REEL

- FUJIFILM CORPORATION

A reel is provided with a hub main body portion and a winding portion, on which a recording tape T is wound. The hub main body portion includes a main body periphery wall portion formed in a tubular shape and a cap portion provided at an upper end portion of the main body periphery wall portion. The winding portion is formed in a tubular shape, and the main body periphery wall portion is disposed inside the winding portion. An inner periphery face of the winding portion and an outer periphery face of the main body periphery wall portion are connected by a connection portion that protrudes to a radial direction inner side from the inner periphery face of the winding portion. A step portion is formed at the connection portion. The step portion, by resiliently deforming, displaces the winding portion to the main body periphery wall portion side thereof.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP/2013/056028, filed Mar. 5, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, this application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-082922, filed Mar. 30, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a reel on which a recording tape such as a magnetic tape or the like is wound.

BACKGROUND ART

A reel hub is known (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. H10-199195) that is provided with an upper flange plate and a lower flange plate in a pair, and a reel hub that is integrally formed at the lower flange plate.

The reel hub disclosed in JP-A No. H10-199195 includes: a central portion in which a hub hole into which a rotary shaft can be inserted is formed; a tubular winding portion on which a magnetic tape is wound; and a reinforcing rib that connects the central portion with the winding portion.

It is disclosed in JP-A No. H10-199195 that an annular deformation absorption groove is formed in the lower flange plate along an outer periphery face of the winding portion. A resilient deformation of the winding portion that causes the winding portion to tilt toward the central portion, which is caused by winding pressure of the magnetic tape, is absorbed by this deformation absorption groove. Thus, deformation of the lower flange plate is suppressed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Subject

However, in the reel hub disclosed in JP-A No. H10-199195, when the winding portion is tilted to the central portion side thereof by the winding pressure of the magnetic tape, the central portion is pressed, via the reinforcing rib, to the radial direction inner side thereof. As a result, a ceiling wall portion of the central portion of the reel hub is deformed, and relative positions of the ceiling wall portion and the winding portion may be offset in the axial direction of the winding portion. That is, when the ceiling wall portion of the central portion of the reel hub deforms, the reel hub as a whole may shift in the axial direction. Consequently, the winding portion is displaced in the axial direction relative to magnetic tape being supplied to the winding portion, which may cause a change in a running position of the magnetic tape in a drive, or offset winding or the like.

In consideration of the circumstances described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a reel that may suppress an offset between relative positions of a cap portion and a winding portion of a hub main body portion in the axial direction of the winding portion.

Solution Addressing Subject

A reel according to a first aspect of the present invention has: a hub main body portion that includes a main body periphery wall portion formed in a tubular shape and a cap portion provided at one side in an axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion; a winding portion that is formed in a tubular shape, inside which the main body periphery wall portion is disposed, and on an outer periphery face of which a recording tape is wound; a connection portion that protrudes to a radial direction inner side from an inner periphery face of the winding portion and that connects the winding portion with an outer periphery face of the main body periphery wall portion; and a deformation absorption portion that is formed at the connection portion and that, by resiliently deforming, displaces the winding portion to a side thereof at which the main body periphery wall portion is disposed.

According to the reel in accordance with the first aspect, when the outer periphery face of the winding portion is pressed to the side thereof at which the main body periphery wall portion of the hub main body portion is disposed, by a winding pressure of the recording tape that is at least a certain value, the deformation absorption portion formed at the connection portion resiliently deforms and the winding portion displaces to the main body periphery wall portion side thereof. Thus, deformation of the main body periphery wall portion to the radial direction inner side thereof is suppressed, and consequently deformation of the cap portion of the hub main body portion is suppressed. As a result, an offset of the relative positions of the cap portion and the winding portion in the axial direction of the winding portion is suppressed. Hence, a change in a running position of the recording tape is suppressed and offset winding of the recording tape relative to the outer periphery face of the winding portion is suppressed.

In a reel according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to the first aspect, the connection portion is connected with the main body periphery wall portion at a position that is offset relative to the cap portion in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion.

According to the reel in accordance with the second aspect, the connection portion is connected to the main body periphery wall portion at a position that is offset in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion relative to the cap portion. Therefore, the winding pressure of the recording tape is inputted via the connection portion to the main body periphery wall portion at the position that is offset in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion from the cap portion. Accordingly, the main body periphery wall portion deforms more easily than in a case in which the connection portion were connected to the main body periphery wall portion at a position that is not offset in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion relative to the cap portion. Hence, the cap portion deforms more easily. The present invention is particularly effective for a structure in which the cap portion deforms easily in such a manner.

In a reel according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the connection portion includes an outer side protrusion portion that protrudes to the radial direction inner side from the inner periphery face of the winding portion, and an inner side protrusion portion that protrudes to the radial direction outer side from the outer periphery face of the main body periphery wall portion, and the deformation absorption portion is a step portion at which the inner side protrusion portion is disposed to one side in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion relative to the outer side protrusion portion.

According to the reel in accordance with the third aspect, when the outer periphery face of the winding portion is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion side thereof by a winding pressure of the recording tape that is at least a certain value, the winding portion is displaced to the main body periphery wall portion side by the step portion formed at the connection portion resiliently deforming. Thus, deformation of the main body periphery wall portion to the radial direction inner side thereof is suppressed, and consequently deformation of the cap portion of the hub main body portion is suppressed. As a result, an offset of the relative positions of the cap portion and the winding portion in the axial direction of the winding portion is suppressed.

In a reel according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to the third aspect, at the step portion, the inner side protrusion portion is disposed at a side at which an opening of the main body periphery wall portion is disposed relative to the outer side protrusion portion.

According to the reel in accordance with the fourth aspect, since the step portion is provided, the inner side protrusion portion of the connection portion is disposed, relative to the outer side protrusion portion, at the side at which the opening of the main body periphery wall portion is disposed. Thus, when the outer periphery face of the winding portion is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion side thereof by a winding pressure of the recording tape that is at least a certain value, the step portion resiliently deforms so as to tilt toward the main body periphery wall portion, with a joining portion between the step portion and the inner side protrusion portion, which is disposed at the main body periphery wall portion opening side, acting as a fulcrum.

In this case, when the winding portion presses the main body periphery wall portion to the radial direction inner side thereof via the connection portion, a moment that causes the main body periphery wall portion to tilt to the radial direction inner side with a joining portion with the cap portion acting as a fulcrum (hereinafter referred to as an inner side moment) acts on the main body periphery wall portion. Meanwhile, when the step portion resiliently deforms as described above, a moment that causes the main body periphery wall portion to tilt to the radial direction outer side (the winding portion side) thereof with the joining portion with the cap portion acting as a fulcrum (hereinafter referred to as an outer side moment) acts on the main body periphery wall portion. The inner side moment is counteracted by the outer side moment. Thus, deformation of the main body periphery wall portion to the radial direction inner side is further suppressed.

In a reel according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to the fourth aspect, the inner side protrusion portion protrudes to the radial direction outer side from an end portion of the main body periphery wall portion at the side thereof at which the opening is disposed.

According to the reel in accordance with the fifth aspect, the inner side protrusion portion protrudes to the radial direction outer side from an opening side end portion of the main body periphery wall portion. Therefore, compared with a structure in which the inner side protrusion portion protrudes to the radial direction outer side from a position that is offset toward the cap portion from the opening side end portion of the main body periphery wall portion, a length of the step portion in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion may be secured to be long even with an axial direction thickness of the reel as a whole being reduced. Hence, the step portion resiliently deforms more easily to the main body periphery wall portion side with the joining portion between the step portion and the inner side protrusion portion acting as a fulcrum. Therefore, deformation of the main body periphery wall portion to the radial direction inner side is further suppressed.

In a reel according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to the third aspect, at the step portion, the inner side protrusion portion is disposed at the side at which the cap portion is disposed relative to the outer side protrusion portion.

According to the reel in accordance with the sixth aspect, since the step portion is provided, the inner side protrusion portion of the connection portion is disposed toward the cap portion of the hub main body portion relative to the outer side protrusion portion. Thus, the structure of the opening side of the main body periphery wall portion is simplified.

In a reel according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the connection portion includes an outer side protrusion portion that protrudes to the radial direction inner side from the inner periphery face of the winding portion, and an inner side protrusion portion that protrudes to the radial direction outer side from the outer periphery face of the main body periphery wall portion, and the deformation absorption portion is a wall-shaped portion that is disposed between the winding portion and the main body peripheral wall portion with a length direction of the deformation absorption portion along the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion, one end side in the length direction of the deformation absorption portion being connected to the winding portion via the outer side protrusion portion, and the other end side in the length direction being connected to the main body periphery wall portion via the inner side protrusion portion.

According to the reel in accordance with the seventh aspect, when the outer periphery face of the winding portion is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion side thereof by a winding pressure of the recording tape that is at least a certain value, the winding portion is displaced to the main body periphery wall portion side by the wall-shaped portion formed at the connection portion resiliently deforming. Thus, deformation of the main body periphery wall portion to the radial direction inner side thereof is suppressed, and consequently deformation of the cap portion of the hub main body portion is suppressed. As a result, an offset of the relative positions of the cap portion and the winding portion in the axial direction of the winding portion is suppressed.

In a reel according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to any one of the third to seventh aspects, the outer side protrusion portion protrudes to the radial direction inner side from a central portion in an axial direction of the winding portion.

According to the reel in accordance with the eighth aspect, the outer side protrusion portion of the connection portion protrudes to the radial direction inner side from the central portion in the axial direction of the winding portion. In other words, the axial direction central portion of the winding portion is supported at the main body periphery wall portion via the connection portion. Thus, when the outer periphery face of the winding portion is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion side thereof by the winding pressure of the recording tape, each of two end sides in the axial direction of the winding portion flexes to the main body periphery wall portion side thereof with the axial direction central portion of the winding portion acting as a fulcrum. Therefore, an imbalance in flexing amounts of the two end sides in the axial direction of the winding portion is reduced. Hence, offset winding of the recording tape toward one axial direction side of the winding portion is suppressed.

In a reel according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to any one of the third to eighth aspects, the step portion extends in an annular shape along the outer periphery face of the main body periphery wall portion.

According to the reel in accordance with the ninth aspect, because the step portion extends in the annular shape along the outer periphery face of the main body periphery wall portion, deformation of the main body periphery wall portion to the radial direction inner side is suppressed over the whole circumference of the main body periphery wall portion.

In a reel according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, a positioning portion that positions the hub main body portion relative to a casing that accommodates the hub main body portion is formed at the cap portion.

According to the reel in accordance with the tenth aspect, the positioning portion that positions the hub main body portion relative to the casing is formed at the cap portion. Thus, a positional offset of the hub main body portion relative to the casing is suppressed due to deformation of the cap portion being suppressed.

In a reel according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the reel according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, an accommodation portion that accommodates a motor that drives to rotate the hub main body portion is formed inside the main body periphery wall portion.

According to the reel in accordance with the eleventh aspect, because the motor that drives to rotate the hub main body portion is accommodated in the accommodation portion formed at the interior of the main body periphery wall portion of the hub main body portion, a casing in which the reel is accommodated and suchlike may be reduced in thickness.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described hereabove, according to a reel in accordance with the present invention, an offset of relative positions of a cap portion and winding portion of a hub main body portion in the axial direction of the winding portion may be suppressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a reel in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is integrated in a drive device;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the reel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a vertical section cut along an axial direction of the reel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view in which the reel shown in FIG. 1 is seen from an upper flange side thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view corresponding to a section cut along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, corresponding to FIG. 5, that shows a connection portion of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view, corresponding to FIG. 5, that shows a connection portion of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a coupling portion between an upper flange and a lower flange in a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a sectional view, corresponding to a partial magnification of FIG. 3, illustrating an analytical model of a reel relating to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a sectional view, corresponding to a partial magnification of FIG. 3, showing an analytical model of a reel relating to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view, corresponding to a partial magnification of FIG. 3, showing an analytical model of a reel relating to a Comparative Example; and

FIG. 11 is a graph showing analysis results of the analytical models relating to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention and the Comparative Example.

 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Herebelow, reels according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the attached drawings. For convenience in the descriptions, the arrow UP in FIG. 1 represents an upward direction, the arrow DO represents a downward direction, and a rotation axis direction of reels 10 and 20 according to the present exemplary embodiments is referred to as an up-and-down direction (or height direction).

A first exemplary embodiment is described.

The reels 10 and 20 according to the present exemplary embodiment are fabricated of a synthetic resin such as, for example, polycarbonate (PC). As shown in FIG. 1, the reels 10 and 20 are provided as a pair inside a casing 52 of a drive device 50 (of which only a floor plate 54 and three support pillars 56 are shown in FIG. 1).

The reel 10 is used for feeding out a recording tape T, whereas the reel 20 is used for taking up the recording tape T. While the recording tape T fed out from the reel 10 is being taken up onto the reel 20, the recording tape T slides against the recording/replay head 60. Thus, data is recorded on the recording tape T by the recording/replay head 60 and/or data that has been recorded at the recording tape T is read.

A plural number (four in the drawing, in sets of two) of tape guides 58 are rotatably provided on the floor plate 54 at both sides of the recording/replay head 60. The recording tape T being unwound from the reel 10 and taken up at the reel 20 is guided by the tape guides 58.

The reels 10 and 20 are structured with reel hubs 12 and 22, upper flanges 14 and 24, and lower flanges 16 and 26. The reel hubs 12 and 22 structure axial central portions of the reels 10 and 20. The upper flanges 14 and 24 have annular shapes and are provided at upper end sides of the reel hubs 12 and 22. The lower flanges 16 and 26 have annular shapes and are provided at lower end sides of the reel hubs 12 and 22.

The recording tape T, which is a magnetic tape or the like and serves as an information recording and replaying medium, is wound round the outer periphery face of the reel hub 12 of the reel 10. When the reel 10 is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction, the recording tape T wound onto the outer periphery face of the reel hub 12 is fed out toward the reel 20 while being guided by the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16. The reel 20 is driven to rotate in the same direction as the reel 10. The recording tape T that has been fed out from the reel 10 is taken up onto the outer periphery face of the reel hub 22 of the reel 20 while being guided by the upper flange 24 and the lower flange 26 of the reel 20.

The structures of the reel 10 and the reel 20 are identical. Accordingly, the reel 10 is taken as an example and described below, and descriptions of the reel 20 are not given. As shown in FIG. 2, the reel hub 12 includes a hub main body portion 70, a tubular winding portion 80 provided at an outer periphery of the hub main body portion 70, and a connection portion 90 that connects the hub main body portion 70 with the winding portion 80.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hub main body portion 70 includes a tubular main body periphery wall portion 72 and a disc-shaped cap portion (a ceiling wall portion) 74. The main body periphery wall portion 72 is disposed with the axial direction thereof in the up-and-down direction. The cap portion 74 is provided at an upper end portion of the main body periphery wall portion 72 and closes an opening in the upper end side (one axial direction end side) of the main body periphery wall portion 72. An accommodation portion S is formed inside the main body periphery wall portion 72. A motor 18 that serves as a drive source (see FIG. 5), which is provided at the drive device 50, is accommodated in the accommodation portion S. An opening 76 is formed at the lower end (the other axial direction side) of the main body periphery wall portion 72. The motor 18 can be accommodated into the accommodation portion S through the opening 76. Herein, the cap portion 74 may be provided at the upper end side of the main body periphery wall portion 72, and is not limited to the upper end of the main body periphery wall portion 72.

A boss portion 78 is formed at a central portion (a rotation center portion) of the cap portion 74. The boss portion 78 projects from both an upper face and a lower face of the cap portion 74. A radial direction positioning hole 40 is formed in the boss portion 78. The radial direction positioning hole 40 penetrates through the boss portion 78 in the up-and-down direction and serves as a positioning portion. A radial direction positioning pin that serves as a positioning portion at a casing side, which is not shown in the drawings, is provided at the motor 18. By the positioning pin being inserted (fitted) into the radial direction positioning hole 40, the hub main body portion 70 is disposed coaxially with a rotary shaft of the motor 18, and the hub main body portion 70 is positioned in the radial direction with respect to the rotary shaft of the motor 18.

A lower face of the boss portion 78 serves as an axial direction positioning surface (an axial direction reference surface) 78A that serves as a positioning portion for positioning the reel 10 in the up-and-down direction (the axial direction) relative to the casing 52 of the drive device 50. An axial direction positioning surface that serves as a positioning portion at a casing side, which is not shown in the drawing, is provided at the motor 18. In the state in which the above-mentioned radial direction positioning pin is inserted into the radial direction positioning hole 40, the axial direction positioning surface 78A is abutted against the axial direction positioning surface provided at the motor 18. Thus, the reel 10 is positioned in the up-and-down direction (the axial direction) relative to the casing 52 of the drive device 50.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plural number (three in the present exemplary embodiment) of screw holes 36 are formed in the cap portion 74. The screw holes 36 penetrate through the cap portion 74 in the plate thickness direction thereof. The plural screw holes 36 are formed equidistantly on a concentric circumference of the cap portion 74. A rotary flange (not shown in the drawings) that serves as a rotary member is integrally provided at the rotary shaft of the motor 18. The rotary flange is fastened to the cap portion 74 by screws, not shown in the drawings, that are inserted into the screw holes 36. Thus, the rotary shaft of the motor 18 and the hub main body portion 70 are made integrally rotatable.

As shown in FIG. 5, the winding portion 80 is disposed around the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70. The recording tape T (see FIG. 1) is wound on an outer periphery face (a winding face) 80A of the winding portion 80. The winding portion 80 is formed in a tubular shape, and is disposed with the axial direction thereof in the up-and-down direction. The main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70 is disposed inside (at the inner side) of the winding portion 80. The winding portion 80 and the main body periphery wall portion 72 are connected by the connection portion 90.

The meaning of the term “tubular” as used in the present exemplary embodiment is not strictly limited to a circular tube shape but includes substantially circular tube shapes that are formed in cylindrical shapes overall.

The connection portion 90 is formed in an annular shape as a whole. An inner periphery face 80B of the winding portion 80 is coupled to an outer periphery portion of the connection portion 90. Meanwhile, an outer periphery face 72A of the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70 is coupled to an inner periphery portion of the connection portion 90. The connection portion 90 supports the winding portion 80 with respect to the main body periphery wall portion 72. Specifically, the connection portion 90 includes an outer side protrusion portion 90A, an inner side protrusion portion 90B and a step portion 90C. The outer side protrusion portion 90A protrudes to the radial direction inner side from the inner periphery face 80B of the winding portion 80. The inner side protrusion portion 90B protrudes to the radial direction outer side from the outer periphery face 72A of the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70. The step portion 90C serves as a deformation absorption portion that connects the outer side protrusion portion 90A with the inner side protrusion portion 90B.

The outer side protrusion portion 90A protrudes to the radial direction inner side from a central portion in the up-and-down direction of the inner periphery face 80B of the winding portion 80. That is, the connection portion 90 supports the axial direction central portion of the winding portion 80 with respect to the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70. An upper face and lower face of the outer side protrusion portion 90A are welding surfaces that are welded to the pair of the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16, respectively.

A tubular lower tube portion 17, which extends upward, is integrally formed at an inner periphery edge portion of the lower flange 16. The lower tube portion 17 is fitted into the interior of the winding portion 80 from the lower end of the winding portion 80. A protrusion portion 35 is formed at an upper end portion of the lower tube portion 17. The protrusion portion 35 protrudes in an annular shape to the radial direction inner side. As shown in FIG. 2, a plural number of energy directors (referred to as EDs hereinafter) 42 are protrudingly provided at an upper face of the protrusion portion 35 to serve as welding beads.

The plural EDs 42 are provided in two rows spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the radial direction and are spaced by predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. Thus, a welding area may be increased and ultrasonic oscillation energy for welding the EDs 42 efficiently transmitted to the EDs 42. The ultrasonic oscillation energy is provided to the EDs 42 in a state in which the EDs 42 are abutted against the lower face of the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90, and the EDs 42 are welded. Thus, the upper face of the protrusion portion 35 is welded to the lower face of the outer side protrusion portion 90A.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the upper face of the protrusion portion 35 is welded to the lower face of the outer side protrusion portion 90A, the lower flange 16 is supported at the hub main body portion 70 in a state of protruding to the radial direction outer side from a lower end face 80L of the winding portion 80. An upper face 16U of the lower flange 16 is abutted against the lower end face 80L of the winding portion 80, and the lower flange 16 is supported by the lower end face 80L. Thus, deformation of the winding portion 80 and the lower flange 16 by a winding pressure F of the recording tape T is suppressed.

Similarly, a tubular upper tube portion 15, which extends downward, is integrally formed at an inner periphery edge portion of the upper flange 14. The upper tube portion 15 is fitted into the interior of the winding portion 80 from the upper end of the winding portion 80. A protrusion portion 33 is formed at a lower end portion of the upper tube portion 15. The protrusion portion 33 protrudes in an annular shape to the radial direction inner side. Similarly to the lower tube portion 17 of the lower flange 16, a plural number of EDs, which are not shown in the drawings, are protrudingly provided at a lower face of the protrusion portion 33. By these EDs being welded to an upper face of the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90, the upper flange 14 is supported at the hub main body portion 70 in a state of protruding to the radial direction outer side from an upper end face 80U of the winding portion 80. A lower face 14L of the upper flange 14 is abutted against the upper end face 80U of the winding portion 80, and the upper flange 14 is supported by the upper end face 80U. Thus, deformation of the winding portion 80 and the upper flange 14 by the winding pressure F of the recording tape T is suppressed. In this exemplary embodiment, the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16 have the same shapes.

The step portion 90C is formed at an inner periphery portion of the outer side protrusion portion 90A. The step portion 90C causes the inner side protrusion portion 90B to be disposed at the side at which the opening 76 of the hub main body portion 70 (of the main body periphery wall portion 72) is disposed (one axial direction side) relative to the outer side protrusion portion 90A. The step portion 90C that serves as the deformation absorption portion is formed in a tubular shape, and extends downward from the inner periphery portion of the outer side protrusion portion 90A through the interior of the protrusion portion 35 of the lower flange 16. Thus, the step portion 90C is protruded toward the side at which the opening 76 of the hub main body portion 70 is disposed relative to the outer side protrusion portion 90A. The step portion 90C is disposed to be spaced a distance apart from the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70. As shown in FIG. 4, the step portion 90C extends in an annular shape along the outer periphery face 72A of the main body periphery wall portion 72.

As shown in FIG. 5, an outer periphery portion of the inner side protrusion portion 90B is joined to a lower periphery portion of the step portion 90C. The inner side protrusion portion 90B is formed in an annular shape and protrudes to the radial direction outer side from a lower end portion 72L (the opening 76 side end portion) of the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70. That is, the inner side protrusion portion 90B is connected with the main body periphery wall portion 72 at a position that is offset relative to the cap portion 74 in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion 72. The step portion 90C is supported by the inner side protrusion portion 90B to be tiltable to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side. A groove portion 92 extending in an annular shape is formed between the main body periphery wall portion 72 and the step portion 90C. A deformation space (tilting space) for the step portion 90C is assured by this groove portion 92.

A joining portion (coupling portion) 90D between the step portion 90C and the inner side protrusion portion 90B is disposed at the downward side relative to the lower end face 80L of the winding portion 80. Thus, an axial direction height (length) L of the step portion 90C is secured to be tall.

Now, operation of the first exemplary embodiment is described.

According to the reel 10 relating to the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the accommodation portion S is formed in the interior of the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70. Because the motor 18 that drives to rotate the hub main body portion 70 is accommodated in this accommodation portion S, the casing 52 of the drive device 50 may be made thin in a thickness direction thereof.

However, because the accommodation portion S is formed in the interior of the hub main body portion 70, when the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80 is pressed by the winding pressure F of the recording tape T to the side where the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70 is disposed, the cap portion 74 of the main body portion 70 is susceptible to be inflectingly deformed such that the cap portion 74 protrudes upward as shown by the two-dot chain lines. If the cap portion 74 were inflectingly deformed thus, the winding portion 80 might be displaced downward relative to the axial direction positioning surface 78A formed at the boss portion 78 of the cap portion 74 (see FIG. 3). Consequently, there is likely to be a change in a running position of the recording tape T within the casing 52 of the drive device 50, offset winding of the recording tape T relative to the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80, or the like. Moreover, is the radial direction positioning hole 40 formed at the boss portion 78 were deformed, the hub main body portion 70 might tilt relative to the rotary shaft of the motor 18, not shown in the drawings, and, similarly to the above description, there is likely to be a running position change of the recording tape T within the casing 52 of the drive device 50, offset winding of the recording tape T relative to the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80, or the like.

However, in the present exemplary embodiment, the step portion 90C is formed in the connection portion 90 that connects the hub main body portion 70 with the winding portion 80. Because of the step portion 90C, the inner side protrusion portion 90B of the connection portion 90 is disposed to the side at which the lower end portion 72L of the main body periphery wall portion 72 is disposed relative to the outer side protrusion portion 90A. Consequently, when the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80 is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof by the winding pressure F of the recording tape T, the upper end portion of the step portion 90C is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof via the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90. If the pressing force pressing the upper end portion of the step portion 90C to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side is at least a certain value, the step portion 90C resiliently deforms so as to tilt to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof, with the joining portion 90D between the step portion 90C and the inner side protrusion portion 90B acting as a fulcrum, and the winding portion 80 is displaced to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof. Therefore, deformation of the main body periphery wall portion 72 to the radial direction inner side thereof is suppressed, and consequently deformation of the cap portion 74 of the hub main body portion 70 is suppressed. As a result, a running position change of the recording tape T within the casing 52 of the drive device 50 is suppressed, and offset winding of the recording tape T relative to the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80 is suppressed.

Further, when the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80 is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof by the winding pressure F of the recording tape T, each of the upper end face 80U side and the lower end face 80L side of the winding portion 80 flexes to the hub main body portion 70 side thereof with the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90 acting as a fulcrum. In the present exemplary embodiment, the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90 protrudes to the radial direction inner side from the axial direction central portion of the winding portion 80. That is, the axial direction central portion of the winding portion 80 is supported at the hub main body portion 70 via the connection portion 90. Therefore, when the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80 is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side by the winding pressure F of the recording tape T, each of the upper end face 80U side and the lower end face 80L side of the winding portion 80 flexes to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof with the axial direction central portion of the winding portion 80 acting as the fulcrum. As a result, an imbalance in flexing amounts at the upper end face 80U side and the lower end face 80L side of the winding portion 80 is reduced. Thus, offset winding of the recording tape T toward one axial direction side of the winding portion 80 (upward or downward) is suppressed.

The inner side protrusion portion 90B of the connection portion 90 protrudes to the radial direction outer side from the lower end portion 72L (the opening 76 side end portion) of the main body periphery wall portion 72. Thus, when the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80 is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side by a winding pressure F of the recording tape T of at least a certain value, the step portion 90C is resiliently deformed to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof with the joining portion 90D, which is disposed at the opening 76 side of the main body periphery wall portion 72 and is disposed between the step portion 90C and the inner side protrusion portion 90B, acting as the fulcrum.

Note that, when the winding portion 80 presses the main body periphery wall portion 72 to the radial direction inner side thereof via the connection portion 90, a moment M1 (hereinafter referred to as the inner side moment) acts on the main body periphery wall portion 72. The inner side moment M1 causes the main body periphery wall portion 72 to tilt to the radial direction inner side with an upper end portion 72U of the main body periphery wall portion 72 (a joining portion thereof with the cap portion 74) acting as a fulcrum. However, when the step portion 90C resiliently deforms as described above, a moment M2 (hereinafter referred to as the outer side moment) acts on the main body periphery wall portion 72. The outer side moment M2 causes the main body periphery wall portion 72 to tilt to the radial direction outer side (the winding portion 80 side) thereof with the upper end portion 72U acting as a fulcrum. The inner side moment M1 is counteracted by the outer side moment M2. Therefore, deformation of the main body periphery wall portion 72 to the radial direction inner side is further suppressed.

Furthermore, the inner side protrusion portion 90B protrudes to the radial direction outer side from the lower end portion 72L of the main body periphery wall portion 72. Therefore, compared to a structure in which the inner side protrusion portion 90B protrudes to the radial direction outer side from a position that is offset upward (toward the cap portion 74 side) from the lower end portion 72L of the main body periphery wall portion 72, the height L of the step portion 90C in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion 72 may be secured tall, while the thickness of the reel 10 as a whole in the axial direction being reduced. Because the height L of the step portion 90C in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion 72 is tall, the step portion 90C more easily resiliently deforms to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof with the joining portion 90D with the inner side protrusion portion 90B acting as the fulcrum. Therefore, deformation of the main body periphery wall portion 72 to the radial direction inner side is further suppressed.

In particular, the joining portion 90D between the step portion 90C and the inner side protrusion portion 90B is disposed at the downward side relative to the lower end face 80L of the winding portion 80. Therefore, compared with a structure in which the joining portion 90D between the step portion 90C and the inner side protrusion portion 90B is disposed at the upward side relative to the lower end face 80L of the winding portion 80, the axial direction height L of the step portion 90C may be secured taller. Thus, when the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80 is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side by the winding pressure F of the recording tape T, the moment that acts on the step portion 90C is larger. Therefore, the step portion 90C more easily resiliently deforms to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side.

In addition, the step portion 90C extends in the annular shape along the outer periphery face 72A of the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70. Therefore, when the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80 is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side by the winding pressure F of the recording tape T, the step portion 90C deforms to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side uniformly over the whole circumference of the main body periphery wall portion 72. Thus, the deformation of the main body periphery wall portion 72 to the radial direction inner side is suppressed over the whole periphery of the main body periphery wall portion 72.

Moreover, because the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16 have the same shape (symmetry with respect to a horizontal direction), a single die is sufficient for fabricating the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16. Thus, compared to a structure in which the shapes of the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16 are different and a die for the upper flange 14 and a die for the lower flange 16 are separately required, fabrication costs of the reel 10 may be reduced.

In the first exemplary embodiment described hereabove, an example is illustrated in which the inner side protrusion portion 90B of the connection portion 90 protrudes to the radial direction outer side from the lower end portion 72L of the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70, but this is not limiting. It is sufficient that the inner side protrusion portion 90B of the connection portion 90 be disposed at a position that is offset in the up-and-down direction (the axial direction) relative to the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90. For example, the inner side protrusion portion 90B may protrude to the radial direction outer side from a portion of the outer periphery face 72A of the main body periphery wall portion 72 that is between the outer side protrusion portion 90A and the lower end portion 72L of the main body periphery wall portion 72.

Next, a second exemplary embodiment is described. Herein, structures that are the same as in the above-described first exemplary embodiment are assigned the same reference symbols and descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

In the first exemplary embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the inner side protrusion portion 90B of the connection portion 90 protrudes to the radial direction outer side from the lower end portion 72L of the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the step portion 90C of the connection portion 90 may be extended upward from an inner periphery portion of the outer side protrusion portion 90A, and the inner side protrusion portion 90B disposed at the upward side (the axial direction other side) relative to the outer side protrusion portion 90A. Specifically, the inner side protrusion portion 90B protrudes to the radial direction outer side from the upper end side of the main body periphery wall portion 72, and the outer periphery portion of the inner side protrusion portion 90B is joined to an upper end portion of the step portion 90C.

Therefore, when the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80 is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof by the winding pressure F of the recording tape T, a lower end portion of the step portion 90C is pressed, via the outer side protrusion portion 90A, to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof. Further, when the pressure force pressing the lower end portion of the step portion 90C to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side is at least a certain value, the step portion 90C is resiliently deformed so as to tilt to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof, with the joining portion 90D between the step portion 90C and the inner side protrusion portion 90B acting as the fulcrum, and the winding portion 80 is displaced to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof. Thus, the same operations and effects as in the first exemplary embodiment may be provided.

Because the inner side protrusion portion 90B is disposed at the side at which the cap portion 74 of the hub main body portion 70 is disposed relative to the outer side protrusion portion 90A, the structure of the lower end portion 72L side of the main body periphery wall portion 72 is simplified. Hence, the reel 10 is easier to accommodate in the casing 52 of the drive device 50.

Now, a third exemplary embodiment is described. Structures that are the same as in the above-described first and second exemplary embodiments are assigned the same reference symbols and descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

In the first and second exemplary embodiments, examples are illustrated in which the step portion 90C is formed in the connection portion 90 that connects the hub main body portion 70 with the winding portion 80, but this is not limiting. For example, as in the third exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a recess portion 100 may be formed in the connection portion 90 instead of the step portion 90C.

Specifically, the inner side protrusion portion 90B protrudes to the radial direction outer side from an axial direction central portion of the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70. Thus, the inner side protrusion portion 90B is disposed at the radial direction inner side of the outer side protrusion portion 90A. The inner side protrusion portion 90B and the outer side protrusion portion 90A are connected by the recess portion 100. The recess portion 100 forms a recess shape, relative to the inner side protrusion portion 90B and the outer side protrusion portion 90A, toward the side thereof at which the opening 76 of the hub main body portion 70 (the main body periphery wall portion 72) is disposed. This recess portion 100 includes an outer periphery wall portion 100A and an inner periphery wall portion 100B, in a pair opposing one another in the radial direction of the winding portion 80, and a floor portion 100C, which joins lower end portions of the outer periphery wall portion 100A and the inner periphery wall portion 100B with one another.

In this case, when the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80 is pressed to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof by the winding pressure F of the recording tape T, an upper end portion of the outer periphery wall portion 100A of the recess portion 100 is pressed, via the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90, to the inner periphery wall portion 100B side thereof. Further, when the pressure force pressing the upper end portion of the outer periphery wall portion 100A to the inner periphery wall portion 100B side is at least a certain value, the outer periphery wall portion 100A is resiliently deformed so as to tilt to the inner periphery wall portion 100B side thereof with a joining portion 100D between the outer periphery wall portion 100A and the floor portion 100C acting as a fulcrum, as shown by the two-dot chain lines in the drawing, and the winding portion 80 is displaced to the main body periphery wall portion 72 side thereof. Thus, the same operations and effects as in the first exemplary embodiment may be provided.

In the third exemplary embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the recess portion 100 forms a recess shape toward the side at which the opening 76 of the hub main body portion 70 is disposed relative to the inner side protrusion portion 90B and the outer side protrusion portion 90A, but this is not limiting. For example, a form is possible in which the recess shape is formed toward the side at which the cap portion 74 of the hub main body portion 70 is disposed relative to the inner side protrusion portion 90B and the outer side protrusion portion 90A.

Further, in the third exemplary embodiment an example is illustrated in which the inner side protrusion portion 90B is disposed at the radial direction inner side of the outer side protrusion portion 90A. However, the inner side protrusion portion 90B may be disposed at a position that is offset in the up-and-down direction (the axial direction) relative to the outer side protrusion portion 90A.

The step portion 90C of the first and second exemplary embodiments described above corresponds to a wall-shaped portion that is disposed between the winding portion 80 and the main body periphery wall portion 72 with a length direction thereof in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion 72, an upper end portion (one length direction end side) of the step portion 90C being connected to the winding portion 80 via the outer side protrusion portion 90A and a lower end portion (the other length direction end side) being connected to the main body periphery wall portion 72 via the inner side protrusion portion 90B.

In the first to third exemplary embodiments described above, examples are illustrated in which the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90 protrudes to the radial direction inner side from the axial direction central portion of the winding portion 80, but this is not limiting. The outer side protrusion portion 90A may protrude to the radial direction inner side from a portion of the winding portion 80 that is offset in the up-and-down direction (the axial direction) from the axial direction central portion.

In the first to third exemplary embodiments described above, examples are illustrated in which the radial direction positioning hole 40 and the axial direction positioning surface 78A that serve as positioning portions are formed at the boss portion 78 of the cap portion 74 of the hub main body portion 70, but this is not limiting. Positions and shapes of the radial direction positioning hole 40 and the axial direction positioning surface 78A may be modified as appropriate. Moreover, one or both of the radial direction positioning hole 40 and the axial direction positioning surface 78A may be formed at the cap portion 74.

In the first to third exemplary embodiments described above, examples are illustrated in which the motor 18 is accommodated in the accommodation portion S formed in the hub main body portion 70, but this is not limiting. A rotary driving component for driving to rotate the reel 10 and various wires and the like may be accommodated in the accommodation portion S.

In the first to third exemplary embodiments described above, examples are illustrated in which the upper face and lower face of the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90 are welded to the upper flange 14 and lower flange 16 that serve as a pair of flange portions, but this is not limiting. For example, penetrating holes may be formed in the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90 and portions of the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16 directly coupled through these penetrating holes.

Specifically, as in a fourth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a penetrating hole 30 is formed in the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90. Correspondingly, projection portions 46 and 48, which serve as insertion portions to be inserted into the penetrating hole 30, are formed at, respectively, the lower face of the protrusion portion 33 of the upper flange 14 and the upper face of the protrusion portion 35 of the lower flange 16. The projection portions 46 and 48 are inserted into the penetrating hole 30 from mutually opposite directions. A screw boss portion 66 that is formed at the projection portion 48 is fitted into a fitting hole 64 that is formed in the projection portion 46. A screw hole 49 is formed in the protrusion portion 33 in communication with the fitting hole 64. A screw 62 is screwed through this screw hole 49 into the screw boss portion 66. Thus, the protrusion portion 33 of the upper flange 14 and the protrusion portion 35 of the lower flange 16 are directly coupled.

Because the protrusion portion 33 of the upper flange 14 and the protrusion portion 35 of the lower flange 16 are directly coupled via each penetrating hole 30 formed in the outer side protrusion portion 90A of the connection portion 90, the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16 may be assembled to the reel hub 12 to be incapable of relative rotation. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide rotation prevention means at the reel hub 12, the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16, or the like, for disabling relative rotation of the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16 with respect to the reel hub 12. Thus, compared with a structure in which rotation prevention means are formed at the reel hub 12, the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16, or the like, the structures of dies for molding the reel hub 12, the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 16 may be simplified. Therefore, fabrication costs of dies and the like may be reduced.

In the structure shown in FIG. 8, an example is illustrated in which the protrusion portion 33 of the upper flange 14 and the protrusion portion 35 of the lower flange 16 are coupled by the screw 62, but this is not limiting. For example, the protrusion portion 33 of the upper flange 14 and the protrusion portion 35 of the lower flange 16 may be welded using EDs or the like.

In the first to third exemplary embodiments described above, examples are illustrated in which the reel 10 is disposed with the rotation axis direction thereof in the up-and-down direction, but this is not limiting. For example, the reel 10 may be disposed with the rotation axis direction in a horizontal direction.

Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, the reels 10 and 20 according to the present exemplary embodiment may also be employed in recording tape cartridges in which only one reel is accommodated in the casing 52.

Next, results of a deformation simulation of the reel are described.

In this deformation simulation, deformation simulations of reels are conducted using reels relating to Examples 1 to 6 and a reel relating to a Comparative Example.

FIG. 9A shows a basic model for analytical models relating to Examples 1 to 5, and FIG. 9B shows an analytical model relating to Example 6. Example 1 to Example 5 are analytical models corresponding to the reel 10 shown in FIG. 5, and Example 6 is an analytical model corresponding to the variant example of the reel 10 shown in FIG. 6. In Example 1 to Example 5, the height L of the step portion 90C (see FIG. 5) differs as shown in Table 1 below. Table 1 represents the height L of the step portion 90C as a positive value measured downward by reference from the axial direction central portion of the winding portion 80.

FIG. 10 shows an analytical model relating to the Comparative Example. In this Comparative Example, the step portion is not formed at the connection portion 90; the lower end portion 72L of the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70 is connected with the axial direction central portion of the winding portion 80 by a flat plate-shaped connection portion 110.

In the analytical models relating to Examples 1 to 6 and the Comparative Example, a uniformly distributed load simulating a winding pressure F of a recording tape on the outer periphery face 80A of the winding portion 80 is inputted toward the side thereof at which the main body periphery wall portion 72 of the hub main body portion 70 is disposed. In the analytical models, a displacement amount dy(a) of an outer periphery edge 74A of the cap portion 74 in the up-and-down direction (the axial direction) and a displacement amount dy(b) of an inner periphery edge of the upper end face 80U of the winding portion 80 in the up-and-down direction (the axial direction) are found by analysis. In the analytical models relating to Examples 1 to 6, conditions of support of the axial direction positioning surface 78A are constant.

The analysis results are shown in the following Table 1 and in FIG. 11. Herein, the displacement amount dy(a) of the outer periphery edge 74A of the cap portion 74 and the displacement amount dy(b) of the upper end face 80U of the winding portion 80 are represented as positive values in the downward direction and negative values in the upward direction by reference to, respectively, un-deformed positions of the outer periphery edge 74A of the cap portion 74 and the inner periphery edge of the upper end face 80U of the winding portion 80.

TABLE 1 Height Displacement amount of step Displacement amount dy(b) of upper end face portion dy(a) of outer periphery of winding portion L (mm) edge of cap portion (μm) (μm) Example 1 10.0 −4 17 Example 2 8.0 −16 5 Example 3 6.5 −36 −18 Example 4 5.7 −49 −36 Example 5 5.0 −65 −58 Example 6 −8.0 −70 −88 Com- 0.0 −134 −158 parative Example

As can be seen in Table 1 and FIG. 11, in the analytical models relating to Examples 1 to 6, the absolute values of the displacement amount dy(a) of the outer periphery edge 74A of the cap portion 74 are all smaller than in the analytical model relating to the Comparative Example. This is thought to be because, in the analytical models relating to Examples 1 to 6, the winding pressure F of the recording tape T that reaches the cap portion 74 of the hub main body portion 70 is reduced by the resilient deformation of the step portion 90C.

It can also be seen that, in the analytical models relating to Examples 1 to 6, the absolute values of the displacement amount dy(b) of the upper end face 80U of the winding portion 80 are all smaller than in the analytical model relating to the Comparative Example. This is thought to be because, in the analytical models relating to Examples 1 to 6, flexing deformation of the upper end face 80U side of the winding portion 80 is absorbed by the step portion 90C resiliently deforming and the winding portion 80 displacing to the hub main body portion 70 side thereof. Thus, deformation of the upper flange 14 is suppressed by deformation of the upper end face 80U side of the winding portion 80 being suppressed, as a result of which offset winding of the recording tape T in accordance with deformation of the upper flange 14 is suppressed. Although not included in the analyses, deformation of the lower end face 80L of the winding portion 80 is reduced similarly to the upper end face 80U of the winding portion 80.

As can be seen from the analysis results of the analytical models relating to Examples 1 to 5, the absolute values of the displacement amount dy(a) of the outer periphery edge 74A of the cap portion 74 and the displacement amount dy(b) of the upper end face 80U of the winding portion 80 become smaller as the height L of the step portion 90C increases. Therefore, the effect of suppression in regard to deformations of the cap portion 74 of the hub main body portion 70 and of the winding portion 80 may be improved by increasing the height L of the step portion 90C.

The disclosures of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-082922 are incorporated into the present specification by reference in their entirety.

All references, patent applications and technical specifications cited in the present specification are incorporated by reference into the present specification to the same extent as if the individual references, patent applications and technical specifications were specifically and individually recited as being incorporated by reference.

Hereabove, the present invention has been described in accordance with the first to third exemplary embodiments, but the present invention is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. The first to third exemplary embodiments and various variant examples may be used in suitable combinations, and it will be clear that numerous modes may be embodied within a technical scope not departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A reel comprising:

a hub main body portion that includes a main body periphery wall portion formed in a tubular shape and a cap portion provided at one side in an axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion;
a winding portion that is formed in a tubular shape, inside which the main body periphery wall portion is disposed, and on an outer periphery face of which a recording tape is wound;
a connection portion that protrudes to a radial direction inner side from an inner periphery face of the winding portion and that connects the winding portion with an outer periphery face of the main body periphery wall portion; and
a deformation absorption portion that is formed at the connection portion and that, by resiliently deforming, displaces the winding portion to a side thereof at which the main body periphery wall portion is disposed.

2. The reel according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion is connected with the main body periphery wall portion at a position that is offset relative to the cap portion in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion.

3. The reel according to claim 1,

wherein the connection portion includes: an outer side protrusion portion that protrudes to the radial direction inner side from the inner periphery face of the winding portion, and an inner side protrusion portion that protrudes to the radial direction outer side from the outer periphery face of the main body periphery wall portion, and
the deformation absorption portion is a step portion at which the inner side protrusion portion is disposed to one side in the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion relative to the outer side protrusion portion.

4. The reel according to claim 3, wherein, at the step portion, the inner side protrusion portion is disposed at a side at which an opening of the main body periphery wall portion is disposed relative to the outer side protrusion portion.

5. The reel according to claim 4, wherein the inner side protrusion portion protrudes to the radial direction outer side from an end portion of the main body periphery wall portion at the side thereof at which the opening is disposed.

6. The reel according to claim 3, wherein, at the step portion, the inner side protrusion portion is disposed at the side at which the cap portion is disposed relative to the outer side protrusion portion.

7. The reel according to claim 1,

wherein the connection portion includes: an outer side protrusion portion that protrudes to the radial direction inner side from the inner periphery face of the winding portion, and an inner side protrusion portion that protrudes to the radial direction outer side from the outer periphery face of the main body periphery wall portion, and
the deformation absorption portion is a wall-shaped portion that is disposed between the winding portion and the main body peripheral wall portion with a length direction of the deformation absorption portion along the axial direction of the main body periphery wall portion, one end side in the length direction of the deformation absorption portion being connected to the winding portion via the outer side protrusion portion, and the other end side in the length direction being connected to the main body periphery wall portion via the inner side protrusion portion.

8. The reel according to claim 3, wherein the outer side protrusion portion protrudes to the radial direction inner side from a central portion in an axial direction of the winding portion.

9. The reel according to claim 3, wherein the deformation absorption portion extends in an annular shape along the outer periphery face of the main body periphery wall portion.

10. The reel according to claim 1, wherein a positioning portion that positions the hub main body portion relative to a casing that accommodates the hub main body portion is formed at the cap portion.

11. The reel according to claim 1, wherein an accommodation portion that accommodates a motor that drives to rotate the hub main body portion is formed inside the main body periphery wall portion.

12. The reel according to claim 3, wherein:

the reel further comprises an upper flange and a lower flange, and each of the upper and lower flanges is provided with a tube portion and a protrusion portion at an inner side in a radial direction of the upper flange or the lower flange;
the tube portion of the upper flange is extended downwards from an inner peripheral edge portion of the upper flange, and the protrusion portion is protruded to an inner side in the radial direction from a lower end of the tube portion of the upper flange;
the tube portion of the lower flange is extended upwards from an inner peripheral edge portion of the lower flange, and the protrusion portion is protruded to an inner side in the radial direction from an upper end of the tube portion of the lower flange;
each of the inner peripheral edge portions of the upper flange and the lower flange is abutted to an upper end face of the winding portion or a lower end face of the winding portion;
each of the tube portions of the upper flange and the lower flange is fit to the inner periphery face of the winding portion;
each of the protrusion portions of the upper flange and lower flange is abutted to an upper end face or a lower end face of the outer side protrusion portion; and
the upper and lower flanges are supported by the upper end face and the lower end face of the winding portion.

13. The reel according to claim 12, wherein each of the protrusion portions of the upper flange and lower flange is connected to the upper end face or the lower end face of the outer side protrusion portion; and

the upper and lower flanges are supported at the hub main body portion.
Patent History
Publication number: 20140263817
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 2, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION (Tokyo)
Inventor: Yasuhiro MORI (Kanagawa)
Application Number: 14/292,946
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Spool Or Core (242/600)
International Classification: B65H 75/02 (20060101);