JP2876412B2 - Recording media library device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a recording medium library device,
The present invention relates to a recording medium library device which is compact and easy to use, and which can be easily made into a desktop type.

[Conventional technology]

Optical Disk Library (OLU: Optical Disk Libra)
The ry unit is a device that stores and drives an optical disk cartridge (hereinafter, referred to as a cartridge). The optical disk library device includes a multi-stage storage rack that stores a plurality of cartridges, and an optical disk drive (hereinafter, referred to as a drive) that drives the cartridges (reads or reads / writes an optical disk).
A transfer mechanism for transferring a cartridge between the insertion slot and the storage rack, transferring a desired cartridge from the storage rack to the drive, and returning a cartridge used in the drive to the storage rack. It is composed of The transport mechanism has a holder that holds a cartridge taken in from a storage rack or a drive, and that appropriately reciprocates between the storage rack and the drive.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the conventional optical disk library device is
It is a large one that is fixedly (permanently) installed while occupying a large space in a specific public facility or company, and cannot be used easily. Therefore, a compact and easy-to-use optical disk library apparatus has been desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a compact and easy-to-use recording medium library device.

[Means for solving the problem]

The recording medium library device according to the present invention has a plurality of storage positions for accommodating the recording medium cartridge in a removable manner, and is detachably mountable to the main body so as to be collectively exchangeable with another storage magazine. And a drive unit for introducing the recording medium cartridge from the storage magazine and reading at least the recording medium, and a storage medium provided between the storage magazine and the drive unit, the storage medium being provided between the storage magazine and the drive unit. A transfer mediating unit that mediates the transport of the cartridge and is rotatable 180 degrees so that the recording surface of the recording medium on which at least reading is performed by the driving unit can be turned upside down,
The storage magazine is moved up and down, and a desired storage position in the storage magazine is selectively positioned at a predetermined position corresponding to the driving means. A table on which the storage magazine is placed, and A moving means including a vertical moving mechanism for moving, and a pair of locking pins that respectively engage with the respective guide grooves provided on both side surfaces of the storage magazine and guide the storage magazine to move vertically, The recording medium cartridge is introduced into the driving means from the storage position positioned at the predetermined position, or the recording medium cartridge is returned to the storage position from the driving means, and the entirety is stored in one casing. In a state where the casing is made portable and the storage magazine is removed, the entrance of the driving means is set to the outside. And mouth, thereby it is characterized in that it has to be able to insert a hand to the drive means of the desired recording medium cartridge.

[Action]

According to the present invention, the storage magazine storing the plurality of recording medium cartridges is moved up and down, and a desired storage position in the storage magazine can be positioned at a predetermined position corresponding to the driving unit. In this way, the recording medium cartridge is positioned at the predetermined position and the recording medium cartridge is introduced into the driving means from the storage position, or the recording medium cartridge is returned to the storage position from the driving means.

As described above, since the storage magazine storing a plurality of recording medium cartridges is moved relative to the driving unit, the storage magazine is provided with an independent cartridge transport mechanism separately from the storage rack as in a large library apparatus. In this case, the space for the transport path can be saved as compared with the case where the above-mentioned method is performed, and the apparatus is suitable for miniaturization and compactness. In other words, in the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a transport path space separately from the space for disposing the storage magazine or the drive means by the relative movement of the storage magazine itself with respect to the drive means, so that space for the transport path is saved. You can do it.

In addition, the storage magazine is removable with respect to the main body,
It is a so-called magazine type that can be exchanged with other storage magazines at once. Thus, a large number of storage magazines can be prepared, and a large number of recording medium cartridges can be handled by the library apparatus by changing the storage magazine set in the main body as needed. Therefore, the size of one storage magazine itself can be set to a size suitable for miniaturization, and this is also suitable for miniaturization and compactness.

As described above, according to the present invention, the storage magazine is a small one that is detachably mounted so that it can be exchanged with another storage magazine at a time, and the storage magazine is moved with respect to the driving unit to achieve a desired storage magazine. Since the cartridge is selectively fed into the driving means, the whole apparatus can be made compact and can be used easily.

Further, by storing the entirety in the casing, the recording medium library device according to the present invention can be made a portable type that can be carried around. Further, in the apparatus, the recording medium cartridge can be manually inserted into the driving means in a state where the storage magazine is removed.

Further, guide grooves are provided on both side surfaces of the storage magazine, and the moving means is provided on both sides of the storage magazine, a table for mounting the storage magazine, a vertical movement mechanism for moving the table up and down, and a storage unit. By including a pair of locking pins that engage with the respective guide grooves and guide the vertical movement of the storage magazine, the vertical movement of the storage magazine can be performed smoothly, and By detaching and inserting the storage magazine in the length direction of the groove, the storage magazine can be easily attached and detached without hindrance.Furthermore, even when the entire casing is carried, the storage magazine can be held by the engagement between the guide groove and the locking pin. Various excellent effects such as being able to be held safely are exhibited.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a recording medium library device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which the present invention is embodied as an optical disk library device.

In this optical disk library device, drive 2
Is for taking in the cartridge 1 from the opening 2a and driving it, and is fixed at a predetermined position in the rear of the casing 3. The magazine 4 has a plurality of storage positions (hereinafter, referred to as cells) C in which one cartridge 1 is stored so as to be freely taken in and out, and is arranged in a vertical direction. An opening 3 a formed in the front of the casing 3 is provided. Is mounted so that it can move up and down. The magazine 4 is detachable so that the magazine 4 can be exchanged with another magazine at once. Each cell C has a rectangular shape having a rear opening facing the drive 2 and a front opening on the opposite side. Each of the cartridges 1 has the front opening and the rear end of the front opening of the corresponding cell C. It is stored in the cell C in a state of protruding from the portion and the rear opening. The guide pocket 6 is fixed between the drive 2 and the magazine 4 in the casing 3, and is opened toward the rear opening 6 a and the magazine 4 which are aligned horizontally with the front opening 2 a of the drive 2. It has a rectangular shape having a front opening 6b. The guide pocket 6 has a transfer path P (third path) between the cell C of the magazine 4 and the drive 2.
(Indicated by a one-dot chain line in the figure). When the cartridge 1 is of a double-sided recording type, the drive 2
The guide pocket 6 is rotated by a suitable means around a rotation axis parallel to the transfer path P so that the recording surface of the cartridge 1 accessed by the head can be turned upside down (A / B inversion). Can be rotated 180 degrees.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an elevating mechanism E for moving the magazine 4 up and down. The magazine 4 is supported on a table 8 that moves up and down along a linear guide G, and moves up and down with the table 8. Further, guide grooves 4a, 4a extending in the vertical direction over substantially the entire length of each side wall are provided on the outer surfaces of both side walls in the magazine 4, and the guide grooves 4a, 4a are fixed to the casing 3 respectively. The locking pins 9, 9 project slidably along the guide grooves 4a, 4a. The table 8 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is fixed to a slider 10 that slides along a linear guide G on one side wall portion adjacent to one side wall of the magazine 4. The slider 10 includes
Both ends of the wire 12 around which the upper roller 11a and the lower roller 11b are wound are connected. The wire 12 is connected to the lower roller
When the lower roller 11b is driven by the motor M, the lower roller 11b drives the slider 10 and thus the table 8 and the magazine 4 supported on the table 8 upward or downward along the linear guide G. Move to By being moved in this manner, the magazine 4 is displaced vertically with respect to the guide pocket 6 and the drive 2, and horizontally with the front opening 6 b of the guide pocket 6, and thus with the front opening 2 a of the drive 2. The cells C that are aligned oppositely change sequentially. The vertical movement of the magazine 4 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) for controlling, operating and managing the entire optical disc library apparatus. The movement of the elevating mechanism E is controlled so that C is positioned at a predetermined position corresponding to the front opening 6b of the guide pocket 6. At this predetermined position, the desired cell C
Are horizontally opposed to and aligned with the opening 6b, and the magazine 4 is stopped at this position. The locking pin 9 guides the magazine 4, and when the magazine 4 moves up and down, prevents the magazine 4 from wobbling and the table 8 from rotating horizontally around the linear guide G via the slider 10. It is to prevent.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an example of a feed mechanism F for transferring the cartridge 1 between the magazine 4 and the drive 2 via the guide pocket 6. FIG. That is, between the magazine 4 and the guide pocket 6, a pair of front rollers 14, 14 facing each other while being positioned on both sides of the transfer path P can rotate about vertical axes 14a, 14a. It is provided as follows. Also the front roller
Reference numerals 14 and 14 denote cartridges 1 protruding from the cells C which are horizontally aligned with the front opening 6b of the guide pocket 6.
It is provided so that it may be located on both sides of the tip of the. Further, the front rollers 14, 14 are movable between an operation position where the front rollers 14 approach the transfer path P to clamp the cartridge 1 and a standby position separated from the transfer path P. In this way, when the front rollers 14, 14 are in the operating position, the plurality of cartridges 1 stored in the magazine 4 are
Of the cartridge 1 of the cell C aligned with the opening 6b
Selectively take out and transfer to drive 4,
The cartridge 1 used by the drive 4 is returned to the original cell C or functions.

A pair of central rollers 15, 15 are provided at the center of the guide pocket 6 so as to face each other while being positioned on both sides of the guide pocket 6. As shown in FIG. 4, each central roller 15 is composed of an upper roller 15a and a lower roller 15b capable of vertically holding one side of the cartridge 1 to be transferred in the guide pocket 6. The upper rollers 15a, 15a facing each other on both sides of the guide pocket 6 are connected by a horizontal shaft 15c so as to be able to rotate simultaneously, and the lower rollers 15b, 15b are connected by a horizontal shaft 15d so as to be able to rotate simultaneously. The surface of each of the rollers 15a and 15b is made of an elastic material such as urethane. The vertical interval S between the rollers 15a and 15b is equal to the thickness T of the cartridge 1 so that the upper roller 15a and the lower roller 15b can clamp the cartridge 1 by utilizing the elasticity of the elastic material. It is set smaller. In this way, the center feed rollers 15, 15
Functions to send out the cartridge 1 selectively sent from the magazine 4 to the drive 2 by the front feed rollers 14 and 14 and send the cartridge 1 used by the drive 2 to the magazine 4. Will be done.

Furthermore, between the guide pocket 6 and the drive 2,
A pair of rear rollers 18, 18 facing each other while being positioned on both sides of the transfer path P are provided so as to be rotatable about vertical axes 18a, 18a. The rear rollers 18 are located at the same height as the rear opening 6a of the guide pocket 6 and the front opening 2a of the drive 2. Further, the rear feed rollers 18, 18 are connected to the transfer path P.
, And a standby position separated from the transfer path P. In this way, when the rear rollers 18, 18 are in the operating position, the cartridge 1 sent out from the guide pocket 6 by the central rollers 15, 15 is sent to the drive 2 or the cartridge 1 used by the drive 2 is used. To the guide pocket 6.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the recording medium library device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the magazines 4 in which the desired cartridges 1 are previously stored in the respective desired cells C are manually inserted into the guide grooves 4a, and then lowered along the lock pins 9. While setting on the table 8. next,
The button operation or the like, specifying a particular cell that houses the desired cartridge 1 to be driven by the drive 2 C (e.g., a second cell C ₂ from the top in FIG. 5). In this way, the wire 12 is driven and the table 8 is moved downward along the linear guide G, the magazine 4, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the specific cell C ₂ The guide pocket 6 is lowered until it is aligned with the front opening 6b. Next, the cartridge 1 housed in the cell C _2, after being incorporated into the guide pocket 6 by the front rollers 14, 14, towards the drive 2 by the central feed rollers 15, 15 in the guide pocket 6 fed Then, the paper is fed into the drive 2 by the rear rollers 18,18. Thus, the cartridge 1
Is driven by the drive 2. At this time, if the cartridge 1 is of a double-sided recording type and it is desired to drive both sides, the cartridge 1 is driven by the rear rollers 18 and 18 and the center feed rollers 15 and 15 after driving of one recording surface is completed.
The guide pocket 6 is once taken into the guide pocket 6, and the guide pocket 6 is turned 180 degrees with respect to the drive 2 so as to be turned upside down, and then sent into the drive 2 again.

Cartridge 1 driven by drive 2
It is the reverse order of the above, and thus is returned to the original cell C ₂ via a guide pocket 6. Thereafter, the cartridge 1 stored in another cell C is sent to the drive 2 as appropriate. If necessary, the magazine 4 is exchanged for another magazine.

The present invention is not limited to an optical disk library device, but is also applicable to a magnetic disk cartridge or other disk cartridges, or a library device of a recording medium cartridge other than a disk cartridge.
When the recording medium is of a single-side recording type, the cartridge 1 may be directly transferred between the magazine 4 and the drive 2 without providing the guide pocket 6.

When the magazine 4 is removed, the entrance of the drive 2, that is, the front opening 6 b of the guide pocket 6 is exposed to the outside. If the guide pocket 6 is not provided directly or in the case where the guide pocket 6 is not provided, the drive 2
The desired cartridge 1 can also be manually inserted directly into the cartridge.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the storage magazine is detachably mounted so that it can be exchanged with another storage magazine at a time, and the storage magazine is transferred to the driving unit to drive the desired cartridge to the driving unit. The recording medium library device can be provided in a compact size and can be easily used. Further, guide grooves are provided on both side surfaces of the storage magazine, and the moving means is provided on both sides of the storage magazine, a table for mounting the storage magazine, a vertical movement mechanism for moving the table up and down, and a storage unit. By including a pair of locking pins that engage with the respective guide grooves and guide the vertical movement of the storage magazine, the vertical movement of the storage magazine can be performed smoothly, and By detaching and inserting the storage magazine in the length direction of the groove, the storage magazine can be easily attached and detached without hindrance.Furthermore, even when the entire casing is carried, the storage magazine can be held by the engagement between the guide groove and the locking pin. There are various excellent effects such as complete retention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire embodiment of a recording medium library apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing an example of an elevating mechanism for moving a magazine up and down in the embodiment, FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a feed mechanism for transferring the cartridge in the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a central roller provided on one side of a guide pocket in the feed mechanism, and FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating an example of the operation of the library device according to the embodiment. 1 ... Cartridge, 2 ... Drive, 4 ... Magazine, C ...
… Cell, E …… Elevating mechanism.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A storage device having a plurality of storage positions for storing a recording medium cartridge in a removable manner, detachably mountable to a main body so as to be collectively exchangeable with another storage magazine, and provided with guide grooves on both side surfaces. A magazine, driving means for introducing the recording medium cartridge from the storage magazine, and at least reading out of the recording medium, provided between the storage magazine and the driving means, for mediating the transfer of the recording medium cartridge therebetween. Along with
A transfer mediating means rotatable by 180 degrees so that the recording surface of a recording medium on which at least reading is performed by the driving means can be turned upside down; and the storage magazine is moved up and down to drive a desired storage position in the storage magazine. Means for selectively positioning at a predetermined position corresponding to the means, a table on which the storage magazine is mounted, an up-down movement mechanism for moving the table up and down, and each of the above-mentioned each provided on both side surfaces of the storage magazine. Moving means including a pair of locking pins which respectively engage with the guide grooves to guide the vertical movement of the storage magazine, wherein the recording medium cartridge is moved from the storage position positioned at the predetermined position to the driving means. The recording medium cartridge is returned to the storage position from the introduction or driving means, and the whole is one casing. In a state in which the casing is made portable and the storage magazine is removed, an entrance of the driving unit is opened to the outside, whereby a desired recording medium cartridge can be manually inserted into the driving unit. A recording medium library device, characterized in that it is made possible.