JPH06500885A - Magnetic tape loading guide system for helical scan recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Technical field of magnetic tape loading guide system for helical scan recording loading TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to magnetic recording/reproducing devices, and more particularly to helical scan recording. The present invention relates to a magnetic tape installation guide system used in a recording/playback device.

Background technology Load the magnetic tape from the cassette onto the tape transport path, and run the magnetic tape along this path. Various techniques have been proposed for use within magnetic recording/playback devices to guide the . Both manual and automatic mechanisms are proposed for loading magnetic tapes from cassettes. It's been coming. These mechanisms use mechanical guiding elements to direct the magnetic tape from the cassette. Includes an interlocking mechanism that pulls out the tape by the length and moves the tape to the final tape transport path. It was something. The path is formed by a guiding element and carries l or more magnetic heads. Contains. The mechanism defines a tape guide that passes through the magnetic head during transport therein. Must. Tape loading and tape transport operations are both performed in one operation. Generally refers to certain parts of a comprehensive mechanism that are used in the operation of the other but not in the operation of the other. In need of. For example, one or more motors and associated interlocking mechanisms may It is used for tape loading operations, but has no use in tape transport operations. Wearing operation During production, various interlocking mechanisms and guiding elements are moved over considerable distances and the magnetic tape is to accurately set the tape guide path to enable accurate recording and playback of information. be positioned. Purely mechanical tape application mechanisms are expensive, complex, and Tape loading and tape retrieval are relatively time consuming. The following patents i.e. U.S. Patent No. 3,674,942, issued July 4, 1972, to Sugaya et al. U.S. Patent No. 4.259. issued March 31, 1981 to Inventor Galue et al. 7 US Patent No. 4° issued February 10, 1987 by Vol. 00 No. 1 Inventors Vol. No. 642.706 1 U.S. Patent issued September 10, 1985 by five inventors No. 4,541,024 9 Inventor Kihara, published July 18, 1972 National Patent No. 3,678,217 illustrates a tape installation guide mechanism.

In order to improve the problems associated with the loading mechanism for magnetic tape recording devices, the cassette Pneumatically load the magnetic tape into the magnetic tape recording device from the tray or cartridge. Therefore, various techniques have been proposed. Thus, one of the inventors Kumakura et al. No. 4,620,678, issued Nov. 4, 986, a single reel The magnetic tape housed in the cartridge is placed in a transport mechanism with a take-up reel. A mounted cartridge loading system is disclosed. Installation is done using magnetic tape. The lead end is wound from the open reel on the supply side to the hub of the take-up reel. The airflow is carried through the channel to the take-up reel until the It will be done. U.S. Patent No. 4.4 issued November 1, 1983 to inventor Hathaway. No. 13.293 and inventor Kayan et al., U.S. Pat. 3,940.791 and IBM Public Technical Report Volume 12 dated November 19, 1969 Pages 808-809 of issue 6 contain tapes stored in a cassette with two reels. magnetic tape transport containing helical scan magnetic head assemblies or similar A device for automatic installation in a roadway is disclosed. The patents of the former two parties were disclosed. The pneumatic attachment mechanism disclosed in these references is complex and poses reliability problems due to the movable guide elements. They were at a disadvantage because they had to accept this.

In addition to mounting the magnetic tape in the transport path of the magnetic tape recording device, A vacuum column or similar device that controls the magnetic tape as it is transported along the transport path from one side to the other. Various similar devices have been proposed. Such vacuum column devices are e.g. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3.134. issued May 26, 1964 by inventor Willis. No. 527, U.S. Patent No. 3.13 issued May 26, 1964 to inventor Vieky. No. 4.528, U.S. Patent No. 2 issued September 6, 1960 to Vemer et al. ．． No. 952.010 discloses the combined pneumatic attachment guide mechanism disclosed in the invention Commonly Assigned U.S. Patent No. 188 October 1988 to G.r.n.i. No. 4,779.150, published September 10, 1988 by the inventor G.r.a.nt. No. 4,772,969 issued August 9, 1988 by Grant. No. 4,763,210. Disclosed in the latter three patents Mechanisms that require the application of vacuum during both loading and tape transport operations It is.

Thus, it is simple, reliable, and minimizes tape stress and edge damage. , a tape for helical scan tape recording devices that allows for quick and gentle installation. The installation guidance system was being used. Also, helical scan magnetic head assembly to set up a tape path with less restriction between the supply reel and take-up reel. The tape guiding system was also at issue.

Kotomei summary According to the present invention, a magnetic tape device is provided which eliminates the drawbacks of known magnetic tape loading guide techniques. An arrival guidance system will be provided. According to one aspect of the invention, the Magnetic tape can be quickly and gently used to transport tape in magnetic tape recording/playback equipment. installed within the feed path, which avoids stress and edge damage to the tape. Ru. The tape attachment mechanism has a simple and reliable structure with few parts. One aspect of the present invention According to the side, the magnetic tape loading guide system performs helical scan magnetic tape recording. / Provided for use within refurbished equipment. The system transfers magnetic tape from a magnetic tape cassette. Pull out the loop and go around the helical scan magnetic head and several fixed magnetic heads. Contains several vacuum ports that are activated sequentially to form a duct.

According to another aspect of the invention, a plurality of tape guiding elements guide the tape during installation. It is mounted on a movable precision plate that keeps it off the road. The tape is the guide element After being pulled past l, the guide plate moves to position the guide element and the book According to another feature of the invention, the guide element located along the conveying path has a low restriction path. Contoured to minimize tape wear and tear.

Brief description of the drawing In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, like parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Please refer to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a helical scan magnetic recording/reproducing device including an embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram.

Figure 2. 3.4. 5 is a plan diagram useful for explaining the operation of the embodiment in FIG. be.

6 to 10 are perspective views useful for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

Figures 11.12 are bottom and side views, respectively, of a movable tape guide element assembly; .

Figures 13.14 are diagrams of other pneumatic attachment mechanisms useful with the present invention.

Figures 15 and 16 are plan views illustrating other embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 17 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the guide element used in the embodiment of FIG. 15;

Description of examples In the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, a helical scan magnetic tape Refer to recording/playback device. However, according to those skilled in the art, the tape installation guide system of the present invention The stem can also be used with other webs such as optical media tape systems and the like. It will be appreciated that it is also applicable to handling systems. Referring to Figure 1, A computer equipped with a rotating head scanner 14 mounted on a scanner support 16 A helical scan magnetic tape recording device 10 having a housing 12 is shown. Ru. The housing 12 supports a magnetic tape cassette 20. The receiver has a loading station 18. The cassette 20 has a magnetic tape 26 around it. It includes reels 22, 24 on which it is wound.

The recording device 10 is mounted at the end of an arm 32.34 which is rotatable about a pivot axis 36.38. Each includes an attached deflection roller 28,30. The magnetic tape 26 is fixed Tape transport path passing through magnetic spatulas I"40, 42, 44 and rotary head scanner 14 You will be guided around. The conveyance path includes a plurality of guide rollers 46, 48, 50, 52. ．． Contains 54.56.58, 60.62.64. tape is capstan 66.68, it is transported along the road.

Fixed guide posts 70,72 are arranged around the rotating head scanner 14 which also tilts. Since the tape 26 is wound at a predetermined angle, the tape 26 is wound in opposite directions. There is.

One feature of the invention is that the tape is inserted into the cassette by a hybrid pneumatic and mechanical system. It is attached from the cut 20. The recording device 10 includes a vacuum source (not shown) attached to the recording device 10. A vacuum cavity 74,76,78,80 is provided. Bottom wall 82 and earthen wall ( (not shown) and the side walls 84, 86, 88, 90 have cavities 74, 76, 78° 80 and is used to pneumatically load the magnetic tape 26 from the cassette 20. Form a vacuum region.

Now, Figure 2. 3.4. 5, the operation of the present invention in the mounting mode will be described. Bell. When the cassette 20 is inserted into the recording device 10, the magnetic tape 26 is completely are confined within the cassette 20, and the gas of the cassette 20 (see Figures 2 and 6) The tension shown by arrow A extending past the id 92.94 and between the reels 22.24 Contains the delivery part.

When the cassette 20 is properly positioned within the recording device 10, the deflection guide roller 28 ．． 30 is retracted and extends into an opening 96 in the bottom wall of cassette 20. Wearing operation rotate the flexure arms 32, 34 to the opposite side and move the chi 126 to the outside of the cassette 20. It can be started by pulling it out to the position shown by arrow B (Figs. 2, 7). roller 28.30 is rotated to positions 28A, 30A and the cassette excluding reel 22.24 is The tape is positioned so that the tape 26 does not come into contact with any structure on the cut 20. Wrap tape 26 around roller 46.64.

Pneumatic mounting is accomplished by applying a vacuum to the cavity 74, 76, 80. The magnetic tape 26 is servo-controlled with low tension and is vacuum-suctioned into a vacuum area. arrow C (Fig. 3) around the rotary head scanner 14 and guide rollers ．． Gently wrap the tape 26 to the position shown in 8). Vacuum tape 2 6 is in contact with the rollers 49, 50, 60 and the fixed head 44 at the position indicated by the arrow Continue to pull out the tape 26 until the end. Pull the tape 26 to the position shown by arrow E. When ejected, the tape abuts the magnetic head 40, 42 and runs around the scanner 16. and contact the vacuum cavity 74.80.

Referring to FIG. 4, tape 26 is inserted into vacuum cavities 74, 76, 78, is shown encased within a vacuum recess formed by the same method. Tape 26 also On the elements 46, 28, 48, 49, 50, 40 on the supply reel 22 side and on the rotating head elements 64 on the scanner 14 and on the take-up reel 24 side; 30. 32. 60. 42.44 is wound on top.

In response to a signal that the tape 26 is in place within the vacuum recess, the tape 26 is moved parallel to the floor. For installation, the pedestal 100 (Fig. 11.12) faces the floor 102 in the direction of the arrow 104. and move. The pedestal 100 has ports 106A, 106B, - in the canopy 108.

, 106H through elements 66.52, 54.70.72, 56, 58.80. and align it with the tape path. The pedestal 100 stops at three locations (not shown) and The tape guiding elements supported by this are in exactly vertical position and their axes are Precise location for tape tracking.

When the pedestal 100 lowers the element 66 etc. to a predetermined position etc., the tape tension increases. and pull the tape into engagement with them (Figure 5.10). These elements are Little or no tension imbalance or tendency to bend the tape out of the way is selected to guide the tape through the entire tape path. tape road guide The elements achieve very gentle and stress-free tape handling. scanner The inclined posts 70 and 72 adjacent to (because the tape slides over them and the tape itself This is because the position can be determined freely. Rollers 52, 58 are shown in FIG. pears similar to those described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,720. In the patent, the tape 26 is lightly attached to the bottom edge guide 110. It is supported near the center so that it can rotate freely in all directions. This guide 110 The ceramic edge that contacts the tape edge accurately positions the tape edge. The roller 52 (58) is attached to the floor surface 102 so that the roller 52 (58) The point that comes down to the contact point is the same as that described in U.S. Pat. It's different from that. Guides 54.56 are the same as guides 52.58 or are commonly transferable. Even a guide similar to that described in issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,573.619 Often, in that case, the mobile ceramic is mounted from the floor surface 102. In each case In both cases, there is no need to provide a tape retainer as shown in the above patent, since tape 2 6 is properly held by the floor 102, the lid 108, and the vacuum chamber wall. be.

When the ceramic ends of guides 54, 56 are adjusted, it serves two purposes. obtain. Firstly it equates the guides 54,56 to compensate for tracking errors. Sometimes it is an automatic system that adjusts in the opposite direction. Second, guide 54. 56, the tape winding on the scanner 14 can be done by changing the angle of the magnetic head. It can also be changed to accommodate changes in numbers. Thus, the scanner vs. tape speed Increased degree to accommodate more heads or accommodate fewer heads The recording angle on the tape 26 is the same as that on the tape 26 when the Keep the pattern. For example, adapting to a change from 2 to 8 recording heads. Therefore, the change in ceramic edge position is 0.0035 inch (0.0089 inch), respectively. cm) change. When such a change occurs, the two pairs of guides 52.56 and 56°5 8 is automatically adjusted to accommodate the slight slope of the tape path relative to the floor surface 102. It will be done. Moreover, if the guides 70 and 72 were rotatably attached, By changing their slope very slightly, the guides 54, 56 have zero in the tape path. ．． Adjust for 0035 inch change.

The fixed magnetic head 40, 42, 44 and the tape sensor 50 are all non-rotating elements. force the tape to find its natural vertical position and force any angular control on the tape. It never happens. The guides 49 and 60 are gimbal guides with covers that bend in the axial direction. It is de. The gimbal axes are in the directions 112 and 114 shown in Figure 4, and the The height is from the tape to the center of the tape width. Axial deflection is caused by an elastomer whose groove and ridge widths are approximately equal. It is provided by an elastomer coating with a peripheral group within the toma. Edge guidance standards are also on both rollers 49, 60, which keep the guide edge in place. A sealed bearing or lubricant that takes some of the torque away from the capstan that swings out. The rotation of the adjacent capstan 66.48 is It is activated by The edge guide surface is formed in the tape forward direction (from reel 22 to reel 24). ) on the guide 60 and in the tape backward direction (from reel 24 to reel 22). contacts the bottom edge of the tape on guide 49, which causes the guide to Not when moving away from the cassette 20, but when moving toward the cassette 20. Guide the tape.

Capstan 66.68 has a high-friction urethane composite coating and has a slight speed difference. This causes tension to be applied to the tape in either the forward or reverse direction of movement. vinegar.

48.62 is not a cymbal guide, but it is the same as guides 49 and 60. The shaft is made to flex according to the law. The flexible arm rollers 28, 30 are also axially This is a flexible elastomer coated roller. Flexible arm roller under motor control Serves as a swing-out roller to pull the tape 26 out of the cassette 20, and then Tension information can be input to the reel motor servo with the arm in a fixed position. It serves the dual purpose of serving as a flexible roller. Roller 49. 6 0, rollers 46, 64 are cymbal rollers with axially flexible surfaces. The gimbal axes are shown in FIG. 4 as axes 116 and 118. These rollers are sexy It has no guide.

An alternative pneumatic loading device is illustrated in Figure 13.14. It is shown in Figure 13a. 1, a vacuum wall 1 with a vertically elongated group 121 located adjacent to the scanner 14; 20 includes a vacuum vent tube 122. Control tape 26 to first record area 1. 24 and then to area 126, vacuum vent tube 122 is connected to area 124. It is located at Retract tape 26 until it contacts wall 120 within region 124 When closed, the tape acts as a valve, allowing the vacuum to flow through the group inside wall 120. along the tape 121 and along the space between the wall 120 and the tape 26. and pulls the tape against the wall within region 126.

This loading sequence involves loading the tape 26 into the cassette 20 (FIG. 1) in the direction of arrow 128. The fact that the feed reel 22 in the area enters the area 124, 126 This makes it desirable. (If the tape is connected directly to the vacuum, then ), if tape 26 first contacts wall 120 within region 126 , where the friction against wall 120 in region 126 causes tape 26 to be drawn into region 124. This is intended to prevent the user from being read into the system, but this is not actually the case.

On the opposite side of the scanner 14 is an identical symmetric system with a text on the scanner 14. cooperate in winding the loop 26.

Referring now to FIG. 14, head 130 or some other member may be attached to vacuum wall 132. requires a special break within the curvature of the tape 26, thereby making the tape 26 more continuous. Devices are shown that are useful when drawn into regions 134 and 136.

When the tape 26 contacts the head 130 or other member at this location, the vacuum The operation is separated from region 136 and confined within region 134. Thus, Te The loop 26 covers the tube 138 and the short group and acts as a valve to keep the area 134 empty. isolating the vacuum from between the areas 136 and 140 so that its influence is transmitted through connecting tube 140 in region 136. I can feel it. Thus, the tape 26 is in place against the wall 132 within the region 134. Once there, it is pulled into contact with wall 132 in region 136. valve The operation also occurs within the walls within region 136 if there is another region to subsequently load. It is obvious that it can be incorporated.

A similar loading means (similar to that shown in FIG. 13 or 14) is provided for the scanner 14. You will be working on the other side.

The tape application sequence of FIG. 14 or FIG. Occurs before lowering or raising. At the moment of raising the guiding element out of the tape path , tape 26 starts within regions 134,136.

Referring now to Figure 15.16, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Fray The system 140 is a D-1 cassette including an 11th J-rule 143 and a 21st Knoll 142. has. The helical configuration of the tape 26 is similar to that of the right hand helical winding reel 1 on the reel 143. Go to the left hand vine roll on 42. On the frame 140, the tape path starts from the reel 143. All tape guiding elements along segment 162 to inclined guide 156 are It is in the same plane as the tape wound on the roll 143. Tape path segment 163 From the second inclined guide 15 along lies in the same plane as some tape.

The slope and angle of the guides 156 and 157 are determined by the tape path changes before and after the scanner 151. Calculated to give exactly the right wraps, twists and changes of direction to accommodate It will be done. The scanner 151 is tilted (12 degrees to the right as shown) and the chi 126 is tilted 5 degrees. Due to the fact that the scanner 151 will be contacted on the path Consideration will be given.

The rollers 154 and 155 move the reels regardless of the amount of tape on the reels 143 and 144. 143 and 144 so that they do not come into contact with any part of the cassette. . Rollers 154,155 are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4.403.720. This is the gimbal roller type described in (Fig. 17). The tape 26 has a rough bottom. The rollers 154 and 155 are easy to ride on the guide standard because the rollers 154 and 155 have fixed shafts. tape without excessive tape stress that would result from slight line misalignment of the rollers. This is because it aligns itself with the road. Movable rollers 145 and 146 move the cassette The tape is pulled out from the tape 142 to assist the tape mounting operation and to the extended position (FIG. 15). , rollers 145, 146 move from positions 145A, 146A to 145B, 146B, further moves to 145C, 146c) functions as a flexible roller. 1. The rollers 145, 146 are positioned vertically to the frame 40 as precisely as possible. 5゜ The capstan 152,153 is also cylindrical and is precisely aligned with the frame 140. Vertical. Therefore, the most constrained portion of the tape path on each side of scanner 151 The short section between the supply roller 145 and the capstan 152 and the standard This is the portion between the roller 146 on the winding side and the capstan 153. this thing is true for either direction of tape movement.

Fixed magnetic head 164 does not overly constrain tape 26; Then the tape 26 moves (because the tape 26 always slides continuously on the magnetic head) It is. In fact, this makes the longitudinal friction of head L zero, because tape 2 6 can easily have a vertical component (longitudinal to the tape) of its motion. 1゜ The rollers 158.160 on the feed side and the rollers 159.161 on the take-up side also This is the cymbal type described in National Patent No. 4.403.720 (Fig. 17). 1? Thus, the only restraint on the tape 26 is to guide the tape downwards on each roller and to It tends to have higher tension at the side edges. scanner mount F The guides 156.154 are exactly the same as the guides 158.159 on the frame 140. Rather than being at the same height, the guide can be tilted slightly to accommodate slight variations in height position. Wear. This means that the tape path is 9 on each guide 158.159, 160.161. This is further enhanced by the fact that it turns by 0°. Thus, the guide 90° bending is possible if it is tilted by Behind the scenes, the tape 26 is twisted only slightly on the next wrap to accommodate the slope.

Since the tape 26 slides on the posts 156 and 157, the tape 26 cannot be restrained. but not by sliding the tape upward or downward (in the longitudinal direction of the tape path). Pos The points 156, 157 are positioned by very careful calculations. They are also , the calibration master tape is played with the playback signal displayed on the oscilloscope. installed to fine tune the tape guide during the calibration procedure. .

Between the deflecting roller 145 and the capstan 152 and between the deflecting roller 146 and the caps Excessive restraint on the tape between the tongue 153 and the flexure rollers 145, 146 are adjustable and are assembled so that they are parallel to the capstan they contact. is reduced by the fact that it is sterically adjusted.

Industrial applications The magnetic tape loading guide system is used to store analog or digital information, data, or images. Images are recorded, stored, and played back by a helical scan magnetic tape recording device. It has industrial applications in the news industry and video industry.

FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG.9 FIG. 10 FIG, II FIG. 12 FIG. 17 ．． ,, Continuation of PCT/11592104B46 front page (72) Inventor: Cole, Kevin A 1451 New York, USA 9. 624 Haley Road, Ontario (72) Inventor Grand, John Philip California, USA 90242゜Downey, Lives 11937

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. It has first and second reels rotatably attached, and the tape is attached to the reels. and a rotating head scanner. A tape loading guide system in a magnetic tape handling device that includes means for along the tape path between the first and second reels of the inserted cassette and into said rotating means for guiding the tape past the head scanner, the means for guiding the tape past the head scanner; a first set of guide elements in a fixed position and a set of guide elements for simultaneously moving in and out of said tape path; said guiding means comprising a second set of guided guiding elements mounted thereon; and vacuum means comprising: act on the tape to form a tape loop outside the cassette and insert the tape into the first A vacuum forming tape is placed in contact with the guide element set and the rotary head scanner. (a) in which said second set of guiding elements is substantially connected to said first and second set of guiding elements; along the tape path formed by the guide element set and the rotating head scanner; After moving to the fixed position, it can be operated in tape transport mode (b) that does not create a vacuum. The system is characterized in that it comprises the vacuum means capable of. 2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second set of guide elements attached to move perpendicular to The system characterized in that: 3. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second set of guide elements at least one gimbaled roller on the opposite side of the scanner; The system characterized in that: 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sets of guide elements are The tape is conveyed between the first and second reels past the rotating head scanner. The system is characterized in that a low restraint tape path is set for the tap. 5. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said vacuum means comprises said rotating head scanner. first and second vacuum cavities spaced apart on opposite sides of the cavity; The system further includes first removing a tape from a received cassette and placing the tape in said cassette. a deflection roller attachment means for setting a first tape loop on the exterior of the set; The first and second vacuum cavities are connected to the cassette after the first loop is formed. The tape is pulled out from within the set to form the loop and connect the first set of guide elements. and contacting the rotating head scanner. 6. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second vacuum cavities include: concave and true at the end of the cavity closest to the rotating head scanner. has an internally grooved wall with a vacuum outlet, and the tape first has an inner grooved wall with a vacuum outlet. and to a region away from the vacuum outlet. The system characterized by: 7. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second vacuum cavities include: A centrally located cut and proximal and remote vacuum areas on each side of the cut. area, at which side the tape is first drawn into the adjacent vacuum area. and subsequently drawn into the remote vacuum region. The system characterized in that: 8. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second guide element sets are The tape is conveyed between the first and second reels past the rotating head scanner. The system is characterized in that a low restraint tape path is set for the tap. 9. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second set of guide elements It has gimbaled guide rollers that reposition on both sides of the scanner, The system characterized in that: 10. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second set of guide elements The head scanner has a set of gimbaled guide rollers located on each side of the head scanner. The system characterized in that: