JPH04247375A - Information detector for tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize a detector by which a large volume of information in a tape cassette can be obtained by using one hole of the tape cassette and a detecting switch. CONSTITUTION:This detector is comprised in such a way that the operating pin 12 of the detecting switch 11 is inserted to one hole 3 of a cassette case 1, and an operating pin abutting member 6 is provided so as to be positioned freely in the cassette case 1, and the insertion depth of the operating pin 12 can be varied corresponding to each rotary position of the operating pin abutting member 6, and the detecting switch 11 outputs at least three different kinds of signals.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for detecting tape information attached to a case body of a tape cassette used in video equipment, audio equipment, etc.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in video equipment, audio equipment, etc., there is a means for controlling the equipment by detecting the type of tape in a tape cassette and the thickness of the tape, and calculating, for example, the remaining amount of tape.

Information such as the type of tape and the thickness of the tape is recorded as a hole in the cassette case of the tape cassette, and a detection bit is inserted into the hole to detect the information.

FIG. 7 shows an example of this, in which a hole 53 is formed in a lower half 52 of a main body case 50 of the cassette, and a detection bit 55 of a switch 54 is inserted into the hole 53. Note that 51 in the figure is the upper half of the main body case 50.

In this configuration, a switch 54 outputs two signals, one on and one off, depending on the presence or absence of the hole 53, thereby detecting information.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Such a tape cassette information detection device can only detect two pieces of information based on whether the switch is on or off, and cannot detect much information. On the other hand, it is possible to detect a lot of information by forming many holes in the tape cassette and installing multiple switches, but the size of the tape cassette is limited and it is not possible to provide many holes. However, if many holes are provided, the tape cassette must be made larger. Furthermore, it requires many switches, which is not economical and difficult to implement in terms of equipment space.

The present invention takes into account the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides an information detection device for a tape cassette that can detect at least three pieces of information without providing many holes in the tape cassette and without requiring a large number of switches. The purpose is to provide the following.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a cassette case in which one hole is formed, a detection switch having an actuation pin inserted into the hole, and a detection switch located in the cassette case. The actuating pin abutting member is provided so as to be positionable in at least three rotational positions, and the insertion depth of the actuation pin is variable depending on each of the rotational positions, The detection switch outputs at least three different signals depending on the insertion depth of the operating pin, and is configured as an information detection device for a tape cassette.

[0009]

[Operation] In the above structure, the operating pin of the detection switch is inserted into the hole of the cassette case. Here, the actuating pin abutting member is assumed to have information on, for example, the type of tape, the thickness of the tape, and the diameter of the reel bubble, and by being positioned at a required rotational position, the actuating pin can be adjusted to its insertion depth. It outputs an on or off signal depending on the insertion depth. If the rotational position of the actuating pin abutting member is changed from the above-mentioned position, the insertion depth of the actuating pin changes, and a signal different from the above-mentioned signal is output. These signals can be changed in at least three steps or more, and information on a large number of tape cassettes can be obtained.

0010

Embodiment Embodiment 1 In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a cassette case, and a hole 3 is formed in the lower half 2. Inside the cassette case 1, an operating pin abutment member 6 has a rotating shaft 5 pivotally supported by the lower half 2 and the upper half 4.
has been established. The end surface of the lower half 2 side of this actuating pin abutment member 6 has stepped surfaces 7 and 8 that are gradually lowered in the circumferential direction.
- 9 are formed, and these step surfaces 7, 8, and 9 are made to correspond to the holes 3 in sequence by rotating the actuating pin abutting member 6. Further, the rotating shaft 5 on the upper half 4 side of the operating pin abutting member 6 is exposed on the outer surface of the upper half 4 and has a groove 10 for operation. This groove 1
0 also serves as a pointer, and the outer surface of the upper half 4 is marked with a symbol. A detection switch 11 is provided on the outside of the lower half 2.
is provided, the operating pin 12 of which is inserted into the hole 3,
The tip is in contact with one of the step surfaces 7, 8, and 9 of the actuating pin abutting member 6.

In the above configuration, the insertion depth of the actuation pin 12 of the detection switch 11 is controlled by the plurality of stepped surfaces 7, 8, and 9 of the actuation pin abutting member 6. By rotating the actuating pin abutting member 6 and selecting its position, the insertion depth of the actuating pin 12 can be changed. Here, the detection switch 11 generates different signals depending on the insertion depth of the operating pin 12, for example, on/off, second
signal, such as turning on a switch element. By setting each rotational position of the actuating pin abutting member 6 as information such as the type of tape or the thickness of the tape, the information can be detected by one detection switch 11.

(Embodiment 2) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the operating pin abutting member 6 is an indirect member in contrast to the embodiment 1 described above. That is, the actuating pin abutting member 6 is rotatably held in the center hole 14 of the protrusion 13 formed in the upper half 4 of the cassette case 1 so as to be movable in the axial direction. It is biased toward the half 2 side. It has a contact pin 16 that projects laterally, and step surfaces 7, 8, and 9 are formed on the end surface of the protrusion 13. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the stair surfaces 7, 8, and 9 are not strict stairs as in the first embodiment, but are modified stairs.

In the operation of the second embodiment, the actuating pin abutting member 6 functions indirectly, and the insertion depth of the actuating pin 12 is determined by rotating the actuating pin abutting member 6 and selecting the position. The tape cassette information is detected in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the insertion depth of the actuation pin 12 is changed in three stages so that three pieces of information can be obtained, but the insertion depth of the actuation pin 12 can be changed in more stages. It is also possible to make it possible to detect a large amount of information.

[0015]

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the description of the above embodiments,
The present invention provides an actuation pin abutment member in which the actuation pin of the detection switch comes into contact within the tape cassette, and by selecting the rotational position of the actuation pin abutment member, the insertion depth of the actuation pin can be changed in multiple stages, and a large number of tape cassettes can be inserted into the tape cassette. Therefore, it is only necessary to provide one hole in the cassette case.In other words, it is possible to obtain a large amount of information on the tape cassette without having to provide multiple holes or multiple switches in the cassette case. In addition, a practical tape cassette information detection device can be provided without requiring a large space on the equipment side.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of essential parts of a tape cassette information detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] A perspective view of the operating pin abutting member of the device

[Figure 3
] Plan view of the tape cassette of the device

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of main parts of a tape cassette information detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 5] An exploded perspective view of the main parts of the device

[Figure 6] Plan view of the tape cassette of the device

[Fig. 7] Main part sectional side view of a conventional tape cassette information detection device

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Cassette case 3 holes 6 Actuation pin abutting member 7/8/9 Stair surface 11 Detection switch 12 Actuation pin

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cassette case having one hole formed therein; a detection switch having an actuation pin inserted into the hole;
The actuating pin abutting member is located in the cassette case, and the actuating pin abutting member is provided so as to be positionable in at least three rotational positions, and the insertion depth of the actuation pin is variable according to each of the rotational positions. An information detection device for a tape cassette, wherein the detection switch outputs at least three different signals depending on the insertion depth of the operating pin.