Patent ID: 6749141
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A loading mechanism for use in a tape drive comprising a supply reel motor for driving a supply reel in a tape cartridge, said loading mechanism being provided for engaging a rotor of said supply reel motor with said supply reel, and said loading mechanism comprising:a drive hub fixed to said rotor; a drive gear arranged coaxially with said rotor to be movable in an axial direction, said drive gear being engaged with said drive hub and said supply reel in a rotating direction when said drive gear is moved in a first direction in said axial direction; a spring urging said drive gear towards said first direction in said axial direction; and a control mechanism for controlling the movement of said drive gear in said axial direction, wherein said control mechanism comprises: a ring cam arranged coaxially with said rotor to be rotatable and having a cam groove formed on a peripheral surface of the ring cam; a cylindrical member arranged coaxially with said rotor and having a guide slit extending in said axial direction; a drive ring arranged coaxially with said rotor so as to be movable in said axial direction and engaged with said drive gear against an urging force of said spring, wherein said drive ring is formed by pressing a ring-shaped plate material and said drive ring has a ring plate portion arranged coaxially with said rotor and an outer cylindrical portion extending from an outer peripheral end of said ring plate portion towards a second direction in said axial direction; and an engaging pin fixed to said drive ring and engaged through said guide slit with said cam groove.