JP2626410B2 - Tape cassette and magnetic recording / reproducing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape cassette and a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a tape reel of a tape cassette has been mainly driven.

For this reason, in a conventional tape cassette 40 shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, a pair of tape reels 42 and 43 around which a magnetic tape 44 is wound are housed in a cassette housing 41 so as to be rotatable. Then, reel disc insertion holes 41a and 41b are formed in the lower surface of the cassette housing 41, and the drive holes 4a are formed in the center of the lower surfaces of the tape reels 42 and 43.
2a and 43a were formed. The magnetic tape 44 is stretched on the front surface of the cassette housing 41, and the stretched portion is covered with a lid 45 that can be opened and closed. This tape cassette 4
At 0, a loading pocket 46 is formed in the cassette housing 41.

In the conventional magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 19, the drive holes 42 of the tape reels 42 and 43 are mounted in the state where the tape cassette 40 (shown by a two-dot chain line) is mounted.
a, 43a (not shown in FIG. 19) are provided on the chassis 51 for reel discs 52, 53 to enter. Also, the chassis 51 is mounted so that recording and reproduction can be performed on the magnetic tape 44 (not shown in FIG. 19) of the tape cassette 40.
On the top are other mechanisms such as a rotating drum 54 having a magnetic head and a loading pocket 4 of the tape cassette 40.
6, a magnetic tape 44 is pulled out, and a known tape loading member 55 for winding the magnetic tape 44 around a rotating drum 54.
a and 55b are provided.

The guide grooves 51a and 51b are guide grooves for guiding the movement of the tape loading members 55a and 55b.
6 is a capstan, 57a and 57b are well-known arm members having tension poles / draw-out poles 58a and 58b, and 59 is an arm member having a pinch roller 59a.

[0006]

However, in the conventional example, the tape reels 42 and 43 are not mounted in the state where the tape cassette 40 is mounted.
It is necessary to position the tape reel driving members called the reel disks 52 and 53 directly below the reel disks 52 and 53, so that the reel disks 52 and 53 are easily separated from other mechanisms (for example, the rotating drum 54), and the chassis 51 of the device 50 is inevitably large. I tended to. This has hindered miniaturization and weight reduction of the device. In addition, when the reel disks 52 and 53 are used, the height of the apparatus cannot be reduced, and this also hinders downsizing of the apparatus.

[0007]

Accordingly, the present inventors have reconsidered the method of driving the tape reel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and mainly provides the following tape cassette and magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. That is, a tape cassette in which a pair of tape reels around which a magnetic tape is wound are respectively supported in a cassette housing, and a stretched portion of the magnetic tape stretched on the front surface of the cassette housing is protected by an openable / closable lid. In the front surface of the cassette housing, a first pocket is formed for a member of the device to be located on the back side of the stretched portion of the magnetic tape, and the outer circumference of the flange of the pair of tape reels is A tape cassette characterized in that it partially protrudes from a pair of openings formed in a wall surface of a first pocket.

In a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus to which such a tape cassette is mounted, the tape reel has a flange outer periphery partially protruding from the pair of openings in an area of a chassis facing the first pocket. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein a tape reel driving member for transmitting a rotational force by contact is positioned.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a first embodiment of a tape cassette according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with the tape cassette, and FIG.
(A) and (b) are perspective views showing a second embodiment of the tape cassette of the present invention, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with the tape cassette, and FIG. 15 is a second embodiment of the tape cassette of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing 3 examples.

In the tape cassette and the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the tape reel of the tape cassette is driven by the flange.

The tape cassette 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B has a configuration in which a pair of tape reels 4 and 5 around which a magnetic tape 3 is wound are housed in a cassette housing 2. These tape reels 4 and 5 are rotatably supported by shafts 6 and 7 provided in the cassette housing 2. The magnetic tape 3 is stretched on the front surface of the cassette housing 2, and the stretched portion 3 a is normally protected by an openable and closable lid 9 that rotates around a support shaft 8. A loading pocket 10 (first pocket) is formed on the front surface of the cassette housing 2 so that a tape loading member or the like on the apparatus side located on the back side of the stretched portion 3a of the magnetic tape 3 can be inserted.

The loading pocket 10 is formed so as to extend along the outer periphery of the flanges of the tape reels 4 and 5 as shown in the figure. A pair of left and right openings 11 and 12 are formed in the wall surface 2a of the cassette housing 2 there. is there. The outer peripheries of the lower flanges 4a, 5a of the tape reels 4, 5 partially protrude from the openings 11, 12, respectively. Gears 4a1, 5a1 are formed on the outer periphery of the lower flanges 4a, 5a. The upper flanges 4b and 5b of the tape reels 4 and 5 shown in FIG.
does not protrude from a. Reference numeral 13 denotes a transparent window provided on the upper surface of the cassette housing 2 for checking the remaining amount of the tape.

Since the tape cassette 1 is configured as described above, the tape reel driving member of the apparatus is placed in the loading pocket 10 and the lower flange 4a,
The flanges of the tape reels 4 and 5 can be driven around the outer periphery of 5a. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus to which the tape cassette 1 is mounted can be configured as follows.

In the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 2, 21 is a chassis, 22 is a rotary drum having a magnetic head, 23 is a capstan, and 24a and 24b are along guide grooves 21a and 21b formed in the chassis 21. Movable tape loading member, 25a, 25b, 26
a, 26b, 27 are fulcrums S1, S2, S3, S
4 and 5 are arm members rotatable around S5. 2
Reference numerals 8a and 28b denote rotatable driving gears mounted on the arm members 25a and 25b, reference numerals 29a and 29b denote tension poles and draw-out poles mounted on the arm members, and reference numeral 30 denotes a pinch roller mounted on the arm member 27. The arm members 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b, 27 are each moved by a drive mechanism of a device (not shown). Drive gear 28
Reference numerals a and 28b are directly connected to a small motor (not shown), and are rotatable by the power.

The apparatus 20 engages with the gears 4a1 and 5a1 formed on the lower flanges 4a and 5a of the tape reels 4 and 5 in a region of the chassis 21 facing the loading pocket 10 when the tape cassette 1 is mounted, and rotates the apparatus. The configuration is characterized in that the drive gears 28a and 28b for transmitting the force are located (see FIG. 7). That is, the drive gears 28a and 28b as the tape reel drive members are located on the front side (the rotary drum 22 side) of the tape reels 4 and 5 of the tape cassette 1.

Since the tape cassette 1 and the apparatus 20 are configured as described above, the driving gear 2 serving as a tape reel driving mechanism is provided.
8a, 28b and other mechanisms (for example, the rotating drum 22) are relatively closer than in the conventional example, and the chassis 21 of the device 20 is smaller. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the device as compared with the related art. Also, since no reel disk is used, the height of the device can be reduced,
This also promotes downsizing of the device.

In the tape cassette 1, the front and rear (X
A substantially U-shaped dustproof shutter 14 slidable in the 1-X2 direction is provided on the lower surface 2b side of the cassette housing 2 so that the loading pocket 10 and the lid 9 can be sealed when not in use. In this way, when the tape cassette 1 is not used, there is no possibility that dirt and dust adhere to the magnetic tape 3 and cause tape damage. Since the tape cassette 1 does not have a reel disc insertion hole on the lower surface of the cassette housing as in the conventional example, there is an advantage that the miniaturization can be effectively performed when a dustproof shutter is provided. The reason will be described with reference to the R-DAT cassette.

The R-DAT cassette 60 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B has reel disc insertion holes 62a and 62b and a loading pocket 63 on the lower surface 61a of the cassette housing 61.
The cassette housing 61 is normally closed.
A dustproof shutter 64 (shaded area) is provided so as to be slidable in the front-back (X1-X2) direction. The dustproof shutter 64 has holes 64a and 64b. These holes 64a and 64b are displaced from the reel disk insertion holes 62a and 62b of the cassette housing 61 when the dustproof shutter 64 is closed as shown in FIG. When the dustproof shutter 64 is open, the dustproof shutter 64 coincides with the reel disc insertion holes 62a and 62b. In a tape cassette of this type having a reel disc insertion hole, it is necessary to position the holes 64a and 64b between the reel disc insertion holes 62a and 62b and the loading pocket 63 when the dustproof shutter 64 is open. The distance between the reel disc insertion hole 62a and the loading pocket 63 must be set to some extent, which prevents the cassette housing 61 from being downsized.

In the above embodiment, the gears are formed on the outer periphery of the flanges of the tape reels 4 and 5, and the gears are driven. Needless to say, it can be driven. That is, the tape reel drive member may be any member that contacts the outer periphery of the flange of the tape reel and transmits the rotational force.

A description will now be given, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 12, of a preferred process of mounting the tape cassette 1 to the apparatus and an operation thereof.

4 and 5, the tape cassette 1 loaded in a cassette housing (not shown) is horizontally moved in the direction A, then descends in the direction B and guided to the mounting position. When the tape cassette 1 descends, the tape reel 4,
5 does not mesh well with the drive gears 28a and 28b, and the tape cassette 1 cannot be mounted in some cases. Assuming this case, the drive gears 28a and 28b
It is preferable to detect the timing immediately before contact with the a and 5a with a sensor or the like, and rotate the arm members 25a and 25b so as to release them from the tape reels 4a and 5a (FIG. 6). After the tape cassette 1 is mounted, the drive gear 28
The arm members 25a and 25b are again rotated so that the a and 28b mesh with the tape reel 1 (FIG. 7).

When the tape cassette 1 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is mounted, the tape cassette 1 is positioned on the chassis 21 by positioning / height setting pins, and the lid 9 of the tape cassette 1 is opened by a mechanism on the apparatus side. It is. The reel brake mechanism provided on the tape cassette 1 is released by a mechanism on the apparatus side, and the tape reels 4 and 5 become rotatable. At this time, tape slack is likely to occur, so that one of the drive gears 28a and 28b may be rotated in a direction to absorb the tape slack.

When moving from the state shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to tape loading, the arm members 25a, 25b, 26
a, 26b, and 27 rotate, and the tape loading members 24a and 24b also move toward the rotary drum 22 side. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, by these operations,
The magnetic tape 3 is pulled out from the loading pocket 10. The magnetic tape 3 includes a tape loading member 24a,
24b presses the rotary drum 22 at a predetermined winding angle and a pinch roller 30 presses the capstan 2
3 is crimped. Then, a loading completion state in which a predetermined loading pass is formed is established.

In the recording / reproduction mode, as shown in FIG. 11, the arm member 25a rotates so as to disengage the tape reel 4 on the supply side and the driving gear 28a. Then, the tape reel 5 on the winding side is rotationally driven by the drive gear 28b, and the magnetic tape 3 is sent from the tape reel 4 to the tape reel 5. When the tape speed is relatively slow (speed of several times) in the fast-forward mode, the operation is the same as in the recording / reproduction mode. On the other hand, at high tape speeds (speeds of several tens to hundreds of times), the arm member 27 may be rotated to separate the pinch roller 30 from the capstan 23. When the mode changes from the recording / reproduction mode to the still image mode or from the fast-forward mode to the still image mode, the feeding of the magnetic tape 3 is stopped in the state of FIG. In the rewind mode, as shown in FIG. 12, the arm member 25b may be rotated so that the engagement between the take-up side tape reel 5 and the drive gear 28b is released, contrary to the fast-forward mode.

In any of the recording / reproducing mode, the fast-forward mode, the rewind mode, and the still image mode, it is desirable that the magnetic tape 3 be in contact with the rotating drum 22 and that all the operation modes be performed with so-called full loading.

The following second embodiment of the tape cassette is characterized in that the configuration of the tape cassette 1 is as follows. The tape cassette 100 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 13 has a pair of left and right pockets (second pockets) from both side surfaces 2c and 2d of the cassette housing 2 to the lower surface 2b.
101, 102 are formed, and these pockets 1
01,102 to lower flange 4 of tape reel 4,5
The configuration is characterized by partially exposing the outer circumferences of a and 4b. In addition, X1-X2
If a dustproof shutter 14 slidable in the direction is provided, the loading pocket 10 is sealed together with the lid 9 when not in use, and the openings 101 and 102 are also covered.
There is no possibility that dust and dirt adhere to the magnetic tape 3 and cause tape damage.

In such a tape cassette 100, as in the tape cassette 1 of the first embodiment, not only can the apparatus be miniaturized, but also there is an advantage that the degree of freedom in designing the apparatus is increased. . The reason for this is not only the method of driving the flange by driving the tape reel driving member on the apparatus side into the loading pocket 10, but also the method of driving the flange by driving another tape reel driving member to the newly formed pockets 101 and 102. This is because a method combining the above two methods can be selected. For example, this method can be used to pursue miniaturization of equipment such as a video camera. In stationary equipment that requires high-speed rewinding and fast-forwarding, the tape loading member becomes relatively thick, and the tape reel is driven into the loading pocket. It may be performed by a method that tends to make it impossible to insert a member, or by a method for a special use described later.

A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus based on the above concept will be described with reference to FIG. The device 200 shown in the figure is a tape cassette 100 in the configuration of the device 20 described above.
The lower flanges 4 of the tape reels 4 and 5 partially exposed from the pockets 101 and 102 (not shown in FIG. 14)
It has a configuration in which drive gears 201 and 202 that mesh with the gears 4a1 and 5a1 of a and 5a to transmit the rotational force are provided. The drive gears 201 and 202 are rotatable about shafts 201a and 201b, and are connected to a small motor (not shown) and can be rotated by the power.

The arrangement of the apparatus 200 in this way is convenient for special applications, for example, when it is desired to quickly rewind after rewinding at high speed. To do this, one of the drive gears 28a, 28b is used for rewinding and the drive gears 201, 202 are used.
Are shared with those for regeneration, a single drive gear 28a, 28
This is because it becomes easier to perform the reverse operation than to perform such an operation using only a.

As a tape cassette for driving a tape reel by flange, there is a tape cassette of a third embodiment shown below.

A tape cassette 110 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 15 supports a pair of tape reels 4 and 5 around which a magnetic tape 3 is wound, inside a cassette housing 2 and stretches the front of the cassette housing 2. In addition to the configuration in which the stretched portion 3a of the magnetic tape 3 is protected by the lid 9 which can be opened and closed, a pair of openings 101 and 102 are formed from both side surfaces 2c and 2d of the cassette housing 2 to the lower surface 2b. Only the outer circumferences of the lower flanges 4a and 5a of the tape reels 4 and 5 are partially exposed only from the pair of pockets 101 and 102. Further, a dustproof shutter 14 slidable forward and backward (X1-X2 direction) is provided on the cassette housing 2. When the dustproof shutter 14 is not used, the dustproof shutter 14 and the
102 and the loading pocket 10 are configured to be sealed.

In the tape cassette 110, dust and dust are less likely to adhere to the magnetic tape than in the case where the dustproof shutter 14 is not provided, and there is no possibility of causing tape damage.

Recently, there is a technique for mounting two types of tape cassettes, large and small, with one apparatus. Using the tape cassette 100 of the second embodiment described above as a small cassette, FIG.
6 can be considered. In this device, only the reel drive mechanism is shown.

In the apparatus 210 shown in the figure, 211 is a chassis, 212 and 213 are rotatable reel disks provided on the chassis 211, and 214 and 215 are gears 212 formed on the outer periphery of the reel disks 212 and 213.
a, a rotatable drive gear that meshes with 213a.

As shown in FIG. 17 (a), if the tape cassette 100 is mounted as a small cassette as shown in FIG.
It can be transmitted to the lower flanges 4a and 5a of the tape reels 4 and 5 via the respective 14 and 215. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17B, the tape cassette 120 to be a large cassette may have a configuration in which tape reels 400 and 500 having drive holes into which the reel disks 212a and 212b can be inserted are provided in the cassette housing 122. Good. Drive gear 214,
Tape cassette 1 which is a small cassette
The rotation of the tape reel of 00 and the rotation of the tape reel of the tape cassette 120 which is a large cassette are in the same direction.

In this way, two types of tape cassettes, large and small, can be mounted on one device to drive the tape reel.
It will be very useful. In this apparatus, when a tape cassette of a different size is mounted, such as a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for mounting a D1 or D2 standard tape cassette,
There is an advantage that there is no mechanism for moving the reel disk and no complicated mechanism is required for the apparatus.

[0038]

As can be seen from the above description, the tape cassette and the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention have the following effects.

In the tape cassette according to the first aspect, the tape reel driving member on the apparatus side can be inserted into the pocket and the tape reel can be driven by the flange, so that the apparatus can be downsized.

The tape cassette according to the second aspect has the advantage that the degree of freedom in designing the apparatus is increased as well as the miniaturization of the apparatus as in the tape cassette according to the first aspect.

In the tape cassette according to the third aspect, when the tape cassette is not used, there is no possibility that dust and dust adhere to the magnetic tape and cause tape damage.

In the tape cassette according to the fourth aspect, dust and dust are less likely to adhere to the magnetic tape than those without the dustproof shutter, and there is no risk of causing tape damage.

In the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the tape reel drive mechanism and other mechanisms are relatively closer to each other than in the conventional example, and the chassis of the apparatus is small. As a result,
It is possible to reduce the size and weight of the device as compared with the related art.

The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the sixth aspect is convenient when, for example, it is desired to quickly rewind after rewinding at high speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a first embodiment of a tape cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with the tape cassette.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are bottom views showing an R-DAT cassette as a comparative example.

FIG. 4

FIG. 10 is a view showing a process of mounting the tape cassette of the present invention on the apparatus.

FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a tape reel drive of the tape cassette of the present invention.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are perspective views showing a second embodiment of the tape cassette of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus to which the tape cassette is mounted.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the tape cassette of the present invention.

FIGS. 16 (a) and (b) are views showing an example of an apparatus equipped with a tape cassette of a second embodiment.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams showing another tape cassette mounted on the same device.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are perspective views showing a conventional tape cassette.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a conventional magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with the tape cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape cassette 2 Cassette housing 3 Magnetic tape 4, 5 Tape reel 9 Lid 10 Loading pocket (1st pocket) 11, 12 Opening 14 Dustproof shutter 20 Magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 21 Chassis 28a, 28b Drive gear (tape reel) Driving member) 100 Tape cassette 101, 102 Pocket (second pocket) 200 Magnetic recording / reproducing device 201, 202 Drive gear (Tape reel driving member) 110 Tape cassette

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pair of tape reels around which a magnetic tape is wound are respectively supported in a cassette housing, and a stretched portion of the magnetic tape stretched on the front surface of the cassette housing is protected by a lid which can be opened and closed. A first pocket formed on a front surface of the cassette housing for a member of the device to be positioned on a back surface side of a stretched portion of the magnetic tape, and a flange outer periphery of the pair of tape reels. A tape cassette partially projecting from a pair of openings formed in the wall surface of the first pocket. 2. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein said pair of second cassettes extend from both side surfaces to a lower surface of said cassette housing.
Characterized in that the pockets are respectively formed, and the outer circumferences of the flanges of the pair of tape reels are partially exposed from the pair of second pockets. 3. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein a dustproof shutter slidable in a front-rear direction is provided on the cassette housing, and the pocket is sealed together with the lid when not in use. A tape cassette characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. A pair of tape reels around which a magnetic tape is wound is pivotally supported in a cassette housing, and a stretched portion of the magnetic tape stretched on the front surface of the cassette housing is protected by an openable lid. A tape cassette, wherein a pair of pockets are respectively formed from both side surfaces to a lower surface of the cassette housing, and outer circumferences of flanges of the pair of tape reels are partially exposed from the pair of openings; A tape cassette, wherein a dustproof shutter slidable in a front-rear direction is provided on a housing, and the pair of pockets is sealed together with the lid when not in use. 5. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for mounting a tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein, when the tape cassette is mounted, a predetermined area of a chassis facing the first pocket is inserted from the pair of openings. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein a tape reel driving member for transmitting a rotational force by contacting a part of the flange of the tape reel that protrudes is located. 6. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for mounting a tape cassette according to claim 3, wherein the pair of openings are provided in a predetermined area of a chassis corresponding to the first pocket when the tape cassette is mounted. A first tape reel driving member that transmits a rotational force by contacting a flange outer periphery of the tape reel partially projecting from the tape reel, and the tape reel partially exposed from the pair of second pockets A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus further comprising a second tape reel driving member for transmitting a rotational force by contacting the outer periphery of the flange.