JPH0626039U - Stopper device such as cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To shorten the movement time of the stopper that prevents the cassette from jumping out except when the cassette is ejected from the drive insertion slot of the autoloader. [Structure] A stopper 4 for preventing the cassette from popping out is provided at an insertion opening 3a of the cassette so as to be tiltable with respect to the insertion opening. A stopper that tilts in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the cassette and a lever 42 that moves substantially along the take-out direction are connected so that the direction can be changed. Move the lever when inserting or removing the cassette from the drive. Since the stopper tilts to open the insertion port, the cassette can be inserted. If the stopper is made to correspond to the insertion port after insertion, the movement of the cassette is restricted by the stopper, so the cassette does not pop out except when taken out. Since the stopper tilts in the direction orthogonal to the inserting direction, the moving time can be shortened as compared with the conventional case. Since the stopper is connected to the lever that moves substantially along the take-out direction, the lever moving means can be arranged on the carriage.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a stopper device such as a cartridge for preventing a cartridge from jumping out except when the cartridge is taken out from an insertion port of a drive of an autoloader.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an autoloader that arbitrarily selects a cartridge such as a plurality of digital audio tape recorders (DAT) and attaches it to a drive to record / reproduce.

In such an autoloader, a cartridge is housed in each slot of a magazine having a plurality of slots (not shown), and the carriage is configured to convey the cartridge between the slot and the drive.

When at least two drives are built in the autoloader, another cartridge can be loaded in the other drive during reproduction / recording of one drive. In this case, even if the carriage is located at the insertion slot or slot of one drive, if the cartridge is ejected from the insertion slot due to the completion of reproduction of the other drive The cartridge that has been ejected is located in the movement path of the carriage, which may obstruct the movement of the carriage. Therefore, if the drive is instructed to eject the cartridge and the cartridge is ejected even though the carriage is not located at the insertion slot, the cartridge will be in the carriage movement path except when it is being ejected. It is necessary to dispose stoppers that prevent them from popping out to the drive insertion openings.

FIG. 4 shows a conventional stopper device for a cartridge. In the figure, reference numeral 90 denotes a drive case in which two drives are incorporated, and the drive case 90 is formed with insertion openings 90a and 90b of the cartridge T in a vertical direction of a front surface 90c thereof.

Reference numeral 91 is a plate-shaped stopper, and the stopper 91 is arranged at one end of each of the insertion openings 90a and 90b. The stopper 91 is fixed to a motor shaft 92 described later.

Reference numeral 93 is a receiving portion, and the receiving portion 93 is provided so as to project from the drive case 90. The receiving portion 93 receives the motor shaft 92 rotatably.

A motor 94 is provided with the motor shaft 92. Then, by driving the motor 94, the stopper 91 rotates via the motor shaft 92. The stopper 91 is set to rotate over a range of about 180 degrees with respect to the front surface 90c of the drive case 90.

The motor 94 drives the stopper 91 so that the stopper 91 does not hinder the movement of the cartridge T based on a command from the controller when the carriage T (not shown) inserts the cartridge T into the drive or when the cartridge T is taken out from the drive. Is set to.

When the cartridge T is inserted into the insertion opening 90a or 90b, the carriage T conveys the cartridge T (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) to a position facing the insertion opening 90a or 90b of the drive case 90. In this case, the motor 94 is driven based on a command from the controller to rotate the stopper 91 from the position indicated by the solid line in FIGS. 4 and 5 to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line (the position indicated by the one-dot chain line). Move).

As a result, the insertion opening 90a or 90b is opened, so that the cartridge T is loaded into the drive through the insertion opening 90a or 90b. Then, when the cartridge T is loaded, the motor 94 is driven to return the stopper 91 to the position facing the insertion opening 90a or 90b (the position indicated by the solid line in FIGS. 4 and 5).

Further, when the cartridge T is taken out from the insertion opening 90a or 90b, the procedure is reversed.

Therefore, since the stopper 91 is located at the insertion opening 90a or 90b of the drive case 90 except when the cartridge T is inserted into or removed from the drive, even if the carriage is located at the insertion opening 90a or 90b. Even if the cartridge T is ejected to the drive by the controller regardless of whether the cartridge T is ejected, the ejected cartridge T is ejected into the movement path of the carriage by the stopper 91. Is prevented.

[0014]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In the example of FIG. 4, since the stopper 91 is set to rotate about 180 degrees with respect to the front surface 90c of the drive case 90, it takes time to rotate (move) the stopper 91.

Therefore, the present invention aims to shorten the moving time of a stopper for preventing the cartridge from jumping out except when the cartridge is ejected from the insertion port of the drive of the cartridge processing apparatus.

[0016]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In this invention, a stopper device for a cartridge or the like is provided in which a stopper for preventing the cartridge or the like from jumping out from the insertion port for inserting the cartridge or the like is provided movably with respect to the insertion port. The lever is arranged so that it tilts in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the cartridge, and the lever moves so that it moves substantially along the ejection direction of the cartridge, etc., and the movement direction of the lever is converted to the tilting direction of the stopper. The converting means is provided, the stopper and the lever are connected via this converting means, and the stopper is interlocked when the lever moves.

[0017]

[Action]

 For example, when the cartridge is inserted into or removed from the insertion opening 3a or 3b of the drive by, for example, a carriage, the lever 42 is moved in the cartridge removal direction. Then, the stopper 4 facing the insertion opening 3a or 3b tilts in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the cartridge. By this tilting, the stopper 4 opens the insertion port 3a or 3b. Therefore, the stopper 4 does not hinder the movement of the cartridge. Since the stopper 4 is tilted in the direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the cartridge, the movement time of the stopper 4 can be shortened as compared with the conventional device. Further, since the stopper 4 and the lever 42, which moves substantially along the take-out direction of the cartridge, are connected to each other via the converting means 4c and 43, the moving means of the lever 42 can be arranged on, for example, a carriage.

[0018]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main part of a stopper device of a cartridge arranged in an autoloader. Further, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main part of the autoloader.

In FIG. 3, S is an autoloader, and this autoloader S is, for example, one that arbitrarily selects a cartridge (cassette) of a plurality of digital audio tape recorders (DAT), mounts it in a drive, and performs recording / reproduction. is there.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a cabinet, and a drive case 2 in which two drives are installed is arranged in the cabinet 1. The drive case 2 is formed with a pair of insertion openings 3a and 3b in the vertical direction.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a stopper that constitutes a stopper device. The stopper 4 is such that a cassette (not shown) is ejected from the insertion port 3a or 3b of the drive case 2 into the movement path of a carriage (not shown). Is to prevent. The stopper 4 is arranged at a portion facing the insertion openings 3a and 3b. The stopper 4 is opened by engaging an engaging projection 44 of a lever 42 described later with an engaging portion 8a of the carriage (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Therefore, the cassette can be inserted into and removed from the insertion ports 3a and 3b. The specific configuration of the stopper device will be described later.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a storage portion, and this storage portion 5 is for storing a magazine 6 described later. The storage section 5 has a case shape with its upper side and front surface (the surface facing the carriage) being open, and is arranged above the drive case 2.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a magazine, and this magazine 6 stores a plurality of cassettes. In the magazine 6, a plurality of slots 7 are formed in the up-down direction, which roughly correspond to the shape of the cassette.

The cassette stopper device is configured as follows. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a base 41 is fixed to the drive case 2 below the insertion openings 3a and 3b on the front surface 2a thereof. The base 41 supports a lever 42 described later.

On the base 41, a shaft 41a is erected upward. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 41 has an engagement wall 41b formed at one end thereof. Further, the base 41 is formed with a hooking portion 41c for hooking a spring 47 described later in the vicinity of the engagement wall 41b.

Reference numeral 42 is a lever, and this lever 42 tilts the stopper 4. As shown in FIG. 2, a hole 42a is formed in the lever 42 at a portion corresponding to the shaft 41a of the base 41. The hole 42a of the lever 42 is fitted to the shaft 41a of the base 41 so that the lever 42 can be tilted about the shaft 41a.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lever 42 is provided with a holding portion 43 formed of a pair of holding pieces 43a and 43b at the end edge on the hole 42a side so as to stand upward. The holding portion 43 holds the engaging shaft 4c of the stopper 4 described later between the holding pieces 43a and 43b. When the lever 42 tilts, the stopper 4 interlocks and tilts in a direction orthogonal to the cassette insertion direction.

On the other end of the lever 42, an engagement protrusion 44 that engages with the engagement portion 8a of the carriage is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, the engaging portion 8a has a substantially L-shaped tip portion. Further, the engaging portion 8a is slidably arranged between a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2 and a position shown by a chain double-dashed line in connection with loading / unloading of the cassette to / from the drive by the loading mechanism of the carriage.

When the engaging protrusion 44 of the lever 42 engages with the engaging portion 8a of the carriage and the engaging portion 8a slides in the cassette take-out direction (front direction in FIG. 2), it is shown in FIG. Thus, the engagement protrusion 44 also moves substantially in the forward direction. That is, the lever 42 tilts clockwise about the shaft 41 a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lever 42 is provided with a restricting portion 45 at a portion substantially corresponding to the engaging wall 41b of the base 41. Then, in the state in which the regulation portion 45 and the engagement wall 41b are in contact with each other, the regulation portion 45 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the lever 42 thereof is parallel to the front surface 2a of the drive case 2 as shown in FIG. Is set.

On the lever 42, an engaging portion 46 is provided upright at a portion substantially corresponding to the engaging portion 41c of the base 41. Then, the spring 47 is hooked between the hooking portions 41c and 46. The spring 47 constantly biases the lever 42 in a direction in which the restricting portion 45 of the lever 42 contacts the engaging wall 41b of the base 41, that is, in the counterclockwise direction.

Next, a specific configuration of the stopper 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the stopper 4 has a lever portion 4a formed at one end thereof. An engagement hole 4b is formed in the base portion of the lever portion 4a. An engaging shaft 2b is projected from the front surface 2a of the drive case 2 at a portion corresponding to the engaging hole 4b, as shown by a chain double-dashed line in FIG.

The stopper 4 is arranged so that its engagement hole 4b fits into the engagement shaft 2b and can be tilted about the engagement shaft 2b. The stopper 4 is set so as to tilt in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the cassette.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lever portion 4 a is formed with an engagement shaft 4 c at its tip end so as to correspond to the holding portion 43 of the lever 42. Further, since the tilting shaft 4c of the stopper 4 and the holding portion 43 of the lever 42 are always engaged, the tilting of the lever 42 causes the holding portion 43 to move from, for example, the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. Then, the stopper 4 tilts about the engaging shaft 2b (see the arrow in FIG. 1).

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. The carriage carrying the cassette stops at a position facing the insertion opening 3a of the drive case 2, for example. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the engaging portion 8a of the carriage descends while being separated from the engaging protrusion 44 of the lever 42, so that the engaging portion 8a and the engaging protrusion 44 collide. do not do.

When the cassette is inserted into the insertion port 3a, the engaging portion 8a slides forward, so that the lever 42 tilts clockwise against the biasing force of the spring 47. In conjunction with this tilting, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the stopper 4 located at the position (original position) facing the insertion opening 3a tilts counterclockwise to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. To do.

By this tilting, the stopper 4 escapes from the insertion port 3a. Therefore, the cassette can be inserted into the insertion port 3a by the loading mechanism of the carriage.

When the insertion of the cassette is completed, the state before the loading mechanism is inserted is restored, so that the engaging portion 8a slides backward and moves from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 to the position indicated by the solid line. Becomes

Therefore, the lever 42 is tilted counterclockwise by the urging force of the spring 47 until the regulating portion 47 contacts the engaging wall 41b. In conjunction with this tilting, the stopper 4 tilts clockwise around the engaging shaft 2b and returns to its original position, and the stopper 4 faces the insertion opening 3a.

The removal of the cassette from the insertion port 3a is performed in the same manner as described above. Further, the stopper device arranged in the insertion port 3b is also operated in the same manner as described above.

According to this example, since the stopper 4 is tilted in the direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the cassette, when the moving time of the stopper 4 is rotated about 180 degrees with respect to the insertion port as in the conventional case. It can be shortened in comparison.

Further, according to this embodiment, since the stopper 4 is continuously provided with the lever 42 that moves substantially along the cassette take-out direction, the engaging portion 8a is provided so as to be continuously slid with the loading mechanism of the carriage. The lever 42 can also be moved by. Therefore, according to this example, the stopper 4 can be moved by using the loading mechanism of the carriage.

In the above embodiment, the cartridge is a cassette for DAT, but the cartridge is not limited to this.

[0044]

[Effect of device]

 According to this invention, since the stopper is arranged so as to tilt in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the cartridge or the like, by pushing or pulling the cartridge or the like into the insertion port by tilting the stopper in the direction of opening from the insertion port. Moreover, by tilting the stopper in the direction opposite to the insertion port, it is possible to prevent the cartridge and the like from protruding from the insertion port except when the cartridge is taken out.

Further, similarly, according to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the movement time of the stopper as compared with the conventional case.

Further, according to this invention, since the stopper and the lever that moves substantially along the take-out direction of the cartridge and the like are connected via the conversion means that converts the moving direction of the lever into the tilting direction of the stopper, for example, It is possible to arrange the lever moving means on the carriage or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main part of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a usage state of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main part of an autoloader.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main part of a conventional example.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a usage state of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Drive case 2a Front face 4 Stopper 4c Engaging shaft 5 Storage part 6 Magazine 8a Carriage engaging part 41 Base 42 Lever 43 Clamping part 47 Spring S Autoloader

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A stopper device for a cartridge or the like, wherein a stopper for preventing the cartridge or the like from jumping out from the insertion opening for inserting the cartridge or the like is provided movably with respect to the insertion opening. The stopper is arranged so as to tilt in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the cartridge or the like, and the lever is arranged so as to move substantially along the take-out direction of the cartridge or the like. It is characterized in that a converting means for converting into a tilting direction of the stopper is provided, the stopper and the lever are connected via the converting means, and the stopper is interlocked when the lever moves. Stopper device for cartridges, etc.