

In FIGS. 21A, 21 B and 21 C, the magnetic disk cartridge 141 houses a magnetic disk 143 in a case 142, and the case 142 has an opening 142.
A shutter 144 that opens and closes a is slidably mounted. In FIG. 21A, a slope 142b is provided at the right front edge of the case 142, and an erroneous insertion detection part 142c is provided at the left front edge.

On both sides of the case 142, the arc-shaped concave portions 1 are provided.
42d, and the recess 142d is provided in the case 1
42 are formed so as to open on the side surface and the back surface.

The magnetic disk cartridge 141 includes:
Since the cartridge K for the magneto-optical disk has substantially the same outer dimensions as the cartridge K and is thinner than the cartridge K, the roller 80 of the cartridge loading section 5 is easily lifted and inserted into the cartridge passage 73.

For example, the magnetic disk cartridge 141
Is inserted in the normal orientation, as shown in FIG.
The cartridge 141 is inserted through the lower side of the erroneous insertion prevention member 114 without contacting the second erroneous insertion prevention part 114 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 111, and the erroneous insertion detection part 142c is
Twelve first erroneous insertion prevention parts 133. The erroneous insertion prevention arm 112 is provided with the locking portion 13 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 111.
8, the insertion of the cartridge 141 is limited in a state where the cartridge 141 collides with the second erroneous insertion preventing portion 133.

When the magnetic disk cartridge 141 is inserted upside down, as shown in FIG. 25, the magnetic disk cartridge 141 passes under the second erroneous insertion preventing section 114 in the same manner as described above. Then, the inclined surface 142 b of the magnetic disk cartridge 141 comes into contact with the first erroneous insertion preventing portion 133. Mis-insertion prevention arm 11
2 is locked by the lock portion 138 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 111, and the insertion of the cartridge 141 is restricted.

As a result, the magnetic disk cartridge 1
Regarding 41, insertion into the cartridge passage 73 from the cartridge loading section 5 is prevented irrespective of the normal orientation and the inverted orientation.

Next, a description will be given of an insertion preventing operation when the CDROM disk cartridge 151 is erroneously inserted from the cartridge loading section 5 into the cartridge passage 73.

As shown in FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24C, the CDROM disk cartridge 151 has substantially the same outer shape as the magneto-optical disk cartridge K, and the thickness is the same as that of the magneto-optical disk cartridge. It is slightly thinner than the thickness of K.

In FIGS. 24 (A), (B) and (C), the CDR
The OM disk cartridge 151 has a case 152 in which a CDROM disk 153 is housed.
2, a shutter 153 for opening and closing the opening 152a is slidably provided.

In FIG. 24A, a slope 152b is provided at the right front corner of the case 152, and an erroneous insertion detection part 152c is provided at the left front corner.
Note that a step 152d is formed on the back side of the slope 152b.

On both sides of the case 152, an arc-shaped concave portion 1 is provided.
52e, and the recess 152e is provided in the case 1
42 are formed so as to open on the side surface and the back surface.

For example, when the CDROM disk cartridge 151 is inserted from the cartridge loading section 5 in a normal orientation, the erroneously inserted detection section 152c is received by the second erroneous insertion prevention section 114 as shown in FIG. Face 1
Collision 30 causes cartridge 151 to be restricted from further insertion.

When the CDROM disk 151 is inserted in the upside down direction, as shown in FIG.
The inclined surface 152b is the oblique side 1 of the second erroneous insertion preventing portion 114.
When the cartridge 151 comes into contact with the cartridge 31 and pushes back the second erroneous insertion preventing portion 114 in the H direction, the cartridge 151 is inserted.

When the cartridge 151 is further inserted,
The top 132A of the second erroneous insertion preventing portion 114 is
e, cartridge 151 is restricted from further insertion.

Note that the distance between the second erroneous insertion prevention unit 114 and the first erroneous insertion prevention unit 133 is
1 is set to be larger than the distance between the leading edge and the concave portion 152e.

Thus, in the cartridge 151, the inclined surface 152b of the case 152 is
The insertion is restricted at the position immediately before the position where the collision occurs.

Further, depending on the length of the second erroneous insertion prevention part 114, the concave part 152d of the inclined surface 152b engages with the second erroneous insertion prevention part 114, and in this state, the cartridge 15
In some cases, the insertion of 1 is restricted.

In the above embodiment, the magneto-optical disk is described as being housed in the cartridge. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Of course you can.

[0102]

As described above, the autochanger according to the present invention prevents the recording medium inserted into the recording medium insertion portion from being inserted in the wrong direction by the erroneous insertion prevention member provided at the recording medium insertion portion. When the recording medium is returned from the carriage to the recording medium insertion section, the erroneous insertion prevention member is displaced to a position where it does not abut the recording medium, so that the recording medium is returned from the recording medium insertion section without any trouble. It has features such as being able to do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of an autochanger according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of an autochanger.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the autochanger.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a cartridge loading unit.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the cartridge loading unit.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an operation when a cartridge is inserted into the cartridge loading unit.

FIG. 7 is a side view for explaining a connecting arm 101 connected to an erroneous insertion preventing member 111 of a cartridge erroneous insertion preventing mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a front view for explaining a connection arm 101 connected to an erroneous insertion prevention member 111 of the cartridge erroneous insertion prevention mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a cartridge for a magneto-optical disk.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge erroneous insertion prevention mechanism 100.

11 is a perspective view of the erroneous insertion prevention arm 112. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an erroneous insertion preventing member 111.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the cartridge erroneous insertion prevention mechanism 100.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the cartridge erroneous insertion prevention mechanism 100.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view for explaining an operation when a cartridge for a magneto-optical disk is normally inserted.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view for explaining an operation when a cartridge for a magneto-optical disk is normally inserted.

FIG. 17 is a side view for explaining the operation of the rotating member 90 and the roller 89 when the cartridge is ejected.

FIG. 18 is a front view for explaining the operation of the connecting arm 101 and the erroneous insertion preventing member 111 when the cartridge is ejected.

FIG. 19 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the erroneous insertion prevention arm 112 when the cartridge is ejected.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view for explaining an operation when the cartridge is ejected in an incorrect direction.

FIG. 21 is a view for explaining a magnetic disk cartridge.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view for explaining an operation when the magnetic disk cartridge is inserted in a correct direction.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view for explaining an operation when a magnetic disk cartridge is inserted in an incorrect direction.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining a CDROM disk cartridge.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view for explaining an operation when a CDROM disk cartridge is inserted in a correct direction.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view for explaining an operation when a CDROM disk cartridge is inserted in an incorrect direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Autochanger 2 Rotary storage part 3 Fixed storage part 4 Cartridge conveyance part 5 Cartridge loading part 6 1st recording / reproducing part 7 2nd recording / reproducing part 11 Storage rack 12 Storage rack drive mechanism 13 Position detection mechanism 14 Storage rack lock mechanism 15 protrudes detecting mechanism 16 turntable 19 Media box 19A~19D media block 19b (19b ₁ ~19b ₂₀₎ the lifting motor 53 for rotating the drive housing chamber 21 body 46 the carriage 47 carriage elevation drive unit 51 elevating position detecting mechanism 73 cartridge passage 74 Opening / closing mechanism 76 Cartridge loading mechanism 77 Cartridge locking mechanism 80 Roller 82 Rotating arm 100 Erroneous insertion preventing mechanism 101 Connecting arm 111 Erroneous insertion preventing member 112 Erroneous insertion preventing arm 114 Second erroneous Insertion prevention unit 130 Receiving surface 131 Oblique side 132 Top 133 First erroneous insertion prevention unit 134 Projection 138 Lock unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G11B 17 / 22,15 / 68

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. An autochanger comprising: a recording medium insertion unit into which a recording medium is inserted from the outside; and a carriage that conveys a recording medium inserted into the recording medium insertion unit to a recording / reproducing unit. An erroneous insertion preventing member for preventing the recording medium from being inserted when the recording medium is inserted in a wrong direction, and for preventing the erroneous insertion when the recording medium is returned from the carriage to the recording medium insertion portion. An auto-changer, comprising: a displacing means for displacing a member to a position not in contact with the recording medium.