U.S. patent application number 13/170271 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-20 for lightscribe optical disc drive.
This patent application is currently assigned to LITE-ON IT CORP.. Invention is credited to Hao-Wen Chang, Jung-Fu Chen, Shih-Ming Hsu, Wei-Chieh Hu, Ying-Shun Li, Chun-Jen Tseng, Chih-Ming Yang.
Application Number | 20110258651 13/170271 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41266519 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110258651 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hu; Wei-Chieh ; et
al. |
October 20, 2011 |
LIGHTSCRIBE OPTICAL DISC DRIVE
Abstract
An optical disc drive for marking a label side of a lightscribe
disc is provided. The optical disc drive includes a spoke detecting
device, a spindle motor PCB and an insulating pad. The spoke
detecting device is used for detecting spoke patterns on the
lightscribe disc. The spindle motor PCB is communicated with the
spoke detecting device through a flexible cable. The insulating pad
is coupled with the spindle motor PCB for supporting the spoke
detecting device such that the spoke detecting device is separated
from the lightscribe disc by a specified gap.
Inventors: |
Hu; Wei-Chieh; (Hsinchu,
TW) ; Hsu; Shih-Ming; (Hsinchu, TW) ; Li;
Ying-Shun; (Hsinchu, TW) ; Chang; Hao-Wen;
(Hsinchu, TW) ; Chen; Jung-Fu; (Hsinchu, TW)
; Tseng; Chun-Jen; (Hsinchu, TW) ; Yang;
Chih-Ming; (Hsinchu, TW) |
Assignee: |
LITE-ON IT CORP.
Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
41266519 |
Appl. No.: |
13/170271 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12369275 |
Feb 11, 2009 |
|
|
|
13170271 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
720/695 ;
G9B/17.006 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 23/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
720/695 ;
G9B/17.006 |
International
Class: |
G11B 17/028 20060101
G11B017/028 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 8, 2008 |
CN |
200810096289.6 |
Claims
1. An optical disc drive for marking a label side of a lightscribe
disc, the optical disc drive comprising: a spoke detecting device
for detecting spoke patterns on the lightscribe disc; a spindle
motor PCB communicated with the spoke detecting device through a
flexible cable; and an insulating pad coupled with the spindle
motor PCB for supporting the spoke detecting device such that the
spoke detecting device is separated from the lightscribe disc by a
specified gap.
2. The optical disc drive according to claim 1 wherein the spoke
detecting device further comprises: a spoke detector PCB; and a
spoke detector mounted on the spoke detector PCB and electrically
connected to the spoke detector PCB.
3. The optical disc drive according to claim 2 wherein the spoke
detector is mounted on the spoke detector PCB according to the
surface mounted technology.
4. The optical disc drive according to claim 1 wherein the
insulating pad is attached on the spindle motor PCB by screwing or
using adhesive.
5. The optical disc drive according to claim 1 wherein the flexible
cable is a flexible flat cable.
6. The optical disc drive according to claim 1 wherein the
insulating pad is made of plastic material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/369,275 filed Feb. 11, 2009 and entitled LIGHTSCRIBE OPTICAL
DISC DRIVE, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an optical disc drive, and
more particularly to a lightscribe optical disc drive.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An optical disc is used to record data onto a data side
thereof with a burner. After the burning operation of a disc is
finished, the title or other information may be marked on the label
side of the optical disc. For combining text and graphics in simple
or complex labels that reflect one's personality and attitude, a
lightscribe optical disc drive has been disclosed. Lightscribe is
an optical disc recording technology that utilizes specially coated
recordable CD and DVD media to produce laser-etched labels with
text or graphics. The label side of a lightscribe disc is coated
with a specific light-sensitive dye that becomes darkened when
exposed to the laser light emitted by an optical pickup head. By
creating the desired text or graphics with a graphics program, the
laser light burns the label pattern onto the label side.
[0004] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the central part of a
typical lightscribe disc. The optical disc has an annular reference
region 13 previously provided with a certain pattern. The annular
reference region 13 includes an outer ring and an inner ring. The
inner ring is provided with a uniform pattern, i.e. alternate dark
and bright spokes, for rotation control while marking the label
side. In general, the information of the outer ring is accessed by
the optical pickup head (not shown), while the information of the
inner ring is realized by a spoke detector 12.
[0005] In accordance with the specifications of the lightscribe
optical disc drive, the spoke detector should be separated from the
lightscribe disc by a specified gap (e.g. 1.5 mm). In the
conventional lightscribe optical disc drive, a spacer with
electrical wires is attached on a spindle motor PCB (printed
circuit board) and then the spoke detector is mounted on the
spacer. By means of the spacer, the spoke detector is separated
from the lightscribe disc by the specified gap. In addition, the
spoke detector is electrically connected to the spindle motor PCB
through the spacer.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a spoke
detector used in a conventional lightscribe optical disc drive. As
shown in FIG. 2, a spindle motor PCB 11 is supported on a metallic
plate 9. A spindle motor 16 is mounted on the spindle motor PCB 11
for rotating a lightscribe disc 15. A spacer 10 is also mounted on
the spindle motor PCB 11. A spoke detector 12 is disposed on the
spacer 10 for detecting certain patterns 13 on the inner ring of
the lightscribe disc 15. Several electrical wires 14 are also
disposed on the spacer 10. After the spoke detector 12 is placed
over the spacer 10, the spoke detector 12 is contacted with the
electrical wires 14 on the spacer 10. The electrical wires 14 are
extended from the main body of the spacer 10 and coupled with
signal lines or power lines on the spindle motor PCB 11 by
soldering means, for example. Via the electrical wires 14, the
spoke detector 12 is communicated with and electrically connected
to the spindle motor PCB 11.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view illustrating a traverse
assembly inside the lightscribe optical disc drive. The traverse
assembly 100 has an optical pickup head 18 thereon. The optical
pickup head 18 is supported by the guide rods 17 on bilateral sides
thereof. For reading/writing the lightscribe disc 15 as described
in FIG. 2, the optical pickup head 18 is driven by a stepping motor
(not shown) to move along the guide rods 17 in the direction as
indicated by the arrow. Moreover, after the spoke detector 12 is
inserted into a perforation 20 in a frame 19 of the traverse
assembly 100, the traverse assembly 100 is combined with the
spindle motor PCB 11. A top view of the assembled traverse assembly
100 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Meanwhile, the spoke detector 12 may
detect certain patterns 13 on the inner ring of the lightscribe
disc 15.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a schematic partial side view of the lightscribe
optical disc drive after a lightscribe disc is loaded. As shown in
FIG. 5, by using the spacer 10 to raise the spoke detector 12, the
spoke detector 12 is separated from the lightscribe disc 15 by a
specified gap 21 in order to comply with the specifications of the
lightscribe optical disc drive. When the lightscribe disc 15 is
rotated by the spindle motor 16, the certain patterns 13 on the
inner ring of the lightscribe disc 15 is continuously detected by
the spoke detector 12 and thus the spoke detector 12 issues
corresponding spoke signals. The spoke signals are transmitted to
the spindle motor PCB 11 through the electrical wires 14 on the
spacer 10 for rotation control.
[0009] As previously described, the spacer 10 is used for raising
the spoke detector 12 such that the spoke detector 12 is separated
from the lightscribe disc 15 by a specified gap. Since the spoke
detector 12 is communicated with the spindle motor PCB 11 through
the wires 14 in the spacer 10, the configurations and the
fabricating process of the spacer 10 are very complicated and the
spacer 10 is not cost-effective.
[0010] Therefore, there is a need of providing an improved
lightscribe optical disc drive to obviate the drawbacks encountered
from the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides a lightscribe optical disc
drive having a specific component to replace the spacer so as to
simplify the assembling process and reduce the fabricating
cost.
[0012] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an optical disc drive for marking a label side of a
lightscribe disc. The optical disc drive includes a spoke detecting
device for detecting spoke patterns on the lightscribe disc, a
frame for a traverse assembly, a spindle motor PCB communicated
with the spoke detecting device through a flexible cable, and an
insulating base coupled with the frame for supporting the spoke
detecting device such that the spoke detecting device is separated
from the lightscribe disc by a specified gap.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an optical disc drive for marking a label side of
a lightscribe disc. The optical disc drive includes a spoke
detecting device for detecting spoke patterns on the lightscribe
disc, a spindle motor PCB communicated with the spoke detecting
device through a flexible cable, and an insulating pad coupled with
the spindle motor PCB for supporting the spoke detecting device
such that the spoke detecting device is separated from the
lightscribe disc by a specified gap.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an optical disc drive for marking a label side of
a lightscribe disc. The optical disc drive includes a metallic
plate, a spindle motor PCB supported on the metallic plate and
having a notch such that a receptacle is defined by sidewalls of
the notch and a surface of the metallic plate, and a spoke
detecting device for detecting spoke patterns on the lightscribe
disc. The spoke detecting device is received in the receptacle such
that the spoke detecting device is separated from the lightscribe
disc by a specified gap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above contents of the present invention will become more
readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after
reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the central part of a
typical lightscribe disc;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a spoke detector used in
a conventional lightscribe optical disc drive;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view illustrating a traverse
assembly inside the lightscribe optical disc drive;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the assembled traverse
assembly shown in FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic partial side view of the lightscribe
optical disc drive after a lightscribe disc is loaded;
[0021] FIG. 6A is a schematic side view illustrating a spoke
detecting device used in a lightscribe optical disc drive according
to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6B is a schematic side view illustrating a frame used
in the lightscribe optical disc drive according to the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 6C is a schematic side view illustrating integration of
the spoke detecting device with the frame according to the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 6D is a schematic side view illustrating the assembly
of the spoke detecting device, the insulating base and the frame
according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 6E is a schematic side view illustrating the resulting
structure of the lightscribe optical disc drive according to the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view illustrating a spoke
detecting device used in a lightscribe optical disc drive according
to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 7B is a schematic perspective view illustrating a
spindle motor PCB used in the lightscribe optical disc drive
according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 7C is a schematic perspective view illustrating
integration of the spoke detecting device with the spindle motor
PCB according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 7D is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
assembly of the spoke detecting device, the plastic pad and the
spindle motor PCB according to the second preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 7E is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
flexible cable connecting the spoke detecting device and the
spindle motor PCB according to the second preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 8A is a schematic perspective view illustrating a spoke
detecting device used in a lightscribe optical disc drive according
to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 8B is a schematic rear view of the spoke detecting
device shown in FIG. 8A;
[0033] FIG. 8C is a schematic perspective view illustrating a
spindle motor PCB used in the lightscribe optical disc drive
according to the third preferred embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0034] FIG. 8D is a schematic partial side view of the lightscribe
optical disc drive according to the third preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] The present invention will now be described more
specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to
be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments
of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration
and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be
limited to the precise form disclosed.
[0036] The present invention provides a lightscribe optical disc
drive. In a first embodiment, the lightscribe optical disc drive of
the present invention principally comprises a spoke detecting
device, a traverse assembly frame, a spindle motor PCB and an
insulating base. The spoke detecting device is used for detecting
certain spoke patterns on a lightscribe disc. The spindle motor PCB
is communicated with and electrically connected with the spoke
detecting device through a flexible cable. The spoke detecting
device is supported by the insulating base. The insulating base is
also coupled with the frame. After the lightscribe disc is loaded
in the lightscribe optical disc drive, the spoke detecting device
is separated from the lightscribe disc by a specified gap (e.g. 1.5
mm). Hereinafter, a lightscribe optical disc drive according to a
first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
illustrated in more details with reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D
and 6E.
[0037] FIG. 6A is a schematic side view illustrating a spoke
detecting device used in a lightscribe optical disc drive according
to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The spoke
detecting device 69 includes a spoke detector 61 and a spoke
detector PCB 60. The spoke detector 61 is mounted on the spoke
detector PCB 60 according to the surface mounted technology (SMT).
The spoke detector 61 has several electrical wires (not shown)
welded onto the solder pads on the spoke detector PCB 60, so that
the spoke detector 61 is electrically connected to the spoke
detector PCB 60.
[0038] FIG. 6B is a schematic side view illustrating a frame used
in the lightscribe optical disc drive according to the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The traverse
assembly frame 62 has a perforation 620 corresponding to the spoke
detecting device 69. An insulating base 63 is attached on the frame
62 by a plastic injection molding process. Alternatively, the
insulating base 63 is attached on the frame 62 by screwing or using
adhesive. The insulating base 63 has retaining posts for
positioning the spoke detector PCB 60. Several screw holes (not
shown) are also formed in the insulating base 63. For integrating
the spoke detecting device 69 with the frame 62, as shown in FIG.
6C, the spoke detecting device 69 is received in the receptacle
defined between the insulating base 63 and the frame 62. After the
spoke detecting device 69 is positioned in the receptacle between
the insulating base 63 and the frame 62 and supported by the
insulating base 63, corresponding fastening elements (not shown)
are screwed in the screw holes so as to fix the spoke detecting
device 69 on the insulating base 63. The assembled view of the
spoke detecting device 69, the insulating base 63 and the frame 62
is illustrated with reference to FIG. 6D. Next, two ends of a
flexible flat cable 66 are coupled with the spoke detecting device
69 and a spindle motor PCB 68, respectively, so that the spoke
detecting device 69 is communicated with the spindle motor PCB 68
through the flexible flat cable 66. The integration structure is
shown in FIG. 6E. After a lightscribe disc (not shown) is loaded in
the lightscribe optical disc drive, the spoke detector 61 is
separated from the lightscribe disc by a specified gap (e.g. 1.5
mm).
[0039] As previously described in the prior art, a spacer is welded
onto the spindle motor PCB and then the spoke detector is mounted
on and electrically connected to the spacer, and thus the
assembling process is complicated. Whereas, according to the
present invention, the spoke detector 61 is fixed on the spoke
detector PCB 60 and then the spoke detecting device 69 is
electrically connected with the spindle motor PCB 68 through the
flexible flat cable 66. Since the spoke detector PCB 60 and the
spindle motor PCB 68 are separately fabricated, the assembling
process of the present invention is simplified. Moreover, for
integrating other components of the lightscribe optical disc drive
with the frame 62 according to the present invention, several
retaining posts and screw holes may also be formed on the frame 62
by a plastic injection molding process. As a consequence, the
assembling process of the present invention is more
cost-effective.
[0040] A lightscribe optical disc drive according to a second
preferred embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated
as follows with reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E.
[0041] FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view illustrating a spoke
detecting device used in a lightscribe optical disc drive according
to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The
spoke detecting device includes a spoke detector 71 and a spoke
detector PCB 70. The spoke detector 71 is mounted on the spoke
detector PCB 70 according to the surface mounted technology (SMT).
The spoke detector 71 has several electrical wires (not shown)
welded onto solder pads on the spoke detector PCB 70, so that the
spoke detector 71 is electrically connected to the spoke detector
PCB 70.
[0042] FIG. 7B is a schematic perspective view illustrating a
spindle motor PCB used in the lightscribe optical disc drive
according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention. A plastic pad 73 is attached on the spindle motor PCB 75
by screwing or using adhesive.
[0043] For integrating the spoke detecting device with the spindle
motor PCB 75, as shown in FIG. 7C, the spoke detecting device is
attached on the plastic pad 73 by screwing or using adhesive. The
assembled view of the spoke detecting device, the plastic pad 73
and the spindle motor PCB 75 is illustrated with reference to FIG.
7D. Next, two ends of a flexible flat cable 76 are coupled with the
spoke detecting device and the spindle motor PCB 75, respectively,
so that the spoke detecting device is communicated with the spindle
motor PCB 75 through the flexible flat cable 76. The integration
structure is shown in FIG. 7E. After a lightscribe disc (not shown)
is loaded in the lightscribe optical disc drive, the spoke
detecting device is separated from the lightscribe disc by a
specified gap (e.g. 1.5 mm).
[0044] In the above embodiment, the plastic pad 73 is used for
raising the spoke detecting device in replace of the spacer used in
the conventional lightscribe optical disc drive such that the spoke
detecting device is separated from the lightscribe disc by the
specified gap. In comparison with the spacer, the plastic pad 73 is
very simple in configurations because no electrical wires are
formed on the plastic pad 73. Accordingly, the assembling process
of the present invention is more simplified and cost-effective.
[0045] A lightscribe optical disc drive according to a third
preferred embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated
as follows with reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D.
[0046] FIG. 8A is a schematic perspective view illustrating a spoke
detecting device used in a lightscribe optical disc drive according
to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The spoke
detecting device includes a spoke detector 81 and a spoke detector
PCB 80. The spoke detector 81 is mounted on the spoke detector PCB
80 according to the surface mounted technology (SMT). The spoke
detector 81 has several electrical wires (not shown) welded onto
solder pads on the spoke detector PCB 80, so that the spoke
detector 81 is electrically connected to the spoke detector PCB 80.
Furthermore, a screw hole 801 is formed in the spoke detector PCB
80.
[0047] FIG. 8B is a schematic rear view of the spoke detecting
device shown in FIG. 8A. As shown in FIG. 8B, one or more first
retaining structures 802 are formed on the rear surface of the
spoke detector PCB 80.
[0048] FIG. 8C is a schematic perspective view illustrating a
spindle motor PCB used in the lightscribe optical disc drive
according to the third preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The spindle motor PCB 82 is supported on a metallic
plate 83. The spindle motor PCB 82 has a notch 821 corresponding to
the spoke detector PCB 80 such that a receptacle is defined by
sidewalls of the notch 821 and the surface of the metallic plate
83. Corresponding to the screw hole 801 of the spoke detector PCB
80, a screw hole 831 is formed in the metallic plate 83. In
addition, one or more second retaining structures 832 are formed on
the surface of the metallic plate 83. The second retaining
structures 832 are complementary to the first retaining structures
802. For example, if the first retaining structures 802 are
indentations, the second retaining structures 832 are salient
points. Whereas, if the first retaining structures 802 are salient
points, the second retaining structures 832 are indentations.
[0049] For integrating the spoke detecting device with the spindle
motor PCB 82, the spoke detecting device is firstly received in the
receptacle, in which the screw hole 831 is aligned with the screw
hole 801 of the spoke detector PCB 80 and the second retaining
structures 832 are engaged with the first retaining structures 802.
After the spoke detecting device is positioned in the receptacle, a
fastening element 84 is screwed in the screw holes 801 and 831 so
as to fix the spoke detecting device on the metallic plate 83.
Next, two ends of a flexible flat cable (not shown) are coupled
with the spoke detecting device and the spindle motor PCB 82,
respectively, so that the spoke detecting device is communicated
with the spindle motor PCB 82 through the flexible flat cable. FIG.
8D is a schematic partial side view of the lightscribe optical disc
drive. As shown in FIG. 8D, the thickness of the spoke detector PCB
80 is larger than that of the spindle motor PCB 82 such that the
spoke detector 81 is raised by the spoke detector PCB 80. Under
this circumstance, the spoke detector 81 is separated from the
lightscribe disc 15 by the specified gap 21 (e.g. 1.5 mm) in order
to comply with the specifications of the lightscribe optical disc
drive.
[0050] From the above embodiment, the lightscribe optical disc
drive has simplified and cost-effective assembling process because
the complicated spacer is replaced by the insulating base, the
plastic pad or the spoke detector PCB.
[0051] While the invention has been described in terms of what is
presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not to
be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which
are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
* * * * *