JPH0583980B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention provides an optimal method for automatically loading a large number of video cassettes into a video tape recorder in sequence and selectively in order to perform, for example, continuous video playback over a long period of time. An automatic cassette loading device that transports cassettes between a cassette storage shelf storing a large number of cassettes, one or more recording and reproducing devices having at least a playback function, and the cassette storage shelf and the recording and reproducing device. a cassette transfer machine, which transfers a cassette taken out from the cassette storage shelf and loads it into the recording/reproducing apparatus, and transfers a cassette taken out from the recording/reproducing apparatus to the cassette transfer apparatus. The present invention relates to a device configured to be transported by a machine and stored in the original storage position of the cassette storage shelf.

[Background technology and its problems]

In this type of automatic cassette loading device, when a used cassette taken out from a recording/reproducing device is transferred by a cassette transfer machine and stored in its original storage position in a cassette storage shelf, the cassette is removed from the cassette transfer machine. It is necessary to make sure that the cassettes are completely fed into the storage rack before starting the movement of the cassette transfer machine to take out the next cassette. In other words, if the cassette transfer machine starts moving to take out the next cassette during the operation of feeding a cassette from the cassette transfer machine into the cassette storage shelf, the cassette will move between the cassette transfer machine and the cassette storage shelf. A serious accident may occur in which the items are pinched by strong force and the items are mutually damaged.

In this case, in order to detect whether the cassettes have been completely fed into the multiple storage positions of the cassette storage shelf from the cassette transfer machine each time, a sensor is provided at each of the multiple storage positions of the cassette storage shelf. However, this method requires a large number of sensors equal to the number of cassettes stored in the cassette, resulting in practical defects such as a complicated structure, high cost, and decreased reliability.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been devised to correct the above-mentioned deficiencies, and by providing only one sensor, the cassettes can be completely fed each time from the cassette transfer machine into the multiple storage positions of the cassette storage shelf. This makes it possible to detect when something has happened.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention is provided with a stopper that protrudes from the front of the cassette ejection port of the cassette storage shelf when the cassettes are completely stored in the shelf. A sensor is installed to detect when it protrudes from the front.
The present invention is characterized in that it is detected that the cassettes from the cassette transfer machine are completely stored in the shelf.

〔Example〕

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a video cassette moving loading device will be described below with reference to the drawings. This device sequentially and selectively automatically loads a large number of video cassettes (hereinafter simply referred to as cassettes) into a video tape recorder (hereinafter simply referred to as VTR) for long-term continuous video playback (and/or video recording). This is an automatic cassette loading device that performs recording.

First, an outline of this automatic cassette loading device will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2B.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, a cassette storage shelf 52 containing a large number of cassettes 51 is arranged vertically, and a cassette transfer machine 53 is disposed on the back of the cassette storage shelf 52.
On the back of 3, there are multiple pieces with at least a playback function.
The VTRs 54 are stacked in multiple layers, one above the other. The cassette storage shelf 52 is provided with a large number of storage positions 55, which are so-called shelves, for storing a large number of cassettes 51 in many rows in the vertical and horizontal directions. 52 and the VTR 54 in the vertical direction (direction of arrow Y) and the horizontal direction (direction of arrow X).

Next, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cassette transfer machine 53 has two upper and lower cassette transfer passages 5.
6,57 are provided. When loading a cassette into the VTR 54, as shown in FIG.
After feeding the cassette 51 in the direction of arrow a, move the cassette transfer device 53 to the designated VTR 54 in the direction of arrow b.
one of the cassette transfer passages 5
Arrow c points the cassette 51 from inside 6 to inside the VTR 54.
Load it by feeding it in the direction. Next, when removing the cassette from the VTR 54, as shown in Figure 2B,
After feeding the cassette 51 from the VTR 54 into the other cassette transfer path 57 of the cassette transfer machine 53 in the direction of arrow c', the cassette transfer machine 53 is transferred to the original storage position 55 of the cassette storage shelf 52 in the direction of arrow b'. and move the cassette 51 from the other cassette transfer path 57 into the original storage position 55 in the direction of the arrow.
It is configured to be sent in and stored in the a′ direction.

Next, details of this automatic cassette loading device will be sequentially explained.

First, the opening/closing door structure of the cassette storage shelf 52 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3A to 4.

First, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a cassette storage shelf 52 is vertically disposed in a large front opening 60 provided in a main body 59 of the automatic cassette loading device. In addition, the cassette transfer machine 53 and VTR
54 is housed within the main body 59.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, both upper and lower ends of one end 52a in the left-right direction of the cassette storage shelf 52 are rotatably connected to a pair of upper and lower hinge holders 62 provided on the main body 59 by a pair of upper and lower hinges 61. It is pivotally supported. Note that the upper and lower hinges 61 each use a pair of upper and lower hinge pins 63 that are perpendicular to each other and have the same axis.

When the automatic cassette loading device is in operation, the front opening 60 of the main body 59 is closed by the cassette storage shelf 52, as shown in FIG. 3A.

Next, the cassette transfer device 53, VTR 54, or cassette storage shelf 52 stored in the main body 59
When adjusting, maintaining, inspecting, and repairing the back side of the main body 59, as shown in FIG. The front opening 60 of is opened.

For the purpose of preventing malfunctions and dangers, the cassette storage shelf 52 should be locked in the closed state as shown in Fig. 3A by a mechanical or electrical locking mechanism (not shown) when the automatic cassette loading device is in operation. This prevents the cassette storage shelf 52 from being opened inadvertently. Further, when the door of the cassette storage shelf 52 is opened as shown in FIG. 3B, it is detected by a door opening detection switch 64 provided on the main body 59, and the operation of the automatic cassette loading device is automatically stopped.

Next, the vertical, left and right transfer drive devices of the cassette transfer device 53 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 13.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, a pair of vertical guide rails 66 are vertically fixed at intervals on the left and right.
A pair of sliders 68 and 69 are attached to the slider 67 and are slidable vertically along the sliders 67, respectively. One end 70a of a horizontal guide rail 70 horizontally arranged between the vertical guide rails 66 and 67 is integrally connected to one slider 68, and the other end 70b of the horizontal guide rail 70 connects the universal joint 71. The slider 69 is connected to the other slider 69 via the slider 69. Further, a cassette transfer device 53 is attached to the upper part of a pair of left and right sliders 72 which are configured to be slidable in the left and right directions along the horizontal guide rail 70.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, both vertical guide rails 66, 67 and both sliders 68, 69
Both are configured in a left-right symmetrical shape. A pair of upper and lower guide rollers 75 are rotatably connected to the front and rear ends of the sliders 68 and 69 in a pair of vertical guide grooves 74 provided along both the front and rear end surfaces of the vertical guide rails 66 and 67. A pair of upper and lower guide rollers 77 are inserted, and both front and rear sides of a vertical guide rib 76 provided along the inner facing surfaces of both vertical guide rails 66, 67 are rotatably pivoted to both sliders 68, 69. It is sandwiched from the front and back by the Therefore, both sliders 68 and 69 are guided by these guide members 74 to 77, and both vertical guide rails 66 and 67
It slides smoothly up and down along the

Next, as shown in FIG.
9 vertically synchronously along both vertical guide rails 66, 67, a pair of left and right timing belts (endless Example of rotating body) 80, 81 and its drive motor 82
It is composed of: At this time, both timing belts 80 and 81 are connected to both vertical guide rails 66 and 6.
It is wound between a pair of upper and lower pulleys 83 and 84 arranged at both the upper and lower end positions of 7, and these pairs of upper and lower pulleys 83 and 84 are connected by a pair of upper and lower rotating shafts 85 and 86, Upper rotating shaft 85
A timing belt 9 is inserted between a pair of pulleys 88 and 89 fixed to a motor shaft 87 of a drive motor 82.
0 is wrapped around it. Parts of both timing belts 80, 81 are held by both sliders 6 by a pair of rail holders 91, 92 which also serve as belt holders.
8 and 69.

Therefore, by driving the drive motor 82 in forward and reverse rotation,
Both timing belts 80 and 81 are rotated synchronously in the vertical direction (in the direction of arrows b and b' in FIG. 5) via the timing belt 90 and rotating shaft 85 without slipping, and via both sliders 68 and 69. The horizontal guide rail 70 is moved parallel in the vertical direction in a horizontal state, so that the cassette transfer device 53 is transferred in the vertical direction. At this time, a positioning encoder (not shown) attached to the motor shaft 87, rotating shaft 85, etc. is used to determine the positions of the cassette transporter 53 in relation to the upper and lower addresses of the storage position 55 of the cassette storage shelf 52 and the upper and lower positions of the VTR 54. positioning is performed.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, front and rear sliders 72 are rotatably pivoted at both front and rear ends of both sliders 72 within a pair of horizontal guide grooves 94 provided along both front and rear end surfaces of the horizontal guide rail 70. Each pair of guide rollers 95 are inserted, and the horizontal guide rails 7
Horizontal guide rib 96 provided along the top surface of 0
Both front and rear sides of the slider 72 are sandwiched from the front and rear by a pair of guide rollers 97 rotatably connected to both sliders 72. Therefore, both sliders 72
is guided by these guide members 94 to 97 and smoothly slides in the left and right direction along the horizontal guide rail 70.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, a horizontal drive mechanism 99 that moves both sliders 72 in the left-right direction along the horizontal guide rail 70 is connected to a timing belt (an endless belt) wound horizontally along the horizontal guide rail 70. It is constituted by a rotating body 100 (an example of a rotating body) and a drive motor 101 thereof. At this time, the timing belt 100 is wound between a pair of left and right pulleys 104, 105 arranged in a pair of pulley housings 102, 103 fixed to both ends 70a, 70b of the horizontal guide rail 70, and is one pulley housing 102
The belt housing 106 is attached to a belt housing 106 that is fixed to the belt housing 106. And motor shaft 1 of drive motor 101
A timing belt 111 is wound between a pair of pulleys 109 and 110 that are fixed to the rotating shaft 108 of one of the pulleys 104 and 07 . A part of the timing belt 100 is attached to a belt presser 112.
The slider 72 is fixed to the upper surface of both sliders 72 by a screw.

Therefore, by driving the drive motor 101 to rotate forward and backward, the timing belt 100 is rotated in the left-right direction (the eighth
The cassette transfer device 53 is configured to be rotated without slipping in the directions of arrows d and d' in the figure, and to be transferred in the left-right direction along a horizontal guide rail 70 via both sliders 72. At this time, a positioning encoder (not shown) attached to the motor shaft 107, rotating shaft 108, etc. is used to determine the left and right addresses of the storage position 55 of the cassette storage shelf 52 and the left and right positions of the VTR 54 of the cassette transfer machine 53. positioning is performed.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 5, one end 70a of the horizontal guide rail 70 is connected to the rail holder 9 of one slider 68 via the belt housing 106.
1, and is rigidly connected to the horizontal guide rail 70.
A universal joint 71 is provided between the rail holder 114 fixed to the pulley housing 103 at the other end 70b and the rail holder 92 of the other slider 69.
is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, this universal joint 71 consists of three upper and lower rollers 115, 116, 117 rotatably pivoted to one rail holder 92.
the upper and lower 3 provided on the other rail holder 114.
These grooves 118, 119, and 120 are engaged with each other. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the pair of upper and lower rollers 115 and 117 are vertically opposed rollers that are rotatable around the vertical axis P ₁ , and the roller 116 located between the upper and lower sides is rotated around the vertical axis P ₁ .
A pair of upper and lower grooves 118, 1 are configured to be rotatable around a horizontal axis _P2 perpendicular to
The groove 20 is formed into a U-shaped groove that is open in two directions, upward and downward, and in the left-right direction, and the groove 119 located between the upper and lower sides is formed into a U-shaped groove that is opened in two directions, backward and left-right. has been done.

According to the universal joint 71 configured in this way, the movement of both rail holders 92 and 114 in the forward and backward tilting direction (direction of arrow e in FIG. 11) is restricted.
2,114 in the left and right sliding direction (first
(in the direction of arrow f in Fig. 2) and the roller 116 located between the upper and lower
Movement in the left and right rotation direction (in the direction of arrow g in FIG. 12) about the center is free.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, when the horizontal guide rail 70 is transferred in the vertical direction (in the direction of arrows b and b') along both the vertical guide rails 66 and 67, the parallelism of the vertical guide rails 66 and 67 Even if the distance l ₁ between the sliders 68 and 69 changes due to misalignment, the change in the distance l ₁ will result in the left-right sliding direction and left-right rotation direction of the universal joint 71 (see Fig. 12). and the degrees of freedom in the directions of arrows f and g). As a result, both sliders 68 and 69 are twisted relative to both vertical guide rails 66 and 67 due to the above-mentioned deviation in parallelism, and are subjected to significant sliding resistance, causing abnormal wear, vibration, and damage to each other.
The generation of noise and the like is prevented, and both sliders 68 and 69 can slide smoothly along both vertical guide rails 66 and 67.

Next, the cassette ejecting mechanism 122 provided at each storage position 55 of the cassette storage shelf 52 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 14 to 19.

First, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16B, each storage position 55 has shelf boards 123 arranged vertically at equal intervals.
and side plates 124, 12 arranged at equal intervals on the left and right.
It is structured as a rectangular parallelepiped space partitioned by 5 and 5. Note that the shelf board 123 is configured in a hollow shape. Each storage position 55 is provided with an ejection opening 126 for the cassette 51 on the back side facing the cassette transfer machine 53, and an insertion opening 127 for the cassette 51 on the front side opposite to the ejection opening 126.
Then, the operator manually inserts the cassette 51 into the storage position 55 from the front insertion port 127.
can be inserted and removed in the directions of arrows a and a' in Fig. 14. The automatic transfer of the cassettes 51 between the storage position 55 and the cassette transfer device 53 is carried out from the direction of arrows a and a' in FIG. 14 at the extrusion port 126 on the rear side. In addition, a recess 128 is provided at approximately the center of the front edge of the shelf board 123 to facilitate manual insertion and removal of the cassette 51 through the insertion slot 127.

The cassette ejecting mechanism 122 has an insertion opening 1.
The extrusion member 130 is moved in the direction of arrow a by a pair of springs 129 from the backward movement position on the side of the extrusion port 127 to the forward movement position on the side of the ejection port 126, the stopper 131 provided at the ejection port 126, and the insertion port A detection member 132 provided on the 127 side is provided.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 16A to 17, the shelf board 1
A pair of slide guide plates 134 are fixed in parallel in the inside of the push-out member 130 along both left and right sides of the reciprocating locus of the extrusion member 130. A slide plate 1 having a U-shaped cross section is formed between these two slide guide plates 134.
35 is slidably arranged, and its slide plate 13
A push-out member 130 is slidably held within the housing 5 . That is, the push-out member 130 is long in the reciprocating direction and has a substantially L-shape with a hook 130a integrally provided at the upper part of the reciprocating direction side, and protrudes on both left and right sides of both ends in the longitudinal direction. Both left and right ends of a pair of horizontally provided slide pins 136 and 137 are connected to each pair of left and right guide grooves 13 provided in the slide plate 135 and both slide guide plates 134.
8 and 139 in a horizontal manner so as to be slidable along these guide grooves 138 and 139. Note that both guide grooves 1 of the slide plate 135 are connected to a guide pin 140 installed between the ends of both slide guide plates 134 on the forward movement position side of the extrusion member 130.
38 are slidably engaged. Note that the pair of springs 129 engaged with both left and right ends of the slide pin 137 on the forward movement side of the extrusion member 130 causes the extrusion member 130 to slide toward the forward movement position (in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 16A). It is energized. At the ends of both guide grooves 139 of both slide guide plates 134 on the backward movement position side of the push-out member 130, lock portions 142 are provided which are recessed downward at a substantially right angle. Further, lock portions 143 recessed downward are also provided at the ends of both guide grooves 138 of the slide plate 135 on the backward movement position side of the extrusion member 130, but the upper edges of these lock portions 143 are A small protrusion 144 is integrally provided, and the lower end edge is formed into an inclined edge 145 that is inclined diagonally upward toward the insertion port 127 side. Note that extrusion member 1
No. 30 hooks 130a are configured to be inserted into elongated holes 146 (see FIG. 14) provided in the shelf board 123 so as to be able to move in and out above the shelf board 123.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16B, the stopper 131 has a substantially L-shaped planar shape,
It is pivotally supported on one side plate 124 via a fulcrum pin 148 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction (in the directions of arrows h and h' in FIG. 14). The stopper 131 is configured to be vertically rotatable within a slit 149 of a flange 124a that is integrally provided at the end of the side plate 124 on the extrusion port 126 side. It is energized to rotate in the direction of arrow h in the figure.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16B, the detection member 132 is arranged in a notch 152 provided at the end of the other side plate 125 on the extrusion port 126 side, and slope 153,
154 is formed. And this detection member 1
32 is attached to the tip of an L-shaped link 156 rotatably supported in the shelf board 123 around a fulcrum pin 155, and is rotated in the left-right direction (in the direction of arrows i and i' in Fig. 16A). It is configured to be movable. In addition, another L is provided in the shelf board 123 via a fulcrum pin 157.
A link 158 is rotatably supported, and both ends of a link 159 are connected to one end 158a of the L-shaped link 158 and the L-shaped link 156 via a pair of pins 160 and 161. The other end 158b of the L-shaped link 158 is connected to the end of the slide plate 135 via a pin 162 and a long hole 163. And that L-shaped link 1
58 is rotated forward (in the direction of arrow j in FIG. 16A) by the spring 164, the slide plate 135 is slid forward (in the direction of arrow a' in FIG. 16A). At the same time, the detection member 132 is urged to rotate into the storage position 55 (in the direction of arrow i' in FIG. 16A) via the link 159 and the L-shaped link 156. and pin 1 of L-shaped link 158
A stopper lock plate 166 is engaged with a guide pin 167 provided in the shelf board 123 through an elongated hole 168, and a stopper lock plate 166 is engaged with the guide pin 167 provided in the shelf board 123 through an elongated hole 168.
a is a notch 169 provided in one side plate 124
It is configured to be able to freely move in and out from the top of the stopper 131. Furthermore, this stopper lock plate 166
The stopper 131 side (first
It is energized to slide in the direction of arrow k in Fig. 6A).

Next, the operation of inserting and removing the cassette 51 from the insertion port 127 into and out of the storage position 55 of the cassette storage shelf 52 by manual operation by the operator will be described.

First, before the insertion of the cassette 51 is started, the pushing member 130 of the cassette pushing mechanism 122 is in the 16th position.
It is moved to the return position shown in Figure A against both springs 129 and locked. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18A, the push-out member 130 is rotated in the direction of arrow m about one slide pin 137, so that the other slide pin 136 engages both lock portions 142, 143 of both guide grooves 138, 139. The hook 130a of the push-out member 130 enters into the lower position of the small protrusion 144 inside and is locked, and the hook 130a of the push-out member 130 enters into the shelf board 123 through the elongated hole 146 and is locked at the storage position 5.
It is escaped to the lower part of 5. Further, a stopper 131, which is urged to rotate in the direction of arrow h by a spring 150 as shown in FIG. 14, is projected from the front surface of the extrusion port 126 as shown in FIG. Also the first
As shown in FIG. 6A, the detection member 132, which is biased to rotate in the direction of the arrow i' by the spring 164, has entered the storage position 55. At this time, the spring 17
The tip 166a of the stopper lock plate 166 which is biased to slide in the direction of the arrow k by the stopper 1
31, but the L-shaped link 15
Since the pin 160 of No. 8 is engaged in the elongated hole 165 of the stopper lock plate 166, the L-shaped link 1
58 can be rotated in the direction of arrow j by the spring 164 without being restricted by the stopper lock plate 166, and the detection member 132 is in the storage position 55.
You can fully penetrate inside.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16A, the cassette 51 is horizontally inserted into the storage position 55 from the insertion opening 127 in the direction of arrow a, but at this time, the cassette 51 is never brought into contact with the hook 130a of the pushing member 130. do not have.

Then, the front end 51a of the cassette 51 inserted into the storage position 55 from the direction of arrow a is pressed against the stopper 1.
31, the rear end 51b of the cassette 51 touches the push-out member 1 as shown in FIG. 18A.
30 hooks 130a. At this point, as shown in FIG. 16B, one corner 51c of the front end 51a of the cassette 51 comes into contact with the slope 153 of the detection member 132, causing the detection member 132 to be positioned laterally outward of the storage position 55. Extrude in the direction of arrow i. Then, the L-shaped link 156 is rotated in the direction of the arrow i, and the L-shaped link 1 is rotated through the link 159.
58 is rotated in the direction of arrow j' against the spring 164, and the slide plate 135 is slid in the direction of arrow a.

Then, as shown in FIG. 18B, the slide plate 135
When the lock part 1 is slid in the direction of arrow a, first, the lock part 1
The small protrusion 144 of 43 is removed from the slide pin 136 in the direction of arrow a, and the lock is released. Next, as shown in FIG.
The inclined edge 145 is pressed from the direction of arrow a.
The slide pin 136 is pushed up in the direction of arrow m'. As a result, the extrusion member 130 is rotated in the direction of arrow m' around the slide pin 137,
The hook 130a extends from the elongated hole 146 to the shelf board 123.
is projected upwards. When the hook 130a is completely extended above the shelf board 123, the 18th
As shown in FIG.
extruded inward.

At that moment, the push-out member 130 pushes both springs 1
29, the push-out member 130 is moved in the direction of the arrow a from the backward movement position in FIG. arrow a
Push in the direction. As a result, the cassette 51 is automatically pushed in the direction of arrow a by the pushing member 130 to the position where it comes into contact with the stopper 131, and the
As shown in the figure, the other corner portion 51d of the front end portion 51a of the cassette 51 is brought into contact with the stopper 131 to be stopped and thereafter held in that state. Note that when the extrusion member 130 is moved in the direction of arrow a,
Both slide pins 136 and 137 are in both guide grooves 13
8,139, the pushing member 130 is moved horizontally in the direction of arrow a.

Note that as shown in FIG. 16B, the L-shaped link 158
When the pin 160 is rotated in the direction of the arrow j', the pin 160 is pushed to the end of the elongated hole 165, and the stopper lock plate 1
66 is slightly slid in the direction of arrow k' against the spring 170, and its tip 166a is slightly separated from the side surface of the stopper 131.

Next, as shown in FIG. 19, when pulling out the cassette 51 horizontally from the insertion slot 127 out of the storage position 55 in the direction of arrow a', insert your hand into the recess 128 of the shelf board 123 and pull the back of the cassette 51. Pinch the end 51b side and pull it out in the direction of arrow a'.

At this time, the pushing member 130 is pushed back against both springs 129 in the direction of arrow a' from the position shown in FIG. 16B to the backward movement position shown in FIG. 16A by the reverse action when inserting the cassette described above. Further, as shown in FIG. 16A, when one corner portion 51c of the cassette 51 is separated from the detection member 132 in the direction of arrow a', the spring 164 causes the L-shaped link 158, link 159, and L-shaped link 156 to be connected to each other. detection member 1
32 is moved back in the direction of arrow i', and the slide plate 135
is also moved back in the direction of arrow a′. Then, as shown in FIG. 18E, the push-out member 130 is pushed back to the return position in the direction of arrow a', and then rotated in the direction of arrow m around one slide pin 137, and as shown in FIG. Slide pin 136 is in both guide grooves 13
8,139 to both lock parts 142,143
The hook 130a of the push-out member 130 enters into the shelf board 123 through the elongated hole 146 and is locked at the storage position 5.
It escapes to the bottom of 5.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 20 to 25, each of the cassette pushing mechanisms 1 provided in the cassette transfer machine 53 is
22 operating mechanisms 172 and a pair of cassette transfer devices 173 and 174 provided at positions corresponding to the floor surfaces of the upper and lower cassette transfer passages 56 and 57 will be explained.

First, as shown in FIGS. 20 to 22, the cassette transfer device 53 is constructed of a casing made up of a pair of left and right side plates 176, 177, a top plate 178, and a floor plate 179, and carries two upper and lower cassettes. The transfer passages 56 and 57 are both open at both their front and rear ends.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 20, 21, and 23, an operating mechanism 172 is attached to the outer surface of one side plate 176 at a lower end thereof. This operating mechanism 172 includes an operating lever (an example of operating means) 180 for rotating the stopper 131 described above.
and a driving plunger solenoid (hereinafter simply referred to as a driving solenoid) 181. The operating lever 180 is L-shaped and is connected to the side plate 176 via a fulcrum pin 182.
A free end 180b opposite to the operating end 180a is connected to a suction rod 184 of a drive solenoid 181 via a link 183. Note that the operating lever 180a is biased to rotate upward (in the direction of arrow n in FIG. 21) by a spring 186 hung on a pin 185 connecting the link 183 and the suction rod 184.

Next, the two cassette transfer devices 173, 174 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 20 to 25, and they have the same structure.

That is, drive shafts 188, 189 and driven shafts 190, 191 are parallel to each other and rotatably horizontal between both side plates 176, 177 at both front and rear ends of the respective floor surface positions of both cassette transfer passages 56, 57. supported. And each of these drive shafts 188, 189
A pair of feed rollers 192 and 193 are fixed to positions near both left and right ends of the driven shafts 190 and 191, respectively. Note that these feed rollers 192,1
93 are rollers made of a material with a high friction coefficient such as rubber and having the same diameter. In addition, each drive shaft 188,
A pair of pulleys 194, 195 are fixed to both left and right end positions of the driven shafts 189 and driven shafts 190, 191, and a pair of left and right timing belts 196, 197 are wound between these pulleys 194, 195. At this time, each pulley 194, 1
Both timing belts 196,1 at the outer circumference of 95
97 has the same diameter as the diameter of each feed roller 192, 193, and the upper horizontal paths 196a, 19 of both timing belts 196, 197
The upper surfaces 196b and 197b of 7a are each feed roller 1
92, 193 so as to be flush with the upper surfaces 192a, 193a (see FIG. 20). The upper horizontal paths 196a and 197a of both timing belts 196 and 197 are guided and run horizontally on a pair of left and right running guides 216 and 217, respectively, which are fixed horizontally to the inner surfaces of both side plates 176 and 177. Both drive shafts 188 and 189 are connected to a pair of drive motors 1 attached to the outer surface of the other side plate 177.
98 and 199 respectively reduce the speed reduction mechanisms 200 and 20.
1 and is configured to be rotationally driven.

A pair of idler shafts 202, 203 are disposed parallel to each other and horizontally between the side plates 176, 177 at both front and rear ends of the cassette transfer passages 56, 57 at positions corresponding to the respective ceiling surfaces. Each of these idler shafts 202 and 203 has a pair of left and right idlers 20.
4,205 are rotatably supported. The left and right ends of each of these idler shafts 202, 203 are vertically movably supported in vertically elongated holes 206, 207 provided in both side plates 176, 177, and are supported by a pair of left and right springs 208, 209. They are each moved downward and energized.

Further, a pair of left and right rotating arms 211 are disposed above the outlet 210 on the cassette storage shelf 52 side of the upper cassette transfer passage 57. A roller 212 is provided at the tip of each of these rotating arms 211.
are rotatably pivoted, and both rotating arms 211 are fixed to a rotating shaft 213 that is rotatably supported horizontally between the side plates 176 and 177, and the rotating shaft 213 is attached to the outer surface of one side plate 176. It is configured to be driven in forward and reverse rotation by a drive motor 214 attached to the drive motor 214 via a deceleration mechanism 215.

Next, each storage position 55 of the cassette storage shelf 52 and each cassette transfer passage 56 of the cassette transfer machine 53,
The automatic transfer operation of the cassette 51 to and from the cassette 57 will be explained.

First, the automatic feeding operation of the cassette 51 from the storage position 55 into one of the cassette transfer passages 56 will be explained.As shown in FIG.
After one of the three cassette transfer passages 56 is positioned at the extrusion port 126 of the predetermined storage position 55, the drive solenoid 181 and the drive motor 198 are simultaneously energized. Then, the suction rod 184 of the drive solenoid 181 is attracted in the direction of arrow o against the spring 186, and the operation lever 180 is moved through the link 183.
is rotated in the direction of arrow n' from the position indicated by the dashed line to the position indicated by the solid line. The operating end 180a of the operating lever 180 is connected to the protrusion 131a of the stopper 131.
This stopper 1
31 is rotated in the direction of arrow h' against the spring 150, and the stopper 131 is pushed down below the extrusion port 126 in the storage position 55.

At that moment, the cassette ejecting mechanism 122 is actuated, and as explained in FIG. 16B, both springs 1
The cassette 51 in the storage position 55 is pushed out from the front end 51a side by the push-out member 130 which is urged to move in the direction of arrow a by the push-out member 29 shown in FIGS. 21 and 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette is automatically extruded from the extrusion port 126 in the direction of arrow a and fed into one of the cassette transfer passages 56.

Note that the drive motor 19 that is already in operation at this time
8, the drive shaft 188 is rotationally driven, and the driven shaft 190 is also rotationally driven through both timing belts 196 without slipping, so that each pair of feed rollers 194 and both timing belts 196 are rotated as shown in FIGS. They are rotated in perfect synchronization in the direction of arrow q.

As shown in FIG.
This is the forward movement position of 0. ), but at this time the bottom surface 51e of the cassette 51 has already touched both feed rollers 194 on the drive shaft 188 and both timing belts 196.
It is transferred to the upper part of the body.

Therefore, after this, the cassette 51 is transported by both feed rollers 194 and both timing belts 196 in the direction of arrow q in FIG. 51
is automatically fed into the cassette transfer passage 56. At this time, since each pair of idlers 204 is relatively pressed onto the top surface 51f of the cassette 51 by the spring 208, the bottom surface 51f of the cassette 51
1e is pressed onto the upper portions of both feed rollers 194 and both timing belts 196, and is reliably transferred in the direction of arrow q by these feed rollers 194 and both timing belts 196 without slipping.

However, when levering, the rear end 51b of the cassette 51
At the moment when the detection member 132 is extracted from the storage position 55 to the outside of the extrusion port 126, the detection member 132 is moved back in the direction of arrow i' from the position shown in FIG. 16B to the position shown in FIG. 16A by the spring 164. . In conjunction with this, the stopper lock plate 166 is slid by the spring 170 in the direction of arrow k in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 21, the stopper 66a protrudes from the upper part of the stopper 131 which is pressed down, and thereafter the stopper 131 is locked in the downwardly pressed state by its tip 166a.

When the cassette 51 is fed into the cassette transfer path 56 to the position shown by the dashed line in FIGS. 21 and 23, the front end of the cassette 51 is The position of portion 51a is detected, and the drive solenoid 181 and drive motor 198 are de-energized. As a result, the operating lever 180 is raised by the spring 186 in the direction of arrow n to the original position shown by the dashed line in FIG.
is stopped, and the feed roller 194 and both timing belts 196 are stopped. In addition, operation lever 1
80 is raised in the direction of the arrow n, the stopper 131 also tries to be pushed up in the direction of the arrow h in FIG. rotation is prevented.

Note that due to some inconvenience, the front end 51a of the cassette 51 is located closer to the VTR in the cassette transfer passage 56 than the position shown by the dashed line in FIGS. 21 and 22.
If the cassette 54 side jumps out from the outlet 220, another sensor 221 attached to one side plate 126 detects the position of the rear end 51b of the cassette 51, and the drive motor 198
is immediately reversely rotated to pull back the cassette 51 in the q' direction, so that the cassette 51 is always safely stopped at the position shown by the dashed line in FIGS. 21 and 22.

Next, the automatic pushing back operation of the cassette 51 from the inside of the other cassette transfer path 57 to the storage position 55 will be explained. As shown in FIG. After being positioned at the extrusion port 126 at position 55,
Drive motor 199 is energized. Then, the drive shaft 189 is rotationally driven by the drive motor 199, and the driven shaft 191 is also rotationally driven via both timing belts 197 without slipping, and each pair of feed rollers 195 and both timing belts 197 are rotated.
are rotationally driven in the direction of arrow r in FIGS. 22 and 24A in a completely synchronous state.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 24A and 25, the cassette 51 housed in the cassette transfer passage 57 as shown by the one-dot chain line is mainly driven by both feed rollers 195 on the drive shaft 189 and both timing belts 197.
As a result, the cassette 51 is transferred in the direction of arrow r in FIG. sent in the direction. At this time, since each pair of idlers 205 is relatively pressed onto the upper surface 51f of the cassette 51 by the spring 209, the cassette 51
The bottom surface 51e of is pressed against the upper portions of both feed rollers 195 and both timing belts 197, and is reliably horizontally transferred in the direction of arrow a' by these feed rollers 195 and both timing belts 197 without slipping. , the floor surface 51 of the cassette 51
e is surely transferred onto the shelf board 123 in the storage position 55.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 25, the cassette 51
At the moment when the rear end portion 51b is inserted into the extrusion port 126, the corner portion 51g of the rear end portion 51b comes into contact with the slope 154 of the detection member 132, and the detection member 132 moves from the position shown in FIG. 16A to the position shown in FIG. 16B. It is rotated in the direction of arrow i against the spring 164 to the position shown in the figure. And in conjunction with this, the stopper lock plate 1
66 is slid against the spring 170 in the direction of arrow k' in FIG. 16B, and its tip 166a is pulled out from the upper part of the stopper 131 in the direction of arrow k', as shown by the solid line in FIG. 24A of the stopper 131. The lock at the position is released. At that moment, the stopper 131 is pushed up in the direction of arrow h by the spring 150. However, at this time, the rear end 51b of the cassette 51 has already been inserted into the extrusion port 126, so the stopper 131
When it is pushed up to the position shown by the dashed line in the figure, it comes into contact with the bottom surface 51e of the cassette 51 and stops. Therefore, the cassette 51 can be moved to the storage position 55 without being hindered in any way by the stopper 131.
It is fed inward in the direction of arrow a′.

Then, the rear end portion 51b of the cassette 51 fed into the storage position 55 in the direction of the arrow a' eventually reaches the 24th A'.
It comes into contact with the hook 130a of the push-out member 130, which has been moved to the forward position as shown by the solid line in the drawings and FIG. 25. On the other hand, just before that, Figure 24B and 2
5, the position of the front end 51a of the cassette 51 is detected by the sensor 222 attached to the other side plate 177, and the drive motor 214
is energized.

Then, as shown in FIG. 24B, the drive motor 21
4 is driven to rotate in the forward direction, and both rotating arms 211 are rotated in the direction of arrow s via the rotating shaft 213. When both rotating arms 211 are rotated in the direction of arrow s from the return position shown by the dotted line to the position shown by the dashed line, both rollers 211 at the tips of both rotating arms 211
is brought into contact with the front end 51a of the cassette 51, and the two rotating arms 211 are subsequently rotated in the direction of the arrow s to the forward movement position shown by the solid line, whereby the cassette 51 is moved by the two rotating arms 211. It is automatically pushed back into the storage position 55 in the direction of arrow a'. At this time, the rear end 51b of the cassette 51
comes into contact with and presses the hook 130a of the pushing member 130, so that the pushing member 130 is pushed back in the direction of arrow a' together with the cassette 51 against both springs 129 shown in FIG. 16A.

Then, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 24B, the cassette 5
1 is completely pushed back into the storage position 55 and the front end 51a of the cassette 51 passes over the stopper 131 in the direction of arrow a', this stopper 131 is pushed in the direction of arrow h by the spring 150. When the stopper 131 is raised, the stopper 131 is moved again to the extrusion port 12.
It is protruded from the front of 6.

Then, a sensor 222 attached to the cassette transfer machine 53 detects that the stopper 131 has been moved back to the return position where it protrudes from the front surface of the extrusion port 126.
This detection confirms that the cassette 51 has been completely pushed back from the cassette transfer machine 53 into the storage position 55 of the cassette storage shelf 52.

In this embodiment, a light reflecting type photo coupler is used as an example of the sensor 223.
This sensor 223 is attached to the outer surface of one side plate 176, and is attached to the protrusion 13 of the stopper 131.
It is designed to detect the reflected light of the light irradiated onto the front surface 131b of 1a.

Then, as mentioned above, the cassette 51 is placed in the storage position 55.
When the sensor 223 detects that the drive motor 199 has been completely pushed back, the power to the drive motor 199 is cut off, and at the same time the drive motor 214 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction. Arm 21
1 is rotated in the direction of arrow s' in FIG. 24B. Note that when both rotating arms 211 are returned to their original positions indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 24B, the power to the drive motor 214 is cut off. When both rotating arms 211 are moved back, the cassette 51 is about to be pushed out of the extrusion port 126 again in the direction of the arrow a by the extrusion member 130, but the front end 51a of the cassette 51 hits the stopper 131. Since they are in contact with each other, extrusion of the cassette 51 is prevented.

Next, according to FIGS. 26 to 30, each VTR 54
The automatic cassette loading/unloading device 227 provided at the cassette loading/unloading port 226 will be explained.

First, as shown in Figures 26 to 28A, the VTR
A substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame 228 is attached to the front surface of the cassette loading/unloading port 226 of the cassette 54.
In this frame 228, an idler shaft 229 and a roller shaft 23 are placed above and below the movement trajectory of the cassette 51.
0 are arranged parallel to each other and in a horizontal state.
Both left and right ends of the idler shaft 229 are connected to the frame 2.
28 is rotatably supported in a state in which it passes through a pair of bearings 233 fixed to the upper portions of left and right side plates 231 and 232 and projects laterally outward. In addition, a pair of support plates 234 and 235 are pivotally supported at lower positions on the outer surfaces of the side plates 231 and 232 to be vertically rotatable via a pair of fulcrum pins 236 on the same axis. A pair of bearings 23 whose both ends are fixed to both support plates 234 and 235
7 and is rotatably supported. Note that both support plates 2
34 is substantially L-shaped and is biased to rotate upward (in the direction of arrow t in FIG. 28A) by a pair of springs 238.

A pair of idlers 240 are rotatably mounted near both left and right ends of the idler shaft 229 within the frame 228, and a pair of left and right rotating arms 2 have rollers 241 rotatably mounted at their tips.
42 is the idler shaft 22 on the outside of both idlers 240.
It is fixed to 9. Further, a pair of feed rollers 243 are fixed to positions near both left and right ends of the roller shaft 230 within the frame 228. Note that both feed rollers 243 are made of a material with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber. Note that a drive motor 245 is attached to the outer surface of one side plate 231 via a mounting bracket 244.
The idler shaft 229 is configured to be rotationally driven by. Further, the roller shaft 230 is configured to be rotationally driven by another drive motor 246 attached to one support plate 234 laterally outward of one side plate 231.

Further, a pair of automatic roller lifting mechanisms 248 are attached to the outer surfaces of the side plates 231 and 232. Both roller automatic lifting mechanisms 248 have the same structure, and include a pair of rotating cams 249 fixed to both left and right ends of the idler shaft 229, side plates 231,
232 and a pair of slide plates 250 attached to the outer surface of the slide plate 232 so as to be vertically movable. Note that both rotary cams 249 are circular plates with a recess 251 provided in a part of the circumferential surface 249a. Both slide plates 250 are arranged vertically between both rotary cams 249 and both support plates 234 and 235, and a pair of upper and lower elongated holes 252 are inserted into a pair of upper and lower guide pins 252 provided on both side plates 231 and 232. It is engaged so that it can move up and down in the vertical direction. The support plates 234 and 235, which are rotated in the direction of the arrow t in FIG. 28A by the springs 238, cause the slide plates 250 to move in the direction of the arrow u in FIG. 28A.
Both slide plates 25 are urged upward in the direction of
0 upper end 250a is the circumferential surface 24 of both rotating cams 249
9a is pressed.

In addition, the idler shaft 22 is located outside the other side plate 232.
A rotary plate 256 having a small protrusion 255 on a part of its outer periphery is fixed to the end of the rotary plate 9 . and side plate 23
The three rotational positions of the small protrusion 255 are detected by a sensor mounting plate 257 mounted on the sensor mounting plate 257 which is attached to the sensor mounting plate 257 and arranged parallel to and close to the lateral outer position of the rotary plate 256.
Three sensors 258, 259, 260 are provided. The small protrusion 255 of the rotating plate 256 is configured to rotate in exactly the same phase as both rotating arms 242, and the rotating position of both rotating arms 242 is detected based on the rotating position of this small protrusion 255. is being done.

Next, the automatic transfer operation of the cassette 51 between each cassette transfer path 56, 57 of the cassette transfer machine 53 and each VTR 54, which is performed by the cassette automatic ejector 227, will be explained.

First, from one cassette transfer passage 56 to the VTR 5
To explain the automatic feeding (loading) operation of the cassette 51 into the VTR 54, as shown in FIG.
After the cassette transfer device 17 is positioned in front of the cassette transfer device 17, the drive motor 198 is energized as described above.
3 is activated. Then, the cassette 51 stored in the cassette transfer passage 56 as shown by the one-dot chain line moves from the front end 51a side to the outside of the outlet 220 in the direction shown by the arrow c.
sent in the direction. In this case, one drive motor 2
46 is energized at the same time, its drive motor 246 is driven to rotate in the forward direction, and both feed rollers 243 are driven to rotate through the roller shaft 230 in the direction of arrow v in FIGS. 28B and 29A.

However, at this time, as shown in FIG. 28A, the recesses 251 of both rotary cams 249 are initially located directly above the upper ends 250a of both slide plates 250, and the upper ends 250a enter into the recesses 251. . As a result, both feed rollers 24 are urged upward in the direction of arrow t by both springs 238.
3 has entered the movement locus of the cassette 51. That is, as shown in FIG. 26, both feed rollers 24
The bottom surface 51e of the cassette 51 into which the top surface of No. 3 is fed
It is pushed up at a position P ₄ higher by a predetermined height H ₁ than both feed rollers 2 relative to both idlers 240.
43 is smaller than the upper and lower thickness _{l 3 of} the cassette 51.

In this state, as shown by the solid line in FIG.
inserted between. Then, both feed rollers 243 are moved by both springs 23 by the bottom surface 51e of the cassette 51.
8 and is pushed down in the direction of arrow t'. The bottom surface 51e of the cassette 51 presses the feed rollers 243 by the repulsive force (spring force) of the springs 238, and the cassette 51 is moved up and down by the idlers 240 and the feed rollers 243. It is held elastically from the Therefore, both feed rollers 243 are rotated in the direction of arrow v in FIG. 28B.
The driving force generated by
6, the cassette holder (not shown) in the VTR 54 is reliably fed in the direction of arrow c.

When the cassette 55 is fed into the VTR 54 to the position shown by the solid line in FIGS. 28C and 29A, the center 262 attached to the top plate 261 of the frame 228 is inserted into the rear end of the cassette 51, as shown in FIG. 51b, one drive motor 246 is de-energized, and at the same time, the other drive motor 245 is energized. As a result, the feeding operation of the cassette 51 is switched from both feeding rollers 243 to a pushing operation using both rotating arms 242. At this point, the power supply to the drive motor 198 is also cut off, and the operation of the cassette transfer device 173 is stopped.

Then, the drive motor 245 is driven to rotate forward,
Both rotating arms 242 via the idler shaft 229,
Both rotating cams 249 and rotating plate 256 are integrally driven to rotate in the direction of arrow w in FIGS. 28B and 29A. When both rotating arms 242 are rotated in the direction of arrow w from the backward movement position indicated by the solid line in FIG.
Both the rollers 241 at the tips of the rollers 241 are brought into contact with the rear end 51b of the cassette 51, and the two rotating arms 242 are subsequently rotated in the direction of the arrow w to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 29B, thereby rotating the cassette. 51 is pushed by both rotating arms 242 and automatically pushed into the VTR 54 in the direction of arrow c.

Note that the cassette 51 is moved to the position indicated by the solid line in Fig. 29B.
When the is pushed into the VTR 54, as is well known in the past,
An automatic loading operation of the cassette 51 by the cassette holder in the VTR 54 is performed, and the cassette 51 is automatically drawn into and loaded into the VTR 54, after which video playback (and/or video recording) of the loaded cassette 51 is performed. is done automatically.

On the other hand, when both rotary cams 249 start rotating in the direction of arrow w from the position shown in FIG. 28B, at that moment,
As shown in FIG. 28C, the circumferential surface 2 of both rotating cams 249
49a, both slide plates 250 are pushed down in the direction of arrow u'. Then both slide plates 250
Both support plates 234, 235 are connected by the lower end 250b of
is pushed down in the direction of arrow u', and both support plates 234,
235 resists both springs 238 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 28C.
It is rotated in the t′ direction. As a result, both feed rollers 24 are
3 is further pushed down, and the upper surfaces of both feed rollers 243 are at the position of the bottom surface 51e of the cassette 51.
It is pushed down and held at position _P5 , which is lower than _P3 by a predetermined height _H2 .

Furthermore, when the rotating arm 242 rotated in the W direction as described above reaches the position indicated by the solid line in FIG.
55 reaches the position shown in FIG. 28D, and the small protrusion 25
5 is detected by sensor 260. Then, the drive motor 245 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction, and the rotating arms 242, the rotating cams 249, and the rotating plate 256 are returned together in the direction of the arrow w' as shown in FIGS. 28D and 29B. When both rotating arms 242 are returned to the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 29B, the small protrusion 255 of the rotating plate 256
When the position shown in Fig. C is reached, the small protrusion 255 is detected by the sensor 259, and the power supply to the drive motor 245 is cut off.

Next, from the VTR 54 to the other cassette transfer passage 5
To explain the automatic feeding (ejection) operation of the cassette 51 into the VTR 54, as is well known in the art, after the video playback (and/or video recording) by the VTR 54 is completed, the cassette 51 in the VTR 54 is moved to the rear end 51b side. Then, as shown in FIG. 29B, the cassette is automatically ejected out of the cassette loading/unloading opening 226 in the direction of arrow c'.

However, at this time, since both rotating arms 242 are on standby at the position shown by the dashed-dotted line in FIG.
Both rollers 241 of both rotating arms 242 are
It is stopped at the fixed position shown by the one-dot chain line.

That is, if both rotating arms 242 are not waiting in the above position, the rear end portion 51b of the cassette 51 ejected in the direction of arrow c' will fly out into the transfer path of the cassette transfer device 53, and the cassette transfer device 53 Although there is a risk of interfering with the transfer of cassette 51,
This kind of danger can be avoided by stopping at the fixed position indicated by the one-dot chain line in Figure B.

Also, at this time, as shown in FIG.
Since it is lowered to the position _P5 which is lower than _P3 by a predetermined height _H2 , the ejection operation of the cassette 51 in the direction of arrow c' is not hindered at all by these two feed rollers 243.

That is, the upper surfaces of both feed rollers 243 are connected to the cassette 51.
If the bottom surface 51e of the cassette is raised to a higher position than position _P3 , an arrow will appear from the cassette loading/unloading port 226.
Rear end 51 of cassette 51 ejected in direction c'
b collides with both feed rollers 243 and is stopped, and the rear end portion 51b cannot enter between both idlers 240 and both feed rollers 243. However, since the upper surfaces of both feed rollers 243 are lowered to a position _P5 which is lower than the position _P3 of the bottom surface 51e of the cassette 51, the rear end 51b of the cassette 51 is connected to both idlers as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 29B. 24
0 and both feed rollers 243.

The rear end 51 of the ejected cassette 51
When the position of b is detected by the sensor 262, the other drive motor 245 is energized, and this drive motor 245 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction to rotate the idler shaft 2.
Both rotating arms 242 and both rotating cams 2 via 29
49 and rotating plate 256 are rotated together in the direction of arrow w' in FIGS. 28C and 29B. When both rotating arms 242 are returned to the return position shown in FIG. 29A, the small projection 255 of the rotating plate 256 reaches the original position shown in FIG. 28A, and the sensor 258
, and the power supply to the drive motor 245 is cut off.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 28A, the recesses 251 of both rotary cams 249 are returned to directly above the upper ends 250a of both slide plates 250 as at the beginning. At that moment, the upper ends 250a of both slide plates 250
is from the circumferential surface 249a of both rotating cams 249 to the recess 25.
1, both support plates 234 and 235 are rotated in the direction of arrow t in FIG. 28A by both springs 238, and both feed rollers 243 are pushed in the direction of arrow t as shown by the dashed line in FIG. It can be raised. As a result, both feed rollers 243 move toward the bottom surface 5 of the cassette 51.
1e, the cassette 51 is pressed against both idlers 2.
40 and both feed rollers 243, it is elastically clamped from above and below.

Next, as shown in FIG. 30, the cassette transfer machine 53
After the other cassette transfer passage 57 is positioned in front of the cassette loading/unloading port 226, one drive motor 246 is energized. Then, the drive motor 246 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, and both feed rollers 243 are driven to rotate in the direction of arrow v' in FIG. 30 via the roller shaft 230. At this time, as described above, the drive motor 199 is energized and the cassette transfer device 1 is moved.
74 is activated.

As a result of the above, the cassette 51 is sent out from the cassette loading/unloading port 226 in the direction of arrow c' in FIG.
The cassette is automatically fed into the cassette transfer passage 57.
Then, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 30, the cassette 5
1 is completely fed into the cassette transfer passage 57, the position of the rear end 51b of the cassette 51 is detected by the sensor 263 attached to the other side plate 177, as shown in FIG. Both drive motors 199 and 246 are de-energized.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various effective modifications can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention.

For example, the shape and operation of the stopper 131 may be modified as necessary other than the shape and operation shown in the embodiment. In addition, the sensor 223
It can be mounted at any position on the cassette transfer machine other than the position shown in the embodiment.

Further, in the embodiment, a non-contact switch such as a light reflection type photocoupler is used as the sensor 223, but various other types of optical or magnetic non-contact switches or contact switches such as micro switches may also be used.

[Application example]

The present invention is not limited to automatic loading devices for video cassettes, but can be applied to automatic loading devices for cassettes, cartridges, and jackets containing various types of record carriers.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, when a used cassette taken out from a recording/reproducing device is transferred by a cassette transfer machine and stored in the original storage position of a cassette storage shelf,
A sensor on the cassette transfer machine and a stopper on the shelf at the storage position detect that the cassette is completely fed from the cassette transfer machine into the multiple storage positions of the cassette storage shelf each time. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide as many sensors as the number of cassettes stored in the cassette storage shelf. Therefore, the structure is very simple, and a large cost reduction can be achieved. Furthermore, since storage of the cassette is detected by the operation of the stopper, reliability can be further improved without being affected by the type of cassette used or dirt on the cassette.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automatic video cassette loading device, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the entire device, and FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the general operation of the entire device. Explanatory diagram, 3rd A
3B and 3B are perspective views of the entire device, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the hinge structure of the cassette storage shelf, FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the transfer drive device of the cassette transfer machine, and FIG. A perspective view showing the vertical guide rail and slider portion of the same as above, Figure 7 is Figure 6
-7 line sectional view, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the horizontal guide rail part of the same as above, Figure 9 is a sectional view of Figure 8, line 9-9, and Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the universal joint part of the same as above. Figure 11 is a side view of the universal joint portion of the same as above, Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12-12 in Figure 11, and Figure 13 explains the sliding situation of the horizontal guide with respect to the pair of vertical guide rails of the same as above. Front view, No. 14
The figure is a side view explaining the cassette ejecting mechanism provided in each storage section of the cassette storage shelf, FIG. 15 is a front view of the same as above, and FIGS. 16A and 16B are FIG. 14 explaining the operation of the cassette ejecting mechanism 16-16 line arrow view, FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the guide mechanism of the extrusion member same as above, FIGS. 18A to 18F are sectional views explaining the operation of the extrusion member, and FIG. 19 is a view from the cassette storage shelf. 20 is a front view illustrating the cassette transfer device installed in a pair of cassette transfer passages of the cassette transfer machine, and FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating the cassette removal operation of the cassette transfer machine. 20 is a view taken along the line 21-21 to explain the automatic extrusion operation, and FIG.
Figure 22-22 line arrow view, Figure 23 is Figure 21 Figure 23
-23 line arrow view, Figures 24A and 24B are side views for explaining the automatic pushing back operation of the cassette from the cassette transfer machine to the cassette storage shelf, and Figure 25 is the second side view.
4A Figure 25-25 line arrow view, Figure 26 shows each VTR
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the automatic roller lifting mechanism, and FIGS. 28A to 28D illustrate the automatic cassette feeding operation from the cassette transfer machine to the VTR. 26 is a view taken along the line 28-28, FIGS. 29A and 29B are a sectional view taken along the line 29-29 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the automatic feeding operation of the cassette to the transfer machine. Also, in the symbols used in the drawings, 51...
Cassette, 52...Cassette storage shelf, 53...Cassette transfer machine, 54...VTR, 55...Storage position, 131...Stopper, 173, 174...
Cassette transfer device, 223...sensor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A cassette storage shelf having a plurality of shelves for storing cassettes, at least one recording/playback device for playing back the recorded contents of the cassettes, and between the cassette storage shelf and the recording/playback device. A cassette transfer machine for transferring the cassettes, and a control means for controlling operations of the recording/reproducing device and the cassette transfer machine, the control means causing the cassette transfer machine to selectively transfer the cassettes from the cassette storage shelf. The automatic cassette loading device is configured to take out a cassette, load the cassette into the recording and reproducing device, and store the cassette ejected from the recording and reproducing device in its original position on the cassette storage shelf. is provided with a stopper that protrudes from the front of the cassette ejection opening of the shelf when the cassettes are completely stored, and the cassette transfer machine detects when the stopper protrudes from the front of the ejection opening. An automatic cassette loading device, further comprising a sensor for detecting when a cassette from the cassette transfer machine is completely stored in the shelf.