JPH04157658A - Automatic cartridge loading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To forcibly discharge a magazine in case of emergency by providing a clutch mechanism and a lever for driving the clutch mechanism. CONSTITUTION:There are provided a clutch mechanism 7 between a driving part 4 and a gear 3, and a lever 8 for driving the clutch mechanism 7 in this apparatus. When the driving part 4 is activated, the gear 3 is driven via the clutch mechanism 7. As a result, a magazine 1 provided with a rack 5 to be meshed with the gear 3 is moved up and down. If the system is broken and the driving part 4 becomes inoperable, the lever 8 is moved and the clutch mechanism 7 is turned from the ON state to the OFF state. The magazine 1 becomes free and therefore discharged solely outside the apparatus. Therefore, the magazine can be forcibly discharged in case of emergency.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] A magazine that is attached to a magnetic tape device and in which a plurality of cartridges are set is inserted, and a gear driven by a drive unit engages with a rack provided in the vertical direction of the magazine. , an automatic cartridge loading device that drives the magazine in the vertical direction and inserts/discharges a desired cartridge into/from a magnetic tape device; and to provide an automatic cartridge loading device that can forcibly eject the magazine in an emergency. In the invention of claim 1, a clutch mechanism provided between the drive section and the gear and a lever for driving the clutch mechanism is provided, and in the invention of claim 2, the drive section and the gear A worm deceleration mechanism is provided between the gear and the drive unit side is a worm, and the gear side is a worm wheel, a roller for driving the worm of the worm deceleration mechanism is provided, and a roller for driving the worm of the worm deceleration mechanism is provided. The configuration is such that it is provided.

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention is attached to a magnetic tape device, into which a magazine in which a plurality of cartridges are set is inserted, and a gear driven by a drive unit engages with a rack provided in the vertical direction of the magazine. The present invention also relates to an automatic cartridge loading device that drives the magazine in the vertical direction to load/unload desired cartridges into/from a magnetic tape device.

In recent years, with improvements in computer performance, there has been a demand for improvements in storage capacity. Magnetic tape is no exception to this. In the case of magnetic tape devices, as a means other than improving storage density, there is a strong demand for devices that can automatically process multiple volumes by taking advantage of the features of removable media. This not only improves storage processing capacity but also reduces operator intervention, which is highly effective in reducing operating costs.

(Prior art) An automatic cartridge loading device (cartridge loader) is
This is a device for inserting/ejecting a desired cartridge into/from a magnetic tape device from a machine in which a plurality of cartridges are set.

The methods for picking up the desired cartridge from the magazine are as follows: - The picker itself picks up the cartridge from the magazine, or it moves up and down in the magazine to take out the cartridge. - The magazine itself moves up and down and picks up the desired cartridge. There is a method of moving the picker to the vicinity of the picker.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As a mechanism for driving the magazine in the vertical direction, a rack extending in the vertical direction is provided on the magazine side, and a gear (pinion) that meshes with the rack is provided on the cartridge automatic loading device side.
It is conceivable to drive the magazine in the vertical direction by providing a gear and rotationally driving the gear.

In such a configuration, if the system goes down,
There is a problem in that the magazine cannot be forcibly ejected to the outside because the drive unit does not operate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic cartridge loading device that forcibly ejects a magazine in an emergency.

[Means for Solving the Problems] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the invention according to claim 1, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the principle of the invention according to claim 2.

First, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a magazine in which a plurality of cartridges 2 are set. 3 is a gear driven by the drive unit 4 of the automatic cartridge loading device of this embodiment. A rack 5 is provided in the vertical direction of the magazine 1, and is meshed with a gear 3 driven by a drive section 4.

7 is a clutch mechanism provided between the drive unit 4 and the gear 3. 8 is a lever that drives this clutch mechanism 7.

Next, in FIG. 2, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted.

Gear 3. A worm speed reduction mechanism 12 is provided between the drive unit 4 and the drive unit 4, which includes a worm 10 provided on the drive unit 4 side and a worm wheel 11 provided on the gear 3 side.

13 is a roller that drives the worm 10.

[Operation] First, in the automatic cartridge loading device shown in FIG. 1, when the drive unit 4 is driven, the gear 3 is driven via the clutch mechanism 7, and the magazine 1, which is provided with the rack 5 that meshes with the gear 3, is moved. Move up and down.

If the drive unit 4 is inoperable due to a system failure, etc., the lever 8 is moved (in the case of this principle diagram, the lever 8 is moved to the right), and the clutch mechanism 7 is moved.
When the switch is turned from the on state to the off state, the magazine 1 becomes free, and the magazine 1 can be discharged to the outside of the apparatus by itself.

Next, in the cartridge automatic loading device shown in FIG. 2, similarly to the cartridge automatic loading device shown in FIG. The loaded magazine 1 moves in the vertical direction.

If the drive unit 4 is inoperable, such as when the system goes down, the roller 13 is rotated and the gear 6 is rotated via the worm reduction mechanism 12, allowing the magazine 1 to move vertically. Therefore, the magazine 1 is ejected to the outside of the apparatus by itself.

[Example] Next, the present invention will be explained in detail using the drawings.

3 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the inside of the clutch mechanism;
The figure is a left side view in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is an explanatory view of the lever in Fig. 3, where (a) is a rear view, (b) is a left side view, (c) is a front view, and Fig. 6 is an explanatory view of the lever in Fig. 3. 3 is an explanatory view of the coupling in FIG. 3, (a) is a side view, (b) is a front view, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of the first embodiment of the present invention,
8 is an overall perspective view of the magnetic tape device equipped with the automatic cartridge loading device shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the magazine drive mechanism shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 10 is the left side in FIG. 9. 11 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the drive mechanism in FIG. 9, FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the stopper arm in FIG. 9. Front view, (b) right side view, (
c) is a top view, FIG. 14 is a diagram explaining the third gear in FIG. 9, (a) is a front view, (b) is a left side view, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the automatic cartridge loading of this embodiment. A perspective view of the magazine set in the device, FIG. 16 is a rear view in FIG. 15, FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram explaining the first sensor in FIG. 7, and FIG. 18 is a positional relationship between the magazine and the stopper arm. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20 is a partial sectional view of the left side of FIG. 19.

First, the entire magnetic tape device provided with the automatic cartridge loading device of this embodiment will be explained using FIG. In the figure, 21 indicates the data transfer rate to the magnetic tape.
A magnetic tape device main body 22 that performs writing is provided adjacent to the magnetic tape device main body 21, and is an automatic cartridge loading device for loading/unloading cartridges into/from the magnetic tape device main body.

Next, the overall configuration of the cartridge automatic loading device 22 will be explained using FIG. 7. In the figure, 23 is a cover, 24
Reference numeral 25 denotes a mechanism section of the automatic cartridge loading device, and 25 is a base for connecting the automatic cartridge loading device to a magnetic tape device. In the mechanism section 20, reference numeral E designates a magazine insertion opening in which a magazine is set and which is provided on both sides of guide rollers R that guide the magazine E.

Here, the magazine will be explained using FIGS. 15 and 16. 25 is a magazine. This magazine 25 is provided with a plurality of holes 25a that accommodate cartridges. Furthermore, two racks 26 and 27 are provided in the vertical direction on the back surface. Furthermore, a flag 28 for a third sensor, which will be described later, is provided at the lower part of the back surface.

Next, the magazine drive mechanism will be explained using FIGS. 7 to 12. In FIG. 7, D is a magazine drive mechanism. This magazine drive mechanism will be explained using FIG. 9. In the figure, 30 is a first shaft driven by a first drive section (not shown), and 31 is a second shaft driven by a second drive section (not shown). 1st
The racks 26 and 27 of the magazine 25 are mounted on the shaft 30 of the magazine 25.
First and second gears 33, 34, which can be engaged with each other, are attached using screws. Further, a stopper arm 35 is attached to the first shaft 30 so as to be rotatable with respect to the first shaft 30 and further to be restricted from moving in the axial direction. Similarly, the first shaft 30
A third gear 36 is attached to the first shaft 30 so as to be rotatable and further restricted from moving in the axial direction. Further, a fourth gear 37 that meshes with the third gear is attached to the second shaft 31.

Next, these attachments will be explained using FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. In these figures, 40 is a first bearing attached to the second shaft 30. The third gear 36 is fitted into the outer ring of the bearing 40, and the third gear 36 is rotatable with respect to the first shaft 30. Similarly, 4] is the first shaft 30
This is the second hair ring attached to the. The stopper arm 35 is fitted onto the outer ring of the second hair ring 41, and the stopper arm 35 is rotatable with respect to the second shaft 30.

39 has one end in contact with the first gear 33 and the other end in contact with the first gear 33.
This is a first spacer that comes into contact with the bearing 40 of the first shaft 30 and loosely fits into the first shaft 30 . 42 is in contact with the third gear 36 at one end, and the stopper arm 35 at the other end.
the second bearing 41 in the first shaft 3;
This is a second spacer that loosely fits into the spacer 0. 43 has one end in contact with the second hair ring 41 and the other end in contact with the second gear 34
This is a third spacer that comes into contact with the first shaft 30 and loosely fits into the first shaft 30 . Then, the first gear 33 and the second gear 34
is attached to the first shaft 30 using a screw in a state where movement in the axial direction is prohibited, so the stopper arm 35 and the third gear 36 is prohibited from moving in the axial direction.

Next, the shapes of the stopper arm 35 and the third gear 36 will be explained using FIGS. 13 and 14. First of all,
In FIG. 13, the stopper arm 35 is formed with an arm portion 35a.

Furthermore, two parallel protrusions 35b and 35c are formed on the surface facing the third gear 36.

Next, in FIG. 14, a protrusion 3 of the stopper arm 35 is provided on the surface of the third gear 36 facing the stopper arm 35.
A protrusion 36a is formed which fits into 5b and 35c. Then, the protrusion 36a of the third gear 36 engages between the two protrusions 35b and 35c of the stopper arm 35, so that the stopper arm 35 and the third gear 36 rotate together.

Next, returning to FIGS. 9 and 10, 51 is a first rotary plate attached to one end of the first shaft 30;
is a second rotating plate attached to one end of the second shaft 31. Four notches 51a are formed in the first rotating plate 51 at equal pitches. Furthermore, this first rotary plate 51 is provided with a groove 1 of a coupling 101, which will be described later.
Four protrusions 51b are formed that can be engaged with 01a.

Further, the second rotary plate 52 is provided with a notch 52a.

53 is a photointerrupter for detecting the phase of the gear 33.34 that meshes with the rack 26.27 of the magazine 25. 54 and 55 are notches 5 of the second rotary plate 52
2a to detect the position of the stopper arm 35.

Next, returning to FIG. 7, 61 is a first sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the magazine 25 in the automatic cartridge loading device. The configuration of this first sensor will be explained using FIG. 17. Reference numeral 62 denotes an arm rotatably provided on the main body side of the cartridge automatic loading device. A roller 63 is rotatably attached to the intermediate portion of this arm 62. 64 is in the state where the magazine 25 is not set,
This is a spring that urges the roller 63 to protrude onto the insertion path of the magazine 25. A photointerrupter 65 detects the movement of the other end of the arm 62. In the first sensor of this embodiment, the roller 63 is connected to the magazine 25.
When the arm 62 comes into contact with the arm 62, the arm 62 rotates clockwise in the figure, and the photointerrupter 65 responds. Note that this contact is made with the rack 26 of the magazine 25.
27 is the first and second gear 33. It is designed to respond before engaging with 34.

Further, 70 is a photointerrupter which is a third sensor. Magazine 2
By blocking the flag 28 of No. 5, it is possible to detect that the magazine 25 is at the top.

Next, the clutch mechanism C of this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 3 to 5. In the figure, 100 is a housing of a clutch mechanism C, and 101 is a coupling that is movable in the horizontal direction with respect to the housing 100 and has a flange 101 C formed therein. This coupling 10
As shown in FIG. 6, four grooves 101a are formed on the surface facing the first rotary plate 51, into which the protrusions 51b of the first rotary plate 51 can engage. Also, coupling 10
A rectangular hole 101b is bored in the rotation shaft of No. 1.

102 is provided such that its center portion is rotatable with respect to the housing 100, and one rotating end portion 102a is connected to the coupling 10.
abutting against the side surface of the first rotary plate 51 of the first collar portion 101C;
The other rotating end is a lever that extends above the housing 100 and has an operating portion 102b formed therein. A spring 103 has one end in contact with the vertical wall surface of the housing 100 and the other end in contact with the flange 101C of the cup song 101 to bias the coupling 101 toward the first rotary plate 51.

A worm wheel 104 is attached to a shaft (not shown) having a rectangular cross section and engages with the square hole 101b of the coupling 101. This worm wheel 10
4 includes a worm 105 mounted coaxially with a gear 106 rotationally driven by a first drive unit (not shown).
are meshing.

On the other hand, a second drive section (not shown) rotationally drives a worm 108 mounted coaxially with a gear 107. The worm 108 meshes with a worm wheel 109, and this worm wheel 109 is connected to the coupling 1.
It is connected to the second rotary plate 52 via 10.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained. In the state shown in FIG. 7, the magazine 25 is not set. Furthermore,
The stopper arm portion 35a of the stopper arm 35 has a first
In Figure 8, it is at position I. In this state, magazine 2
5, the bottom of the magazine 25 comes into contact with the stopper arm portion 35a of the stopper arm 35, and the first
The sensor 61 responds.

Then, a control circuit (not shown) waits for a start switch (not shown) to be turned on. When the start switch is turned on, the second drive section is driven and the fourth gear 37 is turned on.
．． The stopper arm 35 is connected to the 18th gear via the third gear 36.
In the figure, rotate it to the position marked ■. Due to this rotation of the stopper arm 35, the magazine 25 is lowered, and the rack 26 of the magazine 25 is connected to the first gear 33, and the rack 27
mesh with the second gear 34, respectively. This rotational movement of the stopper arm 35 between the position I and the position
It is detected by photointerrupters 54 and 55, which are the detection units of .

Then, the control section (not shown) drives the first drive section,
First gear 33. The second gear 34 is rotated. Due to this rotation, the magazine 25 moves vertically and %t125
It is possible to insert/eject a cartridge set to a into the magnetic tape device.

On the other hand, when taking out the magazine 25, the first drive unit is driven to move the magazine 25 upward until the third sensor responds (the flag 28 provided on the magazine 25 blocks the gap between the photo interrupter 70). The magazine 25 can be taken out by moving it (in this state the magazine 25 is at the top) and rotating the stopper arm 35 from the second position (2) to the first position (I).

According to the above configuration, when inserting the magazine 25, the racks 26, 27 of the magazine 25 are connected to the first and second gears 3.
3. Before engaging with the rack 26.
meshes with the first and second gears 33,34.

Therefore, the impact when the magazine 25 is pushed is not applied to the rack 26, 27 of the magazine 25 or the first and second gears 33, 34, and the rack and gears are not damaged.

Next, when the first drive section and the second drive section are inoperable due to a system failure, etc., the lever 10
The second operating section 102b is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Then, the flange 101C of the coupling 101
The other end of the lever 102 presses the coupling 101
moves to the left in FIG. 3, and the coupling 10
1 and the first rotary plate 51 is released (that is,
(Clutch mechanism C changes from on state to off state).

Then, the magazine 25 becomes free, and the magazine 25 alone is ejected to the outside of the apparatus.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 19 and 20. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the internal mechanism of the housing 100.
Since the other parts are the same, only the inside of the housing 100 will be described and the other parts will be omitted.

A coupling 151 connected to the first rotary plate 51 and a coupling 152 connected to the second rotary plate 52 are each rotatably attached to the housing 100. coupling 15
A worm wheel 153 is provided coaxially with the worm wheel 1 . A worm 154 is engaged with this worm wheel 153. The worm 154 is rotationally driven by a first driving section (not shown) via a gear 155 provided coaxially.

On the other hand, a worm wheel 156 is provided coaxially with the coupling 152. This worm wheel 15
6 is engaged with a worm 157. Worm 157
is rotationally driven by a second driving section (not shown) via a gear 158 provided coaxially.

A roller 160 is attached to the gear 155 via a gear 159 having fewer teeth than the gear 155 .

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained. In the operation of this embodiment, the normal operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, if the first drive section and the second drive section are inoperable, such as when the system goes down, the roller 16
0 is manually rotated counterclockwise by the operator in FIG. This rotational force is transmitted by gear 159. Gear 155.
Warm 154. The signal is transmitted to the coupling 151 via the worm wheel 153, and the coupling 151 and the first . The second gear 33, 34 rotates counterclockwise, the magazine 25 moves upward, and the magazine 25 can be discharged alone to the outside of the device.

In the first embodiment, when the lever 102 is operated, the magazine 25 becomes free, and if left as it is, it will naturally fall, so it is necessary to hold the magazine 25.

However, in this embodiment, the worm deceleration mechanism composed of the worm 154 and the worm wheel 153 provides a braking force, and the magazine 25 does not fall by itself.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the invention of claim 1, by providing a clutch mechanism and a lever for driving this clutch mechanism, and according to the invention of claim 2, the worm reduction By providing a mechanism and a roller for driving the worm of this worm reduction mechanism, it is possible to realize an automatic cartridge loading device that can forcibly eject a magazine in an emergency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the invention as claimed in claim 1, FIG. 2 is a principle diagram of the invention as claimed in claim 2, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a left side view in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the lever in FIG. 3; (a)
is a rear view, (b) is a left side view, (c) is a front view, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the coupling in FIG. 3.
(a) is a side view, (b) is a front view, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a magnetic field provided with the automatic cartridge loading device shown in FIG. An overall perspective view of the tape device, FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the magazine drive mechanism in FIG. 7, FIG. 10 is a left side view in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the drive mechanism in FIG. 9. , Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view in Fig. 11, and Fig. 13 is a diagram explaining the stopper arm in Fig. 9, where (a) is a front view, (b) is a right side view, and (c) is a top view. , FIG. 14 is a diagram explaining the third gear in FIG. 9,
(a) is a front view, (b) is a left side view, Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the magazine set in the cartridge automatic loading device of this embodiment, Fig. 16 is a rear view of Fig. 15, Fig. 17 is a configuration diagram explaining the first sensor in FIG. 7, FIG. 18 is a diagram explaining the positional relationship between the magazine and the stopper arm, and FIG. 19 is a diagram explaining the main parts of the second embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 20 is a partial sectional view of the left side in FIG. 19. 1 to 20, 1.25 is a magazine, 2 is a cartridge, 3.33.34 is a gear, 4 is a drive unit, 5.26.27 is a rack, 7, C is a clutch mechanism, 8.102 is a lever, 10.154 is a worm, 11.153 is a worm wheel, 12 is a two-way reduction mechanism, and 13.160 is a roller.

Claims (1)

[Claims] [1] Attached to a magnetic tape device, the cartridge (
A magazine (1) in which a plurality of items 2) are set is inserted,
A gear (3) driven by a drive unit (4) meshes with a rack (5) provided in the vertical direction of the magazine (1), drives the magazine (1) in the vertical direction, and loads a desired cartridge ( 2) into/from a magnetic tape device, the cartridge automatic loading device comprising: a clutch mechanism (7) provided between the drive section (4) and the gear (3); An automatic cartridge loading device characterized by comprising a lever (8) for driving a mechanism (7). [2] Attached to a magnetic tape device, the cartridge (
A magazine (1) in which a plurality of items 2) are set is inserted,
A gear (3) driven by a drive unit (4) meshes with a rack (5) provided in the vertical direction of the magazine (1), drives the magazine (1) in the vertical direction, and loads a desired cartridge ( 2) into/from a magnetic tape device, the cartridge automatic loading device includes a worm (10) on the drive unit side and a worm (10) on the gear side between the drive unit (4) and the gear (3). An automatic cartridge loading device comprising: a worm deceleration mechanism (12) which is a worm wheel (11); and a roller (13) for driving the worm (10) of the worm deceleration mechanism (12).