JPH0311028B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a disk cassette having a circular disk serving as an information recording medium therein, and particularly to a shutter opening/closing mechanism thereof.

[Conventional technology]

In so-called floppy disks, such as conventional 8-inch standard flexible magnetic disks and 5.25-inch mini flexible magnetic disks, the magnetic disk is protected in a jacket made of a thin plastic sheet. The jacket has openings such as a center hole for clamping the magnetic disk and a head window for inserting the magnetic head. When the disks are not in use, they are placed in a paper envelope that covers their openings, but the magnetic disks are exposed at these openings, preventing dust from entering the jacket. , or fingerprints are likely to adhere to the magnetic disk. If dust or fingerprints adhere to the magnetic disk, dropouts are likely to occur in the reproduced signal reproduced from the magnetic disk. Therefore, great care must be taken when handling magnetic disks.

In order to prevent dust and fingerprints from adhering to magnetic disks, a disk cassette shown in FIG. 1 has been proposed. Figure 1a shows the recording device main body 1, Figure 1b shows the disk cassette 3, Figure 1c shows the disk cassette 3 attached to the main body 1, and Figure 1d shows the disk cassette 3 removed from the main body 1. The disk cassette 3 shown in FIG. Disk cassette 3
These include a shutter 4, a shutter opening/closing jig 5 as a moving member whose one end is connected to the end of the shutter 4, a tension coil spring 6 whose one end is connected to the shutter opening/closing tool 5, and a disk 1.
2. Disk cassette 3 is the main body 1
When the lever 2 provided on the main body 1 side is attached to the
The shutter opening/closing jig 5 is brought into contact with the shutter opening/closing jig 5, and as the disk cassette 3 is inserted, the shutter 4 is moved, and the head window 11 is gradually opened and then fully opened to be in the state shown in FIG. 1c. Conversely, when the disk cassette 3 is removed from the main body 1, depending on the movement of the disk cassette 3,
The tension coil spring 6 contracts and the shutter 4 gradually closes, but since the tension coil spring 6 is connected only to one side of the shutter 4, the shutter 4 tilts and frictional resistance increases. The shutter 4 often stops its operation during its closing movement, and the shutter 4 does not close completely, that is, the situation shown in FIG. 1d often occurs.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

When the disk cassette 3 is removed from the main body 1, that is, in the state shown in Figure 1d, the shutter 4 must be closed manually, and the shutter 4 automatically closes the head window. It has the disadvantage that the original purpose of making it possible is not fully achieved.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above, and to enable the disk as an information recording medium to be safely stored and used, so that the head window is opened by the shutter only when the disk cassette is attached to the main body. It is in an open state, and
On the contrary, it is an object of the present invention to provide a thin disk cassette having a shutter opening/closing mechanism configured to automatically and smoothly close the head window as soon as it is removed from the main body.

[Means to solve the problem]

The disk cassette of the present invention has (a) a flat plate portion (corresponding embodiment code 7a) and an annular portion 7b;
a rotary shutter 7 in which the annular portion 7b is arranged approximately concentrically with the disk 12; (b) the shutter 7;
a moving member 8 that is coupled to the flat plate portion 7a of and moves the shutter 7; and (c) one portion 1 in the longitudinal direction.
0a, 16a are connected to the moving member 8, the other one part 10b, 16b is locked to the case 13, and both parts 10b, 16b, 10a, 16a are connected to the moving member 8.
The intermediate part between the two parts 10b, 16b, 10a,
16a, and (d) an opening 17 in the plane of the hub 18 at the center of the disc 12; A case 13 is provided on the peripheral edge of the disk 17 and includes a holding means 21 having a cylindrical guide portion 21 with which the annular portion 7b of the disk 12 is engaged.

[Effect]

(a) The rotary shutter 7 is rotated about the annular portion 7b as a fulcrum to open or close the head window 11 of the case 13. (b) The moving member 8 applies external force to the shutter 7 to open the head window 11, and spring members 10 and 1 to close the head window 11.
Convey the resilience of 6. (c) Spring members 10, 16
The shutter 7 always applies a restoring force to the moving member 8 in the direction in which the head window 11 is closed. (d) The case 13 includes and protects the disk 12, and also rotatably holds the annular portion 7b of the shutter 7 with the holding means 21.

〔Example〕

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A case where the present invention is applied to a disk cassette of a magnetic disk storage device using flexible disks will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited only to disk cassettes of flexible magnetic disk storage devices, but can also be applied to, for example, video disks, laser disks, digital audio disks, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the shutter opening/closing mechanism of the disk cassette of the present invention,
2A shows the main body 1 of a storage device, FIG. 2B shows the disk cassette 3, and FIG. 2C shows the case where the disk cassette 3 is attached to the main body 1. A lever 2 for opening the shutter 7 is provided on the main body 1 into which the disk cassette 3 is inserted, projecting slightly from the main body 1.

FIG. 3 shows the first disk cassette 3 of the present invention.
The configuration of the embodiment is shown below. Figure 3a shows case 13.
and the shutter 7 rotatably attached to the case 13 are shown. The case 13 is formed with a head window 11 which is a vertically elongated opening and a circular central opening 17.

FIG. 3b shows a disk 12 with a hub 18 in the center.

Figure 3c shows one side of the case 13 and the case 13.
A rotary shutter 7 rotatably attached to the
, a shutter opening/closing jig 8 as a moving member whose one end is connected to the outer edge of the shutter 7 and slid in the groove 15; and the shutter opening/closing jig 8.
A torsion coil spring 10 as a spring member connected to the other end is shown. The case 13 is formed with a head window 11 which is a vertically elongated opening in the radial direction, and a circular central opening 17. A cylindrical guide portion 21 is formed around the center opening 17 as a means for holding the shutter 7 . The rotary shutter 7 has a flat plate portion 7a and an annular portion 7b. The flat plate portion 7a is the head window 1
It has a larger area than 1. The annular portion 7b is surrounded by a cylindrical guide portion 21 serving as a holding means.
As a result, the rotary shutter 7 is held in a rotatable state around the cylindrical guide portion 21.
A protrusion 9 is provided at the other end of the shutter opening/closing jig 8. The protrusion 9 protrudes into the guide groove 14, but does not protrude to the outside of the disk cassette 3. Torsion coil spring 10
is housed in the corner area 19 of the case 13 (the area formed between the outer edge of the disk 12 and the two outer edges of the case in directions orthogonal to each other), and is one part in the longitudinal direction. 1st part (1st part
The second part (second end) 10a is fixed to the end of the shutter opening/closing jig 8. The coil part 10 in the central part is connected to
c is capable of two-dimensional movement within a plane within the corner region 19 in conjunction with the movement of the second end 10a. The restoring force of the torsion coil spring 10 always acts on the shutter opening/closing jig 8 in a direction that causes the shutter 7 to close the head window 11. Since the restoring force acts even when the disk cassette 3 is alone, the rotary shutter 7 is able to stably and completely cover the head window 11.

The mechanism of this embodiment and its operation are shown in Figure 2 a, b, and c.
This will be explained below with reference to. The disk cassette 3 is gradually inserted into the main body 1 (Figure 2a)
Then, the lever 2 is relatively slid along the guide groove 14, and the lever 2 comes into contact with the protrusion 9.
When the disk cassette 3 is further pushed into the main body 1 (FIG. 2b), the protrusion 9 is pushed down in the figure, and the shutter opening/closing jig 8 is rotated while being slid within the groove 15 provided in the case 13. Pull the outer edge of the mold shutter 7. As a result, the rotary shutter 7 rotates and opens the head window 11.
is gradually opened, and when the disk cassette 3 is completely inserted into the main body 1, the head window 11 is completely opened. At this time, the torsion coil spring 10 connected to the other end of the shutter opening/closing jig 8 is deflected by the maximum amount. FIG. 2c shows this state in which the disk cassette 3 is attached to the main body 1, the shutter 7 is rotated, and the head window 11 is completely opened.

In addition, when the disk cassette 3 is removed from the main body 1, depending on the movement of the disk cassette 3,
The urging force of the torsion coil spring 10 pushes the shutter opening/closing jig 8 upward in the figure, and the tip of the shutter opening/closing jig 8 presses the outer edge of the shutter 7, causing the shutter 7 to rotate and gradually open the head. Close window 11. When the disk cassette 3 is completely removed from the main body 1, the shutter 7 returns to its original state as shown in FIG. 2a, and the head window 11 is completely covered by the shutter 7 and is closed.

When the disk cassette 3 is alone as shown in FIG.
cover. As mentioned above, the protrusion 9 does not protrude to the outside of the disk cassette 3 at all, so even if the disk cassette 3 is held in the hand, the fingers or the like will not touch the disk 12. Therefore, there is no danger that the shutter 7 will open unexpectedly. Even if the shutter 7 is accidentally opened, the shutter 7 will be automatically returned to its original position by the force of the torsion coil spring 10, so the shutter 7 will not remain open forever. .

FIG. 4 shows the structure of a second embodiment of the disk cassette of the present invention. In this figure, one side of the case 13 and the disk 12 which are common to the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
is omitted. Further, explanations of parts common to the configuration of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the differences from the configuration of the first embodiment will be explained below.

The shutter opening/closing jig 8 is entirely made of an elastic material and has an integrated spring member. Case 13
A narrow leaf spring 16 as a spring member is arranged in a corner area 19 in a dogleg shape.
It consists of: A protrusion 9 is provided at the end of the wide portion. The leaf spring 16 acts on the shutter 7 in the same manner as the torsion coil spring 10 shown in the construction of the first embodiment in FIG.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, the disk cassette can be easily made into a thin structure. In addition, since the rotary shutter is configured to be rotated by a movable member at the position of its maximum arm length, the shutter can be easily and reliably opened and closed even with a small external force or a small elastic restoring force of the spring member. can. Moreover, the shutter can automatically and reliably close the head window when the disk cassette is not attached to the device, and the shutter automatically and reliably closes the head window only when the disk cassette is attached to the device. You can make the shutter open the head window. Furthermore, since the movable member and the protrusion that applies external force to the movable member are not configured to protrude from the case, there is no risk of the shutter being accidentally pulled and the head window being opened. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust from entering and fingers from touching the disk, and from this point of view as well, the disk surface can be always safely protected.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1a, b, c, and d are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the shutter opening/closing mechanism of a conventional disc cassette; Figures 2a, b, and c are diagrams of the basic configuration of the shutter opening/closing mechanism of the disc cassette of the present invention; Figures a, b,
FIG. 4c is an assembled perspective view of the first embodiment of the disk cassette of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the second embodiment of the disk cassette of the present invention. 1...Main body of magnetic storage device, etc., 2...Lever,
3... Disk cassette, 4, 7... Shutter, 5, 8... Shutter opening/closing jig (moving member), 9... Protrusion, 10... Torsion coil spring (spring member), 11... Head window , 12...
...Disc, 13...Case, 15...Groove, 16
...Plate spring (spring member), 17 ... Center opening, 1
8... Hub, 19... Corner area, 20... Corner,
21... Cylindrical guide portion (holding means).

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A disk cassette having a disk as an information recording medium on which an information signal is recorded by a head in a case, and comprising the following. (a) Disk It has a disk-like shape with a hub in the center. (b) Case It has a substantially square and flat external shape, and has external dimensions larger than the above disk,
The disk is rotatably contained therein, and a portion thereof is cut out in a plane portion at a position corresponding to a dimension within at least a radius of the disk, and a portion thereof is cut out with a dimension corresponding to at least a movement range of the head. a head window configured to extend in the radial direction, and a center opening that is concentric with each other above and below the disk, sandwiching the disk in a flat part at a position corresponding to the hub in the center of the disk. Equipped with. (c) Shutter Disposed between the disk and the case,
A flat plate portion that is parallel or substantially parallel to the plane of the case and that covers the head window and has a larger planar dimension than the head window of the case; an annular portion having a hole larger in size than the center opening, and rotatably engaged with the peripheral edge of the center opening of the case through the hole, and the head window is in a closed state. The first thing that is said to be
The shutter is reciprocated and rotated about the annular portion as a fulcrum between a shutter stop position and a second shutter stop position where the head window is opened. (d) Holding means A structure constructed on the case, including at least a cylindrical guide portion at the peripheral edge of the central opening of the case. (e) a movable member disposed radially outside the outer edge of the disk, coupled to the flat plate portion of the shutter, and moving the shutter between the first shutter stop position and the second shutter stop position; to move. (f) Spring member is a long and thin elastic body, and when the middle part between two parts spaced apart in the longitudinal direction is bent and deformed, bending stress is generated in the middle part,
Based on this, an elastic restoring force is generated in a direction that changes the mutual distance between the two parts, and the intermediate part between the two parts is oriented toward the disk side with respect to the straight line connecting the two parts. The first part is biased and deformed to always generate the elastic restoring force between the two parts, and the first part, which is one of the two parts, is locked to the fixing structure of the corner part on the case, and a second portion is coupled to the spring coupling of the moving member, and together with the moving member;
The head window of the case is moved back and forth between a first position where the head window of the case is closed by the shutter and a second position where the head window of the case is opened by the shutter. Yes, the elastic restoring force generated in both parts is
The second portion is moved from the second position to the first position.
It has a configuration that acts in the direction in which it is moved towards the position of.