Cartridge tray and magnetic tape device

Abstract

One of the objects is to provide a technology that can assist in detecting physical abnormalities in a magnetic tape cartridge. [Solution] A cartridge tray according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a storage section that stores an inserted magnetic tape cartridge, and a movable member installed in the storage section, wherein at least a part of the movable member, the bottom, is located inside the storage section, and the movable member moves due to contact between the cartridge inserted into the storage section and the bottom.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cartridge tray and a magnetic tape device. [Background technology]

[0002] Magnetic tape is a recording medium that uses magnetic material. Magnetic tape is handled while housed in a case. A magnetic tape housed in a case is also called a cartridge. For example, data is read or written by inserting the cartridge into a magnetic tape device.

[0003] There is a technology for detecting damage to such magnetic tape cartridges. Patent Document 1 discloses that a magnetic tape cartridge is inserted into a diagnostic magnetic tape device and the diagnostic magnetic tape device is caused to perform a diagnostic operation on the magnetic tape cartridge. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-008862 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If a cartridge is subjected to an impact, such as being dropped, it may become physically damaged or deformed. If a cartridge with such damage is inserted into a magnetic tape device, it may cause the magnetic tape device to malfunction or the data recorded on the magnetic tape to be lost.

[0006] In Patent Document 1, in order to detect damage, it is necessary to wind the magnetic tape from the cartridge inserted into the diagnostic magnetic tape device onto the head and then rewind the wound magnetic tape into the cartridge. Therefore, depending on the abnormality that occurs in the cartridge, the diagnostic operation may cause a malfunction or data loss.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objects is to provide a technology that can assist in detecting physical abnormalities in magnetic tape cartridges. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A cartridge tray according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a storage section for storing an inserted magnetic tape cartridge, and a movable member installed in the storage section, wherein at least a part of the movable member, that is, a bottom portion, is located inside the storage section, and the movable member is movable by contact between the cartridge inserted into the storage section and the bottom portion.

[0009] A magnetic tape device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a storage section for storing an inserted magnetic tape cartridge, a movable member installed in the storage section, wherein at least a part of the movable member, a bottom portion thereof, is present inside the storage section, and the movable member is movable upon contact between the cartridge inserted into the storage section and the bottom portion, a cartridge tray, and a sensor for detecting the amount of movement of the movable member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] It can assist in detecting physical abnormalities in magnetic tape cartridges. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a cartridge tray according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a movable member according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing an example of a cartridge for a magnetic tape according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing an example of a cartridge for a magnetic tape according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a magnetic tape device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing an example of a configuration including a cartridge tray according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are first diagrams illustrating an example of movement of a movable member according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating an example of movement of the movable member of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing an example of a cartridge tray of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating an example of movement of the movable member of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a fourth diagram illustrating an example of movement of the movable member of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram illustrating an example of movement of the movable member of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 6 is a sixth diagram illustrating an example of movement of the movable member of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a magnetic tape device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing an example of a configuration including a cartridge tray according to the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram illustrating an example of movement of the movable member of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 6 is a sixth diagram illustrating an example of movement of the movable member of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of movement when a normal cartridge according to the present disclosure is inserted. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of movement when a cartridge in which an abnormality has occurred according to the present disclosure is inserted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] First Embodiment An overview of the cartridge tray of the first embodiment will be described.

[0014] A cartridge tray is a tray into which a magnetic tape cartridge can be inserted. Hereinafter, a magnetic tape cartridge may be simply referred to as a cartridge. For example, a cartridge tray may be a component used in a magnetic tape device. A magnetic tape device is a device that reads data recorded on a magnetic tape and writes data to the magnetic tape. In this case, when a cartridge tray is inserted into a magnetic tape device, the cartridge inserted in the cartridge tray engages with the magnetic tape device. The state in which the cartridge and the magnetic tape device are engaged is referred to as a mount. In this way, a cartridge tray may be a component used when mounting a cartridge. However, the cartridge tray is not limited to this example. For example, a cartridge tray may be a component that simply functions as a case for the cartridge. A cartridge tray may be any component that can accommodate a cartridge.

[0015] 1 is a first diagram showing an example of a cartridge tray. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cartridge tray 1. The cartridge tray 1 includes a housing portion 2 and a movable member 3.

[0016] The storage unit 2 stores a cartridge. In the example of FIG. 1, an insertion opening is present on the +x side of the storage unit 2. In this case, the cartridge is inserted from the insertion opening in the -x direction. When the cartridge is inserted, it is stored in the storage unit 2. In this way, the storage unit 2 stores the inserted magnetic tape cartridge.

[0017] The movable member 3 is installed in the storage unit 2. At least a portion of the movable member 3 is present inside the storage unit 2. In the example of FIG. 1, the surface of the storage unit 2 on the +z direction side is open. For example, at least a portion of the movable member 3 is present inside the storage unit 2 via the open portion. The movable member 3 is movable by contact with a cartridge inserted into the storage unit 2.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a movable member. Specifically, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the movable member 3 of FIG. 1 when viewed from the -y direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the movable member 3 has a bottom. The bottom is at least a part of the movable member 3. For example, the bottom is located inside the storage unit 2. In this way, the bottom, which is at least a part of the movable member, is located inside the storage unit 2.

[0019] For example, a cartridge is inserted in the -x direction from the insertion opening of the storage unit 2. At this time, the movable member 3 is moved by contact between the cartridge and the bottom. In the example of FIG. 1, when the cartridge comes into contact with the bottom, the cartridge pushes the movable member 3 up in the +z direction. This causes the movable member 3 to rotate in the +z direction around the shaft portion as the rotation axis. In this way, the movable member 3 is moved by contact between the cartridge inserted into the storage unit 2 and the bottom.

[0020] The configuration of the cartridge tray 1 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 1. For example, the entire movable member 3 may be located inside the accommodating section 2. The movable member 3 may also be configured to move in the z direction or the -x direction upon contact with the cartridge.

[0021] As described above, the cartridge tray 1 of the first embodiment includes a storage section 2 that stores an inserted magnetic tape cartridge, and a movable member 3 that is installed in the storage section 2. At this time, at least a part of the movable member 3, that is, the bottom portion, is present inside the storage section 2. The movable member 3 is moved by contact between the cartridge inserted into the storage section 2 and the bottom portion.

[0022] The movable member 3 moves in response to the insertion of the cartridge. At this time, if the cartridge is deformed, the amount of movement of the movable member 3 changes. For example, if a cartridge is inserted in a bulged state, the movable member 3 moves more than when a normal cartridge is inserted. Also, if a cartridge is inserted in a crushed state, the movable member 3 moves less than when a normal cartridge is inserted. By checking this amount of movement, it is possible to detect physical abnormalities in the cartridge. In other words, the cartridge tray 1 can assist in detecting physical abnormalities in magnetic tape cartridges.

[0023] <Second embodiment> Next, a cartridge tray according to a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the cartridge tray described in the first embodiment will be described in more detail. In addition, in the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the cartridge tray is a member used in a magnetic tape device. Note that some of the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0024] First, a magnetic tape cartridge in this embodiment will be described. An example of the magnetic tape is LTO (Linear Tape-Open). Hereinafter, an example in which the magnetic tape is LTO will be described, but the magnetic tape is not limited to this.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a first diagram showing an example of a magnetic tape cartridge. In the example of FIG. 3, the magnetic tape is present inside a case 21 of a cartridge 20. In this example, the surface of the case 21 in the +z direction is referred to as the top surface. Also, the surface of the case 21 in the -z direction is referred to as the bottom surface. FIG. 4 is a second diagram showing an example of a magnetic tape cartridge. In the example of FIG. 4, the bottom surface of the cartridge 20 shown in FIG. 3 is shown. As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge 20 is provided with a cartridge gear 22. Note that a file reel for winding the magnetic tape is present inside the case 21.

[0026] The case 21 is made of, for example, plastic, but is not limited to this example. Metal, resin, etc. may also be used for the case 21. The case 21 may have a structure divided into a top member and a bottom member. Specifically, the top member is bonded to the bottom member that houses the magnetic tape. For example, the top member and the bottom member may be bonded by a welding technique such as ultrasonic heat welding.

[0027] When an impact is applied to the cartridge 20, the bonded portion may come off. For example, when the bonded portion comes off, a gap may be formed between the upper and lower surface members. On the other hand, when an impact is applied to the cartridge 20, the case 21 may be crushed. When the cartridge 20 is deformed or damaged in this way, the size of the cartridge 20 changes from its normal size.

[0028] Fig. 5 is a first diagram showing an example of a magnetic tape device. Specifically, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a single-reel magnetic tape device 30. Note that the type of magnetic tape device 30 assumed in this disclosure is not limited to the single-reel type. Furthermore, the configuration of the magnetic tape device 30 is not limited to the configuration described below.

[0029] In the example of FIG. 5, the magnetic tape device 30 includes a deck base 31, a machine reel 32, a machine reel motor 33, a file reel motor , a file reel motor gear 35, a magnetic head , a guide roller 37, and a cartridge tray .

[0030] The machine reel 32 is a member on which the magnetic tape is wound. The machine reel motor 33 rotates the machine reel 32. The file reel motor 34 rotates the file reel of the cartridge 20. The magnetic head 36 reads and writes to the magnetic tape. The guide roller 37 guides the magnetic tape to the magnetic head 36. In this example, there are multiple guide rollers 37. The cartridge tray 10 is used to mount the cartridge 20 to the file reel motor after it has been inserted. The deck base 31 holds each component in its designated position.

[0031] The cartridge tray 10 with the cartridge 20 inserted is fitted into the magnetic tape device 30. This causes the cartridge gear 22 to engage with the file reel motor gear 35. "Mounted" in this example refers to the state in which the cartridge gear 22 and the file reel motor gear 35 are engaged. When the cartridge 20 is mounted, the magnetic tape inside the case 21 is pulled out. The pulled-out magnetic tape is guided by a guide roller 37 to the magnetic head 36 and wound onto the machine reel 32. The magnetic tape reciprocates past the magnetic head 36 under the rotation control of the machine reel motor 33 and the file reel motor 34. This makes it possible to read and write data from and to the magnetic tape.

[0032] 6 is a first diagram showing an example of a configuration including a cartridge tray. The cartridge tray 10 includes a storage section 12 and a movable member 13. When a cartridge 20 is inserted through an insertion opening of the cartridge tray 10, the cartridge is stored in the storage section 12. In this example, when the cartridge tray 10 storing the cartridge 20 descends in the -z direction, the cartridge gear 22 and the file reel motor gear 35 engage with each other.

[0033] The storage section 12 has a shaft 121 and an opening 122. The opening 122 may have a hole penetrating the storage section 12. In the example of FIG. 6, the opening 122 is shown as a rectangular space with the insertion direction of the cartridge 20 as its longitudinal direction. The shaft 121 is a member that rotatably supports the movable member 13. In the example of FIG. 6, the shaft 121 is provided parallel to the short side direction of the opening 122. The movable member 13 is installed in the storage section 12. Specifically, at least a portion of the movable member 13 is supported by the shaft 121. In this example, the shaft 121 is approximately parallel to a horizontal plane including the insertion direction of the cartridge and extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. One end of the movable member 13 is supported by the shaft 121. In this case, the movable member 13 is rotatable around the shaft 121 as a rotation axis. That is, one end of the movable member 13 is supported by the shaft portion 121 so that the movable member 13 can rotate.

[0034] 6, the other end of the movable member 13 is in contact with the upper surface (the surface on the +z direction side) of the storage section 12. Hereinafter, the other end of the movable member 13 will also be referred to as the tip portion. Because the tip portion is in contact with the upper surface of the storage section 12, the movable member 13 rotates in the +z direction from the state shown in FIG. 6, but does not rotate in the -z direction.

[0035] Furthermore, the movable member 13 passes through the opening 122. In this example, one end and the tip of the movable member are located outside the storage section 12. The bottom of the movable member 13 is located between the one end and the tip. The bottom of the movable member 13 is located inside the storage section 12 through the opening 122. In other words, at least a portion of the movable member 13 is located inside the storage section 12, and at least a portion of the movable member 13 is located outside the storage section 12.

[0036] Next, an example of movement of the movable member 13 will be described. FIG. 7 is a first diagram illustrating an example of movement of the movable member. More specifically, FIG. 7 shows a side view of the cartridge tray 10 shown in FIG. 6 as viewed from the -y direction before the cartridge 20 is inserted. Note that the file reel motor gear 35 is omitted from the example in FIG. 7. Also, the portion of the accommodating section 12 on the -y direction side that overlaps with the movable member 13 when viewed from the -y direction is omitted from the illustration.

[0037] 7 shows that the bottom portion is present inside the storage portion 12. Furthermore, the movable member 13 is supported by a shaft portion 121. The tip portion of the movable member 13 is in contact with the upper surface of the storage portion 12.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a second diagram illustrating an example of the movement of the movable member. More specifically, FIG. 8 shows a side view of the cartridge tray 10 shown in FIG. 6 when the cartridge 20 is inserted, as seen from the -y direction. As in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 also omits the file reel motor gear 35 and the portion of the accommodating section 12 on the -y direction side that overlaps with the movable member 13. As shown in FIG. 8, when the cartridge 20 is inserted in the direction of the arrow (-x direction), the cartridge 20 comes into contact with the bottom of the movable member 13. In this example, the cartridge 20 pushes up the bottom. This causes the tip to move outward from the accommodating section 12 (+z direction). That is, the movable member 13 rotates in the +z direction around the shaft 121 as the rotation axis. In other words, the movable member 13 rotates around the shaft 121 as the rotation axis in response to contact between the cartridge 20 inserted into the accommodating section 12 and the bottom.

[0039] When the movable member 13 moves, the height of the tip end varies depending on the state of the cartridge 20. For example, when a normal cartridge 20 is inserted, let the height from the upper surface of the accommodating portion 12 to the tip end be h1. Also, assume that there is a gap between the member on the upper surface side and the member on the bottom surface side in the case 21 of the cartridge 20. The cartridge 20 with such a gap may be in a state where the case 21 bulges, for example. When the cartridge 20 in a state where the case 21 bulges is inserted, let the height from the upper surface of the accommodating portion 12 to the tip end be h2. At this time, h2 may increase due to the generated gap. That is, h1 < h2. On the other hand, when the cartridge 20 in a state where the case 21 is crushed is inserted, let the height from the upper surface of the accommodating portion 12 to the tip end be h3. At this time, h3 decreases due to the crushing. That is, h1 > h3. Thus, in this example, an abnormality of the cartridge 20 can be detected based on the height of the tip end when the cartridge 20 is inserted.

[0040] As described above, the cartridge tray 10 of the second embodiment includes an accommodating portion 12 that accommodates the inserted magnetic tape cartridge 20 and a movable member 13 installed in the accommodating portion 12. At this time, the bottom portion, which is at least a part of the movable member 13, exists inside the accommodating portion 12. The movable member 13 moves by contact between the cartridge 20 inserted into the accommodating portion 12 and the bottom portion.

[0041] The movable member 13 moves in response to the insertion of the cartridge 20. At this time, if the cartridge 20 is deformed, the amount of movement of the movable member 13 changes. For example, when the cartridge 20 is inserted in a bulged state, the movable member 13 moves more greatly compared to when a normal cartridge 20 is inserted. Also, when the cartridge 20 is inserted in a crushed state, the movable member 13 moves less compared to when a normal cartridge 20 is inserted. By confirming this amount of movement, a physical abnormality of the cartridge 20 can be detected. That is, the cartridge tray 10 can assist in detecting a physical abnormality of the magnetic tape cartridge 20.

[0042] Furthermore, in the cartridge tray 10, the accommodating section 12 may have an opening 122, and the movable member 13 may pass through the opening 122. In this case, the bottom may be present inside the accommodating section 12 through the opening 122, and at least a part of the movable member 13 may be present outside the accommodating section 12. This allows the movement of the movable member 13 to be confirmed from outside the cartridge tray 10. This makes it easy for the user to confirm the movement of the movable member 13.

[0043] In the cartridge tray 10, the accommodating section 12 may have an opening 122 and a shaft 121 extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the cartridge 20. One end of the movable member 13 may be rotatably supported by the shaft 121. The other end of the movable member 13, i.e., the tip end, may be present so as to be in contact with the outside of the accommodating section 12. In this case, the movable member 13 may pass through the opening 122, and the bottom may be located between the one end and the tip end and be present inside the accommodating section 12 via the opening 122. When the cartridge 20 inserted into the accommodating section 12 comes into contact with the bottom end, the tip end of the movable member 13 moves toward the outside of the accommodating section, thereby rotating. This allows the rotation of the movable member 13 to be observed from outside the cartridge tray 10.

[0044] [Variation 1] In the above example, the movable member 13 rotates around the shaft portion 121. The mechanism by which the movable member 13 moves is not limited to the above example.

[0045] Fig. 9 is a second diagram showing an example of a cartridge tray. In the example of Fig. 9, the cartridge tray 10 also includes a storage section 12 and a movable member 13. As in the example of Fig. 6, the storage section 12 has a shaft portion 121 and an opening 122. The opening 122 is a rectangular space with its longitudinal direction aligned with the insertion direction of the cartridge 20. In this example, the movable member 13 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral directions of the opening 122. The shaft portion 121 is approximately parallel to the lateral direction of the opening 122 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the cartridge 20.

[0046] The movable member 13 has guide holes 131. The movable member 13 is supported by shaft portions 121. At this time, the shaft portions 121 are inserted into the guide holes 131. The guide holes 131 may or may not pass through the movable member 13. In this example, it is sufficient that the guide holes 131 into which the shaft portions 121 can be inserted are on the surface of the movable member 13 on the -y direction side and the surface of the movable member 13 on the +y direction side. In other words, the shaft portions 121 may or may not pass through the movable member 13. For example, the shaft portions 121 on the -y direction side and the shaft portions 121 on the +y direction side may each be hooked into the guide holes 131.

[0047] Fig. 10 is a third diagram illustrating an example of movement of the movable member. More specifically, Fig. 10 shows a side view of the cartridge tray 10 shown in Fig. 9 as viewed from the -y direction before the cartridge 20 is inserted. Note that in the example of Fig. 10, the portion of the accommodating portion 12 on the -y direction side that overlaps with the movable member 13 when viewed from the -y direction is omitted.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 10, the bottom is shown to be present inside the storage section 12. The movable member 13 is supported by the shaft 121 in the guide hole 131. The guide hole 131 is a hole that is longer in the z direction than in the x direction. The x direction of the guide hole 131 is referred to as the short side direction. The z direction of the guide hole 131 is referred to as the longitudinal direction. In this way, the guide hole 131 extends in the longitudinal direction. The length in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the guide hole 131 in the short side direction.

[0049] FIG. 11 is a fourth diagram illustrating an example of the movement of the movable member. More specifically, FIG. 11 shows a side view of the cartridge tray 10 shown in FIG. 9 when the cartridge 20 is inserted, as seen from the -y direction. As with FIG. 10, FIG. 11 also omits the -y direction portion of the accommodating section 12 that overlaps with the movable member 13. As shown in FIG. 11, when the cartridge 20 is inserted in the direction of the arrow (-x direction), the cartridge 20 comes into contact with the bottom of the movable member 13. In this example, the cartridge 20 pushes up the bottom. As a result, the movable member 13 moves along the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 131. In this example, the movable member 13 moves in the +z direction.

[0050] Thus, in the cartridge tray 10, the accommodating section 12 has the shaft 121 that is substantially parallel to the opening 122 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the cartridge 20, and the movable member 13 may have a guide hole 131 into which the shaft 121 can be inserted. In this case, the guide hole 131 extends in the longitudinal direction, and the length in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length in the lateral direction of the guide hole 131. The movable member 13 moves along the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 131 in response to contact between the cartridge 20 inserted into the accommodating section 12 and the bottom portion.

[0051] Furthermore, the cartridge tray 10 may have a different structure. For example, the cartridge tray 10 may have a structure in which the movable member 13 is pushed in the insertion direction by the inserted cartridge 20.

[0052] 12 is a fifth diagram illustrating an example of the movement of the movable member. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, one end of movable member 13 is supported by a protrusion provided on housing portion 12, and the other end is supported outside housing portion 12. One end of movable member 13 is located higher in the +z direction than the other end. The bottom of movable member 13 is located inside housing portion 12 via opening 122.

[0053] FIG. 13 is a sixth diagram illustrating an example of the movement of the movable member. More specifically, FIG. 13 illustrates the cartridge tray 10 illustrated in FIG. 12 when the cartridge 20 is being inserted. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the movable member 13 is pushed in the −x direction by the inserted cartridge 20. Then, the movable member 13 is also raised in the +z direction by the protrusion. For example, if the cartridge has a bulge, the bottom will continue to be pushed by the cartridge even after it comes into contact with the protrusion, causing the tip to move in the −z direction. Alternatively, the occurrence of an abnormality may be determined by examining the appearance of the +z side of the movable member 13 when viewed from the +x side due to deformation of the cartridge.

[0054] Thus, the structure of the cartridge tray 10 can be realized in various ways.

[0055] [Variation 2] Predetermined information may be written on the movable member 13. Specifically, visual information such as colors, symbols, and characters may be written on the movable member 13. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, a color is applied to the surface of the movable member 13 on the -y direction side. In this case, the color may be different as it approaches the tip. This causes the color to appear differently to the user depending on the amount of movement of the movable member 13. Therefore, the user can check whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the cartridge based on the appearance of the color.

[0056] In this way, visual information including at least one of a color, a symbol, and a letter may be written between the bottom and the tip, which is an end of movable member 13 and at least a part of movable member 13 that is outside storage section 12. In this case, the visual information may be written in different forms depending on the distance between the position where the visual information is written and the tip.

[0057] <Third embodiment> Next, a configuration including a cartridge tray of a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, an example of detecting the amount of movement of a movable member will be described. In addition, in the third embodiment, the movable member is the same as the example shown in Figures 6 to 8. However, even in the third embodiment, the movable member is not limited to this example. Note that some of the description overlapping with the first and second embodiments will be omitted.

[0058] Fig. 14 is a second diagram showing an example of a magnetic tape device. The magnetic tape device 40 shown in Fig. 14 differs from the magnetic tape device 30 of Fig. 5 in that it includes a sensor 38. The sensor 38 is a sensor that detects the amount of movement of the movable member 13. Note that the arrangement of the sensor in the magnetic tape device 40 is not limited to the example of Fig. 14.

[0059] An example of the sensor 38 is a photointerrupter. A photointerrupter is a sensor that can detect the presence or absence of an object and its position when the object interrupts light between a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. For example, the photointerrupter may detect the movement of the movable member 13.

[0060] An example of the sensor 38 is a photographing device such as a camera. In this case, the photographing device photographs the movable member 13. For example, the amount of movement of the movable member 13 may be detected based on a change in the area of ​​the movable member 13 on the photographed image.

[0061] The sensor 38 is not limited to this example. The sensor 38 may be any sensor that can detect the amount of movement of an object. The sensor 38 may also be communicably connected to an output device (not shown). For example, the output device may be a display, a speaker, a lamp, or the like. The output device may be provided in the magnetic tape device 40. Alternatively, the output device may be an information processing terminal with an output function, such as a personal computer or a smartphone. The sensor 38 may output the detected results to the output device.

[0062] Fig. 15 is a second diagram showing an example of a configuration including a cartridge tray. In this example, the movable member 13 is not shown. The sensor 38 may be placed on the cartridge tray 10, for example. In the example of Fig. 15, the sensor 38 is a photointerrupter. For example, when the movable member 13 moves, the movable member 13 enters the detection range of the photointerrupter, and the movement of the movable member 13 is detected.

[0063] FIG. 16 is a fifth diagram illustrating an example of the movement of the movable member. Specifically, FIG. 16 shows a side view of the cartridge tray 10 shown in FIG. 15 before the cartridge 20 is inserted, as viewed from the -y direction. In the example of FIG. 16, the -y direction portions of the accommodation section 12 and the sensor 38 that overlap with the movable member 13 when viewed from the -y direction are omitted. As shown in FIG. 16, the tip of the movable member 13 is located between the side surface of the sensor 38 on the +y direction side and the side surface of the sensor 38 on the -y direction side. In FIG. 16, an optical axis indicating the detection range of the sensor 38 is shown on the sensor 38.

[0064] FIG. 17 is a sixth diagram illustrating an example of the movement of the movable member. Specifically, FIG. 17 shows a side view of the cartridge tray 10 shown in FIG. 15 when the cartridge 20 is inserted, as viewed from the -y direction. FIG. 17 also omits the -y direction portions of the accommodation section 12 and the sensor 38 that overlap with the movable member 13 when viewed from the -y direction. As shown in FIG. 17, the cartridge 20 pushes up the bottom, causing the tip of the movable member 13 to move in the +z direction. This causes the movable member 13 to cross the optical axis, and the sensor 38 detects the movement of the movable member 13. At this time, if the sensor 38 performs detection using a camera, the sensor 38 may detect the height of the tip (i.e., the amount of movement).

[0065] Next, the difference in height of the tip of the movable member 13 when a normal cartridge 20 is inserted and when an abnormal cartridge 20 is inserted will be explained with reference to FIGS.

[0066] Figure 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of movement when a normal cartridge is inserted. Figure 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of movement when a cartridge in which an abnormality has occurred is inserted. In the examples of Figures 18 and 19, the cartridge tray 10 is not shown. In the example of Figure 19, a gap is generated between the upper surface member and the bottom surface member on the -x direction side of the case 21 of the cartridge 20.

[0067] Let a be the distance from the bottom surface of a normal cartridge 20 to the bottom surface of the tip. Let b be the distance from the bottom surface of an abnormal cartridge 20 to the bottom surface of the tip. Let c be the gap distance. Let d be the distance from the center of the shaft 121 to the bottom surface of the movable member 13 (the contact surface between the bottom and cartridge 20). Let e ​​be the distance from the bottom surface of the movable member 13 to the tip of the cartridge 20. In this case, the relationship between these distances can be expressed as the following equation 1.

[0068]

number

[0069] In this way, by detecting the height of the tip of the movable member 13 when the cartridge 20 is inserted, it is possible to determine, for example, the size of a gap that occurs in the cartridge 20. Therefore, for example, when the sensor 38 detects the height of the tip at which the size of the gap is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the output device may output an alert. In this way, the sensor 38 may detect the amount of movement of the movable member 13.

[0070] As described above, the magnetic tape device 40 of the third embodiment may include a cartridge tray 10 and a sensor 38. The cartridge tray 10 includes a storage section 12 that stores an inserted magnetic tape cartridge 20, and a movable member 13 that is installed in the storage section 12. At this time, at least a part of the bottom of the movable member 13 is present inside the storage section 12. The movable member 13 is moved by contact between the cartridge 20 inserted into the storage section 12 and the bottom. The sensor 38 detects the amount of movement of the movable member 13. The sensor 38 may be a photointerrupter or a photographing device.

[0071] This allows the user to know whether or not there is an abnormality in the cartridge 20 and the extent of the abnormality based on the detected amount of movement of the movable member 13.

[0072] <Additional Notes> A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0073] [Appendix 1] a storage section for storing an inserted magnetic tape cartridge; a movable member installed in the housing portion, a bottom portion that is at least a part of the movable member is present inside the housing portion, the movable member is movable by contact between the cartridge inserted into the storage portion and the bottom portion; Cartridge tray.

[0074] [Appendix 2] The storage section has an opening, The movable member passes through the opening, the bottom is present inside the storage portion through the opening, At least a portion of the movable member is present outside the housing portion. 10. A cartridge tray as described in claim 1.

[0075] [Appendix 3] The housing portion has a shaft portion, a portion of the movable member is rotatably supported by the shaft portion; the movable member rotates about the shaft portion as a rotation axis in response to contact between the cartridge inserted into the accommodating portion and the bottom portion; 10. A cartridge tray as described in claim 1.

[0076] [Appendix 4] the housing portion has an opening and the shaft portion that is substantially parallel to the opening and extends in a direction perpendicular to an insertion direction of the cartridge, One end of the movable member is rotatably supported by the shaft portion, a tip end portion, which is the other end of the movable member, is present so as to be able to come into contact with the outside of the housing portion; The movable member passes through the opening, the bottom portion is located between the one end and the tip portion and exists inside the storage portion through the opening, the movable member rotates by the tip moving toward the outside of the accommodating portion in response to contact between the cartridge inserted into the accommodating portion and the bottom portion; 4. A cartridge tray as described in Appendix 3.

[0077] [Appendix 5] the housing portion has a shaft portion that is substantially parallel to the opening and extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the cartridge, the movable member has a guide hole into which the shaft portion can be inserted, The guide hole extends in a longitudinal direction, and the length in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length in the lateral direction of the guide hole; the movable member moves along the longitudinal direction of the guide hole in response to contact between the cartridge inserted into the accommodation portion and the bottom portion. 10. A cartridge tray as described in Appendix 2.

[0078] [Appendix 6] visual information including at least one of a color, a symbol, and a letter is provided between the bottom and a tip portion of the movable member, the tip portion being an end portion of the movable member and being at least a part of the movable member that is present outside the storage portion; The visual information is written in different ways depending on the distance between the position where the visual information is written and the tip portion. 10. A cartridge tray as described in Appendix 2.

[0079] [Appendix 7] a storage section for storing an inserted magnetic tape cartridge; a movable member installed in the housing portion, a bottom portion that is at least a part of the movable member is present inside the housing portion, the movable member is movable by contact between the cartridge inserted into the storage portion and the bottom portion; A cartridge tray; a sensor for detecting the amount of movement of the movable member; Magnetic tape device.

[0080] [Appendix 8] the sensor is a photointerrupter; 8. A magnetic tape device as defined in claim 7.

[0081] [Appendix 9] The sensor is an imaging device. 8. A magnetic tape device as defined in claim 7.

[0082] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 6 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 above may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 7 to 9 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 6. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Notes 1 and 7, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be made dependent on structures that can be adopted within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0083] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] Cartridge trays 1 and 10 2, 12 Storage section 3, 13 Movable parts 20 cartridges 21 cases 22 Cartridge gear 30, 40 magnetic tape unit 31 Deck Base 32 Machine Reel 33 Machine reel motor 34 File reel motor 35 File reel motor gear 36 Magnetic Head 37 Guide roller 38 Sensors 121 Shaft 122 Opening 131 Guide hole

Claims

1. a storage section for storing an inserted magnetic tape cartridge; a movable member installed in the housing portion, a bottom portion that is at least a part of the movable member is present inside the housing portion, the movable member is movable by contact between the cartridge inserted into the housing portion and the bottom portion, The storage section has an opening, The movable member passes through the opening, the bottom is present inside the storage portion through the opening, At least a portion of the movable member is present outside the housing portion. Cartridge tray.

2. A storage section for storing an inserted magnetic tape cartridge; a movable member installed in the housing portion, a bottom portion that is at least a part of the movable member is present inside the housing portion, the movable member is movable by contact between the cartridge inserted into the housing portion and the bottom portion, The housing portion has a shaft portion, a portion of the movable member is rotatably supported by the shaft portion; the movable member rotates about the shaft portion as a rotation axis in response to contact between the cartridge inserted into the accommodating portion and the bottom portion; Cartridge tray.

3. the housing portion has an opening and the shaft portion that is substantially parallel to the opening and extends in a direction perpendicular to an insertion direction of the cartridge, One end of the movable member is rotatably supported by the shaft portion, a tip end portion, which is the other end of the movable member, is present so as to be able to come into contact with the outside of the housing portion; The movable member passes through the opening, the bottom portion is located between the one end and the tip portion and exists inside the storage portion through the opening, the movable member rotates by the tip moving toward the outside of the accommodating portion in response to contact between the cartridge inserted into the accommodating portion and the bottom portion; 3. The cartridge tray according to claim 2.

4. the housing portion has a shaft portion that is substantially parallel to the opening and extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the cartridge, the movable member has a guide hole into which the shaft portion can be inserted, The guide hole extends in a longitudinal direction, and the length in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length in the lateral direction of the guide hole; the movable member moves along the longitudinal direction of the guide hole in response to contact between the cartridge inserted into the accommodation portion and the bottom portion. The cartridge tray according to claim 1 .

5. visual information including at least one of a color, a symbol, and a letter is provided between the bottom and a tip portion of the movable member, the tip portion being an end portion of the movable member and being at least a part of the movable member that is present outside the storage portion; The visual information is written in different ways depending on the distance between the position where the visual information is written and the tip portion. The cartridge tray according to claim 1 .

6. a storage section for storing an inserted magnetic tape cartridge; a movable member installed in the housing portion, a bottom portion that is at least a part of the movable member is present inside the housing portion, the movable member is movable by contact between the cartridge inserted into the storage portion and the bottom portion; A cartridge tray; a sensor for detecting the amount of movement of the movable member, The storage section has an opening, The movable member passes through the opening, the bottom is present inside the storage portion through the opening, At least a portion of the movable member is present outside the housing portion. Magnetic tape device.

7. A storage section for storing an inserted magnetic tape cartridge; a movable member installed in the housing portion, a bottom portion that is at least a part of the movable member is present inside the housing portion, the movable member is movable by contact between the cartridge inserted into the storage portion and the bottom portion; A cartridge tray; a sensor for detecting the amount of movement of the movable member, The housing portion has a shaft portion, a portion of the movable member is rotatably supported by the shaft portion; the movable member rotates about the shaft portion as a rotation axis in response to contact between the cartridge inserted into the accommodating portion and the bottom portion; Magnetic tape device.

8. the sensor is a photointerrupter; 8. The magnetic tape device according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The sensor is an imaging device.

8. The magnetic tape device according to claim 6 or 7.

Images