JPH08195052A - Cartridge for recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To simplify the partial structure of a center core by forming one side of a cartridge of a metallic sheet and forming drawn parts on the inside wall of the metallic sheet in positions evading the recording surface of a recording medium. CONSTITUTION: The cartridge 2 housing the recording medium 1 is formable as thin as <=0.5mm (<=50% hereto) in its thickness by forming at least one side thereof of the metallic sheet 21. The reduction in the overall thickness of the cartridge 2 is attained as well. The drawn parts 22 are formed in the parts corresponding to the center core of the recording medium 1, by which the position of the recording medium 1 is regulated and, therefore, the partial structure of the center core is simplified.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium cartridge used in computers, electronic cameras, video cameras, audio equipment and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Floppy disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, and magnetic tapes have been conventionally used as removable recording media used in personal computers, pen computers, electronic cameras, video cameras, personal audio equipment, and the like. , Removable hard disks, etc. are widespread. The recording medium is generally handled in the form of being housed in a cartridge for the purpose of protecting the recording surface of the recording medium when it is attached to or detached from a device, or when it is carried or stored.

On the other hand, the recording medium has been developed and commercialized in response to the needs for large capacity, small size, and low cost as the amount of information handled increases. In particular, as a memory system for a portable computer, an electronic camera, a video camera, etc., a small size, a large capacity, and an inexpensive system are required. Therefore, for example, in a magneto-optical disk drive, in order to reduce the size and thickness, the diameter of the disk is reduced (12 ″).
(→ 5.25 "→ 3.5" → 2.5 "), the miniaturization of the optical head and the high integration of the circuit have been advanced.

[0004]

However, at present, the thickness of the magneto-optical memory system is at least 29.9.
There is also a mm (mini disk, recording / reproducing device), and further reduction in thickness is required for mounting on a portable computer, electronic camera, video camera, or the like.

In the above magneto-optical disk drive, the thickness of the magneto-optical disk (with cartridge) mounted is
At present, it corresponds to 20% to 30% of the thickness of the entire drive. Therefore, if the thickness of the magneto-optical disk (with cartridge) can be further reduced,
It is extremely effective for thinning the magneto-optical disk drive.

At present, the thinnest magneto-optical disk (mini disk) has a thickness of 5.0 mm, of which the cartridge plate thickness is 1.1 mm and the disk substrate thickness is 1.2.
mm. Conventionally, the cartridge is mainly molded with a molding resin such as polycarbonate or ABS.
Mold resin has problems of mechanical strength and workability,
The lower limit of the thickness needs to be about 1 mm. Therefore, if the cartridge is made of the conventional molding resin, it is difficult to make the cartridge thinner.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has a structure of a recording medium cartridge in which the plate thickness of the recording medium cartridge is reduced to reduce the overall thickness. Is intended to provide.

[0008]

Therefore, in the present invention,
A cartridge for accommodating a recording medium having a recording film on which information is recorded on a non-magnetic substrate, characterized in that at least one side of the cartridge is formed of a metal plate. A diaphragm is formed on the inner wall of the metal plate at a position avoiding the recording surface of the medium.

In this case, in the cartridge of the present invention, the diaphragm is formed in a circular shape in the vicinity of the center core of the recording medium, or in the vicinity of the center core of the recording medium, the diaphragms are located at a plurality of positions on substantially the same circumference. It is good to form it. Also,
In the cartridge of the present invention, the diaphragm is formed in a circular shape in the vicinity of the outer circumference of the recording medium, or the diaphragm is formed in a plurality of positions on the same circumference in the vicinity of the outer circumference of the recording medium. Good.

Further, in the cartridge of the present invention, at least one side thereof is formed of an Al alloy plate, a Ti alloy plate or a SUS plate, and the inner wall of the Al alloy plate, the Ti alloy plate or the SUS plate is as described above. It is preferable to form a diaphragm.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Here, at least one side of the cartridge 2 accommodating the recording medium 1 is formed of a metal plate 21. The diaphragm 22 is formed on the inner wall of the metal plate 21 in the shape of a circle in the vicinity of the center core of the recording medium or at a plurality of locations on substantially the same circumference, and if necessary. , Circular shape near the outer periphery of the recording medium,
Alternatively, the diaphragms 23 may be located at a plurality of locations on the same circumference.
Is formed.

FIG. 2 shows a recording medium cartridge of the present invention, and is a top view of the metal plate 21 as seen from the inner wall side. Here, reference numeral 3 is a shutter window, which is an open portion (hollowed portion), and 4 is a shutter which opens and closes the window 3.

The metal plate 21 is not particularly limited, but may be Al.
Preferred are non-magnetic metals such as Ti, Ti, alloys thereof, and SUS. In particular, Al-Si alloy and Al-Cu
Alloys and SUS are preferable materials because they are excellent in workability (spreadability), mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, lightweight and inexpensive.

The plate thickness of the metal plate 21 is preferably 0.01 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less, but in consideration of the purpose of achieving a thin cartridge and mechanical strength / workability, it is 0.1 mm.
It is practical that the thickness is 0.5 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less.

The opposite side 24 of the cartridge, which is the facing surface of the metal plate 21, may be the same metal plate as the metal plate 21.
Conventional mold resin may be adopted. Considering that it is necessary to form the protrusion for positioning as in the conventional case, the mold resin is preferable in this case. Therefore, when using the resin, the plate thickness of the cartridge 24 on the back surface is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 1.1 mm or less.

A diaphragm 22 formed on the inner wall of the metal plate 21.
Are formed in the facing portion of the chucking portion (the portion without the recording layer) of the disc, and are formed in an arc shape along the circumference or at a plurality of positions on the substantially circumference. Also, aperture 2
The reference numeral 3 is formed on the outer peripheral portion (the portion where there is no recording layer) of the disc, and is formed in an arc shape along the circumference or at a plurality of positions on the substantially circumference. The height of the diaphragms 22 and 23 formed on the inner wall of the metal plate 21 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.2 mm or less.

The recording medium 1 is a recording medium of a type such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk or a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, etc., which is housed in a cartridge.

As described above, the cartridge 2 accommodating the recording medium 1 has a metal plate 21 on at least one side thereof, so that the thickness of the cartridge is reduced to 0.5 mm or less (50% or less of the conventional one). It is possible to reduce the thickness of the cartridge 2 as a whole.

Further, by forming apertures 22 and 23 on the center wall of the recording medium 1 and the outer peripheral portion of the inner wall of the metal plate 21, the positional regulation of the recording medium 1 (in the cartridge). (Do not let the recording medium 1 rattle, and the recording medium 1 does not come off in an unexpected direction.)
In addition, protection of the recording surface of the recording medium 1 (preventing contact of the recording surface with the cartridge) and reinforcement of the mechanical strength of the thinned cartridge can be achieved at the same time.

Further, since the position of the recording medium 1 is regulated by forming the diaphragm 22 on the portion of the inner wall of the metal plate 21 corresponding to the center core of the recording medium 1, the partial structure of the center core can be simplified. . Further, when the metal plate 21 is made of Al alloy, Ti alloy, or SUS, it is possible to provide a lightweight and inexpensive cartridge having excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.

The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples in which the recording medium 1 is a magneto-optical disk.
The invention is not limited to the examples shown here. Example 1 The recording medium 1 housed in the cartridge of the recording medium of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a magneto-optical disk having a substrate thickness of 0.6 mm. The cartridge 21 on the chucking surface side (upper side in FIG. 1) of the magneto-optical disk 1.
Is an Al-Cu-Si alloy and its plate thickness is 0.2 m.
m. On the inner wall of the Al-Cu-Si alloy cartridge 21, a diaphragm 22 is formed in the facing portion of the chucking portion of the disc, and the outer peripheral portion of the disc, that is, the facing portion of the portion that does not contribute to recording and reproduction. A diaphragm 23 is formed at the bottom.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the Al-Cu-Si alloy cartridge 21 as seen from the inner wall side. here,
The magneto-optical disk 1 is shown by a broken line. Reference numeral 3 is a shutter window, and 4 is a shutter.
The diaphragms 22 and 23 formed on the inner wall of the Al-Cu-Si alloy cartridge 21 are doughnut-shaped protrusions, each having a height of 0.2 mm and a width of 0.6 mm.

In FIG. 1, the cartridge 24 on the side opposite to the chucking is formed by molding polycarbonate and has a plate thickness of 1.0 mm. Further, the gap between the cartridge 21 and the disc 1 is 0.3 mm, and the gap between the cartridge 24 and the disc 1 is 0.5 mm. Further, the thickness of the shutter portion is 0.
It was set to 2 mm.

With the above construction, the total thickness of the magneto-optical disk cartridge 2 is 2.8 mm, which is 5.0 mm as the thickness of the thinnest magneto-optical disk (mini disk) currently on the market. It was possible to reduce the thickness by 44%.

Further, according to the present invention, by forming the diaphragm 22, the position of the disk 1 in the cartridge can be regulated and the structure of the center core can be simplified. Further, according to the present invention, by forming the diaphragms 22 and 23, it is possible to prevent the recording surface of the disk from colliding with the inner wall of the cartridge due to vibration or the like, and by forming the diaphragms 22 and 23, The mechanical strength of the thin cartridge can be reinforced. [Embodiment 2] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a recording medium cartridge of the present invention. Here, the recording medium 1'is a magneto-optical disk having a substrate thickness of 0.6 mm.

The cartridge 31 on the chucking surface side (upper side in FIG. 3) of the magneto-optical disk 1'is made of Ti-Al.
-V alloy having a plate thickness of 0.2 mm. Ti-
A diaphragm 32 is formed on the inner wall of the Al-V alloy cartridge 31 in the opposite portion of the chucking portion of the disc, and the diaphragm 3 is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the disc, that is, the opposite portion on the outer side of the disc.
3 are formed. Here, the point where the diaphragm 33 is projected particularly to the outside of the disc is a structural difference from the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the cartridge 31 of the Ti-Al-V alloy as seen from the inner wall side. The magneto-optical disk 1'is shown by a broken line. Here, reference numeral 3 '
Is a shutter window, and 4'is a shutter that opens and closes it. The diaphragms 32, 33 formed on the inner wall of the Ti-Al-V alloy cartridge 31 are doughnut-shaped protrusions, each having a height of 0.2 mm and a width of 0.6 mm.

In FIG. 3, the cartridge 34 on the side opposite to the chucking is formed by molding polycarbonate and has a plate thickness of 1.0 mm. Further, the gap between the cartridge 31 and the disc 1'is 0.4 mm, the gap between the cartridge 34 and the disc 1'is 0.6 mm, and the thickness of the shutter portion is 0.2.
mm.

With the above construction, the total thickness of the magneto-optical disk cartridge 2'is 3.0 mm, which is 40% of the thinnest magneto-optical disk (mini disk) currently on the market of 5.0 mm in thickness. Was also made thinner. Further, according to the present invention, by forming the diaphragm 32, the position of the disc 1'in the cartridge can be regulated, and the structure of the center core is simplified.
Further, according to the present invention, by forming the diaphragm 33, it is possible to regulate the position of the disc so as not to deviate from the center too much. Further, according to the present invention, the diaphragm 3
By forming 2, 33, the mechanical strength of the thin cartridge can be reinforced. [Third Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a recording medium cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The recording medium 1 ″ is a magneto-optical disk having a substrate thickness of 0.6 mm. The cartridge 41 on the chucking surface side (upper side in FIG. 5) of the magneto-optical disk 1 ″ is SUS.
Its plate thickness is 0.2 mm.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the SUS cartridge 41 seen from the inner wall side. The broken line shows a magneto-optical disk 1 ", 3" is a shutter window, and 4 "is a shutter for opening and closing the window 3". On the inner wall of the SUS cartridge 41, a diaphragm 42 is formed at a portion facing the chucking portion of the disc, and the diaphragms 43 are provided at a plurality of positions on the outer circumference of the disc, that is, at the outer facing portion of the disc on substantially the same circumference. Then formed. The diaphragm 43 is formed at a plurality of discontinuous locations, which is a structural difference from the second embodiment.

The heights of the diaphragms 42 and 43 formed on the inner wall of the SUS cartridge 41 are both 0.2 mm,
The width is 0.6 mm. In FIG. 5, the cartridge 34 on the side opposite to the chucking is formed by molding of polycarbonate, and its plate thickness is 1.
It is 0 mm. Furthermore, the cartridge 41 and the disc 1 ″
Gap of 0.4mm, cartridge 44 and disk 1 "
The gap was set to 0.6 mm. The thickness of the shutter portion was 0.2 mm.

With the above construction, the total thickness of the magneto-optical disk cartridge 2 "is 3.0 mm, which is 40% of the thinnest magneto-optical disk (mini disk) currently on the market at 5.0 mm. Was also made thinner.

Further, according to the present invention, by forming the diaphragm 42, it is possible to regulate the position of the disk 1 ″ in the cartridge, and the structure of the center core is simplified. According to this, by forming the diaphragm 43, the position of the disk can be regulated so as not to deviate from the center too much, and the mechanical strength of the thin cartridge can be reinforced.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, by making at least one side of the cartridge mounted on the recording medium a metal plate, the plate thickness of the cartridge can be reduced, and the total thickness of the cartridge can be reduced. Also, thinning can be achieved. Furthermore, by reducing the total thickness of the cartridge according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a reduction in size, thickness, and weight of the entire memory system (drive).

By forming a diaphragm on the inner wall of the metal plate, which corresponds to the center core and outer periphery of the recording medium, the positional regulation of the recording medium, the protection of the recording surface of the recording medium, and the thinned cartridge. The mechanical strength of can be reinforced. Further, since the position of the recording medium is regulated by forming the diaphragm on the portion of the inner wall of the metal plate that corresponds to the center core of the recording medium, the partial structure of the center core can be simplified.

Further, the metal plate is made of Al alloy or Ti.
By using alloy or SUS, even if the thickness of the cartridge is thinner than the conventional mold resin,
It is possible to provide a cartridge that has excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, is lightweight, and is inexpensive.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a recording medium cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the metal plate of the recording medium cartridge as seen from the inner wall side.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a recording medium cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the metal plate of the recording medium cartridge as seen from the inner wall side.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a recording medium cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the metal plate of the recording medium cartridge as seen from the inner wall side.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1 ', 1 "recording medium (magneto-optical disk in the embodiment) 2, 2', 2" whole cartridge 3, 3 ', 3 "shutter window 4, 4', 4" shutter 21 metal plate (implementation) In Example 1, Al-Cu-Si alloy cartridge) 31 Ti-Al-V alloy cartridge 41 SUS cartridge 22, 32, 42 Aperture formed on the inner wall of the metal plate cartridge 23, 33, 43 Formed on the inner wall of the metal plate cartridge Aperture 24, 34, 44 Cartridge on the side opposite to the chucking surface

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A cartridge for accommodating a recording medium having a recording film on which information is recorded on a non-magnetic substrate, wherein at least one side of the cartridge is formed of a metal plate and the recording surface of the recording medium is avoided. A cartridge for a recording medium, characterized in that a diaphragm is formed on the inner wall of the metal plate at a different position. 2. The cartridge for a recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm on the inner wall of the metal plate is formed in a circular shape in the vicinity of a core which is a rotation center of the recording medium. 3. The diaphragm of the inner wall of the metal plate is formed at a plurality of positions arranged on substantially the same circumference in the vicinity of the core which is the center of rotation of the recording medium. A recording medium cartridge according to claim 1. 4. The cartridge for a recording medium according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the diaphragm on the inner wall of the metal plate is formed in a circular shape in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the recording medium. 5. The diaphragm of the inner wall of the metal plate is formed at a plurality of positions arranged substantially on the same circumference in the vicinity of the outer circumference of the recording medium.
A recording medium cartridge according to item 2 or 3. 6. The recording medium cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate is an Al alloy. 7. The recording medium cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate is a Ti alloy. 8. The recording medium cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate is SUS.