JP2616501B2 - Cassette loading device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel cassette loading device. More specifically, a cassette loading device for loading a recording medium cassette, in which a recording medium such as a magnetic disk or a magnetic tape is accommodated in a cassette case, into a predetermined cassette mounting portion, particularly, a recording medium cassette is removably inserted. A cassette carrier that moves between an eject position where a recording medium cassette is inserted and ejected, and a loading completion position closer to the cassette insertion direction and closer to the thickness direction of the cassette than the eject position; The present invention relates to a cassette loading device provided with a retraction means for moving a cassette carrier to a loading completion position when a cassette is inserted, wherein the resilience of one resilient member is set at the position of the cassette carrier or the cassette carrier of a recording medium cassette. Depending on the insertion status Thus, the resilient force for urging the cassette carrier in the ejecting direction, the resilient force for pulling the cassette carrier toward the loading completed position, and the resilient force for pressing the cassette carrier to the loading completed position function as three types of resilient forces. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel cassette loading device capable of reducing the number of points and the number of assembly steps.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a recording / reproducing apparatus which performs recording and reproduction using a recording medium cassette in which a recording medium such as a magnetic disk or a magnetic tape is housed in a predetermined cassette case, records the recording medium cassette. A cassette loading device is provided to be mounted on the cassette mounting portion of the reproducing portion and to take out the mounted recording medium cassette. In many of such cassette loading devices, a recording medium cassette is removably inserted and recording is performed. A cassette carrier (referred to as a “cassette holder” or a “cassette compartment”) that is moved between an eject position where a medium cassette is inserted and removed and a loading completion position where a recording medium cassette is mounted on a cassette mounting portion. There is.)

There are various types of loading methods using a cassette loading device. One of them is to insert a predetermined amount of a recording medium cassette into a cassette carrier, and the recording medium cassette is held by the cassette carrier and at a predetermined time. There is a so-called auto-loading system in which the cassette carrier is pulled into the loading completion position by a retraction means. Further, the retraction means performs the retraction of the cassette carrier by the resilience of a resilient member and the retraction means by the driving force of a motor. Etc.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show an example a of a conventional cassette loading apparatus in which a cassette carrier is pulled in by the elastic force of an elastic member.

[0005] b is a magnetic disk d in a cassette case c.
Is a rotatable magnetic disk cassette. A cassette case c has two head insertion holes e, e opposed to each other in the thickness direction of the case, and opens and closes the head insertion holes e, e. A shutter f is slidably provided.

Reference numeral g denotes a disk mounting portion on which the magnetic disk d is removably mounted.

Reference numeral h denotes a cassette carrier into which the magnetic disk cassette b is removably inserted.
And a tension spring supported on a chassis (not shown) so as to move between an eject position shown by a solid line in FIG. 12 and a loading completion position shown by a two-dot chain line, and extended between the chassis and the chassis. The moving force in the direction of the disk mounting portion g is constantly urged by i and i.

Reference numeral j denotes a slider (only a side end is shown in the drawing), which is supported by a chassis (not shown) so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, that is, in the left-right direction of the drawing, and is always forward by a resilient means (not shown). The cassette carrier h has a locked arm k and a pressing arm 1 positioned higher than the cassette carrier h. When the slider j is moved to the push-up position shown in FIG. When the slider j comes to the non-push-up position shown in FIG. 11, the slider j is moved to the mounting position by the tensile force of the tension springs i and i when the slider j comes to the non-push-up position shown in FIG. It is to be moved.

M is a loading plate supported on the upper surface of the cassette carrier h so as to be movable in a predetermined range in the front-rear direction, and n is a hook arm rotatably supported on the rear end of the loading plate m. The hook arm n is provided with an engagement protrusion o at the tip thereof and stands by at a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 10 while the magnetic disk cassette b is not inserted to a predetermined insertion position of the cassette carrier h. And the magnetic disk b is a cassette carrier h
When a predetermined amount is inserted into the cassette case c, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Has become.

Reference numeral q denotes a shutter arm whose base end is rotatably supported by the rear end of the upper surface of the cassette carrier h, a shutter pressing pin r is provided at the front end, and a control hole s is formed. An end portion is rotatably supported coaxially with the shutter arm q, a lock pin u is provided at the distal end, and a pressed pin v whose distal end is located in the control hole s of the shutter arm q at a substantially central portion. The shutter arm q and the stopper arm t are both provided by a resilient means (not shown).
In the state where the moving force in the counterclockwise direction is urged and the magnetic disk cassette b is not inserted into the cassette carrier h by a predetermined amount, the magnetic disk cassette b is held at the initial position indicated by the solid line in FIG. The slider j is held at the push-up position by its locked arm k abutting against the lock pin u of the stopper arm t from behind.

Reference numeral w denotes a drive arm rotatably supported on the upper surface of the cassette carrier h, one end of which is slidably engaged with a notch formed at the front end of the loading plate m, and h, the rotating power for constantly pressing the loading plate m backward is urged by the tension spring x extended between the slider j and the slider j, and the slider j is at the push-up position. Is the pressing arm l of the slider j at the other end
10 is locked at a position where the loading plate m is held at the non-loading position shown in FIG.

Therefore, when the magnetic disk cassette b is inserted into the cassette carrier h from the initial state shown by the solid line in FIG.
Are relatively engaged with one side end of the shutter f and press the shutter f toward the position where the head insertion holes e and e are opened, and the head is inserted as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. When the holes e and e are almost opened, one side edge of the control hole s of the shutter arm q presses the pressed pin v of the stopper arm t to move the stopper arm t clockwise. .

As a result, the lock pin u of the stopper arm t escapes from the locked arm k of the slider j to the side, so that the slider j is moved to the non-pushed-up position and the engaging projection o of the hook arm n is moved. The magnetic disk cassette b is indirectly held by the cassette carrier h by being engaged with the engaging concave portion p of the cassette case c.
When the slider j is moved to the non-push-up position, the lock on the drive arm w by the slider j is released.
11, the loading plate m and the hook arm n are integrally moved rearward as shown in FIG. 11, and the hook arm n moves the magnetic disk cassette b into the cassette carrier h. And the cassette carrier h is moved to the loading completion position, and the magnetic disk d is mounted on the disk mounting portion g.

When the magnetic disk d is mounted on the disk mounting portion g, a recording / reproducing head (not shown) is inserted through the head insertion holes e and e of the cassette case c and comes into contact with the magnetic disk d.

The removal of the magnetic disk cassette b is performed by moving the slider j to the push-up position.

That is, from the state shown in FIG.
Is moved to the lifting position, the cassette carrier h is returned to the eject position, and the end of the drive arm w is rotated counterclockwise by the pressing arm 1 of the slider j, so that the loading plate m is not loaded. And the shutter arm q and the stopper arm t are respectively returned to the initial positions by the rotational force urged by the shutter arm q, and the magnetic disk cassette b is returned to the initial position by the pressing force of the shutter arm q. The lock pin u of the stopper arm t pushed out from the position h and returned to the initial position engages the locked arm k of the slider j from the front to lock the slider j at the push-up position.

[0017]

The cassette loading device a has various problems as follows.

First, as a resilient means for loading the magnetic disk cassette b, a tension spring x for pulling the magnetic disk cassette b to the insertion completion position in the cassette carrier h and a cassette carrier h are pressed against the cassette mounting portion. Tension spring i, i
Is required, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are increased, and therefore, there is a problem that the structure is complicated and the cost is increased.

In this type of cassette loading apparatus, the cassette carrier is locked in the eject position until the recording medium cassette is held by the holding means and the holding means. And a control mechanism comprising means for releasing the lock when the recording medium cassette is held on the cassette carrier, etc., and the cassette loading device a performs these operations by separate members, namely, the cassette b. Is held by the hook arm n, the cassette carrier h is locked to the eject position by the stopper arm t, and the lock is released by the shutter arm q. There is a problem that it becomes complicated.

Further, the operation or control such as the above-mentioned holding, locking and unlocking needs to be performed at a predetermined timing. In particular, the unlocking of the cassette carrier h and the loading of the cassette b into the cassette carrier h are performed. The holding needs to be strictly synchronized. However, the cassette loading device a releases the lock and holds the cassette by separate members, so that the processing accuracy and assembly accuracy of each part can be improved. , The operation timing may be out of order.

If the above-mentioned operation timing is out of order, for example, if the inserted magnetic disk cassette b is pulled out in the middle, the so-called empty drop of the cassette carrier h may occur in some cases.
That is, an erroneous operation occurs in which the cassette carrier h moves to the loading completion position while the magnetic disk cassette b is not inserted or the insertion is not performed to the predetermined insertion completion position of the cassette carrier h. Such a malfunction often leads to a serious failure such as damage to the cassette carrier h or the magnetic disk cassette b or damage to the recording / reproducing head which moves as the cassette carrier n moves to the loading completion position. .

[0022]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem of the resilient member, the cassette loading apparatus according to the present invention attaches the cassette carrier to the ejecting direction when the cassette carrier is at the ejecting position. When the cassette carrier is pushed in by a predetermined amount, the cassette carrier is urged to the loading completion position side, and further, when the cassette carrier comes to the loading completion position, a spring member for pressing the cassette carrier to the loading completion position is provided. Things.

Therefore, according to the cassette loading device of the present invention provided with the above-mentioned spring member, one spring moves in the ejecting direction of the cassette carrier in accordance with the position of the cassette carrier or the state of insertion of the recording medium cassette into the cassette carrier. And the pressing to the loading completion position side and the pressing to the loading completion position perform three functions. Therefore, in the conventional cassette loading apparatus in which each of the above functions is performed separately by a plurality of springs. In addition to reducing the number of parts and assembly man-hours,
The cost can be significantly reduced by reducing the number of expensive springs.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the cassette loading device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cassette loading device of the present invention is applied to a cassette loading device in a magnetic disk driver 1.

First, an example of a magnetic disk cassette used in the magnetic disk driver 1 will be described, and then each part of the magnetic disk driver 1 will be described.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a magnetic disk cassette.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a cassette case of the magnetic disk cassette 2, which has a thin box shape having a substantially square shape when viewed from the thickness direction, and has a central portion between two case walls 4, 4 'opposed in the thickness direction. One side end face 5 (hereinafter, “front side end face”
Say ) Are formed in the portion between the head windows 6, 6 'which are long in a direction orthogonal to the front end face 5;
A circular opening 7 is formed at the center of one of the case walls 4 '(hereinafter, referred to as "lower wall").

A relatively shallow shutter recess 8 is formed in a portion of the front end face 5 excluding both ends, and a notch 9 is formed at a position near one end of the recess 8.

Numeral 10 is a shutter having a very flat U-shape viewed from the side, and two opposite parts 1 of the shutter.
Openings 11, 11 which are slightly larger than the head windows 6, 6 ′ are formed at positions deviated to one end side in the longitudinal direction of 0 a, 10 a.
Slides on the cassette case 3 with the continuous portion 10b sandwiching the portion approaching the front end face 5 side of the cassette case 3 from the thickness direction and continuing between the portions 10a and 10a positioned in the shutter disposing recess 8. Fig. 5
As shown by a two-dot chain line, the openings 11, 11 correspond to the head windows 6, 6 ', respectively.
5 'is moved between an open position for opening the head window 6 and a closed position for closing the head windows 6 and 6' shown by a solid line in FIG. 5, and is constantly moved toward the closed position by a resilient member (not shown). Movement has been energized.

The end 9a of the notch 9 formed in the shutter disposition recess 8 on the side of the closing position of the shutter 10 is not covered by the shutter 10 even when the shutter 10 is in the closing position, and is not exposed. doing.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a magnetic disk, which comprises a circular magnetic sheet 13 and a center core 14 fixed to the center of the magnetic sheet 13. The center core 14 has two engaging holes 14a and 14b. The magnetic disk 12 is placed in the cassette case 3 with the center core 14 facing the outside through the opening 7 formed in the cassette case 3.
It is stored rotatably.

The left and right end surfaces 1 of the cassette case 3
Engaging recesses 16 and 16 'are formed near the front ends of the cassette cases 3 and 15', and these engaging recesses 16 and 16 'have a substantially semicircular shape when the cassette case 3 is viewed in the thickness direction. 3 is also open on the lower surface side.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a mechanical chassis of the magnetic disk driver 1, which is a front-rear direction (a leftward direction in FIG. 1 is a front side, and a rightward direction is a rear side in FIG. 1). Is the left side, and the downward direction is the right side. In the following description, the direction is indicated by this direction (the magnetic disk cassette 2 is turned upside down). Of the main part 18 and the side walls 19 and 19 ′ rising upward from both left and right ends of the main part 18 are integrally formed. The support protrusions 20, 20,.
Is protruding.

Guide grooves 21, 21,... Are formed substantially at the intermediate portion and near the front end of the side walls 19, 19 'in the front-rear direction, and these guide grooves 21, 21,. ., And vertical portions 21b, 21b,... Extending downward from the rear ends of the horizontal portions 21a, 21a,. doing.

The guide groove 2 on the front side of the side walls 19, 19 '
The notch 2 is provided in a portion that is close to 1, 1,.
2 and 22 are formed, and spring engaging pieces 23 and 23 projecting forward from the upper portions of the rear edges of the cutouts 22 and 22 are formed. Spring engaging holes 23a and 23a are formed in the spring engaging pieces 23 and 23.
Are formed.

Numeral 24 denotes a spring-hung piece formed in a cut-and-raised shape below the notch 22 in the lower portion of the right side wall 19 '.

Reference numeral 25 denotes an engagement hole formed at a position adjacent to the rear guide groove 21 on the rear side of the right side wall 19 'from behind, and has a rectangular shape long in the front-rear direction.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a disk drive for rotating the magnetic disk 12 of the magnetic disk cassette 2.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a flat motor, which is fixed to a part of the upper surface of the main part 18 of the mechanical chassis 17 which is closer to the front side. The disk mounting plate 29 is fixed
A driving pin 30 is supported by the driving pin 30.

The disk mounting plate 29 is provided with guide grooves 21 and 2 formed in side walls 19 and 19 'of the mechanical chassis 17.
Are positioned at substantially the same height as the lower ends of the vertical portions 21b of 1,.

Reference numeral 31 denotes an eject slider which is operated to take out a magnetic disk cassette mounted on the magnetic disk driver 1.

The eject slider 31 has a substantially U-shaped plate shape when viewed from above, and has a width in the left-right direction substantially equal to the distance between the two side walls 19 and 19 ′ of the mechanical chassis 17. Support holes 32, 32 are provided at the rear end, and notches 33, 3 are provided at portions near the left and right ends of the front side edge.
3 are respectively formed, and the eject slider 31 has the side edges located inside the support holes 32, 32 and the notches 33, 33 inside the support protrusions 20, 20,. (See FIG. 4) slidably engaged with the slits 20a, 20a,. ing.

Further, push-up pieces 34, 34,... Having a substantially non-equilateral trapezoidal shape as viewed from the side are provided to project upward at positions near the front and rear ends of the left and right side edges of the eject slider 31. Are located close to the inner surfaces of the side walls 19, 19 'of the mechanical chassis 17, and the upper ends thereof are formed in the guide grooves 21, 21 formed in the side walls 19, 19'. , Horizontal parts 21a, 21a,
.. Are located at substantially the same height as the lower edge, and the rear edges 34a, 34a,.

The eject slider 31 has a spring hook 35 projecting downward from the right edge thereof and the spring hook 2 formed on the right wall 19 ′ of the mechanical chassis 17.
4, a forward moving force is constantly urged by a tensile force of a tension spring 36 provided between the support holes 32, 32 and the cutouts 33, 32 when not pushed rearward. 1 is held at the non-pushed position shown in FIG. 1 by abutting the rear edge of the support projection 20, 20,..., And in this state, the beveled edge 34a of the push-up pieces 34, 34,. , 34a,...
Are positioned substantially corresponding to the lower ends of the front edges of the vertical portions 21b, 21b,.

A push button (not shown) is attached to the front end of the eject slider 31, and the eject slider 31 is pushed by pushing the push button.

Reference numeral 37 denotes a cassette carrier into which the magnetic disk cassette 2 is removably inserted.

The cassette carrier 37 has a substantially U-shaped top plate 38 as viewed from above, narrow side pieces 39 and 39 ′ projecting downward from both left and right side edges of the top plate 38, and the side pieces. The top plate 38 and the narrow receiving edges 40 and 40 ′, which are protruded inward from the lower edges of the top plate 38 and are substantially parallel to the top plate 38, are integrally formed. The length is substantially the same as the distance between the side walls 19 and 19 'of the chassis 17, and abutment pieces 38a, 38a projecting downward are formed at the rear end.

The rear end of the right side piece 39 'ends slightly before the rear end of the top plate 38, and the rear end of the right side edge 39' is moved from the position corresponding to the rear end of the right side piece 39 '. The portion 40'a located to the position corresponding to the rear end of the plate 38 is located slightly lower than the remaining portion.

Reference numerals 41, 41,... Denote guided pins horizontally projecting laterally from positions spaced apart in the front-rear direction of the side pieces 39, 39 '.
.. Are slightly thinner than the rest.

Reference numerals 42, 42 denote spring hooks formed outwardly at positions slightly forward from the center of the side pieces 39, 39 'in the front-rear direction.
2a is formed.

Reference numeral 43 denotes an arm support shaft which extends downward at a corner where the right edge and the rear edge of the top plate 38 intersect.

Then, such a cassette carrier 37 is used.
Are the tip portions 41 of the guided pins 41, 41,...
are guide grooves 21 of the mechanical chassis 17,
21 are slidably engaged with the side walls 19, 19 'of the mechanical chassis 17, and are movably supported by the guide pins 41, 41, as shown in FIG.
Are horizontal portions 21a, 21 of the guide grooves 21, 21,...
, and the guided pins 41, 41,..., as shown in FIG. 3, and the guide grooves 21, 21,. .. Are moved between positions (hereinafter, referred to as “loading completion positions”) located near the lower ends of the vertical portions 21b, 21b,.

Accordingly, the cassette carrier 37 moves along a substantially horizontal L-shaped movement locus when viewed from the side.

The insertion and removal of the magnetic disk cassette 2 into and from the cassette carrier 37 are performed in a state where the cassette carrier 37 is at the eject position, and when the cassette carrier 37 is at the loading completed position, it is inserted into this. Magnetic disk 1 of magnetic disk cassette 2
2 is mounted on the disk mounting plate 29 of the disk drive unit 26.

Reference numerals 44, 44 are toggle springs.

Each of the toggle springs 44 has a generally scissor-like spring shape comprising a coil-shaped ring portion 45, and two arms 46, 46 and 47, 47 extending straight from both ends of the ring portion 45, 45. And the tip 4 of one of the arms 46, 46
6a, 46a are substantially U-shaped, and the other arms 47, 4
The tip of 7 has a substantially crank shape.

Then, such toggle springs 44, 44
The axial direction of the annular portions 45, 45 extends in the left-right direction, and the annular portions 45, 45
In the state of being located in the notches 22, 22 of the 19 ′, the tips 46 a, 46 a of the one arm 46, 46
The tip portions 47a, 47a of the other arms 47, 47 are locked in the spring hook holes 23a, 23a formed in the 19 ', and the spring hook holes 42a formed in the side pieces 39, 39' of the cassette carrier 37. 42a, and these locks are such that the loops 45, 45 have two arms 46, 46
This is performed in a state in which the resilience in the direction in which the interval between, 47 and 47 is increased is accumulated.

When the cassette carrier 37 is at the eject position, the spring engaging holes 42a, 42a of the cassette carrier 37 are located below the spring engaging holes 23a, 23a of the mechanical chassis 17, as is well understood in FIG. In this state, the direction of the resilient force acting on the tip of the other arm 47, 47 of the toggle spring 44, 44 in this state is downward and slightly obliquely forward.
The cassette carrier 37 is urged to move forward.

Further, the cassette carrier 37 is pushed rearward from the above state, and the spring carrier holes 42a, 42
When a moves backward, the toggle springs 44 are rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2 while increasing the resilient force, and as shown by the solid lines in FIG.
When the position 42a comes to a position just below the spring hook holes 23a of the mechanical chassis 17 (hereinafter, the position of the cassette carrier 37 in this state is referred to as a “click point position”), the other arm 47, 47 The direction of the resilient force acting on the leading end is substantially right below, and the cassette carrier 37
For example, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
The direction of the resilient force acting on the distal ends of the other arms 47, 47 of the 44 is directed downward and slightly obliquely rearward, so that the cassette carrier 37 is urged to move in this direction.

Therefore, in this state, the guide pins 41, 41,... Of the cassette carrier 37 are moved by the resilient force of the toggle springs 44, 44 into the guide grooves 21, 21,.
.. Are engaged rearward while being engaged with the horizontal portions 21a, 21a,.
.. Are horizontal portions 21 of the guide grooves 21, 21,.
a, 21a,... at the rear end, the guided pin 41,
41,... Are the vertical portions 21 of the guide grooves 21, 21,.
., 21b,... are moved toward the loading completed position.

When the cassette carrier 37 is located between the eject position and the click position, the resiliency of the toggle springs 44, 44 is determined.
7 acts to urge the moving force toward the front. When the cassette carrier 37 is located behind the click point, the moving force toward the loading completion position is applied to the cassette carrier 37. It will act like a force.

Reference numeral 48 denotes a control arm supported by the cassette carrier 37. The control arm 48 moves the cassette carrier 37 from the eject position to the loading completion position until the magnetic disk cassette 2 is inserted into the cassette carrier 37 by a predetermined amount. In order to prevent the magnetic disk cassette 2 from being inserted and to detect that the magnetic disk cassette 2 has been inserted into the cassette carrier 37 by a predetermined amount, the magnetic disk cassette 2 is released and the magnetic disk cassette 2 is held. Are formed integrally.

The control arm 48 is formed in a plate shape having a substantially right-angled triangle when viewed from the thickness direction, has an insertion hole 49 formed at a corner at the rear end thereof, and has a substantially left oblique front portion on the upper surface thereof. A concave portion 50 is formed in the side edge facing the rear surface, and a rear end surface 50a of the concave portion 50 is a pressed portion pressed by the magnetic disk cassette 2, and a portion 51 between the front end surface 48a and the concave portion 50 is formed. Is the side 1 of the cassette case 3
5, one 16 'of the engagement recesses 16, 16' formed in
The engaging portion 5 is detachably engaged with the engaging portion 5.
1 has a substantially arc-shaped distal end surface.

The right side surface 48b of the control arm 48 has a front end portion 52 protruding from the remaining portion to the side opposite to the concave portion 50, and this protruding portion 52 is formed on the right side wall 19 'of the mechanical chassis 17. It is a lock portion which is engaged with the engagement hole 25 in a detachable manner.

Reference numeral 53 denotes a stopper projection projecting from the lower surface of the control arm 48.

Then, the control arm 48 has its insertion hole 4
9 is inserted through the arm support shaft 43 suspended from the cassette carrier 37 so that the cassette carrier 37
Is rotatably supported by the top plate 38.

Numeral 54 denotes a torsion spring whose coil portion 54a is fitted on the arm support shaft 43 and whose one arm 54b is moved downward from the right end of the right abutment piece 38a of the top plate 38 of the cassette carrier 37. The distal end of the other arm 54c is engaged with a spring engaging hole 56 formed in the center near the right edge of the control arm 48.

Accordingly, the control arm 48 moves integrally with the cassette carrier 37, and is always urged to rotate counterclockwise when viewed from above, so that the control arm 48 is not pressed in the clockwise direction. When the stopper projection 53 abuts on the rear end 40'a of the right receiving edge 40 'of the cassette carrier 37 from the left side, further rotation in the counterclockwise direction is prevented. ,
The lock portion 52 is positioned so as to protrude laterally from the right side surface of the cassette carrier 37, and the pressed portion 50a is positioned slightly to the left from the right piece 39 'of the cassette carrier 37 when viewed from the front-back direction. Also, the engaging portion 51
Of the cassette carrier 37 are located on the substantially same plane as the inner surface of the right side piece 39 ′ of the cassette carrier 37.

As described above, the control arm 48 locks the cassette carrier 37 at the eject position and detects that the magnetic disk cassette 2 has been inserted into the cassette carrier 37 to release the lock and release the magnetic disk. It has a function of supporting the cassette 2.

When the cassette carrier 37 is at the eject position, the lock portion 52 of the control arm 48 faces the engaging hole 25 formed in the right side wall 19 'of the mechanical chassis 17 from the left side. Like the control arm 4
8, when the lock portion 52 is not pressed in the clockwise direction, the lock portion 52 is positioned so as to protrude from the right side surface of the cassette carrier 37, and as shown in FIG.
2 is engaged with the engagement hole 25, thereby preventing the cassette carrier 37 from moving backward.

The insertion of the magnetic disk cassette 2 into the cassette carrier 37 is performed in a state where the cassette carrier 37 is at the eject position, and the insertion direction is such that the front end face 5 of the cassette case 3 is located at the back of the cassette carrier 37. This is the direction in which the center core 14 of the magnetic disk 12 is exposed downward (hereinafter, referred to as “regular insertion direction”).

The magnetic disk cassette 2 is inserted into the cassette carrier 37 in such a direction, and the cassette case 3 is engaged with the control arm 48 by the engagement recess 16 ′ formed on the right end face 15 ′. When it comes to a position substantially facing the portion 51, the front end face 5 of the cassette case 3
Of the control arm 48 comes into contact with the pressed portion 50a of the control arm 48 and presses the same toward the rear.

As a result, the control arm 48 is rotated clockwise as viewed from above, so that the lock portion 52 is disengaged from the engagement hole 25 of the mechanical chassis 17 and the engagement portion 51 of the control arm 48 is moved to the cassette case. 3 engagement recesses 16
To prevent the magnetic disk cassette 2 from being removed from the cassette carrier 37.

The lock of the cassette carrier 37 by the mechanical chassis 17 is released, and the magnetic disk cassette 2 is held by the cassette carrier 37 via the control arm 48. The movement of the cassette carrier 37 to the loading completion position is magnetic. The operation is performed with the disk cassette 2 held in this manner.

As described above, the cassette carrier 3
7 is in the eject position, the distal end of the engaging portion 51 of the control arm 48 is located on substantially the same plane as the inner surface of the right side piece 39 'of the cassette carrier 37.
As soon as the control arm 48 rotates clockwise, the engaging portion 51 is engaged with the engaging recess 16 ′ of the cassette case 3.

Therefore, the mechanical chassis 1 of the control arm 48
The release of the engagement with the cassette case 3 and the engagement with the cassette case 3 are surely performed in synchronization with each other, and the cassette carrier 37 does not hold the magnetic disk cassette 2 even if the lock of the cassette carrier 37 at the eject position is released. There is no fear that such a malfunction will occur.

When the magnetic disk cassette 2 is inserted into the cassette carrier 37 in a direction other than the normal insertion direction, the positions of the engaging concave portions 16 and 16 ′ do not correspond to the engaging portions 51 of the control arm 48. Therefore, the control arm 48 cannot rotate counterclockwise. by this,
Reverse insertion of the magnetic disk cassette 2 is prevented.

Reference numeral 57 denotes a shutter opening arm for moving the shutter 10 of the magnetic disk cassette 2 inserted into the cassette carrier 37 to the open position, and each part thereof is integrally formed of a sheet metal material.

The shutter opening arm 57 has a main portion 58
Has a relatively elongated plate shape when viewed from above, and has one end 59 (hereinafter, referred to as a “base end”) formed in a substantially U-shape when the shutter opening arm 57 is viewed from the longitudinal direction. And the insertion holes 59 are formed in the upper and lower pieces of the U-shaped portion.
a, 59a are formed.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a stopper piece protruding downward from one side edge of the main portion 58 in the width direction, and 61 denotes a main portion 58.
Is a functioning piece that protrudes downward from the other end of the other side edge in the width direction, and has a distal end portion 61a that extends further than the distal end of the main portion 58, and is bent in a substantially V shape when viewed from above. ing.

The shutter opening arm 57 is inserted into the insertion holes 59a, 59a in the cassette carrier 3.
7 is rotatably supported coaxially with the control arm 48 by inserting the arm support shaft 43 provided therein.

The main portion 58 of the shutter opening arm 57
The upper and lower pieces of the base end portion 59 are positioned so as to sandwich the base end portion of the control arm 48 from both upper and lower sides.

Numeral 62 denotes a torsion spring whose coil portion 62a is fitted onto the arm support shaft 43, one arm 62b is locked by the spring hooking portion 55 of the cassette carrier 37, and the tip of the other arm 62c. The portion is locked from substantially the left side by a spring hook 63 cut and raised downward at an intermediate portion of the main portion 58 of the shutter opening arm 57.

However, the shutter opening arm 57 is always urged by the torsion spring 62 to rotate counterclockwise when viewed from above, so that the shutter opening arm 57 is not pressed clockwise. Is held at the standby position shown in FIG. 1 by the stopper piece 60 abutting on the control arm 48. In this state,
The distal end 61a of the action piece 61 faces the right end of the front end face 5 of the cassette case 3 of the magnetic disk cassette 2 inserted into the cassette carrier 37 in the normal insertion direction.

The shutter opening operation by the shutter opening arm 57 will be described later.

Reference numeral 64 denotes an eject arm for pushing the cassette carrier 37 forward when the eject slider 31 is pushed in, and a lower portion 64 extending horizontally.
a and an upper portion 64b projecting upward from one end of the lower portion 64a to form a substantially L-shape.

Reference numeral 65 denotes a support shaft erected at the right end of the main portion 18 of the mechanical chassis 17 near the rear end. The support shaft 65 is turned around the lower end 64a of the eject arm 64 near the other end. It is movably supported.

Then, the lower portion 64 of the eject arm 64
a of the support shaft 65 on the other end side is opposed to the pressing portion 66 formed at the right end of the rear end of the eject slider 31 from the rear, and the upper end of the upper portion 64b of the eject arm 64 is a cassette. The rear end of the top plate 38 of the carrier 37 is opposed from the rear.

When the eject slider 31 is not pushed in, the position of the eject arm 64 is not particularly determined, and the position of the eject arm 64 between the position indicated by the solid line and the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. I'm in that position. The operation of the arm 64 will be described later.

Reference numeral 67 denotes a head support for supporting a magnetic head for recording and reproduction. The head support 67 is supported by a movable base 6 supported on a mechanical chassis 17 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.
8 and a head arm 69 rotatably supported by the moving base 68 in a substantially vertical direction. The head arm 69 is moved by a moving means (not shown) in a direction crossing tracks of the magnetic disk 12 mounted on the magnetic disk driver 1. The moving base 68 and the head arm 69
The magnetic heads 70, 70
'Is supported.

Then, while the cassette carrier 37 is not at the loading completed position, the head arm 69 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
The cassette carrier 3 is held at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line.
When the magnetic head 7 is moved to the loading completion position, the magnetic head 70 'is moved to the position shown by the solid line in FIG.

The loading, ejecting, and recording / reproducing operations of the magnetic disk cassette 2 by the magnetic disk driver 1 configured as described above are performed as follows.

In an initial state before the magnetic disk cassette 2 is inserted to the predetermined insertion position of the cassette carrier 37, the cassette carrier 37 is
Are located at the eject positions located at the front ends of the horizontal portions 21a, 21a, ... of the guide grooves 21, 21, ... and the resilience of the toggle springs 44, 44. The ejecting position is maintained by being urged forward by the moving force, and the locking portion 52 of the control arm 48 is engaged with the engaging hole 25 of the mechanical chassis 17 to move to the loading completed position side. Movement is blocked.

The cassette carrier 37 has a disk drive unit while the guided pins 41, 41,... Are located in the horizontal portions 21a, 21a,. It is located slightly higher than 26.

In this initial state, the shutter opening arm 57 is at the standby position.

Then, when the magnetic disk cassette 2 is inserted into the cassette carrier 37 in the normal insertion direction and reaches the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. Tip 6 of
1a relatively abuts on the right side of the right end of the shutter disposition recess 8 in the front end face 5 of the cassette 3 relatively.

When the magnetic disk cassette 2 is further pushed into the cassette carrier 37 from this state, the cassette case pushes the shutter opening arm 57 and pushes the arm 57 in the clockwise direction against the elastic force of the torsion spring 62. , The leading end 61 a of the action piece 61 moves while sliding on the front end face 5 of the cassette case 3,
As shown by a solid line in FIG. 5, it enters the right end 9 a of the notch 9 of the shutter disposing recess 8 formed on the front end face 5 and contacts the right end edge of the continuous portion 10 b of the shutter 10. 61 presses the shutter 10 relatively to the left, and thus the shutter 10
Is moved toward the open position.

When the magnetic disk cassette 2 is further pushed into the cassette carrier 37 and reaches the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the diagonally cut side edge of the right end of the front end of the cassette case 3 is controlled. The arm 50 enters into a concave portion 50 formed on the upper surface of the arm 48 and its front end surface 5 abuts against the pressed portion 50a of the control arm 48 from the front, and
0a is pressed backward.

In this state, the shutter 10 has been moved to or near the open position where the head windows 6, 6 'of the cassette case 3 are opened.
The engaging recess 16 ′ formed on the right end face 15 ′ of the cassette case 3 reaches a position substantially opposite to the tip of the engaging portion 51 of the control arm 48 from the left.

Since the pressed portion 50a of the control arm 48 is pressed rearward by the magnetic disk cassette 2 and is rotated clockwise, the lock portion 52a is rotated as shown by the solid line in FIG. Is disengaged from the engagement hole 25 of the mechanical chassis 17 to the left, and at the same time, the distal end of the engagement portion 51 is engaged with the engagement recess 16 ′ of the cassette case 3.
The lock at the eject position 7 is released, and the magnetic disk cassette 2 is held by the cassette carrier 37 via the control arm 48.

In the state described above, the shutter opening arm 57 is connected to the contact piece 3 of the top plate 38 of the cassette carrier 37.
8a is located in contact with or very close to the front 8a.

When the magnetic disk cassette 2 is further pushed in from this state, the pressing force acts to press the cassette carrier 37, so that the cassette carrier 37 is moved backward and the control arm 48 is locked. The rotation of the part 52 in the clockwise direction is prevented by contacting the right side wall 19 ′ of the mechanical chassis 17.

When the cassette carrier 37 has moved to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 6 and 7, that is, a position slightly behind the click point, the toggle springs 44, 44 are moved to the positions shown in FIG. As shown by the two-dot chain line, the tip end 47a of the other arm 47 locked to the cassette carrier 37 assumes a position rearward from the tip end 46a of the one arm 46. The direction of the resilient force acting on the portion is substantially obliquely downward and rearward.

Therefore, when the cassette carrier 37 is pushed to such a position, the cassette carrier 37 is pushed from here onward without pressing the magnetic disk cassette 2.
Are pushed rearward and downward by the elastic force of the toggle springs 44, 44, so that the guided pins 41, 41,.
.. are horizontal portions 21a, 21 of guide grooves 21, 21,...
a is moved rearward while being located at a, and the guided pins 41, 41,.
After reaching the rear end, in other words, the upper end of the vertical portion 21b, 21b,..., It is moved downward.

Then, when the cassette carrier 37 is moved downward, the magnetic disk cassette 2 held therein is moved.
Are mounted on the upper end surfaces of the support protrusions 20, 20,... Provided on the mechanical chassis 17,
This prevents the cassette carrier 37 from moving further downward.

Thus, the cassette carrier 37 is kept at the loading completion position shown in FIG. 3 in a state where it is pressed downward by the elastic force of the toggle springs 44, 44. That is, the cassette carrier 37 is pressed to the loading completed position.

When the cassette carrier 37 reaches the loading completion position, the center core 14 of the magnetic disk 12 of the magnetic disk cassette 2 is mounted on the disk mounting plate 29, and the motor 2 is inserted into the engaging holes 14a and 14b.
The drive pin 30 is engaged with the upper end of the rotary shaft 28 of the drive unit 7.

When the magnetic disk 12 is mounted on the disk drive section 26 in this manner, the magnetic head 70 supported by the moving base 68 of the arm support 67
Are relatively inserted into the cassette case 3 through the lower head window 6 ′ of the cassette case 3 and come into contact with the lower surface of the magnetic sheet 13 of the magnetic disk 12, and the head arm 69 is turned downward. When moved, the magnetic head 70 ′ is inserted into the cassette case 3 through the head window 6 on the upper side of the cassette case 3 and comes into contact with the upper surface of the magnetic sheet 13.

When a recording or reproducing command is issued, the motor 27 of the disk drive 26 is rotated and the head support 67 is moved to the magnetic head 70 or 70.
′ Is moved to a position corresponding to the designated track on the magnetic sheet 13 so that the magnetic head 70 or 70
'Is recorded or reproduced.

The ejection of the magnetic disk cassette 2 mounted on the magnetic disk driver 1 is performed by the eject slider 3.
This is done by pressing 1.

When the eject slider 31 moves rearward from the state where the cassette carrier 37 has reached the loading completed position, the inclined edges 34a, 34a,... Of the push-up pieces 34, 34,. The guided pins 41 of the cassette carrier 37, 41,.
The cassette carrier 37 is pushed upward in order to press the head substantially obliquely rearward, whereby the magnetic disk 12 is detached from the disk mounting plate 29 and the elasticity of the toggle springs 44, 44 increases. Will be.

As shown by the solid line in FIG. 8, the guided pins 41, 41,... Of the cassette carrier 37 are turned into the vertical portions 21b, 21b,.
The upper portion 64b of the eject arm 64 pressed by the eject slider 31 at the same time as the upper end of the eject arm 31 presses the cassette carrier 37 forward. Therefore, when the eject slider 31 is pushed in a predetermined amount, the eject arm The pressing of the cassette carrier 37 by 64 is performed at least until the cassette carrier 37 passes the click point position forward.

Therefore, the cassette carrier 37 is returned to the eject position by the eject slider 31 and the eject arm 64, or is returned by the eject slider 31 or the like until the cassette carrier 37 passes through the click point position, and then the toggle springs 44, 44 It will be returned to the eject position by the resilience.

When the cassette carrier 37 returns to the eject position, the lock portion 52 of the control arm 48 faces the engaging hole 25 of the mechanical chassis 17, so that the control arm 48 is rotated by the rotating force urged by the lock portion 52. By rotating counterclockwise, the lock portion 52 is engaged with the engagement hole 25, whereby the cassette carrier 37 is locked at the eject position.

At the same time, the engaging portion 51 of the control arm 48 is disengaged laterally from the engaging recess 16 'of the cassette case 3, so that the holding of the magnetic disk cassette 2 by the control arm 48 is released. The disc cassette 2 is pushed back by the shutter opening arm 57 and the action piece 61 of the shutter opening arm 57 escapes rightward, so that the shutter 10 returns to the closed position by the moving force urged by the shutter opening arm 57.

[0117]

As is apparent from the above description, the cassette loading apparatus of the present invention has an eject position where the recording medium cassette is removably inserted and a recording medium cassette is inserted and removed, and the eject position. The recording medium cassette includes a cassette carrier that moves between a loading completion position closer to the cassette insertion direction and a thickness direction of the cassette, and a guide member that guides the movement direction of the cassette carrier. While the cassette carrier is not inserted, the cassette carrier is held at the eject position, and when the recording medium cassette is inserted to the predetermined insertion position of the cassette carrier, the cassette carrier is moved to the loading completed position by the elastic force of the elastic means. A cassette loading device, comprising a cassette carrier. When the cassette carrier is at the eject position, the cassette carrier is urged in the ejecting direction. When the cassette carrier is pushed in by a predetermined amount, the cassette carrier is urged toward the loading completed position, and further, the cassette carrier comes to the loading completed position. And a spring member for crimping this to a loading completed position.

Therefore, according to the present invention, one spring moves the cassette carrier in the ejecting direction and toward the loading completion position side in accordance with the position of the cassette carrier or the state of insertion of the recording medium cassette into the cassette carrier. Performs three functions in all of the urging and crimping to the loading completed position, so that the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are reduced as compared with the conventional cassette loading apparatus in which each of the above functions is performed separately by a plurality of springs. And the number of expensive springs can be reduced, thereby significantly reducing costs.

In the above embodiment, the spring members are provided on both sides of the cassette carrier. However, in some cases, the spring members may be provided only on one side of the cassette carrier.

In the above embodiment, the cassette loading device of the present invention is applied to a cassette loading device in a magnetic disk driver. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the recording medium cassette is not limited to such an example. A cassette carrier which is removably inserted and moves between an eject position where a recording medium cassette is inserted and ejected, and a loading completion position closer to the cassette insertion direction and closer to the cassette thickness direction than the eject position. The present invention is applied to various cassette loading apparatuses including a support member having a guide portion for guiding a moving direction of the cassette carrier, and a retracting unit that retracts the cassette carrier to a loading completion position when a recording medium cassette is inserted into the cassette carrier. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a magnetic disk driver, showing an embodiment in which the cassette loading device of the present invention is applied to a cassette loading device in a magnetic disk driver together with FIGS. 2 to 9;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a magnetic disk driver with a part cut away.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1 in a state where the cassette carrier is at a loading completion position.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the cassette loading device.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of a main part, showing the cassette loading operation together with FIG. 6 in order.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a main part showing the cassette loading operation in order.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a main part showing a cassette loading operation.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a main part for describing a cassette ejection operation.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a magnetic disk cassette.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of a conventional cassette loading device together with FIGS. 11 and 12, showing a state before the insertion of a magnetic disk cassette into a cassette carrier is completed.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state where the magnetic disk cassette is loaded.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view partially cut away.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... recording medium cassette, 3 ... cassette case, 17 ... support member, 21 ... guide portion, 37 ... cassette carrier, 44
... Spring member

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An ejecting position at which a recording medium cassette is removably inserted and a recording medium cassette is inserted and removed; a loading completion position which is closer to the cassette inserting direction than the ejecting position and closer to the cassette thickness direction; And a support member having a guide portion for guiding the direction of movement of the cassette carrier. When the recording medium cassette is not inserted, the cassette carrier is held at the eject position and the recording medium is A cassette loading device in which the cassette carrier is moved to the loading completion position by the resilience of the resilient means when the cassette is inserted to a predetermined insertion position of the cassette carrier, and when the cassette carrier is at the eject position, This is urged in the eject direction, and the cassette key is When the rear is pushed in by a predetermined amount, the cassette carrier is urged to the loading completion position side, and when the cassette carrier comes to the loading completion position, a spring member is provided for pressing the cassette carrier to the loading completion position. Cassette loading device.