JPH09265697A - Recording and playback device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Correction) [Problem] Even if there is a difference in the size of the cassette, the sense of incongruity in the use of the cassette insertion port is eliminated, and a protection function is provided even when a cassette with a different insertion position direction and format is inserted. Of a VCR device for consumer use equipped with the. SOLUTION: A pair of cassette slopes 43a, 43b which can be retracted and inserted into a frame surface 41a which is flush with a supporting surface on the inlet side of the cassette holder 7 and which is inserted and positioned in the width direction of the cassette. A pair of detection slopes 44a, 44b that can be retracted to detect the insertion of a large cassette to the outside, and retracts into the frame surface 41a when the cassette is properly inserted behind the cassette slope, and when the cassette is inserted incorrectly, the frame surface 41a A pair of cassette stoppers 4 protruding upward to prevent insertion of a cassette
The guide mechanism 40 of the cassette having 5a and 45b is provided, and the cassette slope, the detection slope, and the link mechanism of the cassette stopper are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the cassette insertion direction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing device such as a VCR device (video cassette recorder device) capable of using two or more types of tape cassettes having different sizes for one cassette insertion slot. In particular, the present invention relates to an insertion position guide mechanism for tape cassettes of different sizes to be loaded in a cassette holder of a cassette compartment (hereinafter referred to as a cassette).

[0002]

11 to 13 show a cassette insertion position guide mechanism of a conventional VCR device of this type. Here,
An insertion position guide mechanism that can use two types of tape cassettes, large and small, will be described.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main part of a cassette compartment (hereinafter referred to as a cassette) of the VTR device of this example.

The cassette cassette is indicated by reference numeral 100 in its entirety, and the direction of the arrow is the insertion direction of a tape cassette (not shown). On both sides of the cassette computer 100, cassette frames 102, 102 are erected on a mechanical chassis 101, and on the inlet side of the cassette 100, a cassette door 103 has a support shaft 103a at its upper end supported by the cassette frames 102, 102. . The cassette door 103 is biased in the closing direction by a spring member 104 provided on one end side of the bearing shaft. Then, in front of the cassette door 103, the cassette insertion slot 1
A flot panel 106 having 05 is arranged.

A cassette holder 107 for transporting the tape cassette to the loading position and the eject position is arranged in the cassette computer 100, and a cassette holder 107 is provided.
Moves while being guided by the loading guide grooves 102a, 102a formed in the cassette frames 102, 102.

A cassette insertion position guide mechanism 110 is arranged behind the cassette insertion port 105 and below the cassette door 104. Hereinafter, the cassette insertion position guide mechanism 1
The configuration of 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

The cassette insertion position guide mechanism 110 is composed of a pair of left and right large cassette detection levers 111, 111 and cassette erroneous insertion prevention stoppers 112, 112.
Each of them is assembled in a block shape on the left and right sides, and these are supported by a fulcrum shaft 113 arranged on the cassette holder 107 side and a stopper drive shaft 114 arranged on the cassette insertion port 105 side.

The large cassette detection levers 111, 111 and the cassette erroneous insertion prevention stoppers 112, 112 have a left-right space that allows both side surfaces of the small cassette to pass therethrough, and the large cassette detection levers 111, 111 have a full width. The width of the large cassette is adapted.

The large cassette detection levers 111, 111 are rotatably supported by the fulcrum shaft 113, and are biased in the direction of arrow a by a spring (not shown). In the normal state, the large cassette detection levers 111, 111 project toward the cassette insertion port 105 side as shown in FIG. 12, and when the large cassette is inserted, the large cassette detection levers 111, 111 rotate to the side opposite to the arrow a with the fulcrum shaft 113 as a fulcrum. Then, it is configured to retract from the cassette insertion port 105.

The erroneous insertion prevention stoppers 112, 112 are rotated about the fulcrum shaft 113 in the direction of arrow c via the stopper drive shaft 114 against which the large cassette detection levers 111, 111 are pushed. .

The case where the large cassette 115 is inserted will now be described with reference to FIG.
When the large cassette 115 is inserted from 5, the large cassette detection levers 111, 111 are pushed back in the direction of the arrow b, and in conjunction with this operation, the erroneous insertion prevention stoppers 112, 112 move in the direction of the arrow c around the fulcrum shaft 113. It rotates and moves backward, and the cassette door 103 is pushed open. After that, the large cassette 115 is loaded into the cassette holder 107 that is on standby and is transported to the loading position.

On the other hand, the case where the small cassette is inserted will be described. When the small cassette is inserted from the cassette insertion port 105, both side surfaces of the small cassette are inserted using the inner side surfaces of the large cassette detection levers 111, 111 as guides. It As a result, the large cassette detection levers 111, 11
No. 1 does not move and only the cassette door 105 is pushed open. After that, the small cassette is loaded into the waiting cassette holder 107 and conveyed to the loading position.

Here, a case where the small cassette 116 is misinserted by shifting it to a position not between the large cassette detection levers 111 and 11 will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the large cassette detection lever 1 on the side where the small cassette 116 is displaced
11 rotates, but the large cassette detection lever 11 on the opposite side
Since 1 does not rotate, the erroneous insertion prevention stopper 112 on one side
Does not rotate. Therefore, the small cassette 116 hits the erroneous insertion prevention stopper 112 and cannot be inserted. From this, it is found that the position where the cassette is inserted is incorrect, and it functions so that the cassette can be inserted again by aligning it with the normal position. Also, when the small cassette is shifted to the position on the opposite side to the above-mentioned case and the cassette is erroneously inserted, the insertion of the cassette is similarly prohibited by hitting the erroneous insertion prevention stopper 112. Therefore, the small cassette 116 can be inserted only at the insertion position between the large cassette detection levers 111, 111.

Further, since the conventional VCR device capable of inserting cassettes of different sizes from one cassette insertion port is for commercial use, it is protected from being inserted by mistake at the cassette insertion position. There was a print instruction at the position where a small cassette was inserted into the cassette door. Also, some cassette doors had rib-shaped protrusions to prevent scratches from the cassette, but for the purpose of designating the insertion position of the small cassette when inserting the small cassette, None were provided with a concave step in width.

Further, although there is a mechanism in which the slope portion for detecting the insertion of the large cassette directly guides the small cassette, the slope member for guiding is separated from the large cassette insertion detection slope portion and guided. Nothing had a slope that did just that. Further, there is a stopper when the small cassette is inserted erroneously regardless of the width of the cassette, and there is no one that uses this stopper to guide the insertion of the small cassette. For this reason, the stopper is not reinforced against the pressure applied when the inserted cassette is tilted, and is simply rotatably supported by the support shaft arranged parallel to the cassette.

Further, since the VTR device capable of inserting cassettes having different sizes from one cassette insertion port is only for commercial use, a cassette having a similar format used in another VTR device is mistakenly inserted. There is no protection against this, and no particular consideration is given to making the distance between the large cassette detection slopes wider than the width of a cassette of similar format as described above.

Further, the detection slope for detecting the insertion of a large cassette and the spring for urging the cassette stopper in the projecting direction are provided separately.

There is almost no protection against insertion of the cassette in the wrong orientation, and conventionally, the cassette may be inserted from the rear end or sideways. I can do it.

Further, in the conventional VCR device, the cassette is discharged in a horizontal posture during the cassette discharging operation, and the rear end portion of the cassette is horizontally moved while floating the cassette. No one has a mechanism that can secure a space that does not come into contact with the guide surface of the guide mechanism arranged near the insertion port.

[0020]

As described above, the conventional VC is used.
In the cassette loading device of the R device, when the large cassette detection levers 111, 111 are used to specify the insertion position of the small cassette 116 and prevent misalignment insertion, and when the left and right positions of the small cassette are restricted, the cassette door 103 It is necessary to dispose the large cassette detection levers 111, 111 in the front, which makes the design feel uncomfortable as compared with the cassette insertion opening part of the conventional VTR device, and there is a large design restriction. There is a problem that there is a sense of discomfort above. This is a large cassette detection lever 111, 1
Since 11 fulcrums are located behind the detection part,
Since it is necessary to make the inclination of the front surface of the detection levers 111, 111 on the cassette insertion side gentle, and to drive the cassette stoppers 112, 112 a certain height, the length in the front-rear direction is increased. There was a need.

When the small cassette 116 is inserted, the left and right guides are connected to the large cassette detection levers 111, 111.
Since it is performed on the inner end surface of the cassette door, the shape of this portion requires a certain depth or more, which is why the cassette door 103
Has to be arranged at the back of the front panel 106. This gives a great deal of design discomfort and restrictions.

Further, the large cassette detection levers 111 and 11
Arranging the cassette stoppers 112, 112 behind the 1 is for inserting the cassette insertion opening 105 and the cassette holder 107.
Since a wide space is required between them, when there is a large difference between the size of the large cassette and the size of the small cassette, the length of the cassette holder cannot be made large. However, since the cassette holder 107 has a function of transporting the cassette and a function of landing at the loading position on the mechanical chassis, the cassette holder 107 needs to have a certain length or more, and therefore cannot be extremely shortened. Is. Therefore, it is difficult to solve the above-mentioned problems when the size difference between the cassettes is large.

Further, the large cassette detection levers 111, 1
Since 11 is projected on the passage of the cassette insertion opening 105, it is possible to insert a finger or the like from the cassette insertion opening 105 and move it depending on mischief or a method of use.
It may cause malfunction.

Further, since the conventional cassette loading mechanism does not protect against the wrong insertion of the cassette, it is not suitable for a consumer device.
If it is inserted by mistake, the inside of the device may be damaged.

Further, a mechanism for ensuring a space that does not come into contact with the guide surface of the guide mechanism arranged near the cassette insertion port by horizontally moving the rear end portion of the cassette while floating the cassette during the cassette discharging operation Since it does not have, it is necessary to provide a gap in the height direction with the cassette insertion port in the positional relationship of the horizontal movement of the cassette,
This causes a problem that the height of the cassette loading mechanism is necessarily increased.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and solves the discomfort in the design and use of the cassette insertion opening even when the sizes of the large and small cassettes are remarkably different. An object of the present invention is to obtain a recording / reproducing apparatus having a cassette insertion position designating mechanism having a protection function even when the insertion position or insertion direction of the cassette is different or a cassette having a different format is inserted.

[0027]

In order to achieve the above object, in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, two or more kinds of cassettes having different sizes can be inserted from one cassette insertion opening, and the cassette insertion opening. A recording / reproducing apparatus capable of performing an operation of moving an inserted cassette to a loading position with the cassette holder loaded in a standby state and an operation of moving the cassette to an eject position in a standby state with the cassette loaded in the cassette holder. A pair of retractable cassette slopes that are inserted and positioned in the width direction of a small cassette on a frame surface that is flush with the supporting surface of the cassette holder on the inlet side of the cassette holder,
A pair of detection slopes that can be retracted to detect the insertion of a large cassette on the outside of the cassette slope, and retracts into the frame surface when the cassette is properly inserted behind the cassette slope, and retracts when the cassette is inserted incorrectly. Equipped with a cassette insertion position designating mechanism that has a pair of cassette stoppers that project upward and prevent insertion of cassettes, and a cassette slide, detection slope, and link mechanism that moves the cassette stopper in and out are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the cassette insertion direction. It was done.

With this construction, the depth of the cassette insertion position designating mechanism can be shortened, which facilitates positioning especially when inserting a small cassette.

Further, a cassette door is provided at the cassette insertion port, and a concave step portion corresponding to the width of a small cassette is provided on the front surface of the cassette door, and the step portion serves as a guide when the cassette is inserted. Then, if the small cassette is inserted according to the stepped portion of the cassette door, the stepped portion serves as a guide and the small cassette can be accurately inserted between the cassette slopes.

Further, the interval between the pair of cassette stoppers is aligned with the interval between the pair of cassette slopes which are positioned and inserted in the width direction of the small cassette, whereby the cassette slope and the cassette stopper serve as a guide for the small cassette. The guide for inserting the cassette can be performed in a long range in the depth direction, and a small cassette can be reliably inserted.

Further, since the cassette stopper is rotatable on the support shaft arranged obliquely with respect to the insertion direction of the cassette, even if the cassette stopper is guided by the cassette stopper and the cassette stopper receives lateral pressure, The cassette stopper does not rotate in the pushing direction and the guide function is not impaired.

Further, by setting the interval width of the pair of detection slopes for detecting the insertion of a large cassette to be wider than the width of another type of cassette, even if the cassette is inserted by mistake, the pair of detection slopes are simultaneously detected. Since the cassette stopper is not rotated, the cassette stopper remains in a protruding state, which prevents the insertion of such a cassette.

Further, a fulcrum support member for a pair of cassette slopes which are positioned and inserted in the width direction of a small cassette and a pair of detection slopes for detecting the insertion of a large cassette, and a spring for urging the cassette slope in the projecting direction. By configuring the member and the single plate-shaped member, it is possible to simplify the mechanism and improve the assemblability.

Further, since the pair of detection slopes for detecting the insertion of a large cassette and the projecting biasing force of the pair of cassette stoppers are made possible by one spring member, the mechanism can be simplified and the number of parts can be greatly reduced. be able to.

Further, a roller mechanism is provided above the cassette holder for pulling in and ejecting the cassette with respect to the cassette holder, and when the cassette is erroneously inserted at the standby position of this roller mechanism, the end face of the cassette has a roller mechanism. Since the insertion of the cassette is forbidden when the cassette hits against, it is possible to insert the cassette in a position other than the normal posture with a simple structure.

Further, the rear end of the cassette has a loading guide groove so that the rear end of the cassette holder floats up during the movement of the cassette holder loaded with the cassette to the eject position. Since it is possible to ensure a space that does not come into contact with the guide surface of the cassette, the rear end portion of the cassette can be surely passed without hitting the guide surface of the cassette insertion position designating mechanism during the eject operation.
Moreover, the cassette insertion position designating mechanism can be made thinner.

[0037]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings by taking an example in which it is applied to a compatible type consumer VCR apparatus capable of using two kinds of tape cassettes, large and small. To do.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cassette compartment (hereinafter referred to as a cassette) of the VCR device of this example.

First, the structure of the main part of the cassette computer will be described with reference to FIG. The whole of the cassette computer is indicated by reference numeral 1,
The arrow direction is the insertion direction of the tape cassette (not shown). On both sides of the cassette case 1, cassette frames 3 and 3 are erected on the mechanical chassis 2, and bearing shafts 4a and 4a provided at the upper end of the cassette door 4 on the inlet side of the cassette 1 are formed on the cassette frames 3 and 3. It is supported by the bearings 3a, 3a. The front surface of the cassette door 4 has a stepped portion 4b having a recessed shape that matches the width dimension of a small cassette described later. A front panel 6 having a cassette insertion opening 5 is arranged in front of the cassette door 4.

A cassette holder 7 for transporting the tape cassette to the loading position and the eject position is arranged in the cassette computer 1. A cassette pull-in / discharge mechanism 8 is incorporated on one side of the cassette holder 7. Since the cassette pull-in / discharge mechanism 8 is not an essential part of the present invention, the description of the configuration is omitted and the mechanical movement will be described.

When the tape cassette is inserted into the cassette holder 7, a loading motor is driven by a cassette insertion detecting mechanism 70, which will be described later, and the supporting arms 9 and 9 are attached to the upper part of the cassette holder 7 via the cassette pull-in / discharge mechanism 8. Roller 10 of roller shaft 10 supported and traversing
When a is rotated in the winding direction, the tape cassette is pulled in deeply until it abuts the cassette stopper 7a at the innermost portion of the cassette holder 7. After that, the tape cassette is conveyed to the loading position together with the cassette holder 7.

When the tape cassette moves to the eject position together with the cassette holder 7, the roller 10a rotates in the opposite direction via the cassette pull-in / discharge mechanism 8 to insert the rear end of the tape cassette into the cassette. The discharging operation is performed so as to project to the outside of the mouth 5.

The cassette pull-in / discharge mechanism 8 which operates in this manner has a pair of front and rear guide shafts 12a, 12a, 12b and 12b via the holder sliders 11 and 11, and these guide shafts 12a, 12a, 12b and 12b are provided. , 3
Are engaged with a pair of loading guide grooves 13 and 14 formed of a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. Each guide shaft 12
a, 12a, 12b and 12b penetrate through the loading guide grooves 13 and 14 and engage with a pair of loading cam grooves 15a and 15a formed in the drive sliders 15 and 15 arranged on the outer surfaces of the cassette frame 3 and 3. To be done. A rack 16 is formed on the upper edge of the drive slider 15.

Racks 16 and 1 of the drive sliders 15 and 15.
6 includes bearings 3b and 3b at the upper edges of the cassette frames 3 and 3.
The gears 18, 18 on both ends of the shaft 17 supported by the gears mesh with each other, and one gear 18 is connected to the motor 20 via a reduction gear 19.
The rotational driving force of is transmitted.

Between the cassette door 4 and the cassette holder 7 described above, a large cassette (not shown) and a small cassette (not shown) are guided to prescribed positions of the cassette holder 7 or to prevent erroneous insertion of the cassette. Guide mechanism 40 as a cassette insertion position designating mechanism which is a main part of the present invention
Is arranged.

The structure of the guide mechanism 40 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide mechanism 40 has a frame main body 41 forming a frame and a frame surface 41a that is flush with the accommodating portion of the cassette holder 7, and the frame surface 41a is erected from the left and right sides thereof. Mounting frame 42,
42 is supported by the above-mentioned cassette computer frames 3 and 3 by screws (not shown). A pair of left and right cassette slopes 43a and 43b having mountain-shaped slope surfaces on the front and rear surfaces and a mountain-shaped slope surface on the outside of the cassette slopes 43a and 43b are also provided on the frame main body 41 on the left and right sides of the frame surface 41a. The pair of left and right large cassette detection slopes 44a and 44b and the cassette stoppers 45a and 45b, which are behind the cassette slopes 43a and 43b and have the intervals matching the cassette slopes 43a and 43b, are respectively biased upward. Are arranged. The cassette stoppers 45a and 45b have upright stopper surfaces 46a and 46b on the front surface side and mountain-shaped slope surfaces on the rear surface side.

The distance between the cassette slopes 43a and 43b and the cassette stoppers 45a and 45b is such that both side surfaces of the small cassette can be guided. Therefore, the small cassette inserted from the cassette insertion port 5 can be inserted into the cassette slope 43a. , 43b and cassette stoppers 45a, 45b are loaded into the cassette holder 7. Further, the entire width of the large cassette detection slopes 44a, 44b corresponds to the width of the large cassette, and both side surfaces of the large cassette are inserted into the inner side surfaces of the mounting frame bodies 42, 42 while being guided.

3 and 4 are perspective views showing a detailed structure in which the guide mechanism 40 described above is separated. In FIG. 3, the cassette slopes 43a and 43b are fulcrum shafts 4 provided on them.
7a, 47a, 47b, 47b are formed in the frame body 41, and the bearings 48a, 48a, 48 are open on the front side.
The large cassette detection slopes 44a and 44b are rotatably supported by b and 48b, and are rotatably supported coaxially by the fulcrum shafts 47a and 47b. Then, the fulcrum shafts 47a, 47a,
47b and 47b are supported by a sheet metal member 49 attached to the front surface of the frame body 41. A pair of left and right spring members 50a and 50b are integrally formed on the sheet metal member 49,
The tip ends of the spring members 50a and 50b are elastically contacted with the back surfaces of the cassette slopes 43a and 43b, and urge the cassette slopes 43a and 43b to project from the frame surface 41a. The sheet metal member 49 is the frame main body 41.
The caulking pin 51 provided on the above is passed through the stop hole 49a, and the caulking pin 51 is fixed by caulking.

On the other hand, the cassette stoppers 45a and 45b are supported by the fulcrum shaft 5 which is obliquely supported by the frame body 41.
It is rotatably supported by 2a and 52b. Specifically, the fulcrum shafts 52a and 52b are arranged in a "C" shape when the frame body 41 is viewed from above.

In FIG. 4, an upper mounting portion 54 and both side mounting portions 55 of the second sheet metal member 53 are screwed to the front rear surface of the frame main body portion 41 through mounting holes 54a and 55a. A pivot portion 56a provided at a base end portion of the first link member 56 is supported by a shaft (not shown) on a fulcrum portion 53a on the front end side of the second sheet metal member 53.
The pivot portion 57a provided at the base end portion of the second link member 57 is also supported by a shaft (not shown) on the fulcrum portion 53b at the other end portion of the front surface of the sheet metal member 53. Both of the first link members 56 and 57 overlap each other in a crossing shape, and the first actuating pieces 56b and 57b are provided on the base end side of each of them.
The distal end portion is provided with second operating pieces 56c and 57c.

A pair of second link members 58 and 59, which also overlap each other in the shape of a cross, are arranged on the back surface side of the above-mentioned second sheet metal member 53.
8 and 59 are the second overlapping pivotal fulcrums 58a and 59a.
It is rotatably supported by a shaft (not shown) in a shaft hole 53a of the sheet metal member 53.

Here, the above-mentioned first link member 56,
The first operating pieces 56b and 57b of 57 are the second sheet metal member 5
It engages with the engaging holes 58b and 59b formed in the 2nd link member 58 and 59 through the opening parts 53b and 53b formed in 3.

Further, the second link members 58 and 59 have tension coil springs 60 attached to the spring hooking pieces 58c and 59c at their respective ends which intersect with each other. Further, the operation pieces 58d and 59d are provided on the outer end portions of the second link members 58 and 59.
It has.

Thus, the second operating piece 56c of the one first link member 56 corresponds to the back surface of the cassette detecting slope 44b, and the second operating piece 57c of the other first link member 57 is the cassette detecting slope. 44a. The operation piece 58d of the second link member 58 on one side is engaged with the engagement portion 45c of the cassette stopper 45a, and the operation piece 59d of the second link member 59 on the other side is engaged with the engagement portion 45d of the cassette stopper 45b. Engage.

FIG. 5 shows one of the first link member 56 and the second link member 56.
The interlocking state in which the link member 58 of FIG. That is, the second link member 58 is spring-biased upward in the arrow direction of the operation piece 58d about the rotation fulcrum portion 58a by the spring force of a tension coil spring (not shown), which causes the cassette stopper 45a to move toward the frame surface. 41
It is biased in the protruding direction from a. Further, the spring force of the second link member 58 upward causes the first operating piece 56 to move.
The first link member 56 is spring-biased upward in the arrow direction of the second actuating piece 56c about the rotating portion 56a via b, whereby the large cassette detection slope 44
b is biased from the frame surface 41a in the protruding direction.

Although not shown, the other first link member 57 and second link member 59 also have the same structure as described above, and therefore the cassette stopper 45b is operated by the operation piece 59d of the second link member 59. Is urged from the frame surface 41a in the protruding direction, and the second link of the first link member 57 is
The large cassette detection slope 44a is biased in the protruding direction from the frame surface 41a by the operation piece 57c.

Further, the cassette stoppers 45a and 45b have stopper pieces 45e and 45f, which are regulated so as not to rotate toward the cassette insertion side.

The guide mechanism 40 according to the present invention is constructed as described above. According to this, the cassette slopes 43a, 4
Since 3b is spring-biased by the spring members 50a and 50b of the sheet metal member 49, it is possible to independently project and retract.
When one of the large cassette detection slopes 44a is pushed down, the other cassette stopper 45b on the diagonal line is also pushed down together, and the other large cassette detection slope 4a is pushed down.
When 4b is pushed down, one of the diagonal cassette stoppers 45a is interlocked and pushed down.

In addition, the above-mentioned cassette slope 43a,
The sheet metal member 49 that moves the 43b in and out, the large cassette detection slopes 44a and 44b, and the cassette stopper 45a.
Link members 56, 57, 58, 5 that move in and out of 45b
9 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the cassette.

In the guide mechanism 40 constructed as described above, when both side surfaces of the large cassette are inserted using the mounting frames 42, 42 as guides, the large cassette detection slopes 44a, 44b are simultaneously pushed down together with the cassette slopes 43a, 43b. , In conjunction with this, cassette stoppers 45a, 45
Since b is pushed down, the cassette passes through the guide mechanism 40 without any obstacle and is loaded in the cassette holder 7 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the case of a small cassette, the frame surface 41
The inner surfaces of the cassette slopes 43a and 43b and the cassette stoppers 45a and 45b protruding from a are inserted into the cassette holder 7 as guides of the small cassette.

Here, when the small cassette is inserted from a biased position which is not a normal insertion position, for example, a position biased to the left side in FIG. 2, the large cassette detection slope 44a on the side corresponding to the small cassette is pushed down. Even if
Since the cassette stopper 45a on the same side remains in the protruding state, the cassette hits against and the insertion is prevented.

The large cassette detection slopes 44a, 4
Since the interval width of 4b is wider than the width of another format cassette such as an 8 mm video cassette, even if the 8 mm video cassette is inserted by mistake, the large cassette detection slopes 44a and 44b cannot be pushed down at the same time. The cassette stoppers 45a and 45b remain in the protruding state to prevent the insertion of this type of cassette.

Further, since the support shafts 52a and 52b of the cassette stoppers 45a and 45b are arranged in the "C" shape as described above, the small cassette is inserted while being guided by the cassette slopes 43a and 43b. Along the way, the small cassette is replaced with the cassette stopper 45a or 45
Even if a force is applied to the side surface of b, a moment for pushing the cassette stopper downward is not generated, and therefore, the cassette stoppers 45a, 45a
b does not impair the guide function of the small cassette.

Further, according to the present invention, since the recessed step portion 4b corresponding to the width of the small cassette is provided on the front surface of the cassette door 4, when the small cassette is opened by pushing the cassette door 4, the small cassette is stepped. Can be guided to part 4b,
This ensures that the small cassette can be inserted into the normal position of the guide mechanism 40.

Further, the cassette detection slopes 44a, 44
Since the biasing force of the b and the cassette stoppers 45a and 45b in the projecting direction can be generated by one tension coil spring 60, the structure is simplified and the number of parts can be reduced.

The cassette insertion detecting switch mechanism 70 for detecting the cassette inserted in the cassette holder 7 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

The cassette insertion detection switch mechanism 70 is composed of a cassette insertion detection member 71 and a detection switch (not shown). The cassette insertion detecting member 71 is spring-biased by a spring member (not shown) so as to project onto the frame surface 41a. Then, the cassette insertion detecting member 71
When the cassette is rotated by inserting the cassette, the detection switch is turned on and the insertion is electrically detected.

In the guide mechanism 40 described above, for example, when the cassette is inserted backwards and forwards, the cassette passes through the guide mechanism 40. Therefore, the present invention prevents the cassette from being loaded in the cassette holder 7 even in such a case. An erroneous insertion prevention mechanism for doing so is arranged on the roller shaft 10 of the cassette pull-in / discharge mechanism 8 described above.

That is, the roller shaft 10 has a roller 10a.
Erroneous insertion prevention member 72 molded so that the portion of
Is supported. Small cassette stopper surfaces 73 having a width interval corresponding to the width of the small cassette are formed on the front surface of the erroneous insertion prevention member 72 on the cassette insertion side, and the front end portions on the left and right front surfaces of the stopper surface 73 are high. Large cassette stopper 74 having inclined taper surface 74a
Are formed. The erroneous insertion prevention member 72 thus configured is normally urged downward together with the roller shaft 10 by a spring member (not shown).

The operation of the erroneous insertion prevention mechanism will be described below with reference to FIGS. The large cassette is indicated by reference numeral 75, and the small cassette is indicated by reference numeral 76.

FIG. 6 shows the case where the large cassette 75 is in a normal posture, that is, the large cassette 75 is inserted into the cassette holder 7 with the cassette lid side being the insertion side. In this case, the large cassette 75 has a slope surface 75a that is standardly formed on the upper surface of the cassette lid.
Is inserted under the tapered surface 74a of the large cassette stopper portion 74 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 72, so that the erroneous insertion prevention member 7
2 is pushed up and loaded in the cassette holder 7.

FIG. 7 shows the case where the large cassette 75 is inserted in the front-rear direction. Since the rear end surface of the large cassette 75 is rectangular, the large cassette 75 can be prevented from being inserted into the tip of the large cassette stopper portion 74.

FIG. 8 shows the case where the small cassette 76 is in a normal posture, that is, the small cassette 76 is inserted into the cassette holder 7 with the cassette lid side being the insertion side. In this case, the small cassette 76 has a slope surface 76a formed on the upper surface of the cassette lid as standard.
Is inserted under the small cassette stopper surface 73 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 72, so that the erroneous insertion prevention member 72 is pushed up and loaded into the cassette holder 7.

FIG. 9 shows the case where the small cassette 76 is inserted in the reverse direction. Since the rear end surface of the small cassette 76 is also square, it can hit the small cassette stopper surface 73 and prevent the insertion of the small cassette 76.

FIG. 10 is an operation diagram in which the cassette loaded in the cassette holder 7 is conveyed horizontally in the eject direction.

Generally, when the cassette is held in the cassette holder 7 in a normal posture, the rear end of the cassette can pass without hitting the end 41b of the frame surface 41a of the guide mechanism 40. If the cassette is slightly inclined with respect to the cassette holder 7, the rear end of the cassette may abut against the end 41b of the frame surface 41a, and the cassette may not be ejected.

Therefore, in the present invention, a part of the loading guide groove 13 for guiding the horizontal movement of the cassette holder 7 is set to a guide groove 13a which is slightly lifted upward, so that the cassette floats up together with the cassette holder 7, and thus the cassette holder. Even when the cassette is tilted with respect to 7, the cassette rear end can be ejected without hitting the end 41b of the frame surface 41a.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the embodiment, a so-called compatible type VCR device capable of using two types of tape cassettes of different sizes is described, but it is applicable even when two or more types of tape cassettes of different sizes can be used. Needless to say, it can be widely applied to a guide mechanism of a cassette used in a recording / reproducing device such as an audio device.

[0081]

As described above, in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the small cassette is inserted with its width direction positioned in the frame surface which is flush with the supporting surface of the cassette holder at the inlet side of the cassette holder. A pair of retractable cassette slopes, a pair of retractable detection slopes that detect the insertion of a large cassette on the outside of the cassette slope, and a retreat within the frame surface when the cassette is properly inserted behind the cassette slope. However, when a cassette is erroneously inserted, a cassette insertion position designating mechanism having a pair of cassette stoppers that project onto the frame surface and prevent insertion of the cassette, and a cassette slope,
By arranging the detection slope and the link mechanism that moves the cassette stopper up and down in the direction orthogonal to the cassette insertion direction, the depth length of the cassette insertion position designation mechanism can be shortened, which makes the cassette case thin in the depth direction. In addition, there is an effect that positioning can be easily performed especially when inserting a small cassette.

Further, the cassette insertion port is provided with a cassette door, and a concave step portion corresponding to the width of a small cassette is provided on the front surface of the cassette door, and the step portion is used as a guide when the cassette is inserted. Thus, the stepped portion can be used as a guide to accurately insert the small cassette into the correct insertion position.

Further, the gap between the pair of cassette stoppers is aligned with the gap between the pair of cassette slopes which are positioned and inserted in the width direction of the small cassette, whereby the cassette slope and the cassette stopper serve as a guide for the small cassette. The guide for inserting the cassette can be performed in a long range in the depth direction, and a small cassette can be reliably inserted.

Further, since the cassette stopper is rotatable on the support shaft arranged obliquely with respect to the insertion direction of the cassette, even if the cassette stopper is guided by the cassette stopper and the cassette stopper receives lateral pressure, The cassette stopper does not rotate in the pushing direction and the guide function of the cassette is not impaired.

Further, by setting the interval width of the pair of detection slopes for detecting the insertion of a large cassette to be wider than the width of another type of cassette, even if the cassette is mistakenly inserted, the pair of detection slopes are simultaneously detected. Since the cassette stopper is not pushed in, the cassette stopper remains in a protruding state, which prevents the insertion of such a cassette.

Further, a fulcrum support member for a pair of cassette slopes which are positioned and inserted in the width direction of a small cassette and a pair of detection slopes for detecting the insertion of a large cassette, and a spring for urging the cassette slope in the projecting direction. By configuring the member and the single plate-shaped member, it is possible to simplify the mechanism and improve the assemblability.

Further, since the pair of detection slopes for detecting the insertion of a large cassette and the projecting biasing force of the pair of cassette stoppers are made possible by one spring member, the mechanism can be simplified and the number of parts can be greatly reduced. be able to.

Further, a roller mechanism for pulling in and ejecting the cassette with respect to the cassette holder is provided above the cassette holder, and when the cassette is erroneously inserted at the standby position of the roller mechanism, the end face of the cassette has the roller mechanism. Since the insertion is prohibited by hitting against, it is possible to prohibit the insertion of the cassette in the cassette holder other than the normal posture with a simple structure.

Further, since the cassette holder having the cassette loaded therein has a loading guide groove in which the rear end of the cassette holder floats up during the operation of moving to the eject position, the rear end of the cassette has a cassette insertion position designating mechanism. Since it is possible to ensure a space that does not come into contact with the guide surface of the cassette, the rear end portion of the cassette can be surely passed without hitting the guide surface of the cassette insertion position designating mechanism during the eject operation.
Moreover, the cassette insertion position designating mechanism can be made thinner.

Further, the present invention is a compatible type VC capable of using two or more kinds of tape cassettes having different sizes.
By applying it to the cassette holder of the R device, it becomes a highly reliable VCR device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cassette in a VCR device equipped with a cassette guide mechanism of this example.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a guide mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the guide mechanism in a separated state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the guide mechanism in a separated state.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the guide mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which a large cassette can be inserted into a cassette holder.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the large cassette in the insertion prohibited state.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a state where a small cassette can be inserted into the cassette holder.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the same state where the small cassette is prohibited from being inserted.

FIG. 10 is an operation diagram during a cassette discharging operation.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cassette computer including a conventional cassette guide mechanism.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the guide mechanism when the cassette is normally inserted.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the guide mechanism when the cassette is erroneously inserted.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 cassette cassette, 5 cassette insertion slot, 7 cassette holder, 8 cassette pull-in / discharge mechanism, 13 loading guide groove, 13a lifted guide groove, 40
Guide mechanism, 41 frame body, 41a frame surface, 43a, 43b cassette slope, 44a, 44
b large cassette detection slope, 45a, 45b cassette stopper, 46a, 46b stopper surface, 49 sheet metal member, 50a, 50b spring member, 52a, 52b diagonal fulcrum shaft, 53 second sheet metal member, 56, 57 1st
Link member, 56b, 57b first actuating piece, 56
c, 57c Second operation piece, 58, 59 Second link member, 58d, 59d Operation piece, 60 Tension coil spring, 72 Incorrect insertion prevention member, 73 Small cassette stopper surface, 74 Large cassette stopper portion, 75 Large cassette , 76 small cassettes

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Akihiro Uetake 6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Katsuaki Ikema 6-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. Sony Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazumi Suzuki 6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Co. (72) Inventor Katsunori Takahashi 6-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Soni -Inside the corporation

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. Two or more types of cassettes having different sizes can be inserted from one cassette insertion port, and the cassette inserted from the cassette insertion port moves to a loading position while being loaded in a cassette holder in a standby state. In a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of performing an operation and an operation of moving the cassette to the eject position in the standby state with the cassette loaded in the cassette holder, the same plane as the supporting surface of the cassette holder is provided on the inlet side of the cassette holder. A pair of retractable cassette slopes that are inserted by positioning the width direction of a small cassette on the upper frame surface, and a pair of retractable detection slopes that detect insertion of a large cassette on the outside of the cassette slope, and When the cassette is properly inserted behind the cassette slope The cassette slope, the detection slope, and the cassette stopper are provided with a cassette insertion position designating mechanism that has a pair of cassette stoppers that project and project to the frame surface when the cassette is erroneously inserted and that prevents insertion of the cassette. A recording / reproducing apparatus, in which a link mechanism for retracting and retracting is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the cassette insertion direction. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cassette insertion port is provided with a cassette door, and a recessed step portion corresponding to the width of a small cassette is provided on the front surface of the cassette door. A recording / reproducing apparatus characterized by being a guide when a cassette is inserted. 3. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the gap between the pair of cassette stoppers is aligned with the gap between the pair of cassette slopes that are positioned and inserted in the width direction of the small cassette. Characteristic recording / reproducing device. 4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cassette stopper is rotatable on a support shaft arranged obliquely with respect to the insertion direction of the cassette. 5. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interval width of the pair of detection slopes for detecting the insertion of the large cassette is set wider than the width of another type of cassette. Playback device. 6. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a pair of cassette slopes that are inserted by positioning the small cassette in the width direction and a pair of detection slope fulcrum support members that detect insertion of the large cassette. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a plate member and a spring member for urging the cassette slope in a protruding direction. 7. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pair of detection slopes for detecting the insertion of the large cassette and the projecting biasing force of the pair of cassette stoppers are performed by one spring member. Recording / playback device. 8. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a roller mechanism on the upper part of the cassette holder for pulling in and ejecting the cassette with respect to the cassette holder, and the cassette is erroneous at a standby position of the roller mechanism. A recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that, when the cassette is inserted, the end face of the cassette abuts against the roller mechanism to prohibit the insertion. 9. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rear end of the cassette holder has a loading guide groove that floats up during an operation of moving the cassette holder loaded with a cassette to an eject position. A recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that a space can be secured so that the rear end of the cassette does not come into contact with the guide surface of the cassette insertion position designating mechanism. 10. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus is applied to a video cassette recorder.