Library for storing data-storage media and having an improved media transporter

摘要

A library for storing a cartridge of data-storage media includes a chassis and includes cartridge slots, a media drive, a cartridge transporter having a cam mechanism, and transporter and cam drive assemblies all located within the chassis. The cartridge slots each have an outer slot opening that faces outward of the chassis and an inner slot opening that faces inward of the chassis, and each slot allows insertion and removal of the cartridge through both of the respective inner and outer slot openings. The media drive has a cartridge opening that faces the inner slot openings and receives and ejects the cartridge via this opening. The cartridge transporter is located between the slots and the media drive and includes a first transporter opening that faces the slots, a second transporter opening that faces the drive, a cartridge passage that extends between the first and second transporter openings, a first roller arm that is located at a side thereof toward the first transporter opening, a second roller arm that is located at a side thereof toward the second transporter opening, a cam mechanism that moves the first and second roller arms, and a roller mechanism that includes respective first and second rollers mounted to the first and second roller arms and that moves the cartridge through the cartridge passage. The transporter drive assembly moves the cartridge transporter to align the first transporter opening with the inner slot opening of a selected slot or to align the second transporter opening with the cartridge opening of the media drive. The cam drive assembly moves the cam mechanism to cause the first roller of the first roller arm to engage the cartridge while the first roller moves the cartridge between the cartridge transporter and the selected slot, or to cause the second roller of the second roller arm to engage the cartridge while the second roller moves the cartridge between the cartridge transporter and the media drive. The library also includes a circuit that controls the operation of the transporter and cam drive assemblies.