JP2935443B2 - Cartridge attachment / detachment device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[Object of the invention]

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cartridge mounting / dismounting device which incorporates a digital IC called a so-called memory cartridge used for storing data in an electronic still camera or information equipment.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art As storage media for electronic still cameras and information devices, so-called memory cartridges having a built-in digital IC have been used. This memory cartridge is, for example, as shown in FIGS.

The memory cartridge 11 has a rectangular thin plate shape as shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 11, a contact portion having a large number of concave contacts
There are twelve. In addition, grooves 13 for preventing error insertion are provided on both side surfaces of the contact portion 12. When used, the memory cartridge 11 is inserted into an apparatus main body such as an electronic still camera (not shown), and is inserted and connected to a connector provided in the apparatus main body.

Conventionally, a so-called attaching / detaching device for mounting or pulling out such a memory cartridge into or from an apparatus main body is proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 1-257933 and 2-54386. Have been.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-257933 discloses that when a memory cartridge is ejected from the inside of the apparatus, a memory cartridge in a strong contact state with a connector is connected using a connection lever utilizing the principle of leverage. The device is detached from the connector by a relatively light operating force, and can be easily pulled out of the device.

[0007] Further, in the apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-54386, the memory cartridge can be opened even when the ejection operation of the memory cartridge is performed with the opening for inserting the memory cartridge provided in the apparatus main body facing downward. It is provided with a fall prevention member so that it does not fall from the outside.

These devices are effective in improving operability when the memory cartridge is attached to and detached from the device main body, but have a problem that they can be applied only to a memory cartridge having a single shape. The shape of the memory cartridge is standardized but not a single shape. For example, if the memory cartridge 11 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is a full size of 85.6 mm long and 54 mm wide, There are so-called mini-sizes with a vertical length of 2/3 or half. Therefore, each of the above-described devices can be applied only to a device having a predetermined size and shape due to its structure, and the types of memory cartridges that can be used are limited. Therefore, a dedicated device is required for each size.

[0009]

As described above, since the conventional device can be applied only to a device having a predetermined size and shape, there is a problem that the types of usable memory cartridges are limited.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge attaching / detaching apparatus in which cartridges having different sizes and shapes can be surely attached / detached and various cartridges can be applied.

[Structure of the Invention]

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge mounting / removing apparatus, wherein a cartridge is inserted into and pulled out of an apparatus main body, and a contact portion of the cartridge is connected to a connector provided in the apparatus main body. In the cartridge attaching / detaching device, the cartridge is held at a predetermined draw-out position, the held cartridge is held, and the cartridge is driven in the insertion direction until the contact portion makes a mating contact with the connector, and A first transport unit that is driven in the withdrawal direction to the predetermined withdrawal position, and an insertion and withdrawal direction from the predetermined withdrawal position for a certain stroke set to be equal to or less than the insertion and withdrawal stroke of the first transport unit. At the time of pull-out operation, and engages with a cartridge that is fitted and in contact with the connector. Is obtained by a second conveying means having an eject portion for al separated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge attaching / detaching apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a common driving mechanism is used for the first conveying means and the second conveying means. The first transport means is always connected to the drive mechanism, and the second transport means is connected to the drive mechanism only for a predetermined fixed stroke.

Furthermore, in the cartridge attaching / detaching device according to the third aspect, in the cartridge attaching / detaching device according to the first aspect, the second transport means is connected to a lid for an insertion and pull-out opening provided in the apparatus main body. The lid is used to open and close the opening in conjunction with the insertion and withdrawal operations.

[0015]

In the cartridge attaching / detaching device according to the first aspect, when the cartridge is mounted, the first transporting means holding the cartridge is driven in the insertion direction until the contact portion of the cartridge fits into contact with the connector. Even if the size is different, it is securely fitted to the connector. Also,
The second transport means always drives by a fixed stroke regardless of the size of the cartridge, and during the pull-out operation, securely engages with the cartridge which is in contact with the connector, pulls it out of the connector, Pull out.

In the cartridge attaching / detaching apparatus according to the second aspect, the cartridge attaching / detaching apparatus according to the first aspect uses a common drive mechanism for the first transporting means and the second transporting means. The first transfer means is always connected to the drive mechanism, and the second transfer means is connected to the drive mechanism only for a predetermined fixed stroke, thereby simplifying the components.

Furthermore, in the cartridge attaching / detaching device according to the third aspect, in the cartridge attaching / detaching device according to the first aspect, the second transporting means is connected to a lid for an insertion and extraction opening provided in the apparatus main body. The opening is opened and closed by the lid in conjunction with the insertion and withdrawal operations, thereby facilitating the handling operation.

[0018]

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

First, the external configuration of the entire apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 15 denotes a box-shaped device main body.
A connector is provided inside the apparatus main body 15.
In addition, an opening 16 is provided on the front surface of the device main body 15,
Through this opening 16, there is provided a conveying means for inserting and pulling out the memory cartridge 11 shown in FIGS.

The transporting means is constructed as a drawer as a whole, and includes a first transporting means 18 and a first transporting means 18.
It is composed of a second transporting means 19 superposed on the outside and a lid 20 for opening and closing the opening 16.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first transfer means 18 is formed as a tray as an inner tray, and the cartridge 11 can be loaded at a predetermined drawer position in FIG. While holding the loaded cartridge 11, the cartridge 11 is driven in the insertion direction until the contact portion 12 shown in FIG. Further, the contact portion 12 is also driven in a pull-out direction from a predetermined insertion position where the contact portion 12 is in contact with the connector in the device main body 15 to a pull-out position. To receive the driving force in these insertion and pull-out directions, a rack gear is provided on one side of the inner tray 18.
18a are integrally formed.

The second transport means 19 is also formed in a tray shape as shown in FIG. 4, and is superimposed on the outside of the inner tray 18 as the first transport means, and is slidable with each other. The second transporting means 19 becomes an outer tray. On both sides of the outer tray 19, as shown in FIG.
A slit 22 is formed along the drawing direction. The slit 22 has a bent piece 23 formed by bending a part of one side of the inner tray 18 and a guide pin 24 shown in FIG. Are engaged with each other, and the inner tray 18 is guided and supported by the slit 22. Also, this outer tray 19,
A rack gear 19a is integrally formed on one side of the inner tray 18 for receiving a driving force in the insertion and pull-out directions, and is arranged below the rack gear 18a of the inner tray 18.

The lid 20 has a lid 20a for opening and closing the opening 16 of the apparatus main body 15, and an outer tray 19 as shown in FIG.
And a bottom plate portion 20b supported so as to be slidable in the pull-out direction by a guide 21 provided on the outer surface of the bottom portion.

As shown in FIG. 3, an insert switch 27 for instructing insertion and an eject switch 28 for instructing withdrawal are provided on the front portion of the apparatus main body 15, respectively.

Next, the details of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the entire internal structure of the apparatus main body 15. Reference numeral 30 denotes a resin molded base, which is provided in the apparatus main body 15 shown in FIG.
On one of the upper surfaces of the base 30, a guide member 31 shown in FIG. 5 for guiding the inner tray 18 and the outer tray 19 in the pull-out and insertion directions is provided. A drive mechanism for the inner tray 18 and the outer tray 19 is provided on the other of the upper surface of the base 30.
32 are provided.

Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the driving mechanism 32 will be described. Reference numeral 33 denotes a loading motor. The loading motor 33 is mounted vertically on the lower surface of the base 30, and its rotating shaft 34 penetrates through the base 30 so as to rotate freely.
It projects to the upper surface side of 30, and is integrally connected to the pulley-shaped belt receiver 35 on this upper surface side.

With respect to the belt receiver 35, a pulley-shaped belt receiver 36 on the driven side is provided at a position spaced from the pull-out direction of the inner tray 18 and the outer tray 19, and these belt receivers 36 are provided. , 36, a belt 37 is stretched. The outer surface of the belt 37 is provided with teeth for meshing, and rack gears of the inner tray 18 and the outer tray 19 are provided.
The inner tray 18 and the outer tray 19 are driven by the rotation of the loading motor 33 by meshing with 18a and 19a.

The driven-side belt receiver 36 is mounted on the base 30.
It is integrally connected to a rotating shaft 39 rotatably supported by the upper receiving base 38.

Here, the inner tray 18 is used to obtain a large operation stroke in the insertion and withdrawal directions.
The rack gear 18a of 18 is formed sufficiently long. On the other hand, since the outer tray 19 obtains a relatively short constant operation stroke, the rack gear 19a of the outer tray 19 is formed short at a position closer to the left side in the drawing as shown in FIGS. .

Reference numeral 40 denotes a connector, one side of the connector 40.
A large number of connector pins (not shown) are arranged side by side on the printed board 40a, and the one side 40a is fixed on a printed circuit board 30a supported by the base 30 so that the one side 40a faces the insertion end of the inner tray 18. ing. The large number of connector pins are engaged with the large number of contact pieces constituting the contact portion 12 of the memory cartridge 11 shown in FIG.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views showing that the inner tray 18 and the outer tray 19 are at the predetermined draw-out position where the inner tray 18 and the outer tray 19 are drawn out from the apparatus main body 15 to the maximum. 11 is loaded. A set switch 41 is provided in the inner tray 18 and the outer tray 19 to detect that the memory cartridge 11 is loaded on the inner tray 18. The set switch 41 is provided on the outer surface of the bottom of the outer tray 19, as shown in FIG. It is operably protruding. Therefore, the actuator 41a is retracted when the memory cartridge 11 is loaded in the inner tray 18, and the set switch 41 is turned on.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a tray-out switch. The tray-out switch 42 is provided on the side of the guide member 31, and its operating piece 42a is located above the rack gear 18a. When the rack gear 18a is pulled out to a predetermined pull-out position, the rack gear 18a engages with the upwardly bent piece 18b formed at the tip of the rack gear 18a, and is turned on.

A lid switch 43 is provided between the pair of guide members 31 and engages with the operating pin 19b of the outer guide 19 which has been moved to a predetermined insertion position as shown in FIG. Then, it is turned on. That is, the operating pin 19b is provided downward on the outer surface of the bottom of the outer tray 19, and is configured to engage with the operating piece 43a of the lid switch 43 at the insertion position.

On one side of the connector 40, a memory cartridge 11 is inserted up to a predetermined insertion position, and a photoelectric type for detecting that the contact portion 12 shown in FIG. Is provided. This cartridge-in switch
Reference numeral 44 denotes a photointerrupter 45, which is turned on or off when an end bent piece 46a of a switch lever 46 is positioned or disengaged from an operating portion 45a formed in a slit shape as shown in FIG. Operate off.

The switch lever 46 is supported by a support shaft 47.
, So as to be rotatable along the horizontal direction, and not to be disengaged from the support shaft 47 by a pressing member 48, and further receive clockwise turning power in the figure by a spring 49. The end of the switch lever 46 having the bent piece 46a is located on an arc including the operating portion 45a of the photo interrupter 45, and the opposite end 46b
As shown in FIG. 5, the memory cartridge 11 is locked by the stopper 50, and is disposed at a position where it can be engaged with the distal end of the memory cartridge 11 fitted and connected to the connector 40. Therefore, when the memory cartridge 11 is fitted and connected to the connector 40, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the upper end 46b of the switch lever 46 engages with the tip of the memory cartridge 11 and rotates counterclockwise against the force of the spring 49. The bent piece 46a is shown in FIG. The photo-interrupter 45 is released from the operating portion 45a of the photo-interrupter 45, and the photo-interrupter 45 is turned on.

Further, grooves 13 for preventing error insertion shown in FIG. 10 are formed on both sides of the connector 40 near the connector pins, that is, on the sides of the front end of the memory cartridge 11.
An error prevention member 51 is provided in a portion located at the time of fitting connection with the connector 40. This error prevention member
51, if the memory cartridge 11 is inserted correctly,
By engaging with this groove 13, the contact portion 12 of the memory cartridge 11
When the memory cartridge 11 is inserted in the opposite direction, it contacts the part of the memory cartridge 11 where the groove 13 is not formed to prevent the memory cartridge 11 from moving to the mating contact state. I do.

Further, an upward bent portion 19b is formed at the tip of the outer tray 19 in the insertion direction in FIGS. The bent portion 19b can be engaged with the left side of the memory cartridge 11 shown in FIG. 1 in the predetermined insertion position shown in FIG. With the pulling-out operation, the memory cartridge 11 is engaged with the left side, and the memory cartridge 11 is ejected from the connector 43. That is, the bent portion 19b serves as an eject portion for the memory cartridge 11.

Also, on both sides of the outer tray 19, FIG.
As shown in the figure, a guide piece 19c is formed so as to protrude outward, and is engaged with the guide groove 31a of the guide member 31. Therefore, the outer tray 19 is guided and supported by the guide member 31 in the pull-out direction as described above.

Further, on the lower surface of the outer tray 19, a pin-shaped lid holder 53 is planted downward, and a bottom plate portion of the lid 20 is formed.
It protrudes downward through an elongated hole 20c formed in the drawing direction in 20b. Therefore, the lid 20 is
It can be slid along the pull-out direction with respect to the outer tray 19 within the length range of 20c.

The lower surface of the bottom plate 20b of the lid 20 is
As shown in FIG. 8, a spring hook 54 is planted downward, and a tension spring 55 is stretched between the spring hook 54 and the lid presser 53. That is, the outer tray 19 always pulls the lid 20 by the tension spring 55.

An outward bent piece 19d is formed on one outer surface of the outer tray 19, and is provided between the outer tray 19 and the base 30 at a predetermined drawing position shown in FIG. The spring comes into contact with the end of the spring 56 and compresses the spring 56.
Therefore, the outer tray 19 receives the acting force in the insertion direction from the repulsion spring 56 at the above-described predetermined pull-out position.

The lid 20a of the lid 20 opens and closes the front opening 16 of the apparatus main body 15 shown in FIG.
A tapered stopper 20d is provided on the back surface as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, and when the cover body 20 is moved in the insertion direction, the opening is opened slightly before the predetermined insertion position shown in FIG.
Abuts on a frame-shaped stopper 16a formed on the inner periphery of 16;
The movement of the lid 20a in the insertion direction is stopped, and the lid 20a is stopped.
The opening 16 is closed.

The inner tray 18 is slidably guided and supported in the outer tray 19 as described above. As shown in FIG. 4, shoulder-shaped cartridge supporting portions are provided at both bottom corners. 18c is formed. Therefore, the bottom surface 18d is a so-called flank when the memory cartridge 11 is set.

Further, rubber projecting members 57 are provided on both inner side surfaces of the inner tray 18 to prevent the memory cartridge 11 set in the inner tray 18 from jumping upward.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the transfer means including the inner tray 18, the outer tray 19, and the cover 20, and the connector of the transfer means including the inner tray 18, the outer tray 19, and the cover 20.
The upper surface near 40 is covered with a cartridge frame 58. The upper surface of the cartridge frame 58 is bent obliquely upward from an intermediate portion in the cartridge insertion / removal direction to form an inclined portion 58.
a, so that the full-size memory cartridge 11 shown in FIG. 11 can be easily set inside. A portion of the cartridge frame 58 near the connector 40 is provided with a resilient cartridge retainer 58b cut out in a tongue shape, and a hemispherical surface provided on the lower surface of the distal end portion of the cartridge retainer 58b. Presser member 58c
Thereby, the upper surface of the inserted memory cartridge 11 is pressed.

FIG. 9 is a view showing the entirety of the transport means including the inner tray 18, the outer tray 19, and the lid 20, and the drive mechanism 32 from the connector 40 side.
The encoder plate 60 is integrally provided on the upper surface of the, and rotates integrally with the belt receiver 35. Also, this encoder plate 60
A photo interrupter 61 for reading the rotation is disposed opposite to the upper part of the
It is supported and fixed by 62 and a support member 63.

The photo interrupter 61 is an encoder plate
By reading the rotation of 60, the loading motor 33
, The size of the memory cartridge 11 to be inserted or withdrawn or an abnormal insertion operation, for example, the reverse insertion of the memory cartridge 11 is detected.

Next, the operation will be described.

Now, it is assumed that the conveying means including the inner tray 18, the outer tray 19, and the lid 20 is at a predetermined draw-out position shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8. First, from this state, the memory cartridge 11 is set in the transporting means, and FIG.
Alternatively, the operation up to insertion into a predetermined insertion position shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

The setting of the memory cartridge 11 to the transport means including the inner tray 18, the outer tray 19 and the lid 20 is performed as shown in FIG. That is, the memory cartridge 11 is
In the case of the full-size memory cartridge 11a shown in FIG. 1, the leading end having the contact portion 12 is inserted from the opening 16 of the apparatus main body 15 along the lower surface of the inclined portion 58a of the cartridge frame 58, and the near side is the inner tray. Drop into the right end of 18. On the other hand, in the case of the mini-size memory cartridge 11b having a length of 2/3 or half, it is set in the inner tray 18 as it is from above the portion of the conveying means which is drawn out of the apparatus main body 15.

When the memory cartridge 11 is set as described above, the operating portion 41a of the set switch 41 is pushed down by the lower surface of the memory cartridge 11, and the set switch 41 is turned on.

When the insert switch 27 shown in FIG. 3 is turned on in this state (step 101), it is determined whether or not the set switch 41 is on (step 102). When the set switch 41 is on, Starts the loading motor 33 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5 (step 103). The rotational force of this motor 33 is
The belt 37 that is transmitted to the belt 37 via the belt 35 and is stretched between the belt receiver 36 on the driven side and also rotates clockwise.

Here, as described above, the rack gear 18a of the inner tray 18 is formed sufficiently long so that a large stroke can be obtained. The rack gear 18a always meshes with the teeth formed on the outer surface of the belt 37. On the other hand, the rack gear 19a of the outer tray 19 is formed to be short in order to obtain a relatively short constant stroke of the outer tray 19, and at a predetermined drawing position shown in FIG. Are slightly off the teeth formed on the outer surface of the belt 37.

Therefore, when the belt 37 starts to rotate clockwise, the inner tray 18 is moved to the rack gear 18a of the inner tray 18.
Is engaged with the belt 37, so that it immediately starts moving in the insertion direction, and moves the memory cartridge 11 set inside the inner tray 18 in the same direction. As described above, when the inner tray 18 starts the insertion operation, the tray-out switch 42, which has been on by the bent piece 18b of the inner tray 18, returns to the off state (step 104).

On the other hand, the outer tray 19 is initially
Although the rack gear 19a of 19 does not mesh with the belt 37, it remains stopped.However, when the inner tray 18 starts to move in the insertion direction, the pressing force by the inner tray 18 is lost.
Due to the repulsive force of the spring 56 located on the side, the rack 56 slightly moves in the insertion direction via the bent portion 19d, and the rack gear 19 of the outer tray 19 is moved.
When a is engaged with the belt 37, it is also driven in the insertion direction. When the outer tray 19 starts moving in the insertion direction, the lid 20 connected to the outer tray 19 by a spring 55
Is also pulled and moved in the same direction.

Thus, the inner tray 18 and the outer tray 1
9, the entire conveyance means including the lid 20 moves in the insertion direction,
After a while, the tapered stopper 20d provided on the cover 20a of the cover 20 comes into contact with the frame-shaped stopper 16a provided on the opening 16 of the apparatus body 15. Thus, the lid 20 is locked with the lid 20a closing the opening 16.

At this time, the outer tray 19 has its rack gear 19
Since a is still engaged with the belt 37, the movement in the insertion direction is continued. For this reason, the lid holder 53 is attached to the bottom plate 20 of the lid 20.
The lid 20a is moved in the elongated hole 20d formed in b, and the lid 20a is pressed against the opening 16 by the tension of the spring 55.

After a while, the outer tray 19 stops irrespective of the rotation of the belt 37 because the rack gear 19a comes off the teeth of the belt 37 as shown in FIG. That is, the outer tray 19 stops at a point where the outer tray 19 has moved by a predetermined stroke from the predetermined draw-out position. At this time, the pin 19b provided on the lower surface of the outer tray 19 turns on the lid switch 43 as shown in FIG. 1 (step 105), and the lid switch 43 detects that the lid 20 is closed. further,
In this stop position, the eject portions 19b formed at the tip of the outer tray 18 are located on both sides of the connector 40,
Memory cartridge in mating contact with connector 40
It is opposed to the front edge portion 11 in an engageable state.

On the other hand, since the rack gear 18a of the inner tray 18 meshes with the belt 37, the inner tray 18 continues to move in the insertion direction. By this movement in the insertion direction, the contact portion 12 of the memory cartridge 11 reaches the connector pin of the connector 40, and the signal pin (not shown) is turned on (step 10).
6). Further, when the contact portion 12 of the memory cartridge 11 is inserted until it comes into contact with the connector pin of the connector 40, the lever of the cartridge-in switch 44 in the state of FIG.
The distal end of the lever 46 is pressed, and the lever 46 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing against the spring force of the spring 49. Because of this, the lever
Since the other end bent portion 46a of the 46 is disengaged from the operating portion of the photointerrupter 45 as shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge-in switch 44 is turned on (step 107), and the loading motor 33 is stopped (step 108).

The loading motor 33 is, as described above,
The stop control is performed by detecting that the contact portion 12 of the memory cartridge 11 is in contact with the connector pin of the connector 40 by the ON operation of the cartridge-in switch 44, so that the memory cartridge 11 is the full size memory cartridge 11a. The amount of rotation of the loading motor 33, that is, the amount of insertion operation of the inner tray 18 differs greatly between the mini-size memory cartridges 11b. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the insertion operation of the mini-size memory cartridge 11b has been completed. Has reached. On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows a full-size memory cartridge.
11a shows the completion of the insertion operation.
The insertion operation amount of the inner tray 18 is small, and the rear end of the inner tray 18 substantially overlaps the rear end of the outer tray 19.

This means that even if the size of the memory cartridge 11 is different, the insertion operation amount of the inner tray 18 changes according to the size, so that the memory cartridge 11 of any size can be reliably inserted and connected. . Also,
Since the insertion operation amount of the inner tray 18 is proportional to the rotation amount of the encoder plate 60 described with reference to FIG. 9, by detecting the rotation of the encoder plate 60 with the photo interrupter 61, the memory cartridge 11 of any size can be inserted and connected. Can be detected.

In the insertion operation when the memory cartridge 11 is not set, the set switch 41 is turned off in the judgment of step 102 in FIG. 12, and the loading motor 33 is started in the same manner as in steps 103 to 108 (step 113). ), The relay switch 42 returns to the off state (step 114), the lid switch 43 is turned on (step 115), and the signal pin is turned on (step 114).
116), the cartridge-in switch 44 is turned on (step 117), and the loading motor 33 is stopped (step 118).

Next, the drawing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When pulling out the memory cartridge 11 from the state of FIG. 1 or FIG.
Is turned on (step 201). When the eject switch 28 is turned on, the loading motor 33 is activated counterclockwise as opposed to when the memory cartridge 11 is inserted (step 202), and also rotates the belt 37 counterclockwise.

For this reason, first, the inner tray 18 is
It is driven in the pull-out direction by the engagement between the belt 18 and the belt 18a. When the inner tray 18 starts to move in the pulling-out direction, the outer tray 19 is pulled in the pulling-out direction by the tension of a spring 55 provided between the inner tray 18 and the lid 20, and the rack gear 19a of the outer tray 19 meshes with the belt 37 to pull out. Driven in the direction.

As the outer tray 19 moves in the pull-out direction, an eject portion 19b formed at the end of the outer tray 19 is formed.
Is the memory cartridge fitted and connected to the connector 40
The memory cartridge 11 is engaged with the front edge of the memory cartridge 11 to apply a strong force to the memory cartridge 11 in the pull-out direction. Thus, the eject unit 19
When a strong force is applied in the drawing direction from b, the contact portion 12 of the memory cartridge 11 is released from the mating contact state with the connector 40, and the cartridge-in switch 44 is turned off (step 203). The on state of the pin is also released (step 204). Thereafter, the memory cartridge 11 moves together with the inner tray 18 in the pull-out direction.

By the above-described pulling operation, first, the lid switch 42
Is turned off (step 205). When the outer tray 19 is pulled out to the predetermined pull-out position shown in FIG. 5, the rack gear 19a comes off the belt and stops the pull-out operation as described above. When the inner tray 18 is pulled out to a predetermined pulling position shown in FIG. 5, a bent piece 18
b turns on the tray-out switch 42 (step
206), stop the loading motor 33 (Step 20)
7).

Here, the drawing stroke of the inner tray 18 depends on the size of the memory cartridge 11,
As described above, the drawing operation is continued until the bent piece 18b formed at the tip of the memory cartridge 11 turns on the tray-out switch 42, so that the memory cartridge 11 is pulled out to a predetermined drawing position regardless of the size of the memory cartridge 11. be able to.

Since the ejection is completed by the above operation (step 208), the memory cartridge 11 is removed (step 209). When the memory cartridge 11 is removed, the set switch 41 is turned off (step 21).
0), it is detected that the memory cartridge 11 has been removed, and the operation ends.

[0069]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the cartridge is mounted, the first transporting means holding the cartridge is driven in the insertion direction until the contact portion of the cartridge fits into the connector. Even if the size of the cartridge is different, the cartridge is securely fitted to the connector. Further, the second transport means always drives by a fixed stroke regardless of the size of the cartridge, and during the pull-out operation, securely engages with the cartridge fitted and in contact with the connector, and detaches the cartridge from the connector. Therefore, cartridges of different sizes and shapes can be securely attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and various cartridges can be applied. For this reason, there is no need to prepare a detachable device for each size as in the conventional device, and to use these devices properly according to the size, and the usable size is not limited.

According to the cartridge attaching / detaching device according to the second aspect, in addition to the cartridge attaching / detaching device according to the first aspect, a common drive mechanism is used for the first conveying means and the second conveying means. The first transporting means is always connected to the driving mechanism, and the second transporting means is connected to the driving mechanism only for a predetermined stroke.
The components can be simplified.

Further, according to the cartridge attaching / detaching device according to the third aspect, in addition to the cartridge attaching / detaching device according to the first aspect, the second transport means includes a cover for an opening for insertion and withdrawal provided in the apparatus main body. Since the opening is opened and closed by the lid in connection with the insertion and withdrawal operations, the handling operation can be facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an inserted state of a mini-size memory cartridge according to an embodiment of the cartridge attaching / detaching device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between the same belt and a rack gear of an outer tray.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the cartridge attaching / detaching device.

FIG. 4 is a right side sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which the cartridge attaching / detaching device shown in FIG. 1 is pulled out.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between the belt and a rack gear of an outer tray.

7 is a plan view showing a case where a full-size memory cartridge in an inserted state of the cartridge attaching / detaching device shown in FIG. 2 is inserted;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a left side sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the memory cartridge;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the same.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an insertion operation of the above device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a withdrawal operation according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Cartridge 15 Main unit 16 Opening 18 Inner tray as first transport means 19 Outer tray as second transport means 19b Eject part 20 Lid 32 Drive mechanism 40 Connector

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G11C 5/00 G06K 17/00 B42D 15/10

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cartridge attachment / detachment device for inserting / withdrawing a cartridge into / from an apparatus main body and attaching / detaching a contact portion of the cartridge to / from a connector provided in the apparatus main body, wherein the cartridge is held at a predetermined extraction position. A first transport unit that holds the held cartridge and drives the cartridge in the insertion direction until the contact portion makes a fitting contact with the connector, and drives the cartridge in the pull-out direction to the predetermined pull-out position; From the predetermined withdrawal position, it is driven in the insertion and withdrawal directions for a certain stroke set below the insertion and withdrawal stroke of the first transporting means, and is brought into contact with the connector during the withdrawal operation. And a second transporting means having an ejecting portion which engages with the cartridge which is present and separates the cartridge from the connector. A cartridge attaching / detaching device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A common drive mechanism is used for the first transport means and the second transport means, wherein the first transport means is always connected to a drive mechanism, and wherein the second transport means is set in advance. 2. The cartridge attaching / detaching device according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is connected to the driving mechanism only for a predetermined stroke. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second transport means is connected to a lid for an insertion and withdrawal opening provided in the apparatus main body, and the opening and closing of the opening is performed in conjunction with the insertion and withdrawal operation. The cartridge attaching / detaching device according to claim 1.