JP2897474B2 - Cassette mounting 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 front loading type cassette mounting apparatus in a cassette type magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, video tape recorders (hereinafter, referred to as video tape recorders) have been developed.
A cassette loading device of a cassette tape recording / reproducing device such as a VTR is mainly of a front loading type in which a cassette is loaded from the front. Hereinafter, an example of the above-described cassette mounting device will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 15 shows the structure of a conventional cassette mounting device. In FIG. 15, 1 is a cassette holder for accommodating a cassette, 2, 2 'are side wall members arranged on both sides of the cassette holder 1, and 3, 3' are side wall members 2, 2 '.
A first guide groove portion 3a, 3a 'provided in the first guide groove portion, and a second guide groove portion 3b, 3b' formed continuously from one end of the first guide groove portion 3a, 3a 'in a right angle or substantially right angle direction. Usually, it is composed of two or three, respectively.

[0004] 4 is a bottom plate of the cassette holder 1,
Reference numerals 5, 5 'denote side plates integrally formed on both sides of the bottom plate 4, and guide pins 6, 6' respectively engaging guide grooves 3, 3 'provided in the side wall members 2, 2'. It is provided corresponding to the number of 3, 3 '. 7 is an upper surface plate fixed to the upper surface of the side plates 5, 5 ';
Reference numeral 8 'denotes a leaf spring fixed to the upper plate 7, which can hold the stored cassette with elastic force.

Drive arms 18 and 18 'are connected by a shaft 19 and are rotatably supported by side wall members 2 and 2'. Side arm plates 5 and 5 'of cassette holder 1 are provided in arm guide grooves 20 and 20'. The upper main guide pins 6, 6 'are respectively engaged.

Reference numerals 9 and 9 'denote detection levers, and 13 a connection plate. The connection plate 13 is integrally formed with blocking members 54 and 54' and connects the side wall members 2 and 2 '.

Reference numerals 10 and 10 'denote lever guide pins provided on the side plates 5 and 5', which are movable with lever guide grooves 11 and 11 'formed in the detection levers 9 and 9'.

[0008] Reference numerals 12 and 12 'denote cassette detecting portions capable of detecting the inserted cassette. The cassette detecting portions are formed integrally with the detecting levers 9 and 9', and have inclined surfaces 12a and 12a 'and flat portions 12b and 12b'. It is configured including.

Reference numerals 15 and 15 'denote engagement portions and detection levers 9 and
It is formed at a position where it is integrally formed with 9 'and can engage with blocking members 14, 14' formed integrally with the connecting plate 13.

Reference numerals 16 and 16 'denote cassette positioning portions for preventing the inserted cassette from being inserted more than necessary, and are formed integrally with the cassette detection portions 12 and 12'.

Reference numerals 17 and 17 'denote first elastic members which are provided between the detection levers 9 and 9' and the side plates 5 and 5 ', and constantly apply an urging force to the detection levers 9 and 9' in the upward direction. doing.

One side of the drive arm 18 or 18 '
And the gear 21 is integrally formed concentrically. Reference numeral 22 denotes a first rack, which has first rack guide grooves 24 and 24 'formed so as to be able to move horizontally by engaging two guide pieces 23 and 23' provided on the side wall member 2 or 2 '. In addition, one end of the slide switch 26 fixed to the side wall member 2 or 2 ′ has several first teeth 25 engaged with the gear 21 integrated with the drive arm 18 at the other end. A bent projection 28 that engages with the actuator 27 is formed.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a second rack, and the first rack 22
Guide pieces 23, 2 provided on the side wall member 2 or 2 '
3 ', and has second rack guide grooves 30, 30' so as to be able to move horizontally.
The second rack 29 and the second rack 29 are connected to each other by a tension spring 31 engaged with a spring hook provided on each of them.
Also, one end of the second rack 29 is in phase with the first teeth 25 provided on the first rack 22, but has some second teeth 32 with a small number of teeth, and At the other end bent into an L-shape, a third tooth formed over the same length as the area of the first tooth 25 formed on the first rack 22 at a position where it does not mesh with the gear 21 integrated with the drive arm 18. 33.

Reference numeral 34 denotes an output gear provided on the main body of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. When the cassette mounting apparatus is mounted on the main body, the second rack 2 is set in a phase-adjusted state.
9 are meshed with the second teeth 32. An elongated rectangular hole 35 is formed in the second rack 29, and the bent portion 36 formed in the first rack 22 is meshed with the elongated hole 35, and is usually brought into contact with each other by the tension spring 31. In the closed position, the guide piece 23 formed on the side wall member 2 or 2 '
The phases of the guide grooves that mesh with the first rack 22 and the second rack 29 are limited only in the space between the square hole 35 of the second rack 29 and the bent portion 36 of the first rack 22.
Are configured to slide with each other.

The operation of the conventional cassette mounting apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

In FIG. 16, the cassette holder 1 is at a first position where a cassette can be inserted. When the cassette is inserted into the cassette holder 1 from the front in this state, first,
The leaf spring members 8, 8 'fixed to the upper plate 7 constituting the cassette holder 1 by the upper front surface of the cassette.
Is rotated in the direction of arrow a, so that the cassette is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom plate 4.

When the insertion of the cassette is continued, the detection levers 9, 9 'are located at the fourth position where the urging force of the first elastic members 17, 17' can act on the cassette. The detection levers 9, 9 'are pushed down in a direction perpendicular to the bottom plate 4 in the direction of arrow b by coming into contact with the inclined surfaces 12a, 12a' of the cassette detection parts 12, 12 'provided on the detection levers 9, 9'. .

Further, as the insertion of the cassette is continued, the front bottom of the cassette passes through the flat portions 12b and 12b 'of the cassette detecting portions 12 and 12', and the cassette positioning portions 16 and 12 '.
16 'and comes into the state of FIG.

When the insertion of the cassette is continued, the entire cassette holder 1 moves, and the drive arms 18, 18 'are moved.
Rotates, and the first rack 22 meshing with the gear 21 of the drive arm 18 moves horizontally against the tension spring 31.
As a result, the slide switch 26 is activated, a drive motor (not shown) provided in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus main body starts rotating, the output gear 34 rotates, the second rack 29 moves, and the square hole 35 Wall comes into contact with the bent portion 36 of the first rack 22 and pushes the bent portion 36,
The drive arms 18, 1 meshing with the first rack 22
8 'will be rotated.

Accordingly, the guide pins 6, 6 'engaged with the arm guide grooves 20, 20' provided in the drive arms 18, 18 '.
The cassette holder 1 integrated therewith moves horizontally along the L-shaped guide grooves 3, 3 'of the side wall members 2, 2'. At this time, the engaging portion 1 formed integrally with the detection levers 9 and 9 '
5, 15 'and blocking members 14 provided on the connecting plate 13,
14 'has a positional relationship with a gap c. Therefore, the cassette holder 1 is provided with the engaging portions 15, 15 'and the blocking member 1.
4, 14 'without engaging with the blocking member portion 14, 1'.
After passing through the lower part of 4 'and moving from parallel movement to vertical movement, the cassette mounting operation is completed and the cassette holder 1 is at the second position.

FIG. 18 shows a case where the cassette is inserted into the cassette holder 1 in an incomplete state. In this case, the cassette is placed in the cassette positioning portion 16 or 16 '.
Of the cassette detecting portion 12 provided on the detecting lever 9 without contacting any one of them, or the inclined surface portion 12a of the cassette detecting portion 12 'provided on the detecting lever 9'.
a 'is located at a non-contact position.

At this time, there is no gap between the engaging portions 15, 15 'formed integrally with the detecting levers 9, 9' and the blocking members 14, 14 'provided on the connecting plate 13, and the cassette holder 1 Is in a positional relationship having an overlap amount e with respect to the horizontal movement of. Therefore, cassette holder 1
When the cassette holder 1 moves to the third position where the engaging portion 15 and the blocking member 14 or the engaging portion 15 'and the blocking member 14' can be engaged, the cassette holder 1 moves the engaging portion 15 and the blocking member 14, or
The engaging portion 15 'and the blocking member 14' are engaged, and the movement of the cassette holder 1 is stopped, so that the cassette holder 1 cannot pass below the lower portions of the blocking members 14 and 14 'and cannot move from the parallel movement to the vertical movement. Is not attached.

As is clear from the above description, the cassette is not mounted even when the cassette and the cassette detecting portion 12 or 12 'provided on the detection lever 9 or 9' are in a non-contact state.

[0024]

However [0005] In general, conventional cassette loading device as described above, the cassette holder, the cassette insertion force required when inserting the cassette, the leaf spring 8, 8 ', the bottom surface plate And a force equal to or greater than the pressing force applied in the direction orthogonal to the above and the force acting on the detection lever by the first elastic member. Therefore, there has been a problem that the insertion force of the cassette is large and the usability is poor.

The positional relationship between the cassette and the cassette holder at the moment when the user stops the insertion of the cassette and releases his / her hand from the cassette indicates that the cassette is not incompletely inserted but the inclination of the cassette detection unit provided on the detection lever. When the cassette is inserted at the position of the cassette, that is, when the tension of the first elastic member acts on the cassette via the inclined portion of the cassette detection unit in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the cassette, the drive motor The cassette holder with which rotates is engaged with the arm guide groove of the drive arm and the guide pin on the side plate, and starts moving rapidly by the power.

However, the cassette is held in the cassette holder only by its holding force via a leaf spring.
Moreover, if the holding force is large, the insertion force of the cassette becomes large, so that it is usually quite small.

That is, even if the cassette holder suddenly moves, the cassette holding force exceeding the inertia of the cassette is not sufficient.

Therefore, when the cassette is inserted at the position of the inclined portion of the cassette detecting portion provided on the detecting lever, the tension of the first elastic member is applied to the cassette in a direction opposite to the cassette inserting direction. The cassette moves backward from the initial position of the cassette holder during the movement of the cassette holder, changes, the cassette is incompletely inserted, the detection lever moves, and the engaging portion moves. And the blocking member are engaged, and the cassette cannot be mounted. To solve the problem, the pressing force applied by the leaf spring may be increased. However, as described above, there is a problem that the insertion force required for inserting the cassette into the cassette holder is further increased, and the usability is further deteriorated.

[0029]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cassette holder capable of detachably holding a cassette, and a guide pin protruding from a side plate of the cassette holder is movably inserted therethrough. And a cassette holder in a first position where a cassette can be attached and detached,
A first guide groove for guiding the cassette so as to be able to reciprocate between second positions at which recording or reproduction of the cassette is possible, and a first guide groove formed continuously from one end of the first guide groove in a right angle or substantially right angle direction. Two side wall members having two guide grooves, and a rotatable drive arm for driving the guide pins so as to bring the cassette holder from the first position to the second position and to the opposite direction. A biasing force is applied to the cassette holder driving means, a detection lever movably provided on a side plate of the cassette holder, and a cassette detection portion formed at one end of the detection lever in a direction for preventing insertion of the cassette into the cassette holder. A first elastic member that can be used, and another cassette different from the cassette detection portion formed at one end of the detection lever when the cassette is not inserted or is incompletely inserted into the cassette holder. A blocking member for preventing movement of the cassette holder by engaging with an engagement portion formed at the end; a fourth position where the urging force of the first elastic member can act on the cassette with the detection lever; Detecting lever moving means that can be moved to a fifth position that does not act on
When the cassette holder is at the first position, the detection lever is at the fifth position, and the cassette holder is at the third position before moving from the first position to reach the second guide groove from the first guide groove. At this time, the detection lever can be moved to the fourth position,
When the cassette is not inserted into the cassette holder or when the cassette is incompletely inserted, the detection portion of the detection lever can be engaged with the blocking member.

[0030]

With this configuration, the insertion force when inserting the cassette into the cassette holder can be reduced. or,
It is possible to greatly improve the usability of the user, for example, by reducing the incomplete insertion of the cassette into the cassette holder which occurs at the initial stage of the movement of the cassette holder.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a cassette mounting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the parts having the same numbers as those of the conventional example have the same names and the same structures, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

37, 37 'are means for moving the detection levers 9, 9'. Pressing surfaces 38, 38 'substantially parallel to the low surface plate 4 of the cassette holder 1 and pressing releasing surfaces 39, 39' inclined with respect thereto. Are formed continuously and integrally provided on the connection plate 13. Connecting plate 1
3 includes blocking members 14, 1 of the same height at the same location as in the prior art.
4 'is similarly formed and connects the side wall members 2, 2'.

When the cassette holder 1 is at the first position where the cassette can be inserted, the detecting levers 9, 9 'are partially connected to the leading ends of the engaging portions 15, 15' and the detecting levers 9, 9 as shown in FIG. 'Pressing means 38, 3 of moving means 37, 37'
It is in a state of being moved to the fifth position by contact with 8 '.

The operation of the cassette mounting apparatus of the present invention configured as described above will be described below.

In FIG. 2, the cassette holder 1 is at a first position in which the cassette can be inserted. In this state, when the cassette is inserted into the cassette holder 1 from the front, the cassette holder is firstly moved to the upper part of the front of the cassette as in the conventional case. The cassette is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the low surface plate 4 by rotating the leaf springs 8 and 8 ′ fixed to the upper surface plate 7 constituting the component 1 in the direction of arrow a.

When the insertion of the cassette is continued, the detecting levers 9, 9 'are engaged with the engaging portions 15, 15' as shown in FIG.
For moving the detection levers 9, 9 'and a part of the tip of the sensor 37, 3'
By contacting the pressing surface portions 38, 38 'of the 7', the fifth
It has been moved to the position of. In other words, the front bottom of the cassette and the flat portions 12b, 1 of the cassette detectors 12, 12 '.
2b 'has a gap f, and the bottom surface of the front surface of the cassette is a flat surface portion 12b, 12b' of the cassette detecting portion 12, 12 '.
Cassette contact portions 16 and 1
6 'and the cassette insertion is completed.

The cassette insertion force until the insertion is completed is controlled by the urging force of the first elastic members 17 and 17 '.
It acts between the pressing surface portions 38, 38 'of the 7' and the side plates 5, 5 'and does not act on the cassette via the cassette detecting portions 12, 12', so that the operation can be performed very smoothly.

Further, when the insertion of the cassette is continued, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the entire cassette holder moves, and the drive motor (not shown) provided in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus main body starts to rotate as in the conventional case, and the cassette holder 1 becomes the L-shape of the side wall members 2, 2 '. A horizontal movement is performed along the guide grooves 3, 3 'in the shape of a circle.

The cassette holder 1 has the pressing surface portions 38, 3
8 'and the detection levers 9 and 9' as they pass through the pressure releasing surfaces 39 and 39 ', the first elastic members 17, 1
Due to the tension of 7 ', the cassette moves upward to a position where the cassette comes into contact with the flat portions 12b, 12b' provided on the cassette detecting portions 12, 12 '. Since the movement is stopped by contacting the cassette, a gap c is generated between the engaging portions 15, 15 'and the blocking members 14, 14' as in the conventional example.

Therefore, the cassette holder 1 is
Even in the third position where the blocking members 14 and 14 'can be engaged with the engaging portions 15, 15' and the blocking members 14, 1 ', respectively.
4 'passes through the lower part of the blocking members 14 and 14' without engaging, and moves from parallel movement to vertical movement, the cassette mounting operation is completed, and the cassette holder is in the second position.

FIG. 5 shows a case where the cassette is inserted into the cassette holder 1 in an incomplete state. In this case, the cassette does not come into contact with either the cassette positioning member 16 or 16 ′, and the flat surface portion 12 b, the inclined surface portion 12 a of the cassette detection portion 12 provided on the detection lever 9, or
At least one of the flat surface portion 12b 'and the inclined surface portion 12a' of the cassette detecting portion 12 'provided on the detecting lever 9' is located at a position not existing on the projection as viewed from the cassette upper surface.

When the cassette holder 1 is moved in this state, the entire cassette holder 1 moves, and a drive motor (not shown) provided in the main body of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus starts rotating as in the conventional case, and moves horizontally. Do.

The engagement portions 15, provided on the detection levers 9, 9 ',
15 'passes through the pressing surfaces 38, 38', and the detection levers 9, 9 'as it passes through the pressing releasing surfaces 39, 39'.
Is moved upward by the tension of the first elastic members 17 and 17 '.

The flat portion 12 constituting the cassette detecting portion 12
b, the detection levers 9, 9 'are provided on the side plates 5, 5' because no cassette is present on the inclined surface 12a or the flat surface 12b 'and the inclined surface 12a' constituting the cassette detecting portion 12 '. Lever guide groove 11 provided in lever guide pin 10 and detection lever 9 or lever guide groove 1 provided in lever guide pin 10 'and detection lever 9'
It moves until it comes into contact with the end face 1 ', and stops after contact.

At this time, there is no gap between the engaging portion 15 and the blocking member 14 provided on the connecting plate 13 or between the engaging portion 15 'and the blocking member 14' provided on the connecting plate 13. There is an overlap with respect to the movement in the direction, and an overlap amount e occurs.

Accordingly, the cassette holder 1 is
And blocking member 14, or engaging portion 15 'and blocking member 14'.
When the cassette holder 1 moves to the third position in which the cassette holder 1 can engage, the cassette holder 1 moves the engagement portion 15 and the blocking member 14 or the engagement portion 15 '.
And the blocking member 14 'is engaged, the movement of the cassette holder 1 is stopped, and the cassette holder 1 cannot pass below the blocking members 14 and 14', cannot move from the parallel movement to the vertical movement, and the cassette is not mounted.

Next, a description will be given of how the cassette insertion force is reduced by the cassette mounting apparatus of the present embodiment as compared with the related art with reference to FIG.

Here, F2: tension of the first elastic members 17, 17 'θ: angle of the inclined surfaces 12a, 12a' μ: friction coefficient between the cassette and the inclined surfaces 12a, 12a 'R1: leaf springs 8, 8' R2: cassette insertion force required by the action of the first elastic members 17, 17 'RA: total insertion force of the cassette mounting device of the present invention when the cassette is inserted RB RB = (R1 + R2) × 2 RA = R1 × 2 where the total insertion force at the time of cassette insertion of the conventional cassette mounting device is as follows.
This means that the insertion force of × 2 has been reduced.

Here, when F2 is obtained, R2 = (sin θ + μcos θ) ÷ (cos θ−μsi
nθ) × F2, and if F2: 100 g θ: 30 ° μ: 01, R2 is 71.8 g.

Therefore, the cassette insertion force to be reduced is R
From 2 × 2, 71.8 × 2 = 143.6 g.

Normally, the total insertion force of the cassette is set to about 300 g in terms of usability. Therefore, the total insertion force can be reduced to about half, and the usability has been greatly improved.

Further, in the case where a conventional total insertion force of about 300 g is to be commercialized, the elastic force of the leaf springs 8, 8 'can be considerably increased to the reduced insertion force.

That is, the holding force of the cassette inserted into the cassette holder 1 can be approximately doubled.

Therefore, the positional relationship between the cassette and the cassette holder at the moment when the user stops the insertion of the cassette and releases the hand from the cassette is determined by the inclined portion of the cassette detection portion provided on the detection lever although the cassette is not incompletely inserted. In other words, when the cassette is inserted at the position of, that is, when the tension of the first elastic member acts on the cassette in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the cassette via the inclined portion of the cassette detection unit, the drive motor When the cassette holder is rotated, the cassette holder is suddenly moved by the power because the cassette holder is engaged with the arm guide groove of the drive arm and the guide pin on the side plate.

Even if the cassette holder suddenly moves in this state, the cassette is held by the cassette holder via a leaf spring with twice the holding force of the conventional one, so that the tension by the first elastic member is reduced. It is large enough for the discharge force acting through the inclined part of the cassette detection part in the direction opposite to the cassette insertion direction, and the cassette retreats from the initial position of the cassette holder during the movement of the cassette holder, and the cassette becomes improper. When the cassette is completely inserted, the detection lever moves and the engaging portion engages with the blocking member, and the cassette cannot be mounted. That is, it is extremely reduced that the cassette is incompletely inserted while the cassette holder 1 is moving. It becomes possible.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a cassette mounting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

7 and 8, parts having the same numbers as those of the first embodiment have the same names and the same structures. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.

Reference numeral 40 connects the connecting plate side wall members 2 and 2 '. 9, 9 'are detection levers; 37, 37' are means for moving the detection levers 9, 9 '; pressing surfaces 38, 38' substantially parallel to the bottom plate 4 of the cassette holder 1 and pressing release surfaces inclined with respect thereto; 39, 39 'are formed continuously and integrally provided on the connecting plate 40.

Reference numerals 41 and 41 'denote blocking members.
2 '. When the cassette holder 1 is at the first position where the cassette can be inserted, the detection levers 9 and 9 'are connected to the distal ends of the engaging portions 15 and 15' in the same manner as in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment. The detection levers 9, 9 'are moved to the fifth position by contacting the pressing surfaces 38, 38' of the moving means 37, 37 '.

The operation of the cassette mounting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described below.

After the insertion of the cassette into the cassette holder 1 is completed, a drive motor (not shown) provided in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus main body starts rotating, and the cassette holder 1 is rotated.
The operation up to the horizontal movement along the L-shaped guide grooves 3, 3 'of the side wall members 2, 2' is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description here is omitted.

The cassette holder 1 has the pressing surface portions 38, 3
8 'and the detection levers 9 and 9' as they pass through the pressure releasing surfaces 39 and 39 ', the first elastic members 17, 1
Due to the tension of 7 ', the cassette moves upward to a position where the cassette comes into contact with the flat portions 12b, 12b' provided on the cassette detecting portions 12, 12 '. Since the movement is stopped by contacting the cassette, a gap c is generated between the engaging portions 15, 15 'and the blocking members 41, 41'.

Therefore, the cassette holder 1 is
Even at the third position where the blocking members 41 and 41 'can be engaged with the engaging portions 15, 15' and the blocking members 41 and 4, respectively.
When the cassette mounting operation is completed, the cassette mounting operation is completed, and the cassette holder is in the second position.

FIG. 8 shows a case where the cassette is inserted into the cassette holder 1 in an incomplete state. When the cassette holder 1 is moved in this state, the entire cassette holder 1 is moved, and similarly, a drive motor (not shown) provided in the main body of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus starts to rotate and moves horizontally.

The engaging portions 15, provided on the detecting levers 9, 9 ',
15 'passes through the pressing surfaces 38, 38' and the pressing release surface 3
As they pass through 9, 39 ', the detection levers 9, 9' move upward due to the tension of the first elastic members 17, 17 '.

The flat part 12 constituting the cassette detecting part 12
b, since there is no cassette in the inclined surface portion 12a or the flat surface portion 12b 'and the inclined surface portion 12a' constituting the cassette detecting portion 12 ', the detection levers 9, 9' are provided on the side plates 5, 5 '. Lever guide groove 11 provided in lever guide pin 10 and detection lever 9 or lever guide groove 1 provided in lever guide pin 10 'and detection lever 9'
It moves until it comes into contact with the end face 1 ', and stops after contact.

At this time, there is no gap between the engaging portion 15 and the blocking member 41 provided on the connecting plate 40 or between the engaging portion 15 'and the blocking member 41' provided on the connecting plate 40. There is an overlap with respect to the movement in the direction, and an overlap amount e occurs.

Therefore, the cassette holder 1 is
And blocking member 41, or engaging portion 15 'and blocking member 41'.
When the cassette holder 1 is moved to the third position where it can engage, the cassette holder 1 moves the engaging portion 15 and the blocking member 41 or the engaging portion 15 '.
And the blocking member 41 'are engaged, and the movement of the cassette holder 1 is stopped, so that the cassette holder 1 cannot pass below the blocking members 41 and 41', cannot move from the parallel movement to the vertical movement, and the cassette is not mounted.

As is clear from the above description, the second embodiment is based on the first embodiment, and only the blocking members 41, 41 'are integrally formed with the side wall members 2, 2'. .
By doing so, it is possible to reduce the size of the connecting plate 40, thereby making it possible to configure the connecting plate 40 at low cost, and to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

Next, a description will be given of a cassette mounting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 9, 10, and 11, parts having the same numbers as those of the first embodiment have the same names and the same configurations. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.

43 and 43 'are detection levers and 42 and 42'
Are means for moving the detection levers 43, 43 ', and pressing surfaces 44, 4 substantially parallel to the low surface plate 4 of the cassette holder 1.
4 'and a pressing release surface portion 45, 45' inclined with respect thereto.
Are continuously formed and provided integrally with the side wall members 2, 2 '. A blocking member 4 is provided on the side wall members 2 and 2 '.
6, 46 'are formed continuously with the moving means 42, 42'.

Reference numerals 10 and 10 'denote lever guide pins provided on the side plates 5 and 5' so as to be slidable with lever guide grooves 11 and 11 'formed in the detection levers 43 and 43'. Reference numerals 12 and 12 'denote cassette detecting portions capable of detecting the inserted cassette, which are formed integrally with the detecting levers 43 and 43'.
b, 12b '.

Reference numerals 47 and 47 'denote engagement portions, and the detection lever 4
3, 43 'are formed integrally with the blocking members 46, 46' formed integrally with the side wall members 2, 2 '.

Reference numerals 16 and 16 'denote cassette positioning portions for preventing the inserted cassette from being inserted more than necessary, and are formed integrally with the cassette detecting portions 12 and 12'.

Reference numerals 17 and 17 'denote first elastic members which are provided between the detection levers 43 and 43' and the side plates 5 and 5 ', and constantly apply an urging force to the detection levers 43 and 43' in the upward direction. doing.

When the cassette holder 1 is at the first position where the cassette can be inserted, the detection levers 43 and 43 '
As shown in FIG. 9, the engaging surfaces 47, 47 'and the pressing surfaces 44, 42 of the moving means 42, 42' of the detecting levers 43, 43 'are used.
It is in a state of being moved to the fifth position by abutting with 44 '.

The operation of the cassette mounting apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described below.

The cassette holder 1 is located at the first position where the cassette can be inserted. In this state, when the cassette is inserted into the cassette holder 1 from the front, the cassette holder 1 is first constituted by the upper front of the cassette as in the conventional case. The cassette is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom plate 4 by rotating the leaf springs 8 and 8 'fixed to the top plate 7 in the direction of arrow a.

Further, when the insertion of the cassette is continued, a gap f is formed between the lower front portion of the cassette and the flat portions 12b, 12b 'of the cassette detecting portions 12, 12', and the bottom of the front surface of the cassette is the cassette detecting portion. Plane part 12 of 12, 12 '
b, 12b 'and pass through the cassette positioning portions 16, 16' without coming into contact with the cassette positioning portion 16, 16 '. As for the cassette insertion force until the insertion is completed, the urging force of the first elastic members 17, 17 'acts between the pressing surface portions 44, 44' of the moving means 42, 42 'and the side plates 5, 5'. Since it does not act on the cassette via 12, 12 ', it can be performed very smoothly.

When the insertion of the cassette is continued as shown in FIG. 10, the entire cassette holder 1 moves, and a drive motor (not shown) provided in the main body of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus rotates similarly to the conventional case. First, cassette holder 1
Performs horizontal movement along the L-shaped guide grooves 3, 3 'of the side wall members 2, 2'.

The cassette holder 1 has the pressing surfaces 44, 4
The detection levers 43 and 43 'pass through the pressure release surfaces 45 and 45' and pass through the first elastic members 17, 43.
Due to the tension of 17 ', the cassette moves upward to a position where the cassette comes into contact with the flat portions 12b, 12b' provided on the cassette detecting portions 12, 12 '. Since the movement is stopped by contacting the cassette, a gap c is generated between the engaging portions 47 and 47 'and the blocking members 46 and 46'.

Therefore, the cassette holder 1 is
Even in the third position where the locking members 47, 47 'and the blocking members 46, 46' can be engaged, the engaging portions 47, 47 'and the blocking members 46, 4
6 'does not engage with the lower end of the blocking members 46 and 46', and moves from parallel movement to vertical movement. When the cassette mounting operation is completed, the cassette holder is in the second position.

FIG. 11 shows a case where the cassette is inserted into the cassette holder 1 in an incomplete state. In this case, the cassette does not come into contact with either the cassette positioning member 16 or 16 ', and the flat portion 12b' and the inclined portion 12 of the cassette detecting portion 12 'provided on the detecting lever 43 are provided.
a 'is located at a position that does not exist on the projection as viewed from the top surface of the cassette.

When the cassette holder 1 is moved in this state, the entire cassette holder 1 is moved, and a driving motor (not shown) provided in the main body of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus starts rotating as in the conventional case, and moves horizontally. Do.

The engaging portions 4 provided on the detecting levers 43 and 43 '
7, 47 'pass through the pressing surfaces 44, 44' and pass through the pressing releasing surfaces 45, 45 ', and the detection lever 4
3, 43 'is moved upward by the tension of the first elastic members 17, 17'.

The flat part 12 constituting the cassette detecting part 12
b, since there is no cassette in the inclined surface portion 12a or the flat surface portion 12b 'and the inclined surface portion 12a' constituting the cassette detecting portion 12 ', the detection levers 43, 43' are provided on the side plates 5, 5 '. Lever guide pinch 10 and lever guide groove 11 provided in detection lever 43, or
It moves until it comes into contact with the lever guide pin 10 'and the end face of the lever guide groove 11' provided in the detection lever 43 ', and stops after contact.

At this time, there is no gap between the engaging portion 47 and the blocking member 46 provided on the side wall member 2 or between the engaging portion 47 'and the blocking member 46' provided on the side wall member 2 '. There is an overlap with respect to the horizontal movement, and an overlap amount e occurs.

Therefore, the cassette holder 1 is
And blocking member 46, or engaging portion 47 'and blocking member 46'.
When the cassette holder 1 is moved to the third position where it can be engaged, the cassette holder 1 moves the engaging portion 47 and the blocking member 46 or the engaging portion 47 '.
And the blocking member 46 'is engaged, the movement of the cassette holder 1 is stopped, and it is impossible to pass below the blocking members 46 and 46', so that the movement from the parallel movement to the vertical movement cannot be performed, and the cassette is not mounted.

As is clear from the above description, the third embodiment is configured such that the blocking members 47, 47 'and the moving means 42, 42' of the detection lever are integrally formed with the side wall members 2, 2 '. Since the connecting plate 13 of the first embodiment and the connecting plate 40 of the second embodiment are not used as in the first embodiment, the connecting plate 48 can be made extremely small, and can be constructed at low cost. And the same effect as the second embodiment can be obtained.

Next, a description will be given of a cassette mounting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 12, 13, and 14, the components having the same numbers as those of the first embodiment have the same names and the same configurations. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.

50 and 50 'are detection levers and 49 and 49'
Are means for moving the detection levers 50, 50 ', and pressing surfaces 51, 5 substantially parallel to the bottom plate 4 of the cassette holder 1.
1 'and a pressing release surface portion 52, 52' inclined with respect thereto.
Are formed continuously and provided integrally with the connection plate 53. The connection plate 53 includes a blocking member 5.
4, 54 'are formed and connect the side wall members 2, 2'.

55 and 55 'are side plates 60 and 60'.
, And is configured to be rotatable with lever rotation holes 56, 56 'formed in the detection levers 50, 50'.

Reference numerals 57, 57 'denote cassette detecting portions which can detect the inserted cassette, are formed integrally with the detecting levers 50, 50', and are constructed so as to be able to come into contact with the front surface of the inserted cassette. I have.

Reference numerals 58 and 58 'denote engagement portions, and the detection lever 5
0, 50 'are formed at positions where they can be engaged with blocking members 54, 54' formed integrally with the connecting plate 53.

Reference numerals 59, 59 'denote cassette positioning portions for preventing the inserted cassette from being inserted more than necessary, and are formed integrally with the bottom plate 4.

Reference numerals 61, 61 'denote side plates 60, 60'.
The pins 61, 61 'are configured to be able to contact the detection levers 50, 50'.
The rotation range of 0,50 'is regulated.

Reference numerals 17 and 17 'denote first elastic members, which are provided between the detection levers 50 and 50' and the side plates 60 and 60 '. Has been granted.

When the cassette holder 1 is at the first position where the cassette can be inserted, the detecting levers 50 and 50 'are engaged with the engaging portions 58 and 58' and the detecting lever 5 as shown in FIG.
0, 50 'pressing means 51, 5 of moving means 49, 49'
It is in a state of being moved to the fifth position by contact with 1 '.

The operation of the above-configured cassette mounting apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

The cassette holder 1 is at the first position in which the cassette can be inserted. In this state, when the cassette is inserted into the cassette holder 1 from the front side, the cassette holder 1 is firstly constituted by the upper front part of the cassette as in the conventional case. When the leaf springs 8, 8 'fixed to the top plate 7 rotate in the direction of arrow a, the cassette is moved to the bottom plate 4.
Is applied in a direction orthogonal to.

Further, when the insertion of the cassette is continued, the cassette detecting sections 57 and 57 'are moved to the cassette positioning sections 59 and 5.
9 ', the bottom of the cassette does not come into contact with the cassette detecting portion 57, and the cassette does not contact the cassette positioning portions 59, 59'. The cassette insertion is completed.

The cassette insertion force until the insertion is completed is controlled by the urging force of the first elastic members 17 and 17 '.
9 'pressing surface portions 51, 51' and side plates 60, 6
It works during 0 'and does not work on the cassette via the cassette detectors 57 and 57', so that it can be performed very smoothly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, when the insertion of the cassette is continued, the entire cassette holder is moved, and the drive motor (not shown) provided in the main body of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus starts to rotate as in the conventional case. The cassette holder 1 moves horizontally along the L-shaped guide grooves 3, 3 'of the side wall members 2, 2'.

The cassette holder 1 has the pressing surfaces 51, 5
1 'and passing through the pressure release surfaces 52, 52', the detection levers 50, 50 '
Due to the tension of 17 ', the cassette detectors 57, 57' rotate in the direction of arrow g to a position where the cassette comes into contact with the cassette. Since the rotation is stopped by abutting on the cassette, a gap h is generated between the engaging portions 58 and 58 'and the blocking members 54 and 54'.

Therefore, the cassette holder 1 is
Even in the third position where the engaging members 58, 58 'and the blocking members 54, 54' can be engaged, the engaging portions 58, 58 'and the blocking members 54, 5
4 'does not engage with it, and moves from the parallel movement to the vertical movement through the lower portion of the blocking members 54, 54', completing the cassette mounting operation and the cassette holder being in the second position.

FIG. 14 shows a case where the cassette is inserted into the cassette holder 1 in an incomplete state. In this case, the cassette is at a position where it does not contact either of the cassette positioning members 59 or 59 '.

When the cassette holder 1 is moved in this state, the entire cassette holder 1 moves, and a drive motor (not shown) provided in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus main body starts rotating as in the conventional case, and moves horizontally. Do.

The engaging portion 5 provided on the detecting levers 50 and 50 '
8, 58 'pass through the pressing surface portions 51, 51' and pass through the pressing release surface portions 52, 52 ', and the detection lever 5 moves.
0,50 'is rotated in the direction of arrow g by the tension of the first elastic members 17,17'. Since there is no cassette in the cassette detection unit 57 or the cassette detection unit 57 ', the detection lever 50 and the pin 61 provided on the side plate 60 or the detection lever 50' and the pin 61 'provided on the side plate 60' Moves until it abuts, and then stops.

At this time, there is no gap between the engaging portion 58 and the blocking member 54 provided on the connecting plate 53 or the engaging portion 58 'and the blocking member 54' provided on the connecting plate 53 '. There is an overlap with the horizontal movement, and an overlap amount i occurs.

Therefore, the cassette holder 1 is not
And blocking member 54, or engaging portion 58 'and blocking member 54'.
When the cassette holder 1 is moved to the third position where it can be engaged, the cassette holder 1 engages with the engaging portion 58 and the blocking member 54 or the engaging portion 58 '.
And the blocking member 54 'are engaged, the movement of the cassette holder 1 is stopped, and the cassette holder 1 cannot pass below the blocking members 54 and 54', cannot move from parallel movement to vertical movement, and the cassette is not mounted.

As is clear from the above description, in the fourth embodiment, the detection levers 50, 50 'are connected to the side plates 60, 6.
0 'and the cassette detector 57,
By constructing the 57 'and the engaging portions 58, 58', the same effects as those of the first, second and third embodiments can be obtained.

[0114]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The insertion force when inserting the cassette into the cassette holder can be significantly reduced at a very low cost. In addition, it is possible to greatly reduce the incomplete insertion of the cassette into the cassette holder, which occurs at the beginning of the movement of the cassette holder, thereby greatly improving the usability of the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cassette mounting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a main part for calculating a cassette insertion force according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a main part for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a main part for explaining the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part for describing an operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part for describing an operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of a main part for describing an operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part for describing the operation of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part for describing the operation of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cassette mounting apparatus according to a conventional example.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of the conventional example.

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of the conventional example.

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part for describing an operation of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cassette holder 2 Side wall member 2 'Side wall member 3 Guide groove 3' Guide groove 3a First guide groove 3a 'First guide groove 3b Second guide groove 3b' Second guide groove 5 Side plate 5 'Side plate 6 Guide pin 6 ′ Guide pin 9 Detection lever 9 ′ Detection lever 12 Cassette detection unit 12 ′ Cassette detection unit 15 Engagement unit 15 ′ Engagement unit 17 First elastic member 17 ′ First elastic member 18 Drive arm 18 ′ Drive arm 37 Detection Lever moving means 37 'Detection lever moving means 41 Blocking member 41' Blocking member

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G11B 15/675 101

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] A cassette holder capable of detachably holding a cassette and a guide pin protruding from a side plate of the cassette holder are movably inserted therein, and the cassette holder can be detachably attached to the cassette holder. A first guide groove for guiding the cassette so as to be able to reciprocate between a first position and a second position at which recording or reproduction of the cassette is possible;
A side wall member having a second guide groove continuously formed in a right angle or a substantially right angle direction from one end of the first guide groove; and a direction in which the cassette holder is moved from the first position to a second position, and A cassette holder driving means having a rotatable drive arm for driving the guide pin so as to be brought in the opposite direction; a detection lever movably provided on the side plate of the cassette holder; A first elastic member capable of urging a cassette detecting portion formed at one end of the lever in a direction for preventing insertion of the cassette into the cassette holder; and a cassette not inserted or incompletely inserted into the cassette holder. Sometimes, the cassette is engaged with an engagement portion formed at another end different from the cassette detection portion formed at one end of the detection lever, thereby forming the cassette. A blocking member for blocking movement of the holder; a detection lever capable of moving the detection lever to a fourth position where the urging force of the first elastic member can act on the cassette; and a fifth position where the urging force of the first elastic member does not act on the cassette. When the cassette holder is at the first position, the detection lever is moved to a fifth position, and the cassette holder is moved from the first position to move the detection lever from the first guide groove to the second position. When the cassette is at a third position before reaching the guide groove, the detection lever can be moved to a fourth position, and when the cassette is not inserted or is incompletely inserted into the cassette holder, the detection of the detection lever is performed. A cassette mounting device characterized in that the cassette mounting device is configured to be able to engage with the blocking member. 2. A detecting lever moving means, wherein a boss is provided on a part of the detecting lever, and the boss can move a cam-shaped guide groove formed in a side wall member. 2. The cassette mounting device according to 1. The 3. A detection lever moving means, as a portion equivalent Semma other detection lever can contact non-skilled, on both sides of the wall member
2. The cassette mounting device according to claim 1, wherein a cam portion is formed on a connecting plate fixed to the surface and restricting a distance between the side wall members on both sides . 4. The cassette mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the detection lever is provided rotatably with respect to the side plate. 5. The cassette mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the detection lever is provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to the side plate. 6. The cassette mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is formed integrally with the side wall member. 7. A blocking member is fixed to the upper surface of both side wall members.
2. The cassette mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the cassette mounting device is formed integrally with a connecting plate for restricting the distance between the side wall members on both sides .