U.S. patent application number 09/272099 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for apparatus for reproducing an optical disc.
Invention is credited to FUJIMOTO, MASAMI, IDO, KENJIRO, KIMURA, TOMOMICHI, MIZOGUCHI, TAKASHI, NIINO, TETSUYA, SATOH, MICHIHIRO, SUZUKI, TORU, TAKEMASA, KAORU, UCHIYAMA, KENJI, YOSHIDA, SUSUMU.
Application Number | 20010043552 09/272099 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 13502986 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010043552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKEMASA, KAORU ; et
al. |
November 22, 2001 |
APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING AN OPTICAL DISC
Abstract
A supporting means is provided to be moved between a disc
insertion opening and a disc storing device, and a driving roller
is rotatably mounted on the supporting means for carrying a disc
inserted in the opening toward the disc storing device. The
supporting means is moved between the opening and the disc storing
means, and the driving roller is driven for carrying the disc from
the opening to the disc storing device.
Inventors: |
TAKEMASA, KAORU;
(SAITAMA-KEN, JP) ; YOSHIDA, SUSUMU; (SAITAMA-KEN,
JP) ; SUZUKI, TORU; (SAITAMA-KEN, JP) ; IDO,
KENJIRO; (SAITAMA-KEN, JP) ; FUJIMOTO, MASAMI;
(SAITAMA-KEN, JP) ; UCHIYAMA, KENJI; (SAITAMA-KEN,
JP) ; KIMURA, TOMOMICHI; (SAITAMA-KEN, JP) ;
MIZOGUCHI, TAKASHI; (SAITAMA-KEN, JP) ; SATOH,
MICHIHIRO; (YAMAGATA-KEN, JP) ; NIINO, TETSUYA;
(YAMAGATA-KEN, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX KINTNER PLOTKIN KAHN
1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W. SUITE 600
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-5339
US
|
Family ID: |
13502986 |
Appl. No.: |
09/272099 |
Filed: |
March 19, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
720/621 ;
G9B/17.016; G9B/17.058 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 17/0404 20130101;
G11B 17/26 20130101; G11B 17/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/191 |
International
Class: |
G11B 017/04; G11B
017/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 20, 1998 |
JP |
10-072910 |
Claims
What is claimed is
1. An apparatus for reproducing an optical disc comprising: a disc
reproducing device; a disc storing device having a plurality of
trays each of which stores a disc; a supporting means movable
between a position for inserting a disc and a predetermined
position in the apparatus; a driving roller rotatably mounted on
the supporting means for carrying an inserted disc; moving means
for moving the supporting means; and driving means for rotating the
driving roller.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the disc reproducing
device is mounted on the supporting means.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a movable
plate provided for cooperating the driving roller so as to carry
the disc.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an
erectable stopping member provided adjacent the opening to be stood
when the driving roller is located at the disc storing device so as
to prevent a disc from entering the apparatus.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the trays are
vertically arranged.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the disc reproducing
device is located between the driving roller and the disc storing
device.
7. The apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising moving
means for moving the trays in the disc arranging direction.
8. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the driving roller is
provided for carrying the disc between one of the trays and the
disc reproducing device.
9. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the driving roller is
provided for carrying the disc between one of the trays and the
disc reproducing device.
10. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the electable
stopping member is provided for positioning a disc carried from the
disc storing device at a position corresponding to the disc
reproducing device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for reproducing an
optical disc selected from a plurality of discs stored in a disc
storage, and more particularly to a disc reproducing device mounted
on a motor vehicle.
[0002] In recent years, a disc reproducing device in which a disc
can be changed through an opening for inserting a disc to be
reproduced has been proposed.
[0003] FIG. 28 shows a disc reproducing device, which was filed by
the applicant and disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid
Open 10-21628.
[0004] In the figure, the reference numeral 500 represents a
driving roller, 501 is a disc storing section, 502 is a tray, 503,
504 are disc pulling out arms, 505, 506 are coil springs, and 507
is a disc discharging arm.
[0005] The driving roller 500 is driven by a motor (not shown) to
carry a disc inserted passing through an opening to the disc
storing section 501. In the disc storing section 501, a plurality
of trays, each holding a disc, are arranged. A desired tray is
located to a position corresponding to the driving roller 500 for
changing the disc. There is provided a disc carrying device (not
shown) between the disc storing section 501 and a disc reproducing
section (not shown).
[0006] The disc pulling out arm 503 is rotatable about a shaft 503a
and has a contact portion 503b to be contacted with a periphery of
disc D, and urged in the clockwise direction by the spring 505.
Similarly, the disc pulling out arm 504 is rotatable about a shaft
504a, has a contact portion 504b, and urged in the counterclockwise
direction by the spring 506. The disc discharging arm 507 is
located so as to be contacted with the disc.
[0007] Before the inserting of the disc, the arms 503 and 504 are
located in positions A. When the disc is taken in by the driving
roller 500, arms 503 and 504 are rotated to positions B. However,
the arms 503 and 504 push the disc, thereby removing the disc from
the driving roller 500 and inserting the disc in the tray 502. When
discharging the disc, the discharging arm 507 is rotated to the
position A to push the disc to the driving roller 500.
[0008] In the conventional device, arms 503, 504 and 507 must be
provided in order to carry the disc. Therefore, the device is
complicated in construction, which results in high manufacturing
cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a disc
reproducing device which is simple in construction and has high
reliability.
[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided an
apparatus for reproducing an optical disc comprising, a disc
reproducing device, a disc storing device having a plurality of
trays each of which stores a disc, a supporting means movable
between a disc insertion opening and the disc storing device, a
driving roller rotatably mounted on the supporting means for
carrying a disc inserted in the opening toward the disc storing
device, moving means for moving the supporting means between the
opening and the disc storing means, and driving means for rotating
the driving roller.
[0011] The disc reproducing device is mounted on the supporting
means.
[0012] Furthermore, a movable plate is provided for cooperating the
driving roller so as to carry the disc, and an erectable stopping
member provided adjacent the opening to be stood when the driving
roller is located at the disc storing device so as to prevent a
disc from entering the apparatus.
[0013] The trays are vertically arranged, and moved in the
arranging direction.
[0014] The disc reproducing device is located between the driving
roller and the disc storing device.
[0015] The driving roller is provided for carrying the disc between
one of the trays and the disc reproducing device.
[0016] These and other objects and features of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description with reference to the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the embodiment of the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a plan view;
[0021] FIG. 5a is a side view showing a driving shaft;
[0022] FIG. 5b is a sectional view of the driving shaft;
[0023] FIG. 5c is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 5b;
[0024] FIG. 5d is a plan view of the shaft;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a driving mechanism for the
driving shaft;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a disc holding device;
[0027] FIGS. 8a to 8c show a disc holding mechanism showing an
embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIGS. 9a and 9b show a disc carrying portion showing an
embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIGS. 10a and 10b show a turntable and others of the
invention;
[0030] FIGS. 11a to 12c show a supporting chassis moving
mechanism;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the turntable and a
pickup;
[0032] FIGS. 14 to 18 are plan views for explaining the operation
of the embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIGS. 19a to 20b are side views for explaining the
operation;
[0034] FIGS. 21 to 25 are plan views for explaining the operation
of the reproducing of a small disc;
[0035] FIGS. 26a to 27b are side views showing the operation;
and
[0036] FIG. 28 is a plan view of a conventional device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0037] An embodiment of the present invention is described with
reference to the drawings.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the apparatus of the
present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus. The
apparatus of the invention comprises following three portions
provided in a chassis 1. Namely, there is provided a disc carrying
device 100 provided with a driving rollers 101, a disc reproducing
device 200 having a turntable 201, and a pickup 203, and a disc
storing device 300 having trays 301, storing discs in the direction
of the arrow z in FIG. 1.
[0039] The disc carrying device 100 carries a disc inserted by a
user from a disc insertion opening of a front panel to the disc
reproducing device 200 or the disc storing device 300, and
discharges a large diameter disc 302 from the disc reproducing
device 200 or the disc storing device 300.
[0040] The driving rollers 101 contact with the lower side of a
disc inserted into a disc carrying passage 102 through the
insertion opening, and carry the disc in the direction x. A
supporting chassis 103 supporting the driving rollers 101 is
provided to be moved in the direction x by a supporting chassis
moving mechanism described later. Therefore, the disc is carried in
the direction x by the movement of the supporting chassis 103.
[0041] The disc reproducing device 200 is composed of a turntable
201 provided at the underside of the disc 302, a damper 202 for
clamping the disc in cooperation with the turntable 201 provided at
the upper side of the disc, a pickup 203, and a pickup feed
mechanism for moving the pickup 203 in the radial direction of the
disc.
[0042] As illustrated, the disc reproducing device 200 is supported
on the supporting chassis 103 at the disc storing device 300 side
rather than the disc carrying device 100. Due to the disposition,
the disc reproducing device 200 can be moved together with the disc
carrying device 100 in the direction x. Since the space between the
turntable 201 and the clamper 202 is communicated with the disc
carrying passage 102 in the non-clamping state, the disc to be fed
in by the driving rollers 101 can be passed through the space.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 10a, the clamper 202 is supported in a
state where it cannot be moved relative to a clamper base 205, a
clamping operation and an unclamping operation for the disc are
performed by raising and lowering the turntable 201 in the
direction z (FIG. 1) by means of an unillustrated clamping
mechanism.
[0044] The disc storing device 300, which is composed of four trays
301 arranged in the direction z, is provided for storing four
discs. There is provided with a tray carrying device for carrying
the tray 301 in the direction z. The tray carrying device includes
a driving shaft 305.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the disc storing device 300. The
reference numeral 301 designates a tray, 305 is a driving shaft,
306 is a guide shaft, and 307 is a synchronizing gear. FIG. 4 is a
plan view showing the tray 301. The tray has a semicircular annular
shape having a diameter slightly larger than that of the disc 302.
The tray has a disc holding surface 301a, guide holes 301b, driving
shaft inserting holes 301c, and engaging projections 301d. A disc
face holding mechanism 301x and a disc edge holding mechanism 301y
are provided as mechanisms for holding the disc on the tray. The
four trays are all the same in construction.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the four guide shafts 306 (only two
shafts are shown in FIG. 3) are secured on the main chassis 1 in
the direction z, and these shafts are inserted in the guide holes
301b. Thus, the tray 301 is regulated in movement so as to be moved
in the direction z.
[0047] The four driving shafts 305 (only three shafts are shown in
FIG. 3) are rotatably supported on the main chassis 1. Each of the
driving shafts 305 has a helical groove and is inserted in the
driving shaft inserting hole 301c, The engaging projection 301d of
each tray is engaged with the helical groove 305a. The engaging
projections 301d of four trays are positioned at every one pitch of
the herical grooves 305a. The four driving shafts 305 are rotated
by a synchronously driving mechanism in synchronism with each other
as described hereinafter. Thus, the trays 301 are moved in the
direction z at the same time by rotating the driving shafts
305.
[0048] FIGS. 5a-5c show the driving shaft 305.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, grooves 305a of an upper end
portion and a lower end portion of the driving shaft 305, have
small and constant pitches and has a large pitch at a middle
portion 305b. Therefore, the tray the engaging projection 301d of
which engages with the middle portion 305b of the groove 305a is
positioned apart from other trays as shown in FIG. 3. The helical
groove 305a at the middle portion 305b of the groove 305a is
located at the same height as the disc to be reproduced by the disc
reproducing portion.
[0050] Furthermore, the height is also a height of a disc to be
inserted in one of the trays.
[0051] Namely, the middle portion 305b is positioned at the height
of the disc reproducing position of the disc player, and also at
the height of the disc to be inserted in one of the trays by the
carrier.
[0052] Namely, when the disc is stored into the disc storing device
300, the tray is positioned at the height, and similarly when the
disc is discharged from the disc storing device, the tray is
positioned at the height. The reproducing device 200 can be
positioned at the space formed between trays 301.
[0053] A flat groove portion 305c is formed in a range at every one
pitch in each of the grooves 305a at the upper and lower portions
and the middle portion 305b. Thus the tray is prevented from
deviating from the position in the direction z even if the timing
for stopping the rotation of the driving shaft 305 deviates.
[0054] Since both sides of the engaging projection 301d of the tray
is tapered as shown in FIG. 5c, the projection smoothly slides in
the groove 305a of the driving shaft 305.
[0055] FIG. 6 shows a mechanism for synchronously driving the four
driving shafts 305. A synchronizing gear 307 is rotatable in the
chassis 1, and provided to be rotated about a shaft around a
fulcrum 307a. The synchronizing gear 307 is rotated by driving
force of a motor 309 transmitted through a transmitting mechanism
308. Transmitting gears 310 are engaged with the synchronizing gear
307 and each of the transmitting gears 310 is engaged with a gear
305d formed on the upper end of the driving shaft 305. Accordingly,
the rotation of the synchronizing gear 306 is transmitting through
each transmitted gear 310 to each driving shaft 305, and hence the
four driving shafts 305 are rotated synchronously with one another
in the same direction.
[0056] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the disc edge holding
mechanism 301y of the tray 301 shown in FIG. 4. A disc holding arm
311 is provided at a position adjacent the tray 301 so as to be
rotated about a shaft 311a. The arm 311 is urged by a coil spring
312 in the arrow direction in the figure so that an end portion
311b of the arm 311 pushes the outer edge of the disc 302 to
prevent the disc from deviating in the discharging direction by
external force.
[0057] The end portion 311b engaged with the edge of the disc 302
is positioned at a position outside a line connecting the shaft
311a and the center of the disc (at the discharging direction side
of the disc). Since the disposition provide a sufficient disc
holding force even if the coil spring 312 has a small elastic
force, the disc holding arm 311 can be reduced in size.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 8a to 8c showing the disc holding
mechanism 301x of the tray 301 shown in FIG. 4, a disc holding
member 312 is composed of a holding portion 312a and a supporting
shaft 312b. The holding portion 312a can be rotated about the
supporting shaft 312b. The supporting shaft 312b is urged by a coil
spring 313 in the arrow direction in FIG. 8b. Since the upper face
of the disc 302 carried toward the tray 301 is pressed by an end
portion of the holding portion 312a, the disc is prevented from
vibrating in the vertical direction due to external force.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 8c, in the case that a plurality of trays
301 are stored, since the underside of the tray at the upper side
pushes an end portion of the tray holding portion 312a of the tray
at the lower side, the urging force of the coil spring 313 is
released. However, since the holding portion 312a projects above
the disc, the disc is not removed from the space.
[0060] FIGS. 9a and 9b show the disc carrying device 100. A motor
104 and a transmitting mechanism 105 composed of a plurality of
pinions are supported on the supporting chassis 103. The driving
roller 101 has a pinion 101a coaxially formed at an end thereof,
and is rotatably supported on the supporting chassis 103 at an
upright portion 103a of the supporting chassis 103 and the other
end is supported on the supporting chassis 103. The pinion 101a of
the driving roller 101 is engaged with the pinion of the
transmitting mechanism 105. Therefore, the driving force of the
motor 104 is transmitted to the driving roller 101.
[0061] A pair of guide projections 103b are projected from the left
and right sides of the supporting chassis 103. The guide
projections are guided in the direction x.
[0062] A movable plate 106 is provided to form the disc carrying
passage 102 together with the driving roller 101. The disc carrying
passage 102 is formed so that the disc can be held by the driving
roller 101 and the movable plate 106. A protective cloth is
attached on the underside of the movable plate 106 so that the disc
is not scratched. The movable plate 106 is supported by a guiding
mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable in the direction z
relative to the supporting chassis 103. Additionally, the movable
plate 106 can be moved together with a clamping mechanism of the
disc reproducing device 200.
[0063] More specifically as shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b, when the
turntable 201 is lowered, the movable plate 106 is located at a
position where the disc carrying passage 102 is formed in
cooperation with the driving roller 101 as shown in FIG. 10a.
However, when the turntable 201 is raised and clamps the disc 302,
as shown in FIG. 10b, the movable plate 106 is also raised together
with the turntable. Thus, the disc is prevented from touching the
movable plate 106 at the time of the clamping of the disc.
[0064] A disc diameter determining sensor (not shown) is provided
adjacent the driving roller 101. The sensor determines whether an
inserted disc is a large-diameter disc (12 cm CD) or a
small-diameter disc (8 cm CD).
[0065] FIGS. 11a to 13 show a supporting chassis moving
mechanism.
[0066] A cam gear 2 is rotatably supported by a shaft 2a on the
underside of the chassis 1. The cam gear is rotated by a motor (not
shown) through a transmitting gear 3. A cam groove 2b is formed in
the cam gear 2 so that the distance from the shaft 2a gradually
increases.
[0067] A pair of guide grooves 4a each having an elongated shape in
the direction x are formed at both side portions of a slider 4. A
projection 1a provided on the underside of the bottom of the
chassis 1 is slidably engaged with each of the guide grooves 4a.
Moreover projection 4b, which is provided on a middle portion of
the slider 4, is slidably engaged with a guide groove 1b formed in
the bottom of the chassis 1 in the direction x. The cam groove 2b
of the cam gear 2 is also slidably engaged with the projection
4b.
[0068] A pair of upright portions 4c are formed at opposite
portions of the slider 4, and a groove hole 4d is formed in each of
the upright portions 4c. A linear guide groove 1e is formed in the
direction x in each side plate 1d of the chassis 1. Each of the
guide projections 103b of the supporting chassis 103 is engaged
with the groove hole 4d of the slider 4 and each guide groove 1e of
the side plate 1d.
[0069] Thus, the movement of the slider 4 is regulated in the
direction x. The slider 4 is moved in the direction x when the
projection 4b is moved along the groove 1b by the cam groove 2b due
to the rotation of the cam gear 2. When the slider 4 is moved, the
guide projections 103b are moved in the direction x. Accordingly
the supporting chassis 103 is moved in the direction x. As a
result, the disc carrying device 100 and the disc reproducing
device 200 held on the supporting chassis 103 are moved in the
direction x.
[0070] FIG. 13 is a side view of the disc reproducing device 200.
As described above, the disc reproducing device 200 clamps and
unclamps the disc by raising and lowering the turntable 201, and
the pickup 203 is also raised and lowered together with the
turntable 201. Since the pickup 203 is lowered at a position near
the turntable 201, there is a space 204 in which a printed circuit
board, a motor and others can be disposed in the space 204.
[0071] The operation of the apparatus of the present invention will
be described hereinafter.
[0072] The operation for carrying the large-diameter disc (12 cm
CD) is described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 20b. FIGS. 14 to 18
are plan views of the apparatus, and FIGS. 19 and 20 are side
views.
[0073] The operation for inserting the disc from the outside of the
apparatus and carrying the disc to the disc storing device 300 is
first described. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 19a, the driving roller
101 is in a waiting state at the insertion starting position. When
a user inserts the disc into the disc insertion opening of the
front of the apparatus, a sensor detects insertion of the disc, and
the driving roller 101 is rotated in the disc carrying direction.
The disc is accordingly moved into the apparatus.
[0074] During the moving of the disc, the diameter determining
sensor determines the diameter of the disc (12 cm CD). Thereafter
the driving roller 101 is stopped. FIGS. 15 and 19b show the state
where the driving roller 101 is stopped. At that time, the disc is
held by the driving roller 101 and the movable plate 106.
[0075] Next, the supporting chassis moving mechanism is driven and
the driving roller 101 and the disc reproducing device 200 are
moved to the disc storing device 300. As shown in FIG. 16 and 19c,
when the disc is held on the tray 301, the supporting chassis
moving mechanism is stopped and the driving roller 101 reaches the
disc storing position. Reference numeral 10 designates an erectable
stopping member. The member 10 is laid when the supporting chassis
103 is at the disc insertion opening side. When the supporting
chassis 103 is moved to the disc storing device 300, the member 10
is stood, thereby preventing an erroneous insertion of a new disc.
A pair of disc stoppers 10a are provided on the member 10. The disc
stoppers are provided for positioning the center of the disc at the
center of the turntable when reproducing.
[0076] Thereafter, the driving roller 101 is moved back to the disc
insertion opening by driving the supporting chassis moving
mechanism, while the driving roller is rotated in the disc
inserting direction. At that time, since the disc is pushed to the
tray due to the rotating of the driving roller 101, only the
driving roller 101 is moved back, leaving the disc on the tray 301.
As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19d, when the driving roller 101 is moved
back to the insertion starting position, the movement of the
supporting chassis 103 is stopped. Thus, the operation of carrying
the disc inserted from the outside of the apparatus to the disc
storing device is completed.
[0077] The operation of the reproducing of the disc inserted from
the outside of the apparatus is described. Since the operation from
the inserting of the disc to holding the disc on the tray 301, is
the same as the above described operation, shown in FIGS. 16 and
19c, description of it is omitted.
[0078] After the holding of the disc on the tray, the driving
roller 101 is rotated in the disc discharging direction, while the
supporting chassis 103 is stopped. Therefore, only the disc is
moved back to the insertion opening.
[0079] When the disc contacts with disc stoppers 10a of the erected
stopping member 10, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 20a, the center of the
disc coincides with the center of the turntable 201. Subsequently,
the clamping operation shown in FIG. 10 is performed and the disc
is reproduced.
[0080] Next, the operation of discharging the disc stored in the
disc storing device 300 outside the apparatus is described. As
shown in FIG. 18, the driving roller 101 is positioned at the
insertion starting position. From this state, the driving roller
101 is moved to the disc storing device 300 by driving the
supporting chassis moving mechanism, while rotating the driving
roller 101 in the discharging direction. As shown in FIG. 16, when
the driving roller 101 reaches the disc storing position and grips
the disc, the driving of the supporting chassis moving mechanism
and the rotating of the driving roller 101 are stopped.
[0081] Then the driving roller 101 is moved back to the disc
insertion opening by driving the supporting chassis moving
mechanism without rotating the driving roller 101. When the driving
roller 101 reaches the insertion starting position as shown in FIG.
15, the driving of the supporting chassis moving mechanism is
stopped. Subsequently, the driving roller 101 is rotated in the
disc discharging direction. Then the disc is discharged from the
apparatus.
[0082] The operation for reproducing the disc stored in the disc
storing device 300 is described. In the operation, the operation
for moving the driving roller 101 from the insertion starting
position to the disc storing position is the same as the operation
for discharging the disc stored in the disc storing device 300.
[0083] The driving roller 101 is rotated in the disc discharging
direction, while the supporting chassis moving mechanism is kept
stationary. In the operation, the driving roller 101 is not moved,
and hence only the disc is moved back toward the insertion
opening.
[0084] When the disc contacts with disc stoppers 10a of the member
10, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 20a, the center of the disc coincides
with the center of the turntable 201. The clamping operation shown
in FIG. 10 is performed and the disc is reproduced.
[0085] The operation for discharging the disc from the turntable is
described. The disc is released from the clamper 202. The driving
roller 101 is rotated in the disc insertion direction, and as shown
in FIG. 16 the disc is temporarily stored in the disc storing
device 300, and the driving roller 101 is stopped.
[0086] The driving roller is moved back to the disc insertion
opening side by driving the supporting chassis moving mechanism
without rotating the driving roller 101. When the driving roller
101 reaches the insertion starting position as shown in FIG. 15,
the supporting chassis moving mechanism is stopped. The driving
roller 101 is rotated in the disc discharging direction, thereby
discharging the disc from the apparatus.
[0087] The operation for storing the disc which has been reproduced
into the disc storing device 300 is described. The disc is released
from the clamper 202. The driving roller 101 is rotated in the disc
inserting direction, and as shown in FIG. 16 the disc is stored in
the disc storing device 300, and the driving roller 101 is
stopped.
[0088] Thereafter, the driving roller is moved back to the disc
insertion opening side by driving the supporting chassis moving
mechanism, while the driving roller 101 is rotated in the disc
inserting direction. Since the disc is pressed against the tray
301, only the driving roller 101 is moved back, leaving the disc on
the tray 301. As shown in FIG. 18, when the driving roller 101 is
moved back to the insertion starting position, movement of the
driving roller 101 is stopped.
[0089] The small-diameter disc (8 cm CD) cannot be stored in the
disc storing device 300. However the disc can be directly
reproduced by inserting it from the outside of the apparatus. The
operation is described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 27.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 21, the driving roller 101 is in the
waiting state at the insertion starting position. When a user
inserts a small disc 302a in the disc insertion opening of the
front of the apparatus, the sensor detects insertion of the disc,
and the driving roller 101 is rotated in the disc inserting
direction to carrying the disc.
[0091] When the sensor determines that the disc is the 8 cm CD, the
driving roller 101 is stopped at a position corresponding to the
determined disc 302a. FIGS. 22 and 26a show the state where the
driving roller 101 is stopped. Since the diameter of the disc 302a
is shorter than the width of the disc insertion opening, the disc
is scarcely positioned at the center of the insertion opening, as
shown in FIG. 22.
[0092] The supporting chassis moving mechanism is driven and the
driving roller 101 and the disc reproducing device 200 are moved to
the disc storing device 300. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 26b, when the
driving roller 101 reaches the disc storing position where the
large disc is held on the tray 301, the supporting chassis moving
mechanism is stopped.
[0093] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26c, the disc is moved back to the
insertion opening by turning the driving roller 101 in the disc
discharging direction. At that time, the disc is positioned at the
center by being brought into contact with disc stoppers 10a of the
erectable member 10.
[0094] Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 27a, the disc is
positioned on the turntable 201 by turning the driving roller 101
by the predetermined number of rotations in the disc inserting
direction.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 27b, the clamping operation is performed
and the disc is reproduced. After the reproduction and the
releasing of the disc, the driving roller 101 is moved to the
insertion starting position by driving the supporting chassis
driving mechanism. The disc is discharged from the apparatus by
rotating the driving roller 101 in the discharging direction.
[0096] Although the above described embodiment of the present
invention is provided for storing a plurality of disc, the present
invention may be applied to a device for reproducing a single
disc.
[0097] In the apparatus of the present invention, there is not
provided disc pulling out arms and a disc discharging arm.
Therefore, the apparatus is simple in construction and can be
manufactured at a low cost.
[0098] While the invention has been described in conjunction with
preferred specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that
this description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope
of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.
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