JPH11232746A - Transfer mechanism for medium cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely hold and transfer a medium cartridge without being added with unnatural force to a holding part and hurting operational feeling. SOLUTION: This mechanism is a transfer mechanism 22 for a medium cartridge transferring the medium cartridge constituted by housing a recording medium, e.g. a magneto-optical disk in a relatively rigid and flat cartridge between one position and another position, and a cartridge holder 29 is arranged movably between one position and another position on a base member 23. This cartridge holder 29 is provided with a base part 30 and the holding part 31 arranged movably for this base part 30. Then, this holder 29 is constituted so that the holding part 31 comes close to the base part 30, consequently the medium cartridge is held insertedly and fixedly from the thickness direction, and energizing means 42 nearly uniformly energizing moving force in the base part 30 direction are provided on both side parts of this holding part 31, and thus, both side parts at the medium cartridge are held with nearly uniform force.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel media cartridge transfer mechanism. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for securely holding and transporting a media cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a media cartridge transfer mechanism for transferring a media cartridge having a recording medium stored in a relatively rigid and flat cartridge between one position and another position.

For example, in an MD (mini-disc) recording and / or reproducing apparatus, there is a mechanism for transferring an MD cartridge inserted into the apparatus to a predetermined position.

FIGS. 14 to 16 show an example of such a conventional media cartridge transfer mechanism.

In the transfer mechanism a of the media cartridge, a cartridge holder c for holding and transferring the media cartridge b is disposed on a base member d so as to be movable between one position and another position.

[0006] The cartridge holder c has a base e.
And a holding portion f, wherein the base e is movably supported by the base member d between one position and another position, and the holding portion f has one end in the moving direction thereof rotatable with respect to the base e. The holding portion f is supported, and the rotating force in the direction in which the free end moves toward the base portion e is urged. The turning power is urged by a torsion coil spring g disposed on one of the rotation shafts.

When the media cartridge b is inserted into the apparatus, the leading end of the media cartridge b is inserted between the base e of the cartridge holder c and the holding portion f. f rotates in a direction in which its free end is separated from the base e against the urging force of the torsion coil spring g, whereby the front end of the media cartridge b is in the cartridge holder c, that is,
It is inserted between the base e and the holding part f. When the leading end of the media cartridge b is inserted into the cartridge holder c, the leading end of the media cartridge b is held by the base e and the holding portion f by the urging force of the torsion coil spring g.

Then, when the media cartridge b is further inserted into the apparatus, a detection switch (not shown) is turned on, and a drive unit (not shown) is driven to draw the cartridge holder c to the back. Media cartridge b by moving cartridge holder c
Is drawn into the back.

When the ejection command is issued when ejecting the media cartridge b, the drive unit is driven in a direction opposite to the direction of the retraction and the cartridge holder c is ejected.
Is moved in the ejection direction, so that the media cartridge b held in the cartridge holder c is moved in the ejection direction. Then, when the cartridge holder c is moved in the discharge direction to a predetermined position, the driving unit stops driving there, and at this time, a part of the media cartridge b is in a state of protruding from the apparatus.

Therefore, if a force is applied in the pull-out direction with the portion of the media cartridge c protruding outside the device, the media cartridge c can be pulled out of the device against the holding force of the torsion coil spring g.

[0011]

However, the above-described conventional media cartridge transfer mechanism a has a problem that the media cartridge b cannot be reliably transferred.

That is, in the above-described conventional media cartridge transfer mechanism a, the torsion coil spring g provided with a force for clamping the leading end of the media cartridge b by the clamping portion f and the base e provided on one side. Therefore, a uniform clamping force cannot be obtained on both sides, and in particular, a sufficient clamping force cannot be obtained on the side where the torsion coil spring g is not provided. There is a problem in that one side is placed in a so-called put-away state, that is, a state in which it is inclined forward and backward, so that the media cartridge b cannot be mounted at a correct position.

Further, since the rotating power is given only by the torsion coil spring g provided on one side, a phenomenon that the free end of the holding portion f is different between right and left, which is called so-called tip shake, easily occurs. When such tip deviation occurs,
When the media cartridge b is inserted, there is a problem that the leading end of the media cartridge b collides with the free end of the holding portion f closer to the base e. Then, in order to avoid such a problem, there is a problem that components having high dimensional accuracy and assembling accuracy are required.

Further, when the media cartridge b is pulled out of the apparatus at the time of ejection, the side on which the torsion coil spring g is provided feels heavy, and there is a problem that the operational feeling is poor.

If the urging force of the torsion coil spring g is made strong so that a sufficient clamping force can be obtained even on the side where the torsion coil spring g is not provided, the urging force more than necessary on the side where the torsion coil spring g is provided. Occurs,
Inconveniences such as distortion of the holding portion f and heavy operation feeling occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reliably hold and transport a media cartridge without applying excessive force to the holding portion or deteriorating the operational feeling.

[0017]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a transfer mechanism for a media cartridge according to the present invention has a cartridge holder having a base and a holding portion movably disposed with respect to the base. The holding portion is configured to hold the media cartridge in a sandwiching shape from the thickness direction by approaching the base portion, and the moving force in the direction of the base portion is substantially uniformly applied to both sides of the holding portion. This has a biasing means for biasing.

Therefore, both sides of the media cartridge can be clamped with substantially equal force.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the media cartridge transfer mechanism of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 conceptually show the basic structure of the transport mechanism of the media cartridge of the present invention.

The media cartridge transfer mechanism 1 comprises a base member 2 in which a cartridge holder 3 is movably supported between one position shown in FIG. 1 and another position shown in FIG.

The cartridge holder 3 includes a base 4 movably supported by the base member 2 and a holding section 5 supported by the base 4 so as to be detachable from the base 4. An urging means 6 for urging all the moving forces is provided. The urging means 6 urges the both sides of the holding portion 5 with a substantially uniform moving force.

The holding portion 5 only needs to be freely attached to and detached from the base portion 4. For example, the rear end portions of the holding portion 5 are rotatably supported by the base portion 4, or the base portion is formed by a link mechanism combined in a pantograph shape. Various configurations are conceivable, such as one that can be freely attached and detached in a state parallel to 4.

The urging means 6 is only required to be capable of urging a substantially uniform moving force on both sides of the holding portion 5, and various kinds of springs, rubber elastic materials, and the like can be used. Even when a spring is used, various types of springs such as a leaf spring, a wire spring, and a torsion coil spring can be used.

Then, when the media cartridge 7 is inserted into the apparatus with the cartridge holder 3 in the position shown in FIG. 1, the leading end of the media cartridge 7 is in contact with the edge of the base 4 of the cartridge holder 3 and the holding portion 5. Inserted between the edges. As a result, the holding portion 5 moves in a direction away from the base 4 against the urging force of the urging means 6, and allows the media cartridge 7 to be inserted into the cartridge holder 3. Then, when a predetermined portion of the media cartridge 7 is inserted into the cartridge holder 3, the media cartridge 7 is held by the base 4 and the holding portion 5 in a sandwiching state by the moving force urged by the urging means 6. .

Then, when the cartridge holder 3 moves to another position shown in FIG. 2, the media cartridge 7 is transferred to the other position.

When the cartridge holder 3 moves to the position shown in FIG. 1, a part of the media cartridge 3 is ejected out of the apparatus. If a force is applied in the pull-out direction, the media cartridge 6 can be pulled out of the apparatus.

Transfer mechanism 1 for media cartridge of the present invention
In this case, since a substantially uniform moving force in the direction of the base 4 is urged on both sides of the holding portion 5, both sides of the portion of the media cartridge 6 inserted into the cartridge holder 3 are substantially It is possible to hold the media cartridge 6 stably with a uniform force, and to prevent a phenomenon that one side is left during transfer, so that the media cartridge 6 can be held. The transfer of the cartridge 6 can be performed reliably. Also, there is no so-called tip deviation, and since both sides of the media cartridge 6 are clamped with substantially equal force, when pulling out the media cartridge 6, the user feels strange operation feeling that only one side feels heavy. Nor.

[0029]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transfer mechanism for a media cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention; In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the present invention is applied to an MD (mini-disc) recording / reproducing apparatus for transporting an MD cartridge.

The MD recording / reproducing apparatus 10 uses an MD cartridge 11 in which a magneto-optical disk or an optical disk as a disk-shaped recording medium is rotatably housed in a cartridge as a recording medium.

The magneto-optical disk 12 has a diameter of 64 mm.
A signal recording layer made of a magnetic material is formed on a disk substrate made of a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate. The signal recording layer is locally heated to a so-called Curie temperature or higher by means such as irradiation of a focused laser beam, and an information signal is written by applying an external magnetic field to the heated portion. You. The information signal written in this manner irradiates the signal recording layer with a linearly polarized light beam such as a laser beam, and detects the rotation of the polarization direction of the reflected light beam of the light beam due to the so-called Kerr effect in the signal recording layer. Can be read.

The optical disk is formed by applying a reflective layer made of a metal material such as aluminum on a disk substrate similar to the disk substrate of the magneto-optical disk 12. A fine pit row corresponding to the information signal is formed on a disk substrate of the optical disk by means such as injection molding. The information signal written on the optical disk irradiates the pit array with a coherent light beam such as a laser beam, and detects a change in the amount of light due to diffusion or interference in the signal recording layer with respect to the reflected light beam of the light beam. Can be read.

The magneto-optical disk 12 and the optical disk are, as shown in FIGS.
The MD cartridge 11 is formed so as to be rotatable therein. The cartridge 13 for accommodating the magneto-optical disk 12 to form the recording and reproducing MD cartridge 11 has a rectangular main surface portion whose one side length substantially corresponds to the diameter of the magneto-optical disk 12. It is configured in a housing shape. As shown in FIG. 12, the cartridge 13 has a magnetic head opening 15 for allowing a part of the signal recording surface of the magneto-optical disk 12 to face outward on a main surface portion 14 on the upper surface side. I have. As shown in FIG. 13, the cartridge 13 has a main surface portion 16 on the lower surface side.
The opening 17 for the optical pickup is provided at a position facing the opening 15 for the magnetic head.
6 has a chucking opening 18 at a substantially central portion thereof. The recording / reproducing MD cartridge 11 is inserted into the MD recording / reproducing apparatus 10 in the forward direction as shown by an arrow A in FIG.

In the cartridge 13 of the recording / reproducing MD cartridge 11, the magnetic head opening 15
The opening 17 for the optical pickup can be opened and closed by a shutter 19. In this shutter 19, the shutter plates 19a and 19b corresponding to the openings 15 and 17 and facing in parallel with each other, and a connecting portion 19c connecting one side edge of the shutter plates 19a and 19b are made of synthetic resin. It is formed integrally with a material or a metal material. In the shutter 19, the connecting portion 19c is slidably supported by a support groove 20 formed on one side of the cartridge 13. That is, the shutter 19
The openings 15 and 17 are opened by being slid rearward along one side of the cartridge 13, and returned to the initial position by being slid forward from the rear side so that each of the shutter plate portions 19a, 19b, each opening 15 and 17
Close. Further, a connecting portion 19c of the shutter 19
Is formed with an engagement hole 19d.

Further, engagement recesses 21 and 21 having a semicircular shape as viewed from the side are formed at positions near the front end on both side edges of the main surface portion 16 on the lower surface side of the cartridge 13.

The optical disk is rotatably housed in a cartridge (not shown) having a shape obtained by removing the magnetic head opening 15 from the cartridge 13.
A read-only MD cartridge is formed.

An MD cartridge transfer mechanism 22 is provided in the MD recording / reproducing apparatus 10. MD recording / reproducing device 1
In FIG. 0, an optical pickup device, a disk rotation drive unit, a magnetic head device, and the like are provided in addition to the MD cartridge transfer mechanism 22, but only the outline of the outer casing is shown in the drawing.

The MD cartridge transfer mechanism 22 has a base member 23. The base member 23 is formed by bending a sheet metal material and has a substantially rectangular main portion 24, and side wall portions 25, 2, which extend downward from left and right side edges of the main portion 24.
6 and support pieces 28, 2 protruding in the direction approaching each other from the front ends of the side walls 25, 26, that is, from the lower edge of the portion of the outer casing facing the cartridge insertion opening 28.
8 is provided. The front end 28 of the support piece 28, 28
a and 28a are inclined slightly downward.

On the lower surface side of the base member 23, a cartridge holder 29 is movably supported in the front-rear direction.

The cartridge holder 29 has a base 30 and a holding portion 31 rotatably supported by the base 30.

The base portion 30 is formed of a metal plate and has a substantially rectangular plate shape that is long in the left and right directions.
2 and 32 are slidably supported by two guide slits 33 formed so as to extend in the front-rear direction while being separated from the main part 24 of the base member 23 in the left-right direction. It is movably supported in the direction.

A spring hook 34 formed on the base 30 passes through one guide slit 33 to form the main part 2 of the base member 23.
4 and the spring hook 34 and the base member 2
A toggle spring 36 is arranged between the main spring 3 and a spring hook 35 formed on the main part 24 of the third main part 3. That is, the toggle spring 3
6, one arm piece 36a is locked to the spring hook piece 34 of the base 30, and the other arm piece 36b is locked to the spring hook piece 35 of the base member 23. The toggle spring 36 has a resilient force stored in a direction in which the two arm pieces 36a and 36b open, and when the base 30 comes rearward from an intermediate point in its movement range, the movement force of the base 30 toward the rear is applied. When the base 30 is moved forward from an intermediate point in the moving range, the base 30 is urged forward with a moving force.

The right side edge of the base portion 30 is formed with a side surface portion 37 extending downward, and the rear edge is formed with a rear surface portion 38 extending downward. The rear end portion 37a of the side surface portion 37 projects further rearward from the rear surface portion 38 to form a support piece, and a support piece 38a projecting rearward from the left end of the rear surface portion 38 is formed. Supporting piece 3
7a and 38a are in a state where they are opposed to each other on the left and right.

The holding portion 31 is formed of, for example, a metal plate such as a phosphor bronze plate, has a substantially rectangular plate shape that is long in the left and right directions, and is rotatably supported by the base 30 at its rear end. I have. A side portion 39 protruding upward is formed on the right edge of the holding portion 31, and a rear end portion 39a of the side portion 39 is a supported piece. Further, at the rear end of the left side edge of the holding portion 31, a supported piece 40 projecting upward is formed. The two supported pieces 39a and 40 are opposed to each other on the left and right.

Thus, the holding portion 31 has the supported pieces 39 a, 40 on the lower side of the base 30 and the shaft members 41, 4.
1 and rotatably supported by support pieces 37a and 38a of the base 30. As a result, the holding portion 31 is
At 0, the front end portion is supported so as to be rotatable in a direction in which the front end portion is separated from and attached to the base portion 30.

The coil members of the torsion coil springs 42 are supported by the shaft members 41, 41 in an external fitting manner, and one arm of the torsion coil springs 42, 42 is engaged with the rear edge of the holding portion 31. Further, the other arm piece is locked to the base 30, whereby the holding portion 31 is urged to rotate in the direction in which the front end approaches the base 30. Torsion coil spring 4
The locking power of the holding members 2 and 42 on both sides of the holding section 31 urges substantially equally rotating power to both sides of the holding section 31. That is, the torsion coil springs 42 correspond to the urging means 6 in the basic configuration.

On both sides of a portion near the front end of the holding portion 31, engagement portions 43, 43 are formed by projecting a part thereof upward. The engaging portions 43, 43 are formed by projecting a narrow band-shaped portion upwardly in an arc shape as viewed from the side.

A shutter opening / closing mechanism is provided on the left side wall 25 of the base member 23. The shutter opening and closing mechanism is
A shutter opening projection 44 and a shutter closing spring 45 are provided.

The shutter closing spring 45 is formed by processing a leaf spring material, and has a spring portion 45a long in the front-rear direction and the spring portion 4a.
And a hook 45b formed at the front end of 5a and protruding rightward. The hook portion 45b has a U-shape when viewed from above and below, and the front slope 45c is formed gently, and the rear slope 45d is formed steeply.

The shutter closing spring 45 is positioned so that its spring portion 45a extends along the outer surface of the side wall portion 25.
A rear end portion and an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction are fixed to the side wall portion 25. The hook portion 45b protrudes inward of the side wall 25 through a notch 46 formed in the side wall 25.

The shutter opening projection 44 is formed by bending a part of the shutter closing spring 45. That is, the shutter portion 45a of the shutter closing spring 45 is formed so as to protrude rightward from the lower edge of a portion between the rear end and an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction. The shutter opening projection 44 protrudes inward of the side wall 25 through a through hole 47 formed in the left side wall 25 of the base member 23. The rear half 44a of the right edge of the shutter opening projection 44 is an inclined edge that is displaced leftward as it goes rearward, and the front edge 44b is a contact edge that extends in the left-right direction.

The transfer of the media cartridge, that is, the MD cartridge 11 in the MD recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is performed as follows.

The insertion of the MD cartridge 11 into the apparatus is performed in a state where the cartridge holder 29 is at the front end of the moving range (see FIG. 7). Then, when the MD cartridge 11 is pushed into the apparatus from the cartridge insertion / removal opening 27, the left and right side edges of the lower surface side main surface portion 16 of the MD cartridge 11 are lowered forward of the support pieces 28, 28 of the base member 23. Front ends 28a, 28 inclined to
a, the front end of which is guided by the cartridge holder 2
9 is opposed to the front edge of the base 30 and the front edge of the holding portion 31 (see FIG. 7).

When the MD cartridge 11 is further pushed into the apparatus, the front end of the MD cartridge 11 enters between the base 30 and the holding portion 31.
By the pressing force, the holding portion 31 rotates so that its front end moves downward against the urging force of the torsion coil springs 42, 42, thereby allowing the MD cartridge 11 to further enter the cartridge holder 29. (See FIG. 8).

When the MD cartridge 11 further enters the cartridge holder 29 from there, the engaging concave portions 21, 21 are engaged with the engaging portions 43, 43 of the holding portion 31.
And the holding portion 31 is rotated by the urging force of the torsion coil springs 42, 42 so that the front end thereof moves upward, and the engaging portions 43, 43 are engaged with the engaging recesses of the MD cartridge 11. 21, 21 are engaged.

When the MD cartridge 11 is further pushed into the apparatus, the cartridge holder 29 is moved rearward by the pressing force. When the cartridge holder 29 is moved rearward to a predetermined position, a part of the cartridge holder 29 turns on a detection switch (not shown), thereby driving a driving unit such as a motor, for example. The cartridge holder 29 is pulled backward by the driving force. Then, as described above, the holding portion 31
Are engaged with the engaging recesses 21 of the MD cartridge 11, so that the cartridge holder 29 pulls the MD cartridge 11 rearward from here (see FIG. 9). .

During this time, the shutter release projection 4
4 enters the support groove 20 of the MD cartridge 11, and the slope 45 c on the front side of the hooking portion 45 b of the shutter closing spring 45 slides on the edge of the connecting portion 19 c of the shutter 19 and rides outside the connecting portion 45 c. To go. And M
When the D cartridge 11 is pulled inward, the contact edge 44b is connected to the connecting portion 19c of the shutter 19.
Abuts against the edge and presses it relatively,
The shutter 19 is moved to a position where each of the openings 15 and 17 is opened. At the same time, the contact edge 44b contacts the edge of the connecting portion 19c of the shutter 19, and the hook 45b of the shutter closing spring 45 engages with the engaging hole 19d formed in the connecting portion 19c of the shutter 19.

When the cartridge holder 29 has reached the rear end of its moving range, its position is held by the elastic force of the toggle spring 36.

After the cartridge holder 29 reaches the rear end of the moving range, the base member 23 moves to a predetermined position, for example, downward, and mounts the MD cartridge 11 at a predetermined mounting position. .

After the recording or reproducing operation on the magneto-optical disk 12 or the optical disk in the MD cartridge 11 is completed, the operation of ejecting the MD cartridge 11, that is, ejecting it, is performed as follows.

When an instruction to eject the MD cartridge 11 is issued, first, the base member 23 is raised from the mounting position, and then the driving unit is driven to move the cartridge holder 29 forward, and the Reach the front end of the movement range. Then, when the cartridge holder 29 reaches the front end of the moving range, the position is held by the elastic force of the toggle spring 36.

While the cartridge holder 29 moves from the rear end to the front end of the moving range, the MD cartridge 1
The first shutter 19 is closed. That is, when the cartridge holder 29 moves forward,
Since the shutter closing spring 45 moves relatively rearward, the steep slope 45d on the rear side of the hook portion 45 catches the edge located on the rear side of the engagement hole 19d of the shutter 19, Is relatively pulled rearward, so that the shutter 19 moves toward the closed position and is closed.

When the cartridge holder 29 reaches the front end of the moving range, a part of the MD cartridge 11 projects out of the apparatus from the cartridge insertion / removal opening 27.

Therefore, if the MD cartridge 11 is pulled out with the portion protruding out of the apparatus, the engaging portions 43 of the holding portion 31 are arc-shaped when viewed from the side. 43, 43 are the engaging recesses 2 of the MD cartridge 11
While sliding on the edge located on the rear side of 1, 21
1 is a torsion coil spring 4 so that its front end moves downward.
2 and 42 against the urging force of the engagement recess 2
The engagement between the engagement portions 43, 43 and the engagement portions 43, 43 is released, and the MD cartridge 11 is pulled out of the apparatus.

As described above, the M according to the present invention
In the transfer mechanism of the MD cartridge in the D recording / reproducing device 10, two toggle springs 36, 36
The rotating force toward the base 30 is urged on both sides of the holding portion 31 with substantially equal force. Therefore, both sides of the MD cartridge 11 inserted into the cartridge holder 29 can be clamped with substantially equal force, the holding thereof is stabilized, and the MD cartridge 11 can be transported reliably.

Further, since substantially uniform urging forces are applied to both sides of the holding portion 31, the MD cartridge 11 can be inserted into the cartridge holder 29 or the MD cartridge 1 can be inserted.
When the cartridge 1 is pulled out from the cartridge holder 29, there is no possibility that a biased force is applied to the right and left, so that the user does not feel uncomfortable with the operation when the MD cartridge 11 is inserted or pulled out.

[0067]

As is apparent from the above description, the transport mechanism of the media cartridge of the present invention separates the media cartridge comprising the recording medium contained in the relatively rigid and flat cartridge from the one position. A media cartridge transport mechanism for transporting media cartridges between a first position and another position on a base member, wherein the cartridge holder includes a base and the cartridge holder. A holding portion movably disposed with respect to the base portion, wherein the holding portion is close to the base portion to hold the media cartridge in a holding shape from a thickness direction. A biasing means for biasing the moving force in the direction of the base substantially equally on both sides of the media cartridge, whereby the both sides of the media cartridge are sandwiched with substantially equal force. Characterized by being adapted to.

Therefore, in the media cartridge transfer mechanism of the present invention, both sides of the media cartridge can be clamped with substantially equal force, the holding state is stabilized, and the media cartridge can be reliably transported. can do.

Also, since a substantially uniform biasing force acts on both sides of the holding portion, when the media cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder or when the media cartridge is pulled out from the cartridge holder, a force biased right and left is generated. There is no need to take any action, and the user does not feel uncomfortable with the operation when inserting or pulling out the media cartridge.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the urging means is a spring, the moving force in the direction of the base is substantially evenly applied to both sides of the holding portion with a simple structure. Can be energized.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the torsion coil spring supported by the shaft members rotatably supported by shaft members provided on both sides of the base, and supported by the shaft members. Thus, the urging means can be arranged in a narrow range, and the provision of the urging means does not hinder miniaturization of the apparatus.

Further, according to the invention described in claims 4 to 6, the media cartridge is provided with an access opening for exposing a part of the recording medium housed therein to the outside. Even when a slidable shutter that opens and closes the access opening is provided and a shutter opening and closing mechanism that opens and closes the shutter is provided on one side of the base member, substantially equal force is applied to both sides of the media cartridge. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the side provided with the shutter opening / closing mechanism, which increases the load of movement, is placed in a so-called put-away state.

It should be noted that the shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Should not be interpreted restrictively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 conceptually shows a basic structure of a transfer mechanism of a media cartridge of the present invention together with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and is a schematic side view showing a state where a cartridge holder is at one position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a state where the cartridge holder is at another position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an MD cartridge transfer mechanism in an MD recording / reproducing apparatus together with FIGS. 5 to 11, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state where the cartridge holder is at one position.

FIG. 6 is a right side view showing a state where the cartridge holder is at one position.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the transfer operation together with FIGS. 8 and 9, which shows a state immediately before the MD cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder.

FIG. 8 illustrates a state where the MD cartridge is being held by the cartridge holder.

FIG. 9 illustrates a state where the MD cartridge is held by a cartridge holder.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state where the cartridge holder is at another position.

FIG. 11 is a right side view showing a state where the cartridge holder is at another position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the MD cartridge viewed from above.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the MD cartridge viewed from below.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a conventional media cartridge transfer mechanism together with FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, and FIG. 14 is a plan view.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI in FIG. 14;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transfer mechanism of a media cartridge, 2 ... Base member, 3 ... Cartridge holder, 4 ... Base part, 5 ... Nipping part,
7 ... Media cartridge, 11 ... MD cartridge (media cartridge), 12 ... Magneto-optical disk (recording medium), 13 ... Cartridge, 17 ... Optical pickup opening (access opening), 19 ... Shutter, 22 ... MD cartridge Transfer mechanism (medium cartridge transfer mechanism), 23: base member, 29: cartridge holder, 30: base, 31: holding portion, 41: shaft member, 42: torsion coil spring (biasing means), 44: shutter opening protrusion, 45 ... Shutter closing spring, 44, 4
5. Shutter opening / closing mechanism

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A media cartridge transport mechanism for transporting a media cartridge containing a recording medium in a relatively rigid and flat cartridge between one position and another position. A cartridge holder is provided movably between the first position and another position, the cartridge holder includes a base and a holding portion movably provided with respect to the base, and the holding portion is By being close to the base, the media cartridge is configured to be held in a sandwiching manner from the thickness direction, and to bias the movement force in the direction of the base toward both sides of the holding portion almost uniformly. A transfer mechanism for a media cartridge, comprising biasing means, whereby the both sides of the media cartridge are clamped with substantially equal force. 2. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said urging means is a spring. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is rotatably supported by shaft members provided on both sides of the base portion, and the urging means is constituted by a torsion coil spring supported by the shaft member. The media cartridge transfer mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The media cartridge has an access opening for exposing a part of a recording medium housed therein to the outside, and has a slidable shutter for opening and closing the access opening. 2. A shutter opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the shutter is provided on one side of the base member.
3. The transfer mechanism for a media cartridge according to claim 1. 5. The media cartridge has an access opening for exposing a part of the recording medium housed therein to the outside, and has a slidable shutter for opening and closing the access opening. 3. A shutter opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the shutter is provided on one side of the base member.
3. The transfer mechanism for a media cartridge according to claim 1. 6. The media cartridge has an access opening for exposing a part of the recording medium housed therein to the outside and has a slidable shutter for opening and closing the access opening. 4. A shutter opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the shutter is provided on one side of the base member.
3. The transfer mechanism for a media cartridge according to claim 1.