JPH0935390A - Automatic changer device of disk incorporated with cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the mechanism for recording/reproducing a disk common to both devices to which a cartridge is inserted horizontally and inserted vertically. SOLUTION: Supporting rollers 181 for supporting a magazine 3 are provided outside the rotationally moving course of the magazine 3 arranged on a chassis 1 in contact with the circumferential surface of the magazine 3. A carrier 8 for transporting the cartridge 6 is provided on the upper surface of the magazine 3 freely slidably in the radial direction of the magazine 3, and a protrusion 81 for preventing the cartridge 6 from falling off the magazine 3 is projectingly provided at the position corresponding to the end part of the cartridge 6 at the side in the ejecting direction on the carrier 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic disc changer device for storing a plurality of discs, selecting a required disc, and recording or reproducing a signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As such an automatic changer device, the one shown in FIGS.
-57248). The device is a chassis (not shown)
A magazine (6
10), a disc ejecting unit (620) for ejecting the disc D from the magazine (610), and two disc reproducing units (630) (630)
In the magazine (610), a plurality of disks D are stood substantially vertically and housed radially and at equal intervals.

The disc ejecting section (620) has a magazine (61
A kick arm (621) for kicking the disc inside (0) to the outside take-out part (620) is rotatably arranged in the vertical plane, and each disc reproducing part (630) has a disc (magazine) (610). Kicking arm (631) for kicking from the playback unit (630) to the playback unit (630)
The kicking arm (632) that kicks in from the (630) to the magazine (610)
And are respectively rotatably arranged in a vertical plane.

When playing the disc D, the disc D is played from the outside of the disc take-out section (620).
To insert. When the magazine (610) rotates and the disc D faces one of the disc reproducing units (630), the kicking arm (631) kicks the disc D toward the disc reproducing unit (630). In this way, the disc D is mounted on the disc reproducing unit (630). When the disc D is taken out from the disc reproducing portion (630), the kicking arm (632) kicks the disc D into the magazine (610). When the magazine (610) rotates and the disk D faces the disk ejecting section (620), the kicking arm (621) kicks the disk D outward from the magazine (610).

[0005]

In recent years, in order to protect the disc, as shown in FIG. 16, the disc can be housed in a cartridge (6) so that it can be transported.
It is proposed that the shutter (61) of the cartridge (6) is opened and the disc is exposed from the window. Also,
In recent years, a device for inserting a disc in a vertical orientation and a device for inserting a disc in a horizontal orientation are commercially available. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 27, the entire apparatus is set to be horizontally long in accordance with a known VCR and the like, and a disk insertion port is vertically long to reduce the height of the entire apparatus. Two
As shown in FIG. 9, there is one in which the entire device is set to be vertically long and the disc insertion slot is horizontally long so as to be mounted on a vehicle or the like.
In view of future market needs, the applicant proposed an autochanger device for a cartridge containing a disk, and thought that the device also needed to insert the cartridge sideways and to insert the cartridge upright. . In this case, if it is necessary to design and manufacture a mechanism for carrying the cartridge and recording / reproducing the cartridge for vertical insertion and lateral insertion of the cartridge, it takes a lot of design work. Further, in the manufacturing process, it is necessary to select a mechanism to be attached according to the device, which is troublesome and the manufacturing cost becomes high. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to use a common mechanism for recording / reproducing a disc, regardless of whether the device is a device that inserts the cartridge sideways or a device that vertically inserts the cartridge. At the same time, another object is to reliably detect the presence and passage of the cartridge in the magazine.

[0006]

The chassis (1) of the autochanger device can be installed in both horizontal and vertical directions, and a disc (60) is installed in a magazine (3) arranged on the chassis (1). ) Is stored in the cartridge (6). On the outside of the rotation transfer path of the magazine (3), the magazine
A plurality of support rollers (181) and (181) that are in contact with the peripheral surface of (3) and support the magazine (3) are provided. A carrier (8) for transporting the cartridge (6) into and out of the magazine (3) corresponding to the cartridge (6) accommodated in the magazine (3).
Is provided, and the cartridge (6) is provided on the carrier (8) at a portion corresponding to the end of the cartridge (6) in the discharging direction.
A protrusion (81) is provided so as to prevent it from falling out of the magazine (3). Also, on the transfer path of the cartridge (6),
There is provided a first sensor means for detecting the presence of the cartridge (6) by applying a detection signal to a shutter (61) which switches between shielding and exposure of the disc (60). Further, on the side of the transfer path of the cartridge (6), the recording / reproducing section (7) and the magazine (3)
The cartridge (6) where the disc (60) is located between
Second sensor means for detecting the passage of the cartridge (6) is provided by applying a light detection signal to the part (1).

[0007]

Actions and effects of the present invention

1. Outside the rotation transition path of the magazine (3), the magazine (3)
Supporting rollers (181) (181) are provided so that their peripheral surfaces are in contact with each other. That is, the magazine (3) supports the peripheral surface of the support roller (181) (181) not only when the chassis (1) is placed in a horizontal plane but also when the chassis (1) is erected in a vertical plane. It becomes free to rotate. Further, the cartridge (6) housed in the magazine (3) is carried by the carrier (8) into and out of the magazine (3), and the carrier (8) is housed in the magazine (3). The projection (81) of the cover prevents the magazine (3) from falling off. Therefore, whether the magazine (3) is an automatic changer device that rotates in a horizontal plane or an automatic changer device that raises the magazine (3) to rotate in a vertical plane, a chassis that conveys the cartridge (6) (1) The same mechanism can be used as the above mechanism. Therefore, the labor for designing the mechanism according to the device and the labor for selecting the mechanism to be attached for each device in the manufacturing process can be saved, and the manufacturing cost does not increase.

2. The first sensor means is a cartridge
The detection signal is applied to the shutter (61) of (6), and the cartridge
The presence of (6) is detected. Some of the cartridges (6) of this kind have a transparent case, and when a detection signal is applied to the case, the detection signal may be transmitted and the presence of the cartridge (6) may be sensed and leaked. According to the present invention, since the detection signal is applied to the shutter (61) of the cartridge (6), there is no possibility that the detection signal will be transmitted, and it is possible to eliminate the possibility of such detection omission regardless of whether the case is transparent or not. . 3. The second sensor means applies a light detection signal to the disk (60) in the cartridge (6) to prevent the passage of the cartridge (6) moving between the recording / reproducing section (7) and the magazine (3). To detect. Since the disk (60) does not transmit light, there is no possibility of sensing and leaking the cartridge (6) as in the first sensor means.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
This will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the cartridge (6) is supposed to move from the outside of the device toward the inside of the front when it is inserted. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus body (10), and FIG. 2 is a front view of a mechanism inside the apparatus body (10). FIG.
In the above, description of the cartridge (6) transport mechanism and the like is omitted. 27 is a front view of the apparatus body (10). The autochanger device shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 27 is a device for inserting the cartridge (6) in a vertical direction. A shutter opening into which a cartridge (6) is inserted is provided in a front panel (5) provided at the rear end of the device body (10).
(50) is provided, and various operation buttons are provided on the side of the shutter opening (50).
(51) is provided. A processor (52) is connected to the front panel (5), and the operation of the entire apparatus is controlled by signals from the processor (52).

On the chassis (1) of the apparatus body (10), a magazine (3) capable of radially accommodating the cartridges (6) is rotatably provided, and between the magazine (3) and the front panel (5). A loading / unloading section (4) for transporting the cartridge (6) is provided in the. The loading / unloading section (4) is covered by a sub-chassis (2) mounted on the chassis (1), and a mechanism for transporting the cartridge (6) is provided on the sub-chassis (2) as described later. The magazine (3) is formed as a hollow cylinder, is rotatably fitted in a support cylinder (not shown), and is prevented from slipping upward. Inside the magazine (3), there is provided a recording / reproducing section (7) for performing recording / reproduction via the disc housed in the cartridge (6). Recording / playback unit
(7) is a known structure including a pickup and a recording head. The shutter opening (50), the insertion / ejection section (4) and the recording / reproducing section (7) are provided in a straight line, and the cartridge (6) inserted into the shutter opening (50) is directly inserted into the recording / reproducing section (7). To reach.

That is, in this embodiment, the cartridge (6) inserted in the loading / unloading section (4) will be described in detail later.
Are accommodated in the magazine (3) by the transport rollers (9) and (90) provided near the loading / unloading section (4) on the lower surface of the subchassis (2) (see FIG. 2). The cartridge (6) housed in the magazine (3) is a carrying roller provided on the recording / reproducing section (7) side by a carrier (8) provided on the upper surface of the magazine (3).
(9) It is conveyed to (90) and is conveyed to the recording / reproducing section (7) by the conveying rollers (9) and (90). Support brackets (180) (180) are attached to the chassis (1) so as to cover the magazine (3), and one support bracket (180) supports the support rollers (181) (which are in contact with the outer periphery of the magazine (3). 181), the other one support bracket (180) is provided with a support roller (181) that contacts the inner circumference of the magazine (3). The support roller (181) is in contact with the upper end and the lower end of the magazine (3) and is rotationally driven by the magazine (3) (see FIG. 26).

The apparatus main body (10) is provided with a total of four motors for carrying the cartridge (6) and for rotating the magazine (3). The motor (M1) and the motor (M2) attached to the lower surface of the sub chassis (2) are for carrying the cartridge (6), and the motor (M3) on the chassis (1) is for rotating the magazine (3). Also, the motor (M4) on the chassis (1) is
The rotation stop state and the rotation allowance state of the magazine (3) are switched. The operation of each motor is the various switches (SW1) described below.
(SW7) and a sensor.

A rail ring (182) facing the upper surface of the magazine (3) is attached to the lower surface of the support brackets (180) (180), and the rail ring (182) is located at a portion covered by the sub chassis (2). It's broken. Rail ring (182) has a groove (183) on the bottom
(See FIG. 5), and a carrier to be described later in the groove (183)
(8) is slidably fitted. On the bottom of the sub chassis (2),
The circular groove (23) that is continuously connected to the rail ring (182) is the rail ring.
It is formed concentrically with (182). On the subchassis (2), the circular groove (2
An opening (21) extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to 3) is provided, and the circular arc groove (23) is interrupted at the opening (21).

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the magazine (3) arranged on the chassis (1), and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the magazine (3). Magazine (3) is an upper magazine with the same diameter.
(3a) and lower magazine (3b) are combined, and a plurality of partition ribs (36) and (36) are radially formed at the upper end of the upper magazine (3a) and the lower end of the lower magazine (3b). Has been done. The partition ribs (36) (36) at predetermined locations respectively extend toward the other magazine to form the connecting walls (39) (39), and the connecting walls (39) (39) are connected to each other to form the upper magazine. (3a)
And the lower magazine (3b) come together. The cartridge (6) is stored in the holding groove (30) between the partition ribs (36) (36) adjacent to each other. In this embodiment, the pitch angle a between the partition ribs (36) (36) is 7.5 °, and a maximum of 48 cartridges can be used.
(6) can be stored.

The magazine (3) is placed on a plurality of tires (11) provided on the chassis (1), and the magazine (3) is rotated and slid on the chassis (1) by the tires (11). . An annular gear portion (32) is provided on the lower surface of the lower magazine (3b), and an annular rib (33) is provided outward from the gear portion (32).
And a positioning ring (31) is provided in order. Annular rib (3
3) has a light-transmitting hole in accordance with the pitch angle a of the partition rib (36).
(33a) is opened, and the positioning ring (31) is provided with recesses (31b) opening outward at each pitch angle a. Annular rib
Inside the (33), on the lower surface of the lower magazine (3b) and the upper surface of the upper magazine (3a), as described later,
(6) A plurality of through holes (3
5) are opened at equal intervals.

From the upper surface of the magazine (3), the support rod (175)
A disk (170) in which the supporting rod (175) is erected, and the central portion of which is open.
Are placed concentrically with the magazine (3). The disc (170) is
Located between the rail ring (182) and the upper surface of the magazine (3),
The disc (170) has a cartridge accommodated in the magazine (3).
48 first guide grooves (171) (171) corresponding to the number of (6)
However, it is opened radially. Each 1st guide groove (171)
Is a linear part (171) extending along the radial direction of the magazine (3).
a) and slanted portions (171b) (171b) extending from both ends of the straight portion (171a) at an angle with respect to the straight portion (171a) are integrally provided.

The inner edge and outer edge of the upper surface of the magazine (3) are
Facing the holding groove (30) in which the cartridge (6) is housed,
Guide grooves (37) (37) are respectively provided along the radial direction of the magazine (3). On the upper surface of the magazine (3), there are 48 carriers (8) for carrying the cartridge (6), as will be described later.
It is mounted slidably in the radial direction of the magazine (3).
The carrier (8) has the first projection (80) directed upward from the center of the sliding rod (82) extending along the radial direction of the magazine (3).
The second protrusions (81) (81) are vertically projected from both ends of the sliding rod (82), and the first protrusions (80) are in the respective first guide grooves (171).
The second protrusions (81) (81) fit into the guide grooves (37) (37) of the magazine (3), respectively.

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 1 taken along the line AA. The tip of the first protrusion (80) of the carrier (8) is a rail ring.
It fits in the groove (183) of (182). Therefore, the rail (182) prevents the carrier (8) from coming off from the upper side, and the carrier (8) is rotated as the magazine (3) rotates.
Slides along the rail ring (182). FIG. 6 shows FIG.
FIG. 7 is a side view taken along the line B, and FIG. 7 shows the sub chassis (2).
It is the figure which looked at from the back side. On the sub-chassis (2), facing the open ends of both guide grooves (37) (37), the second guide grooves (22) (2
2) has been opened. Each second guide groove (22) is a magazine
A straight part (22a) extending along the radial direction of (3) and an inclined part (22b) (22b) extending from both ends of the straight part (22a) to the left with respect to the straight part (22a). It is included in one. 2nd guide groove (2
The upper end of the second protrusion (81) of the carrier (8) can be fitted in 2), and the carrier (8) can be fitted along the first guide groove (171) and the second guide groove (22). Sliding while changing the inclination with respect to the magazine (3) radial direction.

Here, as shown in FIG. 16, the cartridge (6) is rectangular and contains a magnetically recordable and reproducible disk inside. An insertion mark (62) is attached to one surface of the cartridge (6), and one end of a pair of parallel sides of the cartridge (6) is brought close to the surface where the insertion mark (62) is attached. , And slit grooves (63) and (64) are opened respectively. The distance L between the two sides in which the slit grooves (63) (64) are formed is slightly larger than the distance H between the other pair of sides, specifically, the distance L is 72 mm and the distance H is 68 mm. One slit groove (63)
A window hole (65) is opened at the side of the shutter (6) which is slidably provided in contact with the surface of the cartridge (6).
Covered by 1). When the shutter (61) slides, the disc (60) housed in the cartridge (6) is exposed.

(Conveying roller) FIGS. 8 (a), 8 (b) and 11
(a), (b) is a figure which shows the mechanism attached to the sub chassis (2). Cartridge on subchassis (2)
A mechanism for rotating the carrying roller (90) for sending (6) and a mechanism for carrying the carrier (8) are provided.
The mechanism for transporting (8) will be described with reference to FIG. 11, and the mechanism for rotating the transport roller (90) will be described with reference to FIG. Brackets (150) and (151) are respectively hung at the front and rear ends of the subchassis (2) substantially orthogonal to the transfer path of the cartridge (6). Groove (22) (22)
It is located near. Each bracket (150) (151) is provided with a pair of conveyance rollers (9) (90) for holding the cartridge (6), and the rotation shaft ( 9
3) penetrates. A gear (94) is attached to the upper side of each of the right-hand side transport rollers (90). The rotation support shaft (93) of the right conveyance roller (90) has its upper end pivotally supported by the subchassis (2), and the conveyance rollers (9) and (90) are provided at a height at which the cartridge (6) can be held. To be At the rear end of the subchassis (2),
A roller rotation motor (M1) is attached, and the roller rotation motor (M1) is fed through the gear train (120) to the transport roller (9
Connect to gear (94) of 0). When the motor (M1) rotates,
Each transport roller on the right side through the gear train (120) and gear (94)
(90) rotate in the same direction as each other, and convey the cartridge (6) between the loading / unloading section (4) and the recording / reproducing section (7).

FIG. 9 is a view of the bracket (150) located on the insertion / ejection section (4) side, as viewed from the direction C in FIG. 8 (a). A through hole (153) is formed in the bracket (150) to allow the cartridge (6) to pass through, and a slide plate (152) that slides left and right is provided on the left side of the through hole (153). . The rotary support shaft (93) penetrating the left-hand side transport roller (9) is rotatably supported at both ends by the slide plates (152). Slide plate
(152) is a torsion spring attached to the bracket (150)
(154) urges the conveying rollers (90) on the right side, and in this state, the interval between the conveying rollers (9) and (90) is narrower than the thickness of the cartridge (6). As shown in FIG. 10, the bracket (151) located on the recording / reproducing section (7) side is also provided with the same transport roller (90) and slide plate (152), and is spring-biased toward the right side. The left transport roller (9) is supported by the slide plate (152).

On both sides of the through hole (153) of the bracket (151),
The back side of the bracket (151) has a light emitting part (74) and a light receiving part (75).
Is provided with an optical sensor (73). The light emitting part (74) and the light receiving part (75) are provided so as to sandwich the transition path of the cartridge (6) and to pass the optical path through the disk (60) in the cartridge (6). The cartridge (6) has a light emitting part (74) and a light receiving part (7
When the light passes through the space 5), the light incident on the light receiving portion 75 is blocked by the disk 60, and the passage of the cartridge 6 is detected (see FIG. 25 (a)). The light emitting part (74) and the light receiving part (75)
The cartridge (6) is provided at a position for detecting the disc (60) because such a cartridge (6) has a transparent case, and a cartridge is provided by applying an optical signal to the case.
This is because, if the passage of (6) is detected, there is a risk that an optical signal may be transmitted and the sensor may leak depending on the type of the cartridge (6). That is, as is well known, since the disc (60) reflects the received light, the detection of the passage of the cartridge (6) by the disc (60) eliminates the risk of such sensing omission.

(Carrier Transfer) As shown in FIG. 11, a carrier transfer motor (M2) is provided on the left side of the sub-chassis (2).
Is provided, and the motor (M2) is connected to the first cam gear (130) on the sub chassis (2) via the gear train (133). A guide lever (160) facing the lower surface of the first cam gear (130) is pivotally supported on the sub-chassis (2) at its base end. One arm (163) of the guide lever (160) engages with the cam groove (131) provided in the lower surface of the first cam gear (130), and
As the cam gear (130) rotates, the cam gear (130) rotates about the base end. The tip of the arm (163) is bent downward to form a pair of holding pieces.
(161) and (161) are formed, and the sandwiching pieces (161) and (161) project downward through the opening (21) of the sub-chassis (2). Clip (1
61) and (161) are formed in such a width that the first protrusion (80) of the carrier (8) can be fitted therein.

An intermediate position detection switch (SW1) is provided on the side of the rotation transition path of the first cam gear (130), and the intermediate position detection switch (SW1) is formed on the side surface of the first cam gear (130). The cam wall (132) can be turned on and off. When the intermediate position detection switch (SW1) is OFF, the sandwiching pieces (161) (161) are arranged at positions where they can be engaged with the first protrusions (80) of the carrier (8). A carrier position detection switch (SW2) is provided near the sliding transition path of the other arm (162) that constitutes the guide lever (160).
(SW2) is turned on and off by turning the guide lever (160).
F can be switched. As shown in FIG. 12, a circuit board (158) is attached to the sub-chassis (2), and the circuit board (158) includes the sandwiching pieces (161) (161) of the guide lever (160) and the sub-chassis (160). Cover the opening (21) of 2). Circuit board (15
On the lower surface of 8), a light emitting element (156) is provided at a position above the transfer path of the cartridge (6) so as not to cover the carrier (8), and the light from the light emitting element (156) emits light from the sub chassis (2). ) And the through hole (35) of the magazine (3) to reach the light receiving element (157) described later. Light emitting element (156) and light receiving element (1
57) and sensor means for detecting passage of the cartridge (6) (see FIG. 25 (a)).

(Injection / Ejection Section) As shown in FIG.
The holder (40) is attached on the (1), and the holder (40)
The lower end of the bracket (150) is attached to the. The lower end of the transport roller (90) is supported by the holder (40). From the top of the holder (40), a pair of guide pieces (41)
(41) projects upward. From the rear end of the sub-chassis (2), facing the guide pieces (41) (41), the pair of protruding pieces (20) (20)
Protrudes. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the holder (40) with the bracket (150) removed, and FIG. 15 is a front view of the same. Each guide piece (41) integrally includes a support wall (41b) extending parallel to the traveling direction of the cartridge (6) and a guide wall (41a) extending rearward from the rear end of the support wall (41b). The distance between (41b) and (41b) and the distance between the protrusions (20) and (20) are slightly wider than the thickness of the cartridge (6). From the top of the holder (40), the sub chassis (2)
The height to the lower surface is substantially equal to the vertical length L of the cartridge (6), and the cartridge (6) is provided with a support wall (41) for the guide piece (41).
b) It is inserted into the magazine (3) through between (41b) and the projecting pieces (20) and (20).

A motor (M3) for driving the magazine rotation is provided on the right side of the holder (40), and the power of the motor (M3) is transmitted via the belt (102) to the gear section (32) of the magazine (3). ) Is transmitted to the gear train (100) provided inside. The gear train (100)
The gear (101) at the downstream end of the
The magazine (3) is rotated by the rotation of (M3). Gear part
Inside the (32), an initial position detection switch (SW3) is provided on the chassis (1), and the detection switch (SW3) is turned on and off by a protrusion (34) protruding from the inner surface of the gear part (32). Can be switched. When the magazine (3) rotates and the protrusion (34) pushes in the initial position detection switch (SW3), the processor (52) causes the holding groove (30) facing the guide pieces (41) (41).
Is stored as No. 1.

A photocoupler (38) is attached near the gear (101) so as to sandwich the annular rib (33), and the annular rib (33) is attached.
When one light transmitting hole (33a) of (33) passes through the photocoupler (38), it is detected that the magazine (3) has rotated by one pitch angle a (see FIG. 28). The processor (52), based on the signal from the initial position detection switch (SW3) and the signal from the photocoupler (38), holds the holding groove (3) facing the insertion / ejection section (4).
The number 0) is stored. On the side of the photocoupler (38), a light receiving element (157) for receiving light from the light emitting element (156).
The presence of the cartridge (6) is detected by the light emitting element (156) and the light receiving element (157).

As shown in FIGS. 14 (a), (b) and FIG.
The holder (40) is a motor for switching the magazine (3) lock.
Covering (M4), the motor (M4) is connected to the second cam gear (110) on the chassis (1) via the gear train (112).
A cam groove (111) is formed on the lower surface of the second cam gear (110), and a lock slide (140) slidable along the radial direction of the magazine (3) is engaged with the cam groove (111). . The lock slide (140) has a protrusion (141) formed at its free end, and the protrusion (141)
Is engaged with and disengaged from the recess (31b) of the positioning ring (31) as the lock slide (140) slides. When the magazine (3) does not rotate, as shown in Fig. 14 (b), the lock slide
The protrusion (141) of (140) fits into the recess (31b),
Prevent inadvertent rotation of (3). A lock completion detection switch (SW4) and a lock release detection switch (SW5) are provided on the transition path of the lock slide (140).
The rotation of the motor (M4) is switched by turning ON / OFF the W4) (SW5). When the cartridge (6) is not inserted, the protrusion (141) of the lock slide (140) fits into the recess (31b) and the lock completion detecting switch (SW4) is pushed in.

Between both support walls (41b) and (41b), there are a defense slide (44) and an insertion detection slide (45) which are allowed to slide only vertically.
The cartridge (6) is provided so as to be retractable in the transfer path. The protection slide (44) is located to the left of the insertion detection slide (45). The protection slide (44) is urged downward by a compression spring (46) provided between the protection slide (44) and the back surface of the holder (40) and contacts the upper surface of the peripheral edge of the second cam gear (110). Second cam gear (11
A concave surface (110a) is formed on a part of the upper surface of (0) corresponding to the position where the protection slide (44) abuts. 2nd cam gear
The passage detection switch (SW
6) is provided, and the passage detection switch (SW6) is turned on by the protrusion (113) provided on the peripheral portion of the second cam gear (110).
Can be switched between N and OFF. The lower end of the insertion detection slide (45) has an insertion detection switch provided on the chassis (1).
It contacts the contact piece of (SW7), and the upper end projects from the upper surface of the holder (40). As shown in FIG. 17 (a), the insertion detection slide (4
5) is located in front of the defense slide (44) and both slides
The protrusion height of the (45) and (44) from the upper surface of the holder (40) is lower than the depth of the slit groove (64) of the cartridge (6). The distance M between the rear end edges of both slides (44) (45) along the moving direction of the cartridge (6) is shorter than the length J of the slit groove (64).

(Cartridge Transport) As described above, when the cartridge (6) is not inserted into the apparatus body (10), the lock slide (140) is fitted to the positioning ring (31) to rotate the magazine (3). 22A, the holding pieces (161) (161) of the guide lever (160) are engaged with the first projection (80) of the carrier (8) as shown in FIG. When inserting the cartridge (6) into the apparatus body (10), first, the operation button (51) of the front panel (5) is operated. Based on the signal from the processor (52), the carrier carrying motor (M2) provided on the lower surface of the subchassis (2) rotates, and the first cam gear (130)
Rotates clockwise. The guide lever (160) has a cam groove
Along the line (131), the base (8) rotates clockwise around the base end, and the carrier (8) fitted to the sandwiching pieces (161) (161) is rotationally biased clockwise.

As shown in FIG. 22 (b), the first projection (80) of the carrier (8) slides backward along the guide groove (171) of the disc (170). The second projection (81) on the front side slides outward in the radial direction of the magazine (3) along the guide groove (37) of the magazine (3), and the second projection (81) on the rear side moves to the guide groove (37). Escape from 37),
It fits in the inclined part (22b) of the second guide groove (22). That is, the carrier (8) retracts while rotating counterclockwise around the front side second protrusion (81), and the rear side second protrusion (81) is disengaged from the transfer path of the cartridge (6). By the rotation of the first cam gear (130), the intermediate position detection switch (SW1) is pushed by the cam wall (132) and switches from OFF to ON, and the guide lever
(160) switches the carrier position detection switch (SW2) from OFF to ON. Carrier position detection switch (SW2)
The rotation of the motor (M2) is stopped by the signal from. In this state, the cartridge (6) is at the rear side, that is, the inclined groove (22
It is inserted without being blocked by the second protrusion (81) fitted in b).

The cartridge (6) is inserted into the shutter port (50) with the shutter (61) facing upward and the surface marked with the insertion mark (62) facing left. As shown in FIG. 17 (a), the cartridge (6) slips between the guide pieces (41) (41) on the holder (40) and the protruding pieces (20) (20). As shown in FIG. 17 (b), the protection slide (44) enters the slit groove (64). When the cartridge (6) is further inserted, as shown in FIG. 18, the insertion detecting slide (45) is moved by the lower end surface of the cartridge (6).
Is pushed down, and the insertion detection switch (SW7) is turned on. The processor (52) detects the signal from the insertion detection switch (SW7) and rotates the roller rotation motor (M1) and the lock slide drive motor (M4). From the state shown in FIG. 14 (b), the second cam gear (110) is passed through the gear train (112).
Rotates clockwise, and as shown in Fig. 19, the compression spring (4
The lower end of the defense slide (44) biased downward by 6) contacts the concave surface (110a).

The protection slide (44) is retracted from the transfer path of the cartridge (6) to allow the cartridge (6) to advance. The protrusion (113) of the second cam gear (110) is the passage detection switch (SW).
6) is pushed in, and by the signal from the switch (SW6),
The lock slide drive motor (M4) is temporarily stopped. In this state, rotation of the magazine (3) is still restricted by fitting the lock slide (140) and the positioning ring (31). Further, as described above, since the roller rotation motor (M1) is rotating, the conveying roller (90) rotates in the cartridge 6 drawing direction.

(Prevention of erroneous insertion of cartridge) Here, when the cartridge (6) is inserted in a state different from the normal state, the insertion into the magazine (3) is blocked as follows. When the cartridge (6) is inserted with the surface marked with the insertion mark (62) facing the right side, as shown in FIG. 16 (a),
Since the slit grooves (63) (64) are biased to one surface, even if the shutter (61) faces upward or downward,
The protection slide (44) does not enter the slit groove (64) and hits the corner of the cartridge (6), which prevents the cartridge (6) from proceeding.

As shown in FIG. 20, when the surface marked with the insertion mark (62) is on the left side and the shutter (61) is inserted toward the opposite side to the traveling direction, the protection slide (44) is removed. It hits the corner of the cartridge (6) and prevents the cartridge (6) from advancing. Therefore, as described above, the cartridge (6)
Since the side-to-side distance H is shorter than the distance between the protruding pieces (20) (20) and the guide pieces (41) (41), the cartridge (6) will be displaced by pushing the cartridge (6) slightly upward and forcibly pushing it in. Can be inserted. However, the insertion detection switch (SW7) is not pushed in because the insertion detection slide (45) is not pushed in only when the cartridge (6) rides on the protection slide (44).
Therefore, the roller rotation motor (M1) does not rotate and the cartridge (6) is not drawn into the transport rollers (9) and (90). When the shutter (61) is inserted downward, the protection slide (44) comes into contact with the corner of the cartridge (6) and prevents the cartridge from proceeding.

As shown in FIG. 21, when the cartridge (6) is inserted with the surface marked with the insertion mark (62) on the left side and the shutter (61) facing the insertion direction, the protection slide (44) is slit. Hit the bottom of the groove (63). Even if the cartridge (6) is forcibly pushed in in this state, the cartridge is
In (6), only the protection slide (44) is mounted, and the insertion detection switch (SW7) is not pushed. Therefore, the roller rotation motor (M1) does not rotate and the cartridge (6) is not drawn into the transport rollers (9) and (90). Cartridge (6) above
The incorrect insertion prevention mechanism of the above is the applicant's previous Japanese Patent Application No. 6-1307.
It is the same as that proposed in No. 30 (unpublished).

(Accommodation in magazine) When the cartridge (6) is properly inserted and further pushed in, as shown in FIG.
(9) It is sandwiched between (90). The first protrusion on the rear side of the carrier (8)
(80) is out of the transfer path of the cartridge (6) and does not hinder the progress of the cartridge (6). Conveyor roller
Since the cartridge (90) is rotating, the cartridge (6) is pulled toward the magazine (3) by the conveying rollers (9) and (90). When the contact between the cartridge (6) and the insertion detection slide (45) shown in FIG. 19 is released, the insertion detection switch (SW7) is turned off by returning the contact piece. As shown in FIG. 24 (b), the upper corner of the cartridge (6) is the second protrusion on the front side of the carrier (8).
Contact (81). Processor (52) is an insertion detection switch
Upon detecting the OFF signal from (SW7), the carrier carrying motor (M2) is rotated.

The rotation of the carrier carrying motor (M2) causes the first cam gear (130) to rotate from the state shown in FIG. 22 (b) and the guide lever (160) to move counterclockwise along the cam groove (131). Rotate in the direction. Second protrusion (81) on the rear side of the carrier (8)
But is separated from the second guide groove (22) of the sub-chassis (2) and fits in the guide groove (37). The carrier (8) rotates counterclockwise and advances while sandwiching the front and rear ends of the cartridge (6) with the second protrusions (81) and (81). The carrier (8) reaches the position shown in FIG. 22 (a), and the intermediate position detection switch (SW1) is turned on again.
It becomes FF. The signal from the switch (SW1) stops the roller rotation motor (M1), and the conveyance roller (90) stops rotating. In this state, the cartridge (6) is housed in the magazine (3).

At this time, the presence of the cartridge (6) is detected by the light emitting element (156) and the light receiving element (157) arranged so as to sandwich the magazine (3) between the upper and lower sides. As shown in FIG. 25, both elements (156) and (157) are provided at positions corresponding to the rear end of the shutter (61) of the cartridge (6). It is supposed that the shutter (61) is provided at such a position.
However, the presence of the cartridge (6) can be surely detected even when the cartridge (6) is inserted in the open state as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Also, by applying an optical signal to the shutter (61),
The presence of the cartridge (6) is detected because the case of the cartridge (6) is transparent as described above, and the case is detected by both the elements (156) (157). When it is attempted to determine the presence of (6), the light receiving element (157)
This is because there is a risk that it may be missed. Both elements (156) (15
Since the presence of the cartridge (6) is judged in (7), the cartridge (6) is inserted into the shutter opening (50), and then the cartridge (6) is forcibly pulled out from the shutter opening (50). Cartridge (6) is a magazine
It can be seen that it is not inserted in (3).

When the OFF signal of the intermediate position detection switch (SW1) is detected in the state shown in FIG. 22 (a), the processor
(52) rotates the lock slide drive motor (M4),
From the state shown in FIG. 14 (b), the second cam gear (110) is rotated clockwise. The lock slide (140) slides backward, and the engagement between the protrusion (141) and the recess (31b) of the positioning ring (31) is released. As shown in FIG. 14 (a), the lock slide (140)
When the switch slides until the lock release detection switch (SW5) is pushed in, the lock slide drive motor (M4) is stopped by the signal from the switch (SW5). In this state, the magazine (3) becomes rotatable. The cartridge (6) has its front and rear ends sandwiched by the second protrusions (81) and (81) of the carrier (8), so that even if the magazine (3) is rotated, centrifugal force is generated by centrifugal force.
There is no risk of dropping from (3).

(Magazine Rotation) When the user selects the cartridge (6) to be reproduced and selects the number of the cartridge (6) from the front panel (5), the processor (52) causes the processor (52) to operate as shown in FIG.
The magazine rotation motor (M3) shown in 3 is rotated to rotate the magazine (3) clockwise. The processor (52) receives the signal from the photocoupler (38), and the holding groove (30) corresponding to the cartridge (6) of a desired number is guided by the guide pieces (41) (41).
Magazine (3) while detecting whether they are facing each other
Keep rotating. When detecting that the holding groove (30) accommodating the cartridge (6) of a desired number faces between the guide pieces (41) and (41), the processor (52) stops the magazine rotation motor (M3). Let If all the memory in the processor (52) is erased due to a power failure or the like, the processor (52) once rotates the magazine (3), and the initial position detection switch (S
When W3) is turned on, the holding groove (30) facing the charging / discharging portion (4) is stored as NO.1.

After the rotation of the magazine (3) is stopped by stopping the motor (M3) for rotating the magazine, the processor (5
In 2), the lock slide drive motor (M4) shown in FIG. 14 is rotated to slide the lock slide (140) forward. The protrusion (141) of the lock slide (140) fits into the recess (31b) of the positioning ring (31), and the rotation of the magazine (3) is restricted.
Lock slide (140) is lock completion detection switch (SW4)
When is pushed, the rotation of the lock slide drive motor (M4) is stopped and the forward movement of the lock slide (140) is stopped. Since the rotation of the magazine (3) is restricted, the transfer of the cartridge (6) to the next recording / reproducing section (7) is smoothly performed.

(Transition to the recording / reproducing section of the cartridge) When a signal for recording / reproducing is input from the front panel (5), the roller rotation motor (M1) is activated by the signal from the processor (52). The transport roller 90 on the recording / reproducing unit 7 side shown in FIG. 24C rotates in the direction in which the cartridge 6 is pulled in. At the same time, from the state shown in FIG. 22 (a), the carrier carrying motor (M2) rotates, and the rotation of the first cam gear (130) causes the guide lever (160) to move counterclockwise along the cam groove (131). Rotate. Holding pieces (161) (16) of the guide lever (160)
1) urges the carrier (8) counterclockwise to
As shown in FIG. 23, in (8), the first protrusion (80) slides along the first guide groove (171), and the second protrusion (81) on the rear side slides along the guide groove (37). . Second protrusion (81) on the front side of the carrier (8)
24 slides along the second guide groove (22) of the subchassis (2) and comes out of the transfer path of the cartridge (6).
As shown in (c), the carrier (8) has a rear second protrusion (81).
While rotating counterclockwise around the cartridge (6)
Press forward.

The front end of the cartridge (6) is shown in FIG. 24 (d).
As shown in, the conveying rollers (9) (90) on the recording / reproducing section (7) side
Sandwiched between. Since the transport roller (90) is rotating, the cartridge (6) is drawn into the recording / reproducing section (7). Since the second protrusion (81) on the front side of the carrier (8) is displaced from the transfer path of the cartridge (6), the carrier (8) does not hinder the progress of the cartridge (6). As shown in FIG. 23, the arm (162) of the guide lever (160) pushes in the carrier position detection switch (SW2) to move the carrier transport motor.
The rotation of (M2) stops. The cartridge (6) transported to the transport rollers (9) (90) passes between the light receiving part (75) and the light emitting part (74) of the optical sensor (73) and emits light emitted from the light emitting part (74). When the disk (60) is blocked, the passage of the cartridge (6) is detected. When the light receiving section (75) again detects the light from the light emitting section (74), it is found that the transfer of the cartridge (6) to the recording / reproducing section (7) has been completed, and the output from the optical sensor (73) indicates that the roller The rotation motor (M1) stops.

Cartridge conveyed to the recording / reproducing section (7)
In (6), the shutter (61) is opened, and recording / reproduction is performed as is well known. When removing the cartridge (6) from the recording / reproducing section (7), a signal to that effect is input to the front panel (5). When the cartridge (6) is pushed out from the recording / reproducing section (7), the shutter (61) is closed. The roller rotation motor (M1) is rotated, and the transport roller (90) on the recording / reproducing unit (7) side is rotated in the cartridge 6 drawing direction.
The cartridge (6) pushed out from the recording / reproducing section (7) is
It is nipped by the conveying rollers (9) and (90) and conveyed to the magazine (3). The cartridge (6) is the light emitting part (74) of the optical sensor (73).
By passing through between the light receiving part (75) and the light receiving part (75), the light from the light emitting part (74) is blocked by the disc (60), and when the light receiving part (75) detects the light from the light emitting part (74) again, The roller rotation motor (M1) is stopped by the output from the optical sensor (73). The operation from the storage of the cartridge (6) in the magazine (3) to the ejection of the cartridge (6) from the shutter opening (50) of the front panel (5) follows a route reverse to the above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

The disk autochanger device of this embodiment has the following features. 1. Support rollers that contact the peripheral surface of the magazine (3) with the chassis (1) standing outside the rotation transfer path of the magazine (3)
(181) (181) is provided. Magazine (3) is the chassis
Even in the state where (1) is stood, the peripheral surface is supported by the support rollers (181) and (181) to be rotatable. Further, the cartridge (6) housed in the magazine (3) is transported to the inside and outside of the magazine (3) by the carrier (8), and in the state housed in the magazine (3), the cartridge (6) The protrusion (81) prevents the magazine (3) from falling off. That is, chassis
Even if (1) is set up in a vertical plane and the magazine (3) is rotated,
The cartridge (6) does not fall out of the magazine (3). Therefore, as described above, even if the magazine (3) rotates in the horizontal plane and the apparatus main body (10) has the shutter opening (50) extending vertically, as shown in FIGS. ) Is made to rotate in a vertical plane, and the mechanism on the chassis (1) that carries the cartridge (6) has a common mechanism even if the apparatus main body (10) has the shutter opening (50) extending horizontally. Things can be used. Therefore, in the manufacturing process, the labor for selecting the mechanism to be attached according to the device can be saved, and the manufacturing cost does not increase.

2. The first sensor means composed of the light emitting element (156) and the light receiving element (157) applies a light beam as a detection signal to the shutter (61) of the cartridge (6), and the cartridge (6) The presence of is detected. This kind of cartridge (6)
There is a transparent case, and when a light beam is applied to the case, the presence of the cartridge (6) may be detected and leaked. In this embodiment, since the light beam is applied to the shutter (61) of the cartridge (6), it is possible to eliminate the risk of such sensing omission. 3. The second sensor means composed of the optical sensor (73) detects the passage of the cartridge (6) moving between the recording / reproducing section (7) and the magazine (3). The optical sensor (73)
A light beam is applied to the disk (60) in the cartridge (6) to detect passage of the cartridge (6). disk
Since (60) does not transmit light, like the first sensor means,
There is no risk of missing the cartridge (6). 4. The rotation centers of the recording / reproducing section (7), the loading / unloading section (4) and the magazine (3) are provided on a substantially straight line, and the cartridge is
Since (6) moves while maintaining the inserted posture, the cartridge (6) can move quickly between the recording / reproducing section (7) and the loading / unloading section (4).

The description of the above embodiments is for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof. The configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims. For example, although the magazine (3) in which the cartridge (6) is housed has a cylindrical shape, the magazine (3) is provided in an arc shape according to the size of the apparatus body (10) as shown in FIG. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 32, it may be provided in a rectangular parallelepiped.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an autochanger device.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a mechanism inside the apparatus main body.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a magazine.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a magazine, a carrier, and a disc.

5 is a view of FIG. 1 taken along the line AA. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view of FIG. 1 taken along the line BB.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the sub chassis.

FIG. 8A is a plan view of a roller rotating mechanism on the sub chassis, and FIG. 8B is a side view of the same.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a bracket on the insertion / ejection section side.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a bracket on the recording / reproducing unit side.

11A is a side view of the cartridge transport mechanism on the sub chassis, and FIG. 11B is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a main part of a cartridge transport mechanism on a sub chassis.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the holder without the bracket.

FIG. 14A is a plan view showing a state where the lock slide and the magazine are disengaged, and FIG. 14B is a plan view showing a state where the lock slide and the magazine are fitted.

FIG. 15 is a front view of a holder.

16A is a perspective view of the cartridge, and FIG. 16B is a side view of the cartridge.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing a state in which the cartridge is inserted in a proper posture.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing the inserted state of the cartridge.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing an inserted state of the cartridge.

FIG. 20 is a side view showing a state when the cartridge is inserted by mistake.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing a state when a cartridge is erroneously inserted.

22A is a plan view when the carrier is at an intermediate position, and FIG. 22B is a plan view showing a position when the carrier accepts insertion of a cartridge.

FIG. 23 is a plan view showing the position when the carrier conveys the cartridge from the magazine to the recording / reproducing unit.

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a state where the carrier conveys the cartridge.

25A is a side view showing a positional relationship between a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and FIG. 25B is a plan view showing a positional relationship between a cartridge and a light emitting element.

FIG. 26 is a side view of the support roller viewed from the F direction in FIG. 1.

FIG. 27 is a front view of the front panel.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a photocoupler.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing an apparatus main body according to another embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing an apparatus main body according to another embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a plan view showing an apparatus main body according to another embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a plan view showing an apparatus main body according to another embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing a conventional auto changer.

FIG. 34 is a side view in which a part of the same is cut away.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Chassis (3) Magazine (4) Loading / unloading section (6) Cartridge (7) Recording / playback section (8) Carrier (60) Disk (61) Shutter (181) Support roller

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An automatic disc changer for rotatably mounting a magazine (3) on a chassis (1) capable of accommodating a plurality of discs in a radial manner and taking out an arbitrary disc from the magazine (3) for recording or reproduction. In the device, the chassis (1) can be installed both horizontally and vertically, and the magazine (3) accommodates the disk (60) accommodated in the cartridge (6) and the magazine (3). On the outside of the rotation transfer path of the, contact the peripheral surface of the magazine (3),
A plurality of supporting rollers (181) (181) for supporting (3) are arranged, and the magazine (3) is provided with a cartridge (6) corresponding to the cartridge (6) accommodated therein. A carrier (8) for carrying in and out of the cartridge (6) is provided, and the cartridge (6) falls off from the magazine (3) on the carrier (8) at a portion corresponding to the end of the cartridge (6) on the ejection direction side. An auto changer device characterized in that a protrusion (81) for preventing the above is provided in a protruding manner. 2. A detection signal is sent to a shutter (61) which is slidably arranged on the surface of the cartridge (6) at the upper and lower sides of the transfer path of the cartridge (6) and which switches between shielding and exposure of the disk (60). First, to detect the presence of the cartridge (6)
The autochanger device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor means is provided. 3. A light detection signal is provided at a portion of the cartridge (6) where the disk (60) is located between the recording / reproducing section (7) and the magazine (3) on the side of the transfer path of the cartridge (6). Guess
The autochanger device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second sensor means for detecting passage of the cartridge (6).