JP3738906B2 - Magnetic tape device and unthreading processing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an unthreading process of a magnetic tape apparatus using a magnetic tape cartridge for recording / reproducing data of a computer or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a 1/2 inch magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the threader arm and the leader block of the magnetic tape apparatus using the tape cartridge. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the magnetic tape device.
[0003]
When reading or writing data, the leader block 3 connected to the tip of the magnetic tape 2 is coupled to the threader pin 5 and the threader arm 6 is moved to the position of the TP-B (Tape Path-B) sensor 11. Then, the magnetic tape 2 is pulled out from the cartridge 1.
[0004]
The tape from which data has been read or written is rotated by the rotation of the clutch gear 7 caused by the rotation of the file reel motor 8 in the winding direction, and the TP-A (Tape Path installed near the tape outlet of the mounted tape cartridge. -A) By moving the threader arm 6 in the direction of the sensor 9, the tape is wound into the cartridge while maintaining an appropriate tension on the magnetic tape, the leader block is transported, the leader block is latched to the cartridge, Completed. This process is called an unthreading process.
[0005]
Completion of winding is determined as the leader block 3 is latched to the leader block / latch portion 4 of the cartridge by the detection of the threader arm 6 by the TP-A sensor 9 and the processing is completed. When the tape cartridge 1 is ejected from the magnetic tape device, it is necessary to store the tape 2 in the cartridge 1, and therefore unthreading processing is performed.
[0006]
As described above, in the unthreading process of the conventional magnetic tape device, the leader block is transported by the threader arm with a force slightly stronger than the latching force, and after the threader arm is detected by the TP-A sensor, the leader block is moved into the cartridge. Judged that it was fully latched.
[0007]
For example, a threading mechanism in a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus capable of obtaining a stable operation is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-135003
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if for some reason the leader block / latch force on the cartridge side is heavier than usual, the leader block may not be pushed into the cartridge with the normal leader block conveying force. Even in this case, since the TP-A sensor 9 detects the threader arm 6, it has been determined that the leader block 3 can be normally stored in the cartridge. The reason is that it is not assumed that the latching force on the cartridge side may become heavy when the latch / unlatch is repeated.
[0010]
If it is determined that the unthreading process has been completed while the leader block cannot be properly latched in the cartridge, the leader block will not be properly stored in the cartridge and will be ejected out of the device. In some cases, this could be a serious obstacle to the tape withdrawal process.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic tape device and an unthreading processing method for determining whether or not a leader block has been correctly stored (latched) in a cartridge in an unthreading process of a 1/2 inch magnetic tape device. And
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention detects a threader arm that is installed near the tape outlet of a mounted tape cartridge in a magnetic tape apparatus that performs magnetic recording and reproduction using a tape cartridge containing a magnetic tape. A sensor, and a control means for driving the threader arm in the leader block pulling direction with a driving force weaker than a normal leader block and latching force after the magnetic tape is stored in the tape cartridge by unthreading processing. When the non-detection of the threader arm is confirmed by the sensor, the leader block is transported with a force stronger than the normal leader block pushing force, and the leader block is pushed again into the cartridge.
[0013]
With the above configuration, the leader block can be completely stored in the cartridge.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
The basic operation of the magnetic tape device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The magnetic tape apparatus of the present invention uses a 1/2 inch magnetic tape cartridge, and a threading process for pulling out the magnetic tape from the cartridge and fixing it to the machine reel by the control unit inside the apparatus, and unthreading for storing the magnetic tape in the cartridge Perform processing.
[0016]
When reading or writing data, the leader block 3 connected to the tip of the magnetic tape 2 is coupled to the threader pin 5 and the threader arm 6 is moved to the position of the TP-B (Tape Path-B) sensor 11. Then, the magnetic tape 2 is pulled out from the cartridge 1.
[0017]
The tape from which data has been read or written is rotated by the rotation of the clutch gear 7 caused by the rotation of the file reel motor 8 in the winding direction, and the TP-A (Tape Path installed near the tape outlet of the mounted tape cartridge. -A) By moving the threader arm 6 in the direction of the sensor 9, the tape is wound into the cartridge while maintaining an appropriate tension on the magnetic tape, the leader block is conveyed, and the leader block is latched to the cartridge. The processing so far is the same as the conventional one. When threading processing and unthreading processing are performed, the number of times can be counted to predict the life of a driving unit such as a motor.
[0018]
In the present invention, even if the threader arm 6 is detected by the TP-A sensor 9, it is not determined that the leader block is completely latched to the cartridge. The threader arm 6 is conveyed in the direction of the TP-B sensor 11 with a force weaker than the latching force for a predetermined time, and the change of the TP-A sensor 9 is confirmed. When there is no change in the TP-A sensor, it can be determined that the leader block has been pushed in with a normal conveying force.
[0019]
However, when the threader arm 6 is not detected by the TP-A sensor 9, that is, when the tape is pulled out again by the conveying force of the threader arm weaker than usual, the leader block 3 is not completely latched. The transport force of the threader arm is increased, the leader block 3 is moved again in the direction of the TP-A sensor 9, and a retry of pushing into the cartridge is performed.
[0020]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the unthreading process, the magnetic tape wound around the machine reel 12 is loosened, the threader arm 6 is driven in the direction of the TP-A sensor 9 along the arm travel path 10 (S11), and the file motor is rotated in the tape winding direction. (S12), performed by transporting the leader block. The transport force at this time is a slightly strong transport force that pushes the leader block against the normal leader block / latch force.
[0021]
After driving the threader arm and the file motor, the TP-B sensor 11 monitors whether the threader arm 6 is not detected (S13). If the TP-B sensor is not in the non-detection state for a certain time (S14), it is determined that the threader arm is operating abnormally, and the unthreading process ends abnormally (S15).
[0022]
When the TP-B sensor is in a non-detection state, that is, after the movement of the threader arm can be detected, it waits for the TP-A sensor to detect the threader arm next (S16). If the threader arm cannot be detected by the TP-A sensor for a certain period of time (S17), it is determined that the arm has stopped halfway for some reason, and an unthreading process error occurs (S18).
[0023]
When the threader arm can be detected by the TP-A sensor, the threader arm is continuously driven for a certain period of time, and pushing is performed so that the leader block can be completely latched in the leader block / latch portion of the cartridge (S19). Thereafter, the threader arm and the file motor are stopped (S20). The operation so far is the same as the conventional control.
[0024]
However, in the case of the conventional control, when the force of the leader block / latch portion on the cartridge side is heavier than usual for some reason, the leader block is not completely latched. Even in this case, since the TP-A sensor detects the threader arm from the positional relationship of the sensor, it is judged that the unthreading is completed, that is, the leader block is completely latched to the cartridge, and the leader block is not latched incompletely. The cartridge is ejected out of the device.
[0025]
In order to avoid this, in the present invention, after the detection by the TP-A sensor (S16) and the pressing process for a certain time (S19), the threader arm is once transported in the direction of the TP-B sensor for a certain time, and the leader block is pulled out. Perform (S21). At this time, the threader arm conveyance force is set to be slightly weaker than the normal leader block / latch force. That is, the leader block is pulled out with a weaker force than the leader block pull-out force in the normal threading process. The reason why the leader block is pulled out with a weaker force than usual is that a leader block that is reliably latched is not pulled out by this process. For this reason, when the non-detection of the threader arm is confirmed by the TP-A sensor (S22), the leader block has been pulled out, and it can be determined that the leader block has not been latched reliably.
[0026]
When the threader arm is not detected by the TP-A sensor (S22), the leader block is transported with a force stronger than the normal leader block pushing force, and the leader block is pushed again into the cartridge (S23). The reason why the pushing force is stronger than the normal pushing force is that the leader block / latch force of the cartridge that is repeatedly latched / unlatched may gradually become heavier.
[0027]
When the leader block is transported with a force stronger than the normal pushing force and is latched in the cartridge, the load on the threading motor increases and the durability of the motor is greatly affected. Therefore, when the leader block is transported with a large driving force, a counter is provided in the non-volatile memory inside the device, the number of times is counted (S24), and the counter is periodically monitored, thereby allowing threading. The life of the motor can be grasped. For example, it is possible to prevent a failure beforehand by outputting a signal that prompts overhaul when a preset value is exceeded. The retry count is performed separately from the normal threading process and unthreading process.
[0028]
Even if it is determined that the cartridge has a heavy latching force and the leader block is transported by driving the threader arm with a strong force (S23), if the threader arm cannot be detected by the TP-A sensor (S25), an unthreading error is detected. Judgment is made (S26).
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the first effect of the present invention is that the leader block can be completely accommodated in the cartridge, so that there is no failure in demounting and the apparatus is not blocked. The reason is that even if the cartridge has a heavier latching force than usual, the leader block can be completely stored in the cartridge, and when the cartridge is subsequently demounted, the leader block and the threader pin can be smoothly uncoupled.
[0030]
The second effect is that in the case of a collective device, the leader block is not fully latched and is not loaded into another device. As a result, it is possible to avoid a loading failure due to incomplete connection between the leader block and the threader pin during loading. The reason is that the leader block is completely latched to the cartridge by the unthreading process, so that the cartridge incompletely latched is not loaded into another device.
[0031]
A third effect is that when a control different from the normal control is performed in the leader block storage control, a failure due to the end of the motor life can be prevented by providing a means for confirming the durability of the motor.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a 1/2 inch magnetic tape cartridge.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a threader arm and a leader block.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the magnetic tape device.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an unthreading process of the magnetic tape device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cartridge 2 Magnetic tape 3 Leader block 4 Leader block latch part 5 Threader pin 6 Threader arm 7 Clutch gear 8 File reel motor 9 TP-A sensor 10 Arm travel path 11 TP-B sensor 12 Machine reel

Claims (6)

In a magnetic tape device that performs magnetic recording / reproduction using a tape cartridge containing a magnetic tape,
A sensor installed near the tape outlet of the mounted tape cartridge to detect the threader arm,
After the magnetic tape accommodated in the tape cartridge after the removal threading process, by driving the threader arm with a weak driving force from the leader block latch force the withdrawal direction of the leader block, the Ann threading process when confirming the detection of a threader arm in the sensor And a control means for conveying the leader block with a force stronger than the force for pushing the leader block in the unthreading process and re-pressing the leader block into the cartridge when non-detection is confirmed. Magnetic tape unit. When the non-detection is confirmed as a result of the re-pressing,
2. The magnetic tape device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines that unthreading is abnormal. When performing the conveyance of the leader block with a strong force than the force to push the leader block in Ann threading process, the magnetic tape apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a counter for counting the number of times. In an unthreading processing method of a magnetic tape device that performs magnetic recording / reproduction using a tape cartridge containing a magnetic tape,
After storing the magnetic tape in the tape cartridge by unthreading processing, the threader arm is driven in the leader block pull-out direction with a driving force weaker than the leader block / latch force ,
When confirming the detection of a threader arm in mounted sensor placed near the tape outlets of the tape cartridge will complete the removal threading process, when confirming the non-detection pushes the leader block in Ann threading process force An unthreading processing method for a magnetic tape device , wherein the leader block is conveyed with a stronger force and the leader block is re-pressed into the cartridge . 5. The unthreading processing method for a magnetic tape device according to claim 4 , wherein when the non-detection is further confirmed as a result of the re-pressing, it is determined that the unthreading is abnormal. 6. The unthreading processing method for a magnetic tape device according to claim 4 , wherein when the leader block is conveyed with a force stronger than the force for pushing the leader block in the unthreading process , the number of times is counted.

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