U.S. patent application number 09/821658 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-02 for large-capacity flexible disk and high-density type disk drive used therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Okano, Yoshihiro, Tangi, Yoshinori, Uwabo, Tsuneo, Yoneyama, Eiichi.
Application Number | 20010010609 09/821658 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27313625 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010010609 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uwabo, Tsuneo ; et
al. |
August 2, 2001 |
Large-capacity flexible disk and high-density type disk drive used
therefor
Abstract
In a large-capacity flexible disk having a case accommodating a
magnetic disk medium, the case is provided with a single
large-capacity identifier hole formed in the vicinity of a write
protection hole to discriminate the large-capacity flexible disk
from a small-capacity flexible disk. The large-capacity flexible
disk is one of a plurality of types having storage capacities
different from one another. The case is further provided with type
identifier holes selectively formed to identify the type of the
large-capacity flexible disk so that the type of the large-capacity
flexible disk can be identified with reference to the number and
the position of the type identifier holes. In a high-density type
flexible disk drive capable of accessing a large-capacity flexible
disk having a case accommodating a magnetic disk medium, the case
being provided with a single large-capacity identifier hole formed
in the vicinity of a write protection hole to discriminate the
large-capacity flexible disk from a small-capacity or a
medium-capacity flexible disk, a large-capacity detecting switch is
provided at a position corresponding to the large-capacity
identifier hole.
Inventors: |
Uwabo, Tsuneo; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Okano, Yoshihiro; (Atsugi-shi, JP) ;
Yoneyama, Eiichi; (Atsugi-shi, JP) ; Tangi,
Yoshinori; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRISHAUF, HOLTZ, GOODMAN &
LANGER & CHICK, PC
767 THIRD AVENUE
25TH AVE
NEW YORK
NY
10017-2023
US
|
Assignee: |
MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
8-8-2, Kokuryo-cho
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
27313625 |
Appl. No.: |
09/821658 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09821658 |
Mar 29, 2001 |
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09338859 |
Jun 23, 1999 |
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6239950 |
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09338859 |
Jun 23, 1999 |
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08854983 |
May 13, 1997 |
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5940255 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
360/99.14 ;
360/133; G9B/23.027; G9B/23.034 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 23/0302 20130101;
G11B 23/031 20130101; G11B 23/0332 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
360/97.01 ;
360/133 |
International
Class: |
G11B 017/02; G11B
023/033 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 14, 1996 |
JP |
118619/1996 |
May 17, 1996 |
JP |
123140/1996 |
Jun 26, 1996 |
JP |
165604/1996 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A large-capacity flexible disk having a case accommodating a
magnetic disk medium, wherein said case is provided with a single
large-capacity identifier hole formed in the vicinity of a write
protection hole to discriminate said large-capacity flexible disk
from a different-capacity flexible disk.
2. A large-capacity flexible disk as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said large-capacity flexible disk is one of a plurality of types
having storage capacities different from one another, said case
being further provided with type identifier holes selectively
formed to identify the type of said large-capacity flexible disk so
that the type of said large-capacity flexible disk can be
identified with reference to the number and the position of said
type identifier holes.
3. A large-capacity flexible disk as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said type identifier holes are formed in the vicinity of said write
protection hole.
4. A large-capacity flexible disk having a case accommodating a
magnetic disk medium, wherein said case is provided with at least
one large-capacity identifier notch formed at one lateral edge to
discriminate said large-capacity flexible disk from other flexible
disks.
5. A large-capacity flexible disk as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said large-capacity flexible disk is one of a plurality of types
having storage capacities different from one another, said case
being provided with a plurality of large-capacity identifier
notches selectively formed to identify the type of said
large-capacity flexible disk so that the type of said
large-capacity flexible disk can be identified with reference to
the number and the position of said large-capacity identifier
notches.
6. A large-capacity flexible disk as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said large-capacity identifier notches are formed in the vicinity
of a write protection hole.
7. A large-capacity flexible disk as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said large-capacity identifier notches are formed only in a lower
side of said case.
8. A high-density type flexible disk drive capable of accessing a
large-capacity flexible disk having a case accommodating a magnetic
disk medium, said case being provided with a single large-capacity
identifier hole formed in the vicinity of a write protection hole
to discriminate said large-capacity flexible disk from a
small-capacity or a medium-capacity flexible disk, characterized by
provision of a large-capacity detecting switch at a position
corresponding to said large-capacity identifier hole.
9. A high-density type flexible disk drive as claimed in claim 8,
wherein said large-capacity detecting switch is integrally formed
with a write control switch for detecting open and close states of
said write protection hole.
10. A high-density type flexible disk drive as claimed in claim 8,
wherein small-capacity flexible disks of two types includes a
flexible disk having a storage capacity of 1 Mbyte and another
flexible disk having a storage capacity of 2 Mbyte, a case of said
flexible disk of the storage capacity of 2 Mbyte being provided
with a 2-Mbyte identifier hole for discriminating said flexible
disk of the storage capacity of 2 Mbyte from said flexible disk of
the storage capacity of 1 Mbyte, said large-capacity identifier
hole being formed in the vicinity of a position where said 2-Mbyte
identifier hole is to be formed, said large-capacity detecting
switch being integrally formed with a normal-capacity detecting
switch for detecting presence or absence of said 2-Mbyte identifier
hole.
11. A high-density type flexible disk drive as claimed in claim 8,
wherein said large-capacity flexible disk is one of a plurality of
types having storage capacities different from one another, said
case being further provided with type identifier holes selectively
formed to identify the type of said large-capacity flexible disk so
that the type of said large-capacity flexible disk can be
identified with reference to the number or the position of said
type identifier holes, a type detecting switch being formed at a
position corresponding to said type identifier holes.
12. A high-density type flexible disk drive as claimed in claim 11,
wherein said large-capacity identifier hole and said type
identifier holes are formed in the vicinity of said write
protection hole, said large-capacity detecting switch and said type
detecting switch being integrally formed with a write control
switch for detecting open and close states of said write protection
hole.
13. A high-density type flexible disk drive as claimed in claim 11,
wherein small-capacity flexible disks of two types includes a
flexible disk having a storage capacity of 1 Mbyte and another
flexible disk having a storage capacity of 2 Mbyte, a case of said
flexible disk of the storage capacity of 2 Mbyte being provided
with a 2-Mbyte identifier hole for discriminating said flexible
disk of the storage capacity of 2 Mbyte from said flexible disk of
the storage capacity of 1 Mbyte, said large-capacity identifier
hole and said type identifier holes being formed in the vicinity of
a position where said 2-Mbyte identifier hole is to be formed, said
large-capacity detecting switch and said type detecting switch
being integrally formed with a normal-capacity detecting switch for
detecting presence or absence of said 2-Mbyte identifier hole.
14. A high-density type flexible disk drive as claimed in claim 11,
wherein small-capacity flexible disks of two types includes a
flexible disk having a storage capacity of 1 Mbyte and another
flexible disk having a storage capacity of 2 Mbyte, a case of said
flexible disk of the storage capacity of 2 Mbyte being provided
with a 2-Mbyte identifier hole for discriminating said flexible
disk of the storage capacity of 2 Mbyte from said flexible disk of
the storage capacity of 1 Mbyte, said large-capacity identifier
hole and said type identifier holes being formed in the vicinity of
said write protection hole and in the vicinity of a position where
said 2-Mbyte identifier hole is to be formed, respectively, said
large-capacity detecting switch being integrally formed with a
write control switch for detecting open and close states of said
write protection hole, said type detecting switch being integrally
formed with a normal-capacity detecting switch for detecting
presence or absence of said 2-Mbyte identifier hole.
15. A high-density type flexible disk drive as claimed in claim 11,
wherein small-capacity flexible disks of two types includes a
flexible disk having a storage capacity of 1 Mbyte and another
flexible disk having a storage capacity of 2 Mbyte, a case of said
flexible disk of the storage capacity of 2 Mbyte being provided
with a 2-Mbyte identifier hole for discriminating said flexible
disk of the storage capacity of 2 Mbyte from said flexible disk of
the storage capacity of 1 Mbyte, said large-capacity identifier
hole and said type identifier holes being formed in the vicinity of
a position where said 2-Mbyte identifier hole is to be formed and
in the vicinity of said write protection hole, respectively, said
large-capacity detecting switch being integrally formed with a
small-capacity detecting switch for detecting presence or absence
of said 2-Mbyte identifier hole, said type detecting switch being
integrally formed with a write control switch for detecting open
and close states of said write protection hole.
16. A high-density type flexible disk drive capable of accessing a
large-capacity flexible disk having a case accommodating a magnetic
disk medium, said case being provided with large-capacity
identifying and discriminating means for discriminating said
large-capacity flexible disk from a normal-capacity flexible disk,
characterized by provision of large-capacity detecting means at a
position corresponding to said large-capacity identifying and
discriminating means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a large-capacity flexible disk and
a high-density type disk drive capable of accessing it and, in
particular, to a high-density type disk drive having a structure
for discriminating and a function of discriminating a
large-capacity flexible disk from other flexible disks.
[0002] As well known, a flexible disk drive is a device for
recording and reproducing data to and from flexible disks. As also
well known, there are various flexible disks having different
storage capacities. In the following, those flexible disks having
storage capacities of 1 Mbyte, 2 Mbyte, and 4 Mbyte will
collectively be called small-capacity flexible disks while those
flexible disks having storage capacities of 10 Mbyte and 21 Mbyte
will collectively be called medium-capacity flexible disks.
[0003] In recent years, the flexible disks are improved to have
much greater capacities. In comparison with the small-capacity and
the medium-capacity flexible disks mentioned above, those flexible
disks (hereinafter collectively called large-capacity flexible
disks) having storage capacities of 128 Mbyte, 256 Mbyte, and 512
Mbyte, . . . are being developed.
[0004] In the following, a flexible disk drive capable of recording
and reproducing data to and from the large-capacity flexible disks
alone will be called a dedicated high-density flexible disk drive.
A flexible disk drive capable of recording and reproducing data to
and from the medium-capacity flexible disks alone will be called a
dedicated medium-density flexible disk drive. A flexible disk drive
capable of recording and reproducing data to and from the
small-capacity flexible disks alone will be called a dedicated
low-density flexible disk drive. Furthermore, a flexible disk drive
capable of recording and reproducing data to and from all of the
large-capacity, the medium-capacity, and the small-capacity
flexible disks will be called a universal multi-density flexible
disk drive. In addition, the dedicated high-density flexible disk
drive and the universal multi-density flexible disk drive will
collectively called a high-density type flexible disk drive.
[0005] One of differences in mechanism between the dedicated
low-density flexible disk drive and the high-density type flexible
disk drive resides in a structure of driving means for moving a
carriage holding a magnetic head in a predetermined radial
direction with respect to a flexible disk inserted in the drive.
Specifically, the dedicated low-density flexible disk drive uses a
stepping motor as the driving means while the high-density type
flexible disk drive uses a linear motor, such as a voice coil motor
(VCM), as the driving means.
[0006] Next, description will be made more in detail about the
voice coil motor used as the driving means of the high-density type
flexible disk drive. The voice coil motor comprises a voice coil
located on opposite sides of a rear portion of the carriage and
wound around a drive shaft parallel to the predetermined radial
direction, and a magnetic circuit for producing a magnetic field
intersecting an electric current flowing through the voice coil.
With this structure, by flowing the electric current through the
voice coil in a direction intersecting the magnetic field produced
by the magnetic circuit, driving force is produced in an extending
direction of the drive shaft as a result of interaction between the
electric current and the magnetic field. By the driving force, the
voice coil motor moves the carriage in the predetermined radial
direction.
[0007] In the meanwhile, the conventional large-capacity flexible
disks are identical in external shape with the small-capacity and
the medium-capacity flexible disks. In either disks, 3.5-inch type
ones:have a flat rectangular shape having a width, a length, and a
thickness of 90 mm, 94 mm, and 3.3 mm, respectively.
[0008] As well known, the small-capacity flexible disks are
classified into three types having storage capacities of 1 Mbyte, 2
Mbyte, and 4 Mbyte, respectively. For convenience of description,
the small-capacity flexible disks having storage capacities of 1
Mbyte, 2 Mbyte, and 4 Mbyte are called small-capacity (1M) flexible
disks, small-capacity (2M) flexible disks, and small-capacity (4M)
flexible disks, respectively.
[0009] In the dedicated low-density flexible disk drive, it is
required to identify which storage capacity of 1 Mbyte, 2 Mbyte,
and 4 Mbyte a small-capacity flexible disk inserted therein has.
For this purpose, a case of each of the small-capacity flexible
disks of 2 Mbyte and 4 Mbyte is provided with a 2-Mbyte identifier
hole or the like to discriminate between the small-capacity
flexible disks of 1 Mbyte and the small-capacity flexible disks of
both 2 Mbyte and 4 Mbyte.
[0010] Besides, there are a wide variety of flexible disks having
different storage capacities. Accordingly, the flexible disk drives
must identify the type of the flexible disk inserted therein. To
this end, each conventional flexible disk is provided in a plane of
the case with an identifier hole corresponding to the type. As the
identifier hole, there are various identifier holes, such as a
2-Mbyte identifier hole and a 4-Mbyte identifier hole, formed in
the plane of the case. Identification is carried out with reference
to presence or absence of the identifier hole. Under the
circumstances, identification of a large number of types of the
flexible disks is approaching a limit. This is because, in order to
form or perforate the identifier hole, an unperforated area is
required around the identifier hole. As a result, a wide area is
required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide
large-capacity flexible disks which enable identification of a
large number of types of storage capacities.
[0012] It is another object of this invention to provide
large-capacity flexible disks which enable discrimination from
normal-capacity flexible disks having a small capacity or a medium
capacity.
[0013] It is still another object of this invention to provide
large-capacity flexible disks which enable, even if there are a
plurality of types of storage capacities, identification of the
types.
[0014] It is a further object of this invention to provide a
high-density type flexible disk drive having a mechanism capable of
identifying small-capacity, medium-capacity, and large-capacity
flexible disks.
[0015] It is a different object of this invention to provide a
high-density type flexible disk drive having a mechanism enabling,
even if large-capacity flexible disks have a plurality of types of
storage capacities, identification of the types.
[0016] According to this invention, there is provided a
large-capacity flexible disk having a case accommodating a magnetic
disk medium, wherein the case is provided with a single
large-capacity identifier hole formed in the vicinity of a write
protection hole to discriminate the large-capacity flexible disk
from other flexible disks.
[0017] According to this invention, there is also provided a
large-capacity flexible disk having a case accommodating a magnetic
disk medium, wherein the case is provided with at least one
large-capacity identifier notch formed at one lateral side edge to
discriminate the large-capacity flexible disk from other flexible
disks.
[0018] According to this invention, there is also provided a
high-density type flexible disk drive capable of accessing a
large-capacity flexible disk having a case accommodating a magnetic
disk medium, the case being provided with a single large-capacity
identifier hole formed in the vicinity of a write protection hole
to discriminate the large-capacity flexible disk from a
small-capacity or a medium-capacity flexible disk, which is
characterized by provision of a large-capacity identifier switch at
a position corresponding to the large-capacity identifier hole.
[0019] According to this invention, there is also provided a
high-density type flexible disk drive capable of accessing a
large-capacity flexible disk having a case accommodating a magnetic
disk medium, the case being provided with large-capacity
identifying and discriminating means for discriminating the
large-capacity flexible disk from a normal-capacity flexible disk,
which is characterized by provision of large-capacity detecting
means at a position corresponding to the large-capacity identifying
and discriminating means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0020] FIG. 1A is a plan view of a conventional small-capacity (1M)
flexible disk as seen from a front surface side (called a side
1);
[0021] FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the small-capacity (M) flexible
disk in FIG. 1A as seen from a rear surface side (called a side
0);
[0022] FIG. 2A is a plan view of a conventional large-capacity (2M)
flexible disk as seen from a front surface side;
[0023] FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the small-capacity (2M) flexible
disk in FIG. 2A as seen from a rear surface side;
[0024] FIG. 3A is a plan view of a conventional large-capacity (4M)
flexible disk as seen from a front surface side;
[0025] FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the small-capacity (4M) flexible
disk in FIG. 3A as seen from a rear surface side;
[0026] FIG. 4A is a plan view of a conventional medium-capacity
(10M) flexible disk as seen from a front surface side;
[0027] FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the medium-capacity (10M)
flexible disk in FIG. 4A as seen from a rear surface side;
[0028] FIG. 5A is a plan view of a conventional medium-capacity
(21M) flexible disk as seen from a front surface side;
[0029] FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the medium-capacity (21M)
flexible disk in FIG. 5A as seen from a rear surface side;
[0030] FIG. 6A is a plan view of a large-capacity (128M) flexible
disk according to a first embodiment of this invention as seen from
a front surface side;
[0031] FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the large-capacity (128M)
flexible disk in FIG. 6A as seen from a rear surface side;
[0032] FIG. 7A is a plan view of a large-capacity (256M) flexible
disk according to a second embodiment of this invention as seen
from a front surface side;
[0033] FIG. 7B is a bottom view of the large-capacity (256M)
flexible disk in FIG. 7A as seen from a rear surface side;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a large-capacity flexible disk
according to a third embodiment of this invention as seen from a
front surface side;
[0035] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a large-capacity flexible disk
according to a fourth embodiment of this invention as seen from a
front surface side;
[0036] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a large-capacity flexible disk
according to a fifth embodiment of this invention as seen from a
front surface side;
[0037] FIG. 11A is a plan view of a large-capacity flexible disk
drive according to one embodiment of this invention as seen from a
front surface side;
[0038] FIG. 11B is a front view of the large-capacity flexible disk
drive in FIG. 11A;
[0039] FIG. 11C is a right side view of the large-capacity flexible
disk drive in FIG. 11A;
[0040] FIG. 11D is a left side view of the large-capacity flexible
disk drive in FIG. 11A;
[0041] FIG. 12A is a plan view of a large-capacity flexible disk
according to a sixth embodiment of this invention as seen from a
front surface side;
[0042] FIG. 12B is a bottom view of the large-capacity flexible
disk in FIG. 12A as seen from a rear surface side; and
[0043] FIG. 12C is an enlarged perspective view of a part cut out
from FIG. 12B.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Prior to description of embodiments of this invention, prior
art flexible disks will be described in order to facilitate an
understanding of this invention.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, description will be made about
a structure of a conventional small-capacity flexible disk 21. The
conventional small-capacity (1M) flexible disk 21 comprises a
disk-shaped magnetic disk medium 23, a case 25 covering the
magnetic disk medium 23, and a shutter 27 slidable in a direction
of an arrow A in the figures. A shutter window 29 is formed in the
shutter 27.
[0046] The shutter 27 is urged by a spring member not illustrated
in the figures in a direction reverse to the direction of the arrow
A. When the shutter 27 slides in the direction of the arrow A, the
shutter window 29 of the shutter 27 is located above a head window
31 of the case 25 so that the magnetic disk medium 23 is accessible
through the head window 31 by a magnetic head (not shown) of a
flexible disk drive.
[0047] The case 25 has a flat rectangular shape having a width, a
length, and a thickness substantially equal to 90 mm, 94 mm, and
3.3 mm, respectively. The case 25 is provided with a chamfered
portion 33 formed at a right corner of a forward end in an
insertion direction to prevent reverse insertion (insertion with
upside down and forward side back). A write protection hole (write
inhibition hole) 35 is formed at a left side corner of a rearward
end in the insertion direction.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a write protection tab 37
slidable in the insertion direction is formed on a rear surface
(lower surface) of the case 25 at a position corresponding to the
write protection hole 35. By manually operating the write
protection tab 37, the write protection hole 35 can be opened and
closed. When the write protection hole 35 is closed by the write
protection tab 37, a recordable state is established. When the
write protection hole 35 is opened, an unrecordable state is
insured.
[0049] In a rear surface side (side 0) of the case 25, a
circular-shaped hub operation hole 39 is formed at its center, as
illustrated in FIG. 1B. In the hub operation hole 39, a disk hub 41
holding the magnetic disk medium 23 is loosely fitted. The disk hub
41 is provided with a disk center hole 43 formed at its center to
loosely fit a spindle shaft (not shown) of a spindle motor, and a
chucking hole 45 formed at a peripheral position offset from the
disk center hole 43 to loosely fit a chucking pin (not shown) of
the spindle motor.
[0050] Furthermore, in the rear surface side (side 0) of the case
25, first and second reference holes 47 and 49 are formed near
opposite sides of a front portion in the insertion direction to be
used for positioning, when the flexible disk 21 is inserted and
received in the flexible disk drive (not shown), the flexible disk
21 in a height direction and in forward, backward, leftward, and
rightward directions with respect to the flexible disk drive. The
first reference hole 47 is a circular hole while the second
reference hole 49 is an elongated hole extending in a direction
perpendicular to the insertion direction.
[0051] In addition, in order to identify the type of the flexible
disk 21, the case 25 of the flexible disk 21 is provided with an
identifier hole formed in its plane in correspondence to a
difference in storage capacity. Herein, the small-capacity flexible
disk 21 having a storage capacity of 1 Mbyte is provided with no
identifier hole.
[0052] On the other hand, a low-density flexible disk drive has a
write control switch (not shown) formed at a position corresponding
to the write protection hole 35 to detect open and close states of
the write protection hole 35. In response to on/off conditions of
the switch, permission/inhibition of writing operation to the
small-capacity flexible disk 21 is carried out.
[0053] Next referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, description will be made
about a structure of a conventional small-capacity (2M) flexible
disk 51. The small-capacity (2M) flexible disk 51 is inserted into
a low-density flexible disk drive (not shown) in the state
illustrated in FIG. 2A. Basically, the small-capacity (2M) flexible
disk 51 is similar in structure and external shape to the
small-capacity (1M) flexible disk 21 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and
1B. Specifically, the small-capacity (2M) flexible disk 51
comprises a disk-shaped magnetic disk medium 53, a case 55 covering
the magnetic disk medium 53, and a shutter 27 slidable in a
direction of an arrow A in the figures. A shutter window 29 is
formed in the shutter 27. The shutter 27 is urged by a spring
member not illustrated in the figures in a direction reverse to the
direction of the arrow A. When the shutter 27 slides in the
direction of the arrow A, the shutter window 29 of the shutter 27
is located above a head window 31 formed in the case 55 as
illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B so that the magnetic disk medium 53
is accessible through the head window 31 by a magnetic head (not
shown) of the low-density flexible disk drive.
[0054] Like the case 25 of the above-mentioned small-capacity (1M)
flexible disk 21, the case 55 has a flat rectangular shape having a
width, a length, and a thickness substantially equal to 90 mm, 94
mm, and 3.3 mm, respectively. The case 55 is provided with a
chamfered portion 33 formed at a right corner of a forward end in
an insertion direction to prevent reverse insertion (insertion with
upside down and forward side back). A write protection hole 35 is
formed at a left side corner of a rearward end in the insertion
direction.
[0055] The case 55 of the flexible disk 51 having a storage
capacity of 2 Mbyte illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B is different
from the case 22 of the above-mentioned small-capacity (1M)
flexible disk 21 in that a 2-Mbyte identifier hole 57 (2M)
representative of the storage capacity of 2 Mbyte is formed in a
penetrating state at a right side corner of the rearward end in the
insertion direction.
[0056] On the other hand, the low-density flexible disk drive has a
small-capacity detecting switch (not shown) formed at a position
corresponding to the 2-Mbyte identifier hole 57 to identify and
discriminate whether a storage capacity of an inserted flexible
disk is equal to 1 Mbyte or 2 Mbyte. When the small-capacity
detecting switch detects the presence of the 2-Mbyte identifier
hole 57, the inserted flexible disk is identified as the
small-capacity (2M) flexible disk 53. Upon detection of absence of
the 2-Mbyte identifier hole 57, the inserted flexible disk is
identified as the small-capacity (1M) flexible disk 21.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a small-capacity (4M) flexible
disk 59 having a storage capacity of 4 Mbyte has a case 63 provided
with a 4-Mbyte identifier hole 65 (4M) representative of the
storage capacity of 4 Mbyte formed in a penetrating state at a
right side corner of a rearward end in an insertion direction and
forward in the insertion direction from the position where the
2-Mbyte identifier hole 57 (2M) is formed as illustrated in FIGS.
2A and 2B.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, description will be made about
an instance where a flexible disk is a medium-capacity flexible
disk. The medium-capacity (10M) flexible disk 67 having a storage
capacity of 10 Mbyte has a case 71 which is not provided with the
2-Mbyte identifier hole 57 and the 4-Mbyte identifier hole 65
illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. Instead, a 10-Mbyte
identifier hole 73 (10M) representative of the storage capacity of
10 Mbyte is formed-in a penetrating state at a right corner of a
forward end in an insertion direction in the vicinity of a reverse
insertion preventing chamfered portion 33.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a medium-capacity (21M)
flexible disk 75 having a storage capacity of 21 Mbyte is similar
in structure to the medium-capacity (10M) flexible disk 67
illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B except that a case 77 is provided
with a 21-Mbyte identifier hole 85 (21M) representative of the
storage capacity of 21 Mbyte formed in a penetrating state at a
right corner of a forward end in the insertion direction and inward
from the position where the 10-Mbyte identifier hole 73 (10M) is
formed as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0060] Now, embodiments of this invention will be described with
reference to the drawing.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, description will be made about
a large-capacity flexible disk according to a first embodiment of
this invention.
[0062] FIG. 6A shows the large-capacity (128M) flexible disk 83 in
a state it is inserted into a high-density type flexible disk drive
(not shown) and is directed to a situation where a single type of a
storage capacity of 128 Mbyte is involved.
[0063] The large-capacity (128) flexible disk 83 according to the
first embodiment of this invention comprises a disk-shaped magnetic
disk medium 85, a case 87 covering the magnetic disk medium 85, and
a shutter 27 slidable in a direction of an arrow A in the figures.
A shutter window 29 is formed in the shutter 27. The shutter 27 is
urged by a spring member not illustrated in the figures in a
direction reverse to the direction of the arrow A. When the shutter
27 slides in the direction of the arrow A, the shutter window 29 of
the shutter 27 is located above a head window 31 of the case 87 as
illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B so that the magnetic disk medium 85
is accessible through the head window 31 by a magnetic head (not
shown) of the high-density type flexible disk drive which will
later be described.
[0064] The case 87 has a flat rectangular shape having a width, a
length, and a thickness substantially equal to 90 mm, 94 mm, and
3.3 mm, respectively. The case 87 is provided with a chamfered
portion 33 formed at a right corner of a forward end in an
insertion direction to prevent reverse insertion (insertion with
upside down and forward side back). A write protection hole 35 is
formed at a left side corner of a rearward end in the insertion
direction.
[0065] The above-described large-capacity flexible disk 83
according to the first embodiment of this invention is similar to
the small-capacity flexible disk illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B
except that the case 87 is provided with a large-capacity
identifier hole 89 (L) or (128M) formed in a penetrating state in
the vicinity of the write protection hole 35 to discriminate the
large-capacity flexible disk 83 from other flexible disks.
[0066] Specifically, the case 87 is provided with a single
large-capacity identifier hole 89 to discriminate the
large-capacity (128M) flexible disk 83 from a small-capacity or a
medium-capacity flexible disk. In the first embodiment, the
large-capacity identifier hole 89 is formed in the vicinity of the
write protection hole 35.
[0067] Although not shown, the high-density type flexible disk
drive has a large-capacity detecting switch formed at a position
corresponding to the above-mentioned large-capacity identifier hole
89 to identify and detect whether a flexible disk inserted therein
is the large-capacity flexible disk 83 or a normal-capacity
flexible disk. When the large-capacity detecting switch detects
presence of the large-capacity identifier hole 89, the inserted
flexible disk is identified as the large-capacity flexible disk 83.
Upon detection of absence of the large-capacity identifier hole 89,
the inserted flexible disk is identified as the small-capacity or
the medium-capacity flexible disk. As the large-capacity detecting
switch described above, use may be made of a push switch or an
optical switch.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a large-capacity (256M)
flexible disk 91 according to a second embodiment of this invention
is similar in structure to the large-capacity flexible disk 83
illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B except that a storage capacity is a
large capacity of 256 Mbyte and that, instead of the large-capacity
identifier hole 89, a type identifier hole 97 is formed at a
position different from that of the large-capacity identifier hole
89. Specifically, in the large-capacity (256M) flexible disk 91,
the type identifier hole 97 (K) or (256M) is formed at a position
farther from a write protection hole 35 than the large-capacity
identifier hole 89 in the first embodiment.
[0069] In the first and the second embodiments described above, the
case 87 or 95 of the large-capacity flexible disk 83 or 91 is
provided with the large-capacity identifier hole 71 (L) or the type
identifier hole 97 (K), which is for identifying the type of the
large-capacity flexible disk, formed in the penetrating state in
the vicinity of the write protection hole 35. In the first and the
second embodiments described above, the large-capacity identifier
hole 89 (L) is used as a 128-Mbyte identifier hole 89 (128M)
representative of the storage capacity of 128 Mbyte while the type
identifier hole 97 (K) is used as a 256-Mbyte identifier hole 97
(256M) representative of the storage capacity of 256 Mbyte.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 8, a large-capacity flexible disk 99
according to a third embodiment of this invention is similar in
structure to the large-capacity flexible disk 83 according to the
first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B except that the
type identifier hole 97 used in the first embodiment to identify
the type of the large capacity flexible disk is selectively
provided to the case 103.
[0071] As described in the first or the second embodiment, the type
of the large-capacity flexible disk can be identified with
reference to presence or absence of the type identifier hole 97.
For example, in case of the large-capacity flexible disk having a
storage capacity of 128 Mbyte, the case 103 is not provided with
the type identifier hole 97. For the large-capacity flexible disk
having a storage capacity of 256 Mbyte, the case 103 is provided
with the type identifier hole 97.
[0072] In the third embodiment, the type identifier hole 97 is
formed in the vicinity of the write protection hole 35 together
with the large-capacity identifier hole 89.
[0073] It is possible to identify that the storage capacity is 512
Mbyte by providing both of the type identifier hole 97 and the
large-capacity identifier hole 89.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 9, a large-capacity flexible disk 105
according to a fourth embodiment of this invention is similar in
structure to the large-capacity flexible disk 99 illustrated in
FIG. 8 except that the type identifier hole 97 is formed at a
different position. Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, the
type identifier hole 97 is formed in the vicinity of a
small-capacity identifier hole 51.
[0075] The above-mentioned fourth embodiment is directed to the
situation where two types of the storage capacities of 128 Mbyte
and 258 Mbyte are involved. It is also possible to represent the
storage capacity of 512 Mbyte in case where both the type
identifier hole 97 and the large-capacity identifier hole 89 are
formed.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 10, a large-capacity flexible disk 111
according to a fifth embodiment of this invention is directed to
the situation where four types of the storage capacities are
involved in the instance of FIGS. 8 or 9. The illustrated
large-capacity flexible disk 111 is similar in structure to the
large-capacity flexible disk 99 illustrated in FIG. 8 except that a
case 12 is further provided with type identifier holes 117 and 119
selectively formed to identify the type of the large-capacity
flexible disk. The type of the large-capacity flexible disk can be
identified with reference to presence or absence of the type
identifier holes 117 and 119. For example, in case of the
large-capacity flexible disk having a storage capacity of 128
Mbyte, the case 12 is provided with the large-capacity identifier
hole 89 alone without the type identifier holes 97, 117, and 119.
For the large-capacity flexible disk having a storage capacity of
256 Mbyte, the case 115 is provided with the type identifier hole
97 or 117 alone. For the large-capacity flexible disk having a
storage capacity of 512 Mbyte, the case 115 is additionally
provided with the type identifier hole 119. In this manner, it is
possible to identify the storage capacities of eight types at
maximum. In other words, it is possible to identify the type of the
large-capacity flexible disk with reference to the number and the
position of the type identifier holes.
[0077] In the fifth embodiment, the type identifier hole 97 is
formed in the vicinity of the write protection hole 15 together
with the large-capacity identifier hole 89. The other type
identifier holes 117 and 119 are formed in the vicinity of the
2-Mbyte identifier hole 57.
[0078] As is obvious from the foregoing description, in the
large-capacity flexible disk according to each of the first through
the fifth embodiments of this invention, the case is provided with
the large-capacity identifier hole (large-capacity identifier
means) 89 for discriminating the large-capacity flexible disk from
the small-capacity or the medium-capacity flexible disk. It is
therefore possible to provide the large-capacity flexible disk
which can be discriminated from the normal-capacity flexible
disk.
[0079] In addition, by selectively providing the case with the type
identifier holes 97, 117, and 119 to identify the type of the
large-capacity flexible disk, it is possible to provide the
large-capacity flexible disk enabling identification of the type of
the large-capacity flexible disk with reference to the number and
the position of the type identifier holes.
[0080] Referring to a plan view in FIG. 11A, a front view in FIG.
11B, a left side view in FIG. 11C, and a right side view in FIG.
11D, description will be made about the high-density type flexible
disk drive 121 according to an embodiment of this invention which
can access the large-capacity flexible disks illustrated in FIGS.
6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B.
[0081] In this embodiment, the large-capacity flexible disk 111
illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B is used as the large-capacity
flexible disk, although it is not restricted thereto.
[0082] The high-density type flexible disk drive 121 comprises a
disk holder unit 123 holding the large-capacity flexible disk 111,
and an eject button 125 for ejecting the large-capacity flexible
disk inserted therein. A reference numeral 127 represents an eject
plate while a reference numeral 129 represents an eject switch. The
eject switch 129 produces a data write inhibit signal immediately
after operating the eject button 125 and before an eject mechanism
(not shown) actually starts its operation.
[0083] The high-density type flexible disk drive 121 further
comprises first and second switch units 131 and 133 mounted on a
printed circuit board (not shown) at left side and right side
corners of a rearward end in an insertion direction, respectively.
Each of the first and the second switch units 131 and 133 comprises
a push switch.
[0084] The first switch unit 131 is for detecting the write
protection hole 35, the large-capacity identifier hole 89, and the
type identifier hole 97 of the large-capacity flexible disk. The
second switch unit 133 is for detecting the 2-Mbyte identifier hole
57 and the type identifier holes 117 and 119.
[0085] More in detail, the first switch unit 131 comprises a write
control switch 135 formed at a position corresponding to the write
protection hole 35 to detect open and close states of the write
protection hole 35, a large-capacity detecting switch 137 formed at
a position corresponding to the large-capacity identifier hole 89
to identify and detect whether the inserted flexible disk is the
large-capacity flexible disk or the small-capacity or the
medium-capacity flexible disk, and a first type detecting switch
139 formed at a position corresponding to the type identifier hole
97 to detect presence or absence of the type identifier hole
97.
[0086] On the other hand, the second switch unit 133 comprises a
small-capacity detecting switch 141 formed at a position
corresponding to the 2-Mbyte identifier hole 57 to identify and
detect whether the inserted flexible disk has 1 Mbyte or 2 Mbyte,
and second and third type detecting switches 143 and 145 formed at
positions corresponding to the type identifier holes 117 and 119 to
detect presence or absence of the type identifier holes 117 and
119, respectively.
[0087] In response to on/off conditions of the write control switch
135, write permission/inhibition to the large-capacity flexible
disk is carried out. If the small-capacity detecting switch 141
detects the presence of the 2-Mbyte identifier hole 57, the
inserted flexible disk is identified as the small-capacity flexible
disk of 2M. Upon detection of absence of the 2-Mbyte identifier
hole 57, the inserted flexible disk is identified as the
small-capacity flexible disk of 1M. If the large-capacity detecting
switch 137 detects the presence of the large-capacity identifier
hole 89, the inserted flexible disk is identified as the
large-capacity flexible disk. Upon detection of absence of the
large-capacity identifier hole 89, the inserted flexible disk is
identified as the small-capacity flexible disk. With reference to
the on/off conditions of the first through the third type detecting
switches 139, 143, and 145, it is possible to identify eight types
of storage capacities at maximum.
[0088] In the foregoing embodiment, use is made of a push switch as
each of the first and the second switch units 131 and 133.
Alternatively, a different switch such as an optical switch may be
used. In the foregoing embodiment, the write control switch 135,
the large-capacity detecting switch 137, and the first type
detecting switch 139 are integrally formed into the first switch
unit 131 while the small-capacity detecting switch 141 and the
second and the third type detecting switches 143 and 145 are
integrally formed into the second switch unit. Alternatively, these
switches may be formed as separate components.
[0089] It will readily be understood that this invention is not
restricted to the foregoing embodiments and various modifications
and changes can be made within the scope not deviated from the gist
of this invention.
[0090] As is obvious from the foregoing description, the
high-density type flexible disk drive according to the embodiment
of this invention has the large-capacity detecting switch
(large-capacity identifying means) at the position corresponding to
the large-capacity identifier hole (large-capacity identifying and
discriminating means) 89 for discriminating the large-capacity
flexible disk from the small-capacity or the medium-capacity
flexible disk. Therefore, it is readily possible to identify
whether the inserted flexible disk is the normal-capacity flexible
disk or the large-capacity flexible disk.
[0091] In the event that the case is further provided with the type
identifier holes 97, 117, and 119 selectively formed to identify
the type of the large-capacity flexible disk so that the type of
the large-capacity flexible disk can be identified with reference
to the number and the position of the type identifier holes, the
type detecting switches are provided at the positions corresponding
to the type identifier holes 97, 117, and 119. Thus, it is possible
to identify the type of the large-capacity flexible disk inserted
therein.
[0092] Referring to FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C, description will be
made about a large-capacity flexible disk according to a sixth
embodiment of this invention. FIG. 12A is a plan view as seen from
a front surface side (called a side 1), FIG. 12B is a bottom view
as seen from a rear surface side (called a side 0), and FIG. 12C is
an enlarged perspective view of only a part cut out from FIG. 12B.
The large-capacity flexible disk 147 illustrated in the figure is
an example where the number of types of storage capacities is given
by (2.sup.3-1)=7, including 128 Mbyte, 256 Mbyte, 512 Mbyte, 1024
Mbyte, 2048 Mbyte, 4096 Mbyte, and 8192 Mbyte.
[0093] The large-capacity flexible disk 147 comprises a disk-shaped
magnetic disk medium 149, a case 151 covering the magnetic disk
medium 149, and a shutter 27 slidable in a direction of an arrow A
in the figures. A shutter window 29 is formed in the shutter 27.
The shutter 27 is urged by a spring member not illustrated in the
figures in a direction reverse to the direction of the arrow A.
When the shutter 27 slides in the direction of the arrow A, the
shutter window 29 of the shutter 27 is located above a head window
31 of the case 151 so that the magnetic disk medium 149 is
accessible through the head window 31 by a magnetic head (not
shown) of a high-density type flexible disk drive.
[0094] The case 151 has a flat rectangular shape having a width, a
length, and a thickness substantially equal to 90 mm, 94 mm, and
3.3 mm, respectively. The case 151 is provided with a chamfered
portion 33 formed at a right corner of a forward end in an
insertion direction to prevent reverse insertion (insertion with
upside down and forward side back). A write protection hole (write
inhibition hole) 35 is formed at a left side corner of a rearward
end in the insertion direction. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, a write
protection tab 37 slidable in the insertion direction is formed on
a rear surface of the case 151 at a position corresponding to the
write protection hole 35. By manually operating the write
protection tab 37, the write protection hole 35 can be opened and
closed. When the write protection hole 35 is closed by the write
protection tab 37, a recordable state is established. When the
write protection hole 35 is opened, an unrecordable state is
insured.
[0095] At a rear surface side (side 0) of the case 151, a
circular-shaped hub operation hole 39 is formed at its center, as
illustrated in FIG. 12B. In the hub operation hole 39, a disk hub
41 holding the magnetic disk medium 149 is loosely fitted. The disk
hub 41 is provided with a disk center hole 43 formed at its center
to loosely fit a spindle shaft (not shown) of a spindle motor, and
a chucking hole 45 formed at a peripheral position offset from the
disk center hole 43 to loosely fit a chucking pin (not shown) of
the spindle motor.
[0096] Furthermore, at the rear surface side (side 0) of the case
151, first and second reference holes 147 and 149 are formed at
opposite sides frontward in the insertion direction to be used for
positioning, when the large-capacity flexible disk 147 is inserted
and received in the high-density type flexible disk-drive (not
shown), the large-capacity flexible disk 147 in a height direction
and in forward, backward, leftward, and rightward directions with
respect to the high-density type flexible disk drive. The first
reference hole 147 is a circular hole while the second reference
hole 149 is an elongated hole extending in a direction
perpendicular to the insertion direction.
[0097] At a lateral side on which the chamfered portion 33 is
formed, the case 151 is provided with an insertion error preventing
notch 153 formed at such a position and having such a shape as to
be engageable with a reverse insertion preventing lever (not shown)
of a dedicated low-density or a dedicated medium-density flexible
disk drive.
[0098] In the illustrated sixth embodiment, the case 151 is
provided with first through third large-capacity identifier notches
155, 157, and 159 selectively formed at one lateral edge to
discriminate the large-capacity flexible disk 147 from other
flexible disks (the small-capacity flexible disk and the
medium-capacity flexible disk). In the illustrated example, the
first through the third large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157,
and 159 are formed in the vicinity of the write protection hole 35.
As illustrated in FIG. 12C, the first through the third
large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157, and 159 are formed only
at a lower (bottom) side of the case 151 and have a depth of, for
example, 2.5 mm. In other words, the first through the third
large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157, and 159 do not
penetrate but are bottomed.
[0099] Although not shown, the high-density type flexible disk
drive has a large-capacity detecting switch formed at a position
corresponding to the first through the third large-capacity
identifier notches 155, 157, and 159 to identify and detect whether
an inserted flexible disk is the large-capacity flexible disk 147
or other flexible disk. Specifically, when the large-capacity
detecting switch detects presence of at least one of the first
through the third large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157, and
159, the inserted flexible disk is identified as the large-capacity
flexible disk 147. Upon detection of none of the first through the
third large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157, and 159, the
inserted flexible disk is identified as the flexible disk other
than the large-capacity flexible disk 147. As the large-capacity
detecting switch, use may be made of a push switch or an optical
switch.
[0100] The first through the third large-capacity identifier
notches 155, 157, and 159 illustrated in the figures are
selectively formed to identify the type of the large-capacity
flexible disk 147. Thereby, as will be described in detail in the
following, the type of the large-capacity flexible disk 147 can be
identified with reference to the number and the position of the
first through the third large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157,
and 159.
[0101] For example, in the large-capacity flexible disk having a
storage capacity of 128 Mbyte, the case 151 is provided with the
first large-capacity identifier notch 155 alone. In the
large-capacity flexible disk having a storage capacity of 256
Mbyte, the case 151 is provided with the second large-capacity
identifier notch 157 alone. In the large-capacity flexible disk
having a storage capacity of 512 Mbyte, the case 151 is provided
with the first and the second large-capacity identifier notches 155
and 157. In the large-capacity flexible disk having a storage
capacity of 1024 Mbyte, the case 151 is provided with the third
large-capacity identifier notch 159 alone. In the large-capacity
flexible disk having a storage capacity of 2048 Mbyte, the case 151
is provided with the first and the third large-capacity identifier
notches 155 and 159. In the event that the large-capacity flexible
disk having a storage capacity of 4096 Mbyte, the case 151 is
provided with the second and the third large-capacity identifier
notches 157 and 159. In the large-capacity flexible disk having a
storage capacity of 8192 Mbyte, the case 151 is provided with the
first through the third large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157,
and 159.
[0102] Thus, by selectively forming the three large-capacity
identifier notches 159, 161, and 163 at the one lateral edge of the
case 12, the large-capacity flexible disks of (2.sup.3-1)=7 types
can be identified.
[0103] It will be understood that this invention is not restricted
to the foregoing embodiment and various modifications and changes
can be made within a scope not deviated from the gist of this
invention. For example, although the case is provided with the
large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157, and 159, three in
number, in the foregoing embodiment, at least one large-capacity
identifier notch is sufficient. The positions where the
large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157, and 159 are formed are
not restricted to the vicinity of the write protection hole 15 but
may be any position on the one lateral edge of the case 151 as far
as the magnetic disk medium 149 is not present. Furthermore, the
large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157, and 159 are not
restricted to bottomed ones but may penetrate. The large-capacity
identifier notches may have any shape as desired.
[0104] As is obvious from the foregoing description, in the
large-capacity flexible disk 147 according to the sixth embodiment
of this invention, the case 151 is provided with at least one
large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157, and 159 formed at the
one lateral edge to discriminate the large-capacity flexible disk
from other flexible disks. Therefore, it is possible to provide the
large-capacity flexible disk which can be discriminated from other
flexible disks. By selectively providing the case 151 with a
plurality of the large-capacity identifier notches 155, 157, and
159, it is also possible to provide the large-capacity flexible
disk enabling identification of the type of the large-capacity
flexible disk with reference to the number and the position of the
large-capacity identifier notches. Since a narrow area is
sufficient to form the identifier notches 155, 157, and 159 as
compared with the identifier holes, a large number of the
large-capacity identifier holes can be formed. Therefore, it is
possible to provide the large-capacity flexible disk enabling
identification of a large number of types of the storage
capacities.
* * * * *