JP4602470B2 - Magnetic tape cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cartridge, and more particularly to a magnetic tape cartridge that rotatably accommodates a single reel wound with a magnetic tape in a cartridge case.

  Conventionally, a magnetic tape cartridge used as a recording medium used in an external storage device such as a computer is a type in which a magnetic tape is wound around a single reel and the reel is rotatably accommodated in a cartridge case. Things are known. This magnetic tape is used for data storage of computers, etc. and stores important information, so that it is configured so that troubles such as tape jamming do not occur and the magnetic tape is not pulled out carelessly. Yes.

  In addition, since various kinds of information are recorded on such a magnetic tape cartridge, in order to specify the content of the recorded information and the type of magnetic tape without reading the information from the magnetic tape, a memory is stored in the magnetic tape cartridge. An element is provided. Such a memory element is provided with a semiconductor chip, and information recorded on the magnetic tape is recorded by a non-contact method such as electromagnetic induction, and the content recorded on the memory element is similarly a non-contact method. Will be read out.

Microfilm of Japanese Utility Model Application No. 02-088450 (Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 04-0409384) JP-A-9-265759

  Such a memory element is provided on the surface of the magnetic tape cartridge or a portion that does not hinder the rotation of the reel in the cartridge case. In this case, in a recording / reproducing apparatus such as an external storage device using a magnetic tape cartridge, the memory element must be mounted at an angle required by the apparatus so that information can be read from and written to the memory element without any problem. There is.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a magnetic tape capable of mounting a memory element such that its upper surface forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface of the cartridge case in response to a request from a device using the magnetic tape cartridge. The object is to provide a cartridge.

The magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention is a magnetic tape cartridge including a cartridge case that rotatably accommodates a single reel wound with a magnetic tape by a lower case and an upper case that overlaps with the upper portion of the lower case.
The cartridge case includes holding means for holding the non-contact type memory element so that the upper surface of the memory element forms an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface of the cartridge case, and the holding means includes the lower case A lower surface abutting portion that contacts the lower surface of the memory element, and an upper surface abutting portion that is provided on the upper case and contacts the upper surface of the memory element,
The lower case includes a guide for guiding a lower end edge of the memory element dropped toward the holding means to a position held by the holding means.

  The guide is preferably provided on the bottom surface of the lower case.

  It is preferable that the upper surface contact portion protrudes inward of the cartridge case from the upper surface of the upper case.

  The non-contact type memory element is preferably a rectangular plate for convenience of installation.

  Here, the “upper surface of the memory element” is a surface on which information can be written to or read from the memory element, and the surface opposite to the upper surface is the lower surface.

  The “lower edge of the memory element” and the “upper edge of the memory element” are edges facing the lower case or the upper case of the memory element, and the “side edge” is the lower edge or the upper edge. It is the edge that faces the vertical side. “Abutting against the edge” includes both abutment with a region in the vicinity of the edge on the upper or lower surface of the memory element and / or abutment with the edge itself.

  Further, the holding means may attach an impact absorbing material to a portion that contacts the memory element.

  Here, the “impact absorber” means a cushion member that prevents the memory element from giving an impact when the cartridge is dropped on the floor. For example, it is a porous member having elasticity like urethane foam. Any cushioning material such as an adhesive resin or a material used for tile joints in a bath can be used.

  According to the magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention, the holding means for holding the non-contact type memory element so as to form an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface of the cartridge case is provided. It is possible to cope with a case where the upper surface of the memory element is required to form an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface of the cartridge case.

  The holding means includes a lower surface contact portion provided in the lower case and contacting the lower surface of the memory element, and an upper surface contact portion provided in the upper case and contacting the upper surface of the memory element. Is provided with a guide for guiding the lower end edge of the memory element dropped toward the holding means to a position held by the holding means, so that the upper surface of the memory element is 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface of the cartridge case. It can be attached to make an angle of.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the magnetic tape cartridge by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of MIC. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 1st reference example of a holding means. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the upper-lower-end edge contact part in the 1st reference example which is not included in this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of a 1st reference example. It is a figure which shows the other modification of a 1st reference example. It is a figure which shows the further another modification of a 1st reference example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 2nd reference example of a holding means. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the 2nd reference example. It is a figure which shows the other modification of a 2nd reference example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 3rd reference example of a holding means. It is a figure which shows the structure of the side edge up-and-down holding | maintenance part in a 3rd reference example. It is a figure which shows the shape of the groove part of the side edge lower holding part in a 3rd reference example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 4th reference example of a holding means. It is a figure which shows the modification of a 4th reference example. It is a figure which shows the structure of embodiment of the holding means which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a magnetic tape cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a magnetic tape cartridge 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a single reel 4 formed by joining a lower reel 5 and an upper reel 6 by ultrasonic welding and wound with a magnetic tape 20. The upper case 2 and the lower case 3 are rotatably accommodated in a cartridge case 7 formed by fastening with screws or the like.

  The lower reel 5 is formed by integrally molding a cylindrical reel hub 23 around which the magnetic tape 20 is wound and a flange portion 24 projecting radially from the lower end outer periphery of the reel hub 23 with a synthetic resin. A reel plate 8 is attached to the outer surface of the bottom portion of the reel hub 23 to join a magnet-type rotational drive means for rotationally driving the reel 4. A stopping gear 23A that is engaged with the gear 9A and restrains rotation when not in use is provided. The reel hub 23 has an opening 23B, through which a drive release spindle provided in a recording / reproducing device such as an external storage device using the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is inserted, and the brake button 9 is moved upward. .

  Here, the brake button 9 is formed with the above-described stopping gear 9A on the side facing the reel hub 23, and the brake guide projection formed on the upper case 2 is fitted on the opposite side. A groove 9B is formed. When the cartridge is not used, the brake button 9 is mounted inside the reel hub 23 while being urged downward in the figure by the coil spring 10, and the stop gears 9A and 23A between the brake button 9 and the reel hub 23 are engaged with each other. The rotation of 4 is prevented. On the other hand, when the cartridge is used, the drive release spindle of the magnetic tape device presses the brake button 9 to move the brake button 9 upward in the figure against the urging force of the coil spring 10, and thereby the stopping gear 9 </ b> A, The engagement of 23A is released and the reel 4 is rotatable.

  An opening 26 for pulling out the magnetic tape 20 is formed on one side wall of the cartridge case 7. A slide door 27 that can move in the direction of arrow A parallel to the side wall of the cartridge case 7 is attached to the opening 26. The slide door 27 is urged in a direction to close the opening 26 by a spring (not shown).

  When the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is not used, the magnetic tape 20 is completely wound around the reel 4, and the leader pin 21 attached to the end of the magnetic tape 20 (the recording / reproducing apparatus using the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is magnetic). The means for introducing the tape 20 into the tape running path in the apparatus is locked to a recess 28 formed in the vicinity of the opening 26.

  When the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is set in a corresponding recording / reproducing device such as an external recording device, the locking gears 9A and 23A between the brake button 9 and the reel hub 23 are released as described above, and the reel 4 Is rotatable, and a magnet-type rotational driving means is joined to the reel plate 8 to rotate the reel 4. At the same time, the slide door 27 is opened and the leader pin 21 is pulled into a predetermined position in the tape running path, so that data can be read from and written to the magnetic tape 20.

  On the other hand, a non-contact type memory element (Memory In Cartridge, hereinafter referred to as MIC) 30 for recording the contents of information recorded on the magnetic tape 20 is attached to the corner 7A in the cartridge case 7. Here, the MIC 30 is formed of a rectangular plate-shaped member as shown in FIG. 2, and information can be read and written from the upper surface 30A side by a method such as electromagnetic induction in a non-contact manner. Then, the upper surface 30A of the MIC 30 forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface of the cartridge case 7 so that the reading means provided in the recording / reproducing apparatus can read / write information from / to the MIC 30 without any problem. Is held in the cartridge case 7. As shown in FIG. 2, in MIC 30, 30B and 30C are an upper edge, a lower edge, 30D and 30E are side edges, and 30F is a lower surface. Hereinafter, the configuration of the holding means for holding the MIC 30 in the cartridge case 7 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first reference example of the holding means not included in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the first reference example of the holding means includes a lower end edge abutting portion 32 that is provided on the lower case 3 and contacts the lower end edge 30 </ b> C of the MIC 30, and an upper end of the MIC 30 that is provided on the upper case 2. The upper edge contact portion 31 is in contact with the edge 30B.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the lower edge contact portion 32 is provided on the bottom surface 3B of the lower case 3, and is parallel to the side wall 3A and has a length in the longitudinal direction of the MIC 30. And a convex part 34 that protrudes inward of the lower case 3 continuously from the concave part 33. The MIC 30 includes a surface 32a in contact with the lower end edge 30C and both end surfaces 33a and 33b of the recess 33. The surface 32a holds the lower end edge 30C of the MIC 30, and the both end surfaces 33a and 33b side edge 30D of the MIC 30. , 30E.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4A, the upper edge contact portion 31 protrudes from the side wall 2 </ b> A of the upper case 2 to the inside of the cartridge case 7, and has a surface 31 a that contacts the upper edge 30 </ b> B of the MIC 30. The upper surface 30A of the MIC 30 has a surface 31b in contact with a portion near the upper edge, and the upper surface 30B of the MIC 30 and its vicinity are held by these surfaces 31a and 31b.

  By configuring the holding means in this way, the MIC 30 can be attached such that the upper surface 30A forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface 3B of the cartridge case 7. Further, since the side edges 30D and 30E of the MIC 30 are held by the both end faces 33a and 33b of the recess 33, movement in the direction along the side wall 3A of the MIC 30 is prevented, and positioning of the MIC 30 is facilitated when the MIC 30 is assembled. It can be carried out.

  In addition, the shape of the upper end edge contact part 31 and the lower end edge contact part 32 in the first reference example may be, for example, a shape as illustrated in FIGS. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper edge contact portion 31 and the lower edge contact portion 32 may be configured to contact only the upper edge 30B and the lower edge 30C of the MIC 30 and not contact the upper surface 30A. it can. Thereby, a semiconductor can be provided up to the edge of the upper surface 30A of the MIC 30. Further, in the first reference example, the upper edge contact portion 31 can also be used as a rib for reinforcing the upper case 2, thereby eliminating the need to separately configure the holding means in the upper case 2. The magnetic tape cartridge 1 can be manufactured easily with a simple configuration.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, only the recess 33 having a length in the longitudinal direction of the MIC 30 is formed on the bottom surface 3B of the lower case 3 so as to hold the lower end edge 30C of the MIC 30. May be.

  Next, FIG. 8 is a view showing a second reference example of the holding means not included in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the second reference example of the holding means includes a lower end edge abutting portion 32 that is provided on the bottom surface 3B of the lower case and holds the lower end edge 30C of the MIC 30, and the upper side wall 3A of the lower case 3. The upper end edge abutting portion 31 is formed of a concave portion provided at the abutting portion with the case 2 and abutted against the upper end edge 30B of the MIC 30.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower edge contact portion 32 is provided on the bottom surface 3 </ b> B of the lower case 3, and is L-shaped and inverted to hold a part of the lower edge 30 </ b> C and the side edges 30 </ b> D and 30 </ b> E of the MIC 30. It consists of L-shaped members 32A and 32B. On the other hand, the upper edge contact portion 31 formed of a concave portion is formed in a portion of the side wall 3 </ b> A of the lower case 3 that contacts the upper case 2 and has a length slightly larger than the MIC 30. In addition, the upper end edge contact portion 31 is formed with a surface 31a in contact with the lower surface 30 on the upper end edge side of the MIC 30 and surfaces 31b and 31c in contact with the upper end edge sides of the side end edges 30D and 30E.

  By configuring the holding means in this way, the MIC 30 can be attached such that the upper surface 30A forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface 3B of the cartridge case 7. Further, since the side edge 30D, 30E of the MIC 30 is held by the surfaces 31b, 31c of the lower edge contact portion 32 and the upper edge contact portion 31, movement in the direction along the side wall 3A of the MIC 30 is prevented. The positioning of the MIC 30 can be easily performed. Further, since it is not necessary to newly provide a member for holding the upper edge 30B, the cartridge case 7 can be easily manufactured with a simple configuration.

  In the second reference example, the two members 32A and 32B are used as the lower edge contact portion 32. However, the MIC 30 can be held using only one member. Further, in the second reference example, the concave portion is formed only in the lower case 3, but as shown in FIG. 10, the concave portion formed in the lower case 3 is made shallower in the vertical direction and the upper case 2 is made shallower. Also, by forming the recess, the upper end edge 30B of the MIC 30 can be held by both the recesses.

  Next, FIG. 11 is a view showing a third reference example of the holding means not included in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the third reference example of the holding means is provided in the lower case 3 and provided in the upper case 2 and the side edge lower holding portion 41 that holds the side edges 30D and 30E of the MIC 30. The side end edge upper holding portion 42 that holds the side end edges 30D and 30E of the MIC 30.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 12A, the side edge lower holding portion 41 is erected at a boundary portion between the side wall 3 </ b> A and the bottom surface 3 </ b> B of the lower case 3 and is 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface 3 </ b> B of the lower case 3. The concave portions 45A and 45B into which the side edges 30D and 30E of the MIC 30 are fitted are formed on the surfaces 43A and 43B.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12B, the side edge upper holding portion 42 is erected at a boundary portion between the side wall 2 </ b> A and the upper surface 2 </ b> B of the upper case 2, and is 45 degrees with respect to the upper surface 2 </ b> B of the upper case 2. Consists of holding portions 42A and 42B having surfaces 44A and 44B that form angles, and recesses 46A and 46B into which the side edges 30D and 30E of the MIC 30 are fitted are formed on the surfaces 44A and 44B. In FIG. 12B, the side wall 2A is omitted. Then, the side edges 30D and 30E of the MIC 30 are fitted into the recesses 45A and 45B of the side edge lower holding portion 41 and the recesses 46A and 46B of the side edge upper holding portion 42 as shown in FIG. Thus, the MIC 30 is held by the holding members 41 and 42.

  In this case, the shape of the recesses 45A and 45B of the lower side edge lower holding portion 41 is such that the lower case 3 can be easily pulled out from the mold as shown in FIGS. It is preferable to do. Similarly, it is preferable that the concave portions 46A and 46B of the side edge upper holding portion 42 have a shape that can be easily extracted from the mold.

  By configuring the holding means in this way, the MIC 30 can be attached such that the upper surface 30A forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface 3B of the cartridge case 7. Further, since the side edges 30D and 30E of the MIC 30 are fitted into the recesses 45A, 45B, 46A and 46B of the holding portions 41 and 42, movement in the direction along the side wall 3A of the MIC 30 is prevented, and the MIC 30 The positioning can be easily performed at the time of assembly. Further, in the third reference example, the side edge lower holding portion 41 and the side edge upper holding portion 42 can also be used as ribs for reinforcing the lower case 3 and the upper case 2, thereby holding means. Therefore, the magnetic tape cartridge 1 can be easily manufactured with a simple configuration.

  Further, in the third reference example, the concave portions 46A and 46B are formed in the side edge upper holding portion 42, but the depth of the concave portions 45A and 45B of the side edge lower holding portion 41 is substantially the same as the thickness of the MIC 30. Thus, the concave portions 46A and 46B of the side edge upper holding portion 42 can be omitted.

  Next, FIG. 14 is a view showing a fourth reference example of the holding means not included in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the fourth reference example of the holding means is provided in the lower case 3, the lower edge contact portion 32 that contacts the lower edge 30 </ b> C of the MIC 30, and the upper case 2 and the lower case 3. The upper edge contact portion 31 is in contact with the upper edge 30B of the MIC 30, and both the upper edge contact portion 31 and the lower edge contact portion 32 are formed of an impact absorbing material.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 14, the lower edge contact portion 32 is provided on the bottom surface 3B of the lower case 3 and is formed of a recess that is parallel to the side wall 3A and has a length in the longitudinal direction of the MIC 30. The lower end edge 30C of the MIC 30 and the lower surface 30F of the MIC 30 are in contact with the vicinity of the lower end edge. The lower end edge abutting portion 32 has an inward height of the cartridge case 7 and holds the lower end edge 30C of the MIC 30 and its vicinity away from the bottom surface 3B of the cartridge case 7.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, the upper edge contact portion 31 protrudes from the side wall 2A of the upper case 2 to the inside of the cartridge case 7 and contacts the upper edge 30B of the MIC 30 and the portion near the upper edge on the upper surface 30A. The member 31A includes a member 31B that protrudes inward of the cartridge case 7 from the side wall 3A of the lower case 3 and abuts on a portion near the upper edge of the lower surface 30F of the MIC 30. Both members 31A and 31B have an inward height of the cartridge case 7, and hold the upper end edge 30B of the MIC 30 and its vicinity away from the side walls 2A and 3A of the cartridge case 7.

  By configuring the holding means in this way, the MIC 30 can be attached such that the upper surface 30A forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface 3B of the cartridge case 7. The upper edge contact portion 31 and the lower edge contact portion 32 are both formed of an impact absorbing material, and the members 31A and 31B and the lower edge contact portion 32 of the upper edge contact portion 31 are both cartridge case 7. Since the MIC 30 is held away from the cartridge case 7, the memory element can be protected from shocks applied to the case from the outside, whereby the memory element is caused by vibration or dropping of the case. Can be prevented from being damaged. When the holding means does not contact the side edge 30D or 30E of the MIC 30, a stopper member that contacts the side edges 30D and 30E is provided so that the MIC 30 does not move in the longitudinal direction. Also good.

  Further, the shapes of the upper edge contact portion 31 and the lower edge contact portion 32 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 14 described above, and may be any shape as shown in FIG. it can. Further, as shown in FIGS. 15B and 15C, a member 32B that contacts the entire lower surface 30F of the MIC 30 may be provided, and as shown in FIG. A holding member 35 in which the contact portion 32 is integrated may be provided.

  Next, an embodiment of the holding means according to the present invention will be described. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment of the holding means, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 1 in a state where the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is assembled. As shown in FIG. 16, the embodiment of the holding means is provided in the lower case 3 and contacts the upper end edge contact portion 31 that contacts the upper end edge 30 </ b> B of the MIC 30, and the upper case 2 contacts the upper surface 30 </ b> A of the MIC 30. The upper surface contact portion 36 is in contact with the lower case 3, and the lower surface contact portion 37 is in contact with the lower surface 30 </ b> F of the MIC 30. The lower case 3 is further provided with a guide plate 50 (guide) for guiding the lower end edge 30C of the MIC 30.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 17, the upper edge contact portion 31 protrudes from the side wall 3 </ b> A of the lower case 3 to the inside of the cartridge case 7, and has a surface that contacts a portion near the upper edge of the lower surface 30 </ b> F of the MIC 30. The lower surface abutting portion 37 protrudes from the bottom surface 3B of the lower case 3 and has a surface in contact with the lower surface 30F of the MIC 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the upper surface abutting portion 36 projects from the upper surface 2 </ b> B of the upper case 2 to the inside of the cartridge case 7, and includes a surface 36 a that contacts the upper surface 30 </ b> A of the MIC 30. As shown in FIG. 17, the guide plate 50 protrudes from the bottom surface 3 </ b> B of the lower case 3, and the MIC 30 dropped toward the upper edge contact portion 31 and the lower surface contact portion 37 is inserted into both contact portions 31. , 37 is provided with an inclined surface 50a that guides to a position held by it.

  By configuring the holding means in this way, the MIC 30 can be removed from the cartridge case 7 by simply dropping the cartridge case 7 from a position where the upper surface 30A is kept substantially horizontal while the bottom surface 3B of the cartridge case 7 is horizontal. It can be attached at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface 3B, and the upper surface contact portion 36 holds the MIC 30 from above, and the upper surface 30A forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface 3B of the cartridge case 7. It can be securely held in position.

  The lower surface abutting portion 37 may have a shape that abuts on the entire lower surface 30F of the MIC 30, and the guide plate 50 has an inclined surface 50a having a width in the longitudinal direction of the MIC 30 and guides the entire lower end edge 30C of the MIC 30. It is good also as a shape to do.

  In the first to third reference examples of the holding means described above and the embodiment of the present invention, an impact absorbing material may be attached to a portion of the holding means that contacts the MIC 30.

  Furthermore, in the first to fourth reference examples of the holding means described above and the embodiment of the present invention, there is a possibility that a slight backlash may occur when holding the MIC 30, so the MIC 30 is fixed to the holding means with an adhesive. You may make it eliminate backlash.

  The holding means in the present invention is not limited to that of the above-described embodiment, and may be various as long as the upper surface 30A of the MIC 30 can be held at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface 3B of the cartridge case 7. It can take the structure of. For example, in the above embodiment, the upper edge 30B and the lower edge 30C of the MIC 30 are provided in parallel to the side walls 2A and 3A of the cases 2 and 3, but as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the side walls 2A and 3A may be provided at an angle of 45 degrees. Further, the position where the MIC 30 is provided is not limited to the corner 7A of the cartridge case 7, but may be provided at another corner.

1 Magnetic Tape Cartridge 2 Upper Case 3 Lower Case 4 Reel 7 Cartridge Case 30 MIC
31 Upper edge contact portion 32 Lower edge contact portion 36 Upper surface contact portion 37 Lower surface contact portion 41 Side edge lower holding portion 42 Side edge upper holding portion 50 Guide plate

Claims (3)

In a magnetic tape cartridge having a cartridge case that rotatably accommodates a single reel wound with a magnetic tape by a lower case and an upper case that is superimposed on the upper part of the lower case.
The cartridge case includes a holding means for holding the non-contact type memory element so that the upper surface of the memory element forms an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface of the cartridge case,
The holding means includes a lower surface contact portion that is provided on the lower case and contacts the lower surface of the memory element, and an upper surface contact portion that is provided on the upper case and contacts the upper surface of the memory element. ,
The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the lower case includes a guide for guiding a lower end edge of the memory element dropped toward the holding means to a position held by the holding means.   2. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the guide protrudes from the bottom surface of the lower case.   3. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface abutting portion protrudes inward of the cartridge case from the upper surface of the upper case.

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