U.S. patent application number 13/441111 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for slim-type optical disc drive.
This patent application is currently assigned to Philips & Lite-on Digital Solutions Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is In-Shuen Lee, Yuan-Syun Luo, Chia-Chun Wei, Chih-Ming Yang. Invention is credited to In-Shuen Lee, Yuan-Syun Luo, Chia-Chun Wei, Chih-Ming Yang.
Application Number | 20130185741 13/441111 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48749217 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130185741 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Luo; Yuan-Syun ; et
al. |
July 18, 2013 |
SLIM-TYPE OPTICAL DISC DRIVE
Abstract
A slim-type optical disc drive includes a casing and a tray. A
first circuit board is disposed within the casing. A second circuit
board is disposed on the tray. A spring switch is disposed on the
second circuit board. A first end of the spring switch is fixed on
the second circuit board. A resistor is connected between the first
end of the spring switch and a first power source. A second end of
the spring switch is extended outside the second circuit board. In
a tray-out status, the second end of the spring switch is not
contacted with any object, so that a first status signal is
generated. In a tray-in status, the second end of the spring switch
is contacted with a conducting zone of a second power source, so
that a second status signal is generated.
Inventors: |
Luo; Yuan-Syun; (Hsinchu,
TW) ; Yang; Chih-Ming; (Hsinchu, TW) ; Wei;
Chia-Chun; (Hsinchu, TW) ; Lee; In-Shuen;
(Hsinchu, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Luo; Yuan-Syun
Yang; Chih-Ming
Wei; Chia-Chun
Lee; In-Shuen |
Hsinchu
Hsinchu
Hsinchu
Hsinchu |
|
TW
TW
TW
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
Philips & Lite-on Digital
Solutions Corporation
Taipei
TW
|
Family ID: |
48749217 |
Appl. No.: |
13/441111 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
720/601 ;
G9B/17.013 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/122 20130101;
G11B 17/056 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
720/601 ;
G9B/17.013 |
International
Class: |
G11B 17/04 20060101
G11B017/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 18, 2012 |
CN |
201210016473.1 |
Claims
1. A slim-type optical disc drive, comprising: a casing, wherein a
first circuit board is disposed within the casing; and a tray
selectively accommodated within the casing or withdrawn from the
casing, wherein a second circuit board is disposed on the tray, a
spring switch is disposed on the second circuit board, a first end
of the spring switch is fixed on the second circuit board, a
resistor is connected between the first end of the spring switch
and a first power source, the first end of the spring switch is
served as an output terminal of the spring switch, and a second end
of the spring switch is extended outside the second circuit board,
wherein in a tray-out status, the second end of the spring switch
is not contacted with any object, so that a first status signal is
generated from the output terminal of the spring switch, wherein in
a tray-in status, the second end of the spring switch is contacted
with a conducting zone of a second power source, so that a second
status signal is generated from the output terminal of the spring
switch.
2. The slim-type optical disc drive as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the first power source is a source voltage, the second power source
is a ground voltage, the casing is a metallic casing, and the
conducting zone of the second power source is the metallic casing
with the ground voltage.
3. The slim-type optical disc drive as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the first power source is a source voltage, the second power source
is a ground voltage, and the conducting zone of the second power
source is disposed on the first circuit board and has the ground
voltage.
4. The slim-type optical disc drive as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the first power source is a ground voltage, the second power source
is a source voltage, and the conducting zone of the second power
source is disposed on the first circuit board and has the source
voltage.
5. A slim-type optical disc drive, comprising: a casing, wherein a
first circuit board is disposed within the casing, a spring switch
is disposed on the first circuit board, a first end of the spring
switch is fixed on the first circuit board, a resistor is connected
between the first end of the spring switch and a first power
source, the first end of the spring switch is served as an output
terminal of the spring switch, and a second end of the spring
switch is extended outside the first circuit board; and a tray
selectively accommodated within the casing or withdrawn from the
casing, wherein a second circuit board is disposed on the tray,
wherein in a tray-out status, the second end of the spring switch
is not contacted with any object, so that a first status signal is
generated from the output terminal of the spring switch, wherein in
a tray-in status, the second end of the spring switch is contacted
with a conducting zone of a second power source, so that a second
status signal is generated from the output terminal of the spring
switch.
6. The slim-type optical disc drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the first power source is a source voltage, the second power source
is a ground voltage, the casing is a metallic casing, and the
conducting zone of the second power source is the metallic casing
with the ground voltage.
7. The slim-type optical disc drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the first power source is a source voltage, the second power source
is a ground voltage, and the conducting zone of the second power
source is disposed on the second circuit board and has the ground
voltage.
8. The slim-type optical disc drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the first power source is a ground voltage, the second power source
is a source voltage, and the conducting zone of the second power
source is disposed on the second circuit board and has the source
voltage.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of People's Republic of
China Application Serial No. 201210016473.1, filed Jan. 18, 2012,
the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a component of an optical
disc drive, and more particularly to a switch structure of a
slim-type optical disc drive.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the inner portion of
a conventional slim-type optical disc drive. As shown in FIG. 1,
the slim-type optical disc drive comprises a tray 110, a casing
112, and two sliding rails 140, 142. After the tray 110 is pushed
into casing 112 of the optical disc drive, the tray 110 is fixed
within the casing 112 by a locking unit (not shown). Under this
circumstance, the tray 110 is in a tray-in status. Whereas, after
an eject button on the tray 110 is pressed by the user, the locking
unit will release the tray 110 and the tray 110 will be withdrawn
from the optical disc drive. Under this circumstance, the tray 110
is in a tray-out status. In other words, if the tray 110 is not
stored within the casing 112 and the optical disc drive is in the
tray-out status, the tray 110 may be pulled out along the rails 140
and 142. After the tray 110 is pulled out, the optical disc loaded
into the tray 110 may be replaced or the tray 110 may be pushed
into the casing 112 (i.e. in the tray-in status).
[0004] Moreover, a daughter board (not shown) is fixed within the
tray 110. A main board 160 is fixed on the casing 112. The main
board 160 and the daughter board are electrically connected with
each other to transmit signals through a U-shaped flexible cable
150. In other words, during the process of moving the tray 110, the
daughter board is still in communication with the main board
160.
[0005] Generally, a spindle motor 120, a spindle motor driver chip
(not shown), an optical pickup head 130 and an optical pickup head
control chip (not shown) are mounted on the daughter board. In
addition, a variety of circuits are installed on the main board
160. These circuits include for example an analog signal
microprocessor, a digital signal process (DSP)/decoder
microprocessor, a flash ROM chip, a SDRAM chip, and so on. The main
board 160 and the daughter board are in communication with each
other through the U-shaped flexible cable 150. Moreover, since the
casing 112 is made of a metallic material, the casing 112 is also
electrically connected to a ground voltage (Gnd).
[0006] After the optical disc drive confirms that the tray 110 is
in the tray-in status, the optical disc drive is enabled. Whereas,
after the optical disc drive confirms that the optical disc drive
is disabled (spindle motor 120 and optical pickup head 130 are
disabled), the tray 110 may be controlled to be in the tray-out
status. Moreover, the optical disc drive is usually equipped with a
limit switch 162 to detect the whether the tray 110 is in the
tray-out status or the tray-in status.
[0007] Please refer to FIG. 1 again. The limit switch 162 is
mounted on the main board 160. When the tray 110 is fixed within
the casing 112 by the locking unit, the limit switch 162 is also
pressed by the tray 110. Consequently, the limit switch 162
generates a first status signal. According to the first status
signal, the circuits on the main board 160 may confirm that the
tray 110 is in the tray-in status, and thus the optical disc drive
will be enabled. Whereas, when the tray 110 is in the tray-out
state, the limit switch 162 is no longer pressed by the tray 110.
Consequently, the limit switch 162 generates a second status
signal. Until the limit switch 162 is pressed by the tray 110 again
and the first status signal is generated, the optical disc drive
will be enabled again.
[0008] FIG. 2A is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a first
type of conventional limit switch. FIG. 2B is a schematic circuit
diagram illustrating a second type of conventional limit switch. As
shown in FIG. 2A, in a case that a touch terminal A of the limit
switch 162 is not pressed, the second status signal at a high
voltage level (Vcc) is outputted from an output terminal Out of the
limit switch 162. Whereas, in a case that the touch terminal A of
the limit switch 162 is pressed, the first status signal at a low
voltage level (Gnd) is outputted from the output terminal Out of
the limit switch 162.
[0009] As shown in FIG. 2B, in a case that a touch terminal A of
the limit switch 162 is not pressed, the second status signal at
the low voltage level (Gnd) is outputted from an output terminal
Out of the limit switch 162. Whereas, in a case that the touch
terminal A of the limit switch 162 is pressed, the first status
signal at the high voltage level (Vcc) is outputted from the output
terminal Out of the limit switch 162.
[0010] From the above discussions, the limit switch 162 is an
important component of the optical disc drive for detecting whether
the optical disc drive is in the tray-out status or the tray-in
status. However, since the limit switch 162 is not cost-effective,
it is necessary to provide another component to replace the limit
switch 162.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A first embodiment of the present invention provides a
slim-type optical disc drive. The slim-type optical disc drive
includes a casing and a tray. A first circuit board is disposed
within the casing. The tray is selectively accommodated within the
casing or withdrawn from the casing. A second circuit board is
disposed on the tray. A spring switch is disposed on the second
circuit board. A first end of the spring switch is fixed on the
second circuit board. A resistor is connected between the first end
of the spring switch and a first power source. The first end of the
spring switch is served as an output terminal of the spring switch.
A second end of the spring switch is extended outside the second
circuit board. In a tray-out status, the second end of the spring
switch is not contacted with any object, so that a first status
signal is generated from the output terminal of the spring switch.
In a tray-in status, the second end of the spring switch is
contacted with a conducting zone of a second power source, so that
a second status signal is generated from the output terminal of the
spring switch.
[0012] A second embodiment of the present invention provides a
slim-type optical disc drive. The slim-type optical disc drive
includes a casing and a tray. A first circuit board is disposed
within the casing. A spring switch is disposed on the first circuit
board. A first end of the spring switch is fixed on the first
circuit board. A resistor is connected between the first end of the
spring switch and a first power source. The first end of the spring
switch is served as an output terminal of the spring switch. A
second end of the spring switch is extended outside the first
circuit board. The tray is selectively accommodated within the
casing or withdrawn from the casing, wherein a second circuit board
is disposed on the tray. In a tray-out status, the second end of
the spring switch is not contacted with any object, so that a first
status signal is generated from the output terminal of the spring
switch. In a tray-in status, the second end of the spring switch is
contacted with a conducting zone of a second power source, so that
a second status signal is generated from the output terminal of the
spring switch.
[0013] Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be readily apparent upon a reading of the following
detailed description of embodiments of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the
drawings employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and
should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above objects and advantages 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:
[0015] FIG. 1 (prior art) is a schematic view illustrating the
inner portion of a conventional slim-type optical disc drive;
[0016] FIG. 2A (prior art) is a schematic circuit diagram
illustrating a first type of conventional limit switch;
[0017] FIG. 2B (prior art) is a schematic circuit diagram
illustrating a second type of conventional limit switch;
[0018] FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate a circuit for
detecting the operating status of the tray of the optical disc
drive according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate a circuit for
detecting the operating status of the tray of the optical disc
drive according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIGS. 5A and 5B schematically illustrate a circuit for
detecting the operating status of the tray of the optical disc
drive according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0021] FIGS. 6A and 6B schematically illustrate a circuit for
detecting the operating status of the tray of the optical disc
drive according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The present invention provides a slim-type optical disc
drive. In comparison with the conventional optical disc drive, the
relationship between the main board and the daughter board of the
optical disc drive of the present invention is distinguished. The
configurations of the other components (e.g. the tray 110, the
eject button 114, the sliding rails 140, 142, and the casing 112)
are similar to those of the conventional optical disc drive, and
are not redundantly described herein. Moreover, for clarification
and brevity, only the daughter board of the tray 110 is shown but
the spindle motor and the optical pickup head are not shown in the
drawings.
[0023] In accordance with a key feature of the present invention, a
cost-effective spring switch is employed to replace the function of
the limit switch of the conventional optical disc drive in order to
detect the operating status of the tray.
[0024] FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate a circuit for
detecting the operating status of the tray of the optical disc
drive according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A
spring switch S1 is disposed on the daughter board 318. A first end
of the spring switch S1 is fixed on the daughter board 318. A
resistor R is connected between the first end of the spring switch
S1 and a source voltage Vcc. In addition, the first end of the
spring switch S1 is also served as the output terminal Out of the
spring switch S1. A second end of the spring switch S1 is suspended
and extended outside the daughter board 318. As shown in FIG. 3A,
in a case that the tray 110 is in the tray-out status, the second
end of the spring switch S1 is not contacted with any object.
Meanwhile, a first status signal (e.g. a high voltage level) is
outputted from the output terminal Out of the spring switch S1.
[0025] Whereas, as shown in FIG. 3B, in a case that the tray is in
the tray-in status, the second end of the spring switch S1 is
contacted with an inner surface of the casing 112. Since the casing
112 is connected to a ground voltage (Gnd), a second status signal
(e.g. a low voltage level) is outputted from the output terminal
Out of the spring switch S1. Moreover, the first status signal or
the second status signal outputted from the output terminal of the
spring switch S1 may be transmitted to the main board 360 through
the U-shaped flexible cable 150. According to the first status
signal or the second status signal, the optical disc drive may
judge whether the tray 110 is in the tray-out status or the tray-in
status.
[0026] FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate a circuit for
detecting the operating status of the tray of the optical disc
drive according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A
spring switch S2 is disposed on the main board 460. A first end of
the spring switch S2 is fixed on the main board 460. A resistor R
is connected between the first end of the spring switch S2 and a
source voltage Vcc. In addition, the first end of the spring switch
S2 is also served as the output terminal Out of the spring switch
S2. A second end of the spring switch S2 is suspended and extended
outside the main board 460. As shown in FIG. 4A, in a case that the
tray 110 is in the tray-out status, the second end of the spring
switch S2 is not contacted with any object. Meanwhile, a first
status signal (e.g. a high voltage level) is outputted from the
output terminal Out of the spring switch S2.
[0027] Whereas, as shown in FIG. 4B, in a case that the tray is in
the tray-in status, the second end of the spring switch S2 is
compressed by the tray 110 and contacted with an inner surface of
the casing 112. Since the casing 112 is connected to a ground
voltage (Gnd), a second status signal (e.g. a low voltage level) is
outputted from the output terminal Out of the spring switch S2.
According to the first status signal or the second status signal,
the optical disc drive may judge whether the tray 110 is in the
tray-out status or the tray-in status. It is noted that the part of
the tray 110 to compress the spring switch S2 is made of a
non-conductive material (e.g. a plastic material).
[0028] FIGS. 5A and 5B schematically illustrate a circuit for
detecting the operating status of the tray of the optical disc
drive according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A
spring switch S3 is disposed on the daughter board 518. A first end
of the spring switch S3 is fixed on the daughter board 518. A
resistor R is connected between the first end of the spring switch
S3 and a source voltage Vcc. In addition, the first end of the
spring switch S3 is also served as the output terminal Out of the
spring switch S3. A second end of the spring switch S3 is suspended
and extended outside the daughter board 518. As shown in FIG. 5A,
in a case that the tray 110 is in the tray-out status, the second
end of the spring switch S3 is not contacted with any object.
Meanwhile, a first status signal (e.g. a high voltage level) is
outputted from the output terminal Out of the spring switch S3.
[0029] Whereas, as shown in FIG. 5B, in a case that the tray is in
the tray-in status, the second end of the spring switch S3 is
contacted with a conducting zone of the main board 560 in order to
receive a ground voltage (Gnd). Meanwhile, a second status signal
(e.g. a low voltage level) is outputted from the output terminal
Out of the spring switch S3. Moreover, the first status signal or
the second status signal outputted from the output terminal of the
spring switch S3 may be transmitted to the main board 560 through
the U-shaped flexible cable 150. According to the first status
signal or the second status signal, the optical disc drive may
judge whether the tray 110 is in the tray-out status or the tray-in
status.
[0030] However, those skilled in the art will readily observe that
numerous modifications and alterations of the third embodiment may
be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For
example, the spring switch S3 may be disposed on the main board
560, and the daughter board 518 may be equipped with a conducting
zone having the ground voltage (Gnd). In such configuration, the
purpose of detecting the operating status of the tray 110 is also
achieved.
[0031] FIGS. 6A and 6B schematically illustrate a circuit for
detecting the operating status of the tray of the optical disc
drive according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. A
spring switch S4 is disposed on the daughter board 618. A first end
of the spring switch S4 is fixed on the daughter board 618. A
resistor R is connected between the first end of the spring switch
S4 and a ground voltage Gnd. In addition, the first end of the
spring switch S4 is also served as the output terminal Out of the
spring switch S4. A second end of the spring switch S4 is suspended
and extended outside the daughter board 618. As shown in FIG. 6A,
in a case that the tray 110 is in the tray-out status, the second
end of the spring switch S4 is not contacted with any object.
Meanwhile, a first status signal (e.g. a low voltage level) is
outputted from the output terminal Out of the spring switch S4.
[0032] Whereas, as shown in FIG. 6B, in a case that the tray is in
the tray-in status, the second end of the spring switch S4 is
contacted with a conducting zone of the main board 660 in order to
receive a source voltage Vcc. Meanwhile, a second status signal
(e.g. a high voltage level) is outputted from the output terminal
Out of the spring switch S4. Moreover, the first status signal or
the second status signal outputted from the output terminal of the
spring switch S4 may be transmitted to the main board 660 through
the U-shaped flexible cable 150. According to the first status
signal or the second status signal, the optical disc drive may
judge whether the tray 110 is in the tray-out status or the tray-in
status.
[0033] However, those skilled in the art will readily observe that
numerous modifications and alterations of the fourth embodiment may
be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For
example, the spring switch S4 may be disposed on the main board
660, and the daughter board 618 may be equipped with a conducting
zone having the source voltage Vcc. In such configuration, the
purpose of detecting the operating status of the tray 110 is also
achieved.
[0034] From the above description, the limit switch used in the
conventional optical disc drive is replaced by the cost-effective
spring switch of the optical disc drive of the present invention.
Consequently, the fabricating cost of the optical disc drive is
reduced while achieving the purpose of detecting the operating
status of the tray.
[0035] 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 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.
* * * * *