JPH05334787A - Device for preventing erroneous insertion of cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To instantly discriminate whether it is erroneous insertion or not even when a cartridge is a little inserted in a cartridge inserting port and simultaneously, to simplify construction. CONSTITUTION:When the cartridge 3 of a formal direction is inserted in the cartridge inserting port 4, a releasing lever 15 is pressed by the top end surface 3a of the cartridge 3 and the lock lever 14 is moved to an unlock position while the inward recessed part 13b of a restraining lever 13 moves relatively in the recessed groove 5 of the cartridge 3, then the cartridge 3 presses and opens the restraining lever 13 to a restraint releasing position then passes. But, when a cartridge 3 of an erroneous direction is inserted in the cartridge port 4, the top end surface of the cartridge 3 is restrained by the inward recessed part 13b of the restraining lever 13 before coming to the releasing lever 15, then the insertion is prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention allows a cartridge containing an information storage medium such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk to be inserted into a cartridge insertion port of a cartridge handling device such as a reproducing device, a writing device, an automatic carrying device or a storage device. The invention relates to a device for preventing the insertion in the closed orientation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional device of this type, there are the following types of systems. (A) Detect that the shutter of the cartridge has been opened by the shutter opening / closing mechanism in the cartridge handling device, confirm that the insertion direction of the cartridge is correct, and eject the cartridge when the shutter is not opened. The one I made.

(B) When the cartridge is inserted to a predetermined position, the projection provided on the cartridge handling device side engages with the recessed groove provided on the side surface of the front end portion of the cartridge, so that the cartridge is Detecting that the cartridge was inserted in the correct orientation, and in the case of normal insertion, the cartridge retractor was activated, and in the case of incorrect insertion, the protrusion was pushed by the side surface of the cartridge to activate the cartridge ejector. thing.

(C) When the cartridge is inserted to a predetermined position, the position of the through hole formed in the cartridge is optically detected to determine whether the cartridge is inserted in the proper orientation. It is designed to activate the cartridge retractor in the case of proper insertion and activate the cartridge ejector in the case of incorrect insertion.

[0005]

In any of the above-mentioned methods, it is impossible to determine whether or not the cartridge is erroneously inserted unless the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion opening for half or more of the cartridge. There is a problem in that the size of the entire device becomes large because it cannot be implemented unless the devices are combined.

Further, each system has the following individual problems. In the method (A), it is impossible to determine whether or not the cartridge is erroneously inserted unless the cartridge is completely moved to the proper mounting position, and it cannot be implemented unless it is combined with the shutter opening / closing mechanism. Therefore, the cartridge without the shutter opening / closing mechanism is provided. It cannot be applied to storage devices or automatic transfer devices.

In the methods (B) and (C), first, the cartridge is inserted to a predetermined position manually or by an automatic feeder outside the cartridge handling device, and then retracted in the cartridge handling device. Depending on the device, a two-step operation of moving the cartridge to the original mounting position is required, which makes the operation and control troublesome and prolongs the access time.

In the method (C), there is a possibility that a malfunction occurs due to the through hole of the cartridge being blocked by the entry of dust or the like.

In view of the above problems of the prior art, the present invention can be mounted compactly near the cartridge insertion port of the cartridge handling device, and the cartridge can be inserted slightly into the cartridge insertion port. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge erroneous insertion prevention device that can determine whether or not erroneous insertion has been performed and prevent insertion of a cartridge in the wrong orientation.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cartridge insertion port of an apparatus for handling a cartridge in which a recessed groove is formed only on the side surface of the front end portion. A device for preventing erroneous insertion of a cartridge, which is provided to prevent the cartridge from being inserted in the wrong direction, and which is provided at a side portion of the cartridge insertion opening and has an inward protruding portion in the concave groove of the cartridge at the time of normal insertion. Can be inserted into the cartridge and contact the base end surface of the cartridge at the time of erroneous insertion to prevent erroneous insertion of the cartridge, and the inward protruding portion is disengaged from the side surface of the cartridge to allow the insertion of the cartridge. Locking lever that can move to the lock release position and lock position that is provided on the side of the cartridge insertion port and that prevents the lock lever from moving from the lock position toward the lock release position , A lock lever that can be moved to an unlock position that allows the locking lever to move and that deviates from the moving path of the locking lever, and is provided near the cartridge insertion port in cooperation with the locking lever When the lever moves into the recessed groove of the cartridge until it contacts the inner end of the recessed groove, the cartridge moves during normal insertion to contact the tip surface of the cartridge and unlock the lock lever from the standby position. It is characterized by including a release lever that is moved to an operating position that is a position, and a return unit that returns the locking lever, the lock lever, and the release lever to the locking position, the locking position, and the standby position, respectively.

[0011]

[Function] When the cartridge in the proper orientation is inserted into the cartridge insertion opening, the inwardly projecting portion of the locking lever located at the locking position enters the recessed groove provided on the side surface of the front end portion of the cartridge. While entering and moving relative to it, the tip surface of the cartridge pushes the release lever from the standby position to the operating position, which moves the lock lever from the locked position to the unlocked position and locks it. The lever becomes free and is pushed by the cartridge to the unlocked position so that the cartridge can continue to be inserted.

When a cartridge in the wrong direction is inserted into the cartridge insertion port, the end face of the cartridge is inserted before the end face in the insertion direction of the cartridge comes into contact with the release lever.
It abuts against the inward protrusion of the locking lever located at the locking position, and at this time, the locking lever is locked by the locking lever located at the locking position, so that further insertion of the cartridge is prevented. Be blocked.

[0013]

1 to 4 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automatic disk changing apparatus. In FIG. 4, (1) is a case having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a cartridge insertion opening (hereinafter simply referred to as an insertion opening) for inserting a substantially plate-shaped cartridge (3) that rotatably accommodates an optical disk (2) on the front surface thereof. Say)
(4) is formed.

As shown in FIG. 4, horizontal recessed grooves (5) are formed on both side surfaces of the front end portion of the horizontal cartridge (3) and open to the front end surface (3a) and the side surface (3b). Also, on both sides of the base end of the cartridge (3), there are a side surface (3b), an upper surface (3c) and a lower surface.
A concave hole (6) is formed which is open to (3d) and faces in the vertical direction.

The inside of the insertion opening (4) in the case (1) is
Device for preventing erroneous insertion of cartridge (3) which will be described in detail later
(7) is provided.

At the lower rear of the case (1), the cartridge
Two read / write devices (8) for reading and reproducing stored information such as video information of the optical disc (2) housed in (3) and writing new stored information are arranged vertically above each other. And above it, there are several cartridges (3)
A storage shelf (9) for accommodating the multi-stage is provided.

In front of the two reading / writing devices (8) and the storage rack (9), the cartridge (3) inserted in the case (1) is received from the insertion port (4) and designated in advance. The designated read / write device is stored in a specific shelf in the storage shelf (9) or the desired cartridge (3) stored in the storage shelf (9) is taken out and inverted 180 ° as necessary. Carry it to (8) or vice versa, receive the cartridge (3) discharged from the read / write device (8), and store it in the original storage shelf.
A cartridge transfer device (hereinafter simply referred to as a transfer device) (11) having a rotatable holder (10) for returning to (9) is provided.

Next, the erroneous insertion prevention device (7) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. A frame body (12) surrounding the insertion port (4) is fixed to the rear surface of the insertion port (4) in the case (1), and an erroneous insertion prevention device is provided on both sides of the frame body (12).
The locking lever (13), the lock lever (14), and the release lever (15), which are the main components of (7), are provided symmetrically with each other.

The locking levers (13), which are oriented substantially in the front-rear direction, are
In the portion near the base end (13a) (front end), the base end is pivotally attached to the frame body (12) with the axis (16) facing vertically.
A tension coil spring (17), which is a restoring means stretched between the (13a) and the frame body (12), urges the rear parts in a direction in which the rear parts open outward, and the inner edge is always the case ( An inward projection (13b) that abuts the opening side wall (1a) of the insertion opening (4) that is part of 1) and projects inward from the rear end in a chevron shape (hereinafter simply referred to as a projection) At the locking position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1) that can project beyond the opening side wall (1a) into the insertion opening (4) and enter the recessed groove (5) of the cartridge (3) at the time of normal insertion. It has stopped.

Both protrusions of the locking lever (13) facing left and right
An inclined edge (13c) is formed at the front edge of (13b) so as to expand toward each other in a V-shape toward the front. The inclined groove (13c) is provided with a concave groove ( Inner corner (5a) of 5)
When the locking levers (13) come into contact with each other, the protrusions (13b) of the locking levers (13) are disengaged from the side surfaces (3b) of the cartridge (3), and the cartridge (3) is inserted. It is designed to be rotated to a lock release position that allows the.

Further, an inclined edge (13d) is formed at the rear edge of the protruding portion (13b) of each locking lever (13) so as to widen toward the rear in a V-shape. ), The side edge of the base end surface (3e) of the cartridge (3) about to be ejected abuts from the left side of FIG. 1, so that each locking lever (13) is locked by an imaginary line in FIG. It is rotated to the release position to allow the ejection of the cartridge (3).

The lock lever (14) has an L-shaped side surface, and is provided at the rear of the horizontal piece (14a) with a horizontal rotary shaft (18) pivotally supported by the frame body (12) and directed in the left-right direction. Fixed, rotating shaft
Along with (18), as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, a horizontal piece (14a)
The front edge of the upper edge abuts on the stopper pin (19) fixed to the frame body (12), and the upper end of the upright piece (14b) of the locking lever (13) located at the locking position. As shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 2, a lock position that abuts the outer edge of the rear end portion and prevents the lock lever (13) from rotating from the lock position to the lock release position.
The upper end of the upright piece (14b) can be rotated to an unlock position that is separated downward from the rotation locus of the locking lever (13).

A part of the horizontal piece (15a) of the release lever (15) whose side is L-shaped is fixed to a part of the rotary shaft (18) inward of the lock lever (14). There is. Horizontal piece (15
Between the rear end of the a) and the frame body (12), a tension coil spring (20) serving as a means for returning the lock lever (14) and the release lever (15).
2, the release lever (15), the rotary shaft (18) and the lock lever (14) are constantly urged in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2 by the spring (20).

The release lever (15) is normally a lock lever.
When the stopper pin (19) comes into contact with the stopper pin (19), the semicircular upper end portion of the standing piece (15b) standing upright from the front end of the horizontal piece (15a) is moved to the case (1) as shown by the solid line in FIG. ) Is located at a standby position that protrudes upward from the opening bottom wall (1b) of the insertion opening (4) that is a part of the cartridge (3), but the protrusion (13b) of the locking lever (13) is Recessed groove after entering recessed groove (5)
Due to the rearward movement of the cartridge (3) at the time of proper insertion until it abuts against the rear end corner portion (5a) of (5), the upper end of the standing piece (15b) and the tip surface (3a) of the cartridge (3) and The lock lever (14) is pushed down by the lower surface (3d) and is rotated to an operating position where the lock lever (14) is in the unlocked position.

Therefore, the cartridge (3) is shown in FIG.
When inserted into the insertion opening (4) in the proper orientation shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the protruding portion of the locking lever (13) located at the locking position.
(13b) enters the concave groove (5) of the cartridge (3),
While the protrusion (13b) moves relatively therein, the tip end surface (3a) of the cartridge (3) is brought to the upper end of the standing piece (15b) of the release lever (15) located at the standby position. Abut and push it down, release lever (15) to actuated position, rotating shaft (18)
The lock lever (14) is rotated to the unlock position via the lock lever (14), and the upper end of the standing piece (14b) of the lock lever (14) moves away from the rotation locus of the locking lever (13).

In this state, when the cartridge (3) further enters slightly, the rear end corner portion (5a) of the recessed groove (5) of the cartridge (3) is fitted to the inclined edge (13c) of the locking lever (13). Abutting, the left and right locking levers (13) are respectively expanded to the unlocked position, and the cartridge (3) can freely pass between the protruding portions (13b) of both locking levers (13). it can.

When the base end surface (3e) of the cartridge (3) passes between the protruding portions (13b) of both locking levers (13), both locking levers (13) are engaged by the urging force of the spring (17). It is returned to the stop position and rotated.

Next, the base end surface (3e) of the cartridge (3)
However, when it passes through the upper end of the upright piece (15b) of the release lever (15) that has been pushed down by the lower surface (3d) of the cartridge (3), the release lever (1) is pushed by the urging force of the spring (20).
5) is returned to the standby position, and the lock lever (14) is rotated back to the lock position to return to the original state.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the cartridge (3) is inserted into the insertion opening (4) in the front-rear inverted posture, the base end which is the front end face in the insertion direction of the cartridge (3) at this time. Both sides of the end face (3e) contact the inclined edges (13c) of the left and right locking levers (13) located at the locking position.

At this time, the cartridge is attached to the upper end of the standing piece (15b) of the release lever (15) located at the standby position.
Since neither part of (3) comes into contact, the release lever (15)
Is held in the standby position as it is, and the lock lever (14) is held in the lock position.The lock lever (14) prevents the locking lever (13) from rotating in the unlocking position direction. The cartridge (3) is locked by the locking lever (13) in the state shown in FIG. 3, and further insertion is blocked.

Therefore, the cartridge (3) is inserted into the insertion port.
A cartridge that was inserted incorrectly in (4) just by inserting it slightly.
Since the insertion of the cartridge (3) is blocked and it is immediately known that the cartridge has been erroneously inserted, it is possible to take prompt measures such as reversing and reinserting the cartridge (3).

When the cartridge (3) is ejected, before the base end surface (3e) of the cartridge (3) comes into contact with the locking lever (13), the release lever (15) located at the standby position is released. After contacting the upper end of the upright piece (15b) and pushing it down to the operating position and setting the lock lever (14) to the unlocked position, contact the inclined edge (13c) of the locking lever (13) to lock it. Lever (1
Since 3) can be rotated to the unlocked position, the cartridge (3) is freely ejected without being obstructed by the locking lever (13).

5 to 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, an inward projection (21a) similar to the projection (13b) and the slanted edges (13c) (13d) of the locking lever (13) in the first embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as a projection). Also, an arm piece (21c) facing outward is continuously provided at the front edge of the locking lever (21) having the inclined edges (21b) and (21d), and the lock lever (22) and the release lever (23) are integrated. As a result, the frame body (12) is pivotally attached to both sides of the frame body (12) with the shafts (24) facing vertically, and the middle portion of the release lever (23) and the tip portion of the arm piece (21c) of the locking lever (21). In between, a tension coil spring (25) serving as a return means for all levers (21) (22) (23)
As shown in Fig. 5, the locking lever
Set (21) to the locked position and lock lever (22) to the tip (22a).
To the lock position where it abuts the outer surface of the front end of the locking lever (21) and the release lever (23) into the insertion locus of the cartridge (3) with the protrusion (21a), and the base end. The (23a) is biased to the standby position where it abuts the stopper (26) provided on the frame (12).

Then, when the cartridge (3) is inserted into the insertion opening (4) in the proper orientation, the protruding portion of the locking lever (21) is
(21a) enters the recessed groove (5) of the cartridge (3), and immediately after that, the front end surface (3a) and side surface (3b) of the cartridge (3) are connected to the front end portion (23a) of the release lever (23). As shown in FIG. 6, the release lever (23) is moved to the operating position, and the lock lever (22) is moved rearward from the rotation locus of the locking lever (21) with its tip (22a). The cartridge is rotated to the unlocked position, and then the rear end corners (5a) of the recessed groove (5) of the cartridge (3) hit the inclined edge (21b) of the locking lever (21). Contact
The lock lever (21) is expanded to the lock release position shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 6, and the cartridge (3) can pass between both lock levers (21).

As shown in FIG. 7, when the cartridge (3) is inserted into the insertion opening (4) in a front-back inverted posture, the base end surface (3e) of the cartridge (3) contacts the release lever (23). Before touching, that is, before unlocking
Since both sides of (3e) abut on the inclined edge (21b) of the locking lever (21) and are locked, further insertion of the cartridge (3) is prevented.

Therefore, also in the second embodiment, when the cartridge (3) is inserted, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, in the second embodiment, all levers (21) (2
2) The return means of (23) can be shared by the single spring (25), and the erroneous insertion prevention device (7) can be downsized.

In the second embodiment, since the lock is not released when the cartridge (3) is ejected, the erroneous insertion prevention device of the second embodiment has the cartridge insertion port (4) for insertion only. Suitable for installation in.

However, in the structure shown in FIG. 5, the tip portion (23a) of the release lever (23) is bent in an L shape so as to project rearward beyond the rear end of the locking lever (21), Also, the stopper (26) for the locking lever (23) and the spring (25) are omitted,
The locking lever (23) is rotatable from the neutral position shown in FIG. 5 in both forward and backward directions, and a spring (not shown) for returning the locking lever (23) to the neutral position is provided, thereby providing the cartridge.
The lock may be released at the time of discharging (3).

Locking levers (13) (21), locking levers (14) (2
2) and the release means of the release levers (15) and (23) are not dependent on the springs (17), (20) and (25) as described above, but other means such as the lock levers (14) and (22) are unlocked. It is also possible to use a cam means or the like for forcibly moving the locking levers (13) and (21) to the locking position by moving from the position to the locking position.

[0040]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (a) By just inserting the cartridge slightly into the cartridge insertion slot, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the cartridge has been erroneously inserted. In the case of erroneous insertion, the cartridge cannot be inserted any further. It is possible to quickly perform a procedure such as reversing and reinserting.

(B) When a cartridge in a proper orientation is inserted, the locked state can be released using the cartridge inserting operation and the cartridge can be continuously inserted as it is. It is not necessary at all, and it is not necessary to combine it with a cartridge retracting device, a discharging device, or the like.

(C) In the case of the cartridge in the proper orientation,
The cartridge can be inserted all at once without stopping halfway, and like the conventional (B) and (C) systems, the cartridge is inserted halfway, and after that, it is retracted by the cartridge retractor. It is not necessary to adopt the insertion method of.

(D) The structure is simple and can be compactly attached to the cartridge insertion port of various cartridge handling devices.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of a main part of an automatic disk changing device incorporating a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of essential parts showing a state when a cartridge is erroneously inserted.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway schematic perspective view of the automatic disk changing device.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view of a main part of an automatic disk changing device incorporating a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional plan view of essential parts showing a state where the cartridge is inserted further deeper than the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional plan view of essential parts showing a state when a cartridge is erroneously inserted.

[Explanation of symbols]

(1) Case (2) Optical disk (3) Cartridge (3a) Tip surface (3b) Side surface (3c) Top surface (3d) Bottom surface (3e) Base end surface (4) Cartridge insertion slot (5) Recessed groove (5a) back Edge corner (7) Incorrect insertion prevention device (11) Cartridge carrier (12) Frame (13) Locking lever (13b) Inward projection (13c) (13d) Sloping edge (14) Lock lever (15) Release lever (16) Shaft (17) Spring (restoring means) (18) Rotating shaft (19) Stopper pin (20) Spring (restoring means) (21) Locking lever (21a) Inward projection (22) Lock lever (23) Release lever (24) Shaft (25) Spring (return means) (26) Stopper

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cartridge which is provided at a cartridge insertion opening of a cartridge handling apparatus having a recessed groove which is formed only on the side surface of a front end portion and which is open to the front surface and the side surface, and which prevents insertion of the cartridge in an incorrect direction. It is an erroneous insertion prevention device that is provided on the side of the cartridge insertion port and has an inward protruding part that can enter the recessed groove of the cartridge at the time of normal insertion, Locking lever that can move to a locking position that abuts and prevents erroneous insertion of the cartridge, and an unlocking position that allows the inward protruding part to disengage from the side surface of the cartridge and to allow the insertion of the cartridge. The lock position is provided on the side of the mouth to prevent the lock lever from moving from the lock position to the lock release position, and the lock lever moves away from the lock lever movement path. The lock lever that can be moved to the unlock position that allows the lock lever and the lock lever that is provided in the vicinity of the cartridge insertion slot in cooperation with the lock lever. A release lever that is moved by a movement of the cartridge at the time of regular insertion until it comes into contact with the front end surface of the cartridge and is moved from a standby position to an operating position where the lock lever is in an unlocked position; An erroneous insertion preventing device for a cartridge, comprising return means for returning the lock lever and the release lever to a locking position, a locking position and a standby position, respectively.