JPH0963231A - Magnetic disk cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a magnetic disk cartridge capable of securing the satisfied strength of a case while unnecessitating the operation of a magnetic head across the part of case when it is loaded to a disk driving device. SOLUTION: The magnetic disk cartridge is constituted of the case 10 formed to the thin box shape by those plates such as a bottom surface plate 14a, upper surface plate (a shell half) 15 arranged so as to oppositely face to this bottom surface plate 14a and side plate 14b connecting respective surroundings of both of these surface plates 14a, 15, and also a disk-shaped magnetic disk sheet 12 rotatably housed in this case 10. Openings 14d, 14e for inserting the magnetic head are formed by means of continuously cutting off a part of either one of both surface plates 14a, 15 and a part of the side plate 14b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic disk cartridge in which a magnetic disk sheet is housed in a case, and the magnetic disk sheet is rotated at a high speed to be used for magnetic recording and reproduction. The present invention relates to a magnetic disk cartridge having an improved opening for inserting a magnetic head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetic disk sheet in which magnetic layers are formed on both sides of a disk-shaped base made of a flexible polyester sheet or the like, and magnetic recording is performed on the magnetic layers by a magnetic head while being rotated at a high speed ( A so-called floppy disk is provided and is mainly used as a recording medium for a computer because of its advantages such as easy handling and low cost.

Recently, a magnetic disk sheet of this type is typified by a so-called 3.5 inch type.
It is often used as a magnetic disk cartridge by being rotatably housed in a thin hard case. The case is basically formed in a thin box shape by a bottom plate, a top plate arranged to face the bottom plate, and side plates connecting the bottom plate and the peripheries of the top plate. In many cases, the two shell halves are fixed to each other in a lid-matching manner.

In a magnetic disk cartridge of the type using this hard case, an opening for inserting a magnetic head is provided in the case. In the 3.5-inch type magnetic disk cartridge or the like, the magnetic head insertion opening is provided so as to face the end portions of the bottom plate and the top plate of the case, and the case portion outside the opening (on the side plate side). Is closed.

Such a magnetic disk cartridge is
Normally, the disk drive is loaded by moving relative to the disk drive in a direction parallel to the magnetic disk surface, and when loaded at a predetermined position, the shutter that closed the magnetic head insertion opening is opened and exposed at the opening. The recording / reproducing magnetic head comes into contact (or close proximity) with the magnetic disk sheet. Many current magnetic disk cartridges are of the so-called double-sided recording type in which the front and back of the magnetic disk sheet are magnetic recording surfaces. A pair of magnetic heads are used.

When the magnetic disk cartridge is loaded, the pair of magnetic heads as described above are first set in a state of being largely separated from each other, and the loading operation of the magnetic disk cartridge causes the relative movement from the outside of the case side to the magnetic head insertion opening side. Then, when it reaches the opening portion by straddling the closed case portion outside the opening, they are moved so as to be close to each other and come into contact with the magnetic recording surfaces of the front and back surfaces of the magnetic disk sheet, respectively.

When the magnetic disk cartridge is of a single-sided recording type, one magnetic head is naturally used, but in that case also the magnetic head is brought into contact with the magnetic disk sheet in the same manner as described above.

[0008]

By the way, when a magnetic head of the same type as that for a hard disk is used, for example, to increase the recording capacity, the magnetic head straddles a closed case portion. It may not be possible to operate like this.

For example, in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 3-110670, a magnetic head insertion opening is formed by continuously cutting off a part of each of three surfaces of a bottom plate, a top plate and a side plate of a case.
There is disclosed a magnetic disk cartridge in which the opening for inserting the magnetic head is closed by a shutter having a U-shaped cross section. In such a magnetic disk cartridge, when the shutter is opened, there is no case member outside the periphery of the exposed magnetic disk sheet, so that the magnetic head is relatively moved in the direction parallel to the magnetic disk surface. The magnetic head can be brought into contact with or close to the magnetic disk sheet only by itself (that is, without performing the above-mentioned operation of straddling the case portion).

However, when the magnetic head insertion opening is formed by continuously cutting out the three surfaces of the bottom plate, the top plate and the side plate of the case as described above, the strength of the case around the opening becomes low and the case is Deformation such as warpage is likely to occur.
If this is the case, problems such as the case being destroyed by a small impact and the operation of the shutter normally provided for closing the magnetic head insertion opening becoming unstable may occur.

Therefore, the present invention provides a magnetic disk cartridge that does not require the magnetic head to move across the above-mentioned case portion when it is loaded in the disk drive device, while ensuring sufficient case strength. The purpose is.

[0012]

A first magnetic disk cartridge according to the present invention has a bottom plate and a top plate arranged so as to face the bottom plate, as set forth in claim 1.
In a magnetic disk cartridge comprising a case formed in a thin box shape by these bottom plates and side plates that connect the peripheries of the top plate, and a disk-shaped magnetic disk sheet rotatably accommodated in the case, The magnetic head insertion opening is formed by continuously cutting out a part of one of the bottom plate and the top plate and a part of the side plate.

According to a second magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention, as described in claim 2, in the first magnetic disk cartridge as described above, the opening for inserting the magnetic head is a spindle for driving a disk drive device. It is characterized in that a part of a bottom plate having a hole for a center core through which a passage and a part of a side plate are continuously cut out.

According to a third magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention, as described in claim 3, in the first or second magnetic disk cartridge as described above, one of the bottom plate and the top plate for inserting a magnetic head is used. The face plate on which the opening is not formed bulges toward the outside of the case such that the distance between the double-sided plates near the portion where the opening is located is larger than the distance between the double-sided plates in other parts. It is characterized by having a shape.

According to a fourth magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention, as described in claim 4, in the third magnetic disk cartridge as described above, one of the bottom plate and the top plate has a magnetic head insertion opening. The vicinity of the portion of the face plate that is not formed facing the opening is formed higher than the other portions and bulges out.

According to a fifth magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention, as described in claim 5, in the third magnetic disk cartridge as described above, one of the bottom plate and the top plate has a magnetic head insertion opening. The face plate which is not formed is curved and bulged over the entire surface so that the distance to the other face plate is maximized in the vicinity of the portion facing the opening. Is.

Further, according to a sixth magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention, as described in claim 6, in the fifth magnetic disk cartridge as described above, a face plate which is curved and bulged over the entire surface. The outer surface of is formed flat near the most bulged portion.

[0018]

In the magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention, the magnetic head insertion opening is formed on only two surfaces of the bottom plate and the top plate of the case and the side plate. Compared with the conventional magnetic disk cartridge in which the magnetic head insertion opening is formed over the entire length, the case strength in the peripheral portion of the magnetic head insertion opening can be kept high.

As described above, in the magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention, the magnetic head insertion opening is not formed in one of the bottom plate and the top plate of the case, but one magnetic head is used for only one side of the magnetic disk sheet. When performing magnetic recording / reproducing by using the magnetic head insertion opening formed on the bottom plate or the top plate of the case so that this one magnetic head passes, the magnetic head straddles the case part. It will be unnecessary to operate.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the above. In the figure, 1 is a bottom plate with a magnetic head insertion opening 4 formed therein, 2 is a top plate without the magnetic head insertion opening 4 formed therein, 3 is a side plate, 5 is a magnetic disk sheet, and 6 is a magnetic head. (Also in FIGS. 6 and 7 below). The magnetic head 6 is moved relative to the magnetic disk cartridge 7 constituted by the above elements 2 to 5 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, but for insertion of a magnetic head formed from the side plate 3 to the bottom plate 1. Since it can pass through the opening 4, the operation of straddling the case portion is completely unnecessary.

On the other hand, when magnetic recording and reproduction are performed on both sides of the magnetic disk sheet by the two magnetic heads, the magnetic disk sheet is placed at a position close to the bottom plate or the top plate in which the opening for inserting the magnetic head is formed. If provided, the face plate on which the magnetic head insertion opening is not formed and the magnetic disk sheet are relatively separated from each other. Therefore, one magnetic head passes through the magnetic head insertion opening formed on the bottom plate or the top plate, and the other magnetic head does not interfere with the face plate on which the magnetic head insertion opening is not formed. It is possible to move the inside of the case, and in this case as well, it is not necessary for the magnetic head to move across the case portion.

FIG. 6 schematically shows the above. Similar to the magnetic head 6 of FIG. 5, one magnetic head 6a passes through a magnetic head insertion opening 4 formed from the side plate 3 to the bottom plate 1, and the other magnetic head 6b is
The case can be moved between the top plate 2 and the magnetic disk sheet 5.

Further, particularly in the third magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention, the one of the bottom plate and the top plate on which the magnetic head insertion opening is not formed is the double-sided plate near the portion where the opening is located. The face plate on which the magnetic head insertion opening is not formed is formed so that the distance between them is larger than the distance between the double-sided plates in other parts, and the shape is bulged toward the outside of the case. It becomes easier to move the magnetic head in the case while avoiding interference with the magnetic head.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the above. Similar to the magnetic head 6 of FIG. 5, one magnetic head 6a passes through a magnetic head insertion opening 4 formed from the side plate 3 to the bottom plate 1, and the other magnetic head 6b is
The inside of the case can be easily moved between the top plate 2 and the magnetic disk sheet 5 which bulge outward. Therefore, in this case, unlike the case of FIG. 6, it is not necessary to dispose the magnetic disk sheet 5 close to the bottom plate 1.

As described above, if the magnetic head does not have to cross over the case portion, a magnetic head of the same type as that for a hard disk can be used, which is advantageous in increasing the recording capacity. Becomes

A shutter for opening and closing the magnetic head insertion opening as described above is usually mounted. Further, the bottom plate of the case is provided with a center core hole through which the drive spindle of the disk drive device passes. It is desirable that the center core hole is also closed by a shutter to prevent dust. Third of the present invention
In this magnetic disk cartridge, since the magnetic head insertion opening is provided on the bottom plate, it is possible to close the opening and the center core hole with a common shutter, and in order to reduce the number of parts. preferable.

As described above, in the third magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention, the face plate on which the magnetic head insertion opening is not formed is bulged toward the outside of the case. More specifically, It is desirable to adopt the face plate shape as described in claim 4 or claim 5 from the viewpoint of ease of processing.

In particular, the fifth aspect of the present invention according to claim 5
In the magnetic disk cartridge of, since the face plate on which the magnetic head insertion opening is not formed has an arch structure in which the face plate is curved and bulges out entirely, the amount of material such as resin used for this face plate is reduced. The strength of the case in the compression direction can be made sufficiently high.

Recently, magnetic disk cartridges are being widely used in general households.
It is easy for accidental operation or accidental stepping on. Therefore, the fifth magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention in which the strength of the case in the compression direction is sufficiently increased as described above is suitable for domestic use.

On the other hand, in the process of assembling the magnetic disk cartridge, the bottom plate and the top plate are often received and held from below with the outer surfaces facing down, for the purpose of incorporating a magnetic disk sheet, liner and the like. In such a case, if the outer surface of the bottom plate or the top plate is curved, the bottom plate or the top plate does not fit well in the receiving and holding jig, and the receiving and holding level of the face plate fluctuates or the face plate tilts. Problems such as retention are likely to occur.

On the other hand, in the sixth magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention, the outer surface of the face plate which is entirely curved and bulged is formed flat near the most bulged portion. Therefore, in the cartridge assembling process, the face plate is received and held on the basis of this flatly formed portion, so that the face plate fits well into the receiving and holding jig, and thus the above-mentioned problems can be prevented.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a magnetic disk cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Further, FIG. 2 shows a state where the magnetic disk cartridge is viewed from the bottom surface side (the lower surface side in FIG. 1). As shown in the figure, a center core 11 is rotatably held in a hard case 10 made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and a magnetic disk sheet 12 having a central circular hole is formed in the center core 11.
However, they are fixed using, for example, an adhesive. This magnetic disk sheet 12 is a disk-shaped base made of a flexible polyester sheet or the like, on which magnetic layers are formed.

The thin box-shaped hard case 10 comprises two shell halves 14 and 15 fixed together in a lid-like manner. In this example, the shell half 14 has a bottom plate 14a and side plates 14b.
And the shell half 15 constitutes the top plate. That is, the bottom plate 14a of the shell half 14 and the shell half 15 face each other, and their sides are connected by the side plate 14b to form the box-shaped hard case 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom plate 14a of the shell half 14 is provided with a center core hole 14c. A spindle hole 11a is formed in the center core 11, and when the magnetic disk cartridge is loaded in the disk drive device, the drive spindle of this disk drive device passes through the center core hole 14c and the spindle hole 11a. Engage with.

Further, the hard case 10 is provided with an opening for inserting a magnetic head by cutting out a part of each of the bottom plate 14a and the side plate 14b. That is, the opening for inserting the magnetic head includes an opening 14d formed in the bottom plate 14a and a side plate 14b.
And an opening 14e formed in the.

The hard case 10 has a shell half 15
A shutter 13 having an engaging portion (not shown) that engages with the guide groove formed in the above is slidable in the direction of arrow A in the drawing is assembled. The shutter 13 is formed of, for example, a stainless steel plate or an aluminum plate, or a plastic such as polyacetal resin in a substantially L-shaped cross section. The other end of a torsion spring 16 whose one end is locked inside the hard case 10 is locked to this shutter 13.

Therefore, the shutter 13 is the torsion spring.
2, the magnetic head insertion openings 14d and 14e and the center core hole 14c are normally contacted with a step portion (not shown) formed in the hard case 10 by being urged to the left in FIG.
It is in a position to cover from the outside. Therefore, the magnetic head insertion openings 14d and 14e and the center core hole 14c are always provided.
The shutter 13 is closed by the shutter 13 to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the hard case 10.

The magnetic disk cartridge having the above structure is loaded into the disk drive unit by inserting it into the disk drive unit in the direction of arrow B. During this loading operation, the shutter 13 is moved to the open position (the position shown in FIG. 2) by a known mechanism, and the two magnetic heads 20a, 20b of the disk drive device are opened through the magnetic head insertion opening 14e thus opened. Goes in.

In the magnetic disk cartridge of this example, the magnetic disk sheet 12 is arranged in the state of being close to the bottom plate 14a of the shell half 14 as in the example shown in FIG. Therefore, when the magnetic disk cartridge is loaded in the disk drive device as described above, the magnetic head 20a on one side has the opening 14e for inserting the magnetic head.
And passes through the magnetic head insertion opening 14d to directly contact or approach the magnetic disk sheet 12. The other magnetic head 20b passes through the magnetic head insertion opening 14e, moves in the space inside the case between the magnetic disk sheet 12 and the shell half 15, and comes into contact with or close to the magnetic disk sheet 12 as it is. .

As described above, in this magnetic disk cartridge, it is not necessary for the magnetic heads 20a and 20b to move across the case portion. On the other hand, in this magnetic disk cartridge, since the magnetic head insertion openings 14d and 14e are formed only on the two surfaces of the bottom plate 14a and the side plate 14b of the shell half 14, respectively, the top plate, side plate and bottom plate of the case are formed. The case strength around the magnetic head insertion openings 14d and 14e is kept high as compared with the conventional magnetic disk cartridge in which the magnetic head insertion openings are formed over the three surfaces or on the two surfaces of the top plate and the bottom plate. be able to.

Further, this magnetic disk cartridge is
Magnetic head insertion openings 14d and 14e and center core hole 14
Since c and c are closed by a common shutter 13, the number of parts is reduced, which is preferable.

Although the magnetic disk cartridge according to the first embodiment is of a double-sided recording type, the magnetic disk sheet 12 and the bottom plate 14a of the shell half 14 are used as in the example shown in FIG. It is also possible to arrange it at an approximately intermediate position with respect to the shell half 15 and make it a single-sided recording type.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in FIG.
The same elements as those in 2 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted (the same applies hereinafter).

Compared with the magnetic disk cartridge of the first embodiment, the magnetic disk cartridge of the second embodiment has a bulging portion 15a formed in the shell half 15 and the shell half 15 is partially formed. The difference is that it constitutes part of the case side plate. Magnetic head insertion openings 14d and 14e are formed in the bottom plate 14a and the side plate 14b of the shell half 14, respectively, and the magnetic head insertion opening is also formed in the shell half 15 that forms a part of the case side plate. 15b is formed.

The bulging portion 15a is formed such that a portion of a portion of the shell half 15 serving as the case upper surface plate near the portion of the bottom surface plate 14a facing the magnetic head insertion opening 14d is higher than the other portions. It has been done. As a result, the distance between the shell half 15 and the bottom plate 14a is larger in the vicinity of the portion where the magnetic head insertion opening 14d is located than in other portions.

In the magnetic disk cartridge of this example, the magnetic disk sheet 12 is arranged at a substantially intermediate position between the bottom plate 14a and the portion other than the bulging portion 15a of the shell half 15 as in the example shown in FIG. It is set up.

When this magnetic disk cartridge is loaded into the disk drive, the magnetic head 20b on the upper side in the drawing passes through the magnetic head insertion openings 14e and 15b, and is placed between the magnetic disk sheet 12 and the shell half bulge 15a. After moving in the case inner space, the magnetic disk sheet 12 is brought into contact with or close to the magnetic disk sheet 12 as it is. Further, the other magnetic head 20a passes through the magnetic head insertion opening 14e, moves in the magnetic head insertion opening 14d, and then remains on the magnetic disk sheet 12 as is the case with the magnetic disk cartridge of FIG. It comes into contact or close proximity.

As described above, this magnetic disk cartridge also does not require the magnetic heads 20a and 20b to operate across the case portion. Also in this case, the bottom plate 14a of the hard case 10 and the side plate (side plate 14b and shell half 15)
2) of the magnetic head insertion openings 14d, 14
Since e and 15b are formed, a conventional magnetic disk having a magnetic head insertion opening formed over the three surfaces of the top plate, the side plate and the bottom plate of the case or on the two surfaces of the top plate and the bottom plate, as described above. Compared with the cartridge, the case strength around the magnetic head insertion openings 14d, 14e, 15b can be kept high.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The magnetic disk cartridge of the third embodiment differs from the magnetic disk cartridge of FIG. 3 in the shape of the bulging portion of the shell half 15. That is, the shell half 15 according to the third embodiment is curved and bulged over the entire surface so that the distance to the bottom plate 14a is maximized in the vicinity of the portion facing the magnetic head insertion opening 14d. It is said that.
The outer surface of the shell half 15 near the most bulged portion is a flat surface 15c.

When the magnetic disk cartridge having the above structure is loaded into the disk drive, the magnetic head 20a and
In the same manner as for the magnetic disk cartridge of FIG. 3, 20b moves in the space of the magnetic head insertion opening 14d, the space inside the case between the magnetic disk sheet 12 and the shell half 15, respectively. It comes into contact with or close to.

In this magnetic disk cartridge, since the shell half 15 has an arch structure in which the shell half 15 is entirely curved and bulges outward from the case, the amount of material such as resin used for the shell half 15 is reduced. As a result, sufficient case strength can be secured.

In the process of assembling the magnetic disk cartridge, the curved shell half 15 is used.
However, it is often received and held from below with the outer surface facing downward. Even in such a case, by receiving and holding the shell half 15 on the basis of the flat surface 15c, the shell half 15 fits well in the receiving and holding jig, and the receiving and holding level fluctuates or the shell half 15 is held there. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem such as tilting and being held.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a magnetic disk cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the bottom side of the magnetic disk cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a magnetic disk cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a magnetic disk cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a relative positional relationship between a magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention and a magnetic head of a disk drive device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing another example of the relative positional relationship between the magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention and the magnetic head of the disk drive device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing still another example of the relative positional relationship between the magnetic disk cartridge of the present invention and the magnetic head of the disk drive device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Hard case 11 Center core 12 Magnetic disk sheet 13 Shutter 14, 15 Shell half 14a Shell half bottom plate 14b Shell half side plate 14c Shell half center core hole 14d, 14e, 15b Magnetic head insertion opening 15a Shell half hole Bulging part 15c Flat surface of shell half 20a, 20b Magnetic head

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A case formed in a thin box shape by a bottom plate, a top plate arranged so as to face the bottom plate, and side plates connecting the peripheries of the bottom plate and the top plate, and In a magnetic disk cartridge comprising a disk-shaped magnetic disk sheet rotatably housed in a case, a part of one of the bottom plate and the top plate and a part of the side plate are continuously cut. A magnetic disk cartridge having a magnetic head insertion opening which is formed by being cut off. 2. The magnetic head insertion opening is formed by continuously cutting out a part of the bottom plate having a center core hole through which a drive spindle of a disk drive device passes and a part of the side plate. The magnetic disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic disk cartridge is formed. 3. A double-sided plate having a distance between the double-sided plates in the vicinity of the portion where the opening is located and the other of the bottom plate and the upper plate which is not formed with the magnetic head insertion opening. The shape is bulged toward the outside of the case so as to be larger than the distance between them.
Alternatively, the magnetic disk cartridge described in 2. 4. A surface plate of the bottom plate and the top plate, which is not formed with the magnetic head insertion opening, is formed so that a portion near a portion facing the opening is formed one step higher than the other portion and expands. The magnetic disk cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic disk cartridge is ejected. 5. A surface plate, of the bottom plate and the top plate, in which the opening for inserting the magnetic head is not formed has a maximum distance from other face plates near a portion facing the opening. 4. The magnetic disk cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic disk cartridge is curved and bulged over the entire surface. 6. The magnetic disk cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the outer surface of the face plate which is curved and bulged over the entire surface is formed flat near the most bulged portion. .