JPH048860B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention provides a disk pack in which a disk for signal recording or reproduction is rotatably housed in a case from an insertion port of a signal recording/reproducing device. It relates to a loading mechanism that transports and sets the recording/reproducing position at the back of the device.

(Prior Art) So-called electronic still camera devices that record image signals on such disk packs or reproduce the signals as still images are being developed.

An electronic still camera device is comprised of, for example, a camera for recording image signals on a magnetic disk of a disk pack, and a reproducing machine for reproducing the recorded magnetic disk.

As shown in FIG. 9, a disk pack used in an electronic still camera has a magnetic disk 1 placed in a flat, approximately square hard disk pack case 10 with a plurality of positioning reference holes 11 and 12 formed on the outer periphery.
6 is rotatably accommodated in the radial and axial directions with some play. A window 17 is provided on the surface of the case to expose the magnetic disk 16, and a dustproof shutter 13 is provided to be able to be opened and closed with respect to the window 17. In addition, in the center of both sides of the case,
Hole 1 corresponds to the center hub 14 of the disk 16.
5 have been established.

Axial hole 18 of center hub 14 of disk 16
has a substantially triangular shape with one side curved into an arc, and is fitted with a center spindle 9 connected to a drive motor (not shown) in an interference fit, and is rotationally driven by the center spindle 9. .

Various types of loading mechanisms have been proposed for setting the disk pack 1 to the signal recording/reproducing position in a camera or a player.
Particularly for playback machines, good operability is an important condition.

A so-called front loading mechanism is adopted as a loading device for a cassette video tape recorder (VTR) in consideration of operability and the like. In this mechanism, by inserting the tape cassette into the cassette insertion slot provided on the front panel and pushing it slightly toward the back, the tape cassette will automatically move toward the signal recording/playback position within the device, and will be transported horizontally and vertically. It is transported and set.

(Problems to be Solved) Therefore, the applicant attempted to employ the above-mentioned front loading method in an electronic still camera device, but it was found that there were the following problems.

That is, when the disk pack 1 is conveyed horizontally and then vertically and the shaft hole 18 of the center hub 14 is fitted into the center spindle 9, there is no play between the shaft hole 18 and the spindle 9, so that the hub 1
4 has to be pushed into the spindle 9, and at this time the disk 16 may be pushed into an inclined state with respect to the spindle 9.

Therefore, the disk 16 rotating at high speed is in case 1.
A problem arises in that severe surface vibration occurs within 0, making it impossible to record or reproduce correct signals.

In addition, reference surfaces for positioning are formed at multiple locations on the lower surface of the case of the disk pack 1, and the reference holes 11, 1 of the disk pack case 10 are connected to the positioning pins and positioning seats provided at the back of the recording/reproducing device.
2 and the reference surface must be accurately engaged.

However, in the front loading mechanism used in VTRs, the holder that directly holds the cassette moves from horizontal movement to vertical movement along an L-shaped guide groove. In order to change the conveyance direction of the holder from horizontal to vertical midway through the holder and to achieve smooth movement, it is necessary to provide an appropriate amount of play between the holder and the loading mechanism.

In the case of a VTR, even if the positioning accuracy of the holder and thus the tape cassette is somewhat poor, as long as the tape pulled out from the cassette is wound around the VTR cylinder with high precision, there will be no problem in recording and reproducing signals.

On the other hand, in the case of an electronic still camera device, the setting position of the disk pack becomes the recording/playback position, so as mentioned above, the positioning reference hole 11 is provided in the disk pack 1, and the reference hole 11 is inserted into the device. The disk pack 1 is positioned by tightly fitting it into the positioning pin of the disk pack 1.

Therefore, when the front loading mechanism of a VTR is implemented in an electronic still camera device, there is a risk that the positioning reference hole of the disk pack 1 will not fit into the positioning pin due to poor positioning accuracy of the holder.

In addition, in the front loading mechanism of a VTR, the tape cassette is unloaded,
When the tape cassette is ejected into the cassette insertion slot, the tape cassette is held within the cassette holder by only a slight spring force, so the tape cassette will fly out from the cassette holder in the ejection direction due to the force of the ejection movement.

Therefore, when the front loading mechanism of a VTR is applied to an electronic still camera device, if you want to load and play the ejected disk pack again, you must push the disk pack deep into the holder and press the loading start switch inside the device. must be operated.

(Means for Solving the Problems) An object of the present invention is to be able to accurately set a disk pack, and to set the disk pack once it has been ejected, by remote control such as a remote control switch. To provide a front loading mechanism capable of reloading a pack without touching it.

The front loading mechanism of the present invention includes an outer holder 3 that is provided so as to be able to approach and separate from a center spindle 9 that is connected to a drive motor, and that engages with the outer holder 3 with a predetermined margin in the approach and separation direction. an inner holder 4 for storing and holding the disk pack 1 in a removable manner, and a first driving means for transporting the disk pack 1 inserted from the insertion opening of the inner holder 4 to the back of the holder or ejecting it to the insertion opening. , a second driving means for driving the outer holder 3 to fit and unfit the center hub 14 of the disk pack 1 in the inner holder 4 to and from the center spindle 9, and defining the fitting position and attitude of the disk pack 1 with respect to the center spindle 9. The apparatus comprises a setting means, and means for controlling the operations of the first and second driving means according to the position of the disk pack.

The first driving means includes a roller 50 that directly contacts the surface of the disk pack 1 and drives the disk pack 1 back and forth, and the roller 50 causes the disk pack 1 to protrude from the insertion slot by a predetermined length. In the ejected state, it is placed at a position where it can come into contact with the insertion tip of the disk pack 1 into the inner holder 4.

The control means is configured to control the disk pack insertion tip and the roller 50 when the disk pack 1 is ejected.
A stop command is issued to the first drive means when the two come into contact with each other.

The setting means presses the center hub 14 of the disk pack 1 fitted on the center spindle 9 toward the spindle when the outer holder 3 approaches the center spindle 9, and when the outer holder 3 separates from the center spindle 9. A pressing piece 43 is provided to release the pressing force.

(Function) Loading operation When the disk pack 1 is inserted into the insertion opening of the inner holder 4, the first drive means is operated by a command from the control means, the roller 50 starts rotating, and the disk pack 1 is loaded onto the roller 50. Then, it is transported to the back of the holder. As a result, disk pack 1
is positioned so that the shaft hole 18 coincides with the axis of the center spindle 9.

The second drive means then starts operating and drives the outer holder 3 towards the center spindle 9.

During this process, the inner holder 4 moves together with the outer holder 3 due to gravity or, if necessary, the biasing force of a compression spring interposed between the holders 4 and 3, thereby causing the disk pack 1 to move. Shaft hole 18
covers the tip of the center spindle 9.

Further, the outer holder 3 is driven toward the center spindle, and the inner holder 4 is driven by the engagement with the outer holder 3 at its free end or by the biasing of the compression spring interposed between both holders as necessary. ,
Pressed toward the center spindle. As a result, the shaft hole 18 of the disk pack 1 is fitted into the center spindle 9, and the disk pack case is positioned in close contact with the reference surface on the apparatus.

When the outer holder 3 approaches the center spindle 9 and the shaft hole 18 of the disk pack 1 is almost completely fitted into the center spindle 9, the pressing piece 43 of the setting means presses the disk pack 1.
Press the center hub 14 toward the spindle.
As a result, the disks of the disk pack 1 are fitted and set in the spindle 9 at a predetermined position and attitude.

Next, under the control of the control means, the second drive means moves the outer holder 3 in the opposite direction, that is, the outer holder 3 to the center spindle 9.
It is driven by a predetermined amount in the direction away from the object and then stopped. The predetermined amount is the outer holder 3 and the inner holder 4.
It is set within the range of play provided between the The inner holder 4 thus remains stationary and only the outer holder 3 is spaced apart from the spindle 9.

At this time, the pressing piece 43 releases the pressing force on the center hub 14 of the disk pack 1. As a result, the disk 16 can freely rotate within the disk pack case 10.

In this state, the center spindle 9 is driven to rotate, and the disk 16 is rotated at high speed to reproduce or record signals.

Unloading Operation When unloading the disk pack 1 from the apparatus, the second drive means is driven under the control of the control means to further move the outer holder 3 to the end of its movement in the direction away from the center spindle 9.

At this time, after the play with the outer holder 3 is completely absorbed, the inner holder 4 is driven in the direction away from the center spindle 9 by engaging with the outer holder 3 at its margin end. As a result, the disk pack 1 has the shaft hole 18 aligned with the center spindle 9.
and is set at a position where it can be driven by the first drive means.

Next, under the control of the control means, the first drive means starts operating, and the disk pack 1 in the inner holder 4 is conveyed by the rollers 50 toward the holder insertion opening. Thereafter, when the disk pack 1 protrudes from the insertion slot by a predetermined length, the control means issues a stop command to the first drive means. As a result, the rotation of the roller 50 is stopped and the disk pack 1
With the roller 50 in contact with the insertion tip,
It is locked in the ejection position by the roller 50.

In this state, since the insertion tip of the disk pack 1 is only locked by the roller 50, the disk pack 1 can be pulled out from the inner holder 4 and taken out of the apparatus.
Furthermore, if a loading start command is issued while the rollers 50 are locked, the disk pack 1 can be transported to the back of the holder again by driving the rollers 50.

(Effects of the Invention) In the front loading mechanism of the present invention, the inner holder 4 and the outer holder 3 are driven only in one direction toward or away from the center spindle 9, and the driving direction changes midway. Since there are no discs, it is easy to increase the positioning accuracy of both holders, and therefore the disk pack 1 can be accurately set at the recording/reproducing position within the apparatus.

Further, the disk 16 in the disk pack 1 is fitted and fixed to the center spindle 9 in the correct posture and position by the pressure of the pressing piece 43. Therefore, the disk 16 does not cause surface vibration when rotating at high speed, and correct signals are recorded and reproduced.

Moreover, once a disk pack has been ejected, it can be loaded again by remote control such as a remote control switch, without touching the disk pack, resulting in good operability.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows an example in which a front loading mechanism of a rotary disk device according to the present invention is implemented in a playback device of an electronic still camera device.

The base 2 has a center spindle 9 in the center of the top surface.
It also has a built-in motor (not shown) for rotationally driving the spindle 9. Base 2
The side plates 20, 20 installed upright on both sides are provided with an inner holder 4 that engages with each other with play in the vertical direction.
and an outer holder 3 are supported so as to be movable up and down.

The inner holder 4 has guide grooves 40, 4 on both sides of the inner surface for guiding horizontal movement of the disk pack 1.
0, and the disk pack 1 inserted from the entrance side of the guide groove is conveyed to the inner part of the holder along the guide groove and held by a first driving means, which will be described later.

There are slide pins 4 on both sides of the inner holder 4.
1 and 41 project outward, and slide holes 31 and 3 are vertically opened in both side walls of the outer holder 3.
1, and the inner holder 4 is inserted into the slide hole 31.
It is possible to move up and down within the range of . The outer holder 3 accommodates and holds the inner holder 4 movably up and down within a predetermined range as described above, and has a plurality of pins 32, 3 protruding outward from both side walls.
3, 34, and 37 are front guide holes 2 that are opened in the longitudinal direction at the ends of the side plates 20, 20 of the base 2 in the front and rear directions, respectively.
1 and the rear guide hole 22, and can move up and down within the range of the guide hole.

Further, main shafts 30, 30, which are engaged with drive arms 60, 60, which will be described later, are provided on both side walls of the outer holder 3, respectively, to protrude outward.

Between the upper surface of the inner holder 4 and the inner surface of the outer holder 3 are first to fifth coil springs 7, 7.
2, 73, 74, and 75 are interposed. As a result, both holders 3 and 4 are urged to move away from each other in the vertical direction, and under normal conditions when the disk pack 1 is not loaded, the inner holder 4 has the slide pin 41 attached to the lower edge of the slide hole 31. It is held at a position farthest from the outer holder 3.

Note that the first coil spring 7 and the second coil spring 7
The second and fifth coil springs 75 are as shown in FIG.
The outer spring 70 and the inner spring 71 are respectively provided coaxially. The outer spring 70 is attached to the outer holder 3
The inner spring 71 is interposed between the inner spring 71 and the inner holder 4.
has its upper end fixed to the outer holder 3, and
The lower end corresponds to the hole 44 formed in the inner holder 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner holder 4
A roller support frame 51 is arranged above, and a pair of rollers 50, 50 are pivotally supported on the support frame 51, and a spur gear mechanism 54 for transmitting rotational force to the rollers 50, 50 is provided. Equipped. Both rollers 50, 50 are placed in positions where they come into contact with the upper surface of the disk pack 1 to be loaded into the inner holder 4 from the outside of the hole made in the upper wall of the inner holder 4 with a predetermined pressure, and the disk It is possible to transport the pack 1 into the holder.

A power shaft 52 is connected to the spur gear mechanism 54, and both ends of the power shaft 52 are connected to the side plates 20 of the base 2,
20, and the first motor 5 is connected to the left end via a bevel gear mechanism 53.

The roller support frame 51 is free to rotate within a predetermined range about the power shaft 52, and is constantly pressed down by a spring (not shown) interposed between the roller support frame 51 and the frame.

In addition, at the bottom of the depths of both side plates 20, 20 of the base 2, there is an L-shaped arm 60 having a groove 64 at the tip.
A shaft 61 having a shaft 61 projecting from both ends is freely rotatable.

Main shafts 30, 30 protruding from both side walls of the outer holder 3 are engaged with the grooves 64 of both arms 60, 60.

A fan-shaped gear 63 is fixed to the tip of the shaft 61 that protrudes from the base right side plate 20, and meshes with a worm gear 62 that protrudes from the output shaft of the second motor 6.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the inner holder 4
At the center of the upper surface, a pair of pressing pieces 43 are provided at the tip.
The base end of a plate-shaped spring piece 42 with a downwardly projecting spring piece 43 is fixed, and both pressing pieces 43, 43 are positioned above the center hub 14 of the disk pack 1 loaded in the deep part of the inner holder 4. However, it is possible to press down the center hub 14 by elastic deformation of the spring piece 42.

On the other hand, on the inner surface of the outer holder 3, a contact piece 36 is provided to protrude downward, facing the free end side of the spring piece 42.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 8a to 8c, the inner holder 4 has three sets of photo sensors 8, 80, 81, each consisting of a light emitting section 83 and a light receiving section 82, facing the insertion space of the disk pack 1. It is arranged. The position of each photo sensor is determined according to the horizontal transport mode of the disk pack 1, as will be described later.

Further, a shielding plate 35 is provided on the third bin 34 and the fourth pin 37 that protrude from the rear right side wall of the outer holder 3.
is fixed, and 3 is fixed on the right side plate 20 of the base 2.
A set of photo sensors 84, 85, and 86 are arranged facing the transition path of the shielding plate 35. The position of each photo sensor is determined according to the vertical transport mode of the disk pack 1 and the position of the outer holder when setting is completed, as will be described later.

The first and second motors 5 and 6 are connected to a control circuit (not shown) to control the rotation direction and rotation angle. The control circuit also includes the first to sixth photo sensors 8, 80, 81, 84, 8.
The signals from 5 and 86 are input as control switching command signals.

In this way, the rubber rollers 50, 5 are transferred from the first motor 5.
A series of drive mechanisms from the second motor 6 to the main shafts 30, 30 constitute a second drive means. Further, the spring piece 42 provided with the pressing piece 43 and the contact piece 36 constitute a setting means. Further, the first to sixth photo sensors and the control circuit constitute a control means.

The operation of the front loading mechanism will be described in detail below.

Loading operation When the disk pack 1 is inserted into the insertion opening of the inner holder 4, the disk pack 1 is exposed to the first photo sensor 8 just before the tip of the disk pack 1 contacts the roller 50.
(see FIG. 8a), thereby starting the first motor 5 and rotating the rollers 50, 50. When the disk pack 1 is further pushed into the back of the holder, the leading end of the disk pack 1 bites into the rotating rollers 50, 50, and is thereafter conveyed to the back by the drive of the rollers.

When the disk pack 1 is completely loaded into the inner holder 4, the optical path of the third photo sensor 81 is blocked by the disk pack 1 (see FIG. 8b). As a result, the first motor 5 is stopped and the rotation of the rollers 50, 50 is stopped. As a result, the disk pack 1 in the inner holder 4 is positioned so that the shaft hole 18 of the center hub 14 is aligned with the shaft of the center spindle 9 (see FIG. 2).

Immediately before the first motor 5 stops, the second motor 6 starts, and the arms 60, 60 rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. As a result, the outer holder 3 is pushed downward with the first to fourth pins 32, 33, 34, 37 guided to the front and rear guide holes 21, 22 (see FIG. 3).

At this time, the inner holder 4 is pressed downward by the first to fifth springs 7, 72-75.

The tips of the inner springs 71 of the first, second, and fifth springs 7, 72, and 75 pass through holes 44 formed in the inner holder 4, respectively, and press down on the upper surface of the disk pack 1. As a result, the shaft hole 18 of the disk pack 1 is fitted into the center spindle 9, the reference holes 11 and 12 are engaged with the positioning pins 90 on the base 1, and the reference holes formed on the lower surface of the disk pack case 10 are inserted into the center spindle 9. The surface is in close contact with the positioning seat 91,
The position is fixed.

Also, as the outer holder 3 descends, the contact piece 36
presses the spring piece 42 downward. Outer holder 3
The second pin 33 and the fourth pin 37 are connected to the side plate 2, respectively.
When the outer holder 3 is located at the lower end of the movement and hits the lower edges of the front guide hole 21 and the rear guide hole 22 of 0, the pressing piece 43 of the spring piece 42,
43 lowers the center hub 14 of the disk pack 1 (see FIG. 6).

As a result, the magnetic disk 16 in the disk pack 1 is accurately set in a predetermined posture and position perpendicular to the center spindle 9.

When the outer holder 3 reaches the downward transition end as described above, the shielding plate 35 contacts the sixth photo sensor 86.
block the optical path of As a result, the second motor 6 temporarily stops, and then starts rotating in the opposite direction.

Driven by the second motor 6, the outer holder 3 begins to rise, and at a position raised by approximately 2 mm, the shielding plate 35
blocks the optical path of the fifth photo sensor 85, thereby stopping the second motor 6 (see FIG. 4).

At this time, the inner holder 4 remains under pressure due to the biasing force of the first to fifth springs 7, 72 to 75, and does not rise together with the outer holder 3.

On the other hand, the contact piece 36 separates from the spring piece 42, and the spring piece 42 elastically returns to the pressing piece 43, 43.
The lower pressure of the center hub 14 is released.

As a result, the disk 16 of the disk pack 1 becomes free to rotate, and loading is completed. Since the disk 16 is fitted exactly orthogonally to the center spindle 9, it rotates at high speed without causing surface vibration as the center spindle 9 rotates.

Unloading Operation When an eject button (not shown) provided on the front panel of the regenerator is operated, the second motor 6 further starts rotating in a direction to raise the outer holder 3 from the state shown in FIG. As a result, the outer holder 3 is driven upward until the shielding plate 35 blocks the optical path of the photo sensor 84 in FIG. 4, and returns to the state shown in FIG. 2 at the start of descent.

In this process, first, the lower edges of the slide holes 31, 31 of the outer holder 3 are connected to the slide pins 41, 41.
When the outer holder 3 contacts and further rises, the inner holder 4 is driven upward together with the outer holder 3. As a result, the disk 16 is detached from the center spindle 9, and the disk pack 1
is a rubber roller 50 at the rising end of the outer holder 3,
50.

In response to a command from the fourth photo sensor 84, the second motor 6 stops, and at the same time, the first motor 5 starts rotating in the opposite direction to that during loading.

The disk pack 1 is conveyed toward the holder insertion opening by driving the rubber rollers 50, 50. As shown in FIG. 8c, when the disk pack 1 opens the optical path of the second photo sensor 80, the first motor 5 stops and the disk pack 1 is inserted at a distance 1 of approximately 1 to 2 mm from the insertion tip. The position is locked by the rollers 50. At this time, the disk pack 1 comes out of the apparatus and becomes ready to be taken out, as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, when the disk pack is in the locked state, by operating a loading start button (not shown) provided on the front panel, the first motor 5 starts rotating in the loading direction again, and the same loading operation as described above is performed. It will be done.

Therefore, when the player is remotely controlled by the remote control switch, loading and unloading operations can be repeated without touching the disk pack.

The front loading mechanism is not only excellent in operability and reliability, but also has a compact configuration of the first drive means and the second drive means, so that the entire device can be downsized.

Note that the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments,
Of course, various modifications are possible within the technical scope of the claims.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a driven roller 55 is disposed below the rubber roller 50, and the disk pack 1 is
It can also make transportation easier.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway slope view showing an embodiment of the front loading mechanism of a rotary disk device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view when horizontal transport is completed, and FIG.
The figure is a front view when vertical conveyance is completed, Figure 4 is a front view when setting is completed, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the spring interposed between the outer holder and the inner holder, and Figure 6 is a front view of the setting means. FIG. 7 is a side view showing essential parts of another embodiment, FIG. 8 is a side view for explaining a series of operations of the control means, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the disk pack. 1... Disc pack, 14... Center hub, 3... Outer holder, 4... Inner holder,
43... Pressing piece, 50... Rubber roller, 9... Center spindle.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Center spindle 9 connected to a drive motor
The outer holder 3 is provided so as to be able to approach and separate from the outer holder 3.
an inner holder 4 that engages with the outer holder 3 in the approach/separation direction with a predetermined margin to accommodate and hold the disk pack 1 in a removable manner; A first driving means for transporting the disk pack 1 to the back of the holder or ejecting it to the insertion slot, and a center hub 14 of the disk pack 1 in the inner holder 4 for driving the outer holder 3 to transport toward the center spindle 9.
a second drive means for fitting and disengaging the disk pack 1 to and from the center spindle 9; a setting means for defining the fitting position and attitude of the disk pack 1 with respect to the center spindle 9; and a control means for controlling the operations of the first and second drive means. The first driving means includes a roller 50 that directly contacts the surface of the disk pack 1 and drives the disk pack 1 back and forth.
The roller 50 is installed at a position where it can come into contact with the tip of the disk pack 1 inserted into the inner holder 4 in an ejected state with the disk pack 1 protruding a predetermined length from the insertion opening. The control means issues a stop command to the first drive means when the disk pack insertion tip and the roller 50 come into contact with each other during the ejection operation of the disk pack 1, and the setting means causes the outer holder 3 to move toward the center spindle. 9, the center hub 14 of the disk pack 1 fitted into the center spindle 9 is pressed toward the spindle, and the outer holder 3
A front loading mechanism for a rotary disk device, comprising a pressing piece 43 that releases the pressing force when separated from the center spindle 9. 2. The setting means includes a pressing piece 43 at the free end of the spring piece 42 whose one end is fixed to the inner holder 4, and the outer holder 3 is capable of pressing the spring piece 42 by moving relative to the inner holder 4. The front loading mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the abutting piece 36 is provided.