JPH0252340B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a magnetic recording and/or reproducing device.

Prior Art The present applicant has previously proposed an adapter for use in attaching a tape cassette smaller than a standard tape cassette to a standard recording/reproducing apparatus. This adapter accommodates a small tape cassette and performs tape loading to form a tape path in the adapter that corresponds to the front tape path of a standard tape cassette. Similarly, it is attached to a recording/reproducing device.

In conventional standard recording/playback devices, the small tape cassette is stored in the adapter before the adapter is inserted into the device.When replacing the small tape cassette, the adapter must be inserted into the device. After that, the small tape cassette is replaced and the adapter is reinserted into the device. If you are using multiple small tape cassettes by replacing them one after another, remove the adapter from the device each time you want to replace a small tape cassette, and replace the small tape cassettes outside the device. It is necessary to replace the adapter and reinsert the adapter into the device after the replacement, resulting in a problem that the overall operation is troublesome and the operability is poor.

Another problem was that the recording/playback interruption time associated with replacing the small tape cassette inevitably became longer.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides magnetic recording and/or magnetic recording that solves the above problems.
Or, the purpose is to provide a playback device, which has substantially the same shape as a standard tape cassette, and when a tape cassette 34 smaller than the standard tape cassette is installed in the device, a smaller tape cassette can be attached to the tape cassette 34. The small tape cassette adapter 30 used for storing the small tape cassette is inserted into the small tape cassette between position A of the adapter insertion slot 3 where the adapter is inserted and position B where the adapter is attached to the device. Adapter moving mechanism 18, 87, 90, 9 that moves the small tape cassette through the replaceable position C, which allows the adapter to be replaced.
1, in which the small tape cassette 34 is stored in the small tape cassette storage section 33 of the adapter that is stopped at the small tape cassette replaceable position C. Small tape cassette storage detection means for detecting
SW1A, a closed lid detection means SW for detecting that the lid 60 of the adapter, which was opened when storing the small tape cassette, is closed to cover the storage section;
2A, and the above-mentioned small tape cassette storage detection means SW1A
And by the detection operation of the closed lid detection means SW2A, the adapter moving mechanism 18, 87, 90, 9
1 is configured to operate to move the adapter to the adapter mounting position B.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. This magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus 1 has an insertion slot 3 for an adapter (standard tape cassette) in the front panel 2, and an insertion slot 5 for a small tape cassette in the top plate 4. In the insertion port 5,
A door 6 is provided with its rear side supported by a shaft. Door 6 is
Normally, the insertion port 5 is closed (see FIG. 3), but is opened when a small tape cassette is inserted or removed.

Also, inside the device 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
Adapter (tape cassette) automatic attachment/detachment mechanism 10
is incorporated. This mechanism 10 roughly supports an adapter housing 11 with left and right vertical support plates 12 and 1.
This structure is movably provided between 3 and 3. The adapter housing 11 has left and right side plates 14 and 15.
and a lower bottom plate 1 that spans between the side plates 14 and 15.
6 and an upper narrow lid plate 17,
Rack gear 15a on L-shaped end surfaces of side plates 14, 15
(The rack gear of the side plate 14 is not shown) is driven by the pinion 18 and guided into the guide grooves 19a, 19b, 19c of the vertical support plate 13 and the corresponding guide grooves (not shown) of the vertical support plate 12. Then, the tape cassette is moved between the adapter (cassette) insertion/ejection position A and the adapter (cassette) mounting position B via the small tape cassette storage/removal position C shown in FIG. Further, the position C of the housing 11 is detected by the switch SW4, and the housing 11 is stopped at this position C as necessary.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9, position C is such that the top cover 60 of the small tape cassette adapter 30 (FIG. 4) inserted into the housing 11 is connected to the small tape cassette insertion opening 5 of the top plate 4. It is located in a facing position. At this position C, the small tape cassette within the adapter is replaced, as will be described below. Incidentally, since the adapter 30 is located close to the top plate 4, it becomes easy to replace the small tape cassette.

In addition, the narrow cover plate 17 is placed in position C so as not to interfere with the replacement of the small tape cassette, which will be described later.
, it is arranged at a position that does not cross the insertion opening 5. Moreover, between the tops of the vertical support plates 12 and 13,
A frame plate 20 with an opening on the inside is mounted horizontally.

FIG. 4 shows an adapter 30 for a small tape cassette that is attached to the apparatus 1 of FIG. This adapter 30 consists of an adapter housing 31 and a front lid 32, has substantially the same external dimensions as a standard tape cassette, and has a small tape cassette storage section 33 inside. FIG. 5 shows a small tape cassette 34 stored in the storage section 33. This small tape cassette 34 is a tape cassette smaller than a standard tape cassette, and includes a cassette housing 35 that stores a magnetic tape, and is provided on the front side of the cassette housing 35 and is normally closed to protect the magnetic tape inside. Lid 36
It becomes more.

The adapter 30 described above is configured such that a tape loading operation within the adapter is performed by a built-in motor 37. That is, motor 3
7 rotates in the forward direction, the driving force of the motor 37 is transmitted to the gear 40 via the worm 38 and the gear train 39, and this is coupled to the arm 41 integrally formed therewith.
It rotates clockwise together with the switch switching cam 42 and the pole locking cam 43. As the arm 41 rotates, the special chain 44 is wound up, and the loading arm 45 rotates clockwise about the shaft 46 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line. This arm 4
5 is rotated by bell crank lever 47, link 4
8, the signal is transmitted to the loading arm 51 via the bell crank lever 49 and the link 50, which rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 52 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line.

The rotation of each loading arm 45, 51 causes the poles 53, 54 to pull out the magnetic tape 55 from the small tape cassette 34 stored in the storage section 33, tape loading is performed within the adapter, and a standard tape cassette is loaded. A tape path 56 corresponding to the front side tape path is formed. The pawl 53 is locked at the final position by a lock lever 57 rotated by the cam 43.

Furthermore, when the motor 37 is reversed, each of the above members operates in the opposite direction to that during tape loading, the loading arm 45 rotates counterclockwise, the loading arm 51 rotates clockwise, and the small tape A take-up reel 58 within the cassette 34 rotates in the tape winding direction. This allows tape path 56
The tape 55 forming the tape is wound and stored in the small tape cassette 34, and tape unloading is performed.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned adapter 30 has a structure in which a locking member 59 interlocking with the link 48 locks the top cover 60 covering the storage section 33, so that the top cover 60 is not opened unnecessarily when the tape is pulled out of the cassette. . Also, gear 61
A one-way clutch is incorporated therein to transmit rotation to the tape winding system during the tape unloading operation. Further, the adapter 30 is configured such that when the top cover 60 is open, the link 48 is locked by the lock lever 62, and displacement in the direction of arrow _X1 is restricted, so that no tape loading operation is performed.

Further, the adapter 30 includes the following switches in relation to the motor 37. These switches are connected as shown in FIG. Note that the switch provided within the adapter 30 is indicated by the symbol "A". SW1A is a small tape cassette storage detection switch, and when the small tape cassette 34 is stored in the storage section 33, it is pushed by the lever 63 and closed. SW2
A is an interlocking type top cover close detection switch, which is closed when the top cover 60 is closed. SW3A is a tape unloading start switch, and when the sliding knob 64 is slid in the direction of arrow _X1 to the locked position, it is pushed by a locking portion 64a integrated with the knob 64 to close it. The sliding knob 64 is locked in the sliding operating position by a locking member (not shown), and the switch is
SW3A is also kept closed. SW4A is an auxiliary switch for switch SW3A, and is closed when loading arm 45 starts rotating counterclockwise from the tape pull-out position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Note that this auxiliary switch SW4A is connected in parallel with the above-mentioned switch SW3A, and as described later, even if it is closed after tape unloading starts and switch SW3A is opened just before tape unloading is completed, the motor power supply circuit will not be activated. This is to keep the circuit closed. Specifically, it is normally closed, and when the loading arm 45 rotates to the tape drawing completion position, the arm 4
When the arm 45 is rotated counterclockwise, the locking by the arm 45 is released and the arm 45 is closed. SW5A is a tape loading/unloading completion detection switch,
The switch switching cam 42 switches as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 when tape unloading is completed, and switches as shown by the broken line in the figure when tape loading is completed. SW7A is a power supply changeover switch, which is normally closed. The adapter 30 is inserted into the housing 11, and the protruding piece 6 protrudes from the left side wall 65 of the adapter housing.
6 (see FIG. 8) opens when pushed into the adapter housing 31 against the spring 67, disconnecting the battery 68 in the adapter 30 from the motor circuit.

Further, a plurality of terminals are embedded in the left side wall 65 and right side wall 69 of the adapter housing 31 so as to be exposed from the wall surface, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The terminals are arranged in parallel in the thickness (height) direction of the adapter housing 31, and as described later,
When inserted into the housing, it comes into contact with the corresponding group of contact pieces on the housing side. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, on the right side wall 69, from the top, there is a power input terminal 70, a tape unloading start input terminal 71, and a tape unloading start input terminal 71.
is provided. Here, the terminal 71 connects the circuit connected in parallel with the switch SW3A when the housing 11 returns to the position C as described later.
(See Figure 6).

Further, on the left side wall 65 of the adapter housing 31, there is a small tape cassette "present" signal output terminal 95 that outputs a small tape cassette "present" signal when the interlocking switch SW1A is closed, and an interlocking switch.
A top cover close signal output terminal 96 is provided which outputs a top cover close signal when SW2A is closed.

Further, a recess 76 for adapter identification is formed in the left side wall 65.

Next, the operation when using the above adapter 30 and the operation of the device 1 will be explained.

First, the power switch 80 of the device 1 is operated to turn on, and the empty adapter 30 containing no small tape cassette is inserted into the insertion slot 3. The adapter 30 is pushed in the direction of arrow _Y1 and inserted into the housing 11 to the position shown by the dashed line in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this state, the left and right terminals of the adapter 30 are connected to the left and right side plates 14 of the housing 11, respectively.
15, and the adapter 30 and the device 1 are electrically connected. Further, the tip of the adapter detection lever 83 on the left side plate 14 side fits into the recess 76, and the detection lever 83
is in a position rotated counterclockwise by the torsion coil spring 84, the adapter detection switch SW1 is closed, and it is determined that the adapter 30 has been inserted into the housing 11. Furthermore, the front lid 32 of the adapter 30 presses a pair of sliding plates 85 and 86 that are slidably provided on the left and right sides of the bottom plate 16, and this pushes the sliding plates 85 and 86 as indicated by the arrow _Y1.
As the adapter slides slightly in the direction, the rotating arm (not shown) rotates, and the adapter insertion detection switches SW2 and SW3 attached to the side plates 14 and 15 close.

When switches SW2 and SW3 are closed, the motor 87 starts and rotates forward, and this driving force is transferred to the worm 8.
8, is transmitted to the pinion 18 via the worm wheel 89, gears 90, 91, etc., and rotates clockwise. As a result, the housing 11 moves in the direction of arrow _Y1 together with the inserted adapter 30, and further moves diagonally upward, and the adapter 30 moves toward the device 1.
drawn inside. When the housing 11 reaches the position C shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the side plate 14 comes into contact with the position detection switch SW4 mounted obliquely on the support plate 12, and the switch SW4 is closed.
When the switch SW4 is closed, the rotation of the motor 87 is stopped and the housing 11 is stopped at the position C together with the adapter 30. The housing 11 remains stopped at position C until a predetermined operation is performed.

Thereafter, the operator opens the door 6 of the top plate 4 of the device 1 to the vertical position. This opens the insertion slot 5, and the top cover 60 of the adapter 30 is placed directly below it.
is located. Next, when a fingertip is inserted into the insertion opening 5 and the knob 64 of the adapter 30 is slid in the direction of the arrow _X1 , the top cover 60 is unlocked and rotated to a substantially vertical position by the torsion coil spring 77 and opened. In this state, the small tape cassette 34
is stored in the storage portion 33 of the adapter 30 through the insertion port 5. Here, the door 6 and top cover 60
are vertically located at the back of the insertion slot 5, and there are no obstacles in front of the insertion slot 5, so the small tape cassette 34 can be easily inserted into the storage section 33.
stored inside.

After storing the small tape cassette 34, the top cover 60 is closed and the door 6 is closed. When the top cover 60 is closed, switch SW1A,
SW2A is closed, the motor 37 is started by applying power from the apparatus 1 through the terminal 70, and tape loading operation within the adapter 30 is started.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the switch SW1A is closed, the small tape cassette "present" signal is transmitted through the terminal 95 (contact piece group 81) and to the switch.
By closing SW2A, a top cover closing signal is transmitted to each device 1 through the terminal 96 (contact piece group 81).
is added to the motor drive control circuit 101, and under the control of the circuit 101, the motor 87 is driven again and rotates in the normal direction. As a result, the housing 11 descends in the direction of arrow _Z2 and moves to position B, and the adapter 30
performs a tape loading operation internally, moves and is attached to the recording/reproducing apparatus 1 as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the motor 87 is stopped.

Therefore, the operator only needs to replace the small tape cassette and close the top cover 60, that is, replace the small tape cassette, and there is no need to perform an operation to start moving the housing 11 toward the mounting position. , the device 1 has excellent operability.

Further, when the tape loading operation within the adapter 30 is completed, the switch SW5A is switched as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6, and the motor 37 is stopped.

When the playback button 92 is operated in this state, the magnetic tape 55 is pulled out from the adapter 30, loaded onto a predetermined tape path attached to the drum, and run for playback. When the play button 92 and the record button 93 are operated at the same time, recording is performed.

When replacing the small tape cassette 34 currently in use, the first eject button 94 is operated. By this operation, the motor 87 is reversed, and the housing 11 rises together with the adapter 30 in the direction of arrow _Z1 to reach position C, where switch SW4 is
is closed again and the motor 87 is stopped. Further, a parallel circuit is formed with the switch SW3A via the terminal 71, and the motor 37 is rotated in reverse.

Therefore, the adapter 30 stops at position C, and the tape unloading operation within the adapter 30 is automatically performed. Here, for example, if a tape unloading start timing switch is provided and is closed before the housing 11 returns to position C, the tape unloading operation will be started at an early point and the adapter 30 will be at position C. It is possible to shorten the waiting time from when the tape returns to the completion of tape unloading.

When the tape unloading operation reaches the final stage, the top cover 60 is unlocked, the top cover 60 is opened in a vertical position by the spring 77, and the door 6 is also pushed by the top cover 60 and opened automatically.

In this state, the operator inserts his hand into the insertion slot 5, takes out the small tape cassette 34 from the storage section 33, and inserts another small tape cassette into the storage section 3.
Store within 3. Next, when the top cover 60 is closed, the motor 87 rotates in the normal direction, the housing 11 moves to position B, and the adapter 30 is attached to the device 1, as in the previous case.

In this way, the small tape cassette 34 is removed from the adapter 30 and inserted into the adapter 30 through the insertion port 5 while the adapter 30 remains inside the device 1. There is no need to take out the adapter 30 from the device 1 every time, which is extremely convenient.
Furthermore, the time required from the end of recording and reproduction of the previous small-sized tape cassette until the start of recording and reproduction of the next small-sized tape cassette is shortened. That is, the interruption time of recording and reproduction can be shortened.

Furthermore, if the small tape cassette 34 is taken out from the adapter 30 at position C to empty the adapter 30 and the top cover 60 is closed, the motor 87 will not start and the adapter 30 will remain stopped at position C. be done. Taking advantage of this state, the inside of the device 1 can also be used to store empty adapters 30. In this state, when the first eject button 94 is operated again, the housing 11 moves in the direction of arrow _Y2 and returns to position A, and the empty adapter 30 is sent out of the apparatus 1. Also,
When the top cover 60 is closed with the storage section 33 empty, the motor 87 is rotated in reverse by signals from the terminals 95 and 96, and the empty adapter 30 is automatically sent out of the device 1. You can also do that.

Note that when the second eject button 97 is operated, the housing 11 does not stop at position C;
The adapter 30 is moved from position B to position A, and the adapter 30 is delivered to the insertion port 3. When the housing 11 returns to position A, the motor 87 automatically stops.

When unloading the tape with the adapter 30 taken out of the apparatus 1, the sliding knob 64 is operated in the direction of arrow _X1 until it is locked. This operation will cause the switch to
When SW3A is closed, the motor 37 is started and reversed using the battery 68 as a power source, and a tape unloading operation is performed. At the final stage of tape unloading, the top cover 62 is unlocked and opened. This unlocking operation opens switch SW3A, but since switch SW4A is closed at this point, the motor 37 does not stop and the tape unloading operation continues until it is completed. When the process is completed, the switch SW5A is switched and the motor 37 is stopped.

Furthermore, in the adapter 30 described above, a small tape cassette 3 is placed inside the adapter 30 outside the device 1.
4 is attached and the top cover 60 is closed, the motor 37 is rotated by the battery 68 and tape loading is performed. In the adapter 30 in which the tape path 56 is formed, the switch SW6A is closed and a signal is output from the terminal 72. Therefore, when the adapter 30 on which the tape path 56 is formed is inserted from the insertion slot 3,
Unlike the case of the empty adapter described above, the housing 11 is not stopped at position C, but moves to position B, and the adapter 30 is attached to the device 1.

Furthermore, if the battery 68 is removed from the adapter 30, no tape loading operation will be performed even if the small tape cassette 34 is stored in the storage section 33. When the adapter 30, in which only the small tape cassette 34 is housed in the storage section 33, is inserted into the housing 11 through the insertion opening 3, the motor 87 rotates forward and the housing 11 is inserted.
moves with the adapter 30 toward position C.
Further, when the adapter 30 is inserted into the housing 11, power from the device 1 is applied to the adapter 30 via the terminal 70, the motor 37 is operated, and a tape loading operation is started within the adapter 30. That is, the adapter 30 moves in the direction of arrow _Y1 while the tape loading operation is performed internally.
The tape loading operation is completed by the time position C is reached, and the housing 11 moves to position B without stopping at position C, and the adapter 30 is attached to the device 1.

When a standard tape cassette is inserted, the detection lever 38 is pushed by the side surface of the tape cassette and rotates, opening the switch SW1. Therefore, unlike when the adapter 30 is inserted, the housing 11 does not stop at position C but moves to position B, and the standard tape cassette is installed in the apparatus 1. When the eject operation is performed, the housing 11 returns directly to position A and the standard tape cassette is ejected from the device.

Note that the above adapter 30 can also be used for tape loading and unloading by manually rotating the operating knob 100 (the top of the gear 40) exposed from the top surface of the adapter using a coin. It has a configuration that allows it to operate. To ensure that this manual tape loading and unloading operation is performed without any problems,
The gears constituting the gear train 39 have built-in slip clutches.

Further, it is also possible to identify that the adapter 30 is inserted into the housing 11 by using the fact that the top cover 60 is closed, and in this case, the recess 76 is unnecessary. .

Effects As described above, according to the magnetic recording and/or reproducing device of the present invention, a small tape cassette can be stored in and removed from the adapter without the adapter being ejected outside the insertion slot and being inserted into the insertion slot. This eliminates the trouble of ejecting the adapter from the insertion slot and reinserting it into the insertion slot each time a small tape cassette is replaced, and is particularly useful when sequentially recording and reproducing multiple small tape cassettes. In addition, the time during which recording and playback are interrupted when replacing a small tape cassette can be shortened, and the adapter moving mechanism automatically operates when the lid is closed after replacing a small tape cassette. Since the adapter is transported to the installation position using the tape cassette, there is no need for a special operation to move the adapter moving mechanism in the installation direction after replacing the small tape cassette, improving operability. Furthermore, since the tape loading operation within the adapter is performed in parallel with the movement of the adapter toward the mounting position,
Compared to waiting for tape loading in the adapter to complete before moving the adapter, the time it takes to attach the adapter to the device after replacing a small tape cassette can be effectively shortened. This method has the advantage that there is no need to wait for the completion of tape loading within the tape cassette, and time wastage associated with replacing small tape cassettes can be eliminated.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a magnetic recording and/or reproducing device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a side view, respectively, of an adapter automatic attachment/detachment mechanism in the device of FIG. 1. , FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a small tape cassette adapter used in the device shown in FIG. 1 with the top plate removed, and FIG. A perspective view, FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing the connection between the motor in the adapter of FIG. 4 and a plurality of detection switches, and FIG.
8 and 8 are perspective views of the adapter shown in FIG. 4 from the right and left sides, respectively, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show that the adapter housing accommodates a small tape cassette.
FIG. 11 is a plan view and a side view of the automatic adapter attachment/detachment mechanism showing the state at the take-out position, and a diagram schematically showing the control system of the motor of the automatic adapter attachment/detachment mechanism. 1... Magnetic recording and/or reproducing device, 2... Front panel, 3... Insertion slot for adapter (standard tape cassette), 4... Top plate, 5... Insertion slot for small tape cassette, 6... Door, 10...Adapter (tape cassette) automatic attachment/detachment mechanism, 11...Adapter housing, 12, 13... Vertical support plate,
14, 15...Side plate, 15a...Rack gear, 1
6... Bottom plate, 17... Narrow cover plate, 18... Pinion, 19a, 19b, 19c... Guide groove, 20...
... Frame plate, 30 ... Adapter for small tape cassette, 31 ... Adapter housing, 32 ... Front lid, 3
3...Small tape cassette storage section, 34...Small tape cassette, 35...Cassette housing, 36...
...Lid, 37,87...Motor, 38,88...Worm, 39...Gear train, 40,61,90,9
1... Gear, 41... Arm, 42... Switch switching cam, 43... Pole lock cam, 44...
...Special chain, 45,51...Loading arm, 46,52...Shaft, 47,49...Bell crank lever, 48,50...Link, 53,5
4...Pole, 55...Magnetic tape, 56...Tape path, 57, 62...Lock lever, 58...
... Take-up reel, 59 ... Lock member, 60 ... Top cover, 63 ... Lever, 64 ... Sliding knob, 64a ... Locking part, 65 ... Left side wall, 66 ...
...Protruding piece, 67... Spring, 68... Battery, 69...
... Right side wall, 70 ... Power input terminal, 71 ... Tape unloading start input terminal, 76 ... Recess for adapter identification, 77, 84 ... Torsion coil spring, 80 ... Power switch, 81, 82 ... Contact Single group, 83...Adapter detection lever, 85, 86
...Sliding plate, 92...Playback button, 93...Record button,
94...First eject button, 95...Small tape cassette "present" signal output terminal, 96...Top cover close signal output terminal, 97...Second eject button, 100...Operation knob, 101... Motor drive control circuit, SW1A...Small tape cassette storage detection switch, SW2A...Top cover closed detection switch, SW3A...Tape unloading start switch, SW4A...Auxiliary switch, SW5A...Tape loading/unloading completion detection Switch, SW1...Adapter detection switch, SW2, SW3...Adapter insertion detection switch, SW4...Position detection switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Has substantially the same shape as a standard tape cassette,
When a tape cassette 34 smaller than the standard tape cassette is installed in the device, a small tape cassette adapter 30 is used to accommodate the small tape cassette, and the position of the adapter insertion slot 3 into which the adapter is inserted is determined. an adapter moving mechanism 18 that moves between a position B where the adapter is attached to the apparatus and a position C where the small tape cassette can be replaced with the adapter; . A small tape cassette storage detection means that detects that a tape cassette is stored.
SW1A, a closed lid detection means SW for detecting that the lid 60 of the adapter, which was opened when storing the small tape cassette, is closed to cover the storage section;
2A, and the above-mentioned small tape cassette storage detection means SW1A
And by the detection operation of the closed lid detection means SW2A, the adapter moving mechanism 18, 87, 90, 9
A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus characterized in that 1 is configured to operate to move the adapter to the adapter mounting position B.