JPH01106358A - Disk pack automatic switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set only an accommodating room in which a light transmitting type disk pack exists on a disk pack shifting path by providing a light emitting element and a light receiving element which are mutually communicable through a light path and detecting the presence or absence of the light transmitting type disk pack. CONSTITUTION:A fitting block 93 is provided opposite to the outer circumferential edge part of a holder 2, and the presence or absence of a disk pack detecting device 9 is provided to the block 93. A light emitting element 91 and a light receiving element 92, which constitute the detecting device, are provided oppositely on the extention line of the light path to pass through the accommodating room and a pair of detecting holes set on the disk pack shifting path. Thus, when the accommodating room in which no disk pack exists is set on the disk pack shifting path, the light emitting element 91 and the light receiving element 92 are linked mutually through the accommodating room and the pair of detecting holes. Further, the presence or absence of the disk pack detecting device 9 and the fitting block 93 are housed in a housing part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a disk pack transfer device used as a signal recording medium in electronic still cameras, etc. This invention relates to an automatic disk pack exchange device that sequentially feeds one disk pack into a recording/reproducing device.

(Prior art) The disk pack used in electronic still cameras is
As shown in Figure 0, a magnetic disk (12) with a diameter of about 47 MII is freely rotatably housed inside a flat hard case (15) equipped with a window (14) that can be opened and closed by a shutter (13). In the case of field recording, 50 still images can be recorded on one magnetic disk (12) (see Nikkei Electronics J July 2, 1984 issue, pages 80 to 85, published by Nikkei McGraw-Hill).

In order to configure an electronic filing system that can file a larger number of images using this kind of disk pack, we have developed a holder for storing a plurality of disk packs and a mechanism for sequentially feeding the disk packs from the holder into a recording/reproducing device. An automatic disk pack exchange device equipped with a disk pack has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-267966 [C11B1
)108]).

FIG. 12 shows a conventional automatic exchange device which has the same basic structure as the automatic exchange device described above, but in which the disk pack holder is formed in an annular shape.

An annular holder (2) in which a disc pack storage chamber (21) is radially provided is rotatably arranged around a recording/reproducing device (4) for recording or reproducing signals from a disc pack (11). . The holder (2) is connected to a pulse motor (not shown), and is driven to rotate at an angular pitch corresponding to the arrangement pitch of the storage chambers. The disc pack (11) inside the holder (2) is connected to the extrusion mechanism (5).
) is pushed out toward the opening (44) that serves as a passage into the recording/reproducing device (4), and a pair of transport rollers (
7) It is sent into the recording/reproducing device (4) by (7). A disc pack on which signal recording or signal playback has been completed (
11) is returned into the holder (2) by a push-back mechanism (not shown) provided inside the recording/reproducing device (4) and the reverse rotation of a pair of transport rollers (7) (7). .

(Problem to be solved) When trying to sequentially feed all the disc packs housed in the holder into the recording/playback device and perform continuous signal playback, there are disc packs in all storage chambers. It is not always the case that there are empty storage chambers where no disc packs are stored, and there may be several empty storage chambers scattered around. In such a case, in the conventional device, the holder (2) repeatedly rotates and stops at a fixed angular pitch regardless of whether or not there is a disk pack in the storage chamber (21), and all the storage chambers (21) are rotated and stopped. Since the chambers (21) are sequentially set to the loading standby position for the recording/reproducing device, an empty storage chamber may be set to the loading standby position, and in this state, the extrusion mechanism (5),
There is a problem in that the conveyance rollers (7) (7) and the like perform wasteful conveyance operations.

(Means for solving the problem) Therefore, the applicant decided to equip the holder (2) with a disk pack presence/absence detection device.

FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the disc pack presence/absence detection device first devised by the applicant, in which a detection hole (29c) leading from the outside of the holder to the storage chamber (21) is opened in each storage chamber, and the holder (21) is ) are provided with a light emitting element (94) and a light receiving element (95) that face the detection hole (29c) of the accommodation chamber (21) when the accommodation chamber (21) coincides with the opening (44). . When a disk pack exists in the storage chamber, the light from the light emitting element (94) is reflected by the disk pack toward the light receiving element (95), so the presence or absence of the disk pack is determined based on the output of the light receiving element. , controls the drive of the holder and the transportation of the disk pack.

However, disc pack cooling is colored in various ways, and even if the colors are the same, there are some differences in light reflectance, making disc pack detection uncertain. A problem has occurred.

Therefore, in the present invention, an optical path is formed in each storage chamber in the holder (2), passing through the storage chamber (21) from the outside of the holder to the outside of the holder.
2), a light emitting element (91) and a light receiving element (92) are disposed outside the storage chamber (21), which communicate with each other via an optical path passing through the storage chamber when the storage chamber (21) coincides with the disk pack transition path. , light-transmissive disk pack presence/absence detection device (9)
was constructed.

(Function) When the accommodation chamber containing the disc pack is set on the disc back transition path, the light path provided in the holder (2) is blocked by the disc pack, so the light from the light emitting element (91) is not emitted. Does not reach the light receiving element (92) -
0On the other hand, when a storage chamber that does not accommodate a disc pack is set on the disc back transition path, the holder (
Since the optical path 2) is open, the light from the light emitting element (91) passes through the optical path and reaches the light receiving element (92). At this time, since the disc pack presence/absence detection operation is not affected by the magnitude of the light reflectance of the disc pack surface, there is no risk of malfunction.

The detection signal from the light receiving element (92) is supplied to the control circuit (8) of the holder driving means, whereby only the storage chamber (21) in which the disk pack is present is set on the disk pack transfer path, and the disk pack transport operation is performed. stand by.

(Effect of the invention) In the disk pack automatic exchange device according to the present invention,
Since the presence or absence of a disk pack in each accommodation chamber of the holder (2) is detected by a light transmission type detection device, the presence or absence of a disk pack can be reliably detected regardless of the light reflectance of the surface of the disk pack. A wasteful disk pack transport operation is not performed to a storage chamber in which no pack is stored.

(Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of an automatic disk pack exchange device according to the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an upper drum (42) and a lower drum (43) containing a built-in recording and reproducing device (4) are arranged on the machine base (1), and between the two drums there is a A C-shaped ring (hereinafter referred to as C-ring (3)) is arranged to be freely rotatable. Also, both drums are equipped with disk packs for recording and playback! (4) An opening (44) is provided for guiding the inside.

The disk pack holder (2) has a hole (26) in the center that connects to a shaft (4) in the center of the upper drum (42).
5) and is rotatably supported on the machine base (1). There are many storage chambers (21) on the outer periphery of the holder (2).
) are formed radially, and the disc pack (11) in the storage chamber (21) can enter the recording/reproducing device (4) through the opening (44).

A pair of disk pack detection holes (29a) (29b) are formed in the peripheral wall and bottom wall of each storage chamber (21) of the holder (2) in a straight line inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the vertical line. .

A holder drive motor (24) is disposed below the holder (2), and a drive gear (23) is fixed to the output shaft of the motor.
) meshes with an internal gear (22) formed on the inner surface of the lower end of the holder, thereby rotating the holder (2) by a predetermined angle. Further, at the lower end of the drive gear (23),
A disk (25a) in which the same number of slits as the number of accommodation chambers of the holder are opened radially at a constant pitch is fixed, and a photodetector (zsb) consisting of a light emitting element and a light receiving element is mounted across the disk (25a). ) is provided, and an encoder (2) is provided to detect the rotational position of the holder (2).
5) is formed.

In addition, the disk (25a) is installed by installing a bottle (20) near the part.
m) is provided to protrude downward, and a photodetector (20b) consisting of a light emitting element and a light receiving element is provided across the passage path of the bottle (20a).
) for specifying the initial position detection device F(
2G) is configured.

The encoder (25) and the initial position detection device (20)
The output signal is supplied to the control circuit (8) of the holder drive motor. As a result, one counting pulse is created each time each accommodation chamber (21) is set on the disk pack transition path, and the first counting pulse is generated by the initial setting of the holder (2).
When the containment room is set on the disk pack transition path, 1
initial pulses are created, and based on these pulses, the number of the accommodation chamber set on the disk pack transition path is recognized.

Further, a mounting block (93) is provided opposite the outer peripheral edge of the holder (2), and a disk pack presence/absence detection device (9) is provided in the block.

A light emitting element (91) and a light receiving element (
92) are disposed facing each other on an extension of an optical path passing through the storage chamber (21) and the pair of detection holes (91a) and (92b) set on the disk pack transition path. Therefore, when the accommodation chamber (21) in which no disk pack exists is set on the disk pack transition path, the light emitting element (91)
and the light receiving element (92) are communicated with each other via the accommodation chamber and the pair of detection holes.

Incidentally, the disk pack presence/absence detection device (9) and the mounting block (93) are stored in the storage section (51) shown in FIG.

The control circuit (8) supplies drive pulses to the holder drive motor (24), and by a predetermined number of drive pulses,
The holder (2) is fed by the storage chamber arrangement pitch.

As shown in FIG. 4, the storage chambers (21) of the holder (2) are arranged in an annular region with an inner diameter R1 of 150em+ and an outer diameter R2 of 2751 cm, and 40 storage chambers (21) are arranged at a pitch angle θ of 9''.
), and the width B of each storage chamber (21) is approximately 5III.
It is formed at I11. As a result, the space in the width direction of the disc pack (11) in the storage chamber (21) is approximately 1.4
It becomes m+*.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pushing mechanism (5) equipped with a rod (52) for pushing out the disc pack (11) toward the recording/reproducing device (4) is provided on the outside of the holder (2). , the extrusion mechanism (5) is connected to the storage section (51) shown in FIG.
) is stored within.

The C-ring (3) disposed between the upper drum (42) and the lower drum (43) is connected to three rings pivotally supported on the machine base (1) as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Roller (36a) (3
6b) (36c), and one of the rollers (36a) is connected to a C-ring drive motor (37). Both ends of the C-ring (3) are sharply formed, and one ring end (first end (33)
)) A first cam surface (31) is formed on the inner surface to press the disk pack (11) toward the recording/reproducing device (4) as the ring rotates counterclockwise, and the other ring end ( The outer surface of the second end (34) holds the disk pack (work 1) in the holder (
A second cam surface (32) is formed that presses toward 2).

Also, inside the holder (2) is a disc pack (11).
), a pair of conveyance rollers (7) (7) are arranged across the path, and each roller is pivoted (71a) on the machine base (1).
() 1a) A pair of links () 1) are rotatably attached to the free ends of (71). The pivot (71a)
(71a) has a pair of driven gears (73) (73)
are supported in a mutually engaged state, and one driven gear (7
3) is connected to a conveyance motor (74). Both driven gears (73) (73) are mated with gears (not shown) provided below the conveyance rollers (7) (7) so as to be able to rotate integrally with each roller, and rotate the conveyance motor (74). the conveyor roller (
7) (7) is communicated. In addition, both links (71) (71
) are allowed to rotate within a small angular range, and
The transport rollers (7) (7) are rotated inwardly by springs (not shown), and the transport rollers (7) (7) are connected to the links (71) (71).
The inward rotation end of the disc will slightly enter the disc back transition path. Therefore, the disk pack (11) is driven back and forth while being pinched by both the transport rollers (7) (7).

A push-back mechanism (6) equipped with an arm (61) for pushing back the disk pack (11) after recording and playback toward the holder (2) is disposed at the back of the recording/playback device (4). There is. The push-back machine flI (6) has a pair of rollers (62) (
63), an endless belt (66) to which the arm (61) is fixed is stretched, and an intermediate wheel (62) is attached to one roller (62).
A push-back motor (65) is connected via a motor (64). The arm (61) is 1. As shown in Figure 10, the upper end extends to the height of the disc back transition path,
As the belt (66) moves, the disc pack (11)
push forward.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the C-ring (3) has a through hole (35) that passes through it vertically, and the through hole (
3 sets of photodetectors (39a) consisting of a light emitting element (27) and a light receiving element (28) that can communicate with each other via
(39b) and (39c) are arranged at predetermined positions to be described later, thereby forming rotational position detection means (39) for the C-ring (3). First photodetector (39
a) is the opening (3) of the C-ring (3) as shown in Figure 1.
8) is arranged at a position where the through hole (35) enters between the pixel elements at a ring rotation angle that matches the disk pack transition path, and the second photodetector (39b) is arranged as shown in FIG. When the C-ring (3) is further rotated by a predetermined angle clockwise from the angle shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, when the C ring (3) is further rotated by a predetermined angle counterclockwise from the angle shown in FIG. .

The detection signal from each photodetector is transmitted by a C-ring drive motor (37
) to control starting and stopping of the motor, thereby defining the rotation angle of the C-ring (3).

FIG. 11 shows that the control circuit (8) controls the holder (2) based on the encoder pulse obtained from the encoder (25) and the detection pulse obtained from the disk presence detection device (9).
) shows the processing procedure for rotationally driving. holder(
2) When the command button for continuously playing all the disc packs held in 2) is operated, the holder drive motor is started (101). The holder is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed, and the process An encoder pulse is generated at (10
2) Then, the holder drive motor (103) is stopped (1
03) As a result, the storage chamber 1 is set on the disk pack transition path.Next, the presence or absence of a disk pack is determined based on the detection pulse from the disk pack presence detection device (104), and the disk pack is detected. If not, start the holder drive motor again (101
), if a disc pack is detected, the push-out mechanism and transport roller are driven to feed the disc pack in the storage chamber into the recording/reproducing device, and signal reproduction (105) is performed.When the signal reproduction is completed, the disc is After transporting the pack into the holder, the holder drive motor (101) is started to proceed to playback of the next disc pack.

The operation of the C-ring (3) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9.

Before loading starts, the C-ring (3) is set at an angle such that the opening (38) is offset from the disc pack transition path as shown in Fig. 5, and the disc pack (11) in the storage chamber (21) is Escape from the containment chamber (21) is prevented by the ring (3).

During loading, the C-ring (3) rotates counterclockwise, and the through hole (35) connects to the first photodetector (39) as shown in Figure 6.
When a) is activated, the ring drive motor (3)) stops. At this time, the opening (38) coincides with the disk pack transition path.

In this state, the rod (52) of the extrusion mechanism performs an extrusion operation, and the disk pack (11) in the storage chamber (21) is
is pushed toward the opening (44) of the recording/reproducing device.

In the process of transitioning from the state shown in FIG. 6 to the state shown in FIG. 7, immediately after the disc pack (11) passes through the opening (38),
The C-ring (3) further rotates counterclockwise, and as a result, the first cam surface (31) presses the rear end of the disk pack (11), and the disk pack (11) starts recording as shown in Figure 7. It is pushed into a predetermined position within the playback device (4). At this time, the through hole (35) activates the third photodetector (39c), and the rotation of the C ring (3) is stopped. The C ring (3)
The disk pack transfer path is blocked by this.

When the signal recording or signal reproduction is completed, the C-ring (3) rotates clockwise, and when the through hole (35) activates the first photodetector (39a) as shown in FIG. (3) rotation stops. In this state, the push-back motor (65)
is activated, and the arm (61) moves toward the holder (2). As a result, the disc pack (11) enters between the transport rollers (7) and (7), and is transported in the direction of the holder (2) by the rotation of both rollers.

In the process of transitioning from the state shown in FIG. 8 to the state shown in FIG.
Immediately after passing the C-ring (3), the C-ring (3) further rotates clockwise, and as a result, the second cam surface (32) presses the rear end of the disc pack (11), and as shown in Figure 9, the C-ring (3) rotates clockwise. 11) is pushed back into the hole ν1 (2). At this time, the through hole (35) activates the second photodetector (39b) and the rotation of the C ring (3) is stopped. The C ring (3)
The disk pack transfer path is blocked by this.

In the above-mentioned automatic disc pack exchange device, not only is the unnecessary operation of transporting the disc pack to an empty storage chamber omitted, but also the disc pack is transferred into the recording/reproducing device (4) by the operation of the C-ring (3). Or holder (2)
Since the disc pack is loaded securely into the storage chamber (21) of the disc pack and is prevented from moving into the recording/reproducing device (4) unless necessary, there is no risk of malfunction.

It should be noted that the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the technical scope of the claims.

For example, the holder (2) is not only annular, but also has a storage chamber (21
) may be formed into a rectangular parallelepiped arranged in a straight line.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing an automatic disk pack exchange device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device, and FIG.
The figure is a plan view showing the main parts of the device, Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the main parts of the holder, and Figs. 5 to 9 are a series of plan views showing the operation of the C-ring. Fig. 10 is the push-back mechanism. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit of the holder drive motor, FIG. 12 is a plan view of the conventional device, and FIG. 13 is a side view of the conventional device.
The figure is a partially cutaway front view showing a disk pack presence/absence detection device, which is the premise of the present invention. (11)...Devsk bag (2)...Holder (21)...Containment room (3)...
C ring (24)...Holder drive motor (8)
... Control circuit (9) ... Disk pack presence/absence detection device-42.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Disk pack (1) equipped with a disk-shaped signal recording medium
1) A recording/reproducing device (4) that performs signal recording or signal reproduction.
), a disc pack holder (2) provided with a large number of disc pack storage chambers (21) is provided, and the holder (2) is driven by a driving means to open the storage chambers (21).
In an automatic disk pack exchange device, the disk pack (11) is reciprocated by a conveying means on a transition path between the holder (2) and the recording/reproducing device (4). ), an optical path penetrating from the outside of the holder to the outside of the holder through the inside of the storage chamber (21) is formed for each storage chamber, and the storage chamber (21) is located outside of the holder (2) along the disk pack transition path. A disk pack presence/absence detection device (9) comprising a light emitting element (91) and a light receiving element (92) which are communicated with each other via an optical path passing through the storage chamber when the two match with each other is provided, and the output of the detection device is The signal is connected to the control circuit (8) of the holder driving means, so that the storage chamber (21) in which no disk pack is present is made to pass through the disk pack transition path, and only the storage chamber (21) in which a disk pack is present is transferred to the disk pack transfer path. An automatic disk pack exchange device characterized in that it is set on a transition path and is placed on standby for disk pack transport operation.