JP5801146B2 - Tape cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a single reel type tape cartridge preferably used for data recording. In particular, the present invention relates to a tape cartridge including a hub member in which a metal plate is insert-molded.

  Single reel type tape cartridges are mainly used for data backup in computer systems.

  In this type of tape cartridge, when the tape cartridge is loaded into the drive device, the drive gear of the drive device and the gear formed on the reel of the tape cartridge are fixed to the bottom plate at the center of the reel in order to securely fit each other. The formed annular metal plate is adsorbed by a magnet provided on a drive gear of the drive device.

  The metal plate is fixed so that one surface thereof is exposed on the surface of the bottom plate of the reel on the drive gear side of the drive device (see FIG. 7A described later). Therefore, the metal plate may come into contact with oxygen or water and rust. Therefore, a metal plate is generally used in which a cold-rolled steel plate such as SPCC is punched into a predetermined shape by press forming and then the entire outer surface thereof is subjected to a plating treatment such as nickel plating for the purpose of rust prevention. This metal plate is integrated with the bottom plate of the reel by insert molding.

  If the metal plate is displaced in the mold during insert molding, the mold sandwiches the metal plate and the mold is damaged. In order to prevent this, various methods for fixing the metal plate in the mold have been proposed. For example, when three through holes are formed in the metal plate, a method of providing a protrusion that can be inserted into the through hole in the mold, or holding that engages with the edge of the circular opening in the center of the metal plate A method of providing pins on a mold (see Patent Document 1) is known.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-4880 JP 2007-52860 A

  As described above, it is essential that the conventional metal plate is plated on the entire surface for the purpose of rust prevention. However, the plating process has a problem that harmful substances are generated in the process and adversely affect the environment.

  In addition, performing the plating process in a separate process after the punching process has a problem that the manufacturing process of the metal plate is complicated and the cost is increased.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 2, a metal plate is made using stainless steel that is not rust-proof plated, or a metal plate that is not rust-proof plated is embedded in the bottom plate of the reel in a substantially unexposed state. Have been described.

  However, since the stainless steel used in the former of Patent Document 2 is more expensive than a cold rolled steel plate such as SPCC that has been conventionally used, the cost of the metal plate increases. On the other hand, in the latter of Patent Document 2, since the metal plate is “substantially” unexposed, that is, incompletely unexposed, when a steel plate other than stainless steel (for example, SPCC) is used as the material of the metal plate. Cannot completely prevent the occurrence of rust.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems and reduce the occurrence of rust on a metal plate while using an inexpensive metal plate with a reduced plating amount.

The tape cartridge of the present invention is a tape cartridge in which a reel around which a data recording tape is wound is housed in a housing. The reel includes a hub member formed integrally with a cylindrical part, a bottom plate that closes an opening on the lower side of the cylindrical part, and a lower flange that protrudes outward from the lower side of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical part, and And an upper flange joined to the cylindrical portion so as to face the lower flange. A metal plate for magnetic attraction is integrated with the bottom plate of the hub member. A reel lock mechanism for preventing the reel from rotating when the tape cartridge is not used is housed in the cylindrical portion. An opening for exposing a part of the metal plate is formed on a surface of the bottom plate on the reel lock mechanism side. The entire surface of the metal plate opposite to the reel lock mechanism is covered with the bottom plate. A member that constitutes the reel lock mechanism, and that moves in a direction to contact and separate from the bottom plate in conjunction with a switching operation for permitting and preventing the rotation of the reel is performed when the tape cartridge is not used. Close the opening.

  According to the present invention, when the tape cartridge is not used, the member constituting the reel lock mechanism closes the opening that exposes a part of the metal plate. Therefore, when the tape cartridge is stored for a long time in a humid environment, the opening is provided. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of rust from the portion of the metal plate exposed inside.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to plate the entire outer surface of the metal plate or use stainless steel as a material for the metal plate. Thereby, the amount of plating can be reduced. Moreover, the manufacturing process of a metal plate can be simplified and a metal plate can be manufactured at low cost.

1A is a top view of a tape cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a side view thereof, and FIG. 1C is a bottom view thereof. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tape cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when not in use, along a plane including line 2-2 in FIG. 1A. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing main components of the tape cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the unlocking member used in the tape cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from below. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a metal plate used in the tape cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before a metal plate is fixed to a stationary mold in a conventional hub member manufacturing method. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing a process of bringing a metal plate into close contact with a stationary mold by air suction in a conventional hub member manufacturing method. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view showing a process of injecting resin into a cavity formed by bringing a fixed mold and a movable mold into close contact with each other in a conventional hub member manufacturing method. FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a mold is opened in a conventional method for manufacturing a hub member. FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view showing a step of taking out the molded hub member in the conventional hub member manufacturing method. 7A is a perspective view of a conventional hub member as viewed from below, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the hub member as viewed from above. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before the metal plate is fixed to the movable mold in the hub member manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the metal plate is fixed to the movable mold in the hub member manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view showing a step of injecting a resin into a cavity formed by bringing the fixed side mold and the movable side mold into close contact with each other in the hub member manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. is there. FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the mold is opened in the method for manufacturing a hub member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8E is a cross-sectional view showing a step of taking out the molded hub member in the hub member manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example for air suction of a metal plate to a movable mold in the method for manufacturing a hub member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example for air suction of the metal plate to the movable mold in the hub member manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 10A is a perspective view of the hub member according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the hub member as viewed from above. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom plate of the hub member according to the first embodiment of the present invention and its periphery. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion XII of FIG. 2 showing the tape cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13: is the perspective view seen from the downward direction of the lock release member used for the tape cartridge concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the opening of the bottom plate and its periphery of the tape cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention when not in use.

  In the above-described tape cartridge of the present invention, the reel lock mechanism includes a reel pressing member supported by the casing so as to be movable up and down and non-rotatable, and a biasing force directed toward the bottom plate with respect to the reel pressing member. It is preferable to include a spring to be applied, and a lock release member that is disposed between the reel pressing member and the bottom plate and raises the reel pressing member against the urging force of the spring. In this case, it is preferable that lock teeth for preventing the reel from rotating by being engaged with each other are formed on the mutually opposing surfaces of the reel pressing member and the bottom plate. The member that closes the opening is preferably the unlocking member. According to such a preferable configuration, the present invention can be applied to a tape cartridge called an “LTO cartridge” without making a significant design change, and as a result, the above-described effects can be obtained.

  The metal plate preferably has an annular shape. In this case, it is preferable that the opening exposes a part of the inner surface or the outer surface of the metal plate. According to such a preferable configuration, when the hub member is insert-molded, the metal plate having an annular shape can be easily held in the mold using the holding pins provided in the mold.

The said reel lock mechanism of the metal plate over the entire surface of the opposite side, that covered by the bottom plate. According to configuration that written, it is not necessary to perform plating on the side opposite the entire surface from said reel lock mechanism of the metal plate.

  The member that closes the opening preferably includes a protrusion that fits into the opening. According to such a preferable configuration, since the sealing property of the opening is improved when the tape cartridge is not used, the occurrence of rust on the metal plate can be further reduced.

  Below, this invention is demonstrated in detail, showing suitable embodiment. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For convenience of explanation, the drawings referred to in the following description show only the main members necessary for explaining the present invention in a simplified manner among the constituent members of the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can include arbitrary components not shown in the following drawings. In addition, the dimensions of the members in the following drawings do not faithfully represent the actual dimensions of the constituent members and the dimensional ratios of the members. In the figure shown below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member and the overlapping description about them is abbreviate | omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
1A is a top view of a tape cartridge 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a side view thereof, and FIG. 1C is a bottom view thereof. The tape cartridge 1 includes a box-shaped (hollow, substantially rectangular parallelepiped) housing 2 in which an upper half 2a and a lower half 2b are joined in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tape cartridge 1 along a plane including line 2-2 in FIG. 1A. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the casing 2 and the reel lock mechanism constituting the tape cartridge. For convenience of the following description, the upper half 2a side is referred to as "upper" and the lower half 2b side is referred to as "lower". However, “upper” and “lower” do not mean the vertical direction in the actual use state of the tape cartridge 1.

  A reel 10 is built in the housing 2. The reel 10 is composed of two parts, a disc-shaped upper flange 11 having an open center and a hub member 12. The hub member 12 includes a cylindrical portion 13 having a hollow cylindrical shape, a disk-like lower flange 14 projecting outward from the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 13, and a bottom plate 15 that closes the lower opening of the cylindrical portion 13. These are integrally formed. A circular metal plate 20 having an open center is embedded in the bottom plate 15 and integrated with the bottom plate 15 by insert molding (see FIG. 2). The upper flange 11 is joined to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 13 so as to face the lower flange 14 and is integrated with the hub member 12. A magnetic tape (not shown) is wound on a cylindrical surface that is an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 13 between the upper flange 11 and the lower flange 14.

  A drive shaft insertion hole 2c that is a circular through hole is formed in the center of the lower half 2b. The bottom plate 15 of the hub member 12 is exposed in the drive shaft insertion hole 2c. In the bottom plate 15, three exit / exit ports (through holes) 16 are formed on a circle concentric with the reel 10. Lock teeth 17 are formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 15 along an arc concentric with the reel 10. Driven teeth 18 that mesh with drive teeth 51 provided on the drive shaft 50 of the drive device are provided on the lower surface of the bottom plate 15 along an arc concentric with the reel 10 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B described later). reference).

  The reel lock mechanism is housed in the cylindrical portion 13 at the center of the reel 10, and includes a lock release member 30, a reel pressing member 40, and a spring 45 in this order from bottom to top.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the unlocking member 30 includes three arms 32 that extend radially from the outer peripheral edge of the central sealing plate 31 at intervals of 120 degrees. The front end of each arm 32 is bent approximately 90 degrees downward to form an operation claw 33.

  The reel pressing member 40 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an upper side opened. Lock teeth 41 that mesh with the lock teeth 17 (see FIG. 10B) of the reel 10 are circularly arranged on the lower surface of the bottom plate of the reel pressing member 40. A substantially cross-shaped groove (cross groove, not shown) is formed at the center of the upper surface of the bottom plate of the reel pressing member 40. A substantially cross-shaped cross projection 2d is erected on the lower surface of the upper half 2a. By inserting the cruciform protrusion 2d of the upper half 2a into the cruciform groove of the reel pressing member 40, the reel pressing member 40 can move in the vertical direction within the housing 2, but cannot rotate.

  The spring 45 is disposed between the reel pressing member 40 and the upper half 2 a and applies a downward biasing force (direction toward the bottom plate 15) to the reel pressing member 40.

  FIG. 2 shows a state when the tape cartridge 1 is not used. In this state, the reel pressing member 40 is displaced downward by the downward biasing force of the spring 45, and the locking teeth 41 of the reel pressing member 40 and the locking teeth 17 of the reel 10 are engaged. Therefore, the reel 10 cannot rotate. Further, the reel pressing member 40 displaces the unlocking member 30 downward, and the operation claw 33 of the unlocking member 30 penetrates the exit / retract port 16 of the reel 10 and projects below the bottom plate 15 of the reel 10. .

  When the tape cartridge 1 is loaded in the drive device, the drive shaft 50 of the drive device is inserted into the drive shaft insertion hole 2c of the lower half 2b. A magnet 53 is provided on the upper surface of the drive shaft 50, and the magnet 53 attracts the metal plate 20 embedded in the bottom plate 15 of the reel 10. As a result, the drive teeth 51 formed on the upper surface of the drive shaft 50 and the driven teeth 18 of the reel 10 are reliably engaged with each other. At the same time, the drive teeth 51 abut against the operation claw 33 of the unlocking member 30 protruding from the bottom plate 15 of the reel 10 and push the unlocking member 30 upward against the urging force of the spring 45. As a result, the engagement between the lock teeth 41 of the reel pressing member 40 and the lock teeth 17 of the reel 10 is released. Accordingly, the reel 10 becomes rotatable and is rotated by the drive shaft 50. The unlocking member 30 rotates together with the reel 10.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the metal plate 20. The metal plate 20 is manufactured by punching and pressing a steel plate. As a steel plate to be used, a metal plate that is not plated (for example, a cold rolled steel plate such as SPCC), a plated steel plate that is plated on one or both sides (for example, a galvanized steel plate (SECC, SGCC, etc.), or Nickel-plated steel sheet) can be used. The plating is preferably made of nickel, zinc, aluminum, tin, or an alloy containing any one of them as a main component. When a metal plate that has not been plated is used, the metal that is the base material is exposed on the entire outer surface of the metal plate 20. In addition, when a plated steel sheet having one or both surfaces plated is used, one or both of the main surfaces 21 and 22 of the metal plate 20 are covered with plating, but the inner surface 23 and the outer surface 24 are The plating process is not performed and the base metal is exposed. By using the metal plate 20 with the base material exposed on at least a part of the outer surface, the plating amount of the metal plate can be reduced or eliminated. As a result, the above-described conventional problems due to the plating process can be reduced or eliminated.

  Hereinafter, a method of integrally forming the metal plate 20 on the hub member 12 by insert molding will be described.

  First, a conventional hub member manufacturing method will be described for comparison. In this conventional hub member, as described above, the metal plate is exposed on the surface of the drive device on the drive shaft side.

  FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before the metal plate 120 is fixed to the fixed mold 71. The metal plate 120 has substantially the same outer shape as the metal plate 20 of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, but differs in that the entire outer surface thereof is plated. In this example, the metal plate 120 is fixed to the fixed side mold 71 by holding the holding pin 74 protruding from the molding surface of the fixed side mold 71 with an inner side surface defining a central circular opening of the metal plate 120 (FIG. 5). The surface corresponding to the inner side surface 23) and being engaged with each other. In FIG. 6A, 72 is a movable mold.

  In order to bring the metal plate 120 into close contact with the fixed mold 71, the metal plate 120 is vacuum-sucked as necessary. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the metal plate 120 is brought into close contact with the stationary mold 71 by sucking air through the suction holes 76 provided in the stationary mold 71.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, the movable mold 72 is moved and brought into close contact with the fixed mold 71 to close the mold. Then, resin is injected from the gate 73 formed in the stationary mold 71 into the cavity formed by both molds 71 and 72.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6D, the movable mold 72 is moved to separate the fixed mold 71 and the movable mold 72 from each other. The molded hub member 112 is attached to the movable mold 72.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 6E, the hub member 112 is separated from the movable mold 72 using the ejector pins 78. Thus, the hub member 112 is obtained.

  FIG. 7A is a perspective view seen from below of a conventional hub member 112 obtained by the above manufacturing method, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view seen from above. In these drawings, elements corresponding to the hub member 12 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. As can be easily understood from the above manufacturing method, the surface of the metal plate 120 that is in close contact with the stationary mold 71 is exposed below the conventional hub member 112. An opening 119 caused by the holding pin 74 is formed in the bottom plate 15, and a part of the inner side surface (a surface corresponding to the inner side surface 23 in FIG. 5) of the metal plate 120 is also exposed through the opening 119. However, as described above, the conventional metal plate 120 is manufactured by punching a cold-rolled steel plate into an annular shape and then plating the entire outer surface thereof. Even if the portion is exposed to the outside, the possibility that rust is generated from the exposed portion is low.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the hub member 12 of the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before the metal plate 20 is fixed to the mold. Conventionally, the metal plate 120 is fixed to the fixed mold 71 (see FIG. 6A), whereas in the first embodiment, the metal plate 20 is fixed to the movable mold 72. In order to fix the metal plate 20, the holding pin 84 protrudes from the molding surface of the movable side mold 72. As shown in the “A part enlarged view” shown in FIG. 8A, the holding pin 84 includes a pedestal portion 85 protruding from the molding surface of the movable mold 72 and a locking portion 86 further protruding from the pedestal portion 85. It is a two-stage protrusion provided.

  FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the metal plate 20 is fixed to the movable mold 72. One of the main surfaces 21 and 22 (see FIG. 5) of the metal plate 20 is brought into close contact with the pedestal portion 85, and the engaging portion 86 is brought into close contact with and engaged with the inner side surface 23 (see FIG. 5).

  In order to securely attach the metal plate 20 to the pedestal portion 85, the metal plate 20 may be vacuum-sucked as necessary. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a suction hole 88 is formed on the surface of the pedestal 85 where the metal plate 20 abuts, and the metal plate 20 is brought into close contact with the pedestal 85 by sucking air through the suction hole 88. be able to. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9B, a second pedestal portion 89 having the same height as the pedestal portion 85 may be formed at a position where the metal plate 20 can abut, separately from the holding pins 85. A suction hole 88 is formed on the top surface of the second pedestal portion 89 where the metal plate 20 abuts. By sucking air through the suction hole 88, the metal plate 20 can be brought into close contact with the second pedestal portion 89 and the pedestal portion 85.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, the movable side mold 72 is moved and brought into close contact with the fixed side mold 71 to close the mold. Then, resin is injected from the gate 73 formed in the stationary mold 71 into the cavity formed by both molds 71 and 72.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8D, the movable mold 72 is moved to separate the fixed mold 71 and the movable mold 72 from each other. The molded hub member 12 is attached to the movable mold 72.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 8E, the hub member 12 is separated from the movable mold 72 using the ejector pins 78. Thus, the hub member 12 of Embodiment 1 is obtained.

  FIG. 10A is a perspective view seen from below the hub member 12, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view seen from above. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom plate 15 of the hub member 11 and its periphery.

  As can be easily understood from the above manufacturing method, in the cavity formed by the molds 71 and 72, the metal plate 20 is in contact with the holding pin 84 (in the case of FIG. 9B, the second pedestal portion 89 is further provided). Except for the portion that abuts with the molds 70 and 80. Therefore, unlike the conventional metal plate 120 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B), the metal plate 20 is embedded in the bottom plate 15 and most of its outer surface is covered with resin (see FIG. 11). Further, since the metal plate 20 is fixed to the movable mold 72, the metal plate 20 is not exposed on the lower surface (surface on the drive shaft 50 side) side of the bottom plate 15 (see FIGS. 10A and 11).

  On the other hand, the resin does not adhere to the portion of the metal plate 20 where the holding pin 84 abuts. Therefore, the opening 19 resulting from the holding pin 84 is formed on the upper surface (the surface on the unlocking member 30 side) of the bottom plate 15 (see FIGS. 10B and 11). A portion of the outer surface of the metal plate 20 with which the holding pin 85 is in contact is exposed to the outside through the opening 19. Specifically, a part of the inner surface 23 (see FIG. 5) of the metal plate 20 and a part of the main surface 21 or 22 (see FIG. 5) are exposed to the outside through the opening 19. As described above, the inner side surface 23 includes a portion that is not plated. Further, the main surface 21 or 22 may not be plated. Accordingly, the opening 19 exposes the base material on which the metal plate 20 is not plated to the outside. Therefore, when the tape cartridge 1 of Embodiment 1 is stored for a long time in a humid environment, there is a concern that rust is generated from the exposed base material portion.

  However, as shown in FIG. 12, which is an enlarged sectional view of the portion XII in FIG. 2, when the tape cartridge 1 is not used, the unlocking member 30 is displaced downward, and the sealing plate 31 (FIG. 3, FIG. 4) contacts the bottom plate 15 and closes the opening 19. That is, the portion of the base material that is exposed in the opening 19 and is not plated with the metal plate 20 is substantially blocked from the outside by the lock release member 30 when the tape cartridge 1 is not used. In general, tape cartridges are overwhelmingly longer than data recording and playback times in the drive unit, so it is rusting to block the base material exposed when storing tape cartridges from the outside. It is effective in preventing the occurrence of Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of rust on the metal plate 20 when the tape cartridge 1 is stored for a long time in a humid environment.

  In the first embodiment, it is necessary to form the holding pins 84 on the movable mold 72. However, if this is excluded, the metal plate 20 can be produced without performing the plating process step conventionally required after punching. It is not necessary to use expensive stainless steel as the material of the metal plate 20. Therefore, it is advantageous for reducing the plating amount, simplifying the manufacturing process of the metal plate 20, and reducing the cost.

  When the second pedestal portion 89 shown in FIG. 9B is formed in the movable mold 72, the second pedestal 89 causes the second pedestal 89 to be brought into contact with the upper surface of the bottom plate 15 (the surface on the unlocking member 30 side). A second opening is formed (not shown). Therefore, like the opening 19, the second opening may expose a part of the main surface 21 or 22 where the metal plate 20 is not plated to the outside. Even in such a case, similarly to the opening 19 described above, the portion of the metal plate 20 exposed in the second opening by closing the second opening with the unlocking member 30 when the tape cartridge 1 is not used. The generation of rust can be reduced. As can be seen, the second pedestal portion 89 is preferably formed at a position where the second opening formed thereby can be closed by the unlocking member 30.

(Embodiment 2)
The tape cartridge of the second embodiment is different from the tape cartridge 1 of the first embodiment with respect to the configuration of the lock release member 30. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the lock release member 30 used in the tape cartridge according to the second embodiment as viewed from below. In the unlocking member 30 of the second embodiment, three protrusions 35 are formed on the lower surface of the sealing plate 31 (the surface on the side facing the bottom plate 15). The protrusions 35 are formed at positions corresponding to the three openings 19 (see FIG. 10B) formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 15 of the hub member 12.

  FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the opening 19 and the periphery of the bottom plate 15 in the same manner as FIG. 12 of the tape cartridge according to the second embodiment when not in use. In the second embodiment, when the tape cartridge 1 is not used, the lock release member 30 is displaced downward, and the protrusion 35 of the lock release member 30 is fitted into the opening 19 of the bottom plate 15. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the sealing property of the opening 19 by the lock release member 30 is improved as compared with the first embodiment. As a result, the possibility that rust is generated on the metal plate 20 can be further reduced.

  In order to further improve the sealing performance of the opening 19, the planar view shape of the protrusion 35 is preferably substantially the same as the planar view shape of the opening 19.

  The protrusion 35 may be a two-stage protrusion similar to the holding pin 84. In this case, since the remaining space in the opening 19 becomes smaller when the projection 35 is fitted into the opening 19, the sealing performance is further improved, and the possibility of occurrence of rust can be further reduced.

  The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the above. The description of the first embodiment is also applied to the second embodiment.

  The above-described first and second embodiments are merely examples. The present invention is not limited to Embodiments 1 and 2, and can be modified as appropriate.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments, the holding pin 84 holds the edge of the opening at the center of the metal plate 20, but may hold the outer peripheral edge of the metal plate 20. In this case, the outer surface 24 (see FIG. 5) of the metal plate 20 is exposed to the outside through the opening 19 caused by the holding pin 84. The unlocking member 30 is designed to be able to close this opening.

  The number of the holding pins 84 (that is, the number of the openings 19) does not need to be three as in the first and second embodiments, and may be larger or smaller. The shape of the holding pin 84 is not limited to the first and second embodiments, and can be set to an arbitrary shape.

  When the position, number, shape, etc. of the holding pin 84 (that is, the opening 19) is changed, the position, number, shape, etc. of the protrusion 35 of the unlocking member 30 shown in the second embodiment are changed accordingly. Is done.

  The configuration of the unlocking member is not limited to that shown in the first and second embodiments. In the first and second embodiments, the opening 19 is closed by the sealing plate 31 of the unlocking member 30, but the opening 19 can be closed by the arm 32, for example, depending on the shape of the unlocking member and the position of the opening 19.

  The configuration of the tape cartridge is not limited to that of the first and second embodiments, and the present invention can be applied to, for example, a known tape cartridge. The reel lock mechanism shown in the first and second embodiments is employed in a tape cartridge generally called “LTO cartridge”. However, the present invention can be applied to any tape cartridge provided with a member that moves in a direction of moving toward and away from the central bottom plate of the reel in conjunction with the switching operation of permitting and preventing the rotation of the reel. Specifically, for example, the present invention can be applied to tape cartridges such as IBM 3590, IBM 3592, and ORACLE T10000. In applying the present invention, it is not necessary to significantly change the design of these conventionally known tape cartridges.

  The field of use of the present invention is not particularly limited, and can be preferably used for a single reel type tape cartridge for data recording. In particular, it can be preferably used as a single-reel type tape cartridge having a desired rust prevention property and low cost.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape cartridge 2 Housing | casing 10 Reel 11 Upper flange 12 Hub member 13 Cylindrical part 14 Lower flange 15 Bottom plate 17 Locking tooth 19 Bottom plate opening 20 Metal plate 23 Metal plate inner side 24 Metal plate outer side 30 Lock release member 35 Lock Release member protrusion 40 Reel pressing member 41 Reel pressing member locking tooth 45 Spring

Claims (4)

A tape cartridge in which a reel around which a data recording tape is wound is stored in a housing,
The reel includes a hub member formed integrally with a cylindrical part, a bottom plate that closes an opening on the lower side of the cylindrical part, and a lower flange that protrudes outward from the lower side of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical part, and An upper flange joined to the cylindrical portion so as to face the lower flange,
A metal plate for magnetic attraction is integrated with the bottom plate of the hub member,
A reel lock mechanism for preventing rotation of the reel when the tape cartridge is not used is housed in the cylindrical portion,
On the surface of the bottom plate on the reel lock mechanism side, an opening for exposing a part of the metal plate is formed,
The entire surface of the metal plate opposite to the reel lock mechanism is covered with the bottom plate,
A member that constitutes the reel lock mechanism, and that moves in a direction to contact and separate from the bottom plate in conjunction with a switching operation for permitting and preventing the rotation of the reel is performed when the tape cartridge is not used. A tape cartridge characterized by closing an opening. The reel lock mechanism is
A reel pressing member supported by the housing in a vertically movable and non-rotatable manner;
A spring for applying a biasing force in a direction toward the bottom plate with respect to the reel pressing member;
A lock release member that is disposed between the reel pressing member and the bottom plate and raises the reel pressing member against the biasing force of the spring;
Locking teeth that prevent rotation of the reel by being engaged with each other are formed on the mutually opposing surfaces of the reel pressing member and the bottom plate,
The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the member that closes the opening is the lock release member. The metal plate has an annular shape;
The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the opening exposes a part of an inner surface or an outer surface of the metal plate. The member, the tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3 having a projection that fits into the opening to close the opening.

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