U.S. patent application number 10/086427 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-05 for driving mechanism of electronic instrument.
This patent application is currently assigned to PIONEER CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kasahara, Nobumitsu, Sasaki, Takahiro, Shimizu, Akira.
Application Number | 20020122370 10/086427 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18919978 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020122370 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sasaki, Takahiro ; et
al. |
September 5, 2002 |
Driving mechanism of electronic instrument
Abstract
The driving mechanism has an instrument body formed with a
recording medium inserting slot for inserting a recording medium
into the instrument body. The driving mechanism moves a first
operation unit and a second operation unit between a first position
for covering the recording medium inserting slot and a second
position for exposing the recording medium inserting slot. The
driving mechanism includes a first turnable supporting member
turnably fitted to the instrument body for supporting the first
operation unit, a first drive device for turning the first turnable
supporting member, a second supporting member for supporting the
second operation unit, a second turnable supporting member turnably
fitted to the instrument body for supporting the second operation
unit, and a second drive device for turning the second turnable
supporting member. The second drive device supports the second
supporting member movably in directions along which the recording
medium is inserted and removed through the recording medium
inserting slot of the instrument body. The first drive device turns
the first turnable supporting member to move the first operation
unit between the first position and the second position. The second
drive device moves the second supporting member and turns the
second turnable supporting member to move the second operation unit
between the first position and the second position.
Inventors: |
Sasaki, Takahiro; (Kawagoe,
JP) ; Shimizu, Akira; (Kawagoe, JP) ;
Kasahara, Nobumitsu; (Kawagoe, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
PIONEER CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
18919978 |
Appl. No.: |
10/086427 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
720/632 ;
720/641; G9B/17.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/027 20130101;
G11B 17/032 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/75.1 |
International
Class: |
G11B 033/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 5, 2001 |
JP |
2001-60577 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A driving mechanism of an electronic instrument having an
instrument body formed with a recording medium inserting slot for
inserting a recording medium into the instrument body, the driving
mechanism moving a first operation unit between a first position
for covering the recording medium inserting slot and a second
position for exposing the recording medium inserting slot, the
driving mechanism comprising: a supporting member extended from the
first operation unit into the instrument body, a guide portion
mounted in the instrument body for guiding the first operation unit
via the supporting member to move the first operation unit between
the first position and the second position, the guide portion
movably receiving an end of the supporting member, and a first
drive device for moving the supporting member along the guide
portion.
2. The driving mechanism according to claim 1 further comprising a
first turnable supporting member turnably fitted to the instrument
body for supporting the first operation unit wherein the first
drive device turns the first turnable supporting member to move the
first operation unit between the first position and the second
position.
3. The driving mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the first
drive device includes: a first projecting piece projecting from the
first turnable supporting member, a gear turned by a drive motor
and formed with a first groove, and a guide hole through which the
first projecting piece passes such that the first projecting piece
is received in the first groove, wherein the gear turns so that the
first groove moves the first projecting piece along the first guide
hole to move the first operation unit between the first position
and the second position.
4. A driving mechanism of an electronic instrument having an
instrument body formed with a recording medium inserting slot for
inserting a recording medium into the instrument body, the driving
mechanism moving a second operation unit between a first position
for covering the recording medium inserting slot and a second
position for exposing the recording medium inserting slot, the
driving mechanism comprising: a second supporting member for
supporting the second operation unit, a second turnable supporting
member turnably fitted to the instrument body for supporting the
second operation unit, and a second drive device for turning the
second turnable supporting member, the second drive device
supporting the second supporting member movably in directions along
which the recording medium is inserted and removed, wherein the
second drive device moves the second supporting member and turns
the second turnable supporting member to move the second operation
unit between the first position and the second position.
5. The driving mechanism according to claim 4 wherein the second
drive device include: a second projecting piece projecting from the
second supporting member, a third projecting piece projecting from
the second turnable supporting member, a gear turned by a drive
motor, the gear formed with a second groove and a third groove, a
second guide hole through which the second projecting piece passes
such that the second projecting piece is received in the second
groove, and a third guide hole through which the third projecting
piece passes such that the third projecting piece is received in
the third groove, wherein the gear turns so that the second groove
moves the second projecting piece along the second guide hole and
the third groove moves the third projecting piece along the third
guide hole to move the second operation unit between the first
position and the second position.
6. A driving mechanism of an electronic instrument having an
instrument body formed with a recording medium inserting slot for
inserting a recording medium into the instrument body, the driving
mechanism moving a first operation unit and a second operation unit
between a first position for covering the recording medium
inserting slot and a second position for exposing the recording
medium inserting slot, the driving mechanism comprising: a first
turnable supporting member turnably fitted to the instrument body
for supporting the first operation unit, a first drive device for
turning the first turnable supporting member, a second supporting
member for supporting the second operation unit, a second turnable
supporting member turnably fitted to the instrument body for
supporting the second operation unit, and a second drive device for
turning the second turnable supporting member, the second drive
device supporting the second supporting member movably in
directions along which the recording medium is inserted and removed
through the recording medium inserting slot of the instrument body,
wherein the first drive device turns the first turnable supporting
member to move the first operation unit between the first position
and the second position, and the second drive device moves the
second supporting member and turns the second turnable supporting
member to move the second operation unit between the first position
and the second position.
7. The driving mechanism according to claim 6 wherein the first
drive device includes: a first projecting piece projecting from the
first turnable supporting member, a gear turned by a drive motor,
the gear having a face formed with a first groove, and a first
guide hole through which the first projecting piece passes such
that the first projecting piece is received in the first groove,
and the second drive device includes: a second projecting piece
projecting from the second supporting member, a third projecting
piece projecting from the second turnable supporting member, a
second groove and a third groove which are formed in another face
of the gear, a second guide hole through which the second
projecting piece passes such that the second projecting piece is
received in the second groove, and a third guide hole through which
the third projecting piece passes such that the third projecting
piece is received in the third groove, wherein the gear turns so
that the first groove moves the first projecting piece along the
first guide hole and the second groove moves the second projecting
piece along the second guide hole while the third groove moves the
third projecting piece along the third guide hole to move the first
operation unit and the second operation unit between the first
position and the second position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an electronic instrument
mounted on a vehicle like a car, particularly to various audio
instruments having an operation display unit with an operation
switch and a display panel, in which the display unit is moved by a
driving mechanism.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] In a car instrument panel, there have been conventionally
provided various car audio devices like a compact disc (hereinafter
referred to as CD) player, a mini disc (hereinafter referred to as
MD), and an AM/FM tuner. In FIG. 28, such an electronic instrument
101 is illustrated, which has a housing accommodating a CD player,
an AM/FM tuner, etc.
[0005] The electronic instrument 101 of FIG. 28 has an instrument
body 102 fitted in an instrument panel and an operation unit 103
movably attached to the instrument body 102. The instrument body
102 defined in a box shape accommodates the AM/FM tuner, the CD
player, etc.
[0006] The instrument body 102 has a front face 102a (FIG. 29)
formed with a recording medium inserting slot 107 to be exposed to
a user when mounted in the instrument panel. Through the recording
medium inserting slot 107, the CD which is a recording medium can
be inserted into and removed from the instrument body 102.
[0007] The operation unit 103 has a plurality of switches 4 for
tuning AM/FM broadcasting stations and for selection of pieces of
music recorded on the CD. The operation unit 103 further has a
display panel 105 for displaying a selected broadcasting station
and a selected piece of music. The operation unit 103 is attached
to the instrument body 102 movably between a first position (FIG.
28) and a second position (FIG. 29). At the first position, the
operation unit 103 covers the plane 102a so that the display panel
105 faces the user, and at the second position, the operation unit
103 opens the plane 102a to expose the recording medium inserting
slot 107 while the display panel 105 orients generally upward.
[0008] The operation unit 103 of the instrument body 102 of FIG. 28
has a first arm 108 (FIG. 30) and a second arm 109 (FIG. 30) via
which the operation unit 103 is moved between the first position
shown in FIG. 28 and the second position shown in FIG. 29.
[0009] A pair of the first arms 108 are provided to be spaced from
each other in a lateral direction of the electronic instrument 101.
Each first arm 108 is disposed inside a side wall of the instrument
body 102 and is turnably supported by the instrument body 102
around an axis along a lateral direction of the electronic
instrument 101. The first arm 108 supports an upper end portion of
the operation unit 103 turnably around another axis along a lateral
direction of the electronic instrument 101.
[0010] A pair of the second arms 109 are provided to be spaced from
each other in a lateral direction of the electronic instrument 101.
Each second arm 109 is disposed inside a side wall of the
instrument body 102 and is turnably supported by the instrument
body 102 around an axis along a lateral direction of the electronic
instrument 101. The second arm 109 supports a lower end portion of
the operation unit 103 turnably around another axis along a lateral
direction of the electronic instrument 101.
[0011] The turning of the first and second arms 108 and 109 around
the axes moves the operation unit 103 between the first position
shown by chain lines of FIG. 30 and the second position shown by
solid lines of FIG. 30. At the second position, the recording
medium inserting slot 107 is exposed outward.
[0012] At the second position, the user inserts or removes CD
through the recording medium inserting slot 107 relative to the
instrument body 102. At the first position, the user operates the
switches for selection of broadcasting stations and for selection
of pieces of music in the use of the AM/FM tuner and the CD
player.
[0013] The aforementioned conventional electronic instrument 101
moves the operation unit 103 between the first and second positions
by the pair of first arms 108 and the pair of second arms 109.
[0014] That is, the four arms are required for moving the operation
unit 103 between the first and second positions. This increases
parts in number and needs a complex driving mechanism to turn the
four arms with synchronization thereof, resulted in an increased
cost for provision of the parts and for assembling thereof.
[0015] Furthermore, the turning of the four arms to move the
operation unit 103 causes a reduced moving range of the operation
unit 103 due to limited lengths of the arms. Thus, a plane 102a of
the instrument body 102 is limitedly exposed when the operation
unit 103 opens the recording medium inserting slot 107. It has been
difficult to provide another recording medium inserting slot for
insertion of a MD in the plane 102a in addition to the CD inserting
slot 107.
[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 31, when the display panel 105 is
arranged in the plane 102a of the instrument body 102, the limited
exposed area of the plane 102a cannot provide a broader area to
sufficiently visually recognize an operation status of the
instrument.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In view of the aforementioned disadvantages of the
conventional art, a first object of the invention is to provide a
driving mechanism of an instrument which can reduce the instrument
in number of parts and in manufacturing cost. A second object of
the invention is to provide a driving mechanism which allows a
sufficient recognition of an operation status of the
instrument.
[0018] For achieving the first object of the invention, a driving
mechanism of a first aspect of the present invention is a driving
mechanism of an electronic instrument having an instrument body
formed with a recording medium inserting slot for inserting a
recording medium into the instrument body, the driving mechanism
moving a first operation unit between a first position for covering
the recording medium inserting slot and a second position for
exposing the recording medium inserting slot, the driving mechanism
comprising:
[0019] a supporting member extended from the first operation unit
into the instrument body,
[0020] a guide portion mounted in the instrument body for guiding
the first operation unit via the supporting member to move the
first operation unit between the first position and the second
position, the guide portion movably receiving an end of the
supporting member, and
[0021] a first drive device for moving the supporting member along
the guide portion.
[0022] A second aspect of the present invention is the driving
mechanism according to the first aspect. The driving mechanism
further comprises a first turnable supporting member turnably
fitted to the instrument body for supporting the first operation
unit wherein the first drive device turns the first turnable
supporting member to move the first operation unit between the
first position and the second position.
[0023] A third second aspect of the present invention is the
driving mechanism according to the second aspect. The first drive
device includes:
[0024] a first projecting piece projecting from the first turnable
supporting member,
[0025] a gear turned by a drive motor and formed with a first
groove, and
[0026] a guide hole through which the first projecting piece passes
such that the first projecting piece is received in the first
groove,
[0027] wherein the gear turns so that the first groove moves the
first projecting piece along the first guide hole to move the first
operation unit between the first position and the second
position.
[0028] For achieving the second object of the invention, a fourth
aspect of the present invention is a driving mechanism of an
electronic instrument having an instrument body formed with a
recording medium inserting slot for inserting a recording medium
into the instrument body, the driving mechanism moving a second
operation unit between a first position for covering the recording
medium inserting slot and a second position for exposing the
recording medium inserting slot, the driving mechanism
comprising:
[0029] a second supporting member for supporting the second
operation unit,
[0030] a second turnable supporting member turnably fitted to the
instrument body for supporting the second operation unit, and
[0031] a second drive device for turning the second turnable
supporting member, the second drive device supporting the second
supporting member movably in directions along which the recording
medium is inserted and removed,
[0032] wherein the second drive device moves the second supporting
member and turns the second turnable supporting member to move the
second operation unit between the first position and the second
position.
[0033] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the driving
mechanism according to the fourth aspect. The second drive device
includes:
[0034] a second projecting piece projecting from the second
supporting member,
[0035] a third projecting piece projecting from the second turnable
supporting member,
[0036] a gear turned by a drive motor, the gear formed with a
second groove and a third groove,
[0037] a second guide hole through which the second projecting
piece passes such that the second projecting piece is received in
the second groove, and
[0038] a third guide hole through which the third projecting piece
passes such that the third projecting piece is received in the
third groove,
[0039] wherein the gear turns so that the second groove moves the
second projecting piece along the second guide hole and the third
groove moves the third projecting piece along the third guide hole
to move the second operation unit between the first position and
the second position.
[0040] For achieving the second object of the invention, a sixth
aspect of the present invention is a driving mechanism of an
electronic instrument having an instrument body formed with a
recording medium inserting slot for inserting a recording medium
into the instrument body, the driving mechanism moving a first
operation unit and a second operation unit between a first position
for covering the recording medium inserting slot and a second
position for exposing the recording medium inserting slot, the
driving mechanism comprising:
[0041] a first turnable supporting member turnably fitted to the
instrument body for supporting the first operation unit,
[0042] a first drive device for turning the first turnable
supporting member,
[0043] a second supporting member for supporting the second
operation unit,
[0044] a second turnable supporting member turnably fitted to the
instrument body for supporting the second operation unit, and
[0045] a second drive device for turning the second turnable
supporting member, the second drive device supporting the second
supporting member movably in directions along which the recording
medium is inserted and removed through the recording medium
inserting slot of the instrument body,
[0046] wherein the first drive device turns the first turnable
supporting member to move the first operation unit between the
first position and the second position, and the second drive device
moves the second supporting member and turns the second turnable
supporting member to move the second operation unit between the
first position and the second position.
[0047] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the driving
mechanism according to the sixth aspect. The first drive device
includes:
[0048] a first projecting piece projecting from the first turnable
supporting member,
[0049] a gear turned by a drive motor, the gear having a face
formed with a first groove, and
[0050] a first guide hole through which the first projecting piece
passes such that the first projecting piece is received in the
first groove, and
[0051] the second drive device includes:
[0052] a second projecting piece projecting from the second
supporting member,
[0053] a third projecting piece projecting from the second turnable
supporting member,
[0054] a second groove and a third groove which are formed in
another face of the gear,
[0055] a second guide hole through which the second projecting
piece passes such that the second projecting piece is received in
the second groove, and
[0056] a third guide hole through which the third projecting piece
passes such that the third projecting piece is received in the
third groove,
[0057] wherein the gear turns so that the first groove moves the
first projecting piece along the first guide hole and the second
groove moves the second projecting piece along the second guide
hole while the third groove moves the third projecting piece along
the third guide hole to move the first operation unit and the
second operation unit between the first position and the second
position.
[0058] Next, operations and effects of the present invention will
be discussed.
[0059] In the first aspect of the present invention, the supporting
member extended from the first operation unit into the instrument
body and the guide portion receiving the end of the supporting
member are provided to move the first operation unit between the
first position and the second position. The simple configuration of
the supporting member and the guide portion allows the movement of
the first operation unit. This eliminates an increase in number of
parts and in a manufacturing cost thereof.
[0060] In the second aspect of the present invention, the first
turnable supporting member is provided in addition to the
supporting member and the guide portion. When the first turnable
supporting member is provided at each lateral end of the first
operation unit, the provision of a pair of the first turnable
supporting members can move the first operation unit. In the
meantime, the supporting member extended from the first operation
unit into the instrument body is guided by the guide portion. This
eliminates an increase in number of parts and in a manufacturing
cost thereof.
[0061] In the third aspect of the present invention, the first
projecting piece projected from the first turnable supporting
member is received in the first groove formed in the gear through
the first guide hole. The turning of the gear moves the first
projecting piece along the first guide hole so that the first
operation unit can move between the first position and the second
position. Thus, the first operation unit reliably moves between the
first position and the second position. This eliminates an increase
in a manufacturing cost thereof.
[0062] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the second
supporting member is moved by the second drive device. The turning
of the second drive device moves the second operation unit from the
first position toward the second position. Thus, the second
operation unit and one surface of the instrument body can be
exposed. This provides a broader display area when a display panel
is arranged on the second operation unit and on the surface of the
instrument body. Thus, the user can visually recognize information
on the display panel so as to know well an operation status of the
electronic instrument.
[0063] In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the second
projecting piece projected from the second supporting member is
received in the second groove formed in the gear through the second
guide hole. Furthermore, the third projecting piece projected from
the second turnable supporting member is received in the third
groove formed in the gear through the third guide hole.
[0064] The turning of the gear can move the second projecting piece
along the second guide hole and can move the third projecting piece
along the third guide hole so that the second operation unit
reliably moves between the first position and the second position.
Thus, the second operation unit and one surface of the instrument
body can be exposed. This provides a broader display area when a
display panel is arranged on the second operation unit and on the
surface of the instrument body. Thus, the user can visually
recognize information on the display panel so as to know well an
operation status of the electronic instrument.
[0065] In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the two
operation units associated with the instrument body can be moved by
the single gear. This can reduce the instrument in number of parts
and in manufacturing cost thereof. The simple configuration of the
single gear can move the two operation units between first position
and the second position. Since the two operation units are exposed
for the user, the display panel can be arranged on both the
operation units in addition to the surface of the instrument body,
allowing a broader display area. Thus, the user can visually
recognize information on the display panels so as to know well an
operation status of the electronic instrument.
[0066] In the seventh aspect of the present invention, the two
operation units associated with the instrument body can be moved by
the single gear. This can reduce the instrument in number of parts
and in manufacturing cost thereof. The simple configuration of the
single gear can move the two operation units between first position
and the second position. Since the two operation units are exposed
for the user, the display panel can be arranged on both the
operation units in addition to the surface of the instrument body,
allowing a broader display area. Thus, the user can visually
recognize information on the display panels so as to know well an
operation status of the electronic instrument.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0067] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electronic
instrument having a driving mechanism according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0068] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electronic
instrument of FIG. 1, in which a first operation unit and a second
operation unit have moved to the second position;
[0069] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the electronic
instrument of FIG. 1, in which the first operation unit and the
second operation unit have moved to the third position;
[0070] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a first
driving unit of the driving mechanism of FIG. 1;
[0071] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a second
driving unit of the driving mechanism of FIG. 1;
[0072] FIG. 6 is a front view showing the electronic instrument of
FIG. 1, in which the first operation unit and the second operation
unit have moved to the first position;
[0073] FIG. 7 is a side view partially in section showing the
electronic instrument of FIG. 1, in which the first operation unit
and the second operation unit have moved to the first position;
[0074] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the electronic
instrument of FIG. 1, in which a first holder and a second holder
have moved to the first position;
[0075] FIG. 9 is a side view taken along arrow A of FIG. 8 to show
a second frame and a cam gear with the relative positions
thereof;
[0076] FIG. 10 is a side view taken along arrow A of FIG. 8 to show
the second frame, a second arm, and a third arm with the relative
positions thereof;
[0077] FIG. 11 is a side view taken along arrow B of FIG. 8 to show
a first frame and the cam gear with the relative positions
thereof;
[0078] FIG. 12 is a side view taken along arrow B of FIG. 8 to show
the first frame, a first arm, and a supporting arm with the
relative positions thereof;
[0079] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the electronic instrument of
FIG. 1, in which the first operation unit and the second operation
unit have moved to the second position;
[0080] FIG. 14 is a side view partially in section showing the
electronic instrument of FIG. 1, in which the first operation unit
and the second operation unit have moved to the second
position;
[0081] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the electronic
instrument of FIG. 1, in which the first holder and the second
holder have moved to the second position;
[0082] FIG. 16 is a side view taken along arrow C of FIG. 15 to
show the second frame and the cam gear with the relative positions
thereof;
[0083] FIG. 17 is a side view taken along arrow C of FIG. 15 to
show the second frame, the second arm, and the third arm with the
relative positions thereof;
[0084] FIG. 18 is a side view taken along arrow D of FIG. 15 to
show the first frame and the cam gear with the relative positions
thereof;
[0085] FIG. 19 is a side view taken along arrow D of FIG. 8 to show
the first frame, a first arm, and a supporting arm with the
relative positions thereof;
[0086] FIG. 20 is a front view of the electronic instrument of FIG.
1, in which the first operation unit and the second operation unit
have moved to the third position;
[0087] FIG. 21 is a side view partially in section showing the
electronic instrument of FIG. 1, in which the first operation unit
and the second operation unit have moved to the third position;
[0088] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the electronic
instrument of FIG. 1, in which the first holder and the second
holder have moved to the third position;
[0089] FIG. 23 is a side view taken along arrow E of FIG. 22 to
show the second frame and the cam gear with the relative positions
thereof;
[0090] FIG. 24 is a side view taken along arrow E of FIG. 22 to
show the second frame, the second arm, and the third arm with the
relative positions thereof;
[0091] FIG. 25 is a side view taken along arrow F of FIG. 22 to
show the first frame and the cam gear with the relative positions
thereof;
[0092] FIG. 26 is a side view taken along arrow F of FIG. 22 to
show the first frame, the first arm, and the supporting arm with
the relative positions thereof;
[0093] FIG. 27 is a side view partially in section showing an
electronic instrument of a modified embodiment according to the
present invention, in which the first operation unit and the second
operation unit have moved to the third position;
[0094] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a conventional
electronic instrument;
[0095] FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing the electronic
instrument of FIG. 28, in which an operation unit is moved to a
second position;
[0096] FIG. 30 is an illustration showing a movement range of the
operation unit of the electronic instrument of FIG. 28; and
[0097] FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing another conventional
electronic instrument.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0098] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 26, an electronic instrument 1
having a driving mechanism of an embodiment according to the
present invention will be discussed. The electronic instrument 1
illustrated in FIG. 1 is mounted, e.g. in an instrument panel of a
car which is one of vehicles.
[0099] The electronic instrument 1 includes a compact disk
(hereinafter referred to as CD) player, an AM/FM tuner, etc. The CD
player receives a CD serving as a recording medium to reproduce
information recorded on the CD as sound. The AM/FM tuner receives
AM/FM broadcasting radio waves to output them as sound.
[0100] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electronic instrument 1
has an instrument body 2, a second operation unit 3, a first
operation unit 4, and a driving mechanism 6 (FIGS. 4 and 5) which
is an embodiment according to the invention. The instrument body 2
is provided with a box-like chassis 5 having a short height, which
accommodates the CD player, the AM/FM tuner, etc.
[0101] The chassis 5 has a chassis body (casing) 14, a front panel
15 disposed at a front side of the chassis body 14, a pair of first
frames 57 (FIG. 4), and a pair of second frames 35 (FIG. 4). The
chassis body 14 is mounted in the instrument panel. The front panel
15 is made from a metal sheet.
[0102] The front panel 15 has a recording medium inserting slot 7
(FIG. 2) in a front surface 15a for inserting a CD into the
instrument body 2 and for removing the CD from the instrument body
2.
[0103] The front panel 15 has a plurality of vertical walls 15c
each unitarily formed with an edge of the front panel 15. A space
defined by the vertical walls 15c receives the second operation
unit 3 and the first operation unit 4 at a first position described
later. The surface 15a of the front panel 15 constitutes one outer
surface of the instrument body.
[0104] The CD player and the AM/FM tuner, which are received in the
chassis 5, operate when the user presses switches 10 and 13 of the
second operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4.
[0105] The pair of first frames 57 each of which is a flat metal
plate are spaced from each other in a lateral direction of the
instrument body 2. Each first frame 57 is raised from a bottom wall
of the chassis body 14 to be secured to the chassis body 14.
[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 4, each first frame 57 is positioned
inside a cam gear 23 described later within the instrument body 2
in a lateral direction of the instrument body 2. Thus, the first
frame 57 is opposed to one face 23b of the cam gear 23. Between the
first frame 57 and the second frame 35, there are arranged a gears
21, a gear 22, and a cam gear 23 as described later.
[0107] The first frame 57 has a first guide hole 57a and a
supporting hole 45 corresponding to the guide portion described in
claim 1 of the specification as illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0108] The first guide hole 57a has holes 43 and 44 through which
the first frame 57 is extended. The holes 43 and 44 are generally
aligned with each other vertically.
[0109] The hole 43 which is positioned above the hole 44 has an arc
segment 46 and a slope segment 47. The arc segment 46 is located
generally at a middle of the first frame 57 to extend from a side
of the front panel 15 of the instrument body 2 inwardly in the
instrument body 2. The slope segment 47 is contiguous with an end
of the arc segment 46 located in the side of front panel 15.
[0110] The slope segment 47 is oriented diagonally relative to a
vertical direction and to a horizontal direction to extend
diagonally upward from the arc segment 46 toward the side of the
front panel 15.
[0111] The hole 44 is oriented diagonally relative to a vertical
direction and to a horizontal direction to extend diagonally upward
toward the side of the front panel 15. The hole 44 is parallel to
the slope segment 47 of the hole 43.
[0112] The supporting hole 45 which penetrates through the first
frame 57 is located near an end of the first frame 57 at a side of
the front panel 15. The supporting hole 45 has a first vertical
segment 48, a horizontal portion 49, and a second vertical portion
50 which are sequentially positioned along a direction from a
middle of the first frame 57 toward an end of the first frame 57
located in the side of the front panel 15.
[0113] The first vertical segment 48 extends generally vertically
from a side around an end portion of the first frame 57 to a side
of a middle of the first frame 57. The first vertical segment 48 is
slightly inclined relative to an upward vertical direction so as to
gradually come inward within the instrument body 2. The horizontal
portion 49 is contiguous with a lower end of the first vertical
segment 48. The horizontal portion 49 extends horizontally from the
first vertical segment 48 to reach an end the horizontal portion 49
at a side of the front panel 15. The second vertical portion 50 is
contiguous with the end of the horizontal portion 49 and extends
downward. The second vertical portion 50 is opened at an edge of
the first frame 57 in the side of the front panel 15.
[0114] The pair of second frames 35 each of which is a flat metal
plate are spaced from each other in a lateral direction the
electronic instrument 1. Each first frame 57 is raised from the
bottom wall of the chassis body 14 to be secured to the chassis
body 14.
[0115] As illustrated in FIG. 4, each second frame 35 is positioned
outside the cam gear 23 within the instrument body 2 in a lateral
direction of the instrument body 2. Thus, the first frame 57 is
opposed to the other face 23a of the cam gear 23.
[0116] As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 9, the second frame 35 has
a pair of second guide holes 41 and a third guide hole 42. The
second frame 35 further has supporting pins 38a and 38b. The second
guides hole 41 and the third guide hole 42 penetrate the second
frame 35. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the second guide hole 41
extends generally inward within the instrument body 2 from an end
positioned at a side of the front panel 15 to the other end
thereof.
[0117] As illustrated in FIG. 9, each second guide hole 41 has a
horizontal segment 51, an arc segment 52, and a vertical portion 53
which are sequentially positioned along a direction from an inner
side of the instrument body 2 toward a side of the front panel 15.
The horizontal segment 51 is extended horizontally, and the arc
segment 52 is contiguous with the horizontal segment 51. The arc
segment 52 is an arc in a plain. The vertical portion 53 is
contiguous with the arc segment 52 to extend from the arc segment
52 downward.
[0118] The third guide hole 42 is an arc having a curvature center
at the supporting pin 38a. The supporting pin 38a is positioned at
a side end portion of the second frame 35 in the side of the front
panel 15. The supporting pin 38a is projected from the second frame
35 to extend in a lateral direction of the instrument body 2
outward within the chassis body 14.
[0119] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the supporting pin 38b is
projected from the second frame 35 to extend in a lateral direction
of the instrument body 2 inward within the chassis body 14. The
supporting pin 38b is inserted into the cam gear 23 at the rotating
center Q of the cam gear 23 to turnably support the cam gear
23.
[0120] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, 13, and 20, the instrument
body 2 has a housing 8 which is a flat box having a short height, a
liquid crystal display 9 (referred to as LCD hereinafter) which is
a display panel received in the housing 8, and some types of
switches. The housing 8 has a breadth and a height generally the
same as those of the chassis 5.
[0121] The LCD 9 has an area to display various kinds of
information for the user. Switches 10 constitute an operation
section for the user. The display area and the operation section
are located on an face 8a of a front side of the housing 8 as
illustrated in FIG. 1. The face 8a is exposed outward so that the
exposed face 8a is referred to as an exposed surface
hereinafter.
[0122] The user operates the switch 10 positioned on the second
operation unit 3, e.g. to select a broadcasting station to receive
associated radio waves by the AM/FM tuner. At the same time, the
LCD 9 of the second operation unit 3 displays information such as a
selected wave frequency and an associated broad station.
[0123] The second operation unit 3 is removably attached to a
second holder 39 (FIGS. 4 and 5) discussed later of the driving
mechanism 6.
[0124] In the illustrated example, at each side end of the rear
face opposed to the exposed face 8a of the second operation unit 3,
there is provided a groove (not shown). The groove engages with a
locking hook 26 (FIG. 8) formed on the second holder 39. The
engagement of the groove with the locking hook 26 fully receives
the second operation unit 3 in the second holder 39. The
disengagement of the locking hook 26 from the groove removes the
second operation unit 3 from the second holder 39.
[0125] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 20, the first operation
unit 4 has a housing 11 which is a flat box having a short height,
a liquid crystal display 12 (referred to as LCD hereinafter) which
is a display panel received in the housing 11, and some types of
switches 13. The housing 11 has a breadth and a height which are
respectively slightly smaller than the inside dimensions of the
vertical wall 15c of the chassis 5 of the instrument body 2.
[0126] The LCD 12 has an display area to display various kinds of
information for the user. The switches 13 constitute an operation
section for the user. The display area and the operation section
are located on a face 11a of a front side of the housing 11 as
illustrated in FIG. 20. The face 11a is exposed outside so that the
exposed face 11a is referred to as an exposed surface
hereinafter.
[0127] For example, the operation of the switches 13 on the first
operation unit 4 by the user can select a piece of music to be
reproduced by the CD player, and the LCD 12 of the first operation
unit 4 displays information such as a track number of the selected
music on the LCD 12.
[0128] The second operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4
are moved by the driving mechanism 6 to the first position of FIG.
1, the second position of FIG. 2, and the third position of FIG. 3.
In this embodiment, the driving mechanism 6 moves the second
operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4 sequentially to the
first to third positions. The driving mechanism 6 also moves the
second operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4 sequentially
to the third to first positions.
[0129] At the first position, the exposed faces 8a and 11a of the
second operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4 are
positioned parallel to and spaced from each other in a direction
perpendicular to the surface 15a of the front panel 15. The first
operation unit 4 is positioned between the second operation unit 3
and the front surface 15a. The first operation unit 4 is received
in a space surrounded by the vertical walls 15c and the front
surface 15a. At the first position, the exposed faces 8a and 11a of
the second operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4 face
forward relative to the instrument body 2, while the second
operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4 are covering the
recording medium inserting slot 7.
[0130] At the second position, the second operation unit 3 and the
first operation unit 4 is moved downward from the first position to
expose the recording medium inserting slot 7. When the second
operation unit 3 moves from the first position to the second
position, the second operation unit 3 initially is moved forward
relative to the instrument body 2 perpendicular to the surface 15a
of the front panel 15 before moved downward toward the second
position. The second operation unit 3 is moved further forward from
the state shown in FIG. 2, in which the second operation unit 3 is
turned so that the exposed face 8a is oriented slightly upward.
[0131] At the third position, the second operation unit 3 has moved
downward from the second position, while the display surface of the
LCD 9, i. e. the exposed face 8a is turned to orient further
upward. In the mean time, the second operation unit 3 is moved
upward from the second position, while the display surface of the
LCD 12, i. e. the exposed face 11a is turned to orient upward. The
operation section of the second operation unit 3 having the display
surface of the LCD 9 and the switch 10 is exposed in front of the
surface 15a of the front panel 15 as well as the operation section
of the first operation unit 4 having the display surface of the LCD
12 and the switches 13.
[0132] Thus, at the third position, since the exposed faces 8a and
11a of the second operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4
are exposed outward, the user can visually recognize information
displayed on the display surfaces and can operate the switches
provided on the exposed faces 8a and 11a. The exposed face 11a of
the first operation unit 4 is positioned above the exposed face 8a
of the second operation unit 3. At the third position, since the
exposed faces 8a and 11a of the second operation unit 3 and the
first operation unit 4 are oriented upward, the user can surely
carry out the information recognition and the switch operation
described above.
[0133] The driving mechanism 6 has a first driving unit 24 (FIG. 4)
and a second driving unit 25 (FIG. 5). The first driving unit 24
and the second driving unit 25 move a second holder 39 and a first
holder 40. The second holder 39 and the first holder 40 are each a
metal plate bar. The second holder 39 and the first holder 40 each
are elongated in a lateral direction of the instrument body 2 and
are slightly smaller than the front panel 15.
[0134] The second operation unit 3 is removably attached to the
second holder 39 which has four locking hooks 26 as illustrated in
FIGS. 4, 5, and 8. A pair of the locking hooks 26 are fitted to
each side end of the second holder 39 to be spaced from each other
in a vertical direction of the instrument body 2. Each locking hook
26 is resiliently biased toward a center of the second holder 39 by
a torsion spring.
[0135] The locking hook 26 engages with a groove (not shown) of the
second operation unit 3 to fit the second operation unit 3 to the
second holder 39. The user can disengage the locking hook 26 from
the groove by moving the second operation unit 3 downward relative
to the second holder 39, so that the second operation unit 3 is
removed from the second holder 39.
[0136] The first operation unit 4 is attached to the first holder
40. Note that the first operation unit 4 and the first holder 40
correspond to the first operation unit described in claims of the
specification, and the second operation unit 3 and the second
holder 39 correspond to the second operation unit described in
claims.
[0137] The first and second driving units 24 and 25 are received in
the chassis body 14 to be secured respectively to the first frame
57 or the second frame 35 of the chassis 5. The first and second
driving units 24 and 25 are spaced from each other in a lateral
direction of the instrument body 2 and are positioned respectively
at each side end portion of the instrument body 2.
[0138] Next, the first driving unit 24 will be discussed, and the
second driving unit 25 having generally the same configuration as
the first driving unit 24 will not be discussed. The same reference
numerals as the first driving unit 24 are applied for the same
members of the second driving unit 25. The first driving unit 24
has a primary driving unit 16 (FIG. 11), a first drive section 18
(FIG. 4), and a second drive section 17 (FIG. 4).
[0139] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the primary driving unit 16 has
the drive motor described in the claims, which includes a motor 19,
a worm 20, a worm gear 21, and a transmission gear 22. The primary
driving unit 16 further has a cam gear 23 corresponding to the gear
described in the claims. The motor 19 has an output shaft 19a which
allows a normal and reverse rotation thereof. The motor 19 is
secured on both the second frame 35 (FIG. 9) and the first frame
57.
[0140] The worm 20 is fitted to the output shaft 19a of the motor
19. The worm gear 21 has co-axially a larger diameter gear portion
21a and a smaller diameter gear portion 21b unitarily. The worm
gear 21 is positioned between the second frame 35 and the first
frame 57 so as to be turnably supported by them. The larger
diameter gear portion 21a of the worm gear 21 engages with the worm
20.
[0141] The transmission gear 22 has coaxially a larger diameter
gear portion 22a and a smaller diameter gear portion 22b unitarily.
The transmission gear 22 is positioned between the second frame 35
and the first frame 57 so as to be turnably supported by them. The
larger diameter gear portion 22a of the transmission gear 22
engages with the smaller diameter gear portion 21b of the worm gear
21.
[0142] The cam gear 23 is positioned between the second frame 35
and the first frame 57 so as to be turnably supported by them. The
cam gear 23 engages with the smaller diameter gear portion 22b of
the transmission gear 22.
[0143] The turning central axes of the gears 21, 22, and 23 are
oriented respectively along a lateral direction of the instrument
body 2 of FIG. 1, while each face of the gears 21, 22, and 23 is
parallel to a longitudinal direction the instrument body 2 of FIG.
1.
[0144] The cam gear 23 is formed with a first groove 23c in one
face 23b facing laterally inward in the chassis body 14 of the
instrument body 2 as illustrated in FIG. 11. The first groove 23c
has a cam groove 33 and a cam groove 34 which are defined in the
face 23b.
[0145] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the cam groove 33 extends in a
generally radial direction of the cam gear 23 to a side near the
turning center Q of the cam gear 23. The cam groove 33 is slightly
curved to define an arc having a radius center at the turning
center Q.
[0146] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the cam groove 34 has an arc
segment 34a having a radius center at the turning center Q of the
cam gear 23 and a spiral portion 34b contiguous with the arc
segment 34a. The arc segment 34a is positioned near a periphery of
the cam gear 23. The spiral portion 34b extends to come gradually
near the turning center Q of the cam gear 23 from the arc segment
34a.
[0147] The cam gear 23 is formed with a second groove 31 and a
third groove 32 in the other face 23a facing laterally outward in
the chassis body 14 of the instrument body 2 as illustrated in FIG.
9.
[0148] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the second groove 31 and the third
groove 32 respectively extend spirally around the turning center Q
of the cam gear 23. The second groove 31 and the third groove 32
are generally symmetrical relative to the turning center Q of the
cam gear 23 in position and shape thereof. The second groove 31 and
the third groove 32 respectively extend spirally to come gradually
near a periphery of the cam gear 23 from its inner end positioned
in the side of the turning center Q.
[0149] In the primary driving unit 16 described above, the
rotational driving force of the motor 19 turns the cam gear 23
counterclockwise along arrow L of FIG. 9 and clockwise along arrow
M of FIG. 16.
[0150] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first drive section 18 has a
first arm 58 as a first turnable supporting member, a supporting
arm 59 as a supporting member, the first guide hole 57a, and the
supporting hole 45.
[0151] The first arm 58 is positioned along a lateral direction of
the instrument body 2 inside the first frame 57 within the chassis
body 14. The first arm 58 has an arm portion 60 extended inward
from a side of the front panel 15 of the instrument body 2. The
first arm 58 further has a vertical portion 61 extended
vertically.
[0152] The arm portion 60 has an end supporting an lower end of the
first holder 40 at a side of the front panel 15. The arm portion 60
supports the lower end of the first holder 40 turnably around a
turning axis R (shown by a chain line in FIG. 4) directed in a
lateral direction of the electronic instrument 1. The vertical
portion 61 is contiguous with the other end of the arm portion 60
to rise upward therefrom.
[0153] The first arm 58 has two first driving pins 62 as the first
projecting piece respectively at each end of the vertical portion
61. The first driving pins 62 are projected from the first arm 58
outward laterally in the chassis body 14 of the instrument body 2.
The first driving pins 62 each are projected toward the first
groove 23c formed on the one face 23b of the cam gear 23.
[0154] The first driving pins 62 extend respectively through the
hole 43 or 44 of the first guide hole 57a when assembled with the
first arm 58 which is positioned inside the first frame 57 within
the chassis body 14. Furthermore, the first driving pins 62 are
respectively received in the cam groove 33 or the cam groove 34 of
the cam gear 23. The upper first driving pin 62 is extended through
the hole 43 of the first guide hole 57a, so that the first arm 58
is supported by the arc segment 46 turnably around a turning center
T (shown by a chain line in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, 15, and 22). Thus, the
first arm 58 is turnably supported by the first frame 57, i.e. by
the chassis 5.
[0155] The supporting arm 59 is unitarily formed with the first
holder 40 and has a side surface of an arc shape extending in a
longitudinal direction of the electronic instrument 1. The
supporting arm 59 extends from an upper end of the first holder 40
at each side end of the first holder 40 inward in the instrument
body 2. That is, the supporting arm 59 extends from the first
holder 40 constituting the first operation unit into the instrument
body 2. The supporting arm 59 is positioned laterally inside the
first frame 57 within the chassis body 14.
[0156] The supporting arm 59 has a supporting pin 63 at its end 59a
distal from the first holder 40. The supporting pin 63 is projected
from the supporting arm 59 to extend outward in the chassis body 14
along a lateral direction of the instrument body 2. The supporting
pin 63 is received in the supporting hole 45 when the supporting
arm 59 is positioned inside the first arm 58 in the chassis body
14. That is, the end 59a of the supporting arm 59 is received in
the supporting hole 45 which is a guide channel.
[0157] The first groove 23c, the first driving pin 62, and the
first frame 57 correspond to the first drive device described in
the summary of the invention. The first arm 58 is supported by the
first frame 57, i. e. by the chassis 5 turnably around the turning
center T.
[0158] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second drive section 17 has a
second arm 36 as a second supporting member, a third arm 37 as a
second turnable supporting member, a second guide hole 41, and a
third guide hole 42.
[0159] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 10, the locking hook 26
extends inward from a side of the front panel 15 of the instrument
body 2 into the chassis body 14. The second arm 36 is laterally
positioned outward from the second frame 35 within the chassis body
14.
[0160] The second arm 36 has an end positioned in the side of the
front panel 15 for supporting a lower end of the second holder 39.
The lower end of the second holder 39 is supported by the second
arm 36 turnably around a lateral direction of the instrument body 2
and slidably in a vertical direction of the instrument body 2.
[0161] The second arm 36 has a second driving pin 54, which is the
second projecting piece described in the invention summary, both at
a middle and at a distal end thereof. The second driving pin 54 is
projected from the second arm 36 inward laterally in the chassis
body 14 of the instrument body 2. The second driving pin 54 is
projected toward the second groove 31 formed in the other face 23a
of the cam gear 23.
[0162] Each second driving pin 54 extends through the second guide
hole 41 when assembled with the second arm 36, which is positioned
outside the second frame 35 within the chassis body 14.
Furthermore, the second driving pin 54 provided at the middle of
the second arm 36 is received in the second groove 31 of the cam
gear 23. Thus, the second arm 36 is supported movably along the
second guide hole 41.
[0163] Thereby, when the second arm 36 moves from the first
position along the ejecting direction of the CD of the recording
medium received in the instrument body 2, the second arm 36 moves
gradually downward along the arc segment 52 in a direction apart
from the third arm 37. On the contrary, when the second arm 36
moves from the second position along the insertion direction of the
CD into the instrument body 2, the second arm 36 moves gradually
upward along the arc segment 52 in a direction toward the third arm
37. Thus, the movement of the second arm 36 along the ejecting or
insertion direction of the CD of the recording medium causes the
third arm 37 to come away from or close to the third arm 37.
[0164] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 10, the third arm 37 extends
inward from a side of the front panel 15 of the instrument body 2
into the chassis body 14. The third arm 37 is laterally positioned
outward from the second frame 35 within the chassis body 14 and
above the second arm 36. The third arm 37 has an end positioned in
the side of the front panel 15 for supporting an upper end of the
second holder 39. The upper end of the second holder 39 is
supported by the third arm 37 turnably around a turning axis P
(shown by a chain line in FIG. 4) oriented in a lateral direction
of the instrument body 2.
[0165] The third arm 37 has a through hole 55 at a middle thereof,
and the through hole 55 receives the supporting pin 38a. The third
arm 37 is supported by the supporting pin 38a turnably around the
supporting pin 38a and the through hole 55. That is, the third arm
37 is turnably supported by the second frame 35. The third arm 37
has a third driving pin 56 as the third projecting piece.
[0166] The third driving pin 56 is projected from the third arm 37
in a lateral direction of the instrument body 2 inward within the
chassis body 14 to be opposed to the third groove 32 formed in the
other face 23a of the cam gear 23. The third driving pin 56 extends
through the third guide hole 42 to be received in the third groove
32 of the cam gear 23 when the third arm 37 is positioned outside
the second frame 35 within the chassis body 14.
[0167] The second groove 31, the third groove 32, the second
driving pin 54, the third driving pin 56, the second guide hole 41,
and the third guide hole 42 correspond to the second drive device.
The second drive device turns the third arm 37 around the
supporting pin 38a since the third arm 37 is turnably supported by
the second frame 35, i.e. by the chassis 5. Thus, the second drive
device supports the second arm 36 movably along the insertion or
ejecting direction of the CD through the recording medium inserting
slot 7.
[0168] The normal rotation of the motor 19 actuates the first
driving unit 24 to turn the cam gear 23 to move the second
operation unit 3, the second holder 39, the first operation unit 4,
and the first holder 40 from the first position via the second
position to the third position. On the contrary, the reserve
rotation of the motor 19 moves the second operation unit 3, the
second holder 39, the first operation unit 4, and the first holder
40 from the third position via the second position to the first
position.
[0169] The first arm 58 is turned around the turning center T
(shown by a chain line in FIGS. 8, 15, and 22) by the first drive
section consisting of the first groove 23c, the vertical portion
61, and the first guide hole 57a. Thereby, the first drive section
moves the first operation unit 4 and the first holder 40 between
the first position and the second position. The turning center T
directs laterally in the electronic instrument 1 through the center
of the driving mechanism 6.
[0170] The turning of the first arm 58 around the turning center T
by the first drive section moves the supporting pin 63, which is
provided at the end 59a of the supporting arm 59, along the
supporting hole 45. Thus, the first drive section moves the
supporting arm 59 along the supporting hole 45.
[0171] The second arm 36 is further moved along the insertion or
ejection direction of the CD through the recording medium inserting
slot 7 of the instrument body 2 by the second drive device which is
constituted by the second groove 31, the third groove 32, the
second driving pin 54, the third driving pin 56, the second guide
hole 41, and third guide hole 42. Thereby, the second drive device
turns the third arm 37, and the second arm 36 comes close to or
comes apart from the third arm 37. Thus, the second drive device
moves the second operation unit 3 and the second holder 39 between
the first position and the second position.
[0172] The second driving unit 25 has almost the same configuration
as the first driving unit 24 except that the second driving unit 25
is not provided with the motor 19, the worm 20, the worm gear 21,
the transmission gear 22, etc. In addition, the first driving unit
24 and the second driving unit 25 are mechanically connected to
each other by a link rod 64 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0173] The link rod 64 is supported by the chassis body 14 turnably
around a central axis of the link rod 64. The link rod 64 includes
a rod body 65 and a link gear 66 provided at each end of the rod
body 65. The central axis of the link rod 64 is oriented along a
lateral direction of the electronic instrument 1. The link gears 66
engage respectively with the cam gear 23 of the first driving unit
24 or the cam gear 23 of the second driving unit 25. Thus, the
rotation of the motor 19 of the first driving unit 24 turns the cam
gear 23 of the first driving unit 24 and the cam gear 23 of the
second driving unit 25.
[0174] Next, an operation of the driving mechanism 6 having the
aforementioned configuration will be discussed. As illustrated in
FIGS. 9 and 10, at the first position, the two second driving pins
54 of the second arm 36 are respectively located at an inner end of
the associated horizontal segment 51 of the second guide hole 41 of
the second frame 35 within the instrument body 2. The second
driving pin 54 formed at the middle of the second arm 36 is located
at an end of the second groove 31 which is in the side of the
turning center Q of the cam gear 23.
[0175] The third driving pin 56 of the third arm 37 is located at a
lower end of the third guide hole 42 of the second frame 35. The
third driving pin 56 is located at an end of the third groove 32
which is in the side of the rotating center Q of the cam gear
23.
[0176] As illustrated in FIG. 11 and 12, at the first position, the
first driving pin 62 (referred to as an upper first pin) provided
at an upper end of the vertical portion 61 of the first arm 58 is
located at an inner end of the arc segment 46 of the hole 43 of the
first frame 57 within the instrument body 2. The upper first
driving pin 62 is also located at an inner end of the cam groove 33
of the cam gear 23 within the instrument body 2.
[0177] The first driving pin 62 (referred to as a lower first pin
hereinafter) provided at a lower end of the vertical portion 61 of
the first arm 58 is located at an inner end of the arc segment 34a
of cam groove 34 which is in a distal side of the spiral portion
34b. The lower first driving pin 62 is also located in the hole 44.
The supporting pin 63 of the supporting arm 59 is located at an
upper end of the first vertical segment 48 of the first frame
57.
[0178] Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the exposed faces 8a
and 11a of the second operation unit 3 and the first operation unit
4 are disposed parallel to the surface 15a of the front panel 15.
The exposed face 11a is positioned between the second operation
unit 3 and the front panel 15. That is, the first operation unit 4
is covered by the front panel 15 and the second operation unit 3.
The recording medium inserting slot 7 is closed by the second
operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4. As illustrated in
FIG. 8, the second holder 39 and the first holder 40 are aligned
with each other in a direction shown by arrow Z, and the second
holder 39 is positioned in a forward side of the first holder
40.
[0179] The normal rotation of the motor 19 turns the cam gear 23
along arrow L shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, so that the second driving
pin 54 moves to a peripheral portion of the cam gear 23. Because,
the second groove 31 is spiral so as to gradually come close to the
peripheral portion and to gradually come away from the rotating
center Q of the cam gear 23.
[0180] At the same time, the second driving pin 54 moves along
horizontal segment 51 of the second guide hole 41 toward the user,
and then the second driving pin 54 moves downward along the arc
segment 52. The second arm 36 moves along a direction for ejecting
the CD from the recording medium inserting slot 7 to gradually come
away from the third arm 37.
[0181] Furthermore, the third driving pin 56 moves to a peripheral
portion of the cam gear 23. Because, the third groove 32 is spiral
so as to gradually come close to the peripheral portion and to
gradually come away from the rotating center Q of the cam gear 23.
At the same time, the third driving pin 56 moves upward along the
third guide hole 42, and then the third arm 37 turns along arrow N
of FIG. 10.
[0182] Thus, the second holder 39, i.e. the second operation unit 3
moves in a direction perpendicular to the surface 15a of the front
panel 15 to come away from the instrument body 2, and then the
second operation unit 3 moves downward from the instrument body 2.
Then, the second arm 36 moves gradually apart from the third arm
37, and the third arm 37 turns along arrow N of FIG. 10 so that the
exposed face 8a turns around the turning axis P to face upward.
[0183] At the first position, the normal rotation of the motor 19
turns the cam gear 23 along arrow L shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, so
that the first driving pin 62 moves along the arc segment 46 around
the first driving pin 62 to reach an end of the arc segment 46
located in the side of the front panel 15, while the first driving
pin 62 is positioned at a lower end of the hole 44. Because, the
lower first driving pin 62 of the first arm 58 is positioned in the
arc segment 34a of the cam groove 34, and the upper first driving
pin 62 is positioned in the arc segment 46 of the hole 43.
[0184] Thus, the first arm 58 turns around the rotating center T
along arrow O (FIG. 12). The first holder 40, i.e. the first
operation unit 4 moves downward relative to the length of the arc
segment 46. At the same time, the supporting pin 63 of the
supporting arm 59 moves downward along the first vertical segment
48. That is, the supporting pin 63 of the supporting arm 59 moves
along the supporting hole 45.
[0185] Thus, the second operation unit 3 and the second holder 39
move from the first position in a direction perpendicular to the
surface 15a of the front panel 15 to come away from the instrument
body 2, and then the second operation unit 3 slides downward from
the instrument body 2, so that the exposed face 8a turns a little
to face upward as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. The first
operation unit 4 moves downward to expose the recording medium
inserting slot 7 as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. Thereby, the
second operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4 are moved
from the first position to the second position.
[0186] At the second position, as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17,
the two second driving pins 54 of the second arm 36 are
respectively at a middle portion of each arc segment 52 of the
second guide hole 41 formed in the second frame 35. The second
driving pin 54 provided on the middle of the second arm 36 is
positioned at a middle portion of the second groove 31.
[0187] The third driving pin 56 of the third arm 37 is positioned
at a middle portion of the third guide hole 42 of the second frame
35 and is also positioned at a middle portion of the third groove
32.
[0188] As illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, at the second position,
the upper first driving pin 62 of the first arm 58 is located at an
end of the arc segment 46 of the hole 43 of the first frame 57 in
the side of the front panel 15. The upper first driving pin 62 is
also located at a middle portion of the cam groove 33 of the cam
gear 23.
[0189] The lower first driving pin 62 is located at an end of the
arc segment 34a of cam groove 34 in the side of the spiral portion
34b. The lower first driving pin 62 is also located at a lower end
of the hole 44. The supporting pin 63 of the supporting arm 59 is
located at a lower end of the first vertical segment 48 of the
supporting hole 45 provided in the first frame 57.
[0190] Thus, the second operation unit 3 and the first operation
unit 4 move downward from the first position in a direction
perpendicular to the surface 15a of the front panel 15 to expose
the recording medium inserting slot 7 as illustrated in FIGS. 13
and 14. Thereby, the exposed face 8a of the second operation unit 3
is exposed toward the user. However, the exposed face 11a of the
first operation unit 4 is still partially covered by the second
operation unit 3.
[0191] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the second holder 39 and the
first holder 40 are moved downward from the first position, and the
second holder 39 is positioned lower than the first holder 40.
[0192] A further normal rotation of the motor 19 turns the cam gear
23 along arrow L shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, so that the second
driving pin 54 moves to a peripheral portion of the cam gear 23.
Because, the second groove 31 is spiral so as to gradually come
close to the peripheral portion and to gradually come away from the
rotating center Q of the cam gear 23, and the second driving pin 54
is positioned in a middle portion of the second groove 31.
[0193] Furthermore, the third driving pin 56 moves to a peripheral
portion of the cam gear 23. Because, the third groove 32 is spiral
so as to gradually come close to the peripheral portion and to
gradually come away from the rotating center Q of the cam gear 23,
and the third driving pin 56 is positioned in a middle portion of
the third groove 32. At the same time, the third driving pin 56
moves further upward along the third guide hole 42, and then the
third arm 37 turns along arrow N of FIG. 17.
[0194] Thus, the second holder 39, i.e. the second operation unit 3
moves downward from the second position in a forward direction of
the instrument body 2 to come away from the instrument body 2. With
the further movement of the second arm 36 in a forward direction of
the instrument body 2, the third arm 37 further turns along arrow N
of FIG. 10 so that the exposed face 8a further turns around the
turning axis P to face upward.
[0195] At the second position, a further normal rotation of the
motor 19 turns the cam gear 23 along arrow L shown in FIGS. 16 and
18, so that the first driving pin 62 of the first arm 58 moves
upward along the slope segment 47 of the hole 43 and the hole 44.
Because, the lower first driving pin 62 of the first arm 58 is
positioned at an end of the arc segment 34a of the cam groove 34 in
the side of the spiral portion 34b.
[0196] Thus, the first arm 58 moves upward along the slope segment
47 of the hole 43 and the hole 44 in a forward direction of the
instrument body 2. At the same time, the supporting pin 63 of the
supporting arm 59 moves upward within the first vertical segment
48.
[0197] The slope segment 47 of the hole 43 and the hole 44 incline
upward to gradually come close to the first vertical segment 48,
and the first vertical segment 48 inclines upward to gradually come
close to the hole 43. An lower end of the first holder 40 moves
forward of the instrument body 2, and an upper end of the first
holder 40 moves toward the front panel 15. The first operation unit
4 turns around the turning axis R so that the exposed face 11a
turns further upward.
[0198] Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the second
operation unit 3 and the second holder 39 slide from the second
position to move forward and downward relative to the instrument
body 2, while the exposed face 8a turns to face upward. At the same
time, as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the first operation unit 4
slides upward while the exposed face 11a turns to face upward.
Accordingly, the second operation unit 3 and the first operation
unit 4 are moved from the second position to third position.
[0199] At the third position, as illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24,
the two second driving pins 54 of the second arm 36 are
respectively positioned at an end of the arc segment 52 of each
second guide hole 41 formed in the second frame 35 in the side of
the vertical portion 53. The second driving pin 54 provided at the
middle of the second arm 36 is positioned at an end of the second
groove 31 in the side of the rotating center Q of the cam gear
23.
[0200] The third driving pin 56 of the third arm 37 is positioned
at an upper end of the third guide hole 42 of the second frame 35.
Furthermore, the third driving pin 56 is positioned at an end the
third groove 32 in the side apart from the rotating center Q of the
cam gear 23.
[0201] At the third position, as illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26,
the upper first driving pin 62 of the first arm 58 is positioned at
an upper end of the slope segment 47 of the hole 43 formed in the
first frame 57. The lower first driving pin 62 is positioned at an
end of the spiral portion 34b of the cam groove 34 in the side of
the rotating center Q of the cam gear 23. The lower first driving
pin 62 is positioned at an upper end of the hole 44. The supporting
pin 63 of the supporting arm 59 is positioned in the first vertical
segment 48 of the supporting hole 45 formed in the first frame
57.
[0202] Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the second
operation unit 3 further moves downward from the second position,
and the first operation unit 4 moves upward from the second
position. The second operation unit 3 and the first operation unit
4 turns so that the exposed faces 8a and 11a are oriented upward.
Thus, the exposed faces 8a and 11a are exposed to the user so that
the user can see well the display surfaces of the LCDs 9 and
12.
[0203] As illustrated in FIG. 22, the second holder 39 further
moves downward from the second position, and the first holder 40
moves upward from the second position, so that the second holder 39
is positioned lower than the first holder 40.
[0204] For the movement from the third position to the second
position, a reverse rotation of the motor 19 turns the cam gear 23
along arrow M of FIGS. 16, 18, 23, and 25 which is a direction
opposed to arrow L.
[0205] Thus, the second operation unit 3 and the first operation
unit 4 each move relative to the instrument body 2 between the
first position to cover the recording medium inserting slot 7 and
the second position to expose the recording medium inserting slot
7. The second operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4 can
be moved relative to the instrument body 2 to reach the third
position to expose the faces 8a and 11a for the user.
[0206] The second holder 39, i.e. the second operation unit 3 moves
downward relative to the instrument body 2 from the first position
to second position. Furthermore, the second operation unit 3 moves
downward relative to the instrument body 2 from the second position
to the third position.
[0207] The first holder 40, i.e. the first operation unit 4 moves
downward relative to the instrument body 2 from the first position
to the second position. Furthermore, the first operation unit 4
moves upward from the second position to the third position.
[0208] At the second and third positions, the second holder 39,
i.e. the second operation unit 3 turns around the turning axis P
laterally extending within the electronic instrument 1 so that the
exposed face 8a faces upward. At the third position, the first
holder 40, i.e. the first operation unit 4 turns around the turning
axis R laterally extending within the electronic instrument 1 so
that the exposed face la is oriented upward.
[0209] In the electronic instrument 1, the second operation unit 3
can be removed from the second holder 39 at the second position or
at the third position. In the removed state, the reverse rotation
of the motor 19 moves the second holder 39 toward the first
position. The first operation unit 4 is positioned between the
second holder 39 and the front panel 15, while the second holder 39
and the first operation unit 4 are aligned with each other in a
direction perpendicular to the surface 15a of the front panel 15.
Thus, when the second operation unit 3 is removed from the second
holder 39, the second holder 39 and the front panel 15 cover the
first operation unit 4, but the electronic instrument 1 itself is
not ready to be used.
[0210] In the embodiment, for moving the first holder 40 and the
first operation unit 4 between the first position and the second
position, there are provided the supporting arm 59 extended toward
the instrument body 2 unitarily from the first holder 40 and the
first arm 58 turnably supported by the first frame 57. Furthermore,
for moving the supporting arm 59 and the first arm 58, there are
provided the supporting hole 45 and the first guide hole 57a.
[0211] Thus, the simple configurations of the supporting arm 59
unitarily formed with the first holder 40 and the first arm 58 can
move the first holder 40 and the first operation unit 4. This
prevents an increase in number of parts and in a manufacturing cost
of the electronic instrument 1. The supporting arm 59 is unitary
with the first holder 40 to move together.
[0212] The first groove 23c formed in the one face 23b of the cam
gear 23 receives the first driving pin 62 protruded from the first
arm 58 through the first guide hole 57a. The turning of the cam
gear 23 moves the first driving pin 62 along the first guide hole
57a, so that the first holder 40 and the first operation unit 4
surely move between the first position and the second position.
[0213] When the second holder 39 and the second operation unit 3
move from the first position to the second position, the second arm
36 moves along the ejecting direction of the CD of the recording
medium so that the second arm 36 comes apart from the third arm 37
and the third arm 37 is turned. Thus, when the second holder 39 and
the second operation unit 3 move from the first position to the
second position, the second holder 39 and the second operation unit
3 incline in a direction to cause the second arm 36 to come close
to the third arm 37, i.e. upward in the illustrated example.
[0214] Therefore, at the second position, the exposed face 8a of
the second operation unit 3 is easily exposed to the user, so that
the LCD 9 provided on the exposed face 8a can surely display
information so as to be surely visually recognized by the user.
That is, the user can reliably visually recognize an operation
status of the electronic instrument 1 through the display of the
LCD 9.
[0215] The second groove 31 formed in the other face 23a of the cam
gear 23 receives the second driving pin 54 of the second arm 36
through the second guide hole 41, while the third groove 32
receives the third driving pin 56 of the third arm 37 through the
third guide hole 42.
[0216] The turning of the cam gear 23 moves the second driving pin
54 along the second guide hole 41 and moves the third driving pin
56 along the third guide hole 42. Thus, the user can well visually
recognize an operation status of the electronic instrument 1 and
can surely move the second holder 39 and the second operation unit
3 between the first position and the second position.
[0217] For moving the first holder 40 and the first operation unit
4, there is provided the first groove 23c formed in the one face
23b of the cam gear 23, and for moving the second holder 39 and the
second operation unit 3, there are provided the second groove 31
and the third groove 32 which are formed in the other face 23a of
the cam gear 23.
[0218] Thereby, the turning of the cam gear 23 moves the first
holder 40 and the second holder 39 between the first position and
the second position with a desired timing and synchronization
thereof. Both the one face 23b and the other face 23a of the cam
gear 23 are formed with the cam grooves, decreasing the electronic
instrument 1 in number of parts and in a manufacturing cost
thereof.
[0219] At the third position, the exposed faces 8a and 11a of the
second operation unit 3 and the first operation unit 4 are exposed,
so that the exposed faces 8a and 11a can have respectively a larger
display area which is better for recognition of an operation status
of the electronic instrument 1 by the user.
[0220] The second operation unit 3 can be provided with the switch
10 for selection of a broadcasting station received by the AM/FM
tuner, and the first operation unit 4 can be provided with the
switch 13 for selection of a piece of music reproduced by the CD
player. That is, a larger effective operation section area is
achieved.
[0221] When the second operation unit 3 is removed from the second
holder 39, the second holder 39 and the first operation unit 4 move
so that the first operation unit 4 is positioned between the second
holder 39 and the instrument body 2. In the removed state of the
second operation unit 3, the second holder 39 and the first
operation unit 4 cover the front panel 15.
[0222] In the removed state of the second operation unit 3, the
electronic instrument 1 itself can not be used, providing a burglar
proof of the electronic instrument 1.
[0223] In the aforementioned embodiment, the first operation unit 4
moves upward on the way from the second position to the third
position while the second operation unit 3 is moved downward.
However, the first operation unit 4 may be moved upward after the
instrument body 2 has reached at its lowest point on the way from
the first position to the third position.
[0224] Thereby, at the third position, it can be surely prevented
that the exposed face 8a of the second operation unit 3 and the
exposed face 11a of the first operation unit 4 overlap one another.
This allows a sure recognition of the exposed faces 8a and 11a by
the user. Thus, the user can surely visually recognize information
displayed on the LCD 9 and the LCD 12 provided on the exposed faces
8a and 11a and can operate the switches 10 and 13.
[0225] In the aforementioned embodiment, both the second operation
unit 3 and the first operation unit 4 turn such that- the exposed
faces 8a and 11a face upward at the third position. However, in the
present invention, the exposed faces 8a and 11a maybe disposed to
be parallel to each other at the third position as illustrated in
FIG. 27, e.g. by a length modification of the arms 36, 37, and 58
as well as the supporting arm 59. Thereby, the user can more surely
visually recognize information displayed on the LCD 9 and the LCD
12 provided on the exposed faces 8a and 11a. In FIG. 27, the same
components as those of the aforementioned embodiment have the same
reference numerals and will not be discussed again.
* * * * *