JPS59175059A - Tape cassette shifting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To assure the assured loading/unloading of a tape cassette to a cassette chamber provided within a cassette transfer body by feeding and discharging the air to the chamber. CONSTITUTION:A magnetic recording/reproducing device 2 is attached on a base 1, and a cassette inserting slit 3 is formed at the front of the device 2. At the same time, a cassette storing shelf 4 is set right above the slit 3. This shelf 4 contains plural stages of shelf parts 5, and a tape cassette 6 is set horizontally on each shelf 5. Furthermore a pair of guide rails 7 are formed on the base 1 at the left and right sides of the shelf 4 and at the front side of the device 2. Then a transfer body 8 is set between both rails 7. This body 8 can move up and down along the rails 7 by a driving source like a motor, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting, for example, tape cassettes (including tape cartridges) for magnetic recording and reproduction.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY AND PROBLEMS Conventionally, in magnetic recording and reproducing devices such as video tape recorders and audio tape recorders, automatic performance devices have been developed that are capable of automatically changing tape cassettes and starting automatic performance. ing. In this type of automatic performance device, a cassette auto changer is used to take out tape cassettes stored in a cassette storage section one by one and load them into a magnetic recording/reproducing device.

By the way, with a conventional power auto changer, for example, tape cassettes stored individually in a cassette storage shelf are sorted and taken out one by one and loaded into a magnetic recording/playback device, and after the magnetic recording/playback device has finished playing. If the tape cassette is then removed and returned to its original position on the cassette storage shelf, the tape cassette is mechanically grasped, such as by a mechanical handling mechanism or hooked with a trowel, and placed on the cassette storage shelf or magnetically recorded. It was attached to and detached from the playback device. And what is the structure of the mechanism using gruel and locking claws after handling? JL, and the cost is extremely high. In addition, mistakes in attaching and detaching the tape cassette and accidents involving the tape cassette during transportation are likely to occur.
Lacking reliability. Furthermore, since the movement is sharp and the cassette transfer body requires a large amount of purchase, there are problems in removing the tape cassette and increasing the transfer speed. Furthermore, the tape cassette needs to have a special shape, such as having a locking part such as a locking claw on the tape cassette itself so that the tape cassette can be held securely.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape cassette transfer device that is most suitable for application to the above-mentioned cassette autochanger and the like, and which can correct the above-mentioned defects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has a transport body that is transported along a predetermined route, a storage chamber for tape cassettes is provided in the transport body, and the tape cassettes are moved between the storage chambers by taking in and out air in the storage chamber. This is a tape cassette transfer device that is configured to be taken in and out of the tape cassette, and has an extremely simple structure.
To allow tape cassettes to be attached and detached without mistakes and at high speed.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of a cassette autochanger in which the present invention is applied to an automatic performance device of a magnetic recording/reproducing device such as a video recorder or an audio tape recorder will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

First, in FIGS. 1 and 2, a magnetic recording and reproducing device (2) is mounted on a base (11), and a cassette insertion slot (3) is provided in the front of the magnetic recording and reproducing device (2). A cassette storage shelf (4) is placed on the top of the magnetic recording and reproducing device (2), directly above the cassette insertion slot (3), and this cassette storage shelf (4) has multiple upper and lower slots. Tiered shelves (5) are provided, and tape cassettes (6) are stored horizontally within each shelf (5+).

In addition, a pair of kite rails (7) are installed on the base (11) on the left and right sides of the cassette storage shelf (4) on the front side of the magnetic recording/reproducing device (2). A transfer body (81) is installed between the power rails (7), and this transfer body (8) can be moved up and down along the Oka guide rail (7) by a drive source of a motor (not shown). It is configured.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the transport body (8) holds a cassette storage case (9), and this cassette storage case (9+
Inside, a cassette storage chamber t101 is provided which has an internal volume that can accommodate a tape cassette (6) with a small gap. The end of the cassette storage shelf (4) (IIll) of this cassette storage chamber GO+ is configured as an open end (10a), and the end on the opposite side is configured as a closed end (10b). A supply/exhaust port (11) is provided at the end (10b), and a supply/exhaust pipe (12j) is connected to the supply/exhaust port Uυ.This pipe u2+ is made of a flexible material such as a vinyl tube. It is made up of a pipe, and the other end of the pipe (12+) is connected to a supply/exhaust pump (none of which is shown) through a supply/exhaust switching valve.
Connected to the door. Furthermore, the cassette storage (9) held in the transfer body (8) can be moved slightly back and forth in the directions of arrows a and b with respect to the transfer body (8) by a plunger driver (not shown). It is configured as follows. Then, when the cassette storage box t9+ is moved forward a little in the direction of arrow a, the connection member (13) provided at the open end (10a) of the cassette storage chamber (101) connects to the cassette storage shelf (4).
It is configured to be elastically connected to the outer periphery of the end of the tape cassette (6) housed in the tape cassette (6) with as little gap as possible. Note that this connecting member 03 (is made of an elastic body such as rubber, and is, for example, a bellows-shaped cylinder f141 as shown in FIG. 6? The four corners of the inner circumference as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 It is possible to use a flat plate-shaped frame (Ifii, etc.) in which slits (15+) are formed.

The first embodiment is constructed as described above and operates as follows.

First, the transfer body (8) is driven by a motor or the like based on a tape cassette (6) reversing command signal, and both guide rails (71
The cassettes are transferred vertically along the cassette storage rack (4) to a predetermined shelf (5) as shown by the glands in FIGS. 1 and 2.
is positioned in front of the

Next, the cassette storage case (
The tape cassette (6) has been moved by a plunger or the like and slightly shaved in the direction of the arrow a in FIG.
) of Mjn: is fused and connected to the outer periphery of the part.

Next, following this, the supply/exhaust switching valve is switched,
The gas in the cassette storage chamber (101) is discharged at high speed in the direction of arrow C from the pipe (former viscous exhaust port through 12+) by the supply/exhaust pump.At that moment, the inside of the cassette storage chamber (10) becomes negative pressure. As a result, the tape cassette (6) in the shelf (5) is vacuum-suctioned and handled in the direction of the arrow, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 6 or FIG. ) is instantly sucked into the body.

Next, the cassette storage case f91 is placed in the third position relative to the transfer body (8).
After being slightly retreated in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. (2)
is positioned at the front of the cassette insertion slot (3).

Next, the supply and exhaust switching valve is switched again, and the pipe (12+) is passed through the crucian carp exhaust port (
Metal gas is supplied from 11) into the cassette storage chamber 00) from the direction of arrow d in FIG. 6 or 4. Then, the tape stored in the cassette storage chamber Cl01 and transferred downward is pushed out of the cassette (6) or its open end (10a) and inserted into the cassette insertion slot (3) of the magnetic recording/reproducing device k+21.
) will be automatically inserted within. In response to this, the tape cassette (6) is loaded by the magnetic recording/reproducing device (2), and the tape cassette (6) is loaded.
6) eye movement performance (playback) is now performed.

After playing the tape cassette (6),
After the magnetic recording/reproducing device (2) ejects the tape cassette (6), the cassette storage ul is opened in the same manner as described above.
By discharging the metal gas in lO1, the tape cassette (6) is pulled out from the cassette insertion port 13) and sucked into the cassette storage chamber (101).Then, the transfer body (8) rises and returns to the original shelf. After the tape cassette t'61 is positioned in front of the section (5), air is supplied into the cassette storage chamber flO1 as described above, and the tape cassette t'61 is pushed out of the cassette storage chamber opening α and returned to the original 4jN1 section. (5) Stored inside.

By repeating the above operations, the tape cassette (6) is automatically replaced and the moving performance continues.

Next, a second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

In this case, first move the cassette storage shelf (4) to the transfer body (8).
The magnetic recording/reproducing device (2) is disposed facing the front side of the magnetic recording/reproducing device (2) across the vertical movement path of the magnetic recording/reproducing device (2). Next is the cassette storage case (9
), both the front and back ends of the cassette storage chamber (10) are connected to the open end (
10a) (10a)', and these both open ends (1
A pair of shutters (18Ht91) that are reversibly opened and closed are provided in the cassette storage chamber [101].A pair of air supply/exhaust ports +201 are provided near both opening ends (10a) (10a)' of the cassette storage chamber [101]. pipes (227+2) connected to both supply and exhaust ports (20) t2B.
: The supply/exhaust pump is connected to the other end of () through the supply/exhaust switching valve as described above. Also in this case, the cassette storage case (91 is indicated by the arrows a and b with respect to the transfer body (8)
It is configured to be able to move back and forth slightly in the direction, and has a low profile edge for both shutters fil19u9. Further, both open ends (IC1a) (ICJa)' are provided with connecting members u, 5). This second embodiment is constructed as described above and operates as follows.

First, based on the tape cassette (6) exchange command signal, the transfer body (8) is transferred in the vertical direction in the same manner as described above and is positioned in front of a predetermined shelf (5) as shown by the solid line in FIG.

Next, as described above, the cassette storage case (
9) is slightly advanced in the direction of arrow a to open one open end (10
The connection member 03) in a) is connected to the tape cassette (
6) is lightly connected to the outer periphery of the end.

Subsequently, the 7 ports indicated by solid lines in FIG. 7 (one shutter 08) are opened, and the other shutter (191) is closed. The air in the cassette storage chamber flOi is discharged at high speed in the direction of arrow C. At this time, the inside of the pipe (2z is closed, so the cassette storage chamber Uυ as described above) becomes negative pressure at that moment. Then, as shown by the virtual edge in Fig. 7, there is a shelf (51 yen tape cassette (6)
is vacuum-suctioned in the direction of the arrow, and the cassette is stored t3N (10
It is instantly sucked into 1.

Next, as described above, the cassette storage case (
After 91 is moved back a little in the direction of the arrow, the transport body (8) is transported downward and placed in front of the cassette insertion slot (3) of the magnetic recording/reproducing device (2) as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. position.

Next, as shown in the virtual leg in the diagram, one shutter (1 barrel) fails to close, and the other shutter (22) opens.Following this, the pipe (22)
Air is supplied into the cassette storage chamber 0ω from the direction of the arrow d in the same manner as described above. Then, the tape cassette (6) was stored in the cassette storage shelf 00) and transferred downward.
When pressed from the other open end (10a)', the output I7 is automatically inserted into the cassette insertion slot (31) of the magnetic recording and reproducing device (2), and the same automatic performance as described above is started. It will be done.

After the tape cassette (6) plays a photon, the reverse operation of the above operation is performed, and the tape cassette (6) becomes 61
At the same time, the cassette is removed from the cassette insertion slot 3) of the magnetic recording/reproducing device (2) and stored in the original shelf section 15+ of the cassette storage shelf (4).

Although the non-inventive embodiments have been described above, various modifications can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention.

For example, by using a plurality of magnetic recording and reproducing devices +21, while the tape cassette (6) is being played by the magnetic recording and reproducing device (2), the next tape cassette (6) is being played by another magnetic recording device. It is also possible to use the playback device (2) to play a large number of tape cassettes (6) continuously without any interruption by loading them into the playback device (2). A large number of cassette storage shelves (4) and/or a transfer body (8) can be moved laterally (horizontally), and a large number of shelves (5) can be arranged.
It is also possible to automatically select and take out the tape cassette (6) from inside.

Application Examples The present invention is not limited to automatic changers for chip cassettes and tape cars in magnetic recording and reproducing devices such as video tape recorders and audio tape recorders, but is also applicable to other Tani Enoki recording and reproducing devices and It can be widely applied as a transfer device in an information processing device or a tape cassette or tape cartridge assembly line.

Effects of the Invention The present invention provides a tape cassette f by taking air in and out of the storage chamber of the tape cassette provided in the transfer body.
This tape cassette transfer device moves the tape cassette in and out of the storage chamber, and unlike devices that mechanically grip and transfer tape cassettes, it does not require any complicated mechanisms or devices and has a very simple structure. You can get something very low cost. Also, can you safely insert and remove tape cassettes into and out of the storage compartment? Moreover, the tape cassette inserted into the storage chamber can be transported without any fear of falling out, and reliability can be significantly improved. In addition, tape cassettes can be quickly taken in and out of the storage facility, and the mass of the transfer body can be significantly reduced, making it possible to attach and remove tape cassettes and increase the transfer speed of five tape cassettes. be. Furthermore, since there is no need to form the tape/cassette itself into a special shape, it is highly versatile.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a cassette recorder and a changer.
5 is a front view of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a side view of the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part of the improvement. In addition, in the symbols used in the drawings, (2)......Magnetic recording and reproducing device (3)......Cassette insertion slot (
4)・・・・・・・・・・・・Cassette storage shelf (
5)・・・・・・・・・・・・Shelf part (6)...
・・・－・・・・・・・・・Tape cassette (7J...
・・・・・・・・・－・・・Guide rail (8)・・・・
・・・・・・・・・・・・Transport body. (9)・・・・・・・・・ Song cassette collection +10
1... Music cassette storage chamber opening υ... Surrounding supply/exhaust port (121.........) f Eve (1
Floor: Connection member. Agent Masaru Ueya〃 Yoshio Tsunekako〃 Toshiki Sugiura

Claims (1)

[Claims] A tape having a transporting body that is transported along a predetermined route, a storage chamber for the tape cassette being provided in the transporting body, and configured to move the tape cassette in and out of the storage chamber by taking in and out air in the storage chamber. Cassette transfer device.