Patent Application
20060022009
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, such as a video cassette tape recorder (VCR) or a digital versatile camcorder (DVC), which utilizes magnetic tape as a recording medium More particularly, the present invention relates to a pinch roller assembly having a tape running device that withdraws and runs tape from a cassette tape.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a tape running device for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a pair of rotary reel tables, a capstan motor for driving the reel table; a pair of pole base assemblies, a capstan axis, and a pinch roller assembly for contacting the tape relatively tightly toward the capstan axis by a certain predetermined pressure.
When the tape is loaded, the pinch roller assembly is moved toward the capstan axis by a tape loading device. Thus, the tape is pressed toward the capstan axis by the predetermined pressure so that the tape can run relatively smoothly.
As shown in
The pinch arm 20 pivots between first and second positions along the pinch axis 30 and is rotatably arranged on a deck base 50. In the first position, the pinch roller 10 is adjacent to the capstan axis 60. In the second position, which is the initial position, the pinch roller 10 is spaced away from the capstan axis 60.
The pinch arm 20 pivots between the first and the second positions by a tape loading device (not shown). Particularly, the pinch spring 40 disposed on the pinch axis 30 tightly contacts the pinch roller 10 in the first position toward the capstan axis 60.
The pinch spring 40 comprises a fixed end 41 supported by the pinch arm 20 and a free end 42. As shown in
Also with respect to
However, in the pinch roller assembly of the conventional magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, undesired torsion may be applied to the pinch spring 40. This is due to a difference between a force (F) transferred by the slider 70 to the free end 42 of the pinch spring 40 and a height (H) of a fixing end supporting part of the pinch spring 40, thereby deviating the pinch spring 40 from its correct position.
Deviation of the pinch spring 40 may affect the height (H) of the free end 42 of the pinch spring 40. Therefore, the pinch spring 40 is not obstructed by the slider 70. In this case, the pinch roller 10 may fail to tightly contact with the capstan axis 60.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved pinch roller assembly for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus having a separation preventing protrusion to prevent deviation of the pinch spring.
An aspect of the present invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a pinch roller assembly for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus which is capable of preventing a contact error of a pinch roller with respect to a capstan axis, caused by deviation of the pinch spring.
In order to achieve the above-described aspects of the present invention, there is provided a pinch roller configured to selectively contact with a capstan axis mounted on a deck base. A pinch arm rotatably supports the pinch roller on one end thereof and is pivotally mounted on the deck base for movement between first and second positions. When in the first position the pinch roller is adjacent to the capstan axis and when in the second position the pinch roller is spaced away from the capstan axis. A pinch axis is mounted on the other end of the pinch arm. The pinch axis being a pivot point of the pinch arm. A pinch spring is disposed on the pinch axis to elastically support the pinch arm as it is pivoted to the first position toward the capstan axis. A separation preventing protrusion is integrally formed with the pinch axis to prevent deviation of the pinch spring disposed on the pinch axis.
One separation preventing protrusion is provided to fit in a groove of the pinch spring.
A pair of separation preventing protrusions are formed to fit in grooves of the pinch spring, respectively.
One separation preventing protrusion supports a lower part of the pinch spring.
The separation preventing protrusion is substantially annular.
Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.
The above and other objects, and features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures.
The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and elements are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for conciseness.
As shown in
The pinch roller 10 selectively contacts a capstan axis 60 (
The pinch arm 20 pivots between a first position and a second position by the pinch axis 30 and is rotatably supported on the deck base 50. In the first position, the pinch roller 10 is adjacent to the capstan axis 60. In the second position (the initial position), the pinch roller 10 is spaced away from the capstan axis 60.
The pinch arm 20 pivots between the first and the second positions by a tape loading device (not shown). Particularly, the pinch spring 40 disposed on the pinch axis 30 relatively tightly contacts the pinch roller 10 in the first position toward the capstan axis 60.
The pinch spring 40 comprises a fixed end 41 supported by the pinch arm 20 and a free end 42. As shown in
Also with respect to
The separation preventing protrusion 100 supports the pinch spring 40. The separation preventing protrusion 100 correctly positions the pinch spring 40 about the the pinch axis 30.
The separation preventing protrusion 100 is integrally formed with an outer circumference of the pinch axis 30 for insertion into grooves of the pinch spring 40 to prevent the pinch spring 40 from escaping. The separation preventing protrusion 100 is preferably annularly shaped; however, other suitable arrangements may be used. Additionally, the separation preventing protrusion 100 preferably has a triangular longitudinal section to correspond to the grooves of the pinch spring 40; however, the structure and shape of the separation preventing protrusion 100 are not limited thereto.
According to the above-structured pinch roller assembly, when the pinch spring 40 is urged, as the free end 42 thereof and the slider 70 contact with each other in the first position, although torsion is excessively applied to the pinch spring 40 due to the difference between the force (F) transferred by the slider 70 to the free end 42 of the pinch spring 40 and the height (H) of the fixing end supporting part of the pinch spring 40, the pinch spring 40 can be maintained in the correct position. This is because the pinch spring 40 is supported by the separation preventing protrusion 100 of the pinch axis 30.
Accordingly, an error caused by deviation of the pinch spring 40 regarding the contact between the pinch roller 10 and the capstan axis 60 may be prevented.
According to this embodiment, by adopting two separation preventing protrusions 100 and 110, the pinch spring 40 may be more securely supported, and therefore, deviation of the pinch spring 40 may be effectively prevented.
As can be appreciated from the above description, the pinch spring 40 is supported by the separation preventing protrusions 100, 110 or 120 mounted on the pinch axis 30. As a result, the pinch spring 40 may be properly located in the correct position without deviation, even though excessive torsion is being applied.
Therefore, the contact error of the pinch roller 10 with respect to the capstan axis 60 may also be prevented. As a result, the tape running performance is relatively improved and reliability of the apparatus is enhanced.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-59557 | Jul 2004 | KR | national |
This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-59557, filed Jul. 29, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
