U.S. patent application number 14/596437 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-03 for disk drive.
The applicant listed for this patent is ALPINE ELECTRONICS, INC.. Invention is credited to Ichiro Kato.
Application Number | 20150248911 14/596437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53786084 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150248911 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kato; Ichiro |
September 3, 2015 |
DISK DRIVE
Abstract
A disk drive includes an insertion detection unit disposed at a
position deviating from a transport center line in a first
direction, a transport roller, and an opposing member that holds a
disk together with the transport roller. The opposing member has a
second guiding recess located in a second direction relative to the
transport center line. The recess of the opposing member and the
transport roller define a space therebetween to receive the disk
inserted from a position deviating from the transport center line
in the second direction.
Inventors: |
Kato; Ichiro; (Iwaki-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALPINE ELECTRONICS, INC. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
53786084 |
Appl. No.: |
14/596437 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
720/621 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 17/04 20130101;
G11B 17/051 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G11B 17/051 20060101
G11B017/051 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 3, 2014 |
JP |
2014-040348 |
Claims
1. A disk drive comprising: a transport roller; a motor drive
mechanism that drives and rotates the transport roller; an opposing
member facing the transport roller; an insertion detection unit
disposed at a position deviating from a transport center line in a
first direction along an axis of the transport roller, the
transport center line passing through a central part of the
transport roller along the axis of the transport roller so as to
extend in both a loading direction in which a disk sandwiched
between the transport roller and the opposing member is transported
into the disk drive with a force generated by rotation of the
transport roller and an unloading direction in which the disk
sandwiched between the transport roller and the opposing member is
transported out of the disk drive with a force generated by
rotation of the transport roller; and a control unit that activates
the motor drive mechanism to rotate the transport roller in the
loading direction when the insertion detection unit is actuated by
the disk, wherein the transport roller and the opposing member
define a space therebetween to receive the disk inserted from a
position deviating from the transport center line in a second
direction along the axis of the transport roller.
2. The disk drive according to claim 1, wherein when the space
receives the disk inserted from the position deviating from the
transport center line in the second direction, the insertion
detection unit detects the disk.
3. The disk drive according to claim 1, wherein the opposing member
has a recess in at least a portion in the second direction relative
to the transport center line and the recess faces the transport
roller with the space therebetween.
4. The disk drive according to claim 1, further comprising: an
ejection detection unit that is actuated by the disk when the disk
transported out of the disk drive by rotation of the transport
roller in the unloading direction reaches a predetermined ejection
position, wherein when the ejection detection unit is actuated, the
rotation of the transport roller is stopped and part of the disk is
sandwiched between the transport roller and the opposing
member.
5. The disk drive according to claim 4, wherein the disk at the
predetermined ejection position is held by part of the opposing
member and the part of the opposing member is positioned inwardly
from the space.
6. The disk drive according to claim 4, wherein the ejection
detection unit is disposed at a position deviating from the
transport center line in the second direction.
7. The disk drive according to claim 4, wherein the insertion
detection unit includes an insertion detection lever that rotates
about a support axis orthogonal to a surface of the disk inserted,
and an insertion switch that is switched by the insertion detection
lever pressed and rotated by the disk, and wherein the ejection
detection unit includes an ejection detection lever that rotates
about a support axis orthogonal to the surface of the disk, and an
ejection switch that is switched by the ejection detection lever
pressed and rotated by the disk.
8. The disk drive according to claim 7, wherein the insertion
detection lever and the ejection detection lever rotate
independently of each other.
9. A disk drive comprising: a transport roller; a motor drive
mechanism that drives and rotates the transport roller; an opposing
member facing the transport roller; a single insertion detection
unit; a control unit that activates the motor drive mechanism to
rotate the transport roller in a loading direction in which a disk
sandwiched between the transport roller and the opposing member is
transported into the disk drive with a force generated by rotation
of the transport roller when the insertion detection unit is
actuated by the disk; and an ejection detection unit that is
actuated by the disk when the disk transported out of the disk
drive by rotation of the transport roller in an unloading direction
reaches a predetermined ejection position, wherein when the
ejection detection unit is actuated, the rotation of the transport
roller is stopped while part of the disk is sandwiched between the
transport roller and the opposing member.
10. The disk drive according to claim 9, wherein the transport
roller and the opposing member define a space therebetween to
receive the disk inserted from a position deviating from a
transport center line along the axis of the transport roller and
when the space receives the disk inserted from the position
deviating from the transport center line, the insertion detection
unit detects the disk.
11. The disk drive according to claim 10, wherein the opposing
member has a recess that faces the transport roller with the space
therebetween.
12. The disk drive according to claim 10, wherein the disk at the
predetermined ejection position is held by part of the opposing
member and the part of the opposing member is positioned inwardly
from the space.
13. The disk drive according to claim 10, wherein the insertion
detection unit includes an insertion detection lever that rotates
about a support axis orthogonal to a surface of the disk inserted,
and an insertion switch that is switched by the insertion detection
lever pressed and rotated by the disk, and wherein the ejection
detection unit includes an ejection detection lever that rotates
about a support axis orthogonal to the surface of the disk, and an
ejection switch that is switched by the ejection detection lever
pressed and rotated by the disk.
14. The disk drive according to claim 13, wherein the insertion
detection lever and the ejection detection lever rotate
independently of each other.
15. A disk drive comprising: a transport roller; a motor drive
mechanism that drives and rotates the transport roller; an opposing
member facing the transport roller; a single insertion detection
unit; a control unit that activates the motor drive mechanism to
rotate the transport roller in a loading direction when the
insertion detection unit is actuated by the disk; and an ejection
detection unit that is actuated by the disk when the disk
transported out of the disk drive by rotation of the transport
roller in an unloading direction reaches a predetermined ejection
position, wherein when the ejection detection unit is actuated, the
rotation of the transport roller is stopped and part of the disk is
sandwiched between the transport roller and the opposing member,
and wherein the transport roller and the opposing member define a
space therebetween to receive the disk inserted from a position
deviating from a transport center line along the axis of the
transport roller and when the space receives the disk inserted from
the position deviating from the transport center line, the
insertion detection unit detects the disk.
16. The disk drive according to claim 15, wherein the insertion
detection unit includes an insertion detection lever that rotates
about a support axis orthogonal to a surface of the disk inserted,
and an insertion switch that is switched by the insertion detection
lever pressed and rotated by the disk, and wherein the ejection
detection unit includes an ejection detection lever that rotates
about a support axis orthogonal to the surface of the disk, and an
ejection switch that is switched by the ejection detection lever
pressed and rotated by the disk.
17. The disk drive according to claim 16, wherein the insertion
detection lever and the ejection detection lever rotate
independently of each other.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application Number 2014-040348, filed Mar. 3, 2014, the entirety of
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a disk drive including a
disk insertion detection unit.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Slot-loading disk drives are typically used in vehicles.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-135106
discloses a disk drive including two rotary arms arranged inside an
opening through which a disk is inserted. The two rotary arms
rotate independently of each other. One of the two rotary arms
causes switching of a switch SW1 and switching of a switch SW2, and
the other one of the two rotary arms causes switching of a switch
SW3.
[0006] When a disk is inserted through the opening, the rim of the
disk presses the two rotary arms, thus rotating the rotary arms.
When the two rotary arms rotate and at least one of the switches
SW2 and SW3 is switched on, a motor drive mechanism is activated to
rotate transport rollers in a loading direction, so that the disk
sandwiched between the transport rollers and opposing members is
loaded or transported into the disk drive with a force generated by
rotation of the transport rollers.
[0007] To eject or unload the disk from the disk drive, the disk is
sandwiched between the transport rollers and the opposing members
and the transport rollers are driven to rotate in an unloading
direction, so that the disk is unloaded or transported out of the
disk drive through the opening During the unloading, the two rotary
arms are pressed and rotated by the rim of the disk. When the
switch SW1 is switched off, the motor is stopped, thus stopping the
rotation of the transport rollers. The unloaded disk is held in
such a manner that the leading part of the disk projects from the
disk drive through the opening, the trailing part of the disk
remains in the disk drive, and the trailing part is sandwiched
between the transport rollers and the opposing members.
[0008] In this type of disk drive, it is preferred that when a disk
is inserted through the opening, the transport rollers should start
to rotate in the loading direction before the disk comes into
contact with the transport rollers. Consequently, the disk inserted
while being held by a user's hand can be drawn into a gap between
the transport rollers and the opposing members without hitting
against the transport rollers. Thus, the disk can be smoothly
transported into the disk drive.
[0009] A disk is not necessarily inserted into the opening from a
position aligned with a central part of the opening along its
width. In some cases, a disk may be inserted into the opening from
a position deviating from the central part of the opening in a
first direction along the width of the opening. The disk drive
disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2008-135106 is configured such that one of the two rotary arms
causes switching of the switch SW2, the other one of the two rotary
arms causes switching of the switch SW3, and the transport rollers
are caused to start rotating when at least one of the switches SW2
and SW3 is switched on. If a disk is inserted from any position,
the transport rollers can be caused to start rotating in the
loading direction before the disk comes into contact with the
transport rollers.
[0010] When a disk is unloaded, the transport rollers need to be
stopped in a state where the trailing part of the disk located at
an ejection position is sandwiched between the transport rollers
and the opposing members. This prevents the disk from falling out
of the disk drive before the disk is pulled out by a user's
hand.
[0011] As described above, a position at which a disk actuates the
switch for detecting insertion of the disk needs to differ from a
position at which the disk actuates the switch for detecting
ejection of the disk. The disk drive disclosed in Japanese
Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-135106
accordingly includes the two switches SW2 and SW3 for detecting
insertion and the single switch SW1 for detecting ejection. The
three switches are arranged in order to detect insertion and
ejection. This arrangement needs many parts and accordingly results
in an increase in the number of steps of assembly adjustment,
leading to an increase in assembly cost.
[0012] If a pair of rotary arms (a first rotary arm and a second
rotary arm) rotating independently of each other are configured
such that the first rotary arm causes switching of the switch SW2
for detecting insertion and the second rotary arm causes switching
of the switch SW1 for detecting ejection, the number of switches
can be reduced. In this case, if a disk is inserted from a position
close to the second rotary arm, the disk will come into contact
with the transport rollers but the first rotary arm will not be
rotated sufficiently and accordingly will fail to switch on the
switch SW2. Unfortunately, the transport rollers will not start to
rotate.
[0013] In this case, if a coupling mechanism is disposed between
the first and second rotary arms in order to achieve synchronous
rotation of the rotary arms, the switch SW2 can be switched on in
response to rotation of the first rotary arm or the second rotary
arm, thus rotating the transport rollers in the loading direction.
Disadvantageously, a coupling mechanism having a complicated
structure is needed, thus allowing a disk drive to have a
complicated configuration, which leads to an increase in
manufacturing cost.
SUMMARY
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention are intended to
overcome the above-described disadvantages in the related art. The
present disclosure provides a disk drive including a single
insertion detection member and being capable of achieving smooth
loading of a disk by causing a transport roller to start rotating
in a loading direction in response to insertion of the disk from
any position into the disk drive.
[0015] The present disclosure provides a disk drive including a
transport roller, a motor drive mechanism that drives and rotates
the transport roller, an opposing member facing the transport
roller, an insertion detection unit disposed at a position
deviating in a first direction along an axis of the transport
roller from a transport center line that passes through a central
part of the transport roller along the axis of the transport roller
so as to extend in both a loading direction in which a disk
sandwiched between the transport roller and the opposing member is
transported into the disk drive with a force generated by rotation
of the transport roller and an unloading direction in which the
disk sandwiched between the transport roller and the opposing
member is transported out of the disk drive with a force generated
by rotation of the transport roller, and a control unit that
activates the motor drive mechanism to rotate the transport roller
in the loading direction when the insertion detection unit is
actuated by the disk. The transport roller and the opposing member
define a space therebetween to receive the disk inserted from a
position deviating from the transport center line in a second
direction along the axis of the transport roller.
[0016] In this disk drive, when the space receives the disk
inserted from the position deviating from the transport center line
in the second direction, the insertion detection unit may detect
the disk.
[0017] In the disk drive, the insertion detection unit is disposed
at the position deviating from the transport center line in the
first direction. If the disk is inserted from a position deviating
from the transport center line in the second direction, the disk
would tend to come into contact with the transport roller before
the insertion detection unit detects the disk. The space which the
disk is allowed to enter is however defined in the second direction
between the transport roller and the opposing member. Consequently,
if the disk is inserted from a position deviating from the
transport center line in the second direction, the transport roller
can be allowed to start rotating in the loading direction without
causing a large resistance that interferes with insertion of the
disk.
[0018] In the disk drive, the opposing member may have a recess in
at least a portion in the second direction relative to the
transport center line and the recess may face the transport roller
with the space therebetween.
[0019] The space can be formed between the transport roller and the
opposing member by reducing the diameter of the transport roller or
partly removing the transport roller at a position deviating from
the transport center line in the second direction.
[0020] The disk drive may further include an ejection detection
unit that is actuated by the disk when the disk transported out of
the disk drive by rotation of the transport roller in the unloading
direction reaches a predetermined ejection position. When the
ejection detection unit is actuated, the rotation of the transport
roller may be stopped and part of the disk may be sandwiched
between the transport roller and the opposing member.
[0021] If the disk is inserted into the disk drive from a position
deviating from the transport center line in the second direction,
the disk can be smoothly loaded into the disk drive without causing
a large resistance. This eliminates a mechanism for associating the
insertion detection unit with the ejection detection unit.
Additionally, the number of components, such as switches, included
in the detection units can be minimized.
[0022] In the disk drive, the disk at the ejection position may be
held by part of the opposing member and the part of the opposing
member may be positioned inwardly from the space. This arrangement
enables the disk at the ejection position to be firmly sandwiched
between the transport roller and the opposing member regardless of
the recess.
[0023] In the disk drive, the ejection detection unit may be
disposed at a position deviating from the transport center line in
the second direction.
[0024] In the disk drive, the insertion detection unit may include
an insertion detection lever that rotates about a support axis
orthogonal to a surface of the inserted disk and an insertion
switch that is switched by the insertion detection lever pressed
and rotated by the disk. The ejection detection unit may include an
ejection detection lever that rotates about a support axis
orthogonal to the surface of the disk and an ejection switch that
is switched by the ejection detection lever pressed and rotated by
the disk.
[0025] In the disk drive, the insertion detection lever and the
ejection detection lever may rotate independently of each
other.
[0026] In the disk drive, each of the insertion detection unit and
the ejection detection unit may include a slider that slides in a
direction orthogonal to the loading and unloading directions and a
switch that is switched by the slider. Alternatively, each of the
insertion detection unit and the ejection detection unit may
include an optical detection unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating essential parts of
a disk drive according to an embodiment of the present invention in
an inverted orientation;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a bottom view illustrating essential parts of the
disk drive according to the embodiment of the present invention and
illustrates a state in which a disk is inserted from a position
substantially on a transport center line;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a bottom view illustrating essential parts of the
disk drive according to the embodiment of the present invention and
illustrates a state in which the disk is inserted from a position
deviating from the transport center line in a second direction;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a bottom view illustrating the essential parts of
the disk drive according to the embodiment of the present invention
and illustrates a state in which the disk is inserted from a
position deviating from the transport center line in a first
direction;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a bottom view illustrating the essential parts of
the disk drive according to the embodiment of the present invention
and illustrates a state in which the disk is transported into a
housing;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a bottom view illustrating the essential parts of
the disk drive according to the embodiment of the present invention
and illustrates a state in which the disk has reached an ejection
position;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the essential
parts of the disk drive taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 3;
and
[0034] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the essential
parts of the disk drive taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG.
6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a disk drive 1 includes a housing
2 and a panel 3 secured to a front portion of the housing 2. The
panel 3 has a slit-shaped opening 4. If the disk drive 1 is used in
a vehicle, such as an automobile, the housing 2 is embedded in an
instrument panel of the automobile and the panel 3 is flush with
the instrument panel.
[0036] FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate the disk drive 1 in an inverted
orientation or upside down. When actually used, the disk drive 1 is
oriented such that a Z1 direction indicates an upward direction and
a Z2 direction indicates a downward direction. In FIGS. 1 to 8, a
Y1 direction indicates a loading direction in which a disk is
transported into the housing 2, and a Y2 direction indicates an
unloading direction in which the disk is transported out of the
housing 2. A transport center line O is a virtual line that passes
through a central part of a transport roller 12 along its axis and
a central part of the opening 4 along its width so as to extend in
the loading and unloading directions. The transport roller 12 is
accommodated in the housing 2. An X1 direction indicates a first
direction relative to the transport center line O, and an X2
direction indicates a second direction relative to the transport
center line O.
[0037] A disk transport mechanism 10 is disposed inside the opening
4 of the panel 3. The disk transport mechanism 10 includes a roller
shaft 11. The transport roller 12 composed of synthetic rubber is
attached to an outer circumferential surface of the roller shaft
11. The housing 2 accommodates an opposing member 15 facing the
transport roller 12. The opposing member 15 is composed of plastic
having low frictional resistance. The transport roller 12 is shaped
such that the transport roller 12 has a smallest diameter in the
vicinity of the transport center line O and the diameter of the
transport roller 12 gradually increases in both the first direction
X1 and the second direction X2.
[0038] The opposing member 15 is fastened to an upper inner surface
of the housing 2 located in the Z1 direction. Both ends of the
roller shaft 11 are supported by roller brackets (not illustrated).
The roller brackets are rotated to shift the roller shaft 11 upward
in the Z1 direction or downward in the Z2 direction. To transport a
disk D, the roller shaft 11 is shifted in the Z1 direction and is
then urged in the Z1 direction by a roller spring.
[0039] The roller shaft 11 is fixed at one end to a driven gear 13.
To transport the disk D, the roller shaft 11 and the transport
roller 12 are rotated in a loading direction .phi.1 or an unloading
direction .phi.2 by a motor drive mechanism 14 illustrated in FIG.
2.
[0040] The opposing member 15 has a shaft receiving recess 15a
facing in the Z2 direction. The shaft receiving recess 15a extends
parallel to the roller shaft 11 and has a concave surface so as to
fit the curved surface of a cylinder, as illustrated in
cross-section in FIGS. 7 and 8. The opposing member 15 includes a
front holding portion (front holding surface) 15b located in the Y2
direction (unloading direction) relative to the shaft receiving
recess 15a and a rear holding portion (rear holding surface) 15c
located in the Y1 direction (loading direction) relative to the
shaft receiving recess 15a. The front holding portion 15b and the
rear holding portion 15c face in the Z2 direction.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the opposing member 15 has a
second guiding recess 15d facing in the Z2 direction. The second
guiding recess 15d is located in the second direction (X2
direction) relative to the transport center line O. The opposing
member 15 further has a beveled surface 15e located between the
second guiding recess 15d and the front holding portion 15b. The
opposing member 15 further has a first guiding recess 15f located
in the first direction (X1 direction) relative to the transport
center line O. The opposing member 15 further has another beveled
surface 15g located between the first guiding recess 15f and the
front holding portion 15b.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates the disk D having a rim Da partially
inserted into the disk drive 1. The rim Da, serving as a leading
edge in the loading direction, of the disk D overlaps the transport
roller 12. The beveled surface 15e extending from the second
guiding recess 15d located in the second direction (X2 direction)
relative to the transport center line O is disposed so as to
substantially fit the rim Da. The second guiding recess 15d extends
to an area that overlaps the axis of the transport roller 12.
Consequently, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the opposing member
15 and the transport roller 12 define a space S therebetween in an
area where the opposing member 15 coincides with the transport
roller 12 in the Z1 and Z2 directions.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the beveled surface 15e
extending from the second guiding recess 15d slopes in the Z2
direction so as to approach the transport roller 12 in the loading
direction (Y1 direction).
[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first guiding recess
15f located in the first direction (X1 direction) relative to the
transport center line O is disposed in the unloading direction (Y2
direction) relative to the transport roller 12. The first guiding
recess 15f has a smaller area than the second guiding recess 15d.
The beveled surface 15g extending from the first guiding recess 15f
slopes in the Z2 direction so as to approach the transport roller
12 in the Y1 direction.
[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the housing 2 accommodates an
insertion detection unit 20 located in the first direction (X1
direction) relative to the transport center line O. The insertion
detection unit 20 includes an insertion detection arm 21 composed
of plastic. The insertion detection arm 21 has a proximal end
located in the Y1 direction relative to the transport roller 12.
The insertion detection arm 21 is supported such that the proximal
end is rotatable in both an al direction and an .alpha.2 direction
about a support axis 22 extending in the Z1 and Z2 directions.
[0046] A detection spring 23 is secured to the proximal end of the
insertion detection arm 21. The detection spring 23, which is an
extension coil spring, urges the insertion detection arm 21 in the
al direction. The housing 2 further accommodates a stopper (not
illustrated) that restricts rotation of the insertion detection arm
21 in the al direction. The insertion detection arm 21 is stable at
a position illustrated in FIG. 1 under no external force. The
insertion detection arm 21 has a distal end located in the
unloading direction (Y2 direction) relative to the transport roller
12. The distal end is integrated with an insertion detection pin
24. The insertion detection pin 24 extends over the transport
roller 12 and the opposing member 15 and faces the opening 4 within
the housing 2 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The insertion detection
unit 20 includes an insertion detection switch SW1. The insertion
detection switch SW1 is switched between an ON mode and an OFF mode
depending on the angle of rotation of the insertion detection arm
21.
[0047] The housing 2 further accommodates an ejection detection
unit 30 located in the second direction (X2 direction) relative to
the transport center line O. The ejection detection unit 30
includes an ejection detection arm 31 composed of plastic. The
ejection detection arm 31 has a proximal end located in the Y1
direction relative to the transport roller 12. The ejection
detection arm 31 is supported such that the proximal end is
rotatable in both a .beta.1 direction and .beta.2 direction about a
support axis 32 extending in the Z1 and Z2 directions.
[0048] A detection spring 33 is secured to the proximal end of the
ejection detection arm 31. The detection spring 33, which is an
extension coil spring, urges the ejection detection arm 31 in the
.beta.1 direction. The housing 2 further accommodates a stopper
(not illustrated) that restricts rotation of the ejection detection
arm 31 in the .beta.1 direction. The ejection detection arm 31 is
stable at a position illustrated in FIG. 1 under no external force.
The ejection detection arm 31 has a distal end located in the
unloading direction (Y2 direction) relative to the transport roller
12. The distal end is integrated with an ejection detection pin 34.
The ejection detection pin 34 extends over the transport roller 12
and the opposing member 15 and faces the opening 4 within the
housing 2. The ejection detection unit 30 includes an ejection
detection switch SW2. The ejection detection switch SW2 is switched
between the ON mode and the OFF mode depending on the angle of
rotation of the ejection detection arm 31.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 2, while no external force is applied
to the insertion detection arm 21 and the ejection detection arm
31, the distance in the X1 and X2 directions between the insertion
detection pin 24 and the ejection detection pin 34 is less than the
diameter of the disk D.
[0050] The insertion detection arm 21 and the ejection detection
arm 31 rotate independently of each other. The angle of rotation in
the .alpha.2 direction of the insertion detection arm 21 when the
insertion detection switch SW1 is switched differs from the angle
of rotation in the .beta.2 direction of the ejection detection arm
31 when the ejection detection switch SW2 is switched.
[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, when the insertion
detection arm 21 of the insertion detection unit 20 is slightly
rotated in the .alpha.2 direction from the stable position
illustrated in FIG. 1, an actuator 25 for the insertion detection
switch SW1 moves onto a switching surface 21a of the insertion
detection arm 21, so that an output of the insertion detection
switch SW1 changes from an OFF level to an ON level. On the other
hand, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the ejection detection
arm 31 of the ejection detection unit 30 is significantly rotated
in the .beta.2 direction from the stable position illustrated in
FIG. 1, an actuator 35 for the ejection detection switch SW2 moves
onto a switching surface 31a of the ejection detection arm 31.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, the output of the insertion detection
switch SW1 is detected by a switch detection unit 41 and is then
supplied to a control unit 43. An output of the ejection detection
switch SW2 is detected by a switch detection unit 42 and is then
supplied to the control unit 43. The control unit 43 switches an
operation of the motor drive mechanism 14 that rotates the roller
shaft 11.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the housing 2 accommodates a
rotation drive unit 50. The rotation drive unit 50 includes a
turntable 51. The turntable 51 is fastened to a rotation shaft 52
extending in the Z2 direction. The rotation drive unit 50 further
includes a spindle motor for driving and rotating the rotation
shaft 52. The spindle motor is located in the Z2 direction relative
to the turntable 51. The turntable 51 faces a clamper (not
illustrated) located in the Z1 direction relative to the turntable
51. The central part surrounding a central hole of the disk D
transported in the housing 2 is sandwiched between and held by the
turntable 51 and the clamper.
[0054] Operations of the disk drive 1 will now be described.
Loading Operation
[0055] In a standby state waiting for insertion of the disk D, the
roller shaft 11 shifted in the Z1 direction by rotation of the
roller brackets is urged in the Z1 direction by the resilience of
the roller spring (not illustrated). As illustrated in FIG. 7, the
transport roller 12 is accordingly pressed against the surface of
the shaft receiving recess 15a of the opposing member 15.
[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates a case where the disk D is inserted into
the opening 4 such that the center of the disk D substantially
coincides with the transport center line O. In this case, when or
just before the rim Da, serving as the leading edge in the loading
direction, of the disk D reaches the beveled surface 15g extending
from the first guiding recess 15f of the opposing member 15, a
peripheral portion of the disk D presses the insertion detection
pin 24 in the first direction (X1 direction) to rotate the
insertion detection arm 21 in the .alpha.2 direction, thus
switching the insertion detection switch SW1 from the OFF mode to
the ON mode.
[0057] When the insertion detection switch SW1 is switched from the
OFF mode to the ON mode, the switch detection unit 41 transmits an
insertion detection signal to the control unit 43. The control unit
43 activates the motor drive mechanism 14 in response to the
signal, thus rotating the roller shaft 11 in the loading direction
.phi.1 direction). In the case of FIG. 2, the roller shaft 11
starts rotating in the loading direction .phi.1 direction) just
before the rim Da, serving as the leading edge in the loading
direction, of the disk D comes into contact with the transport
roller 12. Consequently, a leading peripheral portion of the disk D
in the loading direction is drawn into the gap between the
transport roller 12 and the opposing member 15, so that the disk D
is sandwiched between the transport roller 12 and each of the front
holding portion 15b and the rear holding portion 15c of the
opposing member 15. The disk D is transported into the housing 2
with a force generated by rotation of the transport roller 12.
[0058] After the disk D is transported into the housing 2 while the
insertion detection switch SW1 is in the ON mode, the peripheral
portion of the disk D presses the ejection detection pin 34 in the
X2 direction to rotate the ejection detection arm 31 in the .beta.2
direction, thus switching the ejection detection switch SW2 from
the OFF mode to the ON mode. Referring to FIG. 5, when the center
of the disk D transported into the housing 2 is moved in the Y1
direction beyond a line connecting the insertion detection pin 24
and the ejection detection pin 34, the insertion detection arm 21
is returned in the al direction and the ejection detection arm 31
is returned in the .beta.1 direction. Consequently, the ejection
detection switch SW2 is switched from the ON mode to the OFF mode
and the insertion detection switch SW1 is then switched from the ON
mode to the OFF mode.
[0059] The disk D is transported to the turntable 51 so as to be
located in the Z1 direction relative to the turntable 51. When a
loading detection unit (not illustrated) detects alignment of the
central hole of the disk D with the turntable 51, the roller
brackets are rotated to shift the roller shaft 11 in the Z2
direction, thus releasing the disk D from the transport roller 12
and the opposing member 15. In addition, the clamper is moved so as
to press the disk D against the turntable 51, so that the central
part of the disk D is sandwiched between the turntable 51 and the
clamper. The turntable 51 is rotated together with the disk D by
the spindle motor. A head (not illustrated) reads data recorded on
the disk D or writes data to the disk D.
[0060] FIG. 3 illustrates a case where the disk D is inserted into
the opening 4 from a position where the center of the disk D is
deviated from the transport center line O in the second direction
(X2 direction). In this case, if the disk D is inserted to the same
position as that illustrated in FIG. 2, the peripheral portion of
the disk D would not press the insertion detection pin 24 in the X1
direction. To switch the insertion detection switch SW1, the disk D
would have to be accordingly inserted in the Y1 direction. However,
the second guiding recess 15d of the opposing member 15 extends so
as to overlap the transport roller 12 in the Z1 and Z2 directions.
This allows the rim Da of the disk D to enter the space S between
the opposing member 15 and the transport roller 12 in the second
direction (X2 direction) as illustrated in FIG. 7. Consequently,
the rim Da of the disk D causes the insertion detection arm 21 to
rotate in the .alpha.2 direction before or substantially at the
time when the rim Da comes into contact with the transport roller
12 in a stopped state, thus switching the insertion detection
switch SW1 from the OFF mode to the ON mode.
[0061] As described above, if the disk D is inserted into the
opening 4 from a position deviating from the transport center line
O in the second direction (X2 direction), the disk D can be
smoothly drawn into the housing 2 without receiving a large
insertion reaction force from the transport roller 12 in the
stopped state.
[0062] FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the disk D is inserted into
the opening 4 from a position where the center of the disk D is
deviated from the transport center line O in the first direction
(X1 direction). In this case, while the disk D is significantly
away from the transport roller 12 in the Y2 direction, the disk D
presses the insertion detection pin 24 to rotate the insertion
detection arm 21 in the .alpha.2 direction, thus switching the
insertion detection switch SW1 from the OFF mode to the ON mode.
The transport roller 12 starts rotating in the loading direction
.phi.1 direction) while the disk D is away from the transport
roller 12 in the Y2 direction, so that the disk D is smoothly drawn
into the housing 2 by the rotation of the transport roller 12.
Unloading Operation
[0063] When an operation to eject the disk D is selected using, for
example, an operation button placed on an operation surface of the
panel 3, the roller brackets are rotated under the control of the
control unit 43 to shift the roller shaft 11 in the Z1 direction,
so that the disk D is sandwiched between the transport roller 12
and the opposing member 15. In the rotation drive unit 50, the
clamper is moved away from the turntable 51, thus releasing the
disk D from its clamped state where the central part of the disk D
is sandwiched between the clamper and the turntable 51.
[0064] When the roller shaft 11 is driven in the unloading
direction (.phi.2 direction) by the motor drive mechanism 14, the
disk D sandwiched between the transport roller 12 and the opposing
member 15 is transported in the unloading direction (Y2
direction).
[0065] Referring to FIG. 5, during the unloading of the disk D, a
leading peripheral portion of the disk D in the Y2 direction
presses the insertion detection pin 24 and the ejection detection
pin 34 such that the pins 24 and 34 move away from each other, so
that the insertion detection arm 21 is rotated in the .alpha.2
direction and the ejection detection arm 31 is rotated in the
.beta.2 direction. The rotation of the insertion detection arm 21
in the .alpha.2 direction first causes the insertion detection
switch SW1 to be switched from the OFF mode to the ON mode and the
rotation of the ejection detection arm 31 in the .beta.2 direction
then causes the ejection detection switch SW2 to be switched from
the OFF mode to the ON mode.
[0066] When the disk D is further transported in the Y2 direction
to a position illustrated in FIG. 6, the switching surface 31a of
the ejection detection arm 31 leaves the actuator 35 for the
ejection detection switch SW2, so that the ejection detection
switch SW2 is switched from the ON mode to the OFF mode. Upon
switching of the ejection detection switch SW2 from the ON mode to
the OFF mode, the control unit 43 stops the motor drive mechanism
14. At this time, the insertion detection switch SW1 is still in
the ON mode.
[0067] When the motor drive mechanism 14 is stopped, the rotation
of the roller shaft 11 is stopped. Consequently, the disk D is
stopped at an ejection position illustrated in FIG. 6. The
transport roller 12 presses part of the disk D located in the Y1
direction relative to the opening 4 against the front holding
portion 15b and the rear holding portion 15c of the opposing member
15. The disk D is accordingly held by the opposing member 15 and
the transport roller 12. The other part of the disk D stopped at
the ejection position projects forward from the opening 4 of the
housing 2. Thus, the user can hold and pull the disk D with the
user's hand.
[0068] The disk drive 1 is configured such that the insertion
detection unit 20 and the ejection detection unit 30 operate
independently of each other. This enables the time when the
insertion detection switch SW1 is actuated by the insertion
detection arm 21 to differ from the time when the ejection
detection switch SW2 is actuated by the ejection detection arm 31.
Specifically, when the disk D is inserted into the opening 4, the
insertion detection switch SW1 is switched on earlier than the
ejection detection switch SW2 as illustrated in, for example, FIG.
2 so that the transport roller 12 can be caused to start rotating
in the loading direction. During the unloading of the disk D, the
ejection detection switch SW2 is switched off earlier than the
insertion detection switch SW1 so that the disk D can be stopped at
the ejection position illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0069] If the disk D is inserted from the position deviating from
the transport center line O in the second direction (X2 direction)
away from the insertion detection unit 20 as illustrated in FIG. 3,
the disk D can be guided into the space S illustrated in FIG. 7.
Thus, the transport roller 12 can be caused to start rotating in
the loading direction before or just after the disk D comes into
contact with the transport roller 12 in the stopped state.
[0070] Each of the insertion detection unit 20 and the ejection
detection unit 30 may include a slider that slides in the X1 and X2
directions orthogonal to the loading and unloading directions of
the disk D and a switch that is switched by the slider.
Alternatively, each of the insertion detection unit 20 and the
ejection detection unit 30 may include an optical detection
unit.
[0071] The transport roller 12 may be partly reduced in diameter or
partly removed in the second direction (X2 direction) to form the
space S.
[0072] While there has been illustrated and described what is at
present contemplated to be preferred embodiments of the present
invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may
be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true
scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made
to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the invention
without departing from the central scope thereof. Therefore, it is
intended that this invention not be limited to the particular
embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all
embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *