JPH03212851A - Feeding mechanism in recording medium cartridge carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a feeding mechanism in a recording medium cartridge conveying device, and in particular, to a feeding mechanism for a recording medium cartridge conveying device, and in particular, a feeding mechanism for conveying a recording medium cartridge to a cartridge entrance/exit of a holder without tilting or misaligning the recording medium cartridge with respect to the holder. , relates to a device that can reliably take the cartridge into the holder.

[Conventional technology]

Optical disk cartridge (hereinafter referred to as cartridge)
As shown in FIG. 3, the optical disk library device that stores and drives the cartridges includes a storage rack 2 that stores a plurality of cartridges 1 in respective storage slots S, and a storage rack 2 that drives (reads or writes) the cartridges 1. Drive 3 and cartridge 1 are stored in rack 2 and drive 3.
A disk cartridge transport device 4 is provided for transporting the disc cartridge to and from the disc cartridge. In this optical disk library device, a storage rack 2 and a drive 3 are arranged on one side (one side) of the transport device.

The transport device 4 includes a holder 6 that takes in the cartridge 1 from the storage rack 2 or the drive 3 and is movable up and down between the storage rack 2 and the drive 3 while holding the cartridge 1.

That is, as shown in FIG.
The cartridge 1 is taken in and the transported cartridge 1 is sent out. Moreover, this holder 6 is
The base frame 5 is supported via a rotating shaft R by a base frame 5 disposed around the base frame 5, and the base frame 5 is moved by an elevating drive means M (Fig. 3) such as a motor via an endless belt (not shown) or the like. When moving up and down along the conveyance guide G,
The cartridge 1 is conveyed by moving up and down integrally with the base frame 5. Further, the holder 6 is configured such that the recording surface of the cartridge 1 accessed by the head of the drive 3 can be reversed.
The rotation axis R allows rotation of 180 degrees with respect to the base frame 5.

Further, this conveying device 4 is configured to carry out loading and unloading (feeding and loading) of cartridges between the holder 6 and the storage rack 2 or drive 3 as described above.
a pair of outward feed rollers (hereinafter referred to as pick rollers) 7at 7b provided so as to be located outward from the entrance/exit 6b on both sides of the holder 6; Pair of center feeding rollers 10a
.

10b. The pick rollers 7a and 7b are rotatably supported by the other end of a swing arm 8at8b which is swingably attached to the base frame 5 at one end. Similarly, the central feed roller loa, 10b is
One end of the swing arms 9a and 9b are swingably attached to the base frame 5, and the other ends of the swing arms 9a and 9b are rotatably supported. In addition, each swinging arm 8a, 8b,
9 ay 9 b are (7) rollers 7a and 7b, respectively.
, 10a, 10b are in a transfer position where they press against the cartridge 1 being taken in and out of the holder 6, and the respective pick rollers 7a, 7bt 10a, 1o.
b is swung between a standby position and a retracted position where the cartridge 1 is not in contact with the cartridge 1. Also,
Each swing arm 8a + 8b, 9a*9b
The swinging is performed by driving means consisting of a solenoid SL and a spring T provided for each swinging arm 8a, 8b, 9a, and 9b.

In this transport device 4, when the driven cartridge 1 is taken into the holder 6 from the drive 3, first, the swing arms 8a and 8b are rotated from the standby position to the operating position by the solenoids SL and SL. accompany,
Pick roller 7a.

7b moves to the transfer position, grips the tip of the cartridge 1 protruding from the drive 3, and is rotated by a rotation drive means such as a motor, thereby transferring the cartridge 1.
is fed into the holder 6 until its tip reaches approximately the center position within the holder 6. Therefore, the swing arms 8a, 8 are rotated by the spring T.
As the roller b is returned to the initial standby position, the pick roller 7a.

7b also retreats from the cartridge 1 while separating from each other. At the same time, as the swinging arms 9a, 9b are rotated from the standby position to the operating position by the solenoids SL, SL, the central feed rollers 10a, 10b open the side openings formed on both sides of the holder 6. (not shown) into the holder 6, grips the tip of the cartridge 1, and rotates it by a rotation drive means such as a motor, so that the cartridge 1 is placed in the holder 6 as shown in 1(A). 6 to the specified position. In this way, when the cartridge 1 is taken into the holder 6, the spring T
As the swing arms 9a, 9b are returned to their initial standby positions, the center feed rollers loa, 10b also retreat from the cartridge 1 while separating from each other. Note that when the cartridge 1 that has been taken into the holder 6 and transported as described above is sent out from the holder 6 to, for example, the storage rack 2, the cartridge 1 is first moved by the central feed roller, contrary to the above-mentioned order. loa, 10b, and then by pick rollers 7a, 7b. Note that the pick roller 7a.

When the cartridge 1 is inserted or removed between the holder 6 and the drive 3 or the storage slot S by the cartridge 7b, the cartridge 1 is transferred while being guided by the inner wall surface of the holder 6 and the drive 3 or the storage slot S. However, immediately before the drive 3 is taken into the holder 6 from the drive 3 storage slot S, or immediately before the drive 3 is sent from the holder 6 to the drive 3 storage slot S.

Only the distal end portion is guided by the inner wall surface, and reliable guidance is not performed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, as mentioned above, the solenoid SL.

The pick rollers 7a, 7b are moved to the cartridge 1 by rotating the swinging arms 8a, 8b to the operating position by the SL.
In this type of conveying device that presses the
The points at which L and SL are turned on are not necessarily the same, and
The powers of the solenoids SL and SL are not necessarily the same. Further, the swing arms 8a and 8b are not necessarily provided so as to be symmetrical about the holder 6 (that is, have the same inclination angle with respect to the holder 6) when in the standby position. Therefore, both pick rollers 7a and 7b are not positioned symmetrically with respect to the holder 6. For this reason, both pick rollers 7
The timing and the pressing angle (therefore, the pressing force) when the pick rollers a and 7b press against both sides of the cartridge being taken in and taken out from the holder 6 are also different between the pick rollers 7a and 7b. For the above reasons, the cartridge 1 transferred by the single pick rollers 7a and 7b is placed between the holder 6 and the drive 3 or the storage slot S.
A tilt (tilt with respect to the holder 6) will occur in the transfer posture at the point just before the introduction between the two, and if such tilt is severe.

In particular, a situation has arisen in which the cartridge 1 cannot be taken into the holder 6 from the drive 3 or storage slot S (see 1(b) in FIG. 4).

Furthermore, in the transport device of the optical disk library device, it is difficult to stop the holder 6 in a state where it is completely facing the drive 3 or the storage slot S.
As shown in the figure, the cartridge entrance/exit 6b of the holder 6, the cartridge entrance/exit 3b of the drive 3, or the storage slot S
The cartridge entrance/exit sb is tilted or misaligned relative to the cartridge entrance/exit sb. In this case, the cartridge 1 stored in the drive 3 or storage slot S will also be tilted or misaligned with respect to the holder 6. If such tilting or misalignment is severe, the cartridge 1 stored in the drive 3 or storage slot S will be tilted or misaligned with respect to the holder 6. 6 becomes unable to take in the cartridge 1. Further, due to such inclination or positional deviation, the timing and pressing force when both pick rollers 7ay7b press against the cartridge 1 will be different. Even if the holder 6
Cartridge 1 cannot be loaded.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a feeding mechanism in a recording medium cartridge transport device that can reliably take a cartridge into a holder.

[Means to solve the problem]

The feeding mechanism according to the present invention is a feeding mechanism that takes the recording medium cartridge into and out of the holder in a recording medium cartridge transport device that includes a holder that holds the recording medium cartridge taken in from the cartridge entrance and transports it to a desired location. a first swinging member and a second swinging member provided on both sides of the holder to be swingable about their respective fulcrums; provided on each of the first and second swinging members so that the distances from the first and second swinging members are equal to each other, and as the swinging members swing, the holder is provided on both sides of the recording medium cartridge to be inserted into and taken out of the holder. a first feed roller member and a second feed roller member that move between a transfer position where they are pressed and rotated to feed the cartridge and a retreat position where they are retreated from the cartridge; First and second operating members swingably attached to each of the swinging members, and distal end portions of each of the first and second operating members are slidably housed in a state facing each other. A fluid cylinder that holds both the actuating members by a fluid cylinder having a fluid inlet/outlet provided in the middle of the tip portion, and pressurizes or depressurizes the inside of the fluid cylinder through the fluid inlet/outlet, thereby controlling the first and second actuating members. and a drive means for swinging the first and second swinging members so as to move them away from and approaching each other, and for moving both of the sending members between the transfer position and the retreat position.

[Effect]

When trying to take the recording media cartridge into the holder,
First, the pressure inside the fluid cylinder is reduced through the fluid inlet/outlet by the driving means. In this way, the first and second actuating members move in a direction closer to each other because their respective tip portions are sucked toward the fluid inlet/outlet, and accordingly, the first and second actuating members move toward each other. The swinging member rotates in a direction in which each feed roller member is brought to a transfer position. At this time, the first
The second swinging member is rotated by the same driving force by a common driving means. Moreover, both feeding members press against both side surfaces of the cartridge while drawing arcuate trajectories with the same radius.

Therefore, the cartridge at the transfer source is not tilted or misaligned with respect to the holder, and is symmetrical about the holder when the first and second swinging members are in the standby position. If the feed roller members are provided so as to be positioned at It can be transferred to the entrance/exit and reliably taken into the boulder. On the other hand, when the cartridge at the transfer source is tilted or misaligned with respect to the boulder, or when the first and second swinging members are in the standby position, the cartridge is moved symmetrically around the holder. If the two feed roller members are not positioned in the same position, the timing and pressing force when the two feed roller members press against the side surface of the cartridge will be different. However, after both feed roller members press the cartridge, the first and second swinging members continue to be given the same rotational driving force by the common driving means, so that at least the cartridge is At the point just before the cartridge is introduced into the cartridge entrance/exit of the holder after leaving the guidance of This will lead to In this way, the cartridge is transported to the cartridge entrance/exit of the holder by the two feed roller members, with the cartridge being properly adjusted so that it is not tilted or misaligned with respect to the holder.

It can be reliably taken into the holder.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows only a portion of a feeding mechanism A according to an embodiment of the present invention, and this embodiment is implemented in a transport device 4 of an optical disk library apparatus. Components labeled with the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 3 and 4 have the same functions as those in the same figures. In FIG. 1, the holder 6 is stopped at a position where its cartridge inlet/outlet 6b faces the cartridge inlet/outlet 3b of the drive 3, and the tip of the cartridge 1, which has been driven by the drive 3, protrudes from the cartridge inlet/outlet 3b. ing.

In the feed mechanism A, the first swing arm 11 and the second
The swinging arm 12 has a support shaft 1 mounted on horizontal frame portions 5a, 5a located on both sides of the holder 6 in the base frame 5.
3 and 13 so as to be swingable. In the figure, the first and second swing arms 11, 12 are in a standby position where they are locked by stoppers 17°17.

The support shafts 13.13 are provided at positions such that a straight line connecting both support shafts 13.13 is orthogonal to the holder center line 6a, and the distances d□ and d2 to the holder center line 6a are the same (d □=d2). In addition, both swing arms 1
1.12 has the same length from each support shaft 13, 13 to the tip, and extends outwardly from the holder 6 toward the drive 3, and each tip is connected to the cartridge 1.
It reaches near both sides of the tip. A pick roller 7a, 7b is provided at the tip of each of the swing arms 11, 12.
are rotatably mounted via shafts 16,16. Therefore, the pick rollers 7a and 7b are attached to each support shaft 13.
．． Distance L1 from 13. L, are equivalent to each other (L,=L
It is attached at the position shown in a), and faces both sides of the distal end portion of the cartridge 1.

The air cylinder 18 is disposed between the swing arms 11 and 12, and accommodates the first operating shaft 19 and the pistons 19a and 20a of the second operating #I20 in a facing state. The first operating shaft 19 is connected to the air cylinder 18
It protrudes toward the first swing arm 11 from above, and is attached to the swing arm 11 via a shaft 22 at its distal end so as to be swingable relative to the swing arm 11 . The second operating shaft 20 protrudes from the air cylinder 18 toward the second swing arm 12, and is attached to the swing arm 12 via a shaft 22 at its tip so that it can swing relative to the swing arm 12. . The first and second swing arms 11 and 12
The operating shafts 19.20 are attached at a distance L3. from each support shaft 13.13. L4 are the same (
That is, it is a position where L3=L4). Further, a port 18a is provided in the middle of the air cylinder 18 so as to be located between the pistons 19a and 20a.
The port 18a is connected to pressurization/decompression means (not shown). With such a configuration, when pressurized air is sent into the air cylinder 18 through the port 18a, both pistons 19a and 20a are pressed by the pressurized air, so that they move along the inner wall surface of the air cylinder 18. They slide in directions that separate them from each other. Along with such fluctuations,
The first and second actuating shafts 19.20 pivot the first and second swinging arms 11.12 into the standby position of FIG.
Therefore, the pick rollers 7a and 7b come to the retreat position. Further, when the first and second swing arms 11 and 12 are in the standby position as described above, the port 18
When the pressure inside the air cylinder 18 is reduced through the piston 19a.

20a slide along the inner wall surface of the air cylinder 18 in a direction toward each other. Along with such sliding, the first and second actuating shafts 19.20 rotate the first and second swinging arms 11.12 to the operating position, so that the pick rollers 7a, 7b are transferred. It will come into position.

As described above, in this feeding mechanism A, 1) the first and second
A swing arm 11.12 is provided to swing around a support shaft 13.13 located symmetrically about the holder centerline 6a, and 2) pick rollers 7a, 7b are provided.
The first and second swing arms 11 and 12 are provided at positions where the distances L□ and L2 from the respective support shafts 13 and 13 are the same, and 3) both the swing arms 11 and 12 are Cylinder 18 and first and second operating shafts 19°2
By making the drive 3 or the cartridge 1 in the storage slot S swing with the same driving force by a common driving means consisting of 0.

The pink rollers 7a and 7b allow the cartridge to be transferred to the cartridge entrance/exit port 6b while being adjusted so that there is no inclination or misalignment with respect to the holder center line 6a. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the drive 3 and the holder 6 are relatively tilted and misaligned, when the cartridge 1 used in the drive 3 is taken into the holder 6, both swing arms 11, 12 As the pick rollers 7a and 7 rotate,
Since there is a difference in the timing when b presses both sides of the cartridge 1, the two swing arms 11 and 12 are at different angles to the cartridge 1, as shown by the two-dot chain lines. It stops, and in this state it also forms different angles with respect to the holder center line 6a. Therefore, the pick rollers 7a and 7b press the cartridge 1 on both sides with different pressing forces. However, the cartridge 1 is transferred by the pick rollers 7a and 7b to a point immediately before the cartridge entrance/exit 6b of the holder 6 (the point immediately before introduction) and is released from the guide by the inner wall surface of the drive 3. , 3), the two swing arms 11, 12 are rotated to positions that are symmetrical about the holder center line 6a while being continuously driven by the driving means. Along with this, the pick rollers 7a and 7b press and hold the cartridge 1 and move to a position that is symmetrical about the holder center line 6a, so that the cartridge 1
are aligned so that its center line 1a is aligned with the holder center line 6a. At the same time, pick rollers 7a and 7b
The pressing forces on both sides of the cartridge 1 will be equalized. In this way, the cartridge 1 is attached to the pick roller 7a.

7b, the cartridge is automatically adjusted to a state in which there is no inclination or positional deviation with respect to the holder centerline 6a, so that the cartridge inlet/outlet 6 is accurately moved.
b.

Next, an example of the operation of the feeding mechanism A according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

For example, when the swing arms 11 and 12 are in the standby position as shown in FIG.
When taking the air into the holder 6, first, the pressure inside the air cylinder 18 is reduced through the boat 18a by the pressure reduction means. In this way, the first and second actuating shafts 19.
20 move toward each other, the first
Then, the second swinging arms 11 and 12 rotate to the operating position, and both pick rollers 7a and 7b move to the transfer position to press and clamp the tip of the cartridge 1.

Next, by rotating by the aforementioned rotation drive means,
The pick rollers 7a and 7b move the cartridge 1 into the holder 6.
The cartridge is transferred toward the cartridge entrance/exit port 6b. On this occasion,
The cartridge 1 is automatically adjusted as appropriate so that it is not tilted or misaligned with respect to the holder 6 while being transported by both pick rollers 7a and 7b, and is therefore reliably inserted into the entrance/exit port 6b. Next, the cartridge 1 is taken into the holder 6 to a predetermined position by an intermediate feed roller (not shown).

When the cartridge 1 is taken into the holder 6 in this manner, the inside of the air cylinder 18 is pressurized through the port 18a. In this way, the first and second actuating shafts 19.
20 move away from each other, the first
Then, the second swing arms 11 and 12 rotate to the standby position, and the pick rollers 7a and 7b move to the retreat position. The cartridge 1 taken into the holder 6 in this way is
For example, when the cartridge 1 is conveyed to the storage rack 2 by the holder 6 and fed into a desired storage slot S, the cartridge 1 is fed by the intermediate feed roller until its leading end protrudes from the cartridge entrance 6b. In this way, the air cylinder 18
As a result of the pressure being reduced inside, the pick rollers 7a and 7b move to the transfer position and feed the cartridge 1 into the storage slot S. When such feeding is completed, the inside of the air cylinder 18 is pressurized again, and the pick rollers 7a and 7b move to the retreat position. Thereafter, even when taking the cartridge 1 in any of the storage slots S into the holder 6, the pressure inside the air cylinder 18 is reduced, so that the pick roller 7a
, 7b move to the transfer position and transfer the cartridge 1 to the
The cartridge is reliably inserted into the cartridge entrance/exit port 6b while automatically adjusting as appropriate so that there is no inclination or positional deviation with respect to the holder 6.

In the above embodiment, an air cylinder was used as the driving means, but in the present invention, other fluid cylinders may be used instead of the air cylinder. Further, the present invention is not limited to a transport device for an optical disk library device, but may be applied to a transport device that handles magnetic disk cartridges and other types of recording medium cartridges.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, in the present invention, after the single feed roller member moves to the transfer position when taking the recording medium cartridge into the holder, the first and second swinging members are driven equally by the common drive means. By continuing to be driven to the operating position by force, the recording medium cartridge rotates to a position at an equal angle to the holder, so while being transported by the feed roller member, the recording medium cartridge is prevented from tilting and misaligning with respect to the holder. It is automatically adjusted to the state where it is not present. As a result, the present invention has excellent effects in that the recording medium cartridge can be transferred to the cartridge entrance of the holder without being tilted or misaligned with respect to the holder, and the cartridge can be reliably taken into the holder. Furthermore, since the driving means is shared for both swinging members, the structure is simple.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a portion of a feeding mechanism according to the present invention in a recording medium cartridge transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of the operation of the feeding mechanism according to the same embodiment. 3 is a schematic side view showing the entire optical disk library device, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the feeding mechanism in the conveying device of the library device shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the entire optical disk library device. It is a figure explaining a subject. 1... Disc cartridge, 6... Holder, 7a
. 7b...Feed roller, 11, 12...Swing arm, 1
8...Air cylinder, 19.20-...Operating axis. Luganjin

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] In a recording medium cartridge transport device including a holder that holds a recording medium cartridge taken in from a cartridge entrance and exits and transports it to a desired location, a feeding mechanism that takes the recording medium cartridge into and out of the holder, A first swinging member and a second swinging member are provided on both sides of the holder to be swingable about their respective fulcrums; provided on each of the first and second swinging members so that the distances are equal to each other, and as the swinging members swing, presses against both sides of the recording medium cartridge to be inserted into and taken out of the holder. a first feed roller member and a second feed roller member that move between a transfer position where the cartridge is rotated to feed the cartridge and a retreat position where the cartridge is retreated; and the first and second swinging members. first and second actuating members that are swingably attached to each of the members; and distal end portions of the first and second actuating members that are slidably housed to face each other. A fluid cylinder that holds the actuating member and has a fluid inlet/outlet in the middle of the tip portion, and pressurizes or depressurizes the inside of the fluid cylinder through the fluid inlet/outlet, allows the first and second actuating members to be mutually connected. Feeding in a disk cartridge conveying device comprising a driving means for swinging the first and second swinging members apart from each other and moving them closer to each other, and for moving both the feed roller members between the transfer position and the retreat position. mechanism.