U.S. patent application number 09/153739 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for mechanism for loading disk into disk drive apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fujitsu Limited. Invention is credited to HOSOKAWA, YOSHIAKI, NASU, HIDEO, SHINODA, TAKAO.
Application Number | 20010043543 09/153739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26562565 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010043543 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHINODA, TAKAO ; et
al. |
November 22, 2001 |
MECHANISM FOR LOADING DISK INTO DISK DRIVE APPARATUS
Abstract
This is a loading mechanism by which a disk cartridge can be
positively loaded into a disk drive apparatus. The loading
mechanism comprises: a mechanism for opening and closing a shutter
of the disk cartridge inserted into the disk drive apparatus; an
elevating plate on which a spindle motor for rotating the disk and
an alignment pin for positioning the cartridge are mounted; and an
oblique surface for moving the elevating plate onto the cartridge
side in accordance with insertion of the cartridge. In the first
embodiment, a front end portion of the first alignment pin inserted
into a long reference hole of the cartridge is tapered, and only a
front end portion of the second alignment pin inserted into a
circular reference hole on the opposite side to the first alignment
pin is curved, and further the second alignment pin is offset onto
the rear side of the apparatus. In the second embodiment, a shutter
opening and closing member includes: first and second opening and
closing pieces which slide in a guide groove of a guide frame
forming an insertion passage of the cartridge; and a torsion
spring. In the first and the second opening and closing pieces,
there are provided a shaft portion for engaging one end of the
torsion spring, and a flange which interposes the guide groove. In
the third embodiment, on the elevating plate, there are provided
two sets of guide pins, which are arranged perpendicularly to the
cartridge inserting direction, symmetrically with each other, and
on the load plate of the elevating means, there are provided two
oblique surfaces on the right and two oblique surfaces on the left
which receive the guide pins and pull up the guide pins when the
load plate is moved, and starting positions of these oblique
surfaces are arranged being shifted in the longitudinal
direction.
Inventors: |
SHINODA, TAKAO;
(KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) ; HOSOKAWA, YOSHIAKI;
(KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) ; NASU, HIDEO; (KAWASAKI-SHI,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREER BURNS & CRAIN LTD
300 S. WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 2500
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Fujitsu Limited
|
Family ID: |
26562565 |
Appl. No.: |
09/153739 |
Filed: |
September 15, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
720/643 ;
G9B/17.011 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 17/0436
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/77.2 |
International
Class: |
G11B 033/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A disk drive apparatus having a mechanism for loading a disk
cartridge, in which a removable disk cartridge is loaded,
comprising: an opening and closing means for automatically opening
a shutter when the cartridge is inserted into the disk drive
apparatus and acts on a shutter opening and closing arm of the
cartridge; an elevating plate on which a spindle motor for rotating
a disk in the cartridge is mounted and on which alignment pins
inserted into two reference holes formed in the cartridge are
mounted; and an elevating means for moving the elevating plate to
the cartridge side in accordance with the insertion of the
cartridge into the disk drive apparatus, wherein a front end
portion of the first alignment pin inserted into a long hole, which
is one of the two reference holes provided on the bottom surface
side of the cartridge, is tapered, and only a front end portion of
the second alignment pin, which is inserted into a circular hole on
the opposite side to the first alignment pin, is curved.
2. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 1, wherein positions
of the surfaces of the first and the second alignment pins on the
front surface side of the disk drive apparatus are shifted from
each other by a predetermined distance with respect to a line
perpendicular to the inserting direction of the cartridge.
3. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a position
of the surface of the second alignment pin on the front surface
side is located on the front side in the inserting direction of the
cartridge with respect to a position of the surface of the first
alignment pin on front side.
4. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a member
for opening and closing the shutter of the cartridge is composed of
a first and a second opening and closing pieces which slide in a
guide groove provided in a guide frame forming a portion of the
passage into which the cartridge is inserted, and also composed of
torsion springs which urge these pieces to an insertion port side
of the cartridge, the first opening and closing piece is provided
with a shaft portion, with which one end of the torsion spring is
engaged, and also provided with two flanges which interpose the
guide groove, the second opening and closing piece is provided with
a shaft portion, with which one end of the torsion spring is
engaged, and also provided with two flanges which interpose the
guide groove, and a portion of the flanges of the second opening
and closing piece is provided with a connecting section for
connecting these flanges to the outer circumferential portion in
the vertical direction.
5. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first
and the second opening and closing pieces are made of resin by
means of molding, and hooking holes for hooking the torsion springs
to restrict the rotation of the opening and closing pieces with
respect to the guide groove are formed on the sides of the shaft
portions.
6. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 5, wherein parting
lines of metallic dies of the first and the second opening and
closing pieces made of resin by means of molding are arranged in a
direction in which the connecting section is formed, and parting
lines remaining in the first and the second opening and closing
pieces are arranged in a direction in which the guide groove is
formed.
7. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the flanges
of the second piece for opening and closing are formed square.
8. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 7, wherein portions,
in which the flanges of the first and the second opening and
closing pieces are moved, of the guide frame round the guide groove
are formed into a recess, which is made hollow onto an opposite
side to the cartridge, by means of sheet metal forming, and the
depth of this recess is larger than the thickness of the flanges of
the first and the second opening and closing pieces.
9. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the shaft
portion of the first opening and closing piece is provided with an
engaging protrusion for engaging with the arm for opening and
closing the shutter of the cartridge, and the shaft portion is
accommodated in a groove which appears in a front end portion of
the cartridge when the arm for opening and closing the shutter is
opened to the maximum.
10. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
elevating plate has two sets of guide pins arranged symmetrically
with each other in a direction perpendicular to the inserting
direction of the cartridge, the load plate of the elevating means
has oblique surfaces, two of the oblique surfaces are arranged on
the right and the other two of the oblique surfaces are arranged on
the left, the oblique surfaces respectively lift the guide pins
when the load plate is moved, and starting points of the oblique
surfaces are shifted in the longitudinal direction with respect to
the inserting direction of the cartridge.
11. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 10, wherein starting
points of the two oblique surfaces on the side of the long
reference hole formed on the bottom surface of the cartridge are
shifted to the inside of the disk drive apparatus with respect to
the two oblique surfaces on the side of the circular reference
hole.
12. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an
extending portion is formed on the elevating plate on the front
side of the disk drive apparatus, and a magnet for attracting the
extending portion is arranged in a casing of the disk drive
apparatus at a position opposed to the extending portion under the
condition that the cartridge is inserted into the disk drive
apparatus.
13. A disk drive apparatus having a mechanism for loading a disk
cartridge, in which a removable disk cartridge is loaded,
comprising: an opening and closing means for automatically opening
a shutter when the cartridge is inserted into the disk drive
apparatus and acts on a shutter opening and closing arm of the
cartridge; an elevating plate on which a spindle motor for rotating
a disk in the cartridge is mounted and also on which alignment pins
inserted into two reference holes formed in the cartridge are
mounted; and an elevating means for moving the elevating plate to
the cartridge side in accordance with the insertion of the
cartridge into the disk drive apparatus, wherein a member for
opening and closing the shutter of the cartridge is composed of
first and second opening and closing pieces which slide in a guide
groove provided in a guide frame forming a portion of the passage
into which the cartridge is inserted, and also composed of torsion
springs which urge these pieces to an insertion port side of the
cartridge, the first opening and closing piece is provided with a
shaft portion, with which one end of the torsion spring is engaged,
and also provided with two flanges which interpose the guide
groove, the second opening and closing piece is provided with a
shaft portion, with which one end of the torsion spring is engaged,
and also provided with two flanges which interpose the guide
groove, and a portion of the flanges of the second opening and
closing piece is provided with a connecting section for connecting
these flanges to the outer circumferential portion in the vertical
direction.
14. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first
and the second opening and closing pieces are made of resin by
means of molding, and hooking holes for hooking the torsion springs
to restrict the rotation of the opening and closing pieces with
respect to the guide groove are formed on the sides of the shaft
portions.
15. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 13, wherein parting
lines of metallic dies of the first and the second opening and
closing pieces made of resin by means of molding are arranged in a
direction in which the connecting section is formed, and parting
lines remaining in the first and the second opening and closing
pieces are arranged in a direction in which the guide groove is
formed.
16. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the
flanges of the second piece for opening and closing are formed
square.
17. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 16, wherein portions,
in which the flanges of the first and the second opening and
closing pieces are moved, of the guide frame round the guide groove
are formed into a recess, which is made hollow onto an opposite
side to the cartridge, by means of drawing of sheet metal forming,
and the depth of this recess is larger than the thickness of the
flanges of the first and the second opening and closing pieces.
18. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the shaft
portion of the first opening and closing piece is provided with an
engaging protrusion for engaging with the arm for opening and
closing the shutter of the cartridge, and the shaft portion is
accommodated in a groove which appears in a front end portion of
the cartridge when the arm for opening and closing the shutter is
opened at the maximum.
19. A disk drive apparatus having a mechanism for loading a disk
cartridge, in which a removable disk cartridge is loaded,
comprising: an opening and closing means for automatically opening
a shutter when the cartridge is inserted into the disk drive
apparatus and acts on a shutter opening and closing arm of the
cartridge; an elevating plate on which a spindle motor for rotating
a disk in the cartridge is mounted and also on which alignment pins
inserted into two reference holes formed in the cartridge are
mounted; and an elevating means for moving the elevating plate to
the cartridge side in accordance with the insertion of the
cartridge into the disk drive apparatus, wherein the elevating
plate has two sets of guide pins arranged symmetrically with each
other in a direction perpendicular to the inserting direction of
the cartridge, the load plate of the elevating means has oblique
surfaces, two of the oblique surfaces are arranged on the right and
the other two of the oblique surfaces are arranged on the left, the
oblique surfaces respectively lift the guide pins when the load
plate is moved, and starting points of the oblique surfaces are
shifted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the inserting
direction of the cartridge.
20. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 19, wherein starting
points of the two oblique surfaces on the side of the long
reference hole formed on the bottom surface of the cartridge are
shifted to the inside of the disk drive apparatus with respect to
the two oblique surfaces on the side of the circular reference
hole.
21. A disk drive apparatus according to claim 20, wherein an
extending portion is formed on the elevating plate on the front
side of the disk drive apparatus, and a magnet for attracting the
extending portion is arranged in a casing of the disk drive
apparatus at a position opposed to the extending portion under the
condition that the cartridge is inserted into the disk drive
apparatus.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a mechanism for loading a
disk into a disk loading apparatus. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a mechanism for loading an optical disk
cartridge into an optical disk cartridge loading apparatus in which
a cartridge type removable optical-magnetic disk accommodating an
optical-magnetic disk in a cartridge is used. This cartridge type
removable optical-magnetic disk will be referred to as an optical
disk cartridge in this specification, hereinafter.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Recently, the processing capacity and processing rate of
personal computers have been increased, and also the size of the
operating system and application software and the amount of data to
be processed have increased. In the above circumstances, it is
required to reduce the size of storage and further it is required
to reduce the manufacturing cost. Furthermore, there is a strong
demand to increase the capacity and processing rate of storage.
[0005] In order to meet the requirements of reducing the size and
manufacturing cost and increasing the capacity and processing rate,
the optical disk drive apparatus has come into wide use so that it
can be used as storage. As an optical disk to be used in this
optical disk drive apparatus, there is provided an optical disk
cartridge in which an optical disk is accommodated in a cartridge.
As the optical disk drive apparatus, in which the optical disk
cartridge is used, has come into common use, there are requirements
of toughness of the apparatus structure, stability of the apparatus
performance, enhancement in the reliability and reduction in the
manufacturing cost.
[0006] In this connection, the optical disk cartridge is composed
in such a manner that an optical disk is accommodated in a case
made of plastic. When the optical disk cartridge is used, it is
inserted into the optical disk drive apparatus, and a shutter
provided in the case is opened, so that a portion of the optical
disk can be exposed. Consequently, when the optical disk cartridge
is inserted into the optical disk drive apparatus or ejected from
the optical disk drive apparatus, the shutter must be opened and
closed. Therefore, problems may be caused when the shutter is
opened and closed. Accordingly, there is a requirement for solving
the above problems.
[0007] Concerning the stability of the optical disk cartridge with
respect to a base of the cartridge drive apparatus after the
optical disk cartridge has been inserted into the optical disk
drive apparatus, the stability of the optical disk cartridge may be
deteriorated unless an operator handles the optical disk cartridge
appropriately. For the above reasons, when the operator loads the
optical disk cartridge into the optical disk drive apparatus, it is
necessary for him to handle the optical disk cartridge
appropriately so that it can be smoothly inserted into the
mechanism of the optical disk drive apparatus. Further, it is
desired that the manufacturing cost of this mechanism is low.
[0008] Referring to a specific example, this will be explained as
follows.
[0009] In general, the following mechanisms are provided in a
conventional optical disk cartridge loading mechanism used for
loading an optical disk cartridge into an optical disk drive
apparatus.
[0010] (1) A mechanism for opening a shutter of the optical disk
cartridge when the optical disk cartridge is inserted into the
optical disk drive apparatus
[0011] (2) A position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the
alignment of the optical disk cartridge when the optical disk
cartridge has been set on the base of the optical disk drive
apparatus
[0012] (3) A mechanism for elevating a spindle motor and connecting
it with the optical disk cartridge, which has been set on the base
of the optical disk drive apparatus and the shutter of which has
been opened, and the mechanism for rotating the optical disk
[0013] According to the prior art described in the above item (1)
in which there is provided a mechanism for opening a shutter of the
optical disk cartridge, a member for opening and closing the
shutter of the cartridge is formed into a roller-shape having two
flanges attached to a rotary shaft. These two flanges are arranged
on both sides of a guide groove formed on a plate (cartridge
holder) which is also used as a cartridge guide. Therefore, while
the opening and closing member is rotating, it can move along the
guide groove. Commonly, two flanges of the opening and closing
member and the rotary shaft are made of resin, and a shaft portion
of the rotary shaft has a spring holding section for holding a
spring which generates power when the opening and closing member
returns along the guide groove. The spring holding section of the
opening and closing member is circular and rotates in the case of
movement. Therefore, the burr generated in the process of molding
is removed from the flanges by means of machining. Further, the
diameter of the shutter opening and closing member is made small so
that it can enter a recess for holding the opening and closing
member which appears at an end portion of the cartridge when the
shutter of the optical disk cartridge is fully opened.
[0014] Since the height of the optical disk drive apparatus is
limited, only a small clearance is allowed for the height of the
guide frame of the optical disk cartridge with respect to the
thickness of the cartridge. In the clearance, the flange portion of
the shutter opening and closing member is accommodated. The above
mechanism for opening and closing the shutter of the optical disk
cartridge is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
Nos. 7-37312 and 7-73559.
[0015] In the prior art of the position adjusting mechanism,
described in the above item (2), for adjusting an alignment in the
case of setting the optical disk cartridge onto the base, there are
provided alignment pins for positioning the cartridge on both sides
of the spindle motor mounting base. On a bottom surface of the
optical disk cartridge, there are provided long circular holes for
positioning the optical disk cartridge, and these long circular
holes are used as reference holes. Accordingly, end portions of the
alignment pins are formed into a tapered shape so that they can be
easily inserted into two reference holes formed on the bottom
surface of the cartridge.
[0016] In general, both alignment pins are arranged symmetrically
with respect to the inserting direction of the optical disk
cartridge. When the optical disk cartridge has been set on the base
of the optical disk drive apparatus and a turn table of the spindle
motor has been connected with a chucking hub of the optical disk,
that is, when chucking of the cartridge has been completed,
usually, the alignment pins are inserted into the reference holes
of the cartridge while the alignment pins slide on the inside
surfaces of the reference holes. After the completion of chucking
of the cartridge, it is held as it is while a frictional state is
maintained. These alignment pins of the optical disk cartridge are
disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
8-17121.
[0017] According to the moving mechanism of the spindle motor of
the prior art described in the above item (3), the slide plate is
moved in accordance with the insertion of the optical disk
cartridge into the optical disk drive apparatus and, according to
the movement of the slide plate, a spindle motor mounting base
(spindle motor elevating plate) is elevated by being guided by an
oblique groove formed on a load plate moved synchronously with the
slide plate. The moving mechanism of the spindle motor is disclosed
in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-17121.
[0018] However, the following problems may be encountered in the
mechanism of the prior art described in the above items (1) to
(3).
[0019] 1. The flange of the opening and closing member is thin and
circular. Therefore, when two opening and closing members are
arranged in parallel and moved in the guide grooves of the two
opening and closing members in accordance with the insertion of the
optical disk cartridge, there is a possibility that both opening
and closing members interfere with other. In the worst case, they
jam and it becomes impossible to return to the initial state.
[0020] 2. After the flange of the opening and closing member has
been formed by means of molding, it is subjected to a machining
process to remove a burr from the flange. Therefore, it takes labor
in the manufacturing process. A shaft portion of the opening and
closing member is composed of two parts so that the spring can be
held and the shaft portion can be set in a recess of the optical
disk cartridge. Accordingly, the number of parts is large. Further,
the diameter of the shaft portion is small because the outer
diameter is restricted. Consequently, there is a possibility of
lack of the mechanical strength in an abnormal condition.
[0021] 3. A flange of the opening and closing member on the
cartridge side is formed into a thin disk because of the
restriction on the space between the cartridge and the cartridge
holder and also because of maintaining the mechanical strength at a
predetermined value. Therefore, when the cartridge holder is
inserted into the holder while a front end of the cartridge is
pressed against the cartridge holder, the flange of the opening and
closing member first comes into contact with the shutter arm of the
cartridge. Accordingly, problems may be caused in the movement of
opening the shutter.
[0022] 4. When the front end portions of the two alignment pins of
the spindle motor 2 are formed into a tapered shape, if the
cartridge is obliquely inserted, the reference hole does not pass
completely over the tapered surface of the alignment pin.
Therefore, the cartridge is inserted incompletely.
[0023] 5. It is common that a detection switch for detecting the
cartridge is mounted on the spindle motor mounting base and one of
the alignment pins is arranged on the side of the detection switch.
In this case, when the cartridge is obliquely inserted and the
detection switch is pushed, the alignment pin on the detection
switch side can be easily inserted into the reference hole,
however, it is difficult for the alignment pin on the opposite side
to enter the reference hole. Since the cartridge has already been
detected by the detection switch in this case, the spindle motor is
rotated although the cartridge is not set in a normal
condition.
[0024] 6. In order to press the spindle motor against the hub of
the cartridge that has been inserted into the apparatus, on the
loading plate that moves in accordance with the insertion of the
cartridge into the optical disk drive apparatus, there is provided
an oblique surface for elevating a pin arranged on the elevating
plate on which the spindle motor is mounted, and this oblique
surface is bent into an L-shape from the loading plate. However,
when the elevating plate is lifted upward, an unequal lifting force
is caused between the start point and the end point of the oblique
surface due to the influence of the mechanical strength on the
front end side of the oblique surface and due to the clearance with
the pin on the elevating plate side guided by the oblique surface.
Due to the above unequal lifting force, the spindle motor cannot be
normally lifted.
[0025] 7. When the cartridge has been completely inserted into the
apparatus, it is necessary for an upper surface of the elevating
plate to come into contact with the reference base surface of the
apparatus. Since a frictional force acts on a surface between the
alignment pin and the side of the reference hole of the cartridge,
it is necessary to give a force stronger than this frictional force
acting on the surface in order to return it to the initial position
when the elevating plate is separated from the reference base
surface of the apparatus by the influence of vibration or shock.
When this necessary force is not given, the elevating plate is
maintained in a state in which it is separated from the reference
base plate. Therefore, the spindle motor is rotated while being
inclined, and the optical disk may be damaged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0026] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
mechanism for loading an optical disk into a disk drive apparatus
in which the problems described in the above items 1 to 7 can be
solved.
[0027] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a
mechanism for loading a disk cartridge into a disk drive apparatus
in which a removable disk cartridge is loaded into a disk drive
apparatus comprises: an opening and closing means for automatically
opening a shutter when the cartridge is inserted into the disk
drive apparatus and acts on a shutter opening and closing arm of
the cartridge; an elevating plate on which a spindle motor for
rotating a disk in the cartridge is mounted and also on which
alignment pins inserted into two reference holes formed in the
cartridge are mounted; and an elevating means for moving the
elevating plate to the cartridge side in accordance with the
insertion of the cartridge into the disk drive apparatus, wherein a
front end portion of the first alignment pin inserted into a long
hole, which is one of the two reference holes provided on the
bottom surface side of the cartridge, is tapered, and only a front
end portion of the second alignment pin, which is inserted into a
circular hole, on the opposite side to the first alignment pin is
curved.
[0028] In a mechanism for loading a disk cartridge into a disk
drive apparatus according to the first aspect, the positions of the
surfaces of the first and the second alignment pin on the front
surface side of the disk drive apparatus can be shifted from each
other by a predetermined distance with respect to a line
perpendicular to the inserting direction of the cartridge. In this
case, the position of the surface of the second alignment pin on
the front surface side can be located on the front side in the
inserting direction of the cartridge with respect to a position of
the surface of the first alignment pin on front side.
[0029] According to the loading mechanism of the first aspect,
whatever the posture of the cartridge may be, the first and the
second alignment pin can be engaged with the reference holes of the
cartridge due to the shapes of the front end portions of the first
and the second alignment pin. Due to the shapes of the front end
portions of the first and the second alignment pin, it is possible
to eliminate an incomplete insertion of the alignment pin into the
end surface of the reference hole of the cartridge. As a result,
even if the cartridge leans to one side or is inserted obliquely
due to the clearance between the cartridge holder and the
cartridge, the first and the second alignment pin can be positively
engaged with the reference holes of the cartridge.
[0030] Since the second alignment pin is offset toward the entrance
of the apparatus compared with the first alignment pin, it is
possible to avoid the occurrence of a case in which only the second
alignment pin on the cartridge sensor side is engaged with the
cartridge when the alignment pins are engaged with the reference
holes of the cartridge.
[0031] According to the second aspect of the present invention, a
mechanism for loading a disk cartridge into a disk drive apparatus
in which a removable disk cartridge is loaded into a disk drive
apparatus comprises: an opening and closing means for automatically
opening a shutter when the cartridge is inserted into the disk
drive apparatus and acts on a shutter opening and closing arm of
the cartridge; an elevating plate on which a spindle motor for
rotating a disk in the cartridge is mounted and also on which
alignment pins inserted into two reference holes formed in the
cartridge are mounted; and an elevating means for moving the
elevating plate to the cartridge side in accordance with the
insertion of the cartridge into the disk drive apparatus, wherein a
member for opening and closing the shutter of the cartridge is
composed of first and second opening and closing pieces which slide
in a guide groove provided in a guide frame forming a portion of
the passage into which the cartridge is inserted, and also composed
of torsion springs which urge these pieces to an insertion port
side of the cartridge, the first opening and closing piece is
provided with a shaft portion, with which one end of the torsion
spring is engaged, and also provided with two flanges which
interpose the guide groove, the opening and closing second piece is
provided with a shaft portion, with which one end of the torsion
spring is engaged, and also provided with two flanges which
interpose the guide groove, and a portion of the flanges of the
second opening and closing piece is provided with a connecting
section for connecting these flanges to the outer circumferential
portion in the vertical direction.
[0032] In a mechanism for loading a disk cartridge into a disk
drive apparatus according to the second aspect, the first and the
second opening and closing piece are made of resin by means of
molding, and hooking slits for hooking the torsion springs to
restrict the rotation of the opening and closing pieces with
respect to the guide groove are formed on the sides of the shaft
portions. In this case, parting lines of metallic dies of the first
and the second opening and closing piece made of resin by means of
molding are arranged in a direction in which the connecting section
is formed, and parting lines remaining in the first and the second
opening and closing piece are arranged in a direction in which the
guide groove is formed. Further, the flanges of the second opening
and closing piece can be formed square. Portions, in which the
flanges of the first and the second opening and closing piece are
moved, of the guide frame around the guide groove are formed into a
recess, which is made hollow onto an opposite side to the
cartridge, by means of drawing of sheet metal forming, and the
depth of this recess is larger than the thickness of the flanges of
the first and the second opening and closing piece. Further, the
shaft portion of the first piece for opening and closing is
provided with an engaging protrusion for engaging with the arm for
opening and closing the shutter of the cartridge, and the shaft
portion is accommodated in a groove which appears in a front end
portion of the cartridge when the arm for opening and closing the
shutter is opened to the maximum.
[0033] According to the loading mechanism of the second aspect, the
two opening and closing pieces are integrally molded. Therefore, it
is possible to reduce the number of parts and enhance the
productivity. Further, it is possible to prevent the two opening
and closing pieces from coming into contact with and running on
each other. Accordingly, the operation of the opening and closing
mechanism can be stabilized. When the two opening and closing
pieces are molded from resin, the parting line of the metallic mold
is set in a direction of the connecting section of the flanges of
the opening and closing pieces, that is, the parting line of the
metallic mold is set in a direction of the center of the guide
groove. Due to the foregoing, the influence of burr on the parting
line can be avoided. Further, the engaging protrusion for engaging
with the arm for opening and closing the shutter of the cartridge
is provided in the shaft portion of the first opening and closing
piece. Accordingly, when the shutter is opened, the arm for opening
and closing the shutter can be positively engaged with the shaft
portion. Therefore, the operation of opening and closing can be
stabilized. Further, since the flange of the second opening and
closing piece is formed square, it is difficult for the flange
portion to separate from a rear end of the guide groove.
[0034] According to the loading mechanism of the third aspect of
the present invention, a mechanism for loading a disk cartridge
into a disk drive apparatus in which a removable disk cartridge is
loaded into a disk drive apparatus comprises: an opening and
closing means for automatically opening a shutter when the
cartridge is inserted into the disk drive apparatus and acts on a
shutter opening and closing arm of the cartridge; an elevating
plate on which a spindle motor for rotating a disk in the cartridge
is mounted and also on which alignment pins inserted into two
reference holes formed in the cartridge are mounted; and an
elevating means for moving the elevating plate to the cartridge
side in accordance with the insertion of the cartridge into the
disk drive apparatus, wherein the elevating plate has two sets of
guide pins arranged symmetrically with each other in a direction
perpendicular to the inserting direction of the cartridge, the
slide plate of the elevating means has oblique surfaces, two of the
oblique surfaces are arranged on the right and the other two of the
oblique surfaces are arranged on the left, the oblique surfaces
respectively lift the guide pins when the slide plate is moved, and
starting points of the oblique surfaces are shifted in the
longitudinal direction with respect to the inserting direction of
the cartridge.
[0035] In the loading mechanism of the third aspect, the starting
points of the two oblique surfaces on the side of the long
reference hole formed on the bottom surface of the cartridge are
shifted to the inside of the disk drive apparatus with respect to
the two oblique surfaces on the side of the circular reference
hole. An extending portion is formed on the elevating plate on the
front side of the disk drive apparatus, and a magnet for attracting
the extending portion is arranged in a casing of the disk drive
apparatus at a position opposed to the extending portion under the
condition that the cartridge is inserted into the disk drive
apparatus.
[0036] According to the loading mechanism of the third aspect, the
oblique surfaces for lifting the spindle motor, provided on both
sides of the elevating plate, are shifted in the longitudinal
direction. Therefore, it is possible to conduct correction with
respect to play and deflection caused during sliding on the
elevating plate. The two oblique surfaces provided on the bottom
surface of the cartridge on the long reference hole side are offset
to the inside of the optical disk drive apparatus with respect to
the two oblique surfaces arranged close to the writing protect tab
on the circular hole side. Accordingly, in the case of the sliding
of the slide plate, the oblique slide plate can be corrected.
Further, the first alignment pin to be positively engaged with the
long reference hole is lifted first. As a result, the second
alignment pin arranged on the elevating plate close to the
cartridge detection sensor is lifted after the first alignment pin
has been lifted. Consequently, there is no possibility that only
the second alignment pin is engaged. Accordingly, it is possible to
prevent the occurrence of such a problem that the cartridge is
detected and the motor is rotated in an incomplete chucking
condition of the optical disk. In this way, the optical disk can be
protected, and further chucking can be stably conducted by the
spindle motor.
[0037] In addition, when the magnet is arranged below the extending
portion of the elevating plate on which the spindle motor is
mounted on the base side of the optical disk drive apparatus, the
elevating plate, which is a magnetic substance, can be stably set
on the base of the optical disk drive apparatus.
[0038] In this connection, the loading mechanisms of the first to
the third embodiment may be combined with each other in the optical
disk drive apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] The present invention will be clearly understood from the
description as set forth below with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance on the
upper surface side of the optical disk drive apparatus of the
present invention;
[0041] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance on the
back surface side of the optical disk drive apparatus of the
present invention;
[0042] FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the appearance on the
back surface side of the optical disk cartridge used for the
optical disk drive apparatus of the present invention, wherein the
shutter of the optical disk cartridge is in a closed condition;
[0043] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the optical disk cartridge
shown in FIG. 3A, wherein the shutter of the optical disk cartridge
is open;
[0044] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the optical disk drive
apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from which the cover is removed, wherein
the view is taken from the front side;
[0045] FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing
the structure of the first piece used for the optical disk drive
apparatus shown in FIG. 4A;
[0046] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which an optical
disk cartridge starts being inserted into the optical disk drive
apparatus shown in FIG. 4A;
[0047] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which an optical
disk cartridge is completely inserted into the optical disk drive
apparatus shown in FIG. 4A and a shutter is fully opened;
[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration showing a primary portion
of the optical disk drive apparatus shown in FIG. 5, wherein the
view is taken from the reverse side of an optical disk
cartridge;
[0049] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration showing a state in which
the optical disk cartridge is inserted into the optical disk drive
apparatus from the state shown in FIG. 7 and the shutter is fully
opened;
[0050] FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the
first piece composing a portion of the shutter opening and closing
mechanism of the optical disk cartridge in the optical disk drive
apparatus;
[0051] FIG. 9B is a side view of the first piece shown in FIG. 9A,
wherein the view is taken in the direction of arrow B;
[0052] FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view taken on line C-C in FIG.
9B;
[0053] FIG. 9D is a locally cross-sectional view taken on line D-D
in FIG. 9B;
[0054] FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the
second piece composing a portion of the shutter opening and closing
mechanism of the optical disk cartridge in the optical disk drive
apparatus;
[0055] FIG. 10B is a side view of the second piece shown in FIG.
10A, wherein the view is taken in the direction of arrow B;
[0056] FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken on line C-C in FIG.
10B;
[0057] FIG. 10D is a cross-sectional view taken on line D-D in FIG.
10B;
[0058] FIG. 10E is a locally cross-sectional view taken on line E-E
in FIG. 10B;
[0059] FIG. 10F is a locally cross-sectional view taken on line F-F
in FIG. 10B;
[0060] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a reverse side of the
optical disk drive apparatus of the present invention from which
the cover has been removed, wherein the view is taken from the
front of the optical disk drive apparatus;
[0061] FIG. 12A is a plan view showing the detail of an elevating
plate on which a spindle motor is mounted;
[0062] FIG. 12B is a side view showing the elevating plate shown in
FIG. 12A, wherein the view is taken in the direction of arrow
B;
[0063] FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the
first alignment pin in detail shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B;
[0064] FIG. 13B is a front view showing a state in which the first
alignment pin is mounted on the elevating plate, wherein the view
is taken in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 13A;
[0065] FIG. 13C is a front view showing a state in which the first
alignment pin is mounted on the elevating plate, wherein the view
is taken in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 13A;
[0066] FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the
second alignment pin in detail shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B;
[0067] FIG. 14B is a front view showing a state in which the second
alignment pin is mounted on the elevating plate, wherein the view
is taken in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 14A;
[0068] FIG. 14C is a side view showing a state in which the second
alignment pin is mounted on the elevating plate, wherein the view
is taken in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 14A;
[0069] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a base, wherein the
structure of the base for lifting the elevating plate shown in
FIGS. 12A and 12B is shown when the view is taken from the
side;
[0070] FIG. 16A is a plan view of a load plate provided with a
bracket used as a lifting guide of the elevating plate;
[0071] FIG. 16B is a side view of the load plate taken on line C-C
in FIG. 16A in the direction of arrow B;
[0072] FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view taken on line C-C of the
load plate in FIG. 16A;
[0073] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the base showing an elevating
mechanism of the elevating plate; and
[0074] FIG. 18 is a bottom view showing a state in which the
elevating plate and the load plate shown in FIG. 17 are connected
with each other.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0075] Referring to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the
present invention will be explained as follows with reference to
specific examples.
[0076] FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of the upper side of
the optical disk drive apparatus 1 to which the present invention
is applied, and FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of the
reverse side of the optical disk drive apparatus 1. An optical disk
cartridge 2 in which an optical disk is accommodated in a cartridge
is inserted into the optical disk drive apparatus 1. The optical
disk drive apparatus 1 conducts reading and writing of data on the
optical disk accommodated in the optical disk cartridge 2. The
optical disk drive apparatus 1 includes: a loading and ejecting
mechanism for loading and ejecting the optical disk cartridge 2, a
spindle motor for rotating the optical disk, a bias mechanism, a
positioner, a lens actuator, and a stationary optical system. The
optical disk cartridge 2 is inserted into the optical disk drive
apparatus 1 from an inserting port 1A of the optical disk drive
apparatus 1.
[0077] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing the structure of the
optical disk cartridge 2 inserted into the optical disk drive
apparatus 1. A front side of the optical disk cartridge 2 is shown
in FIG. 1, and a rear side of the optical disk cartridge 2 is shown
in FIGS. 3A and 3B. As shown in FIG. 3A, there is provided a
shutter 21 in a cartridge case 20 of the optical disk cartridge 2.
At an end portion of this shutter 21, there is provided a shutter
opening and closing arm 22. At one end portion of the cartridge
case 20, there is provided a writing protect tab 23 for prohibiting
data from being written on the optical disk.
[0078] When an end portion 22A of the shutter opening and closing
arm 22 is pushed by an opening and closing piece which will be
described later, the shutter 21 slides on the cartridge case 20, so
that the shutter can be opened. FIG. 3B is a view showing a state
of the optical disk cartridge 2, the shutter of which has been
fully opened. There is provided an optical disk 24, which is a
recording medium, in the cartridge case 20. This optical disk 24 is
rotated when a hub 25 arranged at the center of the optical disk 24
is chucked to a spindle motor described later. After the shutter 21
has been fully opened, a holding groove 26, for holding the shutter
opening, and closing piece, appears at an end portion of the
cartridge case 20. Further, on both sides of the bottom of the
cartridge case 20 close to the rear end portion, there are provided
two reference holes 27, 28 for positioning the optical disk
cartridge 2 in the optical disk drive apparatus 1. One reference
hole 27 is a circular hole, and the other reference hole 28 is a
long hole. The reference hole, which is a circular reference hole,
will be referred to as a circular reference hole 27, and the
reference hole, which is a long reference hole, will be referred to
as a long reference hole 28, hereinafter, in this
specification.
[0079] A loading mechanism for loading the optical disk cartridge 2
into the optical disk drive apparatus 1 of the present invention
will be explained below. In this case, the loading mechanism
includes the following three mechanisms. They are (1) a mechanism
for opening and closing the shutter of the optical disk cartridge
2, (2) a mechanism for positioning the optical disk cartridge 2
onto the base of the optical disk drive apparatus, and (3) a
mechanism for elevating the spindle motor. Therefore, these three
mechanisms are individually explained as follows.
[0080] (1) Mechanism for opening and closing the shutter of the
optical disk cartridge will be explained below.
[0081] A mechanism for opening and closing the shutter 21 of the
optical disk cartridge 2 is shown in FIGS. 4A to 10F. First, FIG.
4A is a view showing a front side of the optical disk drive
apparatus 1 from which the cover has been removed. Reference
numeral 1A is an inserting port of the optical disk cartridge 2. On
the upper side of the inserting port 1A of the optical disk
cartridge 2, there is provided a guide frame 3. In this guide frame
3, there is provided a guide groove 4. The guide groove 4 is formed
obliquely from the end portion of the inserting port 1A of the
cartridge toward the inside, and it is curved in the middle, so
that it is arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction of
the optical disk cartridge 1. As shown in FIG. 4B, the periphery of
the guide groove 4 formed in the guide frame 3 is made hollow
toward the upside by means of sheet metal forming. Therefore, a
recess portion 5 is formed on the insertion side of the optical
disk cartridge. The first and the second opening and closing pieces
6 and 7 are slidably inserted into the guide groove 4.
[0082] FIG. 5 is a view showing a state immediately after the
optical disk cartridge 2 has been inserted into the optical disk
drive apparatus 1 from the cartridge inserting port 1A in FIG. 4.
When the optical disk cartridge 2 is inserted into the optical disk
drive apparatus 1 from the cartridge inserting port 1A, the first
opening and closing piece 6 comes into contact with an end portion
22A of the shutter opening and closing arm 22 attached to the
shutter 21 of the optical disk cartridge 2.
[0083] When the optical disk cartridge 2 is pushed in the above
state and inserted into the optical disk drive apparatus 1, the
first opening and closing piece 6 is moved inside in accordance
with the insertion of the optical disk cartridge 2. Therefore, the
shutter opening and closing arm 22 is pushed by the movement of the
first opening and closing piece 6, so that the shutter 21 is
gradually opened. The second opening and closing piece 7 is
connected with the first opening and closing piece 6 by a spring
described later. Consequently, in accordance with the movement of
the first opening and closing piece 6, the second opening and
closing piece 7 is moved to the inside of the apparatus. FIG. 6 is
a view showing a state in which the optical disk cartridge 2 has
been completely inserted into the optical disk drive apparatus 1
from the state shown in FIG. 5, and the shutter 21 has been fully
opened. As described above, when the optical disk cartridge 2 is
inserted into the optical disk drive apparatus 1, the shutter 21 of
the optical disk cartridge 2 is automatically opened by the first
opening and closing piece 6.
[0084] FIG. 7 is a view showing the shutter opening and closing
mechanism operated in the manner described above, wherein the view
is taken from the reverse side of the optical disk cartridge 2. The
shutter opening and closing mechanism includes: a guide groove 4
provided in the guide frame 3, a recess portion 5 formed in the
periphery of this guide groove 4, a first opening and closing piece
6 and a second opening and closing piece 7 which slide in the guide
groove 4 and the recess portion 5, a first torsion spring 8
provided between the first and the second opening and closing
pieces 6 and 7, and a second torsion spring 9 provided between the
second opening and closing piece 7 and an end portion of the guide
frame 3. There is provided an engaging protrusion 64 in the first
opening and closing piece 6. Therefore, when the optical disk
cartridge 2 is inserted into the apparatus, the engaging protrusion
64 can be easily hooked at an end portion 22A of the shutter
opening and closing arm 22 of the optical disk cartridge 2.
[0085] FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the optical disk
cartridge 1 is further inserted into the optical disk drive
apparatus 1 from the state shown in FIG. 7 and the shutter 21 is
fully opened. When the shutter 21 is fully opened, a holding groove
26 appears which is provided in the front end portion of the
optical disk cartridge 2, and the first opening and closing piece 6
enters this holding groove 26. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the
shutter 21 of the optical disk cartridge 2 is fully opened in the
middle of insertion of the optical disk cartridge 2 into the
optical disk drive apparatus 1. The optical disk cartridge 2 is
further inserted onto the inside of the optical disk drive
apparatus from this state. The reason why the shutter 21 of the
optical disk cartridge 2 is fully opened in the middle of insertion
of the optical disk cartridge 2 is that a turn table of the spindle
motor is caught by the hub 25 of the optical disk cartridge 2.
[0086] In this connection, the optical disk drive apparatus 1 is
made compact, so that the space in the optical disk drive apparatus
1 is limited. Therefore, in the state explained in FIG. 6 in which
insertion of the optical disk cartridge 2 has been completed, the
first and the second opening and closing pieces 6 and 7 are
contacted with each other and accommodated in the rear end portion
of the guide groove 4. According to the conventional structure,
flange portions of the first and the second opening and closing
pieces 6 and 7 run onto each other at this time, and the opening
and closing pieces can not slide smoothly in the guide groove 4. In
order to solve the above problems, shapes of the first and the
second opening and closing pieces 6 and 7 are formed as shown in
FIGS. 9A to 10F in the example of the present invention.
[0087] FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing an appearance of the
first opening and closing piece. FIG. 9B is a side view of the
first opening and closing piece shown in FIG. 9A, wherein the view
is taken in the direction of arrow B. FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional
view taken on line C-C in FIG. 9B. FIG. 9D is a locally
cross-sectional view taken on line D-D in FIG. 9B. The first
opening and closing piece 6 includes: a guide groove inserting
portion 60 to be inserted into the guide groove 4, two flanges 61,
62 holding this guide groove inserting portion 60 between them, and
a shaft portion 63 protruding onto the upper surface of the flange
62. The guide groove inserting portion 60 is formed into a
substantially columnar shape, and the two flanges 61, 62 are formed
into a disk-shape, one portion of which is cut out. The shaft
portion 63 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped, and an
engaging protrusion 64 is formed in one portion of the shaft
portion 63 so that the end portion 22A of the shutter opening and
closing arm 22 can be easily engaged with the engaging protrusion
64. This rectangular parallelepiped portion of the shaft portion 63
is accommodated in the holding groove 26 which appears in the front
end portion of the optical disk cartridge 2 when the shutter
opening and closing arm 22 is opened at the maximum.
[0088] Further, in the shaft portion 63, there is provided a slit
65 in the axial direction. In a direction perpendicular to the slit
63, there is provided a spring insertion hole 66 with which one end
of the first torsion spring 8 can be engaged. One end of the first
torsion spring 8 enters the inside of the shaft portion 63 from
this spring insertion hole 66 and is accommodated in the slit
65.
[0089] In this connection, the guide groove inserting portion 60 of
the first opening and closing piece 6 of this example is columnar,
so that the first opening and closing piece 6 can be easily rotated
in the guide groove 4. Therefore, the spring inserting hole 66 of
this example is formed on one side of the shaft portion 63 with
respect to the direction in which the first opening and closing
piece 6 proceeds in the guide groove 4. When one end of the first
torsion spring 8 is inserted into this spring inserting hole 66, it
is possible to restrict a range of the rotational angle of the
first opening and closing piece 6.
[0090] FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing an appearance of the
second opening and closing piece 7. FIG. 10B is a side view of the
second opening and closing piece 7 shown in FIG. 10A, wherein the
view is taken in the direction of arrow B. FIG. 10C is a
cross-sectional view taken on line C-C in FIG. 10B. FIG. 10D is a
cross-sectional view taken on line D-D in FIG. 10B. FIG. 10E is a
locally cross-sectional view taken on line E-E in FIG. 10B. FIG.
10F is a locally cross-sectional view taken on line F-F in FIG.
10B. The second opening and closing piece 7 includes: a guide
groove inserting portion 70 to be inserted into the guide groove 4,
two flanges 71, 72 interposing this guide groove inserting portion
70, and a shaft portion 73 protruding onto the upper surface of the
flange 72. The guide groove inserting portion 70 is formed into a
substantially columnar shape, and the two flanges 71, 72 are formed
into a square shape. The shaft portion 73 is formed into a columnar
shape, the portions of which are cut out in parallel with each
other.
[0091] When the flanges 71, 72 of the second opening and closing
piece 7 are formed square as described above, even if the second
opening and closing piece 7 moves and reaches the rear end portion
of the guide groove 4, the flanges 71, 72 are difficult to separate
from the guide groove 4.
[0092] Further, there is provided a longitudinal hole 75 in the
axial direction in the shaft portion 73. In this shaft portion 73,
in a direction perpendicular to this longitudinal hole 75, there
are provided a first spring insertion hole 76 and a second spring
insertion hole 77, and the first spring insertion hole 76 engages
with one end of the first torsion spring 8, and the second spring
insertion hole 77 engages with one end of the second torsion spring
9. One end of the first torsion spring 8 enters the shaft portion
73 from the first spring insertion hole 76 and is accommodated in
the longitudinal hole 75, and also one end of the second torsion
spring 9 enters the shaft portion 73 from the second spring
insertion hole 77 and is accommodated in the longitudinal hole
75.
[0093] In the second opening and closing piece 7 of this example,
the guide groove inserting portion 70 is columnar. Therefore, the
second opening and closing piece 7 can be easily rotated in the
guide groove 4. Accordingly, in this example, one portion of the
columnar guide groove inserting portion 70 is extended to end
portions of the flanges 71, 72 in a direction of the guide groove,
and this extending portion forms a connecting portion 74. Since the
width of this connecting portion 74 is smaller than the width of
the guide groove 4, it is possible for the second opening and
closing piece 7 to oscillate in the guide groove 4 round the axis
of the guide groove inserting portion 70 by a predetermined
angle.
[0094] As described above, the second opening and closing piece 7
is provided with the connecting portion 74 for connecting portions
of the flanges 71 and 72 with each other to the outer
circumferences in the vertical direction. Therefore, even if the
first opening and closing piece 6 comes into contact with the
second opening and closing piece 7, there is no possibility that
the first and the second opening and closing pieces 6 and 7 run
onto each other.
[0095] The first and the second opening and closing pieces 6 and 7
composed as described above can be integrally made of resin by
means of molding. In this case, parting lines of the metallic molds
for molding the first and the second opening and closing pieces 6
and 7 from resin may be arranged in the same direction as that of
the guide groove 4. Due to the foregoing, the parting lines
remaining in the first and the second opening and closing pieces 6
and 7 in the molding are made to coincide with the direction of the
guide groove 4. When the first and the second opening and closing
pieces 6 and 7 are engaged with the guide groove 4, they are
restricted so that the rotation exceeding an angle of 90.degree. is
not allowed with respect to the guide groove. Therefore, when the
first and the second opening and closing pieces 6 and 7 slide in
the guide groove 4, no parting lines interfere with the movement of
the first and the second opening and closing pieces 6 and 7.
Accordingly, even if burr is caused at the positions of the parting
lines, it is unnecessary to conduct machining to remove the
burr.
[0096] The thicknesses of the flanges 62, 72 on the sides of the
shaft portions 63, 73 of the first and the second opening and
closing pieces 6 and 7 are formed in such a manner that the flanges
62, 72 can be accommodated in the recess portions 5 formed in the
periphery of the guide groove 4 of the guide frame 3 by means of
drawing of sheet metal forming. Accordingly, there is no
possibility that the flanges 62, 72 protrude onto the passage of
the optical disk cartridge 2, that is, the inserting operation of
the optical disk cartridge 2 is not obstructed by the flanges 62,
72 of the first and the second opening and closing pieces 6 and
7.
[0097] (2) A mechanism for positioning the optical disk cartridge
onto the base of the optical disk drive apparatus will be explained
below.
[0098] A mechanism for positioning the optical disk cartridge onto
the base of the optical disk drive apparatus is shown in FIGS. 11
to 14C.
[0099] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a reverse side of the
optical disk drive apparatus 1 from which the cover has been
removed, wherein the view is taken from the inserting port 1A side
of the optical disk cartridge 2 of the optical disk drive
apparatus. On the base 1B on the insertion port 1A side of the
optical disk cartridge 2, there is provided an elevating plate 10
on which the spindle motor is mounted. The elevating plate 10 is
composed of a magnetic substance such as a plate made of iron. On
the base 1B, there are provided two posts into which two guide
holes 16, 17 formed on the elevating plate 10 are inserted. At the
center of the elevating plate 10, there is provided an extending
portion 15 which is extended to the inserting port 1A side of the
optical disk cartridge 2. At a position on the base 1B opposed to
this extending portion 15, there is provided a magnet 30. When the
elevating plate 10 is set on the base 1B, it is attracted by this
magnet 30, so that the elevating plate 10 can be stabilized on the
base 1B. Reference numeral 18 is a flexible circuit substrate used
for transmitting signals to the spindle motor, the detection switch
and other components mounted on the elevating plate 10.
[0100] FIG. 12A is a plan view showing the detail of the elevating
plate on which the spindle motor 14 is mounted, and FIG. 12B is a
side view showing the elevating plate 10 shown in FIG. 12A, wherein
the view is taken in the direction of arrow B. The elevating plate
10 includes: a first alignment pin 11 which protrudes onto the base
1B to the passage side of the optical disk cartridge 2 and is
inserted into the reference long hole 28 of the optical disk
cartridge 2 when the elevating plate 10 is lifted up and set on the
base 1B; a second alignment pin 12 inserted into the circular
reference hole 27; a spindle motor 14 having a turn table 13 to be
chucked to the hub of the optical disk; guide holes 16, 17 which
functions as an elevating guide of the elevating plate 10; a
flexible circuit substrate 18; a detection switch 19; and guide
pins 31 to 34 for elevating the elevating plate 10. The detection
switch 19 detects a position of the writing protect tab 23 of the
optical disk cartridge 2 explained in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The guide
pins 31, 32 are arranged symmetrically with respect to center line
CL which passes through the rotational center of the spindle motor
14 in the same direction as that of the inserting direction of the
optical disk cartridge 2. In the same manner, the guide pins 33, 34
is arranged symmetrically with respect to center line CL.
[0101] In this connection, in this example, the inequality of
X>Y can be established, wherein X is a distance from line CP
perpendicular to center line CL to the end surface of the first
alignment pin 11, and Y is a distance from line CP perpendicular to
center line CL to the end surface of the second alignment pin 12.
In this case, line CP passes through the rotational center of the
spindle motor. A difference between distance X and distance Y is
approximately 0.2 mm. That is, in the case where the diameter of
the first alignment pin 11 in the direction of center line CL is
the same as the diameter of the second alignment pin 12 in the
direction of center line CL, the front surface of the second
alignment pin 12 is located at a position on the front side in the
cartridge inserting direction compared with the front surface of
the first alignment pin 11. In this connection, the detection
switch 19 is arranged close to the second alignment pin 12.
[0102] As shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, the first alignment pin 11
inserted into the long reference hole 28 of the optical disk
cartridge 2 includes: a shaft portion 11A, a base 11B from which
the shaft portion 11A protrudes, and an attaching slit 1C formed in
the base 11B. This first alignment pin 11 is attached to a
predetermined position on the elevating plate 10 by means of
insertion molding. Reference numeral 10A is a hole used for
insertion molding formed on the elevating plate 10. Concerning the
shape of the shaft portion 11A of the first alignment pin 11, the
section is a long hole, that is, the shaft portion 11A is columnar,
and the front end portion of the shaft portion 11A is formed into a
tapered surface 11D.
[0103] In the same manner, as shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the second
alignment pin 12, which is inserted into the circular reference
hole 27 of the optical disk cartridge 2, includes, a shaft portion
12A, a base 12B from which this shaft portion 12A protrudes, and an
attaching slit 12C formed on the base 12B. The second alignment pin
12 is attached to a predetermined position on the elevating plate
10 by means of insertion molding. Reference numeral 10B is a hole
for insertion molding formed on the elevating plate 10. A section
of the shaft portion 12A of the second alignment pin 12 is a long
hole, that is, the shaft portion 12A of the second alignment pin 12
is formed into a columnar shape, and a curved portion 12D is formed
in one portion of the front end of the shaft portion 12A. This
curved portion 12D is provided in a half portion of the front end
of the shaft portion 12A. This curved portion 12D is formed only in
the front end portion of the shaft portion 12A on the opposite side
to the first alignment pin 11.
[0104] The reason why the first alignment pin 11 is arranged on the
inside of the apparatus with respect to the second alignment pin 12
will be explained as follows. In general, when the optical disk
cartridge 2 is engaged with the spindle motor 14, the position and
posture of the optical disk cartridge 2 are determined by the first
and the second alignment pins 11 and 12. However, a clearance is
necessarily provided in the cross direction of the passage of the
optical disk cartridge 2 in the optical disk drive apparatus 1 in
the case where no cross-direction adjusting mechanism is provided
in order to reduce the manufacturing cost. Further, there is a
positional deviation between the reference hole 27 of the optical
disk cartridge 2 and the first alignment pin 11, and also there is
a positional deviation between the reference hole 28 of the optical
disk cartridge 2 and the second alignment pin 12. This positional
deviation is caused by a dimensional tolerance that exists
originally. Therefore, the apparatus of the present invention is
composed as follows. In order that the first and the second
alignment pins 11 and 12 hold the reference holes 27, 28 formed on
the cartridge side correctly and also in order to allow a slippage
of the optical disk cartridge in the cross direction, a tapered
surface is formed at the front end portion of the first alignment
pin 11, and an oblique surface, the area of which is a half of the
front end portion of the shaft portion 1A, is formed at the front
end portion of the second alignment pin 12 so that it can follow a
slippage of the optical disk in the cross direction, and the
residual portion of the front end portion of the shaft portion 1A
is formed into a straight shape. The reason why the first and the
second alignment pins 11 and 12, which are arranged on the right
and left of the spindle motor, are shifted in the longitudinal
direction is to prevent only the second alignment pin 12 on the
cartridge detection switch 19 side from being engaged earlier than
the first alignment pin 11. That is, according to the present
invention, the first alignment pin 11 is shifted to the inside of
the apparatus so that the alignment pin located on the opposite
side to the detection switch 19 can be engaged early.
[0105] (3) The mechanism for elevating the spindle motor will be
explained below.
[0106] A mechanism for elevating the spindle motor is shown in
FIGS. 15 to 18. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a base,
wherein the structure of the base for lifting the elevating plate
10 explained in FIGS. 12A and 12B is shown when the view is taken
from the side. As shown in FIG. 15, posts 36, 37, which are
inserted into the guide holes 16, 17 on the elevating plate 10 so
that the posts 36, 37 can be used as an elevating guide, protrude
from the base 1B of the optical disk drive apparatus 1. Between the
posts 36, 37, there is provided a through-hole 38 into which the
spindle motor 14 is inserted. On the operator's side (the right in
the drawing) with respect to the posts 36, 37 on the base 1B, there
is provided a load plate 40 which is engaged with the elevating
plate 10 so that the elevating plate 10 can be elevated. On this
load plate 40, there are provided four brackets 41 to 44 for
elevating the elevating plate 10. This load plate 40 is engaged
with the lever 53 and moved in the longitudinal direction of the
optical disk drive apparatus 1 when the lever 53 is turned.
[0107] FIGS. 16A to 16C are views showing the detail of the
structure of the load plate 40. FIG. 16A is a bottom view of the
load plate 10. FIG. 16B is a side view of the load plate 10 taken
on line C-C in FIG. 16A in the direction of arrow B. FIG. 16C is a
cross-sectional view taken on line C-C of the load plate in FIG.
16A. The load plate 40 is composed of one plate in this example,
and the predetermined four portions of the load plate 40 are bent
by a right angle, so that the first 41 to the fourth bracket 44 are
formed on the load plate 40. In each bracket 41 to 44, there is
provided a guide groove 41B to 44B for receiving a guide pin 31 to
34 arranged on the elevating plate 10. The base 1B side of each
guide groove 41B to 44B is formed into an oblique surface 41A to
44A. On the load plate 40, there are provided guide holes 45 to 47
which function as a slide guide. Reference numeral 48 is a
connecting hole connected with the lever 53 explained in FIG.
15.
[0108] In this example, two oblique surfaces 41A, 43A of the first
41 and the third bracket 43 on the circular reference hole 27 side
provided on the bottom of the optical disk cartridge 2 are offset
to the inside of the optical disk drive apparatus by a
predetermined distance Z with respect to the two oblique surfaces
42A, 44A of the second 42 and the fourth bracket 44 provided on the
long reference hole 28. As a result, the second alignment pin 12
provided close to the detection switch 19 is lifted up to the base
1B side a little more slowly than the first alignment pin 11.
[0109] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the base 1B of the optical disk
drive apparatus 1 showing an overall arrangement of the elevating
mechanism of the elevating plate 10. The elevating mechanism of the
elevating plate 10 includes a moving block 50, slide plate 51,
chucking spring 52, lever 53, load plate 40 and return spring
54.
[0110] The moving block 50 protrudes into a moving passage of the
optical disk cartridge 2 in the optical disk drive apparatus as
shown in FIG. 8. After the shutter 21 of the optical disk cartridge
2 has been fully opened, the moving block 50 comes into contact
with the optical disk cartridge 2 and moves together with it. The
slide plate 51 is connected with this moving block 50 and moved
together with the moving block 50. The chucking spring 52 connects
the slide plate 51 with the lever 53. The lever 53 is pivotally
attached to the rotary shaft 55 protruding from the base 1B. One
end of the lever 53 is connected with the chucking spring 52, and
the other end of the lever 53 is pivotally connected with the load
plate 40 via a pin. The load plate 40 is arranged on the base 1B,
and the guide hole is inserted into the rotary shaft 55. The return
spring 54 is provided between the load plate 40 and the base 1B.
The return spring 54 pulls back the load plate 40 which has been
moved by the rotation of the lever 53.
[0111] Operation of the elevating mechanism of the elevating plate
10 composed as described above will be explained as follows. When
the optical disk cartridge 2 is inserted into the optical disk
drive apparatus 1 and contacted with the moving block 50, the
moving block 50 is moved in the direction shown by arrow (1) in the
drawing. When the moving block 50 is moved in the direction shown
by arrow (1), the slide plate 51 connected with the moving block 50
is moved in the direction shown by arrow (2). When the slide plate
51 is moved in the direction shown by arrow (2), the lever 53
connected with the slide plate 51 by the chucking spring 52 is
rotated round the rotary shaft 55 in the direction of arrow (3).
When the lever 53 is rotated round the rotary shaft 55 in the
direction of arrow (3), the load plate 40 connected with one end of
the lever 53 is moved in the direction of arrow (4). As a result,
the four brackets 41 to 43 are also moved in the direction of arrow
(4).
[0112] On the other hand, when the optical disk cartridge 2 is
ejected from the optical disk drive apparatus 1, the load plate 40
is pulled back by the action of the return spring 54. Therefore,
the load plate 40 is moved in the direction opposite to arrow (4),
and the lever 53 is rotated in the direction opposite to arrow (3).
Further, the slid plate 51 is moved in the direction opposite to
arrow (2), and the moving block 50 is moved in the direction
opposite to arrow (1), so that it returns to the initial
position.
[0113] FIG. 18 is a view showing a state of connection in which the
elevating mechanism of the above elevating plate 10 is connected
with the elevating plate 10. Two guide holes 16, 17 on the
elevating plate 10 are inserted into the posts 36, 37 protruding
from the base 1B, and the guide pins 31 to 34 arranged on the
elevating plate 10 are respectively attached to the first 41 to the
fourth bracket 44 arranged on the load plate 40. Guide pins 31 to
34 arranged on the elevating plate 10 are located close to the
entrances of the guide grooves 41B to 44B when the optical disk
cartridge 2 is not inserted into the optical disk drive apparatus
1. When the optical disk cartridge 2 is inserted into the optical
disk drive apparatus 1 and the load plate 40 is moved to the front
direction (the direction of arrow (4) in FIG. 17) of the base 1B,
the guide pins 31 to 34 are pulled up to the base 1B side along the
oblique surfaces 41A to 44A of the brackets 41 to 44, and the
elevating plate 10 is set on the base 1B. Therefore, the alignment
pins 11, 12 provided on the elevating plate 10 are engaged with the
reference holes 27, 28 of the optical disk cartridge 2, and the
spindle motor is chucked to the optical disk cartridge 2 at the
same time. The elevating plate 10 is held on the reference surface
of the base 1B under the condition that the elevating plate 10 is
chucked to the optical disk cartridge 2.
[0114] Two oblique surfaces 41A, 43A of the first and the third
brackets 41 and 43 on the circular reference hole 27 side provided
on the bottom of the optical disk cartridge 2 are offset to the
inside of the optical disk drive apparatus by a predetermined
distance Z with respect to the two oblique surfaces 42A, 44A of the
second and the fourth brackets 42 and 44 provided on the long
reference hole 28. Accordingly, the second alignment pin 12
arranged close to the detection switch 19 of the elevating plate 10
is lifted up onto the base 1B side a little more slowly than the
first alignment pin 11. As a result, even if deflection and play
are caused on the load plate 40, the elevating plate 10 can be
uniformly lifted up by the effect of offset of the brackets 41, 43
and set on the reference surface of the base 1B, and further the
first alignment pin 11 arranged on the opposite side to the
detection switch 19 can be positively engaged with the reference
hole 28 of the optical disk cartridge 2 before the second alignment
pin 12 is engaged with the reference hole. Accordingly, when the
optical disk cartridge 2 is in an inappropriate posture, the
optical disk cartridge 2 can not be detected by the detection
switch 19.
[0115] After the optical disk cartridge 2 has been inserted into
the apparatus, the optical disk cartridge 2 and the alignment pins
11, 12 come into contact with each other under the condition that a
frictional force always acts between them. When vibration is given
to the spindle motor 14 at this time, even if the optical disk
cartridge 2 is kept in an appropriate posture, there is a
possibility that the elevating plate 10 is held being lifted up
from the reference surface of the base 1B. According to this
example, the magnet 30 is arranged on the base 1B, and the
elevating plate 10 is attracted onto the base 1B side by the magnet
30 when the elevating plate 10 is set onto the base 1B.
Consequently, according to this example, even if an external force
is given to the spindle motor, it is possible to prevent the
elevating plate 10 from being lifted up from the reference surface
of the base 1B.
[0116] The loading mechanism into which the above three mechanisms
are entirely incorporated can exhibit the most excellent effect.
However, it is possible to provide an excellent effect when only
one of the above three mechanisms is incorporated or when any two
mechanisms are incorporated.
[0117] In this connection, in the above example, explanation is
made in a case in which the optical disk drive apparatus and the
optical disk cartridge are used. However, it should be noted that
the loading mechanism of the present invention can be used as a
loading mechanism of a floppy disk drive apparatus in which a
floppy disk having the same shutter mechanism as that of the
optical disk cartridge is used.
* * * * *