JPH01199357A - Magnetic tape device having automatic switching mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a magnetic tape device in which one arbitrary cartridge can be easily inserted and removed by providing a first sensor to detect the insertion of the cartridge, a second sensor to detect the existence of the cartridge again at the time of ejecting, and a third sensor to detect the existence of the cartridge on a tray. CONSTITUTION:At the time of loading, when detecting signals are sent from first and second sensors A and B, a drive is executed so as to insert the cartridge, and simultaneously, when the detecting signal is sent from a third sensor C, it is stopped. At the time of unloading, when the detecting signal is sent from the third sensor C, the drive is executed so as to eject the cartridge, and simultaneously, when the detecting signal is sent from the second sensor B, the drive is stopped after a fixed delay time by an automatic switching mechanism microprocessor. Thus, one arbitrary cartridge can be very easily inserted and taken out.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a magnetic tape device equipped with an automatic exchange mechanism, and in particular to an operation for inserting and removing only one volume of a cartridge-type magnetic tape (hereinafter simply referred to as a cartridge). It relates to techniques that are effective when applied to

[Conventional technology]

A magnetic tape device equipped with an automatic exchange mechanism is described, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 116645/1983.

In the above publication, a box in which a plurality of cartridges containing magnetic tapes are stored in multiple stages is installed in front of a magnetic tape device, and rollers arranged on the left and right sides of the box, and a magnetic The cartridges are automatically inserted into the magnetic tape device one after another by rollers disposed between the tape device and the top and bottom surfaces of the cartridges, and the cartridges are automatically inserted one after another from the magnetic tape device into the box. A technique has been disclosed to return it to the inside.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, no consideration is given to inserting or ejecting an arbitrary single-volume cartridge into a magnetic tape device, and in this case, the operator has to manually insert or remove the cartridge. I had no choice but to perform operations such as taking it out.

The inventor of the present invention has discovered that there are the following problems when manually loading and unloading a single cartridge.

First, during loading, it is difficult to insert the cartridge due to the physical distance between the magnetic tape device and the automatic exchange mechanism, the rollers mentioned above, etc., and loading cannot begin unless the cartridge is inserted deep into the magnetic tape device. This is a defect.

Second, during unloading, only a small amount of the cartridge is ejected from the insertion/ejection window, and it is difficult to remove the cartridge because the magazine mounting stand is installed in the automatic exchange mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic tape device with an automatic exchange mechanism that utilizes the insertion and ejection functions of the automatic exchange mechanism and allows easy insertion and removal of any one-volume cartridge.

[Means to solve the problem]

A brief overview of typical inventions disclosed in this application is as follows.

That is, the magnetic tape device is equipped with an automatic exchange mechanism that automatically inserts a cartridge containing a magnetic tape into the magnetic tape device, and the magnetic tape device is configured to insert a desired volume of a plurality of cartridges into the magnetic tape device. When inserting and ejecting, the automatic exchange mechanism is equipped with a
a first sensor that detects insertion of the cartridge;
a second sensor that is provided on a conveyance path extending inside the ejection window and that detects the presence of the cartridge following the first sensor and detects the presence of the cartridge again during ejection; A third sensor for detecting the presence of a cartridge on a movably disposed tray at 11 of the cartridge is connected via an automatic exchange mechanism microprocessor for controlling an automatic exchange mechanism; When a detection signal is sent from the second sensor, the cartridge is driven to be inserted, and when a detection signal is sent from the third sensor, it is stopped, and when unloading, the cartridge is driven to insert the cartridge. a drive section that drives the cartridge to be ejected when the detection signal is sent, and stops the drive after a certain delay time by the automatic exchange mechanism microprocessor when the detection signal is sent from the second sensor; It is equipped with the following.

[Effect]

According to the above-mentioned means, when loading, the operator slightly inserts an arbitrary roll of the cartridge into the magnetic tape device, and the drive unit is activated, and automatically loads the arbitrary roll of the cartridge into the magnetic tape device. Insert into.

Furthermore, during unloading, the drive section is driven when the cartridge is slightly ejected, and further continues the ejection operation for a certain period of time even after the cartridge is partially ejected, so that the second sensor is reliably turned off. Ensures that the entire cartridge is ejected onto the automatic exchange mechanism.

In this way, it is extremely easy to insert and remove any one roll of cartridge.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the external appearance of a magnetic tape device with an automatic exchange mechanism that is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic electrical configuration diagram of the magnetic tape device and the automatic exchange mechanism, and FIG. a
) to (e) are explanatory diagrams showing the state in which one roll of cartridge-type magnetic tape is inserted into and ejected from the magnetic tape device, and FIGS. 4(a) and (6) are illustrations showing the insertion and ejection of a - roll of cartridge-type magnetic tape. It is a flow chart showing a discharge procedure.

A magnetic tape device with automatic exchange mechanism l is a magnetic tape device (
It consists of an automatic exchange mechanism (hereinafter referred to as ACC) 3 mounted on the front surface of the MTU (hereinafter referred to as MTU) 2. The inside of MTU2 is equipped with a male cartridge type magnetic tape (
4 (hereinafter referred to as CTG), and records or reproduces predetermined information on a magnetic tape (not shown) in the CTGJ.

The upper part of the ACC 3 has an opening formed therein as shown in FIG.
A discharge window 5 is provided. On both the left and right sides of the insertion/ejection window 5, automatic insertion/ejection of the CTC4 into the MTU2 is provided.
Pinch rollers 11a, 11a are arranged to guide the discharge.

Additionally, a magazine mounting stand 6 is installed on the front side of the MTU 2 within the opening, and the position of the magazine mounting stand 6 is set at a height that allows the CTC 4 to be inserted and ejected into the insertion/ejection port 5. . This magazine mounting base 6 is set by raising or lowering the magazine mounting base 6 at a constant pitch by a drive mechanism (not shown) installed inside the lower part of the magazine mounting base 6.

Next, in FIG. 3(a), CTC; 4 is the magnetic tape device 2.
As shown in this figure, inside the magnetic tape device 2, there is a tape extending from the insertion/ejection window 5 toward the inside of the MTU 2. It has a transport path 7. At the end of the conveyance path 7, an autoloader tray (hereinafter referred to as a tray) 8 on which the CTC 4 is placed is arranged so as to be movable in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3(b).
The CTC 7 is configured to be moved further inward (in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3(b)) and recorded on the magnetic tape by the CTC 7 or reproduced from the magnetic tape.

In the vicinity of the insertion/ejection port 5 of the conveyance path 7, at the top,
A sensor A (first sensor) using a photosensor, for example, is installed to first detect when the CTC 4 is inserted.

Further, at the lower part of the conveyance path 7 immediately inside the insertion/ejection port 5, following the sensor A, a CTC 4 is detected to detect insertion.
Further, a sensor B (second sensor) using, for example, a photo sensor is installed to detect whether the CTC 4 is completely discharged when the CTC 4 is discharged.

Further, at the end of the conveyance path 7, a CTC 4 is provided which detects when the CTC 4 is completely correctly placed on the tray 8, and
A sensor C (third sensor) using, for example, a photosensor is installed to detect when the tray 8 is placed at the end position of the transport path 7 when the TG 4 is discharged.

By the detection signals of these three sensors A, B, and C, M
The position of CTC4 within the TUI can be detected.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the MTUI is controlled by an MTU microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as MTUMP) 9.
, an insertion time monitoring timer and an ejection time monitoring timer (not shown) are connected.

Furthermore, the MTUMP 9 is connected to an ACC microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as ACCMP) 10 that controls the operation of the ACC 3, and is configured to send commands to the ACCMPIO based on detection signals from each sensor A, B, and C. has been done.

Further, the ACCMP 10 is connected to transmit a command from the MTUMP 9 to a drive unit 11 such as a motor, and is configured to drive the drive unit 11 in accordance with this command.

The pinch rollers 11a, 11a are configured to rotate in a direction in which the CTG 4 is pinched and inserted into or ejected from the MTU 2 in conjunction with the drive of the drive unit 11.

Next, Fig. 3 (a) to (e) and Fig. 4 (a), (
The operation of this embodiment will be explained using 6).

In the following explanation, each process will be explained separately for cartridge insertion and cartridge ejection.

(1) When inserting a cartridge, the operator first applies CrO2 to the magazine mounting base 6.
After placing it on top, push it lightly in the direction of the insertion/ejection window 5 (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3(a)) as shown in FIG. 3(a). At this time, sensor A first detects this (hereinafter, this state is referred to as sensor A's on state), and then sensor B detects this (hereinafter, this state is referred to as sensor B's on state).
(referred to as the on state).

When the MTUMP 9 detects that both the sensors A and B are turned on (step 1 in FIG. 4(a)
00,101), set the above insertion time monitoring timer (
Step 102)L in FIG. 4(a), and the pinch roller 118 in the direction of inserting CrO2 into the MTU2
The ACCMP 10 is instructed to rotate 11a (step 103 in FIG. 4(a)).

The ACCMP 10 instructs the drive unit 11 to place the CrO2 completely on the tray 8.

When the drive unit 11 is driven in accordance with the above command, the pinch roller 118.11a starts rotating, and the CrO2 sandwiched between both pinch rollers 118.11a is inserted in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 3). (a)).

Next, when the CrO2 is completely placed in the proper position on the tray 8 as shown in FIG.
If the set time elapses during that time, a timeout occurs (step 105 in FIG. 4(a)), and an error is displayed by automatic reprocessing (retry) or an error display lamp (not shown). Error processing such as generating a request for operator intervention is performed (YES in step 105 in FIG. 4(a)).

On the other hand, when sensor C turns on (step 104 in FIG. 4(a)), MTUMP9 to A to CCMPI
The controller O is instructed to stop the rotation of the pinch roller 118.11a (step 106 in FIG. 4(a)). Upon receiving the above instruction, the ACCMP 10 stops driving the drive unit 11, and the rotation of the pinch roller lla is stopped.

Next, the CrO2 is moved further inside the MTU2 by the tray 8 (in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3(C)), and the magnetic tape inside the CrO2 is trained on a predetermined head within the MTU2.
Operations such as recording or reproduction are performed.

(It) At the time of cartridge ejection On the other hand, after all of the above magnetic tape has been wound up in the CTGJ, the normal unloading operation (from MTU2 to CrO2
When the tray 3 on which CrO2 is placed is returned to the end of the conveyance path 7 as shown in FIG. 3(C), the sensor C detects this and the following steps are performed. During unloading, the sensor C is in an on state), and the pinch rollers 11a, 11a are in a state where both sides of one end of the CrO2 are sandwiched.

When the MTUMP 9 detects that the sensor C is turned on (step 110 in FIG. 4 (c)), it sets a discharge time monitoring timer (step 111 in FIG. 4 (c)).
)L and instructs the ACCMP 10 to rotate the pinch rollers 11a, 11a in the direction to discharge CrO2 (step 112 in FIG. 4(b)).

ACCMP1O received the above instruction from MTUMP9,
The drive unit 11 is instructed to discharge CrO2, and the drive unit 11 operates in accordance with this instruction, the pinch roller lla is rotated, and CrO2 is discharged to the outside of the MTU 2 (in the direction of F in FIG. 3 (6)). (Figure 3 (6))
.

After CrO2 discharge is started by pinch rollers lla, lla, when CrO2 is almost discharged, sensor B
detects it (hereinafter referred to as the OFF state of sensor B), but in the meantime, a time has elapsed (step 114 in FIG. 4 (c)).
) occurs, error handling such as requesting operator intervention is performed in the same way as the error handling when inserting a cartridge (YE in step 114 in FIG. 4(c)).
S).

When MTUMP9 detects that sensor B is turned off (step 113 in FIG. 4(c)),
P10 is commanded to stop the pinch roller 118.11a (step 115 in Fig. 4 (5)).
.

In the ACCMP 10 that received the above command, after a certain delay time has elapsed, the pinch rollers 11a, 1
Send the stop command 1a.

In this way, the ACCMP 10 stops the drive unit 11 after a certain period of time has elapsed, so the sensor B is reliably turned off, and the entire CTG 4 is reliably ejected onto the magazine mounting base δ (see Fig. 3). e)).

As is clear from the above description, in the magnetic tape device 1 with an automatic exchange mechanism of this embodiment, when loading, the operator only lightly pushes the desired CTG 4, and the pinch roller lla of the ACC 3 moves the CTG 4 into the MT.
It is designed to be automatically drawn into U2.

Further, during unloading, the entire CTG 4 is discharged onto the magazine mounting base 6, as shown in FIG. 3(e).

Therefore, even with only 4 volumes of CTG, insertion and removal operations into and from the MTU 2 can be performed very smoothly.

Also, the movement of CTG4 within MTU2 is caused by the pinch roller l.
This is realized by drive control of la, so CTG4 can be changed to MT.
Damage to the cartridge case, pinch roller lla, etc. when pushing it into U2 is effectively prevented.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments,
Various other variations are possible.

For example, in this embodiment, each sensor A, B.

C uses a photosensor, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, error handling is not limited to the method described in this embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

A brief explanation of the effects obtained by typical inventions disclosed and shown in this application is as follows.

That is, the magnetic tape device is equipped with an automatic exchange mechanism that automatically inserts a cartridge containing a magnetic tape into the magnetic tape device, and the magnetic tape device is equipped with an automatic exchange mechanism that automatically inserts a cartridge containing a magnetic tape into the magnetic tape device. When inserting or ejecting a cartridge, a first sensor is provided at the insertion/ejection window of the automatic exchange mechanism to detect insertion of the cartridge, and a first sensor is provided on a conveyance path extending inside the insertion/ejection window. The second sensor detects the presence of the cartridge and detects the presence of the cartridge again at the time of ejection.
(a sensor on a tray movably arranged at the end of the transport path); a third sensor that detects the presence of an IJ; and an automatic exchange mechanism microprocessor that controls the automatic exchange mechanism. During loading, when a detection signal is sent from the first and second sensors, the cartridge is driven to be inserted, and when a detection signal is sent from the third sensor, it is driven to insert the cartridge, and when the third sensor sends a detection signal, it is driven to insert the cartridge. During loading, when a detection signal is sent from the third sensor, the cartridge is driven to be ejected, and when a detection signal is sent from the second sensor, the automatic exchange mechanism microprocessor drives the cartridge after a certain delay time. By providing a drive unit that stops the drive, during loading, the cartridge can be loaded by simply pushing the IJ edge of the negative volume by hand, and the cartridge is placed in the magnetic tape device. Furthermore, during unloading, almost the entire cartridge is ejected onto the magazine mounting table, making it very easy to remove the cartridge. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a magnetic tape device with an automatic exchange mechanism in which even a negative-volume cartridge can be inserted into and removed from the magnetic tape device very smoothly.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the external appearance of a magnetic tape device with an automatic exchange mechanism, which is an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the magnetic tape device and automatic exchange mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A magnetic tape device equipped with an automatic exchange mechanism that automatically inserts a cartridge containing a magnetic tape into the magnetic tape device, the magnetic tape device having the following features: A first sensor is provided at the insertion/ejection window of the automatic exchange mechanism to detect insertion of a cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into or ejected from the magnetic tape device; a second sensor that is provided in the transport path and that detects the presence of the cartridge following the first sensor and detects the presence of the cartridge again during ejection; and a second sensor that is movably disposed at the end of the transport path. a third sensor that detects the presence of the cartridge on the installed tray; and an automatic exchange mechanism microprocessor that controls the automatic exchange mechanism, and during loading, the automatic exchange mechanism detects the presence of the cartridge on the tray. When a signal is sent out, the cartridge is driven to be inserted, and when a detection signal is sent out from the third sensor, it is stopped, and when unloading, a detection signal is sent out from the third sensor. and a drive unit that drives the cartridge to eject the cartridge and stops the drive after a certain delay time by the automatic exchange mechanism microprocessor when a detection signal is sent from the second sensor. Magnetic tape device with exchange mechanism.