Tape drive ejection assembly

摘要

A tape drive ejection assembly that controls ejection of a tape cartridge to prevent over ejection errors in a tape drive. The ejection assembly comprises an ejection carriage, a carriage pin, a rotary damper and a spring mounted on a frame. The ejection carriage slides within the frame during insertion and ejection of the tape cartridge. The spring connects between the frame and the ejection carriage and provides the force to eject the tape cartridge. The rotary damper controls movement of the ejection carriage within the frame during ejection of the tape cartridge. The carriage pin includes a rib configured to form a snap connection with the tape cartridge during loading of the tape cartridge. The snap connection between the rib and the tape cartridge secures the tape cartridge to the ejection carriage during and after ejection of the tape cartridge. The connection is not released until a significant external force is applied on the tape cartridge.