Locking mechanism and library apparatus

Disclosed is a locking mechanism which can perform the reduction of non-actual working hours of the library apparatus. The locking mechanism includes a first locking unit which fits with a cutout provided on a side surface of an object to be locked, the object being formed with a plurality of surfaces and the side surface being one of the surfaces in a insertion/extraction direction of the object; and a second locking unit, provided on an opposite side of the first locking unit in a manner sandwiching the object, which includes a contact member which is in contact with a back surface of the object, the back surface being one of the surfaces and far from a slot to/from which the object is inserted/extracted, wherein at least a part of the contact member is located in a path of the object.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-267403, filed on Dec. 6, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a library apparatus which stores a plurality of recording media and performs reads/writes data from/to the recording medium. The present invention also relates to a locking mechanism which is provided in the library apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

In order to store a program and data used in a computer with a high reliability, a library apparatus such as a magnetic tape library apparatus is used.

In a magnetic tape library apparatus, a cartridge made by uniting a magnetic tape which is the recording medium and a reel is used in an replaceable manner. The library apparatus includes a cartridge storage shelf (in the following description, it is referred to as “magazine”) which stores a plurality of such cartridges, a drive apparatus that performs reads/writes from/to the recording medium and an accessor mechanism which conveys the recording medium between the magazine and the drive apparatus.

The interior of the magazine is divided into a plurality of cells, and one cartridge is stored in each cell.

The accessor mechanism carries out an operation to take out the cartridge stored in any cell of any magazine and set the cartridge to the drive apparatus. The accessor mechanism also carries out an operation to take out the cartridge from the drive apparatus and store the cartridge into the any cell of the any magazine.

In such library apparatus, the cartridge is replaced as follows. That is, a user draws out the magazine and takes it out to outside of the apparatus. Then, the user replaces the cartridge and inserts the magazine in which the replaced cartridge is stored into the apparatus.

After the cartridge is replaced, the library apparatus needs to carry out an inventory processing. That is, the library apparatus is necessary to perform the inventory processing to acquire information on all the stored cartridges by, for example, reading an identifier of the cartridge from a barcode provided on the cartridge, and to store the acquired information in a memory unit in the library apparatus.

However, along with increase of the volume of data stored in recording media, a large number of recording media have come to be high-densely mounted, and, as a result, there are problems that an execution time of inventory processing is increased and non-actual working hours of the library apparatus is increased.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-165239 discloses a technology which realizes reduction of non-actual working hours in the library apparatus when replacing the cartridge. Specifically, a mechanism which enables a part of shelf of the magazine to eject out of the library apparatus and enables to replace the cartridge while continuing an operation of the library apparatus is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-230839 discloses a magazine holding structure which can change a drawing amount of the magazine step by step with the simple mechanism that has a fewer components.

In the library apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-165239, the number of cartridges that can be taken out at once is small, such as one or two cartridges. Accordingly, because the library apparatus requires large number of times of cartridge replacement, there is a problem that the non-actual working hours is still long.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-230839 discloses the technology to change the drawing amount of the magazine step by step in the library apparatus, and the technology to realize reduction of non-actual working hours of the library apparatus is not disclosed.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its main purpose is to provide a library apparatus and the like which realize reduction of non-actual working hours.

A locking mechanism according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes: a first locking unit which fits with a cutout provided on a side surface of an object to be locked, the object being formed with a plurality of surfaces and the side surface being one of the surfaces in a insertion/extraction direction of the object; and a second locking unit, provided on an opposite side of the first locking unit in a manner sandwiching the object, which includes a contact member being contact with a back surface of the object, the back surface being one of the surfaces and far from a slot to/from which the object is inserted/extracted, wherein at least a part of the contact member being located in a path of the object.

A library apparatus according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes: a first object placed in a near side from a slot to/from which the first object is inserted/extracted; a second object placed in a back side from the slot relative to the first object; and a locking mechanism having a first locking unit which fits with a cutout provided on an outer surface parallel to an insertion/extraction direction of the first object, the first object being formed with a plurality of outer surfaces, and a second locking unit, provided on an opposite side of the first locking unit in a manner sandwiching the first object, which includes a contact member being contacted with a projection provided on a back surface of the first object, wherein the contact member being located not in the path of the first object.

According to the present invention, an effect that reduction of non-actual working hours of the library apparatus can be realized is obtained.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a library apparatus100according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the magnetic tape housed in the cartridge is used as the recording medium.

As shown inFIG. 1, the library apparatus100includes a front magazine200and a rear magazine300at the front side and the rear side of a chassis101when seen from a slot106. The front magazine200and the rear magazine300are cartridge storage shelves which store magnetic tapes. Each of the magnetic tapes is housed in the cartridge. Each of the front magazine200and the rear magazine300is formed with a plurality of outer surfaces. In the following description, it is supposed that the library apparatus100is arranged in a three dimensional space (X-Y-Z coordinate space) as shown inFIG. 1.

The library apparatus100also includes an accessor mechanism103which conveys the cartridge in the front magazine200and the rear magazine300, and a magnetic tape drive102which performs read/write of data from/to the magnetic tape in the conveyed cartridge. The front magazine200and the rear magazine300can be moved and inserted/extracted to/from the slot106in the insertion/extraction direction (X-direction) by a user. Meanwhile, although the library apparatus100has a top plate which covers the upper part of the chassis101, description about it will be omitted below in order to focus on description of constructional elements.

FIG. 2is a top view showing the library apparatus100in a state that the front magazine200and the rear magazine300are removed according to this exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 2, the library apparatus100includes a first locking mechanism400and a second locking mechanism500. The library apparatus100also includes an accessor mechanism guide rail104and a magazine guide rail105. The accessor mechanism103can be moved in the X-direction along the accessor mechanism guide rail104. The front magazine200and the rear magazine300can be moved in the X-direction along the magazine guide rail105.

The first locking mechanism400includes a locking lever401, a locking rotational axis(axle)402arranged in the Z-direction and a biasing spring which is not illustrated. The locking lever401can rotate (rotatable) about the locking rotational axis402, and stops at the angle shown inFIG. 2by the biasing spring unless an external force is added.

The second locking mechanism500includes a locking block501which is a locking member, a locking block502which is a contact member, a locking shaft503which is a second shaft and a locking shaft504which is a first shaft. The second locking mechanism500also includes a locking rotational axis505and a locking rotational axis506arranged in the Z-direction respectively.

As shown inFIG. 2, the locking block501has an upper surface of an approximate inverted triangle shape, and the locking block502has an upper surface of an approximate rectangle shape, for example. The locking block501is connected with an end of the locking shaft503which can rotate about the locking rotational axis505. The locking block502is connected with an end of the locking shaft504which can rotate about the locking rotational axis506.

The other end of the locking shaft503and the other end of the locking shaft504have projected pieces, respectively, and the second locking mechanism500has a configuration in which the projected pieces are in contact with each other. The second locking mechanism500also have a biasing spring (not illustrated) which connects the locking shaft503and the locking shaft504near the contact site of both the projected pieces. By a biasing force by the biasing spring, the second locking mechanism500stops at the angle shown inFIG. 2.

In the second locking mechanism500, a move of the locking block501in the Y-direction shown inFIG. 2and a move of the locking block502in the Y-direction are in conjunction with each other by a conjunction mechanism. The conjunction mechanism is composed of the locking shafts503and504, the locking rotational axes505and506and a biasing spring. The conjunction mechanism accomplishes the following operation. That is, when the locking block502moves in the Y-direction, the locking shaft504rotates about the locking rotational axis506. According to the rotation, the projected piece of the locking shaft503contacted with the projected piece of the locking shaft504is pushed up, and the locking shaft503rotates about the locking rotational axis505. The locking block501moves in the Y-direction along with the rotation of the locking shaft503.

Next, an arrangement in the usual operating of the library apparatus100will be described.

FIG. 3is a top view showing an arrangement of the library apparatus100in the usual operating according to this exemplary embodiment.FIG. 3indicates a state that the front magazine200and the rear magazine300are stored in the library apparatus100shown inFIG. 2. InFIG. 3, about the front magazine200and the rear magazine300, only a front magazine bottom plate201and a rear magazine bottom plate301of which the respective bottom surfaces are composed are indicated for convenience of explanation.

As shown inFIG. 3, the front magazine bottom plate201includes a cutout (cutout part)202, a concave (concave part)203and a projection (projecting part)204. The rear magazine bottom plate301includes a cutout (cutout part)302and a concave303. The concave203and the concave303have shapes shown inFIG. 3respectively, and the concave303has a shape into which the projection204can be inserted as shown inFIG. 3. The concave203is provided on the opposite side surface of the side surface on which the cutout202is provided.

The front magazine bottom plate201and the rear magazine bottom plate301are connected by a fitting member, which is not illustrated, in a manner in which they can be released from each other.

The library apparatus100carries out an usual operation in the arrangement shown inFIG. 3. The first locking mechanism400can apply rotational biasing force toward the front magazine bottom plate201, and be fitted with the cutout202provided on a side surface of the front magazine bottom plate201. In the usual operating, the first locking mechanism400is arranged in the state that it is fitted with the cutout202. The first locking mechanism400prevents the front magazine200and the rear magazine300from being drawn out from the slot106of the chassis101by this fitting.

The second locking mechanism500stops in the state that the locking block501is located at the concave203of the front magazine bottom plate201as shown inFIG. 3, and in the state that the locking block502is in contact with the projection204of the front magazine bottom plate201. At that time, the front magazine bottom plate201is in the state that it pushes the locking blocks501and502, and the locking blocks501and502apply biasing force in the direction of the front magazine bottom plate201by the biasing spring.

In the state shown inFIG. 3, the accessor mechanism103performs extraction, transportation and storage operations of the cartridge stored in the front magazine200and the rear magazine300based on control by a control circuit which is not illustrated. The accessor mechanism103also performs, in the magnetic tape drive102, read/write data from/to the magnetic tape housed in the cartridge. The position of the first locking mechanism400and the second locking mechanism500in the usual operating shown inFIG. 3is called an “initial position” in the following description.

Next, an arrangement of the library apparatus100when replacing the cartridges will be described.

FIG. 4is a top view showing the library apparatus100according to this first exemplary embodiment in the state when the replacement of the cartridges is begun. An arrangement of the library apparatus100when replacing the cartridges will be described with reference toFIG. 4.

When replacing the cartridges, the control circuit notifies the accessor mechanism103that the replacement of the cartridge is carried out. The accessor mechanism103moves to the position shown inFIG. 4according to the above notification, and pushes the locking lever401of the first locking mechanism400. When the locking lever401is pushed, the first locking mechanism400releases its fitting with the front magazine bottom plate201by rotating about the locking rotational axis402. As a result, the front magazine200and the rear magazine300get movable in the X-direction shown inFIG. 4.

When the fitting is released as mentioned above, the user takes out the front magazine200from the slot106for replacing the cartridges. When the user draws out the front magazine200in the X-direction, the rear magazine300is also drawn toward the slot106because the front magazine200and the rear magazine300are connected with each other by the fitting member. Here, when the front magazine200is drawn out, the accessor mechanism103goes backward, that is, (−X) direction because of a vibration or the like of the drawing of the front magazine200. As a result, the pushing the locking lever401by the accessor mechanism103is released. Therefore, the first locking mechanism400applies the force to return to the initial position by the force of the biasing spring to the side surface of the front magazine bottom plate201while the front magazine200is being taken out.

In addition, when the front magazine200is drawn out, the locking block502of the second locking mechanism500moves in the Y-direction because the projection204with which the locking block502has been in contact does not exist any more at the original position before the drawing. In connection with that, the front magazine bottom plate201pushes the locking block501because the force in the Y-direction is applied to the locking block501. The front magazine200is drawn out from the chassis101with maintaining this state.

Next, an arrangement when the front magazine200is drawn out completely from the chassis101will be described.

FIG. 5is a top view showing the library apparatus100according to this first exemplary embodiment in the state that the front magazine200has been drawn out from the slot106of the chassis101. As shown inFIG. 5, when the front magazine200has been drawn out, the first locking mechanism400that has applied the force to return to the initial position to the side face of the front magazine bottom plate201is fitted with the cutout302of the rear magazine bottom plate301. By this fitting, the move of the rear magazine300in the (+X) direction is restricted. Along with this, the connection of the front magazine200and the rear magazine300by the fitting member is released, and only the front magazine200is taken out from the chassis101.

When the front magazine200has been taken out from the chassis101, the front magazine bottom plate201that has pushed the locking block501disappears from the original position before the extraction. Therefore, the second locking mechanism500returns to the initial position shown inFIG. 5by the biasing spring. That is, the locking block501is in the position where it does not overlap with the path of the front magazine bottom plate201during the front magazine200being taken out from the chassis101because the front magazine bottom plate201pushes the locking block501. Then, the locking block501moves to the position where at least a part of it is located in the path of front magazine bottom plate201in the manner the locking block501may project to the concave303when the front magazine200is completely taken out. The locking block501stops at the initial position shown inFIG. 5. At that time, also the locking block502projects into the path of the front magazine bottom plate201in connection with the move of the locking block501, and contacts with the rear of the rear magazine bottom plate301. By the locking block502being in contact with the rear of the rear magazine bottom plate301, the move of the rear magazine300in the (−X) direction is restricted.

Thus, by fitting by the first locking mechanism400and locking by the second locking mechanism500, the rear magazine300will be in the state that it can move in neither the (+X) direction nor the (−X) direction. In this state, the user carries out the replacement of the cartridges in the front magazine200taken out as mentioned above.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of the library apparatus100according to this first exemplary embodiment in the state that the rear magazine300is locked at the near side of the chassis101as shown inFIG. 5. The control circuit of the accessor mechanism103changes location information stored in advance in a memory (not shown) or the like regarding cartridges which are stored in the rear magazine300into the location information indicating the cartridges are at the front magazine200. Because the rear magazine300is locked in the state that the slot106of the chassis101is closed as shown inFIG. 6, it can prevent the user's hand from accidentally entering inside of the chassis101during operation of the library apparatus100. By such structure, the library apparatus100can continue to perform extraction, transportation and storage of the cartridges in the rear magazine300by the accessor mechanism103, and to perform writing data to the cartridge in the magnetic tape drive102even in the state that the front magazine200has been taken out. Accordingly, the library apparatus100can avoid from non-working during the replacement of the cartridges in the front magazine200.

Next, an arrangement when the front magazine200is inserted in the chassis101will be described.

FIG. 7is a top view illustrating an arrangement of the library apparatus100according to this first exemplary embodiment when the front magazine200is inserted in the chassis101. As shown inFIG. 7, in response to the front magazine200is inserted, the projection204provided in the front magazine bottom plate201pushes the locking block501to the (−Y) direction. The locking block502also moves in the (−Y) direction by the conjunction mechanism of the second locking mechanism500. As a result, the lock of the rear magazine300is released because both the locking block501and the locking block502move to the positions where they are located not in the path of the front magazine bottom plate201. Therefore, the rear magazine300can be moved in the (−X) direction. Then, by the user pushes the front magazine200into the (−X) direction, the rear magazine300also moves to the (−X) direction. The rear magazine300finally stops in the position shown inFIG. 3. The control circuit of the accessor mechanism103turns the location information regarding the rear magazine300that has been changed back to normal.

As has been described above, during the time period after the front magazine200has been taken out from the chassis101and until it has been inserted again, the rear magazine300has not been taken out from the chassis101. Accordingly, information about cartridges in the rear magazine300does not need to be updated from the information held in advance by the control circuit of the accessor mechanism103. The library apparatus usually needs to perform the inventory operation again when the magazine is taken out. In the library apparatus100according to this exemplary embodiment, the inventory operation does not need to be performed again about cartridges in the rear magazine300because the rear magazine300has not been taken out. Therefore, the library apparatus100should simply carry out the inventory operation only to the cartridges in the front magazine200which are taken out actually. Accordingly, the library apparatus100can minimize the time needed for the inventory operation.

As above, according to this first exemplary embodiment, when the front magazine200has been drawn out to replace the cartridges in the library apparatus100, the first locking mechanism400that can be rotated about the rotational axis is fitted with the cutout302provided on the rear magazine bottom plate301of the rear magazine300. As a result, the first locking mechanism400restricts the move of the rear magazine300to the (+X) direction.

Also, the library apparatus100includes the second locking mechanism500equipped with the locking block501and the locking block502connected with each other. In the second locking mechanism500, the locking block501projects into the concave303provided on the rear magazine bottom plate301, and the locking block502contacts with the rear of the rear magazine bottom plate301. As a result, the second locking mechanism500restricts the move of the rear magazine300in the (−X) direction.

By aforementioned constitution, the library apparatus100does not need to perform the inventory operation regarding the rear magazine300because it can restrict the rear magazine300be taken out from the chassis101during the replacement of the cartridges. The library apparatus100can continue its operation without the rear magazine300moving during the replacement of the cartridges using the recording media stored in the rear magazine300because the library apparatus100can restrict the move of the rear magazine300not only to the (+X) direction but also to the (−X) direction.

Consequently, an effect in which the non-actual working hours of the library apparatus100can be reduced according to the first exemplary embodiment is obtained because the time for inventory operation can be minimized and the operation of the library apparatus100can be continued even during the replacement of the cartridges.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 8is a block diagram showing a structure of a locking mechanism600according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 8, a locking mechanism600includes a first locking unit601and a second locking unit602.

The first locking unit601fits with a cutout provided on a side surface of an object to be locked, the object being formed with a plurality of surfaces and the side surface being one of the surfaces in a insertion/extraction direction of the object.

The second locking unit602is provided on an opposite side of the first locking unit in a manner sandwiching the object, and includes a contact member being contact with a back surface of the object, the back surface being one of the surfaces and far from a slot to/from which the object is inserted/extracted, wherein at least a part of the contact member being located in a path of the object.

The locking mechanism600corresponds to the first locking mechanism400and the second locking mechanism500in the first exemplary embodiment. Likewise, the first locking unit601corresponds to the first locking mechanism400, the second locking unit602corresponds to the second locking mechanism500, and the contact member corresponds to the locking block502. The object to be locked corresponds to a magazine likewise.

By aforementioned constitution, an effect in which the non-actual working hours of the library apparatus can be reduced is obtained according to the second exemplary embodiment.

Meanwhile, the shapes of such as the concave203of the front magazine bottom plate201, the concave303of the rear magazine bottom plate301and the locking blocks501and502described in each of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments are not limited to the illustrated shapes.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied to a magnetic tape library apparatus which uses a magnetic tape as a recording medium, for example. Note that the recording medium is not limited to the magnetic tape, and it may be other media, such as an optical disc, which recordable data treated by an information processing device. A recording medium does not have to be housed in a cartridge.

Although a part or all of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments can also be described like the following supplementary notes, it is not limited to these.

A locking mechanism including:

a first locking unit which fits with a cutout provided on a side surface of an object to be locked, the object being formed with a plurality of surfaces and the side surface being one of the surfaces in a insertion/extraction direction of the object; and

a second locking unit, provided on an opposite side of the first locking unit in a manner sandwiching the object, which includes a contact member being contact with a back surface of the object, the back surface being one of the surfaces and far from a slot to/from which the object is inserted/extracted,

wherein at least a part of the contact member being located in a path of the object.

The locking mechanism according to Supplementary note 1, wherein

the second locking unit includes

a shaft, connected to the contact member, which moves the contact member to be located not in the path of the object.

The locking mechanism according to Supplementary note 2, wherein

the shaft includes:a first shaft which is connected to the contact member at one end; anda second shaft which applies force to the other end of the first shaft different from the end which is connected with the contact member by which the contact member moves to be located not in the path of the object.

The locking mechanism according to Supplementary note 3, wherein

the second locking unit further includes

a locking member, connected to the other end of the second shaft different from the end which applies the force to the end of the first shaft, at least a part of the locking member being located in the path of the object.

The locking mechanism according to Supplementary note 4, wherein

at least a part of the locking member being located at a concave provided on the opposite side surface of the side surface on which the cutout is provided.

The locking mechanism according to Supplementary note 4, wherein,in response to force in an insertion direction of the object, the locking member moves by the force to be located not in the path of the object and the contact member moves to be located not in the path of the object in conjunction with the move of the locking member via the first shaft and the second shaft.

The locking mechanism according to Supplementary note 6, whereinthe second shaft rotates in connection with the move of the locking member, and the first shaft moves the contact member to be located not in the path of the object by rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the second shaft.

The locking mechanism according to Supplementary note 3 further includinga biasing member which connects the first shaft and the second shaft and applies force by which the contact member connected to the first shaft and the locking member connected to the second shaft push the object.

The locking mechanism according to Supplementary note 1, whereinthe first locking unit, being rotatable, fits with the cutout by the rotational force and releases the fit by force against the rotational force.

The locking mechanism according to Supplementary note 9, wherein the first locking unit includes a first piece fitting with the cutout, and a second piece extending in a different direction from the first piece relative to a rotational axis, the second piece rotating around the rotational axis according the force against the rotational force.

A library apparatus, including:a first object placed in a near side from a slot to/from which the first object is inserted/extracted;a second object placed in a back side from the slot relative to the first object; anda locking mechanism includinga first locking unit which fits with a cutout provided on an outer surface parallel to an insertion/extraction direction of the first object, the first object being formed with a plurality of outer surfaces, anda second locking unit, provided on an opposite side of the first locking unit in a manner sandwiching the first object, which includes a contact member being contacted with a projection provided on a back surface of the first object,wherein the contact member being located not in the path of the first object.

The library apparatus according to Supplementary note 11, wherein

the first object and the second object is a magazine storing a recording medium.

The library apparatus according to Supplementary note 11, further including an accessor mechanism which applies force against rotational force of the first locking unit.

The previous description of embodiments is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Moreover, various modifications to these exemplary embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles and specific examples defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of inventive faculty. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope as defined by the limitations of the claims and equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS