Rack for storing storage media and method for transferring a storage medium between a first rack and a second rack

Abstract

The invention relates to a rack (10) for storing storage media (100), comprising a plurality of receptacles (12) for each of the storage media (100) and comprising a robotic system for inserting one of the storage media (100) into one of the receptacles (12) and for removing the storage medium (100) from one of the receptacles (12), wherein the rack (10) is substantially cuboid with an outer face (14) which comprises a front face (16), a rear face (18), an upper face (20), a lower face (22) and two side faces (24, 26), wherein on or in the rack (1) is / are arranged at least one, preferably two, vertically spaced transport device(s) (30) for transporting, at least in sections, one of the storage media (100) substantially parallel to the rear face (18) from the rack (10) to a reading and / or writing device (90) arranged outside the rack (10) or to another rack (10) or another location outside the rack (10), which transport device(s) comprise(s) a transport mechanism (31) which can be brought into engagement with a substantially horizontally arranged set-down surface (41) for the storage medium (100) to be transported, wherein the transport mechanism (31) is designed in such a way that the carrier (40) can be moved substantially horizontally relative to the rack (10) by means of the transport mechanism such that the carrier (40) protrudes laterally beyond the rear face (18) of the rack (10).

Description

[0001] BDT066 1

[0002] Rack for storing storage media and method for transferring a storage medium between a first rack and a second rack.

[0003] The invention relates to a rack for storing storage media according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for transferring a storage medium between a first rack and a second rack.

[0004] Racks for storing storage media are known, featuring numerous slots for each type of storage media and a robotic system for inserting and removing a storage media from a slot. The rack is essentially cuboid in shape, with an outer surface comprising a front, a back, a top, a bottom, and two sides. Such racks are used where large amounts of data need to be stored, for example, in cloud storage. The storage media can be tape cartridges, but also other types such as hard disk cartridges, optical storage media, magneto-optical storage media, or ceramic data carriers.

[0005] To read data from a storage medium or to write to the storage medium, the corresponding storage medium is removed from its slot in the rack and transferred to a read and / or write device, which, in previously known racks for storing storage media, is located within the rack. For handling within the rack, a robotic system is used to insert a storage medium into one of the slots and to remove it. (BDT066 2)

[0006] Taking the storage medium from one of the recordings is present, which is arranged within the rack.

[0007] To optimize the space within the rack for storage media, consideration is given to arranging the read and / or write device outside the rack. However, the challenge then arises of determining how a storage medium can be transported from the rack to a read and / or write device located outside the rack, or alternatively to another rack, or generally to a location outside the rack.

[0008] The problem is solved according to the invention by a rack for storing storage media with the features of claim 1 and a method for transferring a storage medium between a first and a second rack with the features of claim 14.

[0009] Advantageous features and further training opportunities are specified in the dependent requirements.

[0010] The rack according to the invention for storing storage media, comprising a plurality of receptacles for each of the storage media and a robotic mechanism for inserting one of the storage media into one of the receptacles and for removing the storage medium from one of the receptacles, wherein the rack is essentially cuboid in shape with an outer surface comprising a front, a back, a top, a bottom and two sides, is characterized in that at least one, preferably two vertically spaced-apart, transport device for the section-by-section transport of one of the storage media essentially parallel to the back from the rack to an outside BDT066 3 is attached to or in the rack

[0011] a reading and / or writing device arranged in the frame or in relation to another frame or other location outside the frame, comprising a transport mechanism which can be engaged with a carrier having a substantially horizontally arranged storage surface for the storage medium to be transported, wherein the transport mechanism is designed such that the carrier can be moved substantially horizontally relative to the frame by means of it, in such a way that the carrier projects laterally beyond the rear of the frame.

[0012] The robotics is arranged within the outer dimensions of the frame and only takes over the transport of the storage medium within the frame, in particular from the receiving point to the transport device and back.

[0013] It is essential that the transport device according to the invention transports a storage medium only in sections, in particular essentially across the width of the frame and slightly beyond, especially until the storage area with the storage medium arranged thereon is transferred to a transport device of an adjacent frame or to the read and / or write device itself, from which the storage medium can be transported further. The storage area on which the storage medium can be arranged is thus passed from one transport device to the next. It is therefore not a continuous transport device, such as a continuous conveyor belt. A gap can remain between adjacent frames and, in particular, also between the transport devices of adjacent frames.Such a design has the advantage that a modular structure of a warehouse with several racks can be easily implemented. BDT066 4.

[0014] This can be achieved. Furthermore, it is possible to remove individual racks from a series of racks for maintenance purposes without having to make any changes to the transport device.

[0015] The transport device according to the invention also enables a space-saving design, in particular since no elaborate additional robotics outside the frame is required.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the carrier can be brought into frictional and / or positive engagement with the transport mechanism. This enables reliable transport.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the transport device has a rack and pinion drive.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport device is provided to have a friction wheel drive.

[0019] Another preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the transport device has a gear drive.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport device is provided to have a toothed belt or a flat belt.

[0021] Preferably, the support has a length that is less than the distance between the two sides. This allows for a compact design. BDT066 5

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the robot is configured, in a loading and unloading position in which the carrier is arranged within the frame, to place one of the storage media onto or remove it from the storage surface. Such a configuration can enable loading and unloading in a simple manner.

[0023] Advantageously, the transport device is arranged inside the frame, with the carrier being extendable laterally through at least one opening located on one of its sides. This allows for a particularly space-saving arrangement. In particular, the transport device can be arranged in the space within the frame that, in conventional frames, was occupied by the read and / or write device, since this space is free due to the arrangement of the read and / or write device outside the frame. Thus, on the one hand, no space for storage media is lost due to the transport device, and on the other hand, the external dimensions of the frame are not increased by the transport device.

[0024] Preferably, each of the storage media is designed as a hard disk cartridge, tape cartridge, optical storage medium, magneto-optical storage medium, or ceramic data carrier. Such storage media can offer a high storage density.

[0025] An inventive system for storing storage media comprises at least two racks arranged in a row and a carrier, wherein two adjacent racks of the at least two racks are arranged relative to each other such that in a transfer position the carrier is connected to the transport device of one of the two adjacent racks.

[0026] The system is capable of engaging with the transport device of both the racks and the other of the two adjacent racks, and further comprises at least one reading and / or writing device arranged outside the racks and a control unit for controlling the transport devices of the at least two racks. It is advantageous to provide a control unit that controls all transport devices present in the system in order to coordinate the transport through the system.

[0027] Advantageously, the racks are arranged relative to each other in such a way that their backs lie essentially in the same plane and the transport devices are arranged at essentially the same vertical height. This allows for the simple transport of a storage medium through the system. Crucially, however, it is not necessary to place the racks without gaps or to define their spacing precisely, as the transfer mechanism between the transport devices can bridge any gaps.

[0028] Preferably, the system has at least two read and / or write devices arranged outside the racks, which are located at opposite ends of the row of at least two racks. On the one hand, this allows the transport distance to a read and / or write device to be shortened when there are a large number of racks, as the device is always moved to the nearest one. On the other hand, this enables maintenance of a rack during operation, since the rack to be serviced can be removed from the row of racks, while still allowing access to the racks on both sides of the rack being serviced.

[0029] The reading and / or writing device can be approached at the respective end of the row.

[0030] A method according to the invention for transferring a storage medium between a first and a second frame, hereinafter also referred to as left and right frame, each of which has a transport device comprising a transport mechanism which can be engaged with a carrier having a substantially horizontally arranged storage surface for the storage medium to be transported, wherein the transport mechanism is designed such that the carrier can be displaced substantially horizontally relative to the frame by means of it, such that the carrier projects laterally beyond the frame, comprises the following steps:

[0031] - Positioning a carrier in engagement with the transport mechanism of the first frame,

[0032] - Placing a storage medium on a storage surface of the carrier,

[0033] - Horizontal displacement of the carrier by means of the transport mechanism of the first frame relative to the first frame to such an extent that the carrier projects laterally beyond the first frame and engages with the transport mechanism of the second frame,

[0034] - Horizontal displacement of the carrier by means of the transport mechanism of the second frame in a direction away from the first frame.

[0035] This allows for the compact transport of a storage medium to a location outside the rack, in particular to a read and / or write device located outside the rack. BDT066 8

[0036] An embodiment of the invention is explained in detail with reference to the following figures. They show

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a rear view of a storage media system with several racks arranged in a row, each rack having two vertically spaced transport devices, and a read and / or write device being arranged at each end of the row.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a module of a frame with a transport device and a support arranged therein.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows a front view of two adjacent modules of two adjacent racks with the unloading area in a loading and unloading position of the left module.

[0040] Fig. 4 shows the view according to Fig. 3 with the support in a position in which it extends laterally, section by section, beyond the back of the left frame,

[0041] Fig. 5 shows the view according to Fig. 3 with the carrier in a transfer position in which it is engaged with both the transport device of the left module and the transport device of the right module.

[0042] Fig. 6 shows the view according to Fig. 3 with the carrier in a loading and unloading position of the right module,

[0043] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the transport device of the module according to Fig. 2BDT066 9

[0044] Fig. 8 shows an enlarged partial view of a drive of the transport device according to Fig. 7.

[0045] Fig. 9 shows a side view of the transport device according to Fig. 7.

[0046] Fig. 10 shows a front view of the transport device according to Fig.

[0047] 7 and

[0048] Fig. 11 shows a top view of the transport device according to Fig. 7.

[0049] Figures 1 to 11 show different views of an embodiment of a system 200 according to the invention for storing storage media 100 and components thereof. Identical reference numerals denote identical or functionally equivalent parts; for clarity, not all reference numerals are shown in all figures.

[0050] The system 200 shown in Figure 1 comprises at least two, in this case five, racks 10 for storing storage media 100, each rack having a plurality of receptacles 12 for one of the storage media 100. The storage media 100 can be, for example, hard disk cartridges, tape cartridges, optical storage media, magneto-optical storage media, or ceramic data carriers. Each of the racks 10 is essentially cuboid in shape with an outer surface 14 comprising a front 16, a back 18, a top 20, a bottom 22, and two sides 24, 26. Furthermore, each of the racks 10 has a robotic mechanism (not shown in the present figures) for inserting one of the storage media 100 into one of the receptacles 12 and for removing the storage medium 100 from one of the receptacles 12.

[0051] At least one, or in the illustrated embodiment two, vertically spaced transport device 30 for the section-by-section transport of one of the storage media 100 substantially parallel to the rear side 18 from the frame 10 to a read and / or write device 90 arranged outside the frame 10 or to another frame 10 or to another location outside the frame 10 is arranged on or in the frame 10.

[0052] In each of the racks 10, several modules 28 can be arranged, in particular vertically, one above the other, with one of the modules 28 being shown in more detail in Figure 2. The module 28 shown in Figure 2 comprises the transport device 30 described above, and further modules 28 without a transport device 30 can be arranged in the rack 10. It is sufficient to provide a single transport device 30, and thus a single module 28 with a transport device 30, per rack 10. However, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, it may be advantageous to provide two vertically spaced transport devices 30 per rack 10 in order to transport several storage media 100 simultaneously. The transport devices 30 arranged at the same height together form a transport system 230. The illustrated embodiment of the system 200 thus comprises two transport systems 230.Each transport system 230 includes at least one carrier 40, which has a substantially horizontally arranged storage surface 42 for the storage medium 100 to be transported. The carrier 40 can, for example, be designed as a substantially flat, rectangular element, with the storage surface 41 arranged on the top and a bottom surface 42 that engages with the transport device 30. (See also BDT066 11.)

[0053] It is possible to provide two carriers 40 per transport system 230 in order to simultaneously transport two storage media 100 to different read and / or write devices 90. To control the transport, the system 200 includes a control unit (not shown) for controlling the transport devices 30 of the at least two racks 10.

[0054] The racks 10 are arranged relative to each other such that their rear faces 18 lie essentially in one plane and the transport devices 30 are arranged essentially at the same vertical height. The racks 10 can be arranged such that a gap 50 remains between them. The system 200 further comprises at least one read and / or write device 90 arranged outside the racks 10, in this case at least two read and / or write devices 90 arranged outside the racks 10, which are in particular arranged at different ends of the row of racks 10.

[0055] The transport device 30 comprises a transport mechanism 31 which can engage with the carrier 40, wherein the transport mechanism 31 is designed such that the carrier 40 can be displaced substantially horizontally relative to the frame 10 by means of it, such that the carrier 10 projects laterally beyond the rear side 18 of the frame 10. The carrier 40 preferably has a length L which is less than the distance A between the two sides 24, 26, so that at least when the carrier 40 is arranged approximately centrally on the frame 10, it does not project laterally beyond the rear side 18 of the frame 10.

[0056] Transport of the storage medium 100 between a first and a second of the racks 10, in particular a left BDT066 12

[0057] The connection of frame 10a and a right frame 10b or a left module 28a and a right module 28b can thus be achieved, as illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, by positioning the carrier 40 in engagement with the transport device 30 of the left frame 10a, for example, approximately centrally in front of or within the left frame 10a. This position can also be referred to as the loading and unloading position. The storage medium 100 to be transported can now be placed on the storage surface 41 of the carrier 40 (see Fig. 3). This can be done, for example, using the robotics arranged within the frame 10a. Subsequently, the carrier 40 can be moved horizontally relative to the frame 10a by means of the transport mechanism 31 until it first projects laterally beyond the rear 18 of the left frame 10a (see Fig. 4) and is then engaged with the transport device 30 of the right frame 10b at least in a transfer position (see Fig. 5).The carrier 40 can then be transported by the transport device 30 of the right frame 10b further away from the left frame 10a, for example, until it is positioned approximately centrally in front of or within the right frame 10b. From there, the carrier 40 can be transported in the same manner to another frame 10 adjacent to the right of the right frame 10b, or to the read and / or write device 90, or to any other desired location. Transport in the opposite direction can be carried out analogously.

[0058] To transport the storage medium 100 to be transported, the carrier 40 with the storage medium 100 placed on it is thus passed from rack 10 to rack 10, in particular without a device connecting the racks for transport and without the transport device-BDT066 13

[0059] 30 of the neighboring racks would have to come into direct contact with each other.

[0060] The transport device 30 can be arranged in front of the rear 18 on the outside of the frame 10 or, as can be seen in Figure 2, inside the frame 10, in particular inside the module 28, wherein the support 40 can be extended laterally through at least one opening 24a, 26a arranged in one of the sides 24, 26 .

[0061] An embodiment of the transport device 30 is shown in Figures 7 to 11. The transport mechanism 31 has a gear drive with two horizontally spaced gears 36, each rotatably mounted on an axis within a frame 33 and driven by a motor 34. The carrier 40 has a structure on its underside 42, facing away from the support surface 41, which can engage with the gears 35, for example, in the form of a rack 43 (see Fig. 8). The carrier 40 can thus be positively engaged with the transport mechanism 31. Alternatively or additionally, friction-fit couplings between the carrier 40 and the transport mechanism 31 are also conceivable. The frame 33 can have a guide rail 35, which can, for example, also be designed as a guide groove, on or in which the carrier 40 can be aligned in its movement along the transport device 30.

[0062] The transport device 30 can have one or more sensors 38 by means of which the positioning of the carrier 40 relative to the transport device 30 can be monitored. The data detected by the sensors 38 can be transmitted to the control unit in order to control the various transport devices BDT066 14 present in the system 200.

[0063] to enable the targeted movement of the carrier 40 of the devices 30, in particular their motors 34.

[0064] Figure 7 illustrates the arrangement of the carrier 40 on the transport device, with the storage medium 100 to be transported placed on the carrier 40, in particular on the support surface 41. If the motors 34 are driven and rotate, for example, such that the gears 36 are driven clockwise as shown in Figure 8, the carrier 40 resting on the gears 36, with the storage medium 100 placed on it, moves to the right; with the reverse direction of rotation, it moves to the left. By appropriately controlling the transport devices 30, in particular the motors 34, in the system 200, the carrier 40 can thus be moved through the system 200 to pick up a storage medium 100 at a desired position, to transport it to one of the read and / or write devices 90, or from there back to a desired rack 10.The respective position of the carrier 40 can be monitored using the sensors 38. BDT066 15.

[0065] Reference symbol list

[0066] 10 frames

[0067] 10a left frame

[0068] 10b right rack

[0069] 12 recording

[0070] 14 Outside

[0071] 16 Front

[0072] 18 Back

[0073] 20 Top

[0074] 22 Underside

[0075] Page 24

[0076] 24a Opening

[0077] Page 26

[0078] 24b Opening

[0079] 28 Module

[0080] 28a left module

[0081] 28b right module

[0082] 30 Transport device

[0083] 31 Transport Mechanism

[0084] 33 frames

[0085] 34 Engine

[0086] 35 Guide rail

[0087] 36 gear

[0088] 38 Sensor

[0089] 40 carriers

[0090] 41 storage space

[0091] 42 Underside

[0092] 43 Rack and pinion

[0093] 50 gap

[0094] 90 Reading and / or writing device 100 Storage medium

[0095] 200 SystemBDT066 16

[0096] 230 Transport system L length

[0097] A distance

Claims

BDT066 17 Patent claims 1. Rack (10) for storing storage media (100) with a plurality of receptacles (12) for each of the storage media (100) and with a robotic mechanism for inserting one of the storage media (100) into one of the receptacles (12) and for removing the storage medium (100) from one of the receptacles (12), wherein the rack (10) is essentially cuboid in shape with an outer surface (14) comprising a front (16), a back (18), a top (20), a bottom (22) and two sides (24, 26). characterized in that at least one, preferably two vertically spaced-apart, transport device (30) for the section-by-section transport of one of the storage media (100) substantially parallel to the rear (18) from the frame (10) to a read and / or write device (90) arranged outside the frame (10) or to another frame (10) or to another location outside the frame (10) is arranged on or in the frame (10), which comprises a transport mechanism (31) which can be engaged with a carrier (40) having a substantially horizontally arranged storage surface (41) for the storage medium (100) to be transported, wherein the transport mechanism (31) is designed such that by means of it the carrier (40) is positioned substantially horizontally relative to the frame (10) ) is movable, and in such a way ,that the support ( 40 ) extends laterally beyond the rear ( 18 ) of the frame ( 10 ).

2. Frame according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the BDT066 18 The carrier ( 40 ) can be engaged with the transport mechanism ( 31 ) by friction and / or by positive locking.

3. Frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device ( 30 ) has a rack and pinion drive.

4. Frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device ( 30 ) has a friction wheel drive .

5. Frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device ( 30 ) has a gear drive ( 36 , 43 ).

6. Frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device ( 30 ) has a toothed belt or a flat belt .

7. Frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support ( 40 ) has a length ( L ) which is less than a distance (A) between the two sides ( 24 , 26 ).

8. Frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the robotics is configured in a loading and unloading position in which the carrier (40) is arranged within the frame (10), one of the storage media (100) onto the BDT066 19 to place items on or remove items from the storage area ( 41 ) of the carrier ( 40 ).

9. Frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device (30) is arranged inside the frame (10), wherein the support (10) is extendable laterally through at least one opening (24a, 26a) arranged in one of the sides (24, 26).

10. Frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the storage media (100) is designed as a hard disk cassette, tape cassette, optical storage medium, magneto-optical storage medium or ceramic data carrier.

11. System (200) for storing storage media (100) with at least two racks (10) arranged in a row according to one of the preceding claims and with a carrier (40) having a storage surface (41), wherein two adjacent racks (10) of the at least two racks (10) are arranged relative to each other such that in a transfer position the carrier (40) can be engaged with both the transport device (30) of one of the two adjacent racks (10) and with the transport device (30) of the other of the two adjacent racks (10), as well as with at least one read and / or write device (90) arranged outside the racks (10) and a control unit for controlling the transport devices (30) of the at least two racks (10). BDT066 20 12. System according to claim 11 , characterized in that the racks ( 10 ) are arranged relative to each other such that the rear sides ( 18 ) lie substantially in one plane and the transport devices ( 30 ) are arranged substantially at the same vertical height .

13. System according to claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that the system ( 200 ) has at least two reading and / or writing devices ( 90 ) arranged outside the racks ( 10 ) which are arranged at different ends of the row of at least two racks ( 10 ).

14. Method for transferring a storage medium (100) between a first and a second frame (10a, 10b), each of which has a transport device (30) comprising a transport mechanism (31) which can be engaged with a carrier (40) having a substantially horizontally arranged storage surface (41) for the storage medium to be transported, wherein the transport mechanism (31) is designed such that the carrier (40) can be displaced substantially horizontally relative to the frame (10) by means of it, such that the carrier (40) projects laterally beyond the frame (10), comprising the steps: - Positioning a support ( 40 ) in engagement with the transport mechanism ( 31 ) of the first frame ( 10a ) , - Placing a storage medium ( 100 ) on a storage surface ( 41 ) of the carrier ( 40 ) , - Horizontal displacement of the support ( 40 ) by means of the transport mechanism ( 31 ) of the first frame ( 10a ) relative to the first frame ( 10a ) so far that the support BDT066 21 (40) extends laterally beyond the first frame ( 10a) and engages with the transport mechanism (31 ) of the second frame ( 10b), - Horizontal displacement of the support (40) by means of the transport mechanism (31) of the second frame (10b) in the direction away from the first frame (10a) .

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