Z-drive shipping lock for storage library robotic assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US10427922B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Z-drive shipping lock for storage library robotic assembly",
  "abstract": "A system for selectively disallowing unwinding of a storage library robotic mechanism cable assembly in a direction that would otherwise allow a platform of the robotic mechanism to move downwardly via the force of gravity while at the same time allowing for winding up of the cable assembly and the platform, such as during shipping, manual access, replacement of the robotic mechanism, and/or the like. The system may include a ratchet pawl for engaging between adjacent teeth of a drive assembly of the robotic mechanism and an actuator for selectively moving or allowing for movement of the ratchet pawl into and out of the engaged position. In one embodiment, the system may include an electric switch or the like to sense when the pawl is engaged with the drive assembly.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A locking subsystem of a drive assembly, comprising: a spring-loaded ratchet pawl comprising a portion thereof movable between at least first and second pawl positions, wherein the spring-loaded ratchet pawl ratchet pawl is configured to be disengaged from between adjacent gear teeth of the drive assembly when in the first pawl position to allow rotational movement of the drive assembly in both of first and second opposing rotational directions, wherein the spring-loaded ratchet pawl ratchet pawl is configured to engage between adjacent gear teeth of the drive gear of the drive assembly in the second pawl position to disallow rotational movement of the drive assembly in the first rotational direction and allow rotational movement of the drive assembly in the opposing second rotational direction, wherein the spring-loaded ratchet pawl is in a first state of deflection in the first pawl position, wherein the spring-loaded ratchet pawl is in a second state of deflection in the second pawl position, and wherein the second state of deflection is less than the first state of deflection; a handle movable between at least first and second handle positions; and a cam member rigidly secured to the handle and movable between the first and second handle positions, wherein the cam member urges the spring-loaded ratchet pawl into the first pawl position in the first handle position, and wherein the spring-loaded ratchet pawl moves into the second pawl position in the second handle position.",
    "2. The locking subsystem of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a knob that is rotatable about a rotation axis.",
    "3. The locking subsystem of claim 1, further including: an electric switch movable between at least first and second positions, wherein the cam member moves the electric switch into the second position when the handle is moved into the second handle position, and wherein the electric switch moves into the first position when the handle is moved into the first handle position.",
    "4. The locking subsystem of claim 3, wherein movement of the electric switch into the second position generates a control signal that is sent to a controller of the drive assembly.",
    "5. The locking subsystem of claim 3, wherein the cam member comprises first and second opposite portions, wherein the first portion engages the spring-loaded ratchet pawl, and wherein the second portion engages the electric switch.",
    "6. The locking subsystem of claim 5, wherein engagement between the first portion of the cam member and the spring-loaded ratchet pawl and engagement between the second portion of the cam member and the electric switch are mutually exclusive.",
    "7. The locking subsystem of claim 5, wherein the cam member includes a first detent that is configured to engage a second detent upon the second portion of the cam member engaging the electric switch.",
    "8. A locking subsystem of a drive assembly, comprising: a spring-loaded ratchet pawl comprising a portion thereof movable between at least first and second pawl positions, wherein the spring-loaded ratchet pawl is configured to be disengaged from between adjacent gear teeth of the drive assembly when in the first pawl position to allow rotational movement of the drive assembly in both of first and second opposing rotational directions, wherein the spring-loaded ratchet pawl ratchet pawl is configured to engage between adjacent gear teeth of the drive gear of the drive assembly in the second pawl position to disallow rotational movement of the drive assembly in the first rotational direction and allow rotational movement of the drive assembly in the opposing second rotational direction; a handle movable between at least first and second handle positions; a cam member rigidly secured to the handle and movable between the first and second handle positions, wherein the cam member urges the spring-loaded ratchet pawl into the first pawl position in the first handle position, and wherein the spring-loaded ratchet pawl moves into the second pawl position in the second handle position; and a transition member rigidly interconnecting the handle and the cam member, wherein the transition member is non-movable relative to the handle and the cam member, and wherein the transition member is configured to travel within a slot to define a range of motion of the handle and cam member."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThe present invention relates generally to robotic assemblies operable to move a platform up and down along a Z-axis via a cable assembly to manipulate media elements within a storage library and, more particularly, to devices and methods that serve to selectively lock a drive assembly, such as during shipping or the like, against movement that would otherwise allow for back driving of the cable assembly and inadvertent dropping of the platform, all of which could lead to damage to the cable assembly and/or other components of the robotic assembly.\n\n2. Relevant Background\n\nStorage library systems are often used by enterprises and the like to efficiently store and retrieve data from storage media. In the case of some storage libraries, the media may be data cartridges (e.g., tape cartridges) that are typically stored and indexed within a set of magazines. When particular data is requested, for instance, a specialized robotic assembly or mechanism (e.g., robotic module) finds the appropriate cartridge, removes the cartridge from its magazine, and carries the cartridge to a drive that is designed to receive the cartridge and read its contents. Some storage libraries have multiple drives that can operate concurrently to perform input/output (IO) operations on multiple cartridges.\n\nTo operate properly, the robotic mechanisms are expected to reliably (e.g., repeatably and accurately) and rapidly find, retrieve, and deliver desired cartridges throughout the storage library cartridge inventory.",
  "cpc": [
    "B66D 5/32",
    "A47B 51/00",
    "B65G 1/10",
    "G11B 15/6835"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A47B 51/00",
    "B65G 1/10",
    "B66D 5/32",
    "G11B 15/68"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Oracle International Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Joseph Paul Manes"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-03-07",
  "publication_date": "2019-10-01",
  "grant_date": "2019-10-01",
  "priority_date": "2013-03-15",
  "application_number": "US-201615062345-A",
  "family_id": "51527663",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
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  ]
}