JP3672716B2 - Magnetic tape cartridge - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cartridge, and more particularly to a one-reel type magnetic tape cartridge used in a computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a magnetic tape cartridge (hereinafter also referred to as “cartridge”) that accommodates a magnetic tape used as a recording medium used in an external storage device such as a computer is wound with a magnetic tape on a single reel, A type is known in which this reel is rotatably housed in a cartridge case and one end of a magnetic tape is pulled out to the apparatus side.
[0003]
This magnetic tape cartridge is used by being loaded into a recording / reproducing device (hereinafter referred to as “drive”) such as an external storage device. At the time of loading, positioning is performed based on a reference hole provided on the bottom surface of the cartridge case, a recess provided on the side surface, or an external dimension of the cartridge case itself so that the cartridge is loaded at a predetermined position in the drive.
[0004]
Further, the cartridges are often stored side by side in a library that stores a large number of cartridges, and are often used by taking out a desired cartridge and loading it into a drive during use.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since positioning within the drive requires high accuracy, the method of performing based on the reference hole provided on the bottom surface of the cartridge case or the recess provided on the side surface is affected by the warpage of the molded product. There is a problem that the error becomes large, and the method of positioning based on the outer dimensions is susceptible to dimensional fluctuations due to the difference in resin lots (mainly fluid deformation). It was not always possible to perform stably and accurately.
[0006]
In addition, when the chucking machine takes out a desired cartridge from the library and loads it into the drive, or removes it from the drive and stores it in the library (hereinafter simply referred to as “storage operation”), the cartridge to be inserted into the drive Although it is necessary to sandwich a part of the rear side of the case with the chucking claws, it is necessary to stabilize the chucking in order to accurately perform the storing operation.
[0007]
Furthermore, the storage space for each cartridge on the library shelf must have a gap for inserting a chucking claw between the cartridge and the cartridge, and the smaller the gap, the better the space efficiency. There was a problem that King became difficult.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a magnetic tape cartridge that enables positioning that is not easily affected by dimensional fluctuations of the cartridge case such as warping of a molded product, and is also suitable for storing in a library. It is intended to do.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention is a magnetic tape cartridge in which a reel around which a magnetic tape is wound is rotatably accommodated in a rectangular parallelepiped cartridge case,
A notch extending from the back of the magnetic tape cartridge to the recording / reproducing apparatus for the magnetic tape cartridge in the loading direction is inserted into the chucking claw for chucking the magnetic tape cartridge from the back side. The notch is provided at the corner of the back surface of the cartridge case.
[0011]
Furthermore, in the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention, it is more desirable to provide a positioning recess on a part of the side surface or upper surface of the notch.
[0012]
In the above description, the “rear side in the loading direction” means a rear surface when the magnetic tape cartridge is inserted into a corresponding recording / reproducing apparatus such as an external recording apparatus.
[0013]
Further, the shape of the notch is preferably, for example, a quadrangle when the notch is viewed from the back in the loading direction (as viewed from the back), but is not limited to a quadrangle. Further, the shape of the positioning concave portion can be any shape such as a circular shape or a quadrangular shape of the opening portion, or may be formed in a groove shape.
[0014]
【The invention's effect】
In the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention, the notch is provided at the “periphery” on the back of the cartridge case in the loading direction, and positioning is performed with reference to the notch, so that the positioning accuracy is affected by the warp of the case. Become. In particular, if the notch is disposed at the corner of the cartridge case, it becomes less susceptible to the warping of the case. In addition, when positioning the magnetic tape cartridge in the recording / reproducing apparatus, it is possible to support a predetermined surface of the notch, so that the direction in which the magnetic tape cartridge is supported can be easily set, and the positioning can be performed properly. Become. In particular, if a positioning recess is provided in a part of the notch, positioning can be performed with high accuracy using the positioning recess as a reference.
[0015]
In addition, the notch has a shape that extends in the loading direction from the peripheral edge of the “rear side in the loading direction”, so that the chucking can be stabilized in the storing operation in the library, and a space for inserting the chucking claw is formed by the notch. Therefore, even if the cartridge insertion opening of the library is made to have a minimum shape, the chucking claw can be easily inserted from the back side, and the space efficiency of the library can be improved.
[0016]
Further, it is not necessary to make the shape of the notch and the positioning concave portion special, and since the cartridge case can be easily manufactured with a simple structure, the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention can be realized at low cost. Therefore, practical and industrial value is great.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of a magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a magnetic tape cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a magnetic tape cartridge 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a magnetic tape 20 wound around a single reel 4 in which a lower reel 5 and an upper reel 6 are joined by ultrasonic welding, and an upper case. A reel 4 is rotatably housed in a cartridge case 7 formed by fastening 2 and a lower case 3 with screws or the like.
[0019]
The lower reel 5 is formed by integrally molding a cylindrical reel hub 23 around which the magnetic tape 20 is wound and a flange portion 24 projecting radially from the outer periphery of the lower end of the reel hub 23 with a synthetic resin. A reel plate 8 for attaching a magnet-type rotation driving means for rotating the reel 4 to the outer surface is attached. Further, on the inner surface of the bottom portion of the reel hub 23, a restraining gear 23A that engages with a restraining gear 9A formed on the brake button 9 and restrains rotation when not in use is formed. Further, the reel hub 23 is formed with an opening 23B through which a drive releasing spindle provided in a recording / reproducing device (drive) such as an external storage device using the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is inserted to move the brake button 9 upward. Has been.
[0020]
The brake button 9 has the above-described stopping gear 9A formed on the side facing the reel hub 23, and a fitting groove 9B into which the brake guide protrusion formed on the upper case 2 is fitted on the opposite side. Has been. The brake button 9 is attached to the inside of the reel hub 23 while being urged downward in the figure by the coil spring 10, and the restraining gears 9A and 23A of the brake button 9 and the reel hub 23 are engaged with each other so that the reel 4 is not engaged. Rotation during use is prevented. On the other hand, when the cartridge is used, when the drive release spindle of the drive presses the brake button 9, the brake button 9 moves upward in the figure against the urging force of the coil spring 10, thereby engaging the locking gears 9 </ b> A and 23 </ b> A. The combination is released and the reel 4 can be freely rotated.
[0021]
An opening 26 for drawing out the magnetic tape 20 is formed on one side wall of the cartridge case 7. A sliding door 27 that can move in the direction of arrow A parallel to the side wall of the cartridge case 7 is attached to the opening 26. The slide door 27 is urged in a direction to close the opening 26 by a spring (not shown).
[0022]
Further, the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is in a state in which the magnetic tape 20 is completely wound around the reel 4 when not in use, and the leader pin 21 attached to the end of the magnetic tape 20 (the drive using the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is magnetic tape). (Means for introducing 20 into the tape running path in the apparatus) is locked in the recess 28 formed in the vicinity of the opening 26.
[0023]
On the other hand, positioning notches 50 are provided at both corners of the rear side surface (back surface in the loading direction) of the upper case 2 in the direction in which the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is inserted into the drive (loading direction; arrow X in the figure). . When the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is inserted into the drive from the loading direction X and is set at a predetermined position in the drive with reference to the notch 50, the stop gear 9A between the brake button 9 and the reel hub 23 is set as described above. , 23A is released and the reel 4 is made rotatable, and a magnet-type rotational driving means is joined to the reel plate 8 to rotate the reel 4. At the same time, the slide door 27 is opened and the leader pin 21 is pulled into a predetermined position in the tape running path, so that data can be read from and written to the magnetic tape 20. Hereinafter, the configuration of the notch 50 will be described in detail.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the shape of the first embodiment of the cutout portion 50, a view (rear view) (A) viewed from the back in the loading direction of the cartridge case 7 and an enlarged perspective view of the cutout portion 50 as viewed from the back. (B) is shown. The cutout portion 50 is provided at the corner of the upper case 2 as shown in FIG. 2A, has a square cutout shape when viewed from the back, and has a predetermined length in the loading direction as shown in FIG. It has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Thus, by providing the notch 50 at the corner of the cartridge case 7, the cartridge case 7 is not easily affected by the warp. Further, when positioning the magnetic tape cartridge 1 in the drive, it is possible to support the upper surface 50a or the side surface 50b and further the rear surface 50c of the notch 50, so that it is easy to set the direction in which the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is supported. , Positioning can be performed properly.
[0025]
Further, the cutout portion 50 has a shape extending in the loading direction from the back in the loading direction and is provided at both corners of the long side portion of the cartridge case 7, so that the cartridge case 7 can be chucked from the lateral direction, and the library is stored. Stabilization of chucking in work can be achieved. In addition, since a space where the chucking claw can be inserted is formed by the cutout portion 50, a space where the chucking claw can be inserted is secured even if the opening for inserting the magnetic tape cartridge 1 of the library has a minimum shape. The space efficiency of the library can be improved. The shape of the notch 50 in the first embodiment is not limited to the shape of the notch in the back view as shown in FIG. 2 described above. However, any other shape can be used.
[0026]
Further, the cutout portion 50 may have a shape in which both short sides of the back surface of the cartridge case 7 are cut out as shown in FIG.
[0027]
On the other hand, the number of the cutout portions 50 is not limited and may be one, but particularly when a plurality of the cutout portions 50 are provided, they have the same shape as in the first embodiment. Or, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, they do not necessarily have the same shape.
[0028]
Furthermore, the arrangement location of the notch 50 in the first embodiment is not limited to both corners of the long side portion of the upper case 2 as shown in FIG. 2, for example, FIGS. ) May be provided at both corners of the long side of the lower case 3, both corners of the short side of the cartridge case 7, and four corners of the back surface of the cartridge case 7. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the cartridge case 7 may be disposed at a peripheral portion other than the corner.
[0029]
As described above, even in the aspect in which the shape and the arrangement location of the notch 50 are changed, the effects of the above-described optimization of positioning, stabilization of chucking, and improvement of the space efficiency of the library can be similarly enjoyed. In particular, when the notches 50 are provided at the four corners on the back surface of the cartridge case 7, the cartridge case 7 can be chucked from the thickness direction and the lateral direction at the same time, so that more stable chucking can be performed. become able to.
[0030]
Next, a second embodiment of the notch will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the notch, and shows an enlarged perspective view of the notch as viewed from the back. As shown in FIG. 7, a notch 50 having a square notch shape when viewed from the back is formed at the corner of the back of the upper case 2 in the mounting direction. A positioning recess 52 having a circular shape is provided. Thus, by providing the positioning recess 52 in a part of the notch 50, the positioning of the magnetic tape cartridge 1 in the drive supports the upper surface 50 a or the side surface 50 b and further the back surface 50 c of the notch 50. Since positioning can be performed by the positioning recess 52, the direction in which the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is supported can be easily set, and the positioning accuracy can be increased. Further, since the positioning concave portion 52 is formed in a concave shape, the positioning concave portion 52 does not affect the support for positioning and the storing operation in the library.
[0031]
The shape of the positioning recess 52 provided in the notch 50 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 7. For example, the shape of the opening is not a circle but a square, or FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8B, the whole may be formed in a groove shape, and the location may be a part of the side surface 50b as shown in FIG. Is possible.
[0032]
As described above, even in the aspect in which the shape of the notch 50, the shape of the positioning recess 52, and the arrangement location are changed, the above-described effect of improving the positioning accuracy can be similarly enjoyed.
[0033]
Note that the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the cartridge case side surface has a tapered corner, or FIG. As shown in the drawing, various shapes can be used as long as the overall shape of the upper case is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a magnetic tape cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view (A) of a cartridge case showing the shape of the first embodiment of the cutout portion and the cutout portion. Enlarged perspective view (B)
FIG. 3 is a rear view (A) and an enlarged perspective view (B) showing a modification of the first embodiment.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are rear views showing another modification of the first embodiment. FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a rear view (A) to (C) showing a modification of the arrangement location of the notch.
6 is a rear view (A) to (C) showing another modified example of the arrangement location of the notch portion. FIG.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a shape of a notch portion in which a positioning recess is provided, which is a second embodiment of the notch portion. FIG. 8 is a rear view showing a modification of the second embodiment. (A) and enlarged perspective view (B)
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a modification of the outer shape of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another modification of the outer shape of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention.
1 Magnetic Tape Cartridge 2 Upper Case 3 Lower Case 4 Reel 7 Cartridge Case 50 Notch 52 Recess for Positioning

Claims (1)

In a magnetic tape cartridge in which a reel around which a magnetic tape is wound is accommodated rotatably in a rectangular parallelepiped cartridge case,
A notch that extends in the loading direction from the back of the magnetic tape cartridge to the recording / reproducing apparatus for the magnetic tape cartridge, and a chucking claw for chucking the magnetic tape cartridge is inserted from the back side. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a notch is provided at a corner of the back surface of the cartridge case.

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