Disk cartridge storage and retrieval apparatus

• Main Authors: NAKATSUKASA, NAOYUKI, TANAKA, TOSHIHIRO, MITSUBISHI DENKI ENG. CO. LTD, TANAKA, KATSUFUSA
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 08.04.1992
• Subjects: INFORMATION STORAGE; INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORDCARRIER AND TRANSDUCER; PHYSICS

A disk cartridge storage and retrieval apparatus includes a stocker (7) vertically disposed in housing (1) for storing a multitude of disk cartridges (3). An information recording and reproducing device (9,10) is disposed in the housing (1) in a vertically aligned relation with the stocker (7) for recording and reproducing information onto or from a disk received in a disk cartridge (3). A guide shaft (11) is vertically disposed in the housing (1) and has an upper end thereof fixedly secured to an upper portion of the housing and a lower end thereof held free to move. A carrier mechanism (27) is supported on the guide shaft (11) for vertical movement therealong for transporting a disk cartridge (3) between the stocker (7) and the information recording and reproducing device (9,10). A vertical drive mechanism (31) including a motor and an endless belt (37) drives the carrier mechanism (27) in a vertical direction along the guide shaft (11). Vibrations of the motor, which is installed on a housing base for driving the endless belt (37) connected with the carrier mechanism (27), as well as vibrations transmitted to the housing base from external vibration sources, can be prevented from transmission therefrom to the guide shaft (11), thereby ensuring the accurate operation of the carrier mechanism as well as avoiding resultant malfunctions and/or trouble.