JP2007052829A - Reel and recording tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively provide a reel and a recording tape cartridge which can reduce the deformation caused by winding pressure of a magnetic tape. <P>SOLUTION: Prepregs 60 and 62 impregnated with carbon fibers are insert-molded in a hub 40 and upper and lower flanges 48 and 46 respectively, then rigiditues of the hub 40 and the upper and lower flanges 48 and 46 are increased to enhance strength. Thus, deformations of the hub 40 and the upper and lower flanges 40 and 48 and 46 are prevented, and the deformation of a reel 10 itself is prevented. Since the prepregs 60 and 62 impregnated with the carbon fibers are used in order to increase the rigidities of the hub 40 and the upper and lower flanges 48 and 46, manufacturing cost is reduced as compared to the case of using a metal member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a reel and a recording tape cartridge around which a recording tape such as a magnetic tape is wound.

  As an external recording medium such as a computer, for example, a recording tape cartridge in which a reel on which a magnetic tape is wound is accommodated in a case is known. The reel includes a hub that constitutes an axial center portion around which a magnetic tape is wound, and a pair of flanges that project radially outward from both axial ends of the hub.

  By the way, the hub is often formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is open on one side in the axial direction and closed on the other side. The hub formed in such a bottomed cylindrical shape is easily deformed on the opening end side having low strength due to the winding pressure of the magnetic tape. Thus, when a hub deform | transforms, the flange provided in the opening end side of this hub deform | transforms in the direction which contacts the width direction edge part (edge) of a magnetic tape.

For this reason, for example, in order to prevent deformation of the hub as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a configuration in which the hub is reinforced with a metal ring-shaped member can be considered, but the manufacturing cost increases.
JP 2004-14022 A JP 2004-14023 A

  An object of the present invention is to obtain at low cost a reel and a recording tape cartridge in which deformation due to a winding pressure of a magnetic tape is reduced in consideration of the above facts.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the reel, a hub formed of resin and wound with a recording tape is provided on both ends of the hub, and the width direction of the recording tape is provided. A prepreg composed of a single or a plurality of woven fabrics impregnated with a thermosetting resin is insert-molded into a flange for holding an end and at least the hub.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the prepreg composed of one or a plurality of woven fabrics impregnated with a thermosetting resin is insert-molded into at least the hub, whereby the rigidity of the hub is increased and the strength is increased. Thereby, deformation of the hub can be prevented and deformation of the reel itself can be prevented. Further, by using a prepreg to increase the rigidity of the hub, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where a metal member is used.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a reel formed of a resin and a hub around which a recording tape is wound, a flange that is provided at both ends of the hub, and holds a width direction end of the recording tape; A prepreg composed of one or a plurality of woven fabrics impregnated with a thermosetting resin is insert-molded at least on the flange.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the rigidity of the flange is increased and the strength is increased by insert-molding the prepreg at least on the flange. As a result, the deformation of the flange can be prevented, and the deformation of the reel itself can be prevented. Moreover, since the rigidity of a flange is made high, manufacturing cost can be reduced compared with the case where a metal member is used.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to the first or second aspect, the prepreg is impregnated with carbon fiber.

  In invention of Claim 3, what impregnated carbon fiber as a prepreg is used. Since carbon fiber has no magnetism, it is optimal for use in a reel on which a magnetic tape is wound. In addition, since carbon fiber has higher strength than glass fiber, the rigidity of the hub or the flange can be increased as compared with the case where the reel is formed with a resin in which glass fiber is kneaded. Furthermore, since the carbon fiber is lighter than the metal member, it is possible to reduce the load on the motor that rotates the reel.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to the third aspect, the prepreg is provided on a non-contact surface side with the recording tape.

  When carbon fiber is used as the prepreg, the surface friction coefficient is high because the surface property is not good. For this reason, in the invention described in claim 4, the prepreg is provided on the non-contact surface side with the recording tape.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a recording tape cartridge includes the reel according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

  In the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as the effect described in any one of claims 1-4.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, in the inventions according to claims 1 and 5, at least a prepreg composed of a single or a plurality of woven fabrics impregnated with a thermosetting resin is insert-molded into at least a hub. The rigidity of the hub increases and the strength increases. Thereby, deformation of the hub can be prevented and deformation of the reel itself can be prevented. Further, by using a prepreg to increase the rigidity of the hub, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where a metal member is used.

  In the inventions according to claims 2 and 5, the prepreg is insert-molded at least on the flange, whereby the rigidity of the flange is increased and the strength is increased. As a result, the deformation of the flange can be prevented, and the deformation of the reel itself can be prevented. Further, since the rigidity of the flange is increased, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where a metal member is used.

  In the inventions according to claims 3 and 4, since the carbon fiber has no magnetism, it is optimal for use in a reel on which a magnetic tape is wound. In addition, since carbon fiber has higher strength than glass fiber, the rigidity of the hub or the flange can be increased as compared with the case where the reel is formed with a resin in which glass fiber is kneaded. Furthermore, since the carbon fiber is lighter than the metal member, it is possible to reduce the load on the motor that rotates the reel.

  A reel 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 or FIG. First, the substantially entire configuration of the recording tape cartridge 12 to which the reel 10 is applied will be described, and then the reel 10 will be described in detail. For convenience of explanation, the loading direction of the recording tape cartridge 12 to the drive device indicated by the arrow A is the front direction (front side), and the arrow B and arrow C directions orthogonal to the arrow A are the right direction and the upward direction, respectively.

(Configuration of recording tape cartridge)
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the recording tape cartridge 12. The recording tape cartridge 12 is configured by rotatably accommodating a single reel 10 around which a magnetic tape T as a recording tape, which is an information recording / reproducing medium, is wound in a substantially rectangular case 14 in plan view. Yes.

  An opening 16 for drawing the magnetic tape T out of the case 14 is provided at the front end of the right side wall of the case 14. The opening 16 is closed by a door 18 when the recording tape cartridge 12 (magnetic tape T) is not used, and is opened within the drive device when the recording tape cartridge 12 is used.

  A leader pin 20 as a leader member is attached to the tip of the magnetic tape T. The leader pin 20 is formed in a small columnar shape, and flange portions 20A provided at both longitudinal ends projecting up and down from the widthwise end portion of the magnetic tape T are hooked on the drawing member of the drive device. Thus, the magnetic tape T is pulled out from the case 14.

  The case 14 is configured by joining an upper case 22 and a lower case 24. The upper case 22 is configured by a substantially frame-shaped peripheral wall 22B erected along the outer edge of the top plate 22A having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and the lower case 24 is a bottom plate having a shape substantially corresponding to the top plate 22A. A peripheral wall 24B is erected along the outer edge of 24A. The case 14 has a substantially box-like shape in which the upper case 22 and the lower case 24 are joined by ultrasonic welding, screwing or the like with the opening end of the peripheral wall 22B and the opening end of the peripheral wall 24B abutting each other. Is formed.

  The opening 16 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a side view, and opens rightward at the front end of the right side wall 14A (the right side wall of the case 14 including the peripheral wall 22B and the peripheral wall 24B) along the arrow A direction in the case 14. Yes. The top plate 22A and the bottom plate 24A are provided with pin receiving recesses 26 for receiving the flange portions 20A of the upright leader pins 20, respectively. Each pin receiving recess 26 is also opened rightward in the vicinity of the front end of the opening 16 so that the leader pin 20 can enter and leave the case 14 via the opening 16.

  Further, a leaf spring 28 is attached near the front end of the case 14, and the leaf spring 28 is provided with a pair of upper and lower arms 28 </ b> A. The leaf spring 28 is configured to hold the leader pin 20 against the case 14 by engaging the tip of each arm 28 </ b> A with the flange portion 20 </ b> A of the leader pin 20. This holding state is configured to be released by pulling the leader pin 20 rightward with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  The door 18 for opening and closing the opening 16 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape capable of closing the opening 16 alone. The upper and lower ends of the door 18 slidably enter guide grooves 30 provided on the top plate 22A and the bottom plate 24A along the open surface of the opening 16 and the right side wall 14A.

  Thus, the door 18 is configured to be able to selectively take a closed position for closing the opening 16 and an open position for opening the opening 16 by sliding in the front-rear direction while being guided by the guide groove 30. . The door 18 is biased forward by a coil spring 32 which is a biasing member provided between the case 14 and is normally positioned at the closed position by this biasing force. At the front end of the door 18, an operation portion 18 </ b> A is provided so as to protrude rightward, and the door 18 is moved to the open position against the urging force of the coil spring 32 by pressing the operation portion 18 </ b> A rearward. Can be done.

  Further, a gear opening 34 for exposing a reel gear 50 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, of the reel 10 is provided at the center of the bottom plate 24A of the case 14. The reel 10 is configured to be driven to rotate in a non-contact manner in the case 14 by rotating a drive gear of a drive device meshed with the reel gear.

  Further, the case 14 is provided with a guide regulating wall 36 that is partially erected from the top plate 22A and the bottom plate 24A along a circumference coaxial with the gear opening 34 and is configured to abut the upper and lower ends. . The guide regulating wall 36 is configured to prevent the dust 10 and the like from entering the installation area of the reel 10 while suppressing the rattling of the reel 10 and having the end portions continuous to the peripheral walls 22B and 24B.

  Further, a memory board M in which various information is stored for each recording tape cartridge 12 is installed in the right rear corner of the case 14. In order to enable each communication between the memory board M and the drive device that communicates from the lower surface side and the library device that communicates from the rear surface side, the upper edge that is the support surface is a predetermined angle (45 ° in this embodiment) in front. The pair of inclined support ribs 38 are supported with an inclination of approximately 45 ° with respect to the bottom plate 24A.

(Reel configuration)
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the reel 10. The reel 10 is formed of resin and includes a substantially cylindrical hub 40 that constitutes an axial center portion. The hub 40 includes a cylindrical portion 42 around which the magnetic tape T is wound and a bottom portion 44 (the other end side of the hub 40) that closes the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 42. Is formed into a cylindrical shape impregnated with carbon fiber, and, for example, a prepreg 60 having a thickness of about 1/40 to 1/2 of the hub 40 is insert-molded.

  Further, an upper portion of the hub 40 is opened, and a lower flange 46 projects coaxially and integrally from the outer periphery of the bottom portion 44 of the hub 40 toward the radially outer side. On the lower surface side of the lower flange 46, a prepreg 62 having an annular shape impregnated with carbon fibers and having a thickness of about 1/20 to 1/2 of the lower flange 46 is insert-molded.

  On the other hand, an upper flange 48 whose outer diameter is the same as the outer diameter of the lower flange 46 is coaxially joined to the upper end portion of the hub 40 by ultrasonic welding or the like. A prepreg 62 having a thickness of about 1/20 to 1/2 of the upper flange 48 is insert-molded.

  By the way, a short cylinder part 48A fitted into the cylindrical part 42 is formed in the axial center part of the upper flange 48. With the short cylinder part 48A fitted into the cylindrical part 42, the cylindrical part 42 Ultrasonic welded to the upper end surface. Accordingly, the reel 10 is configured to wind the magnetic tape T around the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 (hub 40) between the lower flange 46 and the upper flange 48. The lower flange 46 and the upper flange 48 regulate the positional deviation in the width direction (axial direction of the hub 40) of the magnetic tape T wound around the hub 40.

  On the other hand, an annular reel gear 50 is provided near the outer periphery of the outer surface (lower surface) of the bottom portion 44 of the hub 40. The reel gear 50 is exposed from the gear opening 34 of the case 14 (see FIG. 1) and moves relative to the rotation shaft of the drive device along the axial direction so that the reel gear 50 moves relative to the drive gear provided at the tip of the rotation shaft. Engagement and disengagement are possible.

  A reel plate 52 made of a magnetic material is integrally provided by insert molding on the inner side in the radial direction of the reel gear 50 on the lower surface of the bottom portion 44. The reel plate 52 is configured to be attracted and held in a non-contact manner by a magnet provided at the tip of the rotating shaft.

  Further, a lock mechanism (not shown) for preventing the reel 10 from rotating when the magnetic tape T is not used is provided inside the hub 40. The lock mechanism has a lock member that is prevented from rotating with respect to the case 14, and supports the lock member so as to be able to contact and separate from the bottom 44 of the reel 10. Further, the lock member engages with an engagement portion (not shown) of the bottom portion 44 by contacting and separating with respect to the bottom portion 44, and releases the rotation lock position where the rotation of the reel 10 with respect to the case 14 is prevented. Thus, the release position allowing the rotation of the reel 10 can be taken. For this reason, the bottom portion 44 is provided with an engaging portion with which the lock member is engaged, and an operation hole 54 is formed for the lock release member of the drive device to operate the lock member from the outside. In this embodiment, the configuration in which the operation hole 54 is provided in the formation part of the reel gear 50 is illustrated.

  As described above, the bottom portion 44 of the hub 40 engages the lock member with the function of forming the reel gear 50 and transmitting the rotational force from the drive device, the function of closing the gear opening 34 of the case 14 when not in use. Each of the reels 10 functions to prevent rotation of the reel 10 with respect to the case 14.

  In this way, the bottom portion 44 that performs various functions closes the lower end of the cylindrical portion 42 (extends radially inward from the lower end). The lower end side has a higher strength (high rigidity) than the winding pressure of the magnetic tape T.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The reel 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a case 14 when a recording tape cartridge 12 is loaded into a drive device when information is recorded on the magnetic tape T or when information recorded on the magnetic tape T is reproduced. The rotation lock is released, and the rotation shaft with the drive gear engaged with the reel gear 50 rotates to rotate in the case 14.

  At this time, the leader pin 20 already taken out from the opening 16 is held on the take-up reel of the drive device, and the take-up reel rotates in synchronism with the reel 10 so that the magnetic tape T is sequentially drawn out from the case 14. It is. A recording / reproducing head arranged along a predetermined tape path writes information on the magnetic tape T or reads information recorded on the magnetic tape T. After use of the magnetic tape T, the reel 10 returns to the initial state of winding the magnetic tape T.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the prepregs 60 and 62 impregnated with carbon fibers are insert-molded into the hub 40, the upper flange 48, and the lower flange 46, respectively, so that the hub 40, the upper flange 48, and the lower The rigidity of the flange 46 is increased to increase the strength. As a result, deformation of the hub 40, the upper flange 48, and the lower flange 46 can be prevented, and deformation of the reel 10 itself can be prevented.

  Further, in order to increase the rigidity of the hub 40, the upper flange 48, and the lower flange 46, the use of the prepregs 60 and 62 impregnated with carbon fibers reduces the manufacturing cost compared to the case of using a metal member. Can do.

  Furthermore, since carbon fiber is not magnetic, using a prepreg 60 impregnated with carbon fiber is optimal for application to the reel 10 around which the magnetic tape T is wound. Further, since the carbon fiber has higher strength than the glass fiber, the rigidity of the hub 40, the upper flange 48, and the lower flange 46 can be increased as compared with the case where the reel is formed with a resin in which the glass fiber is kneaded. Furthermore, since the carbon fiber is lighter than the metal member, the load applied to the motor of the drive device that rotates the reel 10 can be reduced.

  However, when carbon fiber is used as the prepreg 60, the surface friction coefficient is high because the surface property is not good. Therefore, the prepreg 60 is preferably provided on the non-contact surface side with the recording tape T (the inner peripheral side of the hub 40, the lower surface side of the lower flange 46, and the upper surface side of the upper flange 48).

  Here, the prepregs 60 and 62 are insert-molded on the hub 40, the lower flange 46, and the upper flange 48, respectively, but at least the effect of increasing the rigidity of the reel 10 can be expected only by insert-molding the prepreg 60 on the hub 40. . Depending on the level of the desired effect, the prepreg 62 is insert-molded on the lower flange 46 and the upper flange 48 in addition to the hub 40, and the length and thickness of the prepreg 60 to be insert-molded are changed. Of course it is also good. Furthermore, since it is sufficient that the strength of the reel 10 can be improved, another fiber other than the carbon fiber may be impregnated.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the example in which the reel 10 is applied to the recording tape cartridge 12 configured by housing a single reel in the case 14 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, The reel 10 may be applied to a two-reel type recording tape cartridge in which two reels are accommodated in a case.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing an overall configuration of a recording tape cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the reel which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

12 Recording tape cartridge 10 Reel 40 Hub 46 Lower flange (flange)
48 Upper flange (flange)
60 prepregs 62 prepregs

Claims (5)

A hub molded with resin and wound with a recording tape;
A flange that is provided at both ends of the hub, and holds a width direction end of the recording tape;
A reel, wherein a prepreg composed of one or a plurality of woven fabrics impregnated with a thermosetting resin is inserted into at least the hub. A hub molded with resin and wound with a recording tape;
A flange that is provided at both ends of the hub, and holds a width direction end of the recording tape;
A reel, wherein a prepreg composed of a single or a plurality of woven fabrics impregnated with a thermosetting resin is inserted into at least the flange.   The reel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the prepreg is impregnated with carbon fiber.   The reel according to claim 3, wherein the prepreg is provided on a non-contact surface side with the recording tape.   A recording tape cartridge comprising the reel according to claim 1.

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