JP3956840B2 - Magnetic tape library device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a magnetic tape library device, and in particular, an accessor that can be moved in three axial directions is provided, and a cartridge storage shelf that stores magnetic tape cartridges can be moved in the width direction of the case. The present invention relates to a magnetic tape library apparatus in which cartridge storage shelves can be arranged in a plurality of rows and the storage efficiency of magnetic tape cartridges is improved.
[0002]
[Prior art]
This type of conventional magnetic tape library apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0003]
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a conventional magnetic tape library apparatus 100.
[0004]
Referring to FIG. 8, the magnetic tape library apparatus 100 includes a housing 110, a plurality of cartridge storage shelves 103 for storing a plurality of volumes of magnetic tape cartridges 104, and a magnetic tape (not shown) stored in the magnetic tape cartridges 104. ), A magnetic tape drive 102 that records and reproduces information, an accessor 105 that transports the magnetic tape cartridge 104 to the magnetic tape drive 102 or the cartridge storage shelf 103, and controls the operation of the accessor 105. And a library control unit 106.
[0005]
Next, the operation of the magnetic tape library apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described.
[0006]
When a command for mounting a predetermined magnetic tape cartridge 104 to the magnetic tape drive 102 is issued from the library control unit 106, the accessor 105 moves in the width direction (X direction) and the vertical direction, and the predetermined magnetic tape cartridge 104 is received. The cartridge storage shelf 103 is positioned at a cell (not shown) position, the magnetic tape cartridge 104 is taken out from the cell by a picker hand (not shown), and then moved in the width direction (X direction) and the vertical direction. Then, the magnetic tape cartridge 104 positioned at the position opposite to the magnetic tape drive 102 and conveyed by the picker hand is inserted into the magnetic tape drive 102.
[0007]
As described above, the cartridge storage shelf 103 needs to be disposed at a position where the accessor 105 can access to insert and eject the magnetic tape cartridge 104, and the accessor 105 extends in the width direction (X direction) and the vertical direction of the housing 110. As shown in FIG. 8, only one row of cartridge storage shelves 103 can be installed in the width direction of the casing 110, and the back side of the cartridge storage shelves 103 is a dead space (the magnetic tape drive 102). Is generally several times larger than the depth of the cartridge storage shelf 103).
[0008]
The cartridge storage shelves 103 need to be installed according to the movement range of the accessor 105. However, since the movement range of the accessor 105 is two directions, the width direction and the vertical direction, the cartridge storage shelves are arranged in a plurality of rows in the depth direction of the housing 110. 103 cannot be installed, and the storage efficiency of the magnetic tape cartridge 104 cannot be improved.
[0009]
There is also a magnetic tape library device that has a structure in which an accessor can be rotated and cartridge storage shelves are installed in a semicircular shape to improve the storage efficiency of magnetic tape cartridges (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0010]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-7422
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The magnetic tape library device provided with a plurality of cartridge storage shelves only in one row in the width direction of the housing in the two axial directions of the accessor in the width direction and the vertical direction described above is arranged in a plurality of rows in the depth direction of the housing. There is a problem that the cartridge storage shelf cannot be installed, and the back side of the cartridge storage shelf becomes a dead space, and the storage efficiency of the magnetic tape cartridge is lowered.
[0012]
In addition, the magnetic tape library device described in Patent Document 1 has cartridge storage shelves arranged on the surface facing the accessor, and the cartridge storage shelves cannot be further arranged in a plurality of rows outside the cartridge storage shelf. There is a problem that the storage efficiency of the cartridge storage shelf is limited.
[0013]
In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an accessor for transporting a magnetic tape cartridge that can move in three axial directions, and to move a cartridge storage shelf that stores the magnetic tape cartridge in the width direction of the housing. Thus, an accessor can access all of the cartridge storage shelves arranged in a plurality of rows in the depth direction of the housing, and an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic tape library apparatus that improves the storage efficiency of magnetic tape cartridges.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A magnetic tape library apparatus according to the present invention includes a housing, a plurality of cartridge storage shelves for storing a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, and a magnetic tape drive for recording and reproducing information with respect to the magnetic tape stored in the magnetic tape cartridge. An accessor that transports the magnetic tape cartridge to and from the magnetic tape drive or the cartridge storage shelf, an accessor control unit that controls the operation of the accessor, a moving mechanism that mounts and moves the cartridge storage shelf, and an accessor and a library controller for controlling the control unit and the rack moving mechanism, the accessor may have a three-dimensional movement mechanism that moves the Pikkahando in three directions, three-dimensional movement mechanism, the width direction relative to the housing , characterized in that it have a vertical, means for moving in the depth direction.
[0016]
The three-dimensional movement mechanism includes an X rail disposed in the width direction with respect to the housing, an X movable portion that is slidably mounted on the X rail in the width direction, and a Z that is vertically fixed to the X movable portion. A guide, a Z movable part that is slidably mounted on the Z guide in the vertical direction, a picker hand that is attached and fixed to the Z movable part, and arranged in the depth direction at both ends in the width direction of the case and fixed to the upper part of the case And a Y movable portion that is attached and fixed to both ends of the X rail and is slidably attached in the depth direction on the Y rail.
[0017]
The cartridge storage shelves are arranged in a row in the width direction of the housing, and are arranged in a plurality of rows in the depth direction.
[0018]
The cartridge storage shelves in the innermost row are fixedly installed in the housing, and the cartridge storage shelves other than the innermost row are fixedly installed in the shelf moving mechanism.
[0019]
The number of cartridge storage shelves in rows other than the innermost row is one less than the number of cartridge storage shelves provided in the innermost row.
[0020]
The shelf moving mechanism includes a shelf movable unit that fixes the cartridge storage shelf, a belt that moves the shelf movable unit in the width direction of the housing, a belt drive unit that drives the belt, and a shelf movable unit that is secured to the housing. And a shelf rail to be placed.
[0021]
The belt driving unit includes a motor, and the belt is driven by rotating the motor clockwise or counterclockwise to move the shelf movable unit in the width direction of the housing.
[0022]
The shelf movable unit includes a frame, a belt fixing unit that fixes the belt, an actuator that moves the belt fixing unit up and down, and a plurality of wheels that are provided on the frame and run on the shelf rail.
[0023]
The actuator is characterized in that the belt is sandwiched and fixed between the sawtooth portion provided on the frame and the sawtooth portion of the belt fixing portion by moving the belt fixing portion upward.
[0024]
The library control unit controls the operation of the belt driving unit and the shelf movable unit of the shelf moving mechanism.
[0025]
The accessor control unit controls the operation of the X movable unit, the Y movable unit, and the Z movable unit of the picker hand and the three-dimensional movement mechanism.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the magnetic tape library apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0027]
1A is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of a magnetic tape library apparatus 1 according to the present invention, FIG. 1B is a schematic front view thereof, and FIG. 1C is a schematic configuration thereof. 2 is a perspective view showing details of the three-dimensional moving mechanism 51 in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a front view showing details of the shelf moving mechanism 7 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is in FIG. 4 is a side view showing details of a shelf movable unit 23. FIG.
[0028]
Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, the magnetic tape library apparatus 1 includes a housing 40, a plurality of cartridge storage shelves 3 including a plurality of cells 3a for storing the magnetic tape cartridges 4, and a magnetic A magnetic tape drive 2 for recording / reproducing information on / from a magnetic tape (not shown) stored in the tape cartridge 4, and a magnetic tape cartridge 4 transported to the magnetic tape drive 2 or the cartridge storage shelf 3. The accessor 5 for discharging, the accessor control unit 17 for controlling the operation of the accessor 5, the shelf moving mechanism 7 for mounting and moving the cartridge storage shelf 3, and the accessor control unit 17 and the shelf moving mechanism 7 are controlled. The accessor 5 includes a picker hand 10 with respect to the housing 40 in the width direction (X), the vertical direction (Z), and the depth direction. Configured with a three-dimensional moving mechanism 51 for moving the three directions (Y).
[0029]
In addition, four cartridge storage shelves 3 are arranged in a row in the width direction (X) of the casing 40 and further arranged in three rows in the depth direction (Y), and the five cartridge storage shelves in the innermost row. 3 is fixedly installed in the housing 40, and the 12 cartridge storage shelves 3 other than the innermost row are configured to be fixedly installed in the shelf moving mechanism 7.
[0030]
Referring to FIG. 2, the three-dimensional movement mechanism 51 is attached to the housing 40 so as to be slidable in the width direction (X) on the X rail 12 arranged in the width direction (X). An X movable portion 11, a Z guide 16 attached and fixed to the X movable portion 11 in the vertical direction (Z), a Z movable portion 15 slidably attached on the Z guide 16 in the vertical direction (Z), and Z The picker hand 10 attached and fixed to the movable portion 15, the two Y rails 14 arranged in the depth direction at both ends in the width direction (X) of the housing 40 and fixed to the upper portion of the housing 40, and both ends of the X rail 12 And a Y movable portion 13 that is slidably mounted on the Y rail 14 in the depth direction (Y). The picker hand 10 is moved in the width direction (X) and the vertical direction (Z) with respect to the housing 40. , It can be moved in the depth direction (Y).
[0031]
Referring to FIG. 3, the shelf moving mechanism 7 drives the movable shelf 23 that fixes the cartridge storage shelf 3, the belt 21 that moves the movable shelf 23 in the width direction (X) of the housing 40, and the belt 21. A belt drive unit 20 having a motor (not shown) for rotating and a shelf rail 22 fixed to the housing 40 and on which the shelf movable unit 23 is placed, and rotating the motor clockwise or counterclockwise Is configured to drive the belt 21 and move the shelf movable portion 23 in the width direction (X).
[0032]
Referring to FIG. 4, the shelf movable unit 23 includes a frame 30, a belt fixing unit 32 that fixes the belt 21, an actuator 33 that moves the belt fixing unit 32 up and down, and a plurality of frames 30 provided on the shelf rail 22. The actuator 33 is composed of a traveling wheel 31, and the actuator 33 moves the belt fixing portion 32 upward, so that the belt 21 is interposed between the sawtooth portion 30 a provided on the frame 30 and the sawtooth portion 32 a of the belt fixing portion 32. It is comprised so that it may be inserted and fixed.
[0033]
Although details of the actuator 33 are not shown, the belt fixing portion 32 is configured to be attracted by an electromagnetic force generated by energizing the coil.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the magnetic tape library apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the magnetic tape library apparatus 1, in which A to E are symbols for explaining the position of the accessor 5, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of the magnetic tape library apparatus 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the magnetic tape library apparatus 1.
[0036]
As an example, the case where the magnetic tape cartridge 4 stored in 3i of the cartridge storage shelf 3 shown in FIG.
[0037]
Referring to FIG. 7 and FIGS. 5 to 6, the library control unit 6 instructs the shelf movable parts 23 of the cartridge storage shelves 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 e, 3 f, and 3 g to be fixed to the belt 21. Then, the other shelf movable unit 23 is instructed to release the fixation of the belt 21 (S1), and the accessor control unit 17 is instructed to position the picker hand 10 at the position B (S2).
[0038]
The accessor control unit 17 operates a motor (not shown) provided in the X movable unit 11 according to an instruction from the library control unit 6, moves the X movable unit 11 left and right, positions the picker hand 10 at position B, and positions it. Is completed (S3), and in parallel with this operation, the respective shelf movable parts 23 of the cartridge storage shelves 3a, 3b, 3c, 3e, 3f, and 3g follow the instructions of the library control part 6. The actuators 33 are turned on, the cartridge storage shelves 3 are fixed to the belt 21, and the shelf movable parts 23 of the other cartridge storage shelves 3 d, 3 h, 3 i, 3 j, 3 k and 3 l operate the actuators 33. The belt 21 is released from being fixed (S4).
[0039]
The library control unit 6 instructs the shelf moving mechanism 7 for the D and E rows to move the cartridge storage shelf 3 to the right by one storage shelf (S5). The mechanism 7 operates a motor (not shown) of the belt drive unit 20 according to the instruction of the library control unit 6 to rotate the belt 21 clockwise by one storage shelf (S6).
[0040]
By rotating the belt 21 clockwise, the cartridge storage shelves 3a, 3b, 3c, 3e, 3f, and 3g fixed to the belt 21 are moved to the right by one storage shelf through the movable shelf 23. (S7).
[0041]
The shelf moving mechanism 7 reports the completion of the movement of the cartridge storage shelf 3 to the library control unit 6 (S8). After receiving the report, the library control unit 6 instructs the accessor control unit 17 to store the cartridge. An instruction is given to take out the magnetic tape cartridge 4 stored in the shelf 3i and put it into the magnetic tape drive 2 (S9).
[0042]
The accessor control unit 17 operates a motor (not shown) provided in the Y movable unit 13 in accordance with an instruction from the library control unit 6, moves the Y movable unit 13 back and forth, and positions the picker hand 10 at position A ( S10), a motor (not shown) provided in the Z movable portion 15 is operated, and the Z movable portion 15 is moved up and down to position the picker hand 10 at a height position where the magnetic tape cartridge 4 can be taken out (S11). A motor (not shown) provided in 10 is operated, and the magnetic tape cartridge 4 is grasped by the picker hand 10 (S12).
[0043]
The accessor control unit 17 moves the Y movable unit 13 back and forth (S13), moves the X movable unit 11 left and right (S14), positions the picker hand 10 at position C (S15), and moves the Z movable unit 15 up and down. (S16), the picker hand 10 is positioned in front of the tape slot 2a of the magnetic tape drive 2 (S17).
[0044]
After positioning the picker hand 10, the accessor control unit 17 operates the picker hand 10 to load the magnetic tape cartridge 4 into the magnetic tape drive 2 (S18), and reports the completion of loading to the library control unit 6 (S19). A series of operations for loading the magnetic tape cartridge 4 stored in 3i of the cartridge storage shelf 3 into the magnetic tape drive 2 is completed.
[0045]
Next, the storage efficiency of the magnetic tape library apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described below.
[0046]
In the conventional magnetic tape library apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 8, the depth of the magnetic tape drive 2 is larger than the depth of the cartridge storage shelf 103, but the cartridge storage shelf 103 is arranged in the width direction (X direction) of the housing 110. Since only one row is disposed, a dead space is generated in the depth direction of the cartridge storage shelf 103 and the storage efficiency is lowered. On the other hand, the magnetic tape library apparatus 1 of the present invention has the cartridge storage shelf 3 as a housing. A plurality of rows are arranged in the depth direction (Y direction) of 40, the dead space in the depth direction of the cartridge storage shelf 3 is eliminated, and the storage efficiency of the cartridge storage shelf 3 is improved.
[0047]
As described above, the magnetic tape library apparatus 1 is configured such that the accessor 5 that transports the magnetic tape cartridge 4 can be moved in the three axial directions of X, Y, and Z, and the cartridge storage shelf 3 that stores the magnetic tape cartridge 4 is enclosed in the housing. By adopting a configuration that can move in the width direction (X) of the body 40, the cartridge storage shelves 3 are arranged in a plurality of rows in the depth direction (Y) of the housing 40, and the accessor 5 The storage capacity of the magnetic tape cartridge 4 can be increased and the storage efficiency can be improved.
[0048]
In the magnetic tape library apparatus 1 described above, the shelf movable unit 23 is fixed to the belt 21 of the shelf moving mechanism 7 and the cartridge storage shelf 3 is moved by rotating the belt 21. Needless to say, a configuration in which a motor is provided in 23 and the shelf movable unit 23 is self-propelled so that the shelf movable unit 23 can move independently exhibits the same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiment, and is included in the present invention.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the magnetic tape library apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which the accessor for transporting the magnetic tape cartridge can be moved in the three-axis direction, and the cartridge storage shelf for storing the magnetic tape cartridge can be moved in the width direction of the housing. With this configuration, multiple rows of cartridge storage shelves are arranged in the depth direction of the housing, and the accessor can access all the cartridge storage shelves, increasing the storage capacity of magnetic tape cartridges and increasing the storage efficiency. There is an effect that can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a schematic configuration plan view showing an embodiment of a magnetic tape library apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 1B is a schematic configuration front view thereof, and FIG. It is the schematic structure side view.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of the three-dimensional moving mechanism in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front view showing details of the shelf moving mechanism in FIG. 1;
4 is a side view showing details of a shelf movable part in FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the magnetic tape library apparatus;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit of the magnetic tape library apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the magnetic tape library apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a conventional magnetic tape library apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,100 Magnetic tape library apparatus 2,102 Magnetic tape drive 2a Tape slot 3,103 Cartridge storage shelf 3a Cell 4,104 Magnetic tape cartridge 5,105 Accessor 6,106 Library control part 7 Shelf moving mechanism 10 Picker hand 11 X movable Part 12 X rail 13 Y movable part 14 Y rail 15 Z movable part 16 Z guide 17 Accessor control part 20 Belt drive part 21 Belt 22 Shelf rail 23 Shelf movable part 30 Frame 30a, 32a Sawtooth part 31 Wheel 32 Belt fixing part 33 Actuator 40, 110 Case 51 Three-dimensional movement mechanism

Claims (11)

A case, a plurality of cartridge storage shelves for storing a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, a magnetic tape drive for recording / reproducing information with respect to the magnetic tape stored in the magnetic tape cartridge, and the magnetic tape cartridge are conveyed An accessor that inputs / extracts the magnetic tape drive or the cartridge storage shelf, an accessor control unit that controls the operation of the accessor, a shelf moving mechanism that moves the cartridge storage shelf mounted thereon, and the accessor control parts and the and a library control unit for controlling the rack moving mechanism, the accessor may have a three-dimensional movement mechanism that moves the Pikkahando in three directions, the three-dimensional moving mechanism, said housing with respect to width direction, the vertical direction, the magnetic tape live, characterized by have a means for moving in the depth direction Te Li equipment. The three-dimensional moving mechanism includes an X rail arranged in the width direction with respect to the housing, an X movable portion that is slidably mounted on the X rail in the width direction, and a vertical attachment to the X movable portion. A fixed Z guide, a Z movable part that is slidably mounted on the Z guide in the vertical direction, the picker hand that is fixedly attached to the Z movable part, and a depth direction at both ends of the casing in the width direction. A Y rail disposed and fixed to an upper portion of the housing, and a Y movable portion attached and fixed to both ends of the X rail and slidably mounted on the Y rail in a depth direction. claim 1 Symbol mounting tape library apparatus.   2. The magnetic tape library device according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge storage shelves are arranged in a row in the width direction of the housing and in a plurality of rows in the depth direction.   2. The cartridge storage shelves in the innermost row are fixedly installed in the housing, and the cartridge storage shelves other than the innermost row are fixedly installed in the shelf moving mechanism. Magnetic tape library device. The number of the cartridge storage rack columns provided in addition innermost part one row, any one of claims 1, 3, 4, characterized in that one less than the number of the cartridge storage rack provided in the deepest portion a row 2. A magnetic tape library device according to item 1.   The shelf moving mechanism is fixed to the housing, a shelf movable unit that fixes the cartridge storage shelf, a belt that moves the shelf movable unit in the width direction of the housing, a belt driving unit that drives the belt, and The magnetic tape library apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shelf rail on which the shelf movable unit is placed. The belt drive unit includes a motor, and the belt is driven by rotating the motor clockwise or counterclockwise to move the shelf movable unit in the width direction of the housing. The magnetic tape library apparatus according to claim 6 . The shelf movable portion includes a frame, a belt fixing portion for fixing the belt, an actuator for moving the belt fixing portion up and down, and a plurality of wheels provided on the frame and running on the shelf rail. The magnetic tape library apparatus according to claim 6 . The actuator is configured such that the belt is sandwiched and fixed between a sawtooth portion provided on the frame and a sawtooth portion of the belt fixing portion by moving the belt fixing portion upward. 9. The magnetic tape library device according to 8 .   2. The magnetic tape library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the library control unit controls operation of a belt driving unit and a shelf movable unit of the shelf moving mechanism.   2. The magnetic tape library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accessor control unit controls operations of the X movable unit, the Y movable unit, and the Z movable unit of the picker hand and the three-dimensional moving mechanism.

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