Tape drive leader connection sensing assembly
View Patent ↗A sensing assembly for use in determining if magnetic tape within a single reel tape cartridge properly disconnects from a takeup reel within a tape drive during unloading of the tape cartridge, so that the tape cartridge can be removed from the tape drive without damaging the tape media and rendering the tape drive inoperable. The sensing assembly may be electrical or electomechanical and comprises at least one sensing apparatus for providing feedback on the position of the takeup leader. The position of the takeup leader is used to determine if the tape cartridge leader disconnects from the takeup leader. The sensing assembly may be utilized within a tape drive or with a test fixture for testing a plurality of disconnect operations.
1. A sensing assembly for use with a tape drive employing a single reel equipped with a takeup leader for interconnecting with a tape cartridge leader connected to a length of tape media located within a tape cartridge, to determine it said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader during unloading of said tape cartridge, so that said tape cartridge can be removed from said tape drive without damaging said length of tape media, comprising:
means for disconnecting said takeup leader from said tape cartridge leader prior to removing said tape cartridge from said tape drive;
at least one leader position detecting means to detect a position of at least one of said tape cartridge leader and said takeup leader following said disconnect, said position being used to determine if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader, comprising:
a means for sensing movably located a distance from a tape path; and
a means for moving said movable sensing means from an initial position into said tape path to detect said position of at least one of said takeup leader and said tape cartridge leader; and
a processing means, responsive to said detected position of said at least one of said takeup leader and said tape cartridge leader, for determining if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader.
2. The sensing assembly of claim 1 wherein said sensing means is rotatable and comprises:
a means for sensing a rotational position of said rotatable sensing means, said rotational position for determining if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader.
3. A test fixture for use in testing a tape drive employing a single reel equipped with a takeup leader for interconnecting with a tape cartridge leader connected to a length of tape media located within a tape cartridge, said takeup leader and said tape cartridge leader defining a tape path, to determine if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader during unloading of said tape cartridge, comprising:
a connecting means for removably connecting said tape drive to said test fixture;
means for disconnecting said takeup leader from said tape cartridge leader for removing said tape cartridge from said tape drive; and
at least one leader position detecting means to detect a lateral position of at least one of said tape cartridge leader and said takeup leader relative to said tape path following said disconnect, said position being used to determine if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader, comprising:
a means for sensing movably insertable into said tape drive;
a means for moving said movable sensing means from an initial position into said tape path to detect said position of at least one of said takeup leader and said tape cartridge leader for determining if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader.
4. The sensing assembly of claim 3 , wherein said sensing means is rotatable and comprises:
a means for sensing a rotational position of said rotatable sensing means said rotational position for determining if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader.
5. The test fixture of claim 3 , wherein said movable sensing means comprises:
a rotatable member extending downward into said tape drive said distance from said tape path; and
a means for sensing connected with said rotatable member for sensing a rotational position of said rotatable member.
6. The test fixture of claim 3 further comprising:
a processing means, responsive to said detected position of said at least one of said takeup leader and said tape cartridge leader, for determining if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader.
7. A sensing assembly for use with a tape drive employing a single reel equipped with a takeup leader for interconnecting with a tape cartridge leader connected to a tape media located within a tape cartridge, to determine if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader during unloading of said tape cartridge from said tape drive, comprising:
a disconnection apparatus for disconnecting said tape cartridge leader from said takeup leader prior to removing said tape cartridge from said tape drive;
a sensing device for sensing a position of a one of said tape cartridge leader and said takeup leader following said disconnect, said sensing device comprising:
a rotatable sensing means located a distance from a tape path;
a means for moving said rotatable sensing means from an initial position into said tape path to detect said position of said takeup leader; and
a means for sensing a rotational position of said rotatable sensing means, said rotational position for determining if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader; and
a processor responsive to said sensed position of said take up leader for determining if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader.
8. A method for determining if a tape cartridge leader connected to a length of tape media within a tape cartridge disconnects from a takeup leader within a tape drive employing a single reel, said takeup leader and said tape cartridge leader defining a tape path, during unloading of said tape cartridge, comprising the step of:
(a) executing a disconnection operation to disconnect said tape cartridge leader from said takeup leader;
(b) sensing a lateral position of one of said tape cartridge leader and said takeup leader relative to said tape path following said disconnect operation, comprising:
positioning a movable sensing assembly a distance from a tape path;
moving said movable sensing assembly into said tape path; and
sensing a position of said movable sensing assembly to determine if said tape cartridge leader successfully disconnected from said takeup leader; and
(c) determining a connection status of said tape cartridge leader from said takeup leader.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said connection determination step comprises the steps of:
determining a change in position of one of said tape cartridge leader and said takeup leader after said disconnection operation; and
comparing said position change with a threshold to determine if said tape cartridge leader and said takeup leader are disconnected.
10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of:
alerting an operator of a disconnection failure in response to a determination that the disconnection failed.