JPH04157657A - Transfer mechanism of loaded cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To support many cartridge rigidly without fear of damage or abrasion by supporting the lower face of the lowest cartridge among the loaded cartridges by a front and a rear hooks. CONSTITUTION:When a front hook 11 and a rear hook 12 are interlockingly closed as indicated by a solid line, the upper loadable cartridges 1 ... are held and turned unable to drop. While a stage 4 is raised, a side hook 13 is opened, and the upper cartridges can be loaded onto the stage 4. Therefore, by opening the front and rear hooks 11, 12 simultaneously by a hook opening/closing motor M1, the cartridge 1 are loaded on the stage 4 and come down. As the stage 4 is lowered the height of one cartridge, the front and rear hooks 11, 12 are closed so as to support the upper cartridges not to drop. Moreover, the side hook 13 is closed accompanying the lowering of the stage 4. Accordingly, damage and abrasion of cartridges can be prevented in a rigid structure.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] This invention relates to a transport mechanism for loaded cartridges that takes out a large number of cartridges each containing magnetic tape from the bottom one by one and transports them to a recording/playback section, etc. In the loaded cartridge transport mechanism, which loads cartridges and takes out and transports the lowest cartridge, the mechanism that temporarily supports the upper loaded cartridge to prevent it from falling when taking out the lowest cartridge is installed to prevent damage to the cartridge. Do not damage or wear out (
Moreover, it has a robust structure, and when inserting a cartridge into an empty storage box, the cartridge does not fall onto the stage (and the purpose is to ensure that it can be inserted). A transport mechanism for loaded cartridges that takes out and transports the lowest cartridge is provided with a stage that descends with the cartridge placed thereon and rises after the cartridge has been delivered; The stage is equipped with a front hook and a rear hook that enter the lower side of the front and rear slopes of the second cartridge from the bottom when the stage is lowered. It must be configured to operate in synchronization with the stage so that it can open and close, and it must have a side hook that opens and closes in conjunction with the vertical movement of the stage and allows entry and exit into and out of the storage box from the sides of the storage box. It is characterized by:

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a transport mechanism for stacked cartridges, which takes out a large number of cartridges containing magnetic tape one by one from the bottom and transports them to a recording/reproducing section or the like.

[Prior Art] FIG. 6 shows a cartridge 1 that is transported by the apparatus of the present invention, which has a magnetic tape built therein and cutouts 2 formed in both side walls. The cartridge conveyance mechanism proposed by the applicant of the present invention as Japanese Patent Application No. 129446/1993 is such that when the above-mentioned cartridges 1 are inserted one by one into a large number of shelves, the nuclide is intermittently lowered. By doing so, the cartridges are transported one by one to a recording/reproducing section or the like.

However, if you insert the cartridge into the shelf in advance like this,
The mechanism for picking up cartridges one by one from the shelf and transporting them requires the work of inserting cartridges one by one into the nuclide, which is cumbersome to handle.Furthermore, the number of cartridges that can be handled is limited as the number of cartridges can only be stored as many as the number of tiers of the fence. limited.

In order to solve this problem, as shown in Fig. 7, a large number of cartridges are loaded in the cartridge storage box 3 without a column, and the lowest cartridge 1a is taken out. As shown by the chain line 1b, a mechanism has been proposed for transporting the recording/reproducing unit to a recording/reproducing section or the like. In the case of this mechanism, after the cartridge 1b indicated by the chain line is delivered and the stage rises to the position indicated by the broken line 4a, the forward air 7 and the side air 8 are evacuated by the linear solenoid 5 and the rotary solenoid 6, and the loading is carried out. The lowest cartridge IC in this state is placed on the stage 4a. Next, when the stage 4a descends to the position indicated by the solid line 4, the front wind 7 and the side wind 8 are restored, and the second and subsequent stages of cartridges are temporarily locked to prevent them from falling.

Next, when the stage 4 is lowered to the position shown by the chain line 4b, it is sent out in the direction of force by an arrow a, as shown by the chain line 1b, by a feeding mechanism (not shown).

In the case of the above-mentioned transport mechanism with a shelf structure, the shelf cannot be refilled with cartridges unless all the cartridges on the shelf are sent out and the column is raised, and the replenishment work is also troublesome. The cartridge transport mechanism always takes out the lowest cartridge, and there is no shelf, so
When the number of cartridges remaining in the storage box 3 is low, it is only necessary to insert a new cartridge through the input port 9, and the cartridge can be replenished at any time. Furthermore, since there is no shelf and it is sufficient to simply insert the container into the storage box 3 from above, replenishment is easy. Since there is no shelf, only cartridges can be directly loaded and stored, and the amount of storage in the storage box 3 is also increased.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, when taking out the lowest cartridge, the front type 7 and side wind 8 are used to lock the upper loaded cartridges from falling, but while the cartridges are being repeatedly conveyed, There are problems such as the notch 2 being damaged or worn out by the side wind 8. Also, because the notch 2 is small, the front mold 7 and the left and right side winds 8 cannot support a large number of cartridges.
Cartridge loading capacity is limited.

Furthermore, since the notch 2 is shallow and the side wind 8 is short, if the cartridge is inserted obliquely when first inserted into the empty storage box 3, the cartridge may There were times when the player would fall onto Stage 4 without being caught.

The technical problem of the present invention is to address such problems and to provide a loaded cartridge transport mechanism that loads a large number of cartridges and takes out and transports the lowest cartridge.
A mechanism that temporarily supports the upper loaded cartridge to prevent it from falling when taking out the lowest cartridge.
To provide a robust structure without damaging or abrading the cartridge, and to ensure that the cartridge can be inserted into an empty storage box without falling onto the stage. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the basic principle of a transport mechanism for loaded cartridges according to the present invention. The loaded cartridge transport mechanism of the present invention has a structure in which support hooks move in and out from the front, back, left and right when taking out the lowest cartridge. That is, the loose tapered surface I of the cartridge 1
Assuming that the part with f is the front side of the cartridge and the part with slope 1r on the lower side is the rear side of the cartridge, the gap 1 created between the upper and lower cartridges at the front of the cartridge
At the rear of the cartridge, there is a front hook 11 that enters into the upper cartridge, and a rear hook 12 that enters into the slope 1r of the upper cartridge. The front hook 11 and the rear hook 12 are structured to open and close in conjunction with each other by a link or the like.

The stage 4 is also provided with a stage 4 that descends with a cartridge placed thereon and rises after the cartridge has been delivered. When the stage 4 descends, it operates in synchronization with the movement of the stage 4 so that it enters the lower side of the front and rear slopes of the second cartridge from the bottom.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a side hook that enters and exits from the left and right sides of the storage box 3, and is configured to open and close in conjunction with the vertical movement of the stage 4. That is, when the stage 4 moves up, it opens, and when it moves down, it closes.

The invention of claim 2 provides the front hook 11 and the rear hook 12.
In order to interlock the front hook 11 and the rear hook 12, the front hook 11 and the rear hook 12 are connected via a link mechanism.

The invention as claimed in claim 3 provides a structure in which side hooks 13a and 13b, which open and close in conjunction with the vertical movement of the stage 4 and enter and leave the storage box 3 from the sides of the storage box 3, are provided on the side of the stage 40. Following rollers 18a, 1 that come into contact with surfaces 20a, 20b
8b.

[Effect]

When the front hook 11 and the rear hook 12 are interlocked and closed as shown by the solid line, the upper loaded cartridge cartridge is supported and cannot be dropped. In addition, when the stage 4 is raised, the side hooks 13 are opened and the upper cartridge can be placed on the stage 4. In this state, the front hook 11 and the rear hook 1 are
2 are opened at the same time, the loaded cartridge cart... is placed on the stage 4 and lowered.

When the stage 4 is lowered by the height of one cartridge, the front hook 11 and the rear hook 12 are closed, and the upper cartridge is supported to prevent it from falling. Furthermore, in conjunction with the subsequent further lowering of the stage 4, the side hooks 13 are closed.

In this way, since the lower surface of the upper loaded cartridge is supported by the front and rear hooks 11 and 12, there is no fear that the cartridge will be damaged or worn out, and it can be supported reliably. Moreover, unlike side hooks that fit into notches, etc., the front and rear hooks 11 and 12 can be made sufficiently thick and long to create a sturdy structure, increasing the storage capacity of the storage box 3 and handling a large number of cartridges. can.

In the conventional transport mechanism shown in FIG. 7, when inserting a cartridge into an empty storage box 3, the cartridge sometimes falls onto the stage 4 without being caught by the front claw 7 and the side die 8. However, in the configuration of the present invention, except when the stage 4 is at the highest position, the front and rear hooks 1112 and the side hooks 13 on both sides are closed and the hooks enter from the front, rear, left and right, so the cartridge is not inserted diagonally. Even if it is dropped, there is no risk of it accidentally falling onto the stage 4, and the handling operation becomes reliable.

Note that, after the stage 4 is further lowered as described above, the cartridge 1d on the stage 4 is sent out in the direction of the force indicated by the arrow a by a known feeding mechanism.

In the invention of claim 2, the front hook 11 and the rear hook 12 are
Since they are connected via a link mechanism, by operating only one hook in synchronization with the operation of the stage 4, the other hook can also be reliably opened and closed.

In the third aspect of the invention, since the side hooks 13a and 13b are provided with follow-up rollers 18a and 18b that come into contact with the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b provided on the sides of the stage 4, when the stage 4 moves up and down, The side hooks 13a and 13b can be reliably opened and closed in conjunction with each other.

〔Example〕

Next, how the conveyance mechanism for loaded cartridges according to the present invention is actually implemented will be explained using an example. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the entire transport mechanism for loaded cartridges according to the present invention. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views illustrating the interlocking mechanism between the stage and the side hooks in the transport mechanism for loaded cartridges of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the side hooks open, and FIG. The hook is in the closed position.

Note that the same parts as in the configuration of FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals.

At the bottom of the cartridge storage box 3, the stage 4
is arranged, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the link 14
and the disk 1 driven by the motor M2 by the bin 16
It is connected to the eccentric position of 5. Therefore, the stage 4 moves up and down once every time the disk 15 rotates once. In addition, since the motor-driven worm W is engaged with the worm gear fixed to the side of the disk 15, there is no fear that the disk 15 will rotate due to the weight of the loaded cartridges, and a large number of cartridges can be loaded. can.

The left and right side hooks 13a, 13b can be opened and closed around support shafts 17a, 17b at the lower ends, respectively, and are provided with rollers 18a, 18b for following inside. On the other hand, by punching both sides 19a and 19b of the stage 4, the upper side has inclined surfaces 20a and 20b bent inward, so that when the stage 4 moves up and down, the following rollers 18a and 1
8b is in pressure contact with both sides 19a, 19b and inclined surfaces 20a, 20b of the stage 4 by the spring force of the tension spring 21.

In addition, on the left and right side walls of the storage box 3, side hooks 13a,
13b and follower rollers 18a, 18b pass through apertures 22,23.

In this structure, when the stage 4 is in a lowered state as shown in FIG. Now, the stage 4 begins to rise by the motor M2, and the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b move toward the follower roller 1.
8a, 18b, the side hooks 13a, 13b are pushed away, and the following rollers 18a, 18b are moved to the inclined surface 20.
a, 20b and rides on both side parts 19a, 19b, both side hooks 13a, 13b are in a state of being retracted from the storage box 3, as shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the front hook 11 is attached to the storage box 3.
An arm 25 extends in the shape of a claw inside the front hook 11 and is rotatably supported on the left and right side walls of the storage box 3 by a support shaft 24 above the front hook 11 and extends below the front hook 11. It is equipped with

The rear hook 12 extends in the shape of a claw inside the storage box 3.
Further, below the post-cough hook 12, it is rotatably supported by a support shaft 26 on the left and right side walls of the storage box 3, and the support shaft 26
It has an arm 27 extending further downward.

The lower end of the arm 27 of the rear hook 12 and the lower end of the arm 25 of the front hook 11 are connected via a link 28. Further, the lower end of the arm 27 of the rear hook 12 is provided with a swing plate 30 having a long hole 29 therein.

A pin 32 at an eccentric position of a disk 31 rotated by the motor is fitted into the elongated hole 29.

In this structure, when the swing plate 30 moves forward (in the direction of the arrow af force) by the motor, the rear hook 12 rotates in the direction of retreating from the storage box 3 using the lower support shaft 26 as a fulcrum. At the same time, the front hook 11 rotates in the direction of retreating from the storage box 3, using the upper support shaft 24 as a fulcrum.Conversely, when the swing plate 30 moves backward (in the direction of arrow ar force), the front hook 11 rotates in the direction of retreating from the storage box 3. The hook 12 uses the lower support shaft 26 as a fulcrum,
It rotates in the direction of entering the storage box 3. At the same time, the front hook 11 rotates in the direction of entering the storage box 3 using the upper support shaft 24 as a fulcrum. In this way, the front and rear hooks 1
1 and 12 enter and retreat into the storage box 3 at the same time.

Note that the vertical movement position of the stage 4 is detected by a sensor,
This detection signal controls the opening/closing motors of the front and rear hooks 11 and 12.

Next, the conveyance operation of the loaded cartridge in this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 1 to 4. Now, as shown in Fig. 1, when a large number of cartridges are loaded in the storage box 3, the stage 4 moves upward, and when it rises to the highest position as shown in Fig. 3, the stage side The side hooks 13a and 13b are opened at the portions 19a and 19b, and the motor M1 is operated in response to a signal from the position detection sensor, and the front and rear hooks 11 and 12 are retracted from the storage box 3.

Therefore, each cartridge cartridge . . . is placed on the stage 4, and as the stage 4 descends, all the cartridge cartridges . And stage 4
When the stage lift motor M2 is lowered by the height of one cartridge, the stage lift motor M2 is stopped by a signal from the position detection sensor. Then, the front and rear hook opening/closing motor M1 operates, and the front and rear hooks 11 and 12 enter into the storage box 3, and the hooks 11 and 12 enter the lower side of the second cartridge from the bottom, and the solid line in FIG. The state will be as follows. Subsequently, when the stage 4 descends, the slopes 20a and 20b descend, causing
The following rollers 18a, 18b follow the inclined surfaces 20a, 20b, the side hooks 13a, 13b close and enter the storage box 3, and enter under the second cartridge from the bottom, as shown in FIG. state. The stage 4 further descends and once it reaches the bottom, it stops, and the cartridge 1d shown by the broken line on the stage 4 is ejected in the force direction by the arrow a, as shown by the chain line 1b, by the feed roller shown in FIG. .

When the stage 4 becomes empty, the stage 4 starts to rise again, and the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b rise, and the side hooks 13a and 13b are pushed open together with the following rollers 18a and 18b, and the storage box 3 Evacuate from. When the stage 4 rises to the highest position, the hook opening/closing motor M1 operates according to the signal from the position detection sensor, and the front and rear hooks 11.1
2 is evacuated from the storage box 3, and all the cartridges are placed on the stage 4. Thereafter, by repeating the above-mentioned operation, the pieces are taken out from the bottom one by one and transferred to a recording/reproducing section or the like.

The front and rear hooks 11, 12 are always closed and support all the cartridges on the upper side, except when the stage 4 is raised to the uppermost position. Also, when inserting a cartridge into the storage box 3 for the first time, that is, when inserting a cartridge into an empty storage box 3, the front and rear hooks 11 and 12 are connected when the stage 4 rises to the highest position. Everything else is closed. Moreover, the left and right side hooks 13a and 13b are also closed except when the stage 4 is raised to the uppermost position.

In this way, hooks 11, 12, 13a, 13 from all sides
b extends into the storage box 3, so even if the cartridge inserted first is inserted diagonally as in the conventional case, it will not fall onto the stage 4 (each hook 11.b) will not fall onto the stage 4.
12. Loaded on 13a and 13b.

In addition, as shown by the chain line in FIG. 4, the side hooks 13a,
By bending 13b diagonally, side hooks 13a, 13
It is also possible to apply the load of the loaded cartridge to b.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a feeding mechanism that transports the cartridge 1d on the stage 4 to a recording/reproducing section or the like. storage box 3
The lower part of the holder 34a, 34b is provided with holders 34a, 34b that swing around support shafts 33a, 33b.
An idler pulley 35a and a drive roller 35b are mounted on the drive roller 35b. Note that a feed motor M3 that drives the drive roller 35b is mounted on the holder 34b.

Lever 36a, 36b is fixed to holder 34a, 34b, and pin 3 inserted into the slit at the tip of both levers.
7 is pulled down by the solenoid 38, the idler pulley 35a and the drive roller 35b are closed.

Now, when the stage 4 descends to the lowest position, the solenoid 38 operates and pulls down the bin 37, causing the holders 34a and 34b to rotate around the support shafts 33a and 33b, and the idler pulley 35a and drive roller 35b to rotate. and sandwich the cartridge 1a from both sides.

In this state, the feed motor M3 starts and the drive roller 35
By the rotation of b, the cartridge 1a is sent out to a recording/reproducing section or the like.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the loaded cartridge...
Hook the front and rear hooks 11 on the underside of the lowest cartridge inside.
．． Since the structure is supported by 12, the structure is strong and can support a large number of cartridges. Moreover,
There is no risk of damaging or wearing out the cartridge.

In addition, the structure is such that the hook can go in and out from the left and right, except when stage 4 is raised to the highest position.
Since the hooks enter the storage box 3 from the left and right and front and back, even if the cartridge inserted first is inserted obliquely, malfunctions such as falling onto the stage 4 without being caught by the hooks do not occur.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the basic principle of the loaded cartridge conveyance mechanism according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the entire structure of the loaded cartridge conveyance mechanism according to the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are A sectional view illustrating an interlocking mechanism between a stage and a side hook in a loaded cartridge transport mechanism of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a cartridge transport mechanism, and FIG. 6 is a cartridge transported by the mechanism of the present invention. A perspective view of the cartridge. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a conventional transport mechanism for loaded cartridges. In the figure, ■, 1a to 1d are cartridges, 1f is a loose tapered surface at the front end of the cartridge, lr is a slope at the bottom rear of the cartridge, 3 is a storage box, 4.4a and 4b are stages,
9 is the input slot, 10 is the gap, 11 is the front hook, 12 is the rear 7
Tsuku, 13.13a, 13b are side hooks, 18a, 1
8b is a following roller, 20a and 20b are inclined surfaces, 21 is a tension spring, 28 is a link, 29 is a long hole, 30 is a rocking plate, Ml is a front and rear hook opening/closing motor, a tag is a stage lifting motor, and M3 is a feed motor. are shown respectively. Patent Applicant: Fujitsu Limited Sub-Agent Patent Attorney: Yasushi Fukushima Bun Motor Showcase Example (Complete) 12 Interim 4 Figure 7 Ward

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a stacked cartridge transport mechanism that loads a plurality of cartridges and takes out and transports the lowest cartridge, the mechanism lowers with the cartridges loaded and rises after the cartridges have been delivered. A front hook (11) that enters the lower side of the front and rear slopes of the second cartridge from the bottom when the stage (4) descends from the top position by one cartridge. and rear hook (12
), and the front hook (11) and rear hook (12) operate in synchronization with the stage (4) so that the stage (4) opens and closes when the stage (4) reaches a predetermined position. The storage box (3) opens and closes in conjunction with the vertical movement of the stage (4).
) that goes in and out of the storage box (3) from the side of the hook (
13a) (13b) A loading cartridge transport mechanism characterized by: 2. The front hook (11) and the rear hook (
12) are connected via a link mechanism, and the front hook (11) and rear hook (12) are connected to the stage so that they open and close when the stage (4) reaches a predetermined position. (4) A transport mechanism for loaded cartridges, characterized in that it is configured to operate in synchronization with (4). 3. In claim 1, the side hooks (13a) (13b) that open and close in conjunction with the vertical movement of the stage (4) and enter and exit from the side of the storage box (3), Inclined surfaces (20a) (20b) provided on the sides of the stage (4)
) A conveyance mechanism for loaded cartridges, characterized in that it is provided with follow-up rollers (18a) (18b) that abut against the rollers (18a) and (18b).