JPH1097778A - Magnetic disk cartridge and magnetic disk driver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the erroneous loading to a disk driver of small capacity type and also to constitute low-order compatible function capable of stably inserting/ejecting a magnetic disk cartridge for a disk driver of large capacity type. SOLUTION: Disk-like large capacity magnetic disk media 6 are rotatably housed in a case 2, and an opening for inserting a magnetic head and a shutter member 3 for opening/closing this opening are provided on the case 2. The plane shape of the case 2 is formed in common with that of the small capacity magnetic disk cartridge, and the dimension of the case 2 in the direction of thickness is nearly 1.3-2.0 fold in the thickness as compared with that of the small capacity magnetic disk cartridge, thereby the erroneous loading is prevented, and further, stepped parts 25,26 extended in parallel with the inserting direction so that the thickness are formed to be thicker than the thickness of small capacity magnetic disk cartridge and thinner than that of the large capacity magnetic disk, are provided on at least one of the side edge parts of the case 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic disk cartridge in which a large-capacity magnetic disk medium is accommodated in a case, and the magnetic disk medium is rotated and used for magnetic recording and reproduction. The present invention relates to a magnetic disk cartridge that is prevented from being erroneously loaded into a recording / reproducing apparatus for another small-capacity type magnetic disk cartridge, and a magnetic disk drive capable of loading this large-capacity type magnetic disk cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetic disk (a so-called floppy disk) in which magnetic layers are formed on both surfaces of a disk-shaped base made of a flexible polyester sheet or the like and magnetic recording is performed on the magnetic layers by a magnetic head while rotating. Disc) is provided, and is mainly used as a recording medium for a computer because of its advantages such as easy handling and low cost.

Recently, this type of magnetic disk, such as a so-called 3.5-inch type, is rotatably housed in a small hard case and used as a magnetic disk cartridge. More.

In a magnetic disk cartridge of this type using a hard case, an opening for inserting a magnetic head is provided in the case, and this opening is always closed by a shutter urged in one direction except during use.
Therefore, consideration is given to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the case.

By the way, such a magnetic disk cartridge is always required to have a large capacity.
5 inch type storage capacity 1MB (megabyte) or 2
MBs have already been put into practical use and now have a storage capacity of 100M
B and more are also being offered.

[0006]

As described above, when a magnetic disk cartridge having a recording capacity higher than that of a conventional product is provided, a disk drive for driving the large-capacity type magnetic disk cartridge is newly provided. May be provided. This new disk drive device can drive a new large-capacity type magnetic disk cartridge, and in many cases, for the convenience of the user, a so-called "lower compatibility" function, that is, a lower capacity in terms of recording capacity. Such a conventional magnetic disk cartridge is often formed to have a function of driving.

In order to realize the function of backward compatibility, a new large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge is formed such that the outer shape of the case or the like substantially matches the conventional small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge. For this reason, there is a risk that a new large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge that looks similar to a conventional small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge may be erroneously loaded into a disk drive for a small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge.

Conventional disk drives for small-capacity magnetic disk cartridges often do not provide sufficient protection for new large-capacity magnetic disk cartridges. If the disk drive device operates when a disk cartridge is erroneously loaded, information recorded on the magnetic disk cartridge may be destroyed.

In the above situation, the occurrence of erroneous recording / erase can be prevented by providing a capacity discriminating hole or the like. However, a large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge loaded into a small-capacity type magnetic disk drive is There is a possibility that the lower magnetic head comes into contact with the magnetic disk medium by inserting the shutter member into the proper loading position and opening the shutter member. At the time of this contact, foreign matter, dust, and the like adhering near the magnetic head may adhere to the large-capacity magnetic disk medium.

In this large-capacity magnetic disk medium, the increase in capacity can be obtained by increasing the density. As a result, the recording wavelength is shortened and the recording track width is narrowed. If there is an attachment, there is a possibility that a read error of recorded data occurs.

The large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge has the same planar shape as that of the conventional small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge, but by increasing the thickness, the large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge can be used as a small-capacity type magnetic disk drive. It is conceivable that the device is physically unable to be inserted so as to prevent erroneous loading.However, it is possible to use a small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge in a large-capacity type magnetic disk drive. In order to provide the function, it is necessary to stably insert and eject a small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge having a small thickness.

In other words, when the thickness of the large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge is increased, the cartridge insertion opening of the large-capacity type magnetic disk drive is correspondingly formed, and the height of the cartridge holder is also increased. On the other hand, when a small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge with a small thickness is inserted, it may be inserted obliquely or lifted up due to the insertion into the large insertion slot, so that magnetic disk cartridges having different thicknesses can be reliably determined. It may be difficult to guide the user to the set position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and is intended to prevent a large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge from being loaded awfully in a disk drive for a lower-order magnetic disk cartridge in terms of capacity. Is to be provided.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic disk drive capable of loading a large-capacity type magnetic disk cartridge as described above and ensuring a function of backward compatibility.

[0015]

A magnetic disk cartridge according to the present invention, which has solved the above-mentioned problems, accommodates a disk-shaped large-capacity magnetic disk medium rotatably in a case, and has a magnetic head insertion opening in the case. A shutter member for opening and closing this opening is provided. The case has a planar shape common to that of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge, and has a thickness direction dimension of the case that is smaller than that of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge. 1.3-2.
It has a thickness of 0 times and is parallel to the insertion direction on at least one side edge of the case so as to be not less than the thickness of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge and less than the thickness of the large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge. , And a step extending in the direction is provided.

The step is formed at least excluding a moving range of the shutter member of the large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge.

When the magnetic disk cartridge as described above is to be inserted into a drive for a small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge, the thickness of the magnetic disk cartridge is large, so that the insertion from the insertion opening of the small-capacity magnetic disk drive is physically required. Erroneous loading can be prevented without opening the shutter member.

Further, the magnetic disk drive of the present invention comprises:
The magnetic disk cartridge further comprises a stepped guide portion having an insertion space corresponding to the thickness of the stepped portion and guiding the stepped portion.

When the magnetic disk cartridge is inserted into this large-capacity type magnetic disk drive, the step is stabilized by a step-like guide provided in the cartridge insertion opening of the magnetic disk drive or the cartridge holder. The cartridge is held and held by the cartridge holder, and at the same time, the shutter member is opened to open a magnetic head insertion opening. The magnetic head is inserted through this opening to perform magnetic recording / reproduction on a magnetic disk medium. Done.

When a small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge having a small thickness is inserted into the large-capacity magnetic disk drive, the insertion opening is large but guides the step of the large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge. The cartridge is inserted into the cartridge slot or the stepped guide section of the cartridge holder in a state corresponding to the thickness of the cartridge.The lower magnetic disk cartridge has the same planar outer shape and can be stably set at the same position. Similarly, stable ejection is possible, and the magnetic head can be approached to the magnetic disk medium in the same manner.By using a multi-track head for the magnetic head, it is possible to cope with each recording density, and magnetic recording and reproduction can be performed. Possible and provide backward compatibility.

Further, the position of the large-capacity magnetic disk medium relative to the reference surface of the lower surface of the case is set to be the same as that of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge, and the thickness of the case at the step portion is set to be smaller than the reference surface of the lower surface of the case. It is desirable to set the thickness to be the same as the thickness of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge because the backward compatibility is further improved.

Further, it is preferable that the step is provided partially from the front end in the direction of insertion of the case, because the difference in the form of the step can prevent insertion in the wrong direction.

[0023]

According to the present invention as described above, the case for rotatably accommodating the large-capacity magnetic disk medium has the same planar shape as the case of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge, Dimensions about 1.3 ~
Due to the thickness of 2.0 times, erroneous loading of a small-capacity magnetic disk drive device is physically prevented, so that not only recording data is prevented from being damaged but also contact with a magnetic head can be avoided, and dust and the like can be prevented. Can prevent foreign matter from adhering,
The occurrence of read errors and the like can also be suppressed. In addition, since the step extending in the insertion direction is provided, stable insertion and ejection operations can be obtained even for a small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge by the guide corresponding to the step. As described above, magnetic disk cartridges having different thicknesses can be stably held by the same cartridge holder, so that a cartridge holder having a complicated mechanism that operates according to each case thickness is not required. The two types of magnetic disk cartridges, large capacity type and small capacity type, can be stably held by a cartridge holder with a simple shape, and many parts, such as a common shutter opening / closing mechanism, have a large capacity type and a small capacity type. Since it can be shared with the type, an inexpensive and highly reliable drive device can be obtained.

The position of the built-in large-capacity magnetic disk medium with respect to the reference surface on the lower surface of the case is set to be the same as that of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge. In the same manner as described above, the magnetic head can be brought close to the magnetic disk medium in the same manner as a small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge, so that an even easier backward compatibility function can be secured. Further, since the magnetic disk medium is housed in an asymmetrical dimensional relationship deviated to the lower side with respect to the upper and lower inner walls of the case, a negative pressure on the lower side is large due to the Bernoulli effect during rotation of the magnetic disk medium, The magnetic disk medium is always regulated in the direction of the lower inner wall, so that the rotating surface is stable, a good head touch effect with the magnetic head can be obtained even at high speed rotation, and high reliability of the magnetic recording / reproducing performance can be obtained.

On the other hand, if the step formed on the magnetic disk cartridge is partially provided from the front end in the insertion direction of the case, the wrong insertion of the magnetic disk cartridge in the wrong direction and the wrong direction of the magnetic disk cartridge in the front and rear direction are reversed. Insertion can be prevented, and reliability can be improved.

In addition, by increasing the size of the case in the thickness direction, it is possible to increase the thickness of a necessary portion of the case.
Improved rigidity can improve reliability during transportation, etc.
A user-friendly magnetic disk cartridge can be provided.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example of a large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge, FIG. 2 is a front view of the magnetic disk cartridge with a shutter member opened, FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view.
In addition, in each figure, in order to clarify the structure, the thickness and the like of each part are shown in a ratio different from the actual size.

The magnetic disk cartridge 1 is held in a case 2 (hard case) made of a synthetic resin such as an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer with a central portion attached to a center core member 5. A disk-shaped magnetic disk medium 6 is rotatably accommodated. The center core member 5 magnetically engages with a rotating spindle of a magnetic disk drive (not shown) to transmit a rotating force to the magnetic disk medium 6. The magnetic disk medium 6 has a disk-shaped base made of a flexible polyester sheet or the like and a magnetic layer formed on both sides.

The case 2 is formed by fixing two shell halves, an upper case 21 constituting the upper surface 2a and a lower case 22 constituting the lower surface 2b, in a lid-to-lid manner.
The planar outer shape of the case 2 is a small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 50 (a 3.5-inch magnetic disk cartridge having a recording capacity of 1 to 2 MB) as partially shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B. The thickness H ₁ of the case 2 of the present invention in the thickness direction is smaller than the thickness H ₀ of the case 52 of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 50.
It has a thickness of about 1.3 to 2.0 times.

On both side edges of the upper surface 2a of the case 2, step portions 25, 26 extending in the front-rear direction parallel to the insertion direction are provided.
Are formed. The steps 25 and 26 are provided in the upper case 21.
8 is provided by being cut out in a groove shape from the upper surface 2a, and FIG.
(A), the step portion 2 with respect to the total thickness H ₁
5 and 26, the thickness of the case 2 is formed to be the same as the thickness H ₀ of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 50 as shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B.

The pair of steps 25 and 26 are provided symmetrically on both sides of the case 2, but are formed in different shapes with different lengths on both sides. The step 25 on the right side in FIG.
Although the insertion step is formed entirely from the front end to the rear end, the step 26 on the left side is partially formed from the front end to the middle of the vicinity of the rear end, and the rear end is formed by extending the upper surface 2a of the case 2. , 26 are provided so as to be closed.

The position of the large-capacity magnetic disk medium 6 housed in the case 2 in the rotational driving state is such that the height h from the lower surface 2b (reference surface) of the case 2 is the magnetic capacity of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 50. The height h is set to be the same as the height h from the lower surface (reference surface) of the disk medium 56 (see FIG. 8). In other words, the large-capacity magnetic disk medium 6 is held at a position offset from the center of the thick case 2 to the inner surface of the lower case 22 below the center of the thick case 2, and is inserted between the upper case 21 and the inner surface of the upper case 21. A large space is formed.

The lower surface 2b of the case 2 is provided with a lower surface magnetic head insertion opening 11 extending in a rectangular shape from the front end to the center, and the lower surface magnetic head insertion opening 11 is provided.
The front end face 2c of the case 2 is provided with an end face magnetic head insertion opening 12 having the same width and opening up to the upper part.

At the center of the lower case 22, a hub hole 23 from which the center core member 5 is exposed is formed in a circular shape. A liner 7 made of a nonwoven fabric fixed to the lower case 22 is interposed between the lower surface of the magnetic disk medium 6 and the inner surface of the lower case 22. A liner may be interposed also on the upper surface side of the magnetic disk medium 6.

Further, a shutter member 3 slidable in the left-right direction in the drawing is assembled with the case 2 to open and close the magnetic head insertion openings 11 and 12, and the case 2 in a sliding range thereof is provided. Shallow sliding groove 24 on the surface of
Are formed. The shutter member 3 is made of, for example, a stainless steel plate or an aluminum plate, or a plastic such as polyacetal resin. FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the upper side and FIG. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2, an upper surface plate portion 31 having a shorter length in a direction orthogonal to the opening and closing direction covering the front upper surface 2a of the case 2 and a lower portion having a longer length in a direction orthogonal to the opening and closing direction covering the case lower surface 2b. The face plate portion 32 and the case front end surface 2
are connected by a connecting plate portion 33 that covers c. Also,
A window 34 is provided which is opened from the lower surface plate 32 of the shutter member 3 to communicate with the connecting plate 33, and can communicate with the magnetic head insertion openings 11 and 12 of the case 2.

The upper plate portion 31 is provided with a linear ridge 35 projecting inward from the inner surface, and the ridge 35 extends along the shutter opening / closing direction.
4 is formed longer than the width. Corresponding to the formation of the ridge 35, a guide groove 27 extending in the shutter opening and closing direction is provided on the upper surface 2a of the case 2, and the ridge 35 slides while engaging. Further, guide claws 37 are formed on both sides of the lower surface plate portion 32 of the shutter member 3 so as to be bent inward, and correspondingly, the guide claws 37 are formed on the lower surface 2b of the case 2. A guide groove 28 is provided in parallel with the front edge.

The shutter member 3 is urged by a not-shown torsion spring, and normally maintains a closed state (the state shown in FIG. 1). The window portion 34 of the shutter member 3 is provided at a position outside the magnetic head insertion openings 11 and 12 when the shutter member 3 is in the closed state. Therefore, the magnetic head insertion openings 11 and 12 are always closed by the shutter member 3 to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the case 2 therefrom.

A magnetic disk drive 40 for mounting the large-capacity type magnetic disk cartridge 1 as described above.
As shown in FIG. 9, a part of the
The cartridge insertion opening 42 is formed such that the height of the opening is equivalent to the large thickness of the magnetic disk cartridge 1, and the opening has a corner portion projecting to a portion corresponding to the right step 25. 42a. The portion of the cartridge insertion opening 42 may be opened in a rectangular shape. The cartridge insertion slot 4
2, an opening / closing cover 43 is provided inside.

Inside the drive unit 40, a cartridge holder 45 for holding the magnetic disk cartridge 1 on the chassis 44 and setting it at a predetermined position with respect to the magnetic head 9 and the like is provided so as to be movable up and down. 4
5 is provided on both sides of the insertion passage with step-like guide portions 45a and 45b which engage with the step portions 25 and 26 of the inserted magnetic disk cartridge 1, and these guide portions 45a and 45b are provided.
b, the steps 25 and 2 of the magnetic disk cartridge 1
Guide 6 The cartridge holder 45 is supported by the chassis 44 so that pins 46 erected on both sides are engaged with the inclined grooves 47 so as to move up and down with forward and backward movement.

The left step 26 of the magnetic disk cartridge 1 corresponds to the rear end thereof being closed, and the left step guide 45b of the cartridge holder 45 has Removed and locking projections 4 on the inner part
5c is provided, and at the regular set position, the locking projections 4c are provided.
5c is provided so as not to contact the rear end of the step 26. If the user attempts to insert the magnetic disk cartridge 1 in the reverse direction, the rear end of the step 26 comes into contact with the corner 42 a of the insertion slot 42 and cannot be inserted. The corners 42a are provided for the magnetic disk cartridges 1, 5
This constitutes an auxiliary step-like guide portion for guiding the insertion of a zero.

When the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 50 is inserted into the magnetic disk drive 40 as described above, the cartridge insertion opening 42 has an upper width of the corner portion 4.
2a, it is narrower than the width of the cartridge 50, and can be inserted below the corner portion 42a.
The guides 5a and 45b guide the insertion downward, and are stably held in a state where the movable amount in the vertical direction is small.

Further, inside the disk drive device 40, the magnetic head 9 which is close to the magnetic disk medium 6 for performing magnetic recording and reproduction is arranged, and a rotary drive unit (not shown) is provided below the cartridge holder 45. Is installed. Further, a mechanism for opening the shutter member 3 in response to the insertion of the magnetic disk cartridge 1 is provided.

In the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 50 shown in FIG. 7B, magnetic head insertion openings 52a and 52b are formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the case 52 in a rectangular shape, and the upper and lower openings 52a and 52b are formed. , The magnetic head 9 is inserted. The magnetic head 9 has a case 52
Opening beyond the front end wall 52c of the
Closed and approached at positions a and 52b.

On the other hand, in the large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 7A, the magnetic head insertion openings 11 and 12 are formed so as to communicate from the front end surface 2c of the case 2 to the lower surface 2b. The head 9 can be inserted into the magnetic disk medium 6 with a small opening degree, and the magnetic head 9 can be inserted from the front end face side even with a fixed type that does not open and close.

In the above embodiment, the length of the upper plate 31 of the shutter member 3 in the direction perpendicular to the opening / closing direction is short. However, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. In that case, the formation of the ridge 35 may not be necessary.

In FIG. 1 and FIG.
Three identification holes 15 are provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the left part behind the insertion to identify the recording capacity, and the erroneous erasure prevention display part 16 is provided on the right part.

As described above, the large-capacity type magnetic disk cartridge 1 is so-called "backward compatible".
Is inserted into the cartridge holder 45 through the cartridge insertion opening 42, the shutter member 3 is opened and the cartridge holder 45 is set at a predetermined position by the movement of the cartridge holder 45. The magnetic head 9 is the opening 1 for inserting the magnetic head.
1 and 12 approach the magnetic disk medium 6, and furthermore, a rotary spindle is magnetically engaged with the center core member 5 to rotate the magnetic disk medium 6 at a predetermined number of rotations, while the magnetic head 9 magnetically reads / writes. Is performed. When a small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 50 is inserted into the disk drive 40, the cartridge holder 4
5 is set in the lower part of the step guide portions 45a and 45b in the same manner as described above, and magnetic recording and reproduction can be performed on the magnetic disk medium 6 by the magnetic head 9.

When the large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 1 is to be loaded into a small-capacity type disk drive, the size of the large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 1 is small due to the small size of the cartridge insertion opening. Insertion is not possible and will not be inserted into the drive.

In the magnetic disk cartridge 1 of the above embodiment, the magnetic head insertion openings 11, 1 are provided.
2 is opened on the lower surface 2b and the front end surface 2c of the case 2, but this magnetic head insertion opening may be provided on the upper surface, the lower surface and the front end surface of the case.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a magnetic disk cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front end view of the magnetic disk cartridge with a shutter member opened.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the magnetic disk cartridge with a shutter member opened.

FIG. 4 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the magnetic disk cartridge with a shutter member removed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shutter member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the shutter member is turned upside down;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a main part showing a form of a magnetic head insertion portion in comparison with a small capacity type magnetic disk cartridge.

FIG. 8 is an essential part front view showing a form of a side edge portion of the case in comparison with a small-capacity type magnetic disk cartridge;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main part of the magnetic disk drive of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 50 Small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge 2 Case 2a Upper surface 2b Lower surface 2c Front end surface 3 Shutter member 5 Center core member 6 Magnetic disk media 9 Magnetic head 11,12 Magnetic head insertion opening 25,26 Step portion 40 Magnetic Disk drive 42 Cartridge slot 45 Cartridge holder 45a, 45b Step guide

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic disk cartridge comprising: a disk-shaped large-capacity magnetic disk medium rotatably housed in a case; and a case provided with an opening for inserting a magnetic head and a shutter member for opening and closing the opening. In the above, the planar shape of the case is the same as that of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge, and the dimension in the thickness direction of the case is about 1.3 to 1.3 times smaller than that of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge.
The thickness is 2.0 times, and is parallel to the insertion direction on at least one side edge of the case so as to be not less than the thickness of the small-capacity magnetic disk cartridge and less than the thickness of the large-capacity magnetic disk cartridge. A magnetic disk cartridge provided with a step extending to the magnetic disk cartridge. 2. A magnetic disk drive in which the magnetic disk cartridge according to claim 1 can be loaded, wherein the magnetic disk cartridge has an insertion space corresponding to the thickness of the step of the magnetic disk cartridge and guides the step. A magnetic disk drive comprising a stepped guide portion.