Drive arrangement for magnetic tape cassette recorders

Abstract

A magnetic tape cassette recorder, comprising: take-up and feed spools for winding and unwinding a magnetic tape carried in a removable cassette; a tumbler gear mounted for swinging motion about a stationary shaft and movable between the take-up and feed spools; a motor, disposed outside the cassette when the cassette is operatively inserted in the recorder, for selectively driving the take-up and feed spools through the tumbler gear; a capstan driven by the motor; a pinch roller for pressing the magnetic tape against the capstan; a transmission mechanism driven by the motor and having a planetary gear assembly, including a planet carrier, for driving the tumbler gear; first and second annular coupling parts rotatably stacked along the stationary shaft; a third coupling part connected to the planet carrier and rotatably stacked between the first and second coupling parts, defining respective sets of opposing facing surfaces between the third coupling part and each of the first and second coupling parts; a frictional element stacked between each of the respective sets of opposing facing surfaces; and, a stop lever for selectively preventing: (a.) one of the first and second coupling parts from rotating; (b.) both of the first and second coupling parts from rotating; and, (c.) both of the first and second coupling parts and the planet carrier from rotating, thereby controlling coupling forces driving the take-up and feed spools under different operating modes.