JPH0410263A - Entry mechanism for recording medium cartridge library device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the operation of inserting a cartridge easy by providing a separating and feeding means to separate the cartridge at a prescribed feeding end from plural cartridges laminated on a pedestal and to feed the separated cartridge to a conveying means. CONSTITUTION:Plural recording medium cartridges 1 are inserted to an entry port 2 and set on a pedestal 9 in the laminated state. A separating and feeding mechanism F separates only the cartridge at the prescribed feeding end of an highest or lowest end from the plural cartridges 1 set in such a way, and the cartridge is fed to a conveyer robot 8 while being separated from the other cartridges 1. When feeding is completed in this way, the other cartridges 1 are moved by the separating and feeding mechanism F so that only the cartridge at one end can come to the position of the feeding end. Thus, the operation of inserting the cartridge 1 can be easily executed and the operability of the device can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an entry mechanism in a recording medium cartridge library device, and particularly to one that allows a recording medium cartridge to be easily inserted into the library device.

[Conventional technology]

A magnetic tape library device is a device that stores and drives magnetic tape cartridges (hereinafter referred to as cartridges). A storage rack that can store cartridges, a drive for driving (reading or reading/writing) the cartridges, and a cartridge ejection port (hereinafter referred to as The system consists of an exit boat) and a transport robot that transports the cartridges within the system. The transport robot transports the cartridge inserted into the entry boat to the storage rack, transports the cartridge to be driven from the storage rack to the drive, and then returns the driven cartridge from the drive to the storage rack, and transports the cartridge to the storage rack. Cartridges to be discharged to the outside are transported to an exit boat.

In addition, the entry port is composed of, for example, 20 insertion shelves, and when attempting to introduce cartridges into the library device, the operator must insert the cartridges one by one into each insertion shelf. There is. The cartridges inserted in this manner are transported and stored one by one by the transport robot to a pre-designated storage position in the storage rack.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in this type of conventional magnetic tape library apparatus, as described above, the operator has to insert the cartridges one by one into the insertion shelf, which makes the insertion operation troublesome and has poor operability.

This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide an entry mechanism in a recording medium cartridge library device that allows easy insertion of a recording medium cartridge and improves operability. It is something.

[Means to solve the problem]

An entry mechanism in a recording medium cartridge library device according to the present invention includes a cartridge insertion port, a storage body that stores a plurality of recording medium cartridges introduced from the insertion port, a driving means for at least reading out the cartridges, and a drive means for reading out at least the cartridges. a recording medium cartridge library device comprising a conveyance means for conveying the cartridge between the insertion slot storage body and the driving means, a pedestal part provided in the cartridge insertion slot and supporting a plurality of the cartridges to be introduced in a stacked state; .

Out of the plurality of cartridges stacked on the pedestal, one at a predetermined delivery end is sent out to the conveying means while being separated from other recording medium cartridges, and then the other recording medium cartridges are stacked. The device is characterized by comprising a separating and feeding means for moving the entire device toward the feeding end.

[Effect]

Recording medium cartridges to be introduced into the recording medium cartridge library device are inserted into the cartridge insertion slot, and set in a plurality of stacks on the pedestal.

The plurality of cartridges set in this way are separated and sent out by a separating and feeding means, so that the one at either end (for example, the one at the uppermost end or the one at the lowest end), i.e.
Only the recording medium cartridges at a predetermined delivery end are sent out to the conveying means while being separated from other recording medium cartridges. When the feeding is completed in this way, the other recording medium cartridges are arranged so that the one at the one end is at the position of the feeding end.

It is moved by a separating and sending means.

As described above, in the present invention, since a plurality of recording medium cartridges can be stacked one after another on the pedestal, the operation of inserting the recording medium cartridges can be easily performed, and the recording medium cartridge library device can be It becomes possible to measure improvements in operability. Furthermore, since the stacked cartridges are fed to the conveying means from the end, new cartridges can be added and inserted into the cartridge insertion opening at least as many as the cartridges that have been fed out.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an entry mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and this embodiment is implemented in a magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus as shown in its entirety in FIG. Namely.

The library device includes an entry port 2 and a storage rack 4 capable of storing, for example, several dozen cartridges 1 introduced from the boat 2 in respective storage positions 4a.
, a drive 5 for driving the cartridge, and an exit boat 6 for ejecting the cartridge 1 used in the library apparatus to the outside of the apparatus. Also,
The transport robot 8 is movable vertically and horizontally along a predetermined transport path P, and picks up the cartridges 1 inserted into the entry boat 2 one by one and stores them in designated storage racks 4. The specific cartridge 1 to be driven is taken out from the storage position 4a and transported to the drive 5, and then the drive 5 returns the driven cartridge 1 to the storage position 4a, or the cartridge 1 to be driven is taken out from the storage position 4a and transported to the storage position 4a. The cartridge 1 to be ejected is transported from the storage rack 4 or the drive 5 to the exit boat 6. Hereinafter, for the sake of explanation, the direction from the operator OP toward the conveyance path P will be referred to as the rear, the direction from the conveyance path P toward the operator OP will be referred to as the front, and the direction horizontally orthogonal to the front-rear direction will be referred to as the left and right sides.

As shown in FIG.
P, a plurality of them are inserted into the entry port 2 at once or one at a time, and set in a stacked state in sequence on a pedestal 9 provided at the lower end of the entry port 2. In the entry port 2, for example, 20 cartridges 1 can be stacked and set on the pedestal 9. Also, each cartridge 1
A label (not shown) with a bar code for identifying each cartridge is attached to one end surface of the cartridge.
Each cartridge 1 is inserted and set into the entry port 2 with the label facing the operator OP side.

By setting a plurality of cartridges 1 in a stacked state in the entry port 2 in this way, the height occupied by all the cartridges 1 in the entry port 2 can be minimized. Moreover, since it is sufficient to simply stack the cartridges 1 one after another on the pedestal 9, the operator OP can easily insert and set the cartridges 1 into the library apparatus.

The cartridges 1 set in the entry port 2 in a stacked state as described above are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example.
As shown in the figure, only the lowest one 18 is selectively sent to the transfer robot 8 in sequence by a separating and sending mechanism F provided in the library apparatus. That is, in the feeding mechanism F, the drive shaft 10 extends in the left-right direction of the library device, and serves as a main drive shaft S.

It is rotated by a motor M via gears Gl and G2. Eccentric cams 12, 12' are fixed to both end portions of the drive shaft 10 so as to be rotatable integrally with the drive shaft 10. Further, the drive shaft 9 extends parallel to and spaced apart from the drive shaft 10, and includes a main drive shaft S, gears Gl, G2 . G5. G
It is designed to be rotated by a motor M via 6. A cylindrical cam 1 is provided with a groove Lla in the center of the drive shaft 9.
1 is rotatably fixed integrally with the drive shaft 9.

The first swing arm 14, 14' extends in the front-rear direction on both sides of the entry port 2 and rotates at its front end with respect to the frame (not shown) of the library apparatus by means of an axis 15.15'. Possibly fixed, axis 15
．． 15' as the center, it can swing vertically. A sub-arm 16, 16' is rotatably connected to each of the swing arms 14, 14'. Both arms 14, 16° 14', 16' are springs 17, 17'
The rear ends are constantly biased in the direction of approaching each other.

Rollers 14a, 16a, 14a'16 provided respectively
At 8', the eccentric cam 12.12' is constantly pressed. With this configuration, the front end of the first swing arm 14, 14' moves up and down as the eccentric cam 12 rotates as the motor M rotates. A pedestal 9 is attached to the front end of the first swing arm 14.14'.
downward arm portions 19 extending downward on both sides of the .
19' are rotatably connected, each downward arm part 19.19' (1) The lower part has a shaft 20.20'.
The L-shaped locking bodies 22, 22' are rotatably connected. At the lower end of each locking body 22, 22', tapered claw portions 22a, 22'a are formed that protrude in the direction toward the other locking body 22', 22. In each said downward arm portion 19.19' said shaft 20.20'
In the upper part, projections 19a, 19' having a circular cross section are provided.
A is provided.

The protrusions 19a and 19'a are respectively connected to the cylindrical cam 1.
A long hole 24a provided vertically in one side portion of the first link arms 24, 24' located at both ends of the first link arm 24, 24';
24'a, the elongated hole 24a.

24'a is fitted so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction. One first link arm 24 has an upper second link arm extending in the left-right direction at the upper end of a portion opposite to the elongated hole 24a.
The other first link arm 24' is rotatably connected to one end of the link arm 26, and the other first link arm 24' is connected to the lower second link arm 26 extending in the left-right direction at the lower end of the portion opposite to the elongated hole 24'a. ' is rotatably connected to one end of the '. Above.

The other end portions of the lower second link arms 26, 26' are rotatably connected to the upper and lower end portions of an intermediate link arm 28 extending in the vertical direction, respectively. The intermediate link arm 28 is swingably fixed to the frame by #29 at its intermediate portion. Further, in the intermediate link arm 28, the upper second link arm 2
A sliding protrusion 28a with a circular cross section is provided above the connection point with the other end of the cylindrical cam 11, and is fitted into the groove 11a of the cylindrical cam 11 so as to be slidable along the groove 11a. are doing.

In this way, the main drive shaft S is rotated by the motor M,
Gears Gl, G2. G5. G6. As the cylindrical cam 11 rotates via the drive shaft 9, the sliding protrusion 28a moves into the groove 11a.
As the intermediate link arm 28 slides along the axis 29, the intermediate link arm 28 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise in FIG. 4 about the shaft 29. In this separation feeding and fencing mechanism F, when the eccentric cam 12.12'' is not pushing up the swinging arm 14.L4', that is, the downward arm portion 19.19' is lowered and the locking body 22.22' is lowered. is in the lowered position, the sliding protrusion 2
8a is located at the center in the left-right direction of the groove 11a, and in this state, the claw portions 22a, 22'a protrude into the lower part of the pedestal 9. When the lowest cartridge 1a is to be delivered to the transfer robot 8 with the state shown in FIG. 4 as the initial state, the main drive shaft S is rotated by the motor M as described above, and the gears G1, G2, . The eccentric cam 12.12'' rotates 1/2 rotation via the drive shaft 10. In this way, the eccentric cam 12.12'' pushes up the front end of the swinging arm 14, 14' by its rotation, and the downward arm part 19 .19' rises and the locking body 22.22'
rises. Also, at this time, the cylindrical cam 11 first rotates 174 times together with the eccentric cam 12.12'', so that the sliding protrusion 28a slides to the rightmost part of the groove 11a, and the intermediate link arm 28 rotates clockwise. Therefore, the first link arms 24, 24' are pulled by the upper and lower second link arms 26, 26' and move toward each other, and the elongated holes 24a, 24
The edges of the protrusions 19a, 19'a are moved in a direction toward each other.

As a result, the locking body 22,22' is rotated around the axis 20°20
The claws 22a, 22'a are rotated about the pedestal 9 and the lowermost cartridge 1a so as to be separated from each other. Thereafter, as the cylindrical cam 11 further rotates by 1/4, the sliding protrusion 28a slides to the leftmost portion of the groove 11a, and the intermediate link arm 28 rotates counterclockwise. For this reason, the second link arm 26.26''
, the first link arms 24, 24' move in a direction away from each other, and the elongated holes 24a,
The edges of 24'a move the protrusions 19a, 19'a away from each other. Due to this,
The locking body 22.22' is centered around the shaft 20.20', and the claw portions 22a, 22''a are attached to the cartridge C1 at the lowermost end.
and the second cartridge C2 from the bottom, and supports the second cartridge C2 and the cartridges C3...Cn stacked above it (FIG. 1).

In this way, the lowest cartridge 1a is separated from the other cartridges C1...Cn.

Further, in the separating and feeding mechanism F, in order to feed the lowermost cartridge 1a separated as described above toward the transfer robot 8, the second swinging arm 34, 34' extending in the vertical direction is moved at its lower end. In the part, the base part 3
It is rotatably connected to both sides of 6. The second swinging arm 34.34' has an axis 37.37 at its upper end.
' is fixed to said frame by a shaft 37.
It can swing back and forth around 37'.

Further, the second swing arm 34.34' has a shaft 37.
Sub-arms 38 and 38' are swingably connected via 37'. Both arms 34, 38° 34', 3
The lower ends of 8' are biased toward each other by springs 40 and 40', and rollers 34 provided on each
a, 38a, 34a' and eccentric cam 41.a'.
41' is constantly pressed. The eccentric cam 41.41' is a gear Gl.

G3. Drive shaft 4 rotated by motor M via G4
3 and is rotatable integrally with the drive shaft 43. As the eccentric cam 41 rotates in this manner, the second swing arm 34°34' swings, and as a result, the base portion 36 moves in the front-rear direction. The pedestal 9 is movable back and forth integrally with the base 36 and rotatable in the horizontal direction with respect to the base 36 by @44. That is, a pinion 46 is fixed to the shaft 44, and the pinion 46 meshes with a rack 48, 48' provided on the base 36. With this configuration, after the separation of the lowest cartridge C1 is completed as described above, when the cam 41, 41' rotates 1/2 by the motor M, the second swing arms 34, 34' swing backward. The base portion 36 moves rearward accordingly. At this time, the pedestal 9 moves toward the transfer robot 8 together with the base portion 36 while supporting the lowermost cartridge 1a separated as described above, while moving the pinion 46 and the racks 48, 48'. Due to the engagement of the two, it is possible to rotate 1180 degrees in the front-back direction. In this way, the cartridge 1a is sent out to the transport robot 8 while the label is directed toward the transport robot 8. Thereafter, the robot 8 picks up the cartridge 1a based on the barcode information written on the label.
For example, it will be transported to a predetermined storage position 4a of the storage rack 4. In addition, in this separating and feeding mechanism F, the common motor M separates and feeds out the lowest cartridge 1a, that is,
The motor M rotates the drive shafts 9 and 10 172 times to separate the cartridge 1a, and then the drive shaft 4
The cartridge 1a is fed out by rotating the cartridge 3 by 1/2 rotation. Furthermore, after the cartridges 1 have been delivered to the transport robot 8 as described above, new cartridges 1 can be additionally inserted into the entry port 2 at least as many as the number of cartridges 1 that have been delivered.

Note that the separation/feeding mechanism F is not limited to the one described above, but may have a different configuration as appropriate. Further, the cartridge 1 that is separated from the others and sent to the transport robot 8 is not limited to the one at the bottom, but may be the one at the top. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to magnetic tape library devices, but may be applied to library devices for other types of recording medium cartridges, such as magneto-optical disk cartridges.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, in the present invention, it is only necessary to stack the recording medium cartridges one after another in the cartridge insertion slot.
This provides an excellent effect in that the recording medium cartridge can be easily inserted and the operability of the recording medium cartridge library apparatus can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an entry mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the entry mechanism according to the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an overall view of a magnetic tape library device to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the operation of the entry mechanism. 1...Magnetic tape cartridge, 2...Entry boat, 4...Storage rack, 5...Drive, 8...
・Transportation robot, F... Separation sending mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A cartridge insertion port, a storage body for storing a plurality of recording medium cartridges introduced from the insertion port, a driving means for at least reading out the cartridges, and a drive unit for driving the cartridges into the insertion port storage body and the drive unit. A recording medium cartridge library device comprising a conveying means for conveying between the means, provided in the cartridge insertion opening,
a pedestal part that supports a plurality of the cartridges to be introduced in a stacked state; and a pedestal part that supports a plurality of the cartridges to be introduced in a stacked state; An entry mechanism comprising: separation and feeding means for feeding the other recording medium cartridges to the conveying means and then moving the entire stack of other recording medium cartridges toward the feeding end.