U.S. patent application number 10/464456 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for holder for disk drives.
Invention is credited to Choi, Jun Kun, Kim, Joon Ho, Kim, Nam Seok, Kim, Tae Heon, Lee, Chil Sung.
Application Number | 20040216154 10/464456 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36773343 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040216154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Tae Heon ; et
al. |
October 28, 2004 |
Holder for disk drives
Abstract
The invention relates to an optical disk drive, and more
particularly, to a holder for disk drives having an improved chuck
structure for seating a disk. The holder of the invention, in use,
is inserted into a central opening of a disk for detachably seating
the disk, and comprises: a circular hub projected upward and sized
equal to the central opening of the disk; a chuck projected from a
lateral portion of the hub, wherein the chuck includes a rear
portion elastically connected with the hub, a peak formed in a
front portion of the chuck and a lower circular face of a curvature
extended downward from the peak; and a support formed integral with
the hub for contacting the lower circular face of the chuck to
enable circular motion of the chuck.
Inventors: |
Kim, Tae Heon; (Yongin,
KR) ; Choi, Jun Kun; (Suwon, KR) ; Kim, Nam
Seok; (Suwon, KR) ; Kim, Joon Ho; (Suwon,
KR) ; Lee, Chil Sung; (Suwon, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN GOPSTEIN GILMAN & BERNER, LLP
Suite 310
1700 Diagonal Road
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
36773343 |
Appl. No.: |
10/464456 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
720/707 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 17/0282
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
720/707 |
International
Class: |
G11B 023/00; G11B
025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2003 |
KR |
2003-26770 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A holder for disk drives which is inserted into a central
opening of a disk for detachably seating the disk, the holder
comprising: a circular hub projected upward and sized equal to the
central opening of the disk; a chuck projected from a lateral
portion of the hub, wherein the chuck includes a rear portion
elastically connected with the hub, a peak formed in a front
portion of the chuck and a lower circular face of a curvature
extended downward from the peak; and a support formed integral with
the hub for contacting the lower circular face of the chuck to
enable circular motion of the chuck.
2. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 1, wherein a
contact face of the support contacting the lower circular face of
the chuck is an inclination sloped at a predetermined angle in
respect to a horizontal plane.
3. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 2, wherein the
inclination has an inclination angle of about 5 to 25 degree in
respect to the horizontal plane.
4. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 1, wherein a
contact face of the support contacting the lower circular face of
the chuck is an arc face.
5. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 4, wherein the
lower circular face of the chuck has a curvature radius smaller
than that of the arc face of the support.
6. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising a guide provided in rear of the chuck, the guide
contacting the inside of the hub to restrict vertical circular
motion of the chuck.
7. A holder for disk drives which is inserted into a central
opening of a disk for detachably seating the disk, the holder
comprising: a circular hub projecting upward and sized equal to the
central opening of the disk; a chuck projected from a lateral
portion of the hub, wherein the chuck includes a rear portion
elastically connected with the hub, a peak formed in a front
portion of the chuck and a lower circular face of a curvature
extended downward from the peak; and a support formed integral with
the hub for contacting the lower circular face of the chuck to
enable circular motion and linear motion of the chuck in
sequence.
8. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 7, wherein a
contact face of the support contacting the lower circular face of
the chuck includes an inclined portion having a predetermined angle
in respect to a horizontal plane and a horizontal portion connected
with the inclined portion.
9. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
inclined portion of the contact face has an inclination angle of
about 5 to 25 degree.
10. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 7, wherein a
contact face of the support contacting the lower circular face of
the chuck includes an arc face and a horizontal face connected with
the arc face.
11. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 10, wherein
the lower circular face of the chuck has a curvature radius smaller
than that of the arc face.
12. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 7, further
comprising a guide provided in rear of the chuck, the guide
contacting the inside of the hub to restrict vertical circular
motion of the chuck.
13. A holder for disk drives which is inserted into a central
opening of a disk for detachably seating the disk, the holder
comprising: a circular hub projected upward and sized equal to the
central opening of the disk; a chuck projected from a lateral
portion of the hub, wherein the chuck includes a rear portion
elastically connected with the hub, a peak formed in a front
portion of the chuck and having a curvature radius on a horizontal
plane equal to a radius of the central opening and a lower circular
face of a curvature extended downward from the peak; and a support
formed integral with the hub for contacting the lower circular face
of the chuck to enable circular motion of the chuck.
14. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 13, wherein a
contact face of the support is an inclination sloped at a
predetermined angle in respect to the horizontal plane.
15. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 14, wherein
the inclination has an inclination angle of about 5 to 25 degree in
respect to the horizontal plane.
16. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 13, wherein a
contact face of the support is an arc face.
17. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 16, wherein
the lower circular face of the chuck has a curvature radius smaller
than that of the arc face of the support.
18. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 13, further
comprising a guide provided in rear of the chuck, the guide
contacting the inside of the hub to restrict vertical circular
motion of the chuck.
19. A holder for disk drives which is inserted into a central
opening of a disk for detachably seating the disk, the holder
comprising: a circular hub projected upward and sized equal to the
central opening of the disk; a chuck projected from a lateral
portion of the hub, wherein the chuck includes a rear portion
elastically connected with the hub, a peak formed in a front
portion of the chuck and having a curvature radius on a horizontal
plane equal to a radius of the central opening and a lower circular
face of a curvature extended downward from the peak; and a support
formed integral with the hub for contacting the lower circular face
of the chuck to enable circular motion and linear motion of the
chuck in sequence.
20. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 19, wherein a
contact face of the support includes an inclined portion having a
predetermined angle in respect to a horizontal plane and a
horizontal portion connected with the inclined portion.
21. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 19, wherein
the inclined portion of the contact face has an inclination angle
of about 5 to 25 degree.
22. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 19, wherein a
contact face of the support contacting the lower circular face of
the chuck includes an arc face and a horizontal face connected with
the arc face.
23. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 22, wherein
the lower circular face of the chuck has a curvature radius smaller
than that of the arc face.
24. The holder for disk drives as set forth in claim 19, further
comprising a guide provided in rear of the chuck, the guide
contacting the inside of the hub to restrict vertical circular
motion of the chuck.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to an optical disk drive, and more
particularly, to a holder for disk drives having an improved chuck
structure for seating a disk.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Optical disk drives, in particular, slim optical disk drives
include a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive, a CD R/W drive and so on.
Such an optical disk drive receives a disk to write or read records
into/from the disk while turning the disk. A slim optical disk
drive is particularly mounted on a slim computer such as a notebook
computer.
[0005] The slim optical disk drive is limited in height. That is,
since the slim optical disk drive is mounted on a thin main body,
the height of the disk drive itself is limited. Therefore, the slim
optical disk drive requires a holder structure for grasping a disk
unlike a disk drive mounted on a typical desktop computer.
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a conventional holder structure. As shown in
FIG. 1, the conventional holder for disk drives comprises a flat
cylindrical hub 103 sized equal to a central opening of a disk for
being inserted into the central opening of disk and chucks 101 for
elastically projecting from lateral regions of the hub 103 under
the force of springs 102. The holder is placed in a central portion
of a circular base 110, and a lower base 140 is provided with a
stator assembly and a rotor assembly.
[0007] A rubber turntable 130 is provided around the holder for
wrapping the holder therein so that the disk is seated or mounted
on the turntable 130. The rotor and stator assemblies in the lower
base 140 of the holder cooperate to turn the turntable 130 and the
holder, and thus the disk grasped by the holder along with the
turntable 130. As the disk is turned, writing or reading means
write or read desired data into/from the disk while moving in a
radial direction of the disk.
[0008] Each of the chucks 101 used in the conventional holder
grasps a disk according to a process shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2(a)
illustrates that the disk 100 contacts an upper portion of one of
the chucks 101. As the user further moves the disk 100 downward,
the chuck 101 is pushed backward slowly. As the disk 100 is further
moved downward, the chuck 101 is pushed to the innermost position
thereof in the holder hub 103 as shown in FIG. 2(b). When the disk
100 is completely seated on the turntable, the chuck 101 projects
again toward the disk as shown in FIG. 2(c).
[0009] The chuck 101 has upper and lower faces, which taper at
predetermined inclinations, and a peak portion at leading edges of
the upper and lower faces. The chuck 101 functions to press the
disk under a predetermined amount of force so that the disk may not
slip upward out of the turntable while it is turning.
[0010] The disk holder structure using the above chucks has the
following drawbacks. First, the central chucks are moved only in a
horizontal direction, thereby enhancing seating force, i.e., force
for seating the disk. The enhanced seating force causes
inconvenience to the user in using the disk drive, and thus the
user applies excessive force to the disk holder thereby potentially
damaging the disk drive and even the main body.
[0011] If the tension of the springs which are mounted on rear of
the chucks is adjusted to decrease the seating force, restraining
force against separation or simply restraining force, i.e., force
required for separating the disk or resisting against separation of
the disk will be also reduced. Then, the disk may be separated even
under slight impact during high speed rotation so that the disk
drive may not properly perform its function. Therefore, the art
requires a novel holder structure which can maintain sufficient
amount of restraining force against separation while decreasing
seating force.
[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the peak of the chuck 101 has a
semicircular configuration on a horizontal plane. In this
configuration, the peak of the chuck 101 performs point-to-point
contact with the periphery of the central opening of the disk,
which does not increase the restraining force against separation of
the disk. Further, in the case of a DVD for example having a double
layer structure, an intermediate groove of the double layer
structure may trap the chuck (i.e., half chucking) potentially
causing problems to the seating process of the disk.
[0013] Therefore, the art also requires a structure capable of
preventing half chucking in which the chuck is trapped by an
intermediate portion of the disk while increasing the restraining
force against separation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing
problems, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a holder for disk drives having an improved structure of
chucks and chuck supporting portions so that the chucks can perform
downward circular motion along circular paths so as to reduce
disk-seating force while enhancing restraining force against
separation of a disk.
[0015] It is another object of the invention to provide a disk
holder having an improved configuration of a peak portion of a
chuck in order to prevent half chucking by the disk while enhancing
restraining force against separation of the seated disk.
[0016] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
holder for disk drives which is inserted into a central opening of
a disk for detachably seating the disk. The holder of the invention
comprises: a circular hub projected upward and sized equal to the
central opening of the disk; a chuck projected from a lateral
portion of the hub, wherein the chuck includes a rear portion
elastically connected with the hub, a peak formed in a front
portion of the chuck and a lower circular face of a curvature
extended downward from the peak; and a support formed integral with
the hub for contacting the lower circular face of the chuck to
enable circular motion of the chuck.
[0017] In the holder for disk drives, a contact face of the support
contacting the lower circular face of the chuck is preferably an
inclination sloped at a predetermined angle in respect to a
horizontal plane, and the inclination more preferably has an
inclination angle of about 5 to 25 degree in respect to the
horizontal plane.
[0018] Also in the holder for disk drives, a contact face of the
support contacting the lower circular face of the chuck is an arc
face, and the lower circular face of the chuck more preferably has
a curvature radius smaller than that of the arc face of the
support.
[0019] In addition, the holder of the invention may further
comprise a guide provided in rear of the chuck, wherein the guide
contacts the inside of the hub to restrict vertical circular motion
of the chuck.
[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a holder for disk drives which is inserted into a central
opening of a disk for detachably seating the disk. The holder of
the invention comprises: a circular hub projecting upward and sized
equal to the central opening of the disk; a chuck projected from a
lateral portion of the hub, wherein the chuck includes a rear
portion elastically connected with the hub, a peak formed in a
front portion of the chuck and a lower circular face of a curvature
extended downward from the peak; and a support formed integral with
the hub for contacting the lower circular face of the chuck to
enable circular motion and linear motion of the chuck in
sequence.
[0021] In the holder for disk drives, a contact face of the support
contacting the lower circular face of the chuck preferably includes
an inclined portion having a predetermined angle in respect to a
horizontal plane and a horizontal portion connected with the
inclined portion, and the inclined portion of the contact face more
preferably has an inclination angle of about 5 to 25 degree. Also,
a contact face of the support contacting the lower circular face of
the chuck includes an arc face and a horizontal face connected with
the arc face, and the lower circular face of the chuck more
preferably has a curvature radius smaller than that of the arc
face.
[0022] In addition, the holder of the invention may further
comprise a guide provided in rear of the chuck, wherein the guide
contacts the inside of the hub to restrict vertical circular motion
of the chuck.
[0023] According to further another aspect of the invention, there
is provided a holder for disk drives which is inserted into a
central opening of a disk for detachably seating the disk. The
holder of the invention comprises: a circular hub projected upward
and sized equal to the central opening of the disk; a chuck
projected from a lateral portion of the hub, wherein the chuck
includes a rear portion elastically connected with the hub, a peak
formed in a front portion of the chuck and having a curvature
radius on a horizontal plane equal to a radius of the central
opening and a lower circular face of a curvature extended downward
from the peak; and a support formed integral with the hub for
contacting the lower circular face of the chuck to enable circular
motion of the chuck.
[0024] In the holder of the invention, a contact face of the
support is preferably an inclination sloped at a predetermined
angle in respect to the horizontal plane, the inclination more
preferably has an inclination angle of about 5 to 25 degree in
respect to the horizontal plane. Further, a contact face of the
support is preferably an arc face, and the lower circular face of
the chuck more preferably has a curvature radius smaller than that
of the arc face of the support. Also, the holder of the invention
may further comprise a guide provided in rear of the chuck, wherein
the guide contacts the inside of the hub to restrict vertical
circular motion of the chuck.
[0025] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a holder for disk drives which is inserted into a central
opening of a disk for detachably seating the disk. The holder of
the invention comprises: a circular hub projected upward and sized
equal to the central opening of the disk; a chuck projected from a
lateral portion of the hub, wherein the chuck includes a rear
portion elastically connected with the hub, a peak formed in a
front portion of the chuck and having a curvature radius on a
horizontal plane equal to a radius of the central opening and a
lower circular face of a curvature extended downward from the peak;
and a support formed integral with the hub for contacting the lower
circular face of the chuck to enable circular motion and linear
motion of the chuck in sequence.
[0026] In the holder of the invention, a contact face of the
support preferably includes an inclined portion having a
predetermined angle in respect to a horizontal plane and a
horizontal portion connected with the inclined portion, and the
inclined portion of the contact face more preferably has an
inclination angle of about 5 to 25 degree. Further, a contact face
of the support contacting the lower circular face of the chuck
preferably includes an arc face and a horizontal face connected
with the arc face, and the lower circular face of the chuck more
preferably has a curvature radius smaller than that of the arc
face. In addition, the holder of the invention may further comprise
a guide provided in rear of the chuck, wherein the guide contacts
the inside of the hub to restrict vertical circular motion of the
chuck.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is plan view of a conventional holder for disk
drives;
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a process of seating a disk on the
conventional holder for disk drives;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a holder for disk drives of the
invention;
[0031] FIG. 4 is sectional view of a holder chuck in FIG. 3;
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates motion of the holder chuck in a seating
process of a disk performed by the holder for disk drives of the
invention;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating an important part of
the holder chuck of the holder for disk drives of the
invention;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a support of the holder for
disk drives of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an alternative to the holder
chuck of the holder for disk drives of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another alternative to the
holder chuck of the holder for disk drives of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating elastic coupling of
the chuck of the holder for disk drives of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a peak portion of the chuck of the
holder for disk drives of the invention; and
[0039] FIG. 12 illustrates the chuck of the holder for disk drives
of the invention, which is trapped by an intermediate portion of a
disk.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0040] The following detailed description will present a preferred
embodiment of the invention in reference to the accompanying
drawings. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a holder for disk drives of the
invention, and FIG. 4 is sectional view of a holder chuck in FIG.
3.
[0041] The disk holder of the invention comprises a hub 3, chucks 1
mounted on the hub 3 and supports 2 for supporting the chucks
1.
Holder Structure
[0042] The hub 3 has a generally circular sectional configuration,
as shown in FIG. 3, to match an opening of a predetermined diameter
formed in a central portion of a disk. The hub 3 is made of resin,
and projected from an upper central portion of drive means
including a stator assembly and a rotor assembly.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, each of the chucks 1 is mounted on the
hub 3 so that the each chuck 1 can perform elastic motion in
respect to the hub 3. The chuck 1 is elastically connected by its
rear portion with the inside of the hub 3. That is, the rear
portion of the chuck 1 is connected with the inside of the hub 3
via elastic means such as a spring so that the chuck 1 can perform
elastic motion in respect to the hub 3.
[0044] The chuck 1 is projected from a lateral portion of the hub
3, and provided with a peak 13 projected from a front portion
thereof. Upper and lower faces 11 and 12 formed in the chuck 1 are
inclined upward and downward, respectively, from the peak 13 at
predetermined angles so that the disk can be fixed in position by
the peak structure.
[0045] A support 2 as shown in FIG. 4 is placed under the chuck 1.
The support 2 allows the chuck 1 to perform downward or upward
circular motion rather than horizontal motion. The support 2 is
formed integral with the hub 3, and a contact face 14 in contact
with the chuck 1 is formed at an angle inclined in respect to a
horizontal plane.
[0046] The lower face 12 of the chuck 1 has a curved region of a
predetermined curvature under the peak 13. The curved region of the
lower face 12 slides on the contact face 14 of the support 2 so
that the chuck 1 moves along a circular path.
Operation
[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates motion of the holder chuck in a seating
process of a disk performed by the holder for disk drives of the
invention. FIG. 5(a) illustrates an initial stage of seating a disk
100 on the holder. In FIG. 5(a), the disk 100 primarily contacts
the upper face 11 of the chuck 1, in which the upper face 11 of the
chuck 1 is inclined at a predetermined angle so that the disk 100
slides down along the upper face 11.
[0048] Under the pressing force of the disk 100, the peak of the
chuck 1 moves downward along the same path, that is, the curved
region formed in the lower face of the chuck 1 as shown in FIG.
5(b). When the later portion of the disk 100 reaches beyond the
peak of the chuck 1 as the disk 100 further moves downward, the
peak of the chuck 1 returns over the disk, as shown in FIG. 5C,
resulting from the elastic force of the spring.
Chuck Structure
[0049] The following will detail the structure of the chuck 1 and
the support 2 having the above operation. FIG. 6 is a sectional
view illustrating an important part of the holder chuck of the
holder for disk drives of the invention, and FIG. 7 is a sectional
view of the support of the holder for disk drives of the
invention.
[0050] In order to perform the above operation as shown in FIG. 5,
the lower face of the chuck 1 is curved to have a predetermined
value of curvature, and the contact face of the support 2 in
contact with the chuck 1 is also inclined at a predetermined angle.
The curved lower face 12 of the chuck 1 cooperates with the
inclined contact face 14 of the support 2 so that the chuck 1 can
perform circular motion along the curved lower face 12.
[0051] Such circular motion functions to reduce the seating force
applied to the disk and but to enhance the restraining force
against separation of the disk after the disk is seated on the
holder.
[0052] The contact face 14 of the support shown in FIG. 4 is in the
form of an arc. That is, the contact face 14 of the support can be
also arc-shaped so that the chuck of the invention can perform
circular motion. Then, the arc is so formed that an imaginary
straight line connecting between ends of the arc has a downward
inclination angle in respect to a horizontal plane.
[0053] Further, the curvature radius of the arc forming the contact
face 14 is preferably at least same as that of the curved lower
face 12 of the chuck 1. If the curvature radius of the arc is
smaller than that of the lower face of the chuck, contact between
the chuck and the support is made according to a two-point support
structure, which is too unstable to endure the seating force which
is applied downward via the disk. Therefore, the curvature is
determined so that the arc face and the lower face can perform
face-contact or at least line-contact.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, the reference mark A indicates an
inclination angle of the upper face 11 of the chuck 1, extended
upward from the peak 13, in respect to an upper horizontal plane.
The reference mark B indicates an angle of a lower face of the
chuck 1, extended downward from the peak 13, in respect to a
vertical plane. As shown in FIG. 7, the reference mark C indicates
an angle of the contact face 14 of the support 2, which contacts
the chuck 1, in respect to a horizontal plane. These angles are
important factors related to the seating force applied to the
holder chuck and the restraining force against separation (or
detachment) of the disk from the chuck.
[0055] Experiments were performed varying the above three angles to
compare seating forces and restraining forces of the holder of the
invention with those of a conventional holder structure.
1 TABLE 1 Mounting Restraining Measuring Factors Force Force Group
A (.degree.) B (.degree.) C(.degree.) gf gf 1 5 30 0 1400 330 10 30
10 1000 370 12 30 20 800 350 12 30 25 700 400 15 30 20 900 370 15
30 25 900 370 2 5 35 0 1300 400 10 35 10 1050 430 12 35 20 950 450
12 35 25 850 400 15 35 20 700 330 15 35 25 800 360 3 5 40 0 1250
450 10 40 10 900 450 12 40 20 1000 450 12 40 25 900 350 15 40 20
850 320 15 40 25 820 360
[0056] In the above experiments, it is to be noted that first
values in respective groups where C is 0 degree indicate seating
and restraining forces of the disk measured in the conventional
holder structure. That is, the seating force is in a range of about
1400 to 1250 gf, and the restraining force is in a range of about
330 to 450 gf. The holder of the invention can seat the disc under
the seating force which is smaller than that of the conventional
holder as well as maintain the disk under the restraining force
which is larger than that of the conventional holder.
[0057] Where B is 30 degree, the conventional holder has the
seating force of about 1400 gf and the restraining force of about
330 gf. If the contact face of the support of the chuck is formed
as an inclined face as in the invention, however, the respective
seating forces are smaller than those of the conventional holder,
wherein C is in a range of about 10 to 25 degree, B is about 30
degree, and A is about 10 to 15 degree. Where A is in a range of
about 10 to 15 degree, the respective seating forces are smaller
that those of the conventional holder. In this case, the
restraining forces are also smaller than those of the conventional
holder.
[0058] Similarly, where B is about 35 degree, the seating force of
the conventional holder is about 1300 gf and the restraining force
thereof is about 400 gf. Also in this case, the seating force is
smaller than the conventional holder and the restraining force can
maintain a sufficient value. This is same where B is about 40
degree.
[0059] As can be seen in Table 1, where the contact face of the
support is inclined, the seating force is reduced compared with
that of the conventional holder while the restraining force against
separation of the disk can maintain a sufficient value. From the
above result, it is possible to determine the configuration of the
holder so that the restraining force is larger than that of the
conventional holder if the angles A and B are properly adjusted
according to the angle C. Where C is about 20 degree, A is about 12
degree, and B is about 35 degree, a result can be obtained that the
seating force is about 950 gf and the restraining force is about
450 gf.
[0060] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an alternative to the holder
chuck of the holder for disk drives of the invention. As described
above, the holder for disk drives of the invention comprises a
support 2 for supporting a chuck 1 which is so constructed to have
a face inclined in respect to a horizontal face. As shown in FIG.
8, the support 2 can have a contact face including an inclined face
16 and a horizontal face 18 connected with the inclined face
16.
[0061] According to the afore described contact face structure of
the support, downward motion of a disk primarily causes the chuck 1
to perform circular motion, which is followed by downward movement
of a peak 13 of the chuck 1. As directed downward, the peak 13 is
moved horizontally backward along the horizontal face 18 of the
support.
[0062] This structure further provides horizontal motion to afore
described downward or upward circular motion, and advantageously
increases the path of the chuck 1. The holder can be also designed
so that the chuck can further project in a forward direction to
increase the restraining force against separation of the disk.
[0063] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another alternative to the
holder chuck of the holder for disk drives of the invention. As
shown in FIG. 9, a support 2 includes an arc face 17 of a
predetermined curvature and a horizontal face 19 connected with a
rear portion of the arc face 17. With the support shown in FIG. 9,
the chuck likewise performs circular motion along the arc face and
then horizontal backward motion.
[0064] This structure also increases in effect the path of the
chuck as well as enhances the restraining force of the disk as in
FIG. 8. Further, this structure forms the arc face instead of the
inclined face in FIG. 8 so that friction areas can be increased. As
a result, abrasion of the chuck and/or support can be
prevented.
[0065] The arc face 17 functions as a contact face of the support
2, and is so formed that an imaginary straight line connecting
between ends of the arc has an angle inclined downward in respect
to a horizontal plane. The curvature radius of the arc of the
contact face 17 is at least same as that of a curved lower face 12
of the chuck 1, and preferably larger than that of the curved lower
face 12 of the chuck 1. If the curvature radius of the arc is
smaller than that of the lower face of the chuck, contact between
the chuck and the support is made according to a two-point support
structure, which is too unstable to endure the seating force which
is applied downward via the disk. Therefore, the curvature is
determined so that the arc face and the lower face can perform
face-contact or at least line-contact.
Guide
[0066] FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating elastic coupling of
the chuck of the holder for disk drives of the invention. In FIGS.
4 and 10, a guide 5 is provided in rear of the chuck 1. The guide 5
contacts the inside of the hub 3 to restrict vertical motion of the
chuck 1. That is, if the chuck 4 moves downward in FIG. 4, an upper
face of the guide 5 will contacts an inner upper face of the hub,
thereby restricting downward motion of the chuck.
[0067] The guide is placed in rear of the chuck to prevent the
chuck from performing circular motion to the extent that it cannot
return to the original position. The guide also prevents the chuck
from moving excessively upward to the extent that it separates from
the hub during detachment of the disk.
[0068] Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a spring 4 is connected
between a rear portion of the chuck 1 and the inside of the hub. In
order to connect the spring with the rear portion of the chuck,
spring guides 41 are projected from both of the rear portion of the
chuck 1 and the inside of the hub.
Planar Configuration of Peak
[0069] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a peak portion of the chuck of the
holder for disk drives of the invention. The chuck 1 includes upper
and lower faces, which are formed at predetermined inclination
angles in a vertical cross section of the chuck 1, and a peak 13
formed at leading edges of the upper and lower faces. The lower
face has a curved portion of a predetermined curvature.
[0070] The chuck has a planar configuration as shown in FIG. 11.
That is, the peak 13 of the chuck 1 on a horizontal plane has a
curvature radius same as the radius of a central opening of the
disk. The curvature radius of the peak 13 is formed same as the
radius of the disk opening to increase the contact area between the
peak 13 and the disk. As the contact area between the disk and the
chuck is increased, the disk is not readily separated from the
holder after seated thereby.
[0071] As afore described, the planar configuration of the chuck
has the curvature same as that of the central opening of the disk
to provide a structure which can further enhance the restraining
force against separation of the disk.
Prevention of Half Chucking
[0072] The afore described curvature structure of the chuck peak
also functions to prevent half chucking in which the chuck is
trapped by an intermediate portion of the disk. That is, in the
event of seating a double-layer disk 200 such as a DVD disk having
two plates stacked one on the other, the peak 13 of the chuck 1 may
be trapped by a groove 20 which is formed along the periphery of
the central opening of the disk 200 as shown in FIG. 12.
[0073] Because the conventional peak is rounded in the shape of a
substantial semi-circle at a curvature radius smaller than the
radius of the central opening of the disk, the chuck substantially
performs a point contact. This causes the force for pushing the hub
outward to concentrically act on the disk so that the peak of the
chuck is trapped sometimes by the groove 20 of the disk.
[0074] Therefore, the invention provides the horizontal peak plane
having a curvature radius same as the radius of the central opening
of the disk to disperse elastic force acting on the peak. Further,
the vertical cross section of the peak is rounded to have a
curvature radius larger than that of the groove 20 of the disk 200.
This configuration also functions to prevent half chucking in which
the chuck is trapped by the groove of the disk.
[0075] The process of seating the disk on the holder has been
described as above, whereas separation of the disk from the holder
will follow a process reverse to the above seating process.
[0076] According to the present invention as set forth above, the
support is provided with the inclined face or both the inclined
face and the horizontal face so that the chuck performs downward
circular motion along a circular path and both circular motion and
linear motion in sequence along circular and linear paths so as to
enhance the restraining force.
[0077] Further, the present invention improves the configuration of
the peak portion in the chuck of the holder to enhance the
restraining force while the disk is seated as well as to prevent
half chucking in which the chuck is trapped by the intermediate
portion of the disk.
[0078] While this invention has been described in connection with
the preferred embodiments in the specification of the invention, it
is also understood that various modifications and variations can be
made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is
not restricted to the above described embodiments but shall be
defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *