JP3357986B2 - Tape cartridge - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a two-way tape comprising a first large tape cartridge and a second small tape cartridge for accommodating a tape having the same width and a memory element in main body cases having different heights. Regarding the cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an 8 mm or VHS type tape cartridge, a tape cartridge having a built-in memory element for storing tape characteristic data or setting data at the time of recording such as a recording mode or audio recording data is known (for example, see, JP-A-63-166085 and JP-A-63-1640
No. 85). There, the tape cartridge is VTR
When the memory device is mounted, the terminal portion of the memory device is exposed to the outer surface of the main body case so that the terminal portion of the memory device contacts the connection terminal on the VTR side.

Recently, two-way tape cartridges for video of this type include a small tape cartridge which is compact for use outdoors and a stationary large tape cartridge which can be used at home for a long time. Has been proposed (literature unknown). In the two-way type large and small tape cartridges, tapes of the same width are basically used in terms of compatibility, so that the height dimensions of both main body cases are generally set to be the same. It is a target.

[0004]

However, from the viewpoint of securing the strength of the case and the ability to close the reel hole, it is desirable that the height of the large tape cartridge is set higher than that of the small tape cartridge. The problem is that if the height dimensions of the two tape cartridges are different, the setting position of the terminal of the memory element will be different between the large tape cartridge and the small tape cartridge, making it difficult for the VTR to respond. It is a point.
In other words, in order to be able to selectively load both large and small tape cartridges into one VTR based on the center in the left-right width direction, it is necessary to correspond to the set position of the terminal of each memory element. The mechanism inside the VTR becomes complicated, for example, the height setting position of the connection terminal on the VTR side is made different, which also causes an increase in cost.

An object of the present invention is to provide a two-way tape cartridge comprising a large-sized tape cartridge and a small-sized tape cartridge having the same width of tape and a memory element built in each of the main body cases having different heights as described above. V, which has a contact with the memory element of the large tape cartridge and the memory element of the small tape cartridge, respectively.
The connection terminal on the TR side can be shared.
The point is to simplify the mechanism and reduce the cost.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second tape having a second tape, a second upper case and a second lower case, and accommodating the second tape.
And a second contacted part disposed in the second body case and for transmitting predetermined information by contacting a connection terminal provided in the device when the device is loaded in the device. In the height direction of the second main body case, the lower end of the second contacted portion is substantially aligned with the second inner bottom surface corresponding to the inside of the bottom wall portion of the second lower case. There is a second tape cartridge arranged, and the first tape cartridge is compatible with the second tape cartridge and is usable. The first tape cartridge has a first tape having the same width dimension as the second tape, a first upper case and a first lower case, and accommodates the first tape. A first main body case having a height dimension larger than that of the second main body case; and a predetermined information which is arranged in the first main body case and which comes into contact with a connection terminal provided in the device when the device is loaded into the device. A first contacted portion for transmitting the light, and the first lower case is disposed in a height direction of the first lower case so as to be spaced upward from a first inner bottom surface inside the bottom wall portion. The first contacted portion is disposed so that a lower end thereof is aligned with the placing portion of the first lower case in a height direction of the first main body case. It is characterized by becoming.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first tape, a first main body case having a first upper case and a first lower case and accommodating the first tape,
A first contact portion disposed in the first main body case for transmitting predetermined information by contacting a connection terminal provided in the device when the device is loaded in the device; The contacted portion is in a height direction of the first main body case,
There is a first tape cartridge, the lower end of which is spaced upward from a first inner bottom surface inside the bottom wall of the first lower case, and is compatible with the first tape cartridge. This is a second tape cartridge which can be used as a second tape cartridge. The second tape cartridge includes:
A second tape having the same width dimension as the first tape, a second upper case and a second lower case, accommodating the second tape, and a height higher than the first main body case; A second main body case having a small size;
And a second contact portion for transmitting predetermined information by contacting a connection terminal provided in the device when the device is loaded in the device, wherein the second contact portion Is characterized in that, in the height direction of the second main body case, the lower end thereof is arranged so as to be substantially flush with the second inner bottom surface corresponding to the inside of the bottom wall portion of the second lower case. I do.

[0008] The present invention according to claim 3 is a first and second invention.
Of a tape cartridge. One of the first tape cartridges has a first tape, a first main body case having a first upper case and a first lower case, and accommodating the first tape; A first contacted portion disposed in the main body case for contacting a connection terminal provided in the device when the device is loaded into the device and transmitting predetermined information; Has a mounting portion disposed upwardly spaced apart from a first inner bottom surface inside the bottom wall portion in the height direction, and the first contacted portion includes the first In the height direction of the main body case, the lower end thereof is arranged so as to be flush with the mounting portion. The other second tape cartridge has a second tape having the same width dimension as the first tape, a second upper case and a second lower case, and accommodates the second tape. A second main body case having a height dimension smaller than that of the first main body case; and a second main body case disposed in the second main body case and contacting a connection terminal provided in the device when the device is loaded into the second main body case. A second contacted portion for transmitting information, wherein the second contacted portion has a lower end in a height direction of the second main body case, a bottom wall portion of the second lower case. Is arranged substantially in line with the second inner bottom surface corresponding to the inside. The first tape cartridge and the second tape cartridge can be used with compatibility.

More specifically, the first contacted portion is the terminal portion 26 of the memory element 25 of the large tape cartridge C1 in the embodiment, and the second contacted portion is the small tape in the embodiment. It is a terminal section 26 of the memory element 25 of the cartridge C2. Further, the predetermined information is information on a tape.

[0010]

In such a case, a specific description will be given based on the illustrated example. The first large tape cartridge C1 having the first main body case 1A having a large height dimension is provided on the bottom wall of the first lower case 1b. The mounting portion 32 is provided so as to be separated from the inner bottom surface thereof, and the first contacted portion, that is, the memory element 25 is provided.
Is positioned so as to be aligned with the receiver 32. On the other hand, the second small tape cartridge C2 having the second main body case 1B having a small height dimension is configured such that the second contacted part, that is, the memory element 25 is connected to the second lower case 1 at the lower end thereof.
b is positioned so as to be substantially flush with the inner bottom surface. Therefore, in the first large tape cartridge C1 and the second small tape cartridge C2, even if the heights of the main body cases 1A and 1B are different, if the widths of the tapes 2 are the same, The height of the terminal portion 26 of each memory element 25 is set at the same position. As a result, the VTR (apparatus) side can share a single connection terminal set at the same height to have a contact with the terminal section 26 of the memory element 25 of the large and small tape cartridge.

[0011]

2 to 7 show a second small tape cartridge C among two-way tape cartridges.
2 shows one embodiment. 2 and 3, the main body case 1B is made of plastic upper and lower cases 1a and 1b.
And the body case 1B
A pair of reels 3 around which the tape 2 is wound are disposed on the left and right sides of the inside. Tape 2 pulled out from one reel 3
Is wound on the other reel 3 while being guided by tape guides 6 provided in the tape pull-out openings 5.5 on the front left and right of the main body case 1B. A tape loading pocket 7 is provided at the center of the front surface of the main body case 1B, that is, between the left and right tape outlets 5.5. The pocket 7 has upper and lower surfaces and a front surface opened. The tape 2 led out to the front side of the main body case 1B is used when the front cover 9, the back cover 10 and the upper cover 11 are not used.
Each is covered and protected.

The front lid 9 is moved right and left over a position for closing the front surfaces of the left and right tape outlets 5.5 and the pocket 7 as shown by a solid line in FIG. 7 and an upper open position as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Openable and closable about the support shaft 12. The front lid 9 is always urged to rotate in the closing direction by a spring member 13 (see FIG. 2) fitted to one of the left and right support shafts 12.

The upper lid 11 closes the upper surface of the pocket 7 as shown by a solid line in FIG. 7 in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the front lid 9, and opens back to the rear of the upper surface of the pocket 7 as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. It can be opened and closed freely over the position.
For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper lid 11 pivotally connects the connection shafts 15 at the front ends of the arms 14 provided at the left and right ends thereof to the left and right connection holes 16 at the upper end of the front lid 9 respectively. 1
4 is provided with a slide shaft 17 provided on the inner surface of the rear end of the main case 1 and provided on the outer surfaces of the right and left side walls of the main case 1 in the form of a "H" -shaped guide groove 1.
9 is slidably engaged.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the back cover 10 is pivotally connected to a pin hole 21a of a boss 21 provided on the inner surface of the upper cover 11 by a connecting pin 20 provided on the left and right of the upper end thereof. I do. In addition, leg portions 22 are provided on the left and right of the lower rear surface of the back cover 10, and slide pins 23 provided on the leg portions 22 are provided on the left and right side walls in the pocket 7, and have an “S” -shaped guide groove 2.
4 is slidably engaged. Therefore, back cover 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a closed position for covering the back side of the tape 2 in the pocket 7 as shown by a solid line in FIG. 7 with opening and closing of the front lid 9 and the upper lid 11, and an upper surface of the pocket 7 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is openable and closable over an open position located below the upper lid 11 in the open state at the rear.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the main body case 1B
Has a built-in memory element 25. This memory element 25
For example, a ROM chip that stores fixed data such as specification and characteristic data of the tape 2, a RAM chip that stores variable data such as setting data at the time of recording, and a battery are combined as one unit having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, terminal portions 26 are provided on two surfaces, that is, a rear surface 25a and a lower surface 25b, to be in contact with the connection terminals on the VTR side when loaded on the VTR.

The memory element 25 is installed such that the terminal portions 26 are respectively exposed on two adjacent surfaces of the outer wall of the main body case 1B. In the illustrated example, the terminal portions 26 are respectively provided on the rear wall 27 and the bottom wall 28 of the lower case 1b. Lower case 1b to expose
It is installed on the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall. In this case, openings 29, 29 are provided in the left and right central portions of the rear wall 27 and the bottom wall 28, respectively.
a and the terminal portions 26 on both surfaces of the lower surface 25b are respectively exposed to the outside. It is advantageous to form the two openings 29 so as to communicate with each other as in the illustrated example, since an undercut portion is not formed at the time of plastic molding of the lower case 1b.

The right and left central portions of the rear wall 27 and the bottom wall 28 where the openings 29 and 29 are formed are formed in a triangular dead space formed between the left and right reels 3 and the rear wall 27. No special installation space is required. The memory element 25 installed in the relevant location is partitioned from the accommodation area of the reels 3.3 by surrounding the left and right sides and the front three sides thereof with surrounding ribs 30 integrally projecting from the bottom wall 28. Then, between the front surface 25c of the memory element 25 and the surrounding rib 30, and between the upper case 1a and the memory element 25.
An elastic body 31 made of a compression coil spring or the like is interposed between the upper surface 25d and the upper surface 25d. The memory element 25 is always urged backward and downward by the elastic body 31 so that the terminal portion 26 faces each opening 29.

As a means for restricting movement of the memory element 25 backward and downward, the width of each opening 29 in the left-right direction is formed smaller than the width of each of the rear surface 25a and the lower surface 25b of the memory element 25 in the left-right direction. 25 back 2
5a or the lower surface 25b is the inner surface or the bottom wall 28 of the rear wall 27.
To prevent the memory element 25 from moving further backward or downward.

The elastic body 31 may be another torsion coil spring or a leaf spring instead of the compression coil spring. In addition to the metal spring, a non-metal spring such as plastic or rubber can be used. In addition, the elastic body 31 is not limited to a metal or non-metal spring separate from the main body case 1B, and may be a plastic spring formed integrally with the main body case 1B.

As described above, the memory element 25 held in the main body case 1B has the terminal portions 26 exposed at the opening 29 of the rear wall 27 and the opening 29 of the bottom wall 28. Even if the connection terminal on the VTR side is set so as to face either the rear wall 27 or the bottom wall 28 of the main body case 1B, it can have a contact with the terminal portion 26 according to each situation. Also, when the memory element 25 unexpectedly encounters a fall accident or the like and the terminal portion 26 receives an impact and an external force is applied to the memory element 25, the elastic body 31 is compressed by the forward or upward movement of the memory element 25. Since the terminal portion 26 is deformed to absorb and reduce the impact, the terminal portion 26 can be prevented from being deformed or damaged. When the terminal portion 26 comes into contact with the connection terminal on the deck side after being loaded in the VTR, the contact pressure can be increased by the elastic body 31.

On the other hand, the first large tape cartridge C1
Is shown in FIG. 1 in comparison with the small tape cartridge C2, and the basic configuration thereof is the small tape cartridge C2.
Exactly the same as 2. That is, similarly to the case of the small tape cartridge C2, the tape 2 and the reel 3 having the same width as the tape of the small tape cartridge C2 are accommodated and arranged in the main body case 1A in the same manner. 10 and the upper lid 11 are provided in the same manner, and a terminal portion 26 and a memory element 25 having the same size are built in the same position and in the same manner.

However, this large tape cartridge C1
Is set to be larger than the height H2 of the main body case 1B of the small-sized tape cartridge C2. This is to increase the rigidity of the entire tape cartridge C1 in response to the large amount of tape storage. In addition, the tape 2 having the same width as the tape 2 of the small-sized tape cartridge C2 is a reel 3 because of its compatibility.
The height position of X shown in FIG. 1 is the tape running center, and the large and small tape cartridges C1 and C2
Both are the same height.

Here, the large tape cartridge C1
The height position of the terminal 26 of the memory element 25 is set at a position a from the tape running center position X. That is, it is set at the same height position as that of the small tape cartridge C2. In this case, in order to use the memory element 25 of the same size, a mounting portion 32 composed of a raised rib is provided on the inner bottom of the lower case 1b of the main body case 1A of the large-sized tape cartridge C1. Memory element 25 on top
The small tape cartridge C is mounted and fixed.
The height position of the terminal portion 26 of the second memory element 25 can be the same. In addition, as the outer wall of the main body cases 1A and 1B in which the memory element 25 is installed, a central portion in the left-right direction of the pocket rear wall 34 shown in FIG. 3 can be selected.

As described above, the height position of the terminal portion 26 of the memory element 25 of the first large-sized tape cartridge C1
When the height position of the small tape cartridge C2 is set to the position of the dimension a from the tape running center position X, the single connection terminal set at the same height on the VTR side is shared. Large and small tape cartridge C1
A contact can be provided with the terminal 26 of each memory element 25 of C2.

(Other Embodiments) As shown in FIG.
-The second large / small tape cartridge C1, C2 is V
When set on the TR side, each body case 1
Reel 3 facing the reel hole 33 opened in the bottom wall of A.1B
Is supported by the reel receiving base Z on the VTR side, and the height b from the reel receiving base Z on the VTR side also has the first and second large and small tape cartridges C1.
-Same in C2. Therefore, when the height position of the terminal section 26 of each memory element 25 in the first large tape cartridge C1 and the second small tape cartridge C2 is set to the position of the dimension b from the reel receiving base reference plane height Y. Similarly, a single connection terminal positioned at the same height on the VTR side may be shared to have a contact with the terminal 26 of each of the memory elements 25 of the large and small tape cartridges C1 and C2. it can.

[0026]

According to the present invention, the first case in which the tapes having the same width are accommodated in the main body cases having different heights, respectively.
The heights of the first contacted portion and the second contacted portion of each of the second tape cartridges are set at the same position. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a connection terminal dedicated to the first tape cartridge or a connection terminal dedicated to the second tape cartridge on the device side, and the connection terminals can be shared, so that the mechanism on the device side can be reduced in size and cost can be reduced. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a small tape cartridge and a large tape cartridge.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the entire inside of the small tape cartridge.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the entire small tape cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part of the small-sized tape cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the entire small tape cartridge as viewed from the bottom.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pocket portion of the small tape cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A Main Case of Large Tape Cartridge 1B Main Case of Small Tape Cartridge 2 Tape 3 Reel 25 Memory Element 26 Terminal 32 Mounting Place X Tape running center position

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hidekazu Takeda 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Video Media Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Tatsumi Nishijima 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd. Visual Media Research Laboratories (72) Inventor Hikaru Mizutani 1-1-88 Ushitora, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka Hitachi Maxell Co., Ltd. (72) Katsuo Maehara 1-1-88 Ushitora, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka No. Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. (56) References JP-A-6-162726 (JP, A) (58) Field investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G11B 23/087 501 G11B 23/30

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] A second tape, a second main body case having a second upper case and a second lower case and accommodating the second tape; and a second main body case; in contact with a single connecting terminal provided at a defined position of the device when loaded in the apparatus and a second of the contact portions for transmitting predetermined information, the second contacted portion There is a second tape cartridge comprising installed before SL on the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall of the second lower case, a first that is usable with a second tape cartridge compatible A tape cartridge, wherein the first tape cartridge has a first tape having the same width dimension as the second tape, a first upper case and a first lower case, and the first tape From the second body case A first main body casing height is large, and a first contacted portion disposed on the first main body casing
Wherein the first contacted portion, before when loaded into the device
Serial in contact with a single said connecting terminals provided on the prescribed position of the apparatus to transmit predetermined information, fixedly mounted on said first mounting portion provided on the inner bottom of the lower case A tape cartridge comprising: 2. A first main body case having a first tape, a first upper case and a first lower case, and accommodating the first tape; and a first main body case; in contact with a single connecting terminal provided at a defined position of the device when loaded in the apparatus and a first contacted portion for transmitting predetermined information, the first contacted portion I am placing before Symbol first on the mounting portion provided on the inner bottom of the lower case
There is a first tape cartridge fixed and fixed , and a second tape cartridge made compatible with the first tape cartridge and usable, wherein the second tape cartridge is the second tape cartridge. A second tape having the same width dimension as the first tape, a second upper case and a second lower case, accommodating the second tape, and having a height dimension higher than that of the first main body case. A small second main body case, and a second contacted portion arranged in the second main body case.
Wherein the second of the contact portions, before when loaded into the device
In contact with a single said connecting terminals provided in the specified location of the serial device to transmit predetermined information, and characterized by being placed on the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall of the second lower case Tape cartridge. 3. The first tape cartridge includes a first tape, a first upper case, a first lower case, and the first tape cartridge. a first main body casing for housing the tape, disposed in the first main body casing, before when loaded in the apparatus
A first contacted portion for transmitting predetermined information by contacting a single connection terminal provided at a prescribed position of the device, wherein the first contacted portion is connected to the first lower portion. Inner bottom of case
It is placed and fixed on a provided a mounting portion to said second tape cartridge includes a second tape having the same width dimension as the first tape, a second upper case and the second under the A second main body case having a case and accommodating the second tape and having a smaller height dimension than the first main body case; and a second contacted portion arranged on the second main body case. And wherein the second contacted part is located on the front side when loaded into the device.
Serial in contact with a single said connecting terminals provided in the specified location of the device to transmit predetermined information, will be placed on the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall of the second lower case, the first The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second tape cartridge and the second tape cartridge are interchangeably usable. 4. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first contacted portion is a terminal of a memory element. 5. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second contacted portion is a terminal of a memory element. 6. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined information is information relating to a tape. 7. The tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the first contacted portion is a terminal portion of a memory element. 8. The tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the second contacted portion is a terminal portion of a memory element. 9. The tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined information is information relating to a tape. 10. The tape cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the first contacted portion is a terminal of a memory element. 11. The device according to claim 3, wherein the second contacted portion is a terminal portion of a memory element.
The tape cartridge according to 0. 12. The tape cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined information is information relating to a tape.