JP4884517B2 - Tape cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a reel lock mechanism that locks a tape reel around which a recording tape such as a magnetic tape is wound when it is not used, while allowing the tape reel to rotate by releasing the lock when used. The present invention relates to a tape cartridge.

  Conventionally, when not in use, the tape reel is locked so as not to rotate so that the tape reel does not loosen and loosen when it is not used, while in use, the reel is released to allow the tape reel to rotate. A tape cartridge having a lock mechanism is known.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tape cartridge provided with a reel lock mechanism having a tape reel around which a recording tape is wound and a reel presser that locks the tape reel so as not to rotate. In this tape cartridge, a tape reel is rotatably accommodated in a casing formed by joining an upper case and a lower case, and a reel presser is disposed in the hub of the tape reel. Gear-like locked teeth are provided on the upper surface (inner surface) of the bottom wall of the hub. The reel presser has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a lock tooth that meshes with a locked tooth of the hub is formed on the bottom surface (outer surface) of the bottom wall. In addition, four L-shaped ribs as guide ribs are projected upward on the upper surface (inner surface) of the bottom wall of the reel retainer. The guide ribs form a substantially cross-shaped shape and have a slide groove that opens upward. Is formed. By inserting a guide projection protruding downward from the inner surface of the upper case into the slide groove, the reel presser can be slid in the vertical direction and cannot be relatively rotated.

  In the tape cartridge configured as described above, when not in use, the reel presser is urged downward, so that the lock teeth on the lower surface of the reel presser and the locked teeth of the tape reel are engaged, and the tape reel is It is locked so that it cannot rotate. On the other hand, in use, when the drive gear of the drive shaft meshes with the driven gear formed on the lower surface of the hub, the reel presser is pushed up, and the lock teeth of the reel presser and the locked teeth of the tape reel Is released (unlocked), and rotation of the tape reel is allowed.

JP-A-11-238351

  By the way, in such a tape cartridge, in order to allow the reel presser to slide in the vertical direction, a gap is formed between the guide rib and the guide projection, and when the gap is larger than necessary, the reel presser is, for example, When it is pushed upward, there is a case where it is inclined greatly, and the lock teeth of the reel presser and the locked teeth of the tape reel remain engaged, and the unlocking may be incomplete. If the tape reel is driven to rotate by the drive shaft when this unlocking is incomplete, the lock teeth and the locked teeth will hit, causing abnormal noise, or the teeth of the lock and locked teeth may be lost. There is a risk of doing. Therefore, the gap between the guide rib and the guide protrusion is set to an appropriate gap so that the reel presser does not tilt greatly.

  However, the reel presser integrally formed with the guide rib and the upper case integrally formed with the guide projection are generally formed by molding a synthetic resin with a mold, and usually shrinkage occurs. Here, the gap between the guide rib and the guide protrusion is set in advance in consideration of such molding shrinkage, but the actual molding shrinkage differs from the design depending on the molding conditions, resin lot, etc. There may be variations in the dimensions of the molded product. As a result, the gap between the guide rib and the guide projection becomes larger than the set size, and the reel presser may be greatly inclined, and the unlocking may be incomplete. In particular, when molding a reel presser or the like with a resin material having a relatively large molding shrinkage (for example, a resin material excellent in low friction and wear resistance in consideration of slidability), the aforementioned variation is large. Accordingly, the size of the gap between the guide rib and the guide protrusion tends to increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tape cartridge that can reliably unlock the tape reel even if the accuracy of forming the reel presser and the upper case varies. Is to provide.

  In the first invention, the tape cartridge is formed by joining a tape reel provided with a locked tooth and an upper case and a lower case, and is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. And a reel presser having a lock tooth which is provided between the casing and the upper case and the tape reel, and meshes with the locked tooth, and a latch provided in each of the upper case and the reel presser. A first engaging portion that engages with each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, whereby the reel presser is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the upper case and is relatively non-rotatable; Engaging means provided on each of the upper case and the reel presser, and the engaging parts engage with each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. And a second engaging means that enables the reel presser to move at least in the vertical direction with respect to the upper case, and the reel presser is biased downward along the vertical direction when not in use. By doing so, the lock teeth and the locked teeth mesh with each other, thereby locking the tape reel in a non-rotatable state, while in use, by being pushed up against the biasing force, The engagement between the lock teeth and the locked teeth is released, thereby allowing the tape reel to rotate, and at least one of the upper case and the reel presser is engaged with the first and second engaging means. The shrinking direction accompanying the molding of the engaging part of the upper case and the engaging part of the reel holder in the first engaging means, which is molded by die molding so that the joint part is integrally molded. The relative position with respect to the second engaging means is set to be opposite to the relative position of the engaging portion of the upper case and the engaging portion of the reel presser with respect to the contraction direction accompanying the molding. Has been.

  Here, when defining the “shrinkage direction accompanying molding”, for example, with respect to the radial direction around the rotation axis, the direction from the outside in the radial direction to the inside corresponds to the “shrinkage direction accompanying molding”. Regarding the circumferential direction around the rotation axis, when considering two members (integrated members) aligned in the circumferential direction, the direction in which the two members approach each other is the “shrinkage direction associated with molding” Correspond. In addition, the “relative position with respect to the shrinking direction accompanying the molding” between the engaging portion of the upper case and the engaging portion of the reel presser is relatively outside in the radial direction when the engaging portions are aligned in the radial direction. The engagement portion located in the direction corresponds to the engagement portion located relatively outward in the contraction direction, and the engagement portion located relatively inward in the radial direction is relatively inward in the contraction direction. It corresponds to the engaging part located in the direction. Further, when the engaging part of the upper case and the engaging part of the reel presser are arranged in the circumferential direction, for example, when the engaging part of the reel presser approaches the engaging part of the upper case due to the shrinkage of the reel presser, The reel presser engaging portion corresponds to an engaging portion positioned relatively outward in the contracting direction, and the upper case engaging portion corresponds to an engaging portion positioned relatively inward in the contracting direction. . Conversely, when the reel presser's contraction causes the reel presser's engaging part to move away from the upper case's engaging part, the reel presser's engaging part is positioned relatively inward in the contracting direction. The upper case engaging portion corresponds to an engaging portion positioned relatively outward in the contraction direction. That is, in both the radial direction and the circumferential direction, the engaging portion that moves in a direction approaching the other engaging portion as the mold shrinks is an engaging portion that is located outward in the shrinking direction. The engaging portion that moves in a direction away from the other engaging portion with the contraction is an engaging portion located inward of the contracting direction.

  According to this configuration, the reel presser is provided by the first and second engaging means, more specifically, the engaging portion (of the first and second engaging means) provided on the upper case and the reel presser. The provided engaging portions (of the first and second engaging means) engage with each other with a space therebetween, so that they can be moved in the vertical direction with respect to the upper case and cannot be rotated relative to each other. Is done. Thus, when the tape cartridge is not used, the reel presser lock tooth and the tape reel locked tooth mesh with each other to lock the tape reel so that it cannot rotate. By being pushed upward, the engagement between the lock teeth and the locked teeth is released, and the lock of the tape reel is released.

  Here, either or both of the upper case and the reel presser are formed by molding (for example, using synthetic resin) so that the engaging portions of the first and second engaging means are integrally formed. And thereby mold shrinkage can occur. Therefore, the shrinkage amount can vary.

  Thus, in the above configuration, the relative position of the upper case engagement portion and the reel presser engagement portion in the first engagement means with respect to the contraction direction is determined by the engagement of the upper case in the second engagement means. It is set so as to be opposite to the relative position with respect to the contraction direction of the engaging portion of the reel presser and the reel presser. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the first engaging means has the reel presser engaging portion located at an outer position in the contraction direction with respect to the upper case engaging portion. In this case, in the second engaging means, the engaging portion of the reel presser is positioned at the inner position in the contraction direction with respect to the engaging portion of the upper case. In this precondition, the reel presser is molded by die molding and the contraction amount is smaller than the design contraction amount, that is, the dimension of the molded product is larger than the design dimension. At this time, the engaging portion of the first engaging means formed integrally with the reel presser is located at the outer position in the shrinking direction with respect to the engaging portion of the upper case. Although it moves in a direction approaching the engaging portion of the upper case, it does not move to a predetermined position because the amount of contraction is small. As a result, the engaging portion of the reel presser and the upper case in the first engaging means The gap with the engaging portion becomes larger than the design.

  On the other hand, since the engaging portion of the second engaging means formed integrally with the reel presser is located at an inward position in the shrinking direction with respect to the engaging portion of the upper case, it is accompanied by molding shrinkage. Although it moves in a direction away from the engaging portion of the upper case, as described above, it does not move to a predetermined position because the amount of contraction is small. The gap with the engaging portion of the case is smaller than the design.

  On the contrary, the case where the amount of shrinkage of the reel presser becomes larger than the design and the dimension of the molded product becomes smaller than the design dimension will be considered. At this time, the engaging portion of the second engaging means that is integrally formed with the reel presser and is positioned inward in the contracting direction moves away from the engaging portion of the upper case in accordance with the forming contraction. Therefore, the clearance between the engaging portion of the reel presser and the engaging portion of the upper case in the second engaging means becomes larger than the design due to the contraction amount larger than the design. However, the engaging portion of the first engaging means that is integrally formed with the reel presser and is located at the inner position in the contracting direction is closer to the engaging portion of the upper case as the mold contracts. Due to the movement, the clearance between the engagement portion of the reel presser and the engagement portion of the upper case in the first engagement means becomes smaller than the design by the contraction amount larger than the design.

  Therefore, even if the amount of molding shrinkage varies and the gap between one engaging portion of the first and second engaging means becomes large, the gap between the other engaging portions can become small. . For this reason, the reel presser has a high positional accuracy by at least one of the first and second engaging means regardless of variations in the amount of shrinkage at the time of molding shrinkage, and tilts greatly when moving in the vertical direction. Can be reliably avoided. As a result, the tape reel can be reliably unlocked.

  Contrary to the above, the reel presser engaging portion of the first engaging means is located at an inward position in the contraction direction with respect to the upper case engaging portion, and the second engaging member Even when the engaging portion of the reel presser is located at the outer position in the contracting direction with respect to the engaging portion of the upper case, as described above, regardless of the variation in the contraction amount of the reel presser. The first and second engaging means ensure the positional accuracy of the reel presser and can move in the vertical direction without being greatly inclined. In addition, when the upper case is molded by mold forming and the amount of shrinkage thereof varies, the reel presser and the upper case are each molded by mold molding and the amount of shrinkage is the same as described above. Even when variations occur, the position accuracy of the reel presser can be ensured by the first and second engaging means, as described above.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the engagement portion provided on either the upper case or the reel presser in the first engagement means has a cross shape centered on the rotation shaft. The engagement portion provided on the other side has an engagement piece provided to form, and the engagement portion provided on the other side is a cross-shaped slide groove centered on the rotation shaft, in which the engagement piece is slidable in the vertical direction. So as to form an engagement wall provided side by side in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis, and provided on the upper case and the reel presser in the second engagement means. The engaging portion is arranged to be adjacent to the engaging piece and the engaging wall of the first engaging means in a radial direction around the rotation axis at a position different from the circumferential direction.

  According to this configuration, the first engagement means having the engagement piece and the engagement wall (slide groove) allows the engagement piece to slide in the vertical direction. While allowing movement, when the reel presser is going to rotate relatively, the engagement piece arranged to form a cross and the engagement wall forming the slide groove interfere with each other, so that the relative rotation Is blocked. This configuration is advantageous in stabilizing the vertical movement of the reel presser. The engagement wall is adjacent to both sides in the circumferential direction with the engagement piece interposed therebetween, and the engagement wall moves in a direction approaching the engagement piece when contracting and deforming. The engaging piece is a member positioned inward in the contraction direction.

  According to a third invention, in the second invention, the upper case and the engagement portion of the second engagement means are connected to the engagement wall of the first engagement means so as to be integrated. It is provided on the other side of the reel presser.

  In this way, when the members provided with the engaging walls of the first engaging means and the engaging portions of the second engaging means are integrally formed by molding, the engagement walls Since the engaging portions are connected to each other and integrated with each other and are not independent of each other, for example, when the mold is removed, the engaging wall and the engaging portion are prevented from falling down. Therefore, the said structure is advantageous when shape | molding reliably, without destroying the shape of an engaging wall and an engaging part.

  As described above, the tape cartridge of the present invention includes the second engagement means in addition to the first engagement means for enabling the reel presser to move in the vertical direction with respect to the upper case, In the first engagement means, the relative position of the upper case engagement portion and the reel presser engagement portion with respect to the contraction direction is defined as the second case engagement means between the upper case engagement portion and the reel presser. Even if variations occur in the amount of molding shrinkage during molding of the reel presser and / or the upper case, the first and second at least Since the reel presser can be stably moved in the vertical direction by one of the engaging means, the tape reel can be reliably unlocked.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the magnetic tape cartridge at the time of non-use. It is a perspective view of the upper case concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the reel presser concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the engagement state of the guide protrusion and guide rib in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the engagement state of a control protrusion and a control rib. It is sectional drawing of the magnetic tape cartridge at the time of use. 10 is a perspective view of a reel presser having a regulating rib according to Modification 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the engagement state of the engagement state of the guide protrusion and the guide rib, and the engagement state of the restriction protrusion and the restriction rib according to Modification 1. 10 is a perspective view of a reel presser having a regulating rib according to Modification 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the engagement state of the guide protrusion and guide rib, and the engagement state of the control protrusion and the control rib which concerns on the modification 2. FIG. It is a perspective view of the upper case concerning Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the reel presser concerning Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the engagement state of the guide protrusion and guide rib in Embodiment 2 of this invention, and the engagement state of a control protrusion and a control pin.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic tape cartridge 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic tape cartridge 1 when not in use.

  The magnetic tape cartridge 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has, for example, one reel (single reel) conforming to the LTO (Linear Tape Open) standard used as a storage device for backing up recorded data recorded in an electronic computer. A reel type cartridge type information recording medium. 1 and 2, the magnetic tape cartridge 1 includes a casing 2, a tape reel 3, a magnetic tape 30 (not shown in FIG. 1), a lock release tool 4, a reel presser 5, a spring 6, a cartridge memory 24, and a write A protect plug 25 is provided. The magnetic tape cartridge 1 constitutes a tape cartridge, and the magnetic tape 30 constitutes a recording tape.

  The casing 2 is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped by fastening an upper case 21 and a lower case 22 each formed in a shallow dish shape having a square shape in plan view with screws. The upper case 21 and the lower case 22 are formed, for example, by molding a synthetic resin. However, the material of the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 is not limited to this. As will be described in detail later, the tape reel 3 is accommodated in the casing 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis X extending in the vertical direction.

  The casing 2 is formed with a tape outlet 2a at one of the four corners for drawing the magnetic tape 30 wound around the tape reel 3 to the outside. The tape outlet 2a is closed with a thin lid 23 so that it can be opened and closed. The lid 23 is biased in the direction of closing the tape outlet 2a via the spring 23a.

  Furthermore, a memory accommodating portion 2b partitioned by arc-shaped ribs is formed at another portion of the four corners of the casing 2. A cartridge memory 24 is accommodated in the memory accommodating portion 2b. The cartridge memory 24 stores manufacturing information and usage history information of the magnetic tape cartridge 1.

  Furthermore, the plug accommodating part 2c divided by the flat rib is formed in another part of the four corners of the casing 2. A write protect plug 25 is accommodated in the plug accommodating portion 2c. The write protect plug 25 is for preventing erroneous erasure of data recorded on the magnetic tape cartridge 1. The write protect plug 25 is accommodated in the plug accommodating portion 2c so as to be slidable between a data erasure permission position and a data erasure prohibition position.

  On the inner surface of the upper case 21, as shown in FIG. 3, as engaging means for engaging with the reel presser 5, it is arranged in a cross shape at substantially the center (on the rotation axis X of the tape reel 3). Guide protrusions 21 a made up of four engaging pieces are provided so as to protrude from the inner surface of the upper case 21. In the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X of the tape reel 3, the restricting protrusions 21b are projected between the engaging pieces of the guide protrusions 21a so as to protrude from the inner surface of the upper case 21 in the same manner as the guide protrusions 21a. Is provided. The guide projection 21 a and the regulation projection 21 b protrude downward from the inner surface of the upper case 21 in the casing 2 in which the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 are combined. These four restricting protrusions 21b, 21b,... And the guide protrusion 21a have a substantially “rice” character. The guide projection 21a constitutes the upper case side engaging portion of the first engaging means, and the four restricting projections 21b, 21b,... Constitute the upper case side engaging portion of the second engaging means, respectively. is doing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a gear opening 22 a for exposing a driven gear 31 c (to be described later) of the tape reel 3 to the outside is formed in the lower case 22 as shown in FIGS.

  The tape reel 3 includes a cylindrical hub 31, an upper flange 32 provided at the upper end of the hub 31, a lower flange 33 provided at the lower end of the hub 31, and a lower flange 33. And a metal suction plate 34 attached to the. The hub 31, the upper flange 32, and the lower flange 33 are made of synthetic resin. More specifically, the hub 31 and the lower flange 33 are integrally formed. The upper flange 32 is ultrasonically welded to the upper end of the hub 31 formed integrally with the lower flange 33.

  The hub 31 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape whose upper end side (namely, upper flange side) is open and whose lower end side (namely, lower flange side) is closed. A magnetic tape 30 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the hub 31.

  On the upper surface (inner surface) of the bottom wall of the hub 31, three arc-shaped ribs 31b (only one is shown in FIG. 1 and only two are shown in FIG. 2) are spaced on the same circumference. Projected in a line. Gear-like locked teeth 31a are formed on the upper surfaces of the ribs 31b. On the bottom wall of the hub 31, an opening into which a later-described claw portion 43 of the unlocking tool 4 is inserted on the radially outer side of the portion between the adjacent ribs 31 b, that is, the portion where the rib 31 b is not provided. 31d is formed through.

  A suction plate 34 is attached to the center of the bottom wall lower surface (outer surface) of the hub 31. Further, a driven gear 31 c is formed in an annular shape on the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface of the bottom wall of the hub 31. The opening 31d is opened in a portion of the bottom wall where the driven gear 31c is formed, and the claw portion 43 of the unlocking tool 4 protrudes from the opening 31d to the bottom surface of the bottom wall of the hub 31. Become.

  The tape reel 3 configured in this manner is arranged with the lower flange 33 in contact with the lower case 22. Thus, the driven gear 31 c and the suction plate 34 are exposed to the outside of the casing 2 through the gear opening 22 a of the lower case 22. As will be described in detail later, when the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is loaded in the tape drive, the suction plate 34 is magnetically attracted to the drive shaft of the tape drive motor so that the drive gear of the drive shaft is engaged with the driven gear 31c. It has become.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the reel presser 5 has a flat bottomed cylindrical shape that opens upward, and its outer diameter is set smaller than the inner diameter of the hub 31 of the tape reel 3. Yes. As a result, the reel presser 5 is disposed in the hub 31. The reel presser 5 is formed by die-molding a synthetic resin excellent in wear resistance and slipperiness such as polyacetal. However, the material of the reel presser 5 is not limited to this. In addition, a guide rib 51 projects from the center of the bottom wall upper surface (inner surface) of the reel presser 5. The guide rib 51 has four engagement walls 51a, 51a,... That are provided side by side in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis X. Adjacent engaging walls 51a and 51a are connected by a connecting wall 51b. Thus, the guide rib 51 is a cross-shaped frame, and a cross-shaped slide groove 53 opening upward is formed by the cross-shaped frame. Further, outside the frame of the guide rib 51, an arc-shaped regulating rib 52 is provided between the engaging wall 51a and the engaging wall 51a so as to connect the engaging wall 51a and the engaging wall 51a. . That is, the guide rib 51 and the four regulating ribs 52, 52,... Are formed so as to be integrated. Thus, when the guide rib 51 and the four regulating ribs 52, 52,... Are molded, for example, when the mold is removed, the guide ribs 51, particularly the regulating ribs 52, 52,. It can be surely molded without breaking. Further, the guide rib 51 and the four regulating ribs 52, 52,... Are formed in a thin shape having substantially the same thickness. This can prevent the occurrence of sink marks in the synthetic resin when the guide rib 51 and the four regulating ribs 52, 52,. The guide rib 51 constitutes the engaging portion on the reel presser side of the first engaging means, and the four regulating ribs 52, 52,... Constitute the engaging portion on the reel presser side of the second engaging means. ing. The slide groove 53 has the same shape as the guide protrusion 21 a of the upper case 21, and the guide protrusion 21 a is inserted through the upward opening of the slide groove 53. At this time, the guide protrusion 21a and the guide rib 51 are aligned with a gap S1 in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. Here, the gap S1 is set to a preset design dimension. Thus, the reel presser 5 is slidable in the vertical direction and is not relatively rotatable by the engagement of the guide rib 51 and the guide protrusion 21a. At this time, the restricting protrusion 21b and the restricting rib 52 are arranged in the radial direction with a gap S2 therebetween, and the restricting protrusion 21b and the restricting rib 52 also allow the reel presser 5 to move in the vertical direction. Yes. Here, the size of the gap S2 is also set to the same design dimension as the gap S1. Further, gear-shaped lock teeth 54 are formed on the bottom wall lower surface (outer surface) of the reel presser 5. The lock teeth 54 are formed so as to mesh with the locked teeth 31 a of the hub 31 of the tape reel 3.

  The spring 6 is a coil spring disposed between the inner surface of the upper case 21 and the bottom wall of the reel presser 5. The inner diameter of the spring 6 is such that the guide protrusion 21 a, the restriction protrusion 21 b, the guide rib 51, and the restriction rib 52 are outside. It is set to the extent that surrounds. That is, the spring 6 is disposed between the upper case 21 and the reel presser 5 so as to surround the guide protrusion 21a, the restriction protrusion 21b, the guide rib 51, and the restriction rib 52 from the outer periphery. The spring 6 is contracted and deformed by joining the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 to urge the reel presser 5 downward (on the bottom wall side of the tape reel 3).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reel presser 5 biased downward in this way presses the tape reel 3 downward in a state where the lock teeth 54 are engaged with the locked teeth 31 a of the tape reel 3. At this time, the reel presser 5 is in a state in which the guide rib 51 is engaged with the guide protrusion 21 a of the upper case 21 and cannot rotate with respect to the upper case 21. The tape reel 3 meshed with the teeth 54 is also locked so as not to rotate. The magnetic tape cartridge 1 is in this state when not in use.

  The unlocking tool 4 has a main body 41 and three arm portions 42, 42, 42 extending radially from the main body 41. A claw portion 43 that is bent and extends downward is formed at the tip of each arm portion 42. The lock release tool 4 has a main body 41 disposed between the reel presser 5 and the bottom wall of the hub 31. At this time, the arm portions 42, 42, 42 of the unlocking tool 4 extend between the rib 31 b on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the hub 31 and the rib 31 b, and the lock teeth 54 of the reel presser 5 are covered by the hub 31. When engaged with the lock teeth 31a, the claw portion 43 at the tip of each arm portion 42 is inserted into the opening 31d. The lock release tool 4 is in this state when the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is not used, and does not affect the meshing state of the lock teeth 54 of the reel presser 5 and the locked teeth 31a of the hub 31. On the other hand, as will be described in detail later, when the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is loaded into the tape drive, that is, in use, the unlocking tool 4 is pushed upward as shown in FIG. The reel presser 5 is pushed up against the urging force of the spring 6 by the unlocking tool 4 pushed upward. When the reel presser 5 is pushed up, the engagement between the lock teeth 54 of the reel presser 5 and the locked teeth 31a of the hub 31 is released, and the rotation of the tape reel 3 is allowed.

  The operation when the magnetic tape cartridge 1 configured in this manner is loaded into a tape drive (not shown) (during use) will be described.

  First, when the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is inserted into the tape drive, the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is loaded at a predetermined loading position in the tape drive.

  The tape drive is provided with a motor as a drive unit that rotationally drives the tape reel 3, and a drive gear that meshes with the driven gear 31 c of the tape reel 3 is formed at the tip of the drive shaft S of the motor. Yes. When the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is loaded at the loading position, the driving gear at the tip of the driving shaft S of the motor enters the casing 2 from the gear opening 22a of the lower case 22 and meshes with the driven gear 31c of the tape reel 3. To do. At this time, the drive gear pushes up the three claws 43, 43, 43 of the unlocking tool 4 protruding from the bottom wall of the hub 31 and mixed with the teeth of the driven gear 31c, as shown in FIG. Thus, the lock release tool 4 itself is pushed upward. The unlocking tool 4 pushed upward pushes the reel presser 5 against the urging force of the spring 6. When the reel presser 5 is pushed up in this way, the engagement between the lock teeth 54 of the reel presser 5 and the locked teeth 31a of the hub 31 is released (unlocked), and the tape reel 3 can be rotated. Then, the tape reel 3, the lock release tool 4, and the reel presser 5 are integrally pushed up from the lower case 22 to a predetermined height position by the drive shaft S. When the motor is operated in this state, the tape reel 3 is rotationally driven through the drive shaft.

  When the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is loaded at the loading position, the magnetic tape 30 wound around the tape reel 3 is pulled out to the take-up reel on the tape drive side by the tape drive pull-out mechanism. Then, the take-up reel is driven to rotate in synchronization with the tape reel 3, whereby the magnetic tape 30 is taken up from the tape reel 3 to the take-up reel. Thus, while the magnetic tape 30 is pulled out from the magnetic tape cartridge 1 and wound on the take-up tape, information is recorded on the magnetic tape 30 and / or information on the magnetic tape 30 by the magnetic head of the tape drive. Is played.

  Further, when the magnetic tape 30 taken up on the take-up reel is taken up again on the tape reel 3 of the magnetic tape cartridge 1, the motor is driven to rotate in the direction opposite to that when the magnetic tape 30 is taken up on the take-up reel.

  Next, functions and effects of the magnetic tape cartridge 1 will be described.

  When the reel presser 5 is pushed up by the drive shaft S via the lock release tool 4 at the time of unlocking, there is a gap S1 between the guide projection 21a of the upper case 21 and the guide rib 51 of the reel presser 5, and therefore the vertical direction You can lean against. If the reel presser 5 is greatly inclined, the lock teeth 54 of the reel presser 5 and the locked teeth 31a of the tape reel 3 may come into contact with each other, and the unlocking may be incomplete. If the tape reel 3 is rotationally driven by the drive shaft S when the unlocking is incomplete, the locking tooth 54 and the locked tooth 31a hit each other, and an abnormal noise is generated or the locking tooth 54 and the locked tooth are locked. There is a possibility that the tooth of the tooth 31a may be lost. For this reason, the design dimension of the gap S1 is set to such a size that the reel presser 5 does not tilt significantly. Here, as described above, the upper case 21 and the reel presser 5 are formed by synthetic resin mold molding, and molding shrinkage occurs in the molded product. Therefore, the design dimension of the gap S1 is determined in consideration of this molding shrinkage. However, the upper case 21 and the reel presser 5 have different molding shrinkage ratios depending on the molding conditions and the like. Therefore, the dimensions of the upper case 21 and the reel presser 5 may vary, and may be larger or smaller than the design dimension. In particular, since the reel presser 5 is formed of polyacetal having a relatively large molding shrinkage rate, variations in dimensions are likely to occur.

  Here, the direction of molding shrinkage of the upper case 21 and the reel presser 5 will be described with reference to FIG. With respect to the radial direction, the direction from the outside toward the inside corresponds to the contraction direction, and in the upper case 21 in which the guide projection 21a and the regulation projection 21b are integrally formed, the regulation projection 21b is accompanied by molding shrinkage. Will move inward in the radial direction. On the other hand, in the reel presser 5 in which the guide rib 51 and the regulating rib 52 are integrally molded, the regulating rib 52 moves inward in the radial direction as the mold shrinks.

  On the other hand, with respect to the circumferential direction, when two members arranged in the circumferential direction are considered, the direction in which the members approach each other corresponds to the contraction direction. In the upper case 21, the guide protrusion 21a is accompanied by the molding contraction. On the other hand, in the reel presser 5, the engagement walls 51 a and 51 a of the guide rib 51 approach each other and the width of the slide groove 53 becomes narrow in the reel presser 5.

  In the following, as an expression for expressing the relative positional relationship between the guide protrusion 21a and the guide rib 51 constituting the first engaging means, the guide protrusion 21a is positioned inward in the contraction direction, and the guide rib 51 is It is expressed as being located outside the contraction direction. That is, a member that moves in a direction approaching the other member as the mold shrinks is positioned outward in the shrinking direction, and moves in a direction away from the other member as the mold shrinks. It is assumed that the member (in this case, the thickness may be reduced as in the case of the guide protrusion 21a) is positioned inward in the contraction direction. Therefore, with respect to the restricting protrusion 21b and restricting rib 52 constituting the second engaging means, the restricting protrusion 21b is positioned outward in the contraction direction, and the restricting rib 52 is positioned inward in the contraction direction. In the magnetic tape cartridge 1, the first engagement means is an engagement in which an engagement portion (guide protrusion 21 a) formed integrally with the upper case 21 is formed integrally with the reel presser 5 at an inward position in the contraction direction. Part (guide rib 51) is located at the outer position in the contraction direction, and the second engagement means is that the engagement part (regulation protrusion 21b) formed integrally with the upper case 21 is the outer position in the contraction direction, The engaging portion (regulatory rib 52) formed integrally with the reel presser 5 is positioned at the inner position in the contraction direction. Thus, the relative positional relationship between the inside and outside of the contracting direction between the engaging portions is set to be opposite between the first engaging means and the second engaging means.

  Here, for example, consider the case where the reel presser 5 is formed larger than the design dimension. In this case, the engagement walls 51a, 51a,... Of the guide rib 51 positioned outward in the contraction direction with respect to the guide protrusion 21a are positioned outward in the contraction direction from the design position. Since it comes away from 21a, gap S1 becomes larger than a design dimension. However, the regulation rib 52 positioned inward in the contraction direction with respect to the regulation protrusion 21b is positioned outward in the contraction direction from the design position, that is, closer to the regulation protrusion 21b. , Smaller than the design dimensions. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the reel presser 5 from being largely inclined by the restricting protrusion 21b and the restricting rib 52.

  On the contrary, when the reel presser 5 is formed to be smaller than the design dimension, the gap S2 is larger than the design dimension, but the guide S5 is smaller than the design dimension. It is possible to avoid the reel presser 5 from being largely inclined by the projection 21a and the guide rib 51.

  That is, the relative position of the guide rib 51 of the reel retainer 5 with respect to the guide protrusion 21a of the upper case 21 and the relative position of the restricting rib 52 of the reel retainer 5 with respect to the restricting protrusion 21b of the upper case 21 are opposite in the contraction direction. When one of the gap S1 and the gap S2 becomes large, the other gap becomes small.

As described above, in the magnetic tape cartridge 1 according to the present invention, the positional relationship of the guide rib 51 of the reel retainer 5 with respect to the guide protrusion 21a of the upper case 21 and the restriction rib 52 of the reel retainer 5 with respect to the restriction protrusion 21b of the upper case 21. By arranging the guide protrusion 21a, the guide rib 51, the restricting protrusion 21b, and the restricting rib 52 so that the positional relationship is opposite to the inside and outside of the shrinking direction, either the gap S1 or the gap S2 is caused by the variation in molding shrinkage Even if becomes larger, the reel presser 5 can be prevented from being largely inclined. Therefore, according to the magnetic tape cartridge 1, the tape reel 3 can be reliably unlocked regardless of the molding accuracy of the reel presser 5 and the upper case 21.
<< Variation 1 of Embodiment 1 >>
In the above description, the regulating rib 52 of the reel presser 5 has an arc shape. However, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, from the center portion of the cross-shaped guide rib 51 (that is, the bent portion of the engaging wall 51a). A shape that extends outward in the radial direction and expands in the circumferential direction at the tip portion may be used. At this time, a gap S2 is formed between the tip end portion of the regulating rib 52 and the regulating rib 21b.
<< Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 >>
In the above description, the regulation rib 52 of the reel presser 5 is formed integrally with the guide rib 51. However, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the regulation rib 21 faces the regulation projection 21b in the radial direction from the arc-shaped regulation rib. It is not necessary to connect the guide rib 51 with only the portions that are present. By doing so, since the amount of the synthetic resin of the regulating rib 52 is reduced, the reel presser 5 can be manufactured at a lower cost. However, the restriction rib 52 and the guide rib 51 are integrally formed by connecting them in that the guide rib 51 and the restriction rib 52 can be formed without breaking their shapes as described above. It is advantageous.
<< Embodiment 2 >>
Next, a magnetic tape cartridge according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

  The magnetic tape cartridge according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the upper case and the reel presser. Therefore, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the magnetic tape cartridge is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the second engaging means.

  The upper case 121 protrudes at a distance from each other in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X (shown only in FIG. 13) and the cross-shaped guide protrusion 121a provided in the center of the upper case 121 as in the first embodiment. It has four substantially 1/4 arc-shaped regulation protrusions 121b, 121b, and so on. The regulation protrusions 121b, 121b,... Are provided at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction at the radially outer position of the guide protrusion 121a. These restricting projections 121b, 121b,... Constitute an engaging portion on the upper case side of the second engaging means.

  As in the first embodiment, the reel presser 105 has a guide rib 151 formed as a cross-shaped frame projecting from the center thereof. Thus, a cross-shaped slide groove 153 is formed in the frame of the guide rib 151 as in the first embodiment. Two columnar regulating pins 152, 152 are formed on the radially outer side of each engagement wall 151a having an L-shaped cross section of the guide rib 51 at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction. These restricting pins 152, 152 constitute an engaging portion on the reel presser side of the second engaging means. As in the first embodiment, gear-like lock teeth 154 are formed on the bottom wall lower surface (outer surface) of the reel presser 105.

When the guide protrusion 121a is inserted into the slide groove 153, a gap S1 is provided in the circumferential direction between the guide protrusion 121a and the guide rib 151 as shown in FIG. Here, the guide rib 151 is located at an outer position in the contraction direction with respect to the guide protrusion 121a. At this time, the restricting projection 121b and the restricting pin 152 are aligned with a gap S2 in the radial direction, and the restricting pin 152 is located at an inner position in the contraction direction with respect to the restricting protrusion 121b. Accordingly, as in the first embodiment, the relative position of the guide rib 151 of the reel retainer 105 with respect to the guide protrusion 121a of the upper case 121 and the relative position of the restriction pin 152 of the reel retainer 105 with respect to the restriction protrusion 121b of the upper case 121 contract. Since the direction is opposite in both directions, when one of the gap S1 and the gap S2 becomes larger, the other gap becomes smaller. Therefore, according to this magnetic tape cartridge, the tape reel can be reliably unlocked regardless of the forming accuracy of the reel presser 105 and the upper case 121.
<< Other Embodiments >>
The present invention may be configured as follows with respect to the embodiment.

  That is, the guide rib is not limited to the cross-shaped frame, and for example, four L-shaped ribs may be arranged so that a cross-shaped slide groove is formed.

  Further, the guide protrusion is not limited to a cross-shaped one, and can be formed in an appropriate shape. However, at this time, the guide ribs must be appropriately changed in accordance with the shape of the guide protrusion.

  Further, the numbers of the restricting protrusions, restricting ribs, and restricting pins are not limited to the above, and can be arbitrarily changed.

  In addition, the reel presser may be formed in a disk shape. By doing so, since the side wall portion is removed from the bottomed cylindrical reel presser, the reel presser can be reduced in weight and cost by that amount.

  Further, the guide rib and the regulation rib (or regulation pin) may be arranged on the upper case, and the guide projection and the regulation projection may be arranged on the reel presser. In this case, contrary to the above, when the reel presser is formed larger than the design dimension, the gap S1 becomes smaller than the design dimension, while the gap S2 becomes larger than the design dimension. On the other hand, when the reel presser is formed smaller than the design dimension, the gap S1 becomes larger than the design dimension, while the gap S2 becomes smaller than the design dimension. Therefore, even if one of the gap S1 and the gap S2 becomes larger, the other gap becomes smaller. Therefore, it is possible to provide a tape cartridge that can reliably unlock the tape reel regardless of the precision of the reel presser and the upper case.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful in that a tape cartridge provided with a reel lock mechanism can reliably unlock the tape reel regardless of the reel presser and the molding accuracy of the upper case.

1 Magnetic tape cartridge (tape cartridge)
2 Casing 21, 121 Upper case 21a, 121a Guide protrusion (engagement portion on the upper case side of the first engagement means)
21b, 121b Restriction protrusion (engagement part on the upper case side of the second engagement means)
22 Lower case 3 Tape reel 30 Magnetic tape (recording tape)
31 Hub 31a Locked tooth 5,105 Reel presser 51,151 Guide rib (engagement part on the reel presser side of the first engaging means)
51a, 151a Engagement wall 52 Restriction rib (engagement part on the reel presser side of the second engagement means)
152 Restriction pin (engagement part on the reel presser side of the second engagement means)
53,153 Slide groove 54,154 Lock tooth 6 Spring S1 Clearance S2 Clearance X Rotating shaft

Claims (3)

A tape reel provided with locked teeth;
A casing that is formed by joining an upper case and a lower case, and that accommodates the tape reel so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction;
A reel presser having a lock tooth that is provided between the upper case and the tape reel and meshes with the locked tooth;
Each of the upper case and the reel presser has an engaging portion, and the engaging portion engages with each other with a predetermined gap so that the reel presser is moved up and down with respect to the upper case. First engaging means that is movable in a direction and that is not relatively rotatable;
Each of the upper case and the reel presser has an engaging portion, and the engaging portion engages with each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, whereby the reel presser is engaged with the upper case. And at least second engaging means that can move in the vertical direction,
When the reel presser is not in use, it is urged downward along the vertical direction so that the lock teeth and the locked teeth mesh with each other, thereby locking the tape reel in a non-rotatable manner. On the other hand, in use, by being pushed upward against the biasing force, the engagement between the lock teeth and the locked teeth is released, thereby allowing the tape reel to rotate,
At least one of the upper case and the reel presser is formed by molding so that the engaging portions of the first and second engaging means are integrally formed,
The relative position of the engaging portion of the upper case and the engaging portion of the reel presser in the first engaging means with respect to the shrinking direction accompanying the molding is determined by the second engaging means. A tape cartridge, wherein the tape cartridge is set so as to be opposite to a relative position of the engagement portion and the engagement portion of the reel presser with respect to the contraction direction accompanying the molding. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein
In the first engagement means, the engagement portion provided on either the upper case or the reel presser has an engagement piece provided so as to form a cross with the rotation axis as the center. The engagement portion provided on the other side is formed around the rotation axis so as to form a cross-shaped slide groove centered on the rotation axis, the engagement piece being slidable in the vertical direction. Having an engaging wall provided side by side in the circumferential direction,
In the second engaging means, the engaging portions provided in the upper case and the reel holder are at positions different from the engaging pieces and the engaging walls of the first engaging means in the circumferential direction. A tape cartridge, wherein the tape cartridges are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in a radial direction around the rotation axis. The tape cartridge according to claim 2,
The engaging portion of the second engaging means is provided on the other of the upper case and the reel holder so as to be connected to the engaging wall of the first engaging means and integrated. Tape cartridge.

Images