JP2004342202A - Tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape cartridge to/from which a memory unit capable of reading/writing a signal in an IC chip in two directions can be easily attached/detached, thereby facilitating the replacing work of the memory unit in long-time storing with less time and labor. <P>SOLUTION: An antenna 17 and an IC chip 18 are mounted to form a memory unit M on a substrate 16 bendable. A loading part 15 is disposed at the inner corner of a main body case 1 in the state of being bent in an L shape. A loading port 27 for the memory unit M is bored in the bottom wall 26 of the main body case 1 facing the loading part 15. A substrate holder 24 is disposed in the bent part of the loading part 15 to pinch and hold the inner and outer surfaces of the substrate 16 in a bent posture. Thus, the memory unit M is loaded on the substrate holer 24 to be detached, thereby improving the convenience of replacement. For the substrate 16 loaded on the loading part 15, its bent shape is properly defined by the substrate holder 24, and simultaneously engaged and held so as not to fall off. Since the substrate 16 is bent along the adjacent wall surface of the case inner corner, signal reading/writing is carried out from two different directions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tape cartridge having a non-contact type memory unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Regarding the present invention, it is known to arrange a non-contact type memory unit inside a main body case and to make the memory unit replaceable (see Patent Document 1). Here, a memory unit is inserted and loaded into a loading portion provided on the inner surface of the rear corner of the main body case, and is engaged and fixed so as not to come off. When exchanging the memory unit, it is possible to pull out the peripheral edge of the memory unit facing the loading slot with a tool.
[0003]
In the present invention, reading and writing to the memory unit can be performed from two different directions, that is, the outer surface of the rear wall and the outer surface of the side wall of the main body case. This type of tape cartridge is known (see Patent Document 2). Here, an antenna is arranged on each surface wall of a substrate having an L-shaped cross section, an IC chip is mounted on one surface wall to constitute a memory unit, and the substrate is fixed so that each surface wall is along the inner corner of the main body case. ing. The outer surfaces of the antenna and the IC chip are sealed with an insulating adhesive.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-266534 A (paragraph number 0025, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-117644 (paragraph number 0027, FIG. 6)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the IC chip of this type of memory unit, management information such as a directory of data files recorded on the tape and usage history data, and maker information such as a lot number, tape specifications and characteristics are recorded. This information cannot be stored indefinitely, and when a tape cartridge is stored for a long period of time, it is necessary to replace the IC chip with a new one every time the life of the IC chip expires and update the information. There is. In this regard, since the memory unit of Patent Document 1 is formed in a flat plate shape and can be taken in and out of the loading slot, the replacement of the memory unit can be performed easily with little effort. However, since the directivity direction of the antenna is limited to one side surface of the main body case, the inconvenience that the arrangement position of the memory reader in the tape drive is restricted is inevitable.
[0006]
In the case of the memory unit of Patent Literature 2 in which reading and writing of signals to and from an IC chip can be performed from two different directions, a memory reader can be arranged by selecting a convenient side from two adjacent side faces, or signals can be exchanged. Is performed from two different directions, there is an advantage that the communication distance can be extended. The problem is that the memory unit is formed into an L-shaped cross section, so the main unit case must be disassembled and the memory unit must be taken in and out, which makes it inconvenient to remove and reassemble the memory unit. is there.
[0007]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, it has been considered that an L-shaped memory unit is removably loaded into an L-shaped loading portion provided at an inner corner of the main body case. The memory unit includes a substrate formed of a material that can be bent and deformed, and an antenna and an IC chip mounted on the substrate. According to such a tape cartridge, the substrate bent in an L-shape can be put in and taken out of the loading port opened at the bottom of the case, so that the memory unit can be easily exchanged. It can be carried out. However, when bending the board, the antenna that intersects the bending line may be broken, and if the memory unit is forcibly loaded with the board bending angle incorrect, the IC chip or the board may be damaged. is there.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide a memory unit that can read and write signals to and from an IC chip from two different directions, but can easily attach and detach the memory unit, and thus can easily replace the memory unit during long-term storage with less labor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape cartridge which can be used for a computer. An object of the present invention is to mount a memory unit into a mounting portion of a main body case without risking damage to an IC chip, an antenna, or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape cartridge which can be maintained and thus can easily replace a memory unit.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the tape cartridge of the present invention, a tape 3 for recording an information signal, a reel 2 for winding and storing the tape 3 and a non-contact type memory unit M are arranged inside a main body case 1. The memory unit is formed by mounting an antenna 17 and an IC chip 18 on a bendable substrate 16. A loading unit 15 for the memory unit M is provided along an inner corner of the main body case 1 in a state of being curved in an L-shape. A loading port 27 for inserting and removing the memory unit M is opened in one of the upper wall and the bottom wall 26 facing the loading section 15. As shown in FIG. 1, a substrate holder 24 for holding the inner and outer surfaces of the substrate 16 in a curved posture is provided on a curved portion of the loading section 15. Thus, the memory unit M is characterized in that it is inserted and loaded so that it can be taken in and out of the substrate holder 24 through the loading port 27.
[0010]
Specifically, a holding portion 31 that guides the substrate 16 in a curved manner and positions and holds the substrate is formed on the base end side of the substrate holder 24. A guide surface 32 that guides the transfer of the substrate 16 to the holding portion 31 from the protruding end of the substrate holder 24 toward the holding portion 31 is formed.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 1, the substrate holder 24 includes a pair of inner and outer partial arc-shaped rib walls 24a and 24b.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 5, another substrate holder 24 is composed of a partially arcuate rib wall 24b and a pin-like projection 34 protruding from the inner side of the rib wall 24b.
[0013]
Effects of the Invention
In the present invention, the loading unit 15 that is curved in an L shape is provided along the inner surface corner of the main body case 1, and the memory unit M can be inserted into and removed from the loading unit 15. Specifically, the memory unit M is configured by mounting the antenna 17 and the IC chip 18 on the substrate 16 that can be bent and deformed, so that the memory unit M can be bent and deformed along the curved shape of the loading unit 15. Further, a substrate holder 24 is provided in a curved portion of the loading section 15, and the substrate holder 24 sandwiches and holds the inner and outer surfaces of the substrate 16 in a curved posture, so that the substrate 16 can be bent and deformed in an appropriate posture. Further, the loaded state of the memory unit M is maintained by the frictional resistance with the main body case 1 based on the elasticity of the board 16 which is going to return to the flat state, and the engagement friction between the curved portion of the board 16 and the board holder 24. Then, it is possible to prevent the escape. In addition, when replacing the memory unit M, the memory unit M can be easily taken out of the loading unit 15 by extracting the memory unit M from the loading port 27 provided facing the loading unit 15.
[0014]
Therefore, according to the tape cartridge of the present invention, although the memory unit M can read and write signals to and from the IC chip 18 from two different directions through the antenna 17 along the adjacent wall surface, the memory unit M can be attached and detached when necessary. It can be easily performed, and the replacement operation of the memory unit M when storing the tape cartridge for a long period of time can be easily performed with less labor (claim 1).
[0015]
When the holding portion 31 is formed on the base end side of the substrate holder 24, the curved shape can be more accurately defined by the engagement of the substrate 16 with the holding portion 31, and the engagement between the curved portion of the substrate 16 and the holding portion 31. The substrate 16 can be more reliably sandwiched and fixed by friction, so that the memory unit M can be reliably prevented from dropping out of the loading section 15. When the guide surface 32 is formed from the protruding end of the substrate holder 24 toward the holding portion 31, the insertion start edge of the memory unit M inserted from the loading port 27 can be guided by the guide surface 32 and guided to the holding portion 31. The unit M can be securely and easily assembled to the substrate holder 24, and the labor required for replacing the memory unit M can be reduced by that much (claim 2).
[0016]
When the substrate holder 24 is constituted by a pair of inner and outer partial arc-shaped rib walls 24a and 24b, the holding portion 31 is formed in a curved groove shape, so that most of the curved portion of the substrate 16 inserted and loaded into the substrate holder 24 can be used. Since the ribs 24a and 24b receive the ribs, and the curved portion can be securely engaged and held by the groove-shaped holding portion 31, the memory unit M is reliably prevented from being separated from the substrate holder 24 by receiving an external force such as a drop impact. In addition, the substrate 16 can be reliably prevented from moving in the longitudinal direction, and the loaded state can be stably maintained for a long time (claim 3).
[0017]
According to the substrate holder 24 composed of the partial arc-shaped rib wall 24b and the pin-shaped projection 34 protruding from the inner surface side of the rib wall 24b, the substrate 16 is placed in the opposing gap between the projection 34 and the rib wall 24b. The memory unit M can be loaded into the substrate holder 24 only by inserting the insertion start end, so that the time and effort for replacing the memory unit M can be further reduced (claim 4).
[0018]
【Example】
1 to 4 show an embodiment of a single reel type tape cartridge according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the tape cartridge has a rectangular box-shaped main body case 1 in which upper and lower cases 1a and 1b are joined together with a lid, and a tape (magnetic tape) 3 is mounted on one reel 2 disposed therein. I'm involved. A tape outlet 4 is opened on the front side of the main body case 1, and the tape outlet 4 can be opened and closed by a swinging door 5. The door 5 is urged to close by a spring, and the closed door 5 is locked and held by a lock mechanism (not shown).
[0019]
At two opposing inner corners of the main body case 1, reel locks 7, 8 which engage with gear teeth provided on a flange of the reel 2 to lock and hold the reel 2 when it is not in use so as not to rotate freely are arranged. I have. On one side of the case back wall, a switching piece 9 for preventing erroneous erasure is provided. A spring 10 is disposed between the reel 2 and the upper case 1a to push the reel 2 downward toward the lower case 1b. The spring 10 and the reel 2 are in contact with each other via a spring receiving plug 11 and a bearing 12 mounted on the reel 2.
[0020]
A non-contact memory unit M is used to record management information such as a directory of data files recorded on the tape 3 and usage history data, as well as lot information of tape cartridges and manufacturer information such as tape 3 specifications and characteristics. This is accommodated in a loading section 15 provided inside the main body case 1.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3, the memory unit M is configured by mounting an antenna 17 and an IC chip 18 on a horizontally long substrate 16 that can be bent and deformed, for example, a flexible printed circuit board. The outer surfaces of the antenna 17 and the IC chip 18 are covered with an insulating adhesive.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, the loading portion 15 is provided in a state of being curved in an L shape along an inner corner between the rear wall 20 of the main body case 1 and the side wall 21 on the left side as viewed in FIG. 1. More specifically, the loading unit 15 includes the rear wall 20 and the side wall 21, an inner wall 22 parallel to the rear wall 20, a pair of front and rear protrusions 23 facing the side wall 20, and a substrate holder 24 provided facing the curved portion. I do. A substrate receiving surface 25 that receives the longitudinal end of the curved substrate 16 is formed on the right side of the inner surface of the rear wall 20 and the front side of the inner surface of the side wall 21 as viewed in FIG. These substrate receiving surfaces 25 are orthogonal to each other. In the bottom wall 26 of the main body case 1 facing the loading section 15, a loading port 27 for inserting and removing the memory unit M is opened. As shown in FIG. 3, a notch 28 for receiving the IC chip 18 and a pair of left and right tool insertion grooves 29 are formed before and after the loading port 27 parallel to the side wall 21.
[0023]
In order to bend the memory unit M loaded in the loading section 15 in an appropriate posture without difficulty, and to fix and hold the memory unit M so as not to fall off, a substrate holder 24 is provided in a curved portion of the loading section 15. The substrate holder 24 includes a pair of inner and outer partial arc-shaped rib walls 24a and 24b. The rib walls 24a and 24b project downward from the inner surface of the upper wall of the upper case 1a toward the loading port 27 as shown in FIG. The protruding ends of both rib walls 24a and 24b are located below the joint surface of upper and lower cases 1a and 1b.
[0024]
A holding groove (holding portion) 31 for guiding and curving the substrate 16 in a curved manner is provided on the base end side facing surfaces of both rib walls 24a and 24b, and a lower end of the holding groove 31 is formed from the protruding ends of both rib walls 24a and 24b. The guide surface 32 for guiding the substrate 16 into the holding groove 31 is tapered upward. The spacing between the holding grooves 31 is set to be equal to or slightly smaller than the thickness of the substrate 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the holding groove 31 is located at the center of the loading port 27 in the opening width direction.
[0025]
The memory unit M is inserted and loaded into the loading section 15 through the loading port 27 with the main body case 1 turned upside down. In a state where the insertion start end (lower end) of the substrate 16 is inserted into the loading port 27, the entire substrate 16 is curved in substantially the same shape as the loading port 27. In this state, when the substrate 16 is further pushed in, the lower end of the substrate 16 is guided by the guide surfaces 32 of the rib walls 24a and 24b, fits into the holding groove 31, and has a shape defined by the rib walls 24a and 24b. Bend. In a state where the substrate 16 is pushed into the inner side of the holding groove 31 as shown in FIG. 4, a halfway portion in the longitudinal direction is engaged and fixed to the substrate holder 24, and further, as shown in FIG. It is received on the substrate receiving surface 25 of the side wall 20 and the side wall 21.
[0026]
As described above, the substrate 16 loaded in the loading section 15 has a frictional resistance with the substrate receiving surface 25 based on its own elasticity which is going to return to a flat state, a curved portion of the substrate 16 and the holding groove 31. , The curved loading posture can be maintained, so that the memory unit M does not fall out of the substrate holder 24 even if the main body case 1 is turned upside down to the upright posture. The substrate 16 in the holding groove 31 is curved along the ribs 24a and 24b, and the curved shape is mainly held by the inner rib wall 24a. Therefore, even when an impact is applied from the outside of the memory unit M, the substrate 16 can be prevented from moving in the longitudinal direction, and the loading posture can be maintained in a stable state.
[0027]
In the loaded state, since the antenna 17 is bent along the rear wall 20 and the side wall 21, signals can be read from and written to the IC chip 18 from two different directions. Further, since the IC chip 18 faces the inner surface of the side wall 21 with a small gap therebetween, the IC chip 18 does not come into contact with the side wall 21 when the memory unit M is inserted into or removed from the loading section 15. When replacing the memory unit M, a tool such as tweezers is inserted into the case from the tool insertion groove 29, and the lower edge of the substrate 16 is grasped and extracted.
[0028]
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment in which the structure of the loading unit 15 is changed. In this case, as in the above-described embodiment, the loading portion 15 is provided along the inner surface corner of the rear wall 20 and the left side wall 21 of the main body case 1, but the substrate holder 24 is provided with a partially arc-shaped rib wall 24b. And a pin-shaped projection 34 protruding from the inner surface of the rib wall 24b. The curved portion of the substrate 16 is received and retained at three locations, that is, at the projections 34 and at both ends of the partially arcuate rib wall 24b. Since the holding portion 31 between the rib wall 24b and the protrusion 34 in this embodiment is formed in a gap shape, the substrate 16 loaded in the loading portion 15 mainly has its own elasticity which is going to return to a flat state. The loading posture that is curved by the frictional resistance with the substrate receiving surface 25 and the frictional resistance with the holding portion 31 and the rib wall 24b is maintained. The other parts are the same as those of the previous embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The same applies to the following embodiments.
[0029]
FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment in which the structure of the loading unit 15 is changed. There, an inner wall 35 facing the side wall 21 is provided separately from the inner wall 22 facing the rear wall 20, and the inner walls 22, 35 are connected to the rib wall 24 a inside the substrate holder 24, so that the loading portion 15 is formed. Was formed as an independent compartment. Note that the lower end of the inner rib wall 24a in this embodiment is brought into contact with a rib wall having the same shape as the rib wall 24a projecting upward from the lower case 1b, or with the bottom wall 26, thereby forming dust or the like. Foreign matter can be prevented from entering the main body case 1 via the loading portion 15.
[0030]
In addition to the above embodiments, the present invention can be applied to tape cartridges other than the single-reel type tape cartridge, for example, audio and video tape cartridges. The memory units M can be arranged at corners other than the inner corners described in the embodiment according to the difference in the internal structure of the main body case 1. The substrate 16 may be any substrate that can be bent and deformed, and need not be a flexible printed circuit board. The antenna 17 can be independently formed on each of the curved substrate surface walls. The loading port 27 can be formed in the upper wall of the upper case 1a. The substrate receiving surface 25 can be formed by a projection different from the rear wall 20 or the side wall 21.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a loading structure of a memory unit.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of the tape cartridge.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge as viewed from the bottom and the back.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view showing another loading structure of the memory unit.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view showing still another loading structure of the memory unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body case 2 Reel 3 Tape 15 Loading part 16 Substrate 17 Antenna 18 IC chip 24 Substrate holder 26 Bottom wall 27 Loading port 31 Holding part 32 Guide surface 34 Projection M Memory unit

Claims (4)

Inside the main body case, a tape for recording an information signal, a reel for winding and storing the tape, and a non-contact type memory unit are arranged,
The memory unit is formed by mounting an antenna and an IC chip on a bendable substrate,
Along the inner corner of the main body case, a loading portion for the memory unit is provided in an L-shaped curved state, and is provided on one of an upper wall and a bottom wall of the main body case facing the loading portion. A loading port for taking in and out the memory unit is opened,
A substrate holder is provided on the curved portion of the loading section, for holding and holding the inner and outer surfaces of the substrate in a curved posture,
The tape cartridge, wherein the memory unit is inserted and loaded so as to be able to be taken in and out of the substrate holder via the loading port. On the base end side of the substrate holder, a clamping portion for curving and guiding the substrate, and positioning and clamping is formed,
2. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a guide surface is formed to guide the transfer of the substrate to the holding portion from a protruding end of the substrate holder toward the holding portion. 3. The tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the substrate holder is constituted by a pair of inner and outer partial arc-shaped rib walls. 3. The tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the substrate holder includes a partially arcuate rib-like wall and a pin-like protrusion protruding from an inner surface of the rib-like wall.

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