WO1998011546A1 - Library cartridge storage and control system - Google Patents
Library cartridge storage and control system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998011546A1 WO1998011546A1 PCT/IB1997/001098 IB9701098W WO9811546A1 WO 1998011546 A1 WO1998011546 A1 WO 1998011546A1 IB 9701098 W IB9701098 W IB 9701098W WO 9811546 A1 WO9811546 A1 WO 9811546A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- cartridge
- mailbox
- plunger
- library
- lever
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B15/00—Driving, starting or stopping record carriers of filamentary or web form; Driving both such record carriers and heads; Guiding such record carriers or containers therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function
- G11B15/675—Guiding containers, e.g. loading, ejecting cassettes
- G11B15/68—Automatic cassette changing arrangements; automatic tape changing arrangements
- G11B15/682—Automatic cassette changing arrangements; automatic tape changing arrangements with fixed magazines having fixed cassette storage cells, e.g. in racks
- G11B15/6835—Automatic cassette changing arrangements; automatic tape changing arrangements with fixed magazines having fixed cassette storage cells, e.g. in racks the cassettes being transferred to a fixed recorder or player using a moving carriage
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a cartridge library system, comprising a cartridge library, a mailbox for receiving and disgorging cartridges from the cartridge library and a cartridge manipulation system with translation capability for cartridge handling, said mailbox comprising a mailbox for receiving and disgorging cartridges from the cartridge library and a cartridge manipulation system with translation capability for cartridge handling, said mailbox comprising an aperture in an exposed face of the library system.
- Such a system is known from US-A-5,502,697.
- the known system comprises a cartridge transporting mechanism for transporting a cartridge from an cartridge library to a cartridge drive for reading or writing information from said cartridge and a mailbox for inserting cartridges into the library system. Insertion and ejection of cartridges into and from the mailbox is controlled by means of a sensor controlled electrical motor.
- the system according to the invention is characterized in that the mailbox comprises means for blocking access to an interior bay of the tape library, said blocking means being moveable by contact with the cartridge manipulation system for passing cartridges through the mailbox. Due to these measures there is no need for a sensor controlled electrical motor in the mailbox so that the complexity of the system is reduced and consequently the cost for manufacture is reduced and the reliability is improved.
- a tape storage library incorporating the present invention employs multiple cartridge magazines, each providing vertically distributed slots for cartridge storage.
- the magazines are arranged in adjacent, horizontal relation providing an x-y array of cartridges in the tape storage library.
- the magazines are removably restrained in a frame mounted in a front bay of the tape storage library.
- a cartridge retrieval mechanism positioned in an open bay rearwardly adjacent the magazine frames includes an x-axis frame supporting an elevator platform which incorporates a gripper mechanism for retrieval of individual cartridges.
- the elevator platform translates along the x-axis frame defining a first motion axis.
- the x-axis frame is cantilevered from a pillow block assembly which translates along a y-axis rail defining the second axis of motion for the cartridge retrieval assembly. Rotation of the cantilevered x-axis frame about the y-axis rail is restrained by a slotted guide or rolling element mounted proximate one end of the x-axis frame which receives a vertical flange mounted parallel to the y-axis rail.
- a gripper for cartridge handling is mounted to the elevator.
- the gripper is aligned with individual cartridges contained within the magazines by the x and y motion of the elevator and similarly positioned for placement of cartridges in a tape transport unit.
- a plurality of tape transport units is mounted in a bay rearwardly adjacent the bay containing the x-axis frame. The gripper mechanism provides pass through handling of tape cartridges for insertion and removal from the tape transport units.
- a cartridge handling and storage apparatus for a tape library incorporating the present invention includes a mailbox for receiving and disgorging cartridges from the tape library .
- the mailbox includes an aperture in an exposed face of the library and a door for blocking access to an interior bay of the tape library which is movable for passing cartridges through the mailbox.
- An ejecting mechanism is provided for cartridges inserted into the mailbox by the cartridge handling system.
- a plurality of removable cartridge storage magazines are arranged in an x-y array with each having a plurality of vertically spaced cartridge storage slots.
- a closure bar for preventing removal of cartridges from the front of the magazine is provided which is movable for manually extracting cartridges.
- Each magazine also includes a mechanism for releasing cartridges from the magazine for extraction from a rear of the magazine.
- a closure door is provided for the library which is movable from a closed position to an open position with the door covering the fronts of said magazines in the closed position.
- the manipulating system moves cartridges between the mailbox, magazine storage slots and at least one tape drive internal to the tape library and is translatable in x, y and z axes.
- the manipulation system For interface with the cartridge handling and storage apparatus, the manipulation system includes a means for moving the blocking door, a means for engaging the releasing means on each magazine, and a means for actuating the ejecting mechanism on the mailbox.
- a sensor for presence of the closure bar for each of the plurality of magazines in a closed position is actuated by opening of the closure bar or removal of the magazine.
- a door position detector is activated by movement of the door from the closed position to the open position and cartridge configuration is assessed by the system responsive to actuation of the closure bar sensor and the door position detector.
- FIG. 1 is a front pictorial view of a tape library incorporating the present invention with the front door and left side panel removed;
- FIG. 2 is a front pictorial view of the tape library of FIG. 1 with two magazines and their associated frames removed to display the cartridge retrieval mechanism;
- FIG. 3 is a right side pictorial view of the tape library with the side panel removed;
- FIG. 4 is a left rear perspective of the tape library with the top and left side panels removed to display elements of the mailbox and cartridge retrieval mechanism;
- FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the cartridge retrieval mechanism
- FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the elevator and gripper assembly
- FIG. 7a is a left rear perspective view of the mailbox assembly
- FIG. 7b is a right rear perspective view of the mailbox assembly
- FIG. 7c is a partial perspective view showing the cartridge ejection assembly
- FIGS. 1-4 disclose a multi-cartridge tape library incorporating the present invention.
- the library is housed in an enclosure 10 which, in the embodiment disclosed in the drawings, is suitable for mounting in a conventional 19 inch electronic equipment rack.
- the present embodiment employs three cartridge magazines 12 which are mounted in frames 14 in a front bay or portion of the enclosure designated 16.
- a cartridge manipulation unit 18 is mounted in a second bay of the enclosure generally designated 20 immediately rearward of the magazine bay.
- the cartridge manipulation unit includes an x-y position system which incorporates an x-axis frame 22 and a y-axis rail 24.
- the x-axis frame is cantilevered from a pillow block assembly 26 carried by the y-axis rail.
- An elevator assembly 28 is supported by the x-axis frame. Translation of the elevator assembly along the x-axis frame defines a first motion axis for the cartridge manipulation system. Translation of the pillow block assembly on the y-axis rail defines a second axis of motion for the cartridge manipulation system.
- the elevator assembly incorporates a gripper mechanism 30 for retrieval of individual tape cartridges
- the gripper mechanism is movably mounted to an elevator platform 32 and provides a belt drive train 34 which cooperates with opposing roller assembly 36 Details of the elevator assembly are best seen in FIGS 6a-6h
- the gripper assembly translates on a third motion axis providing +z and z motion for the cartridge manipulation assembly
- FIG 2 provides a front isometric view of the enclosure with two magazines and their associated mounting frame removed
- a third bay in the enclosure generally designated 38 houses four tape drive units 40 for the embodiment shown in the drawings
- Each tape drive is integrally mounted in a support chassis received in frame 42 within the enclosure
- the cartridge insertion aperture 44 of each tape drive unit is exposed to the cartridge manipulation system operating in the immediately adjacent bay
- An electronics board 48 is mounted in the aft bay of the library enclosure adjacent the tape drive stack in the embodiment shown in the drawings
- a central processing unit, memory and electronic control circuitry for the library are mounted on the controller board
- Operator interface is accomplished through a control panel 50 mounted on the front face of the enclosure which includes a display 52 for communication with the operator and input keys 54 for manual input by the operator
- Communications by the tape library with a user network or other computer devices is accomplished through industry-standard communications interfaces
- a tape cartridge mailbox assembly 56 is included in the tape library to allow automated handling of cartridges for individual insertion and removal from the library
- the mailbox assembly incorporates a cartridge receiving aperture 58 on the library front face Cartridges inserted to the mailbox are retrieved by the cartridge manipulation assembly for direct placement in a tape drive assembly or cataloguing in an open magazine slot Similarly, tape cartridges retrieved by the manipulation assembly from the tape drive or a magazine location are unloaded from the library through the mailbox to be retrieved by an operator
- the elevator assembly is carried by the x-axis frame 22, which inco ⁇ orates two parallel guide rails 64
- One rail is traversed by a linear bearing 66 which is mounted to the top of the elevator platform
- the second rail is engaged by gliders which are adjustably mounted to bracket 72, which is in turn mounted to the elevator platform.
- the contact the second rail tangentially at the top of the rail thereby providing tolerance relief for spacing of the guide rails.
- the entire elevator assembly traverses along the x-axis frame while the x-axis frame is in turn translated along the y-axis rail for positioning of the gripper assembly in an x-y plane for cartridge manipulation alignment.
- the gripper shown in FIG. 6 is movable bidirectional ly relative to the elevator platform in a +z and -z direction, as will be described in greater detail subsequently.
- a traction assembly having a friction drive belt and cooperating reaction rollers 106, mounted in spaced relation to receive a cartridge between the belt and rollers, provides the capability to frictionally engage cartridges in the library array and draw them through the gripper.
- the gripper belt drive train 34 incorporates peripheral rollers 74 which are mounted on pivoting brackets 76. These brackets are in turn mounted to the gripper frame 78 by pivot pins. Inner rollers are mounted coaxially with the pivot pins.
- a drive capstan 84 is centrally mounted in the belt drive train, supported by a side cradle.
- the capstan includes a central drive gear, which engages the gripper belt, and upper and lower bearing mounts carried in the side cradle above and below the drive gear.
- the capstan shaft extends below the side cradle to engage a pulley belt driven by reversible stepper motor 94, which is mounted to a bottom plate 96 of the gripper frame.
- Two roll pins are mounted in the side cradle on either side of the capstan, urging the gripper belt onto the drive gear and maintaining belt tension.
- FIG. 5 displays the features of an x/y positioning system incorporating the present invention.
- the cantilevered mounting of x-axis frame 22 to y-axis pillow block 26 allows mounting of the x-axis stepper motor 200 substantially within the x-dimension of the frame.
- X-axis positioning of the elevator assembly is accomplished by the x-axis stepper motor driving lead screw 202 through a drive belt extending between pulleys 204.
- a lead nut engaging the lead screw is constrained in mounting block 206 which is fixed to the elevator platform 32.
- Reversible rotation of the lead screw by the x-axis stepper motor positions the elevator assembly at any desired location along the rails 64 in the x-axis frame.
- Y-axis pillow block 26 incorporates a bearing receiving y-axis rail 24 and a lead nut engaging y-axis lead screw 208.
- a unitary support bracket 210 mounted to the floor of the tape library structure, as best seen in FIG. 4, supports the bottom of the y-axis rail and a bottom bearing 212 for the y-axis lead screw.
- a y-axis stepper motor 214 is mounted to an aft portion of the bracket and drives the y-axis lead screw through belt 216.
- a top bracket 218 mounted to the top of the library enclosure receives the top of the y-axis rail and houses a top bearing 220 for the y-axis lead screw
- the mailbox assembly previously described with respect to FIG 3 is shown in detail in FIG 7
- the mailbox assembly is mounted in the tape library enclosure above the cartridge magazine frame
- the mailbox assembly comprises a cartridge receiving box 300 having a front frame 302 mounted substantially flush with the front face of the tape library enclosure exposing the cartridge insertion and removal aperture 58, best seen in FIG 1
- the front frame of the mailbox incorporates a mounting tab 304 to secure the mailbox to the front face of the tape library Left side 306 and right side 308 extending rearward from the front frame support mailbox top 310 and are attached to mailbox floor 312
- a cartridge inserted into the mailbox is received on shelves 314 spaced above the mailbox floor as best seen in FIG 7b
- a sloping engagement apron on the cartridge spacer shelves accommodates slight misalignment of the gripper assembly during passing of a tape cartridge from the gripper assembly to the mailbox
- a pivoted door 316, best seen in FIG 7a is attached to the mailbox sides by arms 318
- the pivoting door precludes inad
- the mailbox incorporates a detent spring 322, which engages an indentation in the tape cartridge for positioning An operator inserting a cartridge into the mailbox presses the cartridge to the detent, which abuts the end of the cartndge with the mailbox door providing sufficient exposure of the cartridge sides to allow contact by the gripper assembly extended in the -I- z direction A cartridge positioned in the mailbox by the manipulation assembly for removal by the operator is positioned to the inner detent by the gripper assembly. A cam actuated cartridge ejection assembly 326 is then engaged by the gripper to urge the cassette to the outer detent position where it can be grasped by an operator and removed from the mailbox.
- the cartridge ejection assembly is best seen in FIGS. 7b and 7c.
- a plunger 328 is reciprocally engaged by a barrel 330, which incorporates a spring urging the plunger into the extended position.
- a cartridge contact lever 340 extends from the plunger through a linear cam track 342 cut in the barrel wall. With the plunger in the extended position, the cam track rotates or retracts the lever downwardly to a position below the cartridge spacer shelves 314. Upon pressure from the gripper assembly in the + z direction urging the plunger into the barrel, the lever is moved from the downward position cam track portion 344 to an upward position cam track portion 346, which raises the lever into alignment for contact with the rear face of the cartridge.
Landscapes
- Automatic Tape Cassette Changers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP10513437A JP2000500902A (en) | 1996-09-16 | 1997-09-12 | Library cartridge storage control system |
EP97937772A EP0868723A1 (en) | 1996-09-16 | 1997-09-12 | Library cartridge storage and control system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/716,685 | 1996-09-16 | ||
US08/716,685 US5746385A (en) | 1996-09-16 | 1996-09-16 | Tape library cartridge storage and control system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1998011546A1 true WO1998011546A1 (en) | 1998-03-19 |
Family
ID=24879010
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB1997/001098 WO1998011546A1 (en) | 1996-09-16 | 1997-09-12 | Library cartridge storage and control system |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5746385A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0868723A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2000500902A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998011546A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2000028537A1 (en) * | 1998-11-11 | 2000-05-18 | Nsm Jukebox Gmbh | Play-back and/or recording device for disks |
US6232130B1 (en) | 1997-06-04 | 2001-05-15 | Sensor Technologies, Inc. | Method for detecting or quantifying carbohydrate containing compounds |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6693759B2 (en) | 2000-11-10 | 2004-02-17 | Quantum Corporation | Compact form factor for an automated tape cartridge autoloader/library system |
US6693758B2 (en) | 2000-11-10 | 2004-02-17 | Quantum Corporation | Tape cartridge transport magazine for an automated tape cartridge autoloader/library system |
US6816331B2 (en) | 2000-11-10 | 2004-11-09 | Quantum Corporation | Tape cartridge picker for an automated tape cartridge autoloader/library system |
US6829116B1 (en) | 2000-11-10 | 2004-12-07 | Quantum Corporation | Automated tape cartridge autoloader/library system |
US6606218B2 (en) | 2000-11-10 | 2003-08-12 | Quantum Corporation | Single tape cartridge interface having a cartridge reinsertion preventing mechanism in an automated autoloader/library system |
US6538841B2 (en) | 2000-11-10 | 2003-03-25 | Quantum Corporation | Cartridge stop/compression pad for a tape cartridge picker |
US7126779B2 (en) * | 2001-12-04 | 2006-10-24 | Quantum Corporation | Tape media identification code |
US20040081539A1 (en) * | 2002-10-24 | 2004-04-29 | Berens Steven J. | Three and one-half inch form factor tape cartridge autoloader |
US20060103271A1 (en) * | 2004-11-12 | 2006-05-18 | Quantum Corporation | Passive data cartridge pass-through |
JP2012094227A (en) * | 2010-09-30 | 2012-05-17 | Nec Embedded Products Ltd | Library device |
JP5924803B2 (en) * | 2011-09-28 | 2016-05-25 | Necプラットフォームズ株式会社 | Storage device |
JP5924804B2 (en) * | 2011-09-28 | 2016-05-25 | Necプラットフォームズ株式会社 | Storage device and storage device latch state detection method |
US11574656B2 (en) * | 2020-02-13 | 2023-02-07 | International Business Machines Corporation | Automated tape library deep slot protection |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0351221A2 (en) * | 1988-07-14 | 1990-01-17 | Cygnet Systems Incorporated | Apparatus including dual carriages for storing and retrieving information containing discs and method |
EP0500385A2 (en) * | 1991-02-22 | 1992-08-26 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus and method for transporting a disk cartridge |
FR2723873A1 (en) * | 1994-08-24 | 1996-03-01 | Hewlett Packard Co | Linear displacement apparatus e.g. for automatic handling of CD |
US5502697A (en) * | 1992-02-25 | 1996-03-26 | Sony Corporation | Disc processing apparatus having rotatable stocker and moving drive unit |
US5546366A (en) * | 1993-04-16 | 1996-08-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Cartridge picker assembly and modular library system |
EP0731463A1 (en) * | 1995-03-05 | 1996-09-11 | Nakamichi Corporation | Disk transferring device |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4452406A (en) * | 1982-03-26 | 1984-06-05 | International Business Machines Corporation | Leader block for single reel tape cartridge |
US5274516A (en) * | 1990-09-29 | 1993-12-28 | Victor Company Of Japan, Ltd. | Multi-cassette recording and reproducing apparatus |
US5323327A (en) * | 1992-05-01 | 1994-06-21 | Storage Technology Corporation | On-the-fly cataloging of library cell contents in an automated robotic tape library |
-
1996
- 1996-09-16 US US08/716,685 patent/US5746385A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-09-12 EP EP97937772A patent/EP0868723A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-09-12 JP JP10513437A patent/JP2000500902A/en active Pending
- 1997-09-12 WO PCT/IB1997/001098 patent/WO1998011546A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0351221A2 (en) * | 1988-07-14 | 1990-01-17 | Cygnet Systems Incorporated | Apparatus including dual carriages for storing and retrieving information containing discs and method |
EP0500385A2 (en) * | 1991-02-22 | 1992-08-26 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus and method for transporting a disk cartridge |
US5502697A (en) * | 1992-02-25 | 1996-03-26 | Sony Corporation | Disc processing apparatus having rotatable stocker and moving drive unit |
US5546366A (en) * | 1993-04-16 | 1996-08-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Cartridge picker assembly and modular library system |
FR2723873A1 (en) * | 1994-08-24 | 1996-03-01 | Hewlett Packard Co | Linear displacement apparatus e.g. for automatic handling of CD |
EP0731463A1 (en) * | 1995-03-05 | 1996-09-11 | Nakamichi Corporation | Disk transferring device |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6232130B1 (en) | 1997-06-04 | 2001-05-15 | Sensor Technologies, Inc. | Method for detecting or quantifying carbohydrate containing compounds |
WO2000028537A1 (en) * | 1998-11-11 | 2000-05-18 | Nsm Jukebox Gmbh | Play-back and/or recording device for disks |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2000500902A (en) | 2000-01-25 |
EP0868723A1 (en) | 1998-10-07 |
US5746385A (en) | 1998-05-05 |
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