| 摘要 |
A tape cartridge loader includes a moveable shuttle, for receiving the tape cartridge, and unique elements for actuating the shuttle during loading and unloading operations. The actuating elements occupy minimal space within the loader. Also, these elements provide forces intended to assist in separating the cartridge from the tape drive gear during unloading, so as to require minimal torque from the loader motor during initial operation for unloading a tape cartridge. In the preferred embodiment, the loader includes a substantially flat, rotatable actuator arm. The arm includes a groove, the edges of which serve as cam profiles. These profiles drive a bearing attached to a conveyor to move the conveyor along a linear path during loading and unloading operations. The groove edges are contoured to maintain substantially 90° contact with a circumference of the bearing. This actuator also preferably includes an impact buffer spring. The conveyor interacts through a cam profile and follower arrangement to produce the necessary movements of the shuttle, during loading and unloading operations. During initial lifting in an unloading operation the cam profiles of this arrangement apply different forces on opposite sides of the shuttle. Also, two springs compressed when the shuttle is positioned so that the cartridge is fully loaded apply a load balancing force to the shuttle. The differential lift forces and the spring forces assist in separation of the cartridge gear from the drive gear during unloading, for example to overcome a magnetic attraction between the gears.
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